bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The SCO2 protein disulphide isomerase is required for thylakoid biogenesis and interacts with LCHB1 chlorophyll a/b binding proteins which affects chlorophyll biosynthesis in Arabidopsis seedlings
Authors: Tanz Sandra K. , Kilian Joachim , Johnsson Christoffer , Apel Klaus , Small Ian , Harter Klaus , Wanke Dierk , Pogson Barry , Albrecht Verónica
Published: October 2011

The process of chloroplast biogenesis requires a multitude of pathways and processes to establish chloroplast function. In cotyledons of seedlings, chloroplasts develop either directly from proplastids (also named eoplasts) or, if germinated in the dark, via etioplasts, whereas in leaves chloroplasts derive from proplastids in the apical meristem and are then multiplied by division. The snowy cotyledon 2, sco2, mutations specifically disrupt chloroplast biogenesis in cotyledons. SCO2 encodes a chloroplast‐localized protein disulphide isomerase, hypothesized to be involved in protein folding. Analysis of co‐expressed genes with SCO2 revealed that genes with similar expression patterns encode chloroplast proteins involved in protein translation and in chlorophyll biosynthesis. Indeed, sco2‐1 accumulates increased levels of the chlorophyll precursor, protochlorophyllide, in both dark grown cotyledons and leaves. Yeast two‐hybrid analyses demonstrated that SCO2 directly interacts with the chlorophyll‐binding LHCB1 proteins, being confirmed in planta using bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BIFC). Furthermore, ultrastructural analysis of sco2‐1 chloroplasts revealed that formation and movement of transport vesicles from the inner envelope to the thylakoids is perturbed. SCO2 does not interact with the signal recognition particle proteins SRP54 and FtsY, which were shown to be involved in targeting of LHCB1 to the thylakoids. We hypothesize that SCO2 provides an alternative targeting pathway for light‐harvesting chlorophyll binding (LHCB) proteins to the thylakoids via transport vesicles predominantly in cotyledons, with the signal recognition particle (SRP) pathway predominant in rosette leaves. Therefore, we propose that SCO2 is involved in the integration of LHCB1 proteins into the thylakoids that feeds back on the regulation of the tetrapyrrole biosynthetic pathway and nuclear gene expression.
Impact of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms on clinical outcomes of HLA‐matched sibling hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Cho Hyeon Jin , Shin Dong‐Yeop , Kim Jin Hee , Bae Ji‐Yeon , Lee Kyung‐Hun , See Cha Ja , Kim Naeyu , Park Eun Kyung , Ra Eun Kyung , Lee Jong‐Eun , Hong Yun‐Chul , Kim Hyun Kyung , Park Sung Sup , Yoon Sung‐Soo , Lee Dong Soon , Han Kyou‐Sup , Park Myoung Hee , Park Seonyang , Kim Byoung Kook , Kim Inho
Published: October 2011

Cho HJ, Shin DY, Kim JH, Bae JY, Lee KH, See CJ, Kim N, Park EK, Ra EK, Lee JE, Hong YC, Kim HK, Park SS, Yoon SS, Lee DS, Han KS, Park MH, Park S, Kim BK, Kim I. Impact of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms on clinical outcomes of HLA‐matched sibling hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.  Clin Transplant 2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2011.01523.x.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  We hypothesized that polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene might affect clinical outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Three VDR gene polymorphisms (BsmI G>A, ApaI G>T, and TaqI T>C) were genotyped in 147 patients who underwent HLA‐matched sibling allogeneic HSCT. Frequencies of infection, graft‐vs.‐host disease (GVHD), overall survival (OS), and disease‐free survival (DFS) were compared according to genotypes and haplotypes. Infection and acute GVHD had trends to be less frequent in patients with ApaI TT genotype than non‐TT genotypes (p = 0.061 and p = 0.059, respectively). For TaqI genotypes, there were no statistical differences in frequency of infection and acute GVHD (p = 0.84 and p = 0.30, respectively), but TC genotype was associated with longer OS and DFS than TT genotype (p = 0.022 and p = 0.038, respectively). In the ApaI‐TaqI haplotype analysis, patients with TC haplotype had significantly longer OS and DFS than those without TC haplotype (p = 0.022 and p = 0.038, respectively). In multivariable analysis, TaqI genotype and ApaI‐TaqI haplotype of recipients were independent prognostic factors for both OS and DFS. This study suggests that the genotype and haplotype of VDR in recipient might be associated with clinical outcome of sibling HLA‐matched HSCT.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐C*16:07:02 allele in a family of Benin origin
Authors: Testi M. , Galluccio T. , Stellitano C. , Guagnano A. , Andreani M.
Published: October 2011

The novel allele HLA‐C*16:07:02 differs from HLA‐C* 16:07:01 by a silent nucleotide substitution at codon 220 (TAC → TAT).
A novel HLA‐A*30 allele, HLA‐A*30:36
Authors: Jennings L. , Hall J. E. , Caparelli E. , Silva M. , Yu M.
Published: October 2011

A novel HLA allele, HLA‐A*30:36, is found in a donor from the Central German Bone Marrow Donor Registry.
Is liver‐targeted FOXp3 staining beneficial after living‐donor liver transplantation?
Authors: Eguchi S. , Hidaka M. , Soyama A. , Takatsuki M. , Miyaaki H. , Ichikawa T. , Nakao K. , Kanematsu T.
Published: October 2011

