bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional Analysis of Two Isoforms of Leaf-Type Ferredoxin-NADP+-Oxidoreductase in Rice Using the Heterologous Expression System of Arabidopsis
Authors: Higuchi-Takeuchi Mieko , Ichikawa Takanari , Kondou Youichi , Matsui Keiko , Hasegawa Yukako , Kawashima Mika , Sonoike Kintake , Mori Masaki , Hirochika Hirohiko , Matsui Minami
Published: July 2011

Ferredoxin-NADP+-oxidoreductase (FNR) mediates electron transfer between ferredoxin (Fd) and NADP+; therefore, it is a key enzyme that provides the reducing power used in the Calvin cycle. Other than FNR, nitrite reductase, sulfite reductase, glutamate synthase, and Fd-thioredoxin reductase also accept electrons from Fd, an electron carrier protein in the stroma. Therefore, the regulation of electron partitioning in the chloroplast is important for photosynthesis and other metabolic pathways. The regulatory mechanism of electron partitioning, however, remains to be elucidated. We found, by taking advantage of a gain-of-function approach, that expression of two rice (Oryza sativa) full-length cDNAs of leaf-type FNRs (OsLFNR1 and OsLFNR2) led to altered chlorophyll fluorescence and growth in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and rice. We revealed that overexpression of the OsLFNR1 and OsLFNR2 full-length cDNAs resulted in distinct phenotypes despite the high sequence similarity between them. Expression of OsLFNR1 affected the nitrogen assimilation pathway without inhibition of photosynthesis under normal conditions. On the other hand, OsLFNR2 expression led to the impairment of photosynthetic linear electron transport as well as Fd-dependent cyclic electron flow around photosystem I. The endogenous protein level of OsLFNR was found to be suppressed in both OsLFNR1- and OsLFNR2-overexpressing rice plants, leading to changes in the stoichiometry of the two LFNR isoforms within the thylakoid and soluble fractions. Thus, we propose that the stoichiometry of two LFNR isoforms plays an important role in electron partitioning between carbon fixation and nitrogen assimilation.
Clinical Immunology Review Series: An approach to the patient with a periodic fever syndrome
Authors: Lachmann H J
Published: July 2011

The periodic fever syndromes are disorders of innate immunity. They may be inherited or acquired and present as recurrent attacks of apparently spontaneous self-limiting inflammation without evidence of autoantibodies or infection. Over the past decade-and-a-half there has been significant progress in their understanding and treatment.
Visit‐to‐visit variability in blood pressure strongly predicts all‐cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes: a 5·5‐year prospective analysis
Authors: Hsieh Yi‐Ting , Tu Shih‐Te , Cho Tzu‐Jung , Chang Shun‐Jen , Chen Jung‐Fu , Hsieh Ming‐Chia
Published: July 2011

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (3): 245–253

Background  Elevations in blood pressure and visit‐to‐visit variability have been found to significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in nondiabetic individuals. This study has assessed the association between all‐cause mortality and blood pressure parameters [systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse pressure (PP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and visit‐to‐visit variability] in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and methods  A longitudinal cohort study of 2161 patients with type 2 diabetes and a mean follow‐up period of 66·7 ± 7·5 months. Using Cox regression models, blood pressure parameters were related to the risk of all‐cause mortality.

Results  Visit‐to‐visit variability in SBP [HR: 1·048 (95% CI: 1·005–1·092; P = 0·03)], DBP [HR: 1·090 (95% CI: 1·021–1·163; P = 0·01)] and MAP [HR: 1·099 (95% CI: 1·033–1·170; P = 0·003)] significantly predicted all‐cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes after adjusting for baseline data, mean follow‐up blood pressure profiles and HbA1c. Visit‐to‐visit variability in PP [HR: 1·139 (95% CI: 1·030–1·258; P = 0·01)] significantly predicted cardiovascular mortality. Neither baseline nor follow‐up SBP, DBP, PP nor MAP was significantly associated with all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality after adjusting for blood pressure variability. The risk of all‐cause mortality with a mean follow‐up SBP has a U‐shaped distribution. Patients with a mean follow‐up DBP > 90 mmHg were at higher risk of mortality than those with DBP < 90 mmHg.

Conclusions  Visit‐to‐visit variability in blood pressure was significantly associated with all‐cause mortality independent of mean BP in patients with type 2 diabetes. The data for blood pressure variability might be regarded as a potentially important therapeutic target in the management of type 2 diabetes.
Breakage of the nuclear envelope by an extending mitotic nucleus occurs during anaphase in Schizosaccharomyces japonicus
Authors: Aoki Keita , Hayashi Hanako , Furuya Kanji , Sato Mamiko , Takagi Tomoko , Osumi Masako , Kimura Akatsuki , Niki Hironori
Published: July 2011

