bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of Pharyngeal Swallowing Function Using High‐Resolution Manometry
Authors: Takasaki Kenji , Umeki Hiroshi , Enatsu Kaori , Tanaka Fujinobu , Sakihama Noriyuki , Kumagami Hidetaka , Takahashi Haruo
Published: September 2008

Objectives/Hypothesis: This study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of a novel high‐resolution manometry system, and to establish normal values of swallowing pressures along the velopharynx and upper esophagus.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Methods: Thirty‐three asymptomatic adult Japanese controls were studied. A solid‐state high‐resolution manometry assembly with 36 circumferential sensors spaced 1 cm apart was positioned to record pressures during swallowing from the velopharynx to the upper esophagus. The maximum values of the swallowing (dry and 5 mL of water) pressures at velopharynx, meso‐hypopharynx, and at the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) were measured. The resting UES pressure, the length of the part in the cervical esophagus showing the resting UES pressure, and the distances from the nostril to the above‐mentioned points of pressure measurement were also measured.

Results: The maximum value of dry and water swallowing pressures at the velopharynx, meso‐hypopharynx and UES, and the distances from the nasal vestibulum to each point in men were 141.1 ± 73.5 (mm Hg, mean ± standard deviation) and 162.7 ± 94.9, 175.3 ± 59.7 and 182.9 ± 83.6, 172.7 ± 73.8 and 236.1 ± 78.9, and 10.0 ± 1.3 (cm) and 10.1 ± 1.4, 14.1 ± 1.5 and 14.4 ± 1.3, 17.9 ± 1.7 and 18.0 ± 1.4, respectively. Those in women were 118.9 ± 38.0 (mm Hg) and 124.7 ± 43.4, 165.9 ± 41.5 and 167.3 ± 65.0, 149.2 ± 68.7 and 243.7 ± 87.4, and 9.5 ± 1.2 (cm) and 9.4 ± 1.2, 13.0 ± 1.5 and 12.8 ± 1.4, 15.8 ± 1.5 and 16.0 ± 1.3, respectively. The maximum value of resting UES pressure, the length of the part in the cervical esophagus showing the resting UES pressure and the distance from the nostril to the mid‐point of the width of the resting UES pressure in men and in women were 70.2 ± 30.0 mm Hg, 4.0 ± 0.7 cm, 19.1 ± 1.3 cm, and 61.8 ± 26.7 mm Hg, 3.6 ± 0.6 cm, 17.0 ± 1.2 cm, respectively.

Conclusion: The present study provides anatomical and physiological information about normal swallowing along the velopharynx and upper esophagus, which will be an aid to the future clinical and investigative studies.
Acoustic Trauma Augments the Cochlear Immune Response to Antigen
Authors: Miyao Masumichi , Firestein Gary S. , Keithley Elizabeth M.
Published: September 2008

Objectives/Hypothesis: To test whether noise‐exposure, which activates a cochlear immune response with cytokine expression and infiltration of circulating leukocytes could augment the response to antigen (Ag).

Study Design: Randomized, prospective, mice.

Methods: We sensitized mice to an Ag, injected it intrathecally, and subsequently exposed the mice to noise (8–16 kHz, 90, 100, or 118 dB for 2 hours). Control mice received either noise exposure alone (100 or 118 dB), Ag challenge alone, intrathecal surgery and phosphate‐buffered saline injection or no treatment. Four hours or 7 days later the mice were killed and cochlear sections were evaluated immunohistochemically for CD45, ICAM‐1, and phospho‐nuclear transcription factor‐κB expression.

Results: Intrathecal Ag injection caused no hearing loss, but did result in a small immune response. Loud noise (118 dB) caused severe hearing loss and slight inflammation. The number of CD45‐positive cells was significantly greater in the Ag plus‐118 dB noise group relative to the Ag‐alone group or 118 dB noise‐exposure group. ICAM expression was seen in the lower part of the spiral ligament and small vessels within the normal cochlea. The amount of expression increased after Ag injection and acoustic trauma. Activated nuclear transcription factor‐κB occurred in the nuclei of hair cells, supporting cells, spiral ligament fibrocytes, and neurons 4 hours after noise exposure.

Conclusions: It seems that noise exposure can activate a cochlear immune response, which in the presence of Ag, allows for greater recruitment of inflammatory cells than occurred in response to Ag alone.
Minimally Invasive Pituitary Surgery
Authors: Senior Brent A. , Ebert Charles S. , Bednarski Karen K. , Bassim Marc K. , Younes Mahar , Sigounas Dimitri , Ewend Mathew G.
Published: September 2008

Objectives/Hypothesis: Surgical approaches to the pituitary have undergone numerous refinements over the last 100 years. The introduction of the endoscope and the advent of minimally invasive pituitary surgery (MIPS) have revolutionized pituitary surgery. This study aims to compile and evaluate outcomes of all of the MIPS performed at our institution.

Study Design: Retrospective, cases series of 176 consecutive patients undergoing MIPS.

Methods: Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and intraoperative or postoperative complications for of 176 consecutive patients undergoing MIPS were complied. Statistical analysis for categorical variables and incidence across series were conducted using Pearson's χ2 test and Fisher's exact tests. Odd ratios were calculated to relate the discrete variables to outcomes and designing clinical prediction of risk.

