bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Allometric functional response model: body masses constrain interaction strengths
Authors: Vucic‐Pestic Olivera , Rall Björn C. , Kalinkat Gregor , Brose Ulrich 
Published: October 2009

Summary1. Functional responses quantify theper capitaconsumption rates of predators depending on prey density. The parameters of these nonlinear interaction strength models were recently used as successful proxies for predicting population dynamics, food‐web topology and stability.2. This study addressed systematic effects of predator and prey body masses on the functional response parameters handling time, instantaneous search coefficient (attack coefficient) and a scaling exponent converting type II into type III functional responses. To fully explore the possible combinations of predator and prey body masses, we studied the functional responses of 13 predator species (ground beetles and wolf spiders) on one small and one large prey resulting in 26 functional responses.3. We found (i) a power‐law decrease of handling time with predator mass with an exponent of −0·94; (ii) an increase of handling time with prey mass (power‐law with an exponent of 0·83, but only three prey sizes were included); (iii) a hump‐shaped relationship between instantaneous search coefficients and predator–prey body‐mass ratios; and (iv) low scaling exponents for low predator–prey body mass ratios in contrast to high scaling exponents for high predator–prey body‐mass ratios.4. These scaling relationships suggest that nonlinear interaction strengths can be predicted by knowledge of predator and prey body masses. Our results imply that predators of intermediate size impose strongerper capitatop‐down interaction strengths on a prey than smaller or larger predators. Moreover, the stability of population and food‐web dynamics should increase with increasing body‐mass ratios in consequence of increases in the scaling exponents.5. Integrating these scaling relationships into population models will allow predicting energy fluxes, food‐web structures and the distribution of interaction strengths across food web links based on knowledge of the species’ body masses.
Dietary patterns and adult asthma: population‐based case–control study
Authors: Bakolis I. , Hooper R. , Thompson R. L. , Shaheen S. O. 
Published: October 2009

To cite this article: Bakolis I, Hooper R, Thompson RL, Shaheen SO. Dietary patterns and adult asthma: population‐based case–control study. Allergy 2010; 65: 606–615.AbstractBackground:  Epidemiological studies of diet and asthma have focused on relations with intakes of individual nutrients and foods and evidence has been conflicting. Few studies have examined associations with dietary patterns.Methods:  We carried out a population‐based case–control study of asthma in adults aged between 16 and 50 in South London, UK. Information about usual diet was obtained by food frequency questionnaire and we used principal components analysis to define five dietary patterns in controls. We used logistic and linear regression, controlling for confounders, to relate these patterns to asthma, asthma severity, rhinitis and chronic bronchitis in 599 cases and 854 controls.Results:  Overall, there was weak evidence that a ‘vegetarian’ dietary pattern was positively associated with asthma [adjusted odds ratio comparing top vs bottom quintile of pattern score 1.43 (95% CI: 0.93–2.20), P trend 0.075], and a ‘traditional’ pattern (meat and vegetables) was negatively associated [OR 0.68 (0.45–1.03), P trend 0.071]. These associations were stronger amongst nonsupplement users (P trend 0.030 and 0.001, respectively), and the association with the ‘vegetarian’ pattern was stronger amongst whites (P trend 0.008). No associations were observed with asthma severity. A ‘prudent’ dietary pattern (wholemeal bread, fish and vegetables) was positively associated with chronic bronchitis [OR 2.61 (1.13–6.05), P trend 0.025], especially amongst nonsupplement users (P trend 0.002).Conclusions:  Overall there were no clear relations between dietary patterns and adult asthma; associations in nonsupplement users and whites require confirmation. The finding for chronic bronchitis was unexpected and also requires replication.
Allergen provocation increases TH2‐cytokines and FOXP3 expression in the asthmatic lung
Authors: Thunberg S. , Gafvelin G. , Nord M. , Grönneberg R. , Grunewald J. , Eklund A. , Van Hage M. 
