bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation and studies of habitat selection: problem, red herring or opportunity?
Authors: Fieberg John , Matthiopoulos Jason , Hebblewhite Mark , Boyce Mark S. , Frair Jacqueline L.
Published: June 2010

With the advent of new technologies, animal locations are being collected at ever finer spatio-temporal scales. We review analytical methods for dealing with correlated data in the context of resource selection, including post hoc variance inflation techniques, ‘two-stage’ approaches based on models fit to each individual, generalized estimating equations and hierarchical mixed-effects models. These methods are applicable to a wide range of correlated data problems, but can be difficult to apply and remain especially challenging for use–availability sampling designs because the correlation structure for combinations of used and available points are not likely to follow common parametric forms. We also review emerging approaches to studying habitat selection that use fine-scale temporal data to arrive at biologically based definitions of available habitat, while naturally accounting for autocorrelation by modelling animal movement between telemetry locations. Sophisticated analyses that explicitly model correlation rather than consider it a nuisance, like mixed effects and state-space models, offer potentially novel insights into the process of resource selection, but additional work is needed to make them more generally applicable to large datasets based on the use–availability designs. Until then, variance inflation techniques and two-stage approaches should offer pragmatic and flexible approaches to modelling correlated data.
Resolving issues of imprecise and habitat-biased locations in ecological analyses using GPS telemetry data
Authors: Frair Jacqueline L. , Fieberg John , Hebblewhite Mark , Cagnacci Francesca , DeCesare Nicholas J. , Pedrotti Luca
Published: June 2010

Global positioning system (GPS) technologies collect unprecedented volumes of animal location data, providing ever greater insight into animal behaviour. Despite a certain degree of inherent imprecision and bias in GPS locations, little synthesis regarding the predominant causes of these errors, their implications for ecological analysis or solutions exists. Terrestrial deployments report 37 per cent or less non-random data loss and location precision 30 m or less on average, with canopy closure having the predominant effect, and animal behaviour interacting with local habitat conditions to affect errors in unpredictable ways. Home-range estimates appear generally robust to contemporary levels of location imprecision and bias, whereas movement paths and inferences of habitat selection may readily become misleading. There is a critical need for greater understanding of the additive or compounding effects of location imprecision, fix-rate bias, and, in the case of resource selection, map error on ecological insights. Technological advances will help, but at present analysts have a suite of ad hoc statistical corrections and modelling approaches available—tools that vary greatly in analytical complexity and utility. The success of these solutions depends critically on understanding the error-inducing mechanisms, and the biggest gap in our current understanding involves species-specific behavioural effects on GPS performance.
Habitat–performance relationships: finding the right metric at a given spatial scale
Authors: Gaillard Jean-Michel , Hebblewhite Mark , Loison Anne , Fuller Mark , Powell Roger , Basille Mathieu , Van Moorter Bram
Published: June 2010

The field of habitat ecology has been muddled by imprecise terminology regarding what constitutes habitat, and how importance is measured through use, selection, avoidance and other bio-statistical terminology. Added to the confusion is the idea that habitat is scale-specific. Despite these conceptual difficulties, ecologists have made advances in understanding ‘how habitats are important to animals’, and data from animal-borne global positioning system (GPS) units have the potential to help this clarification. Here, we propose a new conceptual framework to connect habitats with measures of animal performance itself—towards assessing habitat–performance relationship (HPR). Long-term studies will be needed to estimate consequences of habitat selection for animal performance. GPS data from wildlife can provide new approaches for studying useful correlates of performance that we review. Recent examples include merging traditional resource selection studies with information about resources used at different critical life-history events (e.g. nesting, calving, migration), uncovering habitats that facilitate movement or foraging and, ultimately, comparing resources used through different life-history strategies with those resulting in death. By integrating data from GPS receivers with other animal-borne technologies and combining those data with additional life-history information, we believe understanding the drivers of HPRs will inform animal ecology and improve conservation.
High prevalence and molecular characterization of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Proteus mirabilis strains in southern Croatia
Authors: Tonkić Marija , Mohar Bojana , Šiško-Kraljević Katarina , Meško-Meglič Karmen , Goić-Barišić Ivana , Novak Anita , Kovačić Ana , Punda-Polić Volga
Published: June 2010

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and antibiotic resistance rates of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Proteus mirabilis strains isolated from inpatients at the Split University Hospital (southern Croatia) during a survey performed between 2005 and 2008. A total of 2152 consecutive isolates of P. mirabilis were isolated. The prevalence was 0.5 % in 2005 and increased significantly to 20.9 % by 2008. Strains were most frequently isolated from urine (36.5 %) and bronchial aspirates and wound swabs (11.3 %). ESBL-producing P. mirabilis isolates showed very high resistance rates to the majority of non-β-lactam antibiotics and were susceptible to a β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor and carbapenems. The isolates were genotyped and their ESBLs were molecularly characterized. Strains originating from the intensive care unit and the surgery and neurosurgery wards were clonally related. All P. mirabilis isolates produced the TEM-52 type of ESBL. To the best of our knowledge, our work detailed here and summarized in an earlier communication is the first report of such isolates from southern Croatia. Increased monitoring and screening for ESBL production in this species at our hospital is mandatory.
Characterization of lethal inhalational infection with Francisella tularensis in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: Nelson Michelle , Lever Mark S. , Dean Rachel E. , Savage Victoria L. , Salguero F. Javier , Pearce Peter C. , Stevens Daniel J. , Simpson Andrew J. H.
Published: June 2010

