bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EXPRESSION AND MODULATION OF AQUAPORIN 5 IN HYPEROXIA-INDUCED LUNG INJURY
Authors: Xu Feng , Tan Liping
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common disease that is caused by mechanical ventilation with persistent high-concentration oxygen in newborns, especially in preterm infants. One of the most important reasons is oxygen toxicosis. In physiologic conditions, liquid in the lung tissue is also transferred by aquaporins (AQPs), but the mechanism of aquaporins in hyperoxia-induced lung injury and lung dropsy is not clear.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the expression and the modulation of AQP5 in hyperoxia-induced lung injury.

METHODS: Lung tissue was harvested after high-concentration oxygen exposure on the third, seventh, and 14th days in rats. The expression of AQP5 mRNA level and the location were detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively, and compared with that in rats that were administered an injection of dexamethasone.

RESULTS: AQP5 was strongly labeled in alveolar epithelial cells. The expression of AQP5 in hyperoxia groups (3, 7, and 14 days) revealed a notable decline as compared with the control group, with no change even in the hyperoxia 14-day group. There was no difference between hyperoxia groups and hyperoxia + dexamethasone groups on AQP5 mRNA level.

CONCLUSIONS: The significant decrease of AQP5 expressed in hyperoxia-induced lung injury may be an important reason for abnormal water movement, which leads to pulmonary edema. Dexamethasone seems to have no effect in modulating AQP5 expression in acute lung injury.
EFFECT OF COBALAMIN SUPPLEMENTATION IN INFANTS: A RANDOMIZED, CONTROLLED TRIAL
Authors: Monsen Anne-Lise Björke , Torsvik Ingrid , Sζtran Hege , Markestad Trond , Magne Ueland Per
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: A metabolic profile that suggests impaired cobalamin status is prevalent in breastfed infants. Whether this profile reflects immature organ systems or cobalamin deficiency has not been clarified.

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to study serum cobalamin levels in breastfed infants.

METHODS: This study included 107 apparently healthy infants who at the age of 6 weeks were randomly assigned to receive either an intramuscular injection with 400 μg of cobalamin or no intervention. Concentrations of cobalamin and folate in serum and total homocysteine (tHcy), methylmalonic acid (MMA), and cystathionine in plasma were determined at inclusion and at the age of 4 months.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the concentrations of any vitamin marker between those in the intervention (n = 54) and control (n = 53) groups at 6 weeks (P = .20–.78). At the age of 4 months, infants who were given cobalamin had 75% higher serum cobalamin levels than those of controls. The intervention was associated with a remarkable reduction in median plasma tHcy (from 7.46 to 4.57 μmol/L) and MMA (from 0.58 to 0.20 μmol/L) (P < .001) levels, whereas both metabolite levels were essentially unchanged during follow-up in the control-group infants.

CONCLUSIONS: Cobalamin supplementation of infants changed all markers of impaired cobalamin status (low cobalamin, high MMA and tHcy, and slightly elevated folate concentrations) toward a profile observed in cobalamin-replete older children and adults. Thus, high MMA and tHcy levels, reported for a large fraction of infants, do not reflect immature metabolism but, rather, insufficient cobalamin to fully sustain cobalamin-dependent reactions. Clinicians and researchers should address the possible developmental and clinical consequences of metabolic evidence of cobalamin deficiency in infants.
THYROID FUNCTION IN EPILEPTIC CHILDREN TREATED WITH SODIUM-VALPROATE MONOTHERAPY: A PROSPECTIVE LONG-TERM STUDY
Authors: Attilakos Achilleas , Voudris Kontsantinos , Katsarou Efstathia , Mastroyianni Sotiria , Fotinou Aspasia , Prassouli Alexia , Garoufi Anastasia
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: Sodium valproate (VPA) is widely used for the treatment of partial and generalized epilepsy in childhood and adolescence. The results of studies that have evaluated the effect of VPA monotherapy on thyroid function in children are controversial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate, prospectively, whether treatment with VPA has an effect on serum thyroid hormone concentrations in epileptic children.

METHODS: Serum levels of triiodothyronine, thyroxine, free thyroxine, and thyrotropin were determined in 30 epileptic children (aged 2 to 14 years [mean ± SD: 9.10 ± 3.74 years]) before and after 6, 12, and 24 months of VPA monotherapy.

RESULTS: Serum levels of thyroxine and free thyroxine were significantly decreased after 6 (P = .000 and .000, respectively), 12 (P = .000 and .015, respectively), and 24 (P = .000 and .003, respectively) months of treatment with VPA, whereas serum levels of triiodothyronine were significantly decreased only after 24 months of treatment (P = .043). Serum levels of thyrotropin were significantly increased after 6 (P = .000), 12 (P = .000), and 24 (P = .000) months of treatment with VPA. Thirteen children (43.3%) had thyrotropin values higher than the normal-range maximum after 6, 12, and 24 months of VPA monotherapy. Serum VPA concentrations remained within the therapeutic range during the period of study.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that VPA monotherapy in childhood may cause early and persistent alterations in thyroid function, which suggests a need for early and careful monitoring of serum thyroid hormone concentrations in epileptic children who receive VPA.
TRANSMISSION OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION IN MOTHER-INFANT PAIRS
Authors: Selda Hizel Bulbul , Ozden Ali , Tanzer Fatos , Kisa Ucler , Buyukkayhan Derya , Misirrlioglou Emine Dibek , Kisa Ozgul
Published: January 2008

INTRODUCTION: Various pathways, such as person-person, fecal-oral, and oral-oral transmission, play a role in transmission of Helicobacter pylori infection. It can be transferred from mother to infant in either the perinatal or postnatal periods.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective study was to determine the course of H pylori infection in mother-infant pairs in early years of life.

