bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Arabidopsis whole‐genome microarrays and their application to the discovery of binding sites for the TGA2 transcription factor in salicylic acid‐treated plants
Authors: Thibaud‐Nissen Françoise , Wu Hank , Richmond Todd , Redman Julia C. , Johnson Christopher , Green Roland , Arias Jonathan , Town Christopher D.
Published: May 2006

We have developed two long‐oligonucleotide microarrays for the analysis of genome features in Arabidopsis thaliana, in particular for the high‐throughput identification of transcription factor‐binding sites. The first platform contains 190 000 probes representing the 2‐kb regions upstream of all annotated genes at a density of seven probes per promoter. The second platform is divided into three chips, each of over 390 000 features, and represents the entire Arabidopsis genome at a density of one probe per 90 bases.

Protein–DNA complexes resulting from the formaldehyde fixation of leaves of plants 2 h after exposure to 1 mm salicylic acid (SA) were immunoprecipitated using antibodies against the TGA2 transcription factor. After reversal of the cross‐links and amplification, the resulting ChIP sample was hybridized to both platforms. High signal ratios of the ChIP sample versus raw chromatin for clusters of neighboring probes provided evidence for 51 putative binding sites for TGA2, including the only previously confirmed site in the promoter of PR‐1 (At2g14610). Enrichment of several regions was confirmed by quantitative real‐time PCR. Motif search revealed that the palindromic octamer TGACGTCA was found in 55% of the enriched regions. Interestingly, 15 of the putative binding sites for TGA2 lie outside the presumptive promoter regions. The effect of the 2‐h SA treatment on gene expression was measured using Affymetrix ATH1 arrays, and SA‐induced genes were found to be significantly over‐represented among genes neighboring putative TGA2‐binding sites.
Glucocorticoid modulation of cytokine signaling
Authors: Rogatsky I. , Ivashkiv L. B.
Published: May 2006

Abstract Cytokine signaling is essential for intercellular communication and affects cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. In the immune system, cytokines coordinate the activities of many cell types ultimately leading to both innate and adaptive immune responses. Dysregulation of these processes can result in a wide spectrum of diseases ranging from defective host responses to invading pathogens to autoimmunity. Most cytokines signal through the Janus kinase–signal transducer and activator of transcription (Jak‐STAT) pathway initiated by the cytokine binding to its cell surface receptor, which leads to the activation of STAT proteins, their binding to response elements near target promoters ultimately changing the transcription of STAT‐responsive genes. STAT proteins do not exist in isolation but act in concert with other transcription factors and cofactors which can either stimulate or inhibit their activity. One such factor is a ligand‐dependent transcriptional regulator termed the glucocorticoid (GC) receptor (GR), which transduces the information conveyed by GC hormones and their synthetic analogs. GR is known for its anti‐inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties; GC‐like molecules have been used as drugs for inflammatory, autoimmune and lymphoproliferative diseases since the 1950s. In contrast, cytokines frequently promote activation of the immune system. In last several years, functional interactions have been described between virtually every member of the STAT family and GR or its cofactors. This review focuses on the recent literature on the modes and levels of interactions between these seemingly unrelated regulators and potential biological implications of STAT : GR cross‐talk.
The diallelic locus encoding the minor histocompatibility antigen HA‐1 is evolutionarily conserved
Authors: Wieles B. , Pool J. , Wilke M. , Weber M. , Kolb H.‐J. , Bontrop R. E. , Goulmy E.
Published: May 2006

The polymorphic minor histocompatibility antigen HA‐1 induces powerful T‐cell alloreactivities with important consequences for graft‐vs‐tumor activity and development of graft‐vs‐host disease in patients after human leukocyte antigen‐matched stem‐cell transplantation (SCT). In view of possible translational animal studies, we analyzed the evolutionary conservation of the diallelic HA‐1 locus in four mammalian species. Our results show that rodents do not encode the HA‐1H allele, neither show polymorphism in this position on the HA‐1 gene. Contrariwise, the HA‐1H allele is present in non‐human primate species and dogs. Interestingly, both the HA‐1H T‐cell epitope and its non‐immunogenic counterpart HA‐1R are present in the latter species. Thus, the HA‐1 allelic polymorphism is conserved in evolution in primates and dogs.
Distribution of killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors genotypes in the Lebanese population
Authors: Mahfouz R. , Rayes R. , Mahfoud Z. , Bazarbachi A. , Zaatari G.
Published: May 2006

This study represents the first report on the distribution of 16 Killer cell Immunoglobulin‐like Receptors (KIR) genes in 120 unrelated healthy Lebanese individuals. We observed that 2DL2 frequency (61%) comes second highest after South Asians (64%) and 2DL5 frequency (58.3%) is the second highest reported so far after the South Asians (74%). Interestingly, a large number of AA1 genotype individuals with no loci for activating KIR and three completely new BB profiles not previously reported were found in our population with a group A : group B haplotypes ratio of 1.3:1. The frequency of the KIR loci suggests that the Lebanese population shares common general features with the Caucasoid populations studied before, but still has its own unique decreased or increased frequencies of several loci.
Detailed gene and allele content analysis of three homozygous KIR haplotypes
Authors: Murdoch S. , Seoud M. , Kircheisen R. , Mazhar B. , Slim R.
Published: May 2006

