bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 in Turkey
Authors: Dolar N , Serdaroglu S , Yilmaz G , Ergin S
Published: October 2006

Background  Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are among the most common infectious diseases in humans. The prevalence of herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV‐1) and type 2 (HSV‐2) varies widely across the world. HSV‐2 infection is the primary cause of genital herpes. It is highly prevalent in human populations in many parts of the world, and is the most common cause of genital ulcer disease worldwide. In spite of the large prevalence and growing incidence of herpes simplex infection (HSV‐1 and HSV‐2), relatively few data have been published regarding the seroprevalence of herpes simplex infection, while no data exist regarding the Turkish population.

Methods  We aimed to investigate the prevalence of HSV‐1 and HSV‐2 in selected populations in Turkey. A cross‐sectional study was conducted involving 2082 serum samples of 725 adults, 300 pregnant women, 200 blood donors, 483 sex workers and 110 patients with genital warts and 264 hotel staff in Istanbul, Turkey. All serum samples were assessed for HSV1 and HSV‐2 IgG antibodies using an HSV‐type specific, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results  The prevalence of HSV‐2 and HSV‐1 antibodies was 4.8 and 85.3% in sexually active adults; 5.5 and 96% in blood donors; 5 and 98% in pregnant women, 17.3 and 93.6% in patients with genital warts; 8.3 and 97.3% in hotel staff; and 60% and 99% in sex workers.

Conclusion  These results confirm a higher prevalence of HSV infection than estimated, especially in high risk groups in Turkey. The high prevalence of HSV infection underlines the need for education among these populations.
The Progression of Epilepsy
Authors: Blume Warren T.
Published: October 2006

Summary: Prognosis for seizure control and cognitive development varies considerably among syndromes. Several factors may interact to influence outcome of an epilepsy including a causative etiology, ictal and interictal discharges, seizure‐related trauma or systemic perturbations, and antiepileptic drug (AED) effects. Clinical evidence convincingly supporting Gowers' hypothesis that seizures beget seizures is lacking. Short‐term seizure suppression by early treatment does not appear to influence long‐term prognosis.

Malignant epilepsy syndromes usually begin in infancy or childhood, have a high seizure frequency, resist the initial AED, and are often associated with progressive cognitive dysfunction. Prompt management of some severe epilepsy syndromes may lessen cognitive decline. However, aggressive AEDs therapy must be balanced against the potential for cognitive side effects, particularly if multiple AEDs are used.

Several experimental paradigms closely parallel human TLE as both have an initial precipitating injury (IPI), a latent period, then recurrent spontaneous seizures. In humans, an IPI is any medical event with neurological implications. Although transition from a latent period to a seizure disorder certainly constitutes “progression” of the disorder, convincing clinical evidence of subsequent worsening has not emerged. Substantial clinical and experimental evidence indicates some cognitive regression and focal atrophy with time for TLE and other intractable syndromes. However, seizure frequency and severity, established early in the disorder, appear stable in most patients, and even regress in benign syndromes. Factors mitigating or extinguishing epilepsies need to be further sought.
Identification of Susceptibility Loci for Alcohol‐Related Traits in the Irish Affected Sib Pair Study of Alcohol Dependence
Authors: Kuo Po‐Hsiu , Neale Michael C. , Riley Brien P. , Webb Bradley Todd , Sullivan Patrick F. , Vittum Jen , Patterson Diana G. , Thiselton Dawn L. , Van Den Oord Edwin J. , Walsh Dermot , Kendler Kenneth S. , Prescott Carol A.
Published: October 2006

Background:Alcoholism is a phenotypically and probably genetically heterogeneous condition. Thus, one strategy for finding genes influencing liability to alcoholism is to study the components of alcoholism, which may be more directly related to the underlying pathophysiology than is clinical diagnosis. The goal of this study was to identify genomic regions containing susceptibility loci for alcohol‐related traits.

Methods:A 4‐cM dense whole‐genome linkage study was conducted in the Irish Affected Sib Pair Study of Alcohol Dependence. Probands, affected siblings, and parents were evaluated by structured interview. Variance component linkage analysis was applied to data from 485 families for 5 measures: initial sensitivity and tolerance (based on scales from the self‐report of the effects of ethanol; maximum drinks within 24 hours, an empirically derived factor score based on withdrawal symptoms, and age at onset of alcohol dependence.

Results:Evidence for linkage (p<0.005) was found on 9 chromosomes. For age at onset, 2 regions were found on chromosome 9 (highest Lod=2.3,p=0.0005). For initial level of response to alcohol, suggestive regions were on chromosomes 1 and 11 (highest Lod=2.9,p=0.0001 on chromosome 11), while those for tolerance signals were on chromosomes 1, 6, and 22. Maximum drinking was associated with regions on chromosomes 12 and 18. For withdrawal symptoms, the highest peak was on chromosome 2 (Lod=2.2,p=0.0007).

