bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental and Economic Benefits of Saline‐Sodic Soil Reclamation Using Low‐quality Water and Soil Amendments in Conjunction with a Rice–Wheat Cropping System
Authors: Murtaza G. , Ghafoor A. , Owens G. , Qadir M. , Kahlon U. Z.
Published: February 2009

A combination of appropriate crop rotation(s) and management interventions has the potential to transform saline‐sodic soil and water resources from an environmental burden into an economic asset. We carried out 2‐year field studies in the Indus Basin of Pakistan to evaluate different irrigation and soil management options of using saline‐sodic waters (SSW) and soils for reclamation and for growing salt‐tolerant cultivars of rice (SSRI‐8) and wheat (SIS‐32). These soils have variable levels of salinity and sodicity (ECe9–44 dS m−1and SAR 83–319). The treatments on both the sites were the same and consisted of: (1) Irrigation with SSW, (2) Irrigation with freshwater (FW), (3) Soil application of gypsum at 100 % gypsum requirement of soil + SSW (G + SSW), (4) G + one irrigation with SSW and one with FW (G + 1SSW + 1FW), (5) G + two irrigations with SSW and one with FW (G + 2SSW + 1FW), (6) Farm manure at 25 Mg ha−1each year before rice + one irrigation with SSW and one with FW (FM + 1SSW + 1FW) and (7) FM + two irrigations with SSW and one with FW (FM + 2SSW + 1FW). Rice was grown as the first crop. After harvesting final wheat crop (fourth in sequence), maximum decrease in bulk density and increase in infiltration rate was observed with G + 1SSW + 1FW while FM + 1SSW + 1FW treatment showed higher decrease in pHsand ECe. Significantly the highest decrease in SAR occurred at both sites with G + 1SSW + 1FW. Maximum yields of rice and wheat were generally observed with G + 1SSW + 1FW. The crop yield and economic benefits with treatments showed a positive correlation with that of improvement in soil physical and chemical properties. Overall, the greatest net benefit was obtained from G + 1SSW + 1FW treatment. We also found that the farmers’ management skills were crucial in the overall success in improving crop yields during reclamation of saline‐sodic soils. Based on the results of this study, we propose that SSW could be used to reclaim saline‐sodic soils by using a rice–wheat rotation and a site‐specific combination of soil amendments and water application strategies.
Landscape Position and Precipitation Effects on Spatial Variability of Wheat Yield and Grain Protein in Southern Italy
Authors: Basso B. , Cammarano D. , Chen D. , Cafiero G. , Amato M. , Bitella G. , Rossi R. , Basso F.
Published: February 2009

Wheat yield and protein content are spatially variable because of inherent spatial variability of factors affecting the yield at field scale. In Mediterranean environments, yield variability is often caused by the irregular weather pattern, particularly rainfall and by position on the landscape. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of landscape position and rainfall on spatial variability of wheat yield and protein in a rolling terrain field of Southern Italy, and to propose stable management areas through simulation modelling and georesistivity imaging in rolling landscape. The study was carried out in Southern Italy, during 2 years of wheat monoculture; extensive soil properties and in‐season plant measurements were measured. This study showed that soil water content was the main factor affecting spatial variation of yield for both years. The interactions between rainfall, topography and soil attributes increase the chances to observe yield variability among years. The principal component analysis demonstrated that for both years, soil water content explained most of the variability. The crop simulation model provided excellent results when compared with measured data with root mean square error of 0.2 t ha−1. The simulated cumulative probability function showed that the model was able to confirm the yield temporal stability of three different zones.
Effect of Salt Stress on the Salicylic Acid Synthesis in Young Maize (Zea mays L.) Plants
Authors: Szalai G. , Janda T.
Published: February 2009

The effect of salt stress on salicylic acid (SA) synthesis was investigated parallel with the induction of antioxidant enzymes in young maize plants. Two‐week‐old maize plants grown in hydroponic solution were treated with 50 or 100 mm NaCl for 7 days. Antioxidant enzyme activities, and the SA and o‐hydroxy‐cinnamic acid (oHCA) levels were measured on the 3rd and 7th day of treatment and after 4 days of recovery. Ascorbate peroxidase activity increased in the leaves, but changes in guaiacol peroxidase activity only could be detected in the roots after 7 days. Glutathione reductase activity increased both in the leaves and in the roots after the 3rd day of 100 mm NaCl treatment. Free SA only increased during recovery in the leaves and roots. In the leaves of plants treated with 100 mm NaCl, a slight increase was observed in the free oHCA level, which rose dramatically after recovery, while in the roots an increase could only be seen after recovery. These results suggest that oHCA may serve not only as a precursor of SA but may also have an antioxidant role during salt stress and recovery.
Reporting 678 putative cSNPs from full‐length enriched cDNA sequences of the Korean native pig
Authors: Park K. , Dirisala V.R. , Oh Y. , Choi H. , Lee K.T. , Kim J.H. , Lee H.T. , Seo K.H. , Park C.
Published: February 2009

