bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phylogeny and classification of the Xeromelissinae (Hymenoptera: Apoidea, Colletidae) with special emphasis on the genus Chilicola
Authors: PACKER LAURENCE
Published: September 2007

Abstract A phylogenetic analysis and classification are provided for the bee subfamily Xeromelissinae based on 248 morphological characters, many of which are novel and illustrated. A total of 47 ingroup species was included in the analysis, representing at least two divergent members from each described genus or subgenus and seven taxa which did not readily fall within previously described subgenera. Three most parsimonious trees were found (length, 1508; consistency index, 40; retention index, 70). The result shows that Xeromelissa renders Chilimelissa paraphyletic, and the 20 known Chilimelissa species are reassigned to Xeromelissa, giving the following new combinations: X. luisa (Toro & Moldenke) (this is the type species of Chilimelissa), X. mucar (Toro & Moldenke), X. xanthorhina (Toro), X. brevimalaris (Toro), X. rosie (Toro and Packer), X. laureli (Toro and Packer), X. chusmiza (Toro), X. longipalpa (Toro), X. pedroi (Toro & Moldenke), X. australis (Toro & Moldenke), X. chillan (Toro & Moldenke), X. farellones (Toro & Moldenke), X. machi (Toro), X. minuta (Toro & Moldenke), X. nortina (Toro & Moldenke), X. sielfeldi (Toro & Moldenke), X. obscura (Toro & Moldenke), X. irwini (Toro & Moldenke), X. nolanai (Toro & Moldenke) and X. rozeni (Toro & Moldenke). Group support was estimated using symmetric resampling and group supported/contradicted (GC) ratios, which compare the frequency of each most parsimoniously resolved clade with the alternative arrangement that was most commonly found in resampling. Relationships among subgenera for Chilicola are weakly supported. By contrast, when three previously synonymized subgenera (Stenoediscelis, Heteroediscelis and Oediscelisca) are resurrected, there is good support for all subgenera (GC ≥ 99), except two: a paraphyletic Oediscelis and a polyphyletic Anoediscelis. Both of these subgenera became monophyletic following successive approximations character weighting. Four distinctive new subgenera are described: Unicarinicola Packer subgen.n., Obesicola Packer subgen.n., Capitatiscopa Packer subgen.n. and Toroediscelis Packer subgen.n., and a revised key to the subgenera of Chilicola is provided.
Phylogeny of the Sympetrinae (Odonata: Libellulidae): further evidence of the homoplasious nature of wing venation
Authors: PILGRIM ERIK M. , VON DOHLEN CAROL D.
Published: September 2007

Abstract Sympetrinae is the largest subfamily of the diverse dragonfly family Libellulidae. This subfamily, like most libellulid subfamilies, is defined currently by a few wing venation characters, none of which are synapomorphies for the taxon. In this study, we used DNA sequence data from the nuclear locus elongation factor‐1α and the mitochondrial loci 16S and 12S rRNA, together with 38 wing venation characters, to test the monophyly of the Sympetrinae and several other libellulid subfamilies. No analysis recovered Sympetrinae as monophyletic, partly because of the position of Leucorrhinia (of the subfamily Leucorrhininae) as a strongly supported sister to Sympetrum (of Sympetrinae) in all analyses. The subfamilies Brachydiplactinae, Leucorrhininae, Trameinae and Trithemistinae were also found not to be monophyletic. Libellulinae was the only subfamily supported strongly as monophyletic. Consistency indices and retention indices of wing venation characters used to define various subfamilies were closer to zero than unity, showing that many of these characters were homoplasious, and therefore not useful for a classification scheme within Libellulidae.
Use of lime sulphur and itraconazole to treat shelter cats naturally infected withMicrosporum canisin an annex facility: an open field trial
Authors: Newbury Sandra , Moriello Karen , Verbrugge Maria , Thomas Chet
Published: September 2007

Dermatophytosis is the most common contagious and infectious skin disease of cats. It is of particular importance in animal shelters because it is a known zoonosis, highly contagious, and easily transmitted. In this open clinical trial, 58 cats with confirmedMicrosporum canisdermatophytosis and 32 uninfected bonded pairs or littermates were treated with a combination of 21 days of oral itraconazole (10 mg kg−1) and twice weekly lime sulphur rinses until cured. Cats were not clipped in this treatment programme. Fungal cultures were obtained once weekly on all cats, and cats were considered cured when they had two consecutive negative weekly fungal cultures. Cats were held in the facility and received continued topical treatment until the fungal cultures were finalized. None of the cats developed oral ulcerations as a result of grooming the lime sulphur rinses. Oral ulcerations only developed in cats with clinical signs associated with upper respiratory disease. None of the uninfected cats living in contact with infected cats became culture positive or developed skin lesions. When data were examined retrospectively and the number of days to finalize the cultures was subtracted (21 days) from the total number of days the cats were housed in the annex, the mean number of days of treatment required for cure was 18.4 ± 9.5 SEM (range 10–49 days). Cats with more severe infections required longer therapy. In this shelter, the combination of oral itraconazole and topical lime sulphur rinses for the treatment of dermatophytosis was effective and safe.
Aetiology of canine otitis externa: a retrospective study of 100 cases
Authors: Saridomichelakis Manolis N. , Farmaki Rania , Leontides Leonidas S. , Koutinas Alexander F.
Published: September 2007

