bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distribution of the long-footed potoroo (Potorous longipes) and the spot-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) in the Goolengook Forest, East Gippsland, Victoria
Authors: Elsner W. K. , Mitchell A. T. , Fitzsimons J. A.
Published: December 2011

A survey to assess the distribution of two endangered marsupial species, the long-footed potoroo (Potorous longipes) and the spot-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) in the south and east of the Goolengook Forest Management Block was conducted in September and October 2006. Survey techniques consisted of hair-tubing, camera surveillance, collecting scat of target species and predators, and searching for activity and tracks of the target species. Eleven sites were surveyed. Twenty-eight records of long-footed potoroo were confirmed at nine of the sites, while one spot-tailed quoll record was confirmed from one of the sites. A record of the long-footed potoroo in the eastern Blackwatch Creek catchment extended, by several kilometres, the boundary of the known East Gippsland distribution at the time of the survey. Long-footed potoroos are distributed widely within the study area and are likely to form part of a contiguous population that extends across the Goolengook Forest and into adjacent forest.
Gene expression profiling of pluripotency and differentiation-related markers in cat oocytes and preimplantation embryos
Authors: Filliers Muriel , Goossens Karen , Van Soom Ann , Merlo Barbara , Pope Charles Earle , de Rooster Hilde , Smits Katrien , Vandaele Leen , Peelman Luc J.
Published: December 2011

During mammalian preimplantation development, two successive differentiation events lead to the establishment of three committed lineages with separate fates: the trophectoderm, the primitive endoderm and the pluripotent epiblast. In the mouse embryo, the molecular mechanisms underlying these two cell fate decisions have been studied extensively, leading to the identification of lineage-specific transcription factors. Species-specific differences in expression patterns of key regulatory genes have been reported, raising questions regarding their role in different species. The aim of the present study was to characterise the gene expression patterns of pluripotency (OCT4, SOX2, NANOG) and differentiation (CDX2, GATA6)-related markers during feline early development using reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In addition, we assessed the impact of in vitro development on gene expression by comparing transcript levels of the genes investigated between in vitro and in vivo blastocysts. To normalise quantitative data within different preimplantation embryo stages, we first validated a set of stable reference genes. Transcript levels of all genes investigated were present and changed over the course of preimplantation development; a highly significant embryo-stage effect on gene expression was observed. Transcript levels of OCT4 were significantly reduced in in vitro blastocysts compared with their in vivo counterparts. None of the other genes investigated showed altered expression under in vitro conditions. The different gene expression patterns of OCT4, SOX2, CDX2 and GATA6 in cat embryos resembled those described in mouse embryos, indicative of a preserved role for these genes during early segregation. However, because of the absence of any upregulation of NANOG transcription levels after embryonic genome activation, it is unlikely that NANOG is a key regular of lineage segregation. Such results support the hypothesis that the behaviour of early lineage markers can be species specific. The present study also revealed a pool of maternal NANOG mRNA transcripts, the role of which remains to be elucidated. Comparing transcription levels of these genes between in vivo and in vitro blastocysts revealed low levels of OCT4 mRNA in the latter, which may contribute to the reduced developmental competence of embryos under suboptimal conditions.
Occupancy dynamics of wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in the coastal dunes of the Netherlands with imperfect detection
Authors: van Strien A. J. , Dekker J. J. A. , Straver M. , van der Meij T. , Soldaat L. L. , Ehrenburg A. , van Loon E.
Published: December 2011

Context
Wild rabbits are considered a key species in the coastal dunes of the Netherlands, but populations have collapsed as a result of viral diseases.

Aim
We studied to what extent population collapse led to local extinction and whether recolonisation of empty patches in the dunes happened.

Methods
We investigated occupancy dynamics using data of 245 transects where rabbits were surveyed in 1984–2009. Dynamic site-occupancy models were used to analyse the data. These models adjust for imperfect detection to avoid bias in occupancy-trend estimation.

Key results
The decline of the rabbit population has resulted in many local extinctions, especially in woodland and in the northern part of the coastal dunes. Most transects along grassland and mixed vegetation have recently been reoccupied. The recovery of woodland occupancy is slow, probably not because of limited dispersal capacity of rabbits, but because the quality of woodland habitats is poor. Detection probability of rabbits varied considerably over the years and among habitat types, indicating the necessity of taking detection into account. Rabbits were slightly better detected when it was cloudy, windy and rainy and when lunar phase approached new moon.

Conclusion
Extinction and recolonisation of habitat patches varied considerably among habitat types.

