bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mares admitted to a referral hospital for postpartum emergencies: 163 cases (1992–2002)
Authors: Dolente Brett A. , Sullivan Eileen K. , Boston Ray , Johnston Janet K.
Published: August 2005

Objective:To identify and describe the physical, historical, and clinicopathologic characteristics of diseases requiring emergency treatment in postpartum mares, and to evaluate the utility of these characteristics in making an accurate diagnosis in these mares.

Design:Retrospective study.

Setting:University large animal hospital.

Animals:One hundred and sixty‐three mares admitted for emergency treatment within 30 days following parturition between the years 1992 and 2002.

Interventions:None.

Measurements and main results:Information obtained from the medical records included age, breed, date of admission, sex of the foal from this parturition, time from parturition to admission, duration of clinical signs prior to admission, and any report of dystocia or normal attended delivery, physical examination and clinicopathologic findings and diagnosis. Urogenital hemorrhage and large colon volvulus were the most common diagnoses, comprising 16.6% and 15.9% of total cases, respectively. Older mares were more likely to have a diagnosis of urogenital hemorrhage than younger mares. Mares with urogenital hemorrhage had a median age of 13 years and were admitted to the hospital significantly closer to parturition than mares with other diagnoses. Anemia, hypoproteinemia, and hypofibrinogenemia were significantly associated with a diagnosis of urogenital hemorrhage and occurred in 32%, 36%, and 26% of the mares with urogenital hemorrhage, respectively. Dystocia was more commonly reported (70%) in mares with metritis. Leukopenia was more common (88%) in mares with uterine tears.

Conclusions:Careful evaluation of clinicopathologic data can aid the emergency clinician in making a correct diagnosis in postpartum mares with emergent problems.
Characterization and phylogenetic relationships among microsporidia infecting silkworm, Bombyx mori, using inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and small subunit rRNA (SSU-rRNA) sequence analysis
Authors: Rao S Nageswara , Nath B Surendra , Saratchandra B
Published: August 2005

This study is the first report on the genetic characterization and relationships among different microsporidia infecting the silkworm, Bombyx mori, using inter simple sequence repeat PCR (ISSR-PCR) analysis. Six different microsporidians were distinguished through molecular DNA typing using ISSR-PCR. Thus, ISSR-PCR analysis can be a powerful tool to detect polymorphisms and identify microsporidians, which are difficult to study with microscopy because of their extremely small size. Of the 100 ISSR primers tested, only 28 primers had reproducibility and high polymorphism (93%). A total of 24 ISSR primers produced 55 unique genetic markers, which could be used to differentiate the microsporidians from each other. Among the 28 SSRs tested, the most abundant were (CA)n, (GA)n, and (GT)n repeats. The degree of band sharing was used to evaluate genetic similarity between different microsporidian isolates and to construct a phylogenetic tree using Jaccard's similarity coefficient. The results indicate that the DNA profiles based on ISSR markers can be used as diagnostic tools to identify different microsporidia with considerable accuracy. In addition, the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU-rRNA) sequence gene was amplified, cloned, and sequenced from each of the 6 microsporidian isolates. These sequences were compared with 20 other microsporidian SSU-rRNA sequences to develop a phylogenetic tree for the microsporidia isolated from the silkworms. This method was found to be useful in establishing the phylogenetic relationships among the different microsporidians isolated from silkworms. Of the 6 microsporidian isolates, NIK-1s revealed an SSU-rRNA gene sequence similar to Nosema bombycis, indicating that NIK-1s is similar to N. bombycis; the remaining 5 isolates, which differed from each other and from N. bombycis, were considered to be different variants belonging to the species N. bombycis.Key words: microsporidia, Nosema, silkworm, Bombyx mori, inter simple sequence repeat PCR, small subunit rRNA, phylogeny.
Regulation of the expression of histone H3.3 by differential polyadenylation
Authors: Feng Rongrong , Tang Xiaoying , Becker Angela , Berger Anja , Ye Jing , Akhmanova Anna , Hennig Wolfgang
Published: August 2005

Previously we have shown that the 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of the replacement histone genes H3.3.A and H3.3B of Drosophila melanogaster differ in their nucleotide sequences and have different polyadenylation sites. To understand their functional relevance, which might explain the presence and evolutionary conservation of 2 different H3.3 genes, green flourescent protein (GFP) constructs with different 3' UTR sections were studied by the expression of GFP as a marker protein. Here we show that the polyadenylation signals modify the cell-specific translation of the histone replacement variants in testes and ovaries. The H3.3A gene may be required to provide postmeiotic histone H3.3 in the male germ line in transition to chromatin packaging in sperm.Key words: histone H3.3, polyadenylation, oogenesis, spermatogenesis, histone translation.
Molecular mapping of QTLs for resistance toGibberellaear rot, in corn, caused byFusarium graminearum
Authors: Ali M Liakat , Taylor Jeff H , Jie Liu , Sun Genlou , William Manilal , Kasha Ken J , Reid Lana M , Pauls K Peter
Published: August 2005

