bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth inhibitory activity of Daphne gnidium L. (Thymelaeaceae) extracts on the elm leaf beetle (Col., Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Maistrello L. , López Mª. A. , Soria F. J. , Ocete R.
Published: August 2005

Abstract:  An investigation has been performed on the activity of spurge flax (Daphne gnidium L., Thymelaeaceae), a typical component of the Mediterranean vegetation, on the development of the elm leaf beetle (Xanthogaleruca luteola Muller; Col., Chrysomelidae), one of the most serious defoliators of urban forests. Different concentrations of ethanolic extracts of D. gnidium leaves were added to the natural diet (elm leaf discs) of X. luteola, starting with L2 larvae, and the effects induced on the vitality, growth and phase duration of the different stages have been evaluated. A significant reduction of larval survival and adult emergence, together with an increased length of the larval period, heavy reduction of weight gain and appearance of malformations in emerged imagines were observed in presence of spurge flax extracts. These findings agree to ascribe to D. gnidium leaf extracts a growth inhibitory activity and allowed identifying what should be the optimal concentration to be applied on elm leaves to prevent heavy damages by X. luteola.
Identification and characterization of an NPV infection‐related gene Bmsop2 in Bombyx mori L.
Authors: Xu J. P. , Chen K. P. , Yao Q. , Liu M. H. , Gao G. T. , Zhao Y.
Published: August 2005

Abstract:  Using the fluorescent differential display technique, we analysed the differential expression of genes related to Bombyx mori nuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) resistance. Silkworm strains studied included the highly resistant strain NB, highly susceptible strain 306 and near‐isogenic line 306NNZZ. One novel gene was identified and named Bmsop2for its high similarity with the Sop2 protein of other species. It was identified to be linked to BmNPV susceptibility by Northern blotting and real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The results indicated that it was actively expressed in midguts of strains 306, NB and the eighth generation of backcross (BC8) of strain 306NNZZ which had been treated with BmNPV. But the expression level was low in the midguts of the control. In the mean time, the expression of Bmsop2 was the highest in strain 306 treated with BmNPV while it was the lowest in strain 306 not treated with BmNPV. Our study showed that Bmsop2 is a differentially expressed gene in strains NB, 306 and 306NNZZ which have different levels of resistance to BmNPV.
Mating in aphidophagous ladybirds: costs and benefits
Authors: Omkar  , Mishra G.
Published: August 2005

Abstract:  Mating costs and benefits were studied in three aphidophagous ladybirds, viz. Cheilomenes sexmaculata, Coccinella septempunctata and Propylea dissecta by subjecting them to different numbers of matings. Longevity, fecundity and percent egg viability were regressed with number of matings to determine the costs and trade‐offs, if any. Longevity decreased with increasing number of matings in both C. sexmaculata and P. dissecta indicating a cost of mating. The lack of such a cost in C. septempunctata has been ascribed to spermatophore consumption by females of this ladybird. Both fecundity and percent egg viability increased with increasing number of matings and are probably indicative of the benefits. Short‐lived females distributed their reproduction uniformly in their lifetime while long‐lived females showed a high burst of reproductive activity followed by a gradual decline. Percent egg viability decreased after the completion of the requisite number of matings.
TNF‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL)/Apo2L suppresses experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice
Authors: Cretney Erika , McQualter Jonathan L , Kayagaki Nobuhiko , Yagita Hideo , Bernard Claude CA , Grewal Iqbal S , Ashkenazi Avi , Smyth Mark J
Published: September 2005

Studies have suggested that endogenous TNF‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL)/Apo2L may suppress the induction of some autoimmune diseases in mice. Here, we show that TRAIL/Apo2L suppresses autoimmune damage in relapsing‐remitting, and non‐remitting models of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). TRAIL/Apo2L‐deficient mice and wild‐type mice treated with neutralizing anti‐TRAIL/Apo2L antibody displayed enhanced clinical score, increased T‐cell proliferative responses to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), and increased numbers of inflammatory lesions in the spinal cord and central nervous system. TRAIL neutralization immediately before disease onset was most effective at exacerbating disease score. More importantly, therapeutic intervention with recombinant soluble TRAIL/Apo2L delayed the onset and reduced the severity of MOG‐induced EAE. These data are the first to illustrate the potential therapeutic value of recombinant TRAIL/Apo2L in suppressing T‐cell‐mediated autoimmune diseases.
Cloning and expression of a 12 kDa serospecific epitope of Wuchereria bancrofti
Authors: Dabir Pankaj , Dabir Snehal , Reddy MVR
Published: September 2005

The immunoscreening of a microfilarial cDNA library of Wuchereria bancrofti with microfilaraemic sera revealed many positive clones expressing filarial antigens. One immunoreactive clone, designated PMR1, was shown to encode a protein of 114 amino acid residues. The cDNA fragment was subcloned into an expression vector, Pinpoint XaT. The resulting recombinant (r)PMR1‐biotin fusion protein was expressed in Escherichia coli (BL21 [DE3] pLys) and was affinity purified on avidin resin. Analysis of sera of different groups for filarial antibodies against rPMR1 showed it to be highly reactive with microfilaraemic and clinical filarial sera compared to its reactivity with endemic and nonendemic controls. This indicates that the gene sequence of cDNA is expressing an immunodominant epitope, which could be useful in serodiagnosis of lymphatic filariasis.
The α‐gal epitope and the anti‐Gal antibody in xenotransplantation and in cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Galili Uri
Published: September 2005