During open mitosis in higher eukaryotic cells, the nuclear envelope completely breaks down and then mitotic chromosomes are exposed in the cytoplasm. By contrast, mitosis in lower eukaryotes, including fungi, proceeds with the nucleus enclosed in an intact nuclear envelope. The mechanism of mitosis has been studied extensively in yeast, a closed mitosis organism. Here, we describe a form of mitosis in which the nuclear envelope is torn by elongation of the nucleus in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces japonicus. The mitotic nucleus of Sz. japonicus adopted a fusiform shape in anaphase, and its following extension caused separation. Finally, a tear in the nuclear envelope occurred in late anaphase. At the same time, a polarized‐biased localization of nuclear pores was seen in the fusiform‐shaped nuclear envelope, suggesting a compromise in the mechanical integrity of the lipid membrane. It has been known that nuclear membrane remains intact in some metazoan mitosis. We found that a similar tear of the nuclear envelope was also observed in late mitosis of the Caenorhabditis elegans embryo. These findings provide insight into the diversity of mitosis and the biological significance of breakdown of the nuclear envelope.
Effects of Trypanosoma cruzi infection on myocardial morphology, single cardiomyocyte contractile function and exercise tolerance in rats
Authors: Novaes Rômulo D. , Penitente Arlete R. , Gonçalves Reggiani V. , Talvani André , Neves Clóvis A. , Maldonado Izabel R. S. C. , Natali Antônio J.
Published: July 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) infection on myocardial morphology, single cardiomyocyte contractile function and exercise tolerance in rats. Adult Wistar rats were randomized into control (n = 14) and infected (n = 14) groups. Infected animals were inoculated with T. cruzi Y strain (300,000 trypomastigotes/50 g body weight). After 9 weeks, the animals were subjected to a treadmill running protocol. Then, the right atrium (RA) and left ventricle (LV) were removed for morphological and cell contractile evaluation. The infected animals exhibited a significant reduction in distance travelled, total time to fatigue and workload. In addition, these animals had hypertrophy, increased myocardial cellularity, and an increase in the proportion of collagen and blood vessels. RA and LV myocytes from infected animals showed marked contractile dysfunction under basal conditions and a reduced contractile response to β‐adrenergic stimulation. The workload of infected animals was correlated closely with the amplitude of cell shortening of RA and LV myocytes. T. cruzi infection influenced the myocardial morphology and the mechanical properties of RA and LV single myocytes negatively and reduced exercise tolerance. Single cardiomyocyte contractile dysfunction could constitute an additional mechanism of cardiac impairment and reduced exercise tolerance in this infection.
Simple nutritional intervention in patients with advanced cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, non‐small cell lung cancers or mesothelioma and weight loss receiving chemotherapy: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Baldwin C. , Spiro A. , McGough C. , Norman A. R. , Gillbanks A. , Thomas K. , Cunningham D. , O’Brien M. , Andreyev H. J. N.
Published: July 2011

Background:  Weight loss in patients with cancer is common and associated with a poorer survival and quality of life. Benefits from nutritional interventions are unclear. The present study assessed the effect of dietary advice and/or oral nutritional supplements on survival, nutritional endpoints and quality of life in patients with weight loss receiving palliative chemotherapy for gastrointestinal and non‐small cell lung cancers or mesothelioma.

Methods:  Participants were randomly assigned to receive no intervention, dietary advice, a nutritional supplement or dietary advice plus supplement before the start of chemotherapy. Patients were followed for 1 year. Survival, nutritional status and quality of life were assessed.

Results:  In total, 256 men and 102 women (median age, 66 years; range 24–88 years) with gastrointestinal (n = 277) and lung (n = 81) cancers were recruited. Median (range) follow‐up was 6 (0–49) months. One‐year survival was 38.6% (95% confidence interval 33.3–43.9). No differences in survival, weight or quality of life between groups were seen. Patients surviving beyond 26 weeks experienced significant weight gain from baseline to 12 weeks, although this was independent of nutritional intervention.

Conclusions:  Simple nutritional interventions did not improve clinical or nutritional outcomes or quality of life. Weight gain predicted a longer survival but occurred independently of nutritional intervention.
Safety of oral robenacoxib in the cat
Authors: KING J. N. , HOTZ R. , REAGAN E. L. , ROTH D. R. , SEEWALD W. , LEES P.
Published: July 2011

King, J. N., Hotz, R., Reagan, E. L., Roth, D. R., Seewald, W., Lees, P. Safety of oral robenacoxib in the cat. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 35, 290–300.

The safety of robenacoxib, a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug with high selectivity for inhibition of the cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 isoform of COX, was investigated in the cat in two randomized, blinded, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group studies. Robenacoxib was administered orally to healthy young domestic short‐hair cats at dosages of 0 (placebo), 5 and 10 mg/kg once daily for 28 days (study 1) and at 0 (placebo), 2, 6 and 10 mg/kg twice daily for 42 days (study 2). The recommended minimum dosage for robenacoxib tablets in cats is 1 mg/kg once daily (range 1–2.4 mg/kg). Relative to placebo treatment, no toxicologically significant effects of robenacoxib were recorded in either study, based on general observations of health, haematological and clinical chemistry variables and urinalyses in life, and by post mortem organ weight, gross pathology and histopathology assessments. Pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic simulations indicated that all dosages of robenacoxib were associated with marked inhibition of COX‐2 at peak effect (median Imax 97.8–99.4% inhibition) with lesser inhibition of COX‐1 (median Imax 26.8–58.3% inhibition). Inhibition of the COXs was short lasting, with >10% median inhibition persisting for 4.0 h for COX‐2 and 1.5 h for COX‐1. These levels of inhibition of COX‐1 and COX‐2 twice daily with robenacoxib were not associated with any detectable toxicity, suggesting that, as previously described in dogs, the high safety index of robenacoxib in cats may be related to a combination of its high COX‐2 selectivity and short residence time in the central compartment.
DOG1 expression is predicted by the seed‐maturation environment and contributes to geographical variation in germination in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: CHIANG GEORGE C. K. , BARTSCH MELANIE , BARUA DEEPAK , NAKABAYASHI KAZUMI , DEBIEU MARILYNE , KRONHOLM ILKKA , KOORNNEEF MAARTEN , SOPPE WIM J. J. , DONOHUE KATHLEEN , De MEAUX JULIETTE
Published: July 2011