Sequences from the clones of full‐length enriched cDNA libraries serve as valuable resources for functional genomic studies. We have analysed 1970 high‐quality chromatograms (Phred value ≥ 30) that were obtained from sequencing the 5′ ends of brainstem, liver, neocortex and spleen clones derived from full‐length enriched cDNA libraries from Korean native pigs. In addition, 50 000 pig expressed sequence tag (EST) sequence trace files were obtained from Genbank and combined with our sequencing information to facilitate SNP identification in silico. The process generated 8118 contigs, of which 239 included minimum one sequence from Korean native pig and contained 678 putative coding single nucleotide polymorphisms (cSNPs). Of these, 33 putative cSNPs were randomly selected for confirmatory analysis and validated using 20 pigs from four different breeds (Duroc, Landrace, Yorkshire, Korean native pig). Of the 33 putative cSNPs, 20 were confirmed (61%), which was similar to the frequency reported in other studies. We also identified 15 new cSNPs from the validation process, which were not detected by our in silico analysis. Our study shows that analysing genetically diverse pig breeds including the Korean native pig could serve as a useful strategy for generating a large number of cSNPs.
Analysis of genetic variability in the Czech Dachshund population using microsatellite markers
Authors: Přibáňová M. , Horák P. , Schröffelová D. , Urban T. , Bechyňová R. , Musilová L.
Published: February 2009

The primary goal of this study was to analyse genetic variation within and among six Dachshund varieties in the Czech Republic using 10 microsatellites from StockMarks® Paternity Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Typing kit. A total of 632 Dachshunds were sampled – 99 Standard Smooth‐haired, 72 Standard Long‐haired, 272 Standard Wire‐haired, 42 Miniature Smooth‐haired, 73 Miniature Long‐haired and 74 Miniature Wire‐haired. Average observed heterozygosity and polymorphic information content ranged in particular Dachshund varieties between 0.58–0.70 and 0.57–0.64, respectively. Subsequent analysis of the population structure (F‐statistics; Nei’s genetic identity) showed that Standard Dachshunds shared allele frequencies most closely with their miniature equivalents, and smooth coat type is closer to Wire‐haired coat type than to the Long‐haired one. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that 11.81% of the total variance occured among varieties. The value of combined exclusion probability (0.9955) validated usefulness of this panel of microsatellites for parentage verification in all analysed populations. We carried out 234 parentage verifications with 1.28% cases where parentage did not match.
Parameter estimation in selected populations with missing data
Authors: Yagüe‐Utrilla G. , García‐Cortés L.A. , Silander M. , Varona L. , Altarriba J. , Moreno C.
Published: February 2009

This study proposes a procedure to estimate genetic parameters in populations where a selection process results in the loss of an unknown number of observations. The method was developed under the Bayesian inference scope following the missing data theory approach. Its implementation requires slight modifications to the Gibbs sampler algorithm. In order to show the efficiency of this option, a simulation study was conducted.
Fitness costs and morphological change of laboratory‐selected thiamethoxam resistance in the B‐type Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)
Authors: Feng Y. T. , Wu Q. J. , Xu B. Y. , Wang S. L. , Chang X. L. , Xie W. , Zhang Y. J.
Published: February 2009

Thiamethoxam has been used as a key insecticide to control the whitefly, B‐type Bemisia tabaci, for several years in China with no known cases of resistance in field populations. To evaluate the risk of resistance, a field population was collected and resistant strains were developed by exposure to thiamethoxam in the laboratory. After selection for 36 generation, a strain with 60‐fold resistance was successfully identified. Fitness analysis by constructing life tables, demonstrated that resistant B‐type whiteflies had obvious fitness disadvantages in their development and reproduction. The fitness of resistant B‐type whiteflies decreased dramatically, to only one‐half that of the susceptible strain. Some changes in the morphological characteristics of the resistant strain were observed. The lengths of first, second and third instars of the resistant strain were significantly smaller than those of the susceptible strain, and the width of the first and the fourth instars were also significantly smaller than in the susceptible strain. Our results suggest that the B‐type B. tabaci has the potential to develop high resistance to thiamethoxam, and that the resistance changed the morphology of the insects. The slow development of resistance and the lower fitness of resistant B. tabaci strains may result in a quick recovery of sensitivity when the population is no longer in contact with thiamethoxam in the field.
Autoantibodies against glomerular endothelial cells in anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody‐associated systemic vasculitis
Authors: HU NAN , WESTRA JOHANNA , HUITEMA MINKE G , STEGEMAN COEN A , LIMBURG PIET C , KALLENBERG CEES G M
Published: February 2009

Aim:  The prevalence of anti‐endothelial cell autoantibodies (AECA) in patients with anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody‐associated systemic vasculitis (ASV) has been reported by several groups with conflicting results ranging from 8% to 100%. Types of substrate cells used for AECA testing partially explain this variation. Endothelial cells from kidney origin have been reported to be predominant in AECA binding. Therefore, we investigated AECA prevalence using a human glomerular endothelial cell line compared with primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells, which have frequently been used for AECA detection.

Methods:  Sera from 43 ASV patients (29 Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), 14 microscopic polyangiitis (MPA)) with active disease were assessed for AECA positivity using cell‐based enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Forty serum samples from healthy controls were tested in parallel. To evaluate endothelial activation levels, soluble intercellular cell adhesion molecule‐1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 were measured with capture enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results:  The AECA were detected in 4 of 29 WG patients (14%), but none of 14 MPA patients was positive for AECA using glomerular endothelial cell as a substrate, whereas AECA were positive in 10% of WG patients and 14% of MPA patients on human umbilical vein endothelial cells. No significant differences were found between ASV patients and controls in AECA test. Serum levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 and soluble intercellular cell adhesion molecule‐1 in ASV patients were significantly higher than in controls. However, there were no differences between AECA‐positive and ‐negative patients for both of the activation markers.

