bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Colony structure and parentage in wild colonies of co‐operatively breeding Damaraland mole‐rats suggest incest avoidance alone may not maintain reproductive skew
Authors: BURLAND TAMSIN M. , BENNETT NIGEL C. , JARVIS JENNIFER U. M. , FAULKES CHRISTOPHER G.
Published: July 2004

Colonies of co‐operatively breeding African mole‐rats have traditionally been thought to be composed of a single breeding female, one or two breeding males, and their offspring. In the naked mole‐rat (Heterocephalus glaber), the occurrence of facultative inbreeding means incest avoidance cannot prevent reproduction in subordinate group members, and physiological suppression of reproductive function by the breeding female occurs in both sexes. In contrast, previous studies of captive colonies of the Damaraland mole‐rat (Cryptomys damarensis) suggest that breeding within a colony is restricted to a single breeding pair, simply because all other colony members are highly related (first‐ or second‐order relatives) and this species is an obligate outbreeder. Using microsatellite markers, we investigated parentage and colony composition in 18 wild Damaraland mole‐rat colonies to determine whether inbreeding avoidance alone can explain the high levels of reproductive skew in this species. Multiple and unidentified paternity was widespread within colonies and immigrants of both sexes were regularly identified. Unrelated, opposite‐sex nonbreeders were found coexisting in two colonies. These results suggest that, in the wild, conditions exist where nonreproductive females can come into contact with unrelated males, even when they do not disperse from their natal colony. Inbreeding avoidance alone is therefore insufficient to maintain the high levels of reproductive skew identified in this species suggesting that the breeding female somehow suppresses the reproductive function in nonbreeding females.
Natural hybridization betweenSenecio jacobaeaandSenecio aquaticus: molecular and chemical evidence
Authors: KIRK HEATHER , MÁČEL MIRKA , KLINKHAMER PETER G. L. , VRIELING KLAAS
Published: July 2004

Hybridization is known to be involved in a number of evolutionary processes, including species formation, and the generation of novel defence characteristics in plants. The genusSenecioof the Asteraceae family is highly speciose and has historically demonstrated significant levels of interspecific hybridization. The evolution of novel chemical defence characteristics may have contributed to the success ofSeneciohybrids. Chemical defence against pathogens and herbivores has been studied extensively in the model speciesSenecio jacobaea, which is thought to hybridize in nature withSenecio aquaticus. Here, we use amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) and pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) composition to confirm that natural hybridization occurs betweenS. jacobaeaand the closely related speciesS. aquaticus. AFLPs are also used to estimate the ancestry of hybrids. We also demonstrate that even highly back‐crossed hybrids can possess a unique mixture of defence chemicals specific to each of the parental species. This hybrid system may therefore prove to be useful in further studies of the role of hybridization in the evolution of plant defence and resistance.
No evidence of an MHC‐based female mating preference in great reed warblers
Authors: WESTERDAHL HELENA
Published: July 2004

Female mate‐choice based on genetic compatibility is an area of growing interest. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are likely candidates for such mate‐choice since these highly polymorphic genes may both increase offspring viability and also provide direct cues for mate‐choice. In great reed warblers, females actively choose a breeding partner out of a handful of males that they visit and evaluate; thus, female preference for compatible or heterozygous MHC genes could have evolved. Here, I investigate whether great reed warbler females preferentially mate with males with dissimilar MHC class I alleles or with males that are heterozygous at MHC class I. Despite favourable conditions, a thorough screening method and a large sample size, there was no evidence of an MHC‐based female mating preference based on either genetic compatibility or heterozygosity in this population. Power analyses of the data sets revealed that relatively small differences (15% and 8%, respectively) between true and random pairs should have been detected.
Rapid recovery of genetic diversity of dogwhelk (Nucella lapillus L.) populations after local extinction and recolonization contradicts predictions from life‐history characteristics
Authors: COLSON I. , HUGHES R. N.
Published: July 2004

The dogwhelk Nucella lapillus is a predatory marine gastropod populating North Atlantic rocky shores. As with many other gastropod species, N. lapillus was affected by tributyltin (TBT) pollution during the 1970s and 1980s, when local populations became extinct. After a partial ban on TBT in the United Kingdom in 1987, vacant sites have been recolonized. N. lapillus lacks a planktonic larval stage and is therefore expected to have limited dispersal ability. Relatively fast recolonization of some sites, however, contradicts this assumption. We compared levels of genetic diversity and genetic structuring between recolonized sites and sites that showed continuous population at three localities across the British Isles. No significant genetic effects of extinction/recolonization events were observed in SW Scotland and NE England. In SW England we observed a decrease in genetic diversity and an increase in genetic structure in recolonized populations. This last result could be an artefact, however, due to the superposition of other local factors influencing the genetic structuring of dogwhelk populations. We conclude that recolonization of vacant sites was accomplished by a relatively high number of individuals originating from several source populations (the ‘migrant‐pool’ model of recolonization), implying that movements are more widespread than expected on the basis of development mode alone. Comparison with published data on genetic structure of marine organisms with contrasted larval dispersal supports this hypothesis. Our results also stress the importance of local factors (geographical or ecological) in determining genetic structure of dogwhelk populations.
Microsatellite variation reveals high levels of genetic variability and population structure in the gorgonian coralPseudopterogorgia elisabethaeacross the Bahamas
Authors: GUTIÉRREZ‐RODRÍGUEZ CARLA , LASKER HOWARD R.
Published: July 2004

