bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Saffron (Crocus sativus) Aqueous Extract and its Constituent Crocin Reduces Stress‐induced Anorexia in Mice
Authors: Halataei Bahar‐al‐Sadat , Khosravi Maryam , Arbabian Sedigheh , Sahraei Hedayat , Golmanesh Leila , Zardooz Homeira , Jalili Cyrus , Ghoshooni Hassan
Published: April 2011

In the present study, the effects of an ethanol and aqueous extract of saffron Crocus sativus and its constituents safranal and crocin on the stress‐induced reduction in food intake, weight gain and anorexic time in mice were investigated. Male albino mice (20–25 g) were irregularly exposed to a trial of electroshock stress for 7 days. Then, the anorexic time as well as the animal's food intake and weight were recorded. In addition, blood samples were obtained on days 1 and 7 for corticosterone determination. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of the aqueous but not the ethanol extract (10, 50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly reduced the anorexic time. The results were similar for crocin (1, 5 and 10 mg/kg; i.p.). In addition, a reduction in weight gain was observed in the controls as well as in the groups that received alcohol extract or safranal. However, this was not observed in animals treated with aqueous extract or crocin. The plasma corticosterone level did not increase in the aqueous extract and crocin treated animals. It can be concluded that the saffron aqueous extract and its constituent crocin reduce side effects of electroshock stress in mice. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sphaeranthus indicus Attenuates Testosterone induced Prostatic Hypertrophy in Albino Rats
Authors: Nahata Alok , Dixit Vinod Kumar
Published: April 2011

The present study reports the attenuating effect of Sphaeranthus indicus extracts (SI) on prostatic hyperplasia induced by testosterone in albino rats. In vitro studies were conducted to assess the 5α‐reductase inhibitory potential of the petroleum ether, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of SI. A biochemical marker, β‐sitosterol, was isolated and extracts were characterized utilizing HPTLC. Testosterone (3 mg/kg s.c.) was administered to the rats along with the test extracts and isolated β‐sitosterol for a period of 28 days. The weight of the rats, the urine output, serum testosterone concentrations and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels were recorded. The prostate/body weight ratio (P/BW) was calculated and histological studies were performed to observe the changes in the histoarchitecture of the prostate. Finasteride was used as a positive control (1 mg/kg p.o.). Sphaeranthus indicus extracts attenuated the increase in the P/BW ratio induced by testosterone in the treated groups. The petroleum ether extract exhibited the best activity, although the ethanol and aqueous extracts also exhibited significant activity. Urine output was also improved significantly, demonstrating the clinical implications of the study. Histological studies, testosterone levels which were measured weekly and PSA levels measured at the end of the study also support claims for the potential use of Sphaeranthus indicus in the treatment of prostatic hyperplasia. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cross‐oxidation of angiotensin II by glycerophosphatidylcholine oxidation products
Authors: Silva André Moreira Neto , Borralho Ana Carolina , Pinho Sónia Andreia , Domingues M. Rosário M. , Domingues Pedro
Published: April 2011

Peptide and protein lipoxidation is a deleterious process which has been related to several degenerative conditions. In the present study, the interaction of lipid secondary oxidation products with peptides was investigated by evaluating the modifications occurring to angiotensin II (Ang‐II) in the presence of an oxidizing polyunsaturated glycerophospholipid (1‐palmitoyl‐2‐arachidonoyl‐glycerophosphatidylcholine, PAPC). PAPC oxidation was promoted by Fenton chemistry and the oxidation products were incubated with Ang‐II. The reaction products were finally analysed by off‐line nanospray high‐performance liquid chromatography/matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem mass spectrometry (nano‐HPLC/MALDI‐TOF‐MS/MS).

Ang‐II was found to form adducts with 26 different aldehydes, leading to 37 distinct reaction products. Modification of Ang‐II occurred through reaction with reactive carbonyl species (RCS) originating from fatty acyl chain cleavage, while interactions with the oxidized phospholipid could not be detected. Adduction was observed to occur both by Michael and Schiff base mechanisms, most prevalently taking place at the peptide N‐terminus or the arginine residue. Histidine modification could only be demonstrated to occur via Michael addition with two aldehydes: 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal (HNE) and 2‐octenal. The highly reactive 4‐oxo‐2‐nonenal (ONE) was shown to react preferentially with the arginine side chain, while malondialdehyde addition could only be confirmed at the N‐terminus. Aspartic acid oxidative decarboxylation, amino acid side chain oxidation, multiple adduction or peptide cross‐links could not be perceived. The inability to detect these reaction products is indicative of their low abundance or non‐existence in competitive reaction conditions. The multiplicity of peptide modifications described emphasizes the complexity of lipoxidation, the effects of which are not possible to fully understand by the evaluation of independent reaction products. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Corporate Reports on Sustainability and Sustainable Development: ‘We Have Arrived’
Authors: Ihlen Øyvind , Roper Juliet
Published: April 2011

