bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D metabolites and skeletal consequences in primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Moosgaard B. , Christensen S. E. , Vestergaard P. , Heickendorff L. , Christiansen P. , Mosekilde L.
Published: April 2008

Background  Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is associated with reduced bone mineral density (BMD) mainly at sites rich in cortical bone. However, successful parathyroidectomy causes an increase in BMD especially at sites rich in trabecular bone. Plasma 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels are typically reduced and plasma 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] slightly increased in PHPT. These variations in vitamin D metabolites may influence variations in BMD and fracture risk.

Aim  To investigate relations between preoperative vitamin D metabolites and skeletal consequences in patients with untreated PHPT and to appraise the influence of preoperative vitamin D metabolites on postoperative changes in BMD.

Design  Cross‐sectional and cohort study.

Materials  Two hundred and forty‐six consecutive Caucasian PHPT patients aged 19–91 years. (median 63, 87% females).

Results  BMD was reduced at the femoral neck (P < 0·001) and forearm (P < 0·001), but normal at the lumbar spine (P = 0·11). Levels of biochemical bone markers were associated with high plasma PTH, high plasma 1,25(OH)2D and low plasma levels of 25OHD. Moreover, low plasma 25OHD was associated with low levels of BMD at the femoral neck (rp = 0·23), the forearm (rp = 0·19) and the whole body (rp = 0·30), whereas plasma 1,25(OH)2D was inversely associated with BMD at all regional sites and the whole body. Plasma PTH only showed an inverse association with BMD at the forearm (rp = –0·21). No association was observed between biochemical variables and prevalent spinal fractures, all peripheral fractures or osteoporotic peripheral fractures. The annual increase in spinal BMD after surgery was positively associated with preoperative plasma PTH (rp = 0·40), whereas the annual increase in whole body BMD was inversely associated with plasma 25OHD (rp = –0·32). No change in BMD at the femoral neck and forearm was observed 1 year after surgery.

Conclusion  Low vitamin D status and high plasma 1,25(OH)2D are associated with increased bone turnover and decreased BMD in patients with PHPT.
Origin and genetic diversity of Western European populations of the potato cyst nematode (Globodera pallida) inferred from mitochondrial sequences and microsatellite loci
Authors: PLANTARD O. , PICARD D. , VALETTE S. , SCURRAH M. , GRENIER E. , MUGNIÉRY D.
Published: April 2008

Native to South America, the potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida is one of the principal pests of Andean potato crops and is also an important global pest following its introduction to Europe, Africa, North America, Asia and Oceania. Building on earlier work showing a clear south to north phylogeographic pattern in Peruvian populations, we have been able to identify the origin of Western European populations with high accuracy. They are all derived from a single restricted area in the extreme south of Peru, located between the north shore of the Lake Titicaca and Cusco. Only four cytochrome b haplotypes are found in Western Europe, one of them being also found in some populations of this area of southern Peru. The allelic richness at seven microsatellite loci observed in the Western European populations, although only one‐third of that observed in this part of southern Peru, is comparable to the allelic richness observed in the northern region of Peru. This result could be explained by the fact that most of the genetic variability observed at the scale of a field or even of a region is already observed at the scale of a single plant within a field. Thus, even introduction via a single infected potato plant could result in the relatively high genetic variability observed in Western Europe. This finding has important consequences for the control of this pest and the development of quarantine measures.
Factors affecting the reproductive success of dominant male meerkats
Authors: SPONG GÖRAN F. , HODGE SARAH J. , YOUNG ANDREW J. , CLUTTON‐BROCK TIM H.
Published: April 2008

Identifying traits that affect the reproductive success of individuals is fundamental for our understanding of evolutionary processes. In cooperative breeders, a dominant male typically restricts mating access to the dominant female for extended periods, resulting in pronounced variation in reproductive success among males. This may result in strong selection for traits that increase the likelihood of dominance acquisition, dominance retention and reproductive rates while dominant. However, despite considerable research on reproductive skew, few studies have explored the factors that influence these three processes among males in cooperative species. Here we use genetic, behavioural and demographic data to investigate the factors affecting reproductive success in dominant male meerkats (Suricata suricatta). Our data show that dominant males sire the majority of all offspring surviving to 1 year. A male's likelihood of becoming dominant is strongly influenced by age, but not by weight. Tenure length and reproductive rate, both important components of dominant male reproductive success, are largely affected by group size and composition, rather than individual traits. Dominant males in large groups have longer tenures, but after this effect is controlled, male tenure length also correlates negatively to the number of adult females in the group. Male reproductive rate also declines as the number of intra‐ and extra‐group competitors increases. As the time spent in the dominant position and reproductive rate while dominant explain > 80% of the total variance in reproductive success, group composition thus has major implications for male reproductive success.
Population genetics and phylogeography of freshwater mussels in North America, Elliptio dilatata and Actinonaias ligamentina (Bivalvia: Unionidae)
Authors: ELDERKIN CURT L. , CHRISTIAN ALAN D. , METCALFE‐SMITH JANICE L. , BERG DAVID J.
Published: April 2008