The objective of this retrospective study was to investigate in 100 dogs with otitis externa (OE) the possible associations between signalment, history, clinical and laboratory findings and the various primary, secondary and perpetuating causative factors of ear canal inflammation. The age of the dogs ranged from 3 months to 14 years (median: 4.75 years) and they included 45 males and 55 females. Cocker spaniels, Jura des Alpes and Brittany spaniels were significantly overrepresented among dogs with OE when compared to the hospital canine population. In the majority of the cases, OE was chronic–recurrent (63%) or bilateral (93%). Allergic dermatitis (43/100 dogs), grass awns (12/100) and otoacariasis (7/100) were the most common primary causative factors; no primary factor could be incriminated in 32 cases and more than one was found in three dogs.Malasseziaspp. (66/100 dogs), cocci (38/100) and rods (22/100) were the secondary causative factors, while ear canal stenosis (38/100) and tympanic membrane perforation‐otitis media (25/100) were the most important perpetuating factors. Atopic dermatitis and adverse food reactions‐associated OE was more common in females and dogs with a history of pruritic skin disease, while grass awn‐induced OE occurred in cocker spaniels and acute cases. Tympanic membrane perforation was less frequent in atopic dermatitis and adverse food reactions‐associated OE, but more common when otoscopic and ear canal cytological examination revealed the presence of grass awns and rods, respectively. Finally, cocci overgrowth was positively associated with ear canal stenosis.
Reliability of a new hand‐held device for the measurement of exhaled nitric oxide
Authors: Khalili B. , Boggs P. B. , Bahna S. L.
Published: September 2007

Background:  Given the importance of airway inflammation in asthma, there has been an effort to incorporate inflammatory markers into its management. Measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a noninvasive marker of airway inflammation; however, the use of the available FeNO analyzer is limited by several factors including its cost and lack of transportability. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of a new hand‐held FeNO measuring device (NIOX MINO) to the current clinical standard – the chemiluminescence FeNO analyzer (NIOX).

Methods:  Subjects 6 years and older presenting to an allergy and asthma clinic underwent FeNO evaluation by NIOX and each of three NIOX MINOs. The mean of two acceptable measurements from the NIOX and the first approved measurement from each NIOX MINO were used for analysis.

Results:  One hundred ten patients aged 6–86 years completed the study. Intrasubject FeNO levels obtained by each of the three NIOX MINOs revealed no significant difference between the measurements (P = 0.59). There was a very strong correlation between FeNO measurements by NIOX and by NIOX MINO (r = 0.98, P < 0.0001). The mean intrasubject FeNO difference between NIOX and NIOX MINO was −0.5 p.p.b. which was not statistically significantly different from zero (P = 0.21).

Conclusions:  Fractional exhaled nitric oxide measurements by the NIOX MINO showed a strong correlation and a high degree of agreement with the current standard stationary device. The NIOX MINO may be reliably used in clinical practice.
Lifelong farm exposure may strongly reduce the risk of asthma in adults
Authors: Douwes J. , Travier N. , Huang K. , Cheng S. , McKenzie J. , Le Gros G. , Von Mutius E. , Pearce N.
Published: September 2007

Background:  Farm exposures may protect against childhood asthma, hay fever and eczema. Whether farm exposures also confer protection in adult farmers remains unclear. Moreover, little is known about the role of timing of exposure. We assessed the effects of current and childhood farm exposures on asthma, hay fever and eczema in farmers and a rural nonfarming control population.

Methods:  We conducted a cross‐sectional questionnaire survey in 2509 farming families (response rate 78%) and 1001 nonfarming families (response rate 67%), which included 4288 farmers and 1328 nonfarmers.

Results:  Farmers were less likely to have asthma symptoms, hay fever and eczema; no significant differences were observed among dairy, sheep and beef, and horticulture farmers. A combination of current and childhood exposure was more strongly associated with shortness of breath (OR 0.50, CL 0.39–0.66), wheeze (OR 0.60, CL 0.49–0.73), asthma medication (OR 0.48, CL 0.37–0.63); and asthma ever (OR 0.56, CL 0.46–0.68) than current exposure alone (OR 0.63, CL 0.47–0.84; OR 0.80, CL 0.65–0.99; OR 0.68, CL 0.51–0.9; OR 0.69, CL 0.56–0.85 respectively) or childhood exposure alone (OR 0.97, CL0.65–1.44; OR 1.01, CL 0.75–1.34; OR 0.78, CL 0.51–1.19; OR 0.87, CL 0.63–1.19 respectively). Moreover, the combined number of years of farm exposure in childhood and adulthood showed a dose‐dependent inverse association with symptom prevalence.

Conclusions:  Although both current and childhood farm exposures may play a role in the observed low prevalence of asthma symptoms in adult farmers, continued long‐term exposure may be required to maintain optimal protection.
Beclomethasone/formoterol vs fluticasone/salmeterol inhaled combination in moderate to severe asthma
Authors: Papi A. , Paggiaro P. , Nicolini G. , Vignola A. M. , Fabbri L. M. ,   ICAT SE study group
Published: September 2007

Background:  Recommended treatment for moderate to severe asthma is the combination of an inhaled corticosteroid and a long‐acting beta2‐agonist. The present study was designed to compare a new fixed combination of extrafine beclomethasone and formoterol, with the fixed combination fluticasone and salmeterol.