The α‐gal epitope (Galα1‐3Galβ1‐(3)4GlcNAc‐R) is abundantly synthesized on glycolipids and glycoproteins of non‐primate mammals and New World monkeys by the glycosylation enzyme α1,3galactosyltransferase (α1,3GT). In humans, apes and Old World monkeys, this epitope is absent because the α1,3GT gene was inactivated in ancestral Old World primates. Instead, humans, apes and Old World monkeys produce the anti‐Gal antibody, which specifically interacts with α‐gal epitopes and which constitutes ∼1% of circulating immunoglobulins. Anti‐Gal has functioned as an immunological barrier, preventing the transplantation of pig organs into humans, because anti‐Gal binds to the α‐gal epitopes expressed on pig cells. The recent generation of α1,3GT knockout pigs that lack α‐gal epitopes has resulted in the elimination of this immunological barrier. Anti‐Gal can be exploited for clinical use in cancer immunotherapy by targeting autologous tumour vaccines to APC, thereby increasing their immunogenicity. Autologous intact tumour cells from haematological malignancies, or autologous tumour cell membranes from solid tumours are processed to express α‐gal epitopes by incubation with neuraminidase, recombinant α1,3GT and with uridine diphosphate galactose. Subsequent immunization with such autologous tumour vaccines results in in vivo opsonization by anti‐Gal IgG binding to these α‐gal epitopes. The interaction of the Fc portion of the vaccine‐bound anti‐Gal with Fcγ receptors of APC induces effective uptake of the vaccinating tumour cell membranes by the APC, followed by effective transport of the vaccinating tumour membranes to the regional lymph nodes, and processing and presentation of the tumour‐associated antigen (TAA) peptides. Activation of tumour‐specific T cells within the lymph nodes by autologous TAA peptides may elicit an immune response that in some patients will be potent enough to eradicate the residual tumour cells that remain after completion of standard therapy. A similar expression of α‐gal epitopes can be achieved by transduction of tumour cells with an adenovirus vector (or other vectors) containing the α1,3GT gene, thus enabling anti‐Gal‐mediated targeting of the vaccinating transduced cells to APC. Intratumoral delivery of the α1,3GT gene by various vectors results in the expression of α‐gal epitopes. Such expression of the xenograft carbohydrate phenotype is likely to induce anti‐Gal‐mediated destruction of the tumour lesion, similar to rejection of xenografts by this antibody. Opsonization of the destroyed tumour cell membranes by anti‐Gal IgG further targets them to APC, thus converting the tumour lesion, treated by the α1,3GT gene, into an in situ autologous tumour vaccine.
Hypoxia inhibits the migratory capacity of human monocyte‐derived dendritic cells
Authors: Qu Xun , Yang Mei‐Xiang , Kong Bei‐Hua , Qi Lan , Lam Queenie Lai Kwan , Yan Shi , Li Peng , Zhang Min , Lu Liwei
Published: September 2005

Hypoxia, a prominent characteristic of inflammatory tissue lesions and solid tumour microenvironments, is a crucial stimulus capable of modulating the expression of specific genes involved in leucocyte recruitment. Although studies have shown that hypoxia can affect leucocyte migration by influencing the expression of migration‐related genes, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and their endogenous tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP), it remains unclear whether hypoxia can affect the migration of dendritic cells (DC). In this study, we showed that human monocyte‐derived DC under hypoxic conditions in a transwell system have significantly reduced migratory capacity compared to normoxic controls. A moderate phenotypic change of hypoxic DC was observed. In hypoxic DC, we detected a twofold increase in TIMP‐1 transcript levels, and downregulated expression of MMP‐9 and membrane type 1‐MMP genes by threefold and 17‐fold, respectively. Our results suggest that hypoxia may inhibit DC migratory activity by regulating the balance between MMP and TIMP gene expression.
Apoptosis may underlie the pathology of zinc‐deficient skin
Authors: Wilson Dallas , Varigos George , Ackland M Leigh
Published: September 2005

The trace element zinc is essential for the survival and function of all cells. Zinc deficiency, whether nutritional or genetic, is fatal if left untreated. The effects of zinc deficiency are particularly obvious in the skin, seen as an erythematous rash, scaly plaques, and ulcers. Electron microscopy reveals degenerative changes within keratinocytes. Despite the well‐documented association between zinc deficiency and skin pathology, it is not clear which cellular processes are most sensitive to zinc deficiency and could account for the typical pathological features. We used the cultured HaCaT keratinocyte line to obtain insight into the cellular effects of zinc deficiency, as these cells show many characteristics of normal skin keratinocytes. Zinc deficiency was induced by growing cells in the presence of the zinc chelator, TPEN, or by growth in zinc‐deficient medium. Growth of cells in zinc‐deficient medium resulted in a 44% reduction of intracellular zinc levels and a 75% reduction in the activity of the zinc‐dependent enzyme, 5′‐nucleotidase, relative to the control cells. Over a period of 7 days of exposure to zinc‐deficient conditions, no changes in cell viability and growth, or in the cytoskeletal and cell adhesion systems, were found in HaCaT cells. At 7 days, however, induction of apoptosis was indicated by the presence of DNA fragmentation and expression of active caspase‐3 in cells. These results demonstrate that apoptosis is the earliest detectable cellular change induced by zinc deficiency in HaCaT keratinocytes. Our observations account for many of the features of zinc deficiency, including the presence of degenerate nuclei, chromatin aggregates and abnormal organization of keratin, that may represent the later stages of apoptosis. In summary, a major causal role for apoptosis in the pathology of zinc deficiency in the skin is proposed. This role is consistent with the previously unexplained diverse range of degenerative cellular changes seen at the ultrastructural level in zinc‐deficient keratinocytes.
INVESTIGATIVE IMMUNOTOXICOLOGY
Authors: Kumar Rakesh K
Published: September 2005