The intracellular Gram-negative pathogen Francisella tularensis is the causative agent of tularaemia and is prevalent in many countries in the northern hemisphere. To determine whether the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) would be a suitable non-human primate model of inhalational tularaemia, a pathophysiology study was undertaken. Ten animals were challenged with ∼102 c.f.u. F. tularensis strain SCHU S4 (F. tularensis subsp. tularensis). To look for trends in the infection, pairs of animals were sacrificed at 24 h intervals between 0 and 96 h post-challenge and blood and organs were assessed for bacteriology, pathology and haematological and immunological parameters. The first indication of infection was a raised core temperature at 3 days post-challenge. This coincided with a number of other factors: a rapid increase in the number of bacteria isolated from all organs, more pronounced gross pathology and histopathology, and an increase in the immunological response. As the disease progressed, higher bacterial and cytokine levels were detected. More extensive pathology was observed, with multifocal lesions seen in the lungs, liver and spleen. Disease progression in the common marmoset appears to be consistent with human clinical and pathological features of tularaemia, indicating that this may be a suitable animal model for the investigation of novel medical interventions such as vaccines or therapeutics.
Different outcomes of experimental leptospiral infection in mouse strains with distinct genotypes
Authors: Santos Cleiton S. , Macedo Júlio O. , Bandeira Mauricio , Chagas-Junior Adenizar D. , McBride Alan J. A. , McBride Flávia W. C. , Reis Mitermayer G. , Athanazio Daniel A.
Published: June 2010

The mouse disease model has the advantage of a broad array of immunological and genetic tools available for basic research. Some studies on transgenic and/or mutant mouse strains as models for experimental leptospirosis have been reported; however, the wider use of such models is hampered by a poor understanding of the outcome of experimental leptospiral infection among the different mouse strains available. Here, the outcome of infection by a virulent strain ofLeptospira interrogansserogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae strain Cop was studied in four commonly used wild-type mouse strains: A, CBA, BALB/c and C57BL/6. The end points evaluated in this study were survival, presence of kidney lesions, leptospiral load in kidney samples, microscopic agglutination test titre and anti-leptospiral IgG antibody levels. As expected, none of the mouse strains were susceptible to lethal leptospirosis. However, these strains developed specific pathologies associated with sublethal leptospirosis. The A and C57BL/6 strains exhibited a high leptospiral load in kidney samples and the CBA and C57BL/6 strains developed severe inflammatory lesions, whilst the BALB/c strain proved to be the most resistant to subclinical leptospirosis.
Characterization of leptospiral proteins that afford partial protection in hamsters against lethal challenge with Leptospira interrogans
Authors: Atzingen Marina V. , Gonçales Amane P. , de Morais Zenaide M. , Araújo Eduardo R. , De Brito Thales , Vasconcellos Silvio A. , Nascimento Ana L. T. O.
Published: June 2010

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira. The whole-genome sequence of Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni together with bioinformatic tools allow us to search for novel antigen candidates suitable for improved vaccines against leptospirosis. This study focused on three genes encoding conserved hypothetical proteins predicted to be exported to the outer membrane. The genes were amplified by PCR from six predominant pathogenic serovars in Brazil. The genes were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli strain BL21-SI using the expression vector pDEST17. The recombinant proteins tagged with N-terminal 6×His were purified by metal-charged chromatography. The proteins were recognized by antibodies present in sera from hamsters that were experimentally infected. Immunization of hamsters followed by challenge with a lethal dose of a virulent strain of Leptospira showed that the recombinant protein rLIC12730 afforded statistically significant protection to animals (44 %), followed by rLIC10494 (40 %) and rLIC12922 (30 %). Immunization with these proteins produced an increase in antibody titres during subsequent boosters, suggesting the involvement of a T-helper 2 response. Although more studies are needed, these data suggest that rLIC12730 and rLIC10494 are promising candidates for a multivalent vaccine for the prevention of leptospirosis.
Autolabo: an automated system for ligand-soaking experiments with protein crystals
Authors: Sugahara Michihiro , Shimizu Katsumi , Asada Yukuhiko , Fukunishi Hideki , Kodera Hirohumi , Fujii Takeshi , Osada Eiji , Kasazaki Takashi , Sawada Toshihumi , Chikusa Hideyuki , Kondo Kazuaki , Yorihiro Akira , Kunishima Naoki
Published: June 2010