Methods:  This was a phase III, multinational, multicentre, double‐blind, randomized, two‐arm parallel groups, controlled study. After a 2‐week run‐in period, 228 patients with moderate to severe asthma were randomized to a 12‐week treatment with either beclomethasone 100 μg plus formoterol 6 μg or fluticasone 125 μg plus salmeterol 25 μg, both delivered two inhalations b.i.d. via a pressurized metered dose inhaler.

Results:  The analysis of noninferiority on the primary outcome, morning peak expiratory flow in the last 2 weeks of treatment, showed no difference between groups (difference −3.32 l/min; 95% CI −17.92 to 11.28). A significant improvement from baseline in lung function, symptom score and rescue medication use was observed in both groups at all time points. Beclomethasone plus formoterol combination showed a significantly faster onset of bronchodilation when compared with fluticasone plus salmeterol with the difference maintained for up to 1 h postdosing. No differences were observed between treatments in the rate of asthma exacerbations, frequency of adverse events and overnight urinary cortisol/creatinine ratio.

Conclusions:  The new combination of extrafine beclomethasone plus formoterol is not inferior to the marketed combination of fluticasone and salmeterol in terms of efficacy and tolerability, with the advantage of a faster onset of bronchodilation. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00394368).
The allergen bronchoprovocation model: an important tool for the investigation of new asthma anti‐inflammatory therapies
Authors: Boulet L.‐P. , Gauvreau G. , Boulay M.‐E. , O’Byrne P. , Cockcroft D. W.
Published: September 2007

Allergen bronchoprovocation tests have been used for more than two decades in the investigation of respiratory allergic diseases such as asthma and rhinitis. These bronchial challenges are now well standardized and can offer key information on the therapeutic potential of new agents and on their anti‐inflammatory effects on the airways. Both standard and low‐dose allergen provocations are safe when performed by experienced investigators and do not lead to persistent worsening of asthma or change in airway function. The evaluation of new therapeutic agents by these methods can also provide important information on the mechanisms of development and persistence of airway diseases.
Predictive value of allergy and pulmonary function tests for the diagnosis of asthma in elite athletes
Authors: Bonini M. , Lapucci G. , Petrelli G. , Todaro A. , Pamich T. , Rasi G. , Bonini S.
Published: September 2007

Background:  Asthma is frequently found in athletes, often associated with rhinitis and allergy.

Aim:  To study the predictive value of allergy and pulmonary function tests for the diagnosis of asthma in athletes.

Subjects and methods:  Ninety‐eight national preOlympic athletes underwent an accurate medical examination including a validated questionnaire for asthma and rhinitis, spirometric recordings and skin prick testing with a panel of the most frequent inhalant allergens. Bronchodilator and/or exercise challenge were also performed in asthmatic subjects.

Results:  Clinical asthma was present in 20.4% of athletes, rhinitis in 35.3% (in 21.4% of cases alone and in 13.9% associated with asthma). Positive prick tests were recorded in 44.4% of athletes (in 60.5% of asthmatics, in 95.2% of rhinitics and in 21.0% of nonasthmatic – nonrhinitic subjects). Mean spirometric values and distribution of abnormal values were not different among asthmatics, rhinitics and nonasthmatics – nonrhinitic patients. Skin‐tests positivity was not related to the abnormal spirometric data found in individual cases. Provocation tests with bronchodilators or exercise did not appear sensitive enough to diagnose mild forms of asthma in subjects with normal basal spirometric values.

Conclusions:  Allergy testing and spirometry should be performed routinely in athletes because of the high prevalence of allergy, rhinitis and asthma in this population. However, the predictive value of these tests and of the bronchial provocation tests performed in this study seems too low to document mild or subclinical asthma in athletes.
Eosinophilic inflammation: mechanisms regulating IL‐5 transcription in human T lymphocytes
Authors: Wang J. , Young I. G.
Published: September 2007

Background:  Interleukin (IL)‐5 is a key regulator of eosinophilia in allergic inflammation and parasite infections but the mechanisms regulating IL‐5 expression in activated human T lymphocytes are poorly understood. From studies on mouse cells, the activation protein (AP)‐1 and GATA‐3 sites in the proximal promoter region appear to be important in IL‐5 regulation but the significance of an adjacent Ets/nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) site has been less clear.

Methods:  Interleukin‐5 transcriptional activity was measured by transfection of reporter genes into the human HSB‐2 cells and normal T lymphocytes. Expression vectors encoding transcription factors were used for transactivation studies and IL‐5 expression measured using reporter genes and mRNA levels. Transcription factor binding was shown with chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP).

Results:  HSB‐2 cells showed high inducible expression of IL‐5 mRNA. Mutation of reporter gene plasmids showed the Ets/NFAT site was of equal importance to the AP‐1 and GATA‐3 sites in regulating IL‐5 transcription. Transactivation by Ets1 increased luciferase expression 15‐fold, in the absence of stimulation, and AP‐1 (c‐Fos/c‐Jun) and GATA‐3 gave transactivations of 85‐fold, and 100‐fold, respectively. Synergistic interactions were demonstrated between Ets1, GATA‐3 and AP‐1. Dominant‐negative AP‐1 inhibited IL‐5 transcription. Transactivation by GATA‐3 and synergy between GATA‐3, Ets1 and AP‐1 were verified measuring IL‐5 mRNA levels. Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed increased binding of Ets1 and GATA‐3 to the IL‐5 promoter after stimulation. The importance of the Ets1 site and of synergistic interactions between the three transcription factors were verified with primary human T cells.

