bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The representation gap and the future of worker representation
Authors: Heery Edmund
Published: July 2009

The Representation Gap was one of the finest achievements of Brian Towers's academic life. In this important book he described the extent of the representation gap in Britain and the United States and examined attempts to close the gap through public policy, the revitalisation of trade unions and the development of new institutions of worker representation. On the sad occasion of Brian's death, this article returns to the main themes of the book and examines how academic analysis and developments in the real world of industrial relations have progressed since its publication.
New Labour and the commonsense of neoliberalism: trade unionism, collective bargaining and workers' rights
Authors: Smith Paul
Published: July 2009

The assumptions and values of neoliberalism came to dominate the Conservative governments, 1979–97, inspiring a range of policies that included industrial relations and employment law. Inasmuch as New Labour has adopted many of these policies then it can be presumed to have accepted their neoliberal underpinnings. Moreover, New Labour's policies owe much to neoliberalism. Wedderburn's exposition of the relationship between the writings of Hayek and the policy of Conservative governments, 1979–88, is utilised and extended to display the continuity and distinctiveness of New Labour's policy on industrial relations and employment law in relation to its Conservative predecessors. New Labour's neoliberal assumptions and values are evaluated. The conclusion argues for a fundamental rebuttal of New Labour's values as an integral component of a campaign to re‐establish trade union rights and liberties, and effective employment protection.
TECHNOLOGY SHOCKS AND ROBUST SIGN RESTRICTIONS IN A EURO AREA SVAR*
Authors: Peersman Gert , Straub Roland
Published: July 2009

We use a model‐based identification strategy to estimate the impact of technology shocks on hours worked and employment in the euro area. The sign restrictions applied in the vector autoregression (VAR) analysis are consistent with a large class of dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models and are robust to parameter uncertainty. The results are in line with the conventional Real Business Cycle (RBC) interpretation that hours worked rise as a result of a positive technology shock. By comparing the sign restrictions method to the long‐run restriction approach of Galí (Quaterly Journal of Economics (1992) 709–38), we show that the results do not depend on the stochastic specification of the hours worked series or the data sample but only on the identification scheme.
Sensitisation of spinal cord pain processing in medication overuse headache involves supraspinal pain control
Authors: Perrotta A , Serrao M , Sandrini G , Burstein R , Sances G , Rossi P , Bartolo M , Pierelli F , Nappi G
Published: July 2009

Medication overuse could interfere with the activity of critical brain regions involved in the supraspinal control of pain signals at the trigeminal and spinal level, leading to a sensitisation phenomenon responsible for chronic pain. We hypothesised that medication-overuse headache (MOH) patients might display abnormal processing of pain stimuli at the spinal level and defective functioning of the diffuse noxious inhibitory controls. We tested 31 MOH patients before (bWT) and after (aWT) standard inpatient withdrawal treatment, 28 episodic migraine (EM) patients and 23 healthy control subjects. We measured the threshold, the area and the temporal summation threshold (TST) of the nociceptive withdrawal reflex before, during and after activation of the diffuse noxious inhibitory controls by means of the cold pressor test. A significantly lower TST was found in both the MOH (bWT and aWT) and the EM patients compared with the controls, and in the MOH patients bWT compared with both the MOH patients aWT and the EM patients. In the MOH bWT patients the cold pressor test induced a TST increase significantly lower than that found in the MOH aWT, EM and control groups. Abnormal spinal cord pain processing and a decrease of the antinociceptive activity of the supraspinal structures in MOH patients can be hypothesised. These abnormalities could, in part, be related to the medication overuse, given that the withdrawal treatment was related to an improvement in the neurophysiological findings.
Migraine may be a risk factor for the development of complex regional pain syndrome
Authors: Peterlin BL , Rosso AL , Nair S , Young WB , Schwartzman RJ
Published: July 2009

