bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TIPE drives a cancer stem-like phenotype by promoting glycolysis via PKM2/HIF-1α axis in melanoma
Authors: Tian Maojin , Yang Le , Zhao Ziqian , Li Jigang , Wang Lianqing , Yin Qingqing , Hu Wei , Lou Yunwei , Du Jianxin , Zhao Peiqing
Published: January 2024

TIPE (TNFAIP8) has been identified as an oncogene and participates in tumor biology. However, how its role in the metabolism of tumor cells during melanoma development remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that TIPE promoted glycolysis by interacting with pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) in melanoma. We found that TIPE induced PKM2 dimerization, thereby facilitating its translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. TIPE-mediated PKM2 dimerization consequently promoted HIF-1α activation and glycolysis, which contributed to melanoma progression and increased its stemness features. Notably, TIPE specifically phosphorylated PKM2 at Ser 37 in an ERK-dependent manner. Consistently, the expression of TIPE was positively correlated with the levels of PKM2 Ser37 phosphorylation and cancer stem cell markers in melanoma tissues from clinical samples and tumor bearing mice. In summary, our findings indicate that the TIPE/PKM2/HIF-1α signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in promoting cancer stem cell properties by facilitating the glycolysis, which would provide a promising therapeutic target for melanoma intervention.
Arrhythmia classification for non-experts using infinite impulse response (IIR)-filter-based machine learning and deep learning models of the electrocardiogram
Authors: K Mallikarjunamallu , Syed Khasim
Published: January 2024

Arrhythmias are a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Portable electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors have been used for decades to monitor patients with arrhythmias. These monitors provide real-time data on cardiac activity to identify irregular heartbeats. However, rhythm monitoring and wave detection, especially in the 12-lead ECG, make it difficult to interpret the ECG analysis by correlating it with the condition of the patient. Moreover, even experienced practitioners find ECG analysis challenging. All of this is due to the noise in ECG readings and the frequencies at which the noise occurs. The primary objective of this research is to remove noise and extract features from ECG signals using the proposed infinite impulse response (IIR) filter to improve ECG quality, which can be better understood by non-experts. For this purpose, this study used ECG signal data from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Beth Israel Hospital (MIT-BIH) database. This allows the acquired data to be easily evaluated using machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models and classified as rhythms. To achieve accurate results, we applied hyperparameter (HP)-tuning for ML classifiers and fine-tuning (FT) for DL models. This study also examined the categorization of arrhythmias using different filters and the changes in accuracy. As a result, when all models were evaluated, DenseNet-121 without FT achieved 99% accuracy, while FT showed better results with 99.97% accuracy.
Retrospective study of BRAFV600E mutation and CT features of papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Hong Xiaoquan , Li Juxiang , Duan Shaoyin , You Youkuang
Published: January 2024

Objective

This study aimed to examine the correlation between BRAFV600E status and computed tomography (CT) imaging characteristics in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and determine if suspicious CT imaging features could predict BRAFV600E status.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients with pathologically confirmed PTC at the Department of Thyroid Surgery of Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, between July 2020 and June 2022. We compared the clinicopathologic factors and CT findings of nodules with and without the mutation, and the multiple logistical regression test was used to determine independent parameters of the BRAFV600E mutation.

Results

This study included 381 patients with PTC, among them, BRAFV600E mutation was detected in 314 patients (82.4%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gender (OR = 0.542, 95% CI [0.296–0.993], P = 0.047) and shape (OR = 0.510, 95% CI [0.275–0.944], P = 0.032) were associated with BRAFV600E mutation.

Conclusions

Compared to BRAFV600E mutation-negative, BRAFV600E-positive PTC lesions were more likely to be found in female patients and were characterized by irregular shape. However, the CT imaging finding is not enough to predict BRAFV600E status, but an indication.
Assessment of Nutritional Status of 3–8-Year Mawasi Tribal Children Using Anthropometric Indices
Authors: Negi Soumya , Gupta Kalpana , Jagre A. , Negi R. S.
Published: January 2024

Nearly 45 lakh children, mostly tribal suffer from stunted growth in Madhya Pradesh. Hence a cross sectional study was undertaken in two villages of Majhgawan block in which height, weight, and mid upper arm circumference of 112 Mawasi tribal were measured and recorded via standard techniques. Body mass index was computed using the conventional method, the data was then analysed using anthro plus software of WHO. The overall prevalence of stunting among tribal children (3-5 years) was 60.65%, with 47.54% moderate and 13.11% severe stunting. The prevalence of underweight among these children was 59.03% (47.55% moderate and 11.48% severe). The prevalence of wasting among these children was 26.24% (22.26% moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) and 3.28% severe acute malnutrition (SAM)). Among 6–8-year children it was found that the prevalence of stunting and underweight was 64.36% and 83.5% respectively. 20.13% of children were thin (1.81% had severe thinness, and 18.02% had moderate thinness) in 6-8 years. The prevalence of thinness among 6,7- and 8-year children was 15.38%, 20.0% and 23.50% respectively. Thus, the overall results indicate high level of underweight and stunting, therefore based on the results, it can be stated that there is a urgent need for lot of work to be done on improvement of nutritional and health status of Mawasi children. The hand in hand support of government and the local bodies for upliftment of tribal community can make a huge difference in current scenario.
Effect of Herbal Additives Amla (Emblica officinalis) and Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) on Carcass Traits of Magra Lambs in the Semi Intensive Management System under the Arid Zone of Western Rajasthan
Authors: Joshi Abhishek , Saini Nirmala , Udawat Rajpal Singh , Saini Himanshu , Sharma Krishan Kumar , Goswami S. C.
Published: January 2024