Conclusion:  Ets1, GATA‐3 and AP‐1 synergize to regulate IL‐5 transcription in human T cells.
Lissencephaly and LIS1: insights into the molecular mechanisms of neuronal migration and development
Authors: Wynshaw‐Boris A
Published: September 2007

Lissencephaly is a severe human neuronal migration defect characterized by a smooth cerebral surface, mental retardation and seizures. LIS1 was first gene cloned in an organism important for neuronal migration, as it was deleted or mutated in patients with lissencephaly in a heterozygous fashion. Studies in model organisms, particularly Aspergillus nidulans, as well as those in the mouse, have uncovered an evolutionarily conserved pathway that involves LIS1 and cytoplasmic dynein. This pathway codes for proteins in a complex with cytoplasmic dynein and positively regulates its conserved function in nuclear migration. This complex appears to be important for proliferation and neuronal survival as well as neuronal migration. One of the components of this complex, NDEL1, is a phosphoprotein that is a substrate for CDK5 (or CDK2 in fibroblasts) and Aurora‐A, two mitotic kinases. CDK5‐phosphorylated NDEL1 binds to 14‐3‐3ɛ, which protects it from phosphatase attack. Interestingly, 14‐3‐3ɛ is located 1 Mb from LIS1 and is heterozygously deleted with LIS1 in patients with a severe form of lissencephaly, Miller–Dieker syndrome. Mouse models confirm that 14‐3‐3ɛ plays an important role in neuronal migration, and mice that are double heterozygotes for mutations in Lis1 and 14‐3‐3ɛ, display more severe neuronal migration defects. The identification of LIS1 as the first lissencephaly gene, and the first gene required for neuronal migration has revealed the importance of the regulation of cytoplasmic dynein in the control of neuronal migration by modulating nuclear migration in a pathway conserved in virtually all eukaryotes.
Medication adherence skills training for middle‐aged and elderly adults with bipolar disorder: development and pilot study
Authors: Depp Colin A , Lebowitz Barry D , Patterson Thomas L , Lacro Jonathan P , Jeste Dilip V
Published: September 2007

Objectives:  To present the rationale, development, and pilot study of a medication adherence skills training (MAST‐BD) intervention for older adults with bipolar disorder (BPD). We developed a 12‐week manualized group intervention that combined educational, motivational, medication management skills and symptom management training adapted for older adults.

Methods:  Among 21 older outpatients with BPD (mean age = 60 years; SD = 6), the feasibility and acceptability of MAST‐BD were assessed in a quasi‐experimental clinical trial. We also obtained preliminary effect sizes associated with pre–post change on measures of self‐reported adherence to psychiatric medications, performance‐based medication management ability, attitudes toward medication, depressive and manic symptoms, and health‐related quality of life.

Results:  At baseline, 55% of participants reported recent non‐adherence to psychiatric medications and were, on average, suffering from moderately severe depressive symptoms and minimal symptoms of mania. A total of 76% of participants completed the intervention, and 86% of sessions were attended by completers. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the intervention and manual. Pre–post improvement by small to medium effect sizes (Cohen's d = 0.30–0.57) was seen in medication adherence, medication management ability, depressive symptoms, and selected indices of health‐related quality of life.

Conclusions:  Notwithstanding the limitations of this small preliminary study, the results are encouraging in that the MAST‐BD intervention was feasible, acceptable to patients, and associated with improvement in key outcomes. Suggestions for further development of medication adherence interventions for this neglected group of patients are discussed.
Genome‐wide scan of bipolar II disorder
Authors: Nwulia Evaristus A , Miao Kuangyi , Zandi Peter P , MacKinnon Dean F , Raymond DePaulo Jr J , McInnis Melvin G
Published: September 2007

Objective:  Bipolar disorder (BD) II is characterized by recurrent hypomanic and depressive episodes and has been somewhat of a controversial diagnosis since its description in the 1970s. Clinical opinions notwithstanding, the biological validity of BD II was supported in a genetic study of 58 multiplex bipolar families wherein the statistical evidence for linkage derived from BD II sibling‐pairs sharing marker alleles on chromosome 18q. The BD II phenotype alone has never been studied in a genome‐wide scan analysis in the current or other bipolar family samples. We have performed genome‐wide non‐parametric analysis on 74 bipolar pedigrees using only the BD II phenotype as affection model.

Methods:  This sample consists of the 65 pedigrees previously reported and 9 additional novel pedigrees that had BD II exclusively, as the affected phenotype. In the entire sample, there were 146 all possible relative‐pairs. Analysis was performed using the non‐parametric method in GENEHUNTER, with the ‘ALL’ option that computes linkage scores in all individuals in a pedigree simultaneously.

Results:  The current analyses supported the previous finding on chromosome 18q21. In addition a peak with a non‐parametric LOD (NPL) of 2.07 occurred between D9S915 and D9S2157, located on 9q34. Analysis of the nine BD II families alone identified peaks on 9p13 and 9q33, with NPL scores of 3.20 and 2.09, respectively. There was no evidence at 18q21 in these nine families.

Conclusions:  This suggests that there may be substantial differences in the etiology of BD in families that have BD II exclusively as the diagnosis.
Coping styles in prodromes of bipolar mania
Authors: Parikh Sagar V , Velyvis Vytas , Yatham Lakshmi , Beaulieu Serge , Cervantes Pablo , MacQueen Glenda , Siotis Irene , Streiner David , Zaretsky Ari
Published: September 2007

Objectives:  Psychological studies have identified that different coping strategies affect outcome in bipolar disorder (BD), with the possibility of preventing mania by effective coping with prodromes. This study seeks to examine coping mechanisms using a recently developed scale to clarify the relationship of coping styles to clinical and demographic characteristics, and to identify coping differences between bipolar I and II subjects.

