bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic plasticity of Ammannia spp. in competition with rice
Authors: CATON B. P. , FOIN T. C. , HILL J. E.
Published: July 2006

The annual broadleaved weeds Ammannia auriculata Wild, and A. coccinea Rottb. are widespread and competitive in California rice (Oryza sativa L.) fields. We studied Ammannia spp. biology in a greenhouse pot experiment. Weeds were grown alone and in competition with rice (cv. M–202), and harvested six times over 122 days. Compared with growth alone, competition reduced Ammannia spp. total plant dry weight (DW), shoot DW and leaf area in all but the first harvest. However, weed height differed at only one harvest (85 days after planting). Ammannia spp. responded to competition with increased shoot:root DW ratios, increased stem:other shoot DW ratios, decreased stem diameters, fewer but elongated internodes and fewer branches. This suggests that light capture was more important than nutrient capture for maintaining Ammannia spp. growth. The weeds appear to lodge easily in rice fields because competitive growth responses make them top heavy and unstable. Weed seed DW declined by 97% in competition, which showed the importance of crop interference to Ammannia spp. control. Plasticity may help Ammannia spp. to escape common control practices (e.g. high crop plant densities or early herbicide application), and probably contributes to its widespread distribution. Thus, Ammannia spp. plasticity should be more fully considered when designing management strategies.
Early Rearing Conditions Affect the Development of Body Size and Song in Bengalese Finches
Authors: Soma Masayo , Takahasi Miki , Ikebuchi Maki , Yamada Hiroko , Suzuki Madoka , Hasegawa Toshikazu , Okanoya Kazuo
Published: July 2006

Birdsong is an acoustic ornament. According to indicator models, a trait must be costly to act as an honest signal, but the potential costs of elaborate songs are still poorly understood. The developmental stress hypothesis suggests that learned song characteristics could be an honest indicator of early developmental conditions because the brain structures associated with learning songs are susceptible to early developmental stress, which could thus affect song development. Unlike previous studies of developmental stress that examined the effect of a stress hormone or restricted nutrition, we observed Bengalese finches under semi‐natural breeding conditions in captivity to investigate the relationship between early rearing conditions (e.g., brood size and sex ratio) and the subsequent variation in body size and song among individuals. Our results suggest that the early rearing environment directly affects body size and song complexity, whereas song output is determined mainly by body size. These results support the developmental stress hypothesis. Moreover, our findings are the first to show that developmental condition affects not only the number of note types but also the syntactical complexity of the song.
The Occurrence of Campylobacter Species in Hungarian Broiler Chickens from Farm to Slaughter
Authors: Jozwiak A. , Reichart O. , Laczay P.
Published: July 2006

The reported number of human enteric diseases caused by thermotolerant campylobacters increased in the last few decades worldwide. The microorganism gets into the food chain mostly with poultry meat or meat products. We are not aware of the way the campylobacters infect the broiler flocks, and there is little information about the real prevalence, about the reaction of thermotolerant campylobacters to the environmental factors and about the possibilities of elimination of the bacteria from the food chain. As a part of the long study, samples were collected from a broiler flock from the first day of life to the slaughter of the animals, in summer and in winter. In the summer period, at the first two sampling days (days 0 and 12) all of the samples were negative. At day 26, one cloaca sample, one sample from the surface of the wall near the ventilation aperture and an insect‐sample were positive. At day 42, we found Campylobacter spp. on every sampling point at the slaughterhouse. In the winter period, we could not find Campylobacter spp. either from 0 day old, or from 10‐ and 31‐day‐old chickens, but we found them at 42 days of age on the slaughter plant. At the slaughtering place, 93.3% of the live birds were infected with Campylobacter spp., and at the end of the processing line, the infection rate was 100%. We could isolate campylobacters from the hands of the workers and from the processing environment as well. Out of the positive samples, 95.5% was contaminated with Campylobacter jejuni.
Effects of thalidomide in experimental models of post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis
Authors: Xiong Guang‐Su , Wu Shu‐Ming , Wang Zhen‐Hua , Mo Jian‐Zhong , Xiao Shu‐Dong
Published: July 2006

Background:  Tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis and related systemic complications. The authors hypothesized that it may also play an important role in the development of pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of thalidomide, an immunomodulator that exerts an inhibitory action on TNF‐α by enhancing mRNA degradation, in reducing post‐ERCP pancreatitis in a rat model.

Methods:  A total of 200 mg/kg thalidomide was given intragastric once a day (total 8 days) before the experimental models of post‐ERCP pancreatitis were established. After 24 h, histology and edema of pancreas, serum amylase, and TNF‐α mRNA in the pancreatic tissue were evaluated.

Results:  Intraductal contrast infusion caused increases in serum amylase, edema, histological grade, and TNF‐α mRNA of pancreas. The prophylactic use of thalidomide significantly reduced serum amylase, pancreatic edema and the histologic grade of pancreatitis accompanied by a decrease in mRNA expression of TNF‐α in the pancreatic tissue.

