bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ABO/secretor genetic complex is associated with the susceptibility of childhood asthma in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Y.‐L. , Chen J.‐C. , Lin T.‐M. , Huang T.‐J. , Wang S.‐T. , Lee M.‐F. , Wang J.‐Y.
Published: July 2005

Background
Histo‐blood groups, ABO, Lewis (Le) and secretor (Se) were found to be associated with lower lung function and wheezing in coal miners as well as in asthmatic children in some studies but not others, possibly reflecting the genetic heterogeneity among different ethnicities and local environmental exposure.

Objective
The present study was conducted to determine the association between ABO, Lewis and secretor genetic complex with susceptibility of childhood asthma in Taiwan.

Methods
We randomly selected 136 asthmatic children and 161 age‐matched controls from a childhood asthma survey conducted in primary schools. ABO and Lewis blood groups were determined by red blood cell agglutination methods. Analysis of Se genotype was performed by PCR with sequence‐specific primers.

Results
There was a higher prevalence rate in secretor subjects (Se/Se) (odds ratio (OR)=1.7, confidence interval (CI)=1.022–2.938) in asthma as compared with controls. The combined effect of these three blood systems revealed that blood group O/secretor phenotype (Se/Se) (OR=2.7, CI=1.126–6.033), and blood group O/Le(a−b−) (OR=3.6, CI=1.080–11.963, P<0.03) individuals were significantly associated with asthma. The Lewis Le(a−b−) recessive genotype (OR=3.3, CI=1.267–8.482), or the joint blood group O/Le(a−b−) phenotype (OR=5.2, CI=1.259–21.429, P<0.02), was significantly associated with high serum IgE (>500 IU), respectively. There was no association of these three blood systems with the sensitivity of dust mite, Dermatophagoide pteronyssinus, in our study population.

Conclusions
We concluded that blood group O/secretors (Se/Se) and O/Le(a−b−) were associated with childhood asthma, and may act as one of the predominant factors for environmental triggers of allergy for asthmatic children in Taiwan.
Serum and sputum neurotrophin levels in chronic persistent cough
Authors: Chaudhuri R. , McMahon A. D. , McSharry C. P. , MacLeod K. J. , Fraser I. , Livingston E. , Thomson N. C.
Published: July 2005

Background
Neurotrophins (NTs) are a family of growth factors, including nerve growth factor (NGF), brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin3 (NT‐3) that are involved in inflammation. Serum and induced sputum NT levels are increased in asthma and in cough because of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, respectively. Neurogenic inflammation is implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic cough in individuals with normal chest radiography, but the role of NTs in this condition is unknown.

Objective
To assess if NT levels are elevated in the serum and airways in subjects with chronic persistent cough.

Methods
Eighty‐one subjects with chronic cough persistent for over 1 year; with normal chest radiography and spirometry were included. Thirty healthy subjects were controls. Serum NGF, BDNF and NT‐3 were measured by enzyme immumoassay. In a subset, NGF was measured in induced sputum. Sputum cell counts and allergen‐specific serum IgE were measured and all patients received specific sequential treatment trials to achieve a final diagnosis for the cough.

Results
There was no significant difference either in the levels of serum or sputum NTs in chronic cough subjects compared with controls or between the most common causes of cough: post‐nasal drip syndrome, gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease, asthma and bronchiectasis. The median (inter‐quartile range) for sputum NGF (pg/mL) was 516 (296–772) in healthy controls and 580 (312–880) in subjects with chronic cough (P=0.284). There was no correlation between NT levels and sputum cell counts. Sputum NGF levels correlated with duration of cough (r=0.34, P=0.002).

Conclusion: NTs are not elevated in induced sputum or serum of subjects with chronic persistent cough. This implies that NTs do not have a central role in perpetuating airway inflammation in chronic persistent cough.
Developing dendritic cells become ‘lacy’ cells packed with fat and glycogen
Authors: Maroof Asher , English Nicholas R. , Bedford Penelope A. , Gabrilovich Dmitry I. , Knight Stella C.
Published: July 2005

On maturation, dendritic cells (DCs) become highly active cells equipped for antigen uptake, migration and clustering and activation of T cells. We therefore asked whether DCs acquire fat and glycogen stores as they mature. DCs were generated from mouse bone marrow stem cells by culturing with granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) for 7–8 days. Stimulation of the DCs with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for the last 24 hr of culture, or exposure to 1–15 ng/ml of interleukin (IL)‐4 during development, resulted in production of DCs not only with an increased ability to stimulate T cells but also with an increasingly lacy appearance on transmission electron microscopy, with multiple unstained areas in the cytoplasm. This changed morphology was associated with the presence of increasing amounts of fat and glycogen, identified by Sudan Black and periodic acid leukofushin/Schiff (PAS) staining, respectively. Lacy DCs up‐regulated type 1 and type 2 scavenger receptors, providing possible mechanisms contributing to these changes. Lacy DCs were found occasionally amongst freshly isolated splenic and lymph node DCs. DCs can be isolated from human adipose tissue, and we tested whether lacy DCs acquiring fat and glycogen were present in mouse omentum. CD45+ cells migrating from the omentum expressed specific DC markers CD11c and 33D1, costimulatory molecules and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, and most showed darkly staining fat inclusions. Thus, during development, DCs can acquire large amounts of fat and glycogen, accumulation of which is promoted by antigen exposure and modulated by the cytokine milieu and location, and which may act as a link between energy stores and immune function.
Induction of interleukin‐8 production via nuclear factor‐κB activation in human intestinal epithelial cells infected with Vibrio vulnificus
Authors: Lee B. C. , Kim S. H. , Choi S. H. , Kim T. S.
Published: July 2005