Conclusions:Using quantitative measures of components of alcohol dependence, we identified several regions of the genome that may contain susceptibility loci for specific alcohol‐related traits and merit additional study.
Hippocampus Volume Loss Due to Chronic Heavy Drinking
Authors: Beresford Thomas P. , Arciniegas David B. , Alfers Julie , Clapp Lori , Martin Brandon , Du Yiping , Liu Dengfeng , Shen Dinggang , Davatzikos Christos
Published: October 2006

Objective: No clear consensus exists regarding the effect of sustained, heavy drinking on hippocampal volume. Our prior work hypothesized significantly lowered total hippocampus volumes in heavy chronically drinking alcohol‐dependent (AD) subjects compared with light‐drinking nondependent control subjects matched for age and gender.

Method: Using a series of applicable exclusion criteria culled from previous published studies, we measured hippocampal volumes from MRI scan data acquired on a 3T scanner and subjected those data to automated volume analysis blind to the drinking history.

Results: Comparison with AD test (n=8) and non‐AD control (n=8) subjects found significant lessening in total (p=0.020) and left (p=0.010) hippocampal volumes with a near‐significant difference on the right (p=0.051). Linear regression demonstrated that neither total brain volume nor intracranial volume affected the hippocampus measures.

Conclusions: These data support the view that heavy drinking exerts a unique and selectively injurious effect on the hippocampus. Further study in larger samples must verify this in a search for possible mechanisms of injury.
The Relationship Between Sociodemographic Factors and Oral Health–Related Quality of Life in Dentate and Edentulous Community‐Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Makhija Sonia K. , Gilbert Gregg H. , Boykin Michael J. , Litaker Mark S. , Allman Richard M. , Baker Patricia Sawyer , Locher Julie L. , Ritchie Christine S.
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVES: To quantify the associations between sociodemographic factors and oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL) in dentate and edentulous community‐dwelling older adults.

DESIGN: Cross‐sectional study using a 54‐item OHRQoL questionnaire.

SETTING: Five counties in central Alabama: Jefferson and Tuscaloosa (urban), and Hale, Bibb, and Pickens (rural).

PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred eighty‐eight participants (Dental Study subjects) aged 65 and older were recruited from participants in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging, a longitudinal study of mobility in older African Americans and non‐Hispanic whites.

MEASUREMENTS: Dental Study subjects were queried on their OHRQoL and sociodemographic status and classified into two categories: dentate and edentulous. Bivariate analyses were used to quantify associations between sociodemographic variables and OHRQoL after excluding participants with severe depression. Variables included age, sex, race, marital status, veteran status, residence, income, education, and transportation difficulties.

RESULTS: Dentate and edentulous subjects had similar OHRQoL across age, sex, marital status, veteran status, and residence. Analyses suggested a strong association between OHRQoL and race, education, income, and transportation difficulties in dentate subjects. Sociodemographic factors were less strongly associated with OHRQoL in edentulous participants.

CONCLUSION: OHRQoL decrements were prevalent in dentate and edentulous subjects. Of dentate persons, African Americans and those with a 6th‐grade education or less, with income less than $16,000/year, and with transportation difficulties were more likely to have decrements in OHRQoL. In edentulous persons, these associations were not statistically significant or were weaker. These findings suggest differential associations between sociodemographic factors and OHRQoL when stratified according to dentate status.
Long‐term maintenance of weight loss in patients with severe mental illness through a behavioural treatment programme in the UK
Authors: Pendlebury J. , Bushe C. J. , Wildgust H. J. , Holt R. I. G.
Published: October 2006

Objective:  Obesity is common among people with severe mental illness (SMI). We report our experience from the first 4 years of The Cromwell House weight management clinic.

Method:  Ninety‐three patients with SMI aged 43.7 ± 1.2 years referred themselves to this clinic. The patients were seen in weekly group sessions that involved weight measurement, discussion and education.

Results:  Mean baseline weight was 89.5 ± 1.8 kg [body mass index (BMI) 32.3 ± 0.5 kg/m2]. Twenty‐three per cent dropped out within the first 8 weeks. There was progressive statistically significant reduction in mean weight and BMI throughout the duration of monitoring with no suggestion of a plateau. The mean final weight loss was 6.2 ± 0.6 kg. Weight loss was correlated only with the number of sessions attended (r = 0.53, P < 0.0001).

Conclusion:  Long‐term weight management of obese and overweight patients with severe forms of mental illness was possible through the provision of simple lifestyle advice within the group setting.
Personality traits in unaffected twins discordant for affective disorder
Authors: Vinberg M. , Mortensen E. L. , Kyvik K. O. , Kessing L. V.
Published: October 2006

Objective:  To examine whether a high genetic liability to develop affective disorder is associated with specific personality traits.

Method:  A cross‐sectional, high‐risk, case–control study. Through nation‐wide registers, healthy monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins with (high‐risk twins) and without (the control group/low‐risk twins) a co‐twin history of affective disorder were identified. Personality traits were compared for a total of 211 high‐risk and low‐risk twins.

