bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endobacter medicaginis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from alfalfa nodules in an acidic soil
Authors: Ramírez-Bahena Martha Helena , Tejedor Carmen , Martín Isidro , Velázquez Encarna , Peix Alvaro
Published: September 2012

A bacterial strain designated M1MS02T was isolated from a surface-sterilized nodule of Medicago sativa in Zamora (Spain). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of this strain showed 96.5 and 96.2 % similarity, respectively, with respect to

Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens

IFO 12388T and

Granulibacter bethesdensis

CGDNIH1T from the family

Acetobacteraceae

. The novel isolate was a Gram-stain-negative, non-sporulating, aerobic coccoid to rod-shaped bacterium that was motile by a subpolar flagellum. The major fatty acid was C18 : 1ω7c and the major ubiquinone was Q-10. The lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two aminophospholipids, three aminolipids, four glycolipids, two phospholipids and one lipid. Strain M1MS02T was catalase-positive and oxidase- and urease-negative. Acetate and lactate were not oxidized. Acetic acid was produced from ethanol in culture media supplemented with 2 % CaCO3. Ammonium sulphate was assimilated in glucose medium. The strain produced dihydroxyacetone from glycerol. Phylogenetic and phenotypic analyses commonly used to differentiate genera within the family

Acetobacteraceae

showed that strain M1MS02T should be classified as representing a novel species of a new genus within this family, for which the name Endobacter medicaginis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is M1MS02T ( = LMG 26838T = CECT 8088T). To our knowledge, this is the first report of a member of the

Acetobacteraceae

occurring as a legume nodule endophyte.
Flaviflexus huanghaiensis gen. nov., sp. nov., an actinobacterium of the family

Actinomycetaceae
Authors: Du Zong-Jun , Miao Ting-Ting , Lin Xue-Zheng , Liu Qian-Qian , Chen Guan-Jun
Published: September 2012

Strain H5T was isolated from a sediment sample collected from the coastal area of Qingdao, China. The cells were Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, straight or curved rods. The temperature range for growth was 20–37 °C and the pH for growth ranged from 6.5 to 9.0, with optimum growth occurring in the temperature range 28–30 °C and pH range 7.5–8.0. Growth occurred in the presence of 0–6 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0–2 %). Strain H5T had MK-9, MK-9(H2) and MK-9(H4) as the major menaquinones and C18 : 1ω9c, C16 : 0, C14 : 0, C18 : 0 and C16 : 1ω9c as major fatty acids. The cell-wall peptidoglycan type was A5α l-Lys-l-Ala-l-Lys-d-Glu. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol (PG), an unknown phospholipid (PL1) and two unknown phosphoglycolipids (PGL1, PGL2). An unknown phospholipid (PL2) and two unknown glycolipids (GL1, GL2) were present in moderate to minor amounts in the polar lipid profile. The genomic DNA G+C content was 61.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain H5T represents a novel lineage in the family

Actinomycetaceae

. On the basis of phenotypic, physiological and molecular characteristics, it is proposed that the novel isolate should be classified as a novel species in a new genus: Flaviflexus huanghaiensis gen. nov., sp. nov., with strain H5T ( = DSM 24315T = CICC 10486T) as the type strain of the type species.
Pseudomonas punonensis sp. nov., isolated from straw
Authors: Ramos Elena , Ramírez-Bahena Martha-Helena , Valverde Angel , Velázquez Encarna , Zúñiga Doris , Velezmoro Carmen , Peix Alvaro
Published: September 2012

During a study of the ‘tunta’ (frozen-dry potato) production process in Peru, a bacterial strain, LMT03T, was isolated from the straw grass in which the potatoes are dried. This strain was classified into the genusPseudomonason the basis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, and is most closely related toPseudomonas argentinensisCH01Twith 99.3 % identity in this gene and 96 %, 92 % and 86 % identities inrpoB,rpoDandgyrBgenes, respectively. Strain LMT03Thas a single polar flagellum, like other related yellow-pigment-producing pseudomonads. The major quinone is Q-9. The major fatty acids are C18 : 1ω7cin summed feature 8 (40.82 %), C16 : 1ω6c/C16 : 1ω6c in summed feature 3 (23.72 %) and C16 : 0(15.20 %). The strain produces oxidase but it does not produce gelatinase, indole, urease, arginine dihydrolase or β-galactosidase. Catalase production was very weak after 28 and 48 h incubation on nutrient agar medium. Nitrate reduction is negative. It does not hydrolyse aesculin. The DNA G+C content is 57.8 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization results showed lower than 52 % relatedness with respect to the type strain ofP. argentinensis, CH01T. These results, together with other phenotypic characteristics, support the definition of a novel species within the genusPseudomonas, for which the namePseudomonas punonensissp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LMT03T( = LMG 26839T = CECT 8089T).
Actinoallomurus acanthiterrae sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from rhizosphere soil of the mangrove plant Acanthus ilicifolius
Authors: Tang Yi-Li , Lin Hai-Peng , Xie Qing-Yi , Li Lei , Peng Fang , Deng Zixin , Hong Kui
Published: September 2012

A novel actinobacterium strain, 2614A723T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of mangrove plant Acanthus ilicifolius collected at Touyuan, Wenchang, Hainan province, China. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain 2614A723T formed a distinct phyletic line in the genus