Aim: It was the objective of this study to determine whether the highly nutritious herbal feed additives Amla (Emblica officinalis) and Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) impacted carcass traits of Magra lambs in the semi intensive system of management.

Study and Design: The experiment involved 28 lean lambs between the ages of three and four months under a semi intensive system, distributed at random into four experimental groups of seven lambs each, according to the randomized block design.

Place and Duration of Study: The campus is located at 236 meters above mean sea level in the heart of the Thar Desert at 28° 18' 0" N (28.3° N) latitude, 73° 30' 0" E (73.5° E) longitude and 28° 18' 0" N (28.3° N) latitude. The duration of experimental study was thirteen weeks.

Methodology: In a semi-intensive management system, groups T1 and T2 received an oral/feed supplement consisting of 1.5g/kg body weight of Amla (Emblica officinalis) fruit powder with seed and Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) stem powder, respectively, along with concentrate, excluding the control group and T3. Group T3 group received an oral/feed supplement comprising a combination of Amla (Emblica officinalis) fruit powder and Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) stem powder at a dosage of 0.75g/kg body weight, along with concentrate.

Results: At the end of experiment, no significant changes were found in carcass traits except hot and cold carcass weight though; they were within normal range.

Conclusion: At the end of experiment it appears that incorporation of 1.5g/kg body weight Giloy stem powder can be used as a part of the strategy as it is effective to alleviate stress in lambs in the semi-intensive system of arid zone of Rajasthan.
Multiple extranodal sites at presentation in non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma
Authors: Singh Devinder , Sharma Atul , Mohanti B.K. , Thulkar Sanjay , Bahadur Sudhir , Sharma S.C. , Gupta S. Dutta
Published: August 2003

About one‐third of NHL patients present lymphomas at extranodal sites. Involvement of multiple noncontiguous extranodal sites at presentation without lymph node involvement is unknown. Herein we present two such cases. The first patient had sinonasal tract and urinary bladder NHL at presentation, while the other patient presented with bilateral adrenal involvement in addition to sinonasal tract NHL. Clinical presentation and pathophysiology are discussed, and a brief review of literature is included. Am. J. Hematol. 74:75–77, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Autoimmune cytopenia does not predict poor prognosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma†
Authors: Kyasa Mouhammed J. , Parrish Rudolph S. , Schichman Steven A. , Zent Clive S.
Published: August 2003

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) is characterized by an acquired immune defect that can cause autoimmune complications, including anemia and thrombocytopenia. We conducted an observational study of the epidemiology, clinical presentation and significance of autoimmune complications of CLL/SLL in 132 patients from a large population (>45,000 veterans), in which at least 90% of patients with CLL/SLL have been previously identified. Over a period of 12.5 years, 12 patients (9.1%) had autoimmune complications; of these, 6 (4.5%) had autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), 5 (3.8%) had immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), and 1 (0.8%) had pure red blood cell aplasia (PRBA). All 6 cases of AIHA had a positive direct immunoglobulin test for IgG and C3d. In 6 patients, CLL/SLL was an incidental finding at the time of presentation with autoimmune cytopenia. Nine out of 10 patients responded to immunosuppressive therapy, which was complicated by serious infection in 7 cases, one of which was fatal. The major cause of mortality in patients with autoimmune complications of CLL/SLL was secondary malignancy. Survival of patients with immune cytopenia was not significantly different from CLL/SLL patients without immune cytopenia. Among patients with anemia or thrombocytopenia, mortality was significantly higher in those with bone marrow failure compared to an autoimmune etiology. We show that in a non‐referred population with a high incidence of CLL/SLL, autoimmune cytopenia can occur early in the natural history of the disease. These data suggest that the Rai and Binet classifications for CLL need to be modified for patients with autoimmune cytopenia. Am. J. Hematol. 74:1–8, 2003. Published 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evidence for expression of early myeloid antigens in mature, non‐blast myeloid cells in myelodysplasia
Authors: Xu Dongsheng , Schultz Cynthia , Akker Yelena , Cannizzaro Linda , Ramesh K.H. , Du Juan , Ratech Howard
Published: August 2003