Conclusion:  The AECA, directed against glomerular endothelial cells, have a low prevalence in ASV patients with active disease and are not correlated with endothelial activation.
The cost‐effectiveness of increasing kidney transplantation and home‐based dialysis
Authors: HOWARD KIRSTEN , SALKELD GLENN , WHITE SARAH , MCDONALD STEPHEN , CHADBAN STEVE , CRAIG JONATHAN C , CASS ALAN
Published: February 2009

Background:  Renal replacement therapy (RRT) consumes sizable proportions of health budgets internationally, but there is considerable variability in choice of RRT modality among and within countries with major implications for health outcomes and costs. We aimed to quantify these implications for increasing kidney transplantation and improving the rate of home‐based dialysis.

Methods:  A multiple cohort Markov model was used to assess costs and health outcomes of RRT for new end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients in Australia for 2005–2010, using a health‐care funder perspective. Patient characteristics and current practice patterns were based on the ANZDATA Registry. Two proposed changes were modelled: (i) increasing kidney transplants by between 10% and 50% by 2010; and (ii) increasing home haemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) to the highest rates observed among Australian centres. We assessed costs (Australian dollars), survival and quality‐adjusted survival, and cost‐effectiveness.

Results:  The number of new ESKD patients in 2010 was estimated to be 2700, with annual RRT costs of about $A700 million; cumulative costs (2005–2010) were $A5 billion. Increasing transplants by 10–50% saves between $A5.8 and $A26.2 million, and increases quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) by 130–658 QALYs. Switching new patients from hospital HD to (i) home HD saves $A46.6 million by 2010; or (ii) PD saves $A122.1 million.

Conclusions:  These clinical practice changes reduce costs, improve patient quality of life and, in the case of transplantation, increase survival. Planning for RRT services should incorporate efforts to maximize rates of transplantation and to encourage home‐based over hospital‐based dialysis to optimize cost‐effectiveness in RRT service delivery.
Advantages of delaying the onset of rehabilitative reaching training in rats with incomplete spinal cord injury
Authors: Krajacic Aleksandra , Ghosh Mousumi , Puentes Rocio , Pearse Damien D. , Fouad Karim
Published: February 2009

We have previously reported that rehabilitative reaching training initiated 4 days following an incomplete cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) in adult rats promotes plasticity and task‐specific recovery. This training, however, also resulted in impairments in an untrained task. Here we examined whether delaying the rehabilitative training following cervical SCI is still effective in promoting task‐specific recovery, but circumvents impairments in an untrained task, comparable to what has been reported in stroke models. Therefore, reaching training for a period of 6 weeks was initiated at Day 12 following a cervical dorso‐lateral quadrant lesion. Thereupon the rats’ ability to reach and to walk on a horizontal ladder (i.e. the untrained task) was assessed, and 8 weeks post‐injury cortical map changes were investigated through microstimulation. Further, we examined changes in phospho protein kinase A (pPKA) levels following an immediate and a delayed onset of reaching training in rats with cervical SCI. We found that delayed rehabilitative training was comparably effective as immediate training in promoting task‐specific recovery and sprouting of injured axons. Importantly, delayed training did not impair the performance on horizontal ladder walking. Strikingly, only delayed reaching training restored cortical PKA levels that had dropped significantly over 2 weeks post‐injury. Additionally, delayed training did not influence cortical map changes following injury, but decreased white matter damage. In conclusion, our results show that a short delay in the onset of training in a forelimb task significantly alters our outcome measures, which should be considered in future rehabilitative approaches.
Differential regulation of psychostimulant‐induced gene expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor and the immediate‐early geneArcin the juvenile and adult brain
Authors: Banerjee Partha S. , Aston James , Khundakar Ahmad A. , Zetterström Tyra S. C.
Published: February 2009

Psychostimulant drugs are widely used in children for the treatment of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Recent animal studies have suggested that exposure to these agents in early life could be detrimental to brain development. Here, for the first time, the effect of methylphenidate (MPH) andd‐amphetamine (AMPH) on the expression of two key genes for neuronal development and plasticity, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (bdnf) and the effector immediate early gene activity‐regulated, cytoskeletal‐associated protein (Arc), was examined in both juvenile and adult rats. Both MPH [2 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)] and AMPH (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) induced marked decreases ofbdnfmRNA in hippocampal and cortical brain regions of juveniles, whereas effects in adults were significantly less (hippocampus) or opposite (frontal cortex). In comparison,ArcmRNA was decreased (hippocampus and parietal cortex), largely unaffected (frontal cortex) or increased (striatum) in juveniles, whereas in adults,ArcmRNA increased in most brain regions. MPH‐induced locomotion was also measured, and showed a much smaller increase in juveniles than in adults. In summary, our data show that the effects of MPH and AMPH on expression of the neurodevelopmentally important genes,bdnfandArc, differ markedly in juvenile and adult rats, with juveniles showing evidence of brain region‐specific decreases in both genes. These age‐dependent effects on gene expression may be linked with the reported long‐term harmful effects of psychostimulants in animal models.
Actions of propofol on substantia gelatinosa neurones in rat spinal cord revealed byin vitroandin vivopatch‐clamp recordings
Authors: Takazawa Tomonori , Furue Hidemasa , Nishikawa Koichi , Uta Daisuke , Takeshima Kaori , Goto Fumio , Yoshimura Megumu
Published: February 2009

