bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agronomic and environmental drivers of population size and symbiotic performance of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae in Mediterranean-type environments
Authors: Drew E. A. , Denton M. D. , Sadras V. O. , Ballard R. A.
Published: August 2012

The population size and symbiotic performance (ability to fix N2) of rhizobia (Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae) capable of nodulating field pea (Pisum sativum) were assessed in 114 soils from Mediterranean-type environments of southern Australia. All soils were collected in autumn, before the growing season, and had a history of crop legumes including field pea, faba bean, lentil, or vetch. The most probable number (MPN) technique, with vetch as a trap plant, was used to estimate the numbers of pea rhizobia in soils. Of the soils tested, 29% had low numbers of pea rhizobia (<100 rhizobia/g), 38% had moderate numbers (100–1000/g), and the remaining 33% had >1000/g. Soil pH, the frequency of a host crop in the rotation, and the number of summer days with a maximum temperature >35°C were strongly correlated with the pea rhizobia population size. Symbiotic performance (SP) of pea rhizobia in soils was assessed for soils with a MPN >100 rhizobia/g. An extract of the soils was used to inoculate two field pea cultivars growing in a nitrogen-deficient potting media in the greenhouse. Plants were grown for 5 weeks after inoculation and shoot dry matter was expressed as a percentage of the dry matter of plants grown with a commercial strain R. leguminosarum bv. viciae, SU303. Symbiotic performance ranged from 25 to 125%. One-quarter of the soils assessed had suboptimal SP (i.e. <70%). Soil and climatic variables were weakly associated with SP, with pH and average annual rainfall accounting for 17% of the variance. This research highlights the complexity of factors influencing population size and symbiotic performance of pea rhizobia in soils. Options for the improved management of populations of pea rhizobia in Mediterranean environments are discussed. Specifically, our data indicate that inoculation of pea crops is likely to be beneficial where pH(H2O) <6.6, particularly when summers have been hot and dry and when a host has been absent for ≥5 years, as numbers of rhizobia are likely to be below the thresholds needed to optimise nodulation and crop growth. New inoculation technologies and plant breeding will be required to overcome large populations of pea rhizobia with suboptimal SP.
Non-target site mechanism of metribuzin tolerance in induced tolerant mutants of narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.)
Authors: Pan Gang , Si Ping , Yu Qin , Tu Jumin , Powles Stephen
Published: August 2012

Narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) is an important grain legume crop in Australia. Metribuzin is an important herbicide used to control weeds in lupin crops. This study investigated metribuzin tolerance mechanism in narrow-leafed lupin by comparing two induced mutants (Tanjil-AZ-33 and Tanjil-AZ-55) of higher metribuzin tolerance with the susceptible wild type. Sequencing of the highly conserved region of the chloroplast psbA gene (target site) revealed that the sequences of the wild type and the mutants were identical and therefore metribuzin tolerance is not target site based. Photosynthetic activity was measured and the leaf photosynthesis of the two tolerant mutants was initially inhibited after metribuzin treatment, but recovered within 2.5 days whereas that of the susceptible plants remained inhibited. The photosynthetic measurements confirmed the target site chloroplast was susceptible and the tolerance mechanism is non-target site based. Investigation with known cytochrome P450 monooxygenase inhibitors (omethoate, malathion and phorate) showed that tolerance could be reversed in both mutants, indicating the tolerance mechanism in two tolerant mutants may involve cytochrome P450 enzymes. Interestingly, the inhibitor tridiphane reversed metribuzin tolerance of only one of the two tolerant mutants, indicating diversity in metribuzin tolerance mechanisms in narrow-leafed lupin. These results signify that further investigation of metribuzin metabolism in these plants is warranted. In conclusion, metribuzin tolerance mechanism in lupin mutants is non-target site based, likely involving P450-mediated metribuzin metabolism.
Genotype×environment interactions in sugarcane between China and Australia
Authors: Chen Xuekuan , Jackson Phillip , Shen Wankuan , Deng Haihua , Fan Yuanhong , Li Qiwei , Hu Fengduo , Wei Xianming , Liu Jiayong
Published: August 2012

Sugarcane improvement has traditionally been conducted by nationally focussed breeding programs, with some exchange of elite cultivars among some programs. It has been generally assumed by breeders that genotype × country interactions are large, and therefore selection trial data in one country may be of limited relevance to another. However, no studies quantifying clone × country interactions have been reported to our knowledge. In research reported here, a common set of mostly unselected sugarcane genotypes was evaluated in commercial production environments in Australia and China. Consistent with past studies, genotype × site interaction was an important source of variation within each country. Overall a moderate to high genetic correlation existed between production environments in China and Australia for cane yield and sugar content (0.77 for both traits). This suggests that despite difference in environmental conditions and crop management in production environments between countries, that selection trials in China have some relevance for selecting clones for Australian environments and vice versa. It also supports the hypothesis that regular exchange of selected germplasm from effective breeding programs between countries will have mutual benefits.
Virus diseases of annual pasture legumes: incidences, losses, epidemiology, and management
Authors: Jones Roger A. C.
Published: August 2012