Gibberella ear rot, caused by the fungus Fusarium graminearum Schwabe, is a serious disease of corn (Zea mays) grown in northern climates. Infected corn is lower yielding and contains toxins that are dangerous to livestock and humans. Resistance to ear rot in corn is quantitative, specific to the mode of fungal entry (silk channels or kernel wounds), and highly influenced by the environment. Evaluations of ear rot resistance are complex and subjective; and they need to be repeated over several years. All of these factors have hampered attempts to develop F. graminearum resistant corn varieties. The aim of this study was to identify molecular markers linked to the genes for resistance to Gibberella ear rot. A recombinant inbred (RI) population, produced from a cross between a Gibberella ear rot resistant line (CO387) and a susceptible line (CG62), was field-inoculated and scored for Gibberella ear rot symptoms in the F4, F6, and F7generations. The distributions of disease scores were continuous, indicating that resistance is probably conditioned by multiple loci. A molecular linkage map, based on segregation in the F5RI population, contained 162 markers distributed over 10 linkage groups and had a total length of 2237 cM with an average distance between markers of 13.8 cM. Composite interval mapping identified 11 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for Gibberella ear rot resistance following silk inoculation and 18 QTLs following kernel inoculation in 4 environments that accounted for 6.7%–35% of the total phenotypic variation. Only 2 QTLs (on linkage group 7) were detected in more than 1 test for silk resistance, and only 1 QTL (on linkage group 5) was detected in more than 1 test for kernel resistance, confirming the strong influence of the environment on these traits. The majority of the favorable alleles were derived from the resistant parent (CO387). The germplasm and markers for QTLs with significant phenotypic effects may be useful for marker-assisted selection to incorporate Gibberella ear rot resistance into commercial corn cultivars.Key words: Gibberella ear rot, corn, Fusarium graminearum, QTL, linkage map.
Evolution of genome size across some cultivated Allium species
Authors: Ricroch A , Yockteng R , Brown S C , Nadot S
Published: August 2005

Allium L. (Alliaceae), a genus of major economic importance, exhibits a great diversity in various morphological characters and particularly in life form, with bulbs and rhizomes. Allium species show variation in several cytogenetic characters such as basic chromosome number, ploidy level, and genome size. The purpose of the present investigation was to study the evolution of nuclear DNA amount, GC content, and life form. A phylogenetic approach was used on a sample of 30 Allium species, including major vegetable crops and their wild allies, belonging to the 3 major subgenera Allium, Amerallium, and Rhizirideum and 14 sections. A phylogeny was constructed using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of 43 accessions representing 30 species, and the nuclear DNA amount and the GC content of 24 Allium species were investigated by flow cytometry. For the first time, the nuclear DNA content of Allium cyaneum and Allium vavilovii was measured, and the GC content of 16 species was measured. We addressed the following questions: (i) Is the variation in nuclear DNA amount and GC content linked to the evolutionary history of these edible Allium species and their wild relatives? (ii) How did life form (rhizome or bulb) evolve in edible Allium? Our results revealed significant interspecific variation in the nuclear DNA amount as well as in the GC content. No correlation was found between the GC content and the nuclear DNA amount. The reconstruction of nuclear DNA amount on the phylogeny showed a tendency towards a decrease in genome size within the genus. The reconstruction of life form history showed that rhizomes evolved in the subgenus Rhizirideum from an ancestral bulbous life form and were subsequently lost at least twice independently in this subgenus.Key words: Allium, nuclear DNA amount, GC content, flow cytometry, internal transcribed spacer (ITS), phylogeny, life form.
TIME-DEPENDENT 2D SPACETIMES FROM MATRICES
Authors: DAS SUMIT R.
Published: August 2005

Solutions of matrix quantum mechanics have been shown to describe time dependent backgrounds in the holographically dual two-dimensional closed string theory. We review some recent work dealing with nontrivial spacetimes which arise in this fashion and discuss aspects of physical phenomena in them. These include spacetimes with spacelike boundaries.
DIRECT MEASUREMENT OF THE W WIDTH IN $p{\bar p}$ COLLISIONS AT $\sqrt{s} = 1.96~{\rm TEV}$
Authors: ZHU JUNJIE
Published: August 2005

This paper describes a direct measurement of the W boson total decay width ΓW using the DØ detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The measurement uses an integrated luminosity of 177.3 pb-1, collected during the 2002-2003 run. The width is determined by normalizing the predicted signal and background transverse mass distributions to 75,285 W → eν candidates in the transverse mass region 50 < MT < 100 GeV and then fitting the predicted shape to the 625 candidates in the tail region 100 < MT < 200 GeV . The W width is determined to be ΓW = 2.011 ± 0.093 ( stat ) ± 0.107 ( syst ) GeV .
HIGGS BOSON PRODUCTION IN γγ COLLISIONS VIA RESOLVED PHOTON CONTRIBUTIONS
Authors: GODFREY STEPHEN , ZHU SHOU-HUA , DONCHESKI M. A.
Published: August 2005

We studied single Higgs boson production in γγ collisions proceeding via the hadronic content of the photon. For SM Higgs masses of current theoretical interest, the resolved photon contributions are non-negligible in precision cross section measurements. We found that production of the heavier Higgs bosons H0 and A0 of the MSSM can probe regions of the SUSY parameter space that will complement other measurements. Finally, we showed that associated tH± production in γγ collisions can be used to make an accurate determination of tan β for low and high tan β by precision measurements of the γγ → H±t + X cross section.
WEAK PHASES FROM AMPLITUDE PARAMETRIZATION
Authors: CHARNG YEO-YIE
Published: August 2005

