bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diversity of ground‐living spiders at Ngome State Forest, Kwazulu/Natal: a comparative survey in indigenous forest and pine plantations
Authors: MERWE M. VAN DER , DIPPENAAR‐SCHOEMAN A. S. , SCHOLTZ C. H.
Published: April 2008

A survey of ground‐living spiders was conducted over a one‐year period at Ngome State Forest, Kwazula/Natal. Five different habitat types: grass, open forest, dense forest, ecotone and pine, were sampled with 180 pitfall traps. The grass, open forest and dense forest represented indigenous vegetation while the pine represented exotic vegetation. The ecotone consisted of a mixture of indigenous forest plants and pine trees. Pine had the lowest spider diversity while grass had the highest spider diversity. However, variation in spider diversity within habitat types was considerable and an analysis of variance found no significant difference in mean values of spider diversity between habitat types. Consequently, the results do not unambiguously support the hypothesis that exotic vegetation has lower ground‐living spider diversity than indigenous vegetation.

On a mené pendant un an une étude sur les araignées vivant sur le sol de la Ngome State Forest, au Kwazulu/Natal. On a testé cinq types d'habitats différents avec des piéges: l'herbe, la forêt ouverte, la forêt dense, l'écotone et la pinède. L'herbe, la forêt ouverte et la forêt dense présentaient une végétation indigène tandis que la pinède représente une végétation exotique. L'écotone consiste en un mélange de plantes forestières indigènes et de pins. La pinède renferme la plus faible diversité d'araignées et l'herbe, la plus haute diversité. Cependant, la variation de diversité des araignées à l'intérieur des types d'habitat était considérable, et une analyse de la variance n'a pas montré de différence significative dans les valeurs moyennes de diversité des araignées entre les types d'habitat. Par conséquent, les résultats ne supportent pas sans ambiguïté l'hypothèse selon laquelle la végétation exotique présente une plus faible diversité d'araignées vivant au sol que la végétation indigène.
Elephant damage and safari hunting in Pterocarpus angolensis woodland in northwestern Matabeleland, Zimbabwe
Authors: CAMPBELL B. M. , BUTLER J. R. A. , MAPAURE I. , VERMEULEN S. J. , MASHOVE P.
Published: April 2008

This study examines the extent of elephant damage in two State Forests and investigates whether wildlife utilization, particularly of elephant (Loxodonta africana), produces economic returns which offset the negative impact of elephant damage on the timber resource. Eight common timber species were studied; 25% of trees >9·5 cm diameter at breast height (dbh) sampled had been damaged by elephants or other herbivores. P. angolensis, one of the most economically important timber species, was the worst affected; 67% of trees >34 cm dbh had been damaged by elephants. The results indicate that elephant can cause mortality of trees, and 13% of P. angolensis sampled had been killed by elephants. Elephant appear to be limiting recruitment into exploitable size classes. Simple economic calculations estimate that the benefits derived from elephant trophy hunting (US$0·35 ha‐1 y‐1) outweigh the timber losses caused by elephant (US$0·15 ha‐1 y‐1). The economic value of hunting in the Forests is shown to be greater than the value of extractable timber.

Cette étude examine Pétendue des dégats d'éléphants dans deux Forêts d'Etat et pose la question de savoir si l'utilisation de la faune sauvage, et particulièrement de l'éléphant (Loxodonta africana), génère des retombées économiques qui compensent l'impact négatif des dégats des éléphants sur la ressource en bois. Huit espèces communes d'arbres furent étudiées; 25% des arbres de plus de 9,5 cm de diamètre à hauteur de poitrine (dbh) échantillonnés avaient été endommagés par les éléphants ou d'autres herbivores. P. angolensis, l'une des espèces d'arbre les plus importantes économiquement, était le plus gravement affecté; 67% des arbres de moins de 34 cm dbh avaient été endommagés par les éléphants. Les résutats indiquent que l'éléphant peut causer la mortalité des arbres et que 13% des P. angolensiséchantillonnés avaient été tués par les éléphants. L'éléphant semble limiter le renouvellement parmi les classes de tailles exploitables. De simples calculs économiques suggèrent que les bénéfices dérivés de la chasse sportive à l′éléphant (US$0.35/ha/an) compensent les pertes causées aux arbres par les éléphants (U/0.15/ha/an). La valeur économique de la chasse dans les Forêts s'avère done plus élevée que la valeur du bois exploitable.
Management of Graves’ orbitopathy in Latin America: an international questionnaire study compared with Europe
Authors: Ramos Helton E. , Diehl Leandro A. , Camacho Cleber P. , Perros Petros , Graf Hans ,   for the Latin American Thyroid Society
Published: April 2008

Context  Management of Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) and dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) continues to be challenging. Other surveys have been successful in elucidating trends in GO management. Knowledge of current practice by members of the Latin American Thyroid Society (LATS) who manage patients with GO was targeted by distribution of a questionnaire. We compared our results with a previously reported European Thyroid Association (ETA) survey.

Objectives  To determine how endocrinologists in Latin America access and treat patients with GO and compare the results with the same European survey.

