bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sweet's syndrome in an infant – report of a rare case
Authors: Prasad Pullbatla Venkata Siva , Ambujam Sreedevi , Priya Kota , Padma Kamalamma , Rehana Tipoo
Published: March 2003

A 35‐day‐old baby girl presented with a history of sudden onset of skin lesions of 4 days’ duration. The skin lesions initially appeared on the cheeks, but progressed to involve the trunk and limbss within 4 days. There was a history of upper respiratory tract infection 10 days prior to the onset of the skin lesions. The skin lesions were associated with fever. There was no history or symptoms suggestive of systemic involvement. The child was not on any drugs prior to the onset of the skin lesions.

On examination, the child was febrile with a temperature of 100 °F and a pulse rate of 120 beats/min, and weighed 3.8 kg. Cutaneous examination revealed multiple, erythematous, nodular lesions on the face (Fig. 1). A few large bullous lesions were present on the thighs and gluteal region. Multiple tender nodules and a few annular lesions with well‐defined discrete papules at the margins and central erythema were also seen on the trunk and limbs. There was no involvement of the mucous membranes. Systemic examination was within normal limits.

Face showing erythematous nodular lesions

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The investigations revealed a hemoglobin of 7.2 g%, a total count of 30,000 cells/mm3 with a differential count of 79% neutrophils, and an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 50 mm at 1 h.

Urine examination, USG, and pus culture were normal. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening in the baby and mother was negative. The histopathologic section revealed a dense inflammatory cell infiltrate involving the epidermis and upper dermis, composed mainly of neutrophils. The epidermis also showed edema and spongiotic vesicles. The inflammatory cell infiltrate was distributed around small blood vessels, as well as the entire upper dermal tissue, together with leukocytoclasis (Fig. 2).

Histopathology of a nodule showing perivascular and upper dermal neutrophilic infiltrate with leukocytoclasis and spongiosis of the epidermis (× 40)

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The baby was treated with oral prednisolone, at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight, and oral potassium iodide (100%), five drops, three times daily. With this regimen, the skin lesions regressed in 4 weeks. Steroids were gradually tapered and oral potassium iodide was continued for four more weeks and then stopped. The lesions resolved with secondary cutis laxa. There was no relapse at the end of a follow‐up period of 12 months.
The evolution of spore size in Agarics: do big mushrooms have big spores?
Authors: Meerts
Published: March 2003

As a first attempt to investigate evolutionary patterns of spore size in Agarics, I tested whether this trait was correlated to the size of the fruit-body (basidiocarp). Based on phylogenetically independent contrasts, it was shown that big mushroom species had on average 9% longer, 9% wider and 33% more voluminous spores (all with P < 0.05, one-tailed tests) than small congeneric species (a three-fold difference in cap diameter was used to discriminate big and small mushrooms). It is argued that larger spore size does not consistently confer higher fitness in fungi, owing to aerodynamic constraints. Surprisingly, the cap–spore correlation was strongly lineage-specific. Thus, spore volume correlated significantly with cap diameter in five of 16 large genera (four positive and one negative correlation). Positive cap–spore correlations are interpreted in terms of developmental constraints, mediated by hyphal swelling during cap expansion. The possible mechanisms which can account for the breakdown of this constraint in the majority of genera investigated are discussed.
Chromosomal differentiation through an Alpine hybrid zone in the grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus
Authors: Flanagan  , Mason  , Gosálvez  , Hewitt
Published: March 2003

The grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus is genetically differentiated over its range into at least five major geographical subdivisions. Two of these subdivisions, designated as subspecies, meet and form a hybrid zone in the Pyrenees. These subspecies differ for a wide range of morphological, behavioural and chromosomal characters, which vary clinally across the zone. A further geographical subdivision exists within Italy. Here we present the first evidence for chromosomal divergence between populations of the grasshopper north and south of the Alps. Across two Alpine cols (Col de Larche, between France and Italy; Passo de Resia, between Austria and Italy), these populations differ in both structural and functional components of the X-chromosome. Northern Alpine individuals possess an active nucleolar organizing region (NOR) at the distal end of the X-chromosome and an associated region of heterochromatin (C-band). Both these features are absent from individuals from the south of the Alps. However, all individuals examined carry distally located rDNA on the X-chromosome. Clinal transition was examined in the distal C-band in transects through the two cols. The cline centres are roughly coincident with the tops of the cols. Both clines were of similar widths (Col de Larche, 21.88 km; Passo de Resia, 24.05 km), and therefore much wider than those for an X-linked distal C-band in the Pyrenean hybrid zone. This suggests that there are different selective pressures on the cytogenetic characters in the Alps. The results are discussed in the context of the historical population dynamics of the species in relation to the climatic changes associated with the Pleistocene ice ages.
Evolutionary genetics of sex-limited traits under fluctuating selection
Authors: Reinhold K.
Published: March 2003