Published: October 2009

To cite this article: Thunberg S, Gafvelin G, Nord M, Grönneberg R, Grunewald J, Eklund A, van Hage M. Allergen provocation increases TH2‐cytokines and FOXP3 expression in the asthmatic lung. Allergy 2010; 65: 311–318.AbstractBackground:  Allergic asthma is caused by allergen‐specific IgE and T‐helper cell (Th) type 2 responses towards airborne allergens. The objective of this study was to investigate local and systemic regulatory mechanisms in the early asthmatic response to bronchial allergen provocation.Methods:  Birch pollen‐allergic patients with mild asthma (n = 13) and healthy nonallergic controls (n = 14) were subjected to bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and blood sampling. On patients BAL was performed twice: without preceding provocation (‘before samples’) and 24 h after bronchial provocation with birch pollen allergen. Lymphocytes in BAL and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were phenotyped by multi‐colour flow cytometry and cytokines measured by cytometric bead array. Proliferation and secreted cytokines were analysed in allergen‐stimulated PBMCs, CD25+ depleted PBMCs and PBMCs with IL‐10 neutralizing antibodies.Results:  The numbers of CD69+ and FOXP3+ lymphocytes were higher in BAL after compared with before allergen provocation in asthmatic patients. Moreover, allergen provocation increased expression of FOXP3 in CD4+CD25bright cells. The cytokine profile in BAL fluid from asthmatics revealed higher levels of IL‐5, compared with the controls, and an increase in IL‐5, IL‐6, IL‐9 and IL‐10 after allergen provocation. Pollen allergen stimulated PBMC cultures from asthmatic patients produced elevated levels of IL‐5 and IL‐13 compared with the controls, which were not affected by depletion of CD25+ cells or IL‐10 neutralization.Conclusion:  Despite an increase in CD4+CD25bright cells expressing high levels of FOXP3 in response to bronchial allergen provocation, asthmatic patients exhibit enhanced levels of Th2 cytokines in the lung, which may indicate an inability among infiltrating cells to suppress Th2 responses.
Coagulation/fibrinolysis and inflammation markers are associated with disease activity in patients with chronic urticaria
Authors: Takahagi S. , Mihara S. , Iwamoto K. , Morioke S. , Okabe T. , Kameyoshi Y. , Hide M. 
Published: October 2009

To cite this article: Takahagi S, Mihara S, Iwamoto K, Morioke S, Okabe T, Kameyoshi Y, Hide M. Coagulation/fibrinolysis and inflammation markers are associated with disease activity in patients with chronic urticaria. Allergy 2010; 65: 649–656.AbstractBackground:  The evaluation of disease severity and activity of chronic urticaria (CU) is essential for the adequate treatment of patients. However, there is no reliable biomarker for such evaluations. Recently, markers of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis have been revealed to be elevated in severe cases of CU. In this article, we studied the coagulation/fibrinolysis and inflammation markers and their relationship to disease activity in patients with CU.Methods:  Plasma fibrin degradation products (FDP), d‐dimer and serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) were measured with the assessment of disease severity and skin reaction to autologous serum in 82 patients with CU and 37 patients with acute urticaria, idiopathic angioedema (AE) or inducible types of urticaria (IU).Results:  The levels of FDP in patients with CU were significantly higher than those in patients with IU, but no other differences in FDP, d‐dimer and CRP were observed among patients with different types of urticaria. These markers of patients with CU were well correlated with each other and significantly associated with disease severity of CU, but not with skin reactions to autologous serum. In 37 patients with CU, levels of all these parameters reduced as their disease condition improved, while they increased when the disease became aggravated. Regarding FDP, this relationship was observed even if FDP concentrations were within normal range throughout the study.Conclusions:  The measurement of plasma FDP, d‐dimer and serum CRP may be useful for the assessment of disease activity of CU.
Role of endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration with flow cytometry to diagnose lymphoma: A single center experience
Authors: Al‐Haddad Mohammad , Savabi Mojgan Sara , Sherman Stuart , McHenry Lee , LeBlanc Julia , Cramer Harvey , Emerson Robert , O'Neil Jillian , Khashab Mouen , DeWitt John 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The use of endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (EUS−FNA) ± flow cytometry (FC) for the diagnosis of suspected lymphoma remains controversial. We report our experience and diagnostic yield for EUS ± FC for suspected lymphoma.Methods:  Databases were queried for those who underwent EUS−FNA ± FC for suspected lymphoma. Hospital charts were reviewed to confirm the final cytological diagnosis, follow up and FC results if obtained. The final diagnosis was confirmed by the results of EUS−FNA ± FC, other biopsy and/or follow up.Results:  In total, 54 patients underwent EUS−FNA of 72 lesions. The final diagnosis of lymphoma was made in 38 of the 54 (70%) patients, and 33 of the 54 (61%) patients relied on EUS−FNA. Cytopathology in 41 patients using EUS−FNA + FC showed lymphoma in 24 patients, atypical lymphoid cells in six and reactive lymph node in 11. In 9 of the 24 with lymphoma by EUS + FC, the diagnosis was confirmed by another diagnostic modality, like surgery, bone marrow biopsy and computed tomography‐guided biopsy. Of the six with atypical lymphoid cells, additional diagnostic methods confirmed lymphoma in three. The remaining 13 of the 54 patients underwent EUS−FNA without FC due to insufficient sample (n = 5) or operator choice (n = 8). Cytopathology in these 13 patients without FC showed lymphoma (9), atypical lymphoid cells (3) and reactive node (1). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of EUS−FNA for lymphoma in all 54 patients ranged from 80% to 87%, 92% to 93%, 97%, 60% to 75% and 83% to 89%, respectively.Conclusions:  EUS−FNA is sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of suspected lymphoma. Confirmatory or further testing should be performed when EUS−FNA with or without FC is indeterminate and or non‐diagnostic.