Immunology and Cell Biology (2005) 83, 585; doi:10.1111/j.1440‐1711.2005.01393.x
Focal lesions in normal liver
Authors: SEMELKA RICHARD C , MARTIN DIEGO R , CEM BALCI N
Published: August 2005

Abstract  A variety of lesions occur in the normal liver. This review will describe the most common benign, malignant, and infectious lesions. Illustration will be made of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of the most common of these. Due to the high accuracy for liver lesion detection and characterization, and the intrinsic safety of the modality, MR should be considered the primary imaging tool to investigate liver diseases.
Epidemiology and clinical pattern of hepatitis delta virus infection in Pakistan
Authors: MUMTAZ KHALID , HAMID SAEED S , ADIL SALMAN , AFAQ ASIM , ISLAM M , ABID SHAHAB , SHAH HASNAIN A , JAFRI WASIM
Published: August 2005

Background and Aims:  The global epidemiology of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection is changing. This study was performed to determine the epidemiology and clinical impact of hepatitis delta in Pakistan.

Methods:  Countrywide data was collected from 1994 to 2001. A total of 8721 patients were tested for hepatitis delta antibody. A subset of 97 hepatitis delta antibody reactive inpatients with chronic liver disease were compared to 97 patients admitted with liver disease due to hepatitis B alone.

Results:  Of the 8721 patients tested, 1444 (16.6%) were reactive for hepatitis delta antibody. Most were males (87.4%, P < 0.001) and younger (mean age 31 years, P < 0.001) compared to HDV non‐reactive patients. Prevalence of delta infection was highest in the rural (range 25–60%) compared to the urban population (range 6.5–11%). Analysis of the inpatient data showed that delta infected patients had significantly less severe clinical liver disease and a trend towards lesser development of hepatocellular carcinoma compared to delta negative patients.

Conclusions:  (i) HDV infection is present in 16.6% of hepatitis B infected patients in Pakistan, most commonly in younger males living in rural areas; and (ii) delta virus infected patients have less severe clinical liver disease compared to delta negative, hepatitis B patients.
Clinical usefulness of telomerase for the detection of colon cancer in ulcerative colitis patients
Authors: MYUNG SEUNG‐JAE , YANG SUK‐KYUN , CHANG HYE‐SOOK , BYEON JEONG‐SIK , KIM KYU‐JONG , HONG SEONG SOO , JEONG JIN‐YONG , LEE SUN‐MI , HONG WEON‐SEON , KIM JIN‐HO , MIN YOUNG IL
Published: August 2005

Background and Aim: Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is a complication of ulcerative colitis (UC). Although stool occult blood and colonoscopy are used to detect CRC in UC, these methods have drawbacks, in that bleeding is associated with UC and the underlying mucosa is irregular, making it difficult to detect dysplasia. Telomerase and its catalytic subunit, telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), are specifically expressed in cancers, making them candidate markers for the early detection of cancer. We previously reported that assays of telomerase in pancreatic juice may be useful for the early detection of pancreatic cancer. The aims of our study were to determine whether assays for telomerase and TERT may be useful in the diagnosis of CRC developed in UC patients.

Methods: Luminal washings and biopsies were collected during colonoscopy in 66 patients; 34 with CRC, 21 with UC, and 11 controls. Telomerase activity was detected by telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) and hTERT mRNA was assayed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR).

Results: Telomerase activity was detected in biopsies from 33 of 34 (97%) CRC patients, 14 of 21 (67%) UC patients, and three of 11 (27%) normal controls. Expression of hTERT mRNA was observed in biopsies from 32 of 34 (94%) CRC patients, 12 of 21 (57%) UC patients, and five of 11 (45%) controls. In analyses of washing fluid, 21 of 34 (62%) of CRC patients were positive for telomerase, but all UC patients and controls were negative. The sensitivity of telomerase for CRC was 97% in tissues and 62% in washing fluid. The specificity of telomerase in washing fluid was 100%, whereas the specificity of telomerase or hTERT mRNA in tissues was 47% each.

Conclusions: For the detection of CRC arising in UC, telomerase and hTERT in colonic tissue showed high sensitivity, and telomerase in colonoscopic luminal washings revealed a high specificity. These might be candidate markers in clinical decision making for the diagnosis of CRC from UC.

© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Budd–Chiari syndrome: Long‐term effect on outcome with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
Authors: KHUROO MOHAMMAD SULTAN , AL‐SUHABANI HAMAD , AL‐SEBAYEL MOHAMMAD , AL ASHGAR HAMAD , DAHAB SALEIM , KHAN MOHAMMAD QASEEM , Khalaf HATEM ALI
Published: August 2005

Background:  The long‐term outcome of Budd–Chiari syndrome (BCS) with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) is not well studied. To address this, the records of 47 consecutive patients with BCS evaluated in one center from January 1989 to April 2004, were analyzed.