This paper analyses how the world's largest corporations communicate about sustainability and sustainable development in their non‐financial reports. It investigates the concept use, definitions and attempts at operationalization, and the rationales that corporations give to engage with them. It is concluded that the corporations typically opt to treat sustainability and sustainable development as given and unproblematic instead of addressing the fundamental problems of today's practice or the dilemmas of the concepts. The most striking finding, however, is that so many of the corporations no longer argue that they are on a ‘journey’ towards sustainability, but that they have already integrated sustainability principles and that they have worked like this for years. Such arguments arguably inhibit the change in business models that many commentators call for. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Study of hydrophilicity and stability of chemically modified PDMS surface using piranha and KOH solution
Authors: Maji Debashis , Lahiri S. K. , Das Soumen
Published: April 2011

Successful realization of various BioMEMS devices demands effective surface modification techniques of PDMS elastomer. This paper presents a detailed report on a simple and cost effective approach for surface modification of PDMS films involving wet chemical treatment in two‐step processes: primarily involving piranha solution followed by KOH dip to improve hydrophilicity and stability of PDMS surface. Chemical composition of the solution and surface treatment condition have been varied and optimized to significantly increase the surface energy. The effect of surface modification of the elastomer after wet chemical treatment is analyzed using contact angle measurement and FTIR‐ATR study. PDMS surface treated in piranha solution with H2O2 and H2SO4 in the ratio of 2:3 followed by a dip in KOH solution for 15 min duration each, demonstrated a maximum reduction of contact angle to ∼27° as compared to untreated sample having a contact angle of ∼110°. The removal of hydrophobic methyl group from elastomer surface and subsequent hydrophilization of surface by wet chemical process was confirmed from FTIR‐ATR spectra. This result is also supported by improved adhesion and electrical continuity of deposited aluminum metal film over the modified PDMS surface. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Starch sulfate as an efficient and biodegradable polymer catalyst for one‐pot, four‐component reaction of 2H‐indazolo[2,1‐b]phthalazine‐triones
Authors: Shaterian Hamid Reza , Rigi Fatemeh
Published: April 2011

A practical and green method for the synthesis of 2H‐indazolo[2,1‐b]phthalazine‐1,6,11(13H)‐trione derivatives using starch sulfate as a solid acid catalyst for the four‐component condensation reaction from hydrazinium hydroxide, phthalic anhydride, dimedone, and aromatic aldehydes under thermal solvent‐free conditions is described for the first time. Starch sulfate, a recyclable and easily handled catalyst has been demonstrated as a new catalyst for the synthesis of these classes of compounds.
Cardiovascular manifestations of Alkaptonuria
Authors: Pettit Stephen J. , Fisher Michael , Gallagher James A. , Ranganath Lakshminarayan R.
Published: April 2011

The cardiovascular manifestations of alkaptonuria relate to deposition of ochronotic pigment within heart valves, endocardium, aortic intima and coronary arteries. We assessed 16 individuals with alkaptonuria for cardiovascular disease, including full electrocardiographic and echocardiographic assessment. The self reported prevalence of valvular heart disease and coronary artery disease was low. There was a significant burden of previously undiagnosed aortic valve disease, reaching a prevalence of over 40% by the fifth decade of life. The aortic valve disease was found to increase in both prevalence and severity with advancing age. In contrast to previous reports, we did not find a significant burden of mitral valve disease or coronary artery disease. These findings are important for the clinical follow‐up of patients with alkaptonuria and suggest a role for echocardiographic surveillance of patients above 40 years old.
Where are the Males? Gender Differences in Undergraduates’ Interest in and Perceptions of the Genetic Counseling Profession
Authors: Kopesky Jeffrey W. , Veach Patricia McCarthy , Lian Fengqin , LeRoy Bonnie S.
Published: April 2011

Genetic counseling is a female‐dominated field, with women comprising about 95% of the profession (Smith et al. 2009). Greater patient choice and satisfaction may be achieved by increasing the number of male counselors, but empirical evidence about the reasons for this gender imbalance is limited. In this study 190 undergraduates (110 females, 79 males, 1 unknown) in upper division bioscience courses completed a survey assessing their knowledge and perceptions of and interest in genetic counseling as a career. There were only two significant gender differences. Females indicated significantly greater interest than males in pursuing a genetic counseling career, and they rated interpersonal skills as more integral to genetic counseling than males. Multiple regression analyses of knowledge and perceptions as possible predictors of male and female interest in pursuing a genetic counseling career yielded no significant predictors of male interest. For females, there were four significant predictors: estimated salary, career characteristics, perceptions of genetic counseling as interpersonally focused, and whether they had already chosen a career. Implications for recruiting males to the profession, and research recommendations are presented.
Health Measurement in Population Surveys: Combining Information from Self-reported and Observer-Measured Health Indicators
Authors: Ploubidis George B. , Grundy Emily
Published: April 2011