Ultimately based on the different gamete size and the resulting sex roles, most animal species have acquired traits that occur only in one of the sexes. For those sex-limited traits the impact of a single selection event is reduced, because the genes coding for these traits also occur unexpressed in the other sex and are therefore partly hidden to selection. All sex-limited traits thus show a storage effect analogous to a seed bank. This storage effect has to be considered when measuring the effect of fluctuating selection on sex-limited traits. Here, I develop appropriate equations to measure the ability of an allele to invade a population when fluctuating selection acts on sex-limited traits. A comparison of the equations for X-chromosomal and autosomal traits gives the following result: the evolution of traits limited to the heterogametic sex should preferentially involve X-chromosomal genes and the evolution of traits limited to the homogametic sex should preferentially involve autosomal genes. This difference between the sexes may contribute to explain (1) the large effect of X-chromosomal genes in causing hybrid sterility in the heterogametic sex and (2) the large effect of X-chromosomal genes on sexually selected traits in heterogametic males.
Functional mechanisms of an inducible defence in tadpoles: morphology and behaviour influence mortality risk from predation
Authors: Van Buskirk  , Mccollum
Published: March 2003

In many amphibian larvae a suite of morphological and behavioural characters varies together in an induced defence against predators, but it remains unclear which features are functionally related to defence. We independently manipulated behaviour and morphology in tadpoles of Hyla versicolor and assessed their consequences for swimming performance and predator escape. Data on burst swimming showed that tadpoles which accelerated rapidly were elongate, with shallow bodies and tails. Predator escape was measured by exposing tadpoles to predators (larval Anax dragonflies or larval Ambystoma salamanders) and recording time until death. Tadpoles were first reared for 30 days in ponds containing either caged Anax or no predators; individuals responded to predators by developing large brightly coloured tails and short bodies. We placed tadpoles of both morphological phenotypes into plastic tubs, and manipulated their behaviour using food and chemical cues from predators. Mortality risk experienced by the predator-induced phenotype was about half that of the no-predator phenotype, and risk increased with time spent swimming. An interaction between morphology and behaviour arose because increasing activity caused higher risk for tadpoles with deep tail fins but not shallow tail fins.
DNA evidence for morphological and cryptic Cenozoic speciations in the Anaspididae, ‘living fossils’ from the Triassic
Authors: Jarman  , Elliott
Published: March 2003

The speciation history of Anaspides tasmaniae (Crustacea: Malacostraca) and its close relatives (family Anaspididae) was studied by phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences. The phylogenetic analyses revealed that the Anaspides morphotype conceals at least three cryptic species belonging to different parts of its range. The occurrence of multiple cryptic phylogenetic species within one morphological type shows that substantial genetic evolution has occurred independently of morphological evolution. Molecular clock dating of the speciation events that generated both the cryptic and the morphological species of Anaspididae indicated continuous speciation within this group since the Palaeocene ~55 million years ago. This relatively constant rate of recent morphological and cryptic speciation within the Anaspididae suggests that the speciation rate in this group does not correlate with its low extinction rate or morphological conservatism.
Cultural niche construction and human evolution
Authors: Laland K. N. , Odling-Smee J. , Feldman M. W.
Published: March 2003

Organisms frequently choose, regulate, construct and destroy important components of their environments, in the process changing the selection pressures to which they and other organisms are exposed. We refer to these processes as niche construction. In humans, culture has greatly amplified our capacity for niche construction and our ability to modify selection pressures. We use gene-culture coevolutionary models to explore the evolutionary consequences of culturally generated niche construction through human evolution. Our analysis suggests that where cultural traits are transmitted in an unbiased fashion from parent to offspring, cultural niche construction will have a similar effect to gene-based niche construction. However, cultural transmission biases favouring particular cultural traits may either increase or reduce the range of parameter space over which niche construction has an impact, which means that niche construction with biased transmission will either have a much smaller or a much bigger effect than gene-based niche construction. The analysis also reveals circumstances under which cultural transmission can overwhelm natural selection, accelerate the rate at which a favoured gene spreads, initiate novel evolutionary events and trigger hominid speciation. Because cultural processes typically operate faster than natural selection, cultural niche construction probably has more profound consequences than gene-based niche construction, and is likely to have played an important role in human evolution.
Moving in two worlds: aquatic and terrestrial locomotion in sea snakes (Laticauda colubrina, Laticaudidae)
Authors: Shine R. , Shetty S.
Published: March 2003

Yellow-lipped sea kraits (Laticauda colubrina) are amphibious in their habits. We measured their locomotor speeds in water and on land to investigate two topics: (1) to what degree have adaptations to increase swimming speed (paddle-like tail etc.) reduced terrestrial locomotor ability in sea kraits?; and (2) do a sea krait’s sex and body size influence its locomotor ability in these two habitats, as might be expected from the fact that different age and sex classes of sea kraits use the marine and terrestrial environments in different ways? To estimate ancestral states for locomotor performance, we measured speeds of three species of Australian terrestrial elapids that spend part of their time foraging in water. The evolutionary modifications of Laticauda for marine life have enhanced their swimming speeds by about 60%, but decreased their terrestrial locomotor speed by about 80%. Larger snakes moved faster than smaller individuals in absolute terms but were slower in terms of body lengths travelled per second, especially on land. Male sea kraits were faster than females (independent of the body-size effect), especially on land. Prey items in the gut reduced locomotor speeds both on land and in water. Proteroglyphous snakes may offer exceptional opportunities to study phylogenetic shifts in locomotor ability, because (1) they display multiple independent evolutionary shifts from terrestrial to aquatic habits, and (2) one proteroglyph lineage (the laticaudids) displays considerable intraspecific and interspecific diversity in terms of the degree to which they use terrestrial vs. aquatic habitats.
Analysis of asymmetries in the African fruit bats Eidolon helvum and Rousettus egyptiacus (Mammalia: Megachiroptera) from the islands of the Gulf of Guinea. I. Variance and size components of bilateral variation
Authors: Juste J. , López-González C. , Strauss R. E.
Published: March 2003