Methods:  The Coping Inventory for Prodromes of Mania (CIPM) was completed by 203 bipolar patients, along with other diagnostic and clinical measures. The CIPM is organized into four factors of coping including: stimulation reduction (SR), problem‐oriented coping (PR), seeking professional help (SPH), denial and blame (DB). CIPM psychometric properties and its relationship to demographic and clinical factors, dysfunctional attitudes, and mood symptoms were examined. Coping profiles were generated by BD subtype (I versus II).

Results:  The CIPM displayed psychometric properties consistent with the single previous study with this instrument. Neither demographic/clinical characteristics nor mood symptoms showed any particular relationship with the CIPM. Clear differences in coping also emerged between BD I and BD II subjects. BD I tended to use a wider range of coping strategies and scored highly on the SPH factor as compared to BD II subjects. BD II participants preferred to use DB and PR, but were less likely to use SPH and SR.

Conclusions:  The CIPM appears to be a valid measure of coping. Coping style preferences appear to differ according to bipolar subtype.
Pharmacological interventions for acute bipolar mania: a systematic review of randomized placebo‐controlled trials
Authors: Smith Lesley A , Cornelius Victoria , Warnock Adrian , Tacchi Mary Jane , Taylor David
Published: September 2007

Objectives:  We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized, placebo‐controlled trials in acute bipolar mania to summarize available data on drug treatment of mania.

Methods:  We included trials of medications licensed in the USA or UK for the treatment of any phase of bipolar disorder. Outcomes investigated were changes in mania scores, attrition, extrapyramidal effects and weight change. Data were combined through meta‐analyses.

Results:  We included 13 studies (involving 3,089 subjects) and identified 2 studies for each of the following medications: carbamazepine, haloperidol, lithium, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, valproate semisodium and aripiprazole. All drugs showed significant benefit compared with placebo for reduction in mania scores. Compared with placebo, for all antipsychotics pooled, response to treatment (≥50% reduction in Young Mania Rating Scale scores) was increased more than 1.7 times [relative risk (RR) = 1.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.54, 1.96]; for all mood stabilizers pooled, response to treatment was doubled (RR 2.01, 95% CI = 1.66, 2.43). Overall withdrawals were 34% fewer (24–43%) with antipsychotics, and 26% fewer (10–39%) with mood stabilizers. However, for carbamazepine, aripiprazole and lithium an increase in risk of withdrawal could not be excluded. Small but significant increases in extrapyramidal side effects occurred with risperidone and aripiprazole.

Conclusions:  Antipsychotics and mood stabilizers are significantly more effective than placebo for the treatment of acute mania. Their effect sizes are similar. Small differences between effect sizes may be due to differences in the patients included in the studies or to chance. Carbamazepine and lithium may be more poorly tolerated, and antipsychotics cause more extrapyramidal side effects.
Onset of antidepressant effect of olanzapine and olanzapine/fluoxetine combination in bipolar depression
Authors: Dubé Sanjay , Tollefson Gary D , Thase Michael E , Briggs Susan D , Van Campen Luann E , Case Michael , Tohen Mauricio
Published: September 2007

Objectives:  The current analysis investigated the onset of antidepressant effect of olanzapine/fluoxetine combination.

Methods:  Data for these post hoc analyses were obtained from a clinical trial comparing olanzapine, placebo, and olanzapine/fluoxetine combination in bipolar depression (BD). Subjects were 833 patients with a DSM‐IV diagnosis of bipolar I disorder, depressed. The Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale measured depressive symptoms. Multiple analytic methods were applied, including traditional (mean differences) analysis, pattern analysis, survival analysis of sustained response, mixed‐effects regression, and area‐under‐the‐curve analysis.

Results:  Traditional analysis showed significantly greater improvement in depression scores at week 1 for olanzapine/fluoxetine combination versus placebo (−9.55 versus −5.08, p < 0.001) and for olanzapine versus placebo (−8.31 versus −5.08, p < 0.001). Pattern analysis revealed olanzapine/fluoxetine combination had a significantly greater percentage of early persistent responders than placebo or olanzapine (32.4% versus 12.7%, p < 0.001; and 18.3%, p < 0.05, respectively). Survival analysis showed a significantly shorter time to sustained response for the combination versus placebo (p < 0.001), for olanzapine versus placebo (p = 0.04), and for the combination versus olanzapine (p = 0.03). Mixed‐effects regression analysis revealed a significant therapy‐by‐time interaction (p < 0.001). Early area‐under‐the‐curve analysis revealed a significantly greater percentage of improvement for the combination versus placebo (26.7% versus 13.9%, p < 0.001) and for olanzapine versus placebo (22.0% versus 13.9%, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:  Based on consistent results from related methods of measuring onset, olanzapine/fluoxetine combination demonstrated rapid onset of antidepressant effect (within 7 days) compared to placebo that was sustained over 8 weeks of treatment in a sample of BD patients. Using multiple statistical techniques may help profile a drug's onset of effect.
Parental investment with a superior alien in the brood
Authors: HOLEN Ø. H. , JOHNSTONE R. A.
Published: September 2007