Results:  Seven patients with liver tumors were excluded from analyses. Eleven patients had Bechet's disease, 14 had thrombophiliac disorders, four had myeloproliferative diseases and 11 patients had other or unknown causes. The site of block was hepatic vein in 16 patients, in the suprhepatic inferior vena cava in 19 and not known in five. The majority of patients (21/40; 52.5%) presented with subacute disease with massive ascites and abdominal pain as the dominant manifestations. Eight patients with membranes or segemental block were treated with transluminal angiopalsty, and six were treated with clinical and biochemical recovery. The TIPS was placed through a transcaval puncture in eight patients with progressive liver disease who were on medical therapy and had thrombosis limited to hepatic veins. One patient bled from portal vein puncture, which was managed by placing stent across the punctured site. The TIPS was very effective in decreasing portal pressure gradient, improving synthetic functions, reducing transaminase levels and controlling ascites. Five patients had TIPS dysfunction needing revision. In two patients it was difficult to maintain TIPS patency due to repeated TIPS dysfunction. However, both these patients were asymptomatic with normal liver function tests. Long‐term follow up revealed that patients with TIPS had significantly better survival than those treated with medical therapy alone (log–rank test, P = 0.04). In a multivariate Cox‐model analysis four variables, namely, more florid presentation, male sex, no treatment with TIPS and increasing Child–Pugh–Turcotte score, adversely affected the survival.

Conclusions:  Budd–Chiari syndrome needs an individualized multidisciplinary approach and TIPS is indicated in a subgroup of patients with progressive liver disease. It is safe, feasible and improves survival.

© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Small carcinoma of the pancreas is curable: New computed tomography finding, pathological study and postoperative results from a single institute
Authors: SHIMIZU YASUHIRO , YASUI KENZO , MATSUEDA KIYOSHI , YANAGISAWA AKIO , YAMAO KENJI
Published: August 2005

Background: It is well known that pancreatic cancer is rarely cured and is usually fatal. The clinicopathological features of small (greatest dimension ≤ 2 cm by histologic measurement) carcinoma of the pancreas (s‐PC), were reviewed, paying special attention to new computed tomography (CT) finding that suggests the presence of s‐PC.

Methodology: Sixteen patients with s‐PC have undergone curative surgery at Aichi Cancer Center Hospital during the past 11 years. Their preoperative diagnostic findings, pathological findings and postoperative prognoses were analyzed.

Results: The most useful diagnostic clue was dilatation of the main pancreatic duct (MPD). It was difficult to identify the tumor in four patients because of pancreatitis accompanying the MPD obstruction. In three of these four cases, early phase‐enhanced CT revealed a contrasting effect between the proximal and distal sides of the pancreatic parenchyma at the site of the MPD obstruction (black & white sign). The longest diameters of the tumors ranged from 0.9 to 2 cm (average 1.3 cm). Positive rates of capsular invasion, retroperitoneal invasion, and lymph node metastasis were 6.3% (1/16), 31.3% (5/16), and 18.8% (3/16), respectively. Six patients (37.5%) were classed at stage I, six (37.5%) stage II, three (18.8%) stage III, and one (6.2%) at stage IV according to pathological TNM classification. One patient died of the disease, and the cumulative 3‐ and 5‐year survival rates were 88.9% and 59.3%, respectively.

Conclusions: The presence of s‐PC qualifies as early PC and has a good prognosis. The CT black + white sign will be useful in the diagnosis of s‐PC accompanying pancreatitis.
Analysis of K‐ras mutations and expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 and gastrin protein in laterally spreading tumors
Authors: MUKAWA KENICHIROH , FUJII SHIGEHIKO , TAKEDA JUN , KITAJIMA KAZUAKI , TOMINAGA KEIICHI , CHIBANA YOKO , FUJITA MIKIO , ICHIKAWA KAZUHITO , TOMITA SHIGEKI , ONO YUKO , IMURA JOHJI , KAWAMATA HITOSHI , CHIBA TSUTOMU , HIRAISHI HIDEYUKI , TERANO AKIRA , FUJIMORI TAKAHIRO
Published: August 2005

Background and Aim: Recent advances in colonoscopic techniques have led to the increased detection of, and interest in, superficial type colorectal tumors, and a new category, the ‘laterally spreading tumor (LST)’, has been proposed. However, the characteristics of the genetic alterations in these LSTs have not yet been fully determined. We therefore classified LSTs as LST‐granular (LST‐G) or LST‐non‐granular (LST‐NG), according to their macroscopic appearance, and examined the genetic alterations in these two tumor groups compared with those in protruded type tumors.

Methods: We obtained a total of 62 colorectal tumors, including 26 protruded type, 17 LST‐G and 19 LST‐NG, from specimens resected surgically or endoscopically. We examined K‐ras codon 12 mutations by using the polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism method and by fluorescence direct sequencing. We also performed immunohistochemistry to analyze cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 and gastrin abnormalities.

Results: The incidence of K‐ras mutation was 50.0% in protruded type tumors, 76.5% in LST‐G, and 26.3% in LST‐NG. The frequencies of COX‐2 overexpression were 73.1, 88.2, and 31.6%, respectively, and those of gastrin overexpression were 61.5, 82.4, and 26.3%, respectively. Therefore, LST‐G is similar to protruded type tumors in that the incidence of K‐ras mutation and the frequencies of COX‐2 and gastrin overexpression are high. LST‐NG differs from both of these tumor types in that the values of these three indicators are all low.

