bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Liver histology of Asian patients with chronic hepatitis B on prolonged lamivudine therapy
Authors: Yuen M.‐F. , Chow D. H.‐F. , Tsui K. , Wong B. C.‐Y. , Yuen J. C.‐H. , Wong D. K.‐H. , Lai C.‐L.
Published: March 2005

Background : Long‐term effect of YMDD mutations on liver histology in Chinese hepatitis B patients is unknown.

Aim : To examine the effect of prolonged lamivudine treatment on liver histology in Chinese patients with and without YMDD mutations.

Methods : Liver histology was assessed in 85 patients on long‐term lamivudine at baseline and year 1, and at year 3 for 25 patients.

Results : Comparing patients with and without YMDD mutations at year 1, the former had higher baseline median necroinflammatory (11 vs. six respectively, P = 0.014) and fibrosis scores (three vs. one respectively, P = 0.001). The proportion of patients with improvement in necroinflammation and worsening of fibrosis was comparable for patients with and without YMDD mutations at year 1 (57.1%, 14.3% vs. 55%, 15% respectively) and year 3 (57.9%, 26.3% vs. 50%, 16.7% respectively). Comparing the histology at year 1 and 3, more patients with YMDD mutations developing after year 1 had worsening of necroinflammation than patients with persistent YMDD wild type (53.8% vs. 25% respectively).

Conclusions : Patients who developed YMDD mutations had higher baseline histological scores. With YMDD mutations, the liver histology became less favourable after 3 years than at the first year, although there was still improvement when compared with that at baseline.
A randomized, double blind, comparative trial of micafungin (FK463) vs. fluconazole for the treatment of oesophageal candidiasis
Authors: De Wet N. T. E. , Bester A. J. , Viljoen J. J. , Filho F. , Suleiman J. M. , Ticona E. , Llanos E. A. , Fisco C. , Lau W. , Buell D.
Published: March 2005

Aim:  To determine efficacy and safety of intravenous micafungin vs. intravenous fluconazole in the treatment of oesophageal candidiasis.

Methods:  A total of 523 patients ≥16 years with documented oesophageal candidiasis were randomized (1:1) in this controlled, non‐inferiority study to receive either micafungin (150 mg/day) or fluconazole (200 mg/day). Response was evaluated clinically and endoscopically. Post‐treatment assessments were performed at 2 and 4 weeks after discontinuation of therapy.

Results:  Median duration of therapy was 14 days. For the primary end‐point of endoscopic cure, treatment difference was −0.3% (micafungin 87.7%, fluconazole 88.0%). Documented persistent invasive disease at the end of therapy was reported in 2.7% and 3.9% of patients, respectively. Both 84.8% of micafungin and 88.7% of fluconazole patients remained recurrence free at 4‐weeks post‐treatment. The overall therapeutic response rate was 87.3% for micafungin and 87.2% for fluconazole. The incidence of drug‐related adverse events was 27.7% for micafungin and 21.3% for fluconazole. Six (2.3%) micafungin‐ and two (0.8%) fluconazole‐treated patients discontinued therapy; rash was the most common event leading to discontinuation.

Conclusion:  Intravenous micafungin (150 mg daily) is well tolerated and as efficacious as intravenous fluconazole (200 mg daily) in the primary treatment of oesophageal candidiasis, achieving high rates of clinical and endoscopic cure.
Gene expression profiling in polycythaemia vera: overexpression of transcription factor NF‐E2
Authors: Goerttler Philipp S. , Kreutz Clemens , Donauer Johannes , Faller Daniel , Maiwald Thomas , März Edith , Rumberger Brigitta , Sparna Titus , Schmitt‐Gräff Annette , Wilpert Jochen , Timmer Jens , Walz Gerd , Pahl Heike L.
Published: March 2005

The molecular aetiology of polycythaemia vera (PV) remains unknown and the differential diagnosis between PV and secondary erythrocytosis (SE) can be challenging. Gene expression profiling can identify candidates involved in the pathophysiology of PV and generate a molecular signature to aid in diagnosis. We thus performed cDNA microarray analysis on 40 PV and 12 SE patients. Two independent data sets were obtained: using a two‐step training/validation design, a set of 64 genes (class predictors) was determined, which correctly discriminated PV from SE patients. Separately 253 genes were identified to be upregulated and 391 downregulated more than 1·5‐fold in PV compared with healthy controls (P < 0·01). Of the genes overexpressed in PV, 27 contained Sp1 sites: we therefore propose that altered activity of Sp1‐like transcription factors may contribute to the molecular aetiology of PV. One Sp1 target, the transcription factor NF‐E2 [nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)], is overexpressed 2‐ to 40‐fold in PV patients. In PV bone marrow, NF‐E2 is overexpressed in megakaryocytes, erythroid and granulocytic precursors. It has been shown that overexpression of NF‐E2 leads to the development of erythropoietin‐independent erythroid colonies and that ectopic NF‐E2 expression can reprogram monocytic cells towards erythroid and megakaryocytic differentiation. Transcription factor concentration may thus control lineage commitment. We therefore propose that elevated concentrations of NF‐E2 in PV patients lead to an overproduction of erythroid and, in some patients, megakaryocytic cells/platelets. In this model, the level of NF‐E2 overexpression determines both the severity of erythrocytosis and the concurrent presence or absence of thrombocytosis.
The human leucocyte antigen‐DRB1*1302‐DQB1*0609‐DPB1*0201 haplotype may be a strong genetic marker for aspirin‐induced urticaria
Authors: Kim S.‐H. , Choi J.‐H. , Lee K.‐W. , Kim S.‐H. , Shin E.‐S. , Oh H.‐B. , Suh C.‐H. , Nahm D.‐H. , Park H.‐S.
Published: March 2005

Background
Urticaria/angioedema is a common aspirin‐induced allergy; however, its pathogenic mechanism is not understood.

