bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of glutamine on locomotor performance and skeletal muscle myosins following spinal cord injury in rats
Authors: Golding Jamie D. , MacDonald Sarah T. Rigley , Juurlink Bernhard H. J. , Rosser Benjamin W. C.
Published: June 2006

Following initial spinal cord injury (SCI), a cascade of pathological events, including oxidative stress, leads to secondary injury. Glutathione (GSH) plays a critical role in oxidant scavenging. Maintenance of GSH concentrations after SCI lessens secondary injury and improves recovery. Since glutamine promotes GSH synthesis, this nonessential amino acid was examined for therapeutic potential. Denervation alters the expression of myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms within skeletal muscles. The hypotheses of this study were that glutamine administration to SCI rats would lead to improved functional recovery and more preserved MHC phenotypes in representative locomotor muscles. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: healthy, sham with laminectomy, laminectomized SCI untreated, and laminectomized SCI treated with glutamine. Functional performance was measured weekly for 6 wk using Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scale and angle board methods. MHC composition of rat soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles was determined using SDS-PAGE. Glutamine-treated rats had significantly higher angle board scores ( P < 0.001) and Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scores ( P < 0.01) than untreated SCI rats. Soleus of healthy rats contained 94% type 1 myosin isoform. Treated rats maintained 68%, which was significantly ( P < 0.001) greater than 28% in untreated rats. The extensor digitorum longus of healthy rats contained 55% type 2b myosin. There was a significant ( P < 0.001) decrease in this isoform following SCI, but no significant difference between treated and untreated groups. There were strong correlations between higher functional scores and more preserved MHC phenotypes. Our findings suggest glutamine improves functional recovery and helps preserve myosin profile by reducing secondary SCI, thereby maintaining more nerves.
Three-locus and four-locus QTL interactions influence mouse insulin-like growth factor-I
Authors: Hanlon Philip , Lorenz William Andrew , Shao Zhihong , Harper James M. , Galecki Andrzej T. , Miller Richard A. , Burke David T.
Published: June 2006

A previous analysis of serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels in a mouse population ( n = 961) derived from a cross of (BALB/cJ × C57BL/6J) F1females and (C3H/HeJ × DBA/2J) F1males documented quantitative trait loci (QTL) on chromosomes 1, 10, and 17. We employed a newly developed, random walk-based method to search for three- and four-way allelic combinations that might influence IGF-I levels through nonadditive (conditional or epistatic) interactions among 185 genotyped biallelic loci and with significance defined by experiment-wide permutation ( P < 0.05). We documented a three-locus combination in which an epistatic interaction between QTL on paternal-derived chromosomes 5 and 18 had an opposite effect on the phenotype based on the allele inherited at a third locus on maternal-derived chromosome 17. The search also revealed three four-locus combinations that influence IGF-I levels through nonadditive genetic interactions. In two cases, the four-allele combinations were associated with animals having high levels of IGF-I, and, in the third case, a four-allele combination was associated with animals having low IGF-I levels. The multiple-locus genome scan algorithm revealed new IGF-I QTL on chromosomes 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 12 that had not been detected in the single-locus genome search and showed that levels of this hormone can be regulated by complex, nonadditive interactions among multiple loci. The analysis method can detect multilocus interactions in a genome scan experiment and may provide new ways to explore the genetic architecture of complex physiological phenotypes.
Assessment of Culprit Plaque Temperature by Intracoronary Thermography Appears Inconclusive in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes
Authors: Rzeszutko Łukasz , Legutko Jacek , Kałuża Grzegorz L. , Wizimirski Marcin , Richter Angela , Chyrchel Michał , Heba Grzegorz , Dubiel Jacek S. , Dudek Dariusz
Published: June 2006

Objective—

Safety and feasibility evaluation of intracoronary temperature measurements in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) using a catheter based thermography system.

Methods and Results—

Thermography was performed in 40 patients with ACS. A 3.5-F thermography catheter containing 5 thermocouples measuring vessel wall temperature, and 1 thermocouple measuring blood temperature (accuracy 0.05°C) was used. Gradient (ΔTmax) between blood temperature (T
bl
) and the maximum wall temperature during pullback was measured. The device showed satisfactory safety in ACS. Only in 16 patients (40%) ΔTmax was ≥0.1°C. In 23 patients (57.5%) the highest ΔTmax was found in the culprit segment. ΔTmax between culprit and adjacent non-culprit segments was observed in patients with transient blood flow interruption during thermography (0.11±0.03 versus 0.08±0.01;
P
=0.04), in contrast to patients with preserved flow (0.07±0.03 versus 0.06±0.02;
P
=0.058).