Vibrio vulnificus, a Gram‐negative estuarine bacterium, is a causative agent of food‐borne diseases, such as life‐threatening septicaemia and wound infection disease. V. vulnificus penetrating into the epithelial barrier stimulates an inflammatory response in the adjacent mucosa. Therefore, interaction between V. vulnificus and epithelial cells is important for understanding of both the immunology of mucosal surfaces and V. vulnificus. In this study, we investigated the effect and action mechanism of V. vulnificus infection on production of interleukin (IL)‐8, a proinflammatory cytokine, in human intestinal epithelial INT‐407 cells. V. vulnificus infection significantly induced IL‐8 production in a time‐ and multiplicity of infection (MOI)‐dependent manner, as determined by human IL‐8 enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, V. vulnificus infection significantly increased IL‐8 mRNA levels in INT‐407 cells, indicating that the increased IL‐8 production by V. vulnificus occurred at the transcriptional level. V. vulnificus infection also enhanced IL‐8 gene promoter activity in INT‐407 cells transiently transfected with IL‐8 promoter constructs, but this effect was impaired in INT‐407 cells transfected with IL‐8 promoter constructs deleted or mutated of a κB site. V. vulnificus infection increased the nuclear factor‐kappaB (NF‐κB) binding activity to a κB site and the degradation of IκB‐α protein in a time‐ and a MOI‐dependent manner. Furthermore, BAY11‐7082, an inhibitor of NF‐κB activation, significantly reduced the IL‐8 production, NF‐κB binding activity and IκB‐α degradation induced by V. vulnificus infection. Taken together, these results indicate clearly that V. vulnificus infection significantly induces IL‐8 production in human intestinal epithelial cells via NF‐κB activation.
Pulmonary infections in swine induce altered porcine surfactant protein D expression and localization to dendritic cells in bronchial‐associated lymphoid tissue
Authors: Soerensen Charlotte M. , Holmskov Uffe , Aalbaek Bent , Boye Mette , Heegaard Peter M. , Nielsen Ole L.
Published: July 2005

Surfactant protein D (SP‐D) is a pattern‐recognition molecule of the innate immune system that recognizes various microbial surface‐specific carbohydrate and lipid patterns. In vitro data has suggested that this binding may lead to increased microbial association with macrophages and dendritic cells. The aim of the present in vivo study was to study the expression of porcine SP‐D (pSP‐D) in the lung during different pulmonary bacterial infections, and the effect of the routes of infection on this expression was elucidated. Furthermore, the aim was to study the in vivo spatial relationship among pSP‐D, pathogens, phagocytic cells and dendritic cells. Lung tissue was collected from experimental and natural bronchopneumonias caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae or Staphylococcus aureus, and from embolic and diffuse interstitial pneumonia, caused by Staph. aureus or Arcanobacterium pyogenes and Streptococcus suis serotype 2, respectively. By comparing normal and diseased lung tissue from the same lungs, increased diffuse pSP‐D immunoreactivity was seen in the surfactant in both acute and chronic bronchopneumonias, while such increased expression of pSP‐D was generally not present in the interstitial pneumonias. Co‐localization of pSP‐D, alveolar macrophages and bacteria was demonstrated, and pSP‐D showed a patchy distribution on the membranes of alveolar macrophages. SP‐D immunoreactivity was intracellular in dendritic cells. The dendritic cells were identified by their morphology, the absence of macrophage marker immunoreactivity and the presence of dendritic cell marker immunoreactivity. Increased expression of pSP‐D in the surfactant coincided with presence of pSP‐D‐positive dendritic cells in bronchus‐associated lymphoid tissue (BALT), indicating a possible transport of pSP‐D through the specialized M cells overlying (BALT). In conclusion, we have shown that pSP‐D expression in the lung surfactant is induced by bacterial infection by an aerogenous route rather than by a haematogenous route, and that the protein interacts specifically with alveolar macrophages and with dendritic cells in microbial‐induced BALT. The function of the interaction between pSP‐D and dendritic cells in BALT remain unclear, but pSP‐D could represent a link between the innate and adaptive immune system, facilitating the bacterial antigen presentation by dendritic cells in BALT.
Reverse signalling of membrane‐integrated tumour necrosis factor differentially regulates alloresponses of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells against human microvascular endothelial cells
Authors: Vudattu Nalini K. , Holler Ernst , Ewing Patricia , Schulz Ute , Haffner Silvia , Burger Verena , Kirchner Silvia , Andreesen Reinhard , Eissner Günther
Published: July 2005