Results: One hundred seventy‐six patients who underwent 193 procedures. Pathologic evaluation revealed 147 of the tumors to be pituitary adenomas. Only one death occurred (mortality rate of 0.5%). The rate of diabetes insipidus occurred in 20.2% of the procedures. Vascular complications occurred in 5.2% of the procedures. Intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks were identified in 19.7% whereas postoperative CSF leak was noted in 10.3%. Resection of Rathke's cleft cyst correlated higher risk of both intraoperative and postoperative CSF leak (OR = 2.6, P <.001). Resection of tumors other than adenomata correlated with significantly higher risk of CSF leak (OR = 9.0, P = <.001). Sinusitis occurred after eleven resections (5.7%). Meningitis occurred in 2 of 193 resections (1.0%) in our series. Two neurologic complications occurred in our series, pneumocephalus and cranial neuropathy (1.0%). No other complications occurred.

Conclusions: MIPS is a safe and efficacious marriage of the endoscope to the transsphenoidal approach. Thus, a brightness and clarity of vision is combined with the unique ability to explore the tumor bed with angled views and hydroscopy. Outcomes and complication rates comparable to traditional transsphenoidal approaches have resulted but with less dissection and tissue manipulation, reduced need for packing, and greater patient comfort and acceptance.
Quality of Life Measures and Predictors for Adults With Unilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis
Authors: Fang Tuan‐Jen , Li Hsueh‐Yu , Gliklich Richard E. , Chen Ya‐Hui , Wang Pa‐Chun , Chuang Hsiu‐Feng
Published: September 2008

Objective/Hypothesis: To investigate the quality of life (QoLF) status of Taiwanese adults with unilateral vocal cord paralysis (UVCP).

Study Design: A prospective, QoLF survey in a tertiary referral voice center.

Methods: Fifty‐five consecutive UVCP patients were evaluated with Medical Outcome Study Short Form‐36 (SF‐36) Health Survey and the voice outcome survey at entry.

Results: UVCP patients have significantly lower scores in all eight SF‐36 subscales (P < .05) than do normative Taiwan adult population, particularly in role functioning‐physical problems, social functioning, and role functioning‐emotional problems. Shimmer parameter is a robust and consistent predictor for bodily pain (β = −20.8), role functioning‐emotional problems (β = −27.9), and social functioning (β = −20) general health dimensions. Shimmer is also predictive of UVCP‐related total voice outcome survey score (β = −8.6, P < .05).

Conclusions: UVCP can seriously compromise phonation, swallowing, and social functions; thus significantly impacting a patient's general health status. Voice physiological function is also a QoLF outcome indicator.
Imaging of the Calf Vocal Fold With High‐Frequency Ultrasound
Authors: Walsh Conor J. , Heaton James T. , Kobler James B. , Szabo Thomas L. , Zeitels Steven M.
Published: September 2008

Objectives/Hypothesis: High‐frequency ultrasound imaging offers the potential for assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of vocal fold pathology if it allows aspects of vocal fold microstructure to be visualized noninvasively. The objective of this study was to assess the ability of high‐frequency ultrasound to image vocal fold anatomy and injected biomaterials.

Study Design: The vocal folds of two excised calf larynges were imaged ex vivo and compared with corresponding histological sections.

Methods: High‐frequency ultrasound imaging was performed under saline submersion using 40 and 50 MHz transducers, and corresponding cryostat cross‐sections were stained with H&E, Trichome, and Verhoeff's Van Gieson stains.

Results: The epithelial surface, lamina propria, and underlying muscle were easily identified with the high‐frequency ultrasound as verified with histological sections representing each imaged region. The arytenoid cartilage vocal process can also be clearly distinguished from the surrounding tissue, as can the full extent of injected biomaterials within the superficial lamina propria. Useful ultrasound resolution was obtained to depths of at least 10 mm within the tissue with the 40 MHz transducer.

Conclusions: This preliminary study demonstrates the capability of high‐frequency ultrasound to image the layered anatomy of the calf vocal fold and to discern materials injected into the superficial lamina propria, indicating that this technology holds a strong potential for use in phonosurgery.
Superior Canal Dehiscence Plugging Reduces Dizziness Handicap
Authors: Crane Benjamin T. , Minor Lloyd B. , Carey John P.
Published: September 2008

Objectives/Hypothesis: To compare dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) scores before and after surgery for plugging of superior canal dehiscence (SCD). The size of the dehiscence as measured during surgery, subject age, vestibular‐evoked myogenic potentials threshold, and degree of conductive hearing loss (CHL) were also considered.

Study Design: Retrospective.

Methods: Nineteen adults with SCD who underwent surgery to plug the SCD via middle fossa approach were studied. Pre‐ and postoperative DHI scores were compared, and correlations between DHI scores and other clinical measures were assessed.

Results: Average preoperative DHI score was 44 ± 24 (mean ± SD). Postoperative DHI score was significantly lower at 18 ± 15 (P < .01). Only two subjects had a higher DHI score after surgery. Subjects who had a preoperative DHI score below 30 did not have any significant change in their DHI score after surgery, whereas those with a preoperative DHI score ≥30 had an improvement by an average of 39 ± 16 after surgery. There were no correlations between either preoperative DHI score or the change in DHI score after surgery and HL, age, vestibular‐evoked myogenic potentials threshold, or dehiscence size.

