bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
nsLTP and profilin are allergens in mustard seeds: cloning, sequencing and recombinant production of Sin a 3 and Sin a 4
Authors: Sirvent S. , Palomares O. , Vereda A. , Villalba M. , Cuesta‐Herranz J. , Rodríguez R.
Published: November 2009

Background
Patients allergic to mustard are frequently sensitized to peach.

Objective
To identify and analyse new yellow mustard allergens that could be involved in IgE cross‐reactivity.

Methods
Sera from mustard‐allergic patients with symptoms to peach were studied. Mass spectrometry analyses provided sequences of IgE‐reactive proteins. cDNAs encoding Sin a 3 and Sin a 4 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, cloned and sequenced. The recombinant allergens were obtained in Pichia pastoris and Escherichia coli, respectively, and used for ELISA, immunoblotting and inhibition experiments. Sequence alignment was used to identify common IgE epitopes.

Results
Sin a 3‐ and Sin a 4‐specific cDNAs encode for mature proteins of 92 and 131 amino acids that belong to nsLTP and profilin protein families, respectively. Sin a 3 and Sin a 4 showed 54% and 80% identity with allergenic nsLTP from peach and profilin from melon, respectively. Both recombinant allergens were IgE‐reactive in ELISA and immunoblotting. Peach pulp and peel, and melon extracts nearly abolished the IgE binding to recombinant Sin a 3 or recombinant Sin a 4 in immunoblotting.

Conclusion
Sin a 3 (nsLTP) and Sin a 4 (profilin) were identified as new mustard allergens and showed IgE cross‐reactivity with fruits such as peach or melon, respectively. The knowledge of these two allergens will contribute towards better understand with cross‐reactivity between mustard and other plant food allergens, and their availability will provide physicians with useful tools for molecular diagnosis.
Angiogenesis in asthma
Authors: Ribatti D. , Puxeddu I. , Crivellato E. , Nico B. , Vacca A. , Levi‐Schaffer F.
Published: November 2009

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by infiltration and activation of inflammatory cells and by structural changes, including subepithelial fibrosis, smooth muscle cells hypertrophy/hyperplasia, epithelial cell metaplasia and angiogenesis. These structural changes are thought to correlate with asthma severity and to account for the development of progressive lung function deterioration. The mechanism underlying airway angiogenesis in asthma and its precise clinical relevance have not yet been completely elucidated. This review provides recent data showing the contribution of allergic inflammation in increased airway vascularity and potential therapeutical approaches in asthma treatment by acting on bronchial microvascular changes.
Impact of invasive apple snails in Hong Kong on wetland macrophytes, nutrients, phytoplankton and filamentous algae
Authors: FANG LING , WONG PAK KI , LIN LI , LAN CHONGYU , QIU JIAN‐WEN
Published: November 2009

1. Grazing by invasive species can affect many aspects of an aquatic system, but most studies have focused on the direct effects on plants. We conducted mesocosm and laboratory experiments to examine the impact of the invasive apple snail Pomacea canaliculata on macrophytes, filamentous algae, nutrients and phytoplankton.

2. In a freshwater pond, we confined 500 g of Myriophyllum aquaticum or Eichhornia crassipes with 0, 2, 4 or 8 apple snails in 1 m × 1 m × 1 m enclosures for approximately 1 month. Apple snails grazed heavily on both species of macrophytes, with higher overall weight losses at higher snail densities. The damage patterns differed between the two macrophytes. In M. aquaticum, both leaves and stems suffered from substantial herbivory, whereas in E. crassipes, only the roots suffered significant weight reduction.

3. In addition to grazing on macrophytes, apple snails appeared to have controlled the growth of filamentous algae, as these did not develop in the snail treatments. The ability of P. canaliculata to control filamentous algae was supported by a laboratory experiment where the consumption was as high as 0.25 g g−1 snail DW d−1. Because of a lack of native herbivorous snails in the pond, the growth of filamentous algae (mainly Spirogyra sp.) reached 80.3 g m−2, forming a spongy pond scum in the no‐apple snail control. Together with previous reports that apple snails could eat the juveniles and eggs of other freshwater snails, our results indicated that P. canaliculata could have out‐competed native herbivorous snails from the pond by predation on their juveniles or eggs. Alternatively, P. canaliculata might have out‐competed them by monopolisation of food resources.

4. Nitrogen and phosphorous concentrations remained low throughout both experiments and were not correlated with apple snail density. The treatment effects on chlorophyll a (Chl a) and phytoplankton composition varied in the two experiments. In the M. aquaticum experiment, with increasing snail density, Chl a increased, and the phytoplankton community became dominated by Cryptophyceae. In the E. crassipes experiment, Chl a level was independent of snail density, but with increasing snail density, the phytoplankton community became co‐dominated by Cryptophyceae, Chlorophyceae and Bacillariophyceae.