Reverse signalling of membrane‐integrated ligands is a common phenomenon in the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) family and contributes to the pleiotropy of this pro‐inflammatory cytokine and to the plasticity of the immune system in general. Transmembrane TNF (mTNF) itself can induce resistance to bacterial endotoxin in monocytes and can stimulate the immune activity of mitogen‐activated, as well as of virus‐infected, T cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of reverse signalling of mTNF on the allogeneic activity of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells against human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC), as targets of various inflammatory responses. The proliferative potential of CD4+ T cells towards HMEC was attenuated by mTNF signalling, whereas stimulation of mTNF on CD8+ T cells increased their cytotoxic potential aginst HMEC. These effects were specific for reverse signalling of mTNF, as a blockade of the classical TNF–TNF receptor interaction by a neutralizing TNF receptor antibody had no effect. Cytokine profiling of the effector cells revealed that the anti‐endothelial CD4+ T cells were of a T helper 2 (Th2) phenotype, whereas CD8+ T cells mainly produced cytotox. T cell 1 (Tc1) cytokines. From the results obtained in this study, we conclude that reverse signalling of mTNF differentially modulates CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell activity against allogeneic endothelial cells, which should be taken into account in settings of therapeutic cytokine antagonisms.
Concerted antigen presentation by dendritic cells and B cells is necessary for optimal CD4 T‐cell immunity in vivo
Authors: Kleindienst Petra , Brocker Thomas
Published: July 2005

The relative contributions of different types of antigen presenting cells to T‐cell activation, expansion and induction of effector functions are still not fully understood. In order to evaluate the roles of dendritic versus B cells during these phases of a CD4 T‐cell response in vivo, we adoptively transferred major histocompatibility complex class II restricted, T‐cell receptor‐transgenic CD4+ T cells into transgenic mice expressing selectively the T‐cell restricting class II molecules on either dendritic cells, B cells or both. Upon immunization with peptide antigen, we observed that dendritic cells were sufficient to induce activation, expansion, interleukin‐2 production and germinal centre migration of antigen‐specific T cells, independently of other antigen‐presenting cells. In contrast, neither resting nor activated B cells had similar antigen‐presenting capacities in vivo. However, in double transgenic mice where both B cells and dendritic cells were capable of presenting antigen, T cells showed increased proliferation, expansion and cytokine production in vivo. Moreover, higher antigen‐specific CD4 T‐cell numbers accumulated in germinal centres. Our data demonstrate that dendritic cells are sufficient to activate naive CD4 T cells in vivo, but B cells subsequently can enhance CD4 T‐cell expansion further.
Mixture model equations for marker‐assisted genetic evaluation
Authors: Liu Y. , Zeng Z.‐B.
Published: July 2005

Marker‐assisted genetic evaluation needs to infer genotypes at quantitative trait loci (QTL) based on the information of linked markers. As the inference usually provides the probability distribution of QTL genotypes rather than a specific genotype, marker‐assisted genetic evaluation is characterized by the mixture model because of the uncertainty of QTL genotypes. It is, therefore, necessary to develop a statistical procedure useful for mixture model analyses. In this study, a set of mixture model equations was derived based on the normal mixture model and the EM algorithm for evaluating linear models with uncertain independent variables. The derived equations can be seen as an extension of Henderson's mixed model equations to mixture models and provide a general framework to deal with the issues of uncertain incidence matrices in linear models. The mixture model equations were applied to marker‐assisted genetic evaluation with different parameterizations of QTL effects. A sire‐QTL‐effect model and a founder‐QTL‐effect model were used to illustrate the application of the mixture model equations. The potential advantages of the mixture model equations for marker‐assisted genetic evaluation were discussed. The mixed‐effect mixture model equations are flexible in modelling QTL effects and show desirable properties in estimating QTL effects, compared with Henderson's mixed model equations.
Economic evaluation for conservation of farm animal genetic resources
Authors: Roosen J. , Fadlaoui A. , Bertaglia M.
Published: July 2005

The decline in biodiversity of farm animal genetic resources (AnGR) has come to the forefront of concern in the discussion of animal conservation and breeding programmes. To improve decision‐making regarding conservation and breeding programmes, a number of evaluation techniques of farm AnGR are available. This paper presents an overview of the different values associated to AnGR and of the techniques for their measurement being employed in the economic literature. Those include linear programming and farm simulation models, dynamic models estimating the value of research and development and econometric models estimating the demand for breed characteristics. While farm programming and simulation models are fairly well developed, they do have large data requirements. Alternatively, contingent valuation methods are available, in particular when the goal is to capture non‐market values embedded in breeds.
Differentiating among horse (Equus caballus), donkey (Equus asinus) and their hybrids with combined analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial gene polymorphism
Authors: Zhao C.J. , Han G.C. , Qin Y.H. , Wu Ch.
Published: July 2005

A novel and brief method of differentiating among horse (Equus caballus) and donkey (Equus asinus) and their hybrids (mule, E. asinus × E. caballus and hinny, E. caballus × E. asinus) with combined analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial gene polymorphism (CANMGP) was reported in the present report. A nuclear gene, protamine P1 gene of donkey was sequenced and compared with the known horse sequence from GenBank while a published equid mitochondrial gene, cytochrome b gene of donkey was compared with that of horse. In each of the two genes, a fixed nucleotide substitution within an exon that could be recognized by Dpn II restriction enzyme was found between the two species. Two pairs of primers were designed for amplifying the fragments within the two genes containing the informative nucleotide positions in 65 horses and 41 donkeys and 38 hybrids and conditions of polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) analysis were optimized. Horse, donkey and mule and hinny had their own specific cleavage patterns after the PCR‐RFLP analysis was performed, which made it very easy to identify them from each other. As multiplex PCR can be conducted with the two pairs of primers and only one restriction enzyme is involved in PCR‐RFLP analysis, the method described in the present study is a convenient way to identify horse and donkey and their hybrids. The idea involved in the method of CANMGP can be also used to differentiate other animal species or breeds and their hybrids.
Erythrokeratodermas: A classification in a state of flux?
Authors: Rogers Maureen
Published: July 2005