Conclusions: DHI scores significantly decreased after SCD plugging. Subjects who had the largest decrease in DHI scores were those with high preoperative DHI scores. Subjects who chose to undergo SCD plugging because of nonvestibular symptoms such as conductive HL, tinnitus, or autophony generally had lower preoperative DHI scores and did not experience large improvements in DHI scores. The SCD plugging procedure offers an improvement in DHI score that is comparable with that of other procedures for peripheral vestibular dysfunction.
Need for Neck Dissection After Radiochemotherapy? A Study of the French GETTEC Group
Authors: Vedrine Pierre‐Olivier , Thariat Juliette , Hitier Martin , Janot François , Kaminsky Marie‐Christine , Makeieff Marc , De Raucourt Dominique , Lapeyre Michel , Toussaint Bruno
Published: September 2008

Background/Hypothesis: The need for a neck dissection after radiochemotherapy (RCT) for patients with unresectable cancer of the head and neck remains questionable. We evaluated our strategy to perform a neck dissection in patients with a controlled primary tumor based on the response to RCT according to regional control, survival rates, and morbidity.

Study Design: The French “Groupe d'Etude des Tumeurs de la Tête et du Cou” (GETTEC) group retrospectively performed a multicenter review. One hundred and three stage III (N = 7) or IV (N = 96) patients with unresectable primary tumors and node‐positive disease and no distant metastases treated between 1996 and 2002. Tumors were considered unresectable or with poor surgical curability based on advanced stage, or patients were surgically unfit for medical reasons.

Results: With a median follow‐up of 30 months, the complete clinical and radiological nodal response rate was 61%. Among 39% (N = 40) of patients with residual neck disease, 70% (N = 28) underwent a neck dissection, whereas the remaining 30% either underwent watchful follow‐up for probable scary nodes, or were deemed unresectable or medically unfit for surgery. Half of the neck dissection specimens showed pathological evidence of viable tumor. Grade 3 to 4 complications were recorded in four patients (14%) after neck dissection. Regional control was better for complete responders. Disease‐free survival and overall survival were similar between patients with a complete response in the neck and no neck dissection, and patients with a neck dissection for residual neck disease.

Conclusions: The strategy to avoid a neck dissection is safe in patients with a complete response in the neck, regardless of initial nodal stage. In patients with residual neck disease, postRCT neck dissection can be performed with limited morbidity. Progress is warranted to optimize the pathological response in the nodes and to better assess ambiguous nodal responses with multi‐modal imaging.
Effects of a Low Concentration Hypochlorous Acid Nasal Irrigation Solution on Bacteria, Fungi, and Virus
Authors: Kim Hyun Jik , Lee Jeung‐Gweon , Kang Ju Wan , Cho Hyung‐Ju , Kim Hyun Su , Byeon Hyung Kwon , Yoon Joo‐Heon
Published: September 2008

Objectives/Hypothesis: Saline irrigation would be more effective for chronic sinusitis patients if it had bactericidal effects. Low concentrations of hypochlorous acid may be used as a nasal irrigation solution. First, we developed a 0.85% NaCl solution by adding NaCl to tap water (pH 7.0 and 8.4) and measuring the concentration of free chlorine and hypochlorous acid after giving the solution a short electrical impulse of 20 seconds. Then we investigated whether the derived hypochlorous acid had a toxic effect on human primary nasal epithelial cells, if and what effect it had on the expression of mucin genes, and, finally, if it had bactericidal, fungicidal, or virucidal effects.

Study Design: In vitro biochemical experiment.

Methods: We treated human primary nasal epithelial cells with 3.5 ppm of hypochlorous acid and then examined the cells for cytotoxicity. We also investigated the bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal effects by challenging the cells with the following microorganisms Aspergillus fumigatus, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Rhizopus oryzae, Candida albicans, Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pyogenes. To study the virucidal effects of HOCl, we used the human influenza A virus to challenge the cells.

Results: In the cytotoxicity assay and in the morphological examination, the cells did not show anytoxicity at 30 minute or 2 hours after treatment with HOCl. More than 99% of bactericidal or fungicidal activity was noted for all species, except for Candida albicans, in tap water at either pH 7.0 or 8.4. In addition, a 3.2‐log10 reduction was achieved in cells challenged with the human influenza A virus.

Conclusions: A low concentration HOCl solution can be used as an effective nasal irrigation solution.
The Impact of Surgery in the Management of the Head and Neck Carcinoma Involving the Carotid Artery
Authors: Ozer Enver , Agrawal Amit , Ozer Hatice G. , Schuller David E.
Published: September 2008

Objectives/Hypothesis: To demonstrate the feasibility of the carotid artery dissection and/or resection and reanastomosis, and to show its positive impact on survival and disease control rates for the head and neck carcinomas involving the carotid artery.

Study Design: Tertiary center (Comprehensive Cancer Center). Case series review.

Methods: The data of 90 patients with head and neck malignancies involving the carotid artery were operated for the carotid artery dissection and/or resection, and reanastomosis in the last 10 years were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.

Results: Eighty (89%) of the 90 patients' head and neck malignancies were squamous cell carcinoma. Fifty‐two (65%) and 28 (35%) of 80 patients were recurrent and stage IV disease, respectively. There was no stage I to III disease. Carotid artery was dissected and preserved in 64 (71.1%) of the 90 patients. Eighteen (20%) of 90 patients needed carotid artery dissection with resection and reanastomosis. Eight (8.9%) patients were unresectable. Sixty (75%) of 80 patients needed reconstruction with regional or free flaps and grafts. Overall 2‐ and 5‐year estimated survivals were 32.4% and 27.8% for all; 14.3% and 10.7% for recurrent; 64.3% and 57.8% for stage IV previously untreated; and 22.0% and 22.0% for carotid artery resected‐reanastomosed patients, respectively.

