bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nd isotope mapping of the Lac Dumoine thrust sheet: implications for large‐scale crustal structure in the SW Grenville Province
Authors: Dickin Alan P. , Cooper David , Guo Anlin , Hutton Cara , Martin Chris , Sharma Kamal N.M. , Zelek Mark
Published: June 2012

Terra Nova, 24, 363–372, 2012

Over 100 new Nd model ages are presented for orthogneisses from the Lac Dumoine region, western Quebec, interpreted as a thrust sheet of the Grenvillian Allochthonous Polycyclic Belt. The thrust sheet has an isotope signature consistent with other terranes of the allochthonous belt, with TDM ages <1.8 Ga in the main allochthon, but ages of 1.8–2.0 Ga in an underlying tectonic unit, itself thrust over parautochthonous Archean crust. However, the new data also reveal a half‐window of Palaeoproterozoic crust that divides the allochthon into two lobes, showing them to be relatively thin‐skinned nappes originating from the Baskatong crustal‐scale ramp. When combined with new Nd isotope mapping for Algonquin Park, Ontario, these results suggest that the main ramp of the Allochthon Boundary Thrust is located further to the SE than previously thought, with a strong SW‐NE linear trend that coincides with dipping reflectors imaged on Lithoprobe seismic line 32 south of Algonquin Park.
Do self‐assessments of health predict future mortality in rural South Africa? The case of KwaZulu‐Natal in the era of antiretroviral treatment
Authors: Olgiati Analia , Bärnighausen Till , Newell Marie‐Louise
Published: June 2012

Objectives  While self‐assessments of health (SAH) are widely employed in epidemiological studies, most of the evidence on the power of SAH to predict future mortality originates in the developed world. With the HIV pandemic affecting largely prime age individuals, the strong association between SAH and mortality derived from previous work might not be relevant for the younger at‐risk groups in countries with high HIV prevalence in the era of antiretroviral treatment. We investigate the power of SAH to predict mortality in a community with high HIV prevalence and antiretroviral treatment (ART) coverage using linked data from three sources: a longitudinal demographic surveillance, one of Africa’s largest, longitudinal, population‐based HIV surveillances, and a decentralised rural HIV treatment and care programme.

Methods  We used a Cox proportional hazards specification to examine whether SAH significantly predicts mortality hazard in a sample composed of 9217 adults aged 15–54, who were followed up for mortality for 8 years.

Results  Self‐assessments of health strongly predicted mortality (within 4 years of follow‐up), with a clear gradient of the adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs), relative to the baseline of ‘excellent’ self‐assessed health status and controlling for age, gender, marital status, the socio‐economic status (SES), variables education, employment, household expenditures and household assets, and HIV status and ART uptake: 1.40 (95% CI 0.99–1.96) for ‘very good’ self‐assessed health status (SAHS); 2.10 (95% CI 1.52–2.90) for ‘good’ SAHS; 3.12 (95% CI 2.18–4.45) for ‘fair’ SAHS; and 4.64 (95% CI 2.93–7.35) for ‘poor’ SAHS. While a similar association remained in the unadjusted analysis of long‐term mortality (within 4–8 years of follow‐up) the hazard ratios capturing SAH are jointly insignificant in predicting of mortality once HIV status, ART uptake and gender, age, marital status and SES were controlled for. HIV status and ART programme participation were large and highly significant predictors of long‐term mortality.

Conclusions  Our findings validate SAH as a variable that significantly predicts short‐term mortality in a community in sub‐Saharan Africa with high HIV prevalence, morbidity and mortality. When predicting long‐term mortality, however, it is much more important to know a person's HIV status and ART programme participation than SAH.
Incidence of orphanhood before and after implementation of a HIV care programme in Rakai, Uganda
Authors: Makumbi Fredrick E. , Nakigozi Gertrude , Sekasanvu Joseph , Lukabwe Ivan , Kagaayi Joseph , Lutalo Tom , Wawer Maria , Gray Ronald
Published: June 2012

Objective  To compare the incidence of orphanhood among children <15 years of age before and after implementing HIV care in Rakai, Uganda.

Methods  Annual household censuses and surveys were conducted on January 2001 to September 2009 in a community cohort, where HIV care including antiretroviral therapy (ART) started in June 2004. Data included parental survival of children aged 0–14 years and HIV status from consenting adults aged 15–49 years. The incidence of orphanhood was estimated as the number of new orphans divided by person‐years, determined during three time periods: Pre‐HIV care roll‐out (January 2001–June 2003) 1–3 years before the advent of HIV care in Rakai programme, HIV care transition from September 2003–May 2006, and the expanded HIV care period from August 2006–September 2009. Poisson regression was used to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRR) of orphanhood and 95% confidence intervals, and the Population attributable fraction (PAF) of incident orphanhood due to HIV+ parental status was estimated as pd*(RR‐1)/RR.

Results  A total of 20 823, 21 770 and 23 700 children aged 0–14 years were censused at the three periods, respectively. The prevalence of orphanhood significantly declined; 17.2% during Pre‐HIV care roll‐out, 16.0% at HIV care transition and 12.6% at expanded HIV care period (, P < 0.0001). The incidence of orphanhood also declined significantly with increasing HIV care from 2.10/100 person‐years (py), 1.57/100 py and 1.07/100 py (, P < 0.0001). The largest declines were observed among children with HIV+ parent(s), 8.2/100 pyr, 5.2/100 pys and 3.4/100 pyr. PAF also declined from 35.3% in the pre‐HIV care to 27.6% in the expanded HIV care periods.

