bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the origin of the right inferior phrenic artery in 178 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated by chemoembolization via the right inferior phrenic artery
Authors: Kimura S. , Okazaki M. , Higashihara H. , Nozaki Y. , Haruno M. , Urakawa H. , Koura S. , Shinagawa Y. , Nonokuma M.
Published: August 2007

Background: No previous report has described the level of the origin of the right inferior phrenic artery (RIPA) based on an analysis of the relationships between the level of the RIPA, the celiac artery (CA), the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and the right renal artery (RRA) in a series of cases.

Purpose: To evaluate the origin of the RIPA by retrospectively analyzing angiographic findings in 178 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) via the RIPA.

Material and Methods: In patients treated with intraarterial chemoembolization for HCC, additional superselective chemoembolization of the RIPA branches was necessary in 178 cases. We analyzed the level of the origin of the RIPA in these patients according to the relationships between the level of the origin of the RIPA, the CA, the SMA, and the RRA on angiography.

Results: Among the 178 cases, the RIPA arose from 1) the aorta directly in 102 cases (57%), 2) the CA in 53 (30%), 3) the left gastric artery (LGA) in three (2%), 4) the dorsal pancreatic artery (DPA) in one (1%), and 5) the RRA in 19 (11%). The level of the origin of the RIPA that originated directly from the aorta was supraceliac in 56 cases (32%), between the CA and the SMA in 31 (17%), and between the SMA and the RRA in 15 (8%).

Conclusion: In our study, the RIPA originated from the aorta between the CA and the SMA directly in 17% of cases. When it is difficult to identify the origin of the RIPA, we must keep in mind that the RIPA may originate from the right part of the aorta within the small distance between the SMA and the CA.
Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma by placing a temporary catheter via the subclavian route
Authors: Liang Huei-Lung , Huang Jer-Shyung , Lin Yi-Huei , Lai Kwok-Hung , Yang Chien-Fang , Pan Huay-Ben
Published: August 2007

Background: A permanent reservoir implantation is considered mandatory for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Since treatment sessions of HAIC may be limited for these end-staged patients, a simple alternative technique for this treatment is desirable.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of placing a temporary catheter for HAIC in advanced HCC patients.

Material and Methods: 25 advanced HCC patients underwent HAIC with drugs delivered from a temporary catheter which was placed percutaneously by puncturing the left subclavian artery under ultrasound guidance. A course of chemotherapy consisted of five consecutive daily infusions of 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, mitomycin C, and leucovorin. The catheter was removed on the 6th day. Therapy was repeated every 4–6 weeks with maximal number of courses of up to six. The total courses of HAIC in each patient, the catheter-placed-related complications, tumor response rate, and median survival of the patients were registered.

Results: A total of 77 courses of HAIC were performed with 100% technical success of catheter placement (1–6 courses in each patient, average 3.1 courses). The overall response rate was 20%, with complete response in two patients and partial response in three patients. Eleven (55%) of the 20 non-responders died within 5 months (mean HAIC, two courses). None of the patients experienced complications such as catheter occlusion, hepatic arterial thrombosis, cerebral infarction, or local infection.

Conclusion: With fewer catheter-related complications, HAIC by temporary catheter placement via subclavian puncture could be a treatment option.
Treatment of acute ischemic brain infarction with the assistance of local intraarterial thrombolysis with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator
Authors: Poncyljusz W. , Falkowski A. , Kojder I. , Cebula E. , Sagan L. , Czechowski J. , Walecka A.
Published: August 2007

Background: Cerebral infarction is usually due to arterial occlusion. Prompt treatment with thrombolytic drugs can restore blood flow and improve recovery from an infarct.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of local intraarterial thrombolysis with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rtPA) in patients with acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarctions within 6 hours of the onset of symptoms.

Material and Methods: Sixteen patients (10 females and six males) aged from 42 to 61 years, with acute MCA territory infarcts were selected for treatment with local i.a. rtPA up to 6 hours after the onset of symptoms. Patient selection was based on clinical examination, computed tomography (CT), and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). A clinical evaluation was performed before treatment, at the time of discharge, and 90 days post-procedure on the basis of modified Rankin and NIHSS scores. Controls ( n = 16, nine females and seven males) aged from 51 to 70 years were treated only with intravenous anticoagulation using i.v. heparin infusion. The control group was evaluated with multidetector CT (MDCT) angiography performed on entry to the study and at 2–4 hours afterwards.

Results: Eight patients (50%) achieved a modified Rankin score of 2 or less as the primary outcome after 90 days follow-up. The secondary clinical outcome at 90-day follow-up was as follows: NIHSS score ⩽1, three (19%) of the patients; NIHSS score ⩾50% decrease, nine (56%) of the patients. A recanalization rate of 75% was achieved in 12 of the 16 treated patients, but only 12.5% in two of the 16 patients in the control group. Intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in two (12.5%) of the patients in the treatment group, but in only one patient (6%) in the control group. There were no deaths in the treated group after thrombolysis up to the time of discharge; however, during the 90-day follow-up, two patients died compared to three patients in the control group (19% vs. 12.5% mortality rate).