Conclusions—

The novel, technically sophisticated intracoronary thermography proved its safety and feasibility. However, we were not able to convincingly and consistently differentiate between different lesions at risk, despite a selection of lesions that should appear most distinct to differentiate. A systematic interruption of flow may be necessary to achieve diagnostic results consistently, although such requirement may unfavorably change the risk-to-benefit ratio of this developing technology.
Reduced Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Paralleled With the Increased Angiostatin Expression Resulting From the Upregulated Activities of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and -9 in Human Type 2 Diabetic Arterial Vasculature
Authors: Chung Ada W.Y. , Hsiang York N. , Matzke Lise A. , McManus Bruce M. , van Breemen Cornelis , Okon Elena B.
Published: June 2006

Impaired angiogenesis could contribute to the increased incidence of coronary and peripheral artery disease in diabetic patients. Angiogenesis is initiated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent angiogenic cytokine, and suppressed by angiostatin, which is generated by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 through proteolytic cleavage of plasminogen. We hypothesized that MMP-2 and -9 were upregulated in the diabetic vasculature, resulting in increased angiostatin production and reduced blood vessel formation. In diabetic internal mammary artery samples (n=32) collected from patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, capillary density was only 30% of that in the nondiabetic vessels (n=32), whereas VEGF expression was reduced by 48%. Diabetes upregulated the expression and the gelatinolytic activity of MMP-2 and -9. Active MMP-2 and -9 were released from diabetic arteries, but not from nondiabetic vessels, during phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction. Diabetes enhanced transcription and protein expression of tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)-1 but had an opposite effect on TIMP-2. In diabetic vessels angiostatin was increased by 62% and was positively correlated with the activities of MMP-2 and -9 (
r
2
=0.806 and 0.742, respectively). This report indicated a strong correlation between the upregulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and the increased angiostatin expression in the human diabetic arterial vasculature. The enhanced angiostatin production with a reduced VEGF formation may explain the pathogenesis of impaired angiogenesis in diabetes mellitus.
Elevated Cytosolic Na
+
Decreases Mitochondrial Ca
2+
Uptake During Excitation-Contraction Coupling and Impairs Energetic Adaptation in Cardiac Myocytes
Authors: Maack Christoph , Cortassa Sonia , Aon Miguel A. , Ganesan Anand N. , Liu Ting , O’Rourke Brian
Published: June 2006

Mitochondrial Ca
2+
([Ca
2+
]
m
) regulates oxidative phosphorylation and thus contributes to energy supply and demand matching in cardiac myocytes. Mitochondria take up Ca
2+
via the Ca
2+
uniporter (MCU) and extrude it through the mitochondrial Na
+
/Ca
2+
exchanger (mNCE). It is controversial whether mitochondria take up Ca
2+
rapidly, on a beat-to-beat basis, or slowly, by temporally integrating cytosolic Ca
2+
([Ca
2+
]
c
) transients. Furthermore, although mitochondrial Ca
2+
efflux is governed by mNCE, it is unknown whether elevated intracellular Na
+
([Na
+
]
i
) affects mitochondrial Ca
2+
uptake and bioenergetics. To monitor [Ca
2+
]
m
, mitochondria of guinea pig cardiac myocytes were loaded with rhod-2–acetoxymethyl ester (rhod-2 AM), and [Ca
2+
]
c
was monitored with indo-1 after dialyzing rhod-2 out of the cytoplasm. [Ca
2+
]
c
transients, elicited by voltage-clamp depolarizations, were accompanied by fast [Ca
2+
]
m
transients, whose amplitude (Δ) correlated linearly with Δ[Ca
2+
]
c
. Under β-adrenergic stimulation, [Ca
2+
]
m
decay was ≈2.5-fold slower than that of [Ca
2+
]
c
, leading to diastolic accumulation of [Ca
2+
]
m
when amplitude or frequency of Δ[Ca
2+
]
c
increased. The MCU blocker Ru360 reduced Δ[Ca
2+
]
m
and increased Δ[Ca
2+
]
c
, whereas the mNCE inhibitor CGP-37157 potentiated diastolic [Ca
2+
]
m
accumulation. Elevating [Na
+
]
i
from 5 to 15 mmol/L accelerated mitochondrial Ca
2+
decay, thus decreasing systolic and diastolic [Ca
2+
]
m
. In response to gradual or abrupt changes of workload, reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NADH) levels were maintained at 5 mmol/L [Na
+
]
i
, but at 15 mmol/L, the NADH pool was partially oxidized. The results indicate that (1) mitochondria take up Ca
2+
rapidly and contribute to fast buffering during a [Ca
2+
]
c
transient; and (2) elevated [Na
+
]
i
impairs mitochondrial Ca
2+
uptake, with consequent effects on energy supply and demand matching. The latter effect may have implications for cardiac diseases with elevated [Na
+
]
i
.
Characterization of a humanized IgG4 anti-HLA-DR monoclonal antibody that lacks effector cell functions but retains direct antilymphoma activity and increases the potency of rituximab
Authors: Stein Rhona , Qu Zhengxing , Chen Susan , Solis David , Hansen Hans J. , Goldenberg David M.
Published: June 2006