We determine the weak phases and the amplitudes by proposing an parametrization to each topologies of amplitudes in power of Wolfenstein parameter λ ~ 0.22. Comparing this parametrization with the experimental data, we can obtain the phase ϕ3 from the B → Kπ data up to theoretical uncertainty of O(λ3) ~ 5%. We find that these solutions indicate a large color-suppressed tree amplitude. The extraction of the phase ϕ2 and ϕ3 are consistent with the global unitarity triangle fit.
VIRUS REPLICATION FACTOR MAY BE A CONTROLLING AGENT FOR OBTAINING DISEASE-FREE SYSTEM IN A MULTI-SPECIES ECO-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SYSTEM
Authors: BAIRAGI N. , ROY P. K. , SARKAR R. R. , CHATTOPADHYAY J.
Published: August 2005

The role of viruses in marine phytoplankton-zooplankton community structure is undoubtedly very important. In this paper, we propose a simple mathematical model for phytoplankton-zooplankton (prey-predator) system with an additional factor that the viral disease is spreading only among the prey species. Considering high abundance and importance of viruses in aquatic environments we have explicitly considered here the growth equation of free viruses and have studied this four-dimensional model analytically. It is observed that the disease-free system can be obtained when the virus replication factor lies in-between certain critical values. Numerical simulations have also been performed to substantiate the analytical findings.
L2 TORSION WITHOUT THE DETERMINANT CLASS CONDITION AND EXTENDED L2 COHOMOLOGY
Authors: BRAVERMAN MAXIM , CAREY ALAN , FARBER MICHAEL , MATHAI VARGHESE
Published: August 2005

We associate determinant lines to objects of the extended abelian category built out of a von Neumann category with a trace. Using this we suggest constructions of the combinatorial and the analytic L2 torsions which, unlike the work of the previous authors, requires no additional assumptions; in particular we do not impose the determinant class condition. The resulting torsions are elements of the determinant line of the extended L2 cohomology. Under the determinant class assumption the L2 torsions of this paper specialize to the invariants studied in our previous work [6]. Applying a recent theorem of D. Burghelea, L. Friedlander and T. Kappeler [3] we obtain a Cheeger–Müller type theorem stating the equality between the combinatorial and the analytic L2 torsions.
Mechanical stretch upregulates IGFBP-1 secretion from decidualized endometrial stromal cells
Authors: Harada Miyuki , Osuga Yutaka , Takemura Yuri , Yoshino Osamu , Koga Kaori , Hirota Yasushi , Hirata Tetsuya , Morimoto Chieko , Yano Tetsu , Taketani Yuji
Published: August 2005

Decidualization is an essential process of endometrial differentiation for embryo implantation and maintenance of pregnancy. Recently, uterine movement-induced mechanical stress was noticed to have possible effects on endometrial functions. In this study, we addressed the possible effect of mechanical stress on the process of decidualization of endometrial stromal cells (ESC). ESC were cultured on flexible-bottomed culture plates. After decidualization was achieved with estradiol and progesterone for 12 days, cultures were continued for 24 h with or without cyclic stretch (25% elongation) in serum-free conditions at a rate of 2 cycles/min using a computer-operated cell tension system. Concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), a marker of decidualization, in the conditioned medium were measured by specific ELISA, and IGFBP-1 mRNA expression in the ESC was measured by RT-PCR. Cyclic stretch remarkably increased IGFBP-1 secretion from decidualized ESC. It also increased IGFBP-1 mRNA in decidualized ESC. The increase in IGFBP-1 secretion was inhibited by actinomycin D but not by indomethacin, PD-98059, or H-89. Conditioned medium of decidualized ESC cultured with cyclic stretch increased IGFBP-1 secretion from decidualized ESC cultured under stationary conditions. These findings imply that uterine movement modulates decidualization of the endometrium and has a regulatory effect on reproduction.
Hyaluronan Synthases, Hyaluronan and Its CD44 Receptors in the Posterior Segment of Rabbit Eye
Authors: Murata Masatoshi , Horiuchi Saburo
Published: August 2005

To understand the possible roles of the hyaluronan synthetase (HAS)/hyaluronan (HA)/CD44 signaling system in the posterior eye segment, we investigated the expression of rabbit HAS isoforms and CD44 mRNA by RT-PCR and the level of HA by using HA assay and immunohistochemistry. HA was detectable in vitreous, retina and choroid. The expression of three HAS isoforms was clearly detected in both retina and choroids. Rabbit choroid showed a significant increase of the HAS2 and HAS3 expression compared with rabbit retina (HAS2 p = 0.0014 < 0.05; HAS3 p = 0.0006 < 0.05). Similarly, mRNA expression of CD44 was detected in both retina and choroids. This evidence may suggest that the HAS/HA/CD44 signaling system is important in maintaining the functional structure of retina and choroid.
Importance of Urinary Interleukin-18 in Intravesical Immunotherapy with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin for Superficial Bladder Tumors
Authors: Eto Masatoshi , Koga Hirofumi , Noma Hideya , Yamaguchi Akito , Yoshikai Yasunobu , Naito Seiji
Published: August 2005

