bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The solution structure of the periplasmic domain of the TonB system ExbD protein reveals an unexpected structural homology with siderophore‐binding proteins
Authors: Garcia‐Herrero Alicia , Peacock R. Sean , Howard S. Peter , Vogel Hans J.
Published: October 2007

The transport of iron complexes through outer membrane transporters from Gram‐negative bacteria is highly dependent on the TonB system. Together, the three components of the system, TonB, ExbB and ExbD, energize the transport of iron complexes through the outer membrane by utilizing the proton motive force across the cytoplasmic membrane. The three‐dimensional (3D) structure of the periplasmic domain of TonB has previously been determined. However, no detailed structural information for the other two components of the TonB system is currently available and their role in the iron‐uptake process is not yet clearly understood. ExbD from Escherichia coli contains 141 residues distributed in three domains: a small N‐terminal cytoplasmic region, a single transmembrane helix and a C‐terminal periplasmic domain. Here we describe the first well‐defined solution structure of the periplasmic domain of ExbD (residues 44–141) solved by multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The monomeric structure presents three clearly distinct regions: an N‐terminal flexible tail (residues 44–63), a well‐defined folded region (residues 64–133) followed by a small C‐terminal flexible region (residues 134–141). The folded region is formed by two α‐helices that are located on one side of a single β‐sheet. The central β‐sheet is composed of five β‐strands, with a mixed parallel and antiparallel arrangement. Unexpectedly, this fold closely resembles that found in the C‐terminal lobe of the siderophore‐binding proteins FhuD and CeuE. The ExbD periplasmic domain has a strong tendency to aggregate in vitro and 3D‐TROSY (transverse relaxation optimized spectroscopy) NMR experiments of the deuterated protein indicate that the multimeric protein has nearly identical secondary structure to that of the monomeric form. Chemical shift perturbation studies suggest that the Glu‐Pro region (residues 70–83) of TonB can bind weakly to the surface and the flexible C‐terminal region of ExbD. At the same time the Lys‐Pro region (residues 84–102) and the folded C‐terminal domain (residues 150–239) of TonB do not show significant binding to ExbD, suggesting that the main interactions forming the TonB complex occur in the cytoplasmic membrane.
Direct and indirect pathways of fitness‐impact in a protozoan‐infected kissing bug
Authors: BOTTO‐MAHAN CAREZZA , OSSA CARMEN GLORIA , MEDEL RODRIGO
Published: October 2007

AbstractParasites can reduce host fitness through short‐term mortality, complete or partial castration, or slight reductions in host fecundity. Hosts may reduce reproductive effort as an adaptive strategy to tolerate parasitism. However, host fitness reduction may be unrelated to host adaptation but represent a pathological side‐effect of infection. The present study evaluates experimentally the direct and indirect impact of the protozoan parasiteTrypanosoma cruzion the investment of female kissing bugs in reproductive tissue. The presence of the parasite decreases gonad weight but this effect disappears when body size is included as covariate. To examine in more detail the set of causal relationships involved, a structural equation modelling analysis is performed using body size, moulting time and nutrition as predictor variables on gonad weight in the presence and absence of the protozoan. The results obtained indicate that, irrespective of the pathway and status of infection, female kissing bugs showing a slow development tend to have lighter gonads. On the other hand, the importance of blood ingestion for gonad weight is dependent on body size and contingent on the status of infection. Uninfected individuals tend to invest more in reproductive tissue when ingesting more blood during their ontogeny, and the opposite situation is observed for infected insects. These results indicate that gonad weight reduction inT.cruzi‐infectedMepraia spinolai(Porter, 1934) is a consequence of nutrition curtailment and body size reduction rather than an adaptive strategy to cope with infection.
Different responses to photoperiod in non‐diapausing colonies of the flesh fly, Boettcherisca peregrina
Authors: MORIBAYASHI ATSUKO , HAYASHI TOSHIHIKO , TAYLOR DEMAR , KURAHASHI HIROMU , KOBAYASHI MUTSUO
Published: October 2007

Abstract The effect of photoperiod on pupariation time and the ability to secrete ecdysteroids by the larval ring gland of the flesh fly, Boettcherisca peregrina, are compared among three tropical non‐diapausing colonies, Bp (forest), Bp (Luwuk) and Bp (NC) and one temperate diapausing colony of Bp (Tokyo). Non‐diapausing colonies do not enter diapause under any photoperiod at 20°C, whereas the Bp (Tokyo) diapausing colony enters diapause at the pupal stage under a short‐day photoperiod. The times required for 50% pupariation of Bp (forest), Bp (Luwuk) and Bp (Tokyo) are 34 h, 36 h 20 min and 34 h 40 min under short days (SD), respectively. However, Bp (NC) pupariates in a much shorter time (26 h 10 min) compared with the others. The 50% pupariation times of Bp (NC), Bp (forest) and Bp (Tokyo) under long days (LD) are 27 h, 25 h 50 min and 26 h 40 min, respectively. However, it is much longer in Bp (Luwuk) at 53 h 20 min. The rates of secretion of ecdysteroids by the larval ring glands in vitro in Bp (Tokyo) and Bp (forest) are six‐ to ten‐fold higher under SD (6.00 and 3.69 ng) than under LD (0.60 ng), whereas the ring glands of Bp (Luwuk) and Bp (NC) secrete 3.06 and 8.25 ng ecdysteroids under LD and 5.18 and 10.53 ng under SD, respectively. These results suggest there are at least three different physiological types among non‐diapausing colonies of B.peregrina: Bp (forest), Bp (Luwuk) and Bp (NC).
Auto‐regulation of the circadian slave oscillator component AtGRP7 and regulation of its targets is impaired by a single RNA recognition motif point mutation
Authors: Schöning Jan C. , Streitner Corinna , Page Damian R. , Hennig Sven , Uchida Kenko , Wolf Eva , Furuya Masaki , Staiger Dorothee
Published: October 2007