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorders with frequent cytogenetic abnormalities. They can arise de novo or be related to therapy. Although blasts in MDS have been studied extensively, there is little information available on the mature, non‐blast myeloid cells (NBMCs). We used a retrospective case‐control study design. NBMC populations in MDS (48 cases) and in tumor‐free control (12 cases) bone marrow samples were analyzed using multiparameter flow cytometry for mean side scatter (SSC) channel number and for expression of aberrant cell surface antigens. MDS cases were stratified on the basis of cytogenetic abnormalities. We report that NBMCs in MDS with normal karyotype expressed significantly higher HLA‐DR than controls (P = 0.034). NBMCs in MDS cases with cytogenetic abnormalities and with ≥5% marrow blasts, compared with controls, had significantly higher CD34 and higher HLA‐DR but lower CD10 and lower SSC mean channel number. CD34 expression in NBMCs was significantly greater in therapy‐related MDS compared with de novo MDS ( P = 0.01), although the presence of cytogenetic abnormalities was not different ( P > 0.05). These data suggest that bone marrow, mature, NBMCs have phenotypic changes in MDS that are not seen in normal controls. Am. J. Hematol. 74:9–16, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of character correlation and variable groupings on modern human population tree resolution
Authors: Athreya Sheela , Glantz Michelle M.
Published: August 2003

Relationships among modern human populations are often explored through the use of linear measurements taken on the cranium and expressed in the form of dendrograms. However, craniometric variables are strongly correlated and thereby violate the assumption of independence that most statistical analyses require. This study explores the relationship between differing methods of variable treatment and the statistical robustness of the outcomes they yield, as depicted in interpopulational trees of relatedness among modern humans. Three methods of grouping variables are examined. The first method leaves them ungrouped, the second groups variables on the basis of the developmental and/or functional complex of the cranium to which they are thought to belong, and the last method reduces variables by using principal components analysis. The strength of each of these methods is tested through the use of the Continuous Character Maximum Likelihood (CONTML) program in the PHYLIP phylogeny inference package. This program produces output in the form of trees, and the resolution of the branching topology is given as a log‐likelihood value, with statistical confidence intervals supporting each branch placement on the tree. The results indicate that leaving variables ungrouped provides misleadingly strong results by failing to account for character correlation. Of the alternative two grouping methods, the covarying components method yields the best‐resolved tree with stronger statistical support for its topology than the approach of grouping variables on the basis of their location on the cranium. Finally, the implications for interpreting population histories based on such methods are discussed. Am J Phys Anthropol 121:000–000, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Brief communication: Sex determination accuracy of the minimum supero‐inferior femoral neck diameter in a contemporary rural Guatemalan population
Authors: Frutos Luis Ríos
Published: August 2003

One hundred and fourteen femora (75 male and 39 female) derived from a contemporary rural Guatemalan population were studied to test the ability of the minimum supero‐inferior femoral neck diameter as a sex indicator. With the discriminant functions previously developed from North American modern populations, a maximum of only 36% correctly sexed femora was obtained, with correct percentages as low as 4%. A new discriminant function for the Guatemalan rural population is presented, with a total of 89.5% correctly classified individuals. It is suggested that poor physical growth of the rural Guatemalan population, due to a stressful environment, can explain part of the metric differences observed between the North American and rural Guatemalan populations. Am J Phys Anthropol 121:000–000, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional capabilities of modern and fossil hominid hands: Three‐dimensional analysis of trapezia
Authors: Tocheri M.W. , Marzke M.W. , Liu D. , Bae M. , Jones G.P. , Williams R.C. , Razdan A.
Published: August 2003

Three‐dimensional (3D) trapezium models from Homo sapiens, Gorilla gorilla, Pan troglodytes, Australopithecus afarensis (A.L.333‐80), and Homo habilis (O.H.7‐NNQ) were acquired through laser digitizing. Least‐square planes were generated for each articular surface, and the angles between the planes were compared. Each extant species displays an overall pattern that distinguishes it from the others. The observed angles in G. gorilla and P. troglodytes are more similar to one other than either is to H. sapiens. Our results, obtained from using new 3D modeling and analytical tools, raise interesting questions about the functional capabilities of the fossil trapezia. Multivariate statistical analyses indicate that A.L.333‐80 is morphologically more similar to that of modern humans, whereas the O.H.7 trapezium is more similar to that of the gorilla. Significant differences between A.L.333‐80 and the extant species occur, but some similarities to humans suggest the ability to form the distinctively human forceful pad‐to‐side and three‐jaw chuck grips. Some key morphological differences from humans highlighted and quantified by our research suggest limitations in the functional capabilities of the O.H.7 trapezium, particularly in those that facilitate pronation at the base of the second metacarpal. If the O.H.7 trapezium represents part of the hand responsible for manufacturing and using the stone tools found at Olduvai, our results suggest that the hand manipulated the stones in a way for which we have no modern analog. Alternative considerations are that the O.H.7 trapezium is not representative of other trapezia from its species (i.e., N = 1), or that it represents another primate or hominid species. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hematological differences during growth among Tibetans and Han Chinese born and raised at high altitude in Qinghai, China
Authors: Garruto Ralph M. , Chin Chen‐Ting , Weitz Charles A. , Liu Ji‐Chuan , Liu Rui‐Ling , He Xing
Published: August 2003