The term ‘erythrokeratodermas’ or ‘erythrokeratodermias’ has been applied to a group of inherited disorders characterized by well‐demarcated erythematous lesions and hyperkeratotic plaques. Connexin mutations have been demonstrated to be responsible for most cases of erythrokeratoderma variabilis but there remain some cases without demonstrated connexin mutations, suggesting genetic heterogeneity. The position of progressive symmetric erythrokeratoderma has become rather unclear. Loricin mutations have been found in some cases that clinically resemble variant Vohwinkel syndrome and other cases have features that overlap with those of erythrokeratoderma variablis. Whether progressive symmetric erythrokeratoderma exists as a distinct entity is under question.
Operational teledermatology in Broken Hill, rural Australia
Authors: See Adrian , Lim Adrian C , Le Katie , See Jo‐Ann , Shumack Stephen P
Published: July 2005

From January 2001 to January 2002, Broken Hill, New South Wales, served as a trial site for teledermatology as one method of access to dermatologists. Fourteen participating general practitioners referred 46 patients making up 48 teledermatology cases. The mean diagnostic agreement between general practitioners and dermatologists was 35% and 50% for primary and differential diagnoses, respectively. Teledermatology patients formed 12% of the collectively referred dermatology patients (outpatients and teledermatology). In this project, high patient and general practitioner acceptability and positive medical outcomes confirm the value of rural teledermatology. However, this project also revealed unexpected barriers and pitfalls in the effective operation of rural teledermatology. Lack of education of participants, inertia among potential users and patient inconvenience are issues that may adversely affect the effective implementation of rural teledermatology.
Neonatal lupus erythematosus presenting as papules on the feet
Authors: See Adrian , Wargon Orli , Lim Adrian , Sugo Ella , Le Katie
Published: July 2005

We describe a case of neonatal lupus erythematosus in a 4‐week‐old male baby presenting with nodules/papules on the plantar surface of both feet. Skin histology of the right foot papule was consistent with lupus erythematosus. Annular lesions more typical of this condition then appeared later and maternal antibodies were positive for speckled antinuclear antibodies (1:5120), anti‐Ro/SSA and anti‐La/SSB(+), rheumatoid factor 1380.0 IU/mL. The patient had no evidence of cardiac, haematological or hepatobilary involvement. Although the mother was asymptomatic, the maternal grandmother had recently been diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome.
Midblastula transition (MBT) of the cell cycles in the yolk and pigment granule‐free translucent blastomeres obtained from centrifuged Xenopus embryos
Authors: Iwao Yasuhiro , Uchida Yoshihisa , Ueno Shuichi , Yoshizaki Norio , Masui Yoshio
Published: July 2005

We obtained translucent blastomeres free of yolk and pigment granules from Xenopus embryos which had been centrifuged at the beginning of the 8‐cell stage with cellular integrity. They divided synchronously regardless of their cell size until they had decreased to 37.5 µm in radius; those smaller than this critical size, however, divided asynchronously with cell cycle times inversely proportional to the square of the cell radius after midblastula transition (MBT). The length of the S phase was determined as the time during which nuclear DNA fluorescence increased in Hoechst‐stained blastomeres. When the cell cycle time exceeded 45 min, S and M phases were lengthened; when the cell cycle times exceeded 70 min, the G2 phase appeared; and after cell cycle times became longer than 150 min, the G1 phase appeared. Lengths of G1, S and M phases increased linearly with increasing cell cycle time. Enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)‐tagged proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expressed in the blastomeres appeared in the S phase nucleus, but suddenly dispersed into the cytoplasm at the M phase. The system developed in this study is useful for examining the cell cycle behavior of the cell cycle‐regulating molecules in living Xenopus blastomeres by fluorescence microscopy in real time.
Molecular analysis of cardiomyocytes derived from human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Segev Hanna , Kenyagin‐Karsenti Dorit , Fishman Bettina , Gerecht‐Nir Sharon , Ziskind Anna , Amit Michal , Coleman Raymond , Itskovitz‐Eldor Joseph
Published: July 2005

During early embryogenesis, the cardiovascular system is the first system to be established and is initiated by a process involving the hypoblastic cells of the primitive endoderm. Human embryonic stem (hES) cells provide a model to investigate the early developmental stages of this system. When removed from their feeder layer, hESC create embryoid bodies (EB) which, when plated, develop areas of beating cells in 21.5% of the EB. These spontaneously contracting cells were demonstrated using histology, immunostaining and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), to possess morphological and molecular characteristics consistent with cardiomyocytic phenotypes. In addition, the expression pattern of specific cardiomyocytic genes in human EB (hEB) was demonstrated and analyzed for the first time. GATA‐4 is the first gene to be expressed in 6‐day‐old EB. Alpha cardiac actin and atrial natriuretic factor are expressed in older hEB at 10 and 20 days, respectively. Light chain ventricular myosin (MLC‐2V) was expressed only in EB with beating areas and its expression increased with time. Alpha heavy chain myosin (α‐MHC) expression declined in the pulsating hEB with time, in contrast to events in EB derived from mice. We conclude that human embryonic stem cells can provide a useful tool for research on embryogenesis in general and cardiovascular development in particular.
Efficient RNA interference in zebrafish embryos using siRNA synthesized with SP6 RNA polymerase
Authors: Liu Wei‐Yi , Wang Yan , Sun Yong‐Hua , Wang Yun , Wang Ya‐Ping , Chen Shang‐Ping , Zhu Zuo‐Yan
Published: July 2005