HLA-DR is under investigation as a target for monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy of malignancies. Here we describe a humanized IgG4 form of the anti-HLA-DR mAb L243, hL243γ4P (IMMU-114), generated to provide an agent with selectivity toward neoplastic cells that can kill without complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) or antibody-dependent cellular-cytotoxicity (ADCC), so as to reduce reliance on intact immunologic systems in the patient and effector mechanism-related toxicity. In vitro studies show that replacing the Fc region of hL243γ1, a humanized IgG1 anti-HLA-DR mAb, with the IgG4 isotype abrogates the effector cell functions of the antibody (ADCC and CDC) while retaining its antigen-binding properties, antiproliferative capacity (in vitro and in vivo), and the ability to induce apoptosis concurrent with activation of the AKT survival pathway. Growth inhibition was evaluated compared with and in combination with the anti-CD20 mAb rituximab, with the combination being more effective than rituximab alone in inhibiting proliferation. Thus, hL243γ4P is indistinguishable from hL243γ1 and the parental murine mAb in assays dependent on antigen recognition. The abrogation of ADCC and CDC, which are believed to play a major role in side effects of mAb therapy, may make this antibody an attractive clinical agent. In addition, combination of hL243γ4P with rituximab offers the prospect for improved patient outcome.
An annotated cDNA library of juvenile Euprymna scolopes with and without colonization by the symbiont Vibrio fischeri
Authors: Chun Carlene K , Scheetz Todd E , Bonaldo Maria de Fatima , Brown Bartley , Clemens Anik , Crookes-Goodson Wendy J , Crouch Keith , DeMartini Tad , Eyestone Mari , Goodson Michael S , Janssens Bernadette , Kimbell Jennifer L , Koropatnick Tanya A , Kucaba Tamara , Smith Christina , Stewart Jennifer J , Tong Deyan , Troll Joshua V , Webster Sarahrose , Winhall-Rice Jane , Yap Cory , Casavant Thomas L , McFall-Ngai Margaret J , Soares M Bento
Published: June 2006

Background

Biologists are becoming increasingly aware that the interaction of animals, including humans, with their coevolved bacterial partners is essential for health. This growing awareness has been a driving force for the development of models for the study of beneficial animal-bacterial interactions. In the squid-vibrio model, symbiotic Vibrio fischeri induce dramatic developmental changes in the light organ of host Euprymna scolopes over the first hours to days of their partnership. We report here the creation of a juvenile light-organ specific EST database.

Results

We generated eleven cDNA libraries from the light organ of E. scolopes at developmentally significant time points with and without colonization by V. fischeri. Single pass 3' sequencing efforts generated 42,564 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) of which 35,421 passed our quality criteria and were then clustered via the UIcluster program into 13,962 nonredundant sequences. The cDNA clones representing these nonredundant sequences were sequenced from the 5' end of the vector and 58% of these resulting sequences overlapped significantly with the associated 3' sequence to generate 8,067 contigs with an average sequence length of 1,065 bp. All sequences were annotated with BLASTX (E-value < -03) and Gene Ontology (GO).

Conclusion

Both the number of ESTs generated from each library and GO categorizations are reflective of the activity state of the light organ during these early stages of symbiosis. Future analyses of the sequences identified in these libraries promise to provide valuable information not only about pathways involved in colonization and early development of the squid light organ, but also about pathways conserved in response to bacterial colonization across the animal kingdom.
Classification of human breathing sounds by the common vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus
Authors: Gröger Udo , Wiegrebe Lutz
Published: June 2006

Background

The common vampire bat Desmodus rotundus is one of three bat species that feed exclusively on the blood of mammals often more than 1000 times its size. Vampire bats even feed on human blood. Moreover, they tend to feed on the same individual over consecutive nights.

Results

Using psychoacoustical methods, we show that vampire bats can recognize individual humans by their breathing sounds. Accompanying psychoacoustical experiments using the same stimuli and procedure but with human listeners show that even these trained and instructed listeners were unable to achieve the vampire bats' performance under the most difficult conditions, where the breathing sounds had been recorded under physical strain.

Conclusion

It is suggested that vampire bats can make use of an individual acoustic signature imposed on breathing sounds in a way similar to that in which we identify humans by their vocalizations.
Prospective Multi-Institutional Study of Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction for Molecular Staging of Melanoma
Authors: Scoggins Charles R. , Ross Merrick I. , Reintgen Douglas S. , Noyes R. Dirk , Goydos James S. , Beitsch Peter D. , Urist Marshall M. , Ariyan Stephan , Davidson B. Scott , Sussman Jeffrey J. , Edwards Michael J. , Martin Robert C.G. , Lewis Angela M. , Stromberg Arnold J. , Conrad Andrew J. , Hagendoorn Lee , Albrecht Jeffrey , McMasters Kelly M.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

To evaluate the prognostic significance of molecular staging using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in detecting occult melanoma cells in sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) and circulating bloodstream.

Patients and Methods

In this multicenter study, eligibility criteria included patient age 18 to 71 years, invasive melanoma ≥ 1.0 mm Breslow thickness, and no clinical evidence of metastasis. SLN biopsy and wide excision of the primary tumor were performed. SLNs were examined by serial-section histopathology and S-100 immunohistochemistry. A portion of each SLN was frozen for RT-PCR. In addition, RT-PCR was performed on peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). RT-PCR analysis was performed using four markers: tyrosinase, MART1, MAGE3, and GP-100. Disease-free survival (DFS), distant–DFS (DDFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed.

Results

A total of 1,446 patients with histologically negative SLNs underwent RT-PCR analysis. At a median follow-up of 30 months, there was no difference in DFS, DDFS, or OS between the RT-PCR–positive (n = 620) and RT-PCR–negative (n = 826) patients. Analysis of PBMC from 820 patients revealed significant differences in DFS and DDFS, but not OS, for patients with detection of more than one RT-PCR marker in peripheral blood.