Our primary aim is to develop and validate a population health metric for survey-based health assessment that combines information from both self-reported and observer-measured health indicators. A secondary objective is to use this index to examine gender and socioeconomic differentials in the health status of older people. We use data from the second wave of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) conducted in 2004 (N = 8,870). Information from three observer-measured and three self-reported health indicators was combined, using a latent variable modeling approach. A model that decomposed the manifest health indicators to valid health, systematic error, and random error was found to fit the data best. The latent health dimension represented somatic health, and was tested against three external criteria: height, waist-hip ratio, and smoking status. We present the Latent Index of Somatic Health (LISH), as well as a procedure for deriving the LISH in surveys employing both self- and observer-measured health indicators. Observer-measured and self-reported indicators were found to be equally biased in indexing population somatic health, with the exception of self-reports of functional limitations, which was the most reliable somatic health indicator. As expected, results showed that women had worse health than men and that socioeconomic advantage is associated with better somatic health.
Parenting and adolescent adjustment: The role of parental reflective function
Authors: Benbassat Naomi , Priel Beatriz
Published: April 2011

Reflective function (RF) is the capacity to reflect on one’s own mental experiences and those of others. This study examined the relationship between parental RF and adolescent adjustment. One hundred and five adolescents, aged 14–18, and their mothers and fathers were interviewed and completed questionnaires during home visits. We measured parental RF, aspects of parenting behavior, and adolescent outcomes. We found that parental RF correlated with adolescent RF and social competence. Unexpectedly, it also correlated with internalizing problems and less positive self‐perception. In addition, parental RF, particularly paternal RF, interacted with aspects of parenting behavior. In the presence of higher levels of parental RF, these behavioral aspects were associated with more positive adolescent outcomes. We conclude that (a) parental RF is associated with both desirable outcomes and possible costs and (b) parental RF, particularly paternal RF, is a significant moderator of the associations between parenting behaviors and adolescent outcomes.
Vector‐mediated release of GABA attenuates pain‐related behaviors and reduces NaV1.7 in DRG neurons
Authors: Chattopadhyay Munmun , Mata Marina , Finkl David J.
Published: April 2011

Pain is a common and debilitating accompaniment of neuropathy that occurs as a complication of diabetes. In the current study, we examined the effect of continuous release of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), achieved by gene transfer of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67) to dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in vivo using a non‐replicating herpes simplex virus (HSV)‐based vector (vG) in a rat model of painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN). Subcutaneous inoculation of vG reduced mechanical hyperalgesia, thermal hyperalgesia and cold allodynia in rats with PDN. Continuous release of GABA from vector transduced cells in vivo prevented the increase in the voltage‐gated sodium channel isoform 1.7 (NaV1.7) protein that is characteristic of PDN. In vitro, infection of primary DRG neurons with vG prevented the increase in NaV1.7 resulting from exposure to hyperglycemia. The effect of vector‐mediated GABA on NaV1.7 levels in vitro was blocked by phaclofen but not by bicuculline, a GABAB receptor effect that was blocked by pertussis toxin‐(PTX) interference with Gα(i/o) function. Taken in conjunction with our previous observation that continuous activation of delta opioid receptors by vector‐mediated release of enkephalin also prevents the increase in NaV1.7 in DRG exposed to hyperglycemia in vitro or in vivo, the observations in this report suggest a novel common mechanism through which activation of G protein coupled receptors (GPCR) in DRG neurons regulate the phenotype of the primary afferent.
Contrasting effects of TNF and anti‐TNF on the activation of effector T cells and regulatory T cells in autoimmunity
Authors: Chen Xin , Oppenheim Joost J.
Published: April 2011

Anti‐TNF treatment is effective in a majority of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), however, this treatment can unexpectedly trigger the onset or exacerbate multiple sclerosis (MS). Recent progress in cellular immunology research provides a new framework to analyze the possible mechanism underlying these puzzling contradictory effects. The delicate balance of protective CD4+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) and pathogenic CD4+FoxP3− effector T cells (Teffs) is crucial for the outcome of anti‐TNF treatment of autoimmune disease. There is convincing evidence that TNF, in addition to stimulating Teffs, is able to activate and expand Tregs through TNFR2, which is preferentially expressed by Tregs. Therefore, the contrasting effects of TNF on Tregs and Teffs are likely to determine the therapeutic effect of anti‐TNF treatment. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the general effect of TNF on the activation of T cells, and the impact of TNF on the function of Teffs and Tregs. Understanding the differential effects of TNF on Teffs and Tregs is fundamentally required for the design of more effective and safer anti‐TNF or anti‐TNF receptor(s) therapeutic strategy for autoimmune diseases.
COP9 signalosome function in the DDR
Authors: Hannß Ronny , Dubiel Wolfgang
Published: April 2011

The COP9 signalosome (CSN) is a platform for protein communication in eukaryotic cells. It has an intrinsic metalloprotease that removes the ubiquitin (Ub)‐like protein Nedd8 from cullins. CSN‐mediated deneddylation regulates culling‐RING Ub ligases (CRLs) and controls ubiquitination of proteins involved in DNA damage response (DDR). CSN forms complexes with CRLs containing cullin 4 (CRL4s) which act on chromatin playing crucial roles in DNA repair, checkpoint control and chromatin remodeling. Furthermore, via associated kinases the CSN controls the stability of DDR effectors such as p53 and p27 and thereby the DDR outcome. DDR is a protection against cancer and deregulation of CSN function causes cancer making it an attractive pharmacological target. Here we review current knowledge on CSN function in DDR.
The biological basis of injury and neuroprotection in the fetal and neonatal brain
Authors: Rees Sandra , Harding Richard , Walker David
Published: April 2011