This study describes the hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) and hematocrit (HCT) of over 1,000 Tibetan and Han children, adolescents, and young adults who were born and raised at 3,200 m, 3,800 m, or 4,300 m in Qinghai Province, western China. At 3,200 m, no altitude effect is evident in the hematological characteristics of either group. At 3,800 m and 4,300 m, both groups show [Hb] and HCT values that are above low‐altitude norms. At both altitudes, Tibetan and Han children show no differences in the pattern of hematological response up to age 13. Among adolescents and young adults, however, the [Hb] and HCT of Han males and females are elevated compared to Tibetans. This indicates that the adolescent period may involve a divergence in the responses to hypoxia made by some individuals in these two groups. Also, many other adolescents and young adults in both groups show similar hematological characteristics, indicating that many Tibetans and Han share similar hematological responses to hypoxia. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Growth and nutritional status of Khasi boys in Northeast India relating to exogamous marriages and socioeconomic classes
Authors: Khongsdier R. , Mukherjee Nandita
Published: August 2003

The Khasis are one of the matrilineal tribes of Meghalaya in Northeast India. They belong to the Indo‐Mongoloid racial stock, and speak the Monkhmer language of the Austro‐Asiatic group. They have their own traditional religion (Niam Khasi), but about 65% of them have converted to Christianity. A few Khasi members have also embraced Islam through matrimonial relationship with immigrant Muslim males. The present study was based on a cross‐sectional sample of 1,351 urban Khasi boys aged 3–18 years belonging to these three religious groups, with a view to understanding the effects of socioeconomic factors on growth and nutritional status, using anthropometric variables such as weight and height. The findings showed that about 60%, 29%, and 6% of these boys were below −2 Z‐scores of the US National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) references in respect of weight for age, height for age, and body mass index for age, respectively. The logistic regression coefficient (β ± standard error) indicated that the prevalence of low weight for age (below −2 Z‐scores of the NCHS references) was positively associated with age (0.088 ± 0.014, P < 0.0001), while it was inversely associated with household income (−1.216 ± 0.030, P < 0.0001). Likewise, low height for age Z‐score was negatively associated with household income (−1.056 ± 0.130, P < 0.0001), although such a relationship was not significant in the case of low body mass index for age (−0.169 ± 0.229, P > 0.05). There were also significant differences between religious groups in respect of anthropometric variables. Allowing for household income, the ANCOVA test indicated that Muslim Khasi boys, who were the offspring of intermarriages between Khasi females and immigrant Muslim males, were significantly heavier and taller than Christian and Niam Khasi boys almost across ages. From about 3–10 years of age, Muslim Khasi boys were, on average, comparable to the 5th and 25th percentiles of the NCHS references of height and weight, respectively. Although it looks as though genetic mechanisms like heterosis and/or gene flow might also be associated with the larger body size in Muslim boys, such a conjecture could only be substantiated or refuted by further studies concerning genetic and more socioeconomic data on both immigrant and nonimmigrant populations. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ecology, habitat and bird community structure at Oussudu lake: towards a strategy for conservation and management
Authors: Chari K.B. , Abbasi S.A. , Ganapathy S.
Published: August 2003

Oussudu lake is a large, shallow wetland situated close to the city of Pondicherry, India. The lake harbours rich flora and fauna, and has been recognized as one of the important wetlands of Asia by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).

This paper summarizes the results of a 5‐year study on the annual composition, richness, diversity and population density of the bird community at Oussudu. A GIS database was developed on the basis of field surveys and allied studies.

The study reveals a declining trend in the number and diversity of the birds found at Oussudu with the exception of herons, egrets, plovers and lapwings. A relationship appears to exist between this decline in bird diversity and an increase in illegal fishing, cattle grazing, encroachments and pollution. These factors may have contributed to the decline of food and shelter for the birds.

A strategy has been developed for the conservation and management of the Oussudu catchment which would help in reversing undesirable trends.

Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biodiversity, conservation, and the ‘Taxonomic impediment’
Authors: Giangrande Adriana
Published: August 2003

This paper highlights the poor esteem in which taxonomy, as autonomous science, is held and the relative implications of this for conservation biology.

In recent times, taxonomy at the species level has tended to be neglected not just within ecological researches, but also in the identification and justification for the selection of the marine protected areas (MPA). A traditional criterion for choosing an MPA is the conservation of biodiversity, but most of the Italian MPA were chosen without initial detailed studies on their biodiversity, so that lists of species of the main invertebrate groups are not available.

The identification of organisms within communities to species level is one of the greatest constraints in terms of time and costs in ecological studies. Some studies have suggested that working at a taxonomic level higher than species does not result in an important loss of information (Taxonomic sufficiency). It does, however, lead to an inaccuracy of biodiversity evaluation which is, especially important when comparing different areas, and can lead to an ‘a priori’ exclusion of some entities before understanding their role in ecology.

Taxonomy has always been considered a marginal science even during the pioneer descriptive period of ecology, and traditionally has received little financial support. The result was the production of many misidentifications and erroneous records. During recent years, the developing experimental ecological approach has led to an improvement in scientific methods, but concurrently to a reduction in the number of expert taxonomists for many invertebrate groups. Descriptive works, historically so common in the Mediterranean area, are now considered obsolete, despite having an intrinsic value.