Results:  In univariate analyses, the high‐risk twins had a higher level of neuroticism than the control twins (P = 0.03). In multivariate analyses, a high genetic liability to affective disorder was not significantly associated with neuroticism but correlated to sex, minor psychopathology and recent life events.

Conclusion:  A high genetic liability to affective disorder showed an association with neuroticism, but the association interacts with other predictors of affective disorder such as female gender, minor psychopathology and recent adversity.
Siwak as a oral hygiene aid in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances
Authors: Al‐Teen RMA , Said KN , Abu Alhaija ESJ
Published: October 2006

Objectives: The aims of this study were to compare the mechanical efficacy of Siwak in plaque control and gingival health conditions in subjects wearing fixed orthodontic appliances compared with standard and orthodontic toothbrushes. Methods: Forty male patients with a mean age of 17.20 ± 4.01 years, wearing fixed orthodontic appliances were included in this study. Following a session of scaling and polishing, which established a situation with minimal gingival inflammation and close to zero amounts of dental plaque, all patients were instructed to use a standard soft toothbrush for 1 week after which they were randomly and equally allocated to one of four groups: (i) a manual toothbrush group; (ii) an orthodontic toothbrush group; (iii) a Siwak group; and (iv) a combination of Siwak and an orthodontic toothbrush group. All patients were instructed to brush their teeth three times a day. All patients were scored for plaque and gingivitis 1 week after scaling and polishing and 2 weeks following group assignment. Results: A similar effect of Siwak to that of soft and orthodontic toothbrushes with respect to plaque control in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances was found. It was the combined use of Siwak and orthodontic toothbrush that provided the best plaque control in such patients. Gingival condition was better in the Siwak groups whether used solely or in combination with an orthodontic toothbrush. Conclusion: The use of Siwak promotes gingival health in patients with orthodontic appliances.
Evaluation of several brushing motion combinations in relation to plaque‐removing efficacy with Oral‐B® CrossAction Power: a professional brushing study
Authors: Versteeg PA , Timmerman MF , Paraskevas S , Van Der Weijden GA
Published: October 2006

Abstract:  Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the additional effect of a newly developed battery‐operated brush Oral‐B® CrossAction Power with a hybrid brush head design (CAPB). The brush combines an oscillating/rotating part, a PowerHead®, with a non‐moving part with CrissCross® bristles. It was compared with a manual control toothbrush Butler® GUM 311 (CTB). Material and methods: Thirty subjects were requested not to brush their teeth 48 h prior to the examination, when plaque removal efficacy was assessed by scoring plaque before and after brushing. Plaque was assessed according to the Silness & Loë Index at six sites per tooth. Subjects were brushed by a dentist using one of the four randomly chosen procedures of brushing in each quadrant. The CAPB was used with three different modes of brushing each in different randomly chosen quadrants, with the manual toothbrush being used in the remaining quadrant as a control. Results: The baseline plaque levels ranged from 1.69 to 1.74 and the end levels ranged from 0.39 to 0.45. In terms of percentage, the results with the four procedures run from 75% to 79%. These differences between the battery brush and manual brush irrespective of the brushing mode used were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The results of this Professional Brushing Study show that the CrossAction Power® toothbrush was as effective as a regular manual toothbrush.
Oral health knowledge and practices among Dar es Salaam institutionalized former street children aged 7–16 years1
Authors: Kahabuka FK , Mbawalla HS
Published: October 2006

Abstract:  Objectives: To find out level of knowledge on causes and prevention of dental caries and bleeding gums, oral hygiene and eating practices among institutionalized former street children. Methods: A structured standardized questionnaire was used to collect data for this study. Chi‐square test was used to test for significant differences. Results and conclusions: Eighty‐eight per cent and 83% of the children knew the cause of tooth decay and bleeding gums respectively and 17–68% were aware of preventive measures. At the institutions visited, 92% of the children said they brush their teeth but 74% brushed when living on the streets, this difference was significant (χ2 = 4.40, P = 0.05). About half did not use toothpaste during street life, whilst 8% do not use toothpaste at institutions, the difference was significant (χ2 = 5.081, P = 0.025). Almost 22% use sweets and biscuits at institutions, about 44% used the snacks when living on the streets, the differences were significant (χ2 = 3.798, P = 0.04, and χ2 = 3.893, P = 0.04). Only 6% use sodas and sweetened juices at institutions, while 32–36% used the drinks during street life, the differences were significant (χ2 = 4.38 P = 0.05 and χ2‐12.87, P = 0.01). The findings of this study show that most former street children are aware of the causes of dental caries and bleeding gums but have poor knowledge on prevention of the two diseases. Furthermore, children living on the streets are more likely to eat cariogenic foods and have poor oral hygiene practices.
OPTIMIZING TECHNICAL CONDITIONS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE RAT BRAIN AND ABDOMEN IN A LOW MAGNETIC FIELD
Authors: Yamada Kazutaka , Miyahara Kazuro , Sato Motoyoshi , Hirose Tsuneo , Yasugi Yukihiro , Matsuda Yukio , Furuhama Kazuhisa
Published: October 2006