Objective
In order to uncover the genetic mechanism, we studied the associations of the human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genotypes in patients with aspirin‐induced urticaria compared with aspirin‐intolerant asthma and normal control in a Korean population.

Methods
Ninety‐four aspirin‐induced urticaria patients presenting urticaria/angioedema‐induced by both ASA and NSAID (50 had underlying chronic urticaria) and showing positive responses on oral aspirin challenge test, 76 aspirin‐intolerant asthmatics with positive responses on lysine–aspirin bronchoprovocation test, and 185 normal healthy controls were enrolled. HLA‐DRB1, DQB1, and DPB1 genotypings were performed by direct DNA sequencing analysis.

Results
The allele frequencies of HLA‐DRB1*1302 (18.1%) and HLA‐DQB1*0609 (10.1%) in aspirin‐induced urticaria were significantly higher than in aspirin‐intolerant asthma (5.3%, P=0.0004; 2.0%, P=0.0024) and in normal controls (8.1%, P=0.0005; 3.2%, P=0.0008), and they remained significant after correcting for multiple comparisons. The patients with these two HLA markers had a significantly younger age than patients without, while no associations were found in with respect to atopic status, a history of previous allergic diseases, total IgE level, or presence of underlying chronic urticaria (P>0.05, respectively). In haplotype analysis, the HLA‐DRB1*1302‐DQB1*0609‐DPB1*0201 was significantly higher in the aspirin‐induced urticaria (8.0%) than in the aspirin‐intolerant asthma (0.7%, P=0.0014) and normal controls (2.0%, P=0.0006).

Conclusion
These findings suggest that the HLA‐DRB1*1302‐DQB1*0609‐DPB1*0201 may be a strong genetic marker to determine the aspirin‐induced urticaria phenotype.
Characterization of the human T cell response to antigen 5 from Vespula vulgaris (Ves v 5)
Authors: Bohle B. , Zwölfer B. , Fischer G. F. , Seppälä U. , Kinaciyan T. , Bolwig C. , Spangfort M. D. , Ebner C.
Published: March 2005

Background
The T cell reactivity to the major allergen of bee venom, phospholipase A2, has been thoroughly characterized. In contrast, only little is known about the human cellular response to major allergens from wasp venom.

Objective
To characterize the human T cell response to antigen 5 from Vespula vulgaris, Ves v 5.

Methods
Recombinant Ves v 5 was used to establish allergen‐specific T cell lines (TCL) and T cell clones (TCC) from the peripheral blood of vespid‐allergic and non‐allergic individuals. Ves v 5‐specific TCL were mapped for T cell epitopes using overlapping synthetic peptides representing the complete amino acid sequence of Ves v 5. Ves v 5‐specific TCC were analysed for antigen‐induced secretion of IL‐4, IFN‐γ and IL‐10.

Results
Seventeen distinct T cell epitopes were recognized by allergic individuals among which Ves v 5181–192 was identified as a dominant T cell epitope. Partially different epitopes were observed in TCL from non‐allergic subjects and the dominant epitope Ves v 5181–192 was not prevalent in these cultures. Ves v 5‐specific TCC isolated from allergic individuals did not show the typical T helper type 2 (Th2)‐like cytokine profile in response to specific stimulation, i.e. high amounts of IL‐4 and low IFN‐γ. TCC from non‐allergic individuals showed a Th1‐like cytokine pattern.

Conclusions
Our findings provide evidence that the allergic T cell response to Ves v 5 is not Th2‐dominated and that different immunogenic sites on this major wasp venom allergen are recognized by allergic and non‐allergic individuals.
Relationship of thyroid function with body mass index, leptin, insulin sensitivity and adiponectin in euthyroid obese women
Authors: Iacobellis Gianluca , Cristina Ribaudo Maria , Zappaterreno Alessandra , Valeria Iannucci Concetta , Leonetti Frida
Published: March 2005

Background   A possible relationship between thyroid hormones and adipose tissue metabolism in humans has been suggested.

Aim of the study   We sought to evaluate thyroid function and its possible relationship with body mass index (BMI), leptin, adiponectin and insulin sensitivity in euthyroid obese women.

Materials and methods   Eighty‐seven uncomplicated obese women (mean age 34·7 ± 9 years, mean BMI 40·1 ± 7 kg/m2) were studied. Levels of TSH, free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), plasma adiponectin and leptin were evaluated. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp (M index), fasting insulin and HOMA‐IR.

Results   Uncomplicated obese women with BMI > 40 kg/m2 showed higher serum TSH than obese subjects with BMI < 40 kg/m2 (P < 0·01). TSH was correlated with BMI (r = 0·44, P = 0·01) leptin (r = 0·41, P = 0·01), leptin/BMI ratio (r = 0·33, P = 0·03), body surface area (r = 0·26, P = 0·05), HOMA‐IR (r = 0·245, P = 0·05) and inversely with adiponectin (r =−0·25, P = 0·05) and M index (r =−0·223 P = 0·05).