Conclusion: Patients with cerebral infarction who were treated within 6 hours of onset using intraarterial rtPA thrombolysis had a significantly improved clinical outcome 90 days after the procedure compared to patients treated only with intravenous anticoagulation.
The place of computed tomography as a guidance modality in percutaneous nephrostomy: analysis of a 10-year single-center experience
Authors: Egilmez H. , Oztoprak I. , Atalar M. , Cetin A. , Gumus C. , Gultekin Y. , Bulut S. , Arslan M. , Solak O.
Published: August 2007

Background: Percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) has been established as an effective technique for urinary decompression or diversion. This procedure may be performed with the guidance of fluoroscopy, ultrasonography, a combination of fluoroscopy and ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose: To retrospectively review experience with CT-guided PCN over a 10-year period in a single center.

Material and Methods: All CT-guided PCN procedures performed in adults at our institution between 1995 and 2005 were evaluated. In 882 patients, 1113 nephrostomy catheters were inserted. Interventional radiologists or radiology residents under direct attending supervision inserted all catheters. During the PCN procedure, bleeding, sepsis, and injuries to adjacent organs were regarded as major complications. Clinical events requiring nominal therapy with no sequelae were regarded as minor complications.

Results: PCN procedures were performed via 1–3 punctures in patients with grades 0–1 and 2 hydronephrosis, and via 1–2 punctures in patients with grade 3 hydronephrosis. They were carried out with a procedure time ranging from 9 to 26 min. All PCNs were considered as technically successful, and no major complications were observed. There were minor complications including transient macroscopic hematuria (28.6%, 19.9%, and 4.9% in patients with hydronephrosis grades 0–1, 2, and 3, respectively) and perirenal hematomas in a total of eight patients. No patient required additional intervention secondary to complications of the PCN procedure.

Conclusion: CT-guided PCN is an efficient and safe procedure with major and minor complication rates below the accepted thresholds. It can be used for the management of patients requiring nephrostomy insertion in inpatient settings, and might be a preferable procedure in patients with minimal or no dilatation of the renal pelvis.
Acceleration of primary liver tumor growth rate in embolized hepatic lobe after portal vein embolization
Authors: Hayashi S. , Baba Y. , Ueno K. , Nakajo M. , Kubo F. , Ueno S. , Aikou T. , Komokata T. , Nakamura N. , Sakata R.
Published: August 2007

Background: Portal vein embolization (PVE) is now widely accepted as a useful preoperative procedure in selected patients undergoing extended hepatectomy. However, the effect of PVE on the growth of liver tumors has not been fully elucidated.

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the effects of PVE on the growth of liver tumors in the embolized lobes.

Material and Methods: Eight patients with a primary liver tumor, six hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and two cholangiocellular carcinomas (CCC), were studied. The growth rates of the tumors in the embolized lobes and non-embolized liver parenchyma were calculated using the computed tomography (CT) volume values at the time of tumor identification, and before and after PVE.

Result: The median tumor growth rate was 0.59 cm3/day (range 0.22–6.01 cm3/day) before PVE and 2.37 cm3/day (range 0.29–13.97 cm3/day) after PVE ( P = 0.018). The tumor growth acceleration ratios ranged from 1.50 to 7.46 (median 2.65) in the six HCCs, and were 1.00 and 1.32 in the two CCCs. There was no apparent correlation between the tumor growth rate after PVE and the growth rate of non-embolized liver parenchyma (median 6.00 cm3/day, range 1.24–11.0 cm3/day).

Conclusion: Liver tumor growth in an embolized lobe accelerates after PVE, in patients with HCC.
Functional Characterization of the OFD1 Protein Reveals a Nuclear Localization and Physical Interaction with Subunits of a Chromatin Remodeling Complex
Authors: Giorgio Giovanna , Alfieri Mariaevelina , Prattichizzo Clelia , Zullo Alessandro , Cairo Stefano , Franco Brunella
Published: August 2007

Oral-facial-digital (OFD) type I syndrome is an X-linked dominant disease (MIM311200) characterized by malformations of oral cavity, face, and digits and by cystic kidneys. We previously identified OFD1, the gene responsible for this disorder, which encodes for a centrosomal protein with an unknown function. We now report that OFD1 localizes both to the primary cilium and to the nucleus. Moreover, we demonstrate that the OFD1 protein is able to self-associate and that this interaction is mediated by its coiled-coil rich region. Interestingly, we identify an OFD1-interacting protein RuvBl1, a protein belonging to the AAA+-family of ATPases, which has been recently associated to cystic kidney in zebrafish and to ciliary assembly and function in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. We also provide experimental evidence that OFD1, together with RuvBl1, is able to coimmunoprecipitate with subunits of the human TIP60 histone acetyltransferase (HAT) multisubunit complex. On the basis of these results, we hypothesize that OFD1 may be part of a multi-protein complex and could play different biological functions in the centrosome-primary cilium organelles as well as in the nuclear compartment.
RAB-10 Regulates Glutamate Receptor Recycling in a Cholesterol-dependent Endocytosis Pathway
Authors: Glodowski Doreen R. , Chen Carlos Chih-Hsiung , Schaefer Henry , Grant Barth D. , Rongo Christopher
Published: August 2007