When a parent's parentage differs across breeding attempts, established theory predicts that the parent should invest more in a brood when perceived parentage is high. We present a model of parental investment in which offspring unrelated to the parent have a competitive advantage over the parent's own offspring and take a larger share of investment. We show that this can weaken or, if the competitive advantage is great, reverse the predicted relationship between perceived parentage and parental investment. A moderate competitive advantage of extra‐pair young over within‐pair young could partly explain the lack of any clear relationship between paternal care and paternity in many studies, and could easily arise if females choose extra‐pair partners for good genes. Our results are also relevant to interspecific avian brood parasitism. As parasites reared together with host offspring are often superior competitors, their hosts could benefit from increasing investment in response to suspected parasitism.
Successful multimodal therapy of invasive pulmonary and central nervous system aspergillosis in a neutropenic surgical patient: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Kaffarnik M. , Utzolino S. , Blaich A. , Hopt U. T.
Published: September 2007

Invasive aspergillosis predominantly occurs in patients with impaired host defence and is often resistant to different therapeutically strategies. However, mortality significantly increases if the central nervous system is affected. In this report, we describe a case of successful treatment of invasive aspergillosis with cerebral involvement. The treatment consists of a medication of voriconazole and lipid‐associated amphotericin B as well as a stereotactic neurosurgical procedure to drain an intracranial abscess.
Dermatophytoses in outpatients attending the Dermatology Center of Avicenna Hospital in Qazvin, Iran
Authors: Aghamirian Mohammad Reza , Ghiasian Seyed Amir
Published: September 2007

Dermatophytosis is still being considered as one of the major public health problems in many parts of the world. To identify the prevalence and etiological agents of dermatophytoses, a study was carried out between 2004 and 2006. Out of 1023 subjects suspected to have cutaneous mycoses, 348 (34%) patients were affected with dermatophytoses. The causative agents were identified macroscopically and microscopically after the clinical samples were subjected to potassium hydroxide examination and culture isolation. Epidermophyton floccosum was the most frequently isolated species representing 32.8% of isolates, followed by T. rubrum (18.1%), T. verrucosum (17.2%), T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale (15.8%), T. mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes (6.6%) and T. violaceum, T. schoenleinii and Microsporum canis (0.9%). The most common type of infection was tinea cruris (31.9%) affecting in particular male patients. Some other most prevalent tinea types were tinea corporis (20.7%), tinea pedis (19%), and tinea unguium (11.2%). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on dermatophytoses in Qazvin and the first study that shows tinea cruris as a major type of superficial fungal infection in Iran. The frequency of tinea was higher in males and tinea cruris showed a remarkably increasing tendency and was an important public health issue in Qazvin.
An epidemiological survey of tinea capitis in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina over a 10‐year period
Authors: Prohic Asja
Published: September 2007

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and aetiological agents of tinea capitis in Sarajevo area, Bosnia and Herzegovina, during a 10‐year period (1997–2006). A total of 707 patients with suspected dermatophyte infections of scalp was analysed. Tinea capitis was determined in 241 (34.1%) of these patients, in whom causative agents were identified in 209 (29.6%). Zoophilic dermatophytes (91.8%) prevailed over anthropophilic (7.2%) and geophilic (1.0%) dermatophytes. Microsporum canis was the most frequent dermatophyte isolated (90.4%), followed by Trichophyton schoenleinii (2.4%) and Trichophyton violaceum (1.9%). The majority of infections occurred in males (56.5%) and in children with age less than 10 years (52.6%).
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in neutropenic patients and the influence of hospital renovation
Authors: Pini Gabriella , Faggi Elisabetta , Donato Rosa , Sacco Cristiana , Fanci Rosa
Published: September 2007

To evaluate the effects of airborne Aspergillus contamination during and after the renovation work of a Florentine haematology unit, we conducted (November 2003–January 2005) a strict programme of environmental fungal surveillance. Air samples were taken from patients’ rooms, along the corridors inside the wards, along the corridor between wards and outside the building. The concentration of Aspergillus fumigatus was high along the corridor between the two haematology wards (2.98 CFU m−3), lower in the non‐neutropenic patients’ rooms and outside the hospital building (1.53 and 1.42 CFU m−3, respectively), very low in the neutropenic patients’ rooms (0.09 CFU m−3). During this period, three proven cases (A. fumigatus), two probable ones and two possible cases of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis were documented in 97 patients with acute leukaemia (7%). The three cases of proven aspergillosis coincided with the period of renovation work and with the period in which we have found the maximum concentration of A. fumigatus along the corridor. These data suggest a possible relationship between environmental fungal contamination and the incidence of invasive aspergillosis, and underline the importance of environmental surveillance.
Primary isolation of Candida species from urine specimens using chromogenic medium
Authors: Okulicz J. F. , Rivard R. G. , Conger N. G. , Nguyen M. X. , Hospenthal D. R.
Published: September 2007