Results  One hundred and two responders representing endocrinologists from 10 countries participated in the survey. Most (57%) participate in a multidisciplinary setting for GO management. Access to a surgeon for orbital decompression was available only ‘within months’ according to 48·3% of responders. Despite suspected DON, 32·4% were reluctant to recommend urgent referral to an eyecare physician. Steroids were preferred as the first‐option therapy by 88·2% of responders (by intravenous route by 57·8% of these). The presence of diabetes reduced the use of steroids to 64·7% (P < 0·001) and increased the use of other immunosuppressive agents (from 1% to 9·8%, P < 0·01). Development of cushingoid features resulted in a reduction in steroid use to 40·2% (P < 0·001), with increased preference for irradiation (from 23·5% to 52·9%, P < 0·001) and nonsteroidal immunosuppressive drugs (from 1% to 10·8%, P < 0·01), along with a nonsignificant trend to higher indication of orbital surgery (from 24·5% to 34·3%).

Conclusion  Some potential deficiencies in the diagnosis and management of DON and hyperthyroidism were observed in our survey, highlighting the need for improvement in specialist education and the quality of care offered to patients with GO in Latin America.
Hypothyroidism and acquired von Willebrand’s syndrome: a systematic review
Authors: MANFREDI E. , ZAANE B. VAN , GERDES V. E. A. , BRANDJES D. P. M. , SQUIZZATO A.
Published: April 2008

Summary.  Acquired von Willebrand’s syndrome type I is the supposed main underlying cause of bleeding tendency in hypothyroid patients. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the published evidence on the association between hypothyroidism and acquired von Willebrand’s syndrome. All published clinical epidemiological and interventional studies, case reports and in vitro studies that investigated the association between hypothyroidism and acquired von Willebrand’s syndrome were identified by a computer‐assisted search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE electronic databases. A quality assessment was performed for clinical epidemiological studies. A total of 41 papers were included. A total of 22 epidemiological in vivo studies, two in vitro studies and 47 case reports were finally analyzed. No high quality in vivo study was identified. Almost all bleeding episodes described in the case reports were mucocutaneous. von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen value was available for 23 patients: median value 28 U/dL (range: 4–45); VWF activity was available for 24 patients: median value 28.5 U/dL (range: <3–55); factor VIII activity was available for 16 patients: median value 47 U/dL (range: 9–74). Acquired von Willebrand’s syndrome may be the main factor responsible for bleeding diathesis in overt hypothyroid patients. Even if bleeding episodes are mainly mild and mucocutaneous, blood transfusion, drug administration or surgical procedure may be required.
Multi‐scale patterns of human activity and the incidence of an exotic forest pathogen
Authors: Cushman J. Hall , Meentemeyer Ross K.
Published: April 2008

Plant pathogens can have major impacts on diverse taxa and ecological systems world‐wide, and some of the most conspicuous of these are invasive non‐native species. Although many factors are known to influence the distribution and abundance of plant pathogens, the extent to which humans play a role is less well‐known but still critical for understanding the dynamics of invasive pathogens in natural systems.

One invasive pathogen of great concern world‐wide is Phytophthora ramorum, which causes Sudden Oak Death, an emerging forest disease. Here, we examined the influence of humans and a range of environmental factors on the distribution of P. ramorum at three distinct spatial scales in northern and central California.

At the local scale, P. ramorum more commonly occurred in soil on hiking trails used heavily by humans than in soil from adjacent areas off trails. These results support the hypothesis that humans dispersed the pathogen within already infected areas and into areas lacking local sources of inoculum.

At the landscape scale, using a network of 202 randomly located plots across a 275 km2 area, we found that forests on public land open to recreation exhibited higher prevalence of disease in a critical infectious host tree (bay laurel, Umbellularia californica), than forests on private lands. Infection levels were also higher in plots surrounded by large amounts of forest with warm climatic conditions and greater potential soil moisture. Although prevalence of diseased canker hosts (Quercus agrifolia, Q. kelloggii and Lithocarpus densiflora) was positively associated with dominance of bay laurel and rainy season temperatures, it was not significantly related to public access, and we hypothesize that this occurred because our study area was in the early stages of infection.

At the regional scale, the probability of disease occurrence at 165 sites distributed across the geographic range of P. ramorum in California increased significantly as human population density increased in the surrounding area. Chances of infection also increased significantly with precipitation and presence of bay laurel.

Synthesis. Our results suggest that human activity – along with temperature, moisture and host composition – is associated with increased prevalence of an influential exotic forest pathogen. These results indicate that there may be conflicts between humans and disease, and that efforts to address this issue may require aggressive management of human activity.
Traits of British alien and native urban plants
Authors: Thompson Ken , McCarthy Michael A.
Published: April 2008

As urbanization accelerates, interest is growing in the traits of urban plants. We classified 822 UK vascular plants on the basis of their occurrence along an urban–rural gradient in 26 710 samples of vegetation from 2508 UK 1‐km grid squares, including a wide range of rural habitats and Sheffield and Birmingham, two of the UK's largest cities.

Both alien and native species were classified with respect to mean proportion of urban land cover in the 1‐km grid squares in which the species occurs (urbanity), and absolute frequency in highly urban grid squares (urban frequency). Bayesian regression models were then developed for both measures, with a wide range of plant traits as explanatory variables.