A set of cranial characters was examined in the fruit bats Rousettus egyptiacus and Eidolon helvum to compare trends and relative importance of major components of bilateral morphometric variation, and their relationship with character size. Using two-way, sides-by-individuals ANOVA, four components of variation were estimated for each bilateral variable: individual variation (I), directional asymmetry (DA), non-directional asymmetry (NDA) and measurement error (E). Both species exhibit similar major trends of variation in asymmetry across characters, as shown by principal component analysis, using variance components as variables. Degree of interspecific congruence among characters was confirmed by a two-way ANOVA with species and variance components as fixed factors. Congruence of asymmetry patterns between species suggests that the concept of population asymmetry parameter (PAP) could be extended to higher hierarchies. PAPs above the species level may result from common mechanisms or similar developmental constraints acting on species’ buffering capacities and morphological integration processes.
Molecular data suggest a hybrid origin for the invasiveCaulerpa racemosa(Caulerpales, Chlorophyta) in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Durand C. , Manuel M. , Boudouresque C. F. , Meinesz A. , Verlaque M. , Le Parco Y.
Published: March 2003

Morphological data has provided a basis for the hypothesis that three taxa belonging to the Caulerpa racemosa complex occur in the Mediterranean Sea: var. turbinata–uvifera, var. lamourouxi, and the `invasive variety'. In order to test this hypothesis and to determine the origin of the `invasive variety', the transcribed spacer ITS1–ITS2 and an 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) intron were analysed from 16 isolates of Caulerpa racemosa. The `invasive variety' shows intraindividual polymorphism for both types of sequences. The ITS1–ITS2 data confirm that the three morphological varieties of C. racemosa from the Mediterranean Sea are distinct taxonomic units. The 18S intron data suggest that the new `invasive variety' could be a recent hybrid between var. turbinata–uvifera and an unknown tropical strain. Incongruence between the phylogenetic tree computed from ITS1–ITS2 regions and the 18S intron indicates that homogenization processes of concerted evolution have run at different rates.
Optimal diving behaviour for foraging in relation to body size
Authors: Mori Y.
Published: March 2003

Overall, large animals dive longer and deeper than small animals; however, after the difference in body size is taken into account, smaller divers often tend to make relatively longer dives. Neither physiological nor theoretical explanations have been provided for this paradox. This paper develops an optimal foraging diving model to demonstrate the effect of body size on diving behaviour, and discusses optimal diving behaviour in relation to body size. The general features of the results are: (1) smaller divers should rely more heavily on anaerobic respiration, (2) larger divers should not always make longer dives than smaller divers, and (3) an optimal body size exists for each diving depth. These results explain the relatively greater diving ability observed in smaller divers, and suggest that if the vertical distribution of prey in the water column is patchy, there is opportunity for a population of diving animals to occupy habitat niches related to body size.
Genetic variation for sexual dimorphism in flower size within and between populations of gynodioecious Thymus vulgaris
Authors: Thompson J. D. , Rolland A.-G. , Prugnolle F.
Published: March 2003

There has been very little empirical study of quantitative genetic variation in flower size in sexually dimorphic plant species, despite the frequent occurrence of flower size differences between sexual phenotypes. In this study we quantify the nature of quantitative flower size variation in females and hermaphrodites of gynodioecious Thymus vulgaris. In a field study, females had significantly smaller flowers than hermaphrodites, and the degree of flower size dimorphism varied significantly among populations. To quantify the genetic basis of flower size variation we sampled maternal progeny from 10 F0 females in three populations (across the range of variation in flower size in the field), performed controlled crosses on F1 offspring in the glasshouse and grew F2 progeny to flowering in uniform field conditions. A significant population * sex interaction was again observed, hence the degree of sexual dimorphism shows genetic variation among populations. A significant family * sex interaction was also observed, indicating that the degree of sexual dimorphism shows genetic variation among families. Females showed significantly greater variation among populations and among families than hermaphrodites. Female flower size varied significantly depending on the degree of stamen abortion, with morphologically intermediate females having flowers more similar to hermaphrodites than to other females. The frequency of female types that differ in the degree of stamen abortion varied among populations and families and mean family female flower size increased as the proportion of intermediate female types increased across families. Variation in the degree of flower size dimorphism thus appears to be a result of variation in the degree of stamen abortion in females, the potential causes of which are discussed.
Preoperative autologous blood donation by elderly patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery
Authors: Gandini G. , Franchini M. , De Gironcoli M. , Giuffrida A. , Bertuzzo D. , Zanolla L. , Ferro I. , Regis D. , Aprili G.
Published: March 2003

Background and Objectives

To assess the feasibility of a programme of predeposit in elderly patients undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively studied 789 elderly patient candidates (> 65 years of age) for orthopaedic surgery (total hip and knee replacement and spinal surgery), who were undergoing a programme of preoperative autologous blood donation (PABD) in our city hospital between January 1990 and December 1998.