Conclusions   Our data show that, although thyroid function was normal in the studied obese population, TSH and BMI were positively related. TSH has been found to be correlated also with leptin adjusted for BMI. TSH could represent a marker of altered energy balance in severe, but uncomplicated obese women.
PROGINS Alu sequence insertion is associated with hyperprolactinaemia but not leiomyoma susceptibility
Authors: Hsieh Yao‐Yuan , Chan Ian‐Pan , Wang Hsin‐I. , Chang Chi‐Chen , Huang Ching‐Wei , Lin Chich‐Sheng
Published: March 2005

Objective  Leiomyoma and hyperprolactinaemia are both progesterone‐dependent diseases. Hormone‐related genes, such as the progesterone receptor (PGR), might be involved in their pathogenesis.

Design and measurements  Subjects were divided into three groups: (i) leiomyoma (n = 120); (ii) hyperprolactinaemia (n = 101); (iii) normal controls (n = 140). We investigated the Alu (306‐bp DNA) insertion in intron G of the PGR gene in all individuals. PGR gene polymorphisms [T1 (wild‐type); T2 (PROGINS, with Alu insertion)] were determined by PCR and electrophoresis. Genotype and allele frequencies of the PROGINS in each group were detected and compared.

Results  We observed no significant difference of the PGR*T1/T2 genotypes and allele frequencies between leiomyoma and other two groups. The proportions of T1 homozygote/heterozygote/T2 homozygote in each group were (i) 90/8·3/1·7%; (ii) 84·2/9·9/5·9%; (iii) 92·9/6·4/0·7%. In contrast, a higher percentage of T2‐related genotype and allele were noted in hyperprolactinaemic women compared to other two groups. The proportions of T1/T2 alleles in each group were: (i) 94·2/5·8%; (ii) 89·1/10·9%; (iii) 96·1/3·9%.

Conclusions  The PROGIN*T2‐related genotype and allele are related to a higher susceptibility to hyperprolactinaemia. The PROGINS polymorphism is not associated with leiomyoma development.
The role of coastal ecotones: a case study of the salt marsh/upland transition zone in California
Authors: TRAUT BIBIT HALLIDAY
Published: March 2005

Ecotones, the transition zones between adjacent ecological systems, may intensify or concentrate the flow and processing of materials and organisms between systems.

To determine whether the salt marsh/upland transition zone is an ecotone, both in functioning as a habitat, as well as concentrating materials and organisms, I conducted an extensive survey of 12 marsh/upland transition zones in the Pt Reyes area of California.

The high saltmarsh was identified as an ecotone, with biological and physical conditions distinct from the adjacent marsh plain and upland. It supports a unique plant assemblage and greater total soil nitrogen than the adjacent upland.

Taxonomic richness patterns did not reflect changes in habitat spatial characteristics (e.g. ecotone area, ecotone area/perimeter), instead showing a quadratic correlation along the gradient, with increased diversity of both plants and spiders in the ecotone. Spider richness was enhanced with increased vegetation complexity, which was greatest in the ecotone.

This study presents empirical evidence that suggests coastal marsh/upland ecotones harbour increased diversity and may concentrate nitrogen pools, thereby highlighting the need for further research investigating the relationship between landscape connections and the coupling of species and biogeochemical processes.
Improving competition representation in theoretical models of self‐thinning: a critical review
Authors: REYNOLDS JOEL H. , FORD E. DAVID
Published: March 2005

Many theoretical models have been proposed to explain the empirical self‐thinning relationship given by Yodaet al. in 1963 for even‐aged, monospecific stands of plants, but the models are inadequate to allow consensus on the processes driving variation in density‐dependent mortality and self‐thinning.

Most non‐individual based models (non‐IBMs), and many IBMs, employ a common representation of competition in which a finite amount of potential crown area remains completely allocated throughout self‐thinning, making stand density inversely proportional to mean projected crown area.

This representation entails four assumptions regarding the competition process: the population is adequately represented by the mean plant; total stand resource utilization is constant throughout self‐thinning; competition is a horizontal packing process; and differences in initial stand conditions may affect the rate of competition but not the process itself.

Reviewing published empirical data, the competition literature and the logical implications for the self‐thinning process shows that all four assumptions are untenable as generalizations. Unfortunately, their application provides neither a mortality‐inducing mechanism nor insight into the relationship between stand growth and mortality.

Explaining the observed variation in self‐thinning relationships therefore requires improved representation of the competition process. This improvement is likely to require IBMs that explicitly represent variation in plant size or resource acquisition, two‐dimensional stand distribution, dynamic rather than static stand resource utilization, and, perhaps, explicit three‐dimensional stand development. Most importantly, the requirement for explicitly modelling mortality mechanisms implies that whole plant models may be insufficient for insight into the self‐thinning process.

The review reinforces the need to assess mechanistic models for more than their ability to reproduce a single, high‐level pattern. Such models should be assessed for their ability to simultaneously reproduce multiple features selected from the levels of both the modelled mechanisms and the high‐level patterns.