METHODS: Forty-eight mother-child pairs were followed for 12 months. H pylori and hepatitis A virus immunoglobulin G levels were measured in maternal sera, infant sera, and breast-milk samples at birth and in breast-milk samples and infant sera at follow-up visits.

RESULTS: At birth, the seropositivity for H pylori was 81.25% and hepatitis A was 68.75% in breast milk and 95.8% in maternal and infant sera for both microorganisms. Although there was a decrease in seropositivities for both agents in both infant sera and breast milk at the age of 9 months, an increase was observed in the twelfth month.

CONCLUSIONS: High seroprevalence rates of H pylori and hepatitis A virus and similar monthly changes in seroprevalence could be indicators of the same transmission routes.
The role of lung function in brain tissue oxygenation following traumatic brain injury
Authors: Rosenthal Guy , Hemphill J. Claude , Sorani Marco , Martin Christine , Morabito Diane , Meeker Michele , Wang Vincent , Manley Geoffrey T.
Published: January 2008

Object

Previous studies have demonstrated that periods of low brain tissue oxygen tension (PbtO2) are associated with poor outcome after head trauma but have primarily focused on cerebral and hemodynamic factors as causes of low PbtO2. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of lung function on PbtO2 with an oxygen challenge (increase in fraction of inspired oxygen [FiO2] concentration to 1.0).

Methods

This prospective observational cohort study was performed in the neurointensive care unit of the Level 1 trauma center at San Francisco General Hospital. Thirty-seven patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) undergoing brain tissue oxygen monitoring as part of regular care underwent an oxygen challenge, consisting of an increase in FiO2 concentration from baseline to 1.0 for 20 minutes. Partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2), PbtO2, and the ratio of PaO2 to FiO2 (the PF ratio) were determined before and after oxygen challenge.

Results

Patients with higher PF ratios achieved greater PbtO2 during oxygen challenge than those with a low PF ratio because they achieved a higher PaO2 after an oxygen challenge. Lung function, specifically the PF ratio, is a major determinant of the maximal PbtO2 attained during an oxygen challenge.

Conclusions

Given that patients with TBI are at risk for pulmonary complications such as pneumonia, severe atelectasis, and adult respiratory distress syndrome, lung function must be considered when interpreting brain tissue oxygenation.
Iatrogenic paraplegia in 2 morbidly obese patients with ankylosing spondylitis undergoing total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Danish Shabbar F. , Wilden Jessica A. , Schuster James
Published: January 2008

✓The authors describe 2 cases of intraoperative thoracic vertebral body extension fractures in morbidly obese patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), undergoing total hip arthroplasty, with resultant acute traumatic paraplegia. The pathophysiology with regard to the surgical positioning and the associated risks of obesity and AS are reviewed. Additionally, strategies for avoiding these types of injuries are discussed.
Using the Tools and Resources of the RCSB Protein Data Bank
Authors: Dutta Shuchismita , M. Berman Helen , F. Bluhm Wolfgang
Published: January 2008

The Protein Data Bank (PDB; http://www.pdb.org) is the world‐wide repository for three‐dimensional structural data determined using various experimental methods. The options and procedures for searching and downloading structural data from the Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics (RCSB) PDB are described here, along with tools for assessing the quality of structures. Several types of information are associated with each structure deposition, including atomic coordinates of the structure, experimental data used to solve it, sequences of all macromolecules in the structures, details about the structure solution method, images showing different views of the structure, derived geometric data, and a variety of links to other resources. These data and resources may be used for understanding the function and stability of the molecule and for designing biochemical, genetic, or other experiments. They can also be used for molecular modeling and drug design. Curr. Protoc. Bioinform. 20:1.9.1‐1.9.24. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Isolation and Characterization of Mesoangioblasts from Mouse, Dog, and Human Tissues
Authors: Tonlorenzi Rossana , Dellavalle Arianna , Schnapp Esther , Cossu Giulio , Sampaolesi Maurilio
Published: January 2008

Mesoangioblasts are recently identified stem/progenitor cells, associated with small vessels of the mesoderm in mammals. Originally described in the mouse embryonic dorsal aorta, similar though not identical cells have been later identified and characterized from postnatal small vessels of skeletal muscle and heart (not described in this unit). They have in common the anatomical location, the expression of endothelial and/or pericyte markers, the ability to proliferate in culture, and the ability to undergo differentiation into various types of mesoderm cells upon proper culture conditions. Currently, the developmental origin of mesoangioblasts, their phenotypic heterogeneity, and the relationship with other mesoderm stem cells are not understood in detail and are the subject of active research. However, from a practical point of view, these cells have been successfully used in cell transplantation protocols that have yielded a significant rescue of structure and function in skeletal muscle of dystrophic mice and dogs. Since the corresponding human cells have been recently isolated and characterized, a clinical trial with these cells is planned in the near future. This unit provides detailed methods for isolation, culture, and characterization of mesoangioblasts. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 3:2B.1.1‐2B.1.29. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Preparation, characterization, crystal structure and bioactivity determination of ferrocenyl–thiazoleacylhydrazones
Authors: Zhang Jie
Published: January 2008