Regulated endocytosis of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) is critical for synaptic plasticity. However, the specific combination of clathrin-dependent and -independent mechanisms that mediate AMPAR trafficking in vivo have not been fully characterized. Here, we examine the trafficking of the AMPAR subunit GLR-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans. GLR-1 is localized on synaptic membranes, where it regulates reversals of locomotion in a simple behavioral circuit. Animals lacking RAB-10, a small GTPase required for endocytic recycling of intestinal cargo, are similar in phenotype to animals lacking LIN-10, a postsynaptic density 95/disc-large/zona occludens-domain containing protein: GLR-1 accumulates in large accretions and animals display a decreased frequency of reversals. Mutations in unc-11 (AP180) or itsn-1 (Intersectin 1), which reduce clathrin-dependent endocytosis, suppress the lin-10 but not rab-10 mutant phenotype, suggesting that LIN-10 functions after clathrin-mediated endocytosis. By contrast, cholesterol depletion, which impairs lipid raft formation and clathrin-independent endocytosis, suppresses the rab-10 but not the lin-10 phenotype, suggesting that RAB-10 functions after clathrin-independent endocytosis. Animals lacking both genes display additive GLR-1 trafficking defects. We propose that RAB-10 and LIN-10 recycle AMPARs from intracellular endosomal compartments to synapses along distinct pathways, each with distinct sensitivities to cholesterol and the clathrin-mediated endocytosis machinery.
Asparagus Root Regulates Cholesterol Metabolism and Improves Antioxidant Status in Hypercholesteremic Rats
Authors: Visavadiya Nishant P. , Narasimhacharya A. V. R. L.
Published: August 2007

Hyperlipidemia/hypercholesteremia are major risk factors for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Root of Asparagus racemosus (AR) is widely used in Ayurvedic system of medicine in India and is known for its steroidal saponin content. This study was designed to investigate the hypocholesteremic and antioxidant potential of AR root in both normo‐ and hypercholesteremic animals. Normal and hypercholesteremic male albino rats were administered with root powder of AR (5 and 10 g% dose levels) along with normal and hypercholesteremic diets, respectively, for a duration of 4 weeks. Plasma and hepatic lipid profiles, fecal sterol, bile acid excretion and hepatic antioxidant activity were assessed. Inclusion of AR root powder in diet, resulted in a dose‐dependant reduction in plasma and hepatic lipid profiles, increased fecal excretion of cholesterol, neutral sterol and bile acid along with increases in hepatic HMG‐CoA reductase activity and bile acid content in hypercholesteremic rats. Further, AR root also improved the hepatic antioxidant status (catalase, SOD and ascorbic acid levels). No significant changes in lipid and antioxidant profiles occurred in the normocholesteremic rats administered with AR root powder. AR root appeared to be useful as a dietary supplement that offers a protection against hyperlipidemia/hypercholesteremia in hypercholesteremic animals. The results of the present study indicate that the potent therapeutic phyto‐components present in AR root i.e. phytosterols, saponins, polyphenols, flavonoids and ascorbic acid, could be responsible for increased bile acid production, elimination of excess cholesterol and elevation of hepatic antioxidant status in hypercholesteremic conditions.
Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae bind respiratory syncytial virus glycoprotein
Authors: Avadhanula Vasanthi , Wang Yan , Portner Allen , Adderson Elisabeth
Published: August 2007

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is associated with secondary bacterial infections caused by nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The pathogenesis of these complications is not completely understood; however, viral infection of respiratory epithelial cells promotes colonization by these bacteria. In the present study, RSV virions associated with NTHi and pneumococci in an inoculum-dependent manner in a fluid-phase binding assay. Adherence of NTHi and S. pneumoniae to epithelial cells transiently expressing RSV G glycoprotein was 2- and 2.2-fold higher, respectively, than adhesion to cells transfected with the vector alone (P <0.01). Furthermore, 4.6- and 6.2-fold larger numbers of NTHi and pneumococci bound to cells expressing a membrane-bound full-length RSV G protein than to cells expressing a truncated non-membrane-bound protein (P ≤0.005). Pre-incubating cells expressing membrane-bound G protein with blocking anti-RSV G antibodies reduced bacterial adherence by 78–84 % (P ≤0.005). These studies demonstrate that RSV G protein is a receptor for both NTHi and S. pneumoniae. Strategies to prevent this interaction may reduce the incidence of secondary bacterial complications of RSV infection.
Internalization by HeLa cells of latex beads coated with mammalian cell entry (Mce) proteins encoded by the mce3 operon of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: El-Shazly Sherief , Ahmad Suhail , Mustafa Abu S. , Al-Attiyah Raja , Krajci Dimitrolos
Published: August 2007

The mammalian cell entry (Mce) operon 3 (mce3) is one of four homologousmceoperons ofMycobacterium tuberculosis, encoding six (Mce3A–F) invasin-like membrane-associated proteins. Previous studies have shown that recombinant expression of Mce1A encoded by themce1operon inEscherichia coliallows this non-pathogenic bacterium to invade and survive inside macrophages, and latex beads coated with Mce1A are internalized by non-phagocytic HeLa cells. However, the role of othermce1operon proteins (Mce1B–F) and proteins encoded by the operonsmce2–4in facilitating the internalization ofM. tuberculosisin mammalian cells has not been studied. This study was carried out to determine whether Mce proteins encoded by themce3operon also facilitated the internalization of latex beads by HeLa cells. Recombinant pure Mce3A and lipoprotein LprM (Mce3E) were expressed and purified fromE. colicells. Mce1A expressed as a fusion protein with glutathioneS-transferase (GST–Mce1A) and GST alone, purified similarly fromE. colicells, were used as control proteins. Fluorescent latex beads coated with purified proteins were used to study their uptake by HeLa cells using fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and electron microscopy. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry showed an association of HeLa cells with beads coated with both Mce3A and LprM, whilst GST–Mce1A and GST yielded the expected results. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the uptake of beads coated with Mce3A or LprM by HeLa cells. The data showed that Mce3A encoded by themce3operon facilitated the uptake and internalization of latex beads by HeLa cells. The data also showed, for the first time, the role of another Mce protein (LprM/Mce3E) in facilitating the interaction and internalization ofM. tuberculosisby mammalian cells.
Spiroplasma spp. from transmissible spongiform encephalopathy brains or ticks induce spongiform encephalopathy in ruminants
Authors: Bastian Frank O. , Sanders Dearl E. , Forbes Will A. , Hagius Sue D. , Walker Joel V. , Henk William G. , Enright Fred M. , Elzer Philip H.
Published: August 2007