5. Given the multiple effects of P. canaliculata on wetland biodiversity and function, management strategies should be developed to prevent its further spread. In invaded wetlands, strategies should be developed to eradicate the apple snail and re‐introduce native snails which can control the development of filamentous algae.
Efficient reprogramming of human and mouse primary extra‐embryonic cells to pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Nagata Shogo , Toyoda Masashi , Yamaguchi Shinpei , Hirano Kunio , Makino Hatsune , Nishino Koichiro , Miyagawa Yoshitaka , Okita Hajime , Kiyokawa Nobutaka , Nakagawa Masato , Yamanaka Shinya , Akutsu Hidenori , Umezawa Akihiro , Tada Takashi
Published: November 2009

Practical clinical applications for current induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technologies are hindered by very low generation efficiencies. Here, we demonstrate that newborn human (h) and mouse (m) extra‐embryonic amnion (AM) and yolk‐sac (YS) cells, in which endogenous KLF4/Klf4, c‐MYC/c‐Myc and RONIN/Ronin are expressed, can be reprogrammed to hiPSCs and miPSCs with efficiencies for AM cells of 0.02% and 0.1%, respectively. Both hiPSC and miPSCs are indistinguishable from embryonic stem cells in colony morphology, expression of pluripotency markers, global gene expression profile, DNA methylation status of OCT4 and NANOG, teratoma formation and, in the case of miPSCs, generation of germline transmissible chimeric mice. As copious amounts of human AM cells can be collected without invasion, and stored long term by conventional means without requirement for in vitro culture, they represent an ideal source for cell banking and subsequent ‘on demand’ generation of hiPSCs for personal regenerative and pharmaceutical applications.
Interactions between leaf lifespan and defoliation frequency in temperate and tropical pastures: a review
Authors: Lemaire G. , Da Silva S. C. , Agnusdei M. , Wade M. , Hodgson J.
Published: November 2009

In continuously stocked swards or pastures the frequency at which individual tillers and individual leaves are defoliated by ruminant livestock, relative to leaf lifespan of the grass species within the sward, determines the proportion of each leaf defoliated before senescence, and hence the efficiency of harvesting of herbage. In this paper, sets of data obtained in a range of climatic conditions and with a range of grass species are used in order to document this relationship. It is shown that the frequency of defoliation of individual tillers or individual leaves is closely linked to the average stocking density used within a period of time for maintaining a steady state sward or pasture height, herbage mass or leaf area index. Consequently, any decrease in herbage growth rate should lead to a decrease in the efficiency of harvesting of herbage and then to a more than proportional decrease in total herbage consumption by ruminant livestock. These effects will be more important for grass species having short leaf lifespan than for species with long lifespan. In rotational stocking, the link between herbage growth rate and frequency of defoliation of leaves can be broken by controlling the grazing interval, so any decrease in herbage growth would not be systematically associated with a decrease in efficiency of harvesting of herbage. Rotational stocking should be more efficient than continuous stocking in low herbage production conditions, while in high herbage production systems rotational and continuous stocking would have similar efficiency. The implications of these conclusions for the management of swards and pastures to meet different objectives are discussed briefly.
Influence of cutting regime and fertilizer application on the botanical composition, yield and nutritive value of herbage of wet grasslands in Central Europe
Authors: Čop J. , Vidrih M. , Hacin J.
Published: November 2009

The changes in dry matter (DM) yield, botanical composition and nutritive value of herbage to ruminants of two wet grasslands, Arrhenatherum elatius grassland (Experiment 1) and a Molinia caerulea fen meadow (Experiment 2), in which a range of cutting and fertilizer treatments were imposed in 1999, were assessed after 4–7 years of treatment imposition. Both experiments had a split‐plot design with four replicates. In Experiment 1 the three main‐plot cutting treatments were two cuts with a delayed first cut, three cuts and four cuts during the growing season of each year. In Experiment 2 the cutting treatments were two cuts with a traditional harvest time, two cuts with a delayed first cut and three cuts. The four sub‐plot fertilizer treatments were an unfertilized control, application of a phosphorus and potassium (PK) fertilizer, application of a nitrogen (N) and PK fertilizer to the first cut only (N1PK) and application of PK plus N applied to each of two, three or four cuts (NcPK). Application of fertilizer influenced yield and botanical composition of herbage more than the cutting treatments while the opposite occurred for nutritive value of the herbage. Application of fertilizer increased the proportion of tall grasses in Experiment 1 and forbs in Experiment 2. The proportion of Equisetum palustre, present only in Experiment 1, was reduced from 0·33 to less than 0·01 by increased cutting frequency together with the NPK fertilizer treatments. In Experiment 1 diversity of vascular plants was negatively affected only by the four‐cuts treatment while on both wet grasslands other cutting and fertilizer application treatments had no effect. Changes in DM yield of herbage caused by the cutting and fertilizer application treatments were similar for both vegetation types with DM yield increased significantly by fertilizer application but only slightly or not reduced by increasing the cutting frequency. Nutritive value of herbage was positively correlated with cutting frequency and was most influenced at the first cut.
Processing of transgenic crop residues in stream ecosystems
Authors: Swan Christopher M. , Jensen Peter D. , Dively Galen P. , Lamp William O.
Published: November 2009

1. Research in agricultural ecosystems is uncovering how the management of crop fields leads to the delivery of transgenic crop residues to adjacent waterways. Aquatic consumers encountering this material may be reduced in abundance and/or limit their feeding activity, subsequently altering organic matter breakdown rate, which is a key ecosystem process in streams.