Results

Six hundred and eighty‐eight patients (87·2%) were transfused with autologous blood; 128 (16·2%) also received allogeneic blood. Hip arthroplasty revision was characterized by the greatest blood consumption. The predeposit programme was discontinued in 96 patients (12·2%) because of the following complications: the onset of anaemia (11·0%); vasovagal reactions (0·5%); lack of venous access (0·4%); or cardiac complications (0·2%). No episodes of reaction to autologous transfusion were recorded.

Conclusions

Our study confirms the feasibility of PABD in elderly patients undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery.
Variant Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease in Australian blood donors: estimation of risk and the impact of deferral strategies
Authors: Correll P. K. , Law M. G. , Seed C. R. , Gust A. , Buring M. , Dax E. M. , Keller A. J. , Kaldor J. M.
Published: March 2003

Background and Objectives

In Australia, a policy of deferring donors who have lived in the UK for longer than 6 months between 1980 and 1996 has been instituted to reduce the theoretical risk of transmitting variant Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (vCJD) through the blood supply. The objective of this report was to refine estimates of the possible risks and benefits of donor‐deferral strategies that are aimed at avoiding transmission of vCJD.

Materials and Methods

Estimates of the effect of donor deferral on the blood supply in Australia were based on a 1998 survey of blood donors. The number of donations from donors potentially infected with vCJD and excluded by donor deferral was estimated based on published estimates of the size of the vCJD epidemic in the UK and assuming that the risk of vCJD in Australian blood donors was proportional to the time lived in the UK between 1980 and 1996. The possible increased number of blood donations that were infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) and made during a window period (as a result of increased donations from first‐time donors) was estimated using published methods.

Results

A strategy of deferring donations in Australia from people who have lived in the UK for 6 months or longer, between 1980 and 1996, was estimated to result in exclusion of 5·3% of all blood donations, corresponding to 50 100 donations in 1998. It was estimated that the annual number of blood donations made by donors potentially infected with vCJD is 1·15 (range 0·02–31·1, based on the uncertainty in the UK prevalence estimate). Donor deferral was estimated to remove 0·92 (range 0·02–25·1) of these donations. Replacement of 33%, 50% and 100% of excluded donations by donations from first‐time donors, was estimated to result in an increase of 0·0010, 0·0019 and 0·0044, respectively, of HIV‐infected donations per year donated during the window period; in an increase of 0·021, 0·038 and 0·089, respectively, of HCV‐infected donations per year; and in an increase of 0·18, 0·33 and 0·76, respectively, of HBV‐infected donations per year.

Conclusions

The large uncertainties involved in these analyses mean that estimates must be interpreted cautiously, but the data does suggest that donor deferral may exclude more donations from donors potentially infected with vCJD than the corresponding increase, caused by donor replacement, of window‐period donations possibly infected with HIV, HCV or HBV.
Cellular immune response to autologous blood transfusion in hip arthroplasty: whole blood versus buffy coat‐poor packed red cells and fresh‐frozen plasma
Authors: Frietsch T. , Krombholz K. , Tolksdorf B. , Nebe T. , Segiet W. , Lorentz A.
Published: March 2003

Background and Objectives

Transfusion‐induced immunomodulation by autologous blood is probably related to the buffy coat. Hence, in the present study, phagocytotic and oxidation activities of peripheral blood cells were investigated in hip arthroplasty patients exposed to autologous blood.

Materials and Methods

Blood from 60 autologous donors was allocated at random to storage as whole blood (WB) or as buffy coat‐poor packed red cells and fresh‐frozen plasma (RCP). Phagocytotic and oxidation activities of neutrophils and monocytes, incidence of infections and length of hospital stay were compared among the groups of transfused (WB and RCP) and non‐transfused (NT) patients.

Results

Phagocytotic activities of neutrophils and monocytes were not significantly different among the WB, RCP and NT groups.

Conclusion

In the perioperative setting, a specific cellular immune response to autologous transfusion is not detectable.
Supernatants of stored polymorphonuclear neutrophils exhibit growth‐promoting activity in several cell lines: perforin expression in polymorphonuclear neutrophils and its role in down‐regulation of growth‐promoting activity
Authors: Nishimura M. , Mitsunaga S. , Juji T.
Published: March 2003

Background and Objectives Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) play important roles in the host immune defence. This study was performed to identify roles of PMNs other than those already known.