Progress in understanding the observed variation in self‐thinning currently requires a shift from searching for universal insight into the modelling of specific mechanisms for specific plant types, eventually leading to a broader theory explaining how variation in plants affects the competition process.
The gene NCE103 (YNL036w) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes a functional carbonic anhydrase and its transcription is regulated by the concentration of inorganic carbon in the medium
Authors: Amoroso Gabriele , Morell‐Avrahov Lola , Müller Dominik , Klug Katharina , Sültemeyer Dieter
Published: March 2005

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) catalyses the rapid interconversion between CO2 and HCO3–. Despite its wide distribution among living organisms, the presence of CA in fungi has been controversially discussed. Using mass spectrometric analysis of 18O exchange from doubly labelled CO2, we were able to measure CA activity in intact cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Intracellular CA activity was lacking in the Δnce103 mutant, indicating that NCE103 encodes a functional CA. This was proven by overexpressing and purification of the NCE103 gene product showing a specific activity of around 6900 units per mg protein. Interestingly, the in vivo CA activity was 10–20 times higher in cells grown on low inorganic carbon (Ci; air containing 0.035% CO2) than in high‐Ci cells (grown on 5% CO2). The enhanced CA activity of low‐Ci cells was inducible after transferring high‐Ci cells to air. Northern blot analysis revealed that that expression of NCE103 is transcriptionally regulated by low Ci which was also demonstrated by fusing the NCE103 promoter to β‐galactosidase as a reporter gene. Inactivation of NCE103 results in a high CO2 requiring mutant indicating that a functional CA is an important prerequisite for S. cerevisiae to grow under low‐Ci conditions
Measure for measure in the control of type III secretion hook and needle length
Authors: Minamino Tohru , Pugsley Anthony P.
Published: March 2005

Bacterial flagella and injectisomes are supramolecular structures that are responsible for motility and for delivering toxic proteins into the cytosol of eukaryotic cells, respectively. They look very similar to each other. Both systems are called type III secretion pathways, and their components share substantial sequence similarities. One remarkable feature of the type III systems is that the length of their substructure is fairly well controlled by a secretion switching machinery, which consists of at least two proteins, a length control protein and an integral membrane secretion component. Here, we review how and why the length of these structures must be accurately controlled.
N‐terminal signal region of FliK is dispensable for length control of the flagellar hook
Authors: Hirano Takanori , Shibata Satoshi , Ohnishi Kouhei , Tani Tomomi , Aizawa Shin‐Ichi
Published: March 2005

The length of the flagellar hook is regulated; it is 55 ± 6 nm long in Salmonella. Five genes involved in hook‐length regulation are fliK, flhB, fliG, fliM and fliN. The last four genes encode structural components of the protein export apparatus in the flagellar base, whereas FliK is soluble and secreted during flagellar assembly. The role of FliK, however, remains ambiguous. We constructed two kinds of FliK variants: N‐terminally truncated FliK protein and FliK N‐terminally fused with cyan fluorescent protein (CFP‐FliK). Both N‐terminally truncated FliK missing the first 99 amino acids (aa) and CFP‐FliK fusion variants partially complemented a fliK null (polyhook) mutant to produce cells with filaments, allowing cells to swim; the hooks, however, were not normal but were polyhooks. When the N‐terminally defective FliK variants were expressed at high levels, the average polyhook length was shortened coming close to the length of the wild‐type hook, independently of the sizes of the FliK variants. These FliK variants were not secreted. CFP‐FliK fusion proteins were observed to homogeneously distribute in the cytoplasm. We conclude that FliK does not need to be exported to control hook length and is unlikely to be a ruler; instead, we conclude that FliK controls hook length by the timely switching of secretion modes of the flagellar type III secretion system  by  the  FliK  C‐terminal  domain,  and  that  the  N‐terminal region is dispensable for hook length control.
Analogues of arginine vasopressin and its agonist and antagonist modified in the N‐terminal part of the molecule with l‐β‐homophenylalanine
Authors: Sobolewski D. , Kowalczyk W. , Prahl A. , Derdowska I. , Slaninová J. , Zabrocki J. , Lammek B.
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  In continuation of our efforts to elucidate the role of positions 2 and 3 in arginine vasopressin (AVP) and its analogues, we designed and synthesized peptides modified in these positions with l‐β‐homophenylalanine (β‐Hph). Two of them had just this single modification, the next two peptides are analogues of the V2 agonist, namely [3‐mercaptopropionic acid (Mpa)1]AVP (dAVP). The last two compounds were designed by substitution of positions 2 or 3 of a potent V1a antagonist, [1‐mercaptocyclohexaneacetic acid (Cpa)1]AVP, with β‐Hph. All the peptides were tested for their pressor and antidiuretic and uterotonic in vitro activities in the rat. All the activities tested have been found to be significantly decreased. Three analogues, i.e. [Mpa1,β‐Hph2]AVP, [Cpa1,β‐Hph2]AVP, [Cpa1,β‐Hph3]AVP, turned out to be uterotonic antagonists with pA2 = 6.3 ± 0.2, 6.3 ± 0.1, 6.0 ± 0.3 respectively. The last one exhibited antipressor properties also (pA2 = 6.4 ± 0.1).
Sclerosing peritonitis after intestinal transplantation in children
Authors: Macedo Camila , Sindhi Rakesh , Mazariegos George V. , Abu‐Elmagd Kareem , Bond Geoffrey J. , Reyes Jorge
Published: March 2005