The primary mechanism of gene flow in marine sessile invertebrates is larval dispersal. InPseudopterogorgia elisabethae, a commercially important Caribbean gorgonian coral, a proportion of the larvae drop to the substratum within close proximity to the maternal colony, and most matings occur between individuals in close proximity to each other. Such limited dispersal of reproductive propagules suggests that gene flow is limited in this gorgonian. In this study, we characterized the population genetic structure ofP. elisabethaeacross the Bahamas using six microsatellite loci.P. elisabethaewas collected from 18 sites across the Bahamas. Significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium due to deficits of heterozygotes within populations were detected for all 18 populations in at least one of the six screened loci. Levels of genetic structure among populations ofP. elisabethaewere high and significant. A distance analysis placed populations within three groups, one formed by populations located within Exuma Sound, a semi‐isolated basin, another consisting of populations located outside the basin and a third group comprising two populations from San Salvador Island. The patterns of genetic variation found in this study are concordant with the life‐history traits of the species and in part with the geography of the Bahamas. Conservation and management plans developed forP. elisabethaeshould considered the high degree of genetic structure observed among populations of the species, as well as the high genetic diversity found in the San Salvador and the Exuma Sound populations.
DNA analysis on fox faeces and competition induced niche shifts
Authors: DALÉN LOVE , ELMHAGEN BODIL , ANGERBJÖRN ANDERS
Published: July 2004

Interference competition can force inferior competitors to change their distribution patterns. It is, however, possible that the dominant competitor poses a higher threat during certain times of the year, for example during reproduction. In such cases, the inferior competitor is expected to change its distribution accordingly. We used a molecular species identification method on faeces to investigate how the spatial overlap between arctic and red foxes changes between seasons. The results show that arctic and red foxes are sympatric during winter, but allopatric in summer as arctic foxes retreat to higher altitudes further from the tree‐line during the breeding season.
Individual variability in herbivore‐specific elicitors from the plant's perspective
Authors: RODA AMY , HALITSCHKE RAYKO , STEPPUHN ANKE , BALDWIN IAN T.
Published: July 2004

Lepidopteran larvae oral secretions and regurgitant (R), which contain a plethora of potential elicitors, are known to dramatically change a plant's wound response. We demonstrate, with a detailed microarray and secondary metabolite analysis, that the two most abundant fatty acid‐amino acid conjugates (FACs) in the R of the specialist herbivore Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae) can account for all measured direct (trypsin proteinase inhibitor: TPI) and indirect (cis‐α‐bergamotene) defences, the endogenous jasmonic acid burst that elicits them, and 86% of the induced transcriptional changes (89% up and 83% down) in its native host Nicotiana attenuata and hence are necessary and sufficient for the Manduca‐specific modulation of the wound response. FACs were not found in eggs, but detected in larvae of all instars after their first meal. FACs were found in all regions of the alimentary canal and in the frass, but did not occur in salivary or mandibular glands, extracts of which were not active in any assay. Individual larvae differed substantially in their FAC composition and two FAC chemotypes were discernible: N‐linolenoyl‐L‐glutamine biased R and N‐linolenoyl‐L‐glutamate biased R. We created synthetic blends of FACs to mimic these chemical phenotypes and determined whether plants respond differently to the different R chemotypes. Micorarray and TPI analysis revealed that plants do not differentiate. N. attenuata plants use FACs from feeding caterpillars to tailor their wound responses but do not use the variability in FAC ratios to recognize attack from an individual caterpillar.
Extreme queen‐mating frequency and colony fission in African army ants
Authors: KRONAUER DANIEL J. C. , SCHÖNING CASPAR , PEDERSEN JES S. , BOOMSMA JACOBUS J. , GADAU JÜRGEN
Published: July 2004

Army ants have long been suspected to represent an independent origin of multiple queen‐mating in the social Hymenoptera. Using microsatellite markers, we show that queens of the African army ant Dorylus (Anomma) molestus have the highest absolute (17.3) and effective (17.5) queen‐mating frequencies reported so far for ants. This confirms that obligate multiple queen‐mating in social insects is associated with large colony size and advanced social organization, but also raises several novel questions. First, these high estimates place army ants in the range of mating frequencies of honeybees, which have so far been regarded as odd exceptions within the social Hymenoptera. Army ants and honeybees are fundamentally different in morphology and life history, but are the only social insects known that combine obligate multiple mating with reproduction by colony fission and extremely male‐biased sex ratios. This implies that the very high numbers of matings in both groups may be due partly to the relatively low costs of additional matings. Second, we were able to trace recent events of colony fission in four of the investigated colonies, where the genotypes of the two queens were only compatible with a mother–daughter relationship. A direct comparison of male production between colonies with offspring from one and two queens, respectively, suggested strongly that new queens do not produce a sexual brood until all workers of the old queen have died, which is consistent with kin selection theory.
World‐wide survey of anAccordinsertion and its association with DDT resistance inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: CATANIA F. , KAUER M. O. , DABORN P. J. , YEN J. L. , FFRENCH‐CONSTANT R. H. , SCHLÖTTERER C.
Published: July 2004