Conclusions: These results show that LST‐G and LST‐NG have different genetic alterations.

© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Racial differences in Helicobacter pylori, serum pepsinogen and gastric cancer incidence in an urban Asian population
Authors: ANG TIING LEONG , FOCK KWONG MING , DHAMODARAN SUBBIAH , TEO ENG KIONG , TAN JESSICA
Published: August 2005

Background:  In Singapore, the highest incidence of gastric cancer occurs in the Chinese (C), with lower rates among Malay (M) and Indian (I) subjects. The purpose of the present paper was to examine whether racial differences in the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and serum pepsinogen (PG) could account for this difference.

Methods:  A randomized community health survey involving 7000 asymptomatic healthy individuals was conducted. Among the Chinese, Malay and Indian respondents, subjects were matched for age, gender and race and a total of 595 sera were obtained. The H. pylori seropositivity and serum PG levels were determined by ELISA. The dependency of the cumulative gastric incidence rate on H. pylori seroprevalence was evaluated by linear regression. The racial difference in the seroprevalence of H. pylori and low serum PG was determined.

Results:  The H. pylori seroprevalence was similar between Chinese and Indian subjects, but significantly lower among Malay subjects (C, 46.3%; M, 27.9%; I, 48.1%). The gastric cancer incidence rates correlated with H. pylori seropositivity for the Chinese and Malay subjects, but not for the Indian subjects. The prevalence of low PG was highest in Indian subjects (PG I low: C, 2.1%; M, 5.4%; I, 14.2%; P < 0.0001; PG I:II ratio low: C, 5.3%; M, 5.9%; I, 12.6%; P = 0.012), even when adjusted for gender and the presence of H. pylori.

Conclusions:  The difference in gastric cancer incidence correlated with H. pylori seroprevalence for Chinese and Malay subjects. The lower incidence of gastric cancer among Indian subjects cannot be explained by differences in H. pylori or serum PG. Other modifying factors such as host and environmental factors may be important.

© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Leukocytapheresis therapy for steroid‐naïve patients with active ulcerative colitis: Its clinical efficacy and adverse effects compared with those of conventional steroid therapy
Authors: NISHIOKA CHIHARU , AOYAMA NOBUO , MAEKAWA SHUJI , SHIRASAKA DAISUKE , NAKAHARA TAKAKO , TAMURA TAKAO , FUKAGAWA MASASHI , UMEZU MICHIO , ABE TAKAYA , KASUGA MASATO
Published: August 2005

Background: Steroid administration currently plays a central role in the medical management of ulcerative colitis (UC); however, long‐term steroid usage causes adverse effects, which necessitates stoppage of drug intake, leading to worsening of the disease. A steroid‐sparing, well‐tolerated treatment is therefore required. As several investigators have reported the efficacy of leukocytapheresis (LCAP) combined with steroid therapy, we investigated the clinical usefulness and safety of LCAP for steroid‐naïve patients with active UC for comparison with those of conventional steroid therapy.

Methods: Twenty‐nine Japanese patients with active UC without a history of steroid usage were selected to be treated with LCAP (n = 9) or prednisolone (PSL) (n = 20). LCAP administration continued for 10 weekly cycles. In the PSL group, patients with moderately severe disease received 0.5 mg/kg per day of PSL and those with severe disease 1.0 mg/kg per day. The PSL dosage was gradually tapered in accordance with improvement.

Results: Eight (88.9%) of the LCAP group and 16 (80.0%) of the PSL group showed clinical improvement and three (33.3%) of the LCAP group and seven (35.0%) of the PSL group achieved remission. As for the treatment complications, three major adverse effects were observed in the PSL group, but none were observed in the LCAP group.

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the efficacy and safety of LCAP are equivalent, and in terms of severe adverse effects, superior to those of steroid therapy. LCAP therapy may thus be a promising candidate therapy for steroid‐naïve patients with active UC.

© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Cirrhotic rats with bacterial translocation have higher incidence and severity of hepatopulmonary syndrome
Authors: SZTRYMF BENJAMIN , LIBERT JEAN‐MARIE , MOUGEOT CHRISTINE , LEBREC DIDIER , MAZMANIAN MICHEL , HUMBERT MARC , HERVE PHILIPPE
Published: August 2005

Background:  Bacterial translocation, that is, extra‐intestinal dissemination of gut bacteria, occurs in approximately 50% of humans and rats with cirrhosis and plays a significant role in enhanced tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) production. The authors’ previous studies have indicated that prevention of bacterial translocation with norfloxacine or inhibition of TNF‐α with pentoxifylline treatment decreased both the incidence and severity of hepatopulmonary syndrome by attenuating the induction of pulmonary intravascular macrophages in cirrhotic rats. In the present study the hypothesis was tested that the cirrhotic rats with bacterial translocation had higher TNF‐α production, higher level of sequestration of macrophages in pulmonary vessels, and increased incidence and severity of hepatopulmonary syndrome.

Methods:  Rats were studied 5 weeks after common bile duct ligation or sham operation. Bacterial translocation was defined by positive mesenteric lymph node cultures. Hepatopulmonary syndrome was assessed by measurements of alveoloarterial oxygen difference (AaPO2) and intrapulmonary shunt. The TNF‐α concentration in plasma was measured by ELISA. Pulmonary intravascular macrophage sequestration was assessed by lung morphometric analysis.