Actinoallomurus

, the 16S rRNA gene tree sharing similarities of 98.35 %, 98.07 % and 97.86 % with

Actinoallomurus spadix

NBRC 14099T,

Actinoallomurus purpureus

TTN02-30T and

Actinoallomurus luridus

TT02-15T
, respectively. Strain 2614A723T contained lysine and meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall peptidoglycan and madurose, galactose and xylose in the whole-cell sugars. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H6). The major polar phospholipids were phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. These chemotaxonomic data confirmed the affiliation of strain 2614A723T to the genus

Actinoallomurus

. It is apparent from the combined phenotypic data, biochemical tests and DNA–DNA hybridization values that strain 2614A723T should be classified in the genus

Actinoallomurus

as a representative of a novel species. The name Actinoallomurus acanthiterrae sp. nov. is proposed with strain 2614A723T ( = CCTCC AA 2012001T = DSM 45727T) as the type strain.
Eilatimonas milleporae gen. nov., sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from the hydrocoral Millepora dichotoma
Authors: Paramasivam Nithyanand , Ben-Dov Eitan , Arotsker Luba , Kushmaro Ariel
Published: September 2012

A marine bacterial strain, designated MD2T, was isolated from the damaged tissue of a hydrocoral, Millepora dichotoma, collected from the coral reef in the northern Red Sea, Gulf of Eilat, Israel. Strain MD2T was Gram-reaction-negative, rod-shaped and motile, and formed small, creamy and opaque colonies, 1–2 mm in diameter, after 3 days incubation on Marine agar at 30°C. The novel strain grew well in nutrient broth at 1.5–6 % NaCl and at 20–37°C. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C17 : 1ω9c, iso-C17 : 0, C18 : 1ω7c and C17 : 1ω6c. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified lipid, two unidentified phospholipids, two unidentified glycolipids and two unidentified aminolipids. Ubiquinone Q-10 was the only respiratory lipoquinone. The DNA G+C content was 60.3 mol%. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence placed the organism in the α-subclass of the

Proteobacteria

with a sequence divergence of about 9 % from any species with a validly published name. The highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (approximately 91 %) was notably with type strains of members of the genus

Kordiimonas

,

Kordiimonas aestuarii

101-1T
,
Kordiimonas lacus S3-22T and

Kordiimonas gwangyangensis

GW14-5T. On the basis of genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic distinctness, strain MD2T represents a novel species in a new genus of the class

Alphaproteobacteria

, for which the name Eilatimonas milleporae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is MD2T ( = LMG 26586T = DSM 25217T).
Aureicoccus marinus gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae , isolated from seawater
Authors: Park Sanghwa , Yoshizawa Susumu , Muramatsu Yuki , Nakagawa Yasuyoshi , Yokota Akira , Kogure Kazuhiro
Published: September 2012

A coccoid and amorphous-shaped, non-gliding, proteorhodopsin-containing, yellow bacterium, designated strain SG-18T, was isolated from seawater in the western North Pacific Ocean near Japan. The strain was Gram-stain-negative, obligately aerobic, heterotrophic and oxidase-positive. It hydrolysed aesculin but not DNA, urea, gelatin or agar. Growth occurred in the presence of 1–5 % NaCl, with optimum growth at 2 % NaCl. The strain grew at 15–37 °C with an optimum temperature of 25–30 °C. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain SG-18Twas 47.0 mol% (HPLC). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-6, and major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 1G, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 03-OH. Phylogenetic trees generated by using 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SG-18Tbelonged to the familyFlavobacteriaceaeand showed 92.7 % sequence similarity to the most closely related species,Croceitalea eckloniaeDOKDO 025T. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic features, strain SG-18Tis classified as representing a novel species of a new genus within the familyFlavobacteriaceae, for which the nameAureicoccus marinusgen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is SG-18T( = NBRC 108814T = KCTC 23967T).
Streptomyces chiangmaiensis sp. nov. and Streptomyces lannensis sp. nov., isolated from the South-East Asian stingless bee (Tetragonilla collina)
Authors: Promnuan Yaowanoot , Kudo Takuji , Ohkuma Moriya , Chantawannakul Panuwan
Published: September 2012

Two novel actinomycetes, strains TA4-1T and TA4-8T, were isolated from the South-East Asian stingless bee (Tetragonilla collina Smith 1857), collected from Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The morphological and chemotaxonomic properties of strains TA4-1T and TA4-8T were consistent with the genus

Streptomyces

, i.e. the formation of aerial mycelia bearing spiral spore chains, the presence of the ll-isomer of diaminopimelic acid in cell walls, iso- and anteiso-branched fatty acids with carbon chain lengths 14–17 atoms as the major fatty acids and MK-9(H8) as the predominant menaquinone plus minor amounts of MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H10). Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains TA4-1T and TA4-8T exhibited 98.8 and 98.1 % sequence similarity, respectively, with

Streptomyces chromofuscus

NRRL B-12175T and 98.9 % sequence similarity with each other. This study suggested that strains TA4-1T and TA4-8T were distinct from previously described species of the genus