As treatments for acute cellular rejection (ACR) and recurrent hepatitis caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) are dramatically different, making a precise diagnosis is considered to be essential in patients after liver transplantation. Therefore, we investigated whether immunohistochemical detection of FOXp3, a marker for regulatory T cells (CD4+ CD25+), could be used to differentiate between recurrent hepatitis C and ACR. From a group of 103 cases of living‐donor liver transplantation (LDLT), 48 samples were taken via liver biopsy from 20 patients with HCV infection. An initial diagnosis was made based on hematoxylin and eosin staining, which was scored with the hepatitis activity index (HAI) grading, whereas ARC was scored with the rejection activity index (RAI). The FOXp3 immunohistochemical staining on serial specimens was retrospectively analyzed, scoring from 0 to III. The time after LDLT was a median of 270 (range: 14–2000) days, whereas the median number of biopsies per patient was 3 (range: 1–8). The HAI was significantly different between 0 vs. I, and II vs. III, in terms of the FOXp3 score. On the other hand, a significant difference in the RAI was only found between 0 vs. I. In conclusion, FOXp3 may represent a surrogate marker for recurrent HCV infection after LDLT.
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in kidney transplantation
Authors: Goto N. , Oka S.
Published: October 2011

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised renal transplant recipients. In recent years, PCP outbreaks in renal transplant centers have been reported in many countries. Person‐to‐person transmission between PCP patients and other recipients lacking prophylaxis is one of the possible sources of infection. To prevent infection, effective prophylaxis in susceptible patients is recommended. Trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (TMP‐SMX) is the most effective drug for PCP prophylaxis, but its recommended duration of use after transplantation varies among the different guidelines. The European Renal Association recommends a prophylaxis period of 4 months after transplantation, the American Society of Transplantation (AST) 6–12 months, and the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes guidelines 3–6 months. Lifelong prophylaxis with TMP‐SMX is not recommended in renal transplant recipients; however, in many cases, PCP has occurred after the recommended prophylaxis periods after transplantation. In this minireview, we discuss the risk factors including environmental‐nosocomial exposure; state‐of‐the‐art diagnosis, treatment, prophylaxis and isolation; and references to the AST 2009 guidelines with the aim of integrating our experience with PCP outbreaks into recent reports, and we discuss how renal transplant recipients can be protected from PCP.
The Effect of Transgenesis on Rabbit Thyroid Tissue Structure
Authors: Tvrda E. , Massanyi P. , Lukac N. , Danko J. , Chrenek P.
Published: October 2011

With 1 figure and 3 tables

This study was aimed to compare structures of the thyroid tissue of transgenic rabbits expressing the human clotting factor VIII under the murine whey acidic protein promoter (mWAP–hFVIII rabbits) with the non‐transgenic controls. Thyroid tissue samples were taken from transgenic and non‐transgenic New Zealand White rabbits, examined by optical microscopy and analysed morphometrically. The analysis revealed no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the relative volume of basic thyroid structures. Furthermore, no significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed when measuring the epithelial height and nuclear diameter of the follicular cells. Altogether, this study demonstrates no negative effect of the mWAP–hFVIII transgenesis on the rabbit thyroid gland structure.
Field response of the six‐toothed pine bark beetle, Ips sexdentatus (Col.: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), to pheromonal blend candidates
Authors: Etxebeste I. , Álvarez G. , Pérez G. , Pajares J. A.
Published: October 2011

The identification and description of the chemical signals involved in the aggregation of bark beetles may lead to the development of integrated pest management strategies using synthetic pheromones. Ips sexdentatus Boern. (Col.: Scolytinae) colonizes trees of the Pinus genus across Europe, causing severe damage in occasions. The effect of cis‐verbenol, ipsenol, 2‐methyl‐3‐buten‐2‐ol (MB) and myrtenol in relation to the major pheromonal compound ipsdienol on the aggregation behaviour of I. sexdentatus was studied on four field bioassays. The ternary blend of racemic ipsdienol, cis‐verbenol and racemic ipsenol consistently caught the highest number of bark beetles, resulting in large standardized mean differences (dunbiased > 0.8). The binary blends between ipsdienol and ipsenol, and ipsdienol and cis‐verbenol also improved the performance of ipsdienol, although only ipsenol did it significantly. On the other hand, catches were reduced (dunbiased = −0.96) when MB was released along ipsdienol, although the effect was found to be non‐significant. On a third bioassay, the relative release rates between ipsdienol, ipsenol and cis‐verbenol were studied. Although no differences were found between the ternary blends, a ratio of 1 : 0.25 : 0.5 for ipsdienol, ipsenol and cis‐verbenol, respectively, scored the strongest effect size (dunbiased = 1.17). A fourth bioassay studied the behavioural effects of myrtenol and found no significant modifications to previously established findings. Myrtenol on its own attracted almost no individuals of I. sexdentatus. High numbers of bark beetle predators Thanasimus formicarius L. and Temnochila caerulea Olivier were trapped during the trials. The binary blend between ipsdienol and ipsdienol was shown to catch the highest significant amount of T. formicarius, whereas numbers of T. caerulea caught were highest on the binary blend between cis‐verbenol and ipsdienol. Presented results establish the ternary blend between ipsdienol, ipsenol and cis‐verbenol as a reference functional aggregative lure ready to be used on the management of I. sexdentatus.
Pulmonary adenocarcinoma: A renewed entity in 2011
Authors: KADARA HUMAM , KABBOUT MOHAMED , WISTUBA IGNACIO I.
Published: October 2011