4‐Methylthiazole‐5‐carbohydrazide was synthesized by heating 85% hydrazine hydrate and methyl 4‐methylthiazole‐5‐carboxylate in ethanol. Ferrocenyl–thiazoleacyl hydrazones were synthesized by condensing hydrazide with formylferrocene or acetylferrocene in the presence of a few drops of ice acetic acid. The structures of the synthetical compounds were confirmed using elemental analysis, IR and 1H‐NMR. In addition, the structure of (E)‐N′‐ferrocenylidene‐4‐methylthiazole‐5‐carbohydrazide was confirmed by single crystal X‐ray diffraction analyse. The compound crystallized in the tetragonal space group, P4(2)/n with cell dimensions a = 21.041(3) Å, b = 21.041(3) Å, c = 7.1212(14) Å, β = 90.00° , V = 3152.6(9) Å3, Dcalc = 1.488 g cm−3, Z = 8, µ = 1.093 mm−1 and F(000) = 1456, and its structure was refined to R1 = 0.0423 and wR2 = 0.0871 for 2906 observed reflections (I > 2σ(I)). It showed the substituted cyclopentadiene ring to be approximately coplanar with the thiazole ring but a small twist between its two ring systems. In the crystal structure, molecules were linked by intermolecular hydrogen bonds NH···O bonds into closed eight‐membered loops and centrosymmetric dimers. The ferrocenyl–thiazoleacylhydrazone compounds were tested for their anti‐Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Reverse Transcriptase, anti‐Human Lung Cancer A549 cells and antibacterial bioactivities. It was found that they showed significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Esherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with minimum inhibitory concentration values in the range of 25.0–100.0 µg/ml. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and performance of water‐retention PEMs with nafion‐intercalating‐montmorillonite hybrid
Authors: Xiuchong He , Haolin Tang , Mu Pan
Published: January 2008

A proton exchange membrane modified with montmorillonite (MMT) was prepared by introducing perfluorosulfonylfluroride resin into the interlayer of MMT at high temperature and high pressure. The intercalating structure was analyzed by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and the results showed that the polymer was indeed intercalated into the interlayer of the modified montmorillonite (m‐MMT) matrix without destroying the microstructure of the matrix by largely increasing the d‐spacings of m‐MMT. SEM analysis on the surface and cross‐section of these composite membranes shows that the MMT nanoparticles are dispersed in the membrane uniformly. This composite membrane reveals excellent water retention and conductance at high temperature. The composite membrane was evaluated in a single cell, and the results show that the performance of composite membrane is higher than that of pure Nafion membrane at hightemperature especially without external‐humidification. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Experimental investigation into the selective laser sintering of high‐impact polystyrene
Authors: Shi Yusheng , Wang Yan , Chen Jibing , Huang Shuhuai
Published: January 2008

High‐impact polystyrene (HIPS) was used as selective laser sintering (SLS) material. The sintering parameters and the properties of sintered parts were investigated. The results show that sintered parts, which have good dimensional accuracy and good mechanical properties, can be fabricated with wide ranges of laser energy and bed temperature. To apply HIPS parts as functional parts, a reinforcement method, in which the sintered HIPS parts were postprocessed by infiltrating with epoxy resin, were suggested. The properties of the parts after postprocess were also studied. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Metal Vinylidenes as Catalytic Species in Organic Reactions
Authors: Trost Barry M. , McClory Andrew
Published: January 2008

Organic vinylidene species have found limited use in organic synthesis owing to their inaccessibility. In contrast, metal vinylidenes are much more stable and may be readily accessed through transition‐metal activation of terminal alkynes. These electrophilic species may be trapped by a number of nucleophiles. Additionally, metal vinylidenes can participate in pericyclic reactions and processes that involve migration of a metal ligand to the vinylidene species. This Focus Review addresses the reactions and applications of metal vinylidenes in organic synthesis.
Hemin reduces cellular sensitivity to imatinib and anthracyclins via Nrf2
Authors: Nagai Tadashi , Kikuchi Satoru , Ohmine Ken , Miyoshi Takuji , Nakamura Makiko , Kondo Takahito , Furuyama Kazumichi , Komatsu Norio , Ozawa Keiya
Published: January 2008

Heme plays an important biomodulating role in various cell functions. In this study, we examined the effects of hemin on cellular sensitivity to imatinib and other anti‐leukemia reagents. Hemin treatment of human BCR/ABL‐positive KCL22 leukemia cells increased IC50 values of imatinib, that is, the drug resistance, in a dose‐dependent manner without any change in the BCR/ABL kinase activity. Imatinib‐induced apoptosis was also suppressed by hemin treatment in KCL22 cells. Hemin treatment increased the activity of γ‐glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ‐GCS) light subunit gene promoter, which contains a Maf recognition element (MARE). Protein levels of γ‐GCS and heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), two MARE‐containing genes, were also increased after hemin treatment. Knockdown of Nrf2 expression by RNA interference largely abolished the effect of hemin on imatinib‐treated cells, suggesting that Nrf2 recognition of MARE is essential for the hemin‐mediated protective effect. Similar to hemin, treatment of cells with δ‐aminolevulinic acid (δ‐ALA), the obligatory heme precursor, also increased IC50 values of imatinib. In contrast, inhibition of cellular heme synthesis by succinylacetone increased the sensitivity of cells to imatinib in two imatinib‐resistant cell lines, KCL22/SR and KU812/SR. Hemin treatment also decreased the sensitivity of cells to four anthracyclins, daunorubicin, idarubicin, doxorubicin, and mitoxantrone, in BCR/ABL‐negative leukemia U937 and THP‐1 cells, as well as in KCL22 cells. These findings thus indicate that cellular heme level plays an important role in determining the sensitivity of cells to imatinib and certain other anti‐leukemia drugs and that the effect of heme may be mediated via its ability to upregulate Nrf2 activity. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 680–691, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Convergence and superconvergence analysis of an anisotropic nonconforming finite element methods for semisingularly perturbed reaction–diffusion problems
Authors: Zhu Guoqing , Chen Shaochun
Published: January 2008