Conclusions:  Prophylactic intragastric administration of thalidomide provides a protective effect in post‐ERCP pancreatitis. The mechanism of the protective effects of thalidomide seems to be the reduction of expression of TNF‐α mRNA in pancreatic tissue.
Effects of isothiocyanates on purple (Cyperus rotundus L.) and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.)
Authors: NORSWORTHY JASON K. , MALIK MAYANK S. , JHA PRASHANT , OLIVEIRA MARCOS J.
Published: July 2006

Purple and yellow nutsedge are two of the most troublesome weeds in the world. In the south‐eastern USA, both weeds are common in vegetable crops and are the most difficult weeds to control in this region. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the herbicidal activity of five liquid isothiocyanates (ITCs) (benzoyl, o‐tolyl, m‐tolyl, tert‐octyl, and 3‐fluorophenyl) on purple and yellow nutsedge. All ITCs were applied to soil in jars at 0, 100, 1000, 5000, and 10 000 nmol g−1 of soil and sealed for 72 h to prevent gaseous losses, followed by nutsedge growth evaluations after an additional 18 days. All ITCs reduced purple and yellow nutsedge shoot density and shoot biomass over the concentrations evaluated, with differences in the effectiveness on each species apparent among the compounds. Based on the lethal concentration values for shoot density, all ITCs were more effective in suppressing purple nutsedge than yellow nutsedge. Benzoyl and 3‐fluorophenyl were generally the most effective of the five ITCs evaluated.
Taxonomic revision and phylogenetic analysis of the genusTambjaBurn, 1962 (Mollusca, Nudibranchia, Polyceridae)
Authors: Pola Marta , Cervera J. Lucas , Gosliner Terrence M.
Published: July 2006

This paper discusses the systematics and phylogeny of the genusTambjaBurn, 1962 throughout tropical and temperate areas in the Atlantic, eastern Pacific and Indo‐Pacific. The phylogenetic relationships withinTambjaare unknown and a comprehensive taxonomic revision is necessary in order to construct a phylogeny of the genus. To date,Tambjacomprises 28 nominal species, 22 of which have been examined morphologically based on newly collected and type material. The reproductive systems of four species (T. limaciformis(Eliot, 1908),T. sagamiana(Baba, 1955),T. amakusana, Baba, 1987 andT. olivaria, Yonow, 1993) were studied for the first time and two species previously considered as valid,Tambja morosa(Bergh, 1877) andTambja kushimotoensisBaba, 1987, are here synonymized. Of the remaining six nominal species, no additional material has been found since their original description. The holotypes of three (T. diaphana(Bergh, 1877),T. gratiosa(Bergh, 1890) andT. marbellensisSchick & Cervera, 1998) have been re‐examined and the original descriptions improved.Tambja diaphanais regarded asnomen dubium.Tambja amitina(Eliot, 1905),T. divae(Marcus, 1958) andT. anayanaOrtea, 1989 remain as valid species until further comparison with new specimens can be made. New structures are also described for several taxa. Morphological and anatomical data from 22 nominalTambjaspecies have been used to construct a phylogeny. The phylogenetic analysis rejects the monophyly ofTambjaand shows its preliminary relationships within the subfamily Nembrothinae.
Molecular phylogeny of the Greek populations of the genus Ligidium (Isopoda, Oniscidea) using three mtDNA gene segments
Authors: Klossa‐Kilia Elena , Kilias George , Tryfonopoulos George , Koukou Katerina , Sfenthourakis Spyros , Parmakelis Aristeidis
Published: July 2006

The phylogeny of Greek populations of the terrestrial isopod genus Ligidium is reconstructed based on three mtDNA gene segments: 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA and COI. Two widely distributed European species, as well as three outgroups belonging to different isopod genera, were also included in the analyses. The samples used represent almost all Ligidium species known to occur in Greece, as well as several populations of unknown specific status plus some new records. Phylogenetic analyses of the combined data set were performed using Bayesian inference and maximum parsimony. The two main sister clades with good support indicate the sympatric differentiation of two lineages in southern continental Greece (Peloponnisos), where Ligidium populations exhibit a mosaic distribution of sibling species. The insular populations of the Aegean Islands show increased genetic divergence and form separate clades. The presence of a third lineage of Asiatic origin is strongly suggested by both the molecular phylogeny and morphology. The only presumably valid diagnostic morphological character exhibits only partial correspondence to well supported clades of the molecular phylogeny. Genetic differentiation between populations is very high, a fact that can be attributed to the strict ecological specialization of these animals that leads to increased levels of isolation even between populations that are in close proximity. As a consequence, Greek Ligidium populations, especially those present on islands, are unique genetic pools and extremely vulnerable to extinction.
Comparative study of the polaroid and digital non‐mydriatic cameras in the detection of referrable diabetic retinopathy in Australia
Authors: Phiri R. , Keeffe J. E. , Harper C. A. , Taylor H. R.
Published: July 2006

Aim  To show that the non‐mydriatic retinal camera (NMRC) using polaroid film is as effective as the NMRC using digital imaging in detecting referrable retinopathy.

Methods  A series of patients with diabetes attending the eye out‐patients department at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital had single‐field non‐mydriatic fundus photographs taken using first a digital and then a polaroid camera. Dilated 30° seven‐field stereo fundus photographs were then taken of each eye as the gold standard. The photographs were graded in a masked fashion. Retinopathy levels were defined using the simplified Wisconsin Grading system. We used the κ statistics for inter‐reader and intrareader agreement and the generalized linear model to derive the odds ratio.