This paper reviews current knowledge concerning the occurrence, losses caused, epidemiology, and management of virus diseases of annual pasture legumes. The viruses commonly present are spread by contact, or aphid vectors either non-persistently or persistently. Whether they are seed-borne and their means of transmission are critical factors determining their incidences within pastures in climatic zones with dry summers or substantial summer rainfall. Large-scale national or state surveys of subterranean clover pastures revealed that some viruses reach high infection incidences. Contamination with seed-borne viruses was widespread in plots belonging to annual pasture legume improvement programs and seed stocks of subterranean clover, annual medics, and alternative annual pasture legumes, and in commercial annual medic seed stocks. Yield loss studies with grazed swards were completed for three common viruses: two in subterranean clover and one in annual medics. These studies demonstrated considerable virus-induced losses in herbage and seed yields, and established that virus infection causes deteriorated pastures with high weed contents even when foliar symptoms are mild. Comprehensive integrated disease management tactics involving phytosanitary, cultural, chemical, or host resistance measures were devised for these three viruses in infected pastures, and for seed-borne viruses in annual pasture legume improvement programs. Several other viruses are potentially important, but, with these, quantification of losses caused in grazed swards is lacking and information on incidences in pastures is currently insufficient. Critical research and development gaps that need addressing are identified.
Identidades en las regueifas gallegas
Authors: Prego Vázquez Gabriela
Published: August 2012

Esta investigación observa la reestructuración de la significación social que la regueifa, duelo verbal improvisado y lúdico gallego, experimenta en su circulación desde los contextos locales a los contextos globales en el marco del movimiento bravú. El objetivo es analizar las transformaciones de la postmodernidad tal como se manifiestan en la gestión de identidades en este género. El análisis muestra cómo los recursos discursivos y lingüísticos tradicionales implicados en la reconstrucción de las identidades étnicas se entextualizan en las regueifas de la postmodernidad. Finalmente, se reflexiona sobre las posibles conexiones entre entextualización y mercantilización como procesos implicados en la reconstrucción de una nueva identidad ‘ser gallego’ en los contextos globales, espacios en los que los valores de la autenticidad y la voz local se desterritorializan para transformarse en bienes de un mercado cultural glocal que hibridiza lo global y lo local.
Editor's Note
Authors: Wingfield Nancy
Published: August 2012

The December 2002 issue of Nationalities Papers is my last as editor. Steve Sabol, assistant professor of history at University of North Carolina, Charlotte, begins his four-year term as editor with the March 2003 issue. I am sure he will take as much pleasure in editing this journal as I have.
A Multicultural, Multiethnic, and Multiconfessional Bosnia and Herzegovina: Myth and Reality
Authors: Simmons Cynthia
Published: August 2012

In early 1992, the “three m's”(tri m), which denoted a multicultural, multiethnic, and multiconfessional Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), became the rallying cry against the forces of disintegration, or more accurately, of partition. These identifying characteristics or national ideals could not avert catastrophe. Indeed, BiH's liminal position at the crossroads of cultures, religions, and history rendered it the most vulnerable of republics in the Yugoslav wars of succession. However “three m” Bosnia and Herzegovina was in 1992, it was less so by 1995. Yet, despite the bloodshed, forced expulsions, migrations, and the inevitable rise in nationalism, citizens of BiH have no choice, in the aftermath, but to examine what their country was before the war and the potential for a new “multi-multi” Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such an investigation must begin with the past, as a Sarajevan colleague implied when I asked her how she envisioned the future in Bosnia. She replied that Bosnians could hardly conceive a future when in 1998 they still had no idea what had happened, and why. This work addresses the reality behind the epithets that gained currency during and after the war, of a “three-m,” “multi-multi,” andmulti-kulti(multicultural) Bosnia and Herzegovina. Within the framework of a particular understanding of multiculturalism, it will suggest why, despite its multiethnic and multiconfessional reality, BiH proved in many instances vulnerable to nationalistic rhetoric. This analysis proceeds from the conviction that multiculturalism must be both studied and encouraged in the international community's efforts to support the growth of democratic institutions and practices in post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On Nation, Gender, and Class Formation in Belarus … and Elsewhere in the Post-Soviet World
Authors: Gapova Elena
Published: August 2012

“Liberal democracy, in truth, is the political arrangement under which capital thrives best.” Slavoj Zizek

“It's the economy, stupid!” (Slogan on the wall of Bill Clinton's headquarters during his presidential campaign in 1992).