Ligand soaking of protein crystals is important for the preparation of heavy-atom derivative crystals for experimental phasing as well as for large-scale ligand screening in pharmaceutical developments. To facilitate laborious large-scale ligand screening, to reduce the risk of human contact with hazardous ligand reagents and to increase the success rate of the soaking experiments, a protein crystallization robot `Autolabo' has been developed and implemented in the high-throughput crystallization-to-structure pipeline at RIKEN SPring-8 Center. The main functions of this robotic system are the production of protein crystals for experiments, the ligand soaking of these crystals and the observation of soaked crystals. The separate eight-channel dispensers of Autolabo eliminate the cross-contamination of reagents which should be strictly avoided in the ligand-soaking experiment. Furthermore, the automated approach reduces physical damage to crystals during experiments when compared with the conventional manual approach, and thereby has the potential to yield better quality diffraction data. Autolabo's performance as a ligand-soaking system was evaluated with a crystallization experiment on ten proteins from different sources and a heavy-atom derivatization experiment on three proteins using a versatile cryoprotectant containing heavy-atom reagents as ligands. The crystallization test confirmed reliable crystal reproduction in a single condition and the capability for crystallization with nucleants to improve crystal quality. Finally, Autolabo reproducibly derivatized the test protein crystals with sufficient diffraction quality for experimental phasing and model building, indicating a high potentiality of this automated approach in ligand-soaking experiments.
Multivariate phase combination improves automated crystallographic model building
Authors: Skubák Pavol , Waterreus Willem-Jan , Pannu Navraj S.
Published: June 2010

Density modification is a standard technique in macromolecular crystallography that can significantly improve an initial electron-density map. To obtain optimal results, the initial and density-modified map are combined. Current methods assume that these two maps are independent and propagate the initial map information and its accuracy indirectly through previously determined coefficients. A multivariate equation has been derived that no longer assumes independence between the initial and density-modified map, considers the observed diffraction data directly and refines the errors that can occur in a single-wavelength anomalous diffraction experiment. The equation has been implemented and tested on over 100 real data sets. The results are dramatic: the method provides significantly improved maps over the current state of the art and leads to many more structures being built automatically.
Cryoprotection properties of salts of organic acids: a case study for a tetragonal crystal of HEW lysozyme
Authors: Bujacz Grzegorz , Wrzesniewska Blanka , Bujacz Anna
Published: June 2010

Currently, the great majority of the data that are used for solving macromolecular structures by X-ray crystallography are collected at cryogenic temperatures. Selection of a suitable cryoprotectant, which ensures crystal stability at low temperatures, is critical for the success of a particular diffraction experiment. The effectiveness of salts of organic acids as potential cryoprotective agents is presented in the following work. Sodium formate, acetate, malonate and citrate were tested, as were sodium potassium tartrate and acetate in the form of potassium and ammonium salts. For each salt investigated, the minimal concentration that was required for successful cryoprotection was determined over the pH range 4.5–9.5. The cryoprotective ability of these organic salts depends upon the number of carboxylic groups; the lowest concentration required for cryoprotection was observed at neutral pH. Case-study experiments conducted using the tetragonal form of hen egg-white lysozyme (HEWL) confirmed that salts of organic acids can successfully act as cryoprotective agents of protein crystals grown from high concentrations of inorganic salts. When crystals are grown from solutions containing a sufficient concentration of organic acid salts no additional cryoprotection is needed as the crystals can safely be frozen directly from the crystallizing buffers.
The high-resolution structure of pig heart succinyl-CoA:3-oxoacid coenzyme A transferase
Authors: Coker Shu-Fen , Lloyd Adrian J. , Mitchell Edward , Lewis Gareth R. , Coker Alun R. , Shoolingin-Jordan Peter M.
Published: June 2010

The enzyme succinyl-CoA:3-oxoacid coenzyme A transferase (SCOT) participates in the metabolism of ketone bodies in extrahepatic tissues. It catalyses the transfer of coenzyme A (CoA) from succinyl-CoA to acetoacetate with a classical ping-pong mechanism. There is biochemical evidence that the enzyme undergoes conformational changes during the reaction, but no domain movements have been reported in the available crystal structures. Here, a structure of pig heart SCOT refined at 1.5 Å resolution is presented, showing that one of the four enzyme subunits in the crystallographic asymmetric unit has a molecule of glycerol bound in the active site; the glycerol molecule is hydrogen bonded to the conserved catalytic glutamate residue and is likely to occupy the cosubstrate-binding site. The binding of glycerol is associated with a substantial relative movement (a 13° rotation) of two previously undefined domains that close around the substrate-binding site. The binding orientation of one of the cosubstrates, acetoacetate, is suggested based on the glycerol binding and the possibility that this dynamic domain movement is of functional importance is discussed.
Parenteral lipids impair pneumococcal elimination by human neutrophils
Authors: Versleijen Michelle W. , Roelofs Hennie M. , Te Morsche Rene H. , Simonetti Elles R. , Hermans Peter W. , Wanten Geert J.
Published: June 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (8): 729–734

Background Lipid‐induced modulation of phagocyte function seems to contribute to increased susceptibility to infections in patients on parenteral nutrition, and an increased risk for development of pneumonia has been observed in this group. The role of various structurally different lipid emulsions, however, remains unclear. In this study, we therefore assessed phagocyte function, as the capacity of neutrophils to eliminateStreptococcus pneumoniae(i.e. combined result of phagocytosis and killing), in the presence of these lipids.

Materials and methods Neutrophils from six healthy volunteers were incubated for 1 h in emulsions (5 mmol L−1) derived from soybean‐ (LCT), fish‐ (VLCT), olive‐ (LCT‐MUFA), mixed soybean/coconut oils (LCT/MCTs) or structured lipids (SL). After opsonization of the pneumococci (strain OREP‐4) by human immunoglobulins, bacteria and neutrophils were incubated in the presence of complement. Next, pneumococcal elimination was evaluated and expressed as the percentage of bacteria eliminated relative to the initial bacterial numbers in neutrophil‐free samples.