Results for aliens and natives and for both urban measures were remarkably similar: the single, coherent picture of ‘successful urban species’ that emerges from our analysis is of robust plants of relatively fertile, dry, unshaded, base‐rich habitats. Only seed mass behaved very differently for natives and aliens; seed mass was related positively to success of urban natives, and negatively to success of urban aliens. Neither clonality, seed dispersal nor seed persistence in the soil were strongly linked to success in urban habitats.

Synthesis. Cities can provide opportunities for surprisingly rich floras, but the traits of species that can persist in cities are quite narrowly circumscribed. More generally, it is clear that analysis of traits reveals important patterns in floristic data that would be far from obvious from a purely floristic analysis.
High D‐dimer levels increase the likelihood of pulmonary embolism
Authors: Tick L. W. , Nijkeuter M. , Kramer M. H. H. , Hovens M. M. C. , Büller H. R. , Leebeek F. W. G. , Huisman M. V. ,   on behalf of the Christopher Study Investigators
Published: April 2008

Objective.  To determine the utility of high quantitative D‐dimer levels in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.

Methods.  D‐dimer testing was performed in consecutive patients with suspected pulmonary embolism. We included patients with suspected pulmonary embolism with a high risk for venous thromboembolism, i.e. hospitalized patients, patients older than 80 years, with malignancy or previous surgery. Presence of pulmonary embolism was based on a diagnostic management strategy using a clinical decision rule (CDR), D‐dimer testing and computed tomography.

Results.  A total of 1515 patients were included with an overall pulmonary embolism prevalence of 21%. The pulmonary embolism prevalence was strongly associated with the height of the D‐dimer level, and increased fourfold with D‐dimer levels greater than 4000 ng mL−1 compared to levels between 500 and 1000 ng mL−1. Patients with D‐dimer levels higher than 2000 ng mL−1 and an unlikely CDR had a pulmonary embolism prevalence of 36%. This prevalence is comparable to the pulmonary embolism likely CDR group. When D‐dimer levels were above 4000 ng mL−1, the observed pulmonary embolism prevalence was very high, independent of CDR score.

Conclusion.  Strongly elevated D‐dimer levels substantially increase the likelihood of pulmonary embolism. Whether this should translate into more intensive diagnostic and therapeutic measures in patients with high D‐dimer levels irrespective of CDR remains to be studied.
Localization and nucleotide specificity of Blastocystis succinyl‐CoA synthetase
Authors: Hamblin Karleigh , Standley Daron M. , Rogers Matthew B. , Stechmann Alexandra , Roger Andrew J. , Maytum Robin , Van Der Giezen Mark
Published: April 2008

The anaerobic lifestyle of the intestinal parasite Blastocystis raises questions about the biochemistry and function of its mitochondria‐like organelles. We have characterized the Blastocystis succinyl‐CoA synthetase (SCS), a tricarboxylic acid cycle enzyme that conserves energy by substrate‐level phosphorylation. We show that SCS localizes to the enigmatic Blastocystis organelles, indicating that these organelles might play a similar role in energy metabolism as classic mitochondria. Although analysis of residues inside the nucleotide‐binding site suggests that Blastocystis SCS is GTP‐specific, we demonstrate that it is ATP‐specific. Homology modelling, followed by flexible docking and molecular dynamics simulations, indicates that while both ATP and GTP fit into the Blastocystis SCS active site, GTP is destabilized by electrostatic dipole interactions with Lys 42 and Lys 110, the side‐chains of which lie outside the nucleotide‐binding cavity. It has been proposed that residues in direct contact with the substrate determine nucleotide specificity in SCS. However, our results indicate that, in Blastocystis, an electrostatic gatekeeper controls which ligands can enter the binding site.
PbSR is synthesized in macrogametocytes and involved in formation of the malaria crystalloids
Authors: Carter Victoria , Shimizu Shoichi , Arai Meiji , Dessens Johannes T.
Published: April 2008

Crystalloids are transient organelles that form in developing malaria ookinetes and disappear after ookinete‐to‐oocyst transition. Their origins and functions remain poorly understood. The Plasmodium berghei scavenger receptor‐like protein PbSR is essential for mosquito‐to‐host transmission of the parasite: PbSR knockout parasites produce normal numbers of oocysts that fail to form sporozoites, pointing to a role for PbSR in the oocyst during sporogony. Here, using fluorescent protein tagging and targeted gene disruption, we show that PbSR is synthesized in macrogametocytes, gets targeted to the crystalloids of developing ookinetes and is involved in crystalloid formation. While oocyst sporulation rates of PbSR knockout parasites are highly reduced in parasite‐infected mosquitoes, sporulation rates in vitro are not adversely affected, supporting the view that mosquito factors could be involved in the PbSR loss‐of‐function phenotype. These findings are the first to identify a parasite protein involved with the crystalloid organelle, and suggest a novel protein‐trafficking mechanism to deliver PbSR to the oocysts.
Identification of a novel α(1→6) mannopyranosyltransferase MptB from Corynebacterium glutamicum by deletion of a conserved gene, NCgl1505, affords a lipomannan‐ and lipoarabinomannan‐deficient mutant
Authors: Mishra Arun K. , Alderwick Luke J. , Rittmann Doris , Wang Cindy , Bhatt Apoorva , Jacobs Jr William R. , Takayama Kuni , Eggeling Lothar , Besra Gurdyal S.
Published: April 2008

Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Corynebacterium glutamicum share a similar cell wall structure and orthologous enzymes involved in cell wall assembly. Herein, we have studied C. glutamicum NCgl1505, the orthologue of putative glycosyltransferases Rv1459c from M. tuberculosis and MSMEG3120 from Mycobacterium smegmatis. Deletion of NCgl1505 resulted in the absence of lipomannan (Cg‐LM‐A), lipoarabinomannan (Cg‐LAM) and a multi‐mannosylated polymer (Cg‐LM‐B) based on a 1,2‐di‐O‐C16/C18:1‐(α‐D‐glucopyranosyluronic acid)‐(1→3)‐glycerol (GlcAGroAc2) anchor, while syntheses of triacylated‐phosphatidyl‐myo‐inositol dimannoside (Ac1PIM2) and Man1GlcAGroAc2 were still abundant in whole cells. Cell‐free incubation of C. glutamicum membranes with GDP‐[14C]Man established that C. glutamicum synthesized a novel α(1→6)‐linked linear form of Cg‐LM‐A and Cg‐LM‐B from Ac1PIM2 and Man1GlcAGroAc2 respectively. Furthermore, deletion of NCgl1505 also led to the absence of in vitro synthesized linear Cg‐LM‐A and Cg‐LM‐B, demonstrating that NCgl1505 was involved in core α(1→6) mannan biosynthesis of Cg‐LM‐A and Cg‐LM‐B, extending Ac1PI[14C]M2 and [14C]Man1GlcAGroAc2 primers respectively. Use of the acceptor α‐D‐Manp‐(1→6)‐α‐D‐Manp‐O‐C8 in an in vitro cell‐free assay confirmed NCgl1505 as an α(1→6) mannopyranosyltransferase, now termed MptB. While Rv1459c and MSMEG3120 demonstrated similar in vitroα(1→6) mannopyranosyltransferase activity, deletion of the Rv1459c homologue in M. smegmatis did not result in loss of mycobacterial LM/LAM, indicating a functional redundancy for this enzyme in mycobacteria.
Disruption of a Plasmodium falciparum cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase gene causes aberrant gametogenesis
Authors: Taylor Cathy J. , McRobert Louisa , Baker David A.
Published: April 2008

Phosphodiesterase (PDE) and guanylyl cyclase (GC) enzymes are key components of the cGMP signalling pathway and are encoded in the genome of Plasmodium falciparum. Here we investigate the role of specific GC and PDE isoforms in gamete formation – a process that is essential for malaria transmission and occurs in the Anopheles mosquito midgut following feeding on an infected individual. Details of the intracellular signalling events controlling development of the male and female gametes from their precursors (gametocytes) remain sparse in P. falciparum. Previous work involving the addition of pharmacological agents to gametocytes implicated cGMP in exflagellation – the emergence of highly motile, flagellated male gametes from the host red blood cell. In this study we show that decreased GC activity in parasites having undergone disruption of the PfGCβ gene had no significant effect on gametogenesis. By contrast, decreased cGMP‐PDE activity during gametocyte development owing to disruption of the PfPDEδ gene, led to a severely reduced ability to undergo gametogenesis. This suggests that the concentration of cGMP must be maintained below a threshold in the developing gametocyte to allow subsequent differentiation to proceed normally. The data indicate that PfPDEδ plays a crucial role in regulating cGMP levels during sexual development.
Within prisons, is there an association between the quantity of prenatal care and infant birthweight?
Authors: Howard David L. , Strobino Donna , Sherman Susan , Crum Rosa
Published: April 2008

There is still controversy surrounding the effectiveness of prenatal care in reducing low birthweight. In addition, very few studies have assessed the relationship between prenatal care and infant birthweight among pregnant women within the prison system. We sought to ascertain whether there is an association between the quantity of prenatal care and infant birthweight among pregnant women within such a setting. We examined the prison medical records of 147 infants born to women delivering at term (37–41 weeks of gestation) between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2004 who were incarcerated during pregnancy in Texas state prisons. Linear regression was used to evaluate the association between the number of prison prenatal care visits and infant birthweight while adjusting for potential confounders (age, gravidity, maternal education, maternal race, history of substance use, history of alcohol use, history of tobacco use and the presence of any chronic disease). We also adjusted for the interaction between the gestational age at admission to prison and the number of prison prenatal care visits.

There was a statistically significant 120.5 g increase in adjusted mean birthweight with each additional prison prenatal care visit (P = 0.001) among study infants whose mothers entered prison during the first trimester. This trend was not observed among women who came in after the first trimester. There appears to be a positive association between the amount of prison prenatal care and infant birthweight among incarcerated pregnant women delivering at term, but this association appears to be limited to women entering prison during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Cells and mediators in bronchoalveolar lavage of asthmatic patients: the example of eosinophilic inflammation
Authors: Bousquet J. , Vyve T. Van , Chanez P. , Enander I. , Michel F. B. , Godard P.
Published: April 2008