Extrinsic and intrinsic forces combined shape the population structure of every species differently. Freshwater mussels are obligate parasites to a host fish during a juvenile stage (glochidia). Elliptio dilatata (ED) and Actinonaias ligamentina (AL) are co‐occurring freshwater mussel taxa with similar North American distribution and share some potential host fish. Using mitochondrial DNA, we determined the genotypes of 190 + individuals from collection sites in at least two tributaries in the Lake Erie and Ohio River watersheds, along with the Ouachita and Strawberry rivers in the southeast. Both species had followed a stepping‐stone model of dispersal, with greater pairwise genetic structure among collection sites of ED. Also, phylogeographical analysis for ED found significant geographical structuring of haplotype diversity. Overall, within‐population variation increased significantly from north to south, with low genetic diversity in the Strawberry River. We calculated significant among‐population structure for both species (ED: ΦST = 0.62, P < 0.001; AL: ΦST = 0.16, P < 0.001). Genetic analysis identified the Ouachita River as an area of significant reproductive isolation for both species. Results for AL indicated dispersal into northern areas from two genetically distinct glacial refugia, where results for ED indicated dispersal followed by low gene flow in northern areas. The conservation strategies for mussels that co‐occur in the same ‘bed’ could be species specific. Species such as ED have management units on the population scale, where AL has a more homogeneous genetic structure across its range.
Knockout of major leaf ferredoxin reveals new redox‐regulatory adaptations in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Voss Ingo , Koelmann Meike , Wojtera Joanna , Holtgrefe Simone , Kitzmann Camillo , Backhausen Jan E , Scheibe Renate
Published: April 2008

Ferredoxins are the major distributors for electrons to the various acceptor systems in plastids. In green tissues, ferredoxins are reduced by photosynthetic electron flow in the light, while in heterotrophic tissues, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced) (NADPH) generated in the oxidative pentose‐phosphate pathway (OPP) is the reductant. We have used a Ds‐T‐DNA insertion line of Arabidopsis thaliana for the gene encoding the major leaf ferredoxin (Fd2, At1g60950) to create a situation of high electron pressure in the thylakoids. Although these plants (Fd2‐KO) possess only the minor fraction of leaf Fd1 (At1g10960), they grow photoautotrophically on soil, but with a lower growth rate and less chlorophyll. The more oxidized conditions in the stroma due to the formation of reactive oxygen species are causing a re‐adjustment of the redox state in these plants that helps them to survive even under high light. Redox homeostasis is achieved by regulation at both, the post‐translational and the transcriptional level. Over‐reduction of the electron transport chain leads to increased transcription of the malate‐valve enzyme NADP‐malate dehydrogenase (MDH), and the oxidized stroma leads to an increased transcription of the OPP enzyme glucose‐6‐P dehydrogenase. In isolated spinach chloroplasts, oxidized conditions give rise to a decreased activation state of NADP‐MDH and an activation of glucose‐6‐P dehydrogenase even in the light. In Fd2‐KO plants, NADPH‐requiring antioxidant systems are upregulated. These adjustments must be caused by plastid signals, and they prevent oxidative damage under rather severe conditions.
How microspores transform into haploid embryos: changes associated with embryogenesis induction and microspore‐derived embryogenesis
Authors: Seguí‐Simarro José M. , Nuez Fernando
Published: April 2008

Microspore embryogenesis is the most powerful androgenic pathway to produce haploid and doubled haploid plants. To deviate a microspore toward embryogenesis, a number of factors, different for each species, must concur at the same time and place. Once induced, the microspore undergoes numerous changes at different levels, from overall morphology to gene expression. Induction of microspore embryogenesis not only implies the expression of an embryogenic program, but also a stress‐related cellular response and a repression of the gametophytic program to revert the microspore to a totipotent status. In this review, we compile the most recent advances in the understanding of the changes undergone by the induced microspore to readapt to the new developmental scenario. We devote special attention to the efforts made to uncover changes in the transcriptome of the induced microspore and microspore‐derived embryo (MDE). Finally, we discuss the influence that an in vitro environment exerts over the MDE, as compared with its zygotic counterpart.
A case of metaplastic meningioma with extensive xanthomatous change
Authors: Ikota Hayato , Nakazato Yoichi
Published: April 2008

We report a case of metaplastic meningioma with extensive xanthomatous change occurring in a 61‐year‐old woman. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a well‐demarcated, dura‐based mass measuring 7 cm in maximal diameter in the right occipital to parietal area. Under a clinical diagnosis of meningioma, right parietal craniotomy was performed. Histologically, the tumor showed extensive xanthomatous change together with the common features of meningothelial meningioma. Tumor cells showed diffuse xanthomatous change in various quantities, and xanthomatous tumor cells frequently showed a gradual transition to the non‐xanthomatous counterpart. The xanthomatous tumor cells showed immunopositivity for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), vimentin, fatty acid synthase and several histiocytic markers (CD68, Ki‐M1p, MAC387, lysozyme, alpha 1‐antitrypsin and alpha 1‐antichymotrypsin). In addition, there was patchy infiltration of foamy macrophages. Since these histiocytes did not show immunopositivity for EMA, these cells were distinguished from the xanthomatous tumor cells. These two types of xanthomatous changes comprised approximately two‐thirds of the whole tumor tissue. Any atypical features such as necrosis, frequent mitotic figures or brain parenchymal invasion were not observed. We diagnosed this case as xanthomatous meningioma, WHO grade I.
Presence of crystalline inclusions in the peripheral nerve of a patient with IgA lambda monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
Authors: Vital Anne , Nedelec‐Ciceri Claudine , Vital Claude
Published: April 2008