Conclusions: The carotid artery dissection without resection is an achievable goal in majority of patients with the advanced stage head and neck carcinoma involving the carotid artery. Resection and reanastomosis of carotid artery, especially in the previously untreated carotid involved patients, is a feasible surgery and achieves better survival and disease control rates when compared with the unresected or recurrent disease patients.
Evidence of Vestibular and Balance Dysfunction in Children With Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss Using Cochlear Implants
Authors: Cushing Sharon L. , Papsin Blake C. , Rutka John A. , James Adrian L. , Gordon Karen A.
Published: September 2008

Objectives/Hypothesis: Similarities between the peripheral auditory and vestibular systems suggest that children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) may demonstrate vestibular and balance impairments. This hypothesis was studied in 40 children with severe to profound SNHL and unilateral cochlear implants.

Study Design: Prospective cross‐sectional study with repeated measures.

Methods: Vestibular function was assessed with caloric, rotational, and vestibular evoked myogenic potential testing; balance was assessed using the balance subset of the Bruininks‐Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency‐II, a standardized test of static and dynamic balance.

Results: Horizontal semicircular canal function was abnormal in response to a caloric stimulus in 50% (16/32), with a large proportion of those [6/16 (38%)] reflecting mild to moderate unilateral abnormalities. In comparison, horizontal semicircular canal function in response to rotation was abnormal in 38% (14/37). Saccular function was absent bilaterally in 5/26 (19%) and unilaterally in 5/26 (19%) with vestibular evoked myogenic potential. Age standardized balance abilities were significantly poorer in the study population [μ = 12.9 ± 5(SD)] compared with normal hearing controls [μ = 17 ± 5(SD); P = .0006] and correlated best with horizontal canal function in response to a rotational stimulus (P = .004; R2 = 0.24). SNHL from meningitis was associated with worse balance function than other etiologies.

Conclusions: Vestibular and balance dysfunction occurred in >1/3 of children with SNHL and cochlear implants, and is highly dependent on etiology. Although compliance with all tests was high, rotational chair testing, which assesses higher frequency motion (0.25–5 Hz) and thus more “real world” vestibular function, correlated best with dynamic balance. For this reason, rotational chair testing may represent the test of choice in this population, particularly given that it is amenable to testing children of all ages.
Facial Nerve Sacrifice and Radiotherapy in Parotid Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
Authors: Iseli Tim A. , Karnell Lucy H. , Preston Todd W. , Graham Scott M. , Funk Gerry F. , Buatti John M. , Gupta Anjali K. , Robinson Robert A. , Hoffman Henry T.
Published: September 2008

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of facial nerve sacrifice and postoperative radiotherapy on the outcome of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the parotid gland.

Study Design: Inception cohort.

Methods: Retrospective review of Department of Pathology, SNOMED database, and Tumor Registry including health‐related quality of life data for the subset enrolled in the longitudinal Outcomes Assessment Project. Fisher exact, χ2, and Wilcoxon tests were used to determine significant differences.

Results: Fifty‐two cases (follow‐up mean: 9.1 years, range: 0.5–40.8 years) demonstrated local control rates of 84.6% (5 years), 76.9% (10 years), and 50% (20 years). Compared with facial nerve preservation, facial nerve sacrifice had better control at 5 years (100 vs. 78.9% P = .259) while having detrimental effects on eating, speech, and esthetics. Local control at 5 years was significantly better (P = .048) with postoperative radiotherapy (100%) than without (84.6%). Overall survival was 79.4% (5 years), 50% (10 years), and 32.3% (20 years). At 10 years, there was a trend toward improved survival with facial nerve sacrifice (58.8 vs. 46.8%, P = .569) and postoperative radiotherapy (62.4 vs. 39.3%, P = .409). Eleven patients with lung metastases survived an average of 67.8 months after metastases were identified. Only 4 of 46 patients N0 patients (8.3%) subsequently developed lymph node metastases.

Conclusion: Selective facial nerve sacrifice was associated with trends toward improved local control and survival but worse quality of life. Patients managed with postoperative radiotherapy had better local control rates than those without. N0 patients rarely developed metastases to regional lymph nodes.
Seasonal variation in sonic muscles in the fawn cusk-eelLepophidium profundorum
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Kim , Lin Hsung , Parmentier Eric , Fine Michael L
Published: September 2008

The fawn cusk-eelLepophidium profundorum(Ophidiidae) has an unusual sound-producing system with sexually dimorphic sets of antagonistic muscles. Outside the mating season, the dorsal and ventral muscles are well developed and larger in males than in females, but the tiny intermediate muscles are smaller, suggesting a minor role, if any, in male advertisement call production. We examined summer individuals with more developed gonads and find a fourfold hypertrophy of the intermediate but not the other muscles. This result suggests androgen dependence and an important role in sound production for the intermediate muscle. Even though both sexes gain weight in the summer, the ventral and dorsal muscles in females lose weight, suggesting that sound production is less important in females and that muscle mass may be used to support egg growth.
Helping behaviour and regard for others in capuchin monkeys (
Cebus apella
)
Authors: Barnes Jennifer L , Hill Tyler , Langer Melanie , Martinez Margaret , Santos Laurie R
Published: September 2008