The aim was to assess the relative frequency of migraine and the headache characteristics of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) sufferers. CRPS and migraine are chronic, often disabling pain syndromes. Recent studies suggest that headache is associated with the development of CRPS. Consecutive adults fulfilling International Association for the Study of Pain criteria for CRPS at a pain clinic were included. Demographics, medical history, and pain characteristics were obtained. Headache diagnoses were made using International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd edn criteria. Migraine and pain characteristics were compared in those with migraine with those without. anova with Tukey post hoc tests was used to determine the significance of continuous variables and Fisher's exact or χ2 tests for categorical variables. The expected prevalence of migraine and chronic daily headache (CDH) was calculated based on age- and gender-stratified general population estimates. Standardized morbidity ratios (SMR) were calculated by dividing the observed prevalence of migraine by the expected prevalence from the general population. The sample consisted of 124 CRPS participants. The mean age was 45.5 ± 12.0 years. Age- and gender-adjusted SMRs showed that those with CRPS were 3.6 times more likely to have migraine and nearly twice as likely to have CDH as the general population. Aura was reported in 59.7% (74/124) of participants. Of those CRPS sufferers with migraine, 61.2% (41/67) reported the onset of severe headaches before the onset of CRPS symptoms Mean age of onset of CRPS was earlier in those with migraine (34.9 ± 11.1 years) and CDH (32.5 ± 13.4 years) compared with those with no headaches (46.8 ± 14.9 years) and those with tension-type headache (TTH) (39.9 ± 9.9 years), P < 0.05. More extremities were affected by CRPS in participants with migraine (median of four extremities) compared with the combined group of those CRPS sufferers with no headaches or TTH (median 2.0 extremities), P < 0.05. The presence of static, dynamic and deep joint mechano-allodynia together was reported by more CRPS participants with migraine (72.2%) than those with no headaches or TTH (46.2%), P ≤ 0.05. Migraine may be a risk factor for CRPS and the presence of migraine may be associated with a more severe form of CRPS. Specifically: (i) migraine occurs in a greater percentage of CRPS sufferers than expected in the general population; (ii) the onset of CRPS is reported earlier in those with migraine than in those without; and (iii) CRPS symptoms are present in more extremities in those CRPS sufferers with migraine compared with those without. In addition, as we also found that the presence of aura is reported in a higher percentage of those CRPS sufferers with migraine than reported in migraineurs in the general population, further evaluation of the cardiovascular risk profile of CRPS sufferers is warranted.
Prostaglandin I2(epoprostenol) triggers migraine-like attacks in migraineurs
Authors: Wienecke T , Olesen J , Ashina M
Published: July 2009

Prostacyclin [prostaglandin I2(PGI2)] activates and sensitizes meningeal sensory afferents. In healthy subjects PGI2triggers headache in healthy subjects. However, the migraine-eliciting effect of PGI2has not been systematically studied in patients with migraine. We hypothesized that intravenous infusion of the stable prostacyclin analogue epoprostenol would trigger migraine-like attacks in migraineurs. We infused 10 ng kg−1 min−1PGI2or placebo over 25 min in 12 migraineurs without aura in a controlled, double-blind, cross-over study and recorded headache intensity and associated symptons, velocity in the middle cerebral artery (VMCA) and diameter in the superficial temporal artery. In the period 0–14 h, 12 subjects reported headache on PGI2day compared with three subjects on placebo day ( P = 0.004), and six subjects fulfilled the criteria for an experimentally induced migraine-like attack compared with two subjects on placebo ( P = 0.219). During infusion and post-infusion phases the AUC under the headache curve on PGI2was significantly larger than on placebo ( P < 0.05). There was a significant VMCAdecrease ( P = 0.015) and superficial temporal artery diameter increase ( P < 0.001) on PGI2compared with placebo. In conclusion, PGI2may trigger a migraine-like attack in migraine sufferers. We suggest sensitization of perivascular nociceptors and arterial dilation as the mode of action of PGI2-induced headache and migraine-like attacks.
Trigger factors in migraine with aura
Authors: Hauge AW , Kirchmann M , Olesen J
Published: July 2009

The aim of the present study was to identify trigger factors in migraine with aura (MA). A total of 629 MA patients representative of the Danish population were sent a questionnaire listing 16 trigger factors thought to be relevant as well as space for free text. Distinction was made between attacks with or without aura within each patient. The questionnaire was returned by 522 patients of whom 347 had current MA attacks. In total 80% with current attacks (278/347) indicated that at least one factor triggered their migraine, and 67% (187/278) in this group indicated that they were aware of at least one factor often or always giving rise to an attack of MA. Forty-one per cent (113/278) had co-occurring attacks of migraine without aura (MO). Stress (following stress), bright light, intense emotional influences, stress (during stress) and sleeping too much or too little were the trigger factors mentioned by most. Attack frequency had little impact on the number of trigger factors. Women reported more trigger factors than men. Patients having attacks of both MA and MO reported more trigger factors for MO attacks than for MA attacks. In conclusion, 80% of patients with MA reported trigger factors and two-thirds of these reported at least one trigger factor often or always triggering an attack of MA. Patients should be educated to avoid these factors.
Residential carers’ knowledge and attitudes towards physiotherapy interventions for adults with learning disabilities
Authors: Stewart Stephen , Macha Ruth , Hebblethwaite Amy , Hames Annette
Published: July 2009

Accessible summary

When physiotherapists work with patients, they usually have to ask patients’ carers to carry out the physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy by carers is often not completed.

Carers have lots of work to do with patients and physiotherapy is often a low priority for them.

Interviews with carers showed that they want more follow‐up and support from physiotherapists.