The numerical approximation by a lower‐order anisotropic nonconforming finite element on appropriately graded meshes are considered for solving semisingular perturbation problems. The quasi‐optimal‐order error estimates are proved in the ε‐weighted H1‐norm valid uniformly, up to a logarithmic factor, in the singular perturbation parameter. By using the interpolation postprocessing technique, the global superconvergent error estimates in ε‐weighted H1‐norm are obtained. Numerical experiments are given to demonstrate validity of our theoretical analysis. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Porotic lesions in immature skeletons from Stara Torina, late medieval Serbia
Authors: Djuric M. , Milovanovic P. , Janovic A. , Draskovic M. , Djukic K. , Milenkovic P.
Published: January 2008

Porotic lesions of immature skeletons have been attracting scientific attention for more than a century. These changes have been documented worldwide and are considered to be one of the indicators of health and/or nutritional status of past human populations. These lesions have frequently been referred to as a nutritional stress indicator, a manifestation of iron‐deficiency anaemia, and a condition caused by chronic infections. In this study, 327 immature skeletons from the medieval graveyard of Stara Torina (Serbia) were examined for macroscopic signs of four types of porotic lesions: cribra orbitalia, femoral cribra, humeral cribra, and porotic hyperostosis. Femoral cribra was observed in 83.25% of femora, humeral cribra in 58.46% of cases, cribra orbitalia in 46.12% of orbits, while porotic hyperostosis was recorded in only 2.94% of skulls. The majority of skeletons affected by cribra presented symmetrical lesions. Association between all types of cribra was recorded in 33.33% of skeletons. Historical data supported the hypothesis that the investigated population was exposed to frequent infections, especially parasitic ones, which led to the development of porotic bone lesions via several mechanisms: parasite‐induced blood loss and diarrhoea (both iron and magnesium malabsorption) or anaemia as a hepcidin‐mediated body adaptive response to infection. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Copolymer of acrylonitrile/acrylic acid solid surface film dendrigrafted with citric acid
Authors: Akbari Somaye , Kish Mohammad H , Entezami Ali A
Published: January 2008

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present work was to improve the properties of acrylic polymer, which is a major fibre‐forming polymer. Acrylonitrile/acrylic acid copolymer, P(AN/AA), was chosen for this purpose and it was intended to study the condition for the formation of hydroxyl groups through the formation of hyperbranched polymers.

RESULTS: The synthesis of a dendritic polymer of citric acid (CA) in the solid phase on a P(AN/AA) core is described. The product was analysed using the elemental analysis technique and 1H NMR. Dendritic molecules were grown by a reaction between the carboxylic acid of acrylic acid and hydroxyl group of CA activated by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. Products were analysed using Fourier transform infrared and NMR spectroscopy.

CONCLUSION: The formation of CA dendrigraft on P(AN/AA) films in a heterogeneous system is possible. The percentage conversion of the copolymer reaction with CA was calculated based on the NMR results. The percentage conversion showed a gradual reduction with an increase in step numbers. The contact angle of water on the films was affected by the percentage conversion of the reactions. A calculation scheme is presented to show that the low degree of conversion leads to an increase in hydrophobic groups. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
The effects of temperature, humidity and rainfall on captan decline on apple leaves and fruit in controlled environment conditions
Authors: Xu Xiang‐Ming , Murray Roy A , Salazar Jose D , Hyder Kieran
Published: January 2008

BACKGROUND: Captan is an important fungicide for controlling diseases in horticultural crops. Predicting its dissipation is important for estimating dietary risks and optimising pesticide application. Experiments were conducted to determine the relationship of captan loss on apple leaves with temperature, humidity and rainfall, and to investigate captan loss on fruit in dry conditions.

RESULTS: There was large unit‐to‐unit variability in captan residues in spite of the controlled application. Temperature and humidity had negligible effects on captan loss. Captan loss is predominately due to washoff by rain, although a certain proportion of captan may bind to the plant surface tightly and hence may not be readily removed by rain. About 50% of captan can be washed off by as little as 1 mm of rain after an application, and the loss appeared not to relate to the amount of rain. Under dry conditions, daily loss of captan is estimated to be around 1% on both fruit and leaves, giving a half‐life of ca 70 days.