Association of a peripheral neuropathy with an IgA monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is not commonly observed and is sometimes considered as coincidental. We present a case in which the nerve biopsy revealed the presence of crystalline inclusions in the endoneurium, a very unusual finding. A 75‐year‐old man complained of paresthesiae in both feet and unsteady gait for 6 months. He had no weakness, but deep tendon reflexes were absent and vibratory sensation distally diminished in both legs. An IgA lambda MGUS was evidenced in his serum at 10.2 g/L with 7% plasma cells in his bone marrow and no lytic lesion at skeletal examination. A superficial peroneal nerve biopsy was performed and showed numerous crystalline inclusions in the endoneurium. These were located in the cytoplasm of macrophagic histiocytes or free in the vicinity of nerve fibers. There was also a marked loss of myelinated nerve fibers and several “onion bulb” formations surrounding either isolated remyelinating fibers or small clusters of remyelinating fibers. Such crystalline inclusions have mainly been observed in the cytoplasm of plasma cells in cases of multiple myeloma, and correspond to non‐secreted IgA or IgG immunoglobulins with a kappa or rarely lambda light chain. Such inclusions have also been reported in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells from corneal fragments, in patients with multiple myeloma or IgG MGUS, and in the tubular cells from the kidney of patients with multiple myeloma and a nephrotic syndrome. In the literature, there is only one very briefly mentioned case of neuropathy associated with a myeloma and with crystalline inclusions present in the epineurium. Thus, in dysglobulinemic neuropathy, nerve fibers can be damaged by three kinds of interstitial deposits, easily identified by immunohistochemistry and at ultrastructural examination: the well known amyloid fibrils, granulo‐fibrillar deposits and also crystalline inclusions.
Paraganglioma in pituitary fossa
Authors: Özüm Ünal , Eğilmez Reynah , Yıldırım Altan
Published: April 2008

Paragangliomas are neuroendocrine tumors of paraganglionic tissue which are extremely rare in the sellar area. We present a case of sellar paraganglioma with parasellar and suprasellar extension in a 70‐year‐old man who presented with headache. CT demonstrated sellar mass with suprasellar and right parasellar extension. The lesion was removed subtotally via a trans‐sphenoidal approach. Histopathological diagnosis was paraganglioma. Differential diagnosis between paragangliomas and unusual types of pituitary adenomas, especially null‐cell adenomas, is made by presence of cell nests (Zellballen) in paraganglioma, lack of immunopositivity for pituitary hormones, cytoplasmic immunopositivity for chromogranin A and neuron‐specific enolase, and immunonegativity for cytokeratin 19, cytokeratin 20 and endomysial antibody. In the case of a mass in the sellar region, paraganglioma, although rare, should be included in the differential diagnosis.
Airway inflammation in employees involved in cultivating Japanese mushrooms (bunashimeji)
Authors: TSUSHIMA Kenji , YASUO Masanori , TANABE Tsuyoshi , YOSHIKAWA Sumiko , YAMAZAKI Yoshitaka , KUBO Keishi
Published: April 2008

Background and objective:  Chronic inhalation of spores may cause respiratory symptoms such as productive cough and sputum. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical pathophysiology of airway inflammation caused by bunashimeji spores and to investigate whether the spores have direct toxic inflammatory effects.

Methods:  Sensitized employees with respiratory symptoms and a stimulation index (SI) > 200%, and non‐sensitized employees with a SI < 200% were enrolled. They underwent sputum induction and chest high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT). The in vitro effect of bunashimeji spore solutions on normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cell cultures was investigated using the air–liquid interface method. Bunashimeji spore solution was added at 104 or 106 spores per 20 μL/well. The interleukin (IL)‐8 and epithelial neutrophil‐activating peptide‐78 (ENA‐78) concentrations in the medium and IL‐8 mRNA expression of NHBE cells were assessed after each stimulation.

Results:  Sensitized employees were divided into 14 with normal HRCT and 9 with abnormal HRCT. Fifteen of the sensitized group and five of the non‐sensitized group had a productive cough and sputum. The neutrophil counts in induced sputum were significantly higher in subjects with abnormal HRCT than in those with normal HRCT. IL‐8 and ENA‐78 concentrations following stimulation with 104 and 106 spores were significantly increased compared with PBS only on day 9. IL‐8 mRNA expression due to spore stimulation was significantly increased compared with control. IL‐8 mRNA expression with 106 spore stimulation was significantly increased on days 6 and 12 compared with 104 spores.