Seasonal germination timing of Arabidopsis thaliana strongly influences overall life history expression and is the target of intense natural selection. This seasonal germination timing depends strongly on the interaction between genetics and seasonal environments both before and after seed dispersal. DELAY OF GERMINATION 1 (DOG1) is the first gene that has been identified to be associated with natural variation in primary dormancy in A. thaliana. Here, we report interaccession variation in DOG1 expression and document that DOG1 expression is associated with seed‐maturation temperature effects on germination; DOG1 expression increased when seeds were matured at low temperature, and this increased expression was associated with increased dormancy of those seeds. Variation in DOG1 expression suggests a geographical structure such that southern accessions, which are more dormant, tend to initiate DOG1 expression earlier during seed maturation and achieved higher expression levels at the end of silique development than did northern accessions. Although elimination of the synthesis of phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) results in the elimination of maternal temperature effects on dormancy, DOG1 expression predicted dormancy better than expression of genes involved in ABA metabolism.
DegU‐phosphate activates expression of the anti‐sigma factor FlgM in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Hsueh Yi‐Huang , Cozy Loralyn M. , Sham Lok‐To , Calvo Rebecca A. , Gutu Alina D. , Winkler Malcolm E. , Kearns Daniel B.
Published: July 2011

The bacterial flagellum is a complex molecular machine that is assembled by more than 30 proteins and is rotated to propel cells either through liquids or over solid surfaces. Flagellar gene expression is extensively regulated to co‐ordinate flagellar assembly in both space and time. In Bacillus subtilis, the proteins of unknown function, SwrA and SwrB, and the alternative sigma factor σD are required to activate expression of the flagellar filament protein, flagellin. Here we determine that in the absence of SwrA and SwrB, the phosphorylated form of the response regulator DegU inhibits σd‐dependent gene expression indirectly by binding to the PflgM promoter region and activating expression of the anti‐sigma factor FlgM. We further demonstrate that DegU‐P‐dependent activation of FlgM is essential to inhibit flagellin expression when flagellar basal body assembly is disrupted. Regulation of FlgM is poorly understood outside of Salmonella, and differential control of FlgM expression may be a common means of coupling flagellin expression to flagellar assembly.
Biochemical and genetic characterization of the three metabolic routes in Thermococcus kodakarensis linking glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate and 3‐phosphoglycerate
Authors: Matsubara Kohei , Yokooji Yuusuke , Atomi Haruyuki , Imanaka Tadayuki
Published: July 2011

In the classical Embden–Meyerhof (EM) pathway for glycolysis, the conversion between glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate (GAP) and 3‐phosphoglycerate (3‐PGA) is reversibly catalysed by phosphorylating GAP dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK). In the Euryarchaeota Thermococcus kodakarensis and Pyrococcus furiosus, an additional gene encoding GAP:ferredoxin oxidoreductase (GAPOR) and a gene similar to non‐phosphorylating GAP dehydrogenase (GAPN) are present. In order to determine the physiological roles of the three routes that link GAP and 3‐PGA, we individually disrupted the GAPOR, GAPN, GAPDH and PGK genes (gor, gapN, gapDH and pgk respectively) of T. kodakarensis. The Δgor strain displayed no growth under glycolytic conditions, confirming its proposed function to generate reduced ferredoxin for energy generation in glycolysis. Surprisingly, ΔgapN cells also did not grow under glycolytic conditions, suggesting that GAPN plays a key role in providing NADPH under these conditions. Disruption of gor and gapN had no effect on gluconeogenic growth. Growth experiments with the ΔgapDH and Δpgk strains indicated that, unlike their counterparts in the classical EM pathway, GAPDH/PGK play a major role only in gluconeogenesis. Biochemical analyses indicated that T. kodakarensis GAPN did not recognize aldehyde substrates other than d‐GAP, preferred NADP+ as cofactor and was dramatically activated with glucose 1‐phosphate.
Infestation of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) by the peach‐potato aphid (Myzus persicae Sulzer) alters cellular redox status and is influenced by ascorbate
Authors: KERCHEV PAVEL I. , FENTON BRIAN , FOYER CHRISTINE H. , HANCOCK ROBERT D.
Published: July 2011