Implications
The current slow recolonisation hampers the recovery of rabbit populations in woodland habitats in the Dutch coastal dunes. Furthermore, monitoring rabbit occupancy should take imperfect detection into account to avoid biased results.
The Manchester Manifesto: a missed opportunity?
Authors: Dutfield Graham
Published: December 2011

Graham Dutfield is professor of international governance at Leeds, research affiliate of the Intellectual Property Law and Technology Program at York University, Toronto, and adjunct professor at the Center for Studies of Intellectual Property Rights at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan. His research on intellectual property crosses several disciplines, including law, history, politics, economics and anthropology.
Relative age effects in Swiss junior soccer and their relationship with playing position
Authors: Romann Michael , Fuchslocher Jörg
Published: December 2011

Relative age effects (RAEs) refer to age differences between children in the same selection year. The present study investigated the prevalence of RAEs and their link to playing positions in Swiss junior soccer. Swiss male junior soccer players (n=50,581) representing 11% of the age‐matched population – members of extra‐curricular soccer teams – were evaluated to determine the influence of RAEs on Swiss junior soccer. Subgroups were the national talent development programme (n=2880), and U‐15 to U‐21 national teams (n=630). While no RAEs were found for the self‐selected extra‐curricular soccer teams or for the U‐20 teams (P>0.05), significant RAEs were found for talent development and the national U‐15 to U‐19 and U‐21 teams (P<0.01). Additionally, defenders born early in the year were significantly overrepresented compared with goalkeepers, midfielders and strikers (P<0.05). In Switzerland, RAEs apparently have substantial influence on the talent identification process for U‐15 to U‐18 teams, significantly influencing the selection of players in talent development teams already at an early age, but do not influence self‐selected participation in extra‐curricular soccer. Additionally, the RAE bias may be a predictor of playing positions in national teams. To minimise RAEs in Swiss soccer, systematic education for all coaches regarding RAEs should be established, in addition to a slotting system with rotating calendar cut‐off dates.
Systems approaches in global change and biogeochemistry research
Authors: Smith Pete , Albanito Fabrizio , Bell Madeleine , Bellarby Jessica , Blagodatskiy Sergey , Datta Arindam , Dondini Marta , Fitton Nuala , Flynn Helen , Hastings Astley , Hillier Jon , Jones Edward O. , Kuhnert Matthias , Nayak Dali R. , Pogson Mark , Richards Mark , Sozanska-Stanton Gosia , Wang Shifeng , Yeluripati Jagadeesh B. , Bottoms Emily , Brown Chris , Farmer Jenny , Feliciano Diana , Hao Cui , Robertson Andy , Vetter Sylvia , Wong Hon Man , Smith Jo
Published: December 2011

Systems approaches have great potential for application in predictive ecology. In this paper, we present a range of examples, where systems approaches are being developed and applied at a range of scales in the field of global change and biogeochemical cycling. Systems approaches range from Bayesian calibration techniques at plot scale, through data assimilation methods at regional to continental scales, to multi-disciplinary numerical model applications at country to global scales. We provide examples from a range of studies and show how these approaches are being used to address current topics in global change and biogeochemical research, such as the interaction between carbon and nitrogen cycles, terrestrial carbon feedbacks to climate change and the attribution of observed global changes to various drivers of change. We examine how transferable the methods and techniques might be to other areas of ecosystem science and ecology.
Interactions between human behaviour and ecological systems
Authors: Milner-Gulland E. J.
Published: December 2011

Research on the interactions between human behaviour and ecological systems tends to focus on the direct effects of human activities on ecosystems, such as biodiversity loss. There is also increasing research effort directed towards ecosystem services. However, interventions to control people's use of the environment alter the incentives that natural resource users face, and therefore their decisions about resource use. The indirect effects of conservation interventions on biodiversity, modulated through human decision-making, are poorly studied but are likely to be significant and potentially counterintuitive. This is particularly so where people are dependent on multiple natural resources for their livelihoods, when both poverty and biodiversity loss are acute. An inter-disciplinary approach is required to quantify these interactions, with an understanding of human decision-making at its core; otherwise, predictions about the impacts of conservation policies may be highly misleading.
Making predictive ecology more relevant to policy makers and practitioners
Authors: Sutherland William J. , Freckleton Robert P.
Published: December 2011

One of the aims of ecology is to aid policy makers and practitioners through the development of testable predictions of relevance to society. Here, we argue that this capacity can be improved in three ways. Firstly, by thinking more clearly about the priority issues using a range of methods including horizon scanning, identifying policy gaps, identifying priority questions and using evidence-based conservation to identify knowledge gaps. Secondly, by linking ecological models with models of other systems, such as economic and social models. Thirdly, by considering alternative approaches to generate and model data that use, for example, discrete or categorical states to model ecological systems. We particularly highlight that models are essential for making predictions. However, a key to the limitation in their use is the degree to which ecologists are able to communicate results to policy makers in a clear, useful and timely fashion.
Depletion of complement does not impact initiation of xenobiotic‐induced autoimmune disease
Authors: Cauvi David M. , Toomey Christopher B. , Pollard K. Michael
Published: December 2011