Altruism is an evolutionary puzzle. To date, much debate has focused on whether helping others without regard to oneself is a uniquely human behaviour, with a variety of empirical studies demonstrating a lack of altruistic behaviour in chimpanzees even when the demands of behaving altruistically seem minimal. By contrast, a recent experiment has demonstrated that chimpanzees will help a human experimenter to obtain an out-of-reach object, irrespective of whether or not they are offered a reward for doing so, suggesting that the cognitions underlying altruistic behaviour may be highly sensitive to situational demands. Here, we examine the cognitive demands of other-regarding behaviour by testing the conditions under which primates more distantly related to humans—capuchin monkeys—help an experimenter to obtain an out-of-reach object. Like chimpanzees, capuchin monkeys helped human experimenters even in the absence of a reward, but capuchins systematically failed to take into account the perspective of others when they stood to obtain food for themselves. These results suggest an important role for perspective taking and inhibition in altruistic behaviour and seem to reflect a significant evolutionary development in the roots of altruism, and specifically in other-regarding behaviour, between the divergence of New World monkeys and apes.
The first 50 Myr of dinosaur evolution: macroevolutionary pattern and morphological disparity
Authors: Brusatte Stephen L , Benton Michael J , Ruta Marcello , Lloyd Graeme T
Published: September 2008

The evolutionary radiation of dinosaurs in the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic was a pivotal event in the Earth's history but is poorly understood, as previous studies have focused on vague driving mechanisms and have not untangled different macroevolutionary components (origination, diversity, abundance and disparity). We calculate the morphological disparity (morphospace occupation) of dinosaurs throughout the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic and present new measures of taxonomic diversity. Crurotarsan archosaurs, the primary dinosaur ‘competitors’, were significantly more disparate than dinosaurs throughout the Triassic, but underwent a devastating extinction at the Triassic–Jurassic boundary. However, dinosaur disparity showed only a slight non-significant increase after this event, arguing against the hypothesis of ecological release-driven morphospace expansion in the Early Jurassic. Instead, the main jump in dinosaur disparity occurred between the Carnian and Norian stages of the Triassic. Conversely, dinosaur diversity shows a steady increase over this time, and measures of diversification and faunal abundance indicate that the Early Jurassic was a key episode in dinosaur evolution. Thus, different aspects of the dinosaur radiation (diversity, disparity and abundance) were decoupled, and the overall macroevolutionary pattern of the first 50 Myr of dinosaur evolution is more complex than often considered.
Effect of Reynolds number and flow division on patterns of haemodynamic wall shear stress near branch points in the descending thoracic aorta
Authors: Kazakidi A. , Sherwin S.J. , Weinberg P.D.
Published: September 2008

Atherosclerotic lesions are non-uniformly distributed at arterial bends and branch sites, suggesting an important role for haemodynamic factors, particularly wall shear stress (WSS), in their development. The pattern of lesions at aortic branch sites depends on age and species. Using computational flow simulations in an idealized model of an intercostal artery emerging perpendicularly from the thoracic aorta, we studied the effects of Reynolds number and flow division under steady conditions. Patterns of flow and WSS were strikingly dependent on these haemodynamic parameters. With increasing Reynolds number, WSS, normalized by the fully developed aortic value, was lowered at the sides of the ostium and increased upstream and downstream of it. Increasing flow into the side branch exacerbated these patterns and gave rise to a reversing flow region downstream of the ostium. Incorporation of more realistic geometric features had only minor effects and patterns of mean WSS under pulsatile conditions were similar to the steady flow results. Aspects of the observed WSS patterns correlate with, and may explain, some but not all of the lesion patterns in human, rabbit and mouse aortas.
Incomplete reproductive isolation following host shift in brood parasitic indigobirds
Authors: Balakrishnan Christopher N , Sefc Kristina M , Sorenson Michael D
Published: September 2008

Behavioural and molecular studies suggest that brood parasitic indigobirds (Viduaspp.) rapidly diversified through a process of speciation by host shift. However, behavioural imprinting on host song, the key mechanism promoting speciation in this system, may also lead to hybridization and gene flow among established indigobird species when and if female indigobirds parasitize hosts already associated with other indigobird species. It is therefore not clear to what extent the low level of genetic differentiation among indigobird species is due to recent common ancestry versus ongoing gene flow. We tested for reproductive isolation among three indigobird species in Cameroon, one of which comprises two morphologically indistinguishable host races. Mimicry of host songs corresponded with plumage colour in 184 male indigobirds, suggesting that females rarely parasitize the host of another indigobird species. Paternity analyses, however, suggest that imperfect specificity in host and/or mate choice allows for continuing gene flow between recently formed host races of the Cameroon IndigobirdVidua camerunensis; while 63 pairs of close relatives were associated with the same host, two strongly supported father–son pairs included males mimicking the songs of the two different hosts ofV. camerunensis. Thus, complete reproductive isolation is not necessarily an automatic consequence of host shifts, a result that suggests an important role for natural and/or sexual selection in indigobird speciation.
Size-structured risk assessments govern
Daphnia
migration
Authors: Hansson Lars-Anders , Hylander Samuel
Published: September 2008