Biodiversity, particularly ‘species richness’ has long been thought to influence temporal variability and it seems that efforts to clarify the biodiversity/temporal variability relationship or to demonstrate the lack of such a relationship should continue. Such information is essential in order to maintain the ecological function despite the loss of component species, an important topic not only to ecologists but also to policy makers. Many species appear to have overlapping niches, and as such it could be argued that it is not essential for all species to be present. In contrast the crucial role of keystone species has been embraced in conservation biology as a tool to help highlight species requiring priority for protection.

Present knowledge of marine systems has led to the conclusion that, before developing theories and experimental design, we need an appropriate description of the system under investigation. A basic knowledge of the general biodiversity in term of species richness of a proposed MPA for example is essential, with a detailed survey providing the taxonomic lists necessary for biotope characterization and a reference data set for future comparisons.

Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Linking form and function: towards an eco‐hydromorphic approach to sustainable river restoration
Authors: Clarke Stewart J. , Bruce‐Burgess Lydia , Wharton Geraldene
Published: August 2003

River restoration is now widely undertaken and may be considered an increasingly important aspect of river management. Recent developments in European legislation (Habitats Directive and the Water Framework Directive) should give further impetus to river restoration across EU member states, as this legislation places greater emphasis on the processes that support river ecology.

Traditional river restoration approaches have been reach‐focused and opportunistic, capitalizing on flood defence works and the cooperation of sympathetic landowners.

Furthermore, many schemes have been species‐ or habitat‐driven and, thus, have sought to recreate channel forms believed to be favoured by particular species or associated with particular habitats. Such approaches have not always given due attention to the underlying geomorphological processes that create channel form and, consequently, the schemes have not been self‐sustaining, requiring continued management input.

Consistent with the ethos of the Water Framework Directive, an eco‐hydromorphic approach to river restoration is proposed here. This approach views spatial and temporal heterogeneity as fundamental characteristics of fluvial systems and advocates recreating a framework within which natural processes, such as sediment transport and nutrient dynamics, can occur.

Mesoscale habitat approaches are considered as one possible way to plan and achieve this framework, providing the potential to link the wide range of spatial and temporal scales that characterize river systems.

It is argued that river restoration will only be sustainable if it is undertaken within a process‐driven and strategic framework with inputs from a wide range of specialists. Such an approach needs to be reviewed constantly in light of appraisal and monitoring of previous river restoration schemes.

Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Beyond catchment considerations in the conservation of lotic biodiversity
Authors: Wishart M. J. , Davies B. R.
Published: August 2003

The history of river conservation has largely focused on preservation of the physical and structural properties of lotic ecosystems in an attempt to ensure safe and potable water supplies for human consumption. Such strategies are increasingly being implemented at the catchment or basin scale.

Although these reflect positive developments in the conceptualization of conservation issues pertaining to lotic systems and provide the logical economic, sociological and/or political units for management, we question whether they represent the appropriate scale for the protection of lotic biodiversity and biological processes. We argue that this requires considerations that extend beyond the protection of physical habitat to ensure protection of population processes.

Although many species can be successfully conserved using the catchment as the basic management unit, many others cannot. We review evidence from genetic studies of aquatic populations to examine movement in relation to catchments, recognizing that organisms with poor dispersal characteristics during their life cycles exhibit a high degree of genetic structure, whilst organisms with robust dispersal characteristics typically exhibit a homogeneous genetic structure.

Species with poor dispersal characteristics are more easily conserved at the catchment level, whereas those with high dispersal characteristics can only be safely conserved at bio‐regional supra‐catchment levels.

Modern technological advances aimed at redistributing water from areas with perceived surpluses to those with perceived deficits (inter‐basin water transfers), demonstrated to transfer organisms between historically isolated catchments, pose a potential threat to the conservation of biodiversity by mixing genetically distinct populations and hence altering evolutionary processes and pathways.

If our arguments hold, then it appears that conservation authorities need to reappraise the current dominant paradigm of the catchment as the basic unit for conservation and management, and incorporate broader, strategic landscape planning in water resource management.

Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stem cell plasticity, cell fusion, and transdifferentiation
Authors: Eisenberg Leonard M. , Eisenberg Carol A.
Published: August 2003

One of the most contentious issues in biology today concerns the existence of stem cell plasticity. The term “plasticity” refers to the capacity of tissue‐derived stem cells to exhibit a phenotypic potential that extends beyond the differentiated cell phenotypes of their resident tissue. Although evidence of stem cell plasticity has been reported by multiple laboratories, other scientists have not found the data persuasive and have remained skeptical about these new findings. This review will provide an overview of the stem cell plasticity controversy. We will examine many of the major objections that have been made to challenge the stem cell plasticity data. This controversy will be placed in the context of the traditional view of stem cell potential and cell phenotypic diversification. What the implications of cell plasticity are, and how its existence may modulate our present understanding of stem cell biology, will be explored. In addition, we will examine a topic that is usually not included within a discussion of stem cell biology—the direct conversion of one differentiated cell type into another. We believe that these observations on the transdifferentiation of differentiated cells have direct bearing on the issue of stem cell plasticity, and may provide insights into how cell phenotypic diversification is realized in the adult and into the origin of cell phenotypes during evolution. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 69:209–218, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cell‐based therapies for birth defects: A role for adult stem cell plasticity?
Authors: Fang Te‐Chao , Poulsom Richard
Published: August 2003