Lung cancer, of which non‐small‐cell lung cancer comprises the majority, is the leading cause of cancer‐related deaths in the United States and worldwide. Lung adenocarcinomas are a major subtype of non‐small‐cell lung cancers, are increasing in incidence globally in both males and females and in smokers and non‐smokers, and are the cause for almost 50% of deaths attributable to lung cancer. Lung adenocarcinoma is a tumour with complex biology that we have recently started to understand with the advent of various histological, transcriptomic, genomic and proteomic technologies. However, the histological and molecular pathogenesis of this malignancy is still largely unknown. This review will describe advances in the molecular pathology of lung adenocarcinoma with emphasis on genomics and DNA alterations of this disease. Moreover, the review will discuss recognized lung adenocarcinoma preneoplastic lesions and current concepts of the early pathogenesis and progression of the disease. We will also portray the field cancerization phenomenon and lineage‐specific oncogene expression pattern in lung cancer and how both remerging concepts can be exploited to increase our understanding of lung adenocarcinoma pathogenesis for subsequent development of biomarkers for early detection of adenocarcinomas and possibly personalized prevention.
A simple method for characterizing passive and active neuronal properties: application to striatal neurons
Authors: Lepora Nathan F. , Blomeley Craig P. , Hoyland Darren , Bracci Enrico , Overton Paul G. , Gurney Kevin
Published: October 2011

The study of active and passive neuronal dynamics usually relies on a sophisticated array of electrophysiological, staining and pharmacological techniques. We describe here a simple complementary method that recovers many findings of these more complex methods but relies only on a basic patch‐clamp recording approach. Somatic short and long current pulses were applied in vitro to striatal medium spiny (MS) and fast spiking (FS) neurons from juvenile rats. The passive dynamics were quantified by fitting two‐compartment models to the short current pulse data. Lumped conductances for the active dynamics were then found by compensating this fitted passive dynamics within the current–voltage relationship from the long current pulse data. These estimated passive and active properties were consistent with previous more complex estimations of the neuron properties, supporting the approach. Relationships within the MS and FS neuron types were also evident, including a graduation of MS neuron properties consistent with recent findings about D1 and D2 dopamine receptor expression. Application of the method to simulated neuron data supported the hypothesis that it gives reasonable estimates of membrane properties and gross morphology. Therefore detailed information about the biophysics can be gained from this simple approach, which is useful for both classification of neuron type and biophysical modelling. Furthermore, because these methods rely upon no manipulations to the cell other than patch clamping, they are ideally suited to in vivo electrophysiology.
Prokaryotic taxonomy in the sequencing era – the polyphasic approach revisited
Authors: Kämpfer Peter , Glaeser Stefanie P.
Published: October 2011

The ultimate goal of taxonomy is to establish a system that mirrors the ‘order in nature’. In prokaryote microbiology, almost all taxonomic concepts try to mirror the whole evolutionary order back to the origin of life with the cell as basic unit. The introduction of the 16S rRNA gene as molecular marker allowed for the first time the creation of a hierarchical taxonomic system based on one practical molecular marker. With the development of new and rapid sequencing technologies a wealth of new data can and will be used for critical evaluation of the taxonomic system. Comprehensive analyses of other molecular markers as well as total or partial genome comparisons confirmed the 16S rRNA based hierarchical system as ‘backbone of prokaryote taxonomy’ at least at the genus level and above. A tendency is visible to classify novel taxa more and more based on the genotype, i.e. comparative analyses of 16S rRNA and/or other gene sequence data (in multilocus sequence analysis, MLSA) at the genus and the species level, sometimes contrary to the indications of other (often phenotypic) data. The understanding of all the information behind these data is lagging far behind their accumulation. Genes and genomes do not function on its own and can only display their potential within the cell as the basic unit of evolution (and hence taxonomy). It is the phenotype and the natural selection that ‘drive’ evolution in a given environment. In this context, the ‘polyphasic taxonomic approach’ should be revisited again, taking into account the novel insights into genomes and other ‘omic’ sciences in a more strict and detailed context with the phenotype. This approach allows a more holistic view and provides a sound basis for describing the diversity of prokaryotes and has the potential to become the foundation of a more stable, in‐depth taxonomy of the prokaryotes.
Metagenomic analysis of DNA viruses in a wastewater treatment plant in tropical climate
Authors: Tamaki Hideyuki , Zhang Rui , Angly Florent E. , Nakamura Shota , Hong Pei‐Ying , Yasunaga Teruo , Kamagata Yoichi , Liu Wen‐Tso
Published: October 2011