Objective: Intravesical immunotherapy with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) remains the most efficient modality for the treatment of carcinoma in situ and prevention of recurrences of Ta and T1 bladder tumors. Although elevations in a variety of urinary cytokines have been reported after BCG instillation, the mechanism by which BCG mediates antitumor activity has not been clearly established. Based upon our murine study (J Urol 2000;163:1549–1552), we reevaluated urinary cytokines before and after BCG instillations from the point of T helper (Th) 1/2 lymphocyte cytokine profiles. Methods: Urinary interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-12, and IL-18 for Th1, and IL-4 for Th2 cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay just before and 4 h after the 4th or 5th instillation of 8 weekly instillations of 40–80 mg BCG, Tokyo strain, in 12 patients with superficial stages Ta and T1 bladder cancer, and carcinoma in situ. Results: Two representative Th1 cytokines, IL-2 and IFN-γ, significantly increased in urine after intravesical BCG instillations. Interestingly, IL-12, a strong inducer of Th1 cytokines, did not increase in the urine after BCG instillations. Instead, IL-18, that has recently been reported to induce IFN-γ production in T and NK cells in synergy with IL-12, obviously elevated in urine after BCG instillations. Urinary IL-4, a representative of Th2 cytokines, did not change at all after intravesical BCG instillations. Conclusion: Our results clearly show the predominant importance of IL-18 followed by increases in Th1 cytokines, such as IL-2 and IFN-γ, in the mechanisms of intravesical immunotherapy with BCG.
Intermittent Pressure-Loading Increases Transforming Growth Factor-Beta-1 Secretion from Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells: In vitro Vesicoureteral Reflux Model
Authors: Maruyama Tetsuji , Hayashi Yutaro , Nakane Akihiro , Sasaki Shoichi , Kohri Kenjiro
Published: August 2005

Background: To investigate the effect of hydrodynamic pressure mimicking vesicoureteral reflux on renal tubular epithelial cells in vitro, we constructed an intermittent pressure-loading (IPL) model of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Materials and Methods: Three grades of pressure were loaded onto the MDCK cells intermittently. The concentration of cytokines in the supernatant, the amount of the protein and its mRNA in the MDCK cells were studied, respectively. Results: After 24 h, the concentration of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) increased under intense IPL conditions (100 and 200 cm H2O) in the 15-min IPL group (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). The amount of cellular level of TGF-β1 protein and its mRNA did not show any significant increase within 24 h under the present conditions. The concentration of monocyte chemoattractant peptide-1 (MCP-1) was not significantly different from that of the control. Conclusion: These data suggest that the early TGF-β1 secretion phenomenon without change in gene expression is the case in the renal tubular epithelial cells under certain intermittent pressure-loading conditions.
Detecting Deletions in Families Affected by a Dominant Disease by Use of Marker Data
Authors: Johansson Anna M. , Halldén Christer , Säll Torbjörn
Published: August 2005

A method of testing for whether inherited deletions are a cause of a single-locus dominant disease was derived, involving analysis of the marker segregation within the pedigree of a single family that segregates for the disease. It is shown that markers can be used to test deductively for the presence of an inherited deletion. The probabilities of confirming or rejecting the presence of a deletion in an arbitrary pedigree without inbreeding are then derived. The power of the test is shown to be limited in single trios but to increase rapidly as the size of the pedigree increases. For larger pedigrees, the probabilities of confirming or rejecting a deletion are higher than 0.9 for SNPs having a minor allele frequency greater than 0.4. The probabilities are higher using multiallelic markers such as microsatellites, reaching levels as high as 0.9 in even rather small pedigrees. In certain cases the test outcome is not deductive, a deletion being neither confirmed nor rejected. It is shown to still be possible then to employ a statistical test for the presence of a deletion by use of an a priori probability for a deletion.
Absent Middle Cerebral Artery Signal in Transcranial Color-Coded Sonography: A Reliable Indicator of Occlusion?
Authors: Chen Yi-Chun , Chen Sien-Tsong , Chen Chi-Jen , Lee Tsong-Hai
Published: August 2005

Background: Assess the accuracy of transcranial color-coded sonography (TCCS) for detecting middle cerebral artery (MCA) stem occlusion and compare it with cerebral angiography. Methods: This study enrolled a series of patients who received TCCS and cerebral angiography at the Department of Neurology in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taoyuan, Taiwan, between January 1997 and July 2003. MCA stem occlusion was diagnosed based on digital subtraction angiography and/or computed tomographic angiography. The effect of the supplying artery on the insonation of MCA stem was considered. The sonographic criteria for MCA stem occlusion were defined as absent MCA stem signal + visible signal on the reference arteries, including ipsilateral posterior cerebral artery, ipsilateral anterior cerebral artery or contralateral MCA stem. Results: A total of 419 consecutive patients were enrolled. Factors that significantly influenced MCA stem insonation included ≧50% ipsilateral carotid artery stenosis, ≧50% MCA stem stenosis, female gender, and age ≧60 years. Comparing patients with <50% and those with ≧50% carotid stenosis, the MCA stem insonation rate was significantly reduced from 69.1% to 45.6% (p < 0.001). In patients with <50% ipsilateral carotid artery stenosis, the sonographic criteria had a positive predictive value of 10.5% and a negative predictive value of 98.9%, and could predict MCA stem occlusion with high specificity but low sensitivity (specificity = 89.6, sensitivity = 54.5, overall accuracy = 88.9, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Absent MCA stem signal may result from MCA stem occlusion/tight stenosis and tight stenosis of ipsilateral carotid arteries, and has a limited value in detecting MCA stem occlusion. TCCS can be useful in identifying nonoccluded MCA stem, and cerebral angiography is necessary to confirm MCA stem occlusion.
Short- and Long-Term Outcomes of Spontaneous CSF Hypovolemia
Authors: Chung Sun J. , Lee Jae-Hong , Im Joo-Hyuk , Lee Myoung C.
Published: August 2005