Conclusion  After the availability of ART, there was a decline in PAF of incident orphanhood due to parental HIV+ status, and in the incidence of orphanhood especially among children with HIV‐infected parents.
Analysis of local spread of metamitron‐resistant Chenopodium album patches in Belgium
Authors: APER J , MECHANT E , DE RIEK J , VAN LAERE K , BULCKE R , REHEUL D
Published: June 2012

Aper J, Mechant E, De Riek J, Van Laere K, Bulcke R & Reheul D (2012). Analysis of local spread of metamitron‐resistant Chenopodium album patches in Belgium. Weed Research52, 421–429.

Tracing spread of weeds with molecular markers can give valuable information on the importance of migration mechanisms. This study investigated the local spread of metamitron‐resistant Chenopodium album patches in the west of the province West Flanders (Belgium) using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. During the summer of 2009, leaf samples of C. album plants were harvested in 27 patches, distributed over 10 sugar beet fields and one maize field. The fields were grouped in four local clusters, each corresponding to a farmer who cultivated these fields. A cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence procedure identified the Ser264 to Gly mutation in the D1 protein, endowing resistance to metamitron, a key herbicide applied in sugar beet. The majority of the sampled plants within a patch (97% on average) carried this mutation. Genetic variation among the four farmers’ locations (12%) and among the C. album patches within the farmers’ locations (14%) was significant according to amova (P < 0.001). In addition, Mantel tests confirmed a positive correlation between genetic distance (linearised фPT between pairs of patches) and the logarithm of geographic distance for the complete data set (Mantel coefficient significant at P = 0.001), suggesting isolation by distance. Nevertheless, genetic similarity between patches from different fields indicated that seed transport by agricultural machinery and manure is likely to have an important impact on the spread of metamitron‐resistant biotypes. Farmers should become aware of the resistance problem as soon as possible, in order to prevent further spread in their fields.
Skin diseases in rural Yucatan, Mexico
Authors: Paek So Yeon , Koriakos Angie , Saxton‐Daniels Stephanie , Pandya Amit G.
Published: June 2012

Objectives  There are no known reports of the frequency of skin diseases endemic to rural Yucatan, Mexico. The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of dermatologic conditions in rural villages in that region.

Methods  We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of all cases of skin disease diagnosed by a team of American board‐certified dermatologists during consultations in January 2009, August 2009, and June 2010, in the state of Yucatan, Mexico. Traveling clinics were held in eight different rural locations. Age, sex, and diagnosis, according to history and physical examination, were recorded for each patient.

Results  A total of 1071 cases of skin disease were seen in 858 patients. The frequency of parasitic, viral, and fungal infections was 34.5%. Dermatitis and eczema (24.6%) were the next most prevalent conditions, followed by disorders of skin appendages (12.2%), photosensitivity disorders (5.4%), papulosquamous disorders (3.2%), urticaria and erythema (1.5%), bacterial infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (1.2%), and neoplastic disorders (2.1%). The most frequently seen single diagnoses were viral warts (12.2%), scabies (8.7%), acne (7.4%), dermatophytosis (6.8%), contact dermatitis (3.5%), and nummular eczema (3.5%).

Conclusions  Infectious diseases, acne, and eczemas are the most common skin disorders seen in dermatology clinics in rural Yucatan, Mexico. Our findings may be useful in the development of public health initiatives targeting rural communities in this region.
Reactivation of Chagas’ disease: cutaneous manifestations in two immunosuppressed patients
Authors: Riganti Julia , Maqueda Mariana Guzzi , Piñero María C. Baztán , Volonteri Victoria I. , Galimberti Ricardo L.
Published: June 2012

Background  Chagas’ disease is a zoonosis caused by a protozoan agent, Trypanosoma cruzi. Patients undergoing immunosuppressive treatment due to organ transplant, malignancies, infections, or chemotherapy may reactivate a preexisting chronic or indeterminate Trypanosoma cruzi infection.

Methods  We present two transplant patients who underwent reactivation of Chagas’ disease with cutaneous manifestations after an augmentation in their immunosuppressive therapy. A 38‐year‐old man was hospitalized on day 69 after receiving an allogeneic bone marrow transplant; he developed multiple painful erythematous plaques with diffuse borders, confined to the right cheek, trunk, thigh, elbows, and feet. A 59‐year‐old woman with a 14‐year history of Chagasic cardiomyopathy presented one month after heart transplantation with a painful infiltrated purpuric plaque on the back of her right leg.

Results  In both cases, histologic examination of skin biopsies showed dermal infiltration with intrahistiocytic amastigotes. In one of the reported cases, the Strout method detected parasitemia. Treatments with nifurtimox (600 mg/d) in case 1 and benznidazole (400 mg/d) in case 2 were started. Fever and cutaneous lesions resolved immediately after seven days of treatment.