Through the use of face‐to‐face interviews, this article explores residential carers’ perceptions and understanding of a physiotherapy service provided to patients with a learning disability, with the aim of highlighting potential areas for improvement in the service. Carers involved in the study reported a good relationship with the physiotherapists, possessed a clear understanding of physiotherapy, and made positive commends regarding training they received. However, they reported a lack of follow‐up by the physiotherapists to be a problem, and their responses indicated a perceived lack of support from the physiotherapy team. Carers also rated physical management programmes as being low on their daily priority list for patients’ care. A lack of observable rewards for both carers and patients was hypothesised as a contributory factor, and following discussion with the team a structured follow‐up protocol was suggested to support carers when carrying out physical management programmes.
Epistemic Inertia and Epistemic Isolationism: A Response to Buchanan
Authors: MANSON NEIL C.
Published: July 2009

abstract  Allen Buchanan argues that conventional applied ethics is impoverished and would be enriched by the addition of social moral epistemology. The aim here is to clarify this argument and to raise questions about whether such an addition is necessary about how such enrichment would work in practice. Two broad problems are identified. First, there are various kinds and sources of epistemic inertia, which act as an obstacle to epistemic change. Religion is one striking example and seems to pose a deep problem for Buchanan's liberal social moral epistemology. Philosophy also exhibits a distinctive kind of epistemic inertia (metaphilosophical beliefs about the impropriety of applying philosophy are hard to shift), but also suffers from epistemic isolationism: (its arguments and conclusions are isolated from practical influence). It is concluded that not only will a liberal social moral epistemology have to overcome a pernicious epistemic inertia with regard to religious belief, but also a different kind of epistemic inertia closer to home.
Philosophy, Social Institutions, and the Ethics of Belief: A Response to Buchanan
Authors: CARTER ALAN
Published: July 2009

abstract  First, Allen Buchanan, in the version of his paper entitled ‘Philosophy and public policy: a role for social moral epistemology’ that he presented at the workshop on ‘Philosophy and Public Policy’ held at the British Academy in London on March 8th 2008, seems to imply that professional, academic philosophers have had little impact upon public policy. I mention an area where it can be argued in response that they have had a more benign, as well as a more widespread, influence on society than Buchanan acknowledges in that version of his paper: in legislation concerning animal welfare. Second, I question whether or not the liberal commitment to freedom of religion is compatible with the ethics of belief that Buchanan appears to advocate.
‘Making Exceptions’: A Response to Shue
Authors: CONNELLY JAMES
Published: July 2009

abstract  In what follows I respond to Henry Shue's paper by focusing on three principal themes. The first is the relation of philosophical theory to practice, in which I agree that philosophers have to run the risks attendant upon applying reason to concrete cases. The second is the use of examples in moral philosophy, in particular the example used in the justification of torture as an exception; here I draw distinctions between different types of examples in philosophy and the uses to which they are put. Thirdly, in a brief consideration of our responses to climate change I suggest that, contra Shue, we are not being asked to go beyond a normal requirement so much as to re‐establish the boundaries of what counts as normal.
Craniometric variability in two populations of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from Spain
Authors: And P. Fandos , Reig S.
Published: July 2009

Two populations of roe deer from Spain, approximately 300 km apart from each other and currently recognized as separate subspecies. were studied to analyse the nature of the morphological differences between these populations and to assess the validity of its taxonomic division. Sixty‐one skulls of roc deer from the Occidental Cantabric Mountains (OCM) and 17 from the Northern lberic Mountains (NIM) were used. No significant sexual dimorphism allowed pooling of male and female samples, on which a large set of 53 measurements was taken. Skulls from the OCM population are, on average, 1·9% larger than those from the NIM population. Twenty‐five out of the 53 characters showed some degree of significant differences between means of both populations, though only four showed highly significant differences. Mandible characters were the most variable traits, showing also significant differences between populations. Eight principal factors were extracted. explaining a total of 84·7% of the sample variance. An ANOVA of factor scores from each population revealed significant differences in PF 1 and PF 3. Interpretation of these two factors suggests that morphological differences between both populations can be summarized as specimens from OCM having larger mandibles and broader neurocranium than specimens from NIM. Mandible differences might reflect morphological adaptations to favour the consumption of ligneous plants, which are more frequently eaten by the OCM roe deer population, whereas a broader neurocranium might be related to antler size. It is concluded that biometric differences observed in skulls from these two populations only reflect minor morphological adaptations to different habitats, thus. there is a lack of morphological data to support the taxonomic distinction of the OCM population as a separate subspecies.
Patterns of growth in wild bottlenose dolphins,Tursiops truncatus
Authors: Read A. J. , Wells R. S. , Hohn A. A. , Scott M. D.
Published: July 2009

The growth of bottlenose dolphins is described from observations made during a capture release programme that has operated in coastal waters of the eastern Gulf of Mexico from 1970 to the present. Measurements of standard length, girth and body mass were recorded from 47 female and 49 male dolphins, some captured as many as nine times. Ages were known from approximate birth dates or estimated from counts of dentinal growth layers. In all three measurements. females grew at a faster initial rate than males, but reached asymptotic size at an earlier age. This extended period of growth in males resulted in significant sexual dimorphism in length, girth and mass at physical maturity. The growth of both sexes was well described by three‐parameter Gompertz models using either cross‐sectional data or a mixture of longitudinal and cross‐sectional data. There was considerable variation in size‐at‐age for both sexes in all year classes. Residuals of size measurements were used to derive measures of relative size for individual dolphins; most dolphins demonstrated little ontogenetic change in relative size. Body mass was adequately predicted by multiple regression equations that incorporated both length and girth as independent variables.
Loose front teeth: radiological and histological correlation with grooming function in the impala Aepyceros melampus
Authors: Mckenzie A. A. , Weber A.
Published: July 2009