Propofol, an intravenous general anaesthetic, exerts anaesthetic actions through interaction with γ‐aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors in the supraspinal nervous system. However, whether propofol has any significant effects on synaptic transmission at the spinal level and whether it exhibits antinociceptive action is still not fully clarified. Spontaneous activity and stimulus‐evoked responses of substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurones to noxious pinch stimuli were recorded using spontaneously breathing rats under propofol anaesthesia usingin vivowhole‐cell patch‐clamp techniques. Precise actions of propofol on GABAergic and glycinergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) as well as excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in SG neurones were also analyzed in spinal cord slice preparations. At clinical doses (5 mg/kg), propofol reversibly depressed action potentials elicited by noxious mechanical stimuli applied to the skin in the majority (6/8) of SG neurons recorded underin vivoconditions. This depression may have been caused by interactions of propofol with GABAAreceptors, as decay time of GABAergic sIPSCs was prolonged after propofol injection (128 ± 11% of control,n = 5) with minimal effect on EPSCs. Although prolongation of IPSCsin vivowas reversible, IPSCs were progressively prolonged even after washout of propofol when the effect was tested using spinal cord slices. Propofol had a mild depressant effect on Aδ‐ and C‐afferent‐mediated EPSCs. We conclude that systemic bolus injection of propofol reversibly depressed nociceptive transmission, at least in part, by enhancing postsynaptic GABAAreceptor‐mediated responses in the SG.
Age‐dependent effect of prenatal stress on hippocampal cell proliferation in female rats
Authors: Koehl Muriel , Lemaire Valerie , Le Moal Michel , Abrous Djoher N.
Published: February 2009

Stressors occurring during pregnancy can alter the developmental trajectory of offspring and lead to, among other deleterious effects, cognitive deficits and hyperactivity of the hypothalamo‐pituitary‐adrenal axis. A recent feature of the prenatal stress (PS) model is its reported influence on structural plasticity in hippocampal formation, which sustains both cognitive functions and stress responsiveness. Indeed, we and others have previously reported that males exposed to stress in utero are characterized by a decrease in hippocampal cell proliferation, and consequently neurogenesis, from adolescence to senescence. Recent studies in females submitted to PS have reported conflicting results, ranging from no effect to a decrease in cell proliferation. We hypothesized that changes in cell proliferation in PS female rats are age dependent. To address this issue, we examined the impact of PS on hippocampal cell proliferation in juvenile, young, middle‐aged and old females. As hypothesized, we found an age‐dependent effect of PS in female rats as cell proliferation was significantly decreased only when animals reached senescence, a time when adrenal gland weight also increased. These data suggest that the deleterious effects of PS on hippocampal cell proliferation in females are either specific to senescence or masked during adulthood by protective factors.
Development of the light sensitivity of the clock genes Period1 and Period2, and immediate‐early gene c‐fos within the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus
Authors: Matějů Kristýna , Bendová Zdena , El‐Hennamy Rehab , Sládek Martin , Sosniyenko Serhiy , Sumová Alena
Published: February 2009

The molecular mechanism underlying circadian rhythmicity within the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus has two light‐sensitive components, namely the clock genes Per1 and Per2. Besides, light induces the immediate‐early gene c‐fos. In adult rats, expression of all three genes is induced by light administered during the subjective night but not subjective day. The aim of the present study was to ascertain when and where within the SCN the photic sensitivity of Per1, Per2 and c‐fos develops during early postnatal ontogenesis. The specific aim was to find out when the circadian clock starts to gate photic sensitivity. The effect of a light pulse administered during either the subjective day or the first or second part of the subjective night on gene expression within the rat SCN was determined at postnatal days (P) 1, 3, 5 and 10. Per1, Per2 and c‐fos mRNA levels were assessed 30 min, 1 and 2 h after the start of each light pulse by in situ hybridization histochemistry. Expression of Per1 and c‐fos was light responsive from P1, and the responses began to be gated by the circadian clock at P3 and P10, respectively. Expression of Per2 was only slightly light responsive at P3, and the response was not fully gated until P5. These data demonstrate that the light sensitivity of the circadian clock develops gradually during postnatal ontogenesis before the circadian clock starts to control the response. The photoinduction of the clock gene Per2 develops later than that of Per1.
Galantamine protects against oxidative stress induced by amyloid‐beta peptide in cortical neurons
Authors: Melo Joana B. , Sousa Carla , Garção Pedro , Oliveira Catarina R. , Agostinho Paula
Published: February 2009

