bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psoriasis and metabolic syndrome
Authors: TAKAHASHI Hidetoshi , IIZUKA Hajime
Published: October 2011

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory and immune‐mediated disease associated with several comorbidities, such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disorder. These comorbidities are components of metabolic syndrome. The pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome is supposed to be related to increased levels of adipocytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and adiponectin. Recent study has revealed a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in psoriatics compared with other skin diseases. Biologic agents, including anti‐TNF‐α antibodies, are recommended as the first‐line treatment for psoriatics with metabolic syndrome. This article reviews the association of psoriasis and metabolic syndrome in terms of adipocytokines and evaluates the role of biologic agents in the treatment of psoriasis.
Immunology in the clinic review series; focus on cancer: multiple roles for the immune system in oncogene addiction
Authors: Bachireddy P , Rakhra K , Felsher D W
Published: October 2011

OTHER THEMES PUBLISHED IN THIS IMMUNOLOGY IN THE CLINIC REVIEW SERIES

Metabolic Diseases, Host Responses, Allergies, Autoinflammatory Diseases, Type 1 diabetes and viruses.

Despite complex genomic and epigenetic abnormalities, many cancers are irrevocably dependent on an initiating oncogenic lesion whose restoration to a normal physiological activation can elicit a dramatic and sudden reversal of their neoplastic properties. This phenomenon of the reversal of tumorigenesis has been described as oncogene addiction. Oncogene addiction had been thought to occur largely through tumour cell-autonomous mechanisms such as proliferative arrest, apoptosis, differentiation and cellular senescence. However, the immune system plays an integral role in almost every aspect of tumorigenesis, including tumour initiation, prevention and progression as well as the response to therapeutics. Here we highlight more recent evidence suggesting that oncogene addiction may be integrally dependent upon host immune-mediated mechanisms, including specific immune effectors and cytokines that regulate tumour cell senescence and tumour-associated angiogenesis. Hence, the host immune system is essential to oncogene addiction.
Immunology in the clinic review series; focus on cancer: tumour-associated macrophages: undisputed stars of the inflammatory tumour microenvironment
Authors: Allavena P , Mantovani A
Published: October 2011

OTHER THEMES PUBLISHED IN THIS IMMUNOLOGY IN THE CLINIC REVIEW SERIES

Metabolic Diseases, Host Responses, Allergies, Autoinflammatory Diseases, Type 1 diabetes and viruses.

Mononuclear phagocytes are cells of the innate immunity that defend the host against harmful pathogens and heal tissues after injury. Contrary to expectations, in malignancies, tumour-associated macrophages (TAM) promote disease progression by supporting cancer cell survival, proliferation and invasion. TAM and related myeloid cells [Tie2+ monocytes and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC)] also promote tumour angiogenesis and suppress adaptive immune responses. These divergent biological activities are mediated by macrophages/myeloid cells with distinct functional polarization, which are ultimately dictated by microenvironmental cues. Clinical and experimental evidence has shown that cancer tissues with high infiltration of TAM are associated with poor patient prognosis and resistance to therapies. Targeting of macrophages in tumours is considered a promising therapeutic strategy: depletion of TAM or their ‘re-education’ as anti-tumour effectors is under clinical investigation and will hopefully contribute to the success of conventional anti-cancer treatments.
Immunology in the clinic review series; focus on cancer: double trouble for tumours: bi-functional and redirected T cells as effective cancer immunotherapies
Authors: Marr L A , Gilham D E , Campbell J D M , Fraser A R
Published: October 2011

OTHER THEMES PUBLISHED IN THIS IMMUNOLOGY IN THE CLINIC REVIEW SERIES

Metabolic Diseases, Host Responses, Allergies, Autoinflammatory Diseases, Type 1 diabetes and viruses.

Cancer is one of the most important pathological conditions facing mankind in the 21st century, and is likely to become the most important cause of death as improvements continue in health, diet and life expectancy. The immune response is responsible for controlling nascent cancer through immunosurveillance. If tumours escape this control, they can develop into clinical cancer. Although surgery and chemo- or radiotherapy have improved survival rates significantly, there is a drive to reharness immune responses to treat disease. As T cells are one of the key immune cells in controlling cancer, research is under way to enhance their function and improve tumour targeting. This can be achieved by transduction with tumour-specific T cell receptor (TCR) or chimaeric antigen receptors (CAR) to generate redirected T cells. Virus-specific cells can also be transduced with TCR or CAR to create bi-functional T cells with specificity for both virus and tumour. In this review we outline the development and optimization of redirected and bi-functional T cells, and outline the results from current clinical trials using these cells. From this we discuss the challenges involved in generating effective anti-tumour responses while avoiding concomitant damage to normal tissues and organs.
Serous effusion cytology of extranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Su X.‐Y. , Huang J. , Jiang Y. , Tang Y. , Li G.‐D. , Liu W.‐P.
Published: October 2011

X.‐Y. Su, J. Huang, Y. Jiang, Y. Tang, G.‐D. Li and W.‐P. Liu

Serous effusion cytology of extranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma

Objective:  Extranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTCL‐N), is a rare form of lymphoma that typically occurs at extranodal sites. It is one of the most common extranodal lymphomas in China. Literature on effusions and cytological findings relating to ENKTCL‐N is limited. We studied five consecutive cases of ENKTCL‐N effusions collected over a 3‐year period. The cytomorphological, immunocytochemical and molecular biological features were evaluated with literature review. The purpose of this study is to discuss how to diagnose ENKTCL‐N cytologically in effusions.