Double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) has been shown to be a useful tool for silencing genes in zebrafish (Danio rerio), while the blocking specificity of dsRNA is still of major concern for application. It was reported that siRNA (small interfering RNA) prepared by endoribonuclease digestion (esiRNA) could efficiently silence endogenous gene expression in mammalian embryos. To test whether esiRNA could work in zebrafish, we utilized Escherichia coli RNaseIII to digest dsRNA of zebrafish no tail (ntl), a mesoderm determinant in zebrafish and found that esi‐ntl could lead to developmental defects, however, the effective dose was so close to the toxic dose that esi‐ntl often led to non‐specific developmental defects. Consequently, we utilized SP6 RNA polymerase to produce si‐ntl, siRNA designed against ntl, by in vitro transcription. By injecting in vitro synthesized si‐ntl into zebrafish zygotes, we obtained specific phenocopies of reported mutants of ntl. We achieved up to a 59%no tail phenotype when the injection concentration was as high as 4 µg/µL. Quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) and whole‐mount in situ hybridization analysis showed that si‐ntl could largely and specifically reduce mRNA levels of the ntl gene. As a result, our data indicate that esiRNA is unable to cause specific developmental defects in zebrafish, while siRNA should be an alternative for downregulation of specific gene expression in zebrafish in cases where RNAi techniques are applied to zebrafish reverse genetics.
Determinants of breast‐feeding within the first 6 months post‐partum in rural Vietnam
Authors: Duong Dat V , Lee Andy H , Binns Colin W
Published: July 2005

Objective:  This study explored the determinants of breast‐feeding practices within the first 6 months post‐partum among women residing in rural Vietnam.

Methods:  The study was conducted in Quang Xuong district, in the Thanh Hoa Province of Vietnam. In the first phase, 463 women were prospectively studied at weeks 1, 16 and 24 post‐partum. During the second phase, 16 focus group discussions were undertaken to obtain complementary information.

Results:  Exclusive breast‐feeding dropped from 83.6% at week 1 to 43.6% at week 16 and by week 24, no infant was exclusively breast‐fed. A logistic regression analysis found ‘mother's education level’, ‘mother's decision‐making on breast‐feeding’, ‘mother's comfort to breast‐feed in public places’, ‘father's occupation’, ‘feeding preference of father’ and ‘having sufficient food for the family’ significantly influenced the exclusive breast‐feeding practice. Qualitative data provided in‐depth information on factors relating to mother, infant, close relatives and providers.

Conclusion:  Providing appropriate training and supportive supervision on breast‐feeding counselling to health workers and supporting working mothers to exclusively breast‐feed their infants through community mobilization were recommended to improve breast‐feeding in rural Vietnam.
Blood pressure and related cardiovascular disease risk factors in 6–18 year‐old students in Italy
Authors: Pileggi Claudia , Carbone Vincenzo , Nobile Carmelo GA , Pavia Maria
Published: July 2005

Objectives:  The aims of this study were to provide data on blood pressure (BP) levels, to measure prevalence of high‐normal or high BP and to identify a set of conditions that may predict high BP (HBP) in a population of children and adolescents in Italy.

Methods:  A random sample of students 6–18 years old attending randomly selected schools in Catanzaro, Italy, was recruited. All students completed a questionnaire on their health and on health behaviours, such as physical activity, diet, drinking and smoking. Blood pressure, heart rate, height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were recorded.

Results:  Of the 603 subjects examined, 12.8% had high‐normal BP, 3.5% hypertension (HTN) and 11.1% were obese. High‐normal or high diastolic BP (DBP) was significantly more likely in older subjects with a higher BMI, in those with a smoker mother and in preterm children, whereas high‐normal or high systolic BP (SBP) was significantly more likely to be found in older subjects with a higher BMI and in those who had at least one parent with HTN. High‐normal or high DBP or SBP were significantly predicted by BMI and age.

Conclusions:  Interventions should focus at reducing obesity and encouraging proper dietary habits, sufficient exercise and cessation of smoking habit in parents too, especially in children with a family history of HTN.
Pubertal development and its influences on bone mineral density in Australian children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Buntain Helen M , Greer Ristan M , Wong Joseph CH , Schluter Philip J , Batch Jennifer , Lewindon Peter , Bell Scott C , Wainwright Claire E
Published: July 2005

Background:  Pubertal delay is thought to contribute to suboptimal peak bone mass acquisition in young people with cystic fibrosis (CF), leading to an increased fracture incidence. This study aims to compare pubertal development in young people with CF with that of a local healthy population and assess the influence it has on areal bone mineral density (aBMD).

Methods: Tanner stage, age of menarche, bone age (BA), sex hormone levels and aBMD were examined in 85 individuals with CF (aged 5.3–18.1 years, 39 females) and 100 local controls (5.6–17.9 years, 54 females).