CONCLUSIONS: Captan loss on leaf and fruit surfaces is primarily due to rain washoff. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparison of dose responses and resistance ratios in four populations of the rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), to 20 insecticides
Authors: He Yue Ping , Gao Cong Fen , Chen Wen Ming , Huang Li Qin , Zhou Wei Jun , Liu Xu Gan , Shen Jin Liang , Zhu Yu Cheng
Published: January 2008

BACKGROUND: Chemical control is a major strategy for suppressing the rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker). Owing to their high toxicity and increasing resistance development in the target insect, many insecticides will be phased out entirely in 2007 in China. Alternatives with relatively low toxicity are urgently needed to replace traditional chemicals for rice stem borer control. In this study, the authors examined four field populations of C. suppressalis for their toxicological responses to more than 20 insecticides, including a few low‐toxicity organophosphates and many novel pesticides. Interpopulation resistance levels to 12 conventional insecticides were also compared.

RESULTS: Based on LD50 values, the rice stem borer was most sensitive to avermectins and fipronil (LD50 < 1 ng larva−1). The stem borers exhibited the least sensitivity to endosulfan (LD50 > 100 ng larva−1) and monosultap (LD50 > 1000 ng larva−1). Insect growth regulators and chitin synthase inhibitors showed great efficacy against C. suppressalis, especially against populations that had developed resistance to conventional insecticides. Four field populations showed variable tolerance levels to many insecticides. LYG05 was the most susceptible population, only with a low level of resistance to monosultap (RR = 6.6). NC05 and GL05 populations exhibited intermediate tolerance levels with RR values up to 20.4 and 52.8 respectively. RA05 was the most resistant population to many insecticides, with resistance ratios up to 76.2.

CONCLUSION: The results from this study provide valuable information for selection and adoption of new alternative insecticides and for resistance management of the rice stem borer. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
A Bayesian approach estimating treatment effects on biomarkers containing zeros with detection limits
Authors: Chu Haitao , Nie Lei , Kensler Thomas W.
Published: January 2008

Often in randomized clinical trials and observational studies in occupational and environmental health, a non‐negative continuously distributed response variable denoting some metabolites of environmental toxicants is measured in treatment and control groups. When observations occur in both unexposed and exposed subjects, the biomarker measurement can be bimodally distributed with an extra spike at zero reflecting those unexposed. In the presence of left censoring due to values falling below biomarker assay detection limits, those unexposed with true zeros are indistinguishable from those exposed with left‐censored values. Since interventions usually do not enhance or eliminate exposure, they do not have any impact on those unexposed. Thus, only the subset of individuals who are exposed should be used to make comparisons to estimate the effect of interventions. In this article, we present Bayesian approaches using non‐standard mixture distributions to account for true zeros. The performance of the proposed Bayesian methods is compared with the maximum likelihood methods presented in Chu et al. (Stat. Med. 2005; 24:2053–2067) through simulation studies and a randomized chemoprevention trial conducted in Qidong, People's Republic of China. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The results of Chiari pelvic osteotomy in adolescents with a brief literature review
Authors: Karami Mohsen , Fitoussi Franck , Ilharreborde Brice , Penneçot Georges-François , Mazda Keyvan , Bensahel Henri
Published: January 2008

Purpose

Chiari medial displacement osteotomy is a procedure that uses the cancellous bone of the ilium to contain the femoral head and bear weight. It is the most contraversial osteotomy of the hip joint. This study was therefore conducted to determine the results of this osteotomy with mid-term follow-up in children.

Methods

From 1995 to 2004, 20 Chiari pelvic osteotomies (in 18 patients) were performed. There were 15 male and 3 female patients. The average age at operation was 12.6 years and the mean follow-up was 54 months. The operative technique was as described by Chiari. An iliofemoral approach was used without utilizing a traction table. If there was anterior or anterolateral uncoverage of the femoral head, bone graft augmentation was performed.

Results

The angle of the osteotomy averaged 12°, with the distance from the acetabulum averaging 3.2 mm. The average displacement was 42%. Of the 20 Chiari osteotomies, 11 were categorized as excellent, 8 as good and one as fair in terms of clinical and radiological results. Student's t test statistics showed improvements in all radiologic parameters of the hip joint (Sharp angle, center-edge angle and coverage of the femoral head). Graft resorption was observed in 25% of the patients.

Conclusion

There are very rare indications of Chiari osteotomy in patients younger than 10 years. Because of the high rate of graft resorption, Chiari osteotomy should be the last treatment option when there is anterior or anterolateral uncoverage of the hip joint.
Delayed surgical treatment of supracondylar humerus fractures in children using a medial approach
Authors: Eren Abdullah , Güven Melih , Erol Bülent , Çakar Murat
Published: January 2008

Purpose

The appropriate management of supracondylar humerus fractures in children is frequently delayed due to various factors, and there is still no agreement on the treatment of choice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of delayed treatment of displaced supracondylar humerus fractures on the treatment results and complication rate.

Methods

A total of 31 children with supracondylar humerus fractures who had not received adequate treatment for their displaced fractures were included in this study. The conditions leading to delayed treatment mainly included severe swelling or skin problems around the elbow and the health facility problems unique to our district. The mean delaying time was 6 days (range 2–19 days). There were 24 males and 7 females with a mean age of 7 years (range 1–13 years). The fractures were classified as type III-A ( n = 15; 48%) and type III-B ( n = 16; 52%) according to Gartland. Surgical treatment consisting of sentiment manual reduction through a medial approach and percutaneous cross-pinning was applied to all. No image intensifier was used during the procedures. A long-arm splint was used for post-operative immobilization.