Results:  Bacterial translocation occurred in 48% of cirrhotic rats. Plasma concentrations of TNF‐α and the percentage of vessels with pulmonary intravascular macrophages were higher in the cirrhotic rats with bacterial translocation. Rats with bacterial translocation also had a higher incidence (9% vs 63%, P < 0.01) and severity of hepatopulmonary syndrome, as indicated by higher levels of both AaPO2 and intrapulmonary shunt.

Conclusions:  These results suggest that bacterial translocation may play a role in the pathogenesis of hepatopulmonary syndrome by inducing pulmonary intravascular macrophages through TNF‐α upregulation.
Antiviral therapy after non‐surgical tumor ablation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma associated with hepatitis C virus
Authors: HUNG CHAO‐HUNG , LEE CHUAN‐MO , WANG JING‐HOUNG , TUNG HUNG‐DA , CHEN CHIEN‐HUNG , LU SHENG‐NAN
Published: August 2005

Background:  Antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has led to a reduction in the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The purpose of the present paper was to assess whether antiviral therapy might suppress tumor recurrence and influence overall survival in patients with HCV‐related HCC who had complete ablation of nodules by non‐surgical treatments.

Methods:  Twenty patients with three or fewer nodules of HCV‐related HCC who were treated with percutaneous tumor ablation and/or transcatheter arterial embolization received combined interferon (IFN; 3 or 5 million units of IFN α‐2b thrice weekly) plus ribavirin (1000–1200 mg per day) therapy for 24–48 weeks after complete ablation of lesions. During the same period, an additional 40 age‐ and sex‐matched control patients with similar characteristics of tumors (sizes, numbers and treatment modalities) and severity of liver disease were recruited from the HCC database. Both recurrence‐free survival and actuarial survival were evaluated.

Results:  Of the 20 patients, 16 completed therapy and 10 showed a sustained response with normalization of alanine aminotransferase and negative HCV‐RNA at 6 months after therapy completion. Due to severe side‐effects experienced by Child B patients, who mostly discontinued antiviral therapy, clinical outcome was analyzed in the Child A treated (n = 16) and control (n = 33) patients. There was no significant difference in the incidence of local recurrence in sustained responders compared with non‐responders or control patients (P = 0.174, 0.1284, respectively); but the second recurrence‐free interval in the sustained responders was significantly longer than that of non‐responders and the control group (P = 0.0141, 0.0243, respectively). Survival in sustained responders was better than in non‐responders and control patients (P = 0.0691, 0.0554, respectively).

Conclusions:  These results indicate that successful antiviral therapy after non‐surgical tumor ablation for HCV‐related HCC may lower tumor recurrence rate and prolong survival.

© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Distribution and prevalence of colorectal hyperplastic polyps using magnifying pan‐mucosal chromoendoscopy and its relationship with synchronous colorectal cancer: Prospective study
Authors: YANO TOMONORI , SANO YASUSHI , IWASAKI JUNKO , FU KUANG‐I , YOSHINO TAKAYUKI , KATO SHIGEHARU , MERA KIYOMI , OCHIAI ATSUSHI , FUJII TAKAHIRO , YOSHIDA SHIGEAKI
Published: August 2005

Background and Aim:  Patients with multiple (hyperplastic polyposis) or large hyperplastic polyps (HPs) predominantly in the right‐sided colon, have been reported to have an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). This prospective study was conducted to clarify the distribution of various sized HPs using magnifying pan‐mucosal chromoendoscopy and its relationship with synchronous CRC.

Methods:  Patients eligible for this study had an initial total colonoscopy. Indigo carmine dye was sprayed throughout the whole colon and rectum, and diagnoses were made using magnifying colonoscopy.

Results:  A total of 263 patients were enrolled, and a total of 3060 HPs were observed in 226 (86%) patients. The prevalence of patients with intermediate size (≥ 6 mm) HPs was 8.7% (n = 23) and that of patients with large HPs (≥ 10 mm) was 0.8% (n = 2). Of 3060 HPs, the numbers of diminutive (< 6 mm), intermediate size and large HPs were 3020, 38 and two, respectively, and 5.0%, 42.1% and 100% of these were located in the right‐sided colon, respectively. Synchronous CRC was observed in 64 (24%) of 263 patients. Compared to patients without HPs, patients with intermediate size HPs showed a significant increase in odds ratio (OR) for synchronous CRC (OR = 4.9: 95% CI [1.3–18.2]), but there was no significant association between synchronous CRC and patients with diminutive or large HPs.

Conclusions:  Compared to diminutive HPs, intermediate size and large HPs were predominantly located in the right‐side colon. Moreover, intermediate size HPs were significantly correlated with synchronous CRC.

© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Assessing nutritional status in children with chronic liver disease
Authors: TAYLOR RACHEL M , DHAWAN ANIL
Published: September 2005

Abstract The metabolic changes compounded by anorexia associated with chronic liver disease adversely affect growth in children. In many cases, this requires the administration of artificial nutritional support. It is important in this group of patients that those who are becoming nutritionally depleted are identified quickly and in those receiving artificial nutritional support, the effectiveness is monitored. The current review is an examination of methods available to assess nutritional status. These include anthropometry, methods available in the laboratory and a selection of less commonly used methods undergoing evaluation at research level. A brief discussion accompanies each technique, outlining the limitations of its use in children with chronic liver disease. The review concludes with an outline of how nutritional status should be assessed in this group of children, and suggests further research.
Impact of aging on penile hemodynamics in men responding normally to prostaglandin injection: A power Doppler study
Authors: SAKAMOTO HIDEO , KUROSAWA KAZUHIRO , SUDOU NAOKI , ISHIKAWA KIMIYASU , OGAWA YOSHIO , YOSHIDA HIDEKI
Published: September 2005

Abstract

Aim: Hemodynamic changes with aging in the penile arterial circulation, including the helicine arteries, were evaluated with power Doppler imaging in erectile dysfunction patients with a normal response to prostaglandin injection.