Galantamine is currently used in the treatment of patients with mild‐to‐moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although its action is mostly directed at the regulation of cholinergic transmission, galantamine can also afford neuroprotection against amyloid‐beta peptide (Aβ), which is involved in AD pathogenesis. In this study, we used cultured rat cortical neurons treated with two forms of Aβ1–40, fresh and previously aged (enriched in fibrils). First, we confirmed that galantamine prevented neurodegeneration induced by both peptide forms in a concentration‐dependent manner. Moreover, we observed that when neurons were co‐incubated with fresh Aβ1–40 plus galantamine, the amount of amyloid aggregates was reduced. As oxidative conditions influence Aβ aggregation, we investigated whether galantamine prevents oxidative stress induced by this peptide. The data show that either fresh or aged Aβ1–40 significantly increased the amount of reactive oxygen species and lipoperoxidation, these effects being prevented by galantamine. In Aβ1–40‐treated neurons, the depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) seems to be related to the decrease in glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities. These alterations in the GSH antioxidant system were prevented by galantamine. Overall, these results constitute the first evidence that galantamine can prevent the neuronal oxidative damage induced by Aβ, providing an in vitro basis for the beneficial actions of galantamine in the AD neurodegenerative process.
Development of the representation of auditory space in the superior colliculus of the rat
Authors: Vachon‐Presseau Etienne , Martin Alex , Lepore Franco , Guillemot Jean‐Paul
Published: February 2009

The aims of the present study were, first, to determine the time of the emergence of the topographic map in the superior colliculus (SC) of the rat and, second, to examine the spatial changes in auditory neurons’ receptive fields (RFs) throughout the developmental period. For these purposes, recording sessions were conducted on rats of different age groups (P15–18; P21–24; P27–29 and P60–80). Results show that SC auditory neurons’ RFs go through multiple changes during early development before the establishment of the adult‐like auditory topographic map (P27). These modifications include, first, the refining of directional RFs tuning between P18 and P27 and, second, a shift of sensitivity towards 90° in the contralateral hemispace after P15–18. In addition, data indicate that the neuronal response latencies are shorter in the adult group than in the P15–18 or P21–24 groups. Finally, a diminution in spontaneous firing rate was observed between the P15–18 group and the P60–80 group. The results of the present study revealed that the neural organization representing auditory space in the deep layers of the SC of the rat is not innate, but rather emerges at about P27–29. Moreover, they bring new evidence supporting a two‐step process involved in the development of the representation of auditory space. Hence, the development of the auditory space representation follows a logical temporal maturation sequence whereby the RF organization must be completed before a stable topographic map can be formed.
Safety, tolerability, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of albiglutide, a long‐acting glucagon‐like peptide‐1 mimetic, in healthy subjects
Authors: Bush M. A. , Matthews J. E. , De Boever E. H. , Dobbins R. L. , Hodge R. J. , Walker S. E. , Holland M. C. , Gutierrez M. , Stewart M. W.
Published: February 2009

Aims:  Albiglutide is a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) mimetic generated by genetic fusion of a dipeptidyl peptidase‐IV‐resistant GLP‐1 dimer to human albumin. Albiglutide was designed to retain the therapeutic effects of native GLP‐1 while extending its duration of action. This study was conducted to determine the pharmacokinetics and initial safety/tolerability profile of albiglutide in non‐diabetic volunteers.

Methods:  In this single‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial, 39 subjects (18–60 years, body mass index 19.9–35.0 kg/m2) received placebo (n = 10) or escalating doses of albiglutide (n = 29) on days 1 and 8 in the following sequential cohorts: cohort 1: 0.25 + 1 mg; cohort 2: 3 + 6 mg; cohort 3: 16 + 24 mg; cohort 4: 48 + 60 mg; and cohort 5: 80 + 104 mg. Dose proportionality was evaluated based on area under the plasma drug concentration versus time curve [area under the curve (AUC(0–7 days))] and maximum plasma drug concentration (Cmax) for cohorts 2–5 during week 1.

Results:  Albiglutide had a terminal elimination half‐life (T1/2) of 6–8 days and time to maximum observed plasma drug concentration (Tmax) of 3–4 days. A greater‐than‐dose proportional increase in albiglutide exposure was observed. Albiglutide demonstrated a dose‐dependent trend in reductions of glucose weighted mean AUC and fructosamine levels in healthy subjects. The incidence and severity of adverse events (AEs) was similar between placebo and albiglutide groups. Headache was the most frequent drug‐related AE, followed by constipation, flatulence and nausea.

Conclusions:  Albiglutide has a half‐life that favours once weekly or less frequent dosing with an acceptable safety/tolerability profile in non‐diabetic subjects.
The safety profile of tadalafil as prescribed in general practice in England: results from a prescription‐event monitoring study involving 16 129 patients
Authors: Hazell Lorna , Cornelius Victoria , Wilton Lynda V. , Shakir Saad A.W.
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVES

To examine the safety of tadalafil as used in general practice in England, and to compare the mortality rate due to ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in tadalafil users with that in the male population in England.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients in this observational cohort study were identified from dispensed prescriptions for tadalafil issued by general practitioners (GPs) from February 2003 to November 2004. Demographic and outcome data (clinical events) were requested from patients’ GPs using a postal questionnaire. A standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was calculated using indirect standardization for deaths from IHD in the cohort (where age was known) over a 1‐year observation period compared to that in the English male population (2003). A sensitivity analysis was carried out to investigate the effects of missing data for age and cause of death.