Streptomyces

. In addition, the low degrees of DNA–DNA relatedness between the isolates and

S. chromofuscus

JCM 4354T warranted assigning strains TA4-1T and TA4-8T to two novel species. The names Streptomyces chiangmaiensis sp. nov. (type strain TA4-1T  = JCM 16577T  = TISTR 1981T) and Streptomyces lannensis sp. nov. (type strain TA4-8T  = JCM 16578T  = TISTR 1982T) are proposed. The species names indicate the geographical locations where the stingless bees reside.
Luteolibacter yonseiensis sp. nov., isolated from activated sludge using algal metabolites
Authors: Park Joonhong , Baek Gyu Seok , Woo Sung-Geun , Lee Jangho , Yang Jihoon , Lee Juyoun
Published: September 2012

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterial strain, designated EBTL01T, was isolated from activated sludge by using metabolites of microalgae Ankistrodesmus gracilis SAG278-2. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain EBTL01T belongs to the family

Verrucomicrobiaceae

, class

Verrucomicrobiae

, and is related most closely to

Luteolibacter pohnpeiensis

A4T-83T (95.5 % sequence similarity) and

Luteolibacter algae

A5J-41-2T (95.2 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain EBTL01T was 56.3 mol% and the menaquinone MK-9 was detected as the predominant quinone. Major fatty acid components were iso-C14 : 0, C16 : 1ω7c and C16 : 0. The amino acids of the cell-wall peptidoglycan contained muramic acid and meso-diaminopimelic acid. These profile results supported the affiliation of strain EBTL01T to the genus

Luteolibacter

. On the other hand, based on chemotaxonomic properties and phenotypic characteristics, strain EBTL01T could be clearly differentiated from its phylogenetic neighbours. Therefore, strain EBTL01T represents a novel species of the genus

Luteolibacter

, for which the name Luteolibacter yonseiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is EBTL01T ( = KCTC 23678T = JCM 18052T).
Allelic Variation in Paralogs of GDP-l-Galactose Phosphorylase Is a Major Determinant of Vitamin C Concentrations in Apple Fruit
Authors: Mellidou Ifigeneia , Chagné David , Laing William A. , Keulemans Johan , Davey Mark W.
Published: September 2012

To identify the genetic factors underlying the regulation of fruit vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid [AsA]) concentrations, quantitative trait loci (QTL) studies were carried out in an F1 progeny derived from a cross between the apple (Malus × domestica) cultivars Telamon and Braeburn over three years. QTL were identified for AsA, glutathione, total antioxidant activity in both flesh and skin tissues, and various quality traits, including flesh browning. Four regions on chromosomes 10, 11, 16, and 17 contained stable fruit AsA-QTL clusters. Mapping of AsA metabolic genes identified colocations between orthologs of GDP-l-galactose phosphorylase (GGP), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), and nucleobase-ascorbate transporter within these QTL clusters. Of particular interest are the three paralogs of MdGGP, which all colocated within AsA-QTL clusters. Allelic variants of MdGGP1 and MdGGP3 derived from the cultivar Braeburn parent were also consistently associated with higher fruit total AsA concentrations both within the mapping population (up to 10-fold) and across a range of commercial apple germplasm (up to 6-fold). Striking differences in the expression of the cv Braeburn MdGGP1 allele between fruit from high- and low-AsA genotypes clearly indicate a key role for MdGGP1 in the regulation of fruit AsA concentrations, and this MdGGP allele-specific single-nucleotide polymorphism marker represents an excellent candidate for directed breeding for enhanced fruit AsA concentrations. Interestingly, colocations were also found between MdDHAR3-3 and a stable QTL for browning in the cv Telamon parent, highlighting links between the redox status of the AsA pool and susceptibility to flesh browning.
British Food Journal – A History
Authors: Mozley Derek
Published: September 2012

Three events of significance to this country took place in 1899 – the British Food Journal was launched, Australia retained the Ashes, and the Boer War hostilities commenced. If challenged on the order of their importance, cricketers and Empire‐builders may be excused their preference. However, looking at it purely from the standpoint of pro bono publico, the dispassionate observer must surely opt for the birth of a certain publication as being ultimately the most beneficial of the three.
Cognitive decline in elderly bipolar disorder patients: a follow‐up study
Authors: Schouws Sigfried NTM , Stek Max L , Comijs Hannie C , Dols Annemieke , Beekman Aartjan TF
Published: September 2012

Schouws SNTM, Stek ML, Comijs HC, Dols A, Beekman ATF. Cognitive decline in elderly bipolar disorder patients: a follow‐up study. Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 749–755. © 2012 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Objective:  Older individuals with bipolar disorder may exhibit greater cognitive decline over time compared to mentally healthy elderly individuals. We aimed to investigate neurocognitive performance in bipolar disorder over a period of two years.

Methods:  A comprehensive neuropsychological test battery was applied at baseline and two years later to 65 euthymic elderly outpatients with bipolar disorder (mean age = 68.35, range: 60–90 years) and to a demographically comparable sample of 42 healthy elderly controls. A general linear model was used to measure changes over time for the two groups. The impact of baseline illness characteristics on intra‐individual change in neurocognitive performance within the bipolar group was studied by using logistic regression analysis.

Results:  At baseline and at follow up, bipolar disorder patients performed worse on all neurocognitive measures compared to the healthy elderly group. However, there was no significant group‐by‐time interaction between the bipolar disorder patients and the comparison group.