Results

The average hospital stay was 2 days (range 1–3 day) and the patients were followed clinically and radiographically for an average of 4 years (range 2–11 years). Pins were removed at the end of the third week post-operatively, at which time the range of motion exercises were begun. None of the patients required physical therapy and full functional recovery was achieved within 3 months in 29 (93.5%) patients and within 5 months in the remaining 2 (6.5%). Two (6.5%) pre-operative nerve injuries (1 interosseous, 1 ulnar) were resolved spontaneously within 3 months post-operatively. At the final follow-up, 7 (22.5%) patients had cubitus varus deformity. Except for 2 (6.5%) pin-tract infections, which were resolved by oral antibiotics and pin removal, none of the patients had early or late complications, not even neurological deficit or myositis ossificans.

Conclusions

Delayed presentation of displaced supracondylar humerus fractures in children did not increase complication rates or unsatisfactory results following an open reduction. Medial approach and cross-pinning is an effective and reliable treatment method for these fractures.
Treatment of fixed knee flexion deformity and crouch gait using distal femur extension osteotomy in cerebral palsy
Authors: de Morais Filho Mauro C. , Neves Daniella Lins , Abreu Fábio Peluzo , Juliano Yara , Guimarães Leandro
Published: January 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of distal femur extension osteotomy and medial hamstring lengthening in the treatment of fixed knee flexion deformity in patients with spastic diparetic cerebral palsy.

Methods

A retrospective study was done in a group of 12 diparetic cerebral palsy patients. A distal femur extension osteotomy was performed as part of multilevel surgery on lower limbs. The fixed knee flexion deformity was measured during physical examination, whereas hip and knee flexion in the stance phase and anterior pelvic tilt were both analyzed at kinematics. The pre- and post-surgery results were compared and analyzed statistically. A medical record review was done in order to identify the complications. The mean follow-up was 28 months.

Results

A significant reduction of fixed knee flexion deformity at physical examination and knee flexion in the stance phase at kinematics was observed, but with no decrease in hip flexion. As a non-desired effect, there was an increase in anterior pelvic tilt after surgical procedures. With regard to complications, a single patient had skin breakdown at a calcaneous area on one side and the recurrence of deformity was seen in 27% of cases.

Conclusions

In this study, in which fixed knee flexion deformity did not exceed 40° before surgery, the distal femur extension osteotomy was effective in increasing knee extension in the stance phase. However, an increase in anterior pelvic tilt, deformity recurrence and necessity for walking aids are possible complications of this procedure.
Methanogen genomics to discover targets for methane mitigation technologies and options for alternative H2 utilisation in the rumen
Authors: Attwood Graeme , McSweeney Christopher
Published: January 2008

Reducing ruminant methane emissions is an important objective for ensuring the sustainability of ruminant-based agriculture. Methane is formed in the rumen by methanogens (part of the domain Archaea), mainly from H2 and CO2. Methanogens from a wide range of habitats are being genome-sequenced to gain a better understanding of their biology and, in particular, to identify targets for inhibition technologies for gut-associated methanogens. Genome comparisons are identifying common genes that define a methanogen, while gene differences are providing an insight into adaptations that allow methanogen survival and persistence under different environmental conditions. Within the rumen microbial food web, methanogens perform the beneficial task of removing H2, which allows reduced cofactors to be reoxidised and recycled, thereby enhancing the breakdown and fermentation of plant material. Therefore, rumen methane mitigation strategies need to consider alternative routes of H2 utilisation in the absence (or decreased levels) of methanogenesis to maintain rumen function. Two main alternatives are possible: enhancing rumen microorganisms that carry out reductive acetogenesis (combining CO2 and H2 to form acetate) or promotion of organisms that consume reducing equivalents during the conversion of metabolic intermediates (malate, fumarate and crotonate) into propionate and butyrate. A better understanding of the role and scale of methane oxidation in the rumen may also lead to future options for methane mitigation.
The effect of increasing rates of nitrogen fertiliser and a nitrification inhibitor on nitrous oxide emissions from urine patches on sheep grazed hill country pasture
Authors: Hoogendoorn Coby J. , de Klein Cecile A. M. , Rutherford Alison J. , Letica Selai , Devantier Brian P.
Published: January 2008

Urine deposited by grazing animals represents the largest source of N2O emissions in New Zealand. Sheep-grazed hill pastures are an important component of New Zealand pastoral land, but information on N2O emissions from these areas is limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of increasing rates of fertiliser nitrogen and of a nitrification inhibitor on N2O emissions from urine patches. The study was carried out in grazed paddock-scale trials at the Ballantrae and Invermay Research Stations, New Zealand. The fertiliser N treatments were 0, 100, 300 and 750 (500 for Invermay) kg N/ha.year. Nitrous oxide measurements were conducted in the spring of 2005 and 2006, following applications of synthetic sheep urine with or without dicyandiamide (DCD) in these four N treatments. In both years and at both sites, N2O emissions increased with N fertiliser application rate in both urine and non-urine affected areas. The addition of DCD to the synthetic urine reduced N2O emissions from the urine affected areas during the measurement period by 60–80% at Ballantrae and by 40% at Invermay. The N2O emission factors for the artificial sheep urine (expressed as N2O-N lost as % of N applied) ranged from 0.01 to 1.06%, with the higher values generally found in the high N fertiliser treatments. The N2O emission factors were generally less than or similar to those from sheep urine applied to flat land pasture.
Impact of dicyandiamide application on nitrous oxide emissions from urine patches in northern Victoria, Australia
Authors: Kelly K. B. , Phillips F. A. , Baigent R.
Published: January 2008