A compromised intrauterine environment that delivers low levels of oxygen and/or nutrients, or is infected or inflammatory, can result in fetal brain injury, abnormal brain development and in cases of chronic compromise, intrauterine growth restriction. Preterm birth can also be associated with injury to the developing brain and affect the normal trajectory of brain growth. This review will focus on the effects that episodes of perinatal hypoxia (acute, chronic, associated with inflammation or as an antecedent of preterm birth) can have on the developing brain. In animal models of these conditions we have found that relatively brief (acute) periods of fetal hypoxemia can have significant effects on the fetal brain, for example death of susceptible neuronal populations (cerebellum, hippocampus, cortex) and cerebral white matter damage. Chronic placental insufficiency which includes fetal hypoxemia, nutrient restriction and altered endocrine status can result in fetal growth restriction and long‐term deficits in neural connectivity in addition to altered postnatal function, for example in the auditory and visual systems. Maternal/fetal inflammation can result in fetal brain damage, particularly but not exclusively in the white matter; injury is more pronounced when associated with fetal hypoxemia. In the baboon, in which the normal trajectory of growth is affected by preterm birth, there is a direct correlation between a higher flux in oxygen saturation and a greater extent of neuropathological damage. Currently, the only established therapy for neonatal encephalopathy in full term neonates is moderate hypothermia although this only offers some protection to moderately but not severely affected brains. There is no accepted therapy for injured preterm brains. Consequently the search for more efficacious treatments continues; we discuss neuroprotective agents (erythropoietin, N‐acetyl cysteine, melatonin, creatine, neurosteroids) which we have trialed in appropriate animal models. The possibility of combining hypothermia with such agents or growth factors is now being considered. A deeper understanding of causal pathways in brain injury is essential for the development of efficacious strategies for neuroprotection.
A spinal hamartoma in an aged woman
Authors: Lin Hsin‐Chung , Yu Cheng‐Ping , Liu Ming‐Ying , Lee Herng‐Sheng
Published: April 2011

Spinal harmatoma is an extremely rare tumor, and only 16 cases have been reported previously. We report on a 73‐year‐old woman with low back pain because of spinal hamartoma. To our knowledge, the current report is the first published case of a spinal hamartoma without other systemic diseases in the aged.
Intrathecal administration of antioxidants attenuates mechanical pain hypersensitivity induced by REM sleep deprivation in the rat
Authors: Wei Hong , Huang Jin-Lu , Hao Bin , Wang Yan-Chao , Nian Gong , Ma Ai-Niu , Li Xin-Yan , Wang Yong-Xiang , Pertovaara Antti
Published: April 2011

Background

Sleep deprivation as well as peripheral neuropathy and cutaneous neurogenic inflammation has a facilitatory effect on pain perception. Here we studied whether oxidative stress-related mechanisms in the spinal cord that have been shown to contribute to pain facilitation in peripheral neuropathy and cutaneous neurogenic inflammation play a role in sleep deprivation-induced pain hypersensitivity

Methods

Flower pot method was used to induce rapid eye movement sleep deprivation (REMSD) of 48 h duration in the rat that had a chronic intrathecal (i.t.) catheter for spinal administration of drugs. Pain behavior was assessed by determining the monofilament-induced limb withdrawal response.

Results

REMSD of 48 h produced mechanical hypersensitivity that was attenuated in a dose-related fashion by i.t. administration of two different antioxidants, phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN) or 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1 oxyl (TEMPOL). While both antioxidants attenuated mechanical pain behavior also in control animals, their effects were significantly stronger after REMSD than in control conditions. Conversely, i.t. administration of a reactive oxygen species (ROS) donor, tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BOOH), in control animals produced pain hypersensitivity that was prevented by i.t. pretreatment with an antioxidant, TEMPOL. I.t. treatment with PBN or TEMPOL at the currently used doses failed to influence motor behavior in the Rotarod test.

Conclusions

The results indicate that among common mechanisms contributing to mechanical pain hypersensitivity following sleep deprivation as well as nerve injury or neurogenic inflammation is oxidative stress in the spinal cord.

Implications

Compounds with antioxidant properties might prove useful in suppressing the vicious pronociceptive interaction between chronic pain and sleep-deprivation.
Upper Wenlock bentonites from Wren's Nest Hill, Dudley: comparisons with prominent bentonites along Wenlock Edge, Shropshire, England
Authors: RAY DAVID C. , COLLINGS ADRIAN V. J. , WORTON GRAHAM J. , JONES GAVIN
Published: April 2011