Methods:  Smears and cell block sections were reviewed for each case. Immunocytochemistry was performed on 4‐μm paraffin sections. Antibodies used were as follows: cCD3 (intracytoplasmic CD3), CD45RO, surface CD3, CD20, CD79a, CD56, TIA‐1, granzyme B, CD30, CD99, TdT and Ki‐67. In situ hybridization for EBER1/2 (EBER‐ISH) and T‐cell receptor γ (TCRγ) gene rearrangement were performed for all cases.

Results:  Large to medium‐sized tumour cells with pleomorphic nuclei and coarse chromatin were found in a necrotic background in all cases. The cytoplasm of the tumour cells was scant to moderately abundant with occasional cytoplasmic projections; in Giemsa‐stained smears, fine granules were present in some tumour cells. Mitotic figures were frequent. The tumour cells were all positive for CD56, granzyme B, TIA‐1 and cCD3, and were negative for surface CD3, CD20 or CD79a, CD99 and TdT. The MIB index was 50–80%. Epstein‐Barr virus‐encoded RNA (EBER) hybridizing signals were detected for most neoplastic cells. The T‐cell receptor gamma gene rearrangement analysis showed germ‐line configuration, except for one case.

Conclusions:  Effusion cytology may be appropriate for establishing the diagnosis of ENKTCL‐N, particularly for patients in whom tissue biopsy is not possible.
Scales of spatiotemporal variation in macroinvertebrate assemblage structure in monsoonal streams: the importance of season
Authors: LEUNG ALAN S. L. , LI AGGIE O. Y. , DUDGEON DAVID
Published: October 2011

1. We assessed the relative importance of different scales of spatial and temporal variability on benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage structure in six unpolluted streams in monsoonal Hong Kong using ordination and complementary multivariate analyses. The spatial scales were regions, sites (streams) and sections (riffles) within sites. The temporal scales were years (three, including one with unusually high rainfall), seasons (dry versus wet) and days within seasons.

2. Significant differences in assemblage structure were manifested at all temporal scales. Those at the site scale were most obvious, whereas demarcation of assemblage structure at the section (riffle) scale was smaller, and there was no significant regional differentiation in assemblage structure. Seasonal variability in assemblage structure was greater than that among years or days.

3. Inter‐year differences in assemblage structure were recorded at all sites, and were noted among all years at some sites but not at others. They were recorded more frequently during the dry season, although their occurrence (in pair‐wise comparisons between years) appeared to be related to differences in the monsoonal (wet season) rainfall.

4. Seasonal differences in assemblage structure were strongly evident at all sites. Inter‐site differences were more apparent during the dry season when local (site‐scale) influences on assemblages were stronger. By contrast, wet‐season samples were more variable because of spate‐induced disturbance, and inter‐site differentiation was less distinct.

5. Differences among days at all sites were relatively minor, but shifts attributable to repeated spate‐induced disturbance were evident at some sites during the wet season.

6. Differences at the section scale were recorded more frequently during the dry season, when the extent of within‐site variability among sections was higher, reflecting increased patchiness within sections resulting from increased substratum heterogeneity and/or greater intensity of biotic interactions.

7. Seasonal shifts in macroinvertebrate assemblage structure at a variety of scales in Hong Kong streams are likely to be attributable to monsoonal rains affecting the relative intensity of abiotic disturbance and biotic interactions in accordance with the harsh‐benign hypothesis.
Understanding the roles of basophils: breaking dawn
Authors: Min Booki , Brown Melissa A. , LeGros Graham
Published: October 2011

Early studies that used parasite‐infected interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) reporter animals led us to identify basophils as the primary source of IL‐4 and hence propose the hypothesis that basophils trigger the development of antigen‐specific T helper type 2 (Th2) immune responses in vivo. These findings appeared to resolve a long‐standing puzzle underlying Th2 immunity, that is, ‘what is the source of the initial IL‐4 necessary for CD4 T‐cell differentiation into Th2 effector cells?’. However, results from extensive investigations of the contribution of basophils to Th2 immunity unveiled some controversial data that cast doubt on the initial hypothesis. In this review, the consensus and the controversy regarding the roles of basophils in infection and immunity, as well as outstanding questions for the future, are discussed.
Goshawk prey have more bacteria than non‐prey
Authors: Møller A. P. , Peralta‐Sánchez J. M. , Nielsen J. T. , López‐Hernández E. , Soler J. J.
Published: October 2011

1. Predators often prey on individuals that are sick or otherwise weakened. Although previous studies have shown higher abundance of parasites in prey, whether prey have elevated loads of micro‐organisms remains to be determined.

2. We quantified the abundance of bacteria and fungi on feathers of woodpigeons Columba palumbus L., jays Garrulus glandarius L. and blackbirds Turdus merula L. that either fell prey to goshawks Accipiter gentilis L. or were not depredated.