2. We investigated the effect of the transgenic nature of senesced corn (Zea mays L.), tissue on breakdown rates, invertebrate abundance and invertebrate community composition in nine streams draining agricultural fields over 2 years (2004–2006). We studied corn tissue modified to express protein toxins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) from four hybrid families, each with its single, stacked and non‐Bt near‐isoline.

3. In 2004, we identified two instances whereby Bt leaf litter degraded slower (67–68%) than corresponding near isolines. At one site this was associated with significantly fewer individuals of Pycnopsyche sp., a leaf‐chewing caddisfly. In 2005–2006, no differences in breakdown were found between Bt and non‐Bt near isolines. Multivariate analysis of invertebrate communities found no difference associated with Bt treatment.

4. Principle components analysis identified important abiotic factors as explanatory variables influencing breakdown, but no interaction was found between these and Bt treatment. Breakdown was strongly related to total invertebrate abundance occurring on experimental litter bags, but this did not interact with Bt treatment across all hybrid × isoline × site combinations.

5. Synthesis and applications. Ecological interactions facilitate breakdown of allochthonous detritus, and understanding the potential disruption of these interactions is important to the management of ecosystem processes. The results from our study suggests that corn tissue breakdown is unlikely to be altered by Bt, but more so by hybrid‐ and site‐specific factors such as nutrients. Management of agricultural streams will need to consider multiple sources of stress at larger scales, such as nutrient loading and temperature, which probably overwhelm the potential for consumer mediation of ecosystem processes in these ecosystems.
Diversity enhances community recovery, but not resistance, after drought
Authors: Van Ruijven Jasper , Berendse Frank
Published: November 2009

1. There is growing concern that the current loss of biodiversity may negatively affect ecosystem functioning and stability. Although it has been shown that species loss may reduce biomass production and increase temporal variability, experimental evidence that species loss affects ecosystem resistance and resilience after perturbation is limited.

2. Here, we use the response of experimental plant communities – which differ in diversity – to a natural drought to disentangle the effects of diversity and biomass on resistance, recovery and resilience.

3. Resistance to drought decreased with diversity, but this pattern was highly dependent upon pre‐drought biomass. When corrected for biomass, no relationship between diversity and resistance was observed: at each level of diversity, biomass production was reduced by approximately 30%.

4. In contrast, recovery (change in biomass production after drought) increased with diversity and was independent of biomass. Resilience (measured as the ratio of post‐ to pre‐drought biomass) was similar at each level of diversity.

5. Synthesis. On the one hand, our results confirm earlier findings that a positive relationship between diversity and resistance is mainly driven by pre‐perturbation performance rather than by diversity. However, the results also show that recovery after drought strongly increased with diversity, independent of performance. We conclude that it is this diversity‐dependent recovery which allowed diverse, productive communities to reach the same level of resilience as less diverse (and productive) communities. This finding provides strong experimental evidence for the insurance hypothesis.
Influence of edentulousness on gonial angle, ramus and condylar height
Authors: HUUMONEN S. , SIPILÄ K. , HAIKOLA B. , TAPIO M. , SÖDERHOLM A‐L. , REMES‐LYLY T. , OIKARINEN K. , RAUSTIA A. M.
Published: November 2009

Summary  It has been shown that the shape of the mandible correlates with occlusal condition and the function of the masticatory muscles. Edentulous subjects have a wider gonial angle than dentate subjects, and a gender difference has also been shown. However, some studies have reported differing results. Less is known about the effect of dental status and gender on the ramus and condylar height. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of tooth loss on the shape of mandible (i.e., gonial angle, ramus height and condylar height) in subjects aged 60 years and older. A total of 1036 subjects (667 dentate, 389 edentulous; 554 women and 482 men) were included in the study. Interviews and clinical and panoramic radiographic examinations were carried out. The gonial angle of the mandible and the mandibular and condylar height were measured using panoramic radiographs. In edentulous subjects, the gonial angle was significantly larger, while the ramus and condylar height was significantly smaller on both sides compared with dentate subjects. Women had a significantly larger gonial angle and smaller ramus and condylar height on both sides compared with men. In conclusion, the morphology of the mandible changes as a consequence of tooth loss, which can be expressed as a widening of the gonial angle and shortening of the ramus and condylar height. These findings highlight the importance of rehabilitation of the masticatory system to maintain good functioning of the masticatory muscles for as long as possible.
Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA reveal contrasting evolutionary processes in populations of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus)
Authors: YANG DOU‐SHUAN , KENAGY G. J.
Published: November 2009

We investigated a major geographic break in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes in deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus, by analysing spatial variation in a 491‐bp fragment of the mtDNA control region from 455 samples distributed across a north–south transect of 2000 km in Western North America. To determine whether the mtDNA break was reflected in the nuclear genome, we then compared spatial variation in 13 nuclear microsatellites of 95 individuals surrounding the mtDNA break. Using a canonical correlation analysis we found that nuclear genomic variation was not correlated with mtDNA differentiation. The contrasting patterns of variation in mtDNA and nuclear DNA are consistent with a hypothesis of historic genetic drift that occurred in isolated refugia combined with recent gene flow between the formerly isolated refugial populations. A Mantel test of genetic vs. geographic distance revealed that recent gene flow between deer mouse populations has been high. We conclude that past vicariant events associated with Pleistocene climate changes together with recent gene flow have created the observed intra‐specific cytonuclear discordance in Western North America.
New thermochronometric constraints on the rapid Palaeogene exhumation of the Cordillera Darwin complex and related thrust sheets in the Fuegian Andes
Authors: Gombosi David J. , Barbeau Jr David L. , Garver John I.
Published: November 2009