The clock‐regulated RNA‐binding protein AtGRP7 (Arabidopsis thaliana glycine‐rich RNA‐binding protein) influences circadian oscillations of its transcript by negative feedback at the post‐transcriptional level. Here we show that site‐specific mutation of one conserved arginine to glutamine within the RNA recognition motif impairs binding of recombinant AtGRP7 to its pre‐mRNA in vitro. This correlates with the loss of the negative auto‐regulation in vivo: in transgenic plants constitutively overexpressing AtGRP7 (AtGRP7‐ox), a shift occurs to an alternatively spliced AtGRP7 transcript that decays rapidly, and thus does not accumulate to high levels. In contrast, constitutive ectopic overexpression of the AtGRP7‐RQ mutant does not lead to alternative splicing of the endogenous AtGRP7 transcript and concomitant damping of the oscillations. This highlights the importance of AtGRP7 binding to its own transcript for the negative auto‐regulatory circuit. Moreover, regulation of AtGRP7 downstream targets also depends on its RNA‐binding activity, as AtGRP8 and other targets identified by transcript profiling of wild‐type and AtGRP7‐ox plants using fluorescent differential display are negatively affected by AtGRP7 but not by AtGRP7‐RQ. In mutants impaired in the nonsense‐mediated decay (NMD) components UPF1 or UPF3, levels of the alternatively spliced AtGRP7 and AtGRP8 transcripts that contain premature termination codons are strongly elevated, implicating UPF1 and UPF3 in the decay of these clock‐regulated transcripts.
BTNL2 allele associations with chronic beryllium disease in HLA‐DPB1*Glu69–negative individuals
Authors: Sato H. , Spagnolo P. , Silveira L. , Welsh K. I. , Du Bois R. M. , Newman L. S. , Maier L. A.
Published: October 2007

Butyrophilin‐like 2 (BTNL2) polymorphisms have been associated with sarcoidosis. We hypothesized that BTNL2 variants might confer a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐independent risk for chronic beryllium disease (CBD), a granulomatous lung disease with similar clinical, radiological, and pathological features to sarcoidosis. Genomic DNA was obtained from CBD (n= 88), beryllium sensitized (BeS, n= 86), and beryllium exposed nondiseased control subjects (Be‐exp, n= 173). Six BTNL2 polymorphisms, HLA‐DPB1, DRB1, and DQB1 alleles were determined by sequence‐specific primer‐PCR. All BTNL2 polymorphisms were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. No significant differences were found between BTNL2 polymorphisms or haplotypes and CBD, BeS, or Be‐exp. In HLA‐DPB1*Glu69–negative subjects (n= 10 CBD, n= 13 BeS, n= 102 Be‐exp), DRB1*13 and BTNL2 rs3117099TT homozygosity were increased in CBD (70% and 40%, respectively) vs Be‐exp (16%, P= 0.001 and 2.9%, P= 0.001, respectively). The BTNL2 rs3117099T–HLA‐DRB1*13 combination was significantly increased in CBD (50%) compared with Be‐exp (6.9%, P= 0.001). In conclusion, both DRB1*13 and rs3117099TT homozygosity are associated with CBD in *Glu69‐negative subjects, while DPB1*Glu69 is associated with CBD and BeS compared with Be‐exp. As a result of the small sample size and strong linkage disequilibrium between DRB1*13‐DQB1*0603/4/9 and the BTNL2 rs3117099T allele, it is difficult to assess the primary association in DPB1*Glu69‐negative CBD cases.
Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene polymorphisms in celiac disease
Authors: Santin I. , Castellanos‐Rubio A. , Hualde I. , Castaño L. , Vitoria J. C. , Bilbao J. R.
Published: October 2007

Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) participate in the first line of immune defense through antigen pattern recognition, and ligands include exogenous and host‐derived molecules. Coding variants in TLR4 have been associated with autoimmune diseases like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Our aim was to determine whether these polymorphisms are associated with celiac disease (CD). Two coding single nucleotide polymorphisms of TLR4 (Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile) were genotyped in 95 family trios with CD as well as in 186 patients and 186 unrelated controls. There were no differences in allele, genotype or haplotype distribution, or transmission between patient and control groups. Our results do not support association of these TLR4 variants with CD.
A novel HLA‐B*15 allele, B*9524, identified by sequence‐based tying in the Chinese population
Authors: Zhu F.‐M. , He J.‐J. , He J. , Yan L.‐X.
Published: October 2007

We report here the identification of a novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐B*9524 allele that was detected by polymerase chain reaction sequence‐based typing.
Prevention of CMV disease in pediatric kidney transplant recipients: Evaluation of pp67 NASBA‐based pre‐emptive ganciclovir therapy combined with CMV hyperimmune globulin prophylaxis in high‐risk patients
Authors: Renoult Edith , Clermont Marie‐José , Phan Véronique , Buteau Chantal , Alfieri Carolina , Tapiero Bruce
Published: October 2007