Previous work showed that insecticide resistance inDrosophila melanogasteris correlated with the insertion of anAccord‐like element into the 5′ region of the cytochrome P450 gene,Cyp6g1. Here, we study the distribution of theAccord‐like element in 673 recently collectedD. melanogasterlines from 34 world‐wide populations. We also examine the extent of microsatellite variability along a 180‐kilobase (kb) genomic region of chromosome II encompassing the resistance gene. We confirm a 100% correlation of theAccordinsertion with insecticide resistance and a significant reduction in variability extending at least 20 kb downstream of theCyp6g1gene. The frequency of theAccordinsertion differs significantly between East African (32–55%) and nonAfrican (85–100%) populations. This pattern is consistent with a selective sweep driving theAccordinsertion close to fixation in nonAfrican populations as a result of the insecticide resistance phenotype it confers. This study confirms that hitchhiking mapping can be used to identify beneficial mutations in natural populations.
The burden of atopy and asthma in children
Authors: O'Connell E. J.
Published: July 2004

Background:  There has been a world‐wide increase in the prevalence of atopic diseases. These atopic diseases, including asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic eczema/dermatitis, are common in childhood and create a challenge of management for physicians and parents.

Methods:  MEDLINE was searched for articles related to atopy, allergy asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic eczema/dermatitis.

Results and conclusions:  The conditions of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic eczema/dermatitis cause very significant burdens regarding the discomfort to the affected individual, management problems for the parent and physician and the economic cost to the family and the nation.
Adverse food reactions by skin contact
Authors: Bahna S. L.
Published: July 2004

The skin is very much exposed to food contact, both in the occupational and nonoccupational settings. Through such an exposure, adverse reactions can occur that may be irritant or immunologic. Both such types of reactions are particularly common in children with atopic dermatitis. Immunologic reactions can be immediate (immunoglobulin E‐mediated) or delayed (cell‐mediated), and can be localized or systemic. The latter can be life‐threatening, even following trivial exposure. Clinical and experimental data are accumulating to indicate that epicutaneous exposure to food can induce de novo systemic immunoglobulin E sensitization.
Characterization of bovine serum albumin epitopes and their role in allergic reactions
Authors: Restani P. , Ballabio C. , Cattaneo A. , Isoardi P. , Terracciano L. , Fiocchi A.
Published: July 2004

Objective:  This review provides updated information on conformational and sequential epitopes identified in bovine serum albumin (BSA) and summarizes available data about the role of structural modifications on BSA antigenicity/allergenicity.

Data sources:  Data on beef allergy and BSA antigenicity are reported, with reference both to the basic literature and to clinical results obtained by our group.

Results and discussion:  BSA is an important allergen involved in milk and beef allergy. The presence of conformational epitopes has been suggested by indirect evidence, while at least one sequential epitope has been experimentally identified. The role of structural modifications on BSA antigenicity is discussed as well as the increased tolerance observed in allergic subjects consuming beef as strained (homogenized) and freeze‐dried derivatives.

Conclusion:  Study of the molecular characteristics of a known major allergen allows the identification of technological processes that may be capable of improving the tolerance of allergic subjects to a specific food. Even though any hoped for reduced allergenicity must be verified under medical supervision, the use of new products could obviate the need to avoid important foods such as meat in childhood.
Atopic keratoconjunctivitis
Authors: Bonini S.
Published: July 2004

Atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) represents a disease usually classified under the term of allergic conjunctivitis together with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC), perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC) and vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC). However, AKC and VKC have clinical and pathophysiological features quite different from SAC and PAC, in spite of some common markers of allergy. This article aims to review personal studies suggesting that allergic conjunctivitis (similarly to asthma, rhinitis and atopic dermatitis) is a heterogeneous disease entity with different preferential pathogenetic mechanisms and a spectrum of clinical expression which varies according to individual cases. AKC and VKC may thus represent a model of atopy quite distinct from the classical type‐1 hypersensitivity mechanism.
Experience with quantitative IgE antibody analysis in relation to allergic disease within the BAMSE birth cohort – towards an improved diagnostic process
Authors: Wickman M.
Published: July 2004

This paper argues that with a certain allergen profile of airborne and food allergens and the use of total IgE‐antibody levels, combined with the number of allergens positive at test represent a powerful tool to identify allergic disease in childhood. The allergens featured in such a profile will be dependent on the subject's age and geographical location.
Antihistamines: do they work? Further well‐controlled trials involving larger samples are needed
Authors: Fumagalli F. , Baiardini I. , Pasquali M. , Compalati E. , Guerra L. , Massacane P. , Canonica G. W.
Published: July 2004

Histamine is one of the most important steps in the phlogistic allergic reaction. Its activity is due to the link to specific receptors on the cellular surface. H1‐receptors of second generation are the most currently prescribed drugs in allergic diseases for their high selectivity, little or no central sedative effect, rapid onset of action and long half lives. Antihistamines can modulate part of immunological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation reducing mediator release and expression of adhesion molecules, regulating the release of cytokines, chemokines and consequently inflammatory cells recruitment. The anti‐inflammatory effects of cetirizine, desloratadine and levocetirizine are reviewed. Quality of life is considered too, as a main parameter in a global evaluation of the antihistamine's effects.
Environmental prevention in atopic eczema dermatitis syndrome (AEDS) and asthma: avoidance of indoor allergens
Authors: Capristo C. , Romei I. , Boner A. L.
Published: July 2004