One of the more fascinating phenomena in nature is animal mass migrations and in oceans and freshwaters, diel variations in depth distribution of zooplankton are a phenomenon that has intrigued scientists for more than a century. In our study, we show that zooplankton are able to assess the threat level of ultraviolet radiation and adjust their depth distribution to this level at a very fine tuned scale. Moreover, predation risk induces a size-structured depth separation, such that small individuals, which we show are less vulnerable to predation than larger, make a risk assessment and continue feeding in surface waters during day, offering a competitive release from down-migrating larger animals. Hence, we mechanistically show that such simple organisms as invertebrate zooplankton are able to make individual, size-specific decisions regarding how to compromise between threats from both predators and UV radiation, and adjust their diel migratory patterns accordingly.
The Swift satellite lives up to its name, revealing cosmic explosions as they happen
Authors: Starling Rhaana L.C
Published: September 2008

Gamma-ray bursts are the most powerful objects in the Universe. Discovered in the 1960s as brief flashes of gamma radiation, we now know that they emit across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, are located in distant galaxies and comprise two distinct populations, one of which may originate in the deaths of massive stars. The launch of the Swift satellite in 2004 brought a flurry of new discoveries, advancing our understanding of these sources and the galaxies that host them. I highlight a number of important results from the Swift era thus far.
On the origin of gamma-ray bursts
Authors: Ryde Felix
Published: September 2008

Gamma-ray bursts are the most energetic explosions in the Universe, occurring at cosmological distances. The initial phase of the emission from these bursts is predominantly of gamma rays and stems from a highly relativistic outflow. The nature of this emission is still under debate. Here, I present the interpretation that the peak in the photon spectrum can be attributed to the black-body emission of the photosphere of the outflow, having a temperature of approximately 10
9
 K. An additional non-thermal spectral component can be attributed to additional dissipation of the kinetic energy in the outflow. This two-component model can be well fitted to most
instantaneous
spectra. Interestingly, the thermal component exhibits a recurring behaviour over emission pulse structures. Both the temperature and the energy flux vary as broken power laws. During the pre-break phase, the temperature is approximately constant while the energy flux rises. Furthermore, the ratio of the observed thermal flux to the emergent flux increases as a power law over the whole pulse. It is argued that these observations hold the key to our understanding of the prompt emission and the properties of the site from which it emanates.
Magnetic fields in the solar photosphere
Authors: Bushby Paul J
Published: September 2008

Recent high-resolution observations of the surface of the Sun have revealed the fine structure of a vast array of complex photospheric magnetic features. Observations of these magnetic field structures have already greatly enhanced our theoretical understanding of the interactions between magnetic fields and turbulent convection, and future photospheric observations will inevitably present new theoretical challenges. In this review, I discuss recent progress that has been made in the modelling of photospheric magnetic fields. In particular, I focus upon the complex field structures that are observed within the umbrae and the penumbrae of sunspots. On a much smaller scale, I also discuss models of the highly localized magnetic field structures that are observed in less magnetically active regions of the photosphere. As the spatial resolution of telescopes has improved over the last few years, it has now become possible to observe these features in detail, and theoretical models can now describe much of this behaviour. In the last section of this review, I discuss some of the remaining unanswered questions.
Massive stars in their death throes
Authors: Eldridge John J
Published: September 2008

The study of the stars that explode as supernovae used to be a forensic study, working backwards from the remnants of the star. This changed in 1987 when the first progenitor star was identified in pre-explosion images. Currently, there are eight detected progenitors with another 21 non-detections, for which only a limit on the pre-explosion luminosity can be placed. This new avenue of supernova research has led to many interesting conclusions, most importantly that the progenitors of the most common supernovae, type IIP, are red supergiants, as theory has long predicted. However, no progenitors have been detected thus far for the hydrogen-free type Ib/c supernovae, which, given the expected progenitors, is an unlikely result. Also, observations have begun to show evidence that luminous blue variables, which are among the most massive stars, may directly explode as supernovae. These results contradict the current stellar evolution theory. This suggests that we may need to update our understanding.
The black hole symphony: probing new physics using gravitational waves
Authors: Gair Jonathan R
Published: September 2008

The next decade will very likely see the birth of a new field of astronomy as we become able to directly detect gravitational waves (GWs) for the first time. The existence of GWs is one of the key predictions of Einstein's theory of general relativity, but they have eluded direct detection for the last century. This will change thanks to a new generation of laser interferometers that are already in operation or which are planned for the near future. GW observations will allow us to probe some of the most exotic and energetic events in the Universe, the mergers of black holes. We will obtain information about the systems to a precision unprecedented in astronomy, and this will revolutionize our understanding of compact astrophysical systems. Moreover, if any of the assumptions of relativity theory are incorrect, this will lead to subtle, but potentially detectable, differences in the emitted GWs. Our observations will thus provide very precise verifications of the theory in an as yet untested regime. In this paper, I will discuss what GW observations could tell us about known and (potentially) unknown physics.
Creating synthetic universes in a computer
Authors: Baugh Carlton M
Published: September 2008

Cosmologists regularly generate synthetic universes of galaxies using computer simulations. Such catalogues have an essential role to play in the analysis and exploitation of current and forthcoming galaxy surveys. I review the different ways in which synthetic or ‘mock’ catalogues are produced and discuss the different physical processes that the models attempt to follow, explaining why it is important to be as realistic as possible when trying to forge the Universe.
Biochemical Characterization ofArabidopsisComplexes Containing CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1 and SUPPRESSOR OF PHYA Proteins in Light Control of Plant Development
Authors: Zhu Danmeng , Maier Alexander , Lee Jae-Hoon , Laubinger Sascha , Saijo Yusuke , Wang Haiyang , Qu Li-Jia , Hoecker Ute , Deng Xing Wang
Published: September 2008