Materials and Methods PMNs were separated from the peripheral blood of healthy individuals and stored in vitro for 24 h in the presence or absence of an anti‐human Fc receptor (FcR) γ III antibody, namely, anti‐CD16 monoclonal antibody (mAb). Stored supernatants were harvested and incubated with several leukaemia and transformed cell lines for 48 h. The increase in growth rate was assessed by the increase in the amount of 3H‐thymidine incorporated into these cells. Expression of perforin on PMNs, which is thought to decrease cell viability, was elucidated by flow cytometry (FCM) analysis. The presence of perforin in the stored supernatants was determined using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A serine protease inhibitor, which is known to block the effect of perforin, was added to the cultures of several leukaemia and transformed cell lines to confirm the effect of perforin in reducing cell viability.

Results Growth promotion of some cell lines cultured with the stored supernatants of PMNs was observed both in the presence and absence of anti‐CD16 mAb, which was used as a trigger molecule of PMNs. This was particularly notable in the case of Raji and Daudi (both Burkitt lymphoma) cell lines and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐transformed B‐lymphoblastoid cell lines (B‐LCLs) derived from healthy individuals. Perforin expression was observed in both freshly prepared and stored PMNs, regardless of the presence or absence of anti‐CD16 mAb. ELISA also detected perforin in the stored supernatants in both the presence and absence of anti‐CD16 mAb. The increase in growth rate was induced in the presence of not only a serine protease inhibitor but also an anti‐perforin mAb.

Conclusions Stored supernatants of PMNs exhibit up‐regulation of cell growth in several cell lines; this up‐regulation is particularly prominent in B‐lineage cell lines. Furthermore, perforin appeared to be expressed on PMNs constitutively and secreted into the extracellular fluid. Results of this study strongly suggest that the growth‐promoting activity in supernatants of stored PMNs is partially inhibited by perforin, which is thought to be produced by PMNs themselves.
Automated screening of blood donations for hepatitis C virus RNA using the Qiagen BioRobot 9604 and the Roche COBAS HCV Amplicor assay
Authors: Grant P. R. , Sims C. M. , Krieg‐Schneider F. , Love E. M. , Eglin R. , Tedder R. S.
Published: March 2003

Background and Objectives In order to reduce the potential for transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) from an RNA‐positive, anti‐HCV‐negative blood donation, the National Blood Service (NBS) introduced nucleic acid amplification technology (NAT) testing for HCV in England and Wales. The objective of this study was to develop an automated assay using commercial components for the detection of HCV RNA in blood donations for transfusion.

Materials and Methods The Qiagen QIAamp 96 ‘Viral RNA’ and ‘Virus’ BioRobot kits for HCV RNA extraction, and the Roche COBAS HCV Amplicor v2·0 and AmpliScreen v2·0 assays for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and detection, were investigated.

Results QIAamp technology and the BioRobot 9604 allow automation of the viral RNA extraction process. By combining the automated silica‐membrane based QIAamp 96 Virus extraction and automated reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) set‐up with COBAS HCV AmpliScreen v2·0 amplification and detection it is possible to achieve a 95% detection level for HCV of 12·8 IU/ml. Cross‐contamination studies have shown that use of the BioRobot 9604 does not pose a detectable contamination risk. Between 1999 and 2001, ≈ 6·8 × 106 donations were tested in England and Wales, of which only four were found to contain RNA without anti‐HCV.

Conclusions This combination of methods results in an assay with a high sample throughput, little ‘hands‐on’ time and fast turnaround time that is also sufficiently sensitive to allow testing of pools of up to 96 samples at a time. These methods have been successfully introduced into routine use within the NBS for release of blood components with a shelf‐life of longer than 24 h.
Transfusion‐transmitted hepatitis B virus infection in the UK: a small and moving target
Authors: Soldan K. , Barbara J. A. J. , Dow B. C.
Published: March 2003

Background and ObjectivesTransfusion‐transmitted hepatitis B virus (TT‐HBV) infections, when analysed in detail provide information about the nature and relative frequency of the sources of infectious donations. These cases are therefore used to inform blood safety strategies. This study updates previous reviews of the causes of TT‐HBV in order to determine whether a change may have occurred in recent years.

Materials and MethodsCases of TT‐HBV reported during 1998–2001 were reviewed and the nature of the infectious donations described. These cases were compared to a previously published case series reported during 1991–97.

ResultsSix cases of TT‐HBV have been reported in the UK between 1998 and 2001. All were the result of infectious donations collected from donors with acute HBV infection. This is in contrast to the series reported during 1991–97 when only three of 14 similar cases were caused by acute infections in donors, with the majority of incidents being the result of chronic infection in donors.

ConclusionsThere appears to have been a change in the relative importance of acute and chronic HBV infection in blood donors in causing TT‐HBV infections. Improvements in the sensitivity of HBsAg assays and/or a decrease in the prevalence of chronic HBV infection in blood donors could explain this observation. This change may have implications for strategies to reduce the risk of TT‐HBV infection.
Nucleic acid technology screening of Australian blood donors for hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus‐1 RNA: comparison of two high‐throughput testing strategies
Authors: Mison L. , Seed C. R. , Margaritis A. R. , Hyland C. ,   the ARCBS NAT Study Group
Published: March 2003

Background and Objectives The aim of this study was to compare the performance of two high‐throughput strategies for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus‐1 (HIV‐1) RNA nucleic acid technology (NAT) screening in a volunteer blood‐donor population.