Results  There were 196 participants giving 325 undilated retinal photographs. Of these participants 111 (57%) were males. The mean age of the patients was 68.8 years. There were 298 eyes with all three sets of photographs from 154 patients. The digital NMRC had a sensitivity of 86.2%[95% confidence interval (CI) 65.8, 95.3], whilst the polaroid NMRC had a sensitivity of 84.1% (95% CI 65.5, 93.7). The specificities of the two cameras were identical at 71.2% (95% CI 58.8, 81.1). There was no difference in the ability of the polaroid and digital camera to detect referrable retinopathy (odds ratio 1.06, 95% CI 0.80, 1.40, P = 0.68).

Conclusion  This study suggests that non‐mydriatic retinal photography using polaroid film is as effective as digital imaging in the detection of referrable retinopathy in countries such as the USA and Australia or others that use the same criterion for referral.
Relationship of glucose concentrations with PAI‐1 and t‐PA in subjects with normal glucose tolerance
Authors: Heldgaard P. E. , Sidelmann J. J. , Hindsberger C. , Olivarius N. de F. , Henriksen J. E. , Gram J.
Published: July 2006

Aims  To study metabolic risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including markers of the fibrinolytic system in relation to blood glucose levels in subjects with normal glucose tolerance and fasting blood glucose levels below 5.6 mmol/l.

Methods  Cross‐sectional, community‐based study from a primary health‐care centre of adult subjects with normal glucose tolerance. Analysis of fasting and 2‐h post‐load blood glucose concentrations were centralized and related to anthropometric characteristics, metabolic variables, inflammatory markers, and coagulation and fibrinolytic variables.

Results  Increasing fasting blood glucose concentrations within the normal range in subjects with normal glucose tolerance were associated with increasing age, body mass index, and waist circumference, and with increasing concentrations of metabolic risk factors for development of CVD. After adjustment for gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and fasting insulin, levels of plasmin activator inhibitor (PAI‐1) and tissue type plasminogen activator (t‐PA) increased significantly with increasing levels of fasting glucose within the normal range (P = 0.012 and P < 0.0001, respectively).

Conclusions  We found risk factors for CVD, specifically key components of the fibrinolytic system, PAI‐1 and t‐PA, increased with increasing fasting glucose levels even in subjects with normal glucose tolerance. This observation may help to explain the increased risk of CVD with increasing values of fasting glucose in the normal range.
Inertial properties of hominoid limb segments
Authors: Isler Karin , Payne Rachel C. , Günther Michael M. , Thorpe Susannah K. S. , Li Yu , Savage Russell , Crompton Robin H.
Published: July 2006

Quantitative, accurate data regarding the inertial properties of body segments are of paramount importance when developing musculo‐skeletal locomotor models of living animals and, by inference, their ancestors. The limited number of available primate cadavers, and the destructive nature of the post‐mortem, result in such data being very rare for primates. This study builds on the work of Crompton et al. (Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 1996, 99, 547–570) and reports inertial properties of the body segments of gorillas, chimpanzees, orang‐utans and gibbons. Segment mass, centre of mass and the radius of gyration of five ape cadavers were measured using a complex‐pendulum technique and compared with the results derived from external measurements of segment lengths and diameters on the same animals. With additional data from external measurements of eight more hominoid cadavers, and published data, intergeneric differences between the inertial properties and the distribution of mass between limb segments are analysed and related to the locomotor habits of the species. We found that segment inertial properties show extensive overlap between ape genera as a result of large interindividual variation. Segment mass distribution also overlaps between apes and humans, with the exception of the shank segment. However, owing to a different distribution of mass between the limb segments, the centre of mass of both the arms and the legs is located more distally in apes than in humans, and the natural pendular period of ape forelimbs is larger than that of the hindlimbs. This suggests that, in contrast to the limbs of cursorial mammals and cercopithecoid primates, hominoid limbs are not optimized for efficiency in quadrupedal walking, but rather reflect a compromise between various locomotor modes. Common chimpanzees may have secondarily evolved a more efficient quadrupedal gait.
Myosin heavy chain isoform transitions in canine skeletal muscles during postnatal growth
Authors: Štrbenc Malan , Smerdu Vika , Pogačnik Azra , Fazarinc Gregor
Published: July 2006

To gain a better understanding of the normal characteristics of developing canine muscles, myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform expression was analysed in the axial and limb skeletal muscles of 18 young dogs whose ages ranged from the late prenatal stage to 6 months. We compared the results of immunohistochemistry using ten monoclonal antibodies, specific to different MHC isoforms, and enzyme‐histochemical reactions, which demonstrate the activity of myofibrillar ATPase, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and α‐glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (α‐GPDH). In the skeletal muscles of fetuses and neonatal dogs the developmental isoforms MHC‐emb and MHC‐neo were prevalent. In all muscles the primary fibres, located centrally in each muscle fascicle, strongly expressed the slow isoform MHC‐I. The adult fast isoform MHC‐IIa was first noted in some of the secondary fibres on fetal day 55. During the first 10 days after birth, the expression of MHC‐emb declined, as did that of MHC‐neo during the second and third weeks. Correspondingly, the expression of MHC‐IIa, and later, of MHC‐I increased in the secondary fibres. Between the sixth week and second month the expression of MHC‐IIx became prominent. The slow rhomboideus muscle exhibited an early expression of the slow isoform in the secondary fibres. Our results indicate that the timing of muscle maturation depends on its activity immediately following birth. The fastest developing muscle was the diaphragm, followed by the fast muscles. A pronounced changeover from developmental to adult isoforms was noted at 4–6 weeks of age, which coincides with the increased physical activity of puppies.
Fine‐scale genetic structure, co‐founding and multiple mating in the Australian allodapine bee (Exoneura robusta)
Authors: Repaci V. , Stow A. J. , Briscoe D. A.
Published: July 2006