Viruses have been detected in the different stages of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) at concentrations of 108–1010 ml−1 of virus‐like particles (VLPs), 10–1000 times higher than in natural aquatic environments, suggesting that WWTPs can be considered as an important reservoir and source of viruses. This study revealed novel diversity and function with the DNA viral communities in the influent, activated sludge, anaerobic digester, and effluent of a domestic WWTP using metagenomics. WWTP was a very specific environment, with less than 5% of the > 936 000 metagenomic sequences obtained (∼70–119 Mbp per sample) similar to sequences present in other environmental viromes. Many viruses found in the WWTP were novel, resulting in only < 5–20% of the reads being phylogenetically or functionally assigned. DNA metabolism was observed as the most abundant function with DNA methylase detected at levels 4.2‐fold higher than other published viromes, while carbohydrate and amino acids metabolisms were 3.7‐ and 4.2‐fold less abundant respectively. These specific aspects of the WWTP community functions are likely due to high biomass concentration, turnover rate and microbial activity in WWTPs, and likely include mechanisms that help viruses increase their infectivity. Among ∼500 genotypes estimated in individual WWTP viromes, > 82% were shared. These data suggested that VLPs of most viral types could be present between 1 and 30 days in the process before they were discharged. Viruses in WWTP and the discharged ones can have potential impacts on the functioning of the wastewater treatment system and on the dynamics of microbial community in the surrounding aquatic environments respectively.
The morphology of the pecten oculi in the common buzzard (Buteo buteo)
Authors: Gültiken Murat E. , Yıldız Dinçer , Onuk Burcu , Karayiğit Mehmet Ö.
Published: October 2011

Objective  The pecten oculi are an intraocular, vascular, and pigmented structure peculiar to the avian eye. In this study, we investigated the pecten oculi of the common buzzard (Buteo buteo) using stereomicroscopy and light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Procedures  Twenty eyes from 10 adult buzzards were studied. Specimens from each buzzard were preserved in 10% buffered formalin and observed stereomicroscopically before being embedded in paraffin, sectioned, and stained with three stains: Mallory’s triple staining technique as modified by Crossman, Hematoxylin‐Eosin (HE), and Safranin O, and for examination by light microscopy. Specimens from two buzzards were also prepared for SEM.

Results  Stereomicroscopy and SEM examination showed the pecten oculi in the common buzzard to be pleated—consisting of 17–18 100 μm thick folds. These folds are connected to one another by bands of connective tissue extending vertically between the plications. Blood vessels, approximately 30–40 μm in diameter, were seen on the surface of the each fold. These vessels arise from the base of pecten, becoming thinner toward the apical end of the structure. A network of capillary vessels at the base of the plicated structure resembles contour lines. At high amplification, melanin granule accumulations were observed around the vascular structures of the plica on SEM images. Light microscopy supported the SEM observations.

Conclusions  These findings reveal that the pecten oculi in the common buzzard are plicated and are remarkably similar to that of the other diurnal raptors.
Canine neurogenic Keratoconjunctivitis sicca: 11 cases (2006–2010)
Authors: Matheis Franziska L. , Walser‐Reinhardt Ladina , Spiess Bernhard M.
Published: October 2011

Objective To describe the clinical data of dogs with neurogenic Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) and an ipsilateral dry nose without other neurologic deficits.

Procedure The retrospective case study included 11 dogs diagnosed with neurogenic KCS and an ipsilateral dry nose between 2006 and 2010. Medical records were reviewed for breed, age, sex, history, suspected cause of neurogenic KCS, clinical signs, and treatment modalities. Follow‐up information was obtained by re‐examination of patients or completion of a telephone survey with the referring veterinarian or the owners.

Results Mean age of the dogs was 6.6 ± 4.5 years. Neurogenic KCS was diagnosed in three females, five spayed females, one male, and two castrated males representing 10 different breeds. Ophthalmic signs of KCS (mean Schirmer tear test [STT] value of 1.9 ± 2.9 mm/min) combined with an ipsilateral dry nose were diagnosed in seven left and four right eyes. The suspected cause of neurogenic KCS was idiopathic in nine and trauma in two cases. Systemic therapy consisted of oral pilocarpine 1–2% eye drops combined with case‐specific topical treatment with cyclosporine 0.2% and tear substitutes. Duration of systemic treatment with pilocarpine until healing was 125 days (range 84–204, median 98 days) for five dogs. One dog was lost to follow‐up, and the remaining five dogs are still under systemic treatment with pilocarpine.

Conclusions Neurogenic KCS with an ipsilateral dry nose seems to be a predominantly idiopathic disease of middle‐aged female dogs without breed predisposition, which may be self‐limiting in some cases.
The sternum V glands in Lepidoptera
Authors: Djernæs Marie
Published: October 2011

Djernæs, M. 2011. The sternum V glands in Lepidoptera. —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 00: 1–16.

I investigated representatives for all lepidopteran families known to possess the sternum V glands (Micropterigidae, Agathiphagidae, Heterobathmiidae, Erio‐craniidae and Lophocoronidae) as well as representatives for the two families (Neopseustidae and Nepticulidae) known to posses fenestrae on sternum IV, structures associated with the sternum V glands in Eriocraniidae. I found significant variation in the gland structure. The gland opening is associated with a variety of cuticular modifications, several of which provide enlarged evaporative surfaces for enhanced dispersal of gland products. The gland reservoir was surrounded by musculature in all families except Agathiphagidae and Nepticulidae, providing means of rapid expulsion of gland products. The fenestra in female Eriocraniidae, Neopseustidae and Nepticulidae are perforated. Furthermore, the fenestra in female Neopseustidae and Nepticulidae are associated with what appears to be functional sternum V glands consisting of a reservoir and secretory tissue albeit without a gland duct. I discuss the evolutionary history and functional considerations of the sternum V gland in Lepidoptera.
Lumbar glands in the frog genera Pleurodema and Somuncuria (Anura: Leiuperidae): histological and histochemical perspectives
Authors: Ferraro Daiana P. , Topa Pascual E. , Hermida Gladys N.
Published: October 2011

Ferraro, D.P., Topa, P.E. and Hermida, G.N. 2011. Lumbar glands in the frog genera Pleurodema and Somuncuria (Anura: Leiuperidae): histological and histochemical perspectives. —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 00: 1–14.