Conclusion

In this large, prospective, multi-institutional study, RT-PCR analysis on SLNs and PBMCs provides no additional prognostic information beyond standard histopathologic analysis of SLNs. Detection of more than one marker in PBMC is associated with a worse prognosis. RT-PCR remains investigational and should not be used to direct adjuvant therapy at this time.
Prospective Changes in Quality of Life After Ductal Carcinoma-in-Situ: Results From the Nurses' Health Study
Authors: Nekhlyudov Larissa , Kroenke Candyce H. , Jung Inkyung , Holmes Michelle D. , Colditz Graham A.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The incidence of ductal carcinoma-in-situ (DCIS) of the breast has been increasing. However, uncertainties exist about its prognosis, optimal treatment, and effect on women's health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL). Our study assessed the prospective changes in HRQoL in women diagnosed with DCIS.

Patients and Methods

Between 1992 and 2000, HRQoL was assessed at three 4-year intervals among women enrolled in two Nurses' Health Study cohorts using the Medical Outcomes Survey Short-Form 36 health survey. Using mixed effects and logistic regression modeling, we compared the prospective changes in HRQoL scores among women with and without DCIS.

Results

The study included 114,728 women; 510 were diagnosed with DCIS during the study period. During 4 years, women with DCIS had small, but statistically significantly greater declines in the domains of role limitations due to physical problems (−6.74; SE, 1.69), vitality (−2.06; SE, 0.78), and social functioning (−2.40; SE, 0.93) than women without DCIS. Among those with DCIS, clinically significant declines were more often observed within 6 months of the diagnosis in the domains of social functioning (odds ratio, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.03 to 3.07) and mental health (odds ratio, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.09 to 3.79) than after 6 months after diagnosis.

Conclusion

Women with DCIS experienced small long-term declines in HRQoL, although these declines did not seem to be clinically important. Short-term clinically significant declines in the psychosocial domains were noted. In counseling women with DCIS, clinicians should provide reassurance but prepare them to deal with the short-term sequelae.
Urocortin Induces Interleukin-6 Gene Expression via Cyclooxygenase-2 Activity in Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Kageyama Kazunori , Hanada Komaki , Nigawara Takeshi , Moriyama Takako , Terui Ken , Sakihara Satoru , Suda Toshihiro
Published: June 2006

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) plays a central role in controlling stress-related activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Four CRF-related peptides have been found in mammals: CRF and urocortins (Ucns) 1–3. Ucns bound to CRF2β receptors have a physiological role in the cardiovascular system. We previously found that both Ucn1 and -2 induced accumulation of intracellular cAMP via CRF2β receptor binding and significantly increased IL-6 secretion by A7r5 aortic smooth muscle cells. In the present study, we investigated Ucn effects on IL-6 gene expression and IL-6 synthesis in A7r5 aortic smooth muscle cells. Ucn1 and -2 stimulated IL-6 gene transcription and IL-6 secretion via CRF2 receptors. Indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, suppressed IL-6 gene transcription and IL-6 secretion by Ucn1 or -2. NS-398, a COX-2 inhibitor, suppressed IL-6 induction to the same extent as indomethacin. These results suggest that the COX-2 pathway is involved downstream in regulation of Ucn-increased IL-6 gene expression and IL-6 secretion. In addition, COX-2 expression levels were increased at 6 h with the combination of Ucn1 and IL-1, compared with single peptide activation. Ucn1 showed a potent stimulatory effect on IL-6 output, whereas IL-1 alone had no significant effects. However, when Ucn1 was simultaneously used with IL-1, it markedly potentiated the increments in IL-6 output and promoter activity produced by Ucn1. Taken together, these findings indicate that the COX-2 pathway plays a major role in increasing IL-6 levels stimulated by Ucn and IL-1 in A7r5 cells.
Glucocorticoid Receptor and Nuclear Factor-κB Interactions in Restraint Stress-Mediated Protection against Acoustic Trauma
Authors: Tahera Yeasmin , Meltser Inna , Johansson Peter , Hansson Anita C. , Canlon Barbara
Published: June 2006

The role of glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) in the protective effect of restraint stress (RS) before acoustic trauma was studied in spiral ganglion neurons of CBA mice. RS increased corticosterone and protected against elevated auditory brain stem thresholds caused by acoustic trauma. This protection was inhibited by the pretreatment with a corticosterone synthesis inhibitor, metyrapone (MET), and a GR antagonist (RU486). RS followed by acoustic trauma caused an immediate increase in corticosterone that triggered nuclear translocation of GR, without a change in the expression of GR protein. RU486 + MET before RS and acoustic trauma caused an immediate increase in GR mRNA followed by increased GR protein expression (24 h after trauma). GR signaling was further characterized by analyzing nuclear factor-κB (NFκB) nuclear translocation and protein expression. NFκB nuclear translocation was reduced after acoustic trauma or pretreatment with RU486 + MET before RS and acoustic trauma. On the contrary, RS protected against the trauma-induced NFκB reduction of its nuclear translocation in inhibitory-κB (IκB)-dependent manner. RU486 + MET caused a simultaneous decreased IκB expression and NFκB nuclear translocation, demonstrating an interference with the IκB-mediated activation of NFκB. In summary, RS protects the cochlea from acoustic trauma by increasing corticosterone and activating GRs. These results emphasis how GR activity modulates hearing sensitivity and its importance for the rationale use of glucocorticoids in inner ear diseases.
A Review of Peter Isard's Globalization and the International Financial System: What's Wrong and What Can Be Done?
Authors: Eichengreen Barry
Published: June 2006