The present study was designed to establish the appropriate technical conditions for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head and abdomen in rats using a low magnetic field strength (0.2 T) MRI unit equipped with three radio frequency (RF) coils: a custom‐made solenoid coil, a temporomandibular joint surface coil and a knee quadrature (QD) RF coil. Male adult Sprague‐Dawley rats were used. T1 and T2 relaxation times of both anatomic regions were measured from T1 and T2 maps. An appropriate parameter was then used to make final T1 and T2 weighted images. It was found that the most suitable coil for the head was the custom‐made soleniod coil, and that for the abdomen, the knee QD coil. The T1 and T2 relaxation times were 314 to 316 msec and 72 to 74 msec for the head, and 220 to 252 msec and 42 to 51 msec for the abdomen. The optimum parameters for the head were TR/TE = 400/38 msec in T1 weighted images and TR/TE = 1,800/110 msec in T2 weighted images, and for the abdomen, TR/TE = 300/25 msec in T1 weighted images and TR/TE = 1,500/110 msec in T2 weighted images. These results demonstrate that a low magnetic field strength MRI unit has potential for MRI study of the brain and abdomen in rats.
Spectroscopy of planetary mass brown dwarfs in Orion
Authors: Lucas P. W. , Weights D. J. , Roche P. F. , Riddick F. C.
Published: October 2006

