bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Presence of functional, autoreactive human milk‐specific IgE in infants with cow's milk allergy
Authors: Järvinen K. M. , Geller L. , Bencharitiwong R. , Sampson H. A.
Published: September 2011

Background

Occasionally, exclusively breastfed infants with cow's milk allergy (CMA) remain symptomatic despite strict maternal milk avoidance.

Objective

To determine whether or not persistence of symptoms could be due to sensitization against endogenous human milk proteins with a high degree of similarity to bovine allergens.

Methods

Ten peptides representing known bovine milk IgE‐binding epitopes [α‐lactalbumin (ALA), β‐ and κ‐casein] and the corresponding, highly homologous human milk peptides were labelled with sera from 15 breastfed infants with CMA, aged 3 weeks to 12 months, and peptide (epitope)‐specific IgE antibodies were assessed. Nine of the 15 breastfed infants became asymptomatic during strict maternal avoidance of milk and other major food allergens; six infants remained symptomatic until weaned. Ten older children, aged 5–15 years, with CMA were also assessed. The functional capacity of specific IgE antibodies was assessed by measuring β‐hexosaminidase release from rat basophilic leukaemia cells passively sensitized and stimulated with human and bovine ALA.

Results

A minimum of one human milk peptide was recognized by IgE antibodies from 9 of 15 (60%) milk‐allergic infants, and the majority of older children with CMA. Genuine sensitization to human milk peptides in the absence of IgE to bovine milk was occasionally seen. There was a trend towards specific IgE being detected to more human milk peptides in those infants who did not respond to the maternal milk elimination diet than in those who did (P = 0.099). Functional IgE antibody to human ALA was only detected in infants not responding to the maternal diet.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Endogenous human milk epitopes are recognized by specific IgE from the majority of infants and children with CMA. Such autoreactive, human milk‐specific IgE antibodies appear to have functional properties in vitro. Their role in provoking allergic symptoms in infants exclusively breastfed by mothers strictly avoiding dietary milk remains unclear.
Can we define a tolerable level of risk in food allergy? Report from a EuroPrevall/UK Food Standards Agency workshop
Authors: Madsen C. B. , Hattersley S. , Allen K. J. , Beyer K. , Chan C.‐H. , Godefroy S. B. , Hodgson R. , Mills E. N. C. , Muñoz‐Furlong A. , Schnadt S. , Ward R. , Wickman M. , Crevel R.
Published: September 2011

Background

There is an emerging consensus that, as with other risks in society, zero risk for food‐allergic people is not a realistic or attainable option. Food allergy challenge data and new risk assessment methods offer the opportunity to develop quantitative limits for unintended allergenic ingredients which can be used in risk‐based approaches. However, a prerequisite to their application is defining a tolerable level of risk. This requires a value judgement and is ultimately a ‘societal’ decision that has to involve all relevant stakeholders.

Objective

The aim of the workshop was to bring together key representatives from the stakeholders (regulators, food industry, clinical researchers and patients), and for the first time ever discuss the definition of a tolerable level of risk with regard to allergic reactions to food.

Results

The discussions revealed a consensus that zero risk was not a realistic option and that it is essential to address the current lack of agreed action levels for cross‐contamination with allergens if food allergen management practice is to be improved. The discussions also indicated that it was difficult to define and quantify a tolerable level of risk, although both the clinical and the industry groups tried to do so. A consensus emerged that doing nothing was not a viable option, and there was a strong desire to take action to improve the current situation.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Two concrete actions were suggested: (1) Action levels should be derived from the data currently available. Different scenarios should be examined and further developed in an iterative process. On the basis of this work, a tolerable level of risk should be proposed. (2) ‘One‐dose’ clinical trial with a low challenge dose should be performed in multiple centres to provide additional information about the general applicability of dose‐distribution models and help validate the threshold levels derived.
Staphylococcal enterotoxin B compromises the immune tolerant status in the airway mucosa
Authors: Liu T. , Liang X. , Li T.‐L. , Ma J. , Yang J.‐F. , Yang P.‐C.
Published: September 2011

Background

The breakdown of immune tolerance plays a critical role in allergic disorders; the mechanism of breaching immune tolerance remains largely unknown.

Objective

The present study aimed to investigate the role of Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) in the interference of the immune tolerance in the nasal mucosa.

Methods

The immune tolerant components, tolerogenic dendritic cells (TolDC) and regulatory T cells (Treg), were assessed in the surgically removed nasal mucosa from patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) or non‐AR chronic rhinitis. The contents of SEB and integrin alphavbeta6 (avb6) in the nasal epithelium were assessed using enzyme‐linked immunoassay. The ability of avb6 on TolDC induction and the effect of SEB on suppression of avb6 in nasal epithelial cells were observed in cell culture.