RESULTS

Clinical information was obtained for 16 129 patients (median age 60 years, interquartile range 52–67); the age was not specified for 3212 (19.9%) patients. At least a third of the patients had diabetes mellitus and 29% had hypertension. Comparison of the mortality rate due to IHD for the patients of known age with that in the English male population provided an SMR of 0.57 (95% confidence interval 0.38–0.83) indicating fewer observed deaths in the cohort than expected. The results of the sensitivity analyses investigating the effect of missing data for age and cause of death produced similar SMR estimates. One confirmed case of non‐arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) was reported during tadalafil therapy in a patient with other risk factors for this condition.

CONCLUSION

The results from this prescription‐event monitoring study suggest that tadalafil is generally well tolerated when used in general practice in England. The most frequently reported adverse clinical events were in keeping with clinical trial data and include headache, dyspepsia and back pain. There was no evidence of a greater mortality rate due to IHD in the tadalafil cohort than in the general male population. However, these results are limited by the use of an external comparator group and might be explained by a ‘healthy cohort effect’. One event of NAION was reported, and although a causal relationship was not established it indicates that NAION occurs rarely in patients prescribed tadalafil.
Stone measurement by volumetric three‐dimensional computed tomography for predicting the outcome after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
Authors: Bandi Gaurav , Meiners Ryan J. , Pickhardt Perry J. , Nakada Stephen Y.
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of stone volume measured using a three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction of preoperative non‐contrast computed tomography (NCCT) as an independent predictor of success after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) of upper urinary tract calculi.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We evaluated preoperative NCCT in 94 patients who had ESWL for solitary upper urinary tract calculi of 4–20 mm in diameter. Axial images were used to measure the skin‐to‐stone distance (SSD), Hounsfield Unit (HU) density and axial stone diameter. Stone volume was calculated on a volume‐rendered 3D image for each stone. Maximum stone length was determined by comparative measurements of each stone in coronal, sagittal and axial planes, and was also measured on a plain abdominal film before ESWL. For ESWL we used the DoliS lithotripter (Dornier Medical Systems, Marrietta, GA, USA). A plain film at 6 weeks was used to categorize patients as stone‐free (SF) or with residual stone.

RESULTS

In all, 58 (62%) patients were SF and 36 (38%) had RS; the mean stone volume was significantly different between these groups (274 vs 464 µL, P = 0.002). Logistic regression analysis showed that stone volume was the strongest predictor of SF status (P < 0.001), compared to peak HU (P = 0.015), mean HU (P = 0.04) and axial stone diameter (P = 0.006). The body mass index, SSD and maximum stone length on NCCT or a plain film did not predict success. A stone volume of <500 µL best predicted treatment success (P < 0.001) with 72% of patients with a stone volume of <500 µL having a successful outcome, vs only 27% with a stone volume of >500 µL.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that stone volume is an optimal predictor of SF status after ESWL of solitary upper urinary tract calculi.
Self‐Esteem, Negative Emotionality, and Depression as a Common Temperamental Core: A Study of Mid‐Adolescent Twin Girls
Authors: Neiss Michelle B. , Stevenson Jim , Legrand Lisa N. , Iacono William G. , Sedikides Constantine
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT
We tested the structure and magnitude of genetic and environmental influences on the overlap among self‐esteem, negative emotionality, and major depression symptoms in adolescent girls (N=706) from the Minnesota Twin Family Study. Genetic and environmental influences on all three operated via a general, heritable factor. Genetic influences explained the majority of overlap among the three constructs, as well as most of the variance in self‐esteem and negative emotionality. Genetic influences on depression were more modest and largely due to genetic factors specific to depression. These findings support the theory that self‐esteem, depression, and neuroticism represent aspects of a common temperamental core. The interrelations among the three constructs in mid‐adolescence is consistent with their interrelations in adulthood.
Links Between Anxiety and Allergies: Psychobiological Reality or Possible Methodological Bias?
Authors: Gregory Alice M. , Caspi Avshalom , Moffitt Terrie E. , Milne Barry J. , Poulton Richie , Sears Malcolm R.
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT The objective of the study was to examine the link between anxiety and allergies to establish whether it reflects a psychobiological reality or a possible methodological bias. A cohort of 1,037 children enrolled in the study. Anxiety disorders were assessed between 11 and 21 years. Anxious personality was assessed at 18 years. Allergies were examined at 21 years by (a) self reports, (b) skin pricks, and (c) serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE). Self‐reported allergies were predicted by recurrent anxiety disorders (OR [95% CI]=1.56 [1.06–2.30], p=.023) and self‐reports of anxious personality (OR [95% CI]=1.67 [1.17–2.37], p=.004): Objectively verified allergies were not. These results suggest that the link between anxiety and allergies may reflect a methodological artifact rather than a psychobiological reality.
Implicit but Not Explicit Affectivity Predicts Circadian and Reactive Cortisol: Using the Implicit Positive and Negative Affect Test
Authors: Quirin Markus , Kazén Miguel , Rohrmann Sonja , Kuhl Julius
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT
Self‐report measures assess mental processes or representations that are consciously accessible. In contrast, implicit measures assess automatic processes that often operate outside awareness. Whereas self‐report measures have often failed to show expected relationships with endocrine stress responses, little effort has been made to relate implicit measures to endocrine processes. The present work examines whether implicit affectivity as assessed by the Implicit Positive and Negative Affect Test (IPANAT) predicts cortisol regulation. In Study 1, implicit low positive affectivity, but not negative affectivity, significantly predicted circadian cortisol release. In Study 2, implicit negative affectivity, but not positive affectivity, significantly predicted the cortisol response to acute stress. By contrast, cortisol regulation was not predicted by self‐reported affectivity. The findings support the use of implicit affectivity measures in studying individual differences in endocrine stress responses and point to a differential role of positive and negative affectivity in baseline versus stress‐contingent cortisol release, respectively.
Electromyography signal analysis using wavelet transform and higher order statistics to determine muscle contraction
Authors: Hussain M.S. , Reaz M.B.I. , Mohd‐Yasin F. , Ibrahimy M.I.
Published: February 2009