On 9 September 2001 presidential elections were held in Belarus for the first time since Alexandar Lukashenka became the president in 1994. To remain in power for seven years instead of the four for which he had been elected, he changed the constitution. Held in an undemocratic manner, with falsification of voting results, repression of political opponents, and blocking access to most media for opposition candidates, the 2001 elections became the acme of the confrontation between the authoritarian executive power and the opposition, labeled either democratic or nationalist, depending on one's perspective. The voting situation and how Westernized urban intelligentsia perceived it can best be illustrated by the following submission to the Slavic and East European Languages and Literatures electronic bulletin board. The message was sent by a list subscriber from Minsk (reproduced exactly as it appeared, the sender's name omitted):
Parafoveal processing across different lexical constituents in Chinese reading
Authors: Cui Lei , Drieghe Denis , Yan Guoli , Bai Xuejun , Chi Hui , Liversedge Simon P.
Published: August 2012

We report a boundary paradigm eye movement experiment to investigate whether the linguistic category of a two-character Chinese string affects how the second character of that string is processed in the parafovea during reading. We obtained clear preview effects in all conditions but, more importantly, found parafoveal-on-foveal effects whereby a nonsense preview of the second character influenced fixations on the first character. This effect occurred for monomorphemic words, but not for compound words or phrases. Also, in a word boundary demarcation experiment, we demonstrate that Chinese readers are not always consistent in their judgements of which characters in a sentence constitute words. We conclude that information regarding the combinatorial properties of characters in Chinese is used online to moderate the extent to which parafoveal characters are processed.
Challenges for Implementing an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management
Authors: Cowan James H. , Rice Jake C. , Walters Carl J. , Hilborn Ray , Essington Timothy E. , Day John W. , Boswell Kevin M.
Published: August 2012

The ecosystem approach is being promoted as the foundation of solutions to the unsustainability of fisheries. However, because the ecosystem approach is broadly inclusive, the science for its implementation is often considered to be overly complex and difficult. When the science needed for an ecosystem approach to fisheries is perceived this way, science products cannot keep pace with fisheries critics, thus encouraging partisan political interference in fisheries management and proliferation of “faith-based solutions. In this paper we argue that one way to effectively counter politicization of fisheries decision-making is to ensure that new ecosystem-based approaches in fisheries are viewed only as an emergent property of innovation in science and policy. We organize our essay using three major themes to focus the discussion: empirical, jurisdictional, and societal challenges. We undertake at least partial answers to the following questions: (1) has conventional fisheries management really failed?; (2) can short-comings in conventional fisheries management be augmented with new tools, such as allocation of rights?; (3) is the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) equivalent to Ecosystem-Based Management?; and (4) is restoration of degraded ecosystems a necessary component of an EAF?

Received March 6, 2012; accepted April 26, 2012
Alveolar Macrophages and Toll-like Receptor 4 Mediate Ventilated Lung Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Mice
Authors: Prakash Arun , Mesa Kailin R. , Wilhelmsen Kevin , Xu Fengyun , Dodd-o Jeffrey M. , Hellman Judith
Published: August 2012

Background

Ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury is a sterile inflammatory process that is commonly associated with diverse clinical situations such as hemorrhage followed by resuscitation, transient embolic events, and organ transplantation. I-R injury can induce lung dysfunction whether the I-R occurs in the lung or in a remote organ. Recently, evidence has emerged that receptors and pathways of the innate immune system are involved in recognizing sterile inflammation and overlap considerably with those involved in the recognition of and response to pathogens.

Methods

The authors used a mouse surgical model of transient unilateral left pulmonary artery occlusion without bronchial involvement to create ventilated lung I-R injury. In addition, they mimicked nutritional I-R injury in vitro by transiently depriving cells of all nutrients.

Results

Compared with sham-operated mice, mice subjected to ventilated lung I-R injury had up-regulated lung expression of inflammatory mediator messenger RNA for interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand-1 and -2, paralleled by histologic evidence of lung neutrophil recruitment and increased plasma concentrations of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and high-mobility group protein B1 proteins. This inflammatory response to I-R required toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4). In addition, the authors demonstrated in vitro cooperativity and cross-talk between human macrophages and endothelial cells, resulting in augmented inflammatory responses to I-R. Remarkably, the authors found that selective depletion of alveolar macrophages rendered mice resistant to ventilated lung I-R injury.

Conclusions

The data reveal that alveolar macrophages and the pattern recognition receptor toll-like receptor-4 are involved in the generation of the early inflammatory response to lung I-R injury.
Diversity, classification and function of the plant protein kinase superfamily
Authors: Lehti-Shiu Melissa D. , Shiu Shin-Han
Published: August 2012

Eukaryotic protein kinases belong to a large superfamily with hundreds to thousands of copies and are components of essentially all cellular functions. The goals of this study are to classify protein kinases from 25 plant species and to assess their evolutionary history in conjunction with consideration of their molecular functions. The protein kinase superfamily has expanded in the flowering plant lineage, in part through recent duplications. As a result, the flowering plant protein kinase repertoire, or kinome, is in general significantly larger than other eukaryotes, ranging in size from 600 to 2500 members. This large variation in kinome size is mainly due to the expansion and contraction of a few families, particularly the receptor-like kinase/Pelle family. A number of protein kinases reside in highly conserved, low copy number families and often play broadly conserved regulatory roles in metabolism and cell division, although functions of plant homologues have often diverged from their metazoan counterparts. Members of expanded plant kinase families often have roles in plant-specific processes and some may have contributed to adaptive evolution. Nonetheless, non-adaptive explanations, such as kinase duplicate subfunctionalization and insufficient time for pseudogenization, may also contribute to the large number of seemingly functional protein kinases in plants.
An evolutionary perspective on the kinome of malaria parasites
Authors: Talevich Eric , Tobin Andrew B. , Kannan Natarajan , Doerig Christian
Published: August 2012