The skin in the lumbar region of nine species of Pleurodema and in the monotypic genus Somuncuria (Anura: Leiuperidae) bears macroglands [lumbar gland (LG)]. Lumbar glands of Pleurodema bibroni, P. borellii, P. brachyops, P. bufoninum, P. cinereum, P. cordobae, P. kriegi, and P. thaul, as well as Somuncuria somuncurensis, were examined using histological and histochemical methods. The epidermis and the dermis of LGs are described. Also, skin of LGs presents characteristic features as the interruption of the Eberth–Katschenko layer and the presence of a differentiated type of gland only observed in macrogland and not previously described for Pleurodema or Somuncuria; this is termed lumbar serous gland. These glands are filled with a granular product, which occasionally is immersed in a matrix. Differences in the secretory products of mucous and serous glands are described, as well as inter‐ and intraspecific variability of gland structure. The mode of toxin expulsion from macroglands and the homology between lumbar and inguinal glands among anuran families are discussed.
Infection after transrectal ultrasonography‐guided prostate biopsy: increased relative risks after recent international travel or antibiotic use
Authors: Patel Uday , Dasgupta Prokar , Amoroso Peter , Challacombe Ben , Pilcher James , Kirby Roger
Published: October 2011

Study Type – Prognosis (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

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

Septicaemia is the most frequent cause of hospitalization after transtrectal prostate biopsy; fatalities have been reported and the incidence is on the rise. This study shows that men with a history of recent international travel or antibiotic use have up to four times increased risk of septicaemia and hospitalization. When they do occur, infections are usually due to multi‐resistant E coli and additional care, e.g. delay before biopsy, different antibiotic prophylaxis or transperineal biopsy, should be considered in these cases.

OBJECTIVE

To study the infection rate after prostate biopsy in those who have travelled overseas or used antibiotics in the 4 weeks before biopsy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 316 men with a mean (range) age of 61 (45–85) years were studied. All had undergone transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)‐guided prostate biopsy after standard antibiotic prophylaxis.

Before their biopsy the patients were risk stratified and a history of recent international travel or antibiotic use was recorded.

Those who suffered sufficiently severe infection/sepsis so as to require hospitalization were identified at the end of the study period.

The characteristics of these patients and the types of infections were explored and the relative risk (RR) of infection after recent travel or antibiotic use was calculated.

RESULTS

Of the 316 men, 16 were hospitalized with infection.

The group with (n= 16) and without (n= 300) infection were equivalent in age, prostate‐specific antigen level, disease status and number of biopsy cores taken.

Either recent travel or antibiotic use were independent risk factors for infection [travel: 8/16 vs 76/300; P= 0.04; RR 2.7 and antibiotic use: 4/16 vs 20/300; P= 0.025; RR 4]. There was no significant pattern in the countries visited or the type of antibiotic used.

Culture results were positive in 10/16 men, and all cultures grew multiresistant Escherichia coli. The strains were uniformly resistant to ciprofloxacin and amoxycillin, and variably resistant to gentamicin and co‐amoxiclav, but nearly all were sensitive to meropenem.

All patients made a full recovery after antibiotic and supportive treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Either recent international travel or antibiotic use are independent risk factors for severe infection after TRUS‐guided prostate biopsy.

When infection does occur it should be treated aggressively as the causative agent is usually a multiresistant E. coli.
The renin‐angiotensin system: a link between obesity, inflammation and insulin resistance
Authors: Kalupahana N. S. , Moustaid‐Moussa N.
Published: October 2011

The renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) is classically known for its role in regulation of blood pressure, fluid and electrolyte balance. Recently, several local RASs in organs such as brain, heart, pancreas and adipose tissue have also been identified. Evidence from clinical trials suggests that in addition to anti‐hypertensive effects, pharmacological inhibition of RAS also provides protection against the development of type‐2 diabetes. Moreover, animal models with targeted inactivation of RAS genes exhibit improved insulin sensitivity and are protected from high‐fat diet‐induced obesity and insulin resistance. Because there is evidence for RAS overactivation in obesity, it is possible that RAS is a link between obesity and insulin resistance. This review summarizes the evidence and mechanistic insights on the associations between RAS, obesity and insulin resistance, with special emphasis on the role of adipose tissue RAS in the pathogenesis of metabolic derangements in obesity.
Secular trends in the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults, 1993–2009
Authors: Xi B. , Liang Y. , He T. , Reilly K. H. , Hu Y. , Wang Q. , Yan Y. , Mi J.
Published: October 2011