Abstract:  A new prevention strategy for CMV infection was evaluated in our pediatric kidney transplant unit. This approach comprises a pre‐emptive therapy, based upon the monitoring of CMV pp67 mRNA in whole blood by the qualitative NASBA, combined with prophylactic CMV‐IG in high risk (R−/D+) children. Thirty‐one kidney transplant children were followed for six months with serial measurements of CMV pp67 mRNA in the blood. The R−/D+ patients were given prophylactic CMV‐IG for the first 16 wk after transplantation. I.v. ganciclovir was administered upon CMV detection by NASBA and was discontinued after two consecutive negative results. CMV infection, detected by NASBA, developed in 11 (35%) recipients: one (33%) of the R+/D− patients and 10 (72%) of the R−/D+ patients. CMV disease developed in 9.6% of the patients (3/31), exclusively in the R−/D+ group. These three patients presented concurrently with CMV viremia and disease. It is noteworthy that two of the three patients could not receive a complete course of CMV‐IG, and one of the latter two subjects had been treated for acute rejection 15 days before CMV infection. Ganciclovir was given for the 11 cases of primary infection, and for three cases of relapsed CMV infection. pp67 NASBA‐based pre‐emptive ganciclovir therapy, combined with prophylactic CMV‐IG in high‐risk patients leads to a lower rate of CMV disease, as long as a complete course of CMV‐IG has been administered and ganciclovir is given during the period of treatment for acute rejection in high‐risk populations.
Characterization of cysteine protease induced by oxidative stress in cells of Chlamydomonas sp. strain W80
Authors: Usui Masatoshi , Tanaka Satoshi , Miyasaka Hitoshi , Suzuki Yoshimi , Shioi Yuzo
Published: October 2007

Unlike known Chlamydomonas species, Chlamydomonas sp. strain W80, which was isolated from seawater, shows tolerance to salt and cadmium. In this study, we purified and characterized cysteine protease from Chlamydomonas sp. strain W80 cells and also investigated their response to oxidative stress. The protease was purified 2760‐fold with a yield of 2.6% by five steps of successive chromatography. This protease had a pH optimum of 8.0 and was specific only for tert‐butoxycarbonyl (Boc)‐Leu‐Arg‐Arg‐4‐methylcoumaryl‐7‐amide (MCA) (Boc‐LRR‐MCA) and Boc‐Val‐Leu‐Lys‐MCA as substrates among eight fluorogenic peptides tested. The Km value was estimated to be 44.4 μM for Boc‐LRR‐MCA. The molecular weight of the protease was determined to be approximately 102 kDa by Superdex 200 gel filtration and 60 kDa by SDS–PAGE, suggesting that this enzyme is a dimer. This enzyme was inhibited by the cysteine protease inhibitors leupeptin and N‐ethylmaleimide but neither inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid nor activated by metal cations. These findings indicate that this enzyme is likely a cysteine protease. When strain W80 was grown under oxidative stress in the presence of methyl viologen and cadmium chloride, cysteine protease activity was about 30–90% higher than normal, whereas no changes were observed in carbon enrichment or senescence. It is likely that this protease is upregulated in response to oxidative stress and plays a role in the maintenance of cell metabolism under oxidative stress conditions.
Piriformospora indica affects plant growth by auxin production
Authors: Sirrenberg Anke , Göbel Cornelia , Grond Stephanie , Czempinski Nadine , Ratzinger Astrid , Karlovsky Petr , Santos Patricia , Feussner Ivo , Pawlowski Katharina
Published: October 2007

Piriformospora indica has been shown to improve the growth of many plant species including Arabidopsis thaliana, but the mechanism by which this is achieved is still unclear. Arabidopsis root colonization by P. indica was examined in sterile culture on the medium of Murashige and Skoog. P. indica formed intracellular structures in Arabidopsis root epidermal cells and caused changes in root growth, leading to stunted and highly branched root systems. This effect was because of a diffusible factor and could be mimicked by IAA. In addition, P. indica was shown to produce IAA in liquid culture. We suggest that auxin production affecting root growth is responsible for, or at least contributes to, the beneficial effect of P. indica on its host plants.
The North American P group of Heterobasidion annosum s.l. is widely distributed in Pinus pinea forests of the western coast of central Italy
Authors: D’Amico L. , Motta E. , Annesi T. , Scire’ M. , Luchi N. , Hantula J. , Korhonen K. , Capretti P.
Published: October 2007

The distribution of the North American P group of Heterobasidion annosum s.l., recently reported from a Pinus pinea forest in the surroundings of Rome, was studied using mating tests and DNA fingerprinting (mitochondrial DNA, random amplified microsatellite technique and two group‐specific markers). This fungus is present in several forests and small plantations along the Tyrrhenian coast of the Italian peninsula, within an area approximately 100 km long, extending from Fregene in the north to the National Park of Circeo in the south, and 27 km wide including the city of Rome. In pine forests of Castelporziano, Castel Fusano and Anzio, where US troops resided during the Second World War, the North American P group is more frequent than the European P group. The low number of mating alleles in the Italian population of the North American P group supports the hypothesis of its origin from a small number of introductions. The near 100% sexual compatibility between the North American and European P groups, together with inconsistencies in results obtained with different identification methods of these groups, suggests that hybridization between the North American and European P populations occurs occasionally.
Identification of Botrytis spp. on Plants Grown in Iran
Authors: Mirzaei S. , Goltapeh E. Mohammadi , Shams‐Bakhsh M. , Safaie N.
Published: October 2007