Results

Compared with that in the non‐AR nasal mucosa, the frequencies of TolDCs/Tregs were lower, the contents of SEB were higher and the contents of avb6 were lower in the AR nasal mucosa. Avb6 had the ability to induce the development of TolDCs in vitro; the latter had the ability to induce Treg development. The expression of avb6 was detected in nasal epithelial cells in culture that could be suppressed by SEB.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

The components of immune tolerance machinery, TolDCs and Tregs were suppressed in the AR nasal mucosa. The increases in SEB and decreases in avb6 in nasal epithelium are associated with the compromises of immune tolerance in the nasal mucosa. SEB has the ability to suppress the expression of avb6 in nasal epithelial cells.
Isolated growth hormone deficiency in two siblings because of paternal mosaicism for a mutation in the GH1 gene
Authors: Tsubahara Mayuko , Hayashi Yoshitaka , Niijima Shin‐ichi , Yamamoto Michiyo , Kamijo Takashi , Murata Yoshiharu , Haruna Hidenori , Okumura Akihisa , Shimizu Toshiaki
Published: September 2011

Context  Mutations in the GH1 gene have been identified in patients with isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD). Mutations causing aberrant splicing of exon 3 of GH1 that have been identified in IGHD are inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, whereas other mutations in GH1 that have been identified in IGHD are inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.

Objective  Two siblings born from nonconsanguineous healthy parents exhibited IGHD. To elucidate the cause, GH1 in all family members was analysed.

Results  Two novel mutations in GH1, a point mutation in intron 3 and a 16‐bp deletion in exon 3, were identified by sequence analyses. The intronic mutation was present in both siblings and was predicted to cause aberrant splicing. The deletion was present in one of the siblings as well as the mother with normal stature and was predicted to cause rapid degradation of mRNA through nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay. The point mutation was not identified in the parents’ peripheral blood DNA; however, it was detected in the DNA extracted from the father’s sperms. As a trace of the mutant allele was detected in the peripheral blood of the father using PCR‐RFLP, the mutation is likely to have occurred de novo at an early developmental stage before differentiation of somatic cells and germline cells.

Conclusions  This is the first report of mosaicism for a mutation in GH1 in a family with IGHD. It is clear that the intronic mutation plays a dominant role in the pathogenesis of IGHD in this family, as one of the siblings who had only the point mutation was affected. On the other hand, the other sibling was a compound heterozygote for the point mutation and the 16‐bp deletion and it may be arguable whether IGHD in this patient should be regarded as autosomal dominant or recessive.
Comparison of the clinical performance of an HPV mRNA test and an HPV DNA test in triage of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC‐US)
Authors: Waldstrom M. , Ornskov D.
Published: September 2011

M. Waldstrom and D. Ornskov  Comparison of the clinical performance of an HPV mRNA test and an HPV DNA test in triage of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC‐US)

Objective:  The effect of triaging women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC‐US) with human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing has been well documented. New tests detecting HPV E6/E7 mRNA are emerging, claiming to be more specific for detecting high‐grade disease. We evaluated the clinical performance of two HPV tests: the Linear Array HPV genotyping test (LA) detecting HPV DNA from 37 oncogenic and non‐oncogenic HPV types and the Aptima HPV assay detecting E6/E7 mRNA from 14 oncogenic HPV types.

Methods:  We identified 369 consecutive PreservCyt samples diagnosed with ASC‐US tested for HPV DNA using the LA test. The Aptima HPV test was performed on residual material in the same vial. Follow‐up of 325 women was available. The gold standard used was histologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2+ or 3+.

Results:  LA and Aptima HPV assays were positive in 44.3% and 31.7% of the cases, respectively. The concordance was 81.2%. The two tests had identical sensitivity for detecting CIN3+ [92.6% (95% CI, 75.7–99.1)] but the Aptima HPV assay showed a significantly better specificity of 73.8% (95% CI, 68.5–78.7) versus 60.1% (95% CI, 54.3–65.7) for LA for detecting CIN3+. When using CIN2+ as the gold standard the sensitivity for LA was higher than for the Aptima HPV assay [93.8% (95% CI, 82.8–98.7) versus 87.5% (95% CI, 74.8–95.3)], but the specificity was higher for the Aptima HPV assay: 78.0% (95% CI, 72.6–82.7) versus 64.3% (95% CI, 58.3–69.9).

Conclusions:  Both tests showed good and equal clinical sensitivities for detecting CIN3+, but the Aptima HPV assay had significantly higher specificity for detecting CIN2+ and CIN3+ in women aged 30 years or older with ASC‐US.
Using narrative inquiry with older people to inform practice and service developments
Authors: Hsu Ming Yi , McCormack Brendan
Published: September 2011

Aim.  The aim of the study was to examine the usefulness of narratives of older peoples’ hospitalisation experiences as a focus for informing practice and service developments.

Background.  Narrative inquiry provides an option for exploring personal experiences and for providing insight into treatment decisions that can help guide how healthcare services are developed and provided.