Abstract: Long‐term graft dysfunction and/or graft loss after intestinal transplantation (ITx) is a significant concern. Sclerosing peritonitis (SP) is a manifestation of chronic allograft failure and its presence may also include classic arterial obliterative arteriopathy (OA) as in chronic rejection. We describe the clinical presentation and management of SP occurring after ITx in children. Case records of 121 children undergoing ITx from 1990 to 2003 were reviewed. Three children (2.4%) presented with SP of the intestine allograft at a mean time of 6.6 yr following ITx as follows: age at Tx (yr) 8.2, and 3.7, with indication for ITx being gastroschisis in two and midgut volvulus in one patient. Type of ITx was isolated intestine in one and liver/intestine in two patients. Gross findings of SP included fibrosis/strictures; microscopically SP showed fibrosis/serositis, and fibrous adhesions; one patient had evidence of chronic allograft vasculopathy. All patients presented with clinical signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction and gastrointestinal contrast studies confirmed distal ileal obstruction (DIO). Operative findings confirmed SP and DIO in all patients; all patients were initially treated with distal segmental intestine allograft resection and lysis of the fibrous peel. All three patients recovered, although two required repeat laparotomy, there is only one long‐term survival. SP after ITx may be a different manifestation of long‐term intestine allograft degeneration. Surgical resection appears to offer palliation.
Dry Matter and Nitrogen Distribution at Maturity of Three Rice (Oryza sativaL.) Cultivars Exposed to Ammonia at Two Growth Stages
Authors: Ashraf M. , Hussain F.
Published: March 2005

A substantial proportion of ammonical fertilizers applied to lowland rice is lost as gaseous N from the soil–plant system. Besides various environmental factors, the low N use efficiency of flooded rice is also attributed to this factor. As atmospheric ammonia found in the leaf environment of the plants could also be responsible for differences in N use efficiency and fertilizer N losses from lowland rice, a greenhouse study was conducted on three rice cultivars varying in physio‐morphological characteristics for their dry matter and nitrogen distribution to grains at maturity in response to ammonia (NH3) exposure at tillering and anthesis growth stages. The results revealed that ammonia exposure of plants at two growth stages did not affect the total dry matter and total N yield of the rice cultivars at maturity; however, the grain yield and grain N yield were negatively effected by NH3exposure of the plants at anthesis. The variation observed in dry matter and N partitioning at maturity to grains/roots of the plants exposed to NH3at anthesis indicated that the growth stage of the plants at which they are exposed to NH3has an influence on N use efficiency of crop plants and subsequent vegetative as well as total N losses from the soil–plant system.
Changes in N Composition of Sugar Beet Varieties in Response to Increasing N Supply
Authors: Hoffmann C. M.
Published: March 2005

The soluble nitrogen (N) components in sugar beet seriously impair sugar recovery. The only N component determined routinely in the sugar factory is amino N (the sum of amino acids in the beet), which is assumed to reflect all the other N components. Amino N is affected by N supply and variety, but only little is known about the other N components such as total soluble N, betaine and nitrate. This study aimed at investigating the effect of N supply on the N composition of sugar beet varieties with special emphasis on N supply by variety interactions. In 2001 and 2002, field trials with four varieties and four N treatments were carried out at six sites in Germany. Storage root yield and the concentrations of sucrose, sodium, amino N, betaine, nitrate and total soluble N in the beet were determined. With increasing N supply, the concentration of amino N increased considerably and that of nitrate slightly, whereas that of betaine remained rather constant. Thus, the N composition of sugar beet changed with increasing N supply and the percentage of amino N of total soluble N increased. Although amino N has the closest correlation with total soluble N, for quality assessment it may overestimate the effect of N supply on other N components. Varieties clearly differed in root yield and quality as well as in all N components. The variety with the lowest amino N had the highest betaine concentration. However, as related to the concentration of total soluble N in the beet, for all varieties amino N as well as betaine showed the same response pattern. This indicates that the N composition of sugar beet is determined by the level of total soluble N, irrespective of variety or N supply. All varieties required the same N supply for obtaining maximum yield or quality. N supply did not affect the ranking of the varieties for all parameters studied, consequently it need not be considered for variety choice.
Prediction of first episode of panic attack among white‐collar workers
Authors: WATANABE AKIRA , NAKAO KAZUHISA , TOKUYAMA MADOKA , TAKEDA MASATOSHI
Published: March 2005

Abstract  The purpose of the present study was to elucidate a longitudinal matrix of the etiology for first‐episode panic attack among white‐collar workers. A path model was designed for this purpose. A 5‐year, open‐cohort study was carried out in a Japanese company. To evaluate the risk factors associated with the onset of a first episode of panic attack, the odds ratios of a new episode of panic attack were calculated by logistic regression. The path model contained five predictor variables: gender difference, overprotection, neuroticism, lifetime history of major depression, and recent stressful life events. The logistic regression analysis indicated that a person with a lifetime history of major depression and recent stressful life events had a fivefold and a threefold higher risk of panic attacks at follow up, respectively. The path model for the prediction of a first episode of panic attack fitted the data well. However, this model presented low accountability for the variance in the ultimate dependent variables, the first episode of panic attack. Three predictors (neuroticism, lifetime history of major depression, and recent stressful life events) had a direct effect on the risk for a first episode of panic attack, whereas gender difference and overprotection had no direct effect. The present model could not fully predict first episodes of panic attack in white‐collar workers. To make a path model for the prediction of the first episode of panic attack, other strong predictor variables, which were not surveyed in the present study, are needed. It is suggested that genetic variables are among the other strong predictor variables. A new path model containing genetic variables (e.g. family history etc.) will be needed to predict the first episode of panic attack.
Norms of performance of sustained attention among a community sample: Continuous Performance Test study
Authors: HSIEH PEI‐CHUN , CHU CHING LIN , YANG YEN KUANG , YANG YI CHING , YEH TZUNG LIEH , LEE I HUI , CHEN PO SEE
Published: March 2005