Readability of prescription labels and medication recall in a population of tertiary referral glaucoma patients
Authors: O'Hare Fleur , Jeganathan V Swetha E , Rokahr Catherine G , Rogers Sophie L , Crowston Jonathan G 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPurpose:  To evaluate readability of eye drop labels and accurate recall of prescription instructions in a glaucoma population.Methods:  A hospital‐based, cross‐sectional study. A trained, interviewer examined patient ability to read standard and larger font medication labels. A questionnaire was administered to ascertain accurate recall of prescribed eye drops. Clinical information was obtained through independent chart review. Glaucoma severity was classified according to a glaucoma staging system. The setting for the study was the glaucoma outpatient clinic, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (Melbourne, Australia), a major tertiary referral centre. A total of 200 glaucoma patients (96.2% response), aged 45–90 years, on eye drops took part in the study. Non‐English‐speaking patients were excluded. The main outcome measure was the ability to read prescribed medication labels and accurately recall treatment regime was compared with glaucoma severity and the number of eye drops.Results:  Of the glaucoma patients, 12% were unable to read standard pharmacy labels. Only 5.5% were unable to read the larger font labels. Of the patients, 32% were not able to accurately recall the type of drops or prescribed frequency of instillation. An inability to read standard labels was associated with a threefold reduction in the likelihood of accurate medication recall (95% confidence intervals, 1.40–7.66, P < 0.05). Patients with three or more types of eye drops were five times less likely to recall their medications (95% confidence interval, 0.07–0.57, P < 0.05).Conclusions:  Inability to read or recall prescribed eye drops was associated with glaucoma severity and the number of prescribed eye drops. These factors may impact significantly on patients' adherence to glaucoma medications.
Comparative folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis of four teleost fish from a Reservoir in south‐eastern Brazil
Authors: Martins Yuri Simões , De Moura Dimas Fernando , Santos Gilmar Bastos , Rizzo Elizete , Bazzoli Nilo 
Published: October 2009

AbstractMartins, Y.S., Moura, D.F., Santos, G.B., Rizzo, E. and Bazzoli, N. 2009. Comparative folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis of four teleost fish from a Reservoir in south‐eastern Brazil. —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm). 91: 466–473.This study provides a comparative analysis of gametogenesis of neotropical teleosts Metynnis maculatus, Megalancistrus parananus, Cichla kelberi and Satanoperca pappaterra, through histological, histochemical and histometric techniques. In the ooplasm of C. kelberi and S. pappaterra conspicuous lipid vesicles were observed, which are characteristic of pelagic eggs produced by marine fishes. Perinucleolar oocytes were identified in the testis of S. pappaterra suggesting that this species is protogynous without functional hermaphroditism, an unusual pattern for neotropical fresh‐water fishes. The spermatozoa of the studied species have rounded heads, a characteristic of fish that externally fertilise their eggs. The follicular (granulosa) cells of the vitellogenic oocytes from the studied species were cuboidal or columnar, however, in C. kelberi there were columnar follicular cells at the vegetal pole and cuboidal cells at the animal pole. Variations of the histochemical content were detected in the cortical alveoli and follicular cells of vitellogenic oocytes showing differences in the mechanisms to block polyspermy and egg adhesiveness. Larger oocytes were recorded in species which demonstrated parental care behaviour and smaller oocytes were noted in those species with fractioned spawning.
THE EFFECTS OF THE SPANISH HOUSING SYSTEM ON THE SETTLEMENT PATTERNS OF IMMIGRANTS
Authors: PAREJA‐EASTAWAY MONTSERRAT 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACTGlobalisation and its consequent economic restructuring have implications at the local level. At the same time historical paths and traditions, embeddedness of local actors and institutional factors have all become significant in explaining different neighbourhood trajectories and, particularly, the patterns of urban segregation that emerge following economic restructuring. Given the unusual nature of the Spanish housing model and the massive arrival of immigrants since the end of the 1990s, this paper explores the urban effects of immigration settlement patterns in the context of a market dominated by owner‐occupation and a unique framework of social housing policy. Purchase of permanent residences is an essential step in the housing careers of the Spanish population but also for immigrants to Spain. The paper analyses the extent to which this influences urban segregation patterns and neighbourhood characteristics in Spain. Barcelona is referred to as a case study, to illustrate the influence of the existing housing system in the process of the accommodation of newcomers.