CHROMagar Candida (CaC) is a chromogenic medium that can be used to detect Candida species, including Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, and perhaps Candida glabrata. We evaluated the utility of CaC to detect candiduria in high‐risk patients and the potential usefulness of this information in directing initial antifungal therapy in those later identified with candidaemia. CaC was compared in parallel to standard laboratory methods (SM) for the detection of Candida from urine collected from high‐risk units and wards. Of 893 samples, Candida was recovered by CaC from 104 compared with 35 using SM. No isolates detected by SM were undetected by CaC. More than one Candida species were recovered by CaC in 19 of the 104 (18.3%); only two mixed cultures were detected by SM. The identification was more rapid with CaC. Five of 69 patients with candiduria detected by CaC developed candidaemia on or after the date of urine culture. SM recovered fungus in only two of these patients. CaC can be used as primary media for the detection of Candida species from urine specimens. Primary isolation by CaC may enable clinicians to make earlier, directed selection of antifungal agents and potentially reduce patient morbidity and mortality.
Infertility in a Dog due to Proximal Cytoplasmic Droplets in the Ejaculate: Investigation of the Significance for Sperm Functionality In Vitro
Authors: Peña AI , Barrio M , Becerra JJ , Quintela LA , Herradón PG
Published: September 2007

Contents

A 4‐year‐old Basque Shepherd male dog was presented for breeding soundness evaluation after the dog failed to impregnate the three bitches he had mated. Clinical examination showed no anomaly of the reproductive system. Semen evaluation showed normal sperm count (640 × 106), 80% had progressively motile spermatozoa, and 96% had morphologically abnormal sperm of which 84% had proximal cytoplasmic droplet and 12% had proximal droplet plus other anomaly. A zona pellucida‐binding assay, using canine oocytes derived from frozen‐thawed ovaries, was performed in order to investigate the zona‐binding ability of dog spermatozoa with proximal cytoplasmic droplets. For the zona pellucida‐binding assay, ovaries were thawed and minced in phosphate‐buffered saline + 0.4% bovine serum albumin, the oocytes recovered were divided into two groups of 35–40 oocytes to be, respectively, used with the infertile dog and with a control fertile dog. Spermatozoa were capacitated in Canine Capacitating Medium (CCM) at 38.5°C and 5% CO2 in air for 2 h before oocyte insemination. Groups of five to six oocytes placed in 45 μl droplets of CCM were incubated for 1 h. Afterwards, 5 μl of CCM containing 25 000 spermatozoa were added to each droplet and co‐incubated for 2 h before fixation and evaluation of the complexes. After oocyte insemination, sperm motility and viability were evaluated: the sample from the infertile dog had 85% sperm motility with fast and linear progressive movement, and sperm viability of 92%. The sample from the control dog showed 40% sperm motility with fast and highly curvilinear and erratic movement, high degree of sperm agglutination and sperm viability of 32%. For the infertile dog the mean number of bound spermatozoa/oocyte was 0.33 whereas for the control dog it was 1.80. It was concluded that dog sperm with proximal cytoplasmic droplets seem to lack normal capacitating ability in vitro, and consequently, they may have reduced capacity to bind to the zona pellucida of canine oocytes.
INDUCTION OF INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINE RELEASE FROM HUMAN UMBILICAL VEIN ENDOTHELIAL CELLS BY AGONISTS OF PROTEINASE‐ACTIVATED RECEPTOR‐2
Authors: Niu Qing‐Xia , Chen Han‐Qiu , Chen Zhuo‐Yi , Fu Yi‐Ling , Lin Jie‐Lian , He Shao‐Heng
Published: September 2007

Human endothelial cells express proteinase‐activated receptor‐2 (PAR‐2), inflammatory cytokines and trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4). However, little is known about the mechanism through which trypsin induces cytokine release from endothelial cells.

In the present study, we investigated the effect of trypsin on cytokine release from primary cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) using an antibody based protein microarray and ELISA.

The results showed that 1 mg/mL trypsin induced release of 32 different inflammatory factors, whereas 100 mmol/L Ser‐Leu‐Ile‐Gly‐Lys‐Val‐NH2(SLIGKV‐NH2) only stimulated secretion of 16 inflammatory factors from HUVEC, as assessed by an antibody based protein microarray. Because the release of interleukin (IL)‐1a, IL‐8, IL‐10 and IL‐12 was markedly increased following PAR‐2 activation, their release was investigated further using ELISA. Increases in release of up to approximately 4.8‐, 4.3‐, 4.1‐ and 1.8‐fold were observed for IL‐1a, IL‐10, IL‐12 and IL‐8, respectively, when HUVEC were challenged with trypsin for 16 h. Agonist peptides of PAR‐2, namely SLIGKV‐NH2andtrans‐cinnamoyl‐Leu‐Ile‐Gly‐Arg‐Leu‐Orn‐NH2(tc‐LIGRLO‐NH2), also provoked significant release of IL‐8. Trypsin‐induced cytokine release was inhibited by its inhibitors soybean trypsin inhibitor, a1‐antitrypsin and the inhibitor peptide of PAR‐2 Phe‐Ser‐Leu‐Leu‐Arg‐Tyr‐NH2(FSLLRY‐NH2).

These data indicate the action of trypsin on HUVEC is most likely through activation of PAR‐2, suggesting that PAR‐2‐related mechanisms are involved in the inflammatory process in humans.
INCREASED SUPEROXIDE CONTRIBUTES TO ENHANCEMENT OF VASCULAR CONTRACTION IN INS2AKITA DIABETIC MICE, AN AUTOSOMAL DOMINANT MUTANT MODEL
Authors: Yang Xiang‐Qun , Wang Ying‐Ying , Chen Alex F
Published: September 2007

Superoxide has been reported to be involved in vascular dysfunction in diabetes. The Ins2Akita mouse is an autosomal dominant mutant diabetic model that can serve as an excellent substitute for the Type 1 diabetic mouse model induced by chemical diabetogens. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of superoxide on vascular dysfunction using this new diabetic model.