Abstract  The Continuous Performance Test (CPT) is a widely used measure of sustained attention, which is a preferred tool for assessing various mental functions. A well‐established norm for CPT is essential when choosing a suitable threshold for classifying individuals as either case (CPT impairment) or non‐case. The CPT performance of 900 adults who were randomly chosen from a community survey was measured to establish the norms for subgroups with different gender, age, and educational levels. The results revealed that age and educational level are significantly associated with the performance sensitivity (d′) of CPT. Male subjects perform better than female subjects. Seventeen percent of the subjects scored higher on the masked CPT than on the unmasked CPT. Subjects who could not finish the masked CPT had the characteristics of older age and fewer years of education. When classifying a patient as case or non‐case, his/her CPT performance should be considered relative to the norms for his/her gender, age, and educational levels.
Serum leptin levels in obsessive‐compulsive disorder
Authors: ATMACA MURAD , TEZCAN ERTAN , KULOGLU MURAT , USTUNDAG BILAL
Published: March 2005

Abstract  The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum leptin levels to demonstrate whether or not its eventual alterations might have an etiopathogenetic significance in patients with obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD). Thus, it was planned to examine whether serum leptin levels were affected by pure OCD (OCD–D), pure depression (D) or the comorbidity of OCD and depression (OCD+D). Forty‐four patients with OCD (27 with OCD–D and 17 with OCD+D), 38 depressed patients and 30 control subjects were enrolled and serum leptin and cortisol levels were measured. According to the mean leptin levels, no significant difference was found between the OCD–D and control groups and between the OCD+D and D groups, while statistically significantly lower levels were found in the OCD+D and D groups than in control group. Significant difference in the mean leptin levels was found among groups even after controlling for body mass index or sex. The present study confirms the strong relationship between serum leptin and cortisol values and suggests that reduced leptin levels, rather than having an etiopathogenetic significance in patients with OCD, seem to be associated with patients with OCD and depression but not with pure OCD patients, and that OCD may be a heterogeneous subtype containing some biological indications of anxiety and affective disorders.
Difference in the characteristics of subjective and objective sleepiness between narcolepsy and essential hypersomnia
Authors: KOMADA YOKO , INOUE YUICHI , MUKAI JUNKO , SHIRAKAWA SHUICHIRO , TAKAHASHI KIYOHISA , HONDA YUTAKA
Published: March 2005

Abstract  The present study was conducted to investigate the difference in the characteristics of daytime sleepiness between narcolepsy and essential hypersomnia and to identify the relationship between the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) in patients with these two disorders. Subjects consisted of 34 patients with essential hypersomnia (32.4 ± 11.0 years old), 52 patients with narcolepsy (29.0 ± 13.8 years old), and 45 control subjects (33.3 ± 6.6 years old). The subjects completed the ESS and underwent MSLT following a regular sleep‐wake schedule for over 2 weeks. The ESS scores were pathologically high and mean sleep latency on MSLT was short, not only in narcolepsy but also in essential hypersomnia. With respect to sleep latencies on each MSLT session, both essential hypersomnia and control subjects had the smallest value at 14:00, while narcolepsy lacked any statistical change at this time period. The correlation between ESS and mean sleep latency on MSLT was higher in essential hypersomnia than in narcolepsy, and the correlation was strongest for the session performed at 14:00. Based on the ESS and MSLT results, the severity of excessive daytime sleepiness was significantly milder in essential hypersomnia compared with that in narcolepsy. The results also indicate that diurnal variation of sleepiness was maintained, and the correlation between subjective and objective sleepiness was relatively maintained in essential hypersomnia compared to narcolepsy. It is suggested that the mild disease severity of essential hypersomnia contributed to the formation of these characteristics.
Selective memory impairment for personally familiar colors following encephalitis
Authors: MIMURA MASARU , WATANABE RYO , KATO MOTOICHIRO , KASHIMA HARUO
Published: March 2005

Abstract  A 19‐year‐old man presented with a peculiar memory impairment following non‐herpetic viral encephalitis. He was exclusively impaired in generating images for colors of possessions previously well known to him, and consequently these seemed less familiar. He appeared unable to access personally familiar and autobiographical color attributes. Single‐photon emission computed tomography and electroencephalogram findings suggest that the right‐sided functional abnormalities, specifically in the frontal and temporal regions, were implicated as the functional locus for the patient's unique problem.
Incidence of note‐leaving remains constant despite increasing suicide rates
Authors: SHIOIRI TOSHIKI , NISHIMURA AKIYOSHI , AKAZAWA KOHEI , ABE RYO , NUSHIDA HIDEYUKI , UENO YASUHIRO , KOJIKA‐MARUYAMA MAKI , SOMEYA TOSHIYUKI
Published: March 2005

Abstract  Suicide notes (SN) are potentially valuable sources of information about the psychological states of the suicidal person. It was hypothesized that there was a significant relation between suicide rate and note‐leaving rate and that the incidence of note‐leaving was increased during prolonged economic recession. During 21 years (1981–2001) in Kobe, of a total of 18 558 violent deaths, 5161 were due to suicide (27.8%), with 3417 male cases (66.2%) and 1754 female cases (33.8%). For each year the annual suicide rates and note‐leaving rates were calculated, and this represents the percentage of committed suicides in which SN were left, among all suicide victims. In spite of the prolonged economic slump, the note‐leaving rate remained almost constant (23.4–36.2%). Pearson's correlation coefficient showed no significant correlation between suicide rate and note‐leaving rates (r = 0.27, P = 0.23). The finding that the incidence of note‐leaving remains constant despite increasing suicide rates may suggest that the reasons for suicide do not affect note‐leaving. There are cross‐cultural, ethnic, and racial variations in suicidal behaviors. Although this finding may be specific in Japan, further studies of SN are needed to help clarify the suicidal states of mind.
Long‐term variation in the distribution of the White‐bellied Sea‐Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) across Australia
Authors: SHEPHARD JILL M. , CATTERALL CARLA P. , HUGHES JANE M.
Published: March 2005