3. We found an almost three‐fold increase in bacterial load of prey compared with non‐prey, while there was no significant difference between prey and non‐prey in level of fungal infection of the plumage.

4. The results were not confounded by differences in size or mass of feathers, date of collection of feathers, or date of analysis of feathers for micro‐organisms.

5. These findings suggest a previously unknown contribution of bacteria to risk of predation, with important implications for behaviour, population ecology and community ecology.
A critical assessment of collaborative adaptive management in practice
Authors: Susskind Lawrence , Camacho Alejandro E. , Schenk Todd
Published: October 2011

1. Collaborative adaptive management (CAM) is regularly touted as the best way to handle natural resource management in the face of uncertainty, change and conflict. Successful applications of CAM have, however, been elusive in practice.

2. This article examines the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program (AMP) in the United States, and other CAM efforts, to illustrate why and how procedural shortcomings may lead to natural resource management failures and reflect on how they may be overcome.

3. Synthesis and applications. To increase the chance of success, CAM efforts should set clear overarching goals and concrete and measurable objectives, employ tools and incentives to facilitate participation and foster collaboration, implement well‐defined joint fact‐finding protocols to promote shared learning and manage scientific uncertainty, and commit to monitoring and adapting their management regimes over time. Even in complex and contentious resource management contexts, future CAM efforts that integrate these design elements are likely to lead to more effective natural resource management.
Influence of spatial and temporal dynamics of agricultural practices on the lesser kestrel
Authors: Catry Inês , Amano Tatsuya , Franco Aldina M. A. , Sutherland William J.
Published: October 2011

1. European agriculture is facing dramatic changes that are likely to have marked impacts on farmland biodiversity. There is an urgent need to develop land management strategies compatible with the conservation of biodiversity.

2. We applied a spatially explicit behaviour‐based model to assess how farmland management and the pattern of events across the annual farming calendar influences the foraging decisions of lesser kestrelsFalco naumanniin a cereal steppe landscape. Moreover, we simulated the most likely scenarios of future agricultural changes to predict its impacts on lesser kestrel breeding success. Lesser kestrels have been the subject of serious conservation concern and constitute a good model species to judge impacts on farmland species more widely.

3. Our results show that the location of cereal and fallow patches within a 2‐km radius of a kestrel colony influences the total food supply delivered to the nestlings, explaining the differences in breeding success between years and colonies. Furthermore, the particular sequence in which patches are harvested by farmers is also predicted to influence offspring survival.

4. Agricultural intensification, simulated by increasing the proportion of cereal fields, is predicted to negatively influence breeding success. However, the field harvesting sequence can play an important role in alleviating the effects of the increased percentage of cereal, as demonstrated by the higher breeding success obtained when harvesting starts from patches farthest from the colonies. The replacement of cereal cultivation by low‐intensity grazed fallows would not be detrimental for kestrels.

5. Synthesis and applications. Our results highlight the effectiveness of behaviour‐based models to evaluate the interacting effect of spatial and temporal dynamics of agricultural landscapes and predict the response of populations to environmental change. To optimize food availability for lesser kestrels, land managers should implement long rotational schemes with <60% of the area under extensive cereal cultivation in a 2‐km radius around colonies. Harvesting should start in the cereal patches farthest from colonies. Ideally, the predominant land use around colonies should be fallows. These outcomes illustrate how behaviour‐based models can be applied to identify specific management recommendations that would improve the effectiveness of agri‐environmental schemes, the most accepted tool for maintaining farmland landscapes.
Edge effects of wildfire and riparian buffers along boreal forest streams
Authors: Braithwaite Nicholas T. , Mallik Azim U.
Published: October 2011

1. Clearcutting and wildfire are the two major edge‐creating disturbances in boreal forests. While clearcutting retains at least a 30 m buffer, wildfires burn close to streams killing most of the trees and potentially creating a different edge structure. Different edge structures are likely to support different plant assemblages. The riparian buffer and fire edge structures and their effects on plant assemblages are unknown, but they have implications for forest management that aims to harvest trees and conserve biodiversity by emulating natural disturbance.

2. We hypothesized that environmental filters created by post‐fire residual structures at the fire edge will support a different plant assemblage than the buffer edge. We further hypothesized that the fire edge with a weaker environmental filter because of post‐fire residual structures and proximity to streams will result in lower depth of edge effects (DEEs) and magnitude of edge effects (MEEs) than buffer edges.

3. We determined the structure of canopy trees, understorey cover and the near‐ground microclimate by sampling 576 (5 × 10 m) and 1820 (1 × 1 m) quadrats along 96 transects beside 24 streams near Thunder Bay, Canada. We determined DEEs and MEEs by comparing edge variables with reference forests. We used repeated measures/factorialanovas with Tukey’spost hoctests to determine DEEs andmanovafor MEEs.

4. The average microclimatic DEEs extended 8 m into the buffer but only 2·5 m from the fire edge. Similarly, the DEEs for plant life‐forms extended 20 m from the buffer edge and 5 m from the fire edge. At the fire edge, the structural MEEs were significantly higher, but the microclimatic MEEs were lower than the buffer edge. We found no significant difference in the overall life‐form MEEs, but shrubs, shade‐tolerant herbs and grasses were increased at the buffer edge and decreased at the fire edge.