The peach‐potato aphid (Myzus persicae Sulzer) is a major pest of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) but the molecular characterization of this interaction particularly with regard to oxidants and antioxidants remains to be undertaken. Aphid colonies reared on potato leaves containing high ascorbate were twice the size of those grown on leaves with low ascorbate. Infestation‐dependent decreases in the abundance of key transcripts such as chloroplastic FeSOD, peroxisomal catalase 2, PR1 and JAZ1 preceded detectable leaf H2O2 or polyphenol accumulation. The leaf glutathione pool was increased 48 h after infestation, but the amount of ascorbate was unchanged. The ascorbate/dehydroacorbate (DHA) ratio was lower at 48 h but the ratio of reduced glutathione (GSH) to oxidized glutathione (GSSG) was unchanged. While DHA reductase and GSSG reductase activities were unaffected by aphid feeding, non‐specific peroxidase activities were enhanced 48 h following aphid infestation. Brown ethanol‐insoluble deposits were observed close to leaf veins following aphid infestation. Taken together, the results demonstrate that high ascorbate favours aphid colony expansion and that perturbations in the leaf antioxidant system are intrinsic to the potato leaf response to aphids. Moreover, these changes together with the induction of hormone‐related transcripts precede the deposition of defence‐associated oxidized polyphenols along the stylet track.
Responses of barley root and shoot proteomes to long‐term nitrogen deficiency, short‐term nitrogen starvation and ammonium
Authors: MØLLER ANDERS L. B. , PEDAS PAI , ANDERSEN BIRGIT , SVENSSON BIRTE , SCHJOERRING JAN K. , FINNIE CHRISTINE
Published: July 2011

Cereals are major crops worldwide, and improvement of their nitrogen use efficiency is a crucial challenge. In this study proteins responding to N supply in barley roots and shoots were analysed using a proteomics approach, to provide insight into mechanisms of N uptake and assimilation. Control plants grown hydroponically for 33 d with 5 mm nitrate, plants grown under N deficiency (0.5 mm nitrate, 33 d) or short‐term N starvation (28 d with 5 mm nitrate followed by 5 d with no N source) were compared. N deficiency caused changes in C and N metabolism and ascorbate‐glutathione cycle enzymes in shoots and roots. N starvation altered proteins of amino acid metabolism in roots. Both treatments caused proteome changes in roots that could affect growth. Shoots of plants grown with ammonium as N source (28 d with 5 mm nitrate followed by 5 d with 5 mm ammonium) showed responses similar to N deficient shoots, characterized by turnover of ribulose 1·5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) and increases in proteins of the chloroplastic transcription and translation machinery. Identified proteins in 67 and 49 varying spots in roots and shoots respectively, corresponded to 62 functions and over 80 gene products, considerably advancing knowledge of N responses in barley.
Hantavirus ecology in rodent populations in three protected areas of Argentina
Authors: Vadell M. V. , Bellomo C. , San Martín A. , Padula P. , Gómez Villafañe I.
Published: July 2011

In this study, we identified hantavirus genotypes and their reservoirs and evaluated the spatial and temporal distribution of the virus in rodent population in three protected areas of Argentina over 3 years (2007–2010). A total of 837 rodents were captured with an effort of 22 117 trap‐nights. We detected the genotype Lechiguanas in Oligoryzomys nigripes and O. flavescens and Pergamino in Akodon azarae. There was no correlation between seroprevalence and trap success of the host. The proportion of seropositive males was significantly higher than the proportion of seropositive females. The total length of seropositives was higher than that of seronegatives in each host species. Seropositive individuals were observed in warm months and not in cold months, which suggests an infection cycle. This investigation confirms that protected areas of central east Argentina are places with a variety of sylvan rodents species associated with different hantavirus genotypes where reservoirs are numerically dominant. Although there was more than one known reservoir of hantavirus, only one species had antibodies in each area. This can be explained because the transmission of the virus does need not only the presence of a rodent species but also a threshold density. Longevity of even a small proportion of the host population in cold months may provide a trans‐seasonal mechanism for virus persistence. The seroprevalence detected was higher than the one found before in rodent populations of Argentina, and this explains the appearance of human cases in two of these three areas.
Characterization of 236 novel alleles at the HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C, ‐DRB1, ‐DQB1 and ‐DPB1 loci from China Marrow Donor Program
Authors: Li J. , Qu J. , Zhang X. , Zhang C. , Liu Y. , Cao H. , Zhang W. , Wang Y. , Chen H. , Chen G. , Zheng Z. , Shen M. , Cheng Z. , Tang J. , Zhen H. , Liao K. , Chen C. , Yang H. , Tian Z. , Zhang H. , Hua S. , Rao B. , Wang N. , Zhang Q. , Liu T. , Chen S. , Wang L. , Yi X.
Published: July 2011

Two hundred and thirty‐six novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles are described from volunteer donors of the China Marrow Donor Program: 71 HLA‐A alleles, 79 HLA‐B alleles, 43 HLA‐C, 16 HLA‐DRB1 alleles, 26 HLA‐DQB1 and 1 HLA‐DPB1. Two hundred and thirteen (90.3%) of the 236 novel alleles are single nucleotide substitution variants when compared with their most homologous allele. Seventy‐eight of these single nucleotide variants are silent substitutions. The remaining novel alleles differ from their most similar allele by two to four nucleotide substitutions. Some of the novel alleles encode amino acid changes at positions not previously reported to be polymorphic, such as codons 57, 62, 67, 41 and 52 in HLA‐A alleles; codons 133, 156, 201 and 215 in HLA‐B alleles; codons 74, 208 and 225 in HLA‐C; codons 25, 32 and 72 in HLA‐DRB1; codons 20, 39 and 77 in HLA‐DQB1.
No evidence of IL21 association with multiple sclerosis in a Swedish population
Authors: Lindén M. , Nohra R. , Sundqvist E. , Khademi M. , Hillert J. , Alfredsson L. , Olsson T. , Kockum I.
Published: July 2011

Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, with a second autoimmune disease after lymphocyte depletion, had elevated serum IL‐21 before and after treatment which correlated to IL21 genotypes. In addition, the IL21 gene has been associated to several other autoimmune diseases. However, in a Spanish population there was no association to MS. Here, in a Swedish cohort (2090 MS cases and 1732 controls) 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) tagging IL21 were not associated to disease. There was no interaction with risk alleles of IL21R and HLA‐DRB1*15. Lack of genetic association was confirmed in a meta‐analysis with pooled data from the present study and the Spanish study. In conclusion, IL21 has not been shown to be a major risk gene for MS.
Running the gauntlet: from peptide generation to antigen presentation by MHC class I
Authors: Saunders P. M. , van Endert P.
Published: July 2011

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules provide the molecular basis for the comprehensive surveillance of an organism by the cytotoxic arm of the adaptive immune system. To exert this function correctly, class I molecules must be loaded with peptide ligands of appropriate length, sequence and affinity that provide a rapidly updated and sufficiently comprehensive picture of the state of the cell. This is accomplished by a sophisticated cellular machinery using a blend of cellular house‐keeping proteins and dedicated transporters, chaperones and peptidases. The last 10 years have seen substantial progress in our comprehension of this machinery. It seems now clear that a large proportion of MHC class I ligands are derived from short‐lived products of the ribosomal apparatus, many of which correspond to defective proteins. Despite much effort to identify alternative proteolytic pathways, cytosolic production of epitopes still appears to depend almost entirely on the proteasome, while cytosolic aminopeptidases act mainly to limit antigen presentation. In contrast, clear evidence for a critical role of trimming peptidases residing in the endoplasmic reticulum has emerged. These enzymes play a role in responses against pathogens and are associated with autoimmune diseases, most notably ankylosing spondylitis. Much has also been learned about the intricate chaperone interactions in peptide‐loading complexes, especially with respect to the structural role of tapasin‐ERp57 conjugates and to the editing function of tapasin. In contrast, cross‐presentation of exogenous antigens by MHC class I molecules still remains somewhat poorly understood and is likely to attract much research effort for years to come.
Total serum tryptase levels are higher in young infants
Authors: Belhocine Wahib , Ibrahim Zouher , Grandné Véronique , Buffat Christophe , Robert Philippe , Gras Delphine , Cleach Isabelle , Bongrand Pierre , Carayon Pierre , Vitte Joana
Published: July 2011

To cite this article: Belhocine W, Ibrahim Z, Grandné V, Buffat C, Robert P, Gras D, Cleach I, Bongrand P, Carayon P, Vitte J. Total serum tryptase levels are higher in young infants. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011; 22: 600–607.

Background:  Mast cells participate in immune defense and allergic disease. At baseline, serum tryptase levels primarily reflect mast cell burden, while mast cell degranulation leads to granule tryptase release, which may be detectable as a transitory elevation of serum tryptase levels. Thus, mast cell burden and mast cell activity are reflected by serum tryptase levels, but reports are scarce in infants under 1 yr. We aimed at defining levels of total serum tryptase levels in this population.

Methods:  Total serum tryptase levels (ImmunoCAP; Phadia) were measured in 372 sera from infants younger than 1 yr. Two hundred and forty‐two sera came from non‐atopic, non‐allergic infants in good condition, who had blood drawn for routine follow‐up or diagnosis of illnesses that are not known to induce changes in serum tryptase levels. Seventy‐two sera were from atopic and/or allergic infants, and 58 sera were from non‐atopic, non‐allergic infants requiring intensive care.

Results:  Median serum tryptase levels were highest in infant2s under 3 months (6.12 ± 3.47 μg/l) and gradually decreased before reaching levels similar to those described in adults and older children (3.85 ± 1.8 μg/l between 9 and 12 months). Atopic/allergic status was associated with even higher tryptase levels (14.20 ± 10.22 μg/l in infants younger than 3 months). Intensive care patients had lower levels of serum tryptase (4.12 ± 3.38 μg/l in infants younger than 3 months). Longitudinal follow‐up was performed in 27 patients and showed tryptase levels decrease over time in individual patients. Infants’sex was not found to interfere with serum tryptase levels.