The upper Wenlock Series (Homerian Stage) of the northern Midland Platform, England, contains numerous volcanic bentonite clay layers. At Wren's Nest Hill, Dudley, 15 bentonites have been investigated and comparisons with the type-Wenlock have been made by means of two key sections along Wenlock Edge, Shropshire. In total 22 bentonites have been investigated and their clay and sand-grade mineralogies determined. Rare earth element (REE) and yttrium concentrations of apatite grains contained within ten of the bentonites have been established allowing geochemical fingerprinting as an indication of provenance of source magmas and identification of geochemical marker beds. Based on the analysis of REE and yttrium concentrations it seems likely that the majority of these bentonites originated from a granodiorite magmatic source. Comparisons with published Llandovery and lower Wenlock age bentonites indicate generally more enrichment in light REEs relative to heavy REEs. In addition, close geochemical similarities between bentonites along Wenlock Edge and at Wren's Nest Hill strongly argue for their presence as precise stratigraphic equivalents within the upper Much Wenlock Limestone Formation. These correlations are further supported by geophysical data from borehole wire-line logs across the West Midlands. Finally, a chemically distinct mid-Homerian episode of volcanism is identified and represents a potentially important marker interval between the study area and other similarly aged bentonites reported from the Island of Gotland, Sweden.
CAPITALISM, CHAOS, AND CHRISTIAN HEALING: FAITH TABERNACLE CONGREGATION IN SOUTHERN COLONIAL GHANA, 1918–26
Authors: MOHR ADAM
Published: April 2011

In 1918, Faith Tabernacle Congregation was established in southern colonial Ghana. This Philadelphia-based church flourished in the context of colonialism, cocoa, and witchcraft, spreading rapidly after the 1918–19 influenza pandemic. In this context, several healing cults also proliferated, but Faith Tabernacle was particularly successful because the church offered its members spiritual, social, and legal advantages. The church's leadership was typically comprised of young Christian capitalist men, whose literacy and letter writing enabled the establishment of an American church without any missionaries present. By 1926, when Faith Tabernacle began its decline, at least 177 branches had formed in southern Ghana, extending into Togo and Côte d'Ivoire, with over 4,400 members.
THE FIRST GREAT WAVES: AFRICAN PROVENANCE ZONES FOR THE TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE TRADE TO CARTAGENA DE INDIAS, 1570–1640
Authors: WHEAT DAVID
Published: April 2011

Drawing on port entry records for 487 ships disembarking nearly 80,000 captives in Cartagena de Indias, the primary slaving port in early colonial Spanish America, this article provides a new assessment of the relative importance of major African provenance zones for the sixteenth- and seventeenth-century transatlantic slave trade. Upper Guinea and Angola furnished roughly equal shares of forced migrants to Cartagena between 1570 and 1640, with a smaller wave of captives from Lower Guinea. While Angola eventually replaced Upper Guinea as the main source of slave traffic to Cartagena, the shift was more gradual than scholars have previously believed.
Derivatives Use and Risk Taking: Evidence from the Hedge Fund Industry
Authors: Chen Yong
Published: April 2011

This paper examines the use of derivatives and its relation with risk taking in the hedge fund industry. In a large sample of hedge funds, 71% of the funds trade derivatives. After controlling for fund strategies and characteristics, derivatives users on average exhibit lower fund risks (e.g., market risk, downside risk, and event risk), such risk reduction is especially pronounced for directional-style funds. Further, derivatives users engage less in risk shifting and are less likely to liquidate in a poor market state. However, the flow-performance relation suggests that investors do not differentiate derivatives users when making investing decisions.
An evolutionary perspective on gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep
Authors: Stear M.J. , Singleton D. , Matthews L.
Published: April 2011

The purpose of this paper was to discuss from an evolutionary perspective the interaction between domestic sheep (Ovis aries)and their gastrointestinal nematodes. Although evolution is the central theme of biology, there has been little attempt to consider how evolutionary forces have shaped and continue to shape the relationships between domestic animals and their parasite community. Mathematical modelling of the host–parasite relationship indicated that the system is remarkably robust to perturbations in its parameters. This robustness may be a consequence of the long coevolution of host and parasites. Although nematodes can potentially evolve faster than the host, coevolution is not dominated by the parasite and there are several examples where breeds of cattle or sheep have evolved high levels of resistance to disease. Coevolution is a more equal partnership between host and nematode than is commonly assumed. Coevolution between parasites and the host immune system is often described as an arms race where both host immune response genes and parasite proteins evolve rapidly in response to each other. However, initial results indicate that nematode antigens are not evolving rapidly; the arms race between the immune system and nematodes, if it exists, is happening very slowly. Fisher's fundamental theorem of natural selection states that genes with positive effects on fitness will be fixed by natural selection. Consequently, heritable variation in fitness traits is expected to be low. Contrary to this argument, there is considerable genetic variation in resistance to nematode infection. In particular, the heritabilities of nematode-specific IgA and IgE activity are moderate to high. The reasons for this apparent violation of the fundamental theorem of natural selection are not clear but several possible explanations are explored. Faecal nematode egg counts increase at the beginning of the grazing season – a phenomenon known as the periparturient rise. This increase benefits host and parasite and appears to be a consequence of coevolution. In conclusion, an evolutionary perspective can shed light on many aspects of the host–parasite relationship in domestic animals.
Transnasal endoscopic management of angiofibroma extending to pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae
Authors: El Morsy S M , Khafagy Y W
Published: April 2011

Introduction:

Surgical approaches to the pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae are complex and cause significant morbidity. The commonest benign tumour to extend to the pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae is angiofibroma.