Results: Tanner stage and age of menarche were not significantly different between controls and CF. Tanner stage‐adjusted mean values for follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) were lower in males with CF (FSH: P = 0.004, LH: P = 0.01 and T: P = 0.002). Bone age was delayed in adolescents with CF compared to controls (chronological age–BA: controls = 0.13 years (SE = 0.16), CF = 0.95 years (SE = 0.22), P = 0.003). Areal bone mineral density (adjusted for age, sex, height and lean tissue mass) was not significantly different between CF and controls. Moderate negative correlations were found between delayed BA and weight (r = −0.41, P < 0.001) and height (r = −0.41, P < 0.001).

Conclusions: There was no evidence of clinical pubertal delay or low aBMD (adjusted for short stature and lean tissue mass) in young people with CF when compared with a local population, despite lower nutritional markers, height and weight and delayed skeletal maturation.
Clinical remission following monoclonal anti‐CD20 therapy in two children with chronic refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Moschovi Maria , Trimis Georgios , Pergantou Helini , Platokouki Heleni , Vrachnou Eleni , Tzortzatou‐Stathopoulou Fotini
Published: July 2005

Abstract:  Two patients, a 4‐year‐old boy and a 6‐year‐old girl who had a 2‐year and a 3‐year history of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, respectively, were referred to our Department. Both patients had frequent haemorrhagic events. They received i.v. immunoglobulin, corticosteroids, cyclosporine, interferon α‐2b and azathioprine, but no clinical remission was established. The girl also underwent splenectomy. Anti‐CD20 antibody was administered to both patients at a dose of 375 mg/m2 once weekly for 4 weeks. No side‐effects were detected. During the 18‐month follow‐up period the patients received no other drug and remained in clinical remission. The B lymphocytes remained undetectable in peripheral blood for 3 months and they progressively increased during the following 4 months. Rituximab is a novel, quite effective, safe treatment of chronic refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in childhood. More studies and follow up of patients for longer periods are necessary.
Labor epidural analgesia in pre‐eclampsia: A prospective study
Authors: Patel Purvi , Desai Pankaj , Gajjar Fulva
Published: July 2005

Aim: To assess the safety of labor epidural analgesia in subjects with pre‐eclampsia.

Methods: Nulliparous laboring women were included in the prospective study. One hundred pre‐eclamptic nullipara who were given epidural analgesia (group I) were compared with 100 nullipara with pre‐eclampsia who were not given epidural analgesia (group II). The outcome was further compared with 200 women who were not pre‐eclamptic, but who were given epidural analgesia (group III), and also with 200 women who were normotensive and who were not given epidural analgesia (group IV).

Results: In group I, 58% of subjects delivered normally compared with 60% in group II. The operative vaginal delivery rate was 28% in group I compared with 24% in group II (P = 0.62), and the cesarean section rate was 14% and 16% in groups I and II, respectively, (P = 0.8). The difference was not statistically significant. The incidence of a prolonged second stage of labor was also not increased in pre‐eclamptic women who received epidural analgesia. Five of the neonates in group I had a 5‐min APGAR score <6 compared with seven neonates in group II. The necessity of neonatal resuscitation was also not significantly increased in group I (P = 1.0). The incidences of fetal distress (P = 0.71), non‐progressive second stage of labor (P = 0.66) and cephalopelvic disproportion  (P = 0.90)  were  not  statistically different in the pre‐eclampsia group compared with the non‐pre‐eclampsia group. Similar results were noted when these outcome measures were compared with the other two groups. With regard to hypotension and tachycardia in the pre‐eclamptic subjects who were given epidural analgesia, no statistical difference (P = 0.72) was seen when compared with the normotensive subjects.

Conclusion: In the absence of coagulopathy, epidural analgesia is a safe and effective method for labor pain relief, even for subjects with pre‐eclampsia.
Umbilical artery resistance index in diabetic pregnancies: The associations with fetal outcome and neonatal septal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Tan Ay Eeng , Norizah Wan M. , Rahman Hayati A. , Aziz Bilkis A. , Cheah Fook Choe
Published: July 2005

Aim: To determine the incidence of an abnormal umbilical artery resistance index (UARI) in diabetic pregnancies and the relation to fetal outcome and the development of neonatal septal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Methods: A case–control study with subjects comprising 50 randomly selected diabetic mothers and a matched control group of 50 non‐diabetic pregnancies. Doppler studies of the UARI were carried out at least once per week, beginning from 36 weeks’ gestation for both groups. Within 48 h post delivery, echocardiograms were carried out on the newborn infants to identify those with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, particularly asymmetrical septal hypertrophy.

Results: The numbers of patients with abnormal UARI were similar in both the diabetic and control groups. A higher proportion of operative deliveries for intrapartum fetal distress was seen in patients with an abnormal UARI in the diabetic group. However, the groups did not differ in the numbers of infants who were small for gestational age, who had low Apgar scores or umbilical artery acidosis, and who required admission to the special care nursery. Six infants of diabetic mothers (12%) had septal hypertrophy, but none of these were associated with abnormal antenatal UARI.