Despite the role of Australian native bees in important ecological processes, surprisingly little is known of their population structuring. In this study five microsatellite loci were used to investigate genetic structuring of the allodapine bee Exoneura robusta sampled from four locations (maximum pairwise distance c. 35 km) in the Mountain Ash forests of Victoria. Although E. robusta would seem to have high dispersal ability, several analyses show significant population subdivision and a strong pattern of isolation‐by‐distance from which limited gene flow was inferred. Limited gene flow was not associated with inbreeding at the within‐colony level, and within‐colony genetic structure implied co‐founding, multiple breeding pairs and some degree of reproductive skew. Strong population structure at such fine scales suggests that substantially divergent populations are likely within the extensive distribution currently ascribed to E. robusta.
Development of a Standardized Patient Instructor to Teach Functional Assessment and Communication Skills to Medical Students and House Officers
Authors: Williams Brent C. , Hall Karen E. , Supiano Mark A. , Fitzgerald James T. , Halter Jeffrey B.
Published: July 2006

Professional societies have called for increased geriatrics training for all medical students and physicians.

A Geriatrics Standardized Patient Instructor (GSPI) was developed in which learners assess the functional status of a patient preparing for hospital discharge. Standardized patients (SPs) rate learners on functional assessment and communication skills, and provide feedback.

Seventeen SPs were trained. Correlations of ratings by SPs with ratings by three geriatricians of videotaped encounters indicated good reliability (correlation coefficient=0.69 and 0.70 for functional assessment and communication skills, respectively). Results from two learner groups illustrated the utility and feasibility of the GSPI. First, 138 house officers in nine specialties experienced the GSPI as a formative evaluation during implementation of new geriatrics curricula. Mean scores±standard deviation (on a 100‐point scale) for functional assessment and communication skills were 78±16 and 86±11, respectively. House officers rated the overall experience positively (mean rating (1=poor, 5=excellent) 3.9±0.8). Second, 171 first‐year medical students (M1 s) encountered the GSPI as part of an intense, multimodal educational intervention. Mean scores on functional assessment and communication skills were 93±10 and 93±7, respectively. Mean overall rating of the experience by M1 s was 4.1±0.8.

After demonstrated success as a teaching tool in these two groups of learners, the GSPI has been successfully used with second‐ and third‐year (M3) medical students and house officers from a total of 12 specialties and incorporated into multistation Objective Standardized Clinical Examination exercises for incoming house officers and M3 s.

Unlike existing diagnosis‐oriented SPs, the GSPI can be used to assess and teach geriatrics skills to physician learners across disciplines and levels of training.
Tissue Doppler Imaging Analysis at Pre‐Cardioversion Time Predicts Recurrent Atrial Fibrillation: A 12‐Month Follow‐Up Study
Authors: PARASKEVAIDIS IOANNIS A. , VARTELA VASSILIKI , TSIAPRAS DIMITRIOS , ILIODROMITIS EFSTATHIOS K. , PARISSIS JOHN , FARMAKIS DIMITRIOS , KREMASTINOS DIMITRIOS TH.
Published: July 2006

Introduction: Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) has been extensively used in several clinical settings. We aimed to investigate whether TDI can predict recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods and Results: Seventy‐four consecutive patients (aged 62.6 ± 11.7 years) with AF (>48 hours and <6 months of duration) who underwent successful external electrical direct current cardioversion and 20 healthy individuals were enrolled. Conventional echocardiography and TDI were prospectively performed before cardioversion. Based on a cutoff point of 5.43 cm/sec for the negative systolic wave velocity (NSWV), derived by the normal controls (mean + 2 SD), patients were divided into Group I (36 patients) with a NSWV >5.43 cm/sec and Group II (38 patients) with NSWV ≤5.43 cm/sec. In Group I, 27.8% of patients were in sinus rhythm at 6 months, but had episodes of asymptomatic paroxysmal AF lasting >48 hours; all patients were in AF at 12 months. In Group II, all patients were in sinus rhythm at 12 months. However, those patients presenting with a NSWV less but near to 5 cm/sec had frequent episodes of asymptomatic paroxysmal AF lasting for <48 hours.

Conclusion: One year after successful direct current cardioversion, TDI analysis at pre‐cardioversion time may be a useful marker to identify a subgroup of patients with increased risk for AF recurrence.
Adenosine Can Also Improve the Conduction Between the Superior Vena Cava and Right Atrium After Isolation
Authors: YAMADA TAKUMI , MURAKAMI YOSHIMASA , PLUMB VANCE J. , KAY G. NEAL
Published: July 2006

A 64‐year‐old man with atrial tachycardia (AT) 3 years after a superior vena cava (SVC) isolation for atrial fibrillation underwent electrophysiologic testing. SVC mapping with a basket catheter revealed a more frequent activation in the SVC than in either of the atria during the AT and consequently the recovered conduction between the SVC and right atrium. The conduction improved from 3 or 4–1 conduction to 2–1 conduction after adenosine was administered. Ectopic firing in the SVC persisted even after restoration of sinus rhythm by the successful SVC isolation, which was confirmed by adenosine.
Impaired Endothelial Function in Patients with Myocardial Bridge
Authors: Zoghi Mehdi , Duygu Hamza , Nalbantgil Sanem , Kirilmaz Bahadir , Turk Ugur , Ozerkan Filiz , Akilli Azem , Akin Mustafa , Turkoglu Cuneyt
Published: July 2006