THE MODERNISATION OF HOUSING IN ENGLAND
Authors: MURIE ALAN 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper considers changes in the housing market and housing policy following the major deregulation and privatisation of housing in England in the 1980s and 1990s. It highlights developments that were not anticipated, the continuing importance of social rented housing and the renewed interest of government in housing and refers to these in the context of previous accounts of the modernisation of housing tenure. The paper also considers emerging social and spatial divisions within urban England and suggests that while there is considerable continuity in these patterns, tenure has become a less effective indicator of neighbourhood difference. A more complex pattern of social and spatial division is associated with stratification, market stretch and new patterns of differentiation.
Sectors, Institutional Types and the Challenges of Shifting Categories: A Canadian Commentary
Authors: Jones Glen 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWhile the English system makes a relatively clear distinction between higher education and further education, the Canadian approach has been to use higher education as a more inclusive term and to categorise sectors on the basis of institutional type. Higher education policy is decentralised and provinces have made quite different decisions about institutional categories and system structures. There has been a blurring of the boundaries between institutional types and there has been a growth in articulation, collaboration and hybrid relationships between institutions and sectors.
Higher Education in Scotland's Colleges: a Distinctive Tradition?
Authors: Gallacher Jim 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThis article examines the policy framework and national structures that have shaped the development of higher education in Scotland's Colleges. It is suggested that these have helped create a higher education tradition that is in significant ways different from that which exists in the further education sector in England. The emphasis on collaboration in Scottish policy is also noted, but it is suggested that there has only been limited and patchy progress towards achieving some key policy objectives, and the impact of more recent initiatives remains to be seen.
A View from Within the English Further Education Sector on the Provision of Higher Education: Issues of Verticality and Agency
Authors: Stanton Geoff 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThis article considers aspects of higher education provision in general further education colleges in England, as seen from within the further education sector. It argues that there is a need to examine what are the defining features of higher education, who determines them, and the risks and advantages of structuring further and higher education vertically, so that given subject areas are taught at several levels within the same institution. Evidence is given to show that the funding, qualifications and inspection regimes applying in England to the majority of provision in general further education colleges are increasingly different from those in universities, giving less agency to both staff and students. This raises questions both about the extent to which the differences rationally reflect the different nature of the learners and their courses and about the implications for expansion, differentiation and participation in undergraduate education.
Higher Education, Further Education and the English Experiment
Authors: Parry Gareth 
Published: October 2009

AbstractEngland has a two‐sector system of higher education and further education. Shaped by legislation in 1988 and 1992, the architecture of this system was intended to concentrate each type of education in separate institutions and separate sectors. In recognition of these different missions, each territory came under different funding and regulatory regimes, with little or no movement of institutions anticipated between sectors. These arrangements continue, although Government policy is now to support and expand higher education in further education colleges. This policy turnaround is part of a larger strategy or experiment to change the future pattern of demand for, and supply of, undergraduate education. However, the college contribution to this new higher education is neither co‐ordinated nor protected. Rather, further education colleges compete as well as collaborate with institutions in the higher education sector, under conditions of complexity, uncertainty and dependency.
The Old and the New Politics of International Financial Stability
Authors: PAULY LOUIS W. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe cross‐border financial crisis that began in the United States in the summer of 2007 tested a 30‐year experiment in international integration. In the background were expanding macroeconomic imbalances that leading states had neglected to address. Spawned by imprudence and regulatory failures, the crisis soon deepened and the collaborative impulse that might have prompted earlier and more fundamental macro‐policy action became focused on emergency management. Ad hoc policy co‐ordination ensued as liquidity was injected into turbulent markets and troubled financial intermediaries were recapitalized or reorganized. The collective performance was inelegant, not least inside the European Union. The crisis shed a harsh spotlight on the weak fiscal foundations of the Union and on the now‐pressing need for collaborative adjustments in national macroeconomic policies. Since overt political innovation on such matters remains difficult, both within Europe and globally, the crisis underlined the crucial importance of much better collaborative instruments for the oversight and stabilization of integrating financial markets.
Output Legitimacy and the Global Financial Crisis: Perceptions Matter
Authors: JONES ERIK 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe global economic crisis has sapped support for the euro and lowered trust in the European Central Bank (ECB). In doing so, it has also exposed a weakness in the ‘output‐oriented legitimation’ of Europe's economic and monetary union. The common monetary policy and single currency have to be perceived as working if they are to maintain popular acceptance. Whether they actually work is less important than this perception. This raises the prospect that no matter how successful the ECB is in responding to moments of crisis, public opinion may begin to reflect the perception that it has failed. Indeed, the greater the uncertainty experienced during the crisis, the more likely it is that such negative perceptions will predominate. Worse, there is very little that the ECB can do to change popular perceptions or to create new channels for input‐oriented legitimation without jeopardizing the credibility of its commitment to price stability or its reputation for political independence.