Deficiency in Daf1, a complement regulatory protein, has been shown to exacerbate development of various autoimmune diseases and recent studies have suggested that this may be explained by Daf1 acting to limit T‐cell hyper‐responsiveness. It has been suggested that the absence of Daf1 aggravates autoimmune disease in a complement‐dependent manner, but others have shown that activation of T cells in the absence of Daf1 can be complement independent. However, the relationship between Daf1, complement components, lymphocyte activation, cytokine expression and antibody production remains to be determined in mice that are not Daf1 deficient. We have recently demonstrated, in murine mercury‐induced autoimmunity (mHgIA), that an accumulation of CD44high Daflow CD4+ T cells is associated with the development of autoimmunity. In this study we observed that complement depletion does not affect the accumulation of activated CD4+ T cells, elevation of splenic interleukin‐4 expression and autoantibody production in mHgIA. In addition, neither the accumulation of CD44high Daflow CD4+ T cells nor the down‐regulation of Daf1 expression on CD4+ T cells was influenced by a lack of complement. In conclusion, these studies show that initiating events in xenobiotic‐induced autoimmunity, including lymphocyte activation, cytokine expression and autoantibody production, are not dependent on complement.
Automated tephritid fruit fly semiochemical mass feeding structure: design, construction and testing
Authors: Tan L. T. , Tan K. H.
Published: December 2011

Research has shown that exposure to semiochemicals significantly improves the mating performance of males from some of the most economically important agricultural tephritid fruit fly pests species. There is consequently a growing awareness of the need to include a pre‐release semiochemical treatment in sterile insect technique pest control programmes, to ensure optimal sexual performance of sterile male flies vis‐à‐vis wild males and to ensure their survival in the wild. This is, however, not a matter of simply spraying flies with the semiochemical as several species (including Bactrocera dorsalis and Bactrocera carambolae) need to actively ingest and metabolize the chemical for it to have the desired effect. Currently, no economical or efficient method exists for large‐scale administering/feeding of semiochemicals to such species. This may be due to the complicated requirements of (i) administering the semiochemical only to flies that are close to sexual maturity, (ii) assuring fixed‐dose feeding to avoid damaging over exposure to flies and (iii) segregating semiochemically satiated from non‐satiated flies prior to release. Using an engineering approach, while leveraging biological behaviour patterns (such as attraction to the semiochemicals and light), a mass semiochemical feeding structure was designed that fulfils all three requirements. The aim of the design was furthermore to maximize survival of flies and to minimize semiochemical wastage and hence cost. To validate the proposed design and to ascertain the behaviour of insects interacting within such a structure, a prototype was constructed and tested for B. dorsalis (with methyl eugenol as the attractant) and Ceratitis capitata (with citrus oil as the attractant). Our results show that the used semiochemicals and drivers, especially the novel conveyor belt system, are effective in encouraging the flies through the facility with minimum damage and without backward motion of flies.
An epidemiological study of the effects of statin use on airflow limitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: BANDO MASASHI , MIYAZAWA TADASHI , SHINOHARA HIDEKI , OWADA TOSHIO , TERAKADO MICHIYUKI , SUGIYAMA YUKIHIKO
Published: December 2011

Background and objective:  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is considered to be a systemic inflammatory disease, and systemic inflammation has been noted as a factor contributing to cardiovascular disease, which is one of the comorbidities associated with COPD. On the other hand, pleiotropic effects, such as the anti‐inflammatory effects of statins, have attracted attention in recent years, and there have been a variety of reports regarding the usefulness of statins for patients with COPD.

Methods:  We investigated whether the use or non‐use of statins influenced the prevalence of airflow limitation. All outpatients who were over the age of 40 years and who regularly visited a primary health care facility were invited to participate. Each participant underwent spirometry and completed a questionnaire regarding their clinical status, which was used to screen for COPD. A variety of factors that are potentially related to airflow limitation were assessed.

Results:  Of the 853 patients included in the study, 81 (9.5%) had airflow limitation. The prevalence of airflow limitation was 2.3% among the 89 patients with a history of statin use, which was five times lower than the prevalence of airflow limitation among patients who had not used statins (10.5%). Among the 347 patients with a history of past or current smoking, airflow limitation was not observed in the 30 patients who had used statins. However, by multivariate analysis, statin use was not significantly associated with a lower prevalence of airflow limitation.

Conclusions:  This is the first cross‐sectional study from Japan that has demonstrated that statin use has a potential impact on airflow limitation in patients with COPD.
Aprepitant plus palonosetron and dexamethasone for prevention of chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting in patients receiving multiple‐day cisplatin chemotherapy
Authors: Gao H. F. , Liang Y. , Zhou N. N. , Zhang D. S. , Wu H. Y.
Published: December 2011

Background

Chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting remain among the most feared adverse effects for cancer patients.

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combination of aprepitant, palonosetron and dexamethasone as antiemetic prophylaxis in patients receiving multiple‐day cisplatin‐based chemotherapy.

Methods

Forty‐one solid cancer patients received aprepitant, palonosetron and dexa‐ methasone during a 3‐day cisplatin‐based chemotherapy. Primary end‐point was complete response in the overall phase (day 1 until 5 days after the end of chemotherapy).

Results

Aprepitant in combination with palonosetron and dexamethasone was safe, with hiccups (31.7%), fatigue (17.1%), headache (14.6%) and constipation (12.2%) the most common treatment‐related adverse events, mostly mild. Complete response was seen in 58.5% of patients in the overall phase. In 23 patients receiving aprepitant in combination with palonosetron and dexamethasone more than one cycle (range: 2–5 cycles), the cumulative emetic protection rate after five cycles was 0.82.