Thermal modelling of new fission‐track and (U–Th–Sm)/He data from the Fuegian Andes reveals rapid cooling (∼12–48 °C Ma−1) during the middle and late Eocene followed by slow cooling (∼1.5 °C Ma−1) to the Recent. We interpret the rapid cooling as a result of exhumation from contractional uplift within the crystalline interior of the orogen. This interpretation is consistent with independent evidence of Eocene shortening, flexural subsidence and provenance changes in the study area, and is approximately coeval with marine geochemical evidence of the onset of Drake Passage opening. In light of the Palaeogene history of Nazca‐South American plate convergence and the differences in shortening magnitudes and exhumation histories between the Fuegian and Patagonian Andes, our data support Eocene development of the Patagonian orocline, which also provides a plausible explanation for early opening of Drake Passage.
Pediatric liver transplantation review of the literature 2007–2008
Authors: Burdelski Martin M.
Published: November 2009

Abstract:  Several hundred publications in the years 2007 and 2008 elucidate the ongoing progress in pediatric liver transplantation. Compared with previous reviews (2005–2006 and 2006–2007), the trend of reducing the initial loss of patients and grafts is stabilized and reaches more than 90% one‐yr cumulative patient survival. Given this remarkable progress, the issue of QoL after pediatric liver transplantation becomes even more important and will be addressed with special emphasis. Long‐term side effects of calcineurin inhibitors, growth, food allergy, adherence, pregnancy, and sexual function will be discussed in this context. Apart from these topics, papers reporting new insights in immunosuppression and ways to achieve immunotolerance will be reviewed. New trends in setting the indication for liver transplantation in children will be referred. This review will only reflect these aspects of pediatric liver transplantation.
Successful allogeneic stem cell transplantation with a reduced‐intensity conditioning in a leukocyte adhesion deficiency type I patient
Authors: Hamidieh Amir Ali , Pourpak Zahra , Alimoghaddam Kamran , Movahedi Masoud , Bahoush Gholamreza , Behmanesh Fatemeh , Moin Mostafa , Ghavamzadeh Ardeshir
Published: November 2009

Hamidieh AA, Pourpak Z, Alimoghaddam K, Movahedi M, Bahoush G, Behmanesh F, Moin M, Ghavamzadeh A. Successful allogeneic stem cell transplantation with a reduced‐intensity conditioning in a leukocyte adhesion deficiency type I patient. Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15:E30–E33. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  LAD‐I is a rare, autosomal recessive, primary immunodeficiency in which phagocyte adhesion and chemotaxis are impaired. Multiple infections in the absence of pus accumulation and persistent elevated peripheral blood neutrophil counts are the hallmark of LAD‐I. Allogeneic HSCT is the only treatment proved to be potentially curative for phagocyte adhesion impairment in LAD‐I. Here, we report on a case of a 30‐month‐old girl with LAD‐I, in whom peripheral blood stem cell from a genotypically identical sibling resulted in mixed chimerism.
Detection of prion gene promoter and intron1 indel polymorphisms in Anatolian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)
Authors: Oztabak K. , Ozkan E. , Soysal I. , Paya I. , Ün C.
Published: November 2009

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a fatal disease caused by miss folded prion protein. Studies in the cattle, comparing genetic data from BSE diseased and healthy animals have shown that indel polymorphisms in the promoter and intron 1 of PRNP gene were associated with disease susceptibility. Several studies were conducted to find out allele and genotypic frequencies of indel polymorphisms in promoter and intron 1 of the cattle PRNP gene. Unlike domestic cattle and bison, no indel polymorphisms of the PRNP promoter and intron 1 were examined in any population of the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Aim of this study was to analyse frequencies of allele, genotype, and haplotype of the indel polymorphisms (23 bp indel in promoter and 12 bp indel in intron 1) in prion protein coding gene (PRNP) of water buffalo. Therefore a PCR based procedure, previously used in cattle to detect indel polymorphisms of PRNP promoter and intron 1 locus, was applied to 106 Anatolian water buffalo DNAs. Our results have revealed high frequency of in variants and in23/in12 haplotype for PRNP promoter and intron 1 indel polymorphisms in water buffalo. The results of the study have demonstrated that frequencies of allele, genotype, and haplotype of the indel polymorphisms in PRNP gene of the Anatolian water buffalo are significantly different those from cattle and bison PRNP indel polymorphisms.
A quantitative trait locus for faecal worm egg and blood eosinophil counts on chromosome 23 in Australian goats
Authors: Bolormaa S. , Van Der Werf J.H.J. , Walkden‐Brown S.W. , Marshall K , Ruvinsky A.
Published: November 2009