Spiroplasma, small motile wall-less bacteria, are linked by molecular and serological studies to the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), which include scrapie in sheep, chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer and Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease in humans. In this study, two experiments were undertaken to determine the role of spiroplasma in the pathogenesis of TSE. In experiment 1, Spiroplasma mirum, a rabbit tick isolate that had previously been shown to experimentally induce spongiform encephalopathy in rodents, was inoculated intracranially (IC) into ruminants. S. mirum-inoculated deer manifested clinical signs of TSE after 1.5 to 5.5 months incubation. The deer, as well as sheep and goats, inoculated with S. mirum developed spongiform encephalopathy in a dose-dependent manner. In experiment 2, spiroplasma closely related to S. mirum were isolated from TSE-affected brains via passage in embryonated eggs, and propagated in cell-free M1D media. Spiroplasma spp. isolates from scrapie-affected sheep brain and from CWD-affected deer brain inoculated IC into sheep and goats induced spongiform encephalopathy closely resembling natural TSE in these animals. These data show spiroplasma to be consistently associated with TSE, and able experimentally to cause TSE in ruminant animal models, therein questioning the validity of studies that have concluded the prion, a miss-folded protease-resistant protein that builds up in TSE brains during the course of the disease, to be the sole causal agent. The spiroplasma infection models reported here will be important for investigating factors involved in the pathogenesis of TSE since ruminants are the natural hosts.
Serodiagnosis of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi and S. enterica serovars Paratyphi A, B and C human infections
Authors: Chart Henrik , Cheasty Thomas , de Pinna Elizabeth , Siorvanes Lisa , Wain John , Alam Didar , Nizami Qamarauddin , Bhutta Zulfiqar , Threlfall E. John
Published: August 2007

The aim of this study was to evaluate an immunoassay for the detection of human serum antibodies to the LPS and flagellar antigens of Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi A, B and C, and to the Vi capsular polysaccharide of S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi C. A total of 330 sera were used; these originated from 15 patients who were culture-positive for S. Typhi and 15 healthy controls, together with 300 sera submitted to the Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens for Salmonella serodiagnosis. By SDS-PAGE/immunoblotting, all 15 sera from culture-positive patients had serum antibodies to the 9,12 LPS antigens and 10 had antibodies to the ‘d’ flagellar antigens. Of the 300 reference sera, 22 had antibodies to the 9,12 LPS antigens, one to the 1,4,5,12 LPS antigens and 12 to the 6,7 LPS antigens. Only two sera had antibodies to flagellar antigens, one of which bound to the ‘b’ and the other to the ‘d’ antigen. An ELISA was developed that successfully detected serum antibodies to the Vi capsular polysaccharides, but because of the kinetics of serum antibody production to the Vi, these antibodies may be of limited value in the serodiagnosis of acute infection with S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi C. The immunoassays described here provide a sensitive means of detecting serum antibodies to the LPS, flagellar and Vi antigens of S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi, and constitute a viable replacement for the Widal assay for the screening of sera. The Salmonella serodiagnosis protocols described here are the new standard operating procedures used by the Health Protection Agency's National Salmonella Reference Centre based in the Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens, Colindale, UK.
A case of bilateral microsporidial keratitis from Bangladesh – infection by an insect parasite from the genus Nosema
Authors: Curry Alan , Mudhar Hardeep Singh , Dewan Sumedh , Canning Elizabeth U. , Wagner Bart E.
Published: August 2007

An HIV-negative patient from Bangladesh with bilateral keratitis was found to be infected with a microsporidian parasite belonging to the genus Nosema. Significantly, the patient had bathed in a rural pond 7 days prior to the development of ocular symptoms. Nosema parasites are common insect parasites and the source of this microsporidial infection was possibly from mosquito larvae developing in the pond in which the patient bathed. The reduced temperature of the human eye and its immune status may have allowed a poikilothermic insect parasite to establish infection in the cornea of a homeothermic human host. This case highlights the opportunistic potential of insect microsporidial parasites to infect immunocompetent humans as well as those who are immunodeficient.
Detection of mixed clarithromycin-resistant and -susceptible Helicobacter pylori using nested PCR and direct sequencing of DNA extracted from faeces
Authors: Noguchi Norihisa , Rimbara Emiko , Kato Ayami , Tanaka Akifumi , Tokunaga Kengo , Kawai Takashi , Takahashi Shin'ichi , Sasatsu Masanori
Published: August 2007