We undertook a study to investigate the short- and long-term outcomes of spontaneous CSF hypovolemia. Fifty-three consecutive patients with spontaneous CSF hypovolemia were included. Short-term outcome was assessed 4 weeks after the treatment in all patients. Long-term outcome after a mean follow-up of 61 months (range, 13–101 months) was evaluated in 26 patients. There were 18 men and 35 women (66%) with an age range of 22–64 years (mean 37 ± 9.5). In assessing the short-term outcome of CSF hypovolemia, we found that complete headache relief was significantly higher in 43 patients who received epidural blood patch (EBP) than in 10 patients treated with supportive measures (p < 0.05). After a mean follow-up of 61 months, 25 (96%) of the 26 patients evaluated for long-term outcome had complete headache relief. These results suggest that EBP is safe and effective, resulting in excellent short- and long-term outcomes of CSF hypovolemia.
Gene Polymorphism of Platelet Glycoprotein I bα in Chinese Patients with Large- and Small-Artery Subtypes of Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Gao Xu-Guang , Huo Yang , Liu Xian-Zeng , Teng Zhi-Ping
Published: August 2005

The platelet surface glycoprotein (GP) I bα, an important part of the GP I b-IX-V complex, participates in the formation of thrombosis by initially mediating platelet adhesion under high shear stress. The purpose of present study was to investigate the association between gene polymorphism of GP I bα (human platelet antigen 2, HPA2) and ischemic stroke in a matched case-control study. One hundred patients and 100 matched controls were enrolled in the study. The cases were divided into large- and small-vessel subtypes of ischemic stroke according to Trial of Org10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment criteria. Genotyping for GP I bα polymorphism was documented by polymerase chain reaction amplification and restriction enzyme analysis.There were no statistically significant differences in the GP I bα HPA2 genotype distribution between ischemic stroke group, large-vessel subtype group, small-vessel subtype group and corresponding control groups. The heterozygote genotype of GP I bα HPA2 was more frequent in the large-vessel subtype group (16.1%) than in the small-vessel subtype group (10.1%), but the difference was not statistically significant.Ourresults suggest that the polymorphism of the GP I bα HPA2 genotype might not be a genetic risk factor of ischemic stroke.
Diabetic Patients Can Do as Well on Peritoneal Dialysis as Nondiabetic Patients
Authors: Tang Wen , Cheng Li-Tao , Wang Tao
Published: August 2005

Background: It is not uncommon that diabetic peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients are volume overloaded and this may have contributed to the inferior outcome of diabetic patients. In the present cohort study, we compared the difference between diabetics and nondiabetics during the first year of PD after implementing strict volume control. Methods: Seventeen diabetic and 40 nondiabetic incident PD patients were followed for 1 year. Fluid status was evaluated by bioimpedance analysis and blood pressure. Nutritional status was evaluated by subjective global nutritional assessment. Results: At the initiation, compared with the nondiabetics, diabetics had a significantly higher extracelluar volume, systolic blood pressure and lower serum albumin. One year later, there were no statistical differences in these parameters between the two groups. The prevalence of malnutrition decreased in all patients, although malnutrition remained slightly higher in diabetic patients. Conclusions: Our study suggests that diabetics can do as well as nondiabetics on PD. Appropriate diabetic care, especially strict volume control, may be critical for the success of diabetic patients on PD treatment.
A Clinical and Molecular Genetic Study of Autosomal-Dominant Stromal Corneal Dystrophy in British Population
Authors: EL-Ashry Mohamed Farouk , El-Aziz Mai Mohamed Abd , Hardcastle Alison J. , Bhattacharya Shomi S. , Ebenezer Neil D.
Published: August 2005

Aims: To identify the underlying mutations in our British families and sporadic patients with different types of corneal dystrophies (CDs) and to establish a phenotype-genotype correlation. Methods: Twenty-nine patients, 9 sporadic and 20 patients from 7 families were subjected to both clinical and genetic examination. Slit lamp examination was performed for all patients who participated in the study to assess their corneal phenotype. Genomic DNA was extracted from 10 ml venous blood, and the BIGH3 gene was amplified exon by exon to perform heteroduplex analysis. Exons that displayed double bands were then analysed by direct bi-directional sequencing and restriction digest analyses. Results: Clinically our patients showed three distinct phenotypes of CD: 16 with Thiel-Behnke corneal dystrophy or corneal dystrophy of Bowman layer type 2 (CDB2), 8 with granular CD (GCD), and 5 with lattice CD type I (LCDI). Three different missense mutations have been detected in the coding region of BIGH3 gene, R555Q, in 16 CDB2 patients, R555W in 8 GCD patients, and R124C in 5 LCDI patients. These mutations were the same as to those previously reported in patients from other ethnic origins. Also,we identified seven nucleotide substitutions that did not change the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein of which four were novel. Conclusions: In our patients of British origin, each phenotype of CD has been linked to a particular point mutation of the BIGH3 gene. Our study also highlights the importance of codons 124 and 555 as mutation hot spots in the BIGH3 gene in the British population.
Does age acquired immunity confer selective protection to common serotypes of Campylobacter jejuni?
Authors: Miller Gordon , Dunn Geoff M , Reid Thomas MS , Ogden Iain D , Strachan Norval JC
Published: August 2005