Three microsatellite markers on goat chromosome 23 adjacent to the MHC were used to test for quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting faecal worm egg count (WEC) and leukocyte traits in ten Australian Angora and twelve Australian Cashmere half‐sib families (n = 16–57 per family). Data were collected from 280 Angora and 347 Cashmere kids over a 3‐ and 4‐year period. A putative QTL affecting trichostrongyle WEC was found in two small families at the 5% chromosome‐wise threshold level. The biggest QTL effect for WEC of 1.65 standard deviations (σp) was found within the region of OarCP73‐BM1258. A significant QTL affecting blood eosinophil counts at the 1% chromosome–wise threshold level was detected at marker BM1258 (at 26 cM) in two Angora and Cashmere families. The magnitude of the putative QTL was 0.69 and 0.85 σp in Angora and Cashmere families, respectively. Due to the comparatively low power of the study these findings should be viewed as indicative rather than definitive.
Molecular tests for coat colours in horses
Authors: Rieder Stefan
Published: November 2009

Colour phenotypes may have played a major role during early domestication events and initial selection among domestic animal species. As coat colours mostly follow a relatively simple mode of Mendelian inheritance, they have been among the first traits to be systematically analysed at the molecular level. As a result of the number of genetic tools developed during the past decade, horse coat colour tests have been designed and are now commercially available for some of the basic phenotypes. These tests enable breeders to verify segregation within particular pedigrees, to select specific colour phenotypes according to market demand or studbook policies and to avoid complex inherited diseases associated with some of the colour patterns. This paper reviews the relevance of the topic, describes all currently available tests for coat colours in horses and addresses also ongoing research in this field.
Marker‐assisted selection reduces expected inbreeding but can result in large effects of hitchhiking
Authors: Pedersen L.D. , Sørensen A.C. , Berg P.
Published: November 2009

We used computer simulations to investigate to what extent true inbreeding, i.e. identity‐by‐descent, is affected by the use of marker‐assisted selection (MAS) relative to traditional best linear unbiased predictions (BLUP) selection. The effect was studied by varying the heritability (h2 = 0.04 vs. 0.25), the marker distance (MAS vs. selection on the gene, GAS), the favourable QTL allele effect (α = 0.118 vs. 0.236) and the initial frequency of the favourable QTL allele (p = 0.01 vs. 0.1) in a population resembling the breeding nucleus of a dairy cattle population. The simulated genome consisted of two chromosomes of 100 cM each in addition to a polygenic component. On chromosome 1, a biallelic QTL as well as 4 markers were simulated in linkage disequilibrium. Chromosome 2 was selectively neutral. The results showed that, while reducing pedigree estimated inbreeding, MAS and GAS did not always reduce true inbreeding at the QTL relative to BLUP. MAS and GAS differs from BLUP by increasing the weight on Mendelian sampling terms and thereby lowering inbreeding, while increasing the fixation rate of the favourable QTL allele and thereby increasing inbreeding. The total outcome in terms of inbreeding at the QTL depends on the balance between these two effects. In addition, as a result of hitchhiking, MAS results in extra inbreeding in the region surrounding QTL, which could affect the overall genomic inbreeding.
Development of a method for simultaneously genotyping multiple horse coat colour loci and genetic investigation of basic colour variation in Thoroughbred and Misaki horses in Japan
Authors: Kakoi H. , Tozaki T. , Nagata S. , Gawahara H. , Kijima‐Suda I.
Published: November 2009

In order to develop a genotyping method that can be used in the registration procedure for Thoroughbreds, we developed a method for simultaneously genotyping multiple coat colour genes on the basis of single nucleotide polymorphism typing by using the SNaPshotTM technique. This method enabled precise and reasonable detection of causal mutations; it was effective for genotyping of MC1R, ASIP, and SLC45A2 at the Extension (E), Agouti (A), Cream dilution (C) loci, and the possibility of identification of rare variants of MC1R, EDNRB and KIT at the E, Overo (O) and Sabino 1 (SB1) loci, respectively, was also indicated. It was considered that this genotyping method would provide information not only for the registration of Thoroughbreds but also for the preservation of phenotypic characters, such as coat colour, of endangered Misaki native horses in Japan. Therefore, genetic variations at the five coat colour loci were investigated in 1111 Thoroughbred and 99 Misaki native horses. Allele frequencies at the polymorphic E and A loci were estimated, and the proportions of basic coat colours that could be expected in the Thoroughbred population were bay, 0.662; black, 0.070; chestnut, 0.268. In the Misaki population, they were bay, 0.792; black, 0.129; chestnut, 0.080. The data presented were the first of its kind on genetic coat colour variation, and will be important with regard to the registration of Thoroughbreds and the management of Misaki horses.
Lectin‐binding Sites on the Normal and Pathologic Uterus of Sows
Authors: Sant’Ana FJF , Nascimento EF , Andrés Laube PF , Gimeno EJ , Barbeito CG
Published: November 2009

Contents

The lectin‐binding pattern was compared in the normal and pathological uterus of sows during the ovarian cycle. The following biotinylated lectins were used: Con A, DBA, SBA, PNA, RCA‐I, UEA‐I and WGA. Glycoconjugate labelling showed differences between phases of ovarian cycle and presence of morphologic lesions. Cystic endometrial hyperplasia increased the RCA‐I reaction in the apical region of the glandular epithelium. There was higher intensity of labelling of WGA in the glandular epithelium in uteri with endometritis. In addition, increased Con A binding in the glandular epithelium and mild reduction of UEA‐I reactivity in the glycocalyx of the glandular epithelium were detected in the cases of endometritis. The results of this study show that morphologic alterations modify the sugar pattern in the porcine uterus. These modifications in glycoconjugates may be one of the reasons for decreased fertility in sows.
Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Zinc Gluconate Associated with Dimethyl Sulphoxide for Sexually Mature Canine Males Chemical Neutering
Authors: Soto FRM , Viana WG , Mucciolo GCB , Hosomi FYM , Vannucchi CI , Mazzei CP , Eyherabide AR , De Fátima Lúcio C , Dias RA , De Azevedo SS
Published: November 2009