Peter Isard's recent book (Globalization and the International Financial System: What's Wrong and What Can be Done?, Cambridge University Press, 2005) provides a thoughtful and balanced review of the scholarly literature on the past operation and potential reform of the international monetary and financial system. The author's approach, from which much can be learned, is to draw lessons from the history of exchange rates and capital flows and, especially, from the financial crises of the 1990s. But this retrospective focus is also revealing of what is new and different about our current international monetary and financial environment and in the ongoing debate surrounding the future of its steward, the International Monetary Fund.
Effect of Testosterone Administration on Serum and Urine Kallikrein Concentrations in Female-to-Male Transsexuals
Authors: Slagter Margrita H , Scorilas Andreas , Gooren Louis JG , de Ronde Willem , Soosaipillai Antoninus , Giltay Erik J , Paliouras Miltiadis , Diamandis Eleftherios P
Published: June 2006

Background: Concentrations of human tissue kallikreins (hKs), a group of 15 secreted serine proteases found in many tissues, are modulated by steroid hormones in cancer cell lines. To gain insight into in vivo kallikrein regulation we measured kallikrein concentrations in serum and urinary tissue in female-to-male transsexuals before and after testosterone administration.

Methods: We collected blood and urine samples before treatment and after 4 and 12 months from 28 female-to-male transsexuals who received 250 mg of testosterone esters intramuscularly every 2 weeks. We used ELISA assays to measure multiple kallikreins in serum and urine.

Results: After testosterone administration, serum testosterone concentrations increased by ∼15-fold. Serum kallikrein concentrations increased dramatically for hK3 (prostate-specific antigen) and increased moderately for hK2, hK5, hK6, hK7, hK8, hK10, and hK11. In urine, we noted major increases for hK3 and hK2 only. For all other kallikrein concentrations, we observed no considerable changes.

Conclusions: We conclude that, in serum and urine of female-to-male transsexuals after testosterone administration, hK3 (prostate-specific antigen) and to a lesser extent hK2 concentrations increase dramatically, but concentration of other kallikreins increase either moderately in serum (hK5, hK6, hK7, hK8, hK10, and hK11) or not at all in either serum (hK4, hK13, hK14) or urine (hK4, hK5, hK6, hK7, hK8, hK10, hK11, hK13, hK14).
Autoantibody profiling of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease using a new multiplexed immunoassay method
Authors: Tozzoli Renato , Villalta Danilo , Kodermaz Graziano , Bagnasco Marcello , Tonutti Elio , Bizzaro Nicola
Published: June 2006

Clin Chem Lab Med 2006;44:837–42.
The 17‐Propionate Function of (Bacterio)chlorophylls: Biological Implication of Their Long Esterifying Chains in Photosynthetic Systems†
Authors: Tamiaki Hitoshi , Shibata Reiko , Mizoguchi Tadashi
Published: June 2006

Molecular structures of (bacterio)chlorophylls [=(B)Chls] in photosynthetic apparatus are surveyed, and a diversity of the ester groups of the 17‐propionate substituent is particularly focused on in this review. In oxygenic photosynthetic species including green plants and algae, the ester of Chl molecules is limited to a phytyl group. Geranylgeranyl and farnesyl groups in addition to phytyl are observed in (B)Chl molecules inside photosynthetic proteins of anoxygenic bacteria. In main light‐harvesting antennas of green bacteria (chlorosomes), a greater variety of ester groups including long straight chains are used in the composite BChl molecules. This diversity is ascribable to the fact that chlorosomal BChls self‐aggregate to form a core part of chlorosomes without any specific interaction of oligopeptides. Biological significance of the long chains is discussed in photosynthetic apparatus, especially in chlorosomes.
The Evolution of World Grain Trade
Authors: Mercier Stephanie
Published: June 2006

Over the course of history, world grain trade has developed from the stage where grain was only shipped as incidental cargo to its status today, an industry in which thousands of tons of grain move daily. As a share of total consumption, traded grain has risen from less than 0.03% in the eighteenth century to more than 10% today. This explosion in trade volume has relied on communication and measurement technology, which has made information about grain available to buyers and sellers. As we enter the twenty‐first century, the information component of demand for grain will continue to expand, thereby threatening to overwhelm the current infrastructure.
The Oklahoma City Stockyards: Planning for the Future
Authors: Lyford Conrad , Hall George
Published: June 2006