Background

Campylobacter infection is a major cause of bacterial gastrointestinal disease. Exposure to Campylobacter is known to produce an immune response in humans that can prevent future symptomatic infections. Further, studies of the general population have shown that seroprevalence to Campylobacter increases with age.

Methods

A large collection of serotyped Campylobacter isolates, obtained from human clinical faecal samples, were analysed by comparing the ratio of uncommon to common serotypes by different age groups, using χ2 tests.

Results

We have identified that older age groups, as well as having generally lower incidence, are significantly less likely to be infected by the more common serotypes.

Conclusion

These results are indicative of acquired immunity, however, further studies are needed to rule out the confounding effects of the variations in exposure pathways experienced by different age groups.
Media reporting of tenofovir trials in Cambodia and Cameroon
Authors: Mills Edward , Rachlis Beth , Wu Ping , Wong Elaine , Wilson Kumanan , Singh Sonal
Published: August 2005

Background

Two planned trials of pre-exposure prophylaxis tenofovir in Cambodia and Cameroon to prevent HIV infection in high-risk populations were closed due to activist pressure on host country governments. The international news media contributed substantially as the primary source of knowledge transfer regarding the trials. We aimed to characterize the nature of reporting, specifically focusing on the issues identified by media reports regarding each trial.

Methods

With the aid of an information specialist, we searched 3 electronic media databases, 5 electronic medical databases and extensively searched the Internet. In addition we contacted stakeholder groups. We included media reports addressing the trial closures, the reasons for the trial closures, and who was interviewed. We extracted data using content analysis independently, in duplicate.

Results

We included 24 reports on the Cambodian trial closure and 13 reports on the Cameroon trial closure. One academic news account incorrectly reported that it was an HIV vaccine trial that closed early. The primary reasons cited for the Cambodian trial closure were: a lack of medical insurance for trial related injuries (71%); human rights considerations (71%); study protocol concerns (46%); general suspicions regarding trial location (37%) and inadequate prevention counseling (29%). The primary reasons cited for the Cameroon trial closure were: inadequate access to care for seroconverters (69%); participants not sufficiently informed of risks (69%); inadequate number of staff (46%); participants being exploited (46%) and an unethical study design (38%). Only 3/23 (13%) reports acknowledged interviewing research personnel regarding the Cambodian trial, while 4/13 (30.8%) reports interviewed researchers involved in the Cameroon trial.

Conclusion

Our review indicates that the issues addressed and validity of the media reports of these trials is highly variable. Given the potential impact of the media in formulation of health policy related to HIV, efforts are needed to effectively engage the media during periods of controversy in the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Guidelines, guidelines and more guidelines: And we still do not know how to follow-up patients with breast cancer
Authors: Heys Steven D , Chaturvedi Shailesh , Hutcheon Andrew W , Sarkar Tarun K
Published: August 2005

Background

A major challenge facing us is the provision of health care and appropriate allocation of available resources for the treatment of patients with breast cancer. This is of particular concern in the provision of follow-up care. With the increasing incidence of breast cancer and the improvements in survival which have resulted in up to 75% of patients surviving for more than five years, an increasing resource is required. However, there is controversy as to the most appropriate schedule for follow-up of these patients. This brief review has focused on the evidence-base and guidelines that currently exist in the United Kingdom for the follow-up of patients who have been treated for breast cancer.

Methods

A review of the current guidelines published in the United Kingdom for the follow-up of patients with breast cancer (National Institute for Clinical Excellence, Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, British Association of Surgical Oncology) and the randomised controlled trials evaluating the follow-up of patients with breast cancer was undertaken.

Results

The results have demonstrated the different follow-up protocols currently indicated in these guidelines within the same country. Furthermore, the lack of well designed, randomised controlled trials on which to base a follow-up protocol for patients with breast cancer is apparent.

Conclusion

The evidence-base on which these guidelines have been developed is lacking. It is apparent that well designed randomised controlled trials are needed urgently if we are to understand the most appropriate and effective ways of following up patients with breast cancer.
Production and characterization of amplified tumor-derived cRNA libraries to be used as vaccines against metastatic melanomas
Authors: Carralot Jean-Philippe , Weide Benjamin , Schoor Oliver , Probst Jochen , Scheel Birgit , Teufel Regina , Hoerr Ingmar , Garbe Claus , Rammensee Hans-Georg , Pascolo Steve
Published: August 2005

Background

Anti-tumor vaccines targeting the entire tumor antigen repertoire represent an attractive immunotherapeutic approach. In the context of a phase I/II clinical trial, we vaccinated metastatic melanoma patients with autologous amplified tumor mRNA. In order to provide the large quantities of mRNA needed for each patient, the Stratagene Creator™ SMART™ cDNA library construction method was modified and applied to produce libraries derived from the tumors of 15 patients. The quality of those mRNA library vaccines was evaluated through sequencing and microarray analysis.