Objective: The relationship between myocardial bridging (MB) and ischemic heart disease is still controversial. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the existing atherosclerosis and noninvasive endothelial function of brachial artery in patients with MB. Methods: The present study included 50 patients (group I) who had MB in left anterior descending (LAD) on coronary angiography. All of the coronary artery segments were evaluated by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Endothelial function was assessed with measurement of flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) and nitrate‐dependent dilatation in the brachial artery. The study also included 30 healthy control subjects (group II). Patients in the group I were further subdivided into two subgroups based on the findings on IVUS: group IA included 20 patients without atherosclerotic lesions and group IB included 30 patients with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in addition to MB. Results: FMD values were found to be significantly lower in the patients with MB (group I) than in the control (6.4 ± 3% vs 11 ± 4%, P <0.001). In regard to FMD values in subgroups, FMD was 7 ± 2% in the group IA and 5.8 ± 1% in the group IB (P = 0.023). On IVUS, atherosclerotic plaque was found proximal to the bridge in the same coronary artery segment in addition to MB in 75% of the patients in group I (group IB). No atherosclerotic plaque was found in within or distal segments of MB. Conclusion: Endothelial function is impaired in patients with MB and there is an increased tendency for atherosclerosis proximal to the bridge in the patients with MB. Endothelial dysfunction is more severe in the patients with atherosclerosis proximal to the bridge.
Activation of activating transcription factor 2 by p38 MAP kinase during apoptosis induced by human amylin in cultured pancreatic β‐cells
Authors: Zhang Shaoping , Liu Hong , Liu Junxi , Tse Cynthia A. , Dragunow Michael , Cooper Garth J. S.
Published: July 2006

Amylin‐mediated islet β‐cell death is implicated in diabetogenesis. We previously reported that fibrillogenic human amylin (hA) evokes β‐cell apoptosis through linked activation of Jun N‐terminal kinase 1 (JNK 1) and a caspase cascade. Here we show that p38 kinase [p38 mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase] became activated by hA treatment of cultured β‐cells whereas extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) did not; by contrast, nonfibrillogenic rat amylin (rA) altered neither. Pretreatment with the p38 kinase‐inhibitor SB203580 decreased hA‐induced apoptosis and caspase‐3 activation by ∼30%; as did combined SB203580 and JNK inhibitor I, by about 70%; and the combination of SB203580, the JNK inhibitor I and a caspase‐8 inhibitor, by 100%. These findings demonstrate the requirement for concurrent activation of the p38 kinase, JNK and caspase‐8 pathways. We further showed that hA elicits time‐dependent activation of activating transcription factor 2 (ATF‐2), which was largely suppressed by SB203580, indicating that this activation is catalyzed mainly by p38 kinase. Furthermore, hA‐induced apoptosis was suppressed by specific antisense ATF‐2, and increased phospho‐ATF‐2 (p‐ATF‐2) was associated with increased CRE (cAMP‐response element) DNA binding and CRE‐mediated transcriptional activity, as well as enhancement of c‐jun promoter activation. We also detected changes in the phosphorylation status and composition of the CRE complex that may play important roles in regulation of distinct downstream target genes. These studies establish p38 MAP kinase‐mediated activation of ATF‐2 as a significant mechanism in hA‐evoked β‐cell death, which may serve as a target for pharmaceutical intervention and effective suppression of β‐cell failure in type‐2 diabetes.
Not just for fun: Using cartoons to investigate geographical issues
Authors: Kleeman Grant
Published: July 2006

Abstract:  Geography teachers have, for some time, acknowledged the value of cartoons as a means of fostering an appreciation and understanding of geographical issues. They have, however, often struggled to identify the range of instructional strategies that best facilitate their students’ interpretation of this rich, yet quite diverse, form of cultural artefact. This article examines the development of cartoons as a form of political satire and social commentary, outlines the benefits derived from using cartoons as an instructional tool, and explores some of the cartoon‐based teaching and learning strategies teachers employ to enhance the interpretative and communicative skills of students.
Japanese Enterprises' Investment in China's Software Industry
Authors: Pei Changhong , Jing Linbo
Published: July 2006

The present paper introduces the overall situation of investment in China by Japanese enterprises. It focuses on the cooperation between Chinese and Japanese enterprises in the software industry. It gives a detailed account of strategic investment by Japanese enterprises, their joint‐venture projects with Chinese investors and establishment of R&D centers and laboratories in China's software industry, and it analyzes the problems and prospects of Japanese investment in China's software industry. The paper suggests that it is of vital to maintain friendly Sino–Japanese relations, to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation and to enhance mutual political confidence.

(Edited by Xinyu Fan)
Topical adrenaline in the control of intraoperative bleeding in adenoidectomy: a randomised, controlled trial
Authors: Teppo H. , Virkkunen H. , Revonta M.
Published: July 2006

Objectives:  To evaluate the efficacy of topical racemic adrenaline (RA) (Micronefrin®; Bird Products, Palm Springs, CA, USA) in the control of intraoperative bleeding and the prevention of postoperative bleeding, laryngeal spasm and postoperative pain in adenoidectomy among children <6 years of age.

Design:  Prospective, randomised, blinded and placebo‐controlled trial.

Setting:  Kanta‐Hame Central Hospital, a district referral center in Finland.