Results Neutrophils that were not exposed to lipids showed a pneumococcal elimination capacity of 75 ± 3% (mean ± SD). This significantly decreased after exposure to LCT‐MUFA (70 ± 6%), VLCT (67 ± 2%), SL (63 ± 9%), LCT (66 ± 10%) and LCT/MCT (47 ± 15%).

Conclusion These data demonstrate that parenteral lipids impair the microbial elimination capacity of neutrophils in a structure‐dependent manner. In accordance with our previously reportedin vitroeffect on a range of phagocyte functions, LCT/MCT is by far the most potent in this respect.
Procedures for evaluating and prioritising the removal of fish passage barriers: a synthesis
Authors: KEMP P. S. , O'HANLEY J. R.
Published: June 2010

Abstract  Techniques for assessing the impact of structural barriers on fish passage and for prioritising restoration actions are reviewed. Current survey methodologies are biased towards specific structures, primarily culverts and economically significant fish. Assessment criteria are often based on swimming capabilities of upstream migrating adult salmonids, while ignoring other life‐stages, non‐salmonid species, downstream migration and behaviour. The development of comprehensive and centrally owned geospatial inventories of barriers is essential. The collection, maintenance and dissemination of pertinent structural and environmental data can be technically, logistically and financially challenging. Standardised procedures are needed to rapidly and cost‐effectively survey large numbers of barriers over wide geographic areas. The prioritisation of barrier repair and removal projects is most often based on simple cost‐benefit analysis, whereby individual barriers are scored based on a set of assessment criteria and then ranked in order of priority. The benefits of using scoring‐and‐ranking systems, however, are unacceptably low because they consider barriers independently, thereby ignoring the cumulative, non‐additive impacts produced by multiple, spatially interconnected structures. Optimisation modelling offers a more robust approach for efficiently prioritising decision making in river restoration planning, allowing decision makers to account for key uncertainties and effectively balance multiple, possibly competing, environmental and socioeconomic goals and constraints.
Dissolved carbon leaching from soil is a crucial component of the net ecosystem carbon balance
Authors: KINDLER REIMO , SIEMENS JAN , KAISER KLAUS , WALMSLEY DAVID C. , BERNHOFER CHRISTIAN , BUCHMANN NINA , CELLIER PIERRE , EUGSTER WERNER , GLEIXNER GERD , GRŨNWALD THOMAS , HEIM ALEXANDER , IBROM ANDREAS , JONES STEPHANIE K. , JONES MIKE , KLUMPP KATJA , KUTSCH WERNER , LARSEN KLAUS STEENBERG , LEHUGER SIMON , LOUBET BENJAMIN , MCKENZIE REBECCA , MOORS EDDY , OSBORNE BRUCE , PILEGAARD KIM , REBMANN CORINNA , SAUNDERS MATTHEW , SCHMIDT MICHAEL W. I. , SCHRUMPF MARION , SEYFFERTH JANINE , SKIBA UTE , SOUSSANA JEAN‐FRANCOIS , SUTTON MARK A. , TEFS CINDY , VOWINCKEL BERNHARD , ZEEMAN MATTHIAS J. , KAUPENJOHANN MARTIN
Published: June 2010

Estimates of carbon leaching losses from different land use systems are few and their contribution to the net ecosystem carbon balance is uncertain. We investigated leaching of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and dissolved methane (CH4), at forests, grasslands, and croplands across Europe. Biogenic contributions to DIC were estimated by means of its δ13C signature. Leaching of biogenic DIC was 8.3±4.9 g m−2 yr−1 for forests, 24.1±7.2 g m−2 yr−1 for grasslands, and 14.6±4.8 g m−2 yr−1 for croplands. DOC leaching equalled 3.5±1.3 g m−2 yr−1 for forests, 5.3±2.0 g m−2 yr−1 for grasslands, and 4.1±1.3 g m−2 yr−1 for croplands. The average flux of total biogenic carbon across land use systems was 19.4±4.0 g C m−2 yr−1. Production of DOC in topsoils was positively related to their C/N ratio and DOC retention in subsoils was inversely related to the ratio of organic carbon to iron plus aluminium (hydr)oxides. Partial pressures of CO2 in soil air and soil pH determined DIC concentrations and fluxes, but soil solutions were often supersaturated with DIC relative to soil air CO2. Leaching losses of biogenic carbon (DOC plus biogenic DIC) from grasslands equalled 5–98% (median: 22%) of net ecosystem exchange (NEE) plus carbon inputs with fertilization minus carbon removal with harvest. Carbon leaching increased the net losses from cropland soils by 24–105% (median: 25%). For the majority of forest sites, leaching hardly affected actual net ecosystem carbon balances because of the small solubility of CO2 in acidic forest soil solutions and large NEE. Leaching of CH4 proved to be insignificant compared with other fluxes of carbon. Overall, our results show that leaching losses are particularly important for the carbon balance of agricultural systems.
Taste characterisation of green tea catechins
Authors: Narukawa Masataka , Kimata Hironobu , Noga Chiaki , Watanabe Tatsuo
Published: June 2010