Cell therapy can offer a reasonable approach to the treatment of specific birth defects, particularly those for which hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) can be used to restore (even partially) the number of cells, protein levels, or enzyme activity. Relatively few clinical experiences have been published on this subject, but when a natural selective advantage exists for the cell graft, a degree of “rescue” is possible. Strategies have been developed to confer a selective advantage through genetic engineering of donor cells, and this approach may prove valuable in the treatment of birth defects, as it is in hematological malignancy. Stem cell (SC) plasticity, or transdifferentiation, may offer another route for delivery of cells to established or developing organs. A wide variety of studies support the concept that adult tissue‐specific SCs can, if displaced from their normal niche to another, be reprogrammed to produce cell types appropriate to their new environment. Clinical observations reveal that persistent tissue microchimerism develops not only in blood lineages after transfusion, but also in thyroid follicular epithelium via transplacental exchange. In addition, hepatic and renal parenchyma also become chimeric following allografts or bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Experimental models indicate that a renal glomerulosclerosis phenotype can be transferred by grafting whole BM, and that a severe liver disorder in fah–/– mice can be overcome by grafting HSCs and then exerting a selection pressure. It may be possible in the future to exploit the ability of adult SCs to contribute to diverse tissues; however, our understanding of the processes involved is at a very early stage. Birth Defects Research (Part C)69:238‐249 2003. ©2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cathodic electrochemiluminescence of Ru(bpy)/Naﬁon coated on graphite oxide electrode in purely aqueous solution
Authors: Cui Hua , Zhao Xiao‐Yu , Lin Xiang‐Qin
Published: August 2003

Two cathodic electrochemiluminescence (ECL) peaks have been obtained at −0.99 and −1.80 V (vs. SCE), respectively, from Ru(bpy)/Naﬁon coated onto a graphite oxide electrode in purely aqueous solution under cyclic voltammetric (CV) conditions, without addition of any reducing or oxidative reagents. These two ECL peaks were found to correlate to initial scan direction, pH, and reversal potential. Naﬁon played an important role in the generation of these two ECL peaks because no cathodic emission was observed in the system without Naﬁon. It seems that a part of Ru(bpy) electrogenerated at positive potential can remain in the Naﬁon, even at negative potentials. It was conﬁrmed that Ru(bpy)+ was formed at −1.80 V by addition of S2O. The ECL peak at −0.99 V is attributed to the reaction of Ru(bpy)3+ and OH−. The ECL peak at −1.80 V is probably due to the annihilation reaction of Ru(bpy)3+ and Ru(bpy)+. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reactivation of horseradish peroxidase with imidazole for continuous determination of hydrogen peroxide using a microﬂow injection–chemiluminescence detection system
Authors: Nozaki Osamu , Kawamoto Hiroko
Published: August 2003

A method for reactivation of inactivated horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was studied and exploited in an assay for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Addition of imidazole into a mobile phase made continuous determination of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) possible by microﬂow injection based on horseradish‐catalysed luminol chemiluminescence. For reproducible determination of H2O2 with HRP, the inactivation of HRP via protonation of the active sites of HRP caused by reaction with H2O2 must be avoided. We successfully reactivated protonated HRP (inactive HRP) with exogenous imidazole in the mobile phase of the microﬂow injection system. The imidazole successfully removed the attached proton from the inactive sites of the HRP. This assay was reproducible (within‐run reproducibility, CV = 4.0%) and the detection limit for H2O2 was 5 pmol. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expression of ﬁreﬂy luciferase gene in Erwinia amylovora
Authors: Gentilomi Giovanna , Zeri Lisa , Ghini Severino , Zerbini Marialuisa , Zufﬁ Elisa , Musiani Monica , Girotti Stefano
Published: August 2003

In this study we describe an efﬁcient stable genetic transformation of the phytopathogenic bacterium Erwinia amylovora using a recombinant expression vector encoding the ﬁreﬂy luciferase gene of Photinus pyralis, which is further controlled by IPTG‐inducible promoter. Stably transformed E. amylovora cells maintain the same infectivity as the wild‐type strain and, after induction with IPTG, produce luciferase. Luminescence produced by the action of luciferase on an exogenous substrate was easily detectable by a simple and rapid bioluminescent assay (BL). The transformed E. amylovora strain maintains the same high emission level, even after passage in pears, until about 15 days post‐infection. Our ﬁndings therefore show that the luciferase assay can be conveniently used to follow the bacterial movement in plant tissue and its dissemination in controlled environments.
Prospective study of peritoneal recurrence after curative surgery for gastric cancer
Authors: Roviello F , Marrelli D , de Manzoni G , Morgagni P , Di Leo A , Saragoni L , De Stefano A
Published: August 2003

Background

Peritoneal carcinomatosis is a common cause of failure after surgery for gastric cancer. The present longitudinal study was designed to evaluate the incidence and potential predictors of peritoneal recurrence after curative resection for gastric cancer.