Patients and methods:

This prospective study included 15 male patients aged 12–27 years with recurrent, severe epistaxis. After computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, a modified Wormald and Robinson's two-surgeon approach was used. Follow up, with endoscopy and magnetic resonance imaging, ranged from two to five years.

Results:

Twelve patients were cured (endoscopically and radiologically). Three patients suffered recurrence, one each in the lateral sphenoid wall, pterygoid canal and infratemporal fossa. Revision surgery was performed, but one patient suffered another recurrence (lateral sphenoid wall with cavernous sinus infiltration) and was referred for gamma knife surgery.

Conclusion:

This endoscopic two-surgeon technique is an excellent approach for managing angiofibroma extending to the pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossae. Our modification markedly decreased morbidity by avoiding septum opening and sublabial incision, and by enabling better haemostasis (via maxillary artery control). Recurrence may be minimised by careful examination of the lateral sphenoid wall, pterygoid canal and infratemporal fossa pterygoid muscles.
In situ observations of trophic behaviour and locomotion of Princaxelia amphipods (Crustacea: Pardaliscidae) at hadal depths in four West Pacific Trenches
Authors: Jamieson Alan J. , Lörz Anne-Nina , Fujii Toyonobu , Priede Imants G.
Published: April 2011

The genus Princaxelia, Pardaliscidae, is a rarely recorded, infrequently collected and hitherto observed benthic amphipod, typically found at hadal depths (>6000 m) in the Pacific Ocean trenches. Little is known about the behaviour or physiology of this genus. Using a baited camera lander, observations of Princaxelia jamiesoni were made in the Japan Trench (7703 m) and Izu–Ogasawara Trench (9316 m) and of Princaxelia aff. abyssalis in the Kermadec Trench (7966 m) and Tonga Trench (8798 m). These amphipods rapidly intercepted the bait and preyed upon smaller lysianassoid amphipods. Mean absolute swimming speeds for P. jamiesoni and P. aff. abyssalis were 4.16 cm.s−1 ± 1.8 SD and 4.02 cm.s−1 ± 0.87 SD respectively. These amphipods have the capacity for long range swimming, high manoeuvrability in close range, and efficient predatory behaviour. Burst swimming speeds for P. aff. abyssalis were 9 and 10 cm.s−1 with accelerations up to 22–25 cm.s−2.
What do starving people eat? The case of Greece through oral history
Authors: HIONIDOU VIOLETTA
Published: April 2011

‘Famine foods’ seems a self-explanatory term but careful reading of the existing literature suggests otherwise. ‘Famine foods’ seem to suggest repulsive and unfamiliar foods consumed only in famine situations. This paper, using the Greek famine of 1941–43 as a case study, suggests that this is not the case. Starving people continue to use foods that they are familiar with or that other sections of the population are familiar with. The very poor sections of the population may well use fodder food, which nevertheless they are familiar with and which in most cases was also used by some of their members even in ‘normal’ times.
Who were the urban gentry? Social elites in an English provincial town, c. 1680–1760
Authors: STOBART JON
Published: April 2011

This paper explores the identity and social worlds of the ‘urban gentry’ of Chester as they developed from the late seventeenth to the mid eighteenth century. In place of the political and cultural definitions which characterise analyses of this group, it takes the self-defined ‘occupational’ titles of probate records as a starting point for an investigation into the background and activities of those styling themselves ‘gentleman’. Central to their identity were networks of friendship and trust. These reveal the urban gentry to have been closely tied with both the urban middling sorts and the rural gentry: a position which at once reflected and underpinned their particular situation within eighteenth-century society.
Women's clothes and female honour in early modern London
Authors: REINKE-WILLIAMS TIM
Published: April 2011

This article explores how the reputations and agency of middling and plebeian women in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century London were affected by what they wore. Compared with provincial England, markets for women's clothes in the capital were more diverse and accessible. Ambiguous moral judgments were made of women based on their dress, but many sought to acquire good, fashionable attire as the right clothes would improve their options in terms of courtship, sociability and employment, as well as facilitating their ability to negotiate the metropolitan environment and providing them with a ready store of capital. Clothes were thus contested commodities which helped define the limits of the possible for women in early modern London.
Regional distribution of nitrergic neurons in the inner retina of the chicken
Authors: WILSON MARTIN , NACSA NICK , HART NATHAN S. , WELLER CYNTHIA , VANEY DAVID I.
Published: April 2011