Indoor allergens represent an important precipitating factor for both asthma and atopic eczema dermatitis syndromes (AEDS). There is also accumulating evidence that sensitization to those allergens is associated with the onset of atopic disorders. Patients with AEDS present aeroallergen‐specific T‐cell responses associated with worsening of symptoms when exposed to specific aeroallergens. Furthermore, application of indoor allergens to the skin of patient with AEDS induces a local eczematous response in one‐third of these patients. Exposure to high concentrations of mite allergens in early infancy have been demonstrated to be a risk factor for developing atopic dermatitis during the first 3 years of life. Moreover, a clear dose–response relationship has been documented between mite exposure and disease activity. Primary prevention of AEDS by avoiding indoor allergen exposure has been proved to be effective only when allergenic foods have also been avoided. Mite allergen avoidance in infants with AEDS and food allergy may however, prevent mite sensitization and the onset of asthma. Indoor allergen avoidance has been demonstrated to be effective in the majority of studies performed in patients with established AEDS. Negative results may be explained either by individual susceptibility variation, by long duration of disease with the consequent irreversible pathological changes in the target tissue or by exposure to allergens outside the house. Education of the patients and public consciousness of the problems are crucial for the efficacy of indoor allergen avoidance in allergic diseases.
Dietary treatment of childhood atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS)
Authors: Fiocchi A. , Bouygue G. R. , Martelli A. , Terracciano L. , Sarratud T.
Published: July 2004

Objective:  This review summarizes the research and clinical evidence in favour of dietary intervention aimed at eliminating allergenic foods in the management of atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS).

Data sources:  The data source was PubMed, using a search algorithm selecting for clinical studies of AEDS, diet therapy and food allergy in all children to October 2003. Also included is a commentary based on the authors' clinical experience in the allergy unit of a university hospital in Italy.

Results:  Fourteen prospective studies matched the entry criteria. Diverse trial designs, diagnostic criteria, types of dietary intervention and length of observation periods precluded meta‐analytic methods. Allergenic food exclusion claimed efficacy in 13 of the 14 studies and was most useful in infants, in patients with elevated immunoglobulin E levels and/or multiple food sensitization and in patients with a diagnosis of food allergy.

Conclusion:  Dietary intervention in the form of an elimination diet is efficacious in children with AEDS when a specific diagnosis of food allergy has been made. Diagnostic evaluation of food allergy should be performed in all children with eczema, particularly in younger children and those with severe forms of the disease.
A critical appraisal of ‘evidence‐based medicine’ in allergy and asthma
Authors: Bousquet J. , Van Cauwenberge P.
Published: July 2004

Clinical guidelines are ‘systematically developed statements to assist practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances’. They may offer concise instructions on which diagnostic or screening tests to order, stipulate how medical services should be provided, how long patients should stay in hospital, or many other details relevant to clinical practice. This paper argues that guidelines should be simple, adapted to the clinical setting they inform and to treatment availability in their respective geographic context and that they should not be viewed as a yardstick but as support for physicians. The benefits of evidence‐based‐medicine (EBM), which defines the value of medical interventions in terms of empiric evidence from clinical trials, are growing in many contexts and are well described. Not sufficiently acknowledged, however, are the limits of EBM. A gap still exists between clinical research and clinical practice which should be better recognized and assessed.
Molecular basis of predisposition to develop type 1 diabetes mellitus in North Indians
Authors: Rani R. , Sood A. , Goswami R.
Published: July 2004

Abstract Type 1 diabetes (T1D) mellitus is a multifactorial autoimmune disease where more than 90% of insulin‐producing pancreatic β cells are destroyed before the clinical manifestations, warranting a need to identify the children predisposed to get the disease. Of the 20 genomic intervals implicated for the risk to develop T1D, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region on chromosome 6p21.31 (IDDM1) has been the major contributor, followed by 5′ regulatory region of the insulin (INS) gene on chromosome 11p15.5 (IDDM2). MHC has a role in antigen presentation and IDDM2 has been shown to have a role in transcription of insulin in the thymus. Hence, alleles of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DRB1, DQB1, and insulin‐linked variable number of tandem repeats (INS‐VNTR) were studied in 110 T1D patients and 112 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction and hybridization with sequence‐specific oligonucleotide probes (PCR‐SSOP) and PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP), respectively. HLA‐DRB1*0301 was significantly increased in the T1D patients along with associated DQB1*0201 followed by DRB1*0401 and DRB1*0405. DRB1*0701 was observed to be the most protective allele followed by DRB1*0403 and DRB1*0404. Although DQB1*0302 which is associated with both the protective and susceptible DR4 alleles was not significantly increased, heterozygous DQB1*0201, *0302 was significantly increased in the TID patients. Because INS‐VNTR class I homozygosity was also significantly increased in the patients, simultaneous presence of DRB1*0301 along with homozygous INS‐VNTR class I, gave a relative risk (RR) of 70.81. However, a similar analysis of DQB1*0201 and *0302 along with INS‐VNTR alleles did not give such high RRs. Thus, the two independently assorting alleles at two loci i.e., DRB1*0301 and INS‐VNTR class I, on two different chromosomes may have the potential to predict a prediabetic in North India.
Differential expression of SAP and EAT‐2‐binding leukocyte cell‐surface molecules CD84, CD150 (SLAM), CD229 (Ly9) and CD244 (2B4)
Authors: Romero X. , Benítez D. , March S. , Vilella R. , Miralpeix M. , Engel P.
Published: July 2004