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) greatly improved our understanding of asthma allowing to demonstrate the key role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of the disease. BAL is a safe procedure, even in severe patients when properly performed. BAL samples large and small airways and alveoli. Cells and mediators may be measured in BALF but they only represent an indirect estimation of the bronchial inflammation. Before performing BAL, the clinical status of the patients should be ascertained and drugs taken may have to be withdrawn. BALF markers should follow some requirements: (I) markers should be released by cells that are pertinent to airways inflammation (and reparation) in asthma, and, if possible they should be specific of a single cell type, (2) the enumeration of cells or titration of the marker or of its metabolites should be specific and sensitive, (3) if possible the titration should not be modified by the sampling procedure, (4)pilot studies should have demonstrated that the cell is incrcased or the secretory product is released during challenge in asthmatic subjects, (5) studies in a large number of patients should have demonstrated that the levels of the marker are increased in chronic asthmatics, that these levels are correlated with the severity of the disease and are decreased during effective anti‐inflammatory treatment, and (6) if possible the cell or marker should be specific to asthma (but at present there is no such cell or marker). Eosinophils and granule secretory products follow most of these requirements. BAL represents an important research tool to assess the effects of therapeutic interventions.
Counts of activated blood eosinophils for monitoring asthma
Authors: Hed J. , Halldén G.
Published: April 2008

The FOG method is a new cell membrane permeabilization technique which makes it possible to identify the eosinophils in unseparated peripheral blood and allows analyses of both surface and intracellular antigens by flow cytometry. This technique has been adapted to analyse eosinophil activity in peripheral blood from asthmatic patients by measuring the expression of the EG2‐epitope on intracellular ECP.
Markers for eosinophils and T‐lymphocytes as predictors of late asthmatic response
Authors: Schmekel B. , Venge P.
Published: April 2008

Bronchial allergen challenge was performed on 12 allergic asthmatics during a stable phase of their disease. After resolution of the immediate bronchial response, fractional lung lavage was performed twice, two and 24 h post‐challenge. The recovery of eosinophils, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), eosinophil chemotactic activity (ECA) and immunohistochemical staining of the phenotypically distinct population stainable by the monoclonal antibody CD45R0, agreed to indicate T‐memory cells, were assessed in the two lavages. Serial measurements of lung function, and serum concentration of ECP were also done. We found that although the recoveries in bronchial washes of eosinophil cells and ECP tended to increase during the trial, none of these variables predicted the emergence of late phase bronchial response (LPR). Instead, the proportion in the 2‐h lavages, of memory‐cells or ECA predicted the LPR. These two variables were inversely correlated to each other in the first lavage, suggesting the T‐cells to be potential major sources of ECA. The fact that T‐cells and ECA, but not markers for eosinophil activation in lavage, predicted the LPR, may suggest T‐cell activation to preceed the activation of the eosinophils within the lung after a bronchial allergen challenge. There was a close correlation between LPR and serum concentration of ECP obtained at the end of the trial, 24 h post‐challenge, suggesting either a delayed or a continuous activation of circulating eosinophils after bronchial allergen challenge.
Monitoring of inflammation during challenge tests in children
Authors: Wahn U. , Niggemann B. , Kleinau I. , Beyer K.
Published: April 2008

From our data we conclude, that the determinations of ECP and EPX do not add any useful information as monitoring parameters for bronchial allergen challenge tests. In contrast, eosinophils and eosinophil cationic protein may deserve further study as potentially useful monitoring parameters for oral food challenges in patients with food related atopic eczema.
Markers of eosinophilic inflammation in allergic diseases
Authors: Bonini S. , Tomassini M. , Adriani E. , Magrini L. , Rumi C. , Bussa S. , Ronchetti F. , Bonini S.
Published: April 2008

The paper reviews personal studies aimed at identifying clinical markers of eosinophil inflammation in allergic diseases. Preliminary data on the use of flow cytometry as a method to detect eosinophil activation through phenotypic activation markers are reported. The concept of eosinophil releasability is introduced on the basis of in vim eosinophil activation and mediator release by different stimuli. Data showing an increase of serum levels of ECP mainly in subjects with sensitivity to perennial allergens and related to histamine bronchial reactivity are discussed in view of their practical impact in diagnosing and monitoring of allergic diseases and asthma.
Assessing cost‐effectiveness in asthma care: building an economic model to study the impact of alternative intervention strategies
Authors: Sullivan S.D. , Weiss K.B.
Published: April 2008

Expenditures for medical care services continue to rise as a proportion of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in most countries. Because a large share of resources are increasingly being spent on medical care services, there is a need to more closely examine the quality, cost and efficiency of all aspects of health care delivery. One method for assessing efficiency is cost‐effectiveness analysis. Many of the elements of a basic cost‐effectiveness model for asthma care are available, including accepted relevant studies on societal cost‐of‐illness, accepted health outcomes relevant to good clinical care, and a selection of potential intervention strategies, both for prevention and control. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how an economic approach to decision‐making can be used to assess the potential impact of alternative intervention strategies for asthma care. Two case studies are developed including a new management strategy for the chronic care of stable moderate asthma and a management strategy for the early detection and prevention of childhood asthma. It is proposed that economic modeling of possible intervention strategies can serve as a useful method for determining the potential impact (in terms of cost‐effectiveness) of a proposed intervention strategy well in advance of any ernpiric clinical trials. Analysis such as these may prove valuable in protecting researchers from developing intervention strategies that are clinically efficacious but cost‐ineffective and, therefore, are unlikely to be adopted by providers/payers I of medical care services for asthmatics.
Comparative Effect of Nitrogen Sources on Maize under Saline and Non‐saline Conditions
Authors: Irshad M. , Eneji A. E. , Yasuda H.
Published: April 2008