Using both NADPH diaphorase and anti-nNOS antibodies, we have identified—from retinal flatmounts—neuronal types in the inner retina of the chicken that are likely to be nitrergic. The two methods gave similar results and yielded a total of 15 types of neurons, comprising 9 amacrine cells, 5 ganglion cells, and 1 centrifugal midbrain neuron. Six of these 15 cell types are ubiquitously distributed, comprising 3 amacrine cells, 2 displaced ganglion cells, and a presumed orthotopic ganglion cell. The remaining nine cell types are regionally restricted within the retina. As previously reported, efferent fibers of midbrain neurons and their postsynaptic partners, the unusual axon-bearing target amacrine cells, are entirely confined to the ventral retina. Also confined to the ventral retina, though with somewhat different distributions, are the “bullwhip” amacrine cells thought to be involved in eye growth, an orthotopic ganglion cell, and two types of large axon-bearing amacrine cells whose dendrites and axons lie in stratum 1 of the inner plexiform layer (IPL). Intracellular fills of these two cell types showed that only a minority of otherwise morphologically indistinguishable neurons are nitrergic. Two amacrine cells that branch throughout the IPL are confined to an equatorial band, and one small-field orthotopic ganglion cell that branches in the proximal IPL is entirely dorsal. These findings suggest that the retina uses different processing on different regions of the visual image, though the benefit of this is presently obscure.
Left coronary artery stenosis with post-stenotic aneurysm after arterial switch operation before and after coronary revascularisation surgery
Authors: Marini Davide , Defilippi Claudio , Agnoletti Gabriella
Published: April 2011

We report the case of a child with severe and atypical stenosis of the left main coronary artery, which occurred late after arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries. Cardiac computed tomography accurately defined the lesion, showing the presence of post-stenotic dilation, guided the surgical approach and assessed coronary patency after revascularisation surgery.
Young children's food in Liverpool day-care settings: a qualitative study of pre-school nutrition policy and practice
Authors: Lloyd-Williams Ffion , Bristow Katie , Capewell Simon , Mwatsama Modi
Published: April 2011

Objective

To explore nutrition and food provision in pre-school nurseries in order to develop interventions to promote healthy eating in early years settings, especially across deprived communities.

Design

An ethnographic approach was used combining participant observation with semi-structured interviews. Research participants were selected purposively using convenience sampling.

Setting

Community pre-school nurseries.

Subjects

Nursery managers (n 9), cooks (n 6), staff (n 12), parents (n 12) and children at six nurseries (four private and two attached to children's centres) in Liverpool, UK.

Results

Private nurseries had minimal access to information and guidelines. Most nurseries did not have a specific healthy eating policy but used menu planning to maintain a focus on healthy eating. No staff had training in healthy eating for children under the age of 5 years. However, enthusiasm and interest were widespread. The level and depth of communication between the nursery and parents was important. Meal times can be an important means of developing social skills and achieving Early Years Foundation Stage competencies.

Conclusions

Nurseries are genuinely interested in providing appropriate healthy food for under-5s but require support. This includes: improved mechanisms for effective communication between all government levels as well as with nurseries; and funded training for cooks and managers in menu planning, cost-effective food sourcing and food preparation. Interventions to support healthy eating habits in young children developed at the area level need to be counterbalanced by continued appropriate national-level public health initiatives to address socio-economic differences.
Smith–Magenis syndrome: haploinsufficiency ofRAI1results in altered gene regulation in neurological and metabolic pathways
Authors: Elsea Sarah H. , Williams Stephen R.
Published: April 2011

Smith–Magenis syndrome (SMS) is a complex neurobehavioural disorder characterised by intellectual disability, self-injurious behaviours, sleep disturbance, obesity, and craniofacial and skeletal anomalies. Diagnostic strategies are focused towards identification of a 17p11.2 microdeletion encompassing the geneRAI1(retinoic acid induced 1) or a mutation ofRAI1. Molecular evidence shows that most SMS features are due toRAI1haploinsufficiency, whereas variability and severity are modified by other genes in the 17p11.2 region for 17p11.2 deletion cases. The functional role of RAI1 is not completely understood, but it is probably a transcription factor acting in several different biological pathways that are dysregulated in SMS. Functional studies based on the hypothesis that RAI1 acts through phenotype-specific pathways involving several downstream genes have shown thatRAI1gene dosage is crucial for normal regulation of circadian rhythm, lipid metabolism and neurotransmitter function. Here, we review the clinical and molecular features of SMS and explore more recent studies supporting possible therapeutic strategies for behavioural management.
Diverse perennial crop mixtures sustain higher productivity over time based on ecological complementarity
Authors: Picasso Valentín D. , Brummer E. Charles , Liebman Matt , Dixon Philip M. , Wilsey Brian J.
Published: April 2011

Cropping systems that rely on renewable energy and resources and are based on ecological principles could be more stable and productive into the future than current monoculture systems with serious unintended environmental consequences such as soil erosion and water pollution. In nonagricultural systems, communities with higher species diversity have higher productivity and provide other ecosystem services. However, communities of well-adapted crop species selected for biomass production may respond differently to increasing diversity. Diversity effects may be due to complementarity among species (complementary resource use and facilitative interactions) or positive selection effects (e.g., species with higher productivity dominate the mixture), and these effects may change over time or across environments. Our goal was to identify the ecological mechanisms causing diversity effects in a biodiversity experiment using agriculturally relevant species, and evaluate the implications for the design of sustainable cropping systems. We seeded seven perennial forage species in a replicated field experiment at two locations in Iowa, USA, and evaluated biomass productivity of monocultures and two- to six-species mixtures over 3 years after the establishment year under management systems of contrasting intensity: one or three harvests per year. Productivity increased with seeded species richness in all environments, and the positive relationship did not change over time. Polyculture overyielding was due to complementarity among species in the community rather than to selection effects of individual species. Complementarity increased as a log-linear function of species richness in all environments, and this trend was consistent across years. Legume–grass facilitation may explain much of this complementarity effect. Although individual species with high biomass production had a major effect on productivity of mixtures, the species producing the highest biomass in monoculture changed over the years in most environments. Furthermore, transgressive overyielding was observed and was more prevalent in later years, in some environments. We conclude that choosing a single well-adapted species for maximizing productivity may not be the best alternative over the long term and that high levels of species diversity should be included in the design of productive and ecologically sound agricultural systems.
An overview of 60 GHz location systems operating in multipath environments
Authors: Bocquet Michael , Loyez Christophe , Rolland Nathalie
Published: April 2011