Conclusions:  Although older bipolar disorder patients have worse cognitive function than normal controls, they did not have greater cognitive decline over a period of two years.
Risk factors related to lifetime suicide attempts in acutely admitted bipolar disorder inpatients
Authors: Finseth Per I , Morken Gunnar , Andreassen Ole A , Malt Ulrik F , Vaaler Arne E
Published: September 2012

Finseth PI, Morken G, Andreassen OA, Malt UF, Vaaler AE. Risk factors related to lifetime suicide attempts in acutely admitted bipolar disorder inpatients.  Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 727–734. © 2012 The Authors.  Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Objective:  The main aim of this study was to assess possible clinical characteristics of acutely admitted bipolar I disorder (BD‐I) and bipolar II disorder (BD‐II) inpatients at high risk of suicide by comparing patients who had made one or several serious suicide attempts with patients who had not.

Methods:  A total of 206 consecutive patients (mean age 42 ± 15 years; 54.9% women) with DSM–IV diagnosed BD‐I (n = 140) and BD‐II (n = 66) acutely admitted to a single psychiatric hospital department from November 2002 through June 2009 were included. Using a detailed retrospective questionnaire, patients with a history of a serious suicide attempt were compared to those with no history of a suicide attempt.

Results:  Ninety‐three patients (45.1%) had a history of one or more serious suicide attempts. These constituted 60 (42.9%) of the BD‐I patients and 33 (50%) of the BD‐II patients (no significant difference). Lifetime suicide attempt was associated with a higher number of hospitalizations due to depression (p < 0.0001), antidepressant (AD)‐induced hypomania/mania (p = 0.033), AD‐ and/or alcohol‐induced affective episodes (p = 0.009), alcohol and/or substance use (p = 0.002), and a family history of alcohol abuse and/or affective disorder (p = 0.01). Suicide attempt was negatively associated with a higher Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS) Positive Subscale score (p = 0.022) and more hospitalizations due to mania (p = 0.006).

Conclusions:  The lifetime suicide attempt rate in BD inpatients is high. Risk factors of suicide attempts were: (i) a predominant depressive course of illness, (ii) comorbid alcohol and substance use disorders, and (iii) a history of AD‐ and/or alcohol‐induced affective episodes. Risk‐reducing factors were a preponderant manic or psychotic course of the illness. These risk factors may be signs of a clinical subgroup at risk of suicidal behaviour, and seem to be important for suicide risk assessment in acutely admitted BD patients.
The immunophenotype of T‐lymphoblastic lymphoma in children and adolescents: a Children's Oncology Group report
Authors: Patel Jay L. , Smith Lynette M. , Anderson James , Abromowitch Minnie , Campana Dario , Jacobsen Jeffrey , Lones Mark A. , Gross Thomas G. , Cairo Mitchell S. , Perkins Sherrie L.
Published: September 2012

T‐lymphoblastic leukaemia (T‐ALL) and T‐lymphoblastic lymphoma (T‐LBL) are neoplasms derived from immature lymphoid cells of T‐cell lineage. These neoplasms are biologically similar, but significant differences may exist between the two given their clinical differences. Although ample data regarding the immunophenotypic characterization T‐ALL are available, there is a paucity of such data in children and adolescents with T‐LBL. We used flow cytometry and/or immunohistochemistry to characterize the immunophenotypic profile of 180 children and adolescents with newly diagnosed T‐LBL enrolled in the Children's Oncology Group 5971 study. Multiple T‐cell, B‐cell, myeloid, and other markers were evaluated. We identified diagnostically useful immunophenotypic features of T‐LBL as well as distinct immunophenotypic subgroups, although none of these was statistically related to event‐free or overall survival in this retrospective analysis. Further studies of biologically and immunophenotypically distinct subgroups of T‐LBL, such as the early T‐cell precursor phenotype, are warranted.
A Prospective Randomized Study on the Immediate Loading of Mandibular Overdentures Supported by One or Two Implants; A 3 Year Follow‐Up Report
Authors: Kronstrom Mats , Davis Ben , Loney Robert , Gerrow Jack , Hollender Lars
Published: September 2012

Aim

The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare treatments with mandibular overdentures supported by one or two immediately placed implants 3 years after loading.

Materials and Methods

Thirty‐six edentulous subjects were eligible for inclusion. Using a random sampling system, one or two implants were placed in the mandible. Separate ball attachments were connected to the implants, and the denture was relined and delivered the day of surgery with the retentive components incorporated in the denture base. At the follow‐up examinations peri‐implant bone levels, implant and denture stability/retention, and need for maintenance and adjustments were evaluated. Moreover, the OHIP‐EDENT questionnaire was used to measure patient satisfaction.

Results

Nineteen subjects (10 men and 9 women) with a mean age of 56 years were available for the 3‐year follow‐up examination. The group with 1 implant (Group 1) consisted of 11 subjects (5 women and 6 men) while the remaining 8 (5 women and 3 men) belonged to Group2. Nine subjects had been excluded during the first year due to failing implants, 6 had moved, 1 had died, and 1 reported severe illness. No implant failures between the 12‐and 36 month follow‐up were observed. The mean peri‐implant bone change was.86 mm and the Implant Stability Quotient showed only minor changes with no significant difference between the groups when compared with the 12‐month follow‐up. Patient satisfaction scores increased significantly when compared with the baseline values and continued to be high for both groups and need for denture maintenance was low.