The objective of this study is to examine the trends in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and prevalence of overweight (BMI 25–27.49 kg m−2), general obesity (BMI ≥ 27.5 kg m−2) and abdominal obesity (WC ≥ 90 cm for men and ≥80 cm for women) among Chinese adults from 1993 to 2009. Data were obtained from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, which was conducted from 1993 to 2009 and included a total of 52,621 Chinese adults. During the period of 1993–2009, mean BMI values increased by 1.6 kg m−2 among men and 0.8 kg m−2 among women; mean WC values increased by 7.0 cm among men and 4.7 cm among women. The prevalence of overweight increased from 8.0 to 17.1% among men (P < 0.001) and from 10.7 to 14.4% among women (P < 0.001); the prevalence of general obesity increased from 2.9 to 11.4% among men (P < 0.001) and from 5.0 to 10.1% among women (P < 0.001); the prevalence of abdominal obesity increased from 8.5 to 27.8% among men (P < 0.001) and from 27.8 to 45.9% among women (P < 0.001). Similar significant trends were observed in nearly all age groups and regions for both men and women. The prevalence of overweight, general obesity and abdominal obesity among Chinese adults has increased greatly during the past 17 years.
Terrorism and Political Science
Authors: Qvortrup Matt Haunstrup
Published: October 2011

This article shows empirically, theoretically and statistically that domestic (or ‘home-grown’) terrorism in Western Europe occurs more frequently in countries with majoritarian political systems (typically first-past-the-post electoral systems and single-party governments) than in countries with consensus political systems (typically countries with PR electoral systems and coalition governments). Based on a survey of all domestic terrorist incidents in Western Europe from 1985 to 2010, the article shows strong negative correlations between consensus institutions and levels of terrorism; that is, the more disproportional the political system is, the higher the levels of terrorism are likely to be. Thus domestic terrorism tends to occur when minorities are excluded from the decision-making process on matters they find important. These findings indicate that constitutional engineering provides a more promising model of counterterrorism than the prevailing orthodoxy.
‘What did New Labour Ever Do for Us?’ Evaluating Tony Blair's Imprint on British Strategic Culture
Authors: Heng Yee-Kuang
Published: October 2011

As interest in Tony Blair's legacy persists, this article investigates his impact on UK strategic culture. The first section revisits theoretical questions about the processes whereby elites can alter collectively held strategic beliefs in the face of changing security environments. The second section then shows how Blair articulated new strategic beliefs that differed from pre-existing ones. These include embracing a broader understanding of security that recognises the impact of globalisation, and proposing that a proactive military posture was a more appropriate response than inactivity. To evaluate his impact, the third section demonstrates how these propositions were shared within collective elite circles and now shape the strategic thought of successive governments in written form through key policy documents, as well as in spoken form by cabinet ministers.
Estimating Progression-Free Survival in Paediatric Brain Tumour Patients When Some Progression Statuses are Unknown
Authors: Yuan Ying , Thall Peter F. , Wolff Johannes E.
Published: October 2011

In oncology, progression-free survival time, which is defined as the minimum of the times to disease progression or death, often is used to characterize treatment and covariate effects. We are motivated by the desire to estimate the progression time distribution on the basis of data from 780 paediatric patients with choroid plexus tumours, which are a rare brain cancer where disease progression always precedes death. In retrospective data on 674 patients, the times to death or censoring were recorded but progression times were missing. In a prospective study of 106 patients, both times were recorded but there were only 20 non-censored progression times and 10 non-censored survival times. Consequently, estimating the progression time distribution is complicated by the problems that, for most of the patients, either the survival time is known but the progression time is not known, or the survival time is right censored and it is not known whether the patient's disease progressed before censoring. For data with these missingness structures, we formulate a family of Bayesian parametric likelihoods and present methods for estimating the progression time distribution. The underlying idea is that estimating the association between the time to progression and subsequent survival time from patients having complete data provides a basis for utilizing covariates and partial event time data of other patients to infer their missing progression times. We illustrate the methodology by analysing the brain tumour data, and we also present a simulation study.
BayesianL-Optimal Exact Design of Experiments for Biological Kinetic Models
Authors: Gilmour Steven G. , Trinca Luzia A.
Published: October 2011

Data from experiments in steady state enzyme kinetic studies and radioligand binding assays are usually analysed by fitting non-linear models developed from biochemical theory. Designing experiments for fitting non-linear models is complicated by the fact that the variances of parameter estimates depend on the unknown values of these parameters and Bayesian optimal exact design for non-linear least squares analysis is often recommended. It has been difficult to implement Bayesian L-optimal exact design, but we show how it can be done by using a computer algebra package to invert the information matrix, sampling from the prior distribution to evaluate the optimality criterion for candidate designs and implementing an exchange algorithm to search for candidate designs. These methods are applied to finding optimal designs for the motivating applications in biological kinetics, in the context of which some practical problems are discussed. A sensitivity study shows that the use of a prior distribution can be essential, as is careful specification of that prior.
Conventional brain MRI in neuromyelitis optica
Authors: Cabrera‐Gomez J. A. , Kister I.
Published: October 2011

Background and purpose:  Numerous case series have demonstrated that lesions on brain MRI are common in neuromyelitis optica (NMO), but there has not been an attempt to survey and synthesize the literature on neuro‐radiology of brain findings in NMO.

Objectives:  To review the studies on conventional brain MRI in NMO and to propose to incorporate characteristic brain MRI lesions into the diagnostic criteria of NMO.

Methods:  We searched for articles with descriptions of brain MRI findings in NMO in EBSCO, EMBASE, PubMed/Medline, Science Citation Index, and SCOPUS.