The Oklahoma City stockyards are the largest stocker‐feeder public market in the world. Trends in how cattle are marketed indicate long‐term declining prospects. This case presents a history and strategic prospects for the Stockyards. It also illustrates the changing nature of cattle marketing, competition, and vertical coordination. An opportunity to apply strategic decision making is provided.
Doing Good by Choosing Well: Priorities for Agricultural Economics
Authors: Ahearn Mary C. , Bahn Henry M. , Barry Peter J. , Cordes Sam M. , Hewitt Tracy Irwin , Norton George W. , Smith Katherine R. , Thurow Amy Purvis
Published: June 2006

Public decision makers, administrators, and supporters of agricultural economics research, teaching, and outreach activities have communicated a need for a more coherent expression of priorities. In addition, they have recognized that priorities should be focused on addressing and solving problems of importance to the public good. The agricultural economics profession has responded to this call for a well‐defined set of priorities. A systematic set of priority‐setting activities has included soliciting the views of stakeholders (i.e., users and potential users of the goods and services provided by agricultural economists) and of agricultural economists about priorities for the profession. The Council on Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics (C‐FARE) led a process to integrate this information into a set of professional priorities. This paper describes the key considerations in establishing priorities, describes the C‐FARE process, and reports the results of the priority‐setting process for agricultural economics.
The Proposition of Fresh Prepared Foods: Retail Practices and Systemwide Implications
Authors: Park John L.
Published: June 2006

Recent years have been witness to changes in food consumption trends. Time‐hungry consumers are shifting food preparation activities from the home to food‐service providers. Meanwhile, supermarket operators face an intensely competitive business environment. In this report, I discuss the retail and consumer trends that have resulted in an increased demand for fresh prepared food. These trends have resulted in an increasing number of supermarket companies offering prepared items in their retail stores. Furthermore, through a survey of senior‐level executives in the supermarket industry, the way that supermarket operators implement their fresh prepared food strategies is examined. Results show that supermarket operators find fresh prepared food an attractive response to competition from restaurants and mass merchandisers. In addition, they increasingly source prepared food items from outside the retail store. Implications for the manufacturing, retail, and consumer sectors of the food industry are drawn.
Lanzones: An Agribusiness Marketing Simulation
Authors: Salvacruz Joseph C. , Bobst Barry W.
Published: June 2006

“Lanzones” is a dynamic simulation of marketing by a fruit grower in a Southeast Asian country. It requires agribusiness management students or trainees to undertake a series of profit‐seeking marketing decisions. The lanzones farmer must determine the appropriate marketing strategy for his crop, considering the interplay between environmental and competitive variables in the marketing environment. The game allows participants to apply their knowledge and skills in forecasting, demand analysis, statistical analysis, market assessment, marketing strategy formulation, pricing, distribution, and financial accounting.
Degradation and beyond: Control of androgen receptor activity by the proteasome system
Authors: Jaworski Tomasz
Published: June 2006

The androgen receptor (AR) is a transcription factor belonging to the family of nuclear receptors which mediates the action of androgens in the development of urogenital structures. AR expression is regulated post-translationally by the ubiquitin/proteasome system. This regulation involves more complex mechanisms than typical degradation. The ubiquitin/proteasome system may regulate AR via mechanisms that do not engage in receptor turnover. Given the critical role of AR in sexual development, this complex regulation is especially important. Deregulation of AR signalling may be a causal factor in prostate cancer development. AR is the main target in prostate cancer therapies. Due to the critical role of the ubiquitin/proteasome system in AR regulation, current research suggests that targeting AR degradation is a promising approach.
A vibration technique for promoting liquid mixing and reaction in a microchannel
Authors: Ito Yasumasa , Komori Satoru
Published: June 2006

A vibration technique for promoting fluid mixing and chemical reaction in a microchannel was proposed, and the effects of the mechanical vibration on mixing and reaction were experimentally examined. The fluids before flowing into a microchannel were oscillated by a small vibrating motor through two tubes connected to the channel. Instantaneous velocity and concentration were measured using micro PIV and LIF techniques, respectively. The results show that fluid mixing and chemical reaction is remarkably promoted by the proposed vibration technique. The mixing rate is well correlated with the maximum rms value of normalized fluid velocity fluctuation in a microchannel. When the basic frequency of the mechanical vibration is low, the fluid motion hardly changes and the mixing and reaction is little enhanced. However, with increasing the frequency, almost complete mixing and reaction can be accomplished at the high frequency more than 90Hz by the proposed technique. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
On adaptive optimal input design: A bioreactor case study
Authors: Stigter J. D. , Vries D. , Keesman K. J.
Published: June 2006

The problem of optimal input design (OID) for a fed‐batch bioreactor case study is solved recursively. Here an adaptive receding horizon optimal control problem, involving the so‐called E‐criterion, is solved “on‐line,” using the current estimate of the parameter vector θ at each sample instant {tk, k = 0, …, N − h}, where N marks the end of the experiment and h is the control horizon for which the input design problem is solved. The optimal feed rate F(tk) thus obtained is applied and the observation y(tk+1) that becomes available is subsequently used in a recursive prediction error algorithm to find an improved estimate of the actual parameter estimate θˆ(tk). The case study involves an identification experiment with a Rapid Oxygen Demand TOXicity device (RODTOX) for estimation of the biokinetic parameters μmax and KS in a Monod type of growth model. It is assumed that the dissolved oxygen probe is the only instrument available, which is an important limitation. Satisfactory results are presented and compared to a “naïve” input design in which the system is driven by an independent binary random sequence. This comparison shows that the OID approach yields improved confidence intervals on the parameter estimates. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
Double stapled transabdominal anastomosis for one-stage resection of acute sigmoid volvulus
Authors: Farouk R , Rogers M , Lee P W R
Published: June 2006

A double stapling technique is described for the restoration of colonic continuity in patients undergoing sigmoid colectomy for volvulus.
Outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: Mjåland O , Reder J , Aasboe V , Trondsen E , Buanes T
Published: June 2006

Introduction

The results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed as an outpatient procedure were evaluated in a prospective study.