Contents

The aim of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of zinc gluconate associated with dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) for chemical neutering in canine males. Fifteen sexually mature male dogs were divided in two groups, named control and treated. An injection was administered to both testicles, at a concentration of 26.2 mg zinc gluconate per ml and 0.5% DMSO in the treated group (11 dogs). The control group was given injections of saline solution (four dogs). Clinical examination and blood collection for a haemogram were done both before and after drug injection. There were 12 spermograms performed to analyse sperm motility, sperm vigour, ejaculate volume, testicle size, pathology and sperm concentrations. Libido was also measured. An ultrasound examination and histopathology were performed at the end of the experiment. Dogs’ libido after chemical injection was reduced by over 50%. The spermogram analysis showed final mean results of 14.54% for sperm motility, 0.72 of sperm vigour and 37 150 per million spermatozoa per millilitre, values considered below the necessary levels at which fertilization can occur. Ultrasound and histopathology analyses of testicles for the treated group revealed more intense injuries when compared with the control group, with compromised testicular parenchyma and a decrease of germ cell number leading to total atrophy, indicating that the treatment reduced the fertilizing potential of male dogs, promoting a possible subfertile status.
Head growth evaluation in early childhood, from the Japan Children's Study
Authors: Sawada Akiko , Ikeda Hiroko , Kimura‐Ohba Shihoko , Matsuzawa Shigeyuki , Awaya Tomonori , Shiotani Yuka , Okada Masako , Tomiwa Kiyotaka
Published: November 2009

Background:  Head circumference (HC) trajectories are held to reflect neurological development and the acquirement of intelligence. It is important to assess HC growth accurately because atypical HC growth is an indicator of various developmental disorders. HC growth is determined by both familial and physical factors but, hitherto, no one has considered both factors together. The aim of the present study was thus to investigate the relationship between HC, physical growth, and parental HC.

Methods:  The study group in the Japan Children's Study consisted of 192 healthy full‐term Japanese children. HC (maximum occiptofrontal circumference), height and bodyweight were measured at the ages of 4, 9 and 18 months. Multiple regression analysis were conducted predicting the HC from the body measurements and mid‐parental HC (defined as the average of standardized paternal and maternal HC).

Results:  Adjusted multiple R2 were 0.336, 0.307 and 0.259, measured at the aforementioned three stages. Bodyweight and mid‐parental HC predicted the HC on each occasion (P < 0.01). Bodyweight was more relevant than mid‐parental HC.

Conclusions:  HC growth is influenced by physical growth and parental HC; therefore, it is important to consider both physical and familial factors. A formula is herein proposed to assess HC using bodyweight and mid‐parental HC.
Tumour budding correlates with local recurrence of rectal cancer
Authors: Syk E. , Lenander C. , Nilsson P. J. , Rubio C. A. , Glimelius B.
Published: November 2009

Aim  Predictive tools for local recurrence (LR) of rectal cancer are needed. This study assessed the predictive value of tumour budding detected by MNF‐116 and laminin‐5 γ2 chain (Ln‐5 γ2).

Method  In a case–control study, the surgical specimens of 48 patients with LR after from primary resection of rectal carcinoma and 82 control patients matched for gender and preoperative radiation from a population of 1180 patients operated with total mesorectal excison were studied. The presence of budding was examined using immunohistochemistry with Ln‐5 γ2 and pan‐cytokeratin staining with MNF‐116.

Results  Tumour budding counts ranged from 0 to 106 buds (mean 43, median 38) for all patients. Significantly more tumours with more than 35 buds were seen in the LR than in the control group (67 vs 44%; P = 0.02). The spread of budding was also more extensive in the LR than in the control group (63 vs 49%, P = 0.03). In a multivariate analysis with tumour, node, metastasis stage, MNF‐116‐stained budding was an independent predictor of local failure (P = 0.02). The budding frequency was higher in irradiated tumours in comparison with tumours that had not received irradiation (mean 53 vs 38, P = 0.03). For Ln‐5 γ2, more tumours with ≥10 buds were seen in the group with LR than among the control patients, but this difference was not statistically significant (73 vs 57%; P = 0.09). No additive value was found in the multivariate logistic regression model when Ln‐5 γ2‐stained budding frequency was added to MNF‐116 and tumour, node, metastasis stage. The agreement between budding frequency determined by MNF‐116 and Ln‐5 γ2 was moderate, with a κ‐coefficient of 0.34 (0.16–0.51).