Conclusion: Diabetic  pregnancy  is  not  associated  with  a  significantly  higher  incidence  of  abnormal  UARI on Doppler study than non‐diabetic pregnancy. UARI is not a useful single indicator by which to predict subsequent fetal outcome or the development of neonatal septal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in diabetic pregnancies.
Perinatal management of cervicoisthmic pregnancy
Authors: Honda Tetsuro , Hasegawa Masaaki , Nakahori Takashi , Maeda Ayako , Sai Rika , Takata Haruna , Uchida Takafumi , Kanamoto Naokazu , Beppu Michiko , Takahashi Akira
Published: July 2005

Cervicoisthmic pregnancy has a high risk of abortion or preterm delivery, and only 11 cases of live birth have been reported since 1980. In addition, almost all cases require blood transfusion and hysterectomy because of profuse bleeding after delivery of the placenta. A 39‐year‐old nulliparous woman who became pregnant after a fourth intracytoplasmic sperm injection was diagnosed with cervicoisthmic pregnancy on ultrasonography at 6 weeks’ gestation. A healthy neonate was delivered by cesarean section at 32 weeks, but hysterectomy and blood transfusion were required. Perinatal management is discussed.
Unanticipated impacts of spatial variance of biodiversity on plant productivity
Authors: Benedetti‐Cecchi Lisandro
Published: July 2005

Experiments on biodiversity have shown that productivity is often a decelerating monotonic function of biodiversity. A property of nonlinear functions, known as Jensen's inequality, predicts negative effects of the variance of predictor variables on the mean of response variables. One implication of this relationship is that an increase in spatial variability of biodiversity can cause dramatic decreases in the mean productivity of the system. Here I quantify these effects by conducting a meta‐analysis of experimental data on biodiversity–productivity relationships in grasslands and using the empirically derived estimates of parameters to simulate various scenarios of levels of spatial variance and mean values of biodiversity. Jensen's inequality was estimated independently using Monte Carlo simulations and quadratic approximations. The median values of Jensen's inequality estimated with the first method ranged from 3.2 to 26.7%, whilst values obtained with the second method ranged from 5.0 to 45.0%. Meta‐analyses conducted separately for each combination of simulated values of mean and spatial variance of biodiversity indicated that effect sizes were significantly larger than zero in all cases. Because patterns of biodiversity are becoming increasingly variable under intense anthropogenic pressure, the impact of loss of biodiversity on productivity may be larger than current estimates indicate.
A theory for optimal monitoring of marine reserves
Authors: Gerber Leah R. , Beger Maria , McCarthy Michael A. , Possingham Hugh P.
Published: July 2005

Monitoring of marine reserves has traditionally focused on the task of rejecting the null hypothesis that marine reserves have no impact on the population and community structure of harvested populations. We consider the role of monitoring of marine reserves to gain information needed for management decisions. In particular we use a decision theoretic framework to answer the question: how long should we monitor the recovery of an over‐fished stock to determine the fraction of that stock to reserve? This exposes a natural tension between the cost (in terms of time and money) of additional monitoring, and the benefit of more accurately parameterizing a population model for the stock, that in turn leads to a better decision about the optimal size for the reserve with respect to harvesting. We found that the optimal monitoring time frame is rarely more than 5 years. A higher economic discount rate decreased the optimal monitoring time frame, making the expected benefit of more certainty about parameters in the system negligible compared with the expected gain from earlier exploitation.
Neutral community dynamics, the mid‐domain effect and spatial patterns in species richness
Authors: Rangel Thiago F. L. V. B. , Diniz‐Filho José A. F.
Published: July 2005

The mid‐domain effect (MDE) aims to explain spatial patterns in species richness invoking only stochasticity and geometrical constraints. In this paper, we used simulations to show that its main qualitative prediction, a hump‐shaped pattern in species richness, converges to the expectation of a spatially bounded neutral model when communities are linked by short‐distance migration. As these two models can be linked under specific situations, neutral theory may provide a mechanistic population level basis for MDE. This link also allows establishing in which situations MDE patterns are more likely to be found. Also, in this situation, MDE models could be used as a first approximation to understand the role of both stochastic (ecological drift and migration) and deterministic (adaptation to environmental conditions) processes driving the spatial structure of species richness.
Dispersal increases local transmission of avian malarial parasites
Authors: Pérez‐Tris Javier , Bensch Staffan
Published: July 2005

The relationships between dispersal and local transmission rate of parasites are essential to understanding host–parasite coevolution and the emergence and spread of novel disease threats. Here we show that year‐round transmission, as opposed to summer transmission, has repeatedly evolved in malarial parasites (generaPlasmodiumandHaemoproteus) of a migratory bird. Year‐round transmission allows parasites to spread in sympatric host's wintering areas, and hence to colonize distantly located host's breeding areas connected by host‐migration movements. Widespread parasites had higher local prevalence, revealing increased transmission, than geographically restricted parasites. Our results show a positive relationship between dispersal and local transmission of malarial parasites that is apparently mediated by frequent evolutionary changes in parasite transmission dynamics, which has important implications for the ecology and evolution of infectious diseases.
Interpreting the ‘selection effect’ of biodiversity on ecosystem function
Authors: Fox Jeremy W.
Published: July 2005