Conclusion

This study shows aprepitant in combination with palonosetron and dex‐amethasone is safe and effectively controls chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing 3‐day cisplatin‐based chemotherapy, moreover, the efficacy is maintained during multiple cycles.
Combination of B‐Lynch brace suture and uterine artery embolization for atonic bleeding after cesarean section in a patient with placenta previa accreta
Authors: Koyama Emi , Naruse Katsuhiko , Shigetomi Hiroshi , Sado Toshiyuki , Oi Hidekazu , Kobayashi Hiroshi
Published: December 2011

We report the case of a patient with placenta previa accreta. A 29‐year‐old multipara, who had previously undergone a cesarean section, was admitted to our hospital for vaginal bleeding. An emergency cesarean section was carried out at the 33rd week of gestation. Uterine bleeding was uncontrollable, and hence, hysterectomy was planned. However, before hysterectomy, B‐Lynch brace suture was carried out to control the massive bleeding; moreover, the suturing technique enabled uterine artery embolization to be carried out as an interventional radiological technique. A good postoperative course was observed, and thus, a secondary hysterectomy was not required. A combination of the B‐Lynch brace suture technique and uterine artery embolization may be an alternative treatment for emergency bleeding during cesarean section in patients with placenta previa accreta.
Correlation of magnesium levels in cord blood and maternal serum among pre‐eclamptic pregnant women treated with magnesium sulfate
Authors: Boriboonhirunsarn Dittakarn , Lertbunnaphong Tripop , Suwanwanich Morakot
Published: December 2011

Aim:  The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between cord blood and maternal serum magnesium levels among pre‐eclamptic pregnant women treated with magnesium sulfate.

Materials and Methods:  A total of 36 pregnant women, >28 weeks' gestation, diagnosed with pre‐eclampsia and treated with magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), were enrolled. Maternal and umbilical cord blood samples were obtained immediately after delivery and sent for determination of magnesium and calcium levels.

Results:  Mean maternal age was 27.4 ± 6.4 years and mean gestational age was 38.1 ± 1.8 weeks. Most were diagnosed with pre‐eclampsia (94.5%), others had HELLP syndrome. Mean total MgSO4 the women received was 14.4 ± 6.0 g and mean duration of treatment was 5.1 ± 3.3 h. Mean maternal serum and cord blood magnesium levels were 2.2 ± 0.4 and 1.8 ± 0.3 mmol/L, respectively. Maternal magnesium and calcium levels showed significant positive correlation with their levels in cord blood (P < 0.001). Significant positive correlation was found between total dose as well as duration of MgSO4 and maternal and cord blood magnesium levels (P < 0.001) but was inversely correlated with maternal and cord blood calcium levels.

Conclusions:  Maternal serum magnesium and calcium levels were correlated with cord blood levels in pre‐eclamptic pregnant women who received MgSO4 therapy.
Robotic‐assisted surgery in the management of endometrial cancer
Authors: Holloway Robert W. , Ahmad Sarfraz
Published: December 2011

Advanced laparoscopic procedures for hysterectomy and staging lymphadenectomy were not widely adopted for management of endometrial cancer despite nearly 20 years of improvements in laparoscopic technology. Many surgeons have recently embraced da Vinci robotic‐assisted laparoscopy in preference to traditional laparoscopy because of its technological advantages of wristed instrumentation, high‐definition 3‐D optics, ergonomics and autonomy of camera control; the majority of women with endometrial cancer in the USA now undergo robotic‐assisted surgery. The purpose of this article is to review the robotic surgical techniques for hysterectomy, pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomy procedures, and the current comparative literature discussing perioperative outcomes. Additionally, literature that discusses challenges managing obese patients and robotic surgical costs are reviewed. Future multi‐institutional, prospective registration studies comparing perioperative outcomes, complications, pain, recovery time, cost and long‐term clinical outcomes with open, laparoscopic and robotic procedures will be necessary to completely appreciate the impact of robotic‐assisted technology.
Risky Sex in a Risky World: Sexual Behavior in an HIV/AIDS Environment
Authors: Mannberg Andréa
Published: December 2011

In spite of increased awareness of HIV/AIDS, unprotected casual sex is still widespread in many HIV‐infected countries. In this paper, a two‐period model for sexual decisions under uncertainty is developed. The results suggest that, for individuals with limited access to HIV treatment, the uncertainty about their future health could be an important factor driving unsafe sexual practices. The results support the empirical finding of a weak link in poor countries between sexual behavior, HIV frequency, and HIV knowledge. Therefore, this suggests that an AIDS policy needs to be calibrated in order to fit within different social contexts.
GEOGRAPHIES OF INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS: THE USER'S LIFEWORLD AND INTERFACE DESIGN
Authors: FELGENHAUER TILO
Published: December 2011