A total of 363 isolates were collected from all over Iran. They were isolated from apple, arum lily, briar rose, bride wort, broad bean, camellia, canola, carnation, cucumber, egg plant, feijoa, geranium, gerbera, gladiolus, grape, guilder rose, hibiscus, iris, kiwifruit, oleander, onion, orange, pear, pomegranate, primrose, quince, redbud, robinia, rose, rubber plant, sow thiste, spathe flower, strawberry, tomato, violet, wall flower and wheat. To identify the species, morphological characters such as conidiophore length, conidial and sclerotial dimensions were measured. According to morphological and cultural characters, eight Botrytis species were identified: B. aclada sensu lato, B. cinerea, B. fabae, B. convoluta, B. gladiolorum, B. paeoniae, B. pelargonii and B. porri. As far as we are aware, this is the first report of the last five species from Iran. These species were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using necrosis and ethylene‐inducing protein (NEP2) and C729 primers. A 835 bp band was amplified in B. cinerea, B. fabae and B. pelargonii, using NEP2, but not in others. However, C729 primers amplified a 700 bp band in B. cinerea and B. pelargonii and a 600 bp in B. fabae.
Pathology of Udder Lesions in Sows
Authors: Christensen R. V. , Aalbæk B. , Jensen H. E.
Published: October 2007

In recent years an increasing frequency of sows with udder lesions has been observed during meat inspection. The frequency and pattern of affected mammary complexes were determined by inspection, palpation, and incision of udders of 640 sows at a local slaughterhouse. From representative lesions, tissue specimens were sampled for histological and bacteriological examination. Moreover, in seven problem cases immunohistochemistry was applied for the identification ofStaphylococcus aureusandArcanobacterium pyogenes. Udder lesions were recorded in 67 sows (10.5%), with mammary complex no. 7 being most frequently affected (39%). In most cases (81%), lesions were restricted to a single mammary complex. Gross lesions were characterized as focal or multiple abscesses, which most often (79%) were accompanied by dermal ulcerations. Based on histological observations and bacterial identification, two groups of lesions were identified: (I) pyogranulomatous lesions of the dermal and subcutaneous tissue caused byS. aureus; and (II) dermal and subcutaneous abscesses dominated byA. pyogenes. In neither group I nor group II lesions, the glandular mammary tissue was involved as demonstrated by immunostaining for cytokeratin, i.e. mastitis was not diagnosed in any of the cases. In conclusion, all udder lesions were caused by skin infections predominantly caused byA. pyogenesandS. aureusresulting in the development of dermal abscesses and pyogranulomatous lesions, respectively.
A Simulation‐based Study Comparing A Traditional and An Alternative Design for Studies of Experimentally Induced Intestinal Diseases in Pigs
Authors: Emanuelson U. , Waern M. J. , Jacobson M.
Published: October 2007

A traditional design for studies of pathogenesis of experimentally induced diseases of the large intestine in individual pigs involves euthanasia and necropsy at scheduled times. An alternative design has been developed enabling the sequential in vivo monitoring of events in the intestine of the individual pig before and during disease. The alternative design is based on repeated endoscopy and biopsy sampling to monitor the course of the disease. The purpose of this study was to compare the statistical properties of the two designs. One hundred replicates of a computer‐generated simulation of data were performed. In the simulation, data were generated for individual pigs according to the alternative design, i.e. four sequential observations on the outcome of interest, and the ‘traditional’ design was created by retaining only one observation per pig. Data from the alternative design were analysed with a generalized linear mixed model, accounting for the clustering of observations within animals and the time‐dependence between observations within animals, i.e. observations within animals are interdependent and follow a pattern over time. Data from the ‘traditional’ design were analysed with an ordinary linear model. The results showed that the alternative design was much more efficient than the traditional and that only one‐fourth as many pigs were required to achieve the same precision in estimated effects.
COLORECTAL RESECTION IN PERIPHERAL NEW ZEALAND: WORKLOAD, OUTCOMES AND ITS FUTURE
Authors: Samson Paul B. , Ngaei George
Published: October 2007

Background:  Published Australasian findings on colorectal cancer surgery workload and performance outcomes have been predominantly from urban specialist units. This study defines workload and index markers of surgical quality for colorectal resections carried out in a peripheral teaching hospital of New Zealand.

Methods:  All cases of colorectal cancer surgery between 1 June 1997 and 31 May 2000 were included.

Results:  One hundred and ninety‐one colorectal resections for 197 colorectal carcinomas were carried out. Sites of carcinoma were as follows: 57 rectal (29%), 59 sigmoid (30%), 34 descending/transverse (17%) and 47 ascending/caecal (24%). Advanced pathological stage (Dukes’ C or metastatic) was diagnosed in 55%. Performance outcome variables for anterior resections were as follows: wound infection, 14%; anastomotic leak rate, 10.5%; local recurrence within 2–5 years, 14%; unplanned reoperation within 30 days, 16%; and perioperative mortality, 3.5%. Performance outcomes for all other colorectal cancer resections were as follows: wound infection, 10%; no anastomotic leaks; local recurrence, 2%; unplanned reoperation, 4%; and mortality, 4.5%.