Compared with age‐matched normal C57BL/6 mice, in Ins2Akita diabetic mice arterial superoxide, lipid peroxidation production (1.2 ± 0.1 vs 17.4 ± 1.9 mmol/mg tissue, respectively; P < 0.01) and plasma lipid peroxidation production (0.08 ± 0.02 vs 0.40 ± 0.03 mmol/L, respectively; P < 0.01) were increased. Meanwhile, expression of vascular adhesion molecule‐1, E‐selectin and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 in the aorta and/or plasma was elevated.

The contraction of carotid arteries to U46619 in Ins2Akita diabetic mice was significantly enhanced compared with control mice (P < 0.05). Tempol (a scavenger of superoxide), apocynin (an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase) and allopurinol (an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase) all not only decreased superoxide in carotid arteries, but also suppressed arterial contractions to U46619 in Ins2Akita diabetic mice. Indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclo‐oxygenase, and chelerythrine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, also suppressed the enhanced vascular contraction.

These results suggest that increased arterial superoxide generated from diverse sources may potentiate the contractions of carotid arteries in Ins2Akita diabetic mice.
Cyclooxygenase‐2 expression in chronic hepatitis C and the effect of interferon α treatment
Authors: Manning Diarmuid S , Sheehan Katherine M , Byrne Michael F , Kay Elaine W , Murray Frank E
Published: September 2007

Background and Aim:  Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), a target of aspirin and other non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), is upregulated in chronic hepatitis B and may have a role in hepatocellular carcinoma. Little is known about the expression of COX‐2 in chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection. The aim the present study was to evaluate the extent of COX‐2 expression in liver biopsies in patients with HCV infection and to determine the effect of treatment with interferon α (IFN).

Methods:  Percutaneous liver biopsy specimens were retrieved. Following formalin fixation and paraffin embedding, the biopsies were histologically evaluated for inflammation and fibrosis. The extent of COX‐2 expression was measured by the avidin biotin immunohistochemical technique using a monoclonal COX‐2 antibody. The extent of COX‐2 expression was graded according to the number of hepatocytes expressing COX‐2. Data were analyzed using Student's t‐test.

Results:  Liver biopsies from 10 patients before and after treatment with IFN were obtained and compared with nine normal liver biopsies. All of the liver biopsies showed some COX‐2 expression. COX‐2 expression was confined to hepatocytes and bile duct epithelium and was not detected in vascular endothelium or inflammatory cells. The extent of COX‐2 expression was greater in hepatitis C infected liver biopsies than in normal biopsies. Following treatment with IFN, there was a greater than threefold reduction in COX‐2 expression (P < 0.01). This result was independent of the sustained virological response.

Conclusion:  In this small pilot study we have shown that COX‐2 is overexpressed in liver biopsies infected with HCV and COX‐2 expression is reduced following treatment with IFN.
Retrospective comparative study of 59 cases of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: Transperitoneal anterior versus transperitoneal posterior approach
Authors: Li Baoxing , Suzuki Kazuo , Tsuru Nobuo , Ushiyama Tomomi , Ozono Seichro
Published: September 2007

Objective:  We retrospectively compared perioperative parameters, as well as the oncological and functional results, for laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) carried out via the posterior and anterior approaches in our hospital.

Methods:  We recorded pre‐, peri‐, and postoperative parameters and complications, and evaluated the oncological and functional results to compare the posterior approach (group 1, n = 25) with the anterior approach (group 2, n = 34).

Results:  There were no significant differences regarding the preoperative characteristics of the two groups. The incidence of major complications, positive surgical margins, and continence at 3 and 6 months postoperatively showed no significant differences between the two groups. Although mean blood loss (including urine) was not significantly different, the mean prostatectomy time was significantly shorter in group 2 (174.21 ± 57.97 min) than in group 1 (224.76 ± 66.72 min) (P = 0.003 by Student's t‐test). Also, the postoperative recovery period until discharge was 5.94 days in group 2, and was significantly shorter than in group 1 (7.48 days) (P = 0.02 by Student's t‐test).

Conclusions:  This retrospective comparative study shows that the anterior approach yields similar, if not better results than the posterior approach for LRP.
Suicide risk and protective factors among youth experiencing school difficulties
Authors: Walsh Elaine , Eggert Leona L.
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT:  Youth who experience difficulty in school are at risk for suicide, yet there is little published information specific to risk and protective factors among this group. The purpose of this study was to conduct an in‐depth examination of risk and protective factors associated with suicidal behaviour among youth who were experiencing problems in school and to compare these factors between suicide risk and non‐suicide risk subgroups. Participants were 730 high school students in the Northwest and Southwest regions of the United States, aged 14–21 years. All participants were known to be experiencing difficulty with grades and/or attendance. Students completed a paper‐and‐pencil questionnaire and a one‐on‐one interview, which assessed suicidal behaviours as well as risk factors (e.g. drug involvement, emotional distress, stress), and protective factors (e.g. self‐esteem, coping, support). Analysis of covariance tests, controlling for age and sex, were conducted to examine differences between the suicide risk and non‐suicide risk groups on each risk and protective factor. The suicide risk subgroup reported higher levels of all risk factors, except alcohol and marijuana use, and lower levels of protective factors. While the groups did not differ on frequency of alcohol or marijuana use, they did differ on other illicit drug use and consequences of alcohol and other illicit drug use. Recommendations for nurses practising in school settings are discussed.