Conclusion:  The inhalation of spores directly produces toxic inflammatory effects in the airways, independent of the degree of sensitization.
Abundance–body mass relationships among insects along a latitudinal gradient
Authors: ANDREW NIGEL R. , HUGHES LESLEY
Published: April 2008

Abstract  We investigated the relationship between abundance and body size (body mass) of 162 insect herbivore species on the host plant Acacia falcata along its entire coastal latitudinal distribution (eastern Australia), spanning a gradient in mean annual temperature of 4.3°C. We extend previous research by assessing these relationships at different spatial scales (latitudes pooled, among latitudes and within latitudes) and at different taxonomic levels (insect phytophages pooled, phytophagous Coleoptera and Hemiptera, and five component suborders/superfamilies). Insect species were collected from two orders (Hemiptera and Coleoptera) and five component suborders/superfamilies. There were no consistent trends in the relationships (linear or polygonal/hump‐shaped) between abundance and body mass when latitudes were pooled, among latitudes, or when phytophagous insect species were separated into their component suborder/superfamily groups. The reason for the lack of consistent trends might be due to the insect herbivores not fully exploiting their host plant and the relative absence of competition among herbivore species for food resources. This is further assessed in relation to the lack of a consistent pattern in species richness of Coleoptera and Hemiptera herbivores from the same dataset and rates of chewing and sap‐sucking herbivory along the same latitudinal gradient. Future studies of abundance–body size relationships are discussed in relation to sampling across environmental gradients and accounting for the influence of host plant identity and insect phylogeny.
Ecological interactions in the provision of habitat by urban development: whelks and engineering by oysters on artificial seawalls
Authors: JACKSON A. C. , CHAPMAN M. G. , UNDERWOOD A. J.
Published: April 2008

Abstract  Increases in human population cause increased urbanization of most habitats, including the shoreline. This has many consequences for coastal environments, in particular the trend for artificial structures, such as seawalls, to replace natural habitats. Seawalls and natural shores support many of the common intertidal species, but others important on rocky shores are absent from or rare on many seawalls. The whelk Morula marginalba Blainville is an abundant and important predator on rocky shores of south‐eastern Australia, but is infrequently recorded on artificial substrata. In Sydney Harbour, where the Sydney rock oyster (Saccostrea glomerata Gould) was locally abundant, densities of M. marginalba on some seawalls appeared to be similar to those on rocky shores and to be larger than where there were few oysters. We sampled densities and sizes of whelks in four habitats, predicting and corroborating that: (i) on seawalls with many oysters, there would be more whelks than on seawalls with few oysters; (ii) where there are many oysters, densities of whelks would be similar on seawalls and rocky shores; and (iii) whelks would be larger where oysters were abundant. Growth and survival of whelks were measured to test hypotheses from the observed differences in size and density. Survival was greater in habitats with many oysters, which could explain differences in density, but size‐specific differences in survival could not explain differences in size among habitats. On seawalls but not on rocky shores, slower growth could explain the smaller size of whelks where there were few oysters. Seawalls provide important habitat for M. marginalba, but only via their indirect effects, mediated by oysters. These interactions cannot be predicted from those on natural rocky shores. Predicting how developed areas provide suitable habitat, either in management of conservation or in assessments of potential impacts clearly depends on understanding the roles of biogenic habitats.
Haematozoa in forest birds from southern Chile: Latitudinal gradients in prevalence and parasite lineage richness
Authors: MERINO SANTIAGO , MORENO JUAN. , VÁSQUEZ RODRIGO A. , MARTÍNEZ JAVIER , SÁNCHEZ‐MONSÁLVEZ INOCENCIA , ESTADES CRISTIÁN F. , IPPI SILVINA , SABAT PABLO , ROZZI RICARDO , MCGEHEE STEVEN
Published: April 2008

Abstract  The existence of latitudinal gradients in species richness and their abundance is known for many free living organisms but few cases have been reported for parasitic diseases. In addition, asymmetries between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres in several characteristics may affect the distribution and diversity of species at all ecological levels. In this respect, we study the distribution of several genera of blood parasites infecting birds along a latitudinal gradient that includes the world's southernmost forests ecosystems. Birds were mist‐netted and sampled for blood in localities across Chile ranging from 33°S to 55°S during the years 2003–06. Overall, 26 bird species were sampled and 27 parasite lineages were identified. The latter belonged to three genera: Plasmodium (8), Haemoproteus (8) and Leucocytozoon (11). We found a positive significant relationship between prevalence and latitude for Leucocytozoon lineages and a negative relationship for Haemoproteus, Plasmodium and mixed infections. However, we did not find a significant relationship between parasite diversity and latitude. We found 18 lineages infecting only one species of host, and 19 lineages appear in only one of the localities of sampling. This pattern implies that some parasite lineages may evolve in isolation in some species/localities. In addition, specificity at the host‐family level was only found for Haemoproteus lineages infecting birds in the family Emberizidae. Individuals of the long distance migrant bird white‐crested elaenia (Elaenia albiceps), were found infected by the same parasite lineages in localities separated by 20° of latitude. Infections by these lineages were detected in other sedentary birds including juveniles and nestlings of different bird species. Therefore, long distance migrants are able to distort the presence of latitudinal gradients of diseases due to the potential role of migrants in spreading infections. Geographical gradients in prevalence of avian haematozoa differ between parasite genera and hemispheres, probably in relation to the existence of appropriate vector–parasite–host interactions.
Enhanced cell death in hippocampus and emergence of cognitive impairments following a localized mini‐stroke in hippocampus if preceded by a previous episode of acute stress
Authors: McDonald Robert J. , Craig Laura A. , Hong Nancy S.
Published: April 2008