Conclusions:  Workload and performance outcomes of colorectal cancer resection in provincial New Zealand have been defined in this study. A high proportion of patients presenting to Southland Hospital had advanced cancer in the rectum or distal colon. The main clinical indicators of colorectal cancer surgery outcome (mortality, anastomotic leak, wound infection and local recurrence) compare favourably with accepted standards of the time. Workload is adequate to maintain such outcomes. Future colorectal surgery in non‐specialized units is important and can achieve good results.
MANAGEMENT OF PAEDIATRIC RETROPHARYNGEAL INFECTIONS: NON‐SURGICAL VERSUS SURGICAL
Authors: Courtney Mark J. , Mahadevan Murali , Miteff Alex
Published: October 2007

Background:  Paediatric retropharyngeal infections are a serious infection associated with morbidity. The relative role of medical versus surgical treatment for these infections is debated. The aims of this study were to analyse the management of retropharyngeal infections with respect to radiological assessment and treatment.

Methods:  Medical records from January 1999 to June 2005 were reviewed and analysed.

Results:  Twenty‐four children with retropharyngeal infections were included in the study. Computed tomography had a 75% accuracy of correctly identifying an abscess and 36% of the retropharyngeal abscesses resolved with medical treatment alone, with no difference in duration of hospital stay or morbidity.

Conclusion:  Medical treatment of retropharyngeal abscesses has been successful in selected cases. We can recommend this as a viable alternative to surgery and would suggest a 48‐h inpatient i.v. antibiotic trial in selected children before considering surgery.
QUALITY‐OF‐LIFE EFFECT OF TONSILLECTOMY IN A YOUNG ADULT GROUP
Authors: Richards Amanda L. , Bailey Michael , Hooper Robin , Thomson Peter
Published: October 2007

Background:  To examine the quality of life after tonsillectomy in a young adult group with chronic or recurrent tonsillitis.

Methods:  Retrospective survey of patients aged 15–25 years who underwent tonsillectomy for chronic or recurrent tonsillitis in 2002 or 2003. The Glasgow Benefit Inventory was mailed to patients who were selected from two private general otolaryngology practices.

Results:  Participants had an overall benefit from the procedure as well as improvement in their general well‐being and physical health. A benefit in social function was not imparted.

Conclusion:  Tonsillectomy in a young adult group results in significant improvement in overall quality of life, physical health and general well‐being.
ILIOTIBIAL BAND Z‐LENGTHENING FOR REFRACTORY TROCHANTERIC BURSITIS (GREATER TROCHANTERIC PAIN SYNDROME)
Authors: Craig Roy A. , Gwynne Jones David P. , Oakley Andrew P. , Dunbar John D.
Published: October 2007

Background:  Trochanteric bursitis or greater trochanter pain syndrome (GTPS) is a frequent cause of lateral hip pain. This article reports our experience with a new method of Z‐lengthening of the iliotibial band for refractory GTPS.

Methods:  Fifteen patients (17 hips) were diagnosed with GTPS unresponsive to conservative treatment including steroid injection. Fourteen patients were women. The average age was 60 years and average duration of symptoms was 4.7 years.

Results:  At the mean follow up of 47 months following Z‐lengthening, eight patients reported excellent results with complete resolution of symptoms, eight had good results with symptoms improved and one had a poor result. One patient required secondary repair of a tear in the tendon of gluteus minimus, with a subsequent excellent result. The mean Harris Hip Score improved from 46 to 82.

Conclusion:  We recommend this technique in patients with refractory GTPS. Associated tears of gluteus medius or minimus should be identified and repaired at the time of surgery.
OUTCOMES OF ERCP: PROSPECTIVE SERIES FROM A RURAL CENTRE
Authors: Dundee Philip E. , Chin‐Lenn Laura , Syme David B. Y. , Thomas Peter R.
Published: October 2007

Background:  Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an important procedure for the investigation and management of pancreaticobiliary disease. There is a recognized potential for significant morbidity, and a number of studies have identified patient and operator risk factors for the development of complications, including small case volume. We look at the outcomes of ERCP from a single operator at a rural centre and compare these with published figures.

Method:  Findings from 700 consecutive ERCP were collected prospectively between August 1997 and May 2006. Patients were included on an intention to treat basis, and all predetermined morbidity criteria were recorded.

Results:  Five hundred and forty‐four therapeutic and 156 diagnostic ERCP were included in the study. There were a total of 40 complications (5.71%), with three cases of ERCP‐specific mortality (0.4%). The success of therapeutic intervention was 94.3%.

Conclusions:  The importance of comparing personal audit to published prospective studies has been emphasized. This has provided quality assurance finding, confirming that comparable success rates, morbidity and mortality are possible in a low‐volume rural centre with an operator who has been properly trained and has ongoing ties with a tertiary hepatobiliary unit, a dedicated and skilled local team and suitable patient selection.
Approximate J estimates for axial part‐through surface‐cracked pipes
Authors: OH C. S. , SONG T. K. , KIM Y. J. , KIM J. S. , JIN T. E.
Published: October 2007