The killer immunoglobulin‐like receptors are a highly polymorphic family of receptors encoded by 15 genes clustered on 19q13.4. Because of the complexity of the genetic analysis of the KIR cluster, much of the data regarding KIR sequences and alleles has been generated by cDNA typing and partial sequencing. Here we report the genomic sequencing of the KIR genes in individuals with three different haplotypes homozygous by descent. We provide a detailed analysis of their haplotypes and identify new alleles for KIR3DL3 and KIR2DL1. The primers we describe will be a valuable tool for studying the involvement of the KIR genes in various human diseases.
Development and application of a new codominant PCR marker for detecting 1BL·1RS wheat–rye chromosome translocations
Authors: Chai J. F. , Zhou R. H. , Jia J. Z. , Liu X.
Published: May 2006

The 1BL·1RS translocation has been widely used in wheat breeding programmes throughout the world. Unfortunately, this translocation has frequently resulted in unsatisfactory grain processing quality. Two primer combinations derived from the published sequence of a ω‐secalin gene on 1RS gave polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fragments 0.4 and 1.1 kb in size. Both fragments can be used to quickly detect 1BL·1RS translocations. By combining the PCR assay resulting in the 1.1‐kb fragment from 1RS and a PCR assay resulting in a 0.6‐kb fragment from the Glu‐B3 gene on 1BS, plants homozygous for the 1BL 1RS could clearly be distinguished from the heterozygous ones. This codominant marker was successfully applied to genotype a segregating F2 population and a local cultivar collection.
Natural occurrence of autopolyploidy within the allotetraploid‐cultivated peanut
Authors: Branch W. D. , Hanna W. W.
Published: May 2006

The cultivated peanut is classified as an allotetraploid species. During the past several years, abnormal plants with coarse stems, thick leaves and an occasional single seed per pod have been found within different cultivars and advanced breeding lines. The spontaneous natural occurrence of these plants has been very rare, and frequently they do not produce any pods or seed. However, over a 3‐year period (2001–2003), four individual plant selections with one mature seed per plant were found and saved. In 2003, another similar plant was also found that had the same plant characteristics, except for a single branch that had normal leaves with typical two‐seeded pods. A greenhouse study was conducted during the winter of 2003–2004. The four coarse stem individual plant selections from the previous years were planted along with the check cultivar ‘Georgia Green’ and the sectorial plant found in 2003. S1 seed from both the one‐seeded pods as well as normal two‐seeded pods were planted from the sectorial plant. Relative DNA content was measured by flow cytometry on all plants. Results from the test showed that the coarse stem, thick leaf plants with poor fruit set were autooctoploids and had about twice the DNA content when compared with the normal sectorial branch and the allotetraploid peanut cultigen.
Modified full‐sib selection and best linear unbiased prediction of progeny performance in a European F2 maize population
Authors: Flachenecker C. , Frisch M. , Muminovic J. , Falke K. C. , Melchinger A. E.
Published: May 2006

Four cycles of modified recurrent full‐sib (FS) selection were conducted in an intermated F2 population of European flint maize. The objectives of our study were to monitor trends across selection cycles in the estimates of population mean, inbreeding coefficients and variance components, and to investigate the usefulness of best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) of progeny performance under the recurrent FS selection scheme applied. We used a selection rate of 25% for a selection index, based on grain yield and dry matter content. A pseudo‐factorial mating scheme was used for recombination. In this scheme, the selected FS families were divided into an upper‐ranking group of parents mated to the lower‐ranking group. Variance components were estimated with restricted maximum likelihood (REML). Average grain yield increased 1.2 t/ha per cycle, average grain moisture decreased 20.1 g/kg per cycle, and the selection index relative to the F2 check entries decreased 0.3% per cycle. For a more precise calculation of selection response, the four cycles should be tested together in multi‐environmental trials. We observed a significant decrease in additive variance in the selection index, suggesting smaller future selection response. Predictions of FS family performance in Cn + 1 based on mean performance of parental FS families in Cn were of equal precision as those based on the mean additive genetic BLUP of their parents, and corresponding correlations were of moderate size for grain moisture and selection index.
Factors affecting oat haploid production following oat × maize hybridization
Authors: Sidhu P. K. , Howes N. K. , Aung T. , Zwer P. K. , Davies P. A.
Published: May 2006

Doubled haploids (DHs) are becoming increasingly important in crop breeding programmes but methods for producing oat DHs remain inefficient. In this study haploid and DH oat plants were produced using the oat × maize hybridization method. Factors influencing the rate of caryopsis and haploid embryo production including genotype, post‐pollination plant growth regulator application and temperature were investigated. The four growth regulators tested showed significant differences in their capacity to induce caryopsis formation with dicamba producing the highest numbers of caryopses, followed by picloram, 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) and gibberellic acid (GA3). No significant differences were observed between these growth regulators for their effect on embryo production. The concentration of dicamba was also important and was found to influence caryopsis but not embryo production, with 50 and 100 mg/l dicamba producing significantly more caryopses than 25 or 5 mg/l. Temperature had a significant impact on both caryopsis and embryo production with the magnitude and direction of response depending on genotype. Rates of haploid embryo production observed were between 0.8% and 6.7% of the pollinated florets. The proportion of haploids, which survived and were successfully doubled with colchicine following transfer to soil was between 72% and 81%.
Evaluation of genetic diversity in jute (Corchorus species) using STMS, ISSR and RAPD markers
Authors: Roy A. , Bandyopadhyay A. , Mahapatra A. K. , Ghosh S. K. , Singh N. K. , Bansal K. C. , Koundal K. R. , Mohapatra T.
Published: May 2006