There has been interest in biological activities of green tea catechins. However, little is known about the taste characteristics of catechins. To assess the taste characteristics of catechins ((−)–epicatechin (EC), (−)–epicatechin gallate (ECg), (−)–epigallocatechin (EGC) and (−)–epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg)), sensory evaluations were performed. The taste intensity increased with increased catechins concentration. Among them, ECg showed the strongest taste. Catechins had tastes that consisted primarily of astringency and bitterness. Therefore, taste palatability decreased with increasing catechin concentrations. In line with taste intensity, taste palatability of ECg was the lowest. Taste sensor analysis and mouse behavioural assays showed same results. EC and ECg were more stable in Ringer’s solution than EGC and EGCg. Furthermore, taste cell responses to ECg that had the strong taste and better stability among catechins used were recorded. Some taste cells responded to ECg. This result suggests that ECg might be recognised by taste cells.
Butterfly and plant specialists suffer from reduced connectivity in fragmented landscapes
Authors: Brückmann Sabrina V. , Krauss Jochen , Steffan‐Dewenter Ingolf
Published: June 2010

1. Calcareous grasslands are diversity hotspots for plant and butterfly species in Europe, but connectivity of these grasslands has been reduced by habitat loss and fragmentation in recent decades. Reduced habitat area leads to biodiversity loss, but the significance of habitat connectivity independent of patch size and habitat quality is unclear.

2. Here, we focus on the impact of habitat connectivity on both butterfly and plant species richness and compare (i) a connectivity index, (ii) percentage habitat cover and (iii) distance to the next suitable habitat patch as alternative measures of connectivity. Species were recorded in 2007 in northern Bavaria (Germany) in paired large and small study sites in 31 independent landscapes.

3. We found that total loss of grassland connectivity would reduce species richness of specialist butterflies (38–69%) and specialist plants (24–37%). A connectivity index combining patch size and distance in the surrounding landscape was a better measure of connectivity than percentage habitat cover or distance to the next suitable habitat.

4. Species richness, species density and abundance of habitat‐specialist butterflies and plants were significantly higher in large compared with small study sites.

5.
Synthesis and applications. We conclude that connectivity is highly relevant for conservation of butterfly and plant species with specialized habitat requirements, but the decision as to which connectivity measure is most appropriate depends on patch configuration, landscape context and study design. We suggest that management strategies should aim to increase connectivity by active restoration of former calcareous grasslands to ensure long‐term survival of habitat‐specialist species.
Students' use of web‐based concept map testing and strategies for learning
Authors: Tsai C.C. , Lin S.S.J. , Yuan S.M.
Published: June 2010

Abstract The study reported in this paper developed and evaluated a web‐based concept map testing system for science students. Thirty‐eight Taiwanese high school students were involved and it was found that their performance on the system was not significantly related to their achievement as measured by traditional standard tests. Their views about the use of the system, in general, were positive. An analysis of students' future use of the system and their motivation and learning strategies revealed that those with more critical thinking metacognitive activities and an effort regulation management strategy showed more willingness to use the online testing system. Moreover, students with high test anxiety showed a preference to be tested through the system.
Population pharmacokinetics of mavacoxib in osteoarthritic dogs
Authors: COX S. R. , LIAO S. , PAYNE‐JOHNSON M. , ZIELINSKI R. J. , STEGEMANN M. R.
Published: June 2010

Cox, S. R., Liao, S., Payne‐Johnson, M., Zielinski, R. J., Stegemann, M. R. Population pharmacokinetics of mavacoxib in osteoarthritic dogs. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 34, 1–11.

Mavacoxib (Trocoxil™) is an oral long‐acting COX‐2 inhibitor approved for the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs. Two field trials were conducted in client‐owned dogs suffering from osteoarthritis, with dosages of 4 mg/kg body weight (BW) (Study 1) or 2 mg/kg BW (Study 2). Mavacoxib plasma concentrations were determined from trough blood samples and from blood samples collected at 4–10 months after the last dose. A one‐compartment linear model was fitted to the concentration data (1317 concentration records from 286 patients), and parameters for oral clearance (Cl/F), apparent volume of distribution (Vd/F) and their between‐subject variabilities (BSV) were estimated. Covariates were included in the model based on the outcomes of stepwise regression procedures. In the final model, the typical value of Cl/F was a function of BW, age and breed. German shepherds and Labrador retrievers were found to have 31% higher values of Cl/F than patients from different breeds with similar ages and BWs. The typical value of Vd/F was found to be dependent only on BW. The two field studies appeared to differ similarly with respect to Cl/F and Vd/F. The explanation for this difference is not known, but the difference was accounted for in the final model as a 23.9% lower bioavailability in Study 2. Mavacoxib exhibited relatively broad BSV in Cl/F and Vd/F, with coefficients of variation of 47% and 19%, respectively. The typical value for mavacoxib’s terminal elimination plasma half‐life (t1/2) was 44 days, but a minority of patients (approximately 5%) had empirical Bayes estimates of t1/2 exceeding 80 days. Simulations with the model indicated that the majority of patients treated with mavacoxib 2 mg/kg will maintain trough plasma mavacoxib concentrations associated with efficacy. Results of the population pharmacokinetic analysis helped to reduce the dose from 4 to 2 mg/kg and thus increased the therapeutic index for this molecule.
Preparation and pharmacokinetics of ceftiofur sodium liposomes in cows
Authors: LIU S. , GUO D. , GUO Y. , ZHOU W.
Published: June 2010

Liu, S., Guo, D., Guo, Y., Zhou, W. Preparation and pharmacokinetics of ceftiofur sodium liposomes in cows. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap.34, 35–41.