This paper provides net‐section limit pressures and a reference stress basedJestimation method for pipes with constant depth, internal axial surface cracks under internal pressure. Based on systematic small strain finite element (FE) limit analyses using elastic perfectly plastic materials, net‐section limit pressures are firstly determined, and based on FE results, a closed‐form limit pressure solution is proposed. Furthermore, based on the proposed limit pressure solution, a method to estimate elastic–plasticJis proposed based on the reference stress approach. When the reference stress is defined by the proposed (global) limit pressure, estimatedJvalues based on the reference stress approach are overall slightly lower than FE results, implying that the method is non‐conservative. By re‐defining the reference using optimised reference loads, resultingJestimates agree well with FE results.
Stress‐ and lipopolysaccharide‐induced c‐fos expression and nNOS in hypothalamic neurons projecting to medullary raphe in rats: a triple immunofluorescent labeling study
Authors: Sarkar Sumit , Zaretskaia Maria V. , Zaretsky Dmitry V. , Moreno Maria , DiMicco Joseph A.
Published: October 2007

Neurons in the rostral raphe pallidus (rRP) have been proposed to mediate experimental stress‐induced tachycardia and fever in rats, and projections from the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) may signal their activation in these settings. Thus, we examined c‐fos expression evoked by air jet/restraint stress and restraint stress or by systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide (10 µg/kg and 100 µg/kg) as well as the distribution of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in neurons retrogradely labeled from the raphe with cholera toxin B in key hypothalamic regions. Many neurons in the medial preoptic area and the dorsal area of the DMH were retrogradely labeled, and approximately half of those in the medial preoptic area and moderate numbers in the dorsal DMH were also positive for nNOS. Either stress paradigm or dose of lipopolysaccharide increased the number of c‐fos‐positive neurons and nNOS/c‐fos double‐labeled neurons in all regions examined. However, retrogradely labeled neurons positive for c‐fos were increased only in the dorsal DMH and adjoining region in both stressed and lipopolysaccharide‐treated groups, and triple‐labeled neurons were found only in this area in rats subjected to either stress paradigm. Thus, hypothalamic neurons that project to the rRP and express c‐fos in response to either experimental stress or systemic inflammation are found only in the dorsal DMH, and many of those activated by stress contain nNOS, suggesting that nitric oxide may play a role in signaling in this pathway.
A deeper level of ketamine anesthesia does not affect functional residual capacity and ventilation distribution in healthy preschool children
Authors: VON UNGERN‐STERNBERG BRITTA S , REGLI ADRIAN , FREI FRANZ J. , RITZ EVA‐MARIA JORDI , HAMMER JÜRG , SCHIBLER ANDREAS , ERB THOMAS O.
Published: October 2007

Background:  Ketamine is commonly used in children in the emergency setting and while undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic interventions because of its combination of hypnotic and analgesic properties. Although studies comparing various levels of ketamine anesthesia are lacking, previous work suggests that lung mechanics might only be minimally affected by ketamine.

Methods:  After approval from the Ethics Committee, anesthesia was induced with 2 mg·kg−1 racemic ketamine followed by a continuous infusion of ketamine 2 mg·kg−1 h−1 (level I) in 26 children (2–6 years of age), and after 5 min, the first set of measurements was performed. Then, a second bolus of ketamine 2 mg·kg−1 followed by ketamine 4 mg·kg−1 h−1 was administered (level II) and after 5 min, the second set of measurements was performed. Functional residual capacity (FRC) and lung clearance index (LCI) were calculated using a multibreath analysis by a blinded observer.

Results:  Functional residual capacity and LCI did not change between the two levels (FRC 25.6 [4.3] ml·kg−1 vs 25.5 [4.2] ml·kg−1, P = 0.769, LCI 10.5 [1.2] vs 10.3 [1.1], P = 0.403). The minute ventilation was similar between the two levels of anesthesia. The University of Michigan Sedation Scale increased from 3 (3) to 4 (3–4) at the second level of ketamine anesthesia.

Conclusions:  A deeper level of anesthesia induced by ketamine does not affect FRC, ventilation distribution or minute ventilation suggesting that the depth of ketamine anesthesia has a minimal effect on pulmonary function.
Psychosocial variables affect the quality of life of men diagnosed with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome
Authors: Nickel J. Curtis , Tripp Dean A. , Chuai Shannon , Litwin Mark S. , McNaughton‐Collins Mary , Landis J. Richard , Alexander Richard B. , Schaeffer Anthony J. , O’Leary Michael P. , Pontari Michel A. , White Paige , Mullins Christopher , Nyberg Leroy , Kusek John ,   the NIH‐CPCRN Study Group
Published: October 2007

OBJECTIVE

To examine interactions between demographic, pain, urinary, psychological and environmental predictors of quality of life (QOL) in men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 253 men previously enrolled in the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Cohort study in North American tertiary‐care clinical centres (six in the USA and one in Canada) self‐reported with validated instruments, including the QOL subscales of the Short Form‐12 (physical, SF12‐PCS; and mental, SF12‐MCS), demographics, urinary symptoms, depression, current pain, pain coping, ‘catastrophising’ (catastrophic thinking about pain), pain control, social support and solicitous responses from a partner. Data were collected through a one‐time survey. Covariates determined to be significant were entered into a multivariable regression model predicting SF12‐PCS and SF12‐MCS.