5. Synthesis and applications. We discovered that the ecological structure at buffer and fire edges in boreal forests creates different environmental filters supporting different plant assemblages. Lower structural and microclimatic DEEs and MEEs at the fire edge result from (i) edge location, (ii) intact shrub layer and (iii) disturbance‐resilient riparian vegetation. We suggest that replacing the conventional sharp edges of the riparian clear‐cut buffer with ‘feathered’ edges by selective harvesting of trees will create wider edges mimicking wildfire legacy and will help to emulate natural disturbance for conserving biodiversity.
Fibrosis progression under maintenance interferon in hepatitis C is better detected by blood test than liver morphometry
Authors: Calès P. , Zarski J. P. , Marc Chapplain J. , Bertrais S. , Sturm N. , Michelet C. , Babany G. , Chaigneau J. , Eddine Charaf M. ,   multicentric groups (Fibrosys, ANRS HC 12, Fibrostop)
Published: October 2011

Summary.  We evaluated whether quantitative measurements of liver fibrosis with recently developed diagnostics outperform histological staging in detecting natural or interferon‐induced changes. We compared Metavir staging, morphometry (area and fractal dimension) and six blood tests in 157 patients with chronic hepatitis C from two trials testing maintenance interferon for 96 weeks. Paired liver biopsies and blood tests were available for 101 patients, and there was a significant improvement in Metavir activity and a significant increase in blood tests reflecting fibrosis quantity in patients treated with interferon when compared with controls – all per cent changes in histological fibrosis measures were significantly increased in F1 vs F2–4 stages only in the interferon group. For the whole population studied between weeks 0 and 96, there was significant progression only in the area of fibrosis (AOF) (P = 0.026), FibroMeter (P = 0.020) and CirrhoMeter (P = 0.003). With regards to dynamic reproducibility, agreement was good (ric ≥ 0.72) only for Metavir fibrosis score, FibroMeter and CirrhoMeter. The per cent change in AOF was significantly higher than that of fractal dimension (P = 0.003) or Metavir fibrosis score (P = 0.015). CirrhoMeter was the only blood test with a change significantly higher than that of AOF (P = 0.039). AOF and two blood tests, reflecting fibrosis quantity, have high sensitivity and/or reproducibility permitting the detection of a small progression in liver fibrosis over two years. A blood test reflecting fibrosis quantity is more sensitive and reproducible than morphometry. The study also shows that maintenance interferon does not improve fibrosis, whatever its stage.
Scarcity of healthcare worker protection in eight low‐ and middle‐income countries: surgery and the risk of HIV and other bloodborne pathogens
Authors: Leow Jeffrey J. , Groen Reinou S. , Bae Jin Yung , Adisa Charles A. , Kingham T. Peter , Kushner Adam L.
Published: October 2011

Objective  In view of the substantial incidence of bloodborne diseases and risk to surgical healthcare workers in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs), we evaluated the availability of eye protection, aprons, sterile gloves, sterilizers and suction pumps.

Methods  Review of studies using the WHO Tool for the Situational Analysis of Access to Emergency and Essential Surgical Care.

Results  Eight papers documented data from 164 hospitals: Afghanistan (17), Gambia (18), Ghana (17), Liberia (16), Mongolia (44), Sierra Leone (12), Solomon Islands (9) and Sri Lanka (31). No country had a 100% supply of any item. Eye protection was available in only one hospital in Sri Lanka (4%) and most abundant in Liberia (56%). The availability of sterile gloves ranged from 24% in Afghanistan to 94% in Ghana.

Conclusion  Substantial deficiencies of basic protective supplies exist in low‐ and middle‐income countries.
Pegfilgrastim vs. filgrastim for supportive care after autologous stem cell transplantation: can we decide?
Authors: Ziakas Panayiotis D. , Kourbeti Irene S.
Published: October 2011

Ziakas PD, Kourbeti IS. Pegfilgrastim vs. filgrastim for supportive care after autologous stem cell transplantation: can we decide?  Clin Transplant 2012: 26: 16–22.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factors are helpful for the support of patients receiving autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, resulting in faster neutrophil recovery and lower incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN). Our aim was to evaluate the use of pegfilgrastim vs. filgrastim with regard to absolute neutrophil count (ANC) recovery, risk, and duration of FN and length of hospital stay. Mean difference was the summary effect for continuous data, and odds ratio for binary data, using random‐effects modeling. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Registry of Randomized Controlled Trials were included in the search. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), case–control studies, and studies with historical control group for filgrastim were eligible. Of the initial 114 studies screened, 12 studies were analyzed (four were RCTs, including one phase III trial). The use of pegfilgrastim resulted in a one d gain in ANC recovery (mean difference −0.82, 95% CI −1.07 to −0.57, p < 0.001) and duration of FN (−0.67, 95% CI −1.28 to −0.06, p < 0.001) but had no effect on the risk of FN or length of stay. Pegfilgrastim was more expensive (baseline marginal cost €116.97, p < 0.001), which was largely determined by the treatment duration and pegfilgrastim cost. Non‐randomized setting attenuated the effect on duration of FN whereas delayed onset of filgrastim injections (to pegfilgrastim) overestimated the protective effect on the risk of FN. Both drugs are at least equally effective, though methodology and disease stratification in published trials warrant further improvement.
Immunosuppressant treatment adherence, barriers to adherence and quality of life in renal and liver transplant recipients in Spain
Authors: Morales José M. , Varo Evaristo , Lázaro Pablo
Published: October 2011