COP1 (for CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1) and the four partially redundant SPA (for SUPPRESSOR OF PHYA) proteins work in concert to repress photomorphogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana by targeting key transcription factors and phytochrome A for degradation via the 26S proteasome. Here, we report a detailed biochemical characterization of the SPA-COP1 complexes. The four endogenous SPA proteins can form stable complexes with COP1 in vivo regardless of light conditions but exhibit distinct expression profiles in different tissues and light conditions. The SPA proteins can self-associate or interact with each other, forming a heterogeneous group of SPA-COP1 complexes in which the exact SPA protein compositions vary depending on the abundance of individual SPA proteins. The four SPA proteins could be divided into two functional groups depending on their interaction affinities, their regulation of ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL5 degradation, and their opposite effects on COP1 protein accumulation. Loss-of-function mutations in a predominant SPA protein may cause a significant reduction in the overall SPA-COP1 E3 ligase activity, resulting in a partial constitutive photomorphogenic phenotype. This study thus provides an in-depth biochemical view of the SPA-COP1 E3 ligase complexes and offers new insights into the molecular basis for their distinct roles in the light control of plant development.
A taxonomic study on erysipelothrix by DNA‐DNA hybridization experiments with numerous strains isolated from extensive origins
Authors: Takahashi Toshio , Fujisawa Tomohiko , Umeno Annu , Kozasa Takashi , Yamamoto Kinya , Sawada Takuo
Published: September 2008

The purpose of this study was to clarify the taxonomic relationship between all the serovars and species of the genus Erysipelothrix by performing DNA‐DNA hybridization experiments, the customary criterion for separation of bacterial genospecies. A total of 93 strains were isolated from a wide variety of sources, including pigs affected with acute or chronic erysipelas, other diseased animals, healthy animals, fish, retail meats, and environmental materials from throughout the world during the period 1958 to 1996. The present data on phenotypic characterization and DNA relatedness values demonstrate that 24 strains (96%) of E. tonsillarum are avirulent for swine, whereas 39 strains (66%) of genomic E. rhusiopathiae induced generalized or local urticarial lesion in swine after intradermal inoculation. This observation suggests that genomic E. tonsillarum has little etiological significance. Three minor groups contained several strains which exhibited minimal association with each type strain of E. rhusiopathiae and E. tonsillarum. In conclusion, it was confirmed that members of the E. rhusiopathiae and E. tonsillarum groups resemble each other in regard to many phenotypic characteristics, but differ in their ability to produce acid from saccharose and in their pathogenicity for swine. The genus Erysipelothrix certainly contains two main species: E. rhusiopathiae and E. tonsillarum.
Isolation of tetracycline‐resistant clinical Helicobacter pylori without mutations in 16S rRNA gene in Bangladesh
Authors: Khan Rasel , Nahar Shamsun , Mukhopadhyay Asish K. , Berg Douglas E. , Ahmad Mian Mashhud , Okamoto Keinosuke , Nair G. Balakrish , Rahman Motiur
Published: September 2008

The occurrence of 16S rRNA gene mutations associated with resistance to tetracycline in H. pylori isolated in Bangladesh was investigated. Tetracycline susceptibility was determined by the agar dilution method. The 16S rRNA genes of these isolates were sequenced and analyzed. A tetracycline accumulation assay was performed. DNA sequence and transformation tests of nine tetracycline‐resistant (MIC = 2 μg/ml) Bangladeshi H. pylori clinical isolates showed that in no case was the resistance due to mutations in the 16S rRNA gene, the only known cause of tetracycline resistance in this pathogen. Tetracycline accumulation assays implicated altered uptake or efflux.
Diversity of laccase among Cryptococcus neoformans serotypes
Authors: Ito‐Kuwa Shoko , Nakamura Kenjirou , Valderrama Brenda , Aoki Shigeji , Vidotto Valerio , Osafune Tetsuaki
Published: September 2008

The pathogenic yeast C. neoformans is classified into three varieties with five serotypes; var. grubii (serotype A), var. neoformans (serotype D), var. gattii (serotypes B and C), and serotype AD. Melanin is a virulence factor in the species, and its biosynthesis is catalyzed by laccase, encoded by the LAC1 gene. In order to estimate the natural variability of the LAC1 gene among Cryptococcus serotypes, the laccase protein sequence from 55 strains was determined and the phylogenetic relationships between cryptococcal and related fungal laccases revealed. The deduced laccase proteins consisted of 624 amino acid residues in serotypes A, D and AD, and 613 to 615 residues in serotypes B and C. Intra‐serotype amino acid variation was marginal within serotypes A and D, and none was found within serotypes AD and C. Maximum amino acid replacement occurred in two serotype B strains. The similarity in the deduced sequence ranged from 80 to 96% between serotypes. The sequence in the copper‐binding regions was strongly conserved in the five serotypes. The laccases of the five serotypes were grouped together in the same clade of the phylogenetic tree reconstructed from different fungal laccases, suggesting a monophyletic clade.
Decreased interferon‐α production and impaired regulatory function of plasmacytoid dendritic cells induced by the hepatitis C virus NS 5 protein
Authors: Amjad Muhammad , Abdel‐Haq Nahed , Faisal Muhammad , Kamal Mustafa , Moudgal Varsha
Published: September 2008