Conclusions  Reactivation of Chagas’ disease is a serious complication that usually occurs in immunocompromised patients. Clinical manifestations include febrile illness occasionally associated with painful skin lesions. Early diagnosis and proper treatment can significantly improve these patients’ outcome.
Approaches to the evaluation of lip hyperpigmentation
Authors: Vachiramon Vasanop , McMichael Amy J.
Published: June 2012

Hyperpigmentation of the lips is a common condition. It is associated with a wide variety of conditions that include physiologic changes, genodermatoses, inflammatory diseases, endocrinologic disorders, drugs and chemicals, benign and malignant neoplasm, and other non‐melanotic conditions. The aim of this article is to provide a clinical approach to hyperpigmented lesions on the lips based on the extent of lesions, the age of onset, and associated systemic involvements. In this review, we present an algorithm to guide the diagnosis of and plan for therapeutic intervention for pigmented lesions of the lips. The algorithm is based on the typical clinical presentation of each entity and should not be taken as an absolute indicator of diagnosis. Although the differences in color can help to differentiate among pigmented lesions, the interpretation of color can be subjective and is influenced by the amount and location of the pigment within the mucosa. The limitations of this review are that some data are based on case reports and small case series that may not reflect true association.
Transdermal drug delivery using disk microneedle rollers in a hairless rat model
Authors: Kim Hyeong Mi , Lim Yun Young , An Joo‐Hee , Kim Myeung Nam , Kim Beom Joon
Published: June 2012

Background  Transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDSs) represent more reliable and consistent methods of drug dosing than oral administration. However, TDDSs can administer only low molecular weight (MW) drugs and require a power source. Disk microneedle rollers facilitate the passage of low and high MW substances through the direct perforation of the stratum corneum and dermis, without stimulating dermal nerves.

Objectives  We investigated in vitro whether disk microneedle rollers, developed for the Diskneedle Therapy System (DTS™) in South Korea, can deliver drugs effectively through the skin of hairless rats.

Methods  The disk microneedle rollers used in the DTS™ are metal and consist of several plates bearing microneedles of graded lengths (0.15 mm, 0.25 mm, 0.50 mm). To test in vitro permeation, the skin of a hairless rat was mounted in a Franz diffusion cell system and rolled with a disk roller without microneedles and with rollers fitted with microneedles of each size. Rhodamine B base (80 μl) was applied to the skin for 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours, and dye permeation was detected at 543 nm. Dye binding to the skin was also confirmed using fluorescence microscopy at six hours after the application of rhodamine B.

Results  Use of the disk microneedle roller increased the skin penetrance of rhodamine B base in hairless rats in accordance with microneedle length, as assessed using a fluorescence penetration test.

Conclusions  Disk microneedle rollers, as designed for the DTS™, can be used for transdermal drug delivery. Microneedles can be selected according to the length appropriate for each application.
BrRZFP1aBrassica rapaC3HC4‐type RING zinc finger protein involved in cold, salt and dehydration stress
Authors: Jung Y. J. , Lee I. H. , Nou I. S. , Lee K. D. , Rashotte A. M. , Kang K. K.
Published: June 2012

C3HC4‐type RING zinc finger proteins are known to be essential in the regulation of plant processes, including responses to abiotic stress. Here, we identify, clone and examine the first C3HC4‐type RING zinc finger protein (BrRZFP1) fromBrassica rapaunder stress conditions. Phylogenetic analysis ofBrRZFP1revealed strong sequence similarity to C3HC4‐type zinc finger proteins fromArabidopsisthat are induced by abiotic stresses. Diverse environmental stresses, including salt and cold, were found to induceBrRZFP1transcripts greater than eightfold inB. rapa. Additional strong induction was shown of the stress hormone abscisic acid, together suggesting thatBrRZFP1could play a role as a general stress modulator. Similar profiles of induction for each of these stresses was found in both root and shoot tissues, although at much higher levels in roots. Constitutive expression ofBrRZFP1inNicotiana tabacumwas conducted to further analyse how changes in gene expression levels would affect plant stress responses.BrRZFP1overexpression conferred increased tolerance to cold, salt and dehydration stresses. This was observed in several assays examining growth status throughout development, including increased germination, fresh weight and length of shoots and roots, as well as enhanced chlorophyll retention. These results suggest that the transcription factorBrRZFP1is an important determinant of stress response in plants and that changes in its expression level in plants could increase stress tolerance.
Altered allocation to roots and shoots in the endophyte‐infected seedlings of Puccinellia distans (Poaceae)
Authors: Czarnoleski M. , Olejniczak P. , Górzyńska K. , Kozłowski J. , Lembicz M.
Published: June 2012