Morales JM, Varo E, Lázaro P. Immunosuppressant treatment adherence, barriers to adherence and quality of life in renal and liver transplant recipients in Spain.  Clin Transplant 2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2011.01544.x.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  To assess the adherence to immunosuppressant therapy (IST) and perceived barriers affecting IST adherence and quality of life (QOL) in patients who had received a renal (RT) or liver transplant (LT), a questionnaire was sent to over 9000 RT and LT recipients in Spain. Questionnaire comprised questions about patient’s socio‐demographic, organ transplant and medication characteristics; IST adherence and patient’s perceived barriers to adherence; and patient’s QOL using the EuroQol. Data from 1983 RT patients and 1479 LT patients were analyzed. Self‐reported adherence to IST in RT (92.6%) and LT (88.5%) recipients was high. Daily medication intake (mean of 2–3 doses/d per patient) was considered a lifestyle restriction in about 25% of transplant recipients and was the most common barrier to adherence perceived by over 30% of RT and LT patients. Overall, high‐intensity treatment regimens were associated with poorer QOL (EuroQol <70) compared with low‐intensity treatment regimens. Most RT (71.0%) and LT (61.4%) patients would prefer to suppress the evening dose if they were able to. Although high adherence rates to IST were reported in this first large Spanish survey in RT and LT patients, adjustment of daily treatment intensity by less frequent dosing may be an adequate strategy to minimize barriers to adherence and improve QOL.
MR Anatomy of Salivary Glands in the Dog
Authors: Weidner S. , Probst A. , Kneissl S.
Published: October 2011

With 3 figures and 2 tables

This retrospective analysis documented the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of normal salivary glands based on 101 studies in dogs with no detectable disease in the splanchnocranium. Surface, signal intensity, homogeneity, structure, symmetry and the relationship of glands to surrounding tissues were noted, and gland topography was assessed with E12 plastinated embedded sections. Signal intensity of salivary glands was isointense (7–40%) to hyperintense (60–90%) to muscle tissue on T1‐ and hyperintense on T2‐weighted images. Salivary glands had an increased T1 signal after contrast medium was applied. Salivary gland structure appeared homogeneous in mandibular and major sublingual glands and heterogeneous in zygomatic and parotid glands. Consistent landmarks were the external auditory canal for parotid glands, the digastric muscle for mandibular and major sublingual glands, and the pterygopalatine fossa for zygomatic glands. The minor sublingual and ventral buccal glands could not be localized with low‐field MRI.
Virulence attributes and genetic variability of oral Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis isolates
Authors: da Costa Karen Regina Carim , Ferreira Joseane Cristina , Lavrador Marco Aurélio Sicchiroli , Baruffi Marcelo Dias , Candido Regina Celia
Published: October 2011

The wide spectrum of candidiasis and its clinical importance encourage the research with the purpose of clarifying the mechanisms of pathogenicity and identification of virulence factors of Candida sp. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify the adhesion capacity, protease activity and genotypic diversity of oral C. albicans and C. tropicalis isolates. The adhesion ability to the extracellular matrix glycoproteins laminin and fibronectin was evaluated using the ELISA technique. The research of proteases was carried out in agar plate containing bovine albumin and through a quantitative method in buffer solution containing haemoglobin. Intra and interspecies polymorphisms was verified through random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. All C. albicans and C. tropicalis isolates binded to immobilised laminin and fibronectin. Ca33 and Ct13 isolates had relative adhesion index significantly higher than the other isolates for both glycoproteins (P < 0.001). Protease activity was observed in all isolates of C. albicans using either the semi‐quantitative or quantitative assay. The protease activity of C. tropicalis was better detected through the quantitative assay. The genotypic diversity by RAPD revealed a heterogeneous population in both species. Nevertheless, C. tropicalis presented higher genetic variability than C. albicans strains.
Effect of constipation on serum total prostate‐specific antigen levels in men
Authors: Bayraktar Zeki , Inan Ebru Hacer , Bayraktar Vildan
Published: October 2011

Objectives:  Many factors affecting serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels have been described. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of constipation on serum PSA levels in men.

Methods:  Serum total PSA values were measured in 136 constipated patients before and after treatment for constipation. Moreover, they were compared with 45 control patients.

Results:  Serum total PSA values in the constipated patients before treatment were significantly higher than those in the control group (2.29 ± 1.29 ng/mL vs 1.28 ± 0.86 ng/mL, P < 0.0001). After the treatment of constipation, serum total PSA values in the constipated patients were still higher than those in the control group, but this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.0871). After the treatment of constipation, prostate biopsy rates were 6.6% and 2.2% in the study and control group, respectively (P = 0.2769). No prostate cancer was found in both groups.