Patients: A consecutive sample of 93 children undergoing outpatient adenoidectomy.

Intervention:  Patients were randomised to receive topical gauze sponges soaked in either 1 : 500 RA or 0.9% sodium chloride (physiological saline) for 3 min after adenoidectomy.

Main outcome measures:  Amount of intraoperative bleeding (surgeons’ subjective estimate), need for additional packings, need for electrocautery, laryngeal spasm, postoperative bleeding and pain, duration of procedure and duration of patients’ stay in the operation room (OR).

Results:  Adrenaline significantly decreased surgeons’ subjective estimate of the amount of intraoperative bleeding (proportion of patients with significant decrease 67 versus 21%, P < 0.001), reduced the mean number of packings needed (0.6 versus 1.2, P < 0.001) and use of electrocautery (22 versus 45%, P = 0.015), and shortened the mean duration of the procedure (13 versus 18 min, P = 0.043) and the mean stay in the OR (31 versus 35 min, P = 0.058). The impact of adrenaline was even more pronounced among patients with extensive adenoids and/or profuse intraoperative bleeding. A slight elevation of heart rate was observed more often in the adrenaline group (P = 0.043).

Conclusions:  Use of topical adrenaline can be recommended in adenoidectomy among children. It helps control the intraoperative bleeding, reduces the use of electrocautery and shortens the durations of procedure and stay in the OR.
Patient's quality of life and hearing outcomes after stapes surgery
Authors: Subramaniam K. , Eikelboom R.H. , Marino R. , Atlas M.D. , Rajan G.P.
Published: July 2006

Objectives:  To determine the quality of life (QOL) after stapes surgery and whether audiological parameters for hearing correlate with specific QOL factors.

Design:  A retrospective cross‐sectional study.

Setting:  A tertiary referral centre.

Participants:  A series of 35 patients who underwent stapes surgery of which three were excluded because they were <18 years of age, chronically or mentally ill, or in a dependant relationship. Response rate was 93% (30/32). Nine were further excluded because they had revision or bilateral surgery, or missing data. Twenty‐one patients were included in this study.

Main outcome measures:  The Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) was used to evaluate general QOL and the Hearing Disability and Handicap Scale (HDHS) was used as a disease‐specific measure. The Belfast Rule of Thumb and Glasgow Benefit Plot assessed hearing outcomes.

Results:  Operative success was 86% using the Belfast Rule of Thumb and 95% had closure of the air–bone gap to within 20 dB. 81.8% of patients reported a better overall QOL as surgery. Glasgow Benefit Inventory Social and GBI Physical scores correlated positively with the HDHS speech component (P < 0.05). The duration of hearing loss correlated inversely with the average HDHS score (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:  The majority of patients report a better QOL as undergoing stapes surgery. Speech impacts on people's physical and social QOL of patients. Quality of life tools, in addition to objective audiologic measurements can provide clinicians with patients’ subjective perspective that helps guide clinical decision‐making and counselling.
Patients’ views on the utility of quality of life questionnaires in head and neck cancer: a randomised trial
Authors: Mehanna H.M. , Morton R.P.
Published: July 2006

Objectives:  (i) To evaluate head and neck cancer patient perspectives regarding the usefulness of quality of life questionnaires in communicating their health problems to clinicians and (ii) to identify the quality of life questionnaire that head and neck cancer patients find most useful.

Design:  Randomised questionnaire study. Patients completed all four validated head and neck cancer quality of life questionnaires – European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale (FACT) HN35, Washington quality of life questionnaire, Auckland quality of life questionnaire. Order of questionnaire presentation was randomised to counterbalance order effects.

Setting:  Tertiary referral head and neck cancer centre.

Participants:  Eighty patients diagnosed and treated for head and neck cancer. Exclusion criteria: blindness, learning difficulties or inability to understand or read English.

Main outcome measures:  Patient ratings of perceived usefulness and preferences of studied questionnaires.

Results:  Patients reported high relevance to their problems and high ease of understanding of all questionnaires, with FACT scoring highest (79% and 89%, respectively); 58% of participants (67% respondents) would like to complete a questionnaire in clinic, as it would help them describe their health problems to their doctors; 28% of participants did not. Almost half preferred a particular quality of life questionnaire, FACT being most preferred. Length of questionnaire did not affect reported usefulness, but most would prefer a short questionnaire (<20 items).

Conclusions:  Patients report that head and neck cancer quality of life questionnaires effectively describe their health concerns. Most are in favour of completing quality of life questionnaires in clinic, as an aid for describing health problems to clinicians. There appears to be a difference between clinicians and patients regarding the perceived usefulness of quality of life questionnaires in the clinic setting, which needs to be highlighted to clinicians.
Botulinum toxin in the management of sialorrhoea: a systematic review
Authors: Lim M. , Mace A. , Reza Nouraei S.A. , Sandhu G.
Published: July 2006

Keypoints

• Sialorrhoea can be a significant problem in both adults and children and can cause both physical and psychosocial problems.

• Botulinum toxin has enjoyed an emergence in the treatment of sialorrhoea, a systematic review of the evidence for botulinum toxin reveals two randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and four other trials that fulfilled our inclusion criteria.

• Both RCTs demonstrate the effectiveness of botulinum toxin in the management of sialorrhoea.

• There was no clear evidence for one antigenic type of botulinum toxin over another and minimal evidence for the optimal dose of botulinum toxin for each antigenic type. No advantage is conferred in using ultrasound guidance in injecting the glands.