The main objective of this study was to compare the relationship between biomass yield and nutrient uptake in salt‐stressed maize (Zea mays L.) following nitrogen (N) nutrition in a greenhouse. Three forms of N were applied, each at the rate of 100 kg ha−1: urea‐N, nitrate‐N, 1/2 urea‐N + 1/2 nitrate‐N (mixed‐N) and no N application (control). Maize was grown as a test crop for 6 weeks. All N sources greatly stimulated crop growth and nutrient uptake compared with the control. The biomass (shoot and root) of maize was significantly greater in mixed‐N treatment than in single sources in saline soil whereas it varied in the order of urea‐N > mixed‐N > nitrate‐N > control in non‐saline soil. Under both soil conditions, the concentration of Ca, Mg and Na in shoot was highest in nitrate‐N treatments while that of K was highest in the control. Shoot nitrogen concentration was not significantly different among N sources under non‐saline treatment, whereas under saline conditions, the concentration varied markedly in the order of nitrate‐N > urea‐N > mixed‐N > control. The mineral concentrations in the shoot increased under salt treated soil when compared with non‐saline soil. The ratios of Na/K, Na/Ca and Na/Mg were also higher under salt stress due to higher accumulation of Na ion in the shoot. Among N‐fertilizer sources, Na/Ca and Na/Mg ratios were highest in control whereas Na/K ratio was the highest in nitrate‐N treatment. The lowest cation ratios were noted in mixed‐N‐treated plants under both soils. Regression analysis showed that maize biomass was related to N concentration by the following equations: Y = −4.54 + 0.97N for the non‐saline soil and Y = 0.89 + 0.25N for the saline soil. Nitrogen use efficiency for non‐saline soil exceeded that of saline soil by 15 %.
The use of glucan as immunostimulant in the treatment of a severe case of chromoblastomycosis
Authors: E Silva Azevedo Conceição de Maria Pedrozo , Marques Sirley Garcia , Resende Maria Aparecida , Gonçalves Azizedite Guedes , De Castro Lima Santos Daniel Vagner , Da Silva Raimunda Ribeiro , De Sousa Maria da Glória Teixeira , De Almeida Sandro Rogerio
Published: April 2008

We report the case of an alternative treatment for a patient with a severe form of chromoblastomycosis that responded poorly to the traditional antifungal therapy. We hereby show, in this study, the improvement of lesions after treatment with itraconazole associated with an intramuscular administration of glucan. We observed that the regression of lesions was associated with an improvement of the cellular immune response. This favourable response that we observed suggests that the therapeutic regimen we used might be an option for the treatment of patients with a severe form of chromoblastomycosis.
Responses of human sling and clasp fibers to cholecystokinin (CCK) and gastrin through CCK receptors
Authors: Liu Jun‐Feng , Gao Li‐Ping , Wen Shi‐Wang , Lu Hui‐Lai , Zhang Jian , Sun Jian , Zhang Shao‐Wei , Wang Qi‐Zhang
Published: April 2008

Background and Aim:  Cholecystokinin (CCK) and gastrin exert their influences via CCK receptors. This research was conducted to look at the responses of the sling and clasp fibers forming the human lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to CCK and gastrin, and the role of CCK receptors in the responses.

Methods:  Muscle strips of sling and clasp fibers from the LES were obtained from patients undergoing subtotal esophagectomy. Isometric tension responses of the strips to CCK‐8 and gastrin‐17 were studied, and the maximum effect (Emax) for each agonist was derived. CCK‐A receptor antagonist, CR1409 and CCK‐B antagonist, CR2945 were applied to sling and clasp fibers and their pKB values were calculated.

Results:  Sling fibers produced significant contractions following exposure to CCK‐8 and gastrin‐17, while clasp fibers had less responses to the two agents. CR1409 and CR2945 inhibited responses of sling to CCK‐8 in a concentration‐dependent fashion. The inhibition effects of the two antagonists on clasp fibers were not measurable because there was a mild contraction of the fiber in response to CCK‐8.

Conclusion:  The contractions generated by sling fibers following exposure to CCK and gastrin are greater than that produced by clasp fibers. CCK‐A receptors are more important for the generation of contractions by the sling fibers, whereas both CCK‐A and CCK‐B receptors are involved in the functional regulation of the clasp fibers.

[Corrections added after online publication 28 April 2008: in the Background and Aims section of the preceding abstract, all instances of ‘CKK’ were corrected to ‘CCK’. In the final sentence of the abstract ‘CCKA’was corrected to ‘CCK‐A’. In the article title ‘(CKK)’ was corrected to ‘(CCK)’.]
Active bacterial community structure along vertical redox gradients in Baltic Sea sediment
Authors: Edlund Anna , Hårdeman Fredrik , Jansson Janet K. , Sjöling Sara
Published: April 2008