Conclusions:  Constipation increases serum PSA levels in men. The presence of constipation must be considered in patients whose PSA is examined, especially in those with PSA levels that are borderline high or in the range of 2–10 ng/mL. Constipated patients must be first treated and then re‐evaluated.
Differential contributions of rostral and caudal frontal forelimb areas to compensatory process after neonatal hemidecortication in rats
Authors: Umeda Tatsuya , Isa Tadashi
Published: October 2011

Following brain damage, especially in juvenile animals, large‐scale reorganization is known to occur in the remaining brain structures to compensate for functional deficits. In rats with neonatal hemidecortication, corticospinal fibers originating from the undamaged side of the sensorimotor cortex issue collateral sprouts to the ipsilateral spinal gray matter that mediate cortical excitation to ipsilateral forelimb motoneurons and compensate for the deficit in forelimb movements. The present study was designed to investigate the origins of the ipsilateral corticospinal projection in neonatally hemidecorticated rats. Corticospinal neurons (CSNs) were labeled in adults by injecting retrograde neural tracers, cholera toxin subunit B with different fluorescent probes, into either side of the cervical spinal gray matter. In the undamaged cortex, double‐labeled neurons were rarely found. CSNs with contralateral projections (contra‐CSNs) and those with ipsilateral projections (ipsi‐CSNs) were distributed both in the rostral forelimb motor area (RFA) and the caudal forelimb motor area (CFA). However, there was a difference in the distributions of the ipsi‐CSNs between the two forelimb areas. Whereas the distribution of the ipsi‐CSNs largely overlapped with that of the contra‐CSNs in the RFA, the ipsi‐CSNs tended to be segregated from the contra‐CSNs in the CFA. The results suggested that the RFA and the CFA contribute to the compensatory process in different ways.
Effects of Bax gene deletion on social behaviors and neural response to olfactory cues in mice
Authors: Holmes Melissa M. , Niel Lee , Anyan Jeff J. , Griffith Andrew T. , Monks D. Ashley , Forger Nancy G.
Published: October 2011

Bax is a pro‐death protein that plays a crucial role in developmental neuronal cell death. Bax−/− mice exhibit increased neuron number and lack several neural sex differences. Here we examined the effects of Bax gene deletion on social behaviors (olfactory preference, social recognition, social approach and aggression) and the neural processing of olfactory cues. Bax deletion eliminated the normal sex difference in olfactory preference behavior. In the social recognition test, both genotypes discriminated a novel conspecific, but wild‐type males and Bax−/− animals of both sexes spent much more time than wild‐type females investigating stimulus animals. Similarly, Bax−/− mice were more sociable than wild‐type mice in a social approach test. Bax deletion had no effect on aggression in a resident/intruder paradigm where males, regardless of genotype, exhibited a shorter latency to attack. Thus, the prevention of neuronal cell death by Bax gene deletion results in greater sociability as well as the elimination of sex differences in some social behaviors. To examine olfactory processing of socially relevant cues, we counted c‐Fos‐immunoreactive (Fos‐ir) cells in several nodes of the accessory olfactory pathway after exposure to male‐soiled or control bedding. In both genotypes, exposure to male‐soiled bedding increased Fos‐ir cells in the posterodorsal medial amygdala, principal nucleus of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and medial preoptic nucleus (MPN), and the response in the MPN was greater in females than in males. However, a reduction in Fos‐ir cells was seen in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus of Bax−/− mice.
The Crp regulator of Pseudomonas putida: evidence of an unusually high affinity for its physiological effector, cAMP
Authors: Arce‐Rodríguez Alejandro , Durante‐Rodríguez Gonzalo , Platero Raúl , Krell Tino , Calles Belén , de Lorenzo Víctor
Published: October 2011

Although the genome of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 encodes an orthologue of the crp gene of Escherichia coli (encoding the cAMP receptor protein), the regulatory scope of this factor seems to be predominantly co‐opted in this bacterium for controlling non‐metabolic functions. In order to investigate the reasons for such a functional divergence in otherwise nearly identical proteins, the Crp regulator of P. putida (CrpP. putida) was purified to apparent homogeneity and subject to a battery of in vitro assays aimed at determining its principal physicochemical properties. Analytical ultracentrifugation indicated effector‐free CrpP. putida to be a dimer in solution that undergoes a significant change in its hydrodynamic shape in the presence of cAMP. Such a conformational transition was confirmed by limited proteolysis of the protein in the absence or presence of the inducer. Thermodynamic parameters calculated by isothermal titration calorimetry revealed a tight cAMP–CrpP. putida association with an apparent KD of 22.5 ± 2.8 nM, i.e. much greater affinity than that reported for the E. coli's counterpart. The regulator also bound cGMP, but with a KD = 2.6 ± 0.3 µM. An in vitro transcription system was then set up with purified P. putida's RNA polymerase for examining the preservation of the correct protein–protein architecture that makes Crp to activate target promoters. These results, along with cognate gel retardation assays indicated that all basic features of the reference CrpE. coli protein are kept in the P. putida's counterpart, albeit operating under a different set of parameters, the extraordinarily high affinity for cAMP being the most noticeable.
Symblepharon secondary to ophthalmomyiasis externa in a dog
Authors: Delgado Esmeralda
Published: October 2011