Abstract The White‐bellied Sea‐EagleHaliaeetus leucogaster(Accipitridae) is widespread within Australia. However, in a number of states it is thought to be declining locally in response to human induced disturbance. Here we analyse the Australian Bird Atlas data to identify the extent and pattern of change in range and density of the species between three Atlas Periods (1901–1976, 1977–1981 and 1998–2001) using a new standardized frequency measure, the Occupancy Index (OI) for 1° blocks (approx. 100 km2) across the continent. At the continental scale, there was no significant difference in the spatial extent of occupancy between Atlas Periods. However, there were considerable changes in frequency and range extent between defined regions, and there were distinct differences in the pattern of change in OI between coastal and inland blocks over time. Coastal blocks showed much more change than inland blocks, with a clear increase in the use of coastal blocks, accompanied by a decrease in inland blocks, during the 1977–1981 Atlas Period, relative to both other Atlas Periods. While there were slight (and not statistically significant) trends for OI to increase in areas containing dams, and to decrease in urbanized coastal areas, the over‐riding factor associated with distributional shifts and frequency changes was apparently climatic fluctuation (the 1977–1981 period showing the influence of El Niño associated drought). Within this study, the impression of abundance was strongly dependent on both the temporal and spatial scale of analysis. This highlights the importance of large‐scale analysis in interpreting change in distribution and abundance of widespread species.
Coronin 3 and its role in murine brain morphogenesis
Authors: Hasse Andreas , Rosentreter André , Spoerl Ziqiang , Stumpf Maria , Noegel Angelika A. , Clemen Christoph S.
Published: March 2005

Coronins belong to the fundamental WD40‐repeat proteins. They are mainly found at the submembraneous area, they bind F‐actin in vitro, and most of the seven mammalian coronins have unclear roles. Coronin 3 is abundantly expressed in the adult CNS. All murine brain areas express coronin 3 during embryogenesis and the first postnatal stages. Expression in grey matter decreases postnatally, except for hippocampal pyramidal and dentate gyrus neurons, and cerebellar Purkinje cells, while levels in white matter increase in the course of myelination. Consistently, coronin 3 is abundant in differentiating neuro‐2a and PC‐12 cells and in primary oligodendrocytes. Treatment with PKC activator PMA reduced coronin 3 protein levels. To address its functions, neuro‐2a and PC‐12 cells were transfected with GFP‐tagged coronin 3 versions. Full‐length coronin 3 among other areas localized to outgrowing neurites, whereas truncated proteins efficiently suppressed neurite formation. Our results favour a role for coronin 3 in neuron morphogenesis and possibly migration.
Indirect phosphorylation‐dependent modulation of postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine responses by 5‐hydroxytryptamine
Authors: Butt S. J. B. , Pitman R. M.
Published: March 2005

Ionotropic nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors have been shown to be modulated by protein kinase‐mediated phosphorylation in vitro. Here we demonstrate that 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) can downregulate postsynaptic nicotinic ACh responses, elicited in an identified arthropod motoneuron in situ, by a mechanism dependent on protein kinase activity. Serotonergic modulation can be mimicked by perfusion with membrane‐permeable analogues of either adenine (cAMP) or guanine (cGMP) cyclic nucleotides, and is prolonged in the presence of phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Furthermore, suppression of the ACh response by 5‐HT is blocked by specific competitive inhibitors of protein kinase A and G, as well as the broad specificity protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine. The protein phosphatase inhibitor cantharidin similarly blocks recovery of the ACh response from suppression mediated by 5‐HT. Thus, it appears that the nicotinic ACh response is modulated by a cAMP‐mediated phosphorylation‐dependent intracellular signalling pathway that is distinct from the direct block of mammalian nicotinic ACh receptors by 5‐HT previously reported in vitro.
Chronic stress in the adult dentate gyrus reduces cell proliferation near the vasculature and VEGF and Flk‐1 protein expression
Authors: Heine Vivi M. , Zareno Jessica , Maslam Suharti , Joëls Marian , Lucassen Paul J.
Published: March 2005

Recent evidence has shown that cell proliferation in the adult hippocampal dentate gyrus occurs in tight clusters located near the vasculature. Also, changes in neurogenesis often appear parallel to changes in angiogenesis. Moreover, both these processes share similar modulating factors, like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor Flk‐1. In an earlier study we found that chronic stress decreased new cell proliferation in the adult dentate gyrus. We here questioned whether these effects of chronic stress are mediated through the vasculature and whether they involve an angiogenic‐signaling pathway. We therefore measured the surface area covered by the vasculature, the proportion of vascular‐associated newborn cells, and analysed VEGF and Flk‐1 protein expression in the hippocampus of a control, chronically stressed and recovery group of rats. Our results show that 32% of the proliferating cells in the rat hippocampus is vascular associated. Chronic stress affected this population of newborn cells to a significantly larger extent than the non‐associated cells. Interestingly, after 3 weeks of recovery, the decreased proliferation not associated with the vasculature was more effectively restored than vascular‐associated proportion of proliferating cells. VEGF protein was expressed in high densities in GFAP‐positive astrocytes located in the hilus, with VEGF‐positive end feet extending into and often contacting the granule cells. After chronic stress, both VEGF and Flk‐1 protein levels were significantly decreased in the granular cell layer, and again recovered after 3 weeks. This demonstrates that changes in angiogenic factors are implicated in the decreased adult proliferation found after chronic stress.
Soluble guanylyl cyclase appears in a specific subset of periglomerular cells in the olfactory bulb
Authors: Gutièrrez‐Mecinas Maria , Crespo Carlos , Blasco‐Ibáñez José Miguel , Gracia‐Llanes Francisco Javier , Marqués‐Marí Ana Isabel , Martínez‐Guijarro Francisco José
Published: March 2005