Conclusion

No significant differences were found between subjects in the two groups with respect to implant survival and peri implant bone loss, and patient satisfaction scores continued to be high for both groups. Need for denture maintenance was low in both groups.
Primary cutaneous rhabdomyosarcoma: a clinicopathologic review of 11 cases
Authors: Marburger Trent B. , Gardner Jerad M. , Prieto Victor G. , Billings Steven D.
Published: September 2012

Background

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a malignant mesenchymal tumor with skeletal muscle differentiation. Primary cutaneous rhabdomyosarcoma is rare. We report a series of 11 cases of primary cutaneous rhabdomyosarcoma.

Methods

Cases diagnosed as rhabdomyosarcoma arising in the dermis/subcutis with no identified primary tumor elsewhere were retrospectively reviewed. Follow‐up was obtained.

Results

The tumors occurred in five children and six adults. The adult subset consisted of pleomorphic, epithelioid and not otherwise specified (NOS) subtypes while the pediatric subset showed alveolar and embryonal subtypes. All cases showed immunohistochemical staining consistent with the diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma. Three adult cases showed immunoreactivity for cytokeratins (one pleomorphic, one epithelioid and one NOS.

Conclusions

Primary cutaneous rhabdomyosarcoma shows a bimodal age distribution and male predominance, correlating with rhabdomyosarcoma in deep soft tissue. Follow‐up, available on all patients, showed aggressive behavior in both children and adults. Primary cutaneous rhabdomyosarcoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of tumors with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and those with “small round blue cell” morphology. Desmin, myogenin and MYOD1 are a trio of markers with high sensitivity and specificity for primary cutaneous rhabdomyosarcoma. Cytokeratin immunoreactivity in primary cutaneous rhabdomyosarcoma represents a potential diagnostic pitfall in the differential diagnosis with sarcomatoid carcinoma.
Pure and mixed mucinous carcinoma of the breast: fine needle aspiration cytology findings and review of the literature
Authors: Cyrta J. , Andreiuolo F. , Azoulay S. , Balleyguier C. , Bourgier C. , Mazouni C. , Mathieu M.‐C. , Delaloge S. , Vielh P.
Published: September 2012

J. Cyrta, F. Andreiuolo, S. Azoulay, C. Balleyguier, C. Bourgier, C. Mazouni, M.‐C. Mathieu, S. Delaloge and P. Vielh  Pure and mixed mucinous carcinoma of the breast: fine needle aspiration cytology findings and review of the literature

Objective:  Mucinous (colloid) breast carcinoma accounts for 1–6% of all breast cancer. It comprises pure mucinous tumours and mixed infiltrating ductal carcinomas with a mucinous component. As this latter mixed form has a worse prognosis than pure colloid carcinoma, making this diagnosis on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) might influence the choice of treatment.

Methods:  We report a consecutive series of 22 cases consisting of 17 mixed and five pure mucinous carcinomas diagnosed by cytology and verified on histopathology. Patients underwent FNAC at the one‐stop clinic of our institution during a 7‐year period of time. Cytological findings were evaluated by a semi‐quantitative method and included percentage of smear surface occupied by mucin, shape of cell groupings, size and outline of tumour nuclei as well as presence or absence of nucleolus.

Results:  Three of five pure mucinous carcinomas displayed at least two of the following features: abundant mucin, small nuclei and/or regular nuclear outlines. Sparse mucin, large nuclei, irregular nuclear outlines or the presence of nucleoli were found in 7 out of 17 mixed mucinous carcinomas but not in pure tumours.

Conclusion:  Cytopathological identification of patients with pure mucinous carcinomas may be performed in a limited number of cases.
Inpatient electronic prescribing data can be used to identify ‘lost’ discharge codes for diabetes
Authors: Nirantharakumar K. , Marshall T. , Hemming K. , Narendran P. , Coleman J. J.
Published: September 2012

Aim

Accurate assessment of missed discharge codes for diabetes is critical for effective planning of hospital diabetes services. We wished to estimate the frequency of missed discharge diagnostic codes for diabetes and the impact missed codes would have on diabetes‐related payments to the hospital.

Methods

We linked Patient Administration System data to the Prescribing Information and Communication System. We defined diabetes as those having a discharge code for diabetes in the Patient Administration System and those on anti‐diabetic medication in the Prescribing Information and Communication System. Based on the two sources, we calculated the estimated missed discharge codes for diabetes using the capture–recapture technique. We generated the Healthcare Resource Group for a given admission before and after correction for the missed code to estimate the impact that correction would make on payments to the hospital.

Results

Among the 171 067 admissions linked, 22 412 (13.1%) had a code for diabetes at discharge. An additional 2706 admissions were classified as having diabetes based on prescription data. The capture–recapture technique estimated there were 4588 (2.7% of all admissions) admissions with diabetes missed by current coding, of which 2706 (60%) would be obtained from prescription data. After adding a diabetes diagnostic code, 12.8% of the missed admissions with diabetes resulted in a change to the Healthcare Resource Group tariff code and payment.