Casual observations have revealed that the anterior dentition of impala and other antelope is loosely embedded, with the tips of the teeth movable over a distance of 1middot;5 to 2mm. The comb‐like anterior dentition of impala Aepyceros melampus is utilized extensively for grooming purposes, and it was hypothesized that the looseness of the teeth might be related to the grooming function. A sample of 12 impala mandibles was obtained from Pilanesberg National Park. Boputhatswana. Six of the incisor canine (IC) complexes were examined macroscopically, radiographically and histologically, while the remaining six were used to determine the alveolar depth relative to total root length, The findings were: (1) wide periodontal ligament spaces, most prominent in the apical region; (2) a loose, highly vascular periodontal ligament; (3) well‐developed trans‐septal periodontal ligament fibres; and (4) relatively shallow alveoli, with only approximately two‐thirds of the roots included within the alveoli. In no case could looseness be ascribed to pathological changes in the periodontal ligament, cementum or alveolar bone. These features suggest that the looseness of the teeth is associated with a see‐saw action of the teeth about a fulcrum below the alveolar bone crest. with the maintenance of the closed resting position of the teeth being facilitated by the well‐developed trans‐septal fibres. It is suggested that the minimal interdental space maintained by this arrangement during grooming assists in the efficient removal of parasites from the pelage by impala.
Allomaternal care: helper‐assisted birth in the Rodrigues fruit bat,Pteropus rodricensis(Chiroptera: Pteropodidae)
Authors: Kunz T. H. , Allgaier A. L. , Seyjagat J. , Caligiuri R.
Published: July 2009

We report observations of allomaternal care, or epimeletic (care‐giving) behaviour, exhibited by one female toward another, before, during, and after giving birth, in the Rodrigues fruit bat,Pteropus rodricensis(Chiroptera: Pteropodidae). Interactions between the expectant mother and other roost mates, from the onset to completion of birth, were observed continuously over a period of approximately three hours. The attending female assisted the mother when she: (I) intermittently groomed her anovaginal region; (2) grasped her with partially outstretched wings; (3) ‘tutored’ her in a feet‐down birthing posture; (4) groomed the emerging pup; and (5) physically assisted the mother by manoeuvring the pup into a suckling position. This is the first report of extensive assistance given by a female bat to another during parturition. We suggest that epimeletic behaviour may be common in the highly social Chiroptera, especially among primiparous or inexperienced females and/or when an expectant mother experiences difficulty during labour and parturition. Our observations support the hypothesis that roosting associations in bats may be as important as relatedness in explaining the occurrence of apparently altruistic acts.
The European badger Meles meles: food specialist or generalist?
Authors: Roper T. J.
Published: July 2009

Although most authors characterize the badger Meles meles as an omnivore, the species is sometimes described as a food specialist and in particular as a specialist predator on earthworms Lumbricus terrestris. The validity of the‘food specialist’hypothesis is examined, using data from 11 quantitative studies of badger diet to test two predictions: 1) any one population of badgers relies to a disproportionate extent on a single type of food; and 2) consumption of the predominate food is independent of its availability. As regards the first prediction, when data on year‐round consumption were corrected for seasonal variation in total intake, no study showed earthworms to comprise more than 50% of the diet and in three studies they accounted for no more than 5% of intake. In two studies, fruit comprised more than 50% of the diet and fruit and insects together accounted for 95–97% of total consumption. Compared across different studies, consumption of any one food, including earthworms, varied more or less continuously across a wide spectrum of values, providing no support for the idea that a given food can be characterized as being of either major or minor importance. With respect to the second prediction, there was no evidence that consumption of either earthworms or any other food was consistently invariant across seasons; and in any case, the idea that badger diet contains a constant proportion of any one food does not make functional sense. Taken together with information about the morphology of the digestive system and a priori arguments about the conditions in which food specialization is likely to be adaptive, studies of diet confirm that the badger is best viewed as a generalist or opportunist feeder.
Differences in tissue‐specific lipid composition between embryos of wild and captive breeding alligators (Alligator mississippiensis)
Authors: Speake B. K. , Noble R. C. , McCartney R. J. , Ferguson M. W. J.
Published: July 2009