This study deals with a non-exhaustive overview of location systems operating in the 60 GHz frequency band. Both impulse and frequency hopping topologies are considered and the performances of the two realized systems are presented. For each system, a specific signal processing has been implemented to prevent the degradation of the location error from the impact of the multipath propagation.
Design and model studies for solid-state power amplification at 210 GHz
Authors: Diebold Sebastian , Kallfass Ingmar , Massler Hermann , Seelmann-Eggebert Matthias , Leuther Arnulf , Tessmann Axel , Pahl Philipp , Koch Stefan , Ambacher Oliver
Published: April 2011

The high millimeter-wave (mmW) frequency range offers new possibilities for high-resolution imaging and sensing as well as for high data rate wireless communication systems. The use of power amplifiers of such systems boosts the performance in terms of operating range and/or data rate. To date, however, the design of solid-state power amplifiers at frequencies about 210 GHz suffers from limited transistor model accuracy, resulting in significant deviation of simulation and measurement. This causes cost and time consuming re-design iterations, and it obstructs the possibility of design optimization ultimately leading to moderate results. For verification of the small-signal behavior of our in-house large-signal transistor model, S-parameter measurements were taken from DC to 220 GHz on pre-matched transistors. The large-signal behavior of the transistor models was verified by power measurements at 210 GHz. After model modification, based on process control monitor (PCM) measurement data, the large-signal model was found to match the measurements well. A transistor model was designed containing the statistical information of the PCM data. This allows for non-linear spread analysis and reliable load-pull simulations for obtaining the highest available circuit performance. An experimental determination of the most suitable transistor geometry (i.e. number of gate fingers and gate width) and transistor bias was taken on 100 nm gate length metamorphic high electron mobility transistor (mHEMT) transistors. The most suitable combination of number of fingers, gate width and bias for obtaining maximum gain, maximum output power, and maximum power added efficiency (PAE) at a given frequency was determined.
About the beginnings of wireless
Authors: Gardiol Fred E.
Published: April 2011

Many scientists and engineers contributed – more or less successfully – to the development of radio and wireless. This historical survey describes briefly the projects realized more than a century ago by some of them, at the early beginnings of wireless. It is hoped, in this manner, to draw attention to the unknown or forgotten researchers who built up the considerable body of knowledge that led to Marconi's remarkable achievements.
Simple method for characterizing linear multi-port microstrip structures
Authors: Lonac Julio A. , Melczarsky Ilan , Paganelli Rudi P.
Published: April 2011

A simple method for the full characterization of passive n-port microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) structures using standard two-port vector network analyzer (VNA) measurements is presented. Its main advantages are: it does not require to perform measurements from all the ports of the network, no special calibration procedure is needed, the auxiliary terminations required by the procedure can be integrated at the border of the structure under test with minimal area increase, and it can be easily implemented in commercial CAD software. The method was applied to a nine-port microstrip structure corresponding to the output power combiner and impedance matching network of an X-band MMIC high power amplifier (HPA). The full S-parameter matrix was derived from two-port measurements and compared to the circuit–as well as electromagnetic (EM)-based simulations of the structure.
Neuropsychologie in der Psychiatrie
Authors: Jäncke Lutz , Petermann Franz
Published: April 2011

Zusammenfassung. Die Neuropsychologie ist ein bis in die Mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts zurückreichendes Forschungsgebiet an der Grenze zwischen Psychologie und Neurowissenschaft. Sie behandelt nicht nur rein biologische, sondern auch systemtheoretisch-kognitionspsychologische Grundlagen des Verhaltens. Neuropsychologische Erkenntnisse haben Einfluss auf Definitionen im DSM-IV und die Konzeption psychometrischer Testverfahren sowie letztlich auch auf die Gestaltung psychotherapeutischer Interventionen.
1st INCF Workshop on Genetic Animal Models for Brain Diseases
Authors: Riess Olaf , Graessner Holm
Published: April 2011

The INCF Secretariat organized a workshop to focus on the “role of neuroinformatics in the processes of building, evaluating, and using genetic animal models for brain diseases” in Stockholm, December 13–14, 2009. Eight scientists specialized in the fields of neuroinformatics, database, ontologies, and brain disease participated together with two representatives of the National Institutes of Health and the European Union, as well as three observers of the national INCF nodes of Norway, Poland, and the United Kingdom.