Conclusion

The use of electronic prescription data is a simple solution to correct for missed discharge diagnostic codes.
The dissimilarity of species interaction networks
Authors: Poisot Timothée , Canard Elsa , Mouillot David , Mouquet Nicolas , Gravel Dominique
Published: September 2012

In a context of global changes, and amidst the perpetual modification of community structure undergone by most natural ecosystems, it is more important than ever to understand how species interactions vary through space and time. The integration of biogeography and network theory will yield important results and further our understanding of species interactions. It has, however, been hampered so far by the difficulty to quantify variation among interaction networks. Here, we propose a general framework to study the dissimilarity of species interaction networks over time, space or environments, allowing both the use of quantitative and qualitative data. We decompose network dissimilarity into interactions and species turnover components, so that it is immediately comparable to common measures of β‐diversity. We emphasise that scaling up β‐diversity of community composition to the β‐diversity of interactions requires only a small methodological step, which we foresee will help empiricists adopt this method. We illustrate the framework with a large dataset of hosts and parasites interactions and highlight other possible usages. We discuss a research agenda towards a biogeographical theory of species interactions.
Age‐related changes in rat genioglossus, geniohyoid and masseter muscles
Authors: Kaneko Syuhei , Iida Ryo‐hei , Suga Takeo , Morito Mitsuhiko , Yamane Akira
Published: September 2012

Objectives

The aim of this study was to elucidate age‐related changes from adult to middle age in the contractile properties of the masseter, genioglossus and geniohyoid muscles of the rat.

Materials and Methods

We analysed the expressions of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) mRNAs and proteins as indicators of the contractile properties in these muscles obtained from rats at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of age using real‐time PCR and SDS‐PAGE.

Results

We found no marked age‐related changes in the expressions of MyHC mRNAs and proteins in rat masseter and geniohyoid muscles, suggesting that the biological ageing process does not affect contractile properties in these muscles. However, we found a decrease in the expression of MyHC IIb mRNA with ageing in the rat genioglossus muscle, suggesting that biological ageing process induces at least some fast‐to‐slow myofibre phenotype transition.

Conclusion

The biological ageing process from adult to middle age appears to differentially affect different types of craniofacial muscles.
The diagnosis and conservative treatment of a complex type 3 dens invaginatus using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and 3D plastic models
Authors: Kfir A. , Telishevsky‐Strauss Y. , Leitner A. , Metzger Z.
Published: September 2012

Aim

To investigate the use of 3D plastic models, printed from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data, for accurate diagnosis and conservative treatment of a complex case of dens invaginatus.

A chronic apical abscess with a draining sinus tract was diagnosed during the treatment planning stage of orthodontic therapy. Radiographic examination revealed a large radiolucent area associated with an invaginated right maxillary central incisor, which was found to contain a vital pulp. The affected tooth was strategic in the dental arch. Conventional periapical radiographs provided only partial information about the invagination and its relationship with the main root canal and with the periapical tissues. A limited‐volume CBCT scan of the maxilla did not show evidence of communication between the infected invagination and the pulp in the main root canal, which could explain the pulp vitality. A novel method was adopted to allow for instrumentation, disinfection and filling of the invagination, without compromising the vitality of the pulp in the complex root canal system. The CBCT data were used to produce precise 3D plastic models of the tooth. These models facilitated the treatment planning process and the trial of treatment approaches. This approach allowed the vitality of the pulp to be maintained in the complex root canal space of the main root canal whilst enabling the healing of the periapical tissues.

Key learning points

Even when extensive periapical pathosis is associated with a tooth with type III dens invaginatus, pulp sensibility tests should be performed.

CBCT is a diagnostic tool that may allow for the management of such teeth with complex anatomy.

3D printed plastic models may be a valuable aid in the process of assessing and planning effective treatment modalities and practicing them ex vivo before actually performing the clinical procedure.

Unconventional technological approaches may be required for detailed treatment planning of complex cases of dens invaginatus.
An empirical evaluation of proposed changes for gambling diagnosis in the DSM‐5
Authors: Petry Nancy M. , Blanco Carlos , Stinchfield Randy , Volberg Rachel
Published: September 2012

Aims

Recommendations related to pathological gambling for the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM) are to eliminate the criterion related to committing illegal acts and reduce the threshold for diagnosis from five to four criteria. This study evaluated the impact of these changes on prevalence rates and classification accuracy.

Design

Data were analyzed from five samples, varying in severity of gambling problems.

Settings and participants

Surveys of randomly selected household residents in the United States (US) (n = 2417), gambling patrons (n = 450), individuals in brief intervention studies (n = 375), patients in community‐based gambling treatment programs (n = 149) and participants in randomized intervention studies (n = 319).

Measurements

The National Opinion Research Center DSM‐IV Screen for Gambling Problems (NODS) was administered to all participants. Internal consistency and factor structure were evaluated using both 10 and nine criteria. Base rates, hit rates, sensitivity, specificity and overall agreement were compared across classification systems, using DSM‐IV classification as the standard.

Findings

Eliminating the illegal acts criterion did not impact internal consistency and modestly improved variance accounted for in the factor structure. In comparing a classification system using four of 10 criteria versus one using four of nine, the four of nine system yielded equal or slightly better classification accuracy in all comparisons and across all samples.