Jute is an important fibre crop that has dominated the packaging sector for over one and a half centuries in India. For sustenance of the trade in the face of tough competition from synthetics, there is an urgent need to redesign the ongoing breeding strategy to improve both the yield and quality of jute fibre. It is therefore, essential to understand the pattern of diversity in this important commercial crop species. In the present study, genetic diversity analysis of 20 exotic germplasm lines and 20 commercial varieties of the two cultivated species (Corchorus olitorius and C. capsularis) and two wild relatives of jute (C. aestuans and C. trilocularis) was carried out using sequence tagged microsatellite site (STMS), inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The first set of six STMS markers developed from the genomic sequence of C. olitorius was not fully transferable to the related species C. capsularis. The level of intraspecific polymorphism revealed by these markers was very low. The four ISSR and 22 RAPD primers employed in the study revealed 98.44% and 100% polymorphism, respectively, across all the species, while the level of polymorphism was significantly low within a species. The commercial varieties, particularly those of C. capsularis, had an extremely narrow genetic base that demands immediate effort for diversification. The germplasm accessions in both the cultivated species showed considerably higher levels of diversity and thus should be used in broadening the base of the varieties. All the accessions of C. olitorius together with the wild species C. aestuans clustered separately from those of C. capsularis and C. trilocularis, suggesting a polyphyletic origin of the two cultivated species.
No DNA loss in autotetraploids of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Ozkan H. , Tuna M. , Galbraith D. W.
Published: May 2006

To address the issue of genome evolution in autopolyploids and particularly to investigate whether rapid sequence elimination also occurs in autopolyploids as in allopolyploids, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting was employed to examine a large number of genomic loci in F1 hybrids between two different autotetraploids of Arabidopsis thaliana accessions, namely Ler and Col. Using this approach, perfect additivity in the F1 hybrids was found between the newly‐formed autopolyploids when compared with their parental lines. Using flow cytometry, the study was extended in a quantitative manner, in which the nuclear DNA contents in one autotetraploid A. thaliana accession Ler, was determined. The increase in genome size of the autotetraploid line was additive. Taken together, no evidence was found for genome size reduction due to autopolyploidization of A. thaliana. The results indicating that there was no DNA loss in autotetraploid A. thaliana suggest that a different type of genome evolution may occur in autopolyploids during the initial stages of their formation when compared with allopolyploids.
Molecular characterization and identification of markers associated with yield traits in mulberry using ISSR markers
Authors: Vijayan K. , Srivatsava P. P. , Nair C. V. , Awasthi A. K. , Tikader A. , Sreenivasa B. , Urs S. R.
Published: May 2006

Mulberry (Morus indica L.) is an important tree crop being exploited for feeding the silk‐producing insect Bombyx mori L. In order to identify parents suitable for breeding to raise high‐yielding varieties for the non‐traditional areas of Kerala, India and also to identify markers associated with leaf yield attributing traits, the present study was undertaken with 44 mulberry genotypes. Variability on morpho‐biometric traits and molecular markers, generated with 12 selected ISSR primers, was estimated. Significant differences between genotypes were observed for all the traits. The dendrogram generated with morpho‐biometric characters clustered the genotypes into three distinct groups and one isolate, while the same using Inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers clustered the genotypes into five groups and six isolates. The greater resolving power of the ISSR markers was evident form the dendrograms. Using step‐wise multiple regression analysis, a number of markers associated with number of branches, total shoot length, leaf weight, internodal distance, leaf chlorophyll, protein, leaf moisture percentage were identified. These markers could be of much use in Marker assisted selection (MAS) breeding programmes in mulberry, especially when no genetic information in terms of linkage maps and Quantitative Trait Locis (QTLs) is available a plant with high heterozygosity and a long juvenile period.
Evaluation of Czech spring malting barleys with respect to the β‐amylase allele incidence
Authors: Ovesna J. , Machova Polakova K. , Kucera L. , Vaculova K. , Milotova J.
Published: May 2006

Strong enzymatic activities in the germinating barley grain, together with protein and starch content, are crucial for high extraction values in the resulting malt and, therefore, barley malting quality. The efficient characterization of registered barley cultivars and genetic resources with respect to one of the relevant thermostability enzymes (β‐amylase) is an essential requirement. The template‐directed dye‐terminator incorporation (TDI) assay: based on flourescence resonance energy transfer (TDI‐FRET) (Chen et al. 1995) was used to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the β‐amylase coding sequence resulting in low (Sd2L), intermediate (Sd1) and high (Sd2H and Sd3) thermostability enzyme across 84 Czech barley cultivars and genetic resources used over a period of time in the Czech Republic. The incidence of different alleles has changed during the last 100 years. Also the new resources with high thermostabile β‐amylase were identified. They can be used effectively to breed for malting quality improvement.
Significance of host complexity and diversity for race‐specific leaf‐rust resistance in self‐fertile synthetic rye populations
Authors: Wilde K. , Geiger H. H. , Miedaner T.
Published: May 2006