Methods: In 36 patients with erectile dysfunction and no definite vascular risk factors, 72 corpora were examined using power Doppler imaging. Patients were classified by age: younger than 40 years, from 40 to 49, or 50 and older. Hemodynamic variables in the cavernous arteries, helicine arteries and dorsal arteries were measured after intracavernous injection of prostaglandin E1 (20 µg).

Results: All cavernous arteries had a maximum peak systolic velocity of greater than 35 cm/s and a minimum end‐diastolic velocity of less than 0 cm/s. Mean peak systolic velocity in the cavernous artery differed between groups (P = 0.016), especially between the younger than 40 age group and the 40–49 age group. Peak systolic velocity correlated negatively with age (P = 0.0048). In the helicine arteries and dorsal arteries, peak systolic velocity did not differ between groups and showed no correlation with age. End‐diastolic velocity, resistance index and acceleration time did not differ between groups, or correlate with age for any artery.

Conclusions: Hemodynamic change with aging occurs predominantly in the cavernous arteries, where peak systolic velocity decreases. The arterial circulation beyond the cavernous arteries, including the helicine arteries, as well as veno‐occlusive mechanisms, may have an important role in maintaining erectile function in aging.
Structural diversity of bacterial communities in a heavy metal mineralized granite outcrop
Authors: Gleeson Deirdre , McDermott Frank , Clipson Nicholas
Published: September 2005

This laboratory study of a variably mineralized and hydrothermally altered granite outcrop investigated the influences of rock‐surface chemistry and heavy metal content on resident bacterial populations. Results indicated that elevated heavy metal concentrations had a profound impact on bacterial community structure, with strong relationships found between certain ribotypes and particular chemical/heavy metal elements. Automated ribosomal intergenic sequence analysis (ARISA) was used to assess the nature and extent of bacterial diversity, and this was combined with chemical analysis and multivariate statistics to identify the main geochemical factors influencing bacterial community structure. A randomization test revealed significant changes in bacterial structure between samples, while canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) related each individual ARISA profile to linear combinations of the chemical variables (mineralogy, major element and heavy metal concentrations) revealing the geochemical factors that correlated with changes in the ARISA data. anova was performed to further explore interactions between individual ribotypes and chemical/heavy metal composition, and revealed that a high proportion of ribotypes correlated significantly with heavy metals.
The Case of Brew*
Authors: Smith M. Brewster
Published: August 2005

Abstract
The author, a personality and social psychologist, attempts a candid life history for his colleagues in psychology.
Defining Forgiveness: Christian Clergy and General Population Perspectives
Authors: Macaskill Ann
Published: August 2005

Abstract
The lack of any consensual definition of forgiveness is a serious weakness in the research literature (McCullough, Pargament, & Thoresen, 2000). As forgiveness is at the core of Christianity, this study returns to the Christian source of the concept to explore the meaning of forgiveness for practicing Christian clergy. Comparisons are made with a general population sample and social science definitions of forgiveness to ensure that a shared meaning of forgiveness is articulated. Anglican and Roman Catholic clergy (N=209) and a general population sample (N=159) completed a postal questionnaire about forgiveness. There was agreement on the existence of individual differences in forgiveness. Clergy and the general population perceived reconciliation as necessary for forgiveness while there was no consensus within psychology. The clergy suggest that forgiveness is limitless and that repentance is unnecessary, while the general population suggests that there are limits and that repentance is necessary. Psychological definitions do not conceptualize repentance as necessary for forgiveness, and the question of limits has not been addressed, although, within therapy, the implicit assumption is that forgiveness is limitless.
The Mediating Role of Parental Expectations in Culture and Well‐Being
Authors: Oishi Shigehiro , Sullivan Helen W.
Published: August 2005

Abstract
In two studies, we examined the role of perceived fulfillment of parental expectations in the subjective well‐being of college students. In Study 1, we found that American college students reported having higher levels of life satisfaction and self‐esteem than did Japanese college students. American college students also reported having fulfilled parental expectations to a greater degree than did Japanese college students. Most importantly, the cultural difference in well‐being was mediated by perceived fulfillment of parental expectations. In Study 2, we replicated the mediational finding with Asian American and European American college students. Asian American participants also perceived their parents' expectations about their academic performance to be more specific than did European Americans, which was associated with the cultural difference in perceived fulfillment of parental expectations. In short, perceived parental expectations play an important role in the cultural difference in the well‐being of Asians and European Americans.
Psychological Masculinity‐Femininity via the Gender Diagnosticity Approach: Heritability and Consistency Across Ages and Populations
Authors: Loehlin John C. , Jönsson Erik G. , Gustavsson J. Petter , Stallings Michael C. , Gillespie Nathan A , Wright Margaret J. , Martin Nicholas G.
Published: August 2005