Conclusions

The inclusion of the illegal acts criterion in the proposed DSM‐V pathological gambling diagnosis does not appear necessary for diagnosis of pathological gambling and, if it is eliminated, reducing the cut‐point to four results in more consistent diagnoses relative to the current classification system.
Contribution of regulatory T cells to alleviation of experimental allergic asthma after specific immunotherapy
Authors: Maazi H. , Shirinbak S. , Willart M. , Hammad H. M. , Cabanski M. , Boon L. , Ganesh V. , Baru A. M. , Hansen G. , Lambrecht B. N. , Sparwasser T. , Nawijn M. C. , van Oosterhout A. J. M.
Published: September 2012

Background

Allergen‐specific immunotherapy (SIT) has been used since 1911, yet its mechanism of action remains to be elucidated. There is evidence indicating that CD4+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg cells) are induced during SIT in allergic patients. However, the contribution of these cells to SIT has not been evaluated in vivo.

Objective

To evaluate the in vivo contribution of (i) CD4+ CD25+ T cells during SIT and of (ii) SIT‐generated inducible FOXP3+ Treg cells during allergen exposure to SIT‐mediated suppression of asthmatic manifestations.

Methods

We used a mouse model of SIT based on the classical OVA‐driven experimental asthma. Treg cells were quantified by flow cytometry 24 and 96 h post SIT treatment. We depleted CD4+CD25+ T cells prior to SIT, and CD4+FOXP3+ T cells prior to allergen challenges to study their contribution to the suppression of allergic manifestations by SIT treatment.

Results

Our data show that depletion of CD4+CD25+ T cells at the time of SIT treatment reverses the suppression of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), but not of airway eosinophilia and specific IgE levels in serum. Interestingly, the number of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T cells is transiently increased after SIT in the spleen and blood, suggesting the generation of inducible and presumably allergen‐specific Treg cells during treatment. Depletion of CD4+FOXP3+ Treg cells after SIT treatment partially reverses the SIT‐induced suppression of airway eosinophilia, but not of AHR and serum levels of specific IgE.

Conclusion and clinical relevance

We conclude that SIT‐mediated tolerance induction towards AHR requires CD4+CD25+ T cells at the time of allergen injections. In addition, SIT generates CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T cells that contribute to the suppression of airway eosinophilia upon allergen challenges. Therefore, enhancing Treg cell number or their activity during and after SIT could be of clinical relevance to improve the therapeutic effects of SIT.
Conciliating cognition and consciousness: the perceptual foundations of clinical reasoning
Authors: Braude Hillel D.
Published: September 2012

Clinical reasoning has been defined as a form of cognition applied to evaluating and managing a patient's medical problem. As a kind of cognition, a product of the human psyche, it is logical to expect that clinical reasoning should be best understood through methods derived from psychology, neuropsychology and the cognitive sciences. However, the application of scientific methods to evaluating clinical reasoning is unable to analyse clinical reasoning in terms of first‐person experience and consciousness. By reducing clinical reasoning to its cognitive components the cognitivist approach tends to ignore the larger context in which clinical reasoning occurs. By reducing its conception of clinical reasoning to its cognitive components, the neuropsychological approach fails to acknowledge clinical reasoning as a form of intentionality, a gestalt, grounded in human perception. A full epistemology of clinical reasoning requires a phenomenological analysis that can make sense of the relation between pre‐reflective consciousness and explicit forms of knowing. In this paper I conciliate cognition and consciousness in medicine through analysing the phenomenology of perception in clinical reasoning. I compare the application of phenomenology to clinical reasoning with the attempt to model clinical reasoning onAristotelian practical wisdom orphronesis. Finally, I analyse empathy as a type of perception critical for effective clinical interaction and exemplary for reflecting on perception as the intersubjective foundation of clinical reasoning.
Mechanistic understanding in clinical practice: complementing evidence‐based medicine with personalized medicine
Authors: Nardini Cecilia , Annoni Marco , Schiavone Giuseppe
Published: September 2012

In the last century, medicine has undergone an unprecedented wave of radical changes. From the implementation of surgery up to the development of single gene‐targeted therapies, clinical decision making has become increasingly complex to handle. Today, this complexity needs to be rethought in the light of two emerging paradigms: evidence‐based medicine (EBM) and personalized medicine (P‐Med). The new availability of diverse sources of scientific evidence raises significant issues concerning how clinicians will compare, evaluate and orient their decisions in front of a rapidly growing plethora of therapies, procedures, medical technologies and drugs. In this paper, we compare the background visions behind these two paradigms, evaluating their respective relevance for present and future clinical decision making. In particular, we argue that EBM and P‐Med are driven by two diverse modes of reasoning about ‘evidence making’ in medicine. EBM is grounded on statistical notions and epidemiological data, generally gathered through systematic meta‐reviews of randomized controlled trials; P‐Med, instead, is grounded on mechanistic explanations of molecular interactions, metabolic pathways and biomarkers. While both paradigms are epistemically sound, we argue that they cannot, and should not, be hybridized into a unique model. Rather, they ought to represent two compatible, but alternative ways of informing the clinical practice. Hence, we conclude that clinicians may expect to see their responsibility increasing as they will deal with diverse, but equally compelling, ways of reasoning and deciding about which intervention will qualify as the ‘best one’ in each individual case.
The efficacy of fibrinogen concentrate compared with cryoprecipitate in major obstetric haemorrhage – an observational study
Authors: Ahmed S. , Harrity C. , Johnson S. , Varadkar S. , McMorrow S. , Fanning R. , Flynn C. M. , O' Riordan J. M. , Byrne B. M.
Published: September 2012

Background

Fibrinogen replacement is critical in major obstetric haemorrhage (MOH). Purified, pasteurised fibrinogen concentrate appears to have benefit over cryoprecipitate in ease of administration and safety but is unlicensed in pregnancy. In July 2009, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service replaced cryoprecipitate with fibrinogen.