Leaf rust (Puccinia recondita Rob. ex. Des.) is the most frequently occurring leaf disease in German winter rye (Secale cereale L.). To test the usefulness of race‐specific resistance genes, the effects of increased host diversity and complexity by producing two‐ and four‐line synthetics from inbred lines carrying different resistance genes were analysed. Thirty‐three synthetics along with two full‐sib families and one hybrid variety were tested in 17 environments in Germany under natural infections. For comparison, the parent lines of the synthetics were evaluated in 11 environments. Only two synthetics and the full‐sib families were resistant across all environments. Observed resistance levels of the synthetics were highly correlated (r = 0.83, P = 0.01) with those predicted from the parental values. Host complexity had a minor effect in two‐line synthetics only. In conclusion, the effectiveness of race‐specific leaf‐rust resistances among environments, and increasing the host complexity and diversity does not lead to a higher resistance level than that expected from the resistances of the parents.
Linkage and quantitative trait locus mapping of foliage late blight resistance in the wild species Solanum vernei
Authors: Sørensen K. K. , Madsen M. H. , Kirk H. G. , Madsen D. K. , Torp A. M.
Published: May 2006

The global cultivation of potato (Solanum tuberosum) is threatened by epidemics caused by new variants of the late blight pathogen, Phytophthora infestans. New sources of durable late blight resistance are urgently needed and these may be found in wild Solanum species. The diploid wild species, S. vernei, has not previously been subjected to mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for late blight resistance. Two populations designated HGIHJS and HGG, originating from a cross between a clone of S. vernei and two different S. tuberosum clones were evaluated in field trials for late blight infestation. The relative area under the disease progress curve (RAUDPC) was estimated and used for QTL mapping. A linkage map of S. vernei, comprising 11 linkage groups, nine of which could be assigned to chromosomes, was constructed. Results indicated that the resistance in S. vernei was quantitatively inherited. Significant QTLs for late blight resistance were identified on chromosomes VIII (HGG), VI and IX (HGIHJS). In addition, potential QTLs were detected on chromosomes VII (HGIHJS) and IX (HGG). A putative and a significant QTL for tuber yield were found on chromosomes VI and VII in HGG, but no linkage between yield and resistance was indicated. The QTL for late blight resistance, which mapped to chromosome IX, could be useful for late blight resistance breeding as it was located close to the microsatellite marker STM1051 in both populations.
Molecular evidence of biased inheritance of trifluralin herbicide resistance in foxtail millet
Authors: Tian X. , Délye C. , Darmency H.
Published: May 2006

Inheritance of trifluralin herbicide resistance was investigated for phenotype and genotype (molecular identification) in 12 segregating populations derived from crosses between resistant green foxtail (Setaria viridis) and foxtail millet cultivars (S. italica). Combining a herbicide bioassay and a bidirectional allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, the trifluralin resistance in foxtail millet was proved to be conferred by a recessive α2‐tubulin gene mutation at Ile‐239, the allele transferred by green foxtail. However, a distorted segregation ratio in F2 populations was confirmed, with 16.9% resistant plants on average instead of the 25% expected for a single gene recessive mutation. This was not due to non‐germinating seed and the distortion was also observed in the next generations, indicating a heritable phenomenon. After further crosses and self‐fertilization, however, more advanced generations did not show the same pattern of skewed inheritance as in the early generations. These results suggest the possibility of linkage between the α2‐tubulin gene and a modifier gene to explain the distorted segregation, which might be broken by crossing over.
A sequence‐specific PCR marker linked with Pm21 distinguishes chromosomes 6AS, 6BS, 6DS of Triticum aestivum and 6VS of Haynaldia villosa
Authors: Cao A. Z. , Wang X. E. , Chen Y. P. , Zou X. W. , Chen P. D.
Published: May 2006

To develop markers linked with Pm21 located on chromosome 6VS of Haynaldia villosa, a pair of primers (NAU/xibao15F and NAU/xibao15R) were designed according to the sequence of a serine/threonine kinase gene (Contig17515), whose expression was induced by Blumeria graminis and selected from the gene expression experiment using the Barley GeneChip. Using genomic DNA of various genetic stocks including the wheat variety ‘Yangmai#5’, H. villosa, Triticum durum–H. villosa amphiploid, seven T. aestivum–H. villosa addition lines involving chromosomes 1V–7V, the translocation line T6VS·6AL, and 21 nullisomic–tetrasomic and eight deletion lines of T. aestivum‘Chinese Spring’ as templates, four amplicons specific for 6VS, 6AS, 6BS and 6DS, respectively, were produced. F2 individuals derived from the cross of ‘Yangmai#5’ × T6VS·6AL were analysed, and data indicate that NAU/xibao15902 could be used as a co‐dominant marker for selecting Pm21 located on 6VS.
Computed tomography pulmonary angiogram diagnosis of pulmonary embolism
Authors: Subramaniam RM , Blair D , Gilbert K , Sleigh J , Karalus N
Published: May 2006