We report the results of near infrared spectroscopy of 11 luminosity-selected candidate planetary mass objects (PMOs) in the Trapezium Cluster with Gemini South/Gemini Near-Infrared Spectrograph and Gemini North/Near-Infrared Imager. Six have spectral types ⩾M9, in agreement with expectations for PMOs. Two have slightly earlier types, and three are much earlier types which are probably field stars. Four of the six sources with types ⩾M9 have pseudo-continuum profiles which confirm them as low gravity cluster members. The gravity status of the other cool dwarfs is less clear but these remain candidate PMOs. The derived number fraction of PMOs with M = 3 – 15 MJup is 1–14 per cent, these broad limits reflecting the uncertainty in source ages. However, the number fraction with M < 20 MJup is at least 5 per cent. These detections add significantly to the body of evidence that a planetary mass population is produced by the star formation process.
High Hydrostatic Pressure Pasteurization of Red Wine
Authors: Mok Chulkyoon , Song Ki‐Tae , Park Young‐Seo , Lim Sangbin , Ruan Roger , Chen Paul
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT:  Pasteurization of low‐alcohol wine using a high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) process was studied. A total of 10 mL grape wine sealed in a nylon/LLDPE bag was placed inside the HHP chamber. The pressure applied to the treatment chamber was maintained at 1000 to 3500 atm for 0 to 30 min. The effects of HHP treatments on the physiochemical properties (alcohol, pH, acidity, total sugar) and microbes (aerobic bacteria, yeast, and lactic acid bacteria) were examined. The HHP treatments had little impact on the physiochemical properties. The pasteurization effect of the HHP treatments increased with treatment pressure and time. A total of 2 different stages in the microbial inactivation were noticed when the 1st‐order reaction model was used to fit the inactivation data. The inactivation rate was higher in the initial stages than in the later stages, suggesting that might be 2 different groups of the microorganisms, a more HHP‐susceptible group and a less HHP‐susceptible group.
Comparative Study on the Starch Noodle Structure of Sweet Potato and Mung Bean
Authors: Tan H‐Z , Gu W‐Y , Zhou J‐P , Wu W‐G , Xie Y‐L
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT:  Fine structure of sweet potato starch (SPS) and mung bean starch (MBS) by gel‐permeation chromatography (GPC) showed that the amylose in SPS and MBS had 9.0 and 1.8 chains, respectively. The long chains of amylopectin in MBS (Ap‐MB) were longer than those of amylopectin in SPS (Ap‐SP), but the short chains of Ap‐SP were shorter than those of Ap‐MB. The structures of starch noodles of sweet potato (SPSN) and mung bean (MBSN) were analyzed by GPC, scanning electron micrograph (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X‐ray diffraction after hydrolysis by acid and enzymes. The results showed that the residues obtained with acid and enzymes in MBSN contained large amounts of high molecular weight fractions, and a relatively small amount of low molecular weight fractions, whereas those in SPSN contained some high molecular weight fractions and large amounts of low molecular weight fractions. SPSN exhibited higher digestibility by HCl, α‐amylase, β‐amylase, and pullulanase than MBSN. The surface of MBSN was more smooth than that of SPSN and the inside of MBSN contained long, thick, and orderly filaments, while there were many pore spaces inside SPSN from SEM. The DSC thermogram of the resistant residues from both starch noodles after acid/enzyme hydrolysis showed a broad endotherm peak near 100 °C (96 to 115 °C) due to the presence of the complexes of amylose‐lipid and lipid‐(long chains in amylopectin). Because of a lower content of branched amylose and a higher content of amylopectin in SPS, the structure of SPSN had a less distinct crystalline pattern and higher adhesiveness, whereas there was a higher content of amylose with a little branch and moderate amylopectin in MBS. Thus, the structure of MBSN had a stronger distinct crystalline pattern and good cohesiveness.
Physico‐Chemical Properties of the Flour, Protein Concentrate, and Protein Isolate of the Cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum Schum) Seed
Authors: Carvalho A.V. , García N.H.P. , Amaya‐Farfán J.
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT:  Defatted flour, protein concentrate, and protein isolate obtained from Amazonian cupuassu seeds were evaluated for their solubility properties, water and oil retention capacity, foam formation and stability, gelling properties, emulsifying ability, and emulsion stability. The protein contents of defatted flour, the concentrate, and the isolate were 27.65%, 31.18%, and 64.29%, respectively. As expected, the protein isolate exhibited higher solubility than the protein concentrate, achieving more than 90% solubility at pH 8.0. The flour and the protein concentrate, however, showed excellent water and oil retention capacities. High emulsifying capacity at pH 7.0 was also observed for all 3 products: 987 mL oil/g, 977 mL oil/g, and 1380 mL oil/g for the flour, protein concentrate, and protein isolate, respectively. Gelling properties were not exhibited by any of the products, but all of them exhibited good utilization potential, not only to enrich other foods but also to enhance relevant functional properties.
Interactions Affecting the Proliferation and Control of Human Pathogens on Edible Plants
Authors: Aruscavage D. , Lee K. , Miller S. , LeJeune J.T.
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT:  Pathogens on edible plants present a significant potential source of human illness. From 1991 to 2002, 21% of Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreaks were from produce‐related sources. E. coli O157 and other enteric bacteria can contaminate the surface of edible plants both pre‐ and postharvest. Some pathogens do not survive on the leaf surface or are removed by washing, but a significant portion of these enteric pathogens can persist on the surface and proliferate. Proliferation of these dangerous pathogens can increase the likelihood of foodborne disease associated with fresh or minimally processed produce. Several intrinsic and extrinsic factors determine the ability of enteric pathogens to attach and proliferate in the phyllosphere of plants. These include motility of the pathogen, leaching of nutrients by the plant, and interaction with epiphytic organisms. The interaction of enteric pathogens with the environment can lead to internalization into tissue, incorporation into biofilms, and genetic transfer. Current produce sanitation practices can reduce the microbial load from 1 log10 to 3 log10, so there are many new treatments possible. Understanding the ecology of enteric pathogens on plants is important to the development of sanitation methods and biocontrol agents. This knowledge can also assist the farmer in preventing contamination. With increasing consumption and importation of produce, its safety is a high priority for processors and U.S. consumers. Food safety may be markedly improved with proper attention to pathogens on edible plants.
Consumer Perception of Cultured Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) and Its Market Competitors
Authors: Delwiche J.F. , Liggett R.E. , Wallat Geoff
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT:  Aquaculturists are concerned with performance of cultured yellow perch against its wild‐caught market competitors. In this study, consumer perception of cultured yellow perch was compared to that of wild‐caught walleye, ocean perch, and zander. In 2 experiments, species were ranked for preference, rated for liking, and rated for degree of difference from a reference (cultured perch). Results were analyzed using Friedman's analysis of ranks, analysis of variance, and method of maximum likelihood. In Experiment 1 (n= 50), there was no significant difference in preference or liking, and all wild‐caught species were significantly different from the reference. In Experiment 2 (n= 68), the species were trimmed to the same thickness for a more fair comparison of these species. Cultured yellow perch was equally preferred to all species but was rated significantly higher than walleye in overall liking. In addition, ocean perch and walleye were found to be significantly different from cultured perch, while zander was not.
Genetic analysis and molecular mapping of the avirulence genePRE1, a gene for host-species specificity in the blast fungusMagnaporthe grisea
Authors: Chen Q H , Wang Y C , Zheng X B
Published: October 2006