Methods.  Participants were aged 65 and upwards and had been patients in a rehabilitation unit. They were cognitively and physically able to communicate and give consent to take part in the study. Narrative interviewing methods were used for data collection. A problem–solution pattern framework enabled the reconfiguring of narratives in the context of the older persons’ past, the here and now and the context of their usual level of well‐being or ill‐being. Seminars with multidisciplinary professionals were used to analyse the narratives in the context of how they informed the need for practice and service developments.

Results.  Twenty‐eight narrative interviews were undertaken. Through reading and discussing the reconfigured narratives, the multidisciplinary team evaluated whether care procedures were appropriate and identified ways of improving care delivery. Challenges to the integration of narrative approaches were identified. Narrative interviewing was implemented in practice by some of the nurses who participated in the study.

Conclusions.  Narrative inquiry enhances the assessment of care needs and interactions between healthcare professionals and patients. The framework used for translating stories into plans for practice and service developments needs to be used in further studies and with a broader range of healthcare and social care professionals to determine its usefulness.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Narrative inquiry is a valuable methodology for understanding older peoples’ experiences of health care. Stories developed from older peoples’ hospitalisation experiences are a useful basis for identifying aspects of practice that could be developed.
Implementing a structured psychosocial interventions group programme for people with bipolar disorder
Authors: STERN T. , SIN J.
Published: September 2011

Accessible summary

Routine provision of evidence‐based and recovery‐orientated interventions for service users with bipolar disorder has not been developed in line with the clinical guidelines in the UK.

A structured group integrating psychoeducation, cognitive behavioural approaches and self‐management techniques was developed and piloted as a practice development programme to actualize such service development needs.

Service users' feedback and results from the three pilot groups are reported here and helped shape the ongoing development of the project.

Practice development projects like this can integrate service user involvement and evidence‐based interventions to promote service provision while minimizing theory–practice gap.

It has been reported that, at any time, over half of the people with bipolar disorder are receiving no active treatment. Despite the availability of effective medications and psychotherapies, research concludes that the care of bipolar disorder in everyday practice is often deficient. Evidence base reports the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions using many of the same ideas as the recovery approach; both attempt to place clients at the heart of service delivery. This paper reports on the development and implementation of three pilot group programmes for service users with bipolar disorder, in a community clinical setting in South East England. The group programme design and development was based upon the evidence‐based psychosocial interventions advocated in national clinical guidelines and research literature. The programme incorporated the key effective psychosocial interventions and self‐management mechanisms within its 12 sessions spanning over 3 months, followed by three booster sessions in 6 months' time. Twenty‐three service users have to date completed the programme. Participant feedback will be discussed and reported to inform further development and research implications of such innovative evidence‐based interventions for service users with bipolar disorder.
Evidence for X‐linked introgression between molecular forms of Anopheles gambiae from Angola
Authors: CHOI K. S. , TOWNSON H.
Published: September 2011

The M and S molecular forms of the African malaria vector Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae) are morphologically identical incipient species in which reproductive isolation is incomplete, enabling low‐level gene flow between forms. In an attempt to find differences between the M and S forms, sequence variation was studied at loci along the X chromosome in adult female An. gambiae from Angola. A high proportion of M form specimens from Angola (79% of the 456 X chromosomes sampled) were found to contain a 16‐bp insertion in intron 4 of the X‐linked GPRCCK1 locus, relative to the AgamP3 release of the An. gambiae PEST genome sequence. The insertion was in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in Angolan M form populations. The same insertion was found in all S form specimens examined, regardless of where in Africa they were sampled, but was absent from a sample of M form specimens collected in Ghana, Bioko and Mali. In M form specimens from Angola, there was an association between alleles at the GPRCCK1 locus and those at a microsatellite locus, AGXH678, close to the centromere of the X chromosome, with significant linkage disequilibrium between loci separated by 0.472 Mbp (P < 0.033). We show that the insertion results from introgression from the S form into the M form, rather than from the retention of an ancestral character. Gene flow from the S to M form could allow genes of adaptive value to be transferred, including those conferring insecticide resistance and others influencing ecology and behaviour, and thus malaria transmission and control. We discuss factors that may have led to this introgression event.
The prevalence and risk factors of infantile haemangiomas: a case–control study in the Dutch population
Authors: Hoornweg Marije J. , Smeulders Mark J. C. , Ubbink Dirk T. , van der Horst Chantal M. A. M.
Published: September 2011

Hoornweg MJ, Smeulders MJC, Ubbink DT, van der Horst CMAM. The prevalence and risk factors of infantile haemangiomas: a case–control study in the Dutch population. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2012; 26: 156–162.