Over the last decade, contrast‐enhanced spiral CT has been established as a non‐invasive alternative to catheter angiography and is now regarded as the first‐line imaging investigation for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE). The reported sensitivities for the diagnosis of PE of spiral CT vary from 45 to 100% and the specificities vary from 78 to 100%. Prospective outcome studies have shown a high negative predictive value for a single‐detector spiral CT for PE. Patients’ outcomes were not adversely affected in these studies when anticoagulation was withheld after a negative CT pulmonary angiogram. The main limitation of single‐detector spiral CT has been its limited ability to detect isolated subsegmental PE. However, multidetector spiral CT allows evaluation of pulmonary vessels down to sixth‐order branches and significantly increases the rate of detection of PE in segmental and subsegmental levels. The interobserver correlations for diagnosis of subsegmental PE with multidetector spiral CT exceed the reproducibility of selective pulmonary angiography. If appropriate equipment is available (multidetector CT), then CT pulmonary angiogram is safe to be used as the first‐line imaging investigation for the diagnosis of PE.
Chordoma: 6 Years’ experience at a tertiary centre
Authors: Agrawal PP , Bahadur AK , Mohanta PK , Singh K , Rathi AK
Published: May 2006

Nine patients with a histologically proven diagnosis of chordoma seen at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital between January 1999 and December 2004 were retrospectively reviewed with respect to age, sex, presentation, location of tumour, treatment, response, recurrence, metastasis and follow up. Chordoma constituted 0.07% of total cancer cases registered over 6 years. Out of nine patients, eight were males and one was female with median age at time of diagnosis 52 years (range 34–68 years). All had sacrococcygeal lesions except one who had a spheno‐occipital lesion. Seven patients had undergone either subtotal or gross total resection whereas only biopsy had been carried out in two of them. All patients received radiation therapy, seven in a postoperative setting and two for palliation. Follow‐up period ranged from 2 to 50 months. Four patients died – the first after fourth fraction of radiation, second after 10 days of treatment, third of progressive lesion in sphenoidal region despite resection and radiation and fourth of local recurrence in the sacrococcyx. One patient developed distant metastases in the lungs and subcutaneous tissue over the scalp along with local recurrence; he is still alive. Two patients are locally free of disease whereas the other two were lost to follow up. The present analysis was undertaken to review our institutional experience with an aim to provide a practical approach to these tumours. In this report, these cases are discussed and the published works have been reviewed for the optimal management of patients with chordoma.
Perceptual error and the culture of open disclosure in Australian radiology
Authors: Pitman AG
Published: May 2006

The work of diagnostic radiology consists of the complete detection of all abnormalities in an imaging examination and their accurate diagnosis. Errors in diagnostic radiology comprise perceptual errors, which are a failure of detection, and interpretation errors, which are errors of diagnosis. Perceptual errors are subject to rules of human perception and can be expected in a proportion of observations by any human observer including a trained professional under ideal conditions. Current legal standards of medical negligence make no allowance for perceptual errors, comparing human performance to an ideal standard. Diagnostic radiology in Australia has a culture of open disclosure, where full unbiased evidence from an examination is provided to the patient together with the report. This practice benefits the public by allowing genuine differences of opinion and also by allowing a second chance of correct diagnosis in cases of perceptual error. The culture of open disclosure, which is unique to diagnostic radiology, places radiologists at distinct medicolegal disadvantage compared with other specialties. (i) Perceptual error should be acknowledged as an integral inevitable part of diagnostic radiology; (ii) culture of open disclosure should be encouraged by the profession; and (iii) a pragmatic definition of medical negligence should reflect the imperfect performance of human observers.
Pneumonia can cause 111Indium octreotide uptake
Authors: Yenson T , Khalil T , Larcos G
Published: May 2006

An 18‐year‐old woman underwent an 111In octreotide scan for evaluation of a possible insulinoma. This showed mildly increased radiopharmaceutical uptake involving the right lung base. The patient reported a productive cough for 5 days before the octreotide scan. A chest radiograph was taken, which showed increased airspace opacification in the right lower lobe, corresponding to the uptake seen on the octreotide scan. After a course of oral antibiotics, the patient’s chest symptoms improved and the radiograph opacification resolved, confirming the diagnosis of community‐acquired pneumonia. This case stresses the need to correlate scan results with the patient’s presentation and symptoms to avoid false‐positive data.
Acute subarachnoid haemorrhage: A rare presentation of cerebral dural sinus thrombosis
Authors: Rice H , Tang YM
Published: May 2006

We report a case of cerebral dural sinus thrombosis presenting as acute subarachnoid haemorrhage and clinically mimicking an aneurysmal bleed. Awareness of this rare initial presentation of cerebral venous thrombosis is important and should be considered in the diagnostic work‐up of acute subarachnoid haemorrhage. The radiologist plays a crucial role in making this often unsuspected but important diagnosis to enable prompt appropriate treatment.
Sonographic target sign and rim enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging in metastatic melanoma to the breast
Authors: Ashkar L , Mesurolle B , Tremblay F
Published: May 2006

We report a target sign on ultrasound and peripheral rim enhancement on gadolinium (Gd)‐enhanced MRI images in metastasis to the breast from melanoma. These classic signs, as reported in the liver (ultrasound target sign) and in primary breast cancers (Gd rim enhancement), are probably also of value in cases of metastatic lesions to the breast.
Primary torsion of the falciform ligament: Computed tomography and ultrasound findings
Authors: Lloyd T
Published: May 2006

Torsion of the free end of the falciform ligament is an extremely rare cause of localized peritonitis. A surgically proven case is presented here, with ultrasound and CT findings and a review of the published work.
Cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma
Authors: Puvaneswary M , Macintosh J , Cassey J
Published: May 2006

Cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma is a relatively rare tumour of the kidney usually affecting infants. Cystic Wilms’ tumour and multilocular cystic nephroma should be distinguished from cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma. Multilocular cystic nephroma is a benign tumour whereas cystic Wilms’ tumour is at the malignant end of the range of classification of such tumours. Cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma may undergo local recurrence but there is no report of metastasis.
Importance in optimization of multi‐slice computed tomography scan protocols
Authors: Heggie JCP , Kay JK , Lee WK
Published: May 2006

This paper reviews the reasons why multi‐slice CT scanners may give patients higher dose than their single‐slice predecessors and discusses the type of optimization of multi‐slice scan protocols that may be undertaken to keep patient doses to acceptable levels without compromising image quality. It also provides estimates of patient effective dose values and dose length products for typical procedures and briefly discusses the implication that these dose values have for the induction of possible stochastic effects.
Rectal guiding tube to facilitate distal colonic stent insertion
Authors: Chaitowitz IM , Bell KW
Published: May 2006

Self‐expanding metallic stents for the treatment of acute colonic obstruction is a recent technique showing promising results. Traditionally metallic stents have used a colonoscope as the portal for stent insertion. Our rectal guiding tube has been devised to enable continuous opacification of the colon without contrast or colonic content leakage and provide a rigid portal through which to insert the metallic stent safely. In many situations concomitant use of a colonoscope is not necessary, especially in left‐sided or more distal colonic lesions.
Geomorphic characteristics of the Minjiang drainage basin (eastern Tibetan Plateau) and its tectonic implications: New insights from a digital elevation model study
Authors: Zhang Hui‐Ping , Liu Shao‐Feng , Yang Nong , Zhang Yue‐Qiao , Zhang Guo‐Wei
Published: May 2006

Abstract  The Minshan Mountain and adjacent region are the major continental escarpments along the eastern Tibetan Plateau. The Minjiang drainage basin is located within the plateau margin adjacent to the Sichuan Basin. Based on the analysis of the digital elevation model (DEM) acquired by the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), we know that the Minjiang drainage basin has distinct geomorphic characteristics. The regular increasing of local topographic relief from north to south is a result of the Quaternary sediment deposition within the plateau and the holistic uplift of the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau versus the Sichuan Basin. Results from DEM‐determined Minjiang drainage sub‐basins and channel profiles show that the tributaries on the opposite sides are asymmetric. Lower perimeter and area of drainage sub‐basins, total channel length and bifurcation ratio within eastern flank along the Minjiang mainstream are the result of the Quaternary differential uplift of the Minshan Mountain region. Shorter stream lengths and lower bifurcation ratio might be the indications of the undergrowth and newborn features of these eastern streams, which are also representative for the eastern uplift of the Minshan Mountain.
Middle Miocene to Quaternary primary basalt and high magnesian andesite magmas of North Hokkaido, Japan: Source mantle characteristics and degrees of partial melting
Authors: Ishimoto Hiroyuki , Shuto Kenji , Goto Yoshihiko
Published: May 2006

Abstract  Middle Miocene to Quaternary primitive basalts and high magnesian andesite (HMA) in North Hokkaido resulted from three periods of intense volcanism; early‐stage (12–10 Ma), middle‐stage (9–7 Ma) and late‐stage (3–0 Ma). Based on the chemical compositions of olivines and chromian spinels and bulk chemistry of the primitive rocks, we examined depths of segregation of the calculated primary magmas and the degrees of partial melting of the source mantle. In the context of asthenospheric mantle upwelling, petrological data from the present study can be accounted for by the secular change in the depth of magma segregation from the upwelled asthenospheric mantle, which is composed of fertile peridotite. Thus, the early‐stage primary magmas were generated by higher degrees of partial melting of the shallower part of hot asthenospheric mantle, whereas the middle‐ and late‐stage primary magmas resulted from lower degrees of partial melting of a deeper part of the asthenospheric mantle. The early‐stage HMA magma was generated by partial melting of the remnant subcontinental lithospheric mantle composed of refractory peridotite. This melting might have resulted from an increased geothermal gradient caused by upwelling of hot asthenosphere.
Characteristics of subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath Baegryeong Island, Korea: Spinel peridotite xenoliths
Authors: Kil Young‐Woo
Published: May 2006

Abstract  Geochemical data on Baegryeong Island spinel peridotites found in Miocene alkali basalt provide the information for lithosphere composition, chemical processes, equilibrium pressure and temperature conditions. Spinel peridotite xenoliths, showing transitional textures between protogranular and porpyroclastic textures, were accidentally trapped by the ascending alkali basalt magma. The xenoliths originate at depths from 50 to 70 km with a temperature range from 800 to 1100°C. The variations of modal and mineral compositions of the spinel peridotite xenoliths indicate that the xenoliths have undergone 1–10% fractional melting. The spinel peridotites from Baegryeong Island have undergone cryptic mantle metasomatism subsequent to melt extraction. Metasomatic agent of enriched spinel peridotite xenoliths was carbonatite melt.
Retroperitoneal laparoscopic decortication of simple renal cysts using the bipolar PlasmaKinetic scissors
Authors: TEFEKLI AHMET , ALTUNRENDE FATIH , BAYKAL MURAT , SARILAR OMER , KABAY SAHIN , MUSLUMANOGLU AHMET YASER
Published: May 2006

Objectives:  To analyse the efficacy, safety and feasibility of retroperitoneal laparoscopic decortication of simple renal cysts using bipolar PlasmaKinetic scissors.