pDC are known to produce large amount of IFN‐α/β in response to viruses, and act as a major link between the innate and adaptive immune response. This study concentrated on the interaction of human peripheral blood derived pDC with HCV NS3, NS4, and NS5 proteins, and their maturation, cytokine secretion and functional properties. It was shown that HCV NS5 interferes with CD40L induced maturation of pDC as indicated by decreased expression of CD83 and CD86 markers. CpG ODN stimulated HCV NS3 and NS5 treated pDC showed decreased production of IFN‐α. In the case of NS3, IFN‐α production was reduced to 126 pg/ml as compared to 245 pg/ml in controls (P < 0.01), and with NS5, IFN‐α production was reduced to 92 pg/ml as compared to 238 pg/ml in controls (P < 0.05). In the presence of HCV NS5, the T cell stimulatory capacity of pDC was impaired, as indicated by decreased proliferation of T cells, and decreased production by the T cells of IFN‐γ, which were down to 86 pg/ml as compared to 260 pg/ml in controls (P < 0.05). These results suggest that HCV NS5 impairs pDC function and is in agreement with several other in vivo studies indicating decreased numbers of, and dysfunctional pDC, in chronic HCV infected patients.
Predictive value of MMP‐7 expression for response to chemotherapy and survival in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Liu Hui , Zhang Tiantuo , Li Xiaodong , Huang Jing , Wu Benquan , Huang Xubing , Zhou Yuqi , Zhu Jiaxin , Hou Jinghui
Published: September 2008

Fundamental studies have suggested that matrix metalloproteinases‐7 (MMP‐7) expression is associated with chemoresistance and constitutes a prognostic factor in several solid tumors. The present study assessed the prognostic and predictive value of MMP‐7 in tumors of patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with platinum‐based chemotherapy. In total, 159 patients with stage III and IV NSCLC were retrospectively enrolled. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the expression of MMP‐7, apoptosis‐related proteins Bcl‐2, Bax, Fas and FasL and the Ki‐67 proliferation marker. The TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick‐end labeling) method was performed to investigate tumor apoptosis. Ninety carcinomas (56.6%) were identified as high expression of MMP‐7. Overexpression of MMP‐7 was more frequent in adenocarcinomas than in squamous cell carcinomas (P = 0.032). The expression of MMP‐7 was positively related with Ki‐67 index and Bcl‐2, but not apoptosis index. MMP‐7 status was correlated inversely with response to chemotherapy in overall patients (response rates, 20.0% and 35.8%, for patients with high‐MMP‐7 and low‐MMP‐7 tumors, respectively, P = 0.036), especially in adenocarcinoma (P = 0.021), but not in patients with squamous cell carcinomas (P = 0.373). The overall survival was significantly lower in NSCLC patients with high MMP‐7 than in those with low MMP‐7 (P < 0.001). A Cox regression analyses also demonstrated MMP‐7 status to be a significant prognostic factor (hazard ratio, 5.49; P = 0.001). These findings suggest that the expression level of MMP‐7 in tumor cells is predictive of response to chemotherapy and outcome in patients with advanced NSCLC receiving platinum‐based chemotherapy. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 2185–2192)
Nuclear magnetic resonance characterization of metabolite disorder in orange trees caused by citrus sudden death disease
Authors: PRESTES ROSILENE A. , COLNAGO LUIZ A. , FORATO LUCIMARA A. , CARRILHO EMANUEL , BASSANEZI RENATO B. , WULFF NELSON A.
Published: September 2008

Citrus sudden death (CSD) is a new disease of sweet orange and mandarin trees grafted on Rangpur lime and Citrus volkameriana rootstocks. It was first seen in Brazil in 1999, and has since been detected in more than four million trees. The CSD causal agent is unknown and the current hypothesis involves a virus similar to Citrus tristeza virus or a new virus named Citrus sudden death‐associated virus. CSD symptoms include generalized foliar discoloration, defoliation and root death, and, in most cases, it can cause tree death. One of the unique characteristics of CSD disease is the presence of a yellow stain in the rootstock bark near the bud union. This region also undergoes profound anatomical changes. In this study, we analyse the metabolic disorder caused by CSD in the bark of sweet orange grafted on Rangpur lime by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and imaging. The imaging results show the presence of a large amount of non‐functional phloem in the rootstock bark of affected plants. The spectroscopic analysis shows a high content of triacylglyceride and sucrose, which may be related to phloem blockage close to the bud union. We also propose that, without knowing the causal CSD agent, the determination of oil content in rootstock bark by low‐resolution NMR can be used as a complementary method for CSD diagnosis, screening about 300 samples per hour.
Accuracy of detecting changes in auditory heart rate in a simulated operating room environment*
Authors: Chou E. , Lim J. , Brant R. , Ford S. , Ansermino J. M.
Published: September 2008

The threshold for the identification of changes in heart rate and the accuracy in estimating heart rate were compared between 20 anaesthetists and 20 non‐anaesthetists in a simulated operating theatre, both with and without distraction tasks. Typical operating theatre distractions were simulated by requiring anaesthetists and non‐anaesthetists to perform secondary tasks. There were no differences found between the groups in identification of heart rate changes. The distraction tasks reduced performance in both groups (to a greater extent in the anaesthetists group). A change of > 10 beats per minute was required for 80% of the changes to be detected. An upward heart rate change was more easily detected than a reduction. Anaesthetists were found to be marginally better at estimating the heart rate change from an auditory tone alone. However, the study did not confirm that anaesthetists have a superior ability to detect changes in heart rate than non‐anaesthetists.