This series of experiments represents a test of a theory concerning the etiology of age‐related cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). The theory suggests that multiple combinations of cofactors produce variants of these disorders. Two factors that have been linked to the etiology of AD, that are of interest to our laboratories, are stress and vascular strokes. The current experiments tested the cofactors theory by evaluating the neuronal and functional effects of localized subthreshold strokes in the hippocampus of different groups of rats. One group experienced episodes of stress prior to stroke induction while the other did not. The results showed that a low dose of endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) injected into the hippocampus of groups of rats that had previously experienced stressful episodes showed enhanced hippocampal cell death and neurodegeneration that did not occur in the rats that did not experience stress prior to stroke induction. The results also showed that the stressed rats given subthreshold ET‐1 injections into the hippocampus showed hippocampal‐based learning and memory deficits that were not present in the non‐stressed group given the same injections. This pattern of results suggests that individuals that are under stress are more vulnerable to insults to the hippocampus that have little effect on an individual that is not stressed. This vulnerability might be due to the actions of stress hormones, like the glucocorticoids, that have been previously shown to endanger hippocampal neurons.
Changes in Fos expression in the accessory olfactory bulb of sexually experienced male rats after exposure to female urinary pheromones
Authors: Honda Noriko , Sakamoto Harumi , Inamura Kouhei , Kashiwayanagi Makoto
Published: April 2008

We studied Fos‐immunoreactive (Fos‐ir) structures in the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) of rats after the vomeronasal organ was exposed to urine. Exposure of the vomeronasal organ of male Wistar rats to oestrous and dioestrous female Wistar urine led to the appearance of many Fos‐ir cells in the rostral region of the periglomerular cell (PGC) layer, but induced few Fos‐ir cells in the caudal region. These results suggest that the regionalization of Fos‐ir cells after exposure to female urine is remarkable in the PGC layer of the AOB. Sexually experienced male rats have been shown to prefer oestrous to dioestrous female urine, while sexually inexperienced males do not exhibit these preferences. In the present study, we compared the expression of Fos‐ir cells in the AOB of sexually experienced and sexually inexperienced male rats following exposure to oestrous and dioestrous urine. In the localized region (lateral and rostral sectors) of the PGC layer, many more Fos‐ir cells were expressed in the sexually experienced rats than in the inexperienced rats. These results suggest that sexual experience in males enhances the transmission of reproductively salient information concerning potential oestrous status to a specific PGC region of the AOB.
Synaptic sodium spikes trigger long‐lasting depolarizations and slow calcium entry in rat olfactory bulb granule cells
Authors: Egger Veronica
Published: April 2008

In the mammalian olfactory bulb, axonless granule cells mediate self‐ and lateral inhibitory interactions between mitral/tufted cells via reciprocal dendrodendritic synapses. Synaptic output from granule cells occurs on both fast and slow timescales, allowing for multiple granule cell functions during olfactory processing. We find that granule cell sodium action potentials evoked by synaptic activation of the sensory input via mitral/tufted cells are followed by a long‐lasting depolarization that is not observed after current‐evoked action potentials or large excitatory postsynaptic potentials in the same cell. Using two‐photon imaging in acute rat brain slices, we demonstrate that this prolonged electrical response is paralleled by an unusual, long‐lasting postsynaptic calcium signal. We find that this slow synaptic Ca2+ signal requires sequential activation of NMDA receptors, a nonselective cation conductance ICAN and T‐type voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channels. Remarkably, T‐type Ca2+ channels are of critical importance for the ‘globalization’ of Ca2+ transients. In individual active spines, the local synaptic Ca2+ signal summates at least linearly with the global spike‐mediated Ca2+ signal. We suggest that this robust slow synaptic Ca2+ signal triggers dendritic transmitter release and thus contributes to slow synaptic output of the granule cell. Therefore, the synaptic sodium spike signal could represent a special adaptation of granule cells to the wide range of temporal requirements for their dendritic output. Our findings demonstrate with respect to neuronal communication in general that action potentials evoked by somatic current injection may lack some of the information content of ‘true’ synaptically evoked spikes.
Cerebellar pathology in transgenic mice expressing the pseudorabies virus immediate‐early protein IE180
Authors: Tomioka Yukiko , Miyazaki Taisuke , Taharaguchi Satoshi , Yoshino Saori , Morimatsu Masami , Uede Toshimitsu , Ono Etsuro , Watanabe Masahiko
Published: April 2008