Methods

Initially, only well motivated and healthy patients were offered outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy. After 50 procedures, all patients referred to the hospital, except those with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade IV and those living alone, were included. Some 200 procedures were studied.

Results

Twelve patients (6 per cent) were admitted, and 188 (94 per cent) were discharged 4–8 h after operation. Fifteen patients (8 per cent) who had early discharge were readmitted, nine with complications; in six no complications were documented. The frequency of minor complications was 2 per cent and of major complications 5 per cent. Some 173 patients who had successful outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy completed a questionnaire: 164 (95 per cent) characterized their experience as excellent, five (3 per cent) as good, two (1 per cent) as intermediate and two (1 per cent) as unacceptable.

Discussion

This high achievement of day-case treatment, even in patients with ASA grade 111, is explained by a new anaesthetic regimen together with good surgical technique and close follow-up.
Thromboembolism prophylaxis during laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: Bradbury A W , Chan Y-C , Darzi A , Stansby G
Published: June 2006

Background

The aim of this study was to determine current UK practice with regard to thromboembolism prophylaxis during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods

Postal questionnaires were sent to 800 members of the Association of Surgeons; replies were received from 551 surgeons (69 per cent) of whom 417 practised laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Results

Heparin was prescribed to all patients by 74 per cent, and selectively by 20 per cent, of respondents. Surgeons who performed fewer than ten laparoscopic cholecystectomies per annum were significantly less likely to use heparin (P < 0·001) and more likely to believe that heparin produces significant adverse bleeding (P < 0·01). Thirty per cent of respondents used low molecular weight heparin. Stockings to deter thromboembolism were used by 74 per cent, and pneumatic compression by 37 per cent. Indications for heparin varied considerably and were not influenced by Thromboembolic Risk Factors (THRIFT) guidelines. Only 20 per cent of respondents considered that thromboembolism was a problem; 91 per cent reported that they had never experienced a thromboembolic complication following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Conclusion

The rate of thromboembolism after laparoscopic cholecystectomy is unknown but most surgeons believe the risk is very low. Surgeons' attitudes towards thromboembolism prophylaxis are variable, but most experienced surgeons use low-dose heparin.
Sequential arterial and portal vein embolizations before right hepatectomy in patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Ogata S , Belghiti J , Farges O , Varma D , Sibert A , Vilgrain V
Published: June 2006

Background

Selective transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and portal vein embolization (PVE) could improve the rate of hypertrophy of the future liver remnant (FLR) in patients with chronic liver disease. This study evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of this combined procedure.

Methods

Between November 1998 and October 2004, 36 patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma underwent right hepatectomy after PVE. Additional TACE preceded PVE by 3–4 weeks in 18 patients (TACE + PVE group) and the remaining 18 patients had PVE alone (PVE group).

Results

PVE was well tolerated in all patients. The mean increase in percentage FLR volume was significantly higher in the TACE + PVE group than in the PVE group (mean(s.d.) 12(5) versus 8(4) per cent; P = 0·022). The rate of hypertrophy was more than 10 per cent in 12 patients in the TACE + PVE group and in five who had PVE alone (P = 0·044). Duration of surgery, blood loss, incidence of liver failure and mortality (two patients in each group) were similar in the two groups. None of the 17 patients with an increase in FLR volume of more than 10 per cent died, whereas there were four deaths among 19 patients with a smaller increase. The incidence of complete tumour necrosis was significantly higher in the TACE + PVE group (15 of 18 versus one of 18; P < 0·001), with a higher 5-year disease-free survival rate (37 versus 19 per cent; P = 0·041).

Conclusion

Sequential TACE and PVE before operation increases the rate of hypertrophy of the FLR and leads to a high rate of complete tumour necrosis associated with longer recurrence-free survival.
Social deprivation and outcomes in colorectal cancer
Authors: Smith J J , Tilney H S , Heriot A G , Darzi A W , Forbes H , Thompson M R , Stamatakis J D , Tekkis P P
Published: June 2006

Background

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of social deprivation on postoperative mortality and length of stay in patients having surgery for colorectal cancer.

Methods

Data were extracted from the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland database of patients presenting between April 2001 and March 2002. The effect of social deprivation, measured by the Townsend score, on 30-day postoperative mortality and length of stay was evaluated by two-level hierarchical regression analysis.