The objective of this study was to prepare ceftiofur sodium liposomes and assess their physical properties, stability, antibacterial effects, and pharmacokinetics. These liposomes appeared as a milky, light yellow suspension with encapsulation efficiency at 57.2 ± 1.17%, and there were no significant changes in all estimated indexes at 4 °C for 90 days. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of liposomes were all 1/4th that of ceftiofur sodium against Streptococcus suis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enteritidis. Six healthy, adult cows in two treatment groups were dosed intravenously with ceftiofur sodium liposomes and ceftiofur sodium, serial blood samples collected, and plasma concentrations determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Intravenous plasma concentration profiles of liposomes best fit a two‐compartment model and the elimination half‐life was 2.11 times that of ceftiofur sodium. Thus, this liposome preparation provided therapeutically effective plasma concentrations for a longer duration than with the drug alone, making it more effective and convenient for use in treating bovine mastitis that requires long duration maintenance of therapeutic plasma concentrations.
H‐NOX regulation of c‐di‐GMP metabolism and biofilm formation in Legionella pneumophila
Authors: Carlson Hans K. , Vance Russell E. , Marletta Michael A.
Published: June 2010

Haem Nitric oxide/OXygen (H‐NOX) binding domains are a family of haemoprotein sensors that are widespread in bacterial genomes, but limited information is available on their function. Legionella pneumophila is the only prokaryote found, thus far, to encode two H‐NOX proteins. This paper presents data supporting a role for one of the L. pneumophila H‐NOXs in the regulation of biofilm formation. In summary: (i) unmarked deletions in the hnox1 gene do not affect growth rate in liquid culture or replication in permissive macrophages; (ii) the Δhnox1 strain displays a hyper‐biofilm phenotype; (iii) the gene adjacent to hnox1 is a GGDEF‐EAL protein, lpg1057, and overexpression in L. pneumophila of this protein, or the well‐studied diguanylate cyclase, vca0956, results in a hyper‐biofilm phenotype; (iv) the Lpg1057 protein displays diguanylate cyclase activity in vitro and this activity is inhibited by the Hnox1 protein in the Fe(II)‐NO ligation state, but not the Fe(II) unligated state; and (v) consistent with the Hnox1 regulation of Lpg1057, unmarked deletions of lpg1057 in the Δhnox1 background results in reversion of the hyper‐biofilm phenotype back to wild‐type biofilm levels. Taken together, these results suggest a role for hnox1 in regulating c‐di‐GMP production by lpg1057 and biofilm formation in response to NO.
Dynamic linkage relationships to the mating‐type locus in automictic fungi of the genus Microbotryum
Authors: ABBATE J. L. , HOOD M. E.
Published: June 2010

Regions of the chromosomes determining mating compatibility in some fungi, including Microbotryum lychnidis‐dioicae and Neurospora tetrasperma, exhibit suppressed recombination similar to sex chromosomes in plants and animals, and recent studies have sought to apply basic theories of sex chromosome evolution to fungi. A phylogeny of the MTL1 locus in Microbotryum indicates that it has become part of the nonrecombining regions of the mating‐type chromosomes in multiple independent events, and that recombination may have been subsequently restored in some cases. This illustrates that fungal mating‐type chromosomes can exhibit linkage relationship that are quite dynamic, adding to the list of similarities to animal or plant sex chromosomes. However, fungi such as M. lychnidis‐dioicae and N. tetrasperma exhibit an automictic mating system, for which an alternate theoretical framework exists to explain the evolution of linkage with the mating‐type locus. This study encourages further comparative studies among fungi to evaluate the role of mating systems in determining the evolution of fungal mating‐type chromosomes.
Plasma Leptin Level in Hyperlipidemic Mares and Their Newborn Foals
Authors: Kędzierski W , Kusy R , Kowalik S
Published: June 2010

Contents

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between plasma leptin and lipid levels in breeding mares and their newborn foals. The study was conducted on 17 Polish cold‐blood mares and their newborn foals. The mares were divided into two groups, according to the course of delivery. These groups were seven mares which had a normal delivery and 10 mares which had required veterinary intervention during their delivery. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of both the mares and their foals. The blood samples were taken within 30 min after delivery, as well as on four successive mornings directly afterwards. In obtained plasma samples, the leptin, triacylglycerols (TG) and free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations were measured. The leptin and TG levels in the plasma sampled on the day of delivery and the two following days were significantly higher in mares which received veterinary intervention during the delivery, when compared to the results obtained from the plasma of mares which had normal delivery. The results obtained from foals did not show any statistical differences. In conclusion, the conducted tests have shown that post‐parturient hyperlipidemia and hyperleptinemia in mares did not influence the lipid status and plasma leptin level in newborn foals.
Factors affecting visual outcome in herpes zoster ophthalmicus: a prospective study
Authors: Nithyanandam Suneetha , Stephen John , Joseph Mary , Dabir Supriya
Published: June 2010

Abstract

Purpose:  To evaluate visual outcome and factors affecting visual outcome in herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO).