In the brain, nitric oxide acts as an atypical messenger in cellular nonsynaptic transmission. In the olfactory bulb, this gas is produced at the level of the olfactory glomeruli by a subpopulation of periglomerular cells that participates in the first synaptic relay of the olfactory information between the olfactory nerve and the dendritic tufts of principal cells. It has been proposed that nitric oxide modulates intraglomerular synaptic integration of sensory inputs, but its specific role in the glomerular circuitry remains to be understood. In this article, we demonstrate that, in the glomerular circuits, a specific subset of periglomerular cells, most of them expressing the calcium binding protein calbindin D‐28 k, expresses the β1 subunit of the soluble guanylyl cyclase. These cells could be the targets for the action of nitric oxide at the glomerular level via activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase and production of cGMP.
Altered Fos expression in neural pathways underlying cue‐elicited drug seeking in the rat
Authors: Miller Courtney A. , Marshall John F.
Published: March 2005

Cocaine treatment paired with environmental cues establishes a conditioned place preference for that environment. Following expression of this preference, rats show elevated levels of immediate early genes (e.g. c‐fos) in the prelimbic cortex (PrL), basolateral amygdala complex (BLC) and nucleus accumbens core (NAcc) compared to drug‐unpaired controls. The PrL and BLC are reciprocally connected and both project to the NAcc. Together with the immediate early gene findings, these connections suggest the regions interact as a circuit contributing to cue‐elicited drug seeking. To study this circuit, we iontophoresed Fluorogold (FG) into one brain region and assessed colocalization of FG with place preference‐induced Fos in the others. Following FG iontophoresis in either the PrL or NAcc, more BLC cells double‐labelled for Fos and FG were found in drug‐paired than unpaired animals. Following FG iontophoresis in either the BLC or NAcc, no differences were found in the absolute number of PrL Fos/FG cells. This pattern of colocalization suggests that exposure to cocaine‐associated cues leads to greater activation of the BLC's efferents to both the PrL and NAcc, while PrL output to the NAcc and BLC is unaffected in IEG expression. These results complement recent findings that suggested attenuated PrL output during place preference expression. Our findings support the view that the BLC, rather than the PrL, provides significant excitatory driving to the NAcc during cue‐elicited drug seeking.
Peyronie's disease: the epidemiology, aetiology and clinical evaluation of deformity
Authors: Smith Christopher J. , McMahon Chelsea , Shabsigh Ridwan
Published: March 2005

There is a wide variety of topics covered in this section. The epidemiology, aetiology and clinical evaluation of the deformity in Peyronie's disease is described, followed by a discussion of recent advances in the biology of diabetes‐associated bladder complications. Bladder cancer and its molecular prognostic factors are presented, and the section ends with an in‐depth presentation of an evidence‐based approach to the understanding of the pharmacological class effect in the management of prostatic diseases.
Use of combined intracorporal injection and a phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitor therapy for men with a suboptimal response to sildenafil and/or vardenafil monotherapy after radical retropubic prostatectomy
Authors: Mydlo Jack H. , Viterbo Rosalia , Crispen Paul
Published: March 2005

Associate Editor

Michael G. Wyllie

Editorial Board

Ian Eardley, UK

Jean Fourcroy, USA

Sidney Glina, Brazil

Julia Heiman, USA

Chris McMahon, Australia

Bob Millar, UK

Alvaro Morales, Canada

Michael Perelman, USA

Marcel Waldinger, Netherlands

OBJECTIVE

To report experience with combined therapy using intracorporal injection (ICI) of alprostadil and oral phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE‐5) inhibitors for the minimally invasive treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) after radical prostatectomy (RP), as PDE‐5 inhibitors are effective but a few patients may have a suboptimal response.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a retrospective study, 34 men (aged 46–66 years) had a nerve‐sparing retropubic RP and subsequent ED. Patients were titrated on sildenafil citrate or vardenafil to maximum doses. All had a suboptimal response after a maximum of eight doses of oral therapy and were then treated with ICI therapy using 15 or 20 µg alprostadil. Erectile function was assessed with the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM).

RESULTS

Of the 32 patients who continued combined therapy, 22 (68%) had an improvement in erectile function after ICI therapy, as assessed by the SHIM score. On follow‐up, 36% of these patients used ICI therapy only intermittently, instead of regularly, as they felt that this was adequate enough for good results.

CONCLUSIONS

PDE‐5 oral pharmacotherapy is the most commonly used effective therapy for ED but may not be as effective in patients who have radical surgery; the addition of testosterone patches may have side‐effects or be considered a risk in patients with a history of prostate cancer. The use of ICI therapy as an adjunct or maintenance therapy to their oral medication may be another alternative in these patients.