Fertile eggs obtained from alligators reared in captivity typically exhibit high rates of embryonic mortality. Also, the fatty acid composition of the yolk lipid of the captive eggs is markedly different from that observed in eggs from wild alligators, possibly as a result of differences in maternal diet in the two situations. The fatty acid compositions of tissue lipids during the embryonic development of wild and captive alligators were compared. The lipids of liver, adipose tissue and heart of the two types of embryo displayed fatty acid profiles which generally reflected the acyl compositions of the respective yolks. Thus the lipids from these tissues of the captive embryos contained markedly higher proportionate levels of linoleic and linolenic acids, lower levels of palmitoleic acid, and, in general, lower levels of docosahexaenoic acid and other C20 and C22 polyunsaturates, in comparison to the values for the wild embryos. In contrast, the fatty acid composition of the brain phosphoglycerides was very similar in the two types of embryo. Thus, at least in those embryos which had survived during the developmental period studied, the brain was able to maintain a relatively constant fatty acid composition, in spite of major differences between the wild and captive eggs in the proportions of the various fatty acids supplied from the yolk. It is suggested that a major cause of embryonic mortality in the captive embryos could be a failure to maintain an adequate level of docosahexaenoic acid in the developing brain.
Apodemus sylvaticus infected with Heligmosomoides polygyrus (Nematoda) in an arable ecosystem: epidemiology and effects of infection on the movements of male mice
Authors: Brown E. D. , Macdonald D. W. , Tewand T. E. , Todd I. A.
Published: July 2009

We studied the epidemiology of Heligmosomoides polygyrus (Nematodd) in the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) in an arable ecosystem, and investigated any association between infection and the movement patterns of male mice by manipulating worm burdens. Methods included the live‐trapping of mice, estimation of worm burdens by faecal analysis, administration of either an anthelminthic or water (as a control) and the radio‐tracking of selected animals.

Heligmosomoides polygyrus showed an overdispersed distribution pattern, with prevalence tending to be higher in males and heavier mice. Prevalence and intensity peaked in spring and declined in autumn both in the entire population and in adults. This seasonality in the arable ecosystem in comparison to woodland may arise due to the direct and indirect impact of agricultural practice.

To investigate the link between infection and movements, radio‐tracked mice were classed as either‘Uninfected’or‘Infected’; mice were also classed as either‘Control’or‘Dosed’. There were no significant differences in movement parameters between‘Infected/Dosed’and‘Infected/Control’, possibly because treatment was not administered sufficiently frequently. Both‘Infected’classes of mice moved significantly faster than‘Uninfected’ones, and‘Infected/Dosed’mice moved significantly further than‘Uninfected’ones. The percentage of time spent moving was also greater, and the home range area was larger, for‘Infected/Dosed’and‘Infected/Control’than for‘Uninfected’mice. The observed differences in movement may have been the result of either the behaviour of mice influencing their parasite load or the parasite manipulating its host.
Epidemiology of low bone mineral density and fractures in children with severe cerebral palsy: a systematic review
Authors: MERGLER SANDRA , EVENHUIS HELEEN M , BOOT ANNEMIEKE M , DE MAN STELLA A , B BINDELS‐DE HEUS KAREN G C , HUIJBERS WIM A R , PENNING CORINE
Published: July 2009

Aim  Children with severe cerebral palsy (CP) are at risk for developing low bone mineral density (BMD) and low‐impact fractures. The aim of this study was to provide a systematic literature review of the epidemiology of fractures and low BMD in children with severe CP, with an emphasis on risk factors. Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels IV and V were criteria for severe cerebral palsy.

Method  The literature (PubMed) was searched and eligible studies were given a level of evidence score using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria.

Results  Seven studies were found concerning epidemiology of fractures, 11 studies described epidemiology of low BMD, and 14 studies concerned risk factors. The methodological quality of most of these studies was poor. Five studies were considered well‐conducted with low risk of confounding and bias. In these studies, the incidence of fractures in children with moderate to severe CP approached 4% per year, whereas the prevalence of low BMD in the femur was 77%. Limited ambulation, feeding difficulties, previous fractures, anticonvulsant use, and lower body fat mass were associated with low BMD z‐scores.

Interpretation  There is only a limited amount of high‐quality evidence on low BMD and fractures in children with severe CP.
Retrieving randomized controlled trials from medline: a comparison of 38 published search filters
Authors: McKibbon Kathleen Ann , Wilczynski Nancy Lou , Haynes Robert Brian ,   for the Hedges Team
Published: July 2009

Background:  People search medline for trials of healthcare interventions for clinical decisions, or to produce systematic reviews, practice guidelines, or technology assessments. Finding all relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with little extraneous material is challenging.

Objective:  To provide comparative data on the operating characteristics of search filters designed to retrieve RCTs from medline.

Methods:  We identified 38 filters. The testing database comprises handsearching data from 161 clinical journals indexed in medline. Sensitivity, specificity and precision were calculated.

Results:  The number of terms and operating characteristics varied considerably. Comparing the retrieval against the single term ‘randomized controlled trials.pt.’ (sensitivity for retrieving RCTs, 93.7%), 24 of 38 filters had statistically higher sensitivity; 6 had a sensitivity of at least 99.0%. Four other filters had specificities (non retrieval of non‐RCTs) that were statistically not different or better than the single term (97.6%). Precision was poor: only two filters had precision (proportion of retrieved articles that were RCTs) statistically similar to that of the single term (56.4%)—all others were lower. Filters with more search terms often had lower specificity, especially at high sensitivities.