Objectives

To examine the impact of this externally imposed change on blood product use and clinical outcomes in MOH.

Methods

Women with MOH requiring fibrinogen between 1 January 2009 and 30 June 2011 were identified from an MOH database. Aetiology of MOH, medical treatments, blood product use and clinical outcomes were compared between the cryoprecipitate and fibrinogen groups.

Results

Of 21 614 deliveries, 77 cases of MOH were identified. Of the 77 cases, 34 (44%) received cryoprecipitate (n = 14) or fibrinogen concentrate (n = 20). The mean (±SEM) dose utilised was 2·21 ± 0·35 pools of cryoprecipitate and 4 ± 0·8 g of fibrinogen. There was a stronger correlation between the increase in fibrinogen level and dose of fibrinogen (Pearson co‐efficient 0·5; P = 0·03) than dose of cryoprecipitate (Pearson co‐efficient 0·32; P = 0·3). Mean (±SEM) estimated blood loss (EBL), red cell concentrate (RCC) and Octaplas transfused were greater (but not significantly) in the cryoprecipitate group compared with the fibrinogen group; EBL = 5·2 ± 1·1 vs 3·3 ± 0·5 L (P = 0·1); RCC = 7·2 ± 1·2 vs 5·9 ± 1·0 U (P = 0·4); Octaplas = 4·1 ± 0·7 vs 3·2 ± 0·7 U (P = 0·36), respectively. Haemostasis was secured, and there were no adverse reactions or thrombotic complications.

Conclusion

Purified virally inactivated fibrinogen concentrate is as efficacious as cryoprecipitate in correcting hypofibrinogenaemia in MOH.
Polyamines affect the cellular growth and structure of pro‐embryogenic masses in Araucaria angustifolia embryogenic cultures through the modulation of proton pump activities and endogenous levels of polyamines
Authors: Dutra Nathalia Torres , Silveira Vanildo , de Azevedo Inga Gonçalves , Gomes‐Neto Lupis Ribeiro , Façanha Arnoldo Rocha , Steiner Neusa , Guerra Miguel Pedro , Floh Eny Iochevet Segal , Santa‐Catarina Claudete
Published: September 2012

Polyamines (PAs) are abundant polycationic compounds involved in many physiological processes in plants, including somatic embryogenesis. This study investigates the role of PAs on cellular growth and structure of pro‐embryogenic masses (PEMs), endogenous PA and proton pump activities in embryogenic suspension cultures of Araucaria angustifolia. The embryogenic suspension cultures were incubated with putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd), spermine (Spm) and the inhibitor methylglyoxal‐bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG), respectively (1 mM). After 24 h and 21 days, the cellular growth and structure of PEMs, endogenous PA contents and proton pump activities were analyzed. The addition of Spm reduced the cellular growth and promoted the development of PEMs in embryogenic cultures, which could be associated with a reduction in the activities of proton pumps, such as H+‐ATPase P‐ and V‐types and H+‐PPases, and alterations in the endogenous PA contents. Spm significantly affected the physiology of the A. angustifolia somatic embryogenesis suspension, as it potentially affects cellular growth and structure of PEMs through the modulation of proton pump activities. This work demonstrates the involvement of exogenous PAs in the modulation of cellular growth and structure of PEMs, endogenous PA levels and proton pump activities during somatic embryogenesis. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report a relationship between PAs and proton pump activities in these processes. The results obtained in this study offer new perspectives for studies addressing the role of PAs and proton pump on somatic embryogenesis in this species.
The influence of social structure on brood survival and development in a socially polymorphic ant: insights from a cross‐fostering experiment
Authors: Purcell J. , Chapuisat M.
Published: September 2012

Animal societies vary in the number of breeders per group, which affects many socially and ecologically relevant traits. In several social insect species, including our study species Formica selysi, the presence of either one or multiple reproducing females per colony is generally associated with differences in a suite of traits such as the body size of individuals. However, the proximate mechanisms and ontogenetic processes generating such differences between social structures are poorly known. Here, we cross‐fostered eggs originating from single‐queen (= monogynous) or multiple‐queen (= polygynous) colonies into experimental groups of workers from each social structure to investigate whether differences in offspring survival, development time and body size are shaped by the genotype and/or prefoster maternal effects present in the eggs, or by the social origin of the rearing workers. Eggs produced by polygynous queens were more likely to survive to adulthood than eggs from monogynous queens, regardless of the social origin of the rearing workers. However, brood from monogynous queens grew faster than brood from polygynous queens. The social origin of the rearing workers influenced the probability of brood survival, with workers from monogynous colonies rearing more brood to adulthood than workers from polygynous colonies. The social origin of eggs or rearing workers had no significant effect on the head size of the resulting workers in our standardized laboratory conditions. Overall, the social backgrounds of the parents and of the rearing workers appear to shape distinct survival and developmental traits of ant brood.