Malaria parasites belong to an ancient lineage that diverged very early from the main branch of eukaryotes. The approximately 90-member plasmodial kinome includes a majority of eukaryotic protein kinases that clearly cluster within the AGC, CMGC, TKL, CaMK and CK1 groups found in yeast, plants and mammals, testifying to the ancient ancestry of these families. However, several hundred millions years of independent evolution, and the specific pressures brought about by first a photosynthetic and then a parasitic lifestyle, led to the emergence of unique features in the plasmodial kinome. These include taxon-restricted kinase families, and unique peculiarities of individual enzymes even when they have homologues in other eukaryotes. Here, we merge essential aspects of all three malaria-related communications that were presented at the Evolution of Protein Phosphorylation meeting, and propose an integrated discussion of the specific features of the parasite's kinome and phosphoproteome.
The Use of Parsimonious Questionnaires in Occupational Health Surveillance: Psychometric Properties of the Short Italian Version of the Effort/Reward Imbalance Questionnaire
Authors: Magnavita Nicola , Garbarino Sergio , Siegrist Johannes
Published: August 2012

Purpose. To perform a parsimonious measurement of workplace psychosocial stress in routine occupational health surveillance, this study tests the psychometric properties of a short version of the original Italian effort-reward imbalance (ERI) questionnaire.Methods. 1,803 employees (63 percent women) from 19 service companies in the Italian region of Latium participated in a cross-sectional survey containing the short version of the ERI questionnaire (16 items) and questions related to self-reported health, musculoskeletal complaints and job satisfaction. Exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency of scales and criterion validity were utilized.Results. The internal consistency of scales was satisfactory. Principal component analysis enabled to identify the model’s main factors. Significant associations with health and job satisfaction in the majority of cases support the notion of criterion validity. A high score on the effort-reward ratio was associated with an elevated odds ratio (OR = 2.71; 95% CI 1.86–3.95) of musculoskeletal complaints in the upper arm.Conclusions. The short form of the Italian ERI questionnaire provides a psychometrically useful tool for routine occupational health surveillance, although further validation is recommended.
Exercise Training Prevents Decrease in Luminal Capillary Diameter of Skeletal Muscles in Rats with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Morifuji Takeshi , Murakami Shinichiro , Fujita Naoto , Kondo Hiroyo , Fujino Hidemi
Published: August 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine whether exercise training can prevent microangiopathy of skeletal muscles in rats with type 2 diabetes and if succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, an indicator of mitochondrial oxidative enzyme activity, is involved in the prevention of microangiopathy. Six-week-old male Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats and age-matched male Wistar rats (control group (Con)) were used. GK rats were randomly assigned to nonexercise (DB) and exercise (DBEx) groups. The DBEx group was trained on a treadmill 5 times a week for 3 weeks. No significant differences in the capillary-to-fibre ratio or the capillary density were observed between the 3 groups. The luminal capillary diameter of the DB group was significantly lower than that of the Con group, whereas the capillary diameter of the DBEx group was significantly higher than that of the DB group. In addition, SDH activity was significantly higher in the DBEx group than in the Con and DB groups. Microangiopathy of skeletal muscles in type 2 diabetes was correlated with a decrease in the luminal capillary diameter, which was prevented by exercise training. Thus, the mitochondrial oxidative capacity appears to be involved in the overall mechanism by which exercise prevents microangiopathy.
Gender differences in presentation and outcome of nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas
Authors: Caputo Carmela , Sutherland Tom , Farish Stephen , McNeill Peter , Ng Kong W. , Inder Warrick J.
Published: August 2012

Objectives

Few data exist regarding gender differences in hormonal outcomes in nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenomas (NFPMA). The aim was to assess whether there are gender differences in hormonal outcomes in NFPMA following pituitary surgery at a single centre.

Design and methods

Retrospective review of cases undergoing a first surgical procedure for NFPMA. Preoperative hormonal function was available for 122 cases at presentation and 94 cases 6 months postoperatively. Multiple hormone deficiency was defined as ≥2 hormonal axis losses. Tumour size and invasion on MRI scan were assessed independently by a single neuroradiologist.

Results

At presentation, men were more likely than women to have multiple hormonal deficiency (47% vs 28%, P = 0·038). Premenopausal women tended to have smaller adenomas than men, but neither adenoma size nor invasion was associated with multiple hormonal deficiency at presentation. Postoperatively, differences were observed with only 14% of premenopausal women exhibiting multiple hormone deficiency, compared with 36% of postmenopausal women and 46% of men (P = 0·03). Overall, postoperative hormonal recovery was observed in over one‐third of cases. Greatest recovery occurred in the gonadal axis of 60% (6/10) premenopausal women compared with 19% (8/43) of other groups combined (P = 0·007).