Pseudorabies virus is an alphaherpesvirus causing fatal neurological diseases in animals. Pseudorabies virus carries a gene encoding immediate‐early (IE) protein IE180, which controls the transcription of other viral and host cell genes. Previously, we reported that transgenic expression of IE180 in mice causes severe ataxia and cerebellar deformity. Here we identified profound abnormalities in adult IE180 transgenic mice, including malpositioning of Purkinje cells (PCs), granule cells (GCs) and Bergmann glia (BG), impaired dendritogenesis and synaptogenesis in PCs, disoriented BG fibers, absence of molecular layer interneurons, and increased apoptosis of neurons and glia. In accordance with the cellular defects, we found the expression of IE180 in PCs, GCs and astrocytes during cerebellar development. We next examined transgenic mice expressing truncated IE180 mutants: dlN132 lacking the acidic transcriptional active domain, dlC629 lacking the nuclear localization signal and dlC1081 having all known domains but lacking the carboxyl‐terminal sequence. Despite similar expression levels of the transgenes, ataxia and cerebellar defects were only manifested in the dlC1081 transgenic mice but their phenotypes were milder compared with the IE180 transgenic mice. In the dlC1081 transgenic mice, cerebellar neurons and glia were normally positioned but cerebellar size was severely reduced due to GC deficits. Interestingly, dlC1081 was mainly expressed in the GCs with low expression in a few BG. Taken together, the present findings clarified a causal relationship between cerebellar pathology and cellular expression of IE180, and further afforded an experimental insight into different symptomatic severity as a consequence of different cellular defects caused by such cytotoxic viral agents.
Adaptations of glutamatergic synapses in the striatum contribute to recovery from cerebellar damage
Authors: Centonze Diego , Rossi Silvia , Bartolo Paola De , De Chiara Valentina , Foti Francesca , Musella Alessandra , Mataluni Giorgia , Rossi Stefano , Bernardi Giorgio , Koch Giacomo , Petrosini Laura
Published: April 2008

Recent findings proposed that the cerebellum and the striatum, key structures in motor control, are more interconnected than commonly believed, and that the cerebellum may influence striatal activity. In the present study, the possible changes of synaptic transmission in the striatum of hemicerebellectomized rats have been investigated. Neurophysiological recordings showed a significant facilitation of glutamate transmission in the contralateral striatum occurring early following hemicerebellectomy. This process of synaptic adaptation appears to be relevant for the compensation of cerebellar deficits. Accordingly, pharmacological blockade of glutamate N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors with MK‐801 prevented the rearrangement of excitatory synapses in the striatum and interfered with the recovery from motor disturbances in rats with cerebellar lesions. Hemicerebellectomy also perturbed γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) transmission in contralateral but not ipsilateral striatum. The present findings advance the role of striatal excitatory transmission in the compensation of cerebellar deficits, providing support to the notion that adaptations of striatal function exert a role in the recovery of cerebellar symptoms.
Cortical spreading depression modulates synaptic transmission of the rat lateral amygdala
Authors: Dehbandi Shahab , Speckmann Erwin‐Josef , Pape Hans Christian , Gorji Ali
Published: April 2008

Clinical and pathophysiological evidence connects migraine and the amygdala. Cortical spreading depression (CSD) plays a causative role in the generation of aura symptoms. However, the role of CSD in the pathophysiology of other symptoms of migraine needs to be investigated. An in vitro brain slice technique was used to investigate CSD effects on tetanus‐induced long‐term potentiation (LTP) in the lateral amygdala (LA) of the combined rat amygdala–hippocampus–cortex slices. More than 75% of CSD induced in temporal cortex propagated to LA. Induction of CSD in combined amygdala–hippocampus–cortex slices in which CSD propagated from neocortex to LA significantly augmented LTP in LA. LTP was inhibited when CSD travelled only in the neocortical tissues. Separation of the amygdala from the remaining neocortical part of the slice, in which CSD propagation was limited to the neocortex, increased LTP close to the control levels. Pharmacological manipulations of the slices, in which CSD reached LA, revealed the involvement of NMDA and AMPA glutamate subreceptors as well as dopamine D2 receptors in the enhancement of LTP in LA. However, neither blocking of GABA receptors nor activation of dopamine D1 receptors affected LTP in these slices. The results indicate the disturbances of LA synaptic transmission triggered by propagation of CSD. This perturbation of LA synaptic transmission induced by CSD may relate to some symptoms occurring during migraine attacks.
Identification of seven species of hymenopteran parasitoids of Spodoptera frugiperda, using polymerase chain reaction amplification and restriction enzyme digestion
Authors: Jourdie Violaine , Alvarez Nadir , Turlings Ted C. J.
Published: April 2008

1 The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda is a voracious pest of numerous crops of economic importance throughout the New World. In its native Mexico, larvae can be attacked by several species of parasitic wasps, which are candidate biological control agents against this and other lepidopteran pests.

2 We attempted to survey the parasitoid fauna on S. frugiperda in maize and sorghum fields throughout Mexico. However, our efforts have been hampered by the incomplete development of parasitoid larvae emerging from collected Spodoptera caterpillars.

3 This problem was solved by developing a method to identify seven species of parasitic wasps using polymerase chain reaction amplification and restriction enzyme digestion. This enables the precise determination of the species of those parasitoid larvae that are usually not morphologically identifiable.
Refuges in reverse: the spread of Bacillus thuringiensis resistance to unselected greenhouse populations of cabbage loopers Trichoplusia ni
Authors: Franklin Michelle T. , Myers Judith H.
Published: April 2008

1 The dispersal of susceptible insects between refuges and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) treated fields is the key to resistance management of Bt crops. Here we describe the opposite situation; the movement of Bt resistant Trichoplusia ni moths from over‐wintered, greenhouse populations in British Columbia (BC) exposed to high Bt use to neighbouring greenhouses where Bt sprays have not been used.