Conclusion:  Many RCT filters exist (n = 38). These comparative data can direct the choice of an RCT filter.
Neuroprotective mesenchymal stem cells are endowed with a potent antioxidant effect in vivo
Authors: Lanza Cristina , Morando Sara , Voci Adriana , Canesi Laura , Principato Maria Cristina , Serpero Laura Domenica , Mancardi Gianluigi , Uccelli Antonio , Vergani Laura
Published: July 2009

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for human multiple sclerosis, is characterized by demyelination, inflammation and neurodegeneration of CNS in which free radicals play a role. Recently, the efficacy of murine mesenchimal stem cells (MSCs) as treatment of EAE induced in mice by the encephalitogenic peptide MOG(35–55) was demonstrated. The present study analyzed some markers of oxidative stress, inflammation/degeneration and apoptosis such as metallothioneins (MTs), antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione‐S‐transferase), poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase‐1 and p53 during EAE progression and following MSC treatment. Expression of the three brain MT isoforms increased significantly in EAE mice compared with healthy controls, but while expression of MT‐1 and MT‐3 increased along EAE course, MT‐2 was up‐regulated at the onset, but returned to levels similar to those of controls in chronic phase. The changes in the transcription and activity of the antioxidant enzymes and in expression of poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase‐1 and p53 showed the same kinetics observed for MT‐1 and MT‐3 during EAE. Interestingly, i.v. administration of MSCs reduced the EAE‐induced increases in levels/activities of all these proteins. These results support an antioxidant and neuroprotective activity for MSCs that was also confirmed in vitro on neuroblastoma cells exposed to an oxidative insult.
Elevated metals compromise repair of oxidative DNA damage via the base excision repair pathway: implications of pathologic iron overload in the brain on integrity of neuronal DNA
Authors: Li Hui , Swiercz Rafal , Englander Ella W.
Published: July 2009

Tissue‐specific iron content is tightly regulated to simultaneously satisfy specialized metabolic needs and avoid cytotoxicity. In the brain, disruption of iron homeostasis may occur in acute as well as progressive injuries associated with neuronal dysfunction and death. We hypothesized that adverse effects of disrupted metal homeostasis on brain function may involve impairment of DNA repair processes. Because in the brain, the base excision repair (BER) pathway is central for handling oxidatively damaged DNA, we investigated effects of elevated iron and zinc on key BER enzymes. In vitro DNA repair assays revealed inhibitory effects of metals on BER activities, including the incision of abasic sites, 5′‐flap cleavage, gap filling DNA synthesis and ligation. Using the comet assay, we showed that while metals at concentrations which inhibit BER activities in in vitro assays, did not induce direct genomic damage in cultured primary neurons, they significantly delayed repair of genomic DNA damage induced by sublethal exposure to H2O2. Thus, in the brain even a mild transient metal overload, may adversely affect the DNA repair capacity and thereby compromise genomic integrity and initiate long‐term deleterious sequelae including neuronal dysfunction and death.
Cyclic AMP‐mediated long‐term facilitation of glycinergic transmission in developing spinal dorsal horn neurons
Authors: Choi In‐Sun , Nakamura Michiko , Cho Jin‐Hwa , Park Hye‐Mi , Kim Sang‐Jung , Kim Jun , Lee Jong‐Ju , Choi Byung‐Ju , Jang Il‐Sung
Published: July 2009

cAMP is known to regulate neurotransmitter release via protein kinase A (PKA)‐dependent and/or PKA‐independent signal transduction pathways at a variety of central synapses. Here we report the cAMP‐mediated long‐lasting enhancement of glycinergic transmission in developing rat spinal substantia gelatinosa neurons. Forskolin, an adenylyl cyclase activator, elicited a long‐lasting increase in the amplitude of nerve‐evoked glycinergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs), accompanied by a long‐lasting decrease in the paired‐pulse ratio in immature substantia gelatinosa neurons, and this forskolin‐induced increase in glycinergic IPSCs decreased with postnatal development. Forskolin also decreased the failure rate of glycinergic IPSCs evoked by minimal stimulation, and increased the frequency of glycinergic miniature IPSCs. All of these data suggest that forskolin induces the long‐lasting enhancement of glycinergic transmission by increasing in the presynaptic release probability. This pre‐synaptic action of forskolin was mediated by hyperpolarization and cyclic nucleotide‐activated cation channels and an increase in intraterminal Ca2+concentration but independent of PKA. The present results suggest that cAMP‐dependent signal transduction pathways represent a dynamic mechanism by which glycinergic IPSCs could potentially be modulated during postnatal development.
Age‐dependent dysregulation of brain amyloid precursor protein in the Ts65Dn Down syndrome mouse model
Authors: Choi Jennifer H. K. , Berger Jason D. , Mazzella Matthew J. , Morales‐Corraliza Jose , Cataldo Anne M. , Nixon Ralph A. , Ginsberg Stephen D. , Levy Efrat , Mathews Paul M.
Published: July 2009