Abstract: Electromyography gives an electrical representation of neuromuscular activation associated with a contracting muscle. The electromyography signal acquires noise while travelling though different media. The wavelet transform is employed for removing noise from surface electromyography (SEMG) and higher order statistics are applied for analysing the signal. With the appropriate choice of wavelet, it is possible to remove interference noise (denoise) effectively in order to analyse the SEMG. Daubechies wavelets (db2, db4, db5, db6, db8), symmlet (sym4, sym5) and the orthogonal Meyer (dmey) wavelet can efficiently remove noise from the recorded SEMG signals. However, the most effective wavelet for SEMG denoising is chosen by calculating the root mean square difference and signal‐to‐noise ratio values. Results for both root mean square difference and signal‐to‐noise ratio show that wavelet db2 performs denoising best out of the wavelets. Furthermore, the higher order statistics method is applied for SEMG signal analysis because of its unique properties when applied to random time series, such as parameter estimation, testing of Gaussianity and linearity, deterministic and non‐deterministic signal detection etc. Gaussianity and linearity tests as part of higher order statistics are conducted to understand changes in muscle contraction and to quantify the effectiveness of the noise removal process. According to the results, the SEMG signal becomes less Gaussian and more linear with increased force.
Detection and delineation of P and T waves in 12‐lead electrocardiograms
Authors: Mehta Sarabjeet , Lingayat Nitin , Sanghvi Sanjeev
Published: February 2009

Abstract: This paper presents an efficient method for the detection and delineation of P and T waves in 12‐lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) using a support vector machine (SVM). Digital filtering techniques are used to remove power line interference and baseline wander. An SVM is used as a classifier for the detection and delineation of P and T waves. The performance of the algorithm is validated using original simultaneously recorded 12‐lead ECG recordings from the standard CSE (Common Standards for Quantitative Electrocardiography) ECG multi‐lead measurement library. A significant detection rate of 95.43% is achieved for P wave detection and 96.89% for T wave detection. Delineation performance of the algorithm is validated by calculating the mean and standard deviation of the differences between automatic and manual annotations by the referee cardiologists. The proposed method not only detects all kinds of morphologies of QRS complexes, P and T waves but also delineates them accurately. The onsets and offsets of the detected P and T waves are found to be within the tolerance limits given in the CSE library.
Gene subset selection in microarray data using entropic filtering for cancer classification
Authors: Navarro Félix F. González , Muñoz Lluís A. Belanche
Published: February 2009

Abstract: In this work an entropic filtering algorithm (EFA) for feature selection is described, as a workable method to generate a relevant subset of genes. This is a fast feature selection method based on finding feature subsets that jointly maximize the normalized multivariate conditional entropy with respect to the classification ability of tumours. The EFA is tested in combination with several machine learning algorithms on five public domain microarray data sets. It is found that this combination offers subsets yielding similar or much better accuracies than using the full set of genes. The solutions obtained are of comparable quality to previous results, but they are obtained in a maximum of half an hour computing time and use a very low number of genes.
A study on application of single nucleotide polymorphism and machine learning techniques to diagnosis of chronic hepatitis
Authors: Uhmn Saangyong , Kim Dong‐Hoi , Ko Young‐Woong , Cho Sungwon , Cheong Jaeyoun , Kim Jin
Published: February 2009

Abstract: We used several machine learning techniques to predict the susceptibility to chronic hepatitis from single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data. These are integrated with several feature selection algorithms to identify a set of SNPs relevant to the disease. In addition, we apply a backtracking technique to a couple of feature selection algorithms, forward selection and backward elimination, and show that it is beneficial to find the better solutions by experiment. The experimental results show that the decision rule is able to distinguish chronic hepatitis from normal with a maximum accuracy of 73.20%, whereas the accuracy of the support vector machine is 67.53% and that of the decision tree is 72.68%. It is also shown that the decision tree and decision rule are potential tools to predict susceptibility to chronic hepatitis from SNP data.
Comparison of different classifier algorithms for diagnosing macular and optic nerve diseases
Authors: Polat Kemal , Kara Sadιk , Güven Ayşegül , Güneş Salih
Published: February 2009