Experimental ecosystems often function differently than expected under the null hypothesis that intra‐ and interspecific interactions are identical. Recent theory attributes this to the ‘selection effect’ (dominance by species with particular traits), and the ‘complementarity effect’ (niche differentiation and/or facilitative interactions). Using the Price Equation, I show that the ‘selection effect’ only partially reflects dominance by species with particular traits at the expense of other species, and therefore is only partially analogous to natural selection. I then derive a new, tripartite partition of the difference between observed and expected ecosystem function. The ‘dominance effect’ is analogous to natural selection. ‘Trait‐independent complementarity’ occurs when species function better than expected, independent of their traits and not at the expense of other species. ‘Trait‐dependent complementarity’ occurs when species with particular traits function better than expected, but not at the expense of other species. I illustrate the application of this new partition using experimental data.
Development and application of polymerase chain reaction primers based on fhcD for environmental detection of methanopterin‐linked C1‐metabolism in bacteria
Authors: Kalyuzhnaya Marina G. , Nercessian Olivier , Lidstrom Mary E. , Chistoserdova Ludmila
Published: July 2005

In this work we describe development and testing of a novel pair of environmental primers targeting fhcD, a conserved gene in the H4MTP‐linked C1‐transfer pathway, and demonstrate that these primers enable confident detection of a broad variety of fhcD genes originating from phylogenetically diverse bacteria. The new primer pair was employed to analyse fhcD diversity in Lake Washington sediment, uncovering the presence of 40 fhcD phylotypes. Based on phylogenetic analyses, the phylotypes identified were affiliated with α‐, β‐ and γ‐proteobacteria, and Planctomycetes, while a number of sequences formed deep branches suggesting the presence of unknown groups of microorganisms. To assess the physiological potential and the possible substrate repertoire of the fhcD‐containing species in Lake Washington, we conducted enrichments of natural populations on a variety of C1 substrates, and observed specific shifts in community structure in response to different C1 substrates. A specific shift in community structure was also observed in the presence of humic acids suggesting that C1 transfer metabolism linked to H4MPT may be part of the degradation pathway for this natural polymer, possibly involving formaldehyde production. Overall, our data suggest that C1 oxidation reactions linked to H4MPT are much more widespread in natural environments than previously thought.
A framework for multidimensional modelling of activity and structure of multispecies biofilms
Authors: Xavier Joao B. , Picioreanu Cristian , Van Loosdrecht Mark C. M.
Published: July 2005

Concepts from previous biofilm models were integrated to create a framework for the implementation of multidimensional (2D and 3D) multispecies biofilm models. The framework is here described at three levels: (i) mathematical representation of the processes involved in biofilm formation, (ii) numerical implementation into a computer program (freely available from our website http://www.biofilms.bt.tudelft.nl/frameworkMaterial) and (iii) using the program for the creation of biofilm models with multiple bacterial and solute species. An improved version of the individual‐based modelling (IbM) that allows structured biomass was used. In this approach biomass composition may be discriminated into any number of particulate species, including extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) for which specific functionality was included. Detachment is also included, described as occurring at the biofilm surface with variable local rates derived from functions of state variables. The application of this modelling framework to a multispecies system with structured biomass is illustrated in a case study where the competition between an organism capable of accumulating polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB, an internal storage compound) and an EPS‐producing organism in a two‐species biofilm is analysed. Results illustrate that biofilms enriched in PHB‐producing organisms may be obtained by supplying substrate intermittently in feast/famine cycles.
Abundance and activity of uncultured methanotrophic bacteria involved in the consumption of atmospheric methane in two forest soils
Authors: Kolb Steffen , Knief Claudia , Dunfield Peter F. , Conrad Ralf
Published: July 2005

The activity and abundance of methanotrophic bacteria were measured in an acidic and a neutral forest soil. The soils exhibited high uptake rates (>30 µg CH4 m−2 h−1) of atmospheric CH4 at all measurement times throughout the vegetation period. The abundances of various phylogenetic groups of methanotrophs, including some uncultured putative ones, were measured using real‐time polymerase chain reaction assays. Each assay specifically targeted the pmoA gene or mmoX gene of a particular group of methanotrophs, or the amoA gene of ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria. As yet uncultured methanotrophs of a group previously named ‘forest soil cluster’ or ‘USCα’ were numerically dominant in the acidic soil, while cultured but taxonomically uncharacterized methanotrophs of a group ‘Cluster I’ were dominant in the neutral soil. Each group was detected in numbers equivalent to about 106pmoA gene copies per gram dry weight of soil and comprised >90% of the detectable methanotrophic bacteria in the respective soil. As the numbers of ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria were similar but not higher, they could not have accounted for the observed CH4 uptake rates due to their low cell‐specific CH4 oxidation activity. Based on CH4 flux and bacterial abundance data, estimated cell‐specific CH4 oxidation rates of the detected methanotrophic bacteria were 540–800 × 10−18 mol cell−1 h−1, which is high compared with literature values of cultured methanotrophic bacteria. These estimated cell‐specific CH4 oxidation rates are sufficiently high to allow not only maintenance but even growth on atmospheric CH4 alone. Transcripts of mRNA of the pmoA gene were detected in the acidic soil, demonstrating that USCα methanotrophs expressed pmoA under ambient methane mixing ratios. On the other hand, pmoA trancripts of Cluster I or of other methanotrophic groups were not detectable. Our study suggests that USCα and Cluster I methanotrophs are adapted to the low concentration of methane in forest soils by possessing high cell‐specific CH4 oxidation activities.