Conclusion:  Total serum tryptase levels are significantly higher in younger infants compared with older ones. In infants of the same age, serum tryptase levels may vary according to the clinical condition and thus suggest mast cell involvement in the physiologic as well as in the allergic immune responses of young infants.
How ready are they? Parents of pediatric solid organ transplant recipients and the transition from hospital to home following transplant
Authors: Lerret Stacee M. , Weiss Marianne E.
Published: July 2011

Lerret SM, Weiss ME. How ready are they? Parents of pediatric solid organ transplant recipients and the transition from hospital to home following transplant. Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15: 606–616. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Poor discharge transition is evidence of a gap between evidence‐based practices and current health care delivery. Pediatric SOT recipients are a vulnerable population at risk of complications during the discharge transition. The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with the transition care from hospital to home. We studied the transition experience of parents of heart, liver, or kidney recipients to identify opportunities for improvement in discharge and post‐discharge care processes and outcomes. Thirty‐seven parents from three different pediatric transplant centers completed questionnaires on the day of hospital discharge and three wk following hospital discharge. Care coordination was associated with readiness for hospital discharge. Readiness for hospital discharge was subsequently associated with post‐discharge coping difficulty, adherence difficulty with medical follow‐up, and family impact. Identifying parents who are not ready to go home provides an opportunity to offer additional support services so parents can effectively manage their child’s recovery and continuing care at home.
The socioeconomic and psychosocial circumstances of adult long‐term survivors of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in childhood
Authors: Löf Catharina M. , Winiarski Jacek , Ljungman Per , Forinder Ulla
Published: July 2011

Löf CM, Winiarski J, Ljungman P, Forinder U. The socioeconomic and psychosocial circumstances of adult long‐term survivors of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in childhood.  Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15: 691–698. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Socioeconomic factors such as education, employment, financial circumstances, marital status, and psychological well‐being were investigated in 51 Swedish adults (age 19–42) surviving for at least five yr following pediatric allogeneic SCT (age at SCT 1–16 yr) using items derived from a Living Condition Survey (ULF). Psychological well‐being and cognitive faculties were measured by HAD and SWED‐QUAL. Socioeconomic data and marital status were compared with a norm group matched for gender and age, derived from the Swedish national population registry. Most subjects function well and lead normal lives, and they are nevertheless more likely than the norm to encounter problems with establishing themselves on the labor market. The SCT group demonstrated a lower level of employment, and the likelihood of having a disability pension was higher than in the normal population. Younger subjects and women encountered most financial difficulties and a higher risk of poverty. Cognitive difficulties intercorrelated both with inferior financial circumstances and with higher levels of anxiety and depression. These results indicate the importance of recognizing and attempting to tackle the possible cumulative disadvantage of problems that affect the adult following SCT in childhood.
Comparing the predatory performance of green lacewing on cotton bollworm on conventional and Bt cotton
Authors: Bahar M. H. , Stanley J. N. , Gregg P. C. , Del Socorro A. P. , Kristiansen P.
Published: July 2011

We compared the survival of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) eggs and larvae on Bt and conventional cotton, in the presence or absence of the generalist predator, green lacewing larvae, Mallada signatus, (Schneider) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). In small arenas, green lacewings consumed a similar number of H. armigera eggs (ave. 15.8 ± 1.3 on conventional, 12.6 ± 1.4 on Bt cotton per predator over 24 h) and larvae (ave. 6.8 ± 0.7 conventional, 6.5 ± 0.8 Bt per predator over 24 h) whether on Bt or conventional cotton leaves. Likewise, similar numbers of eggs were consumed by each lacewing larva searching whole plants of either Bt (ave. 15.5 ± 0.6 of 49 over 24 h) or conventional (ave. 13.6 ± 1.1 of 49 over 24 h). On conventional plants over 72 h, survival of H. armigera larvae was 72.8% and decreased to 37.7% when lacewings were present, giving a net consumption rate of 35.1% (8.6 prey per predator over 72 h). On Bt cotton plants, 13.6% of the H. armigera larvae survived after 72 h and this decreased to 1.7% when lacewings were present. This combination of mortality factors operated synergistically. Helicoverpa armigera larvae moved to fruiting structures on conventional or Bt cotton but failed to survive in the squares (young flower buds) when the impacts of Bt and lacewings were combined. The removal of first to second instar H. armigera larvae from squares of Bt cotton by predators has the potential to reduce immediate pest damage and, perhaps more importantly, remove potentially Bt‐resistant genotypes.
Association of betel nut chewing with chronic kidney disease: A retrospective 7‐year study in Taiwan
Authors: HSU YUEH‐HAN , LIU WEN‐HSIN , CHEN WEI , KUO YI‐CHUN , HSIAO CHIH‐YEN , HUNG PEIR‐HAUR , JONG ING‐CHING , CHIANG PEI‐CHUN , HSU CHIH‐CHENG
Published: July 2011

Aim:  Only few studies have reported that betel nut (BN) chewing is independently associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, the sample size was relatively small. This study was to explore further the association between BN chewing and CKD using a larger case series.

Methods:  We retrospectively reviewed the records of a health check‐up program from 2003 to 2009. Laboratory tests, medical history and status of cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking and BN chewing were compared between CKD and non‐CKD groups. We checked interaction effects between BN chewing and all other covariates, and conducted multivariate logistic regression analysis to explore the risk of CKD with BN chewing.

Results:  A total of 27 482 participants (15 491 females and 11 991 males, mean age 58.02 ± 11.85 years) were included in the study, of whom 4519 (16.4%) had CKD and 1608 (5.9%) chewed BN. CKD prevalence in the chewers was higher than in the non‐chewers in all age groups per decade. BN chewing was significantly associated with CKD in overall subjects (odds ratio (OR) = 1.23, P = 0.027) and also in the male (OR = 1.23, P = 0.035), non‐drinking (OR = 1.62, P = 0.000), non‐diabetic (OR = 1.27, P = 0.021), and non‐proteinuric groups (OR = 1.30, P = 0.013). This relationship was insignificant in female, drinking, diabetic and proteinuric groups.