Some of the most important features of modern societies are the specialisation of knowledge, the development of technology and its ubiquitous integration in everyday practices. Apparently, the routine use of complex transport, communication and retail systems can only work out as long as a continuous encoding and decoding of spatial information takes place. In this paper different modes of system‐user‐interaction and the involved spatial concepts will be examined. The outcome is a framework of three conceptual types of interaction (or translation) between the geography of the system and the geography of the user's lifeworld. First, the user learns about the internal spatial code of the system to achieve ‘white‐box‐transparency’. Second, efforts in interface‐design show the attempt for ‘lifeworld‐simulation’ by replicating the individual's spatial perception. Third, common geographical imaginations, names of cities, regions or nations, can serve as a ‘third language’ which both the system and the user can refer to.
Innocent III and the Case for War in Southern France in 1207
Authors: CHENU CHRISTIAN
Published: December 2011

In 1208, Pope Innocent III's public declaration of a crusade in the lands of the count of Toulouse (Reg. Inn. III XI.26) appeared to indicate a change in policy regarding the heretics of that region. A closer examination of the letter's contents, however, suggests that a policy of war had been formulated by 1207 at the latest. This predates the death of the papal legate, Pierre de Castelnau, whose murder was the alleged pretext for the Albigensian Crusade. By considering the letter's notions of crusading and its preference for rhetoric over policy discussion, it can be demonstrated that the document testifies to an advanced stage of negotiations between Innocent and the French nobility, who the pope had hoped would lead the venture. As it was proposed, the crusade was novel in several respects; notably, its use of Holy Land indulgences and the seizure of property belonging to heretics. The cursory treatment these topics receive in the letter illuminates the process of negotiation that preceded the crusade. In the light of his pressing need to allay the concerns of Philip Augustus, Innocent could not have declared the crusade as he did without having first conducted considerable diplomacy. The careful policy refinement of 1207, therefore, assumes new significance for the events of 1208.
Albigenses in the Antipodes: An Australian and the Cathars
Authors: PEGG MARK GREGORY
Published: December 2011

This article is a wide‐ranging discussion of the “conventional picture of Catharism” and why everything traditionally understood by most scholars about these heretics is wrong. It arises out of Peter Biller's criticism that, “as an Australian historian who works in the United States,” I am leading the “troops” in a sweeping campaign “to dismantle our picture of Catharism.” The stakes are high in this debate. If heresy is fundamentally misunderstood, then Latin Christianity is fundamentally misunderstood, and so what it means to study the medieval world is fundamentally misunderstood.
Social class and the fertility transition: a critical comment on the statistical results reported in Simon Szreter's Fertility, class and gender in Britain, 1860–19401
Authors: Barnes Geoffrey A. , Guinnane Timothy W.
Published: December 2011

Simon Szreter's book Fertility, class and gender in Britain, 1860–1940 argues that social and economic class fails to explain the cross‐sectional differences in marital fertility as reported in the 1911 census of England and Wales. Szreter's conclusion made the book immediately influential, and it remains so. This finding matters a great deal for debates about the causes of the European fertility decline of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. For decades scholars have argued whether the main forces at work were ideational or social and economic. This note reports a simple graphical and statistical re‐analysis of Szreter's own data. We show that social class does explain cross‐sectional differences in English marital fertility in 1911.
The Role of the Judiciary in the Public Decision‐Making Process
Authors: Albanese Giuseppe , Sorge Marco M.
Published: December 2011

Empirical work on the relationship between political corruption and the design of public institutions suggests that the structure of judiciaries is an important determinant of corruption. This study develops a simple political economic model to investigate the role of judicial oversight in the policy‐making process for corruption deterrence, focusing on two dimensions of quality of the judiciary, namely efficiency and integrity. Our analysis explicitly accounts for the possibility that, while being independent of the political authority, the judiciary itself may be vulnerable to pressure from special interests. We study endogenous policy‐making under complete information and provide general conditions for the existence of deterrence (zero‐bribe) equilibria. In particular we show that preserving the independence of judiciaries in corrupt societies proves crucial to the existence of corruption‐deterrence effects.
Foreign investment and expropriation under oligarchy and democracy
Authors: Albornoz Facundo , Galiani Sebastian , Heymann Daniel
Published: December 2011

We study the incentives to expropriate foreign capital under democracy and oligarchy. We model a two‐sector small open economy where foreign investment triggers Stolper–Samuelson effects through reducing exporting costs. The incentives to expropriate depend on the distributional effects associated to the investment. How investment affects the incomes of the different groups in society depends on the sectors where these investments are undertaken and on structural features of the economy such as factor intensity, factor substitutability, and price and output elasticities. We characterize the equilibria of the expropriation game and show that if investment is undertaken in the sector that uses labor less intensively then democratic expropriations are more likely to take place. We test this prediction and provide strong evidence of its validity.
Population mobility and the changing epidemics of HIV‐2 in Portugal
Authors: Carvalho AC , Valadas E , França L , Carvalho C , Aleixo MJ , Mendez J , Marques R , Sarmento A , Doroana M , Antunes F , Branco T , Águas M , Sarmento e Castro R , Lazarus JV , Barros H
Published: December 2011

Introduction

Portugal is the European country with the highest frequency of HIV‐2 infection, which is mainly concentrated in West Africa. The cumulative number of notified HIV‐2 infections in Portugal was 1813 by the end of December 2008. To better characterize the dynamics of HIV‐2 infection in the country and to obtain data that may be of use in the prevention of the spread of HIV‐2, we evaluated a large pooled sample of patients.