Results:  Brain abnormalities are seen in majority of NMO patients as disease duration increases. A minority of NMO patients meet Barkhof criteria for space dissemination in multiple sclerosis (MS), and these criteria should not be used to exclude NMO diagnosis. Distinctive brain lesions of NMO are cataloged and described.

Conclusions:  Brain lesions in NMO are a consistent feature of the disease. International consensus MRI criteria are needed for NMO analogous to the existing criteria for MS.
Are there ethnic differences in impulsive/compulsive behaviors in Parkinson’s disease?
Authors: Chiang H.‐L. , Huang Y.‐S. , Chen S.‐T. , Wu Y.‐R.
Published: October 2011

Background and purpose: Recent studies have suggested increased prevalence of impulsive/compulsive behaviors (ICB) in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) as compared to general population in different ethnic groups. The spectrum of these behaviors includes dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS), punding, pathological gambling (PG), hypersexuality (HS), binge eating (BE), and compulsive shopping (CS).

Methods: Two hundred and seventy‐eight consecutive patients with idiopathic PD regularly followed‐up at an outpatient clinic were interviewed and screened for the ICB between September 2008 and December 2008 using designated diagnostic criteria. All patients who screened positive for ICB or obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) were further confirmed by an experienced psychiatrist.

Results: Of all the studied patients, 15 patients confirmed to have ICB (lifetime prevalence: 5.60%), 3 (1.12%) were diagnosed to have DDS, 1 (0.37%) punding, 4 (1.49%) PG, 8 (2.99%) HS, 1 (0.37%) BE, 0 (0%) CS. OCD was found in one patient (0.37%).

Conclusions: The prevalence of ICB is lower in Taiwan as compared with the Caucasians, with similar risk factors. The possible reasons include differences in ethnicity, environmental, cultural, and social factors as well as the dosage and selection of dopaminergic medications.
Editorial comment on the use of botulinum toxin
Authors: Moore A. P.
Published: October 2011

Click here to view the accompanying paper in this issue.
Characterization of the Asian myopathy patients with VCP mutations
Authors: Shi Z. , Hayashi Y. K. , Mitsuhashi S. , Goto K. , Kaneda D. , Choi Y.‐C. , Toyoda C. , Hieda S. , Kamiyama T. , Sato H. , Wada M. , Noguchi S. , Nonaka I. , Nishino I.
Published: October 2011

Background and purpose:  Mutations in the valosin‐containing protein (VCP) gene are known to cause inclusion body myopathy with Paget’s disease of bone and frontotemporal dementia (IBMPFD) and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Despite an increasing number of clinical reports, only one Asian family with IBMPFD has been described.

Methods:  To characterize patients with VCP mutations, we screened a total of 152 unrelated Asian families who were suspected to have rimmed vacuolar myopathy.

Results:  We identified VCP mutations in seven patients from six unrelated Asian families. Five different missense mutations were found, including a novel p.Ala439Pro substitution. All patients had adult‐onset progressive muscle wasting with variable involvement of axial, proximal, and distal muscles. Two of seven patients were suggested to have mild brain involvement including cerebellar ataxia, and only one showed radiological findings indicating a change in bone. Findings from skeletal muscle indicated mixed neurogenic and myogenic changes, fibers with rimmed vacuoles, and the presence of cytoplasmic and nuclear inclusions. These inclusions were immunopositive for VCP, ubiquitin, transactivation response DNA‐binding protein 43, and also histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6), of which function is regulated by VCP. Evidence of early nuclear and mitochondrial damage was also characteristic.

Conclusions:  Valosin‐containing protein mutations are not rare in Asian patients, and gene analysis should be considered for patients with adult‐onset rimmed vacuolar myopathy with neurogenic changes. A wide variety of central and peripheral nervous system symptoms coupled with rare bone abnormalities may complicate diagnosis.
White shiny structures: dermoscopic features revealed under polarized light
Authors: Liebman T.N. , Rabinovitz H.S. , Dusza S.W. , Marghoob A.A.
Published: October 2011

Background  White shiny structures, including white shiny lines, white shiny areas and rosettes, are features only observed under polarized dermoscopy (PD).

Objective  To evaluate the prevalence of the varied morphologies of white shiny structures in melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), actinic keratosis (AK) and lichen planus‐like keratosis (LPLK).

Methods  Retrospective study using dermoscopic images of biopsy‐proven melanoma, BCC, SCC, AK and LPLK.

Results  A total of 538 lesions were assessed under PD. One or more types of white shiny structures were observed in 38.7% of study lesions (208/538). BCCs were significantly more likely to display a combination of white shiny areas and white shiny lines (short lines and/or ill‐defined strands) (31.9%; 61/191) than any other lesions (P < 0.001). BCC were more likely than other lesions to have white shiny lines distributed without any organized pattern (P < 0.001). Lines in melanoma were significantly more likely than other lesion types to be oriented orthogonally (P < 0.001). When white shiny lines were present, melanomas were significantly more likely than other lesions to exhibit short discrete white lines (P < 0.001). Rosettes were significantly more likely to be observed in actinic tumours than other lesions (P < 0.001).