Conclusion:  The association between BN chewing and CKD seemed conditional on demographics, health behaviours, and underlying co‐morbidities. This association should be interpreted cautiously.
A prospective cohort study of healthcare visits and rehospitalizations after discharge of patients with community‐acquired pneumonia
Authors: ADAMUZ JORDI , VIASUS DIEGO , CAMPRECIÓS‐RODRÍGUEZ PAULA , CAÑAVATE‐JURADO OLGA , JIMÉNEZ‐MARTÍNEZ EMILIO , ISLA PILAR , GARCÍA‐VIDAL CAROLINA , CARRATALÀ JORDI
Published: July 2011

Background and objective:  The aim of this study was to identify the frequency of, reasons for, and risk factors associated with additional health‐care visits and re‐hospitalizations (health‐care interactions) among patients with community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP), within 30 days of discharge from hospital.

Methods:  This was an observational analysis of a prospective cohort of adults hospitalized with CAP at a tertiary hospital in 2007–2009. Additional health‐care interactions were defined as visits to a primary care centre or emergency department, and hospital readmissions within 30 days of discharge.

Results:  Of the 934 patients hospitalized with CAP, 282 (34.1%) had additional health‐care interactions within 30 days of discharge from hospital; 149 (52.8%) required an additional visit to a primary care centre and 177 (62.8%) attended the emergency department. Seventy‐two patients (25.5%) were readmitted to hospital. The main reasons for additional health‐care interactions were worsening of signs or symptoms of CAP and new or worsening comorbidities that were unrelated to pneumonia, mainly cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. The only independent factor associated with visits to a primary care centre or the emergency department was alcohol abuse (OR 1.65; 95% CI: 1.03–2.64). Hospitalization in the previous 90 days (OR 2.47; 95% CI: 1.11–5.52) and comorbidities (OR 3.99; 95% CI: 1.12–14.23) were independently associated with re‐hospitalization.

Conclusions:  Additional health‐care visits and re‐hospitalizations within 30 days of discharge from hospital were common among patients with CAP. This was mainly due to worsening of signs or symptoms of CAP and/or comorbidities. These findings may have implications for discharge planning and follow up of patients with CAP.
Coexistence of endometriosis and uterine septum in patients with abortion or infertility
Authors: Demir Berfu , Dilbaz Berna , Karadag Burak , Duraker Rafet , Akkurt Ozgur , Kocak Muberra , Goktolga Umit
Published: July 2011

Aim:  To investigate the coexistence of endometriosis and uterine septum patients whose complaints are abortion and infertility.

Methods:  Ninety‐two patients with a uterine septum and 191 patients who had undergone diagnostic laparoscopy for infertility were reviewed. The incidence of endometriosis in patients with a uterine septum was compared with patients with a normal uterine cavity; then the incidence of endometriosis was compared in association with having a preoperative diagnosis of presumed unexplained infertility in women with a partial or complete uterine septum.

Results:  There was no significant difference between the patients who had a uterine septum and those with a normal cavity in terms of the incidence of endometriosis (P = 0.39). Also, the incidence of endometriosis was not significantly different in patients who had a complete or partial uterine septum (P = 0.49). Endometriosis was observed in 8.7% of the patients who were presumed to have unexplained infertility in the complete uterine septum group and in 18.8% of the patients in the partial uterine septum group; but the difference was not statistically significant when complete and partial uterine septum groups were compared according to the type of infertility (partial uterine septum group, P = 0.13; complete uterine septum group, P = 0.28).

Conclusion:  An increased incidence of endometriosis was not observed in patients with a septate uterus. The reason for infertility in women with a partial uterine septum may be related to endometriosis.
Short‐ and long‐term outcomes in babies born after antenatal magnesium treatment
Authors: Mitani Minoru , Matsuda Yoshio , Shimada Etsuko ,   Perinatal Research Network Group in Japan
Published: July 2011

Aim:  To identify the prenatal events associated with adverse outcome in babies born at less than 32 weeks' gestation, including antenatal magnesium sulfate treatment.

Methods:  A case–control study was performed to examine the effect of long‐term tocolysis with MgSO4. Long‐term neonatal and infantile adverse outcomes were defined as one of the following: intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, cerebral palsy and infantile death.

Results:  Data were analyzed for 425 cases (236 who received magnesium sulfate and 189 control cases who did not). Perinatal deaths included 13 cases that had received magnesium (5.5%) and 17 control cases (9.0%). Long‐term neonatal and infantile adverse outcomes were noted in 80 cases. The factor associated with an increased risk of combined adverse outcome after adjustment for confounding effects was the administration of corticosteroids (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.27–0.81), but not magnesium sulfate (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.48–1.40). In the subgroup that also received ritodrine (n = 315), magnesium sulfate was given to 195 cases. In this group, the factor associated with an increased risk of combined adverse outcome (n = 64) after adjustment for the confounding effects was also corticosteroids (adjusted OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.13–0.49), but magnesium sulfate was not associated with an increase in risk (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.34–1.22).