Endophytes play an important role in ecological and evolutionary processes in plants and have marked economic value. Seed‐transmitted fungal endophytes are conventionally regarded as mutualistic symbionts, but their fitness consequences for the offspring of the host are not clear. Puccinellia distans infected with the fungus Epichloë typhina (E+) produces seeds that are several times smaller than normal (E−). This observation suggests that the E+ seedlings face a developmental disadvantage. Our growth chamber experiments compared the germination rates of the small E+ and large E− seeds of P. distans and examined the biomass allocation of seedlings to roots and shoots. The E+ seedlings germinated more slowly and maintained shorter shoots and a smaller root biomass for 30–50 days after sowing. Despite this disadvantage, the E+ plants more quickly increased their total size, attaining a larger shoot and whole‐plant biomass. The shoot:root biomass ratio increased more rapidly through time in the E+ seedlings, attaining a value nine times higher in the E+ than the E− group 50 days after sowing. Such differences between the E+ and E− seedlings were not explained by the growth allometry between shoots and roots. The seedlings of P. distans infected with the Epichloë endophyte were initially handicapped by their postponed emergence, but this disadvantage was quickly overcome by their superior growth capacity. The decrease in the relative allocation to roots may indicate that endophytes increase the performance of roots as resource‐acquiring organs and/or reduce the role of roots in protection against herbivores.
Genetic Advances in Adapting Rice to a Rapidly Changing Climate
Authors: Jagadish S. V. K. , Septiningsih E. M. , Kohli A. , Thomson M. J. , Ye C. , Redoña E. , Kumar A. , Gregorio G. B. , Wassmann R. , Ismail A. M. , Singh R. K.
Published: June 2012

Rice, with its wide geographic distribution extending from 50°N to 35°S, is expected to be the most vulnerable cultivated crop to future changing climates. Among the different abiotic stresses, extreme temperatures coinciding with critical developmental stages, increasingly frequent floods and drought spells, and worsening sea water inundation are some of the major threats to sustainable rice productivity. Following the successful implementation of molecular marker‐assisted backcrossing to introgress large‐effect QTL for submergence tolerance in rice mega varieties, rice breeding for drought, salinity and, recently, heat tolerance is employing the same approach. Although tolerance for combined submergence and salinity has been achieved, developing rice varieties with multiple tolerance for other abiotic and biotic stresses and finding the appropriate agronomic package to exploit their performance remain a challenge. The major bottleneck is the lack of unidentified large‐effect QTL for other abiotic stresses that are strongly influenced by genotype × environment (G × E) interaction. Rapid advances in the use of molecular tools, including a plethora of SNP markers, are expected to facilitate the development of major abiotic stress‐tolerant rice. In response to the actual farmer field situation, progress achieved in understanding and developing independent abiotic stress tolerance is being exploited to combine tolerances (for example, heat and drought; salinity and submergence) to address emerging environmental problems across a wide range of rice ecosystems.
Developmental Dynamics and Early Growth Vigour in Rice. I. Relationship Between Development Rate (1/Phyllochron) and Growth
Authors: Rebolledo M. C. , Dingkuhn M. , Péré P. , McNally K. L. , Luquet D.
Published: June 2012

Achieving early vigour, that is, rapid dry matter accumulation, is a priority in rice crop improvement, but this trait is complex and not well understood genetically and physiologically. This study tested the hypothesis that the development rate (DR) contributes to early vigour. Two diversity panels were phenotyped during vegetative stage for traits constituting early vigour (shoot dry weight, SDW; relative growth rate, RGR) or contributing to early vigour (tillering, leaf size, DR). The first panel comprised 169 genotypes from all major genetic groups of Oryza sativa and was phenotyped under irrigated upland conditions in the field (Philippines, Exp1). The second panel with 190 genotypes representing the diversity of the tropical japonica group was phenotyped in pots in a greenhouse (Montpellier, France, Exp2). Results from field and pot experiment pointed out that DR, tillering and leaf size were positively correlated with RGR and SDW, although the contribution of leaf size was small. DR was positively correlated with tillering but both were negatively correlated with leaf size. DR vs. RGR correlation was conserved in subsets of genotypes with similar leaf size and tillering, suggesting an effect of DR on RGR independent of the other traits. DR is a promising, still underexploited trait contributing to rice early vigour, requiring further genetic and physiological characterization.
Getting the Most Out of Sorghum Low‐Input Field Trials inWestAfrica Using Spatial Adjustment
Authors: Leiser W. L. , Rattunde H. F. , Piepho H.‐P. , Parzies H. K.
Published: June 2012

Breeding sorghum for low‐input conditions is hindered by soil heterogeneity. Spatial adjustment using mixed models can help account for this variation and increase precision of low‐input field trials. Large small‐scale spatial variation (CV39.4 %) for plant available phosphorus was mapped in an intensely sampled low‐input field. Spatial adjustments were shown to account for residual yield differences because of this and other growth factors. To investigate the potential of such models to increase the efficiency of low‐ and high‐input field trials, 17 experiments with 70 sorghum genotypes conducted inMali,WestAfrica, were analysed for grain yield using different mixed models including models with autoregressive spatial correlation terms. Spatial models (AR1,AR2) improved broad sense heritability estimates for grain yield, averaging gains of 10 and 6 % points relative to randomized complete block (RCB) and lattice models, respectively. The heritability estimate gains were even higher under low phosphorus conditions and in two‐replicate analyses. No specific model was best for all environments. A single spatial model,AR1 × AR1, captured most of the gains for heritability and relative efficiency provided by the best model identified for each environment usingAkaike'sInformationCriterion. Spatial modelling resulted in important changes in genotype ranking for grain yield. Thus, the use of spatial models was shown to have potentially important consequences for aiding effective sorghum selection inWestAfrica, particularly under low‐input conditions and for trials with fewer replications. Thus, using spatial models can improve the resource allocation of a breeding program. Furthermore, our results show that good experimental design with optimal placement and orientation of blocks is essential for efficient statistical analysis with or without spatial adjustment.
Olive leaves (Olea europea L.) and α‐tocopheryl acetate as feed antioxidants for improving the oxidative stability of α‐linolenic acid‐enriched eggs
Authors: Botsoglou E. , Govaris A. , Fletouris D. , Iliadis S.
Published: June 2012