Haemangiomas are considered to be the most common tumours of infancy. However, despite their frequent occurrence the aetiological determinants of their development remain unknown. Identifying these factors may provide insight on their pathogenesis. We performed cross‐sectional screening for haemangiomas in newborns (0–16 months of age) in the general Dutch population. Haemangioma‐specific and pregnancy‐related data were collected in children with a haemangioma. These data were compared in a case–control design using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Among 2204 newborns, 219 (9.9%) had a haemangioma. The male‐to‐female ratio was 1:2. The majority of haemangiomas were located on the trunk (37%). The general practitioners or medical specialists were consulted in only a minority of cases (<7%). Amniocentesis [odds ratio (OR) 3.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11, 11.42], breech presentation [OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.14, 4.44], being first‐born [OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.03, 2.33] and a birthweight ≤2500 g [OR 4.95, 95% CI 1.63, 15.05] were independent factors associated with the development of a haemangioma. Duration of pregnancy did not differ between study groups. Our study showed that the prevalence of a haemangioma is 9.9% in the general (Dutch) population. Four factors appear relevant in the development of haemangiomas. These factors may provide clues to its pathogenesis.
JA‐Ile signalling in Solanum nigrum is not required for defence responses in nature
Authors: VANDOORN ARJEN , BONAVENTURE GUSTAVO , ROGACHEV ILANA , AHARONI ASAPH , BALDWIN IAN T.
Published: September 2011

Jasmonate signalling plays a central role in activating the plethora of responses that are elicited by herbivory. Solanum nigrum plants silenced in the expression of genes involved in jasmonic acid biosynthesis (irlox3), conjugation (irjar4) and perception (ircoi1) were used to study the function of these genes in the field and in the regulation of transcriptional and metabolic responses. In the field, damage from Noctuidea larvae was four‐ to fivefold higher on irlox3 and ircoi1 than on wild‐type (WT) plants, whereas damage to irjar4 plants was similar to WT levels. Damage rates reflected plant survival rates; fewer irlox3 (78%) and ircoi1 (22%) plants survived compared with irjar4 and WT plants of which all plants survived. Gene expression profiling in leaves 3 h after simulated herbivory revealed differential regulation of ∼700 genes in irlox3 and ircoi1 plants but of only six genes in irjar4 compared with WT plants. Surprisingly, transcriptional responses were not reflected in metabolomic responses; 48 h after simulated herbivory, irjar4 plants showed a 50% overlap in their metabolic profile with ircoi1 plants. Together, these results reveal that SnJAR4 does not play a direct role in herbivore defence, but suggests that SnJAR4 is involved in responses other than those to herbivory.
Neutrophil antibody diagnostics and screening: review of the classical versus the emerging*
Authors: Fung Y. L. , Minchinton R. M. , Fraser J. F.
Published: September 2011

Background and Objectives  Severe transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) events have been linked to donor‐derived neutrophil antibodies. The journey to developing mass donor neutrophil antibody screening platforms is challenged by the fragility of neutrophils and their unique‐specific antigenic characteristics.

Material and Methods  This article critically evaluates the capabilities and potential of five emerging antibody screening platforms designed to detect neutrophil reactive antibodies relevant to TRALI. They are compared with established neutrophil serological methods.

Results  Data from two recombinant antigen platforms and a method using human neutrophil antigens‐expressing KY cells indicated high specificity. Two mixed cellular flow cytometric assays have the advantage of presenting native conformation of the human polymorphonuclear neutrophil antigenic epitopes.

Conclusions  To date, the number and specificity of test sera applied to each platform is small. This needs to be substantially increased and further rigorous serological evaluation is yet needed to compare the sensitivity and specificity limits of each new platform with classical methods. With a limited world supply of TRALI‐relevant test sera, a collaborative effort of laboratories with neutrophil and TRALI investigation expertise is required.
Silicon Alleviates PEG‐Induced Water‐Deficit Stress in Upland Rice Seedlings by Enhancing Osmotic Adjustment
Authors: Ming D. F. , Pei Z. F. , Naeem M. S. , Gong H. J. , Zhou W. J.
Published: September 2011

This study investigates the effect of added silicon (Si, as sodium silicate) on water status–related parameters, osmolytes accumulation and gas exchange in the leaves of hydroponically grown upland rice seedlings under polyethylene glycol (PEG‐6000)‐induced water stress, the aims being to explore whether Si has been involved in osmotic adjustment (OA) in upland rice plants. Fifty‐five‐day‐old seedlings were subjected to 8.5 % (m/v) PEG‐6000 treatment without or with 2.5 mm Si for 7 days. The results showed that addition of Si to culture solution could partially improve total, free, and bound water contents in both leaves and roots, which were all decreased under water stress. Application of Si increased water potential (Ψw) and osmotic potential (Ψπ) in both roots and leaves while maintained higher turgor pressure (Ψp), in comparison with the plants without Si application. Added Si also stimulated the active accumulation of some osmolytes in both leaves and roots of stressed plants, which suggested enhanced OA ability. Analysis of gas exchange in leaves showed that net photosynthetic rate, transpiration, and water‐use efficiency (WUE) were decreased under water stress, whereas application of Si enhanced the photosynthesis and improved the WUE. This study suggests that PEG‐induced water stress in rice could be partially alleviated by addition of Si. This alleviative effect was partially attributable to enhanced OA ability by means of active accumulation of osmolytes.
Serine racemase rs391300 G/A polymorphism influences the therapeutic efficacy of metformin in Chinese patients with diabetes mellitus type 2
Authors: Dong Min , Gong Zhi‐Cheng , Dai Xing‐Ping , Lei Guang‐Hua , Lu Hong‐Bin , Fan Lan , Qu Jian , Zhou Hong‐Hao , Liu Zhao‐Qian
Published: September 2011

1. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the serine racemase (SRR) rs391300 G/A polymorphism with the risk of diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) and to assess the impacts of the polymorphism on the therapeutic efficacy of metformin in Chinese patients.