Conclusions

Premenopausal women with NFPMA appear to have favourable hormonal outcomes. This may be due to a complex interplay between smaller tumour size and shorter disease duration. There should be no hesitation in offering pituitary surgery to premenopausal women with NFPMA, who have the most to gain in terms of restoration of hormonal function.
First record of a whale shark Rhincodon typus in continental Europe
Authors: Rodrigues N. V. , Correia J. P. S. , Graça J. T. C. , Rodrigues F. , Pinho R. , Hirofumi M.
Published: August 2012

A whale shark Rhincodon typus was found in a set‐net in southern Portugal in October 2011. This was the first record for continental Europe and represents an increase of the species' known range. Upwelling events and increase in sea‐surface temperatures are possible reasons for this occurrence.
Effect of ploidy on scale‐cover pattern in linear ornamental (koi) common carp Cyprinus carpio
Authors: Gomelsky B. , Schneider K. J. , Glennon R. P. , Plouffe D. A.
Published: August 2012

The effect of ploidy on scale‐cover pattern in linear ornamental (koi) common carp Cyprinus carpio was investigated. To obtain diploid and triploid linear fish, eggs taken from a leather C. carpio female (genotype ssNn) and sperm taken from a scaled C. carpio male (genotype SSnn) were used for the production of control (no shock) and heat‐shocked progeny. In heat‐shocked progeny, the 2 min heat shock (40° C) was applied 6 min after insemination. Diploid linear fish (genotype SsNn) demonstrated a scale‐cover pattern typical for this category with one even row of scales along lateral line and few scales located near operculum and at bases of fins. The majority (97%) of triploid linear fish (genotype SssNnn) exhibited non‐typical scale patterns which were characterized by the appearance of additional scales on the body. The extent of additional scales in triploid linear fish was variable; some fish had large scales, which covered almost the entire body. Apparently, the observed difference in scale‐cover pattern between triploid and diploid linear fish was caused by different phenotypic expression of gene N/n. Due to incomplete dominance of allele N, triploids Nnn demonstrate less profound reduction of scale cover compared with diploids Nn.
Twenty‐five years of volatile substance abuse mortality: a national mortality surveillance programme
Authors: Butland Barbara K. , Field‐Smith Mary E. , Ramsey John D. , Anderson H. Ross
Published: August 2012

Aims

To investigate trends in volatile substance abuse (VSA) deaths over 25 years.

Design

A national mortality surveillance programme with standardised data collection procedures.

Setting

TheUKand islands.

Participants/Measurements

AllVSAdeaths, 1983–2007.

Findings

In the five quinquennia from 1983 to 2007 the numbers ofVSAdeaths were 499, 609, 378, 349 and 258 respectively. There were gradual increases in the mean age at death in males and females and in the number ofVSAdeaths in women. Coincident with the 1992Department ofHealthAdvertisingCampaign,VSAdeaths in boys and girls (<18 years of age) fell by an estimated 56% (95%CI: 36%–70%) and 64% (20%–84%), respectively, from the underlying trend, but there was no evidence of any similar step change in either group following the 1999 Legislation prohibiting sales of cigarette lighter refills containing butane to those under the age of 18 years. Between 1983–1987 and 2003–2007, the ratio of aerosol to gas fuel deaths fell by an estimated 80% (57% to 91%) in adults, while the ratio of glue to gas fuel deaths fell by an estimated 95% (89% to 97%) in adults and an estimated 87% (−1% to 98%) in children.

Conclusions

Between 1983 and 2007, in the United Kingdom, the numbers of deaths associated with volatile substance abuse peaked in the early 1990s and fell to their lowest level in the mid‐2000s. The age at death increased in both males and females. There was a fall in the proportion of volatile substance abuse deaths involving glues and a rise, particularly in adults, in the proportion involving gas fuels.
Prescription drug use among pregnant women in opioid Maintenance Treatment
Authors: Lund Ingunn Olea , Skurtveit Svetlana , Engeland Anders , Furu Kari , Ravndal Edle , Handal Marte
Published: August 2012

Aims

This study describes the use of prescribed drugs among women in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) prior to, and during, pregnancy.

Design

This cohort study was based on data from two nationwide databases: the Medical Birth Registry of Norway and the Norwegian Prescription Database.

Setting

Norway, 2004–2010.

Participants

OMT drugs were dispensed to 138 women with 159 pregnancies.

Measurements

All prescription drugs dispensed to women in OMT three months prior to, and during, pregnancy were studied. Amounts of benzodiazepines, z‐hypnotics and opioid analgesics dispensed during pregnancy were studied and bivariate analysis was used to study neonatal outcomes of OMT pregnancies with and without such co‐medication.

Findings

The prevalence of prescription drug use by pregnant OMT women was high both during the three‐month period prior to (69%), and during (81%), pregnancy. The proportion of pregnant women that was dispensed anti‐infectives (48%) and/or drugs acting on the nervous system (45%) during any time in pregnancy was especially high. In 21%, 15% and 13% of the pregnancies the women were dispensed benzodiazepine anxiolytics, opioid analgesics or benzodiazepine hypnotics respectively. Only 5% of the OMT women were dispensed antidepressants. Malformations were significantly more common among children born to mothers in OMT that received co‐medication with opioids, benzodiazepines or z‐hypnotics.