The major cause of chemotherapy failure in patients with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori is clarithromycin (CAM) resistance due to a mutation in the 23S rRNA gene. This study describes a non-invasive and accurate method for the detection of mixed CAM-resistant and -susceptible H. pylori by sequencing of the H. pylori 23S rRNA gene. Faeces were crushed with beads and the 23S rRNA gene was amplified using a nested PCR on the extracted DNA. Mutation analysis of this gene using this method showed that 20.4 % of patients carried mixed CAM-susceptible (wild type) and -resistant (A2142G or A2143G mutant) H. pylori. Furthermore, it was found that 66.6 % of patients who had been treated unsuccessfully carried one of these mutations in the 23S rRNA gene (including the mixed type), whilst standard culture detected CAM-resistant isolates in only 22.2 % of patients with unsuccessful treatment. These data suggest that, for successful therapy, the diagnosis method described here would more accurately detect CAM-resistant H. pylori, including mixed infections.
Sequential multiplex PCR for determining capsular serotypes of pneumococci recovered from Brazilian children
Authors: Dias Cícero A. , Teixeira Lúcia Martins , Carvalho Maria da Glória , Beall Bernard
Published: August 2007

Capsular serotype surveillance of clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae is essential for evaluation of the potential impact of introducing multivalent capsular serotype-based vaccines in Latin America. Here, a previously described sequential multiplex PCR method was revised for optimal targeting of prevalent serotypes in Latin America. The revised protocol successfully serotyped 139/147 pneumococci (94.6 %) from Brazilian children, demonstrating a labour-efficient, accurate method requiring only conventional PCR capability.
Artemisinin triggers induction of cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in Leishmania donovani promastigotes
Authors: Sen Rupashree , Bandyopadhyay Samiran , Dutta Avijit , Mandal Goutam , Ganguly Sudipto , Saha Piu , Chatterjee Mitali
Published: August 2007

A major impediment to effective anti-leishmanial chemotherapy is the emergence of drug resistance, especially to sodium antimony gluconate, the first-line treatment for leishmaniasis. Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Artemisia annua, is an established anti-malarial compound that showed anti-leishmanial activity in both promastigotes and amastigotes, with IC50 values of 160 and 22 μM, respectively, and, importantly, was accompanied by a high safety index (>22-fold). The leishmanicidal activity of artemisinin was mediated via apoptosis as evidenced by externalization of phosphatidylserine, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, in situ labelling of DNA fragments by terminal deoxyribonucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) and cell-cycle arrest at the sub-G0/G1 phase. Taken together, these data indicate that artemisinin has promising anti-leishmanial activity that is mediated by programmed cell death and, accordingly, merits consideration and further investigation as a therapeutic option for the treatment of leishmaniasis.
A model of segmental duplication formation in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Fiston-Lavier Anna-Sophie , Anxolabehere Dominique , Quesneville Hadi
Published: August 2007

Segmental duplications (SDs) are low-copy repeats of DNA segments that have long been recognized to be involved in genome organization and evolution. But, to date, the mechanism of their formation remains obscure. We propose a model for SD formation that we name “duplication-dependent strand annealing” (DDSA). This model is a variant of the synthesis-dependent strand annealing (SDSA) model—a double-strand break (DSB) homologous repair model. DSB repair in Drosophila melanogaster genome usually occurs primarily through homologous repair, more preferentially through the SDSA model. The DDSA model predicts that after a DSB, the search for an ectopic homologous region—here a repeat—initiates the repair. As expected by the model, the analysis of SDs detected by a computational analysis of the D. melanogaster genome indicates a high enrichment in transposable elements at SD ends. It shows moreover a preferential location of SDs in heterochromatic regions. The model has the advantage of also predicting specific traces left during synthesis. The observed traces support the DDSA model as one model of formation of SDs in D. melanogaster genome. The analysis of these DDSA signatures suggests moreover a sequestration of the dissociated strand in the repair complex.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE STRUCTURE OF SOME FORMS OF GOMPHONEMA PARVULUM KÜTZ. III. FRUSTULE FORMATION1
Authors: Dawson Penelope A.
Published: August 2007

Gomphonema parvulum Kütz. was investigated by electron microscopy for details of frustule formation.

An expansion of the cell along the pervalvar plane occurs prior to cell division. After nuclear division the organelles are, separated into 2 entities, either by division or by dispersion. The cell divides into 2 halves by the invagination of the plasmalemma which is derived from Golgi vesicular activity. When cytoplasmic cleavage, is complete, the Golgi actively produces electronlucent vesicles which collect and coalesce beneath the. plasmalemma to form the silicalemma around the silicon deposition vesicle. The endoplasmic reticulum is also closely associated with this vesicular activity. The vesicle gradually expands and becomes extremely electron dense as silica is deposited within it—first in the region, followed by the mantle edge.

When the valve is mature, Golgi vesicles collect and fuse to form the silicalemma of the first girdle band. The first girdle band becomes aligned against the mantle edge on completion, by the “sloughing off” of the external silicalemma and plasmalemma. The second and third bands are formed, individually in a similar manner. Separation of the 2 daughter cells commences at the apical pole and progresses to the basal pole. The plasmalemma and external silicalemma are “sloughed off” so that the 2 cells can separate. The inner segment of the silicalemma becomes the new plasmalemma of the daughter cell.
THE HETEROTROPHIC CAPABILITIES OF CYCLOTELLA MENEGHINIANA1
Authors: Lylis J. C. , Trainor F. R.
Published: August 2007