2. A case‐control study of 402 patients with T2DM and 171 healthy controls was conducted. The SRR rs391300 polymorphism was genotyped in all participants using the ABI 3700 automated sequencer. Forty‐four recent‐onset T2DM patients with different rs391300 genotypes were selected to receive 500 mg metformin orally daily for 12 consecutive weeks as monotherapy. Serum fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting serum insulin (FINS), postprandial serum insulin (PINS), triglycerol (TG), cholesterol (CHO), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐c), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐c), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), and body mass index (BMI) were determined before and after metformin treatment.

3. The distribution frequencies of rs391300 were in agreement with Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05). After treatment with metformin, the values of BMI, FPG, PPG, PINS, HbA1c, CHO, and TG decreased significantly (P < 0.01), whereas FINS increased (P < 0.001), in patients with T2DM. Patients with the GA or AA genotype of rs391300 showed better improvements in the levels of FPG, PPG, and CHO (P < 0.05) than individuals with the GG genotype.

4. The SRR rs391300 polymorphism was associated with the therapeutic efficacy of metformin in Chinese patients with T2DM.
Pyruvate’s blood glutamate scavenging activity contributes to the spectrum of its neuroprotective mechanisms in a rat model of stroke
Authors: Boyko Matthew , Zlotnik Alexander , Gruenbaum Benjamin F. , Gruenbaum Shaun E. , Ohayon Sharon , Kuts Ruslan , Melamed Israel , Regev Adi , Shapira Yoram , Teichberg Vivian I.
Published: September 2011

In previous studies, we have shown that by increasing the brain‐to‐blood glutamate efflux upon scavenging blood glutamate with either oxaloacetate or pyruvate, one achieves highly significant neuroprotection particularly in the context of traumatic brain injury. The current study examines, for the first time, how the blood glutamate scavenging properties of glutamate–pyruvate transaminase (GPT), alone or in combination with pyruvate, may contribute to the spectrum of its neuroprotective mechanisms and improve the outcome of rats exposed to brain ischemia, as they do after head trauma. Rats that were exposed to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and treated with intravenous 250 mg/kg pyruvate had a smaller volume of infarction and reduced brain edema, resulting in an improved neurological outcome and reduced mortality compared to control rats treated with saline. Intravenous pyruvate at the low dose of 31.3 mg/kg did not demonstrate any neuroprotection. However, when combined with 0.6 mg/kg of GPT there was a similar neuroprotection observed as seen with pyruvate at 250 mg/kg. Animals treated with 1.69 g/kg glutamate had a worse neurological outcome and a larger extent of brain edema. The decrease in mortality, infarcted brain volume and edema, as well as the improved neurological outcome following MCAO, was correlated with a decrease in blood glutamate levels. We therefore suggest that the blood glutamate scavenging activity of GPT and pyruvate contributes to the spectrum of their neuroprotective mechanisms and may serve as a new neuroprotective strategy for the treatment of ischemic stroke.
Hide and seek in forests: colonization by the pine processionary moth is impeded by the presence of nonhost trees
Authors: Dulaurent Anne‐Maïmiti , Porté Annabel J. , van Halder Inge , Vétillard Fabrice , Menassieu Pierre , Jactel Hervé
Published: September 2011

The disruption of host‐finding cues has been proposed as a key mechanism underlying the lower damage caused by phytophagous insects in mixed forests. We tested this hypothesis by investigating the distribution of pine processionary mothThaumetopoea pityocampa(Denis & Schiffer‐Müller) (Lepidoptera) infestation at the edges of pure stands ofPinus pinaster(AÏton) at some distance from nonhost trees (Experiment 1) or bordered in part by a broadleaved hedgerow (Experiment 2).

An ‘edge effect' was demonstrated, with trees at the edge of the stand being more heavily infested than those at the interior of the stand.

The presence of a nonhost broadleaved hedgerow in front of the edge of the pine stand resulted in lowerT. pityocampainfestation. There were significantly fewerT. pityocampanests behind the hedgerow than on the exposed part of the edge. The presence of the hedgerow did not dilute or repelT. pityocampainfestation further into the pine stand, although it decreased the infestation ofT. pityocampathroughout the pine stand. The decrease inT. pityocampainfestation behind the hedgerow was greater when the broadleaved hedgerow was taller than the pine trees.