Abstract The CD150 (SLAM) family consists of nine leukocyte cell‐surface proteins involved in lymphocyte activation that belong to the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily. Six members of this family – CD84, CD150 (SLAM), CD229 (Ly9), CD244 (2B4), NTB‐A, and CS1 – associate with adapter proteins – SLAM‐associated protein (SAP) and EAT‐2. SAP is a short intracellular molecule that is mutated in humans with X‐linked lymphoproliferative disease. Flow cytometric analysis of the expression of CD84, CD150, CD229, and CD244 cell‐surface receptors on several leukocyte and lymphocyte subsets was performed. CD84 and CD150 were present on thymocytes, mature T cells and antigen‐presenting cells. The expression of CD84 and CD150 was high on memory T cells. CD150 expression was strongly up‐regulated after cell activation. In contrast to CD84, CD150 was absent on resting monocytes and immature dendritic cells (DCs). CD229 presented a pattern of expression restricted to lymphocytes. CD244 was preferentially expressed on natural killer cells, CD8+ effector cells, resting monocytes, basophils, and eosinophils. We describe a broader distribution of CD84, CD150, CD229, and CD244 than previously reported and show that they are differentially expressed on hematopoietic cells. The heterogeneous expression of these receptors indicates that these molecules may play non‐redundant functions in the regulation of both innate and adaptive immune responses.
High‐resolution DNA melting curve analysis to establish HLA genotypic identity
Authors: Zhou L. , Vandersteen J. , Wang L. , Fuller T. , Taylor M. , Palais B. , Wittwer C.T.
Published: July 2004

Abstract High‐resolution melting curve analysis is a closed‐tube fluorescent technique that can be used for genotyping and heteroduplex detection after polymerase chain reaction. We applied this technique at the HLA‐A locus and suggest that this method can be used as a rapid, inexpensive screen between siblings prior to living‐related transplantation. At any locus, there are seven general cases of shared alleles among two individuals, ranging from identical homozygous genotypes (all alleles shared) to two heterozygous genotypes that share no alleles. We studied each case using previously typed cell lines to show that identity or non‐identity can be determined in all cases by high‐resolution melting curve analysis. HLA genotype identity is suggested when two individuals have the same melting curves. Identity is confirmed by comparing the melting curve of a 1 : 1 mixture with the individual melting curves. Non‐identity at the amplified locus changes the heteroduplexes formed in the mixture compared with the original samples and alters the shape of the melting curve. The technique was tested on DNA from a 17‐member CEPH family. High‐resolution melting curve analysis revealed six different genotypes in the family. The genotype clustering was confirmed by sequence‐based typing. Although this technique does not sequence or determine specific HLA alleles, it does rapidly establish identity at highly polymorphic HLA loci. The technique may also prove useful for confirmation of HLA genotypic identity between unrelated individuals prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem‐cell transplantation.
Human leukocyte antigen‐A, ‐B and ‐C alleles and human leukocyte antigen haplotypes in Turkey: relationship to other populations
Authors: Uyar F.A. , Dorak M.T. , Saruhan‐Direskeneli G.
Published: July 2004

Abstract In this study, we present, for the first time, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I allele and haplotype frequencies at the DNA level in a sample of 142 donors from Turkey. HLA typing was performed by medium‐to‐high resolution polymerase chain reaction sequence‐specific oligonucleotide probes method. The most frequent HLA alleles at class I locus were A*0201(0.257), ‐B*35(0.204) and ‐Cw*04(0.173). A*0201‐B*35‐Cw*04(0.056) was the most common three‐locus haplotype. Allele and haplotype frequency comparisons and neighbour‐joining dendrograms, constructed using DA genetic distances and correspondence analysis using HLA‐A, ‐B and ‐C, and ‐DRB1 allele frequencies, revealed similarities with other Mediterranean and European populations, but not with Mongol populations. These results agree with previous studies and confirm that the present day Turkish population is genetically more similar to its geographic neighbours than its historical neighbours in central Asia. The comprehensive HLA data on the Turkish population at the DNA level including up to six‐locus putative haplotypes generated in this study will be useful for further studies.
Characterization of human FCGR3B*02 (HNA‐1b, NA2) cDNAs and IMGT standardized description of FCGR3B alleles
Authors: Bertrand G. , Duprat E. , Lefranc M‐P. , Marti J. , Coste J.
Published: July 2004