Cyclotella meneghiniana grew heterotrophically in darkness when glucose in concentrations from 5 mg/liter to 10 g/liter was provided. The other compounds tested did not support growth. However, in continuous light (300 ft‐c) growth wax not enhanced if glucose wax provided. Under diurnal conditions of light (300 ft‐c) approximately 12–14 hr of darkness were required to observe the enhancement effects of glucose. Uptake studies with labeled glucose indicated that uptake is not dependent on glucose, but that it occurs only at low light intensities. Cells required 12–14 hr of darkness to develop the uptake system.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE EUGLENOID COLACIUM WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE FORMATION AND MORPHOLOGY OF ATTACHMENT MATERIAL1
Authors: Rosowski James R. , Kugrens Paul
Published: August 2007

Certain taxonomic features of Colacium Ehrb. are evaluated from field, clone, and literature studies. A main character, morphology of the attachment material, is shown to be partially nutritionally controlled: stalks and cushion holdfasts are produced in soil‐water but rarely in plain Euglena medium; ferric and manganouns compounds influence the, formation of stalks in C. vesiculosum; single clones of C. vesiculosum produce holdfast characteristics of C. arbuscula, C. steinii, C. sideropus, and C. simplex when grown in soil‐water medium. Stalk formation is rare in C. vesiculosum but common in C. mucronatum and Colacium sp. (from the rectum of damselflies). Some questionable negative observations, incompleteness of certain species descriptions, and overlapping of species characteristics lead us to believe that C. sequabile, C. stentorinum, C. calvum, C. multoculata, C. elongatum, C. ovale, C. arcuatum, C. cyclopicola, and C. pyrenophorum = C. vesiculosum. Our C. vesiculosum attached to Mougeotia and Volvox tertius, suggesting that the epiphytic species of Colacium, C. epiphyticum, and C. parasiticum need to be studied in clonal culture to determine if they have substrate specificity, and if they represent valid species. Recommendations are made for identifying and naming species.
CHLOROPHYLL, NITROGEN, AND PHOTOSYNTHETIC PATTERNS DURING GROWTH AND SENESCENCE OF TWO BLUE‐GREEN ALGAE1,2
Authors: Daley Ralph J. , Brown S. R.
Published: August 2007

A standardized, multiflask, batch culture system was developed to study the processes of algal senescence in Anacystis nidulans and Phormidium molle Gom, var. tenuior W. et G. West. Growth data over a 3‐year period gave reproducible and comparable time‐course curves.

Although A. nidulans is unicellular and P. molle filamentous, the patterns of change with age were similar. Mean logarithmic doubling times and carbon yields were, respectively, 6.9 hr and 390 mg C/liter for A. nidulans and 7.2 hr and 710 mg C/liter for P. molle. Chlorophyll concentration and photo‐synthetic capacity per unit carbon rose rapidly during the logarithmic phase to maximum levels in either late log phase (P. molle) or early linear phase (A. nidulans), then fell throughout the declining growth phase to low levels in the stationary phase. Nitrate was rapidly exhausted from the medium during the period of logarithmic growth and stoichiometrically converted to particulate organic form; very little subsequent fixation of molecular nitrogen occurred. The phycocyanins were rapidly destroyed during the logarithmic phase while the carotenoids remained relatively constant throughout the whole growth period and then slowly declined. Preliminary electron micrographs showed a progressive deterioration in cellular ultrastructure, especially a reduction in the number of photosynthetic thylakoids, commenting in the linear growth phase.

Analysis of the results suggests that occurrence of linear growth kinetics and termination of culture growth were caused by exhaustion of nitrate. The observed decreases in chlorophylls, phycocyanins, and photosynthetic capacity during active culture growth show that senescence effects may not be, as assumed, restricted to the stationary phase of growth.
CELL DIVISION IN BULBOCHAETE. I. DIVISIONS UTILIZING THE WALL RING1
Authors: Pickett‐Heaps Jeremy D.
Published: August 2007

Cell division in Bulbochaete closely resembles that of Oedogonium, particularly in the involvement of a ring in cell elongation, the structure of the spindle, the existence of complex kinetochores, and the method of cross‐wall formation using a phycoplast. Some minor differences between the 2 genera are found. In contrast to Oedogonium, the filaments of Bulbochaete are branched. The site and direction of branching are initially determined by a subtle change in the morphology of the wall, which invariably (if the cell divides) leads to the asymmetrc division that forms a hair cell (these events will be described separately). The position of the wall ring is always precisely determined as in Oedogonium, by the position of a very characteristic weakening in the wall; once a hair cell has been formed, this weakening is located underneath the hair, and all subsequent division and elongation in the cell subtending the hair will necessarily be in the direction of that hair (ie, thereby forming and increasing the length of a branch).
SPECIES OF OCEANIC DINOFLAGELLATES IN THE GENERA DISSODINIUM AND PYROCYSTIS: INTERCLONAL AND INTERSPECIFIC COMPARISONS OF THE COLOR AND PHOTON YIELD OF BIOLUMINESCENCE1
Authors: Swift Elijah , Biggley William H. , Seliger Howard H.
Published: August 2007