Animal production systems in Australia are a significant contributor to nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from soil, with the Australian Greenhouse Gas Inventory attributing ~25% of the N2O emissions from agricultural soils to animal production. Recent studies in New Zealand using dicyandiamide (DCD) in association with the application of urine to pastoral soil have reported reductions in N2O emission of up to 78% and reduced nitrate leaching of up to 45%. As such, the application of DCD to grazed pastures offers potential to reduce emissions resulting directly from animal production.
This study was conducted on a border-check irrigated perennial pasture used for dairy production in northern Victoria. Automated enclosure chambers were linked to a fourier transformed infrared spectrometer to determine N2O emissions. The three treatments were a control, dairy cow urine (1000 kg N/ha) and dairy cow urine (1000 kg N/ha) with DCD included (10 kg/ha). The treatments were applied in mid-spring (15 September 2005) and again in mid-summer (25 January 2006) to a new area of pasture with N2O emissions measured for 120 and 70 days, respectively. Soil temperature and soil water content were monitored continuously. Soil inorganic-N was measured (0–100 mm) every 7 to 14 days for up to 120 days. Application of DCD reduced N2O emissions from a urine patch by 47% when applied in mid-spring and 27% when applied in mid-summer. The impact of the application of DCD on emissions from single urine patches lasted for ~50 days in mid-spring and 25 days in mid-summer. These reductions are lower than those reported in New Zealand studies and are likely to be related to soil conditions, principally temperature.
The surface application of DCD has potential to reduce emissions from urine patches in northern Victoria; however, the effects are likely to be short-lived given the soil temperatures and high clay content typical of many Australian soils. More research is required to examine emission reduction options that are cost effective for animal production systems.
Predicting livestock productivity and methane emissions in northern Australia: development of a bio-economic modelling approach
Authors: Charmley E. , Stephens M. L. , Kennedy P. M.
Published: January 2008

Enteric fermentation from livestock is a large source of methane, which has a global warming potential 23 times that of carbon dioxide. In Australia, enteric emissions from the livestock sector contribute 10% of Australia’s greenhouse gases. The northern Australian beef industry about 16 million animals is a major contributor to these emissions. However, relative to temperate systems, comparatively little research has been conducted on enteric methane emissions from tropical feeding systems. This paper describes a modelling approach that estimates cattle methane emissions for various bioregions of northern Australia. The approach incorporates a metabolisable energy based model of animal production linked to a property herd economic model. This provides a flexible tool to evaluate animal and property herd dynamics on regional methane yields and liveweight productivity, as well as to assess financial impacts. The model predicts that an important determinant of methane output per unit of product is reduced days to market. Reduced days to market may be achieved through a range of energy supplementation and marketing strategies.
The dermis contains langerin+ dendritic cells that develop and function independently of epidermal Langerhans cells
Authors: Poulin Lionel Franz , Henri Sandrine , de Bovis Béatrice , Devilard Elisabeth , Kissenpfennig Adrien , Malissen Bernard
Published: January 2008

Langerhans cells (LCs) constitute a subset of dendritic cells (DCs) that express the lectin langerin and that reside in their immature state in epidermis. Paradoxically, in mice permitting diphtheria toxin (DT)–mediated ablation of LCs, epidermal LCs reappeared with kinetics that lagged behind that of their putative progeny found in lymph nodes (LNs). Using bone marrow (BM) chimeras, we showed that a major fraction of the langerin+, skin-derived DCs found in LNs originates from a developmental pathway that is independent from that of epidermal LCs. This pathway, the existence of which was unexpected, originates in the dermis and gives rise to langerin+ dermal DCs (DDCs) that should not be confused with epidermal LCs en route to LNs. It explains that after DT treatment, some langerin+, skin-derived DCs reappear in LNs long before LC-derived DCs. Using CD45 expression and BrdU-labeling kinetics, both LCs and langerin+ DDCs were found to coexist in wild-type mice. Moreover, DT-mediated ablation of epidermal LCs opened otherwise filled niches and permitted repopulation of adult noninflammatory epidermis with BM-derived LCs. Our results stress that the langerin+ DC network is more complex than originally thought and have implications for the development of transcutaneous vaccines and the improvement of humanized mouse models.
Macrophages and nitric oxide: A deadly combination
Authors: Ruttimann Jacqueline
Published: January 2008

In the late 1980s, Carl Nathan and colleagues pinpointed nitric oxide (NO) as a molecule that macrophages use to kill tumor cells. This discovery helped verify the role of radicals as signaling molecules in the immune system.
The encyrtid genus Amira, parasites of spider eggs (Hymenoptera)
Authors: NOYES JOHN S.
Published: January 2008

Abstract. The monotypic encyrtid genus, Bregmencyrtus Annecke, 1974, is synonymized with Amira Girault, 1913, and Annecke's definition of Bregmencyrtus is expanded to include Amira fabrei Girault. The two species are keyed and a partial redescription of Amira fabrei Girault is presented.
The marine midge Pontomyia (Chironomidae) with a description of females of P.oceana Tokunaga
Authors: CHENG LANNA , HASHIMOTO H.
Published: January 2008