Individuals with Down syndrome develop β‐amyloid deposition characteristic of early‐onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in mid‐life, presumably because of an extra copy of the chromosome 21‐located amyloid precursor protein (App) gene. App mRNA and APP metabolite levels were assessed in the brains of Ts65Dn mice, a mouse model of Down syndrome, using quantitative PCR, western blot analysis, immunoprecipitation, and ELISAs. In spite of the additional App gene copy, App mRNA, APP holoprotein, and all APP metabolite levels in the brains of 4‐month‐old trisomic mice were not increased compared with the levels seen in diploid littermate controls. However starting at 10 months of age, brain APP levels were increased proportional to the App gene dosage imbalance reflecting increased App message levels in Ts65Dn mice. Similar to APP levels, soluble amino‐terminal fragments of APP (sAPPα and sAPPβ) were increased in Ts65Dn mice compared with diploid mice at 12 months but not at 4 months of age. Brain levels of both Aβ40 and Aβ42 were not increased in Ts65Dn mice compared with diploid mice at all ages examined. Therefore, multiple mechanisms contribute to the regulation towards diploid levels of APP metabolites in the Ts65Dn mouse brain.
Species–area relationships of red‐listed species in old boreal forests: a large‐scale data analysis
Authors: Tikkanen Olli‐Pekka , Punttila Pekka , Heikkilä Raimo
Published: July 2009

Aim  Species–area relationships are often applied, but not generally approved, to guide practical conservation planning. The specific species group analysed may affect their applicability. We asked if species–area curves constructed from extensive databases of various sectors of natural resource administration can provide insights into large‐scale conservation of boreal forest biodiversity if the analyses are restricted only to red‐listed species.

Location  Finland, northern Europe.

Methods  Our data included 12,645 records of 219 red‐listed Coleoptera and Fungi from the whole of Finland. The forest data also covered the entire country, 202,761 km2. The units of species–area analyses were 224 municipalities where the red‐listed forest species have been observed. We performed a hierarchical partitioning analysis to reveal the relative importance of different potential explanatory variables. Based on the results, for all red‐listed species, species associated with coniferous trees and for Fungi, the area of economically over‐aged forests explained the best the variation in data. For species associated with deciduous trees and Coleoptera, the forest area explained better variation in data than the area of old forests. In the subsequent log–log species–area regression analyses, we used the best variables as the explanatory variable for each species group.

Results  There was a strong relationship between the number of all red‐listed species and the area of old forests remaining, with a z‐value of 0.45. The area explained better the number of species associated with conifer trees and Fungi than the number of species associated with deciduous trees and Coleoptera.

Main conclusions  The high z‐values of species–area curves indicate that the remaining old‐growth patches constitute a real archipelago for the conifer‐associated red‐listed species, since lower values had been expected if the surrounding habitat matrix were a suitable habitat for the species analysed.
Determination of Elastic Properties of Resected Human Breast Tissue Samples Using Optical Coherence Tomographic Elastography
Authors: Srivastava A. , Verma Y. , Rao K. D. , Gupta P. K.
Published: July 2009

Abstract: The present study is concerned with the application of optical coherence tomographic (OCT) elastography technique for quantitative assessment of the elastic properties of resected human breast tissue samples subjected to axial compressive loadingin vitro. Three classes of breast tissue samples, namely normal, benign (fibroadenoma) and malignant (invasive ductal carcinoma), were considered. A speckle tracking technique based on two‐dimensional cross correlation was employed to track the speckle motion between original (pre‐compressed) and the displaced (post‐compressed) OCT images of the tissue samples for the measurement of displacement and strain maps. The overall data reduction approach for quantitative assessment of elastic properties was validated against the results of gelatin phantoms containing activated charcoal particles as scattering centres. Results are presented in the form of OCT images and displacement and axial strain maps for normal, benign and malignant breast tissue samples. Based on the stress–strain relationship obtained for these three classes, the values of stiffness coefficients were reported in terms of modulus of elasticity. Results of the study reveal significant differences between the two‐dimensional displacement vector maps of normal and cancerous breast tissue samples. The stiffness of benign tissue samples is found to be about two times higher than that of normal tissue samples, whereas for malignant samples, it is about four times higher, thereby signifying appreciable differences in the stiffness of cancerous and normal tissue samples.
Drug Prescribing in Child and Adolescent Eating Disorder Services
Authors: Gowers Simon , Claxton Mary , Rowlands Laura , Inbasagaran Anandhi , Wood David , Yi Irene , Hugo Philippa , Clark‐Stone Sam , Bryant‐Waugh Rachel , Nicholls Dasha , Ayton Agnes
Published: July 2009

Background:  Psychotropic drugs are not recommended for child and adolescent eating disorders, though they are used empirically for symptomatic treatment and co‐morbid conditions. Little is known about rates of prescribing or the beneficial and adverse effects.

Objective:  To ascertain rates and outcomes of psychotropic drug prescribing in child and adolescent eating disorder services.

Method:  Retrospective case note study of eating disorder cases (n = 308), seen in one year in seven specialist UK services, covering indications, response to treatment, beneficial and adverse effects.