Community structures of active bacterial populations were investigated along a vertical redox profile in coastal Baltic Sea sediments by terminal‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) and clone library analysis. According to correspondence analysis of T‐RFLP results and sequencing of cloned 16S rRNA genes, the microbial community structures at three redox depths (179, −64 and −337 mV) differed significantly. The bacterial communities in the community DNA differed from those in bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)‐labelled DNA, indicating that the growing members of the community that incorporated BrdU were not necessarily the most dominant members. The structures of the actively growing bacterial communities were most strongly correlated to organic carbon followed by total nitrogen and redox potentials. Bacterial identification by sequencing of 16S rRNA genes from clones of BrdU‐labelled DNA and DNA from reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed that bacterial taxa involved in nitrogen and sulfur cycling were metabolically active along the redox profiles. Several sequences had low similarities to previously detected sequences, indicating that novel lineages of bacteria are present in Baltic Sea sediments. Also, a high number of different 16S rRNA gene sequences representing different phyla were detected at all sampling depths.
Dual interventional approach of endoscopic reboring in completely stenosed rectal anastomosis using radiology guidance: a novel technique
Authors: Reddy R. A. K. , Venkatasubramaniam A. K. , Khursheed A. , Latimer J. , Tabaqchali M. A.
Published: April 2008

Objective  Rectal stricture/stenosis is a well‐recognized complication following anterior resection. Completely stenosed rectal anastomoses have been conventionally treated conservatively with permanent stoma. The surgical alternatives are either a redo low resection with its accompanying hazards or formation of a permanent colostomy. We describe a simple method of treating anastomotic stenoses using a novel technique in patients with a defunctioned bowel.

Method  Three patients with complete stenosis of a rectal anastomosis following anterior resection underwent this novel technique with informed consent. A stenosis with no identifiable lumen was diagnosed at the time of examination under anaesthetic (EUA) or by contrast enema. Using a novel technique of combined endoscopic and radiology guidance, the anastomotic stenosis was rebored and subsequently dilated to restore bowel continuity.

Results  There were no complications observed following this procedure. Two of the three patients needed repeat endoscopic dilatation. All patients had restoration of the lumen in the anastomosis and subsequently underwent closure of ileostomy and made an uneventful recovery.

Conclusion  Combined endoscopic dilatation under radiological guidance is a novel technique and appears to be a simple, safe, effective and inexpensive method for treating rectal anastomotic stenoses.
Efficacy of transarterial embolization as definitive treatment in lower gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Koh D. C. , Luchtefeld M. A. , Kim D. G. , Knox M. F. , Fedeson B. C. , VanErp J. S. , Mustert B. R.
Published: April 2008

Transarterial catheter embolization (TAE) is integral in the management of lower gastrointestinal bleeding (BLGIT). The efficacy of superselective embolization has reduced the need for emergent surgical resection as a treatment modality.

Objective  To determine the outcomes of TAE in the management of BLGIT in terms of efficacy rates, recurrent bleeding rates and long term results without the need for surgical intervention.

Method  Patients who underwent TAE for BLGIT between September 2000 and May 2006 were analysed. Data were extracted from the records for analysis.

Results  Sixty‐eight patients with a mean age of 76 years and equal gender distribution were analysed. Sixty‐nine per cent presented with haematochezia, 40% with malena. Sixty‐three patients had a prior RBC scan performed, all of which were positive. Colonoscopy was attempted in 18 patients of which four managed to localize the bleeding site. Embolization was performed in these patients using mainly polyvinyl alcohol particles and/or microcoils. The morbidity rate was 21%, comprising mainly fever and nonspecific abdominal pain with only four ischaemic complications and one report of colonic infarction. Early recurrent bleeding occurred in six patients. Three were treated with repeat embolization and two required surgery. There were no mortalities. After a mean follow‐up of 12 months, 12 (17.6%) patients developed further episodes of BLGIT, necessitating further intervention.

Conclusion  Transarterial catheter embolization is effective and safe in the acute management of BLGIT and reduces the need for further definitive surgery in a majority of patients.
Rectocele repair by anterolateral rectopexy: long‐term functional outcome
Authors: Oom D. M. J. , Gosselink M. P. , Van Wijk J. J. , Van Dijl V. R. M. , Schouten W. R.
Published: April 2008

Introduction  Rectoceles are frequently associated with feelings of pelvic discomfort and symptoms of obstructed defaecation (OD). Repair by a transvaginal or transanal approach might result in de novo dyspareunia in up to approximately 40% of the cases. This study was designed to investigate whether anterolateral rectopexy provides an adequate rectocele repair without dyspareunia as a side effect.

Method  A consecutive series of 33 women (median age 55 years; range: 37–73) with a symptomatic rectocele (depth > 3 cm) underwent anterolateral rectopexy. Before the operation, all patients underwent evacuation proctography (EP), which was repeated 6 months after the repair in all but three patients. A standardized questionnaire concerning pelvic discomfort, OD and dyspareunia was used to assess the long‐term effect of rectocele repair. The response rate was 91%.

Results  Six months after the procedure, EP revealed a recurrent or persistent rectocele in six patients (20%). However, in four of these six patients, the depth of the rectocele was < 3 cm. The median duration of follow‐up was 74 months (range: 2–96). Among the patients with an adequate repair, signs of OD persisted in 55%. None of the patients encountered de novo dyspareunia after the procedure.