Conclusions

A higher proportion of women in opioid maintenance treatment in Norway use prescription drugs prior to, and during, pregnancy than pregnant women in the general population. Co‐medication with drugs with abuse potential may increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and this need to be further addressed.
The effect of beta‐2 adrenergic receptor haplotype variations on the haemodynamic response following spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery*
Authors: Daher M. , Saito R. B. , Barra G. B. , Govêia C. S. , Magalhães E. , Neves F. A. R.
Published: August 2012

We investigated whether genetic variations of the beta‐2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) modulate the haemodynamic response following spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery. We focused on the effects of haplotypes formed by combinations of the Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu polymorphisms. Clinical data from 143 healthy parturients were collected. Only the ArgGln haplotype appeared to influence the risk of hypotension, most probably through a recessive mode of inheritance (p = 0.027). Therefore, patients were grouped according to ArgGln homozygosity in two groups: presence of one or no copies of the haplotype (n = 120) or two copies of the haplotype (n = 23). Both groups presented similar baseline characteristics. Comparatively, patients homozygous for the ArgGln haplotype presented consistently higher blood pressure levels throughout the evaluation period (p = 0.001 for systolic arterial pressure variation from baseline). In conclusion, our results demonstrate that haplotype variations of the the ADRB2 modulate the haemodynamic response following spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery.
A clinical evaluation of four non‐Luer spinal needle and syringe systems
Authors: Kinsella S. M. , Goswami A. , Laxton C. , Kirkham L. , Wharton N. , Bowen M.
Published: August 2012

We performed an evaluation of non‐Luer spinal devices supplied by four manufacturers or suppliers: Polymedic; Pajunk; Sarstedt; and Smiths. For each supplier, 100 evaluations were performed using a 25‐G 90‐mm spinal needle, 3‐ml syringe, 5‐ml syringe and filter needle; for comparison, 100 evaluations were performed with our standard Luer equipment. The non‐Luer devices were associated with more qualitative problems compared with the Luer devices, for example, poor feel of dural puncture (9–32% vs 10%, respectively), poor observation of cerebrospinal fluid in the hub (3–27% vs 0%), and connection problem of the syringe to the spinal needle (7–33% vs 0%). There was also more frequent failure to achieve the spinal injection due to equipment‐related causes (4–7% vs 0%, respectively). Median (IQR [range]) numeric satisfaction scores for the spinal needles were: Luer 10 (9–10 [7–10]); Polymedic 7 (4–8 [0–10]; Pajunk 7 (5–8 [0–10]); Sarstedt 7 (6–8 [0–10]); and Smiths 9 (7–10 [0–10]) (p < 0.0001). Satisfaction scores for all spinal equipment were: Luer 10 (9–10 [5–10]); Polymedic 8 (6–8 [0–10]); Pajunk 7 (5–7 [1–9]); Sarstedt 8 (6–8 [0–10]); and Smiths 8 (8–9 [2–10]) (p < 0.0001). Between 21% and 75% of non‐Luer evaluations were rated with satisfaction worse than the usual Luer needle compared with 0–10% rated better, depending on the needle type. Between 22% and 76% of non‐Luer evaluations were rated with satisfaction worse than the usual Luer equipment compared with 0–14% rated better. Specific concerns included poor feel of tissue planes and observation of cerebrospinal fluid (Polymedic), difficulty with connection of the syringe to the spinal needle and trocar removal (Pajunk), poor feel of tissue planes and needle flexibility (Sarstedt) and difficulty with connection of the syringe to the spinal needle (Smiths). We could not demonstrate a short‐term learning curve for the new devices. Decisions on purchasing and implementation of the new non‐Luer equipment will have to acknowledge that clinicians may have greater technical problems and reduced satisfaction compared with the current equipment.
Overview of pharmacoeconomic modelling methods
Authors: Ademi Zanfina , Kim Hansoo , Zomer Ella , Reid Christopher M. , Hollingsworth Bruce , Liew Danny
Published: August 2012

In the current climate of burgeoning health care costs, pharmacoeconomics is becoming increasingly important, but knowledge about pharmacoeconomic methods is limited among most clinicians. This review provides an introduction to, and overview of, common methods used in pharmacoeconomic modelling: decision analysis, Markov modelling, discounting and uncertainty analyses viaMonteCarlo simulation. It will conclude with a suggested approach to reading and appraising published pharmacoeconomic analyses.
Stoichiometry of potassium is largely determined by water availability and growth in Catalonian forests
Authors: Sardans Jordi , Peñuelas Josep , Coll Marta , Vayreda Jordi , Rivas‐Ubach Albert
Published: August 2012

The study of the relationships between organisms and environmental elemental stoichiometry and ecosystem structure and function has recently received increasing attention. Some elements, however, have been less studied or have even been neglected. One of these elements is K, despite its critical importance in the water economy of plants.

We hypothesized that K concentrations and especially K contents (concentrations × biomass), their stoichiometries with respect to C, N, and P contents, and their relative allocations to foliar and woody compartments would be linked to climatic gradients in the availability of water, forest type and growth. We tested this hypothesis by analysing the data set of the Catalan Forest Inventory.