Methods

Four hundred and forty-one patients who underwent potentially curative resections for gastric cancer in three surgical centres between 1988 and 1996 were evaluated. All patients were followed using a standard protocol following discharge from hospital. The correlation between tumour recurrence and clinicopathological variables was studied by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

Gastric cancer recurred in 215 (49 per cent) of 441 patients. Peritoneal recurrence was observed in 77 patients (17 per cent), locoregional recurrence in 96 patients and haematogenous recurrence in 75. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of factors associated with peritoneal recurrence identified diffuse–mixed histological type (relative risk (RR) 4·31, P < 0·001), infiltration of the serosa (RR 3·36, P = 0·001), lymph node involvement (RR 2·67, P = 0·023) and tumour size (RR 1·11, P = 0·050) as significant independent variables. In the diffuse–mixed histological subtype, the 5-year cumulative risk of peritoneal recurrence was 12 per cent in the absence of serosal invasion, and 69 per cent in patients with infiltration of the serosa; in the intestinal subtype, the cumulative risk in patients with serosa-negative and -positive tumours was 4 and 21 per cent respectively.

Conclusion

Radical surgery offers a low probability of cure in patients with diffuse–mixed type of gastric cancer and involvement of the serosa, due to a high risk of peritoneal recurrence. These patients might benefit from adjuvant therapies to prevent peritoneal carcinomatosis.
Human model of duodenogastro-oesophageal reflux in the development of Barrett's metaplasia
Authors: Dresner S M , Griffin S M , Wayman J , Bennett M K , Hayes N , Raimes S A
Published: August 2003

Background

Patients with an intrathoracic oesophagogastrostomy after subtotal oesophagectomy experience profound duodenogastro-oesophageal reflux (DGOR). This study investigated the degree of mucosal injury and histopathological changes in oesophageal squamous epithelium after subtotal oesophagectomy with gastric interposition in relation to the extent of postoperative DGOR.

Methods

Serial endoscopic assessment and systematic biopsy at the oesophagogastric anastomosis was undertaken in 40 patients following curative radical subtotal oesophagectomy and reconstruction with a gastric conduit subjected to a pyloroplasty. Thirty patients subsequently underwent combined 24-h ambulatory pH and bilirubin monitoring.

Results

Grade I–III oesophagitis was identified in 14 patients and oesophageal columnar epithelium in 19 patients. Biopsies from columnar regeneration revealed cardiac-type epithelium in ten patients and intestinal metaplasia in nine. Seven patients followed serially showed progression from cardiac-type epithelium to intestinal metaplasia. The incidence of Barrett's metaplasia was similar irrespective of the histological subtype of the resected tumour. Patients with oesophageal columnar epithelium had significantly higher acid (P = 0·015) and bilirubin (P = 0·011) reflux.

Conclusion

Severe DGOR occurs following subtotal oesophagectomy and provides an environment for the acquisition of Barrett's metaplasia via a sequence of cardiac epithelium and eventual intestinal metaplasia.
Management of aortic aneurysm infected with Salmonella
Authors: Hsu R B , Tsay Y G , Wang S S , Chu S H
Published: August 2003

Background

This study reviewed the clinical outcomes of patients with an aortic aneurysm infected with Salmonella treated by a single centre over 6 years.

Methods

Data were collected by a retrospective case-note review.

Results

Between September 1995 and December 2001, 121 patients with non-typhoid Salmonella bacteraemia were treated, of whom 24 patients had an aortic aneurysm infected with Salmonella. Ten had a suprarenal and 14 an infrarenal aortic infection. The most common responsible pathogen was group C Salmonella (12 patients). All of the 20 patients who had combined medical and surgical therapy survived, whereas two of four who had medical therapy alone died. There were two late deaths during a mean follow-up of 23 (range 3–63) months.

Conclusion

The incidence of aortic infection in patients with non-typhoid Salmonella bacteraemia was high in Taiwan. Timely surgical intervention and prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy resulted in excellent outcomes.
Renal dysfunction and prolonged visceral ischaemia increase mortality rate after suprarenal aneurysm repair
Authors: Bicknell C D , Cowan A R , Kerle M I , Mansfield A O , Cheshire N J W , Wolfe J H N
Published: August 2003

Background

Elective juxtarenal abdominal aneurysm repair has a significantly lower mortality rate than suprarenal repair. Identification of factors affecting outcome may lead to a reduction in mortality rate for suprarenal repair.

Methods

Data were collected prospectively between 1993 and 2000 for 130 patients who underwent type IV thoracoabdominal aneurysm (TAA) repair and 44 patients who had juxtarenal aneurysm (JRA) repair. Preoperative risk factors and operative details were compared between groups and related to outcome after TAA repair (there were only two deaths in the JRA group).