We analyzed host-species specificity of Magnaporthe grisea on rice using 110 F1progeny derived from a cross between the Oryza isolate CH87 (pathogenic to rice) and the Digitaria isolate 6023 (pathogenic to crabgrass). To elucidate the genetic mechanisms controlling species specificity in M. grisea, we performed a genetic analysis of species-specific avirulence on this rice population. Avirulent and virulent progeny segregated in a 1:1 ratio on the 2 rice cultivars 'Lijiangxintuanheigu' (LTH) and 'Shin2', suggesting that a single locus, designated PRE1, was involved in the specificity. In a combination between 'Kusabue' and 'Tsuyuake', the segregation of the 4 possible phenotypes of F1progeny was significantly different from the expected 3:1:3:1 and instead fit a ratio of 2:0:1:1. This indicated that 2 loci, PRE1 and AVR2, were involved in specific parasitism on rice. These results suggest that the species specificity of M. grisea on rice is governed by species-dependent genetic mechanisms that are similar to the gene-for-gene interactions controlling cultivar specificity. Pathogenicity tests with various plant species revealed that the Digitaria isolate 6023 was exclusively parasitic on crabgrass. Genetic linkage analysis showed that PRE1 was mapped on chromosome 3 with respect to RAPD and SSR markers. RAPD marker S361 was linked to the avirulence gene at a distance of ~6.4 cM. Two SSR markers, m677678 and m7778, were linked to the PRE1 gene on M. grisea chromosome 3 at distances of 5.9 and 7.1 cM, respectively. Our results will facilitate positional cloning and functional studies of this gene.Key words: genetic analysis, graminaceous plants, Magnaporthe grisea, species-specific avirulence gene.
Characterization of genetic loci conferring adult plant resistance to leaf rust and stripe rust in spring wheat
Authors: William H M , Singh R P , Huerta-Espino J , Palacios G , Suenaga K
Published: October 2006

Leaf (brown) and stripe (yellow) rusts, caused by Puccinia triticina and Puccinia striiformis, respectively, are fungal diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum) that cause significant yield losses annually in many wheat-growing regions of the world. The objectives of our study were to characterize genetic loci associated with resistance to leaf and stripe rusts using molecular markers in a population derived from a cross between the rust-susceptible cultivar 'Avocet S' and the resistant cultivar 'Pavon76'. Using bulked segregant analysis and partial linkage mapping with AFLPs, SSRs and RFLPs, we identified 6 independent loci that contributed to slow rusting or adult plant resistance (APR) to the 2 rust diseases. Using marker information available from existing linkage maps, we have identified additional markers associated with resistance to these 2 diseases and established several linkage groups in the 'Avocet S' × 'Pavon76' population. The putative loci identified on chromosomes 1BL, 4BL, and 6AL influenced resistance to both stripe and leaf rust. The loci on chromosomes 3BS and 6BL had significant effects only on stripe rust, whereas another locus, characterized by AFLP markers, had minor effects on leaf rust only. Data derived from Interval mapping indicated that the loci identified explained 53% of the total phenotypic variation (R2) for stripe rust and 57% for leaf rust averaged across 3 sets of field data. A single chromosome recombinant line population segregating for chromosome 1B was used to map Lr46/Yr29 as a single Mendelian locus. Characterization of slow-rusting genes for leaf and stripe rust in improved wheat germplasm would enable wheat breeders to combine these additional loci with known slow-rusting loci to generate wheat cultivars with higher levels of slow-rusting resistance.Key words: Puccinia triticina, Puccinia striiformis, Triticum aestivum, bulked segregant analysis, single chromosome recombinant lines, linkage mapping, adult plant resistance.
Developmental characterization of thefasciatedlocus and mapping ofArabidopsiscandidate genes involved in the control of floral meristem size and carpel number in tomato
Authors: Barrero L S , Cong B , Wu F , Tanksley S D
Published: October 2006

Mutation at the fasciated locus was a key step in the production of extreme fruit size during tomato domestication. To shed light on the nature of these changes, near-isogenic lines were used for a comparative developmental study of fasciated and wild-type tomato plants. The fasciated gene directly affects floral meristem size and is expressed before the earliest stages of flower organogenesis. As a result, mature fruit of fasciated mutants have more carpels (locules) and greater fruit diameter and mass. The discovery that fasciated affects floral meristem size led to a search for candidate genes from Arabidopsis known to be involved in floral meristem development. Putative homologs were identified in a large tomato EST database, verified through phylogenetic analyses, and mapped in tomato; none mapped to the fasciated locus; however, putative homologs of WUS and WIG mapped to the locule number locus on chromosome 2, the second major transition to large tomato fruit, with WUS showing the highest association. In other cases, minor QTLs for floral organ number (lcn2.2) and (stn11.2) co-localized with a CLV1 paralog and with the syntenic region containing the CLV3 gene in Arabidopsis, respectively.Key words: fasciated, floral meristem, locule number, Arabidopsis, fruit.
Isolation, characterization, and linkage analyses of 74 novel microsatellites in Barramundi (Lates calcarifer)
Authors: Zhu Z.Y. , Wang C.M. , Lo L.C. , Feng F , Lin G , Yue G.H.
Published: October 2006

Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) is an important marine food fish species in Southeast Asia and Australia. Seventy-four novel microsatellites were isolated from a genomic DNA library enriched for CA repeats and were characterized in 24 unrelated individuals. Among the 74 microsatellites, 71 were polymorphic, with an average allele number of 7.0 ± 3.6/locus. The average expected heterozygosity of these polymorphic markers was 0.66. Sixty-three of the 71 polymorphic microsatellites conformed to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Linkage analyses were conducted in a reference family, leading to the assignment of 34 novel microsatellites and 16 published markers in 16 linkage groups. The novel microsatellites developed in this study will contribute significantly to the construction of a first-generation linkage map for mapping of quantitative trait loci in Barramundi, and supply a large choice of markers for studies on population genetics, stock management, and pedigree reconstruction.Key words: Barramundi, microsatellites, polymorphism, linkage mapping.
INTERVAL METHODS IN KNOWLEDGE REPRESENTATION
Authors: Kreinovich Vladik
Published: October 2006

This section is maintained by Vladik Kreinovich. Please send your abstracts (or copies of papers that you want to see reviewed here) to vladik@utep.edu, or by regular mail to: V. Kreinovich, Department of Computer Science, University of Texas, El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
A Spectroscopist's View of Energy States, Energy Transfers, and Chemical Reactions
Authors: Moore C. Bradley
Published: October 2006

This chapter describes a research career beginning at Berkeley in 1960, shortly after Sputnik and the invention of the laser. Following thesis work on vibrational spectroscopy and the chemical reactivity of small molecules, we studied vibrational energy transfers in my own lab. Collision-induced transfers among vibrations of a single molecule, from one molecule to another, and from vibration to rotation and translation were elucidated. My research group also studied the competition between vibrational relaxation and chemical reaction for potentially reactive collisions with one molecule vibrationally excited. Lasers were used to enrich isotopes by the excitation of a predissociative transition of a selected isotopomer. We also tested the hypotheses of transition-state theory for unimolecular reactions of ketene, formaldehyde, and formyl fluoride by (a) resolving individual molecular eigenstates above a dissociation threshold, (b) locating vibrational levels at the transition state, (c) observing quantum resonances in the barrier region for motion along a reaction coordinate, and (d) studying energy release to fragments.
Influence of Patterns of Hormone Replacement Therapy Use and Mammographic Density on Breast Cancer Detection
Authors: Chiarelli Anna M. , Kirsh Victoria A. , Klar Neil S. , Shumak Rene , Jong Roberta , Fishell Eve , Yaffe Martin J. , Boyd Norman F.
Published: October 2006

Background: There is evidence that factors such as current hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use and mammographic density may each lower the sensitivity of mammography and are associated with a greater risk of developing an interval cancer. This study explores this relationship further by examining the influence of patterns of HRT use and the percentage of mammographic density on the detection of breast cancer by classification of interval cancer.

Methods: This study uses a case-case design nested within a cohort of women screened by the Ontario Breast Screening Program between 1994 and 2002. Interval cancers, both those missed at screening but seen on retrospective review (n = 87) or true intervals without visible tumor signs at screening (n = 288) were matched to 450 screen-detected cancers. The association between the percentage of mammographic density, measured by radiologists and a computer-assisted method, and HRT use, ascertained from a mailed questionnaire, and the risk of being diagnosed with an interval cancer was estimated using conditional logistic regression.

Results: A monotonic gradient of increasing risk for interval cancers was found for each 25% increase in mammographic density [odds ratio (OR), 1.77; 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), 1.07-2.95 for missed intervals and OR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.59-2.94 for true intervals]. After adjusting for mammographic density, a significantly increased risk for true-interval cancers remained for women taking estrogen alone (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.11-2.83) as well as for missed- (OR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.32-6.13) and true-interval cancers (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.10-2.90) for women taking combined HRT.

Conclusions: Information on mammographic density and HRT use should routinely be collected at the time of screening. Women at risk should be made aware of the lower sensitivity of mammography and offered alternative procedures for screening. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(10):1856–63)
Influences of Chymase and Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme Gene Polymorphisms on Gastric Cancer Risks in Japan
Authors: Sugimoto Mitsushige , Furuta Takahisa , Shirai Naohito , Ikuma Mutsuhiro , Sugimura Haruhiko , Hishida Akira
Published: October 2006

Backgrounds and Aims: The renin-angiotensin system plays an important role in homeostasis. Angiotensin II, which is generated by chymase and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE), controls blood pressure as well as angiogenesis and cell proliferation. The aim of this study was to clarify the association of the chymase gene (CMA/B) and ACE polymorphisms with susceptibility to gastric cancer and peptic ulcer.

Methods: We assessed CMA/B A/G and ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphisms in H. pylori-positive gastric cancers (n = 119), gastric ulcers (n = 127), and duodenal ulcers (n = 105), and controls (n = 294) consisting of H. pylori-positive gastritis alone (n = 162) and H. pylori-negative subjects (n = 132) by PCR methods.