A key is provided to both sexes of the four species of Pontomyia; cottoni Womersley, natans Edwards, oceana Tokunaga, pacifica Tokunaga. This genus is widespread in the western Pacific Ocean. Adult females are vermiform. Adult males have normal halteres but reduced wings; they are unusual among Chironomidae in having bare, not plumose antennae.
The African species ofTheganopteryx(Blattaria, Ectobiidae)
Authors: Kumar R. , Prinis K.
Published: January 2008

AbstractTwenty‐one species of the genusTheganopteryxare known from Africa and the genus is probably confined to this continent. A key is provided to the males of twenty species, and eight new species are described:affinisShelford;bivitattaPrincis;bredoisp.n.;camerunensisShelford;dimorphaPrincis;fantasticaShelford;flavescenssp.n.;heterogamiaPrincis;ituriensisRehn;kivuensissp.n.;luciduBrunner;nitidaBorg;notataShelford;obscuraShelford;propinquasp.n.;remotevittata(Werner);rhodesiaeShelford;shabaenissp.n.;shelfordisp.n.;simillimasp.n.;villiersisp.n. Notes are given on eighteen further species of doubtful identity which have hitherto been included inTheganopteiyx, and one of these, perspicillaris Karny, is transferred to a new genusTheganosilpha.
The genus Neurosema (Psocoptera, Calopsocidae) from New Guinea
Authors: New T.R.
Published: January 2008

Abstract Three species of Neurosema are recognized: N.apicalis McLachlan (redescribed, lectotype designated), N. sp. (N.apicalis sensu Enderlein – mis‐identification) and N.pulchra sp.n., and a key to these is given. Separation of genera in the Calopsocidae is briefly discussed.
Descriptions and key to the genera of the nymphs of British woodland Typhlocybinae (Homoptera)
Authors: Wilson M.R.
Published: January 2008

Abstract The nymphs of all recorded genera of tree and shrub associated Typhlocybinae in Britain have been studied and at least forty‐four species examined. Descriptions of fifteen genera (Alebra. Kybos, Empoasca. Fagocyba. Ossiannilssonola, Edwardsiana, Eupterycyba, Linnavuoriana, Youngiada, Ribautiana, Typhlocyba. Eurhadina, Aguriahana. Alnetoidia. Zygina) are given. A key to final instar nymphs based primarily on characters of the head and pronotum is provided. Separate keys to three species of Ribautiana and the five British species of Eurhadina are also given.
The West Indian species of Encyrtidae described by L. D. Howard, 1894 and 1897 (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea)
Authors: NOYES JOHN S.
Published: January 2008

Abstract.The following species of encyrtids described by Howard (1894, 1897) from St Vincent and Grenada are redescribed or dealt with in some other way. The current generic placements and synonymies are indicated in parentheses.Archinus occupants (Archinus), Aphycus amoenus (Metaphycuscomb.n.),Aratus scutellatus(=brasiliensisSubba Rao syn.n.,Zeteticontus), Blastothrix insolitus(Anagyruscomb.n.),Bothriothorax insularis (Zeteticontus), Cerchysius terebratus (Anagyrus), Cerchysius pulchricornis (Anagyrus), Chieloneurus funiculus(=cupreicollisAshmead syn.n.,Cheiloneurus), Cheiloneurus nigrescens(=longisetaceusDe Santis syn.n.,Cheiloneurus), Copidosoma diversicomis (Apoanagyruscomb.n.),Encyrtus argentipes (Zaomma), Encyrtus crassus(=Encyrtus gargarisWalker syn.n. =Giraultella lopesiCosta Lima & Ferreira syn. n,Coelopencyrtuscomb.n.),Encyrtus conformis (Encyrtus), Encyrtus convexus (= Encyrtus nitidus(Howard) syn. n.),Encyrtus flaviclavus (Encyrtus), Encyrtus hirtus (Hunterelluscomb.n.),Encyrtus moderatus (= Adelencyrtus femoralisCompere & Annecke syn. n. =Adelencyrtus miyaraiTachikawa syn. n.,Adelencyrtuscomb.n.),Encyrtus nitidus(=Protyndarichus proximusDe Santis syn. n.,Protyndarichuscomb.n.),Encyrtus quadricolor (Encyrtus), Encyrtus rotundiformis (Psyllaephaguscomb.n.),Encyrtus sordidus (Forcipestriciscomb.n.),Encyrtus submetallicus (Ooencyrtus), Habrolepoidea glauca (Habrolepoidea)andHomalopoda cristata (Homalopoda). XiphomastixDe Santis is synonymized withAnagyrusHowards (syn. n.), both included species (X. nigricepsDe Santis andX. bellatorDe Santis) being transferred to the latter.PropsyllaephagusBlanchard is synonymized withPsyllaephagusAshmead (syn.n),Aratiscus laevigatusDe Santis is transferred toZeteticontusSilvestri (comb n.) and a key to the South American species of the genus is provided.
The Neptis butterflies (Nymphalidae) of Ghana
Authors: USHER M. B.
Published: January 2008

Abstract. Neptis melicertula is regarded as the West African subspecies of N. trigonophora Butler, a species previously known only from East, Central and South Africa. N. mixophyes Holland and N. nicobule Holland are redescribed, N. nicodice Grünberg is placed as a synonym of N. mixophyes, and Eltringham's (1922) key to the Neptis species of the Ethiopian Region is modified to include these species. A list is given of twenty‐one species known to occur, or likely to occur, in Ghana. Following a principal co‐ordinate analysis, there is a discussion of the taxonomic importance of white marks in the forewing ceE and of interior structures on the male valvae.