RESULTS

Adjusting for covariates, regression models showed that poorer SF12‐PCS scores were predicted by worse urinary function (P < 0.001) and increased use of pain‐contingent resting as a coping strategy (P = 0.026). Further, poorer SF12‐MCS scores were predicted by greater pain catastrophizing (P = 0.002) and lower perceptions of social support (P< 0.001). In separate follow‐up analyses, helplessness was the significant catastrophizing subscale (P < 0.001), while support from family and friends were the significant social support subscales (P = 0.002 and <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that specific coping and environmental factors (i.e. catastrophizing, pain‐contingent resting, social support) are significant in understanding how patients with CP/CPPS adjust. These data can be used to develop specific cognitive‐behavioural programmes for men with CP/CPPS who are refractory to standard medical therapy.
Strategic planning for post‐disaster temporary housing
Authors: Johnson Cassidy
Published: October 2007

Temporary housing programmes suffer from excessively high cost, late delivery, poor location, improper unit designs and other inherent issues. These issues can be attributed in part to a prevalence of ad hoc tactical planning, rather than pre‐disaster strategic planning, for reconstruction undertaken by governments and non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) in the chaotic post‐disaster environment. An analysis of the process and outcomes from six case studies of temporary housing programmes after disasters in Turkey and Colombia in 1999, Japan in 1995, Greece in 1986, Mexico in 1985, and Italy in 1976 yields information about the extent to which strategic planning is employed in temporary housing programmes, as well as common issues in temporary housing. Based on an understanding of these common issues, this paper proposes a framework for strategic planning for temporary housing that identifies organisational designs and available resources for temporary housing before the disaster, but allows modifications to fit the specific post‐disaster situation.
Urbanisation and flood vulnerability in the peri‐urban interface of Mexico City
Authors: Aragón‐Durand Fernando
Published: October 2007

Chronic flooding in the Chalco valley, state of Mexico, Mexico, is the outcome of past and present socio‐environmental changes which have taken place in Mexico City's south‐eastern peri‐urban interface. This flooding is the result of a complex interaction between urbanisation in an ex‐lacustrine area, permanent ecological deterioration and ground subsidence, poor sanitation and inadequate policy responses. Far from solving the flooding problem, short‐term policy responses have created increasingly unsafe conditions for current residents. A socio‐historical analysis of disasters reveals the importance of taking into consideration particular social actors and institutions in hazard generation and flood vulnerability over time. This paper analyses three aspects of this flooding: first, the importance of approaching floods from a socio‐historical perspective; second, the relation between urbanisation, former policies and flood risk generation; and third, current policy responses to and the failure in the risk management of La Compañía Canal.
Managing volunteers: FEMA's Urban Search and Rescue programme and interactions with unaffiliated responders in disaster response
Authors: Barsky Lauren E. , Trainor Joseph E. , Torres Manuel R. , Aguirre Benigno. E.
Published: October 2007

In the aftermath of disasters it is not uncommon for a large number of individuals, ranging from professional technical responders to untrained, albeit well meaning, volunteers, to converge on site of a disaster in order to offer to help victims or other responders. Because volunteers can be both a help and a hindrance in disaster response, they pose a paradox to professional responders at the scene. Through focus group interviews and in‐depth structured interviews, this paper presents an extended example of how Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) task forces, a type of professional technical‐responder organisation, interact with and utilise volunteers. Findings show that US&R task forces evaluate the volunteers in terms of their presumed legitimacy, utility, and potential liability or danger posed during the disaster response. Other responses to volunteers such as a feeling of powerlessness or the use of volunteers in non‐technical ways are also explored. This paper demonstrates some key aspects of the relationship between volunteers and formal response organisations in disasters.
Earthquake survivors' quality of life and academic achievement six years after the earthquakes in Marmara, Turkey
Authors: Ceyhan Esra , Ceyhan A. Aykut
Published: October 2007

This study investigates the quality of life (QOL) and academic achievement of earthquake survivors six years after the earthquakes in Marmara, Turkey. Data were collected from 407 Turkish university students. Of these, 201 were earthquake survivors and 206 had not been exposed to an earthquake. The Turkish adaptation of the brief version of the World Health Organisation's QOL instrument (WHOQOL‐BREF, TR) was used to measure QOL. The results reveal that the earthquake survivors' psychological and environmental domains of QOL and academic achievement were significantly lower than those of individuals not exposed to an earthquake. The results also highlight the risk factors that affect the QOL of the earthquake survivors significantly. These are their gender, their age at the time of earthquake and the continued existence of financial difficulties linked to the earthquakes.
DONATING FRESH VERSUS FROZEN EMBRYOS TO STEM CELL RESEARCH: IN WHOSE INTERESTS?
Authors: MCLEOD CAROLYN , BAYLIS FRANÇOISE
Published: October 2007

Some stem cell researchers believe that it is easier to derive human embryonic stem cells from fresh rather than frozen embryos and they have had in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinicians invite their infertility patients to donate their fresh embryos for research use. These embryos include those that are deemed ‘suitable for transfer’ (i.e. to the woman's uterus) and those deemed unsuitable in this regard. This paper focuses on fresh embryos deemed suitable for transfer – hereafter ‘fresh embryos’– which IVF patients have good reason not to donate. We explain why donating them to research is not in the self‐interests specifically of female IVF patients. Next, we consider the other‐regarding interests of these patients and conclude that while fresh embryo donation may serve those interests, it does so at unnecessary cost to patients’ self‐interests. Lastly, we review some of the potential barriers to the autonomous donation of fresh embryos to research and highlight the risk that female IVF patients invited to donate these embryos will misunderstand key aspects of the donation decision, be coerced to donate, or be exploited in the consent process. On the basis of our analysis, we conclude that patients should not be asked to donate their fresh embryos to stem cell research.
DEPENDING ON CARE: RECOGNITION OF VULNERABILITY AND THE SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION OF CARE PROVISION
Authors: DODDS SUSAN
Published: October 2007