Evergreens, the type of tree with the slowest growth, showed the highest K contents, especially in wood, and the lowest plasticity to change the stoichiometry of K within and between foliar and woody biomasses along climatic gradients. The allocation of K to leaves in relation to the allocation of C, N and P increased with mean annual precipitation (MAP) and was concomitant with decreases in the allocation of K to wood in relation to the allocation of C, N and P (higher K:CL/W, K:NL/W and K:PL/W).

In summer, the driest period, higher K:C, K:N and K:P content ratios in leaves were accompanied by lower K:C, K:N and K:P content ratios in wood, mainly in the species at the driest sites. Higher K:C and K:N content ratios in leaves and above‐ground biomass in all forest types, and higher K:CL/W and K:NL/W in conifers and deciduous trees were related to higher growth. K contents of leaves were better correlated with tree growth than were K concentrations of leaves in all forest types.

These results show that the stoichiometry of K is strongly related to the availability of water and that the uptake of K is more related to the uptake of water than the uptake of N and P. Stoichiometric differences involving K are related to both the response of plants to drought and to plant growth. K thus plays a key role, together with N and P, in the response of plants to climatic gradients for improving the capacities for growth and adaptation to water stress along environmental gradients and through time (seasons). Moreover, these results show that the differences in stoichiometric composition and plasticity involving K contents can underlie the long‐term adaptation of trees to different ecological styles of life. K should thus be considered in ecological stoichiometric studies of terrestrial plants.
Adult proximity and frugivore's activity structure the spatial pattern in an endangered plant
Authors: Rodríguez‐Pérez Javier , Wiegand Thorsten , Traveset Anna
Published: August 2012

Seed dispersers play a key role in shaping the spatial patterns of plant populations. After their disappearance, we expect a substantial increase in plant aggregation, which can ultimately cascade into high plant competition.

We used data of fully mapped distribution of four populations of the shrub Daphne rodriguezii from Menorca Island (Balearic Islands, W Mediterranean Sea), one in which D. rodriguezii coexists with its only disperser, the lizard Podarcis lilfordi, and three populations where this lizard went extinct long ago.

We used spatial point‐pattern analysis to better understand the lizard's role on the spatial distribution of D. rodriguezii. To this end, we used specific point‐process models that represented our main hypotheses on the impact of (i) habitat suitability, (ii) disperser activity, (iii) proximity of adults on the distribution of juvenile and adult shrubs and (iv) the impact of adult proximity on juvenile survival.

Plants were aggregated in all populations, and aggregation at short distances was stronger in populations without lizards. The observed spatial pattern of juveniles was better explained by a combination of hypotheses (ii) and (iii). The density of juveniles below adults was similar in all populations, but density far from adults was higher in the population with dispersers. In populations without dispersers, juveniles suffered higher mortality below adults.

Overall, our results suggest that the effects of lizard extinction were subtle. In the absence of lizards' dispersal, plants self‐replace in favourable locations, but a decline in density, is evidenced near adults attributed to higher competition. Lizards, which often defecate under fruiting plants, create also a tight juvenile–adult association, but allow juveniles to escape from the immediate proximity of adults attributed to longer‐distance movements. Our study shows how the analysis of the spatial pattern of plants can leads to detailed hypotheses on the underlying mechanisms structuring plant populations.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi mediate below‐ground plant–herbivore interactions: a phylogenetic study
Authors: Vannette Rachel L. , Rasmann Sergio
Published: August 2012

Ecological interactions are complex networks, but have typically been studied in a pairwise fashion. Examining how third‐party species can modify the outcome of pairwise interactions may allow us to better predict their outcomes in realistic systems. For instance, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can affect plant interactions with other organisms, including below‐ground herbivores, but the mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear.

Here, we use a comparative, phylogenetically controlled approach to test the relative importance of mycorrhizal colonization and plant chemical defences (cardenolides) in predicting plant survival and the abundance of a generalist below‐ground herbivore across 14 species of milkweeds (Asclepias spp.). Plants were inoculated with a mixture of four generalist AMF species or left uninoculated. After 1 month, larvae of Bradysia sp. (Diptera: Sciaridae), a generalist below‐ground herbivore, colonized plant roots.

We performed phylogenetically controlled analyses to assess the influence of AMF colonization and toxic cardenolides on plant growth, mortality and infestation by fungus gnats. Overall, plants inoculated with AMF exhibited greater survival than did uninoculated plants. Additionally, surviving inoculated plants had lower numbers of larvae in their roots and fewer non‐AM fungi than surviving uninoculated plants. In phylogenetic controlled regressions, gnat density in roots was better predicted by the extent of root colonized by AMF than by root cardenolide concentration. Taken as a whole, AMF modify the effect of below‐ground herbivores on plants in a species‐specific manner, independent of changes in chemical defence.