Conclusion  Tumour budding determined by MNF‐116 staining may serve as a predictive marker for LR in rectal cancer.
Changes in alkaline phosphatase levels in patients with prostate cancer receiving degarelix or leuprolide: results from a 12‐month, comparative, phase III study
Authors: Schröder Fritz H. , Tombal Bertrand , Miller Kurt , Boccon‐Gibod Laurent , Shore Neal D. , Crawford E. David , Moul Judd , Olesen Tine Kold , Persson Bo‐Eric
Published: November 2009

Study Type – Therapy (RCT) Level of Evidence 1b

OBJECTIVE

To compare the activity of degarelix, a new gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) blocker, with leuprolide depot 7.5 mg in the control of total serum alkaline phosphatase (S‐ALP) levels in patients with prostate cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In the randomized, phase III trial (CS21), patients with histologically confirmed prostate cancer (all stages), were randomized to one of three regimens: degarelix subcutaneous 240 mg for 1 month followed by monthly maintenance doses of 80 mg or 160 mg, or intramuscular leuprolide 7.5 mg/month. Patients receiving leuprolide could also receive antiandrogens for flare protection. We report exploratory S‐ALP analyses from CS21, focusing on the comparison of degarelix 240/80 mg with leuprolide 7.5 mg, in line with the recent approvals of this dose by the USA Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency.

RESULTS

Overall, 610 patients were included, with a median age of 73 years and median prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level of 19.0 ng/mL. Baseline S‐ALP levels were high in metastatic patients and highest in patients with metastatic disease and a haemoglobin level of <13 g/dL. In metastatic disease, after initial peaks in both groups, S‐ALP levels were suppressed below baseline with degarelix but were maintained around baseline with leuprolide. The late rise in S‐ALP seen with leuprolide was not apparent with degarelix. The pattern of S‐ALP response was similar in patients with a baseline PSA level of ≥50 ng/mL. Between‐treatment differences in patients with metastatic disease and those with a PSA level of ≥50 ng/mL were significant at day 364 (P = 0.014 and 0.007, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Patients with metastatic disease or those with PSA levels of ≥50 ng/mL at baseline had greater reductions in S‐ALP levels with degarelix than with leuprolide. Patients in the degarelix group maintained S‐ALP suppression throughout the study, in contrast to those in the leuprolide group. This suggests that degarelix might offer better S‐ALP control than leuprolide and might prolong control of skeletal metastases, compared with GnRH agonists, over a 1‐year treatment period.
Effect of fluid management on fluid intake and urge incontinence in a trial for overactive bladder in women
Authors: Zimmern Philippe , Litman Heather J. , Mueller Elizabeth , Norton Peggy , Goode Patricia
Published: November 2009

Study Type – Therapy (RCT) Level of Evidence 1b

OBJECTIVES

To explore whether instruction in fluid management resulted in changes in fluid intake and incontinence over a 10‐week study period in women with urinary urge incontinence (UUI), as fluid management might be a critical strategy in treating this condition.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In the ‘Behaviour Enhances Drug Reduction of Incontinence’ trial, women with predominant UUI were randomized to daily treatment with tolterodine or tolterodine combined with behavioural therapies, among which were individualized instructions on fluid management. Patients in both groups received general fluid management instructions, while in the drug + behaviour arm, those with excessive urine output (>2.1 L/day) had additional individualized instruction during each of four study visits to learn behavioural strategies. Variables measured at baseline and at 10 weeks were type of incontinence, using the Medical, Epidemiological, and Social Aspects of Aging questionnaire, severity of incontinence by number of incontinence episodes based on a 7‐day diary, number of voids/24 h (F24), urgency rating, 24‐h fluid intake (I24) and 24‐h volume voided (V24), volume average (Vavg), pad use, bothersomeness of UUI (Urogenital Distress Inventory and Overactive Bladder questionnaire), and quality of life (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire‐7 and Short‐Form‐12).

RESULTS

Leakage episodes/24 h, V24, I24 and average urgency ratings all significantly decreased from baseline to 10 weeks (P < 0.001 for each). Vavg increased (P < 0.001), as did voids/L intake (P = 0.01). None of the changes in diary variable outcomes differed by treatment group after accounting for these changes between baseline and 10 weeks. In a multivariable model, treatment group was not associated with change in V24 from baseline to 10 weeks (P = 0.81), but the difference in the number of accidents/diary day, F24, I24, and average voids/day each were positively related with the change in V24 (P < 0.001 for each). Patients had a response to fluid management instructions; the decrease in the percentage of women with a V24 of >2.1 L between baseline and follow‐up was statistically significant (P = 0.01 McNemar’s test).

CONCLUSION

General fluid instructions can contribute to the reduction in UUI symptoms for women taking anticholinergic medications, but additional individualized instructions along with other behavioural therapies did little to further improve the outcome.
Pelvic floor dysfunction is not a risk factor for febrile urinary tract infection in adults
Authors: Van Nieuwkoop Cees , Voorham‐van der Zalm Petra J. , Van Laar Anne‐Marike , Elzevier Henk W. , Blom Jeanet W. , Dekkers Olaf M. , Pelger Rob C.M. , Van Aartrijk‐van Dalen A. Mieke , Van Tol Marjanne C. , Van Dissel Jaap T.
Published: November 2009

Study Type – Therapy (case control) Level of Evidence 3b

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) might be a risk factor for or consequence of febrile urinary tract infection (UTI), as UTI in adults is a common infection in which an underlying urological abnormality is often considered, and as in children, PFD is also thought to have a pathophysiological role in adults with UTI.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A multicentre case‐control study was conducted at 26 primary‐care centres and at six Emergency Departments of regional hospitals. Cases were consecutive patients aged ≥18 years, who presented with febrile UTI. Controls were randomly selected subjects who visited their general practitioner for reasons other than UTI or fever. A validated pelvic floor questionnaire (the Pelvic Floor Inventories Leiden, PelFIs) was used to assess pelvic floor function.