Results

The in-hospital mortality rate was significantly higher following TAA repair (20·0 per cent; 26 of 130 patients) than JRA repair (4·5 per cent; two of 44). Raised serum creatinine concentration was the only preoperative factor (P = 0·013) and visceral ischaemia the only significant operative factor (P = 0·001) that affected mortality after TAA repair.

Conclusion

JRA repair was performed with similar risks to those of infrarenal aneurysm repair. Impaired preoperative renal function was related to death following TAA repair and conservative treatment should be considered for patients with a serum creatinine level above 180 µmol/l. Reducing the duration of visceral ischaemia might improve outcome.
Cytokine gene polymorphisms and the inflammatory response to abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
Authors: Bown M J , Horsburgh T , Nicholson M L , Bell P R F , Sayers R D
Published: August 2003

Background

Cytokines are key mediators of the inflammatory response to surgery and polymorphic sites in their genes have been shown to affect cytokine production in vitro. The aim of this study was to determine whether cytokine gene polymorphisms affect cytokine production in vivo in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair.

Methods

One hundred patients admitted for elective AAA repair had plasma levels of interleukin (IL) 1β, IL-6, IL-10 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) α measured at induction of anaesthesia and 24 h after operation. Genotypes for each patient were determined using induced heteroduplex genotyping for the following loci: IL-1β + 3953, IL-6 − 174, IL-10 − 1082/−592 and TNF-α − 308.

Results

Patients with an IL-10 − 1082 A allele had a significantly higher IL-10 response to surgery than those without an A allele (P = 0·030) and there was also a significant difference in IL-10 response between patients with IL-10 − 1082 AA genotypes and those with GG genotypes (P = 0·030).

Conclusion

Elective AAA repair results in a measurable cytokine response. In this study the magnitude of this response was not affected by the individual patient's cytokine gene polymorphisms.
l-Arginine-induced relaxation of the internal anal sphincter is not mediated by nitric oxide
Authors: Acheson A G , Griffin N , Scholefield J H , Wilson V G
Published: August 2003

Background

Topical application of l-arginine, the precursor of nitric oxide, reduces resting anal pressure without significant side-effects and may therefore be of benefit in the treatment of anal fissure. This in vitro study investigated the effect of l-arginine on sheep and human isolated internal anal sphincter (IAS) to ascertain the role played by nitric oxide and guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate.

Methods

Strips of sheep and human IAS were mounted in isolated organ baths. The effects on myogenic tone of increasing concentrations of l-arginine, d-arginine and other amino acids were evaluated.

Results

l-Arginine, d-arginine and other basic amino acids (l-lysine and l-ornithine) all caused a concentration-dependent reduction in myogenic tone. l-Arginine was the most effective and produced a mean(s.e.m.) maximal reduction in myogenic tone of 78·2(7·1) and 40·2(9·3) per cent in sheep and human tissue respectively. These responses were not affected by NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, or 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]-quinoxalin-1-one, an inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase. Changes in pH per se were unable to explain the relaxation fully, but an equiosmolar sodium chloride solution produced a concentration–response relationship similar to that of l-arginine.

Conclusion

The ability of l-arginine to reduce myogenic tone is independent of nitric oxide. This effect may be partially pH dependent but the osmolality of the solution appears to be a major factor. Hyperosmolar solutions might be worthy of further investigation as agents that affect anal tone.
Influence of postoperative morbidity on long-term survival following liver resection for colorectal metastases
Authors: Laurent C , Sa Cunha A , Couderc P , Rullier E , Saric J
Published: August 2003

Background

Survival after resection of colorectal liver metastases may be influenced by the patient, the primary tumour and the liver metastases. Postoperative morbidity is associated with poor survival in several cancers. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate prognostic factors of survival after resection of colorectal liver metastases, including postoperative morbidity.

Methods

From 1985 to 2000, 311 consecutive patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer underwent resection with curative intent. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the influence of age, sex, site and stage of the colorectal tumour, disease-free interval, number, size and distribution of metastases, type of hepatectomy, pedicular clamping, resection margin, blood transfusion, postoperative morbidity and adjuvant chemotherapy on overall and disease-free survival.

Results

The postoperative mortality and morbidity rates were 3 and 30 per cent respectively. The 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 53 and 36 per cent respectively. Both overall and disease-free survival rates were independently associated with nodal status of the colorectal tumour, number of metastases and postoperative morbidity. Patients with postoperative morbidity had an overall and disease-free 5-year survival rate half that of patients with no morbidity: 21 versus 42 per cent for overall survival (P < 0·001) and 12 versus 28 per cent for disease-free survival (P = 0·001) respectively.

Conclusion

Long-term survival can be altered by postoperative morbidity after resection of colorectal liver metastases by increasing the risk of tumour recurrence. This justifies optimizing the surgical treatment of colorectal liver metastases to decrease postoperative morbidity and the use of efficient adjuvant treatments in patients with postoperative morbidity.