Conclusion  Anterolateral rectopexy provides an effective tool for anatomical correction of rectoceles and does not result in dyspareunia as a side effect. However, despite adequate repair, OD persist in the majority of patients.
Fast fashion lessons
Authors: Sull Donald , Turconi Stefano
Published: April 2008

You think your industry is tough? Imagine customer preferences that can shift literally overnight, product lifecycles measured in weeks, and the value of your product plummeting if you miss the latest trend. Welcome to the world of fast fashion.

Donald Sull and Stefano Turconi examine how Zara, a leader in the industry, has pioneered an approach to navigate the volatility of fast fashion, offering lessons for any company facing rapidly changing markets.
Launching a service revolution
Authors: Silvester Marc , Ahmed Mohi
Published: April 2008

Over the last decade, new technological disciplines and processes have revolutionized manufacturing. Can similar techniques transform the service industry?Marc Silvester and Mohi Ahmed advocate new principles for a service revolution.
Narrating the real corporate story
Authors: Ambler Tim , Neely Andy
Published: April 2008

Increasing demand for more transparency in corporate reporting has put new burdens on companies worldwide. Tim Ambler and Andy Neely provide their insights on writing the more difficult sections of annual reports.
Managing project portfolios
Authors: Lockett Martin , De Reyck Bert , Sloper Andrew
Published: April 2008

Portfolios are part of the bedrock of any financial services company. Yet, other industries are now starting to use a similar approach ‐not with stocks and bonds, but with business projects. Martin Lockett, Bert De Reyck and Andrew Sloper think it's a great idea, but only if it's done right.
Branding from the inside out
Authors: Tavassoli Nader
Published: April 2008

One seldom thinks of the human resource function as a base for marketing, but Nader Tavassoli makes a persuasive case for starting your branding strategy with your own employees.
Delimiting Democratic Accountability
Authors: Philp Mark
Published: April 2008

This article discusses the concept of accountability in relation to those holding public office in democratic states. It argues that the concept of accountability requires careful specification and that it is frequently distorted when put to the service of theoretical models and normative principles. The article develops a definition of accountability and a range of distinctions between forms of accountability, asks what forms of accountability might be appropriate to modern democratic systems and argues that some combinations of democracy and accountability can have serious negative consequences for politics. The article concludes by discussing the types of accountability that are pertinent to recent claims that international institutions should be made more democratically accountable. In each case, the common tendency to inflate the concept of accountability is associated with demands for accountability that threaten both democratic consolidation and the distinctive character of accountability itself.
New Philanthropy, New Networks and New Governance in Education
Authors: Ball Stephen J.
Published: April 2008

This article draws upon and contributes to a body of theory and research within political science which is concerned with changes in the policy process and new methods of governing society; that is, with a shift from centralised and bureaucratic government to governance in and by networks. This is sometimes called the ‘Anglo-governance model’ and the most prominent and influential figure in the field is Rod Rhodes. The article focuses on one aspect of these kinds of change within the field of education policy and argues that a new form of ‘experimental’ and ‘strategic’ governance is being fostered, based upon network relations among new policy communities. These new policy communities bring new kinds of actors into the policy process, validate new policy discourses and enable new forms of policy influence and enactment, and in some respects disable or disenfranchise established actors and agencies. The argument is illustrated with examples of networks identified and mapped by the author. Some of the relationships among participants who make up these new networks are traced and discussed, drawing upon research into the privatisation of education funded by the ESRC. These relationships interlink business, philanthropy, quangos and non-governmental agencies.
Sanctioning Liberal Democracies
Authors: Pasternak Avia
Published: April 2008

This article examines when economic sanctions should be imposed on liberal democracies that violate democratic norms. The argument is made from the social-liberal standpoint, which recognises the moral status of political communities. While social liberals rarely refer to the use of economic sanctions as a pressure tool, by examining why they restrict military intervention and economic aid to cases of massive human rights violations or acute humanitarian need, the article is able to show why they are likely to impose strong restrictions on the use of economic sanctions as well. After reconstructing the social-liberal case against economic sanctions, the article develops the argument that liberal democracies have reasons to support sanctions on other liberal democracies, even when they perpetrate injustices on a smaller scale. Liberal democracies share especially strong ideological, cultural and institutional bonds, and these peer group relations open them to mutual influence. When one liberal democracy commits serious injustices while still proclaiming allegiance to the democratic ethos, it can adversely affect the vitality of the democratic culture in those other liberal democracies with which it maintains close relations. Other liberal democracies therefore have the right and the obligation to condemn this behaviour, in order to preserve their allegiance to their values. The article defends the use of economic sanctions in light of some recent critiques, and concludes by providing an overall assessment of the factors which liberal democracies ought to take into account when they consider imposing economic sanctions on other liberal democracies.
Can societal language amendments change gender representation? The case of Norway
Authors: GABRIEL UTE , GYGAX PASCAL
Published: April 2008

This study investigates the influence of stereotypical information and the grammatical masculine on the representation of gender in Norwegian by applying a sentence evaluation paradigm. In this study participants had to decide whether a second sentence containing explicit information about the gender of one of more of the characters (e.g. . . . one of the women . . . ) was a sensible continuation of a first sentence introducing a role name (e.g. The spies came out . . . ). Participants’ representations were biased by the stereotypicality of the role names when reading female (e.g. nurses) and male (e.g. pilots) stereotyped role names (replicating findings from the English sample in a previous publication), but male biased when reading neutral role names (replicating findings from the French and the German samples in a previous publication).