Methods:  A prospective, longitudinal, observational study was undertaken in 64 consecutive patients with HZO presenting within 72 h of rash onset. Patients underwent detailed ophthalmological and dermatological examinations at presentation, with follow up at first, second and fourth weeks and third and sixth months. All patients received both systemic and topical acyclovir. The main outcome measure was best‐corrected visual acuity at 6 months' follow up. Local and systemic factors were correlated with visual outcome using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results:  Overall visual outcome was good, with 36/64 (56.3%) patients having a visual acuity of 6/6 or better. Mild visual loss occurred in 22/64 (34.3%), moderate loss in 3/64 (4.7%) and severe loss in 3/64 (4.7%); moderate to severe visual loss was due to severe uveitis (2), neurotrophic keratitis (1) and cataract (3). Increasing age (P = 0.04), positive Hutchinson sign (P = 0.001), absent corneal sensation (P = 0.01), corneal epithelial lesions (P = 0.03) and uveitis (P < 0.001) were significantly associated with visual loss. Uveitis was found to be the best predictor of visual loss in HZO on multivariate analysis.

Conclusion:  The overall visual outcome is good in HZO patients receiving antiviral therapy. Hutchinson's sign and anterior uveitis were found to be strong predictors of visual loss in HZO. Presence of these predictors calls for close monitoring.
Changes in Caucasian eyes after laser peripheral iridotomy: an anterior segment optical coherence tomography study
Authors: Ang Ghee S , Wells Anthony P
Published: June 2010

Abstract

Background:  To evaluate by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS‐OCT) the changes in the anterior chamber structures in Caucasian eyes after laser peripheral iridotomy (PI).

Methods:  Retrospective study of consecutive Caucasian primary angle closure suspect (PACS), primary angle closure (PAC) or primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) patients who underwent laser PI over a 25‐month period at a specialist glaucoma practice. The AS‐OCT images of the temporal and nasal angles (in light and dark) before and after laser PI were analysed. The parameters studied were trabecular‐iris angle (TIA), angle opening distance (AOD), trabecular‐iris space area (TISA), trabecular‐iris contact length (TICL), iris thickness (IT) and maximum iris bow height (MIBH).

Results:  Images of 71 eyes of 71 patients were assessed. The mean age at laser PI was 60.3 ± 10.0 years. Forty (56.3%) were women, and 14 (19.7%) had PACG. The mean time from laser PI to the follow‐up AS‐OCT scan was 5.92 ± 3.22 weeks. The IT did not alter significantly after laser PI, but there were significant increases in the TIA, AOD and TISA, as well as a significant decrease in MIBH, in both light and dark. There was no difference in the magnitude of change seen between the temporal and nasal angles, or between PACS/PAC and PACG eyes.

Conclusion:  In Caucasian eyes, laser PI resulted in significant angle widening (increased TIA, AOD and TISA) and iris profile flattening (decreased MIBH) at the temporal and nasal angles based on AS‐OCT imaging in both light and dark.
The effect of application techniques on field‐scale efficacy: can the use of entomopathogenic nematodes reduce damage by western corn rootworm larvae?
Authors: Toepfer Stefan , Hatala‐Zseller Ibolya , Ehlers Ralf‐Udo , Peters Arne , Kuhlmann Ulrich
Published: June 2010

Field studies on the efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes as biological pest control agents in field crops and over multiple seasons are rare.

In the present study, we investigated the efficacy of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) at reducing maize root damage caused by the larvae of the western corn rootworm Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). The study consisted of 21 field‐scale experiments in Hungary conducted between 2004 and 2007. Key factors behind successful control, such as application techniques, nematode dosage, soil environment and rainfall, were analyzed.

Five of the six tested techniques for applying the nematodes using readily available farming machinery resulted in a reduction of root damage, as well as subsequent plant lodging.

According to damage rating with the Iowa 1–6 scale, damage was reduced by 3–18%. According to the 0.00–3.00 node injury scale, damage was reduced by 14–54%. Approximately 7–62 % of plant lodging, and thus direct yield losses as a result of in‐harvestability, was prevented.

An increase in nematode dosage and/or an increased rainfall during the period of applications increased the efficacy of H. bacteriophora at reducing root damage. Except for the obvious effect of moisture, the soil environment had little measurable influence on nematode efficacy.

The present study demonstrates the potential for field‐scale nematode application to significantly reduce damage caused by D. v. virgifera larvae. It is recommended that the method of agent application should be selected on a case‐by‐case basis considering the efficacy data presented here, the available application machinery and its associated costs.
BUSINESS METHOD PATENTS AND U.S. FINANCIAL SERVICES
Authors: HUNT ROBERT M.
Published: June 2010