Materials and Methods The semiautomated Chiron Procleix HIV‐1/HCV transcription mediated amplification (TMA) assay was used to screen 1 439 765 donations in two different testing configurations. Three sites (termed PDT sites) performed a mixture of individual donation (ID) and minipool (MP) testing, where 1 113 288 donations were screened as pools of 24 and an additional 32 003 donations were screened in ID format. A further two sites (termed SDT sites) screened 294 474 donations exclusively in ID format.

Results A significantly higher proportion of initial NAT reactives that failed to react on follow‐up testing [termed non‐repeatably reactive (NRR)] was observed for ID testing at SDT sites than at PDT sites (0·082 vs. 0·047%: P < 0·01). Within the PDT sites, however, there was no significant difference between the NRR rate for MP or ID samples (0·037 vs. 0·047%; not significant). There was a significant difference in failed run rates between PDT and SDT sites (P < 0·01), with PDT sites having a higher run failure rate owing to non‐amplification of the internal control. The PDT sites also had a significantly higher overall invalid sample rate. However, the invalid sample rate, specifically caused by known equipment failure, was significantly higher in the SDT sites, possibly attributable to greater usage (P < 0·0001). Four HCV NAT‐positive/antibody‐negative samples were identified in the course of the study.

Conclusions The comparison of the performance of PDT with SDT sites identified only minor differences that did not adversely impact on the timely release of blood products. Although both ID and MP strategies showed excellent specificity, irrespective of site configuration, the significantly increased NRR rate, observed exclusively for ID testing performed at SDT sites, indicates a potential for contamination that may limit the number of samples that can optimally be processed using ID testing. The performance data for ID testing in particular should serve as a useful benchmark for evaluating candidate NAT systems that are fully automated.
The role of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and the sphingosine pathway in sepsis‐induced myocardial dysfunction
Authors: Costello Merilee F. , Otto Cynthia M. , Rubin Leona J.
Published: March 2003

Objective: Myocardial dysfunction has been shown to play a major role in the mortality associated with sepsis. Tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) has been implicated as a key factor in this dysfunction, and the sphingomyelin pathway is a membrane‐signaling pathway by which TNF‐α exerts many of its negative inotropic effects. The purpose of this manuscript is to review the physiology of TNF‐α and sphingosine, etiology of increased levels of myocardial TNF‐α and sphingosine, as well as the effects of these increased levels on the myocardium. In addition, both in vivo and in vitro studies looking at the effects of blocking TNF‐α will be presented.

Data sources: Data sources included scientific reviews and original research publications.

Human data synthesis: It is well documented that levels of TNF‐α are elevated in many human patients with sepsis. However, clinical trials evaluating the effects of blocking TNF‐α have not shown a statistically significant decrease in the mortality of sepsis.

Veterinary data synthesis: No clinical research has been performed on TNF‐α and myocardial dysfunction in veterinary medicine, although many of the research models may be relevant to our patient population. In these models, myocardial TNF‐α and sphingosine are elevated in sepsis. Treatment of experimental animals with TNF‐α antibodies has shown variable results, while blockage of sphingosine has been shown to completely reverse the myocardial effects of increased TNF‐α.

Conclusions: Tumor necrosis factor‐α and the sphingomyelin pathway are an important part of the myocardial compromise that accompanies sepsis. Further research into these pathways may provide new understandings and treatment options for veterinary patients.
Klinische Relevanz der Haarmikroskopie bei Alopezie
Authors: De Berker D.
Published: March 2003

Zusammenfassung: Eine mikroskopische Untersuchung der Haare kann die Ursache des Haarausfalls aus einer Vielfalt von möglichen Diagnosen klären. Die meisten dieser Ursachen hängen mit dem Abbrechen der Haare zusammen, die übrigen stehen in Beziehung zu Wachstumsstörungen. Haare können aufgrund von exzessiven Traumata oder einer besonderen Empfindlichkeit, z. B. durch strukturelle Anomalien, abbrechen. Ein Fehlen des Wachstums spiegelt die follikuläre Dynamik wider und stellt den zentralen Mechanismus der häufigsten Ursachen einer Alopezie dar. Unter solchen Bedingungen erlaubt die Mikroskopie lediglich die unspezifische Bestätigung einer verkürzten Anagenphase. Auch wenn dies für die klinische Diagnose hilfreich sein kann, bietet die Mikroskopie bei einer Alopezie nur den Ausschluss verschiedener Diagnosen im Zusammenhang mit Haarbruch.Verlässliche Ergebnisse der Haarmikroskopie sind vom Umfang der entnommenen Haarprobe, der Haarlänge, den zu beurteilenden Merkmalen und der Erfahrung des Untersuchers abhängig.
Mycophenolatmofetil und Leflunomid: viel versprechende Immunmodulatoren zur Therapie von Hauterkrankungen
Authors: Frieling U. , Luger T.A.
Published: March 2003