Ninety‐six brown Lohmann laying hens were equally assigned into four groups with six replicates. Hens within the control group were fed a corn–soybean‐based diet supplemented with 4% linseed oil. Two other groups were given the same diet further supplemented with 5 or 10 g ground olive leaves/kg feed, while the diet of the fourth group was further supplemented with 200 mg α‐tocopheryl acetate/kg. Supplementing diets with olive leaves had no effect on egg production, feed intake and egg traits. Eggs collected 28 days after feeding the experimental diets were analysed for lipid hydroperoxides and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, fatty acid profile, α‐tocopherol concentrations and susceptibility to iron‐induced lipid oxidation. Olive leaves were also analysed for total and individual phenolics, and total flavonoids, whereas their antioxidant capacity was determined using both the DPPH (1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2‐azinobis3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) radical scavenging activity assays. Results showed that neither α‐tocopheryl acetate nor olive leaves supplementation exerted (p > 0.05) any effect on the fatty acid composition of n‐3 eggs. Supplementing the diet with 5 g olive leaves/kg had no (p > 0.05) effect on the hydroperoxide levels of n‐3 eggs, while supplementing with 10 g olive leaves/kg or 200 mg α‐tocopheryl acetate/kg, the lipid hydroperoxide levels were reduced (p ≤ 0.05) compared to control. However, although hydroperoxides were reduced, MDA, a secondary lipid oxidation product, was not affected (p > 0.05). Iron‐induced lipid oxidation increased MDA values in eggs from all groups, the increase being higher (p ≤ 0.05) in the control group and the group supplemented with 5 g olive leaves/kg. The group supplemented with 10 g olive leaves/kg presented MDA values lower (p ≤ 0.05) than the control but higher (p ≤ 0.05) than the α‐tocopheryl acetate group, which presented MDA concentrations lower (p ≤ 0.05) than all other experimental diets at all incubation time points.
Morphological changes of the cartilage and bone in newborn piglets evoked by experimentally induced glucocorticoid excess during pregnancy
Authors: Tomaszewska E. , Dobrowolski P. , Puzio I.
Published: June 2012

The study examined articular and growth plate cartilages as well as bone tissues in the offspring of sows treated with glucocorticoid during the last 45 days of pregnancy (dexamethasone at the dose of 0.03 mg/kg body weight intramuscularly, every second day). The offspring were tested at the birth and basal morphology for both articular and growth plate cartilages, and the histomorphometry of trabeculae of the epiphysis and metaphysis of femur and tibia were established. The concentration of selected cytokines and the activity of bone alkaline phosphatase were determined in blood serum. Maternal dexamethasone (DEX) administration reduced the thickness of proliferative, resting and hypertrophic zones of growth plate of femur and tibia of male piglets when compared with the control. DEX significantly reduced the thickness of the resting zone in both bones. It also elongated proliferative and hypertrophic zones of the growth plate in the femur as well as the hypertrophic zone in the tibia of female piglets when compared with the control group. Moreover, DEX decreased the articular cartilage thickness of the tibia in female piglets and enhanced the articular cartilage thickness of the femur in male piglets. Articular cartilage was highly cellular, and chondrocytes were separated by thin septa of matrix. An analysis of the trabecular bone architecture in male piglets showed a loss of the trabecular bone by thinning and DEX‐related increase in trabecular porosity. Moreover, the cortical bone looked similar to the trabeculae because of trabecularization of the cortex. There was a DEX that reduced serum osteocalcin and BAP concentrations in both female and male newborn piglets, whereas the serum IL‐1 and Il‐6 was reduced only in male piglets. The obtained results demonstrated that DEX administration to sows during the last 45 days of pregnancy might cause the growth to slow and eventually to stop, especially in male piglets. It might lead to an alteration within the cartilage during its normal function, and with the time, arthritic changes can follow.
Development of genomic‐derived simple sequence repeat markers in Hevea brasiliensis from 454 genome shotgun sequences
Authors: Pootakham Wirulda , Chanprasert Juntima , Jomchai Nukoon , Sangsrakru Duangjai , Yoocha Thippawan , Tragoonrung Somvong , Tangphatsornruang Sithichoke
Published: June 2012

With 2 figures and 2 tables

In an attempt to develop additional microsatellite markers in rubber tree, we employed a 454 pyrosequencing technology to obtain genomic shotgun sequences and subsequently identified over 24 000 putative simple sequence repeats (SSRs). A total of 418 potential SSR loci were chosen for an empirical validation. Two hundred and twenty‐four primer pairs yielded successful amplification, and 90 SSR markers exhibited polymorphism among the 18 rubber tree accessions evaluated. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 7, with an average of 3.44 alleles per SSR. The gene diversity of individual microsatellite loci displayed a broad range of values from 0.104 to 0.901 with a mean of 0.612. The polymorphism information content also varied greatly from 0.099 to 0.893 with an average of 0.577. We also identified a set of five highly informative markers that were able to unequivocally distinguish 18 rubber tree genotypes examined in this study.
Chordoid glioma of the third ventricle: Four cases including one case with papillary features
Authors: Ni Hai‐Chun , Piao Yue‐Shan , Lu De‐Hong , Fu Yong‐Juan , Ma Xiao‐Li , Zhang Xiao‐Juan
Published: June 2012