• None of the RCTs or other studies directly compared submandibular versus parotid injection or directly compared botulinum toxin against surgery. Minor side effects were reported in one of the RCTs but overall botulinum toxin is a safe, minimally invasive and effective means in the treatment of sialorrhoea with the potential to become the treatment of choice.

• Our review demonstrates that further randomised controlled trials are required to more fully evaluate this new modality of treatment.
Computation of the Statistics of Forced Response of a Mistuned Bladed Disk Assembly via Polynomial Chaos
Authors: Sinha Alok
Published: July 2006

The method of polynomial chaos has been used to analytically compute the statistics of the forced response of a mistuned bladed disk assembly. The model of the bladed disk assembly considers only one mode of vibration of each blade. Mistuning phenomenon has been simulated by treating the modal stiffness of each blade as a random variable. The validity of the polynomial chaos method has been corroborated by comparison with the results from numerical simulations.
Effects of Caspofungin against
Candida guilliermondii
and
Candida parapsilosis
Authors: Barchiesi Francesco , Spreghini Elisabetta , Tomassetti Serena , Della Vittoria Agnese , Arzeni Daniela , Manso Esther , Scalise Giorgio
Published: July 2006

The in vitro activity of caspofungin (CAS) was investigated against 28 yeast isolates belonging to
Candida albicans
(
n
= 5),
Candida guilliermondii
(
n
= 10), and
Candida parapsilosis
(
n
= 13). CAS MICs obtained by broth dilution and Etest methods clearly showed a rank order of susceptibility to the echinocandin compound with
C. albicans
>
C. parapsilosis
>
C. guilliermondii
. Similarly, time-kill assays performed on selected isolates showed that CAS was fungistatic against
C. albicans
and
C. parapsilosis
, while it did not exert any activity against
C. guilliermondii
. In a murine model of systemic candidiasis, CAS given at doses as low as 1 mg/kg of body weight/day was effective at reducing the kidney burden of mice infected with either
C. albicans
or
C. guilliermondii
isolates. Depending on the isolate tested, mice infected with
C. parapsilosis
responded to CAS given at 1 and/or 5 mg/kg/day. However, the overall CFU reduction for
C. guilliermondii
and
C. parapsilosis
was approximately 100-fold less than that for
C. albicans
. Our study shows that CAS was active in experimental systemic candidiasis due to
C. guilliermondii
and
C. parapsilosis
, but this activity required relatively high drug dosages.
Peptide Immunization as an Adjuvant to Chemotherapy in Mice Challenged Intratracheally with Virulent Yeast Cells of
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
Authors: Marques A. F. , da Silva M. B. , Juliano M. A. P. , Travassos L. R. , Taborda C. P.
Published: July 2006

Immunization with peptide P10, derived from gp43, and chemotherapy were used together in an attempt to improve treatment of paracoccidioidomycosis and prevent relapses. The combined treatment showed an additive protective effect when administered at 48 h or 30 days after intratracheal challenge. Its use is recommended to improve regular chemotherapy and reduce the duration of treatment.
Determination of the Antibacterial and Lipopolysaccharide-Neutralizing Regions of Guinea Pig Neutrophil Cathelicidin Peptide CAP11
Authors: Okuda Daiju , Yomogida Shin , Tamura Hiroshi , Nagaoka Isao
Published: July 2006

Previously, we revealed that a cationic antibacterial polypeptide of 11 kDa (CAP11), a member of the cathelicidins isolated from guinea pig neutrophils, exhibits not only potent antibacterial activity but also lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-neutralizing activity. In this study, to determine the biologically active regions of CAP11, we isolated or synthesized the partial peptides of CAP11 and evaluated their antibacterial and LPS-neutralizing activities. Although CAP11 has a unique homodimeric structure with a disulfide bridge, the biological activities of dimeric and monomeric forms of CAP11 were almost the same. Moreover, the G1-E33peptide of CAP11 showed the same activities as CAP11, whereas the C-terminal region (Y34to I43) possessed no biological activities. In addition, the three 18-mer peptides (G1-R18, T9-K26, and L16-E33) with overlapping sequences were synthesized, and their activities were determined. The three 18-mer peptides retained the antibacterial activities, and G1-R18was the most potent. In contrast, the LPS-neutralizing activities of these peptides were markedly reduced. Together, these observations indicate that the active region with antibacterial activity is localized at G1to R18of CAP11, whereas longer sequences (such as G1to E33) would be required for the expression of LPS-neutralizing activity. Furthermore, the C-terminal region (Y34to I43) and a disulfide bridge are not essential for the antibacterial and LPS-neutralizing activities of CAP11.
In Vitro Activities of Daptomycin, Vancomycin, and Penicillin against
Clostridium difficile
,
C. perfringens
,
Finegoldia magna
, and
Propionibacterium acnes
Authors: Tyrrell Kerin L. , Citron Diane M. , Warren Yumi A. , Fernandez Helen T. , Merriam C. Vreni , Goldstein Ellie J. C.
Published: July 2006