A 4‐month‐old crossbred female dog presented with complaints of poor vision and odd appearance of the eyes. At the age of a month, the animal was found lying in a railway road in a very bad condition and was rescued from death. At that time, the patient was presented with severe bilateral ocular discharge, and from both eyes, dipterous fly larvae were extracted. The dog was given symptomatic treatment (deworming, topical and systemic antibiotics, nutritional support) but never regained a normal eye appearance. At the time of the initial presentation, it had severe vision impairment because of bilateral cicatricial symblepharon, total in the left eye and occupying 3/4 of the cornea in the right eye. Surgery was proposed to attempt a resolution. Superficial keratectomy was performed in both eyes. After a midline incision in the cornea, the conjunctiva was dissected away. The conjunctiva was apposed to and sutured to the limbus and secured in the upper and lower conjunctival fornix. Additionally, in the left eye, a lateral canthotomy and canthoplasty were performed to enlarge the size of the eyelid opening. The corneal epithelium healed without complications, the patient regained vision, and after 36 months of follow‐up, no recurrences were observed. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of symblepharon secondary to ophthalmomyiasis externa in a dog.
Effects of intravenous administration of dexmedetomidine on intraocular pressure and pupil size in clinically normal dogs
Authors: Artigas Cristina , Redondo José I. , López‐Murcia María M.
Published: October 2011

Objective To evaluate the effects of the intravenous administration of dexmedetomidine on the intraocular pressure (IOP) and pupil size (PS) in normal dogs.

Animals studied Forty‐two animals with no ocular abnormalities were included in this study.

Procedure Following initial readings (T0) of IOP and PS, the dogs received an intravenous injection of dexmedetomidine (5 μg/kg). Both measurements were repeated 10 min (T10) and 20 min (T20) later.

Results There were no significant differences in IOP measurements betweenT0andT10, although a significant decrease was observed atT20. A significant miosis was found in the first 10 min after sedation. AtT20, the PS slightly increased, resulting in no statistical differences withT0andT10.

Conclusion Dexmedetomidine is an excellent option for surgery or diagnostic ocular procedures in dogs when a specific control of IOP is required. However, it must be used in combination with mydriatics in ophthalmic surgical or diagnostic procedures, which require complete dilation of the pupil.
Groups and the Limited Pluralism of the Set-Piece Consultation
Authors:   The LSE GV314 Group
Published: October 2011

Set-piece consultations, through which government invites groups and individuals to comment on proposed legislation, codes of practice, guidance or some other measures, are a common feature of British policy-making, yet we know remarkably little about them. Above all, we do not know why anyone should respond to them when the chances of changing policy appear remote. This research note reports a survey of over 300 individuals in organisations that responded to government consultation requests and explores a range of hypotheses seeking to explain participation in set-piece consultations, including those relating to the role of membership, the ‘outsider’ status of the organisation and the role of the set-piece consultation in wider lobbying campaigns. The evidence suggests that set-piece consultations are more fruitfully viewed as distinctive forms of consultation in which respondents believe they have a chance of shaping some kinds of issues but not the policy itself.
Computational Plenoptic Imaging
Authors: Wetzstein Gordon , Ihrke Ivo , Lanman Douglas , Heidrich Wolfgang
Published: October 2011

The plenoptic function is a ray‐based model for light that includes the colour spectrum as well as spatial, temporal and directional variation. Although digital light sensors have greatly evolved in the last years, one fundamental limitation remains: all standard CCD and CMOS sensors integrate over the dimensions of the plenoptic function as they convert photons into electrons; in the process, all visual information is irreversibly lost, except for a two‐dimensional, spatially varying subset—the common photograph. In this state‐of‐the‐art report, we review approaches that optically encode the dimensions of the plenoptic function transcending those captured by traditional photography and reconstruct the recorded information computationally.
Functional MRI and motor behavioral changes obtained with constraint‐induced movement therapy in chronic stroke
Authors: Könönen M. , Tarkka I. M. , Niskanen E. , Pihlajamäki M. , Mervaala E. , Pitkänen K. , Vanninen R.
Published: October 2011

Background:  The clinical benefits of intensive stroke rehabilitation vary individually. We used multimodal functional imaging to assess the relationship of clinical gain and imaging changes in patients with chronic stroke whose voluntary motor control improved after constraint‐induced movement therapy (CIMT).

Methods:  Eleven patients (37.6 ± 36.8 months from stroke) were studied by functional MRI (fMRI), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and behavioral assessment of hand motor control (Wolf Motor Function Test) before and after 2 weeks of CIMT. Individual and group‐level changes in imaging and behavioral parameters were investigated.

Results:  Increase in fMRI activation in the sensorimotor areas was greater amongst those subjects who had poor hand motor behavior before therapy and/or whose motor behavior improved notably because of therapy than amongst subjects with relatively good motor behavior already before therapy. The magnitude of CIMT‐induced changes in task‐related fMRI activation differed between lesioned and non‐lesioned hemispheres, and the fMRI laterality index was different for paretic and non‐paretic hand tasks. The corticospinal conduction time in TMS was significantly decreased after CIM therapy.