Conclusions:  Long‐term tocolysis with magnesium sulfate is not a significant factor related to the occurrence of neonatal and infantile adverse outcomes. Further study is needed to clarify the dose–response effect of magnesium sulfate.
Cardiac arrest upon induction of anesthesia in children with cardiomyopathy: an analysis of incidence and risk factors
Authors: Lynch Johanne , Pehora Carolyne , Holtby Helen , Schwarz Steven M. , Taylor Katherine
Published: July 2011

Introduction:  It is thought that patients with cardiomyopathy have an increased risk of cardiac arrest on induction of anesthesia, but there is little available data. The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence and potential risk factors for cardiac arrest upon induction of anesthesia in children with cardiomyopathy in our institution.

Methods:  A retrospective chart review was performed. Eligible patients included patients admitted between 1998 and 2008 with the International Statistical Classification of Disease code for cardiomyopathy (ICD‐9 code 425) who underwent airway intervention for sedation or general anesthesia in the operating room, cardiac diagnostic and interventional unit (CDIU) or intensive care unit. Patients undergoing emergency airway intervention following cardiovascular collapse were excluded. For each patient, we recorded patient demographics, disease severity, anesthesia location, and anesthetic technique.

Results:  One hundred and twenty‐nine patients with cardiomyopathy underwent a total of 236 anesthetic events, and four cardiac arrests were identified. One was related to bradycardia (HR < 60), two were attributed to bradycardia in association with severe hypotension (systolic blood pressure < 45), and the fourth arrest was related to isolated severe hypotension. Two occurred in the operating suite and two in the CDIU. There was no resulting mortality. One patient progressed to heart transplantation. Multiple combinations of anesthetic drugs were used for induction of anesthesia.

Conclusion:  We performed a review of the last 10 years of anesthesia events in children with cardiomyopathy. We report four cardiac arrests in two patients and 236 anesthetic events (1.7%). To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest review of these patients to date but is limited by its retrospective nature. The low cardiac arrest incidence prevents the identification of risk factors and the development of a cardiac arrest risk predictive clinical tool.
Effect of intra‐observer variation in prostate volume measurement on prostate‐specific antigen density calculations among prostate cancer active surveillance participants
Authors: Ko Joan S. , Landis Patricia , Carter H. Ballentine , Partin Alan W.
Published: July 2011

Study Type – Diagnostic (exploratory cohort)

Level of Evidence 2b

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

The Epstein criteria, which utilize prostate specific antigen density (PSAD) benchmarks, are recognized to be a reasonable method of selecting men for active surveillance of prostate cancer. Transrectal ultrasonography, however, may not be a sufficiently precise method of measuring prostate volume for the determination of PSAD. This study shows that despite impressive intra‐observer variability in transrectal ultrasonography guided prostate volume measurements, this variability typically does not affect the PSAD to an extent by which qualification for active surveillance would be altered.

OBJECTIVE

• To determine intra‐observer variability in transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) guided prostate volume measurements in the Johns Hopkins active surveillance group and to establish whether or not this variability could affect prostate‐specific antigen density (PSAD) estimates in this cohort.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• In all, 253 patients with a combined total of 1111 prostate biopsies underwent TRUS‐guided prostate volume measurements performed by the same physician at least three times over the course of their care.

• Coefficients of variation (CV) were calculated for each set of measurements performed on each patient by the same physician, and average CVs were determined for each physician and for physicians overall. The CVs were correlated with the average of each patient’s measured prostate volumes to look for any trend.

• Finally, measured prostate volumes were used with each patient’s initial prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) value to calculate PSAD to reveal whether or not the degree of variability found in these measurements would have led to PSADs that would have otherwise precluded qualification for active surveillance.

RESULTS

• The average CV for all sets of prostate volume data was 0.168. Average CVs for each physician ranged from 0.136 to 0.234.

• However, actual CVs ranged anywhere from 0.013 to 0.549. The CVs were found to have no correlation with prostate volumes (Pearson correlation coefficient: 0.04).

• In 95% of cases, variability in TRUS‐guided prostate volume measurement did not affect PSAD sufficiently to elicit a value greater than 0.15.

CONCLUSIONS

• Even among individuals who are highly experienced in TRUS‐guided prostate volume measurement, significant intra‐observer variation exists. However, this variability is not enough to affect one’s eligibility for prostate cancer active surveillance when PSAD criteria are used.

• The TRUS‐guided prostate volume measurements remain a reliable method of assessing PSAD in patients with prostate cancer.
THE BENEFIT OF REDUCED COMPETITION AND THE COST OF INFORMATION RENT UNDER OUTSOURCING
Authors: Hamada Kojun
Published: July 2011

We analyse the cost and benefit of outsourcing with adverse selection in a duopoly by comparing outsourcing with in‐house production in terms of the manufacturer’s expected profit. When two manufacturers faced with ex ante cost uncertainty compete in a differentiated duopoly, outsourcing brings about a benefit in terms of reduced competition, while it entails the cost of information rent. We show that the manufacturers always choose in‐house production in Cournot and Bertrand competition, when outsourcing and in‐house production follow the same ex ante cost distribution. When the manufacturers compete in Cournot fashion, the cost of information rent always exceeds the benefit of reduced competition under outsourcing. On the other hand, when they compete in Bertrand fashion, it is possible that even if the benefit of outsourcing exceeds the cost, both manufacturers cannot choose outsourcing.