Daptomycin has in vitro activity against gram-positive anaerobic bacteria, although limited numbers of species have been tested. We studied the in vitro activities of daptomycin, vancomycin, and penicillin against more than 100 strains each of
Clostridium difficile
,
C. perfringens
,
Finegoldia magna
, and
Propionibacterium acnes
. Daptomycin Etest MICs and results from time-kill studies were determined for selected strains. For 392 of 421 strains (93%), daptomycin was inhibitory at ≤1 μg/ml, including 15 of 16 strains of
C. difficile
with elevated linezolid MICs of 8 and 16 μg/ml, all 32 strains with moxifloxacin MICs of ≥4 μg/ml, and all 16 strains resistant to clindamycin. Daptomycin MICs were also ≤1 μg/ml for all 16
F. magna
strains resistant to clindamycin and all 32 strains resistant to tetracycline. Only one strain, a
C. perfringens
strain, had a MIC of >2 μg/ml to daptomycin. Eighty-five and 92.5% of the Etest MICs were within 1 dilution of the agar dilution method for all drugs at 24 and 48 h, respectively. In time-kill studies, a
C. difficile
strain was inhibited by both daptomycin and vancomycin at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 h; colony counts were decreased by 2.3 to 2.9 log at 24 h. Vancomycin was not bactericidal for
C. perfringens
; however, daptomycin showed bactericidal activity as early as 1 h at four and eight times the MIC and at 2 and 4 h at two and four times the MIC.
Novel Real-Time Monitoring System for Human Cytomegalovirus- Infected Cells In Vitro That Uses a Green Fluorescent Protein-PML-Expressing Cell Line
Authors: Ueno T. , Eizuru Y. , Katano H. , Kurata T. , Sata T. , Irie S. , Ogawa-Goto K.
Published: July 2006

Promyelocytic leukemia (PML) bodies are discrete nuclear foci that are intimately associated with many DNA viruses. In human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection, the IE1 (for “immediate-early 1”) protein has a marked effect on PML bodies via de-SUMOylation of PML protein. Here, we report a novel real-time monitoring system for HCMV-infected cells using a newly established cell line (SE/15) that stably expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP)-PML protein. In SE/15 cells, HCMV infection causes specific and efficient dispersion of GFP-PML bodies in an IE1-dependent manner, allowing the infected cells to be monitored by fluorescence microscopy without immunostaining. Since a specific change in the detergent solubility of GFP-PML occurs upon infection, the infected cells can be quantified by GFP fluorescence measurement after extraction. With this assay, the inhibitory effects of heparin and neutralizing antibodies were determined in small-scale cultures, indicating its usefulness for screening inhibitory reagents for laboratory virus strains. Furthermore, we established a sensitive imaging assay by counting the number of nuclei containing dispersed GFP-PML, which is applicable for titration of slow-growing clinical isolates. In all strains tested, the virus titers estimated by the GFP-PML imaging assay were well correlated with the plaque-forming cell numbers determined in human embryonic lung cells. Coculture of SE/15 cells and HCMV-infected fibroblasts permitted a rapid and reliable method for estimating the 50% inhibitory concentration values of drugs for clinical isolates in susceptibility testing. Taken together, these results demonstrate the development of a rapid, sensitive, quantitative, and specific detection system for HCMV-infected cells involving a simple procedure that can be used for titration of low-titer clinical isolates.
AN ADAPTIVE VISUAL NEURONAL MODEL IMPLEMENTING COMPETITIVE, TEMPORALLY ASYMMETRIC HEBBIAN LEARNING
Authors: YANG ZHIJUN , CAMERON KATHERINE L. , MURRAY ALAN F. , BOONSOBHAK VASIN
Published: July 2006

A novel depth-from-motion vision model based on leaky integrate-and-fire (I&F) neurons incorporates the implications of recent neurophysiological findings into an algorithm for object discovery and depth analysis. Pulse-coupled I&F neurons capture the edges in an optical flow field and the associated time of travel of those edges is encoded as the neuron parameters, mainly the time constant of the membrane potential and synaptic weight. Correlations between spikes and their timing thus code depth in the visual field. Neurons have multiple output synapses connecting to neighbouring neurons with an initial Gaussian weight distribution. A temporally asymmetric learning rule is used to adapt the synaptic weights online, during which competitive behaviour emerges between the different input synapses of a neuron. It is shown that the competition mechanism can further improve the model performance. After training, the weights of synapses sourced from a neuron do not display a Gaussian distribution, having adapted to encode features of the scenes to which they have been exposed.
EVOLVING DIGITAL CIRCUITS USING HYBRID PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION AND DIFFERENTIAL EVOLUTION
Authors: MOORE PHILLIP W. , VENAYAGAMOORTHY GANESH K.
Published: July 2006

This paper presents the evolution of combinational logic circuits by a new hybrid algorithm known as the Differential Evolution Particle Swarm Optimization (DEPSO), formulated from the concepts of a modified particle swarm and differential evolution. The particle swarm in the hybrid algorithm is represented by a discrete 3-integer approach. A hybrid multi-objective fitness function is coined to achieve two goals for the evolution of circuits. The first goal is to evolve combinational logic circuits with 100% functionality, called the feasible circuits. The second goal is to minimize the number of logic gates needed to realize the feasible circuits. In addition, the paper presents modifications to enhance performance and robustness of particle swarm and evolutionary techniques for discrete optimization problems. Comparison of the performance of the hybrid algorithm to the conventional Karnaugh map and evolvable hardware techniques such as genetic algorithm, modified particle swarm, and differential evolution are presented on a number of case studies. Results show that feasible circuits are always achieved by the DEPSO algorithm unlike with other algorithms and the percentage of best solutions (minimal logic gates) is higher.