Abstract:The aim of this research was to compare classifier algorithms including the C4.5 decision tree classifier, the least squares support vector machine (LS‐SVM) and the artificial immune recognition system (AIRS) for diagnosing macular and optic nerve diseases from pattern electroretinography signals. The pattern electroretinography signals were obtained by electrophysiological testing devices from 106 subjects who were optic nerve and macular disease subjects. In order to show the test performance of the classifier algorithms, the classification accuracy, receiver operating characteristic curves, sensitivity and specificity values, confusion matrix and 10‐fold cross‐validation have been used. The classification results obtained are 85.9%, 100% and 81.82% for the C4.5 decision tree classifier, the LS‐SVM classifier and the AIRS classifier respectively using 10‐fold cross‐validation. It is shown that the LS‐SVM classifier is a robust and effective classifier system for the determination of macular and optic nerve diseases.
Mutations in the lamin B1 gene are not present in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Brussino A. , D’Alfonso S. , Cagnoli C. , Di Gregorio E. , Barberis M. , Padovan S. , Vaula G. , Pinessi L. , Squadrone S. , Abete M. C. , Collimedaglia L. , Guerini F. R. , Migone N. , Brusco A.
Published: February 2009

Background:  Whole gene duplication of the lamin B1 gene (LMNB1), encoding for a protein of the nuclear lamina, causes an adult‐onset autosomal dominant leukodystrophy (ADLD). Clinical features of ADLD (onset in adult life, dysautonomic symptoms, followed by pyramidal and cerebellar dysfunctions) partially resemble those of multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly the primary‐progressive form. Our aim was to test whether LMNB1 gene mutations were present amongst patients with a diagnosis of MS.

Methods:  One hundred eighty‐two MS patients were screened for copy number variations of the LMNB1 gene using a qPCR assay. Point mutations in the LMNB1 gene were searched by denaturing high‐performance liquid chromatography and direct sequencing in a subgroup of 16 patients with familial MS.

Results:  No duplication/deletion of the lamin B1 gene was found amongst MS patients, and no point mutation was identified in the familial cases.

Conclusion:  Our work indicates that lamin B1 defects are probably not responsible for signs and symptoms resembling multiple sclerosis.
Comparison of the characteristics for in‐hospital and out‐of‐hospital ischaemic strokes
Authors: Park H. J. , Cho H. J. , Kim Y.‐D. , Lee D. W. , Choi H.‐Y. , Kim S. M. , Heo J. H.
Published: February 2009

Background and purpose:  Patients who are being admitted to a hospital due to diseases other than stroke may develop a stroke (in‐hospital stroke; IHS).

Methods:  We enrolled 111 consecutive patients who developed IHS outside a neurology ward during a 5‐year period at a single hospital. The frequency, characteristics, and outcomes for IHS patients were compared with patients who develop ischaemic stroke outside of the hospital (out‐of‐hospital stroke; OHS).

Results:  Forty‐six percent of IHS occurred in the department of cardiology or cardiovascular surgery and 60% were associated with surgery or procedures. In comparison with the OHS patient group, the IHS patient group showed an increased frequency of cardiac disease, leukocytosis, and anemia. Cardioembolism, stroke of other determined etiologies, and an incomplete evaluation were more common in the IHS group, whereas large artery atherosclerosis was more frequent in the OHS group. The IHS group had up to a 10‐fold higher mortality than the OHS group, with sepsis being the most common cause of death in the IHS group.

Conclusions:  IHS has distinct etiologies and stroke mechanisms from OHS. The prevention and management of infection could decrease mortality in IHS patients.
GIANNI VATTIMO AND RENÉ GIRARD ON THE UNIQUENESS OF CHRISTIANITY
Authors: DEPOORTERE FREDERIEK
Published: February 2009

The possibility of a naturalistic explanation of religious phenomena (including Christianity) which is offered by natural science gives the question of the uniqueness of Christianity a new urgency, for it raises the question of whether an irreducible otherness in Christianity vis‐à‐vis a generally‐human, natural religiosity (which may be explained naturalistically) can be demonstrated. In what follows, we shall discuss the answer of two contemporary thinkers to this question: that of the Italian philosopher Gianni Vattimo and that of the French‐American literary critic and fundamental anthropologist René Girard. There is also an interesting link between both thinkers, as we shall see below – Vattimo has stated that it was his reading of Girard which made him return to Christianity after having abandoned it earlier in his life.
Can Intranasal Corticosteroids Cause Migraine-Like Headache?
Authors: Pokladnikova J , Meyboom RHB , Vlcek J , Edwards RI
Published: February 2009

Intranasal corticosteroids (INCs) act predominantly locally and are considered to exert minimal systemic effects. On reviewing the international data collected in the World Health Organization's global pharmacovigilance programme an unexpected cluster was found of 38 case reports of migraine in suspected connection with INCs. These reports came from five countries (May 2007) and concerned six different drugs. In all reports the INC was the sole suspect drug. In nine cases re-exposure to the drug had taken place, leading to the recurrence of the event in eight of these patients. However, INCs are mainly used for rhinitis, and there is a known connection between rhinitis and migraine. Although representing only 0.6% of the total of case reports, international pharmacovigilance data suggest that the use of INCs may cause or trigger migraine or migraine-like headache. Further study is needed to determine if the reported association is true or not and, if so, what the possible mechanism is.