Conclusion  The presence of white shiny lines of any length accompanied by white shiny areas is most suggestive of a diagnosis of BCC (P < 0.001). Melanomas are more likely to display short white shiny lines in an orthogonal distribution (P < 0.001) and without white shiny areas. Actinic tumours are most likely to exhibit rosettes (P < 0.001).
Genetically alike Syrian hamsters display both bifoliate and trifoliate aortic valves
Authors: Sans‐Coma Valentín , Fernández M. Carmen , Fernández Borja , Durán Ana C. , Anderson Robert H. , Arqué Josep M.
Published: October 2011

The bifoliate, or bicuspid, aortic valve (BAV) is the most frequent congenital cardiac anomaly in man. It is a heritable defect, but its mode of inheritance remains unclear. Previous studies in Syrian hamsters showed that BAVs with fusion of the right and left coronary leaflets are expressions of a trait, the variation of which takes the form of a phenotypic continuum. It ranges from a trifoliate valve with no fusion of the coronary leaflets to a bifoliate root devoid of any raphe. The intermediate stages are represented by trifoliate valves with fusion of the coronary aortic leaflets, and bifoliate valves with raphes. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether the distinct morphological variants rely on a common genotype, or on different genotypes. We examined the aortic valves from 1 849 Syrian hamsters belonging to a family subjected to systematic inbreeding by full‐sib mating. The incidence of the different trifoliate aortic valve (TAV) and bifoliate aortic valve (BAV) morphological variants widely varied in the successive inbred generations. TAVs with extensive fusion of the leaflets, and BAVs, accounted for five‐sixths of the patterns found in Syrian hamsters considered to be genetically alike or virtually isogenic, with the probability of homozygosity being 0.999 or higher. The remaining one‐sixth hamsters had aortic valves with a tricuspid design, but in most cases the right and left coronary leaflets were slightly fused. Results of crosses between genetically alike hamsters, with the probability of homozygosity being 0.989 or higher, revealed no significant association between the valvar phenotypes in the parents and their offspring. Our findings are consistent with the notion that the BAVs of the Syrian hamster are expressions of a quantitative trait subject to polygenic inheritance. They suggest that the genotype of the virtually isogenic animals produced by systematic inbreeding greatly predisposes to the development of anomalous valves, be they bifoliate, or trifoliate with extensive fusion of the leaflets. We infer that the same underlying genotype may account for the whole range of valvar morphological variants, suggesting that factors other than genetic ones are acting during embryonic life, creating the so‐called intangible variation or developmental noise, and playing an important role in the definitive anatomic configuration of the valve. The clinical implication from our study is that congenital aortic valves with a trifoliate design, but with fusion of coronary aortic leaflets, may harbour the same inherent risks as those already recognised for BAVs with fusion of right and left coronary leaflets.
The anatomy of fetal peripheral lymphatic vessels in the head‐and‐neck region: an immunohistochemical study
Authors: Cho Kwang Ho , Cheong Jin Sung , Ha Yeon Soo , Cho Baik Hwan , Murakami Gen , Katori Yukio
Published: October 2011

Using D2‐40 immunohistochemistry, we assessed the distribution of peripheral lymphatic vessels (LVs) in the head‐and‐neck region of four midterm fetuses without nuchal edema, two of 10 weeks and two of 15 weeks’ gestation. We observed abundant LVs in the subcutaneous layer, especially in and along the facial muscles. In the occipital region, only a few LVs were identified perforating the back muscles. The parotid and thyroid glands were surrounded by LVs, but the sublingual and submandibular glands were not. The numbers of submucosal LVs increased from 10 to 15 weeks’ gestation in all of the nasal, oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal cavities, but not in the palate. The laryngeal submucosa had an extremely high density of LVs. In contrast, we found few LVs along bone and cartilage except for those of the mandible as well as along the pharyngotympanic tube, middle ear, tooth germ, and the cranial nerves and ganglia. Some of these results suggested that cerebrospinal fluid outflow to the head LVs commences after 15 weeks’ gestation. The subcutaneous LVs of the head appear to grow from the neck side, whereas initial submucosal LVs likely develop in situ because no communication was evident with other sites during early developmental stages. In addition, CD68‐positive macrophages did not accompany the developing LVs.
Functional adaptations in the forelimb muscles of non‐human great apes
Authors: Myatt Julia P. , Crompton Robin H. , Payne‐Davis Rachel C. , Vereecke Evie E. , Isler Karin , Savage Russell , D’Août Kristiaan , Günther Michael M. , Thorpe Susannah K. S.
Published: October 2011

The maximum capability of a muscle can be estimated from simple measurements of muscle architecture such as muscle belly mass, fascicle length and physiological cross‐sectional area. While the hindlimb anatomy of the non‐human apes has been studied in some detail, a comparative study of the forelimb architecture across a number of species has never been undertaken. Here we present data from chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas and an orangutan to ascertain if, and where, there are functional differences relating to their different locomotor repertoires and habitat usage. We employed a combination of analyses including allometric scaling and ancovas to explore the data, as the sample size was relatively small and heterogeneous (specimens of different sizes, ages and sex). Overall, subject to possible unidentified, confounding factors such as age effects, it appears that the non‐human great apes in this sample (the largest assembled to date) do not vary greatly across different muscle architecture parameters, even though they perform different locomotor behaviours at different frequencies. Therefore, it currently appears that the time spent performing a particular behaviour does not necessarily impose a dominating selective influence on the soft‐tissue portion of the musculoskeletal system; rather, the overall consistency of muscle architectural properties both between and within the Asian and African apes strengthens the case for the hypothesis of a possible ancient shared evolutionary origin for orthogrady under compressive and/or suspensory loading in the great apes.