Methods:  Records of 19 patients who underwent laparoscopic decortication of simple renal cysts, performed with bipolar PlasmaKinetic scissors without additional fulguration of the base or the margin of resection, were retrospectively reviewed. Long‐term symptomatic and radiological outcomes were assessed.

Results:  One single cyst was treated in fourteen (73.7%) cases, two cysts in three (15.8%) cases, three cysts in one (5.2%) case and multiple cysts in one case with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. They were peripherally located in thirteen, peripelvic in three, and parenchymal in two cases. An average of 3.1 trochars were used for each procedure. The mean operating time was 82.5 ± 16.7 min (range, 50–135). Neither open conversion nor blood transfusion was necessary. A total of six minor complications were encountered. Mean hospital stay 2.3 ± 0.9 days (range, 1–4). After a mean follow up of 14.3 ± 5.9 months (range, 3–24), symptomatic success was achieved in 89.5%, and radiological success was accomplished in 88.2%. An asymptomatic cyst recurrence was observed in one (5.9%) case, and one (5.9%) case with residual pain had new cyst formation at another site of the kidney.

Conclusions:  Retroperitoneal laparoscopic cyst decortication using bipolar PlasmaKinetic scissors is a feasible and efficient method, eliminating further fulguration of the base and the margins of the cysts. Operating times are shorter than previously published series and highly satisfactory long‐term success rates are achieved.
Real‐time quantitative analysis for human telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA and human telomerase RNA component mRNA expressions as markers for clinicopathologic parameters in urinary bladder cancer
Authors: TAKIHANA YOSHIO , TSUCHIDA TAKAYUKI , FUKASAWA MIZUYA , ARAKI ISAO , TANABE NOBUAKI , TAKEDA MASAYUKI
Published: May 2006

Aim:  The expression of the telomerase subunits such as human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and human telomerase RNA component (hTR) may be associated with tumor development and progression. We evaluated the relationship between mRNA quantification of both hTERT and hTR and clinicopathologic parameters in bladder cancer.

Methods:  We examined the mRNA expression of hTERT and hTR in 29 specimens with bladder cancer (Grade: Grade I, 9 cases; Grade II, 13 cases and Grade III, 7 cases. Stage: pTa‐pT1, 18 cases; pT2‐T4, 11 cases). We immediately froze all of specimens obtained during TUR‐Bt and isolated the total RNA from each specimen. We measured the quantity of hTERT, hTR and GAPDH mRNA by a real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction method based on TaqMan technology.

Results:  The hTERT/GAPDH mRNA ratio and hTERT mRNA/total RNA in superficial bladder tumor was significantly lower than in invasive bladder tumor. The hTR/GAPDH mRNA ratio and hTR mRNA/total RNA in superficial tumor were significantly lower than in invasive bladder tumor. The hTERT mRNA expression significantly correlated with tumor grade, but the hTR mRNA expression did not correlate with tumor grade. There was no significant difference in the hTERT/GAPDH mRNA ratio and hTR mRNA/total RNA according to multiplicity of bladder tumor.

Conclusions:  Our results demonstrated that the expression of hTERT mRNA correlated with the progression of stage and grade in bladder cancer. The quantitative analysis of hTERT and hTR mRNA might be a marker for clinicopathologic parameters in bladder cancer.
Exogenous human recombinant interleukin‐10 protects the kidney against hypoxia‐induced renal injury in immature rats
Authors: ÖZTÜRK HAYRETTIN , ONEN ABDURRAHMAN , ÖZTÜRK HULYA , BUYUKBAYRAM HUSEYIN
Published: May 2006

Aim:  The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of exogenous human recombinant interleukin‐10 (rhIL‐10) on hypoxia‐induced renal injury in immature rats.

Method:  The study was performed on 1‐day‐old Sprague–Dawley rat pups. Group 1 (n = 8) served as non‐hypoxic controls. Group 2 (untreated, n = 8) rats were subjected to hypoxia‐reoxygenation (H/O) and were then returned to their mothers. Group 3 (rhIL‐10 treated, n = 8) rats were subjected to H/O, were returned to their mothers, and were treated with rhIL‐10 (75 µg/kg subcutaneously) for the next 3 days. All animals were killed on day 4 and renal specimens were obtained to determine the tissue level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and histological changes.

Results:  In the untreated group, moderate or severe renal tubular necrosis was observed However, the tubular necrosis score was significantly less in the rhIL‐10 treated rats than in the untreated rats (P < 0.05). In the untreated group, MDA levels were significantly increased compared with the control and rhIL‐10 groups (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). In the rhIL‐10 treated group, MDA levels were not significantly different compared with the control group.

Conclusion:  RhIL‐10 has a protective effect against hypoxia‐induced renal injury in immature rats by depression of tissue MDA level and renal tubular necrosis score.
Prostate‐specific antigen failure within 2 years of radical prostatectomy predicts overall survival
Authors: HACHIYA TAKAHIKO , ICHINOSE TAKETO , HIRAKATA HITOSHI , KAWATA NOZOMU , OKADA KIYOKI , TAKIMOTO YUKIE
Published: May 2006

Objective:  This study attempts to determine whether prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) failure following radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) affects patients’ long‐term overall survival.