Patients and methods

Five Portuguese hospitals provided data on HIV‐2‐infected patients from 1984 to the end of 2007. Data concerning demographic characteristics and clinical variables were extracted. Patients were stratified according to date of diagnosis in approximately 5‐year categories.

Results

The sample included 442 patients, accounting for 37% of all HIV‐2 infections notified in Portugal during that period. HIV‐2‐infected patients showed clearly different characteristics according to the period of diagnosis. Until 2000, the majority of HIV‐2‐infected patients were Portuguese‐born males living in the north of the country. From 2000 to 2007, most of the patients diagnosed with HIV‐2 infection had a West African origin, were predominantly female and were living in the capital, Lisbon. The average age at diagnosis and loss to follow‐up significantly increased over time.

Conclusion

HIV‐2 infection has been documented in Portugal since the early 1980s and its epidemiology appears to reflect changes in population movement. These include the movements of soldiers and repatriates from African territories during the independence wars and, later, migration and mobility from high‐endemicity areas. The findings of this study stress the importance of promoting migrant‐sensitive health care.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: a review of the neuroimaging features and differential diagnosis
Authors: Sahraian M. A. , Radue E.‐W. , Eshaghi A. , Besliu S. , Minagar A.
Published: December 2011

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is an uncommon and often fatal demyelinating disease of human central nervous system, which is caused by reactivation of the polyomavirus JC (JCV). PML generally occurs in patients with profound immunosuppression such as AIDS patients. Recently, a number of PML cases have been associated with administration of natalizumab for treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Diagnosis and management of PML became a major concern after its occurrence in multiple sclerosis patients treated with natalizumab. Diagnosis of PML usually rests on neuroimaging in the appropriate clinical context and is further confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for JCV DNA. Treatment with antiretroviral therapies in HIV‐seropositive patients or discontinuing natalizumab in MS patients with PML may lead to the development of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) which presents with deterioration of the previous symptoms and may lead to death. In patients under treatment with monoclonal antibodies in routine practice, or new ones in ongoing clinical trials, differentiating PML from new MS lesions on brain MRI is critical for both the neurologists and neuroradiologists. In this review, we discuss the clinical features, neuroimaging manifestations of PML, IRIS and neuroimaging clues to differentiate new MS lesions from PML. In addition, various neuroimaging features of PML on the non‐conventional MR techniques such as diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and MR spectroscopy (MRS) are discussed.
Dietary patterns and risk of Parkinson’s disease: a case–control study in Japan
Authors: Okubo H. , Miyake Y. , Sasaki S. , Murakami K. , Tanaka K. , Fukushima W. , Kiyohara C. , Tsuboi Y. , Yamada T. , Oeda T. , Shimada H. , Kawamura N. , Sakae N. , Fukuyama H. , Hirota Y. , Nagai M. ,   the Fukuoka Kinki Parkinson’s Disease Study Group
Published: December 2011

Background:  Nearly all epidemiologic studies examining the association between the risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and diet have focused on single foods and specific nutrients. However, epidemiologic evidence for the association of dietary pattern with PD, namely the measurement of overall diet by considering the cumulative effects of nutrients is extremely limited. We conducted a hospital‐based case–control study in Japan to examine the relationship between dietary patterns and the risk of PD.

Methods:  Patients with PD diagnosed using the UK PD Society Brain Bank criteria (n = 249) and controls without neurodegenerative diseases (n = 368) were recruited. At the time of recruitment, dietary intake during the preceding 1 month was assessed using a validated, self‐administered diet history questionnaire. Dietary patterns from 33 predefined food groups (energy‐adjusted food g/day) were extracted by factor analysis.

Results:  Three dietary patterns were identified: ‘Healthy’, ‘Western’ and ‘Light meal’ patterns. After adjustment for potential non‐dietary confounding factors, the Healthy pattern, characterized by a high intake of vegetables, seaweed, pulses, mushrooms, fruits and fish, was inversely associated with the risk of PD with a border‐line significance (P for trend = 0.06). Multivariate Odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) for PD in the highest quartile of the Healthy pattern was 0.54 (0.32–0.92) compared with the lowest quartile. No associations with PD were detected for the other two dietary patterns.