RESULTS

Between October 2006 and December 2007, 153 cases were included; of these, the completed questionnaires of 102 (response rate 67%) were compared to those of 100 of 110 (response rate 91%) controls. The median age of cases and controls was 65 and 58 years, respectively; 40% of cases and controls were men. The percentage of PelFIs outcomes consistent with PFD were comparable between cases and controls, at 21% vs 23%, respectively (odds ratio 0.9, 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.4–1.78). In the multivariate analysis, comorbidity (odds ratio 4.9, 95% CI 2.2–11.1) and a history of UTI (odds ratio 2.5, 95% CI 1.0–6.1) were independent significant risk factors for febrile UTI, whereas PFD was not (odds ratio 1.0, 0.5–2.2). Within the group of cases, PFD was not associated with bacteriuria during assessment of PelFIs (odds ratio 1.1, 95% CI 0.4–3.5) and inversely related to a history of UTI within the previous year (odds ratio 0.2, 0.1–0.9).

CONCLUSIONS

PFD is common among adults but it does not seem to be a risk factor for febrile UTI.
Testing the most stringent criteria for selection of candidates for active surveillance in patients with low‐risk prostate cancer
Authors: Suardi Nazareno , Briganti Alberto , Gallina Andrea , Salonia Andrea , Karakiewicz Pierre I. , Capitanio Umberto , Freschi Massimo , Cestari Andrea , Guazzoni Giorgio , Rigatti Patrizio , Montorsi Francesco
Published: November 2009

Study Type – Prognosis (case series) Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

To test the ability of two of the most stringent criteria used to identify patients with low‐risk prostate cancer suitable for active surveillance (AS) to correctly exclude patients with unfavourable prostate cancer characteristics.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 874 consecutive patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP). We selected patients who could have been selected for AS according to the van den Bergh et al. and the Carter et al. criteria. We analysed the rates of advanced disease in these patients, defined as presence of either extracapsular extension (ECE), seminal vesicle invasion (SVI), lymph node invasion (LNI) and Gleason sum of 8–10 or 7–10.

RESULTS

Of 874 patients, 85 (9.7%) and 61 (6.9%) patients, respectively, qualified for AS according to the tested criteria. Within the van den Bergh et al. candidates, 5.9, 1.2, 1.2 and 1.2% of patients, respectively, showed ECE, SVI, LNI and high‐grade Gleason sum 8–10 at pathology. Within the Carter et al. candidates, 3.3, 0, 3.3 and 0% of patients, respectively, showed ECE, SVI, LNI and high‐grade Gleason sum 8–10. The cumulative rate of unfavourable characteristics was 7.1 and 3.3%. The rate increased to 28.2 and 27.9%, respectively, when Gleason sum 7 was considered as an unfavourable prostate cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of the strictest criteria for AS inclusion identified 7–10% of the men in our cohort of men undergoing RP, as men that would have been eligible for AS. Among this small proportion, between 3.3 and 7.1% of patients harboured unfavourable prostate cancer characteristics. The clinical implications of these misclassification rates remain to be determined.
Re‐calibration and external validation of an existing nomogram to predict aggressive recurrences after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Schroeck Florian R. , Kattan Michael W. , Moul Judd W. , Aronson William J. , Presti Jr Joseph C. , Terris Martha K. , Kane Christopher J. , Amling Christopher L. , Sun Leon , Freedland Stephen J.
Published: November 2009

Study Type – Prognosis (case series) Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

To re‐calibrate the previously published Duke Prostate Center (DPC) nomogram for the prediction of biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP) to not only predict overall BCR but also the clinically more relevant endpoint of an aggressive recurrence (i.e. a BCR with a postoperative PSA doubling time (PSADT) of <9 months).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Using the established point‐scale system based upon the previously published DPC nomogram, we re‐calibrated this point system to predict not just BCR, but also aggressive BCR within 2599 men treated with RP from the DPC database. PSADT was computed on all patients meeting the recurrence definition who had a minimum of two PSA values, separated by at least 3 months, and ≤2 years after recurrence. External validation was performed using data from 1695 men treated with RP within the Shared Equal Access Regional Cancer Hospital (SEARCH) database by calculating the concordance index c and by plotting calibration curves.

RESULTS

The median follow‐up for patients with no BCR was 56 and 47 months for DPC and SEARCH, respectively. In the DPC modelling cohort and the SEARCH validation cohort, 645 (25%) and 557 (33%) men had BCR, while 83 (3.2%) and 71 (4.2%) patients had an aggressive recurrence. In external validation, predictive accuracy for an aggressive BCR was high (c = 0.83) and the nomogram showed good calibration.

CONCLUSIONS

We re‐calibrated an existing nomogram to not only predict overall BCR after RP but also aggressive recurrence after RP. Our new tool can provide valuable information for patient counselling and patient selection for adjuvant therapy trials.