Zusammenfassung: Im vergangenen Jahrzehnt gab es erhebliche Fortschritte im Verständnis für die Pathomechanismen immunvermittelter Erkrankungen, die zu signifikanten Weiterentwicklungen von immuntherapeutischen Strategien geführt haben. In Folge dessen ist die Anzahl spezifischer sowie unspezifischer immunmodulierender zur Therapie von Hauterkrankungen erheblich erweitert worden. Von den unspezifischen Immunmodulatoren zeigen Mycophenolatmofetil und Leflunomid viel versprechende Wirkungen bei einer Reihe autoimmun und entzündlich bedingter Hauterkrankungen. Beide Substanzen hemmen ein Schlüsselenzym der Nukleotid‐Biosynthese, ein Schritt, der entscheidend für die Produktion zytotoxischer T‐Zellen und die Antikörperbildung ist. Beide Substanzen haben keinen direkten Einfluss auf die DNS, wodurch möglicherweise ihr günstiges Nebenwirkungsprofil erklärt werden kann.
Role of Testa, Cotyledons and Embryonic Axis in Seed Dormancy of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Authors: Bandyopadhyay A. , Nautiyal P. C. , Radhakrishnan T. , Gor H. K.
Published: March 2003

Experiments were carried out during winter–summer (January–June) season to understand the role of seed testa, cotyledons and embryonic axis in imparting dormancy of some groundnut cultivars belonging to different habit groups. Crop was harvested at four maturity stages; 90, 100, 110 and 121 days after emergence (DAE). After drying the pods in shade for 2 days, the germination of seeds with (GST) and without (GSW) testa in rolled germination towels and seeds, and embryonic axes (GEM) in culture media from individual plants of a cultivar was studied. Seed testa played an important role in imparting dormancy followed by the cotyledons, and embryonic axis. However, the nature of dormancy of embryonic axis appeared to be different from that of the testa and cotyledons. Results suggested that the dormancy in groundnut is regulated mainly by testa (a maternal tissue) in the Spanish type, but by cotyledons, and embryonic axis (both zygotic tissue) as well as testa in Virginia types. Thus the genetic control of seed dormancy in groundnut appears to be quantitative in nature.
Nitrogen Economy, Dry Matter Production and Seed Production Potential of Setaria sphacelata by Intercropping of Pasture Legumes
Authors: Dwivedi G. K. , Kumar D.
Published: March 2003

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of five pasture legumes (Sesbania sesban, Desmenthus virgatus, Stylosanthes scabra, Clitoria ternatea, and Desmodium tortuosum used as intercropped component) with respect to nitrogen economy, dry matter and seed yield potential of Setaria sphacelata — a grass based management system which was maintained from 1993 to 1995 at Research Farm, Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi under rainfed condition. Legumes like Clitoria ternatea and Stylosanthes scabra enriched the nitrogen (39.8 to 46.9 kg N · ha−1) status of soil and the former legume produced at par seed yield to the 40 kg N · ha−1 application in S. sphacelata. Furthermore the increased seed yield of S. sphacelata under intercropping of legumes was attributed to its fertile tillers production, spike length and potential sink strength inducing the higher seed test weight. Potential seed production performance of S. sphacelata in the first year as compared to subsequent years might be due to its general transcript of plants and had some interactive effect with rainfall and some other associated climatological parameters.
Yield and Yield Components from Intercropping Improved Bush Bean Cultivars with Maize
Authors: Santalla M. , Casquero P. A. , De Ron A. M.
Published: March 2003

Bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is widely intercropped with maize (Zea mays L.) in North‐west Spain. Little information is available on the relative performance of elite bush bean cultivars when intercropped or on the effect of bush bean on performance of the maize crop. This two‐environment study presents the interactions between improved bush bean cultivars and maize on yield and yield components. Eight treatments (four bean/maize intercrops and four sole crops, two of bean and two of maize) were tested using a randomized complete block design with four replications in two environments. Bean and maize were planted simultaneously in alternate rows when intercropped. Significant treatment differences were observed for bean and maize moisture, pod and cob percentage, bean and maize yield, ears per plant and ear length. Location effects were significant for bean and maize moisture and pod percentage. Significant treatment by location interactions occurred for pod percentage and ear length. Intercropping reduced yield by between 40 and 60 % for bush bean cultivars, and by 45 % for both maize cultivars. Mean yields were used to calculate the land equivalent ratio (LER), which averaged 1.01 in Pontevedra but 0.93 in La Coruña. Intercropping of bush bean with maize did not make better use of land than conventional sole cropping under these environmental conditions. It is suggested that this was probably due to the amount and distribution of rain in relation to crop growth. Approaches that might be expected to result in improved land usage are presented.
Effects of Chemical Ameliorants on Stomatal Frequency and Water Relations in Brinjal (Solanum melongenaL.) under Moisture Stress Conditions
Authors: Prakash M. , Ramachandran K.
Published: March 2003

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of three chemical ameliorants, namely, cycocel, limewash and potassium chloride, on stomatal frequency, leaf water potential and relative water content in brinjal (Solanum melongenaL.) plants under moisture stress conditions. Moisture stress imposed at three stages decreased stomatal frequency, the length and breadth of stomata, leaf water potential and relative water content. Of the chemical ameliorants investigated, potassium chloride performed best in terms of stomatal behaviour and leaf water potential, whereas cycocel proved best in the case of relative water content.
Interactive Effect of Sulphur and Nitrogen on the Oil and Protein Contents and on the Fatty Acid Profiles of Oil in the Seeds of Rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.) and Mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern. and Coss.)
Authors: Ahmad A. , Abdin M. Z.
Published: March 2003