Chordoid glioma is a rare, slowly growing tumor of the CNS, which is always located in the third ventricle of adults. Chordoid glioma has classic histological features consisting of clusters and cords of epithelioid tumor cells embedded within a mucinous stroma with rich lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. The important distinctive immunohistochemical feature of this neoplasm is strong and diffuse reactivity for GFAP. Here, we report four cases of chordoid glioma that occupied the anterior portion of the third ventricle or suprasellar region. These four cases were all adult females with almost typical clinical, radiological, histologic and immunohistochemical characteristics of chordoid glioma. However, in one case there was an unusual histologic finding with regard to the papillary region. In this region, elongated tumor cells were observed radiating toward a central vessel to form characteristic papillary structures. Immunohistochemically, three cases showed strong reactivity for GFAP, and one exhibited weak reactivity. All cases were focally positive for epithelial membrane antigen, CD34 and D2‐40, but negative for neurofilament protein (NFP). Several ultrastructural investigations have supported the ependymal origin of chordoid glioma. In some cases of immunoreactivity for NFP, some authors have supposed that chordoid glioma originates from a multipotential stem cell with glial and neuronal cell differentiation. With regard to the present four cases with immunoreactivity for D2‐40 (an ependymal marker) and CD34 (undifferentiated neural precursors) and based on previously published data, we considered that the majority of chordoid gliomas had an ependymal origin, and that a small minority might have originated from a multipotential stem cell having ependymal and neuronal cell differentiation.
Heterotopic glioneuronal mass of the cerebellomedullary cistern with duct cyst formation of ectopic salivary gland tissue
Authors: Oh Sun‐Ju , Lee Dakeun , Suh Yeon‐Lim , Lee Jung‐Il
Published: June 2012

We report the unique presentation of a glioneuronal heterotopia in the cerebellomedullary cistern in association with salivary gland and adipose tissue in a 56‐year‐old woman. The patient presented with persistent pain of the posterior neck and was diagnosed with a snow‐man shaped cystic solid mass in the cerebellomedullary cistern of the posterior fossa on brain MRI. Surgical exploration revealed a tan to gray solid mass with a cystic portion that was ruptured during surgery. Histologically, the mass consisted of glioneuronal cells in the gliofibrillary or neuropil matrix and was diagnosed as glioneuronal heterotopia. This heterotopic glioneuronal mass contained CD34‐positive neuroglial cells and pericellular stroma. In addition, an island of normal‐appearing salivary gland and adipose tissue was found in close relationship with the mass. The cystic portion of the mass was a duct cyst of the salivary gland. The pathogenesis of this case with heterotopic glioneuronal, salivary and adipose tissues remains unclear.
Gene expression analysis in the green macroalga Acrosiphonia arcta (Dillw.) J. Ag.: Method optimization and influence of ultraviolet radiation
Authors: Kremb Stephan , Ernst Dieter , Heller Werner , Wiencke Christian
Published: June 2012

Marine macroalgae represent an important part of coastal ecosystems in temperate and polar areas. Increasing surface ultraviolet radiation (UVR) levels due to stratospheric ozone thinning may lead to deleterious effects on the physiology of marine macroalgae. Only few studies concentrate on the response of macroalgal gene expression towards elevated UVR. Analyzing gene expression in marine algae is challenging regarding RNA extraction, enrichment of differentially expressed transcripts and identification of resulting sequences. Thus, we focused on the optimization of the appropriate techniques using the widely distributed green marine macroalga Acrosiphonia arcta. We successfully used a combination of suppression subtractive hybridization with microarray‐based screening of size‐selected cDNA libraries and were able to substantially improve the outcome compared with standard techniques. Analysis of differential gene expression revealed a distinct pattern of reactions towards ecologically relevant UVR levels pointing to specific mechanisms that include modulation of the photosynthetic apparatus, induction of glutathione metabolism, removal of toxic photoproducts and use of the malate valve to dissipate excess energy. The results of this study clearly correlate with previous physiological findings on photosynthesis and the antioxidative capacity of this alga.
Effect of sulthiame on EEG pathology, behavior and school performance in children with Rolandic epileptiform discharges
Authors: Shamdeen Mohammed Ghiath , Jost Wolfram , Frohnhöfer Martina , Gortner Ludwig , Meyer Sascha
Published: June 2012

Background:  Rolandic epileptiform discharges (RED) may be associated with behavioral difficulties and low school performance. The aim of this study was to assess whether sulthiame is effective in improving electroencephalogram (EEG) pathology, and whether these changes are paralleled by improved school performance and behavior.

Methods:  In this single‐center study at a university hospital, 38 children with RED (27 boys, 11 girls; mean age, 6 years; range, 3–11 years), but no overt seizures, were included. Sixteen of them were treated with sulthiame (3–10 mg/kg). The observational period was 12 months. In both groups serial EEG was performed, and school performance and behavioral skills were assessed by parents and teachers.