These results highlight the benefits of using nonhost tree species on the edge of monospecific forest stands to reduce insect damage. This approach could be promoted as an innovative forest pest management method.
Effect of latitude and acclimation on the lethal temperatures of the peach‐potato aphid Myzus persicae
Authors: Alford Lucy , Blackburn Tim M. , Bale Jeffrey S.
Published: September 2011

Aphids, similar to all insects, are ectothermic and, consequently, are greatly affected by environmental conditions. The peach potato aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) has a global distribution, although it is not known whether populations display regional adaptations to distinct climatic zones along its distribution and vary in their ability to withstand and acclimate to temperature extremes. In the present study, lethal temperatures were measured in nine anholocyclic clones of M. persicae collected along a latitudinal cline of its European distribution from Sweden to Spain. The effects of collection origin and intra‐ and intergenerational acclimation on cold and heat tolerance, as determined by upper and lower lethal temperatures (ULT50 and LLT50, respectively), were investigated.

Lethal temperatures of M. persicae were shown to be plastic and could be altered after acclimation over just one generation. Lower lethal temperatures were significantly depressed in eight of nine clones after acclimation for one generation at 10°C (range: −13.3 to −16.2°C) and raised after acclimation at 25°C (range: −10.7 to −11.6°C) compared with constant 20°C (range: −11.9 to −12.9°C). Upper lethal temperatures were less plastic, although significantly increased after one generation at 25°C (range: 41.8–42.4°C) and in five of nine clones after acclimation at 10°C. There was no evidence of intergenerational acclimation over three generations.

Thermal tolerance ranges were expanded after acclimation at 10 and 25°C compared with constant 20°C, resulting in aphids reared at 10°C surviving over a temperature range that was approximately 2–6°C greater than those reared at 25°C.

There was no clear relationship between lethal temperatures and latitude. Large scale mixing of clones may occur across Europe, thus limiting local adaption in thermal tolerance. Clonal type, as identified by microsatellite analysis, did show a relationship with thermal tolerance, notably with Type O clones being the most thermal tolerant. Clonal types may respond independently to climate change, affecting the relative proportions of clones within populations, with consequent implications for biodiversity and agriculture.
Violence and Self‐Determination in the Israeli‐Palestinian Conflict
Authors: Kapitan Tomis
Published: September 2011

This article addresses the normative role of self‐determination in the Israeli‐Palestinian conflict. Contrary to a popular view, it is argued that there are no competing rights of self‐determination held by Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs respectively. When properly interpreted, self‐determination is a right possessed by the legitimate residents of a region, not by “peoples” defined in ethnic or cultural terms. The persistent violation of this right over the past one hundred years is the major cause of violence between the two groups, and until rectified, there is little chance for a peaceful resolution of the conflict or for Zionism’s quest for legitimacy.
A Higher Road to Peace: The Israeli‐Palestinian Conflict and the Battle for Judaism
Authors: Klug Brian
Published: September 2011

This essay falls into three parts. The first part gives a brief characterization of the Israeli‐Palestinian conflict and makes some general remarks about peace and higher roads. The middle section argues for a version of Judaism in which being Jewish calls for doing justice. There is, however, a different take on Jewish identity today, one that privileges loyalty and allegiance to Israel, thought of as “the Jewish state,” over the pursuit of justice. This has led to a “battle for Judaism” among Jews, a battle being fought primarily over the Israeli‐Palestinian conflict. This battle—in its own way as fierce and as fateful as the conflict itself—is the subject of the third and final part of the essay.1
Explaining Variation in the Effectiveness of Transnational Energy Partnerships
Authors: SZULECKI KACPER , PATTBERG PHILIPP , BIERMANN FRANK
Published: September 2011

This article analyzes the effectiveness of transnational multi‐stakeholder partnerships for sustainable development—also known as “Type II outcomes” of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development—in the sustainable energy sector. We combine quantitative and qualitative research. Quantitatively, we use a database of 340 partnerships, including 46 partnerships that focus on energy. Our qualitative analysis includes case studies of five partnerships that appear as the most effective and five that are operational but only with modest degrees of effectiveness. We study two competing hypotheses. The first, rooted in institutionalism, assumes that variation in effectiveness is related to organizational structures and procedures. The competing hypothesis emphasizes the power of actors and expects partnerships that involve key business actors and powerful Northern states to perform better. We conclude that the level of institutionalization is most important in explaining effectiveness, while powerful partners and the type of internal organization may further enhance effectiveness.
Antisocial Propensity, Adolescent School Outcomes, and the Risk of Criminal Conviction
Authors: Savolainen Jukka , Hughes Lorine A. , Mason W. Alex , Hurtig Tuula M. , Ebeling Hanna , Moilanen Irma K. , Kivivuori Janne , Taanila Anja M.
Published: September 2011

Data from the 1986 Northern Finland Birth Cohort Study (n = 4,645) were used to examine the influence of mid‐adolescent (age 15) school outcomes on late‐adolescent (ages 17–19) risk of criminal conviction. Consistent with social‐developmental theories of offending, we found that poor academic performance and reduced school attachment increase the risk of criminal conviction independently of pre‐existing differences in antisocial propensity and other confounding factors identified in prior research. Moreover, in support of an integrated model, our research suggests that academic performance and school attachment mediate the effects of childhood antisociality and learning difficulties on late‐adolescent risk of criminal conviction. The implications of findings for policy and future research are discussed.
Simulation of a Constitutional Spending Limit for a Conservative State: With Dynamic Adjustment and Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: MERRIFIELD JOHN , MONSON DEREK
Published: September 2011