2 The spread of Bt resistance to non‐selected populations of T. ni, and the resulting increase in resistance, indicates a surprising level of dispersal of resistant moths among greenhouses even in the face of fitness costs.

3 Field populations of T. ni in BC are seasonal migrants from regions of California where Bt cotton is grown. In 2006, field populations surveyed along the migration path from California through Oregon were highly susceptible to Bt insecticides and, thus, showed no indication of selection for resistance among these source populations.

4 The arrival of the immigrant moths provides a potential source of susceptible individuals to dilute the levels of resistance in greenhouse populations in BC later in the summer, but this has not occurred. Thus, field populations in BC do not appear to serve as refuges to combat Bt resistance in greenhouse populations.
Effects and implications of antibiotic treatment onWolbachia‐infected vine weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: Son Youngsoo , Luckhart Shirley , Zhang Xing , Lieber Matthew J. , Lewis Edwin E.
Published: April 2008

1 The parthenogenetic weevilOtiorhynchus sulcatuswas collected from five geographical locations in the U.S.A. All weevils from each location were infected byWolbachiabelonging to supergroup B.

2 We hypothesized that treatment with tetracycline, which has been used to clearWolbachiainfection, would influence the reproduction ofWolbachia‐infected parthenogeneticO. sulcatusfemales. Tetracycline treatment of preovipositionalO. sulcatusfemales specifically inhibited egg hatching but had no effect relative to controls on any other physiological trait.

3 Treatment with gentamicin, which reportedly has no effect onWolbachiainfection but is indistinguishable from tetracycline in inhibiting protein synthesis of other bacterial genera, did not influence egg hatching.

4 These findings strongly suggest that the inhibition of egg development results from the antibiotic effect onWolbachiarather than by direct toxic effects onO. sulcatusphysiology.

5 We speculate thatWolbachiamay be necessary for normal development ofO. sulcatuseggs and discuss the implications of these findings forO. sulcatusecology.
Comparative life history and parasitism of a new colour morph of the walnut aphid in California
Authors: Hougardy Evelyne , Mills Nicholas J.
Published: April 2008

1 The walnut aphid Chromaphis juglandicola is a yellow aphid. In 2003, however, a white colour morph was discovered in the Sacramento Valley of California. The colour dimorphism occurs between clone lines and, when white morphs are present, they occur in mixed colour morph colonies on the underside of walnut leaves.

2 Laboratory experiments were undertaken to evaluate the thermal requirements for development, adult longevity and progeny production of the two colour morphs. Host instar preference of Trioxys pallidus, a parasitoid responsible for the successful biological control of the walnut aphid in California, was examined separately for each colour morph, and host colour preference was investigated for the preferred instar.

3 No differences in thermal requirements for development, adult size or mean longevity were detected between yellow and white colour morphs. A small difference in early reproduction was detected: white colour morphs produced more progeny on each of the two first days of adult reproduction than yellow colour morphs.

4 Trioxys pallidus showed a slight preference for the fourth instar of the yellow morph over the second‐ and third‐, but equal preference for second, third and fourth instars of the white morph. When offered equal numbers of fourth instars of the two colour morphs, T. pallidus did not show any colour preference.

5 The differences in early aphid reproduction and host instar preference by T. pallidus were combined in a stage‐structured matrix model. Model analysis showed a greater potential for population growth of the white morph over the yellow morph, with early reproduction having a greater influence than host instar preference.
Renal tumour surgery in elderly patients
Authors: Roos Frederik C. , Pahernik Sascha , Melchior Sebastian W. , Thüroff Joachim W.
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVE

To analyse morbidity, renal function and oncological outcome in patients aged ≥80 years who had surgery for renal tumours, as in the elderly such surgery is controversial in relation to life‐expectancy and other causes of death.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 1990 and 2006, in our institution 1625 patients had surgery to treat solid renal tumours suspected to be renal cell carcinoma (RCC); 62 (4%) were aged ≥80 years (mean 82.5), and 73% of these elderly patients had radical nephrectomy (RN) and 27% nephron‐sparing surgery (NSS).

Results The median (range) follow‐up was 3.1 (0.2–14.1) years (89% of the patients). There was no perioperative mortality. There were only minor complications in 47% of patients, most (34%) being temporary increases in serum creatinine level. Histopathologically, 10% of the 62 patients had benign lesions and 90% had RCC. Of the 56 patients with RCC, the stage was pT1a in 34%, pT1b in 25%, pT2 in 5% and pT3 in 36%. For those treated with RN the median (range) serum creatinine level before and after RN was 1.0 (0.7–1.8) and 1.4 (1.0–2.8) mg/dL (P < 0.05), and for those treated with NSS were 1.1 (0.7–4.4) and 1.2 (0.7–4.8) mg/dL (not significant), respectively. The 5‐year overall survival was 68% and the cancer‐specific survival was 85%.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery for renal tumours is safe in elderly patients, with a low perioperative morbidity and a good overall survival rate. Patients should be selected carefully according to comorbidities, biological age and social support.
Outcome of pregnancy in women with a history of vesico‐ureteric reflux
Authors: Hollowell Jean G.
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVES

To review the evidence relating to the outcome of pregnancy in women with vesico‐ureteric reflux (VUR) or a previous history of VUR and to identify the factors contributing to morbidity in pregnancy, with particular emphasis on the role of renal scarring.