The effects of the interaction of sulphur (S) and nitrogen (N) on the oil and protein contents and the fatty acid profiles of oil in the seeds of the Brassica genotypes viz. Brassica juncea L. Czern and Coss cv. Pusa Jai Kisan (V1) and Brassica campestris L. (V2) were investigated. Three levels of S (0, 40 and 60 kg ha−1) in combination with three levels of N (60, 100 and 150 kg ha−1) were tested as treatments: T1 (0S + 100N), T2 (40S + 60N), T3 (40S + 100N), T4 (60S + 100N), and T5 (60S + 150N). Observations indicated that application of combined doses of S and N resulted in 5.0–10.9 % and 6.9–8.9 % enhancement in the oil content of seeds of V1 and V2, respectively, when compared with application of N without S (T1). Maximum oil content (48.1 % in V1 and 51.2 % in V2) was observed in treatment T4 (60 kg S ha−1 and 100 kg N ha−1). Increases in the oleic acid and linoleic acid contents and decreases in the eicosenoic acid and erucic acid contents were recorded in both genotypes with the application of S with N, when compared with N alone. Protein, N and S contents were maximum in treatment T3. The results obtained in this study suggest that a balanced N and S supply should be maintained for both quantity and quality of oil of Brassica genotypes.
Effects of Time and Rate of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Application on the Growth and the Seed and Oil Yields of Canola (Brassica napus L.)
Authors: Cheema M. A. , Malik M. A. , Hussain A. , Shah S. H. , Basra S. M. A.
Published: March 2003

A field study was conducted to investigate the influence of variable rates of application of N and P fertilizers in splits at various times on the growth and the seed and oil yields of canola (Brassica napus L.) during 1995–97. Rates of fertilizer application were 0 and 0 (F0), 60 and 0 (F1), 0 and 30 (F2), 60 and 30 (F3), 90 and 60 (F4) and 120 and 90 (F5) kg N ha−1 and kg P2O5 ha−1. All the P was applied at sowing while N was applied in splits, i.e. all at sowing, half at sowing and half with first irrigation, or half at sowing and half at flowering. The responses of growth, seed yield and components of yield were consistent in both years. Increasing the rate of fertilizer application from F4 (90/60 kg N/P2O5 ha−1) to F5 (120/90 kg N/P2O5 ha−1) increased the leaf area index (LAI) relative to the control and to lower rates of fertilizer application. For both crops, application of 90/60 kg N/P2O5 ha−1 significantly enhanced total dry matter (TDM) and seed yield. Seed yield increased mainly due to a greater number of pods per plant and seeds per seed‐pod. The time of fertilizer application did not significantly affect seed yield or components of yield in either season. Oil yield generally followed seed yield, increasing with increasing rate of fertilizer application up to 90/60 kg N/P2O5 ha−1. The maximum oil contents were obtained from the control. The results show that seed and oil yields of canola were maximized at the F4 (90/60 kg N/P2O5 ha−1) rate of application under the agro‐ecological conditions of Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Interactions amongst Grain Variables in Various Dwarf Dry Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivars
Authors: Önder M. , Babaoglu M.
Published: March 2003

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important leguminous crop. Seed variables such as protein, oil, cellulose, ash, nitrogen‐free extract, testa and moisture contents and the thousand‐seed weights of seven bean cultivars currently cultivated in Turkey, namely, A‐111 Pinto, Çalı, Yunus‐90, Eskişehir‐855, Şehirali‐90, Karacaşehir‐90 and Romano, were analysed in the laboratory with respect to their effects on the quality of bean seed grown under Central Anatolian ecological conditions. Statistically significant variations were found by ANOVA amongst the cultivars for all the variables examined, except the ash content of the seeds, and different groups were obtained by Duncan’s multiple range test. Correlations amongst the variables as well as their direct and indirect effects on protein content were also calculated using the correlation and path coefficients analyses, respectively.
Trait values of growth, carcass and meat quality in Wild Boar, Meishan and Pietrain pigs as well as their crossbred generations
Authors: Müller E. , Moser G. , Bartenschilager H. , Geldermann H.
Published: March 2003

The genetic diversity between European Wild Boar, Pietrain and Meishan and their crossbred generations are described on the basis of performance traits for growth, carcass composition and meat quality. Using the results of 1333 pigs, the highest growth rates were found in crossbred generations, indicating positive heterosis effects. In carcass composition, high meat content is associated with Pietrain and high fat content with Meishan alleles. Weights of organs were greatest in Wild Boar, the weight of the head was greatest in Meishan. Meat quality and stress resistance parameters point to superior gene effects in Wild Boar and Meishan. Crossbred animals of these genetically diverse pig sources generate the maximum variability for all traits, help to demonstrate the range of values for the specified breeds of pig and allow an efficient analysis of the genes influencing performance traits.