Longstanding concern about the rate of state and local government spending growth, strengthened by “Great Recession” economic and fiscal conditions, sustains advocacy of constitutional amendments to cap the growth of state and local taxes or spending. For some states, interest recently changed to necessity, and current constitutional limits—most notably the California experience with the Gann Spending limit (1979–1990) and the Colorado experience with its Taxpayer Bill of Rights (1992‐present)—contain numerous valuable lessons for fiscal restraint proponents.

We use those lessons, and others, to develop a constitutional spending limit (CSL) for Utah, and describe a CSL simulation for the state for 1990–2009. In contrast to what an “Institutional Irrelevance Perspective” suggests for a politically conservative state such as Utah, we find that Utah would have seen large and robust CSL impacts from setting the spending growth rate at school‐age population plus inflation for K‐12 education funding, and at population plus inflation for remaining nonexempt state spending.1 Those impacts include a reduced tax burden, sizable reserves to cope with emergencies, elimination of fiscal crises, and expanded personal income. Extensive sensitivity analysis identifies the key underlying factors and demonstrates the robustness of those findings. We compare the Utah results to a 1990–2009 CSL simulation for California, and a 1995–2009 CSL simulation for Ohio.
Disparities in the Spending Needs of Highland Municipalities
Authors: VALLÉS‐GIMÉNEZ JAIME , ZÁRATE‐MARCO ANABEL
Published: September 2011

A certain rough consensus holds that highland municipalities have higher spending needs than others, because of the particularly adverse conditions in which they provide essential public services. However, there is no empirical evidence to support this assertion. This study examines whether any relevant differences actually exist in the spending policies of highland and lowland municipalities. To this end, we make logarithmic estimations of per capita municipal spending in order to determine whether the indicators selected, which are based on local government powers, adequately reflect spending needs. Our results point to the special circumstances of highland districts as a key explanatory factor for higher municipal spending, along with demographic factors, locational population patterns, economic activity, subsidies, and local fiscal capacity.
Analyzing the Fiscal Health of State Governments in India: Evidence from the 14 Major States
Authors: RAJU SWATI
Published: September 2011

The paper seeks to assess the fiscal sustainability of the 14 major State (subnational) governments in India employing the deficit indicators approach. Evidence from the 14 States indicates to a deep fiscal stress across rich and poor States with just a third of the States showing a sustainable revenue account and primary revenue balance and even fewer States showing a sustainable primary deficit thereby reinforcing the serious concern for State‐level (subnational) fiscal health as weak State finances can have an impact on the stability of overall government finances.
An Options Pricing Method for Calculating the Market Price of Public Sector Pension Liabilities
Authors: BIGGS ANDREW G.
Published: September 2011

State and local public sector employee pensions are widely known to be underfunded, but pension financial reports do not reveal the true extent of funding shortfalls. Pension accounting methods assume that plan investments can earn high returns without taking any account of the market risk involved. This gives a false sense of the financial strength of public sector pensions and understates risks to taxpayers. Since accrued pension benefits are legally and constitutionally protected, any pension funding shortfalls must be met by taxpayers. This benefit guarantee amounts to an effective put option on plan investments, the cost of which is not disclosed under current actuarial accounting. This paper uses an options pricing method to calculate the market value of taxpayer guarantees underlying public sector pensions. The average funding ratio declines from 83 percent under actuarial accounting to 45 percent under this options pricing approach. The typical state has unfunded public pension liabilities three times larger than its explicit government debt. Public pension shortfalls equal an average of 27 percent of state gross domestic product, posing a significant fiscal challenge in coming years. Accurate measures of public pension liabilities are important for policy makers, taxpayers, investors considering the economic environment in which to start or locate a business, and bond purchasers considering the risk premia appropriate to municipal government bonds that are in practice subordinate to public pension liabilities.
Seed rain dynamics reveals strong dispersal limitation, different reproductive strategies and responses to climate in a temperate forest in northeast China
Authors: Li Buhang , Hao Zhanqing , Bin Yue , Zhang Jian , Wang Miao
Published: September 2011

Questions

Species co‐existence may be achieved by limited dispersal due to the reduced chance of inter‐specific competition. But the timing of seed release also provides clues for species co‐existence because asynchronous reproduction can alleviate inter‐specific competition for dispersal agents, while synchronous reproduction can facilitate overall seed dispersal. How strong is seed dispersal limitation, do co‐existing species release seeds synchronously or asynchronously, and what is the relationship between seed production and main meteorological measures?

Location

A 25‐ha plot in a temperate forest, Changbai Mountain, Northeast China.