Methods:  This study examined 155 men diagnosed as clinical stages T1b–T3a who received RRP as primary therapy. To evaluate whether PSA failure following RRP affects overall survival, the patients were grouped into those who experienced PSA failure within 2 years and those who did not. Clinical failure‐free survival, prostate cancer‐specific survival and overall survival were used as endpoints. Comparisons of survival curves were performed using the log–rank test. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the variable most predictive of PSA failure within 2 years of surgery.

Results:  At 10 years, the PSA failure‐free survival rate, clinical failure‐free survival rate, prostate cancer specific survival rate and overall survival rate of the 155 patients were 40.1%, 83.1%, 94.9% and 84.2%, respectively. The overall survival curve for patients with PSA failure within 2 years of surgery was significantly lower than for patients with no PSA failure within 2 years of surgery (P = 0.042). The multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that PSA greater than 20 ng/mL and poor differentiation of the tumor were significant independent predictors of PSA failure within 2 years of surgery.

Conclusion:  These results imply that prospective studies should be conducted to detect patients at high risk for PSA recurrence in whom metastasis may occur early and to investigate postoperative treatments for these high‐risk patients to improve overall survival.
Prevalence of erectile dysfunction in patients with metabolic syndrome
Authors: DEMIR TEVFIK
Published: May 2006

Aim:  We wished to investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome and erectile dysfunction (ED).

Materials and methods:  A total of 268 patients were included in this study. All of the patients were asked to fill in an International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. The presence of metabolic syndrome was determined when any three or more of the five risk factors were present according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP)‐III. The relationship between risk factor for metabolic syndrome and ED status was determined according to logistic regression analysis.

Results:  Eighty‐nine patients (33%) constituted the metabolic syndrome group. IIEF‐EF domain scores of patients with and without metabolic syndrome were 17.7 ± 7.9 and 21.7 ± 7.5, respectively (P < 0.001). Seventy‐four percent of patients with metabolic syndrome and 50% of patients without metabolic syndrome had ED (P < 0.001; odds ratio 2.9; 95% CI 1.7–5.0). Erectile function domain scores significantly decreased as the number of metabolic risk factors increased (P < 0.001). Patients with the risk factor of fasting blood glucose (FBG), waist circumference (WC), or hypertension (HT) had lower erectile function domain scores than the patients with other metabolic risk factors. Logistic regression analysis revealed that FBG and WC were the most important criteria for ED.

Conclusions:  Metabolic syndrome seems to be a potential risk factor for ED. We recommend patients with metabolic syndrome should be questioned about ED, and WC measurement might take part in the evaluation of ED.
Urodynamic evaluation of a suspension technique for rapid recovery of continence after radical retropubic prostatectomy
Authors: NOGUCHI MASANORI , SHIMADA AKIHIKO , NAKASHIMA OSAMU , KOJIRO MASAMICHI , MATSUOKA KEI
Published: May 2006

Background:  We investigated urodynamic findings involved in the rapid recovery of urinary continence after radical retropubic prostatectomy with a suspension technique.

Methods:  A total of 45 consecutive patients (mean age 67.6 years) who had undergone radical retropubic prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer were evaluated with multichannel urodynamics including the maximal urethral pressure (MUP), functional urethral length (FUL), maximal cystometric capacity (MCC) and abdominal leak point pressure (ALPP) at base line, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. The suspension of vesicourethral anastomosis preserving anterior attachments of puboprostatic ligaments to pubic bone was performed in 33 patients. Twelve patients did not undergo the suspension technique.

Results:  The continence rates at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after radical prostatectomy in the suspension group were significantly higher than those in the non‐suspension group: 67% versus 0% at 1 week (P < 0.001), 82% versus 25% at 1 month (P < 0.001), and 91% versus 50% at 3 months (P < 0.01), respectively. Postoperative ALPP at all points of measurement was significantly higher in the suspension group than in the non‐suspension group (P < 0.0002). There was no difference in MUP, FUL or MCC at each point following radical prostatectomy between the two groups.

Conclusions:  These observations suggest that preserving anterior attachments of puboprostatic ligaments to pubic bone and fixation of urethral hyper‐mobility by the suspension of vesicourethral anastomosis promotes rapid recovery of urinary continence after radical retropubic prostatectomy.
Neonatal abdominal wall urinoma due to rupture of anterior urethral diverticulum
Authors: OBARA WATARU , KONDA RYUICHIRO , SEO TAKASHI , ISHIKAWA KEN , KINJO MANABU , FUJIOKA TOMOAKI
Published: May 2006

Abstract  An anterior urethral valve with diverticulum is an uncommon cause of congenital urethral obstruction and urinary extravasation compared with a posterior urethral valve. We report a neonate presenting with an abdominal wall urinoma caused by rupture of an anterior urethral diverticulum. Urine drainage via urethral catheter was effective to resolve the abdominal urinoma. Voiding cystourethrogram performed 6 months after an endoscopic incision of the distal margin of the diverticulum revealed a normal urethra with smooth voiding. To our knowledge, no similar case has been reported previously.