People who are paid to provide basic care for others are frequently undervalued, exploited and expected to reach often unrealistic standards of care. I argue that appropriate social recognition, support and fair pay for people who provide care for those who are disabled, frail and aged, or suffering ill health that impedes their capacity to negotiate daily activities without support, depends on a reconsideration of the paradigm of the citizen or and moral agent. I argue that by drawing on the ideas of human vulnerability and dependency as central to our personhood, a more realistic conception of selves, citizens and persons can be developed that better recognises the inevitability of human dependency and the social value of care work. I also indicate the significance of this vulnerability‐focussed view for ethical evaluation of the emotional aspects of care relationships.
THE SPACE IN BETWEEN: NARRATIVES OF SILENCE AND GENETIC TERMINATIONS
Authors: THACHUK ANGELA
Published: October 2007

In North America, prenatal testing and genetic terminations are becoming clinically normalized. Yet despite this implied social acceptance, open discussions surrounding genetic terminations remain taboo and silenced. Women are socially isolated, their experiences kept secret, and their grief disenfranchised. The lack of social consensus regarding genetic terminations, the valorization of scientific knowledge, and the bioethical framing of the issue as a matter of personal choice and autonomy collectively serve to reify this silence. In many respects genetic screening offers a form of technological surveillance procuring security from the unwanted kind of child. Yet the manner in which ‘the unwanted kind of child’ is understood varies from context to context. While we carry with us the consequences of decisions made elsewhere, the institutionalized discourses upon which these decisions are made are not always so readily transportable. One must somehow reconcile ‘the unwanted kind of child’ of the biomedical model with ‘the unwanted kind of child’ who was to be a member of one's family. In this paper, my intention is not to engage in the broader debate surrounding prenatal testing and genetic terminations. Rather, I employ my clinical encounters with these practices to illustrate the absence of an ethical language that might do justice to the experiences such practices construct. The limitations of a bioethical discourse that remains abstracted from lived experience are discussed.
FEMINIST BIOETHICS AND GENETIC TERMINATION
Authors: MACKENZIE CATRIONA
Published: October 2007

A brief discussion of how relational autonomy, phenomenological theories of embodiment and narrative approaches to clinical ethics can open up the space for more subtle feminist ethical reflection about genetic termination.
598. TULIPA KOROLKOWII
Authors: Wilford Richard
Published: October 2007

Summary The Central Asian Tulipa korolkowii Regel is illustrated and described. Its history, classification, distribution and cultivation requirements are discussed.
599. CYRTANTHUS STAADENSIS
Authors: Duncan Graham
Published: October 2007

Summary The conservation status history, taxonomy, distribution and cultivation requirements of the South African Cyrtanthus staadensis Schönland (Amaryllidaceae) are discussed; a full botanical description, illustration and distribution map are provided.
601. IXIA VINACEA
Authors: Duncan Graham
Published: October 2007

Summary The conservation status, history, distribution, taxonomy and cultivation requirements of the South African Ixia vinacea G.J. Lewis (Iridaceae) are discussed; a full botanical description, illustration and distribution map are provided.
602. MELLISSIA BEGONIIFOLIA
Authors: Fay Michael F. , Thomas Vanessa E. , Knapp Sandra
Published: October 2007

Summary The supposed extinction, rediscovery, phylogenetic relationships and cultivation requirements of Mellissia begoniifolia (Roxb.) Hook.f. (Solanaceae) are discussed. A lectotypification, synonymy, description, colour plate and line drawings are given.
604. HYMENOXYS INTEGRIFOLIA
Authors: Cullen James , Kerley Peter
Published: October 2007

Summary Hymenoxys integrifolia (Kunth) Bierner, an unusual Composite collected in Mexico in 1996 and grown since then in the Cambridge University Botanic Garden is described and the plant is illustrated.
The Gendered Identities of the ‘Lieutenant Nun’: Rethinking the Story of a Female Warrior in Early Modern Spain
Authors: Aresti Nerea
Published: October 2007

This article analyses the story of Catalina de Erauso, a Spanish nun, who escaped from a convent at the beginning of the seventeenth century to begin a new life as a military warrior serving under the King of Spain in colonial Latin America. Her story reveals that notions of sex and gender at the time were surprisingly elastic and flexible, and often more associated with acts and behaviour than with physical bodies. By examining how the personage of the Lieutenant Nun has been treated in Spain and in Britain in the nineteenth century, this article also evaluates the extent to which certain pre‐modern ideas about sex and gender continued to survive two centuries later.
‘Bound from Either Side’: The Limits of Power in Carolingian Marriage Disputes, 840–870
Authors: Stone Rachel
Published: October 2007

The article discusses four marriage disputes in ninth‐century Francia which involved noblemen: Count Stephen of the Auvergne, Count Boso of Italy, Baldwin of Flanders and the royal vassal Falcric. All these men were affected by Carolingian reforming measures on consanguineous marriage, divorce and raptus (abduction). The article examines how gender and social status affected the forms of power and the strategies used by different parties in the cases: archbishops and popes, kings, the women involved and the noblemen themselves. A paradoxical situation is revealed: despite the patriarchal basis of Carolingian society, the power even of elite men over women and marriage was often highly contingent. Yet such restrictions on power did not imperil the gender order: the masculinity of the men involved in these marriage disputes was not questioned.