This study adds to the growing body of literature demonstrating that mycorrhizal fungi may improve plant fitness by conferring protection against antagonists, rather than growth benefits. In addition, we advocate using comparative analyses to disentangle the roles of shared history and ecology in shaping trait expression and to better predict the outcomes of complex multitrophic interactions.
Variations in testosterone pathway genes and susceptibility to testicular cancer in Norwegian men
Authors: Kristiansen W. , Aschim E. L. , Andersen J. M. , Witczak O. , Fosså S. D. , Haugen T. B.
Published: August 2012

Imbalance between the oestrogen and androgen levels in utero is hypothesized to influence testicular cancer (TC) risk. Thus, variation in genes involved in the action of sex hormones may contribute to variability of an individual’s susceptibility to TC. Mutations in testosterone pathway genes may alter the level of testosterone in vivo and hypothetically the risk of developing TC. Luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), 5α‐reductase II (SRD5A2) and androgen receptor (AR) are key elements in androgen action. A case‐control study comprising 651 TC cases and 313 controls in a Norwegian population was conducted for investigation of polymorphisms in the LHR, SRD5A and AR genes and their possible association with TC. A statistical significant difference was observed in patients being heterozygous for the LHR Asn312Ser polymorphism when comparing genotypes between all TC cases and controls (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.48–0.89, padj = 0.049). No statistically significant difference between the histological subtypes seminoma and non‐seminoma was observed. Our results may suggest a possible association between genetic variation in the LHR gene and the risk of developing TC.
Antioxidant activity and polyphenol contents in Brazilian green propolis extracts prepared with the use of ethanol and water as solvents in different pH values
Authors: Mello Beatriz C. B. S. , Hubinger Miriam D.
Published: August 2012

Propolis is a natural product with a variable and complex chemical composition associated with its high concentration on polyphenolic compounds. The effect of pH variation (2.0, 3.0, 4.3, 6.0 and 8.0) during aqueous and ethanolic propolis extraction was studied for up to 10 days. Total phenols and flavonoids contents were measured for the extracts by spectrophotometric assays. Antioxidant activity was measured by 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and ferric thiocyanate (FTC) methods. The best time of extraction was up to 5 days for all samples. Basic aqueous extracts (pH 8.0) resulted in a higher concentration of compounds than the extract without pH modification, reaching an increase of 160% in flavonoids and 25% in phenols. Ethanolic extracts with pH variation resulted in an extract with 50% less polyphenols and 6% less flavonoids than extract without pH modification. The antioxidant activity was highest for ethanolic extract at pH 4.3 and aqueous extract at pH 8.0 – almost 90% and 45%, respectively, in DPPH method – and was related to the level of polyphenols by Pearson's correlations.
Evening ambient light exposure can reduce circadian phase advances to morning light independent of sleep deprivation
Authors: BURGESS HELEN J.
Published: August 2012

Short sleep/dark durations are common in modern society. We investigated if exposure to additional evening ambient light, often associated with later bedtimes and short sleep, reduces circadian phase advances to morning bright light. Twelve healthy subjects participated in two conditions that differed in the distribution of sleep before exposure to morning bright light. Subjects had a consolidated 9‐h night time sleep opportunity, or a 3‐h daytime nap followed by a 6‐h night time sleep opportunity, each before morning bright light. Eight of the 12 subjects obtained similar amounts of sleep in both conditions, and yet still showed significant reductions in phase advances with 6‐h nights (1.7 versus 0.7 h, P < 0.05). These results suggest that the exposure to additional evening ambient light often associated with short sleep episodes can significantly reduce phase advances to morning light, and may therefore increase the risk for circadian misalignment.
The Role of Natural Killer Cells in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Jadidi‐Niaragh F. , Shegarfi H. , Naddafi F. , Mirshafiey A.
Published: August 2012

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive dysfunction and selective neuronal death in the brain. The aetiology of AD is not clear but environmental factors and heritable predisposition may play a role in the disease emergence. It has also been suggested that neural–immune interaction has a role in disease appearance. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in the host defence, which is related to their ability to secrete a variety of cytokines and chemokines, as well as killing infected host cells. Moreover, there is some evidence that imply the involvement of NK cells in immunopathogenesis of AD. In this review, we have attempted to clarify the role of NK cells in the immunopathogenesis of AD.
Nerve growth factor and the physiology of pain: lessons from congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis
Authors: Indo Y
Published: August 2012

Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by insensitivity to pain, anhidrosis (the inability to sweat) and mental retardation. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a well‐known neurotrophic factor essential for the survival and maintenance of NGF‐dependent neurons, including primary afferent neurons with thin fibers and sympathetic postganglionic neurons, during development. NGF is also considered to be an inflammatory mediator associated with pain, itch and inflammation in adults. CIPA results from loss‐of‐function mutations in the NTRK1 gene‐encoding TrkA (tropomyosin‐related kinase A), a receptor tyrosine kinase for NGF. Defects in NGF‐TrkA signal transduction lead to the failure of survival of various NGF‐dependent neurons. As a result, patients with CIPA lack NGF‐dependent neurons. Recent studies have revealed that mutations in the NGFB gene‐encoding NGF protein also cause congenital insensitivity to pain. Using the pathophysiology of CIPA as a foundation, this review investigates the ways in which NGF‐dependent neurons contribute to interoception, homeostasis and emotional responses and, together with the brain, immune and endocrine systems, play crucial roles in pain, itch and inflammation. The NGF‐TrkA system is essential for the establishment of neural networks for interoception, homeostasis and emotional responses. These networks mediate reciprocal communication between the brain and the body in humans.