METHODS

Searches were carried out in Medline, Pubmed and MD Consult using various combinations of the keywords including: vesicoureteral reflux and pregnancy, maternal vesicoureteral reflux, vesicoureteral reflux in adulthood, reflux nephropathy and pregnancy. All data quoted in this review are from original articles.

RESULTS

The published studies showed that women with VUR that was not associated with renal scarring had no increase in the incidence of gestational hypertension, pre‐eclampsia or fetal morbidity, regardless of whether their VUR was diagnosed in childhood or adulthood. However, women with VUR and normal kidneys did have higher incidence of urinary tract infection during pregnancy, which was not modified by ureteric re‐implantation. Renal scarring was the primary risk factor for morbidity during pregnancy and this risk was independent of the presence or absence of VUR at the time of pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

The evidence does not support the practice of correcting low‐grade VUR in girls with unscarred kidneys because this will reduce their risk of complications in pregnancy. The presence of renal scarring rather than the presence or absence of reflux is the principal determinant of morbidity during pregnancy.
Laparoscopic sentinel node dissection for prostate carcinoma: technical and anatomical observations
Authors: Meinhardt Willem , Valdés Olmos Renato A. , Van Der Poel Henk G. , Bex Axel , Horenblas Simon
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVE

To report experience with sentinel node (SN) lymphadenectomy which allows an assessment of the exact location of radioactive and of tumour‐bearing lymph nodes, and evaluate differences in timing of the scintigraphy and surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 35 patients who opted for external beam radiation therapy for prostate carcinoma of intermediate or poor prognosis. Agreement was reached between the participating urologists and the physicians of the nuclear medicine department on the definition of the relevant anatomical areas. The time between a transrectal intraprostatic injection with the radioactive nanocolloid and the laparoscopic SN procedure varied from 5 h to 26 h. Scintigrams were merged with the computed tomography scans until combined methods became available. A laparoscopic γ‐probe was used to identification the SNs, and an extensive laparoscopic node dissection undertaken in the same procedure. Lymph nodes were submitted to the pathologist in such a way that their exact location could be reconstructed. After surgery a graphic report was produced showing the exact location of the lymph nodes.

RESULTS

Of the 35 patients 40% were node positive; a mean of 13.5 nodes were resected, and there were no false‐negative results. The location of the vast majority of the tumour‐positive SNs was around the bifurcation of the external and internal iliac artery, and so involved nodes from the internal iliac, external iliac, communis and obturator basins. Of the six SNs outside the extended node dissection area, two were positive but only one of them exclusively so (lateral to the external iliac artery). The scintigrams did not change after 4 h, and the operation should be done within 24 h to have sufficient radioactivity in the nodes to be detected by the probe. There were eight complications (23%) but only one could be attributed to the SN procedure; the others were thought to be related to the extended laparoscopic node dissection.

CONCLUSION

The laparoscopic SN procedure is a reliable tool for diagnosing prostate cancer‐bearing lymph nodes, but the extended laparoscopic node dissection has, in this series and others, too many complications for it to be attractive for diagnostic purposes. The SN procedure makes an extended node dissection unnecessary in most patients.
‘The Ancient Cult of Madame’: when therapists trade curiosity for certainty
Authors: Sluzki Carlos E.
Published: April 2008

An experience in which the author followed his own objectives rather than the patient's, leading to a tragic end, is evoked as a frame for the presentation and discussion of a family treatment where the therapeutic process led by the therapist may have exceeded the needs and expectation of the family members. This is followed by a discussion about potential problems caused by a therapist's fascination for family stories, since its effects may be epistemologically discontinuous from, if not contradictory to, Cecchin's recommendation for ‘curiosity’ as a central dictum of the therapist's stance.
The crucial roles of attachment in family therapy
Authors: Byng‐Hall John
Published: April 2008

This paper's aim is to enable family therapists from whatever approach to address family attachments during their work. It explores the role of attachment in the family, and how to enable therapists to increase security in the family so that family members can solve their own problems during and after therapy. The article gives a brief overview of the nature of family attachment relationships and the influence of secure and insecure attachments within the family and their narrative styles. This is described in language that a therapist might readily hold in mind and share the ideas in dialogue with families. The paper discusses the interplay between insecure attachments and other family problems, such as parental conflict and disagreements over authority. It also discusses ways of establishing a secure therapeutic base and the influence of the therapist's own attachment style. The implications for family therapy practice are described and illustrated by work with a specific family.
PRICES AND ENDOGENOUS MARKET STRUCTURE IN OFFICE SUPPLY SUPERSTORES*
Authors: MANUSZAK MARK D. , MOUL CHARLES C.
Published: April 2008

We consider the relationship between prices and market structure for office supply superstores in the U.S. which was central to the Federal Trade Commission's opposition to the merger of Staples and Office Depot. Due to potential biases in a standard regression, we employ a two‐stage approach in which a model of endogenous market structure provides correction terms for a second stage price regression. Using a cross‐section of data on market structures and Staples' prices, we find that excluding the correction term substantially distorts the importance of competitors as the two‐stage model yields stronger negative relationships between prices and market structure variables.