Conclusion:  In this case–control study in Japan, a dietary pattern consisting of high intakes of vegetables, fruits and fish may be associated with a decreased risk of PD.
Intermittent‐relapsing pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency: a case with clinical, biochemical, and neuroradiological reversibility
Authors: GIRIBALDI GAIA , DORIA‐LAMBA LAURA , BIANCHERI ROBERTA , SEVERINO MARIASAVINA , ROSSI ANDREA , SANTORELLI FILIPPO M , SCHIAFFINO CRISTINA , CARUSO UBALDO , PIEMONTE FIORELLA , BRUNO CLAUDIO
Published: December 2011

Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHC) deficiency causes encephalomyopathies, of which there are four major categories: (1) neonatal encephalopathy with lactic acidosis; (2) an early infantile form, which (3) at times resembles Leigh syndrome; and (4) a later‐onset form. Long‐term clinical and radiological follow‐up is still incompletely elucidated. We report a 12‐year‐old male with intermittent‐relapsing PDHC deficiency who presented with three typical acute episodes of metabolic decompensation over 7 years. Neuroimaging showed reversible signal abnormalities in the basal ganglia, inferior olivary nuclei, periaqueductal grey matter, and dentate nuclei, with evidence of lactate on magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Molecular analysis of PDH1A revealed a novel hemizygous c.1045G>A mutation, predicting a p.A349T missense mutation. He was treated with thiamine supplementation and, while on this regimen, he experienced several intercurrent febrile episodes without neurological compromise. This case report stresses the importance of performing neuroimaging during acute clinical episodes because brain lesions in PDHC deficiency may be transient and reversible, and false‐negative results may mislead the diagnosis and delay the treatment.
Parental immigrant status and adolescent mental health in the United States: do racial/ethnic differences exist?
Authors: Degboe Arnold , BeLue Rhonda , Hillemeier Marianne
Published: December 2011

Aims:  To examine the relationship between mental health problems and parental immigrant status in a representative sample of US adolescents aged 12–17.

Method:  We analyzed the US 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) restricted to 32,849 adolescents aged 12–17. Parents or guardians in random‐digit‐dial sampled households were interviewed by telephone from April 2007 through July 2008 about one of their children, selected at random. Five mental health measures were used: prior medical diagnoses of (a) depression, (b) anxiety, and (c) behavioral problems; parental reports of the adolescent (d) feeling inferior/worthless, and (e) episodes of being withdrawal from others. Logistic regression models were employed to examine the relationship between mental health problems and parental immigrant status.

Results:  Overall, 19.4% of adolescents had at least one immigrant parent. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, all adolescents with immigrant parents have decreased odds of behavioral problems (OR 0.43, p < .000), but no significant differences in the odds of depression, anxiety, worthlessness, and withdrawal compared to adolescents with US‐born parents. Similarly, White, Black, and Hispanic adolescents with immigrant parents had decreased odds of behavioral problems (OR 0.35, p < .000; OR 0.31, p < .01; and OR 0.24, p < .05, respectively) compared to their counterparts with US‐born parents.

Conclusion:  Evaluation of psychological and mental health problems among adolescents in the United States should take parental immigrant status and other sociodemographic factors into account.
X‐RAY SUB‐MICRON TOMOGRAPHY AS A TOOL FOR THE STUDY OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL WOOD PRESERVED THROUGH THE CORROSION OF METAL OBJECTS
Authors: HANECA K. , DEFORCE K. , BOONE M. N. , VAN LOO D. , DIERICK M. , VAN ACKER J. , VAN DEN BULCKE J.
Published: December 2011

Wood preserved in the corrosion layer of two early medieval iron objects was examined using X‐ray tomography. A state‐of‐the art multi‐resolution X‐ray tomography set‐up (http://www.ugct.ugent.be) provided virtual cross‐sections of the archaeological wood samples at sub‐micron resolution. These were compared with scans of samples of similar modern wood. These scans demonstrate the power of sub‐micron X‐ray tomography for wood identification, although the process of mineralization pushes this technique to its limits. Furthermore, this technique facilitated appraisal of the mineral content of the archaeological wood, which is useful in selecting the most appropriate strategy for the (preventative) conservation of the archaeological object.
Modulation of T cell immune functions by the prostaglandin E2 – cAMP pathway in chronic inflammatory states
Authors: Brudvik Kristoffer Watten , Taskén Kjetil
Published: December 2011

Cyclic AMP is the intracellular second messenger for a variety of immunoregulatory inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandin E2, adenosine and histamine that signal to effector T cells from monocytes, macrophages and regulatory T cells. Protein kinase A (PKA) type I localizes to lipid rafts in effector T cells during T cell activation and directly modulates proximal signal events including phosphorylation of C‐terminal Src kinase (Csk), which initiates a negative signal pathway that fine‐tunes the T cell activation process. The PKA‐Csk immunoregulatory pathway is scaffolded by the A kinase anchoring protein ezrin, the Csk binding protein phosphoprotein associated with glycosphingolipid‐enriched membrane microdomains and the linker protein ezrin/radixin/moesin binding protein of 50 kDa. This pathway is hyperactivated in chronic infections with an inflammatory component such as HIV, other immunodeficiencies and around solid tumours as a consequence of local inflammation leading to inhibition of anti‐tumour immunity.

LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Novel cAMP Signalling Paradigms. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2012.166.issue‐2
Correlations of CTLA‐4 gene polymorphisms and hepatitis C chronic infection
Authors: Danilovic Debora L. S. , Mendes‐Correa Maria C. , Lima Érika U. , Zambrini Heverton , K. Barros Raffaelle , Marui Suemi
Published: December 2011

Background

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐associated factor 4 (CTLA‐4) functions as a negative regulator of T cell‐mediated immune response. Molecular changes associated to CTLA‐4 gene polymorphisms could reduce its ability to suppress and control lymphocyte proliferation.

Aims

To evaluate the frequency of CTLA‐4 gene polymorphisms in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients and correlate to clinical and histological findings.

Methods

We evaluated 112 HCV‐infected subjects prospectively selected and 183 healthy controls. Clinical and liver histological data were analysed. −318C > T, A49G and CT60 CTLA‐4 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were studied by PCR‐RFLP and AT(n) polymorphism by DNA fragment analysis by capillary electrophoresis in automatic sequencer.

Results

Eight AT repetitions in 3′UTR region were more frequent in HCV‐infected subjects. We found a positive association of −318C and + 49G with HCV genotype 3 (P = 0.008, OR 9.13, P = 0.004, OR 2.49 respectively) and an inverse association of both alleles with HCV genotype 1 (P = 0.020, OR 0.19, P = 0.002, OR 0.38 respectively). Allele + 49G was also associated to aminotransferases quotients > 3 (qALT, P = 0.034, qAST, P = 0.041). Allele G of CT60 SNP was also associated with qAST > 3 (P = 0.012). Increased number of AT repetitions was positively associated to severe necroinflammatory activity scores in liver biopsies (P = 0.045, OR 4.62).

Conclusion

CTLA‐4 gene polymorphisms were associated to HCV‐infection. Eight AT repetitions were more prevalent in HCV‐infected subjects. −318C and + 49G alleles were associated to genotypes 1 and 3 infections and increased number of AT repetitions in 3′UTR region favoured severe necroinflammatory activity scores in liver biopsies.
Developing a Public Hermeneutic for the Future of Theological Education?
Authors: Pfrimmer David
Published: December 2011

Abstract:  This article considers whether there is a need to develop a public hermeneutic for theological education. Churches and theological schools are rethinking the programs they are providing and other new ways to enhance their process of leadership formation for ministry. In a dynamically global context, where churches have been “disestablished”—as in Canada—the religious needs of the wider public remain important. I suggest that more attention needs to be given to the public questions of “belonging.” Perhaps a notion of public ministry as active accompaniment of people and communities provides a helpful metaphor or public hermeneutic for theological schools in charting their future.
A Listing of Theses and Dissertations Completed in Family and Consumer Sciences: 2010
Authors: Dodor Bernice A. , Woods Barbara A.
Published: December 2011

In spring 2011, family and consumer sciences graduate programs were conducted with a request to submit titles of theses and dissertations completed during the 2010 calendar year. A total of 263 theses and dissertations were reported. A comprehensive report of submissions is provided by subject category, author, and title; theses are listed first, followed by dissertations.
Effects of varied ionic calcium and phosphate on the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of human periodontal ligament cells in vitro
Authors: An S. , Ling J. , Gao Y. , Xiao Y.
Published: December 2011

An S, Ling J, Gao Y, Xiao Y. Effects of varied ionic calcium and phosphate on the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of human periodontal ligament cells in vitro. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 374–382. ©2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Background and Objective:  A number of bone‐filling materials containing calcium (Ca2+) and phosphate (P) ions have been used in the repair of periodontal bone defects; however, the effects that local release of Ca2+ and P ions has on biological reactions are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of various levels of Ca2+ and P ions on the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs).

Material and Methods:  The hPDLCs were obtained using an explant culture method. Defined concentrations and ratios of ionic Ca2+ to inorganic P were added to standard culture and osteogenic induction media. The ability of hPDLCs to proliferate in these growth media was assayed using the Cell Counting Kit‐8. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by the fluorescein isothiocyanate–annexin V/propidium iodide double‐staining method. Osteogenic differentiation and mineralization were investigated by morphological observations, alkaline phosphatase activity and Alizarin Red S/von Kossa staining. The mRNA expression of osteogenic related markers was analysed using RT‐PCR.

Results:  Within the ranges of Ca2+ and P ion concentrations tested, we observed that increased concentrations of Ca2+ and P ions enhanced cell proliferation and formation of mineralized matrix nodules, whereas alkaline phosphatase activity was reduced. The RT‐PCR results showed that elevated concentrations of Ca2+ and P ions led to a general increase of Runx2 mRNA expression and decreased alkaline phosphatase mRNA expression, but gave no clear trend on osteocalcin mRNA levels.

Conclusion:  The concentrations and ratios of Ca2+ and P ions could significantly influence proliferation, differentiation and mineralization of hPDLCs. Within the range of concentrations tested, we found that the combination of 9.0 mm Ca2+ ions and 4.5 mm P ions were the optimal concentrations for proliferation, differentiation and mineralization in hPDLCs.