AbstractThe low‐affinity Fcγ receptor IIIb (FcγRIIIb and CD16b) is constituted by a unique FCGR3B polypeptide chain that comprises two extracellular immunoglobulin‐like domains, and is expressed as a glycosylphosphatidyl inositol‐anchored receptor on the neutrophils. The FCGR3B chain bears allotypes that define the human neutrophil antigen‐1 (HNA‐1 and NA) system involved in major post‐transfusional reactions. FCGR3B is highly homologous to FCGR3A, which is expressed as a transmembrane receptor on natural killer cells and monocytes/macrophages. Its transcription products were not yet fully characterized. In the present work, we sequenced FCGR3B cDNAs with complete 3′ untranslated region from purified granulocytes of HNA‐1b/HNA‐1b (NA2/NA2) genotyped donors. We characterized two FCGR3B cDNAs of different lengths corresponding to two polyadenylation sites. This result was corroborated by data raised by serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE). FCGR3B allele polymorphisms, from this article [FCGR3B*02 (HNA‐1b, NA2)] and from the literature, are described for the first time according to the IMGT standardized nomenclature and to the IMGT unique numbering for C‐LIKE‐DOMAIN (http://www.imgt.cines.fr). These rules, described in the IMGT Scientific chart, are based on the IMGT‐ONTOLOGY concepts. IMGT allele alignments and IMGT Collier de Perles graphical two‐dimensional representations are provided for the two Ig‐like domains (or C‐LIKE‐DOMAINs) [D1] and [D2] of FCGR3B*02. The standardized description of FCGR3B allele polymorphisms was approved by the IMGT Nomenclature Committee (IMGT‐NC) and is freely available in IMGT repertoire at IMGT,http://www.imgt.cines.fr.
Identification of a new HLA‐DRB1 allele in three members of an Italian family
Authors: Garino E. , Berrino M. , Mazzola G. , Boccadoro M. , Bruno B. , Bertinetto F. , Bertola L. , Caropreso P. , Frisaldi E. , Marin F. , Panniello M. L. , Tondat F. , Dall'Omo A. M.
Published: July 2004

Abstract A new human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐DRB1 allele, HLA‐DRB1*1149, has been identified in three members of an Italian family during routine sequence based typing. This new allele differs from HLA‐DRB1*110101 only for a single nucleotide substitution at position 113 of exon 2 resulting in an amino acid change from Valine (GTG) to Alanine (GCG) at codon 38.
Polymorphisms of the equine major histocompatibility complex class II DRA locus
Authors: Brown J.J. , Thomson W. , Clegg P. , Eyre S. , Kennedy L.J. , Matthews J. , Carter S. , Ollier W.E.R.
Published: July 2004

Abstract:  The full extent of the polymorphism of ELA‐DRA in Equidae is not yet known. Given the apparent differences in DRA polymorphisms between Equidae and other species, the aims of this study were to more fully characterize ELA‐DRA, determine the extent of gene polymorphism and establish the allele‐frequency distribution. An allele reference panel for the second exon of ELA‐DRA was established by sequence‐based typing of 69 equine DNA samples consisting of various breeds of domestic horse (Equus caballus), together with donkeys (Equus asinus), Grant's zebras (Equus boehmi) and one onager (Equus hemionus). Five of the six previously reported alleles detected using single‐strand conformation polymorphism were found: ELA‐DRA*0101, ELA‐DRA*0201, ELA‐DRA*0301, ELA‐DRA*0501 (Albright‐Fraser DG et al. Polymorphism of DRA among equids. Immunogenetics 1996: 43: 315–7) and ELA‐DRA*0601 (GenBank accession number AF5419361). In addition to the previously reported alleles, five novel ELA‐DRA alleles were detected within the ELA‐DRA allele reference panel. One of these was identified in E. caballus (ELA‐DRA*JBH11), one in E. boehmi and E. hemionus (ELA‐DRA*JBZ185) and three in E. asinus (ELA‐DRA*JBD3, ELA‐DRA*JBD17 and ELA‐DRA*JBH45). A total of 565 equine DNA samples were screened using reference‐strand‐mediated conformation analysis, a double‐stranded conformation‐based mutation detection system that can be used to type existing ELA‐DRA alleles and identify new variants. Based on our findings, at least 11 ELA‐DRA alleles are now known to exist, and this level of polymorphism at the DRA locus appears to be unique to the genus Equus. Both the previously reported alleles and the new alleles displayed a species‐specific distribution.
CD46: A complement regulator and pathogen receptor that mediates links between innate and acquired immune function
Authors: Russell S.
Published: July 2004

Abstract:  In the last 10 years, the human cell‐surface molecule, CD46, has evolved from ‘just another complement regulator’ to a receptor for a striking array of pathogens. CD46 not only protects cells from complement‐mediated attack and facilitates infection by a large number of pathogens, but also exerts complex effects on cellular immune function. It has been proposed that CD46 links innate and adaptive immunity by affecting cellular immune function in response to complement binding, and the role of CD46 in the pathogenesis of many infectious pathogens is now the subject of intense investigation. So far, the flood of information that implicates CD46 in modifying a host response to measles, Neisseria, human herpes virus 6, and pathogens that activate complement has not yet been matched with a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which CD46 affects immune function. This review summarizes the evidence that points to a significant role for CD46 in a range of pathological processes and describes how CD46 might exert its effects by altering signal transduction and antigen presentation pathways.
Pulmonary gas distribution during ventilation with different inspiratory flow patterns in experimental lung injury – a computed tomography study
Authors: Roth H. , Luecke T. , Deventer B. , Joachim A. , Herrmann P. , Quintel M.
Published: July 2004

Background:  There is still controversy about the optimal inspiratory flow pattern for ventilation of patients with acute lung injury. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of pressure‐controlled ventilation (PCV) with a decelerating inspiratory flow with volume‐controlled ventilation (VCV) with constant inspiratory flow on pulmonary gas distribution (PGD) in experimentally induced ARDS.