Results:  Drugs were prescribed for 27%, (mainly anorexia nervosa), 12% before referral to specialist services. The most commonly prescribed drugs were fluoxetine and olanzapine, but 26 different drugs were used. The most common indications were depression, anxiety and ‘pseudo‐psychotic’ concerns about weight. Drugs were generally well tolerated, but their effectiveness was uncertain.

Conclusions:  Non‐specialists commonly prescribe psychotropic medication to this vulnerable group without reference to specialist services. Specialists prescribe regularly on empirical grounds, without apparent undue consequences, though these may be under‐reported. A prospective clinical trial would further clarify risks and benefits.
Comparing Safety Climate between Two Populations of Hospitals in the United States
Authors: Singer Sara J. , Hartmann Christine W. , Hanchate Amresh , Zhao Shibei , Meterko Mark , Shokeen Priti , Lin Shoutzu , Gaba David M. , Rosen Amy K.
Published: July 2009

Objective. To compare safety climate between diverse U.S. hospitals and Veterans Health Administration (VA) hospitals, and to explore the factors influencing climate in each setting.

Data Sources. Primary data from surveys of hospital personnel; secondary data from the American Hospital Association's 2004 Annual Survey of Hospitals.

Study Design. Cross‐sectional study of 69 U.S. and 30 VA hospitals.

Data Collection. For each sample, hierarchical linear models used safety‐climate scores as the dependent variable and respondent and facility characteristics as independent variables. Regression‐based Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition examined differences in effects of model characteristics on safety climate between the U.S. and VA samples.

Principal Findings. The range in safety climate among U.S. and VA hospitals overlapped substantially. Characteristics of individuals influenced safety climate consistently across settings. Working in southern and urban facilities corresponded with worse safety climate among VA employees and better safety climate in the U.S. sample. Decomposition results predicted 1.4 percentage points better safety climate in U.S. than in VA hospitals: −0.77 attributable to sample‐characteristic differences and 2.2 due to differential effects of sample characteristics.

Conclusions. Results suggest that safety climate is linked more to efforts of individual hospitals than to participation in a nationally integrated system or measured characteristics of workers and facilities.
Breaking the Food Chains: An Investigation of Food Justice Activism*
Authors: Alkon Alison Hope , Norgaard Kari Marie
Published: July 2009

This article develops the concept of food justice, which places access to healthy, affordable, culturally appropriate food in the contexts of institutional racism, racial formation, and racialized geographies. Through comparative ethnographic case studies, we analyze the demands for food justice articulated by the Karuk Tribe of California and the West Oakland Food Collaborative. Activists in these communities use an environmental justice frame to address access to healthy food, advocating for a local food system in West Oakland, and for the demolition of Klamath River dams that prevent subsistence fishing. Food justice serves as a theoretical and political bridge between scholarship and activism on sustainable agriculture, food insecurity, and environmental justice. This concept brings the environmental justice emphasis on racially stratified access to environmental benefits to bear on the sustainable agriculture movement's attention to the processes of food production and consumption. Furthermore, we argue that the concept of food justice can help the environmental justice movement move beyond several limitations of their frequent place‐based approach and the sustainable agriculture movement to more meaningfully incorporate issues of equity and social justice. Additionally, food justice may help activists and policymakers working on food security to understand the institutionalized nature of denied access to healthy food.
Conflicted Membership: Women in Fathers’ Rights Groups
Authors: Crowley Jocelyn Elise
Published: July 2009

Women who participate in mixed‐gender, antifeminist movements are not a homogeneous group of actors who face no identity‐based conflicts when they mobilize for these causes. Using 23 in‐depth interviews with women involved in the American fathers’ rights movement—which has as its goal the reformation of child support and child custody laws in ways that are more favorable to men and less favorable to women—I argue that mixed‐gender, antifeminist activism has the potential to produce high levels of tension for female participants between their various social identities and their collective movement identity. Indeed, almost half of these women elaborate on how two particular manifestations of their social identities—as simultaneous members of other feminist groups and simply as women—clash with the collective identity generated by the fathers’ rights movement. Ultimately, these women coped with these competing allegiances in a variety of proactive ways. In contrast, the other half of the sample experienced no such tensions. These differential patterns of identity‐based conflicts are suggestive of the hazards associated with a social movement's efforts to attract a wider membership base over time.
Prom Dreams and Prom Reality: Girls Negotiating “Perfection” at the High School Prom*
Authors: Zlatunich Nichole
Published: July 2009

Adolescent girls are often assumed to be extremely vulnerable to media influences; however, this study argues that girls actually negotiate meaning from media texts. Content analysis of teen prom magazines is combined with ethnography to explore how magazine texts operate within their readers’ worlds. This article argues against two commonly accepted dictates. First, I propose that popular magazines for adolescent girls are more complicated than previously acknowledged and do not rely on a singular message of perfection derived from beauty and heterosexual romance. And second, how girls engage with the magazines is more complicated than prior research has argued; girls use “strategic selectivity” (a term proposed to explain how girls make meaning of cultural texts) to negotiate the dominant meanings found in prom magazines and other cultural texts.