Methods

We calculated Jaccard coefficients between seed rain composition and neighbouring adult tree composition, analysed long‐term seed rain dynamics for both the whole community and different species, and regressed seed rain density with meteorological measures using autoregressive models.

Results

The Jaccard coefficient dropped sharply as neighbourhood radius increased to about 10 m, indicating severe dispersal limitation. Both synchrony and asynchrony in seed release were observed: most species released mature seeds synchronously from August to November, with small segregations in time; one species released seeds in Jun. Bimodal and unimodal seasonal dynamics of seed rain were observed and some species released seeds beyond the main fruiting seasons. The seasonal dynamics of seed release might be driven by different strategies of seed dispersal. Seed rain density is significantly positively related to temperature and precipitation, with a 2‐mo time lag.

Conclusions

Both dispersal limitation and timing of seed release by co‐existing species may contribute to maintenance of diversity of this forest, but variations in temperature and precipitation considerably alter seed rain density.
The potential economic value of a ‘universal’ (multi‐year) influenza vaccine
Authors: Lee Bruce Y. , Tai Julie H. Y. , McGlone Sarah M. , Bailey Rachel R. , Wateska Angela R. , Zimmer Shanta M. , Zimmerman Richard K. , Wagner Michael M.
Published: September 2011

Please cite this paper as: Lee et al. (2011) The potential economic value of a ‘universal’ (multi‐year) influenza vaccine. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(3), 167–175.

Background  Limitations of the current annual influenza vaccine have led to ongoing efforts to develop a ‘universal’ influenza vaccine, i.e., one that targets a ubiquitous portion of the influenza virus so that the coverage of a single vaccination can persist for multiple years.

Objectives  To estimate the economic value of a ‘universal’ influenza vaccine compared to the standard annual influenza vaccine, starting vaccination in the pediatric population (2–18 year olds), over the course of their lifetime.

Patient/Methods  Monte Carlo decision analytic computer simulation model.

Results  Universal vaccine dominates (i.e., less costly and more effective) the annual vaccine when the universal vaccine cost ≤$100/dose and efficacy ≥75% for both the 5‐ and 10‐year duration. The universal vaccine is also dominant when efficacy is ≥50% and protects for 10 years. A $200 universal vaccine was only cost‐effective when ≥75% efficacious for a 5‐year duration when annual compliance was 25% and for a 10‐year duration for all annual compliance rates. A universal vaccine is not cost‐effective when it cost $200 and when its efficacy is ≤50%. The cost‐effectiveness of the universal vaccine increases with the duration of protection.

Conclusions  Although development of a universal vaccine requires surmounting scientific hurdles, our results delineate the circumstances under which such a vaccine would be a cost‐effective alternative to the annual influenza vaccine.
The role of interleukin (IL)‐17 in anxiety and depression of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: LIU Yang , HO Roger Chun‐Man , MAK Anselm
Published: September 2011

Background:  Pro‐inflammatory cytokines are found to be elevated in patients with anxiety and depression but whether their serum levels are related to anxiety and depression is unknown. We used rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as an inflammatory disease model to explore such relationships.

Methods:  Eighteen RA patients and 18 healthy controls matched for age and gender were assessed for the severity of anxiety and depression with the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Disease activity of RA and pain were assessed by the Disease Activity Scale (DAS‐2)8 and visual analogue scale of pain, respectively. Serum pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐17 were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbant assay. The differences in cytokine levels between RA patients and healthy controls, as well as within the RA group with and without anxiety and depression, were compared by using the Mann–Whitney U‐test. The correlations between anxiety, depression and pro‐inflammatory cytokines were explored by Spearman’s rank correlation. Multiple linear regression was used to adjust for DAS‐28 and pain.

Results:  Serum TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐17 levels were significantly higher in RA patients than those of healthy subjects (P < 0.001, P = 0.012 and P = 0.016, respectively). Within the RA group, serum IL‐17 level was significantly higher in those with anxiety than those without (P = 0.044). Additionally, IL‐17 level was positively correlated with the severity of anxiety, even after adjustment for DAS‐28 and pain.

Conclusion:  Serum IL‐17 was elevated in RA patients, especially in those with anxiety. In addition, IL‐17 level was independently associated with higher anxiety score.
Biogenic vs. geologic carbon emissions and forest biomass energy production
Authors: Gunn John S. , Ganz David J. , Keeton William S.
Published: September 2011

In the current debate over theCO2emissions implications of switching from fossil fuel energy sources to include a substantial amount of woody biomass energy, many scientists and policy makers hold the view that emissions from the two sources should not be equated. Their rationale is that the combustion or decay of woody biomass is simply part of the global cycle of biogenic carbon and does not increase the amount of carbon in circulation. This view is frequently presented as justification to implement policies that encourage the substitution of fossil fuel energy sources with biomass. We present the opinion that this is an inappropriate conceptual basis to assess the atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting of woody biomass energy generation. While there are many other environmental, social, and economic reasons to move to woody biomass energy, we argue that the inferred benefits of biogenic emissions over fossil fuel emissions should be reconsidered.