Methods:  Sixteen adult sheep were randomized to be ventilated with PCV or VCV after surfactant depletion by repeated bronchoalveolar lavage. Positive end‐expiratory pressure (PEEP) was increased in a stepwise manner from zero end‐expiratory pressure (ZEEP) to 7, 14 and 21 cm H2O in hourly intervals. Respiratory rate, inspiration‐to‐expiration ratio and tidal volume were kept constant. Central hemodynamics, gas exchange and airway pressures were measured. Electron beam computed tomographic (EBCT) scans of the entire lungs were performed at baseline (preinjury) and each level of end‐expiratory pressure during an inspiratory and expiratory hold maneuver. The lungs were three‐dimensionally reconstructed and volumetric assessments were made separating the lungs into four subvolumes classified as overinflated, normally aerated, poorly aerated and nonaerated.

Results:  Pressure‐controlled ventilation led to a decrease in peak airway pressure and an increase in mean airway pressure. No differences between groups were found regarding plateau pressures, hemodynamics and gas exchange. Recruitment, defined as a decrease in expiratory lung volume classified as nonaerated, was similar in both groups and predominantly associated with PEEP. Overinflated lung volumes were increased with PCV.

Conclusions:  In this model of acute lung injury, ventilation with decelerating inspiratory flow had no beneficial effects on PGD when compared with ventilation with constant inspiratory flow, while the increase in overinflated lung volumes may raise concerns regarding potential ventilator‐associated lung injury.
Changes in cerebral oxygenation during cold (28°C) and warm (34°C) cardiopulmonary bypass using different blood gas strategies (alpha‐stat and pH‐stat) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Authors: Ali M. Shaaban , Harmer M. , Vaughan R. S. , Dunne J. A. , Latto I. P. , Haaverstad R. , Kulatilake E. N. P. , Butchart E. G.
Published: July 2004

Background:  Impaired cerebral oxygenation, which is reflected by measuring jugular bulb oxygenation, is thought to play an important role in the development of neurological injury after cardiac operations with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The effects of cardiopulmonary temperature and blood gas strategy on cerebral oxygenation are not fully appreciated.

Methods:  Sixty patients were randomly allocated into four equal groups (cold alpha‐stat, cold pH‐stat, warm alpha‐stat and warm pH‐stat) to compare the effect of these perfusion strategies on cerebral oxygenation monitored by jugular bulb oximetry [jugular bulb oxygen saturation (SjO2) and arterial‐jugular bulb oxygen content difference (AjDO2)]. Jugular bulb oxygen saturation and AjDO2 were measured before CPB, after 5, 20, 40 min on CPB, at start and end of rewarming, 5 min before the end of CPB and 10 min after CPB. Two‐way analysis of variance was used to model the lowest SjO2 and highest AjDO2 during CPB, with CPB temperature and blood gas management as contributing factors.

Results:  Significant changes in SjO2 were only related to the type of blood gas management, with no significant difference between warm and cold CPB patients. In addition, during rewarming, desaturation (SjO2 ≤ 50%) occurred in seven patients of 30 in the alpha‐stat groups and in one patient of 30 in the pH‐stat groups (P = 0.021), and in five patients of 30 in the cold groups vs. three of 30 in the warm groups (P = 0.434). However, no significant changes were found in the highest AjDO2 between the four groups.

Conclusion:  Cold CPB failed to offer any further brain protection in terms of better preservation of cerebral oxygenation than warm CPB. Therefore, warm CPB (34°C) with different blood gas strategies appears to be a satisfactory alternative to cold CPB (28°C).
Adrenaline administration during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: poor adherence to clinical guidelines
Authors: Johansson J. , Hammerby R. , Oldgren J. , Rubertsson S. , Gedeborg R.
Published: July 2004

Background:  Adrenaline does not appear to improve the outcome after cardiac arrest in clinical trials in spite of beneficial effects in experimental studies. The objective of this study was to determine whether adrenaline was administered in accordance with advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) guidelines during adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Methods:  From 15 January to 31 December 2000, all patients at Uppsala University Hospital in whom CPR was attempted were registered prospectively. The duration of CPR was documented in the register and the total dose of adrenaline was retrieved retrospectively from patient records. From these data the average interval between adrenaline doses was calculated.

Results:  Data for evaluation of the between‐dose interval of adrenaline was available in 53 of 107 registered cardiac arrests. In 68% (36/53) the average between‐dose interval was longer than the 3–5 min recommended in the guidelines, and 8% (4/53) received no adrenaline. The median interval between adrenaline doses during CPR was 6.5 min (25th−75th percentile: 5.1–10.4). Adherence to guidelines was lower in out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest than in in‐hospital cardiac arrest (P = 0.01).