We have examined aspects of the bioluminescence of 5 clones of Dissodinium, 1 clone of Pyrocystis acuta, 4 clones of Pyrocystis fusiformis, and 5 clones of Pyrocystis noctiluca. All clones produced the same color bioluminescence with an intensity peak near 474 nm. The in vivo emission spectra of these clones agreed with those previously determined, for 4 other species of marine dinoflagellates. The amount of light emitted by the dinoflagellates in scotophase when mechanically stimulated to exhaustion was determined for most of the clones. The largest species, P. noctiluca and P. fusiformis, emitted 37–89 × 109 photons cell−1 and 23–62 × 109 photons cell−1, respectively, about a thousand, times as much light as Gonyaulax species. Pyrocystis acuta emitted 3–6 × 109 photons cell−1. Three of the 5 clones of Dissodinium were bioluminescent. The range for 3 clones was 5–13 × 109 photons cell−1. All 5 clones of Dissodinium are morphologically distinct. Both the clones of Dissodinium and Pyrocystis produced much higher numbers of photons per cell nitrogen (ca. 7–50 times) than Gonyaulax polyedra or Pyrodinium bahamense. The data suggested that enzyme turnover occurred in the reactions producing light during mechanical stimulation of Dissodinium and Pyrocystis species.
HYDROGEN SULFIDE PRODUCTION BY SYNECHOCOCCUS LIVIDUS Y52‐s1
Authors: Sheridan Richard P.
Published: August 2007

Under anaerobic conditions and in the absence of CO2, the thermophilic blue‐green alga Synechococcus lividus Y52‐s, evolved hydrogen sulfide in both darkness and light. The mechanism of this process was investigated and compared with photo‐ and dark reductions in organisms representing several phyla. The photoproduction of H2S from either sulfate or thiosulfate was inhibited by 3‐(3,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐1, 1‐dimethyl urea (DCMU) and carbonyl m‐chlorophenyl‐hydrazone (m‐Cl‐CCP). The inhibitory effect of DCMU showed the requirement for photosystem II as electron donor. Inhibition by m‐Cl‐CCP also implicated ATP as an energy source. Monofluoroacetate partially inhibited photoproduction of H2S. This indicated that oxidative metabolism may act us a source of electrons to reduce the photooxidant under certain conditions. Thiosulfate acts only as electron acceptor and is reductively cleaved to S= and SO3=. Thiosulfate and sulfate appeared to replace CO2 in the light and O2 in darkness as electron acceptors. The phosphorylation uncouplers dinitrophenol and m‐Cl‐CCP stimulated dark H2S production.
GERMINATION AND ATTACHMENT OF ZYGOTES OF HIMANTHALIA ELONGATA (L.) S. F. GRAY1
Authors: Ramon Edith
Published: August 2007

Germinating zygotes of Himanthalia elongata (L.) S. F. Gray have a prolonged stage free from rhizoids. The spherical zygote flattens when settling on a substratum and a rim‐like structure develops at the periphery of the flattened base. Numerous rhizoids appear simultaneously 5–7 days after fertilization. The possible significance of the germling's shape and structure in relation to attachment is discussed.
THE MARINE DIATOM ETHMODISCUS REX: ITS MORPHOLOGY AND OCCURRENCE IN THE PLANKTON OF THE SARGASSO SEA1,2
Authors: Swift Elijah
Published: August 2007

Living cells of the diatom Ethmodiscus rex (Rat‐Iray) Wiseman & Hendey 1953 were found in the plankton of the southern Sargasso Sea. Apparently, this is the first report, of E rex from the plankton of the Atlantic Ocean. Scanning electron microscopy of peroxide‐cleaned frustules revealed, some new morphological features for this species. When viewed, from inside the frustule, the puncta appear as rimmed pits. From outside the frustule, they appear to he shallow depressions with a small opening at the bottom. The so‐called mucous tubules in the center of the valve were seen from the out side to be elongate slits and from the inside as obliquely directed flattened cylinders which cap the tubes.
MITOSIS AND CYTOKINESIS IN COLEOCHAETE SCUTATA1
Authors: Marchant Harvey J. , Pickett‐Heaps Jeremy D.
Published: August 2007

Increase in the size of thalli of C. scutata was achieved by division and growth of the marginal cells. During mitosis, the nuclear envelope disintegrated and the daughter nuclei remained widely separated after telophase. The plane of cytokinesis in the marginal cells was either along a radius of the discoidal thalli or parallel to their circumference For radial divisions, this alga utilized a phragmoplast typical of higher plants, and a modified phragmoplast when dividing circumferentially. The phylogenetic implications of these findings are discussed.
TWO NEW SPECIES OF TOLYPELLA(CHARACEAE) FROM NORTH AMERICA1,2
Authors: Sawa Takashi
Published: August 2007

Two new species of the genus Tolypella (Characeae)–T. boldii Sawa sp. nov. and T. canadensis Sawa sp. nov.–were discovered in Texas, U.S.A., and Ontario, Canada, respectively. The species are recognized as additional members to the section Acutifolia because of the small and conical branchlet end cell and the oospore with a single basal impression. However, they differ from all the members previously described in the genus by the frequent and unique development of a terminal antheridium at the fertile branchlet node. A new and unexpected chromosome number of n = 8 for the genus was determined in both species, which, renders additional support to the conclusion that they represent a new taxonomic group in the section. The plants are described in detail in order to clarify some important morphological features which have been loosely interpreted by previous workers. Relationships between the new species and other members of the section are analyzed.
THE EFFECT OF SELENITE ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF THE BLUE‐GREEN ALGA PHORMIDIUM LURIDUM VAR. OLIVACEA1
Authors: Sielicki Margarete , Burnham Jeffrey C.
Published: August 2007