A decade after the State Street decision, more than 1,000 business method patents are granted each year. Yet, only 1 in 10 is obtained by a financial institution. Most business method patents are also software patents. Have these patents increased innovation in financial services? To address this question, we construct new indicators of research and development intensity based on the occupational composition of financial industries. The financial sector appears more research intensive than official statistics would suggest but less than the private economy taken as a whole. There is considerable variation across industries but little apparent trend. There does not appear to be an obvious effect from business method patents on the sector's research intensity. Looking ahead, three factors suggest that the patent system may affect financial services as it has electronics: (1) the sector's heavy reliance on information technology, (2) the importance of standard setting, and (3) the strong network effects exhibited in many areas of finance. Even today litigation is not uncommon; we sketch a number of significant examples affecting financial exchanges and consumer payments. The legal environment is changing quickly. We review a number of important federal court decisions that will affect how business method patents are obtained and enforced. We also review a number of proposals under consideration in the U.S. Congress. (JEL O31, O34, G20)
EFFECTS OF HEALTH RISK INFORMATION ON ADDICTIVE GOODS CONSUMPTION: A CASE OF TOBACCO, ALCOHOL, AND BETEL NUTS IN TAIWAN
Authors: LEE JIE‐MIN , CHEN SHENG‐HUNG , LIU HSIANG‐HSI , HUNG JUNG‐YAO , HUANG MEI‐YUN
Published: June 2010

This paper empirically investigates the relationship between the dissemination of information about the health risks of tobacco, alcohol, and betel nuts and their consumption in Taiwan. To estimate cross‐elasticities, the paper uses the Central Bureau of Statistics demand system model. Empirical results indicate that an increase in the dissemination of information on the health risks of tobacco, alcohol, and betel nuts substantially reduces real consumption. Empirical evidence from the cross‐elasticity of price also confirms that a complementary relationship exists in Taiwan among these three addictive products.(JELD12, Q11, H26)
THE IMPACT OF DOUBLE TAXATION TREATIES ON FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT: EVIDENCE FROM LARGE DYADIC PANEL DATA
Authors: BARTHEL FABIAN , BUSSE MATTHIAS , NEUMAYER ERIC
Published: June 2010

To increase inward foreign direct investment (FDI), policy makers increasingly resort to the ratification of double taxation treaties (DTTs). However, the effectiveness of DTTs in inducing higher FDI is still open to debate, as the empirical evidence of existing studies is anything but conclusive. In contrast to earlier approaches, we use a largely unpublished dataset on bilateral FDI stocks, covering a much larger and more representative sample of host and source countries. Controlling for standard determinants of FDI and employing various econometric specifications, our results indicate that DTTs do lead to higher FDI stocks and that the effects are substantively important as well.
IS CORPORATE R&D INVESTMENT IN HIGH‐TECH SECTORS MORE EFFECTIVE?
Authors: ORTEGA‐ARGILÉS RAQUEL , PIVA MARIACRISTINA , POTTERS LESLEY , VIVARELLI MARCO
Published: June 2010

This paper discusses the link between R&D and productivity across the European industrial and service sectors. The empirical analysis is based on both the European sectoral OECD data and on a unique micro‐longitudinal database consisting of 532 top European R&D investors. The main conclusions are as follows. First, the R&D stock has a significant positive impact on labor productivity; this general result is largely consistent with previous literature in terms of the sign, the significance, and the magnitude of the estimated coefficients. More interestingly, both at sectoral and firm levels the R&D coefficient increases monotonically (both in significance and magnitude) when we move from the low‐tech to the medium‐ and high‐tech sectors. This outcome means that corporate R&D investment is more effective in the high‐tech sectors and this may need to be taken into account when designing policy instruments (subsidies, fiscal incentives, etc.) in support of private R&D. However, R&D investment is not the sole source of productivity gains; technological change embodied in gross investment is of comparable importance on aggregate and is the main determinant of productivity increase in the low‐tech sectors. Hence, an economic policy aiming to increase productivity in the low‐tech sectors should support overall capital formation.
Enhanced disease resistance and hypersensitivity to BTH by introduction of an NH1/OsNPR1 paralog
Authors: Bai Wei , Chern Mawsheng , Ruan Deling , Canlas Patrick E. , Sze‐to Wing Hoi , Ronald Pamela C.
Published: June 2010

Non‐expresser of pathogenesis‐related genes 1 (NPR1) is the master regulator of salicylic acid‐mediated systemic acquired resistance. Over‐expression of Arabidopsis NPR1 and rice NH1 (NPR1 homolog1)/OsNPR1 in rice results in enhanced resistance. While there are four rice NPR1 paralogs in the rice genome, none have been demonstrated to function in disease resistance. To study rice NPR1 paralog 3, we introduced constructs into rice and tested for effects on resistance to infection by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), the causal agent of bacterial blight. While over‐expression of NH3 using the maize ubiquitin‐1 promoter failed to enhance resistance, introduction of an extra copy of NH3 driven by its own promoter (nNT‐NH3) resulted in clear, enhanced resistance. Progeny analysis confirms that the enhanced resistance phenotype, measured by Xoo‐induced lesion length, is associated with the NH3 transgene. Bacterial growth curve analysis indicates that bacterial population levels are reduced 10‐fold in nNT‐NH3 lines compared to control rice lines. The transgenic plants exhibit higher sensitivity to benzothiadiazole (BTH) and 2,6‐dichloroisonicotinic acid (INA) treatment as measured by increased cell death. Expression analysis of pathogenesis‐related (PR) genes showed that nNT‐NH3 plants display greatly enhanced induction of PR genes only after treatment with BTH. Our study demonstrates an alternative method to employ a regulatory protein to enhance plant defence. This approach avoids using undesirable constitutive, high‐level expression and may prove to be more practical for engineering resistance.