Conclusions:  In the majority of cases adrenaline did not appear to be administered according to current ACLS guidelines.
Monitoring of genetic diversity in the Japanese Black cattle population by the use of pedigree information
Authors: Honda T. , Nomura T. , Yamaguchi Y. , Mukai F.
Published: July 2004

The gene pool of the Japanese Black cattle has been completely closed to foreign breeds during the last 100 years. Genetic diversity of the Japanese Black cattle from 1960 to 2000 was monitored with three estimates of effective number of ancestors. Founder genome equivalent (Nge) accounts for all the causes of reduction of diversity. Effective number of founders (Nef) and non‐founders (Nenf) explain reduced diversity because of unequal genetic contributions of founders and random genetic drift in non‐founders, respectively. Further examination using gene dropping simulation was conducted to obtain information on survival of founder alleles. Unique founder alleles were dropped down along the actual pedigree with Monte Carlo procedure following Mendelian segregation rules, and generated genotypes of all the current live animals (612 959 heads). Pedigree records consisted of 2 075 188 animals was used for these analysis. The estimates of three effective numbers (Nef, Nge, and Nenf) decreased from 418.6 to 50.3, 86.6 to 7.3, and 109.2 to 8.5, respectively, during the period 1960–2000. The increasing differences between two kinds of genetic diversity indices derived from Nge and Nef showed that large part of the reduced diversity from 1980 was attributed to genetic drift caused by the intensive use of particular limited number of sires. In gene dropping analysis, probabilities of extinction of founder alleles were derived from their distributions of frequency in the current animals. Several founders showed low probabilities of allele extinction, irrespective of their relatively low genetic contributions. This suggests that these founders have lineages through which their alleles are surely transmitted to the current breed. The use of these founders as a strategy for recovering the genetic diversity was discussed.
Variance component estimation on the frequency of deforming arthropathies in limb joints of Hanoverian Warmblood horses
Authors: Stock K. F. , Hamann H. , Distl O.
Published: July 2004

Following the analysis of systematic effects, the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) approach was used to estimate genetic parameters on deforming arthropathies in distal (DIJ) and proximal interphalangeal (PIJ), fetlock (FJ) and hock joints (HJ) under both linear animal and linear sire models. The data comprised of the results of a standardized radiological examination of 3748 young Hanoverian Warmblood horses selected for sale at auction as riding horses. Of the horses 17.7% showed radiographic findings indicative of degenerative joint disease in at least one of the examined joints. HJ were found to be most often affected. The examiner as well as the date of the auction had a significant influence on the prevalence of documented radiological findings. Only deformations in DIJ appeared to be significantly dependent on the age of horse, with older horses being more often affected. With increasing height at withers the probability to show deformations of DIJ or PIJ tended to increase. Having genes of the Holstein Warmblood resulted in a higher probability to show deforming arthropathies in DIJ. The higher the proportion of Thoroughbred genes, the more likely was the horse to present slight HJ deformations (HJ I). Neither male and female founder animals nor sex, suitability or region of origin of the horse significantly influenced the prevalences of deforming arthropathies in the investigated joints. Sire effect had a significant influence on moderate alterations of HJ (HJ II). The estimation of genetic parameters was performed multivariately, including height at withers as a separate trait. When analysing deforming arthropathies in males and females together, the heritability estimates were in the range of h2 = 0.10–0.36. Separate analyses for HJ deformations in males and females revealed noticeable sex differences. Additive genetic correlations between radiological findings in HJ and in phalangeal joints (DIJ, PIJ, FJ) were estimated to be moderately positive. However, conflicting results were obtained for the additive genetic correlations between deforming arthropathies and height at withers.
Structure of European ovine populations from directional autocorrelations between proteins
Authors: Ordás J. G.
Published: July 2004

The allele frequencies of haemoglobin, esterase, albumin and transferrin in European ovine populations were analysed by directional autocorrelation. The correlograms of the haemoglobin B and transferrin D show that these alleles have north/northeast–south/southwest and northeast–southwest clines in Europe, respectively. The clines observed may be the result of selection or ovine population expansion since domestication.
Dynamic changes of mitogen‐activated protein kinase signal transduction in rats with severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: REN Hong Bo , LI Zhao Shen , XU Guo Ming , TU Zheng Xing , SHI Xin Gang , JIA Yi Tao , GONG Yan Fang
Published: July 2004

OBJECTIVE:  To investigate the dynamic changes of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

METHODS:  The SAP model was induced by infusing the bilio‐pancreatic duct of 56 Sprague‐Dawley rats with 5% sterile sodium taurocholate solution. The rats were randomly divided into seven groups: control group, 0.5 h postoperative group, 1 h group, 3 h group, 6 h group, 12 h group and 24 h group. Western blot analysis was used to determine the activities of p38 MAPK and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) in the pancreas and lungs.

RESULTS:  In the rats of the control group, basal p38MAPK activity could be detected but not that of JNK. After SAP was induced, the p38MAPK activity in the pancreas increased markedly and peaked at 3 h, but in the lung it peaked at 6 h. The p38MAPK activity in the pancreas and lungs was significantly higher than the basal activity at the 24 h time point. The activity of JNK was only increased at the 12 h point and was not detectable at 24 h.

CONCLUSION:  The MAPK signal transduction pathway, in particular p38MAPK, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of SAP.