Results:  Children treated with sulthiame showed marked improvement on EEG pathology when compared to the non‐treated group (75% vs 44%; P= 0.149). Improvement of EEG pathology was significantly associated with better school performance and normalization of behavioral difficulties (P= 0.016). A significant positive correlation was established between sulthiame treatment and improved intellectual/school performance and behavior (P < 0.05). Side‐effects (transient episodes of tachypnea) were rare (four children; 25%).

Conclusion:  EEG pathology can be improved with sulthiame in children with RED. The EEG changes were associated with improved clinical outcome parameters. The present findings need to be confirmed in a larger randomized controlled trial.
IgG3 deficiency and severity of 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza
Authors: Sakai Emiko , Yamamoto Takehisa , Yamamoto Katsusuke , Mizoguchi Yoshimi , Kaneno Hiroshi , Ihashi Mai , Takano Mika , Anzai Kaori , Kase Tetsuo , Shimotsuji Tsunesuke
Published: June 2012

Background:  The severity of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza (H1N1 pdm 09) in immune deficient children is unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate this in a case of complete IgG3 deficiency complicated by pneumonia and asthma attack.

Methods:  The clinical parameters of the IgG3 deficiency patient were compared with those of four control patients using 95% confidence intervals. These control patients were selected from 71 patients admitted due to pneumonia or bronchitis caused by H1N1 pdm 09, and were chosen according to age, absence of pretreatment with oseltamivir before admission, presence of a past history of asthma, use of antibiotics, and combination of inhalation of a beta2 agonist and treatment with i.v. methylprednisolone for asthma attack.

Results:  The IgG3 deficiency patient had significantly longer duration of admission and period of oseltamivir, with a significantly decreased pulse oxygen saturation and increased maximum serum C‐reactive protein, creatine kinase and urinary excretion of β2‐microglobulin/creatinine, compared with the controls (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:  Complete IgG3 deficiency is possibly associated with severity of the clinical course of pneumonia and asthma attack in children suffering from H1N1 pdm 09.
Laparoscopic treatment of hepatic hydatid disease
Authors: Koea Jonathan B.
Published: June 2012

Background:  Hepatic hydatid disease is now rare in Australasia. However, it remains a significant problem in endemic areas. Many cases are now managed using minimally invasive techniques and this paper reviews the current status of laparoscopic approaches to hepatic hydatid disease.

Methods:  A Medline data search was performed using the search terms of Ecchinococcos, laparoscopy, hepatectomy and pericystectomy. All publications from all publication years, including foreign language publications, were included.

Results:  Eight series have been published comprising five or more patients, with most utilizing techniques of laparoscopic cystectomy. All series managed Gharbi cyst types I–IV, and median operative times were between 60 and 82 min. Seven conversions were reported (3%) for problems with access or bleeding. There was one reported fatality, and between 5% and 45% (median 13%) of patients developed complications. Three cases of anaphylaxis were reported and 14 cases of bile fistula were reported (median incidence: 6%). Hospital stays were between 3 and 10 days (median stay: 3.5 days). Two series report recurrences (recurrence rates of 3% and 4%) and these were in patients not treated with preoperative albendazole.

Conclusion:  Laparoscopic surgical techniques have been successfully applied to the treatment of hepatic hydatid cysts. While the uptake of these procedures is limited to areas of high prevalence and units with a specific interest, laparoscopic surgery is now one of the management options available to treat hepatic hydatid disease.
Experience matters: prior exposure to plant toxins enhances diversity of gut microbes in herbivores
Authors: Kohl Kevin D. , Dearing M. D.
Published: June 2012

For decades, ecologists have hypothesised that exposure to plant secondary compounds (PSCs) modifies herbivore‐associated microbial community composition. This notion has not been critically evaluated in wild mammalian herbivores on evolutionary timescales. We investigated responses of the microbial communities of two woodrat species (Neotoma bryanti and N. lepida). For each species, we compared experienced populations that independently converged to feed on the same toxic plant (creosote bush, Larrea tridentata) to naïve populations with no exposure to creosote toxins. The addition of dietary PSCs significantly altered gut microbial community structure, and the response was dependent on previous experience. Microbial diversity and relative abundances of several dominant phyla increased in experienced woodrats in response to PSCs; however, opposite effects were observed in naïve woodrats. These differential responses were convergent in experienced populations of both species. We hypothesise that adaptation of the foregut microbiota to creosote PSCs in experienced woodrats drives this differential response.
Living Monoplacophora: morphological conservatism or recent diversification?
Authors: Kano Yasunori , Kimura Shoichi , Kimura Taeko , Warén Anders
Published: June 2012

Kano, Y., Kimura, S., Kimura, T. & Warén, A. (2012) Living Monoplacophora: morphological conservatism or recent diversification? —Zoologica Scripta, 41, 471–488.