Results

A total of 7290 (86·8 per cent) patients underwent surgery. Operative mortality was 6·7 per cent and median length of stay 11 days. Deprivation indices were significantly higher in patients with Dukes' ‘D’ cancers, undergoing emergency surgery and with higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grades (P < 0·005). Worsening deprivation was associated with higher operative mortality and longer stay (P = 0·014). For each unit increase in deprivation, there was 2·9 (95 per cent confidence interval 0·5 to 5·2) per cent increase in 30-day mortality. On multifactorial analysis, social deprivation was an independent predictor of length of stay, but its effect on operative mortality was explained by differences in ASA grade, operative urgency and Dukes' classification.

Conclusion

Social deprivation was an independent risk factor of postoperative length of stay and associated with higher postoperative mortality. These results have important implications for risk modelling of postoperative outcomes.
Artificial ascites technique for percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of liver cancer adjacent to the gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Kondo Y , Yoshida H , Shiina S , Tateishi R , Teratani T , Omata M
Published: June 2006

Background

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of liver tumours adjacent to the gastrointestinal tract is controversial. This study assessed the value of an intraperitoneal water infusion (artificial ascites) technique for percutaneous RFA of such tumours.

Methods

Before ablation in 52 patients (55 treatments, 58 tumours), between 250 and 3000 (mean 681) ml 5 per cent glucose solution was infused into the abdominal cavity using a 14-G needle, with the aim of preventing thermal injury by separating the liver from the gastrointestinal tract.

Results

There were no adverse events associated with the artificial ascites technique. In 43 (78 per cent) of the 55 treatments, the liver and gastrointestinal tract were separated successfully. In the other 12 treatments, in which the separation was not confirmed by real-time ultrasonography, there was one case of perforation of the ascending colon after RFA; adhesion of the liver and colon resulting from previous laparotomy may have been related to the injury.

Conclusion

Production of artificial ascites can be undertaken safely, making RFA safe and effective for hepatic tumours adjacent to the gastrointestinal tract. In patients with possible postoperative adhesions, confirmation of separation of the liver from surrounding organs is mandatory to avoid thermal injury.
Cover Picture: A Highly Tunable Family of Chiral Bisphospholanes for Rh‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydrogenation Reactions (Chem. Eur. J. 19/2006)
Authors: Holz Jens , Zayas Odalys , Jiao Haijun , Baumann Wolfgang , Spannenberg Anke , Monsees Axel , Riermeier Thomas H. , Almena Juan , Kadyrov Renat , Börner Armin
Published: June 2006

Just like a wrench fits any bolt, the catASium M toolbox offers tools for various applications. This tool box has been developed by using a simple and convergent strategy to synthesize one of the most comprehensive family of chiral bisphosphine ligands. In their Full Paper on page 5001 ff., J. Holz, A. Monsees, A. Börner et al. describe how this methodology, which can be easily scaled up for industrial requirements, was used for the construction of closely related bisphospholanes, differing in the size of the natural bite angles and σ‐donor properties of the phosphine.
Patterns of lymph node spread of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Authors: Vauterin Tom J. , Veness Michael J. , Morgan Garry J. , Poulsen Michael G. , O'Brien Christopher J.
Published: June 2006

Background.

Among patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck, recent studies have shown that those with involvement of the parotid gland also have a high incidence of neck node involvement. Treatment of the neck by either surgery or radiotherapy is therefore recommended among patients with parotid SCC, even if clinical examination is negative. The aim of this study was first to analyze patterns of metastatic spread in the parotid and cervical lymph nodes and then to correlate the pattern of involved nodes with the primary cutaneous site in order to guide the appropriate extent of surgery, should neck dissection be used to treat the neck in patients with parotid SCC.

Methods.

A cohort of 209 patients with cutaneous SCC of the head and neck and clinically evident regional metastatic disease was reviewed retrospectively from 3 Australian institutions. The distribution of involved nodes was obtained from pathology reports; the anatomic sites of primary cutaneous cancers were then correlated with these findings.

Results.

Among 209 patients, 171 (82%) had clinical parotid involvement. Of these, 28 had clinical neck disease, whereas 143 had parotid disease alone. Thirty‐eight (18%) patients had neck disease only. A total of 199 patients were treated surgically, whereas 10 received radiotherapy alone. Surgery included 172 parotidectomies and 151 neck dissections (93 of which were elective). Primary sites were cheek (21.7%), pinna (20.4%), temple (15.8%), forehead (15.8%), postauricular region (5.9%), neck (5.3%), anterior scalp (5.3%), posterior scalp (3.3%), periorbital (3.3%), nose (2.6%), and chin (0.6%). Among pathologically positive necks, level II was most frequently involved (79%). Level IV (13%) and level V (17%) were only involved in extensive lymph node disease, the exception being for isolated level V metastases from the posterior scalp.

Conclusions.

Primary sites were mainly localized to the lateral aspect of the head. Among patients with cutaneous SCC involving the parotid and neck, level II was the most commonly involved neck level. The distribution of involved nodes suggests that in a patient with parotid involvement and a clinically negative neck with an anterolateral primary, a supraomohyoid neck dissection, always including the external jugular lymph node(s) would be appropriate. In the case of a posterior primary, level V should be dissected as well. In patients with parotid SCC and a clinically positive neck, a comprehensive neck dissection is recommended. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2006