Abstract Several aspects of the Gender Diagnosticity (GD) approach of Lippa (1995) to measuring the psychological trait of masculinity‐femininity within sexes were explored in four samples ranging from 363 to 5,859 individuals, including Swedish and Australian adults, U.S. elderly, and Australian adolescents. Two ways of deriving GD scales yielded highly similar results. Moderate stability of individual differences was found across ages 12 to 16 among adolescents, but substantial shifts over age occurred in relationships with Eysenck scales. Considerable generality of GD scales was obtained across languages and populations. Substantial heritabilities (about 40%) and minimal effects of shared family environments suggest that within‐sex masculinity‐femininity behaves as a fairly typical personality trait. Cross‐age continuity appeared mainly to reflect the influence of the genes.
Personality Traits Beyond the Big Five: Are They Within the HEXACO Space?
Authors: Lee Kibeom , Ogunfowora Babatunde , Ashton Michael C.
Published: August 2005

Abstract
Paunonen (2002) recently developed the Supernumerary Personality Inventory (SPI), a measure of 10 traits that have low loadings within the space of the Big Five personality factors. If the SPI personality traits are representative of the domain of non‐Big Five personality traits, then the major source of the variance in the SPI traits would be expected to correlate strongly with the sixth factor of personality, Honesty‐Humility. We tested this hypothesis using self‐report measures (N=200) of the SPI traits, of the Big Five, and of the new six‐dimensional (“HEXACO”) structure. Results indicated that the first unrotated factor underlying the 10 SPI traits was heavily saturated with variance from Honesty‐Humility (r=.65). Nevertheless, the 10 SPI traits contained substantial amounts of unique variance not accounted for by the HEXACO or the Big Five variables, highlighting the importance of the facet‐level assessment of personality traits.
Unfolding Interpersonal Behavior
Authors: Moskowitz D. S.
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Models of interpersonal traits have traditionally contained two independent dimensions, one referring to dominance as the opposite of submissiveness and the other referring to agreeableness as the opposite of quarrelsomeness. These models are primarily based on psychometric analyses of the co‐occurrence of interpersonal characteristics. The present article reviews literature based on event‐contingent recording studies that examine whether the structure of interpersonal behavior as revealed in its everyday occurrence is consistent with this model of interpersonal traits. Evidence from studies of the effects of hierarchical social role situations, the relations between behaviors and affect, and the effects of alterations in serotonin are used to evaluate whether dominance, submissiveness, agreeableness, and quarrelsomeness are related, opposite, or independent behavioral systems. The pattern of findings suggests that agreeableness and quarrelsomeness may be part of the same behavioral system while dominance and submissiveness may have separate underlying behavioral systems.
Exploration and Exploitation Strategies in Industrial R&D
Authors: Cesaroni Fabrizio , Minin Alberto Di , Piccaluga Andrea
Published: August 2005

This paper discusses four types of strategic decisions in technology management in established firms. We argue that more attention, both from a theoretical and an empirical perspective, should be paid to the strategic solutions which are implemented as a consequence of such decisions, as well as to the various types of interactions between strategic decisions and organizational solutions in industrial R&D. Here we apply management concepts derived from the industrial dynamics literature to R&D, and use a theoretical framework to describe and analyse four case studies concerning the largest R&D centres of Italian firms operating in different industrial sectors (telecommunications, automotive, communication and cables, and semiconductors). The different approaches that those private R&D centres have chosen in their recent past are compared and discussed. We analyse the patterns of exploration, technology transfer and commercialization that industrial R&D labs have adopted in order to combine short‐term objectives of exploitation of research results and competencies, and long‐term goals of exploration of new technological trajectories, based upon the use of two dimensions: first, the type of technological change, and second the control of complementary assets and the existence of a dominant design. We argue that the interpretation of the four case studies can represent a useful basis for discussion among R&D managers as well as innovation and technology management scholars.
Embracing Innovation as Strategy: Corporate Venturing, Competence Building and Corporate Strategy Making
Authors: Vanhaverbeke Wim , Peeters Nico
Published: August 2005

Large diversified companies companies do not have good track records in managing discontinuous change and in turning breakthrough innovations into long‐term growth and profit engines. Their existing technological capabilities tend to facilitate cognitive inertia, path dependency and low levels of experimentation. However, some companies seem to find a dynamic balance between exploitation and exploration, between path creation and path dependence. We focus on how these established firms manage that continuous change process, and more specifically we seek to answer how corporate strategy, competence building and new business development interact in rejuvenating a company. Furthermore, we investigate how these concepts are at play on an operational level by looking at corporate practices in large companies that have a track record of successful strategic rejuvenation.
An Empirical Study of Individual Competencies in Distribution Centres to Enable Continuous Innovation
Authors: Soosay Claudine A.
Published: August 2005

Individual competencies are the complex combination of knowledge, skills and abilities demonstrated by employees that are critical to the effective and efficient functioning of the organization. As firms pursue strategies and commitment to continuously innovate, the major resource to enable this process lies in the people within the organization. Logistics firms in developed economies such as Singapore and Australia are embarking on these strategies to remain competitive. The key objective of this paper is to investigate the competencies that are inherent in employees of distribution centres as part of the logistic function that are rapidly growing and innovating. The study adopts an iterative process of data collection by conducting ten case studies in Singapore and Australia and interviews with senior managers. The findings show several competencies apparent in employees of the firms studied. These underpinned collective behaviours and organizational capabilities needed for continuous innovation. This study provides important lessons for managers in logistics organizations in Australia and Singapore and demonstrates how differing extents of competencies and behaviours of employees can impact on the operations of firms and their capacities to innovate.