Phormidium luridum cultures were treated with sodium selenite in concentrations ranging from 10−6 M to 10−2 M. In contrast to the increasing culture turbidity of control and 10−6 M selenite cultures, the turbidity of the other selenite cultures declined in proportion to time and selenite concentration. Chlorophyll extraction revealed similar results. Photosynthetic activity was inhibited within 6 hr in all cultures except control and 10−6 M selenite. Phormidium at concentrations greater than 10−6 M selenite showed a gradual loss of the bright green color and turned semitransparent. Cell‐associated granules of reduced selenium were observed at higher selenite concentrations. Other structural changes observed were the presence of intracellular and intercellular spaces, spheroplast formation, and gradual cell lysis. Protein analyses of total cell samples and supernatant fractions confirmed cellular breakdown of selenite‐treated algal cells.
A PHYSIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE HOT SPRING DIATOM, ACHNATHES EXIGUA GRÜN1
Authors: Fairchild Eugene , Sheridan Richard P.
Published: August 2007

The diatom Achnanthes exigua, isolated from Alhambra North Hot Spring, showed a maximum growth rate of 2 doublings per day at 40 C; the maximum and minimum temperatures at which growth occurred was 44 and 10 C, respectively. The optimal temperature for respiration was 40 C, whereas the optimum temperature for photosynthesis was 42 C. Respiration exhibited greater thermotolerance than either growth or photosynthesis. Light saturation occurring at comparatively low light intensities suggests that the unialgal diatom culture may represent a selected shade‐adapted organism.
INTERACTIONS OF PHYTOPLANKTERS CULTURED FROM A POLLUTED SALINE LAKE, ONONDAGA LAKE, NEW YORK1,2,3
Authors: Sze Philip , Kingsbury John M.
Published: August 2007

Two‐membered cultures of 3 phytoplankters isolated from Onondaga Lake, grown in defined media under laboratory conditions, were analyzed by electronic particle counts and statistical methods to determine antagonistic, neutral, or stimulatory relationships. Over the range studied (exponential phase of growth, nutrients not limiting), growth of Staurastrum paradoxum is markedly reduced in the presence of Chlamydomonas sp. Growth of Chlamydomonas is not affected by presence of Staurastrum. The initial concentration of Staurastrum has an effect on its subsequent growth. The initial concentration of Chlamydomonas does not have an effect on its subsequent growth nor that of Staurastrum. These effects are not mediated by a filterable factor (unless highly labile) or by competition for a nutrient. They resemble, and perhaps describe, fluctuations of these species in the lake.
GLUCOSE TRANSPORT SYSTEMS AND GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS OF BRACTEACOCCUS MINOR1,2
Authors: Sheath Robert G. , Hellebust Johan A.
Published: August 2007

Bracteacoccus minor grows on glucose both in the dark and in the light. However, the growth rates at 50 ft‐c or higher in the presence of glucose are considerably lower than those in inorganic media at the same intensities. The lowered growth rates in the presence of glucose appear to be related to changes in metabolism toward increased production of storage carbohydrates. Glucose shortens the length of the lag phase at high light intensities and increases the length of the exponential phase at all light intensities, resulting in very high cell yields compared to cultures grown in inorganic media.

B. minor has 2 transport systems for glucose: (1) a high affinity system, KS=1 × 10−5 M, which is formed in the dark in the absence of external glucose; and (2) a low affinity system, KS=5 × 10−4 M, which appears to be constitutive. At high concentrations of glucose there is also significant free diffusion of glucose into the cells. The glucose analog, 3‐O‐methyl glucose, is also taken up by the inducible system, but at a lower rate than glucose. It is Acumulated, about 2000 times in a 20‐min incubation period, indicating active transport. Cycloheximide inactivates the high affinity system to the same extent as high light intensities, and also prevents induction of this system in the dark. Rates of photosynthesis are inversely correlated to glucose uptake rates over a range of light intensities of pre‐incubation. The possession of a light‐regulated high‐affinity transport system as well as a constitutive low‐affinity system for glucose is probably of competitive advantage to this alga in the soil environment.
MITOSIS AND CYTOKINESIS IN PLATYMONAS SUBCORDIFORMIS, A SCALY GREEN MONAD1
Authors: Stewart Kenneth D. , Mattox Karl R. , Chandler Cynthia D.
Published: August 2007

Scaly green monads are often placed in a separate class, Prasinophyceae, and have been considered to be among the most, primitive of green algae. Platymonas possesses rhizoplasts which resemble sarcomeric structures. At prophase, extranuclear spindle micro‐tubules emanate from a granular region which appears to arise through dissolution or dispersion of the rhizoplasts. It is probable that the rhizoplasts are largely consumed during the formation of the spindle and only small fragments are left at metaphase. The rhizoplasts can be seen again at telophase but are short at this stage. The basal bodies are not at the spindle poles but remain at their interphase position. The interzonal spindle collapses early at telophase, and shortly thereafter cleavage microtubules appear. These microtubules extend from the region of the basal bodies to the posterior of the cell. The events of cell division are compared with these events in other green algae and in Ochromonas. The functional and phylogenetic significance of the observations is discussed.
NEGATIVE PHOTOTROPISM OF THE HAPTERA OF ALARIA ESCULENTA (LAMINARIALES)1,2
Authors: Buggeln Richard G.
Published: August 2007

The “root‐like” haptera of the holdfast of Alaria esculenta (L.) Grev. display a negative phototropic curvature only when unilaterally irradiated with blue (432 nm) and green (552 nm) wavelengths.