Results

Random analysis of bacterial clones of the library showed a rate of 95% of recombinant plasmids among which a minimum of 51% of the clones contained a full-Open Reading Frame. In addition, despite a biased amplification toward small abundant transcripts compared to large rare fragments, we could document a relatively conserved gene expression profile between the total RNA of the tumor of origin and the corresponding in vitro transcribed complementary RNA (cRNA). Finally, listing the 30 most abundant transcripts of patient MEL02's library, a large number of tumor associated antigens (TAAs) either patient specific or shared by several melanomas were found.

Conclusion

Our results show that unlimited amounts of cRNA representing tumor's transcriptome could be obtained and that this cRNA was a reliable source of a large variety of tumor antigens.
Cadherin adhesion depends on a salt bridge at the N-terminus
Authors: Harrison Oliver J. , Corps Elaine M. , Kilshaw Peter J.
Published: August 2005

There is now considerable evidence that cell adhesion by cadherins requires a strand exchange process in which the second amino acid at the N-terminus of the cadherin molecule, Trp2, docks into a hydrophobic pocket in the domain fold of the opposing cadherin. Here we show that strand exchange depends on a salt bridge formed between the N-terminal amino group of one cadherin molecule and the acidic side chain of Glu89 of the other. Prevention of this bond in N-cadherin by introducing the mutation Glu89Ala or by extending the N-terminus with additional amino acids strongly inhibited strand exchange. But when the two modifications were present in opposing cadherin molecules respectively, they acted in a complementary manner, lowering activation energy for strand exchange and greatly increasing the strength of the adhesive interaction. N-cadherin that retained an uncleaved prodomain or lacked Trp2 adhered strongly to the Glu89Ala mutant but not to wild-type molecules. Similarly, N-cadherin in which the hydrophobic acceptor pocket was blocked by an isoleucine side chain adhered to a partner that had an extended N-terminus. We explain these results in terms of the free energy changes that accompany strand exchange. Our findings provide new insight into the mechanism of adhesion and demonstrate the feasibility of greatly increasing cadherin affinity.
Lesions of Medial Prefrontal Cortex Disrupt the Acquisition But Not the Expression of Goal-Directed Learning
Authors: Ostlund Sean B. , Balleine Bernard W.
Published: August 2005

Several studies have established that pretraining lesions of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) render instrumental actions insensitive to devaluation of the instrumental outcome and degradation of the action-outcome contingency. Nevertheless, it remains to be assessed whether the involvement of the mPFC in goal-directed action is limited to the acquisition or to the expression of the action-outcome association in performance. The current series of experiments investigated this issue by comparing the effects of mPFC lesions made either before or after initial training using sensitivity to outcome devaluation as an assay of goal-directed performance. Whereas pretraining lesions left performance insensitive to outcome devaluation, posttraining lesions spared this effect. To determine whether the effect of mPFC lesions on outcome devaluation was the result of a more fundamental deficit in response selection, experiment 2 assessed the impact of pretraining and posttraining lesions on the ability of the instrumental outcome to selectively reinstate the performance of its associated action after a period of extinction. Although both lesions attenuated the magnitude of instrumental reinstatement generally, they left intact the ability of the instrumental outcome to influence response selection. Experiment 3 investigated the relationship between the outcome-selective devaluation and reinstatement effects and found evidence that these effects are both behaviorally and neurally dissociable at the level of the mPFC. These results indicate that the mPFC is selectively involved in the acquisition, but not the permanent storage or expression, of action-outcome associations in instrumental conditioning.
Emergence in Technical Systems (Emergenz in technischen Systemen)
Authors: Rochner Fabian , Müller-Schloer Christian
Published: August 2005

Summury

This article briefly reviews systems, which show self-organizational behavior and defines emergence as their central property. Then it tries to contrast emergent behavior, which is a bottom-up process, with the classical top-down design process. In the last section the paper discusses the Observer/Controller concept as a possible solution to this apparent contradiction.
Rekonfigurierbare Hardware und intelligente Laufzeitsysteme für adaptives Rechnen (Reconfigurable Hardware and Intelligent Run-time Systems for Adaptive Computing)
Authors: Becker Jürgen , Brändle Kurt , Ullmann Michael
Published: August 2005

Der Beitrag motiviert und beschreibt den Aufbau sowie Einsatz dynamisch rekonfigurierbarer Hardwarearchitekturen in intelligenten, laufzeitadaptiven Systemen und vergleicht diese Technologien mit den relevanten organischen Aspekten der genetischen Kontrolle der Entwicklung und Funktion biologischer Zellen.
Air quality evaluation of some industrial cities of Pakistan using INAA and AAS
Authors: Waheed S. , Rahman A. , Daud M. , Rahman S. , Islam Z. , Ahmad S.
Published: August 2005

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis technique (INAA) and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) have been employed for the characterization of 40 trace elements in suspended particulate matter (SPM) and soil samples from Pakistan's industrially important cities of Gujranwala and Faisalabad. The air particulates, which were collected from five different locations of each city, indicate moderate to unhealthy air quality with SPM levels above the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