The molluscs of the class Monoplacophora are classic and probably the most striking case of a ‘living fossil’ in the deep sea. Until the discovery of the first living specimens in 1950s, the group was thought to be extinct since the Devonian period, almost 400 million years ago. Morphological conservatism over a long span of time in a ‘living‐fossil’ lineage may theoretically result in distant but closely resembling taxa, and this idea apparently led some authors to recognise as many as six families and three superfamilies for less than three dozen living monoplacophoran species. However, no genetic or fossil data have been available regarding the history of their diversification. Here we describe Veleropilina seisuimaruae sp. n., the first member of the class from the north‐western Pacific, based on the shell, radular and anatomical characteristics. Phylogenetic analyses of 6‐kb DNA sequences estimate that the divergence of V. seisuimaruae and Laevipilina hyalina, the only other monoplacophoran available for genetic studies, dates back only to the Late Cretaceous, despite their significant morphological differences among the living members of the class. The recent Monoplacophora might have radiated fairly recently from a cryptic lineage with ordinary rates of morphological evolution, possibly after the global deep‐sea anoxia at the Cenomanian/Turonian boundary.
Analysis of outcomes after radical prostatectomy in patients eligible for active surveillance (PRIAS)
Authors: El Hajj Albert , Ploussard Guillaume , de la Taille Alexandre , Allory Yves , Vordos Dimitri , Hoznek Andras , Abbou Claude Clément , Salomon Laurent
Published: June 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Several criteria have been described to select patients with prostate cancer in active surveillance (AS) protocols; however, the risk of missing unfavourable disease remains.

We report the risk of misclassification using the Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance (PRIAS) study in an analysis of pathological results after radical prostatectomy. We also define predictors of favourable disease that can be used to better select patients eligible for AS, as well as risk factors associated with disease progression.

Objective

To identify the risk of failure of active surveillance (AS) in men who had the Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance (PRIAS) criteria and had undergone radical prostatectomy (RP), by studying as primary endpoints the risk of unfavourable disease in RP specimens (stage >T2 and/or Gleason score >6) and of biochemical progression after RP.

Patients and Methods

We assessed 626 patients who had the PRIAS criteria for AS defined as T1c/T2, PSA level of ≤10 ng/mL, PSA density (PSAD) of <0.2 ng/mL per mL, Gleason score of <7, and one or two positive biopsies. All patients underwent immediate RP at our department between January 1991 and December 2010.

Multivariate logistic regression was used to test factors correlated with the risk of unfavourable prostate cancer.

The risk of progression was tested using multivariate Cox regression models.

Biochemical recurrence‐free survival (BFS) was established using the Kaplan–Meier method

Results

Pathological study of RP specimens showed upstaging (>T2) in 129 patients (20.6%), upgrading (Gleason score >6) in 281 (44.9%) and unfavourable disease in 312 patients (50%).

There was a statistically non‐significant trend for BFS at P = 0.06.

Predictors of favourable tumours were age <65 years (P = 0.005), one vs two positive biopsies (P = 0.01) and a biopsy core number >12 (P = 0.005).

Preoperative factors predicting disease progression were a PSAD of >0.15 ng/mL2 (P = 0.008) and biopsy core number of ≤12 (P = 0.017).

Conclusions

Even with stringent AS criteria, the rate of unfavourable disease remains high.

Predictive factors of unfavourable disease and biochemical progression should be considered when including patients in AS protocols.
Impact of surgical intervention timing on the case fatality rate for Fournier's gangrene: an analysis of 379 cases
Authors: Sugihara Toru , Yasunaga Hideo , Horiguchi Hiromasa , Fujimura Tetsuya , Ohe Kazuhiko , Matsuda Shinya , Fushimi Kiyohide , Homma Yukio
Published: June 2012

Study Type – Prognosis (outcome)

Level of Evidence 2b

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Reportedly, Fournier's gangrene has a high mortality rate, ∼7.5–40%, and experts recommend early surgical debridement.

This study examines 379 patients and shows that an early intervention, i.e. within 2 hospital days could halve the mortality rate compared with later intervention.

OBJECTIVE

To examine how early surgical intervention influenced cases of Fournier's gangrene (FG) fatality.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with FG (defined as an International Classification of Diseases‐10 code of M72.6 [necrotizing fasciitis] at the perineum or external genitalia), who received surgical intervention ≤5 days after admission, were identified from the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database for the 6‐month period July to December, in the years 2007–2010.

Data included age, sex, comorbidities, ambulance use, operations and debridement ranges.

Multivariate logistic regression analysis of mortality was performed to show whether early (≤2 hospital days) or delayed (3–5 hospital days) surgical treatment affected FG outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 302 male and 77 female patients with FG were identified for which the overall case fatality rate was 17.1% (65 cases).

There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between the early operation group (n= 327) and the delayed operation group (n= 52), with the exception of ambulance use (33.3% vs 17.3%, P= 0.020).

Cystostomy, colostomy, orchiectomy/penectomy (male patients only), or debridement ≥3000 cm2 were performed on 42 (8.8%), 56 (11.5%), 46 (10.8%) and 17 (4.4%) patients, respectively.

Multivariate analysis showed that there was a significantly lower case fatality rate among the early operation group (odds ratio [OR]= 0.38; P= 0.031).

Older age (OR 1.80, for 10‐year increments), Charlson comorbidity index score (OR = 1.33, for 1‐point increments), sepsis or disseminated intravascular coagulation at admission (OR 4.01), and debridement range ≥3000 cm2 (OR 5.22, compared with other operations) were significantly associated with a higher case fatality rate.

CONCLUSION

Early (≤2 hospital days) surgical intervention for FG is significantly associated with lower mortality than delayed (3–5 hospital days) action.