Conclusions:  Alterations in sensorimotor cortical activations (fMRI) and corticospinal conductivity (TMS) were observed after intensive rehabilitation in patients with chronic stroke. Activation and functional changes in fMRI and TMS correlated significantly with the degree of clinical improvement in hand motor behavior. The present data advance the understanding of the functional underpinnings of motor recovery, which may be obtained even years after the stroke.
Melanoma patients receive more follow‐up care than current guideline recommendations: a study of 546 patients from the general Dutch population
Authors: Holterhues C. , van de Poll‐Franse L.V. , de Vries E. , Neumann H.A.M. , Nijsten T.E.C.
Published: October 2011

Background  Follow‐up of melanoma patients has been a continuing issue for discussion in the past years partly due to ever increasing incidence of this disease, as well as the lack of agreement regarding the reasons for, and the frequency of follow‐up. Patients’ perspectives are often not included in this continuing discussion on follow‐up of melanoma patients.

Objective  To examine to what extent follow‐up was experienced, according to the guideline of 2005, by physicians and melanoma patients in a Dutch population from the south‐east area of the Netherlands. The patient’s perspective and satisfaction over said follow‐up shall also be taken into account.

Methods  Follow‐up among melanoma survivors was investigated and compared with the recommendations of the current Dutch national guideline. All 699 melanoma patients registered at the Eindhoven Cancer Registry (between 1998 and 2008), and treated in 3 regional hospitals, were contacted via postal mail. The survey questioned about treatment, symptoms, impact on daily life and follow‐up. Patients with multiple melanomas (n = 16) were excluded.

Results  Response rate was 80%, 418 patients were still under surveillance for their melanoma. The average time since diagnoses was 4 years, 71% had stage I melanoma. Almost 80% of patients with a Breslow thickness <1 mm, reported more frequent follow‐up visits than the guideline recommends. Only 5% of the patients wanted to reduce their follow‐up frequency. Eighty percent of patients were under supervision of a dermatologist: physical examination (25%), lymph node palpation (11%) and/or scar inspection (20%) did not regularly occur. These proportions were significantly higher among other specialism.

Conclusion  Follow‐up frequency was higher than recommended by the current melanoma guideline in a large group of patients, mainly those with lower Breslow thickness.
Self‐reported health outcomes in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis randomized to two etanercept regimens
Authors: Gniadecki R. , Robertson D. , Molta C.T. , Freundlich B. , Pedersen R. , Li W. , Boggs R. , Zbrozek A.S.
Published: October 2011

Background  Moderate/severe psoriasis combined with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) impairs health‐related quality of life (QoL). Etanercept, a fully human tumour necrosis factor‐α receptor fusion protein, is approved for treatment of both diseases.

Objective  To compare patient‐reported health outcomes (PROs) of two etanercept regimens in patients with moderate/severe psoriasis and PsA.

Methods  In this randomized, double‐blind, multicenter study, participants received etanercept 50 mg twice weekly (BIW; n = 379) or 50 mg weekly (QW; n = 373) for 12 weeks and open‐label etanercept 50 mg QW for 12 additional weeks. PROs included: the EuroQOL‐5D (EQ‐5D), which measures general health status and consists of the utility index measuring five dimensions of health, and a visual analogue scale (VAS) allowing patients to assess health status; the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), which measures the impact of skin disease on QoL; the Health Assessment Questionnaire‐Disability Index (HAQ‐DI), an assessment of physical function; the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), which screens for anxiety and depression symptoms; and individual questions on general health, disease activity, fatigue, itching, joint pain and morning stiffness.

Results  At baseline, patients reported QoL worse than that seen in many chronic medical conditions. Significant within‐group improvements in each PRO occurred from baseline to Week 12 (P < 0.001) in both groups and were maintained at Week 24; DLQI, EQ‐5D, HAQ‐DI and self assessments improved significantly (P < 0.001) from baseline as early as Week 3. At Week 12, but not Week 24, improvement in DLQI, itching and psoriasis activity was greater in the BIW arm (P ≤ 0.004). Improvements in other PROs were always similar between groups.

Conclusions  Greater improvements in PROs specific to skin disorders were seen with etanercept BIW than QW at Week 12, but not at Week 24. Both etanercept regimens led to sustained PRO improvements, starting as early as Week 3.
Testing Rare Variants for Association with Diseases: A Bayesian Marker Selection Approach
Authors: Zhang Lei , Pei Yu‐Fang , Hai Rong , Lin Yong , Deng Hong‐Wen
Published: October 2011

It has been a research focus to uncover the genetic determination of complex diseases caused by rare variants. As the vast majority of genomic variants represent background variation, highlighting potentially causal mutations through a weighting scheme is critical to the success of association studies aimed at identifying rare variants. In this study, we propose a novel Bayesian marker selection approach to perform a weighting‐based association test. In this approach, an individual association signal and its direction are used to weight variants. In addition, the predicted biological function of variants is taken as prior information to direct the selection of likely causal variants. Simulation studies show that the proposed method has improved power over several existing methods in certain conditions. Analyses of two empirical datasets demonstrate its applicability.