Enrichment factors (EF) for all the elements have been calculated with respect to their concentrations in the soils. Some of the areas of Gujranwala show high EF values for Pb, Cr, Cu, Cd and Ca, which may indicate contributions due to heavy traffic with automotive exhaust, tanneries and many other acute anthropogenic activities in this area. The presence of high concentration of Cr is due to chrome plating units and leather industry in the adjoining areas. Similarly few sites from Faisalabad have high Pb, Cd and Sb contents from vehicular aerosols with the contributions from coal combustion, battery manufacturing industries, lead smelters and numerous other industries. IAEA Reference Materials were analyzed for the validation of INAA and AAS procedures employed and to ensure the accuracy and precision of the characterized data.
Light‐induced Damage to the Retina: Role of Rhodopsin Chromophore Revisited
Authors: Różanowska Małgorzata , Sarna Tadeusz
Published: August 2005

The presence of the regenerable visual pigment rhodopsin has been shown to be primarily responsible for the acute photo‐damage to the retina. The photoexcitation of rhodopsin leads to isomerization of its chromophore 11‐cis‐retinal to all‐trans‐ retinal (ATR). ATR is a potent photosensitizer and its role in mediating photodamage has been suspectéd for over two decades. However, there was lack of experimental evidence that free ATR exists in the retina in sufficient concentrations to impose a risk of photosensitized damage. Identification in the retina of a retinal dimer and a pyridinium bisretinoid, so called A2E, and determination of its biosynthetic pathway indicate that substantial amounts of ATR do accumulate in the retina. Both light damage and A2E accumulation are facilitated under conditions where efficient retinoid cycle operates. Efficient retinoid cycle leads to rapid regeneration of rhodopsin, which may result in ATR release from the opsin “exit site” before its enzymatic reduction to all‐trans‐retinol. Here we discuss photodamage to the retina where ATR could play a role as the main toxic and/or phototoxic agent. Moreover, we discuss secondary products of (photo)toxic properties accumulating within retinal lipofuscin as a result of ATR accumulation.
Failed medical and surgical termination of pregnancy
Authors: Scott Alison , Glasier Anna
Published: August 2005

Unwanted pregnancies can be terminated by either medical or surgical methods. Although both procedures are safe, complications may occur and it is important to inform patients of the potential risks during their pre‐operative counselling. The most common complication is the persistence of fetal and/or placental tissue, more rarely the pregnancy may continue. Both patient and operator factors can contribute to the risk of continuing pregnancy. There are a number of precautions that can be taken prior to, or following, the procedure in order to reduce the risk of these rare, but important, complications.
Empirical equations for calculating the rate of liquid flow through composite liners due to large circular defects in the geomembrane
Authors: Touze-Foltz N. , Giroud J. P.
Published: August 2005

This technical note presents empirical equations for the evaluation of the rate of advective flow through composite liners, i.e. liners comprising a geomembrane and a low-permeability soil layer. The advective flow considered is due to large circular defects in the geomembrane. The flow rate depends on contact conditions between the geomembrane and the soil layer. Three types of contact conditions (excellent, good, and poor) are considered. The methodology for developing the empirical equations is identical to the one proposed by Touze-Foltz and Giroud for small circular defects. The methodology consists in determining values for the unknowns of the empirical equations such that flow rates calculated using the empirical equations are as close as possible to flow rates rigorously calculated using existing analytical solutions. This was achieved by conducting numerical calculations for more than 38,000 cases defined by a wide range of values of the parameters (contact conditions, soil layer thickness and hydraulic conductivity, and hydraulic head).
Evaluation of Siewert classification in gastro‐esophageal junction adenocarcinoma: What is the role of endoscopic ultrasonography?
Authors: Pedrazzani Corrado , Bernini Marco , Giacopuzzi Simone , Pugliese Raffaele , Catalano Filippo , Festini Mara , Rodella Luca , de Manzoni Giovanni
Published: August 2005

Background

Preoperative assessment of gastro‐esophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma stage and its location according to Siewert are essential for planning the therapeutic approach. The present study was aimed at analyzing the utility of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in evaluating GEJ adenocarcinoma stage and whether this modality added to EGD improves assessment of Siewert type.

Methods

The results of 51 patients studied by EGD plus EUS (EGD/EUS group) were compared with the results of 54 patients studied by EGD only (EGD group).

Results

A differentiation of pT1 tumors was attempted by measurement of the tumor length using 4 cm as a criterion. This goal was not achieved because of a high rate of advanced tumors less than 4 cm (sensitivity and specificity were 81.3% and 34.2%, respectively). Conversely EUS ability in pT1 assessment was very reliable (92%). The accuracy in defining the Siewert type was 72.5% and 64.8% for EGD/EUS and EGD groups, respectively (P = 0.394). Some difficulties in distinguishing between type II and III tumors were observed in both groups with an extremely low specificity (44%) in classifying type II tumors by EGD group.

Conclusions

EUS seems to be essential in differentiating pT1 from advanced tumors. It shows an accuracy in defining the Siewert type of 72.5%, with some difficulties in distinguishing from type II and III tumors. J. Surg. Oncol. 2005;91:226–231. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.