Results: In CMA/B polymorphism, the age- and sex-adjusted odds ratios (OR) of A/A and A/G genotypes relative to the G/G genotype for gastric cancer risk were 7.115 (95% confidence interval, 1.818-27.845) and 1.956 (95% confidence interval, 1.137-3.366), respectively. There was an increased risk for gastric ulcer in the A/A genotype (OR, 3.450; 1.086-10.960). However, there was no association between ACE polymorphism and susceptibility to gastric cancer and peptic ulcer. In allele combination analysis of CMA/B and ACE polymorphisms, the A/I allele combinations (CMA/B G/A or A/A and ACE I/I genotype) significantly increased the risk of gastric cancer development (OR, 4.749, 2.050-11.001) compared with the G/I allele combinations (CMA/B G/G and ACE I/I genotype).

Conclusions: The CMA/B polymorphism was associated with an increased risk for gastric cancer and gastric ulcer development. The genotyping test of the renin-angiotensin system could be useful for the screening of individuals with higher risks of gastric cancer and gastric ulcer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(10):1929–34)
The Enigmatic Epidemiology of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Chang Ellen T. , Adami Hans-Olov
Published: October 2006

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has a unique and complex etiology that is not completely understood. Although NPC is rare in most populations, it is a leading form of cancer in a few well-defined populations, including natives of southern China, Southeast Asia, the Arctic, and the Middle East/North Africa. The distinctive racial/ethnic and geographic distribution of NPC worldwide suggests that both environmental factors and genetic traits contribute to its development. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge regarding the epidemiology of NPC and to propose new avenues of research that could help illuminate the causes and ultimately the prevention of this remarkable disease. Well-established risk factors for NPC include elevated antibody titers against the Epstein-Barr virus, consumption of salt-preserved fish, a family history of NPC, and certain human leukocyte antigen class I genotypes. Consumption of other preserved foods, tobacco smoking, and a history of chronic respiratory tract conditions may be associated with elevated NPC risk, whereas consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and other human leukocyte antigen genotypes may be associated with decreased risk. Evidence for a causal role of various inhalants, herbal medicines, and occupational exposures is inconsistent. Other than dietary modification, no concrete preventive measures for NPC exist. Given the unresolved gaps in understanding of NPC, there is a clear need for large-scale, population-based molecular epidemiologic studies to elucidate how environmental, viral, and genetic factors interact in both the development and the prevention of this disease. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(10):1765–77)
Sexual imprinting on a novel blue ornament in zebra finches
Authors: Caspers Barbara , Witte Klaudia
Published: October 2006

Sexual imprinting plays an important role for the development of mate preferences in birds. We tested whether male and female zebra finches Taeniopygia guttata sexually imprinted on an evolutionary novel trait, a blue feather on the forehead in parents. Additionally, we tested whether males and females would transfer a learned preference for the blue feather to a preference for blue leg bands, and whether a potential mate with two novel blue traits can amplify its attractiveness. Offspring were raised by parents in four different imprinting groups: (1) both parents unadorned; (2) the mother adorned only; (3) the father adorned only; (4) both parents adorned with the blue feather. After young reached maturity, we tested their mate preference for adorned and unadorned conspecifics of the opposite sex in binary choice tests. Females of the father adorned imprinting group sexually imprinted on the blue feather, and females reared by adorned parents showed a tendency to prefer adorned males. None of the males sexually imprinted on the blue feather. Our study replicates the results of a previous study on sexual imprinting on a red feather in zebra finches. We, therefore, propose a sex difference in the learning process of sexual imprinting. Females sexually imprinted on the blue feather did not transfer the learned preference to males with blue leg bands, and two novel blue traits could not amplify the attractiveness in males and females for the opposite sex. Our study emphasizes the role of sexual imprinting for the cultural evolution in mate preferences in zebra finches.
Cyberorganizing United States Constituencies for Africa
Authors: Humphries Jill
Published: October 2006

This case study examines how state level constituencies for Africa used advanced communication technology to organize and mobilize state delegations to the National Summit on Africa with the intent of effecting United States foreign policy toward Africa. More specifically, it focuses on the application of information communication technology (ICT) usage as a communication and coordination tool by the National Summit Secretariat. Secondly, it examines the extent to which state delegations used advanced communication technology to complete the relevant task of developing a national policy planof-action. I hypothesize that ICTs might assist the National Summit by reducing costs of attracting and maintaining membership and facilitating coordination and communication both horizontally (among membership) and vertically (to policymakers). Primary data collection methods included administering a survey to state chairs, conducting semi-structured interviews, and reviewing state web-pages and e-groups. Preliminary results indicate that information technology to some extent can reduce coordination problems and barriers to participation; however, other factors, such as computer literacy, access to computers, and the ability to use alternative institutional resources, mediate the effectiveness of information technology usage. Implications for implementing information technology as a more effective tool for collective organizing are explored.
On the Brain Drain of Africans to America: Some Methodological Observations
Authors: Dodoo F. Nii-Amoo , Takyi Baffour , Mann Jesse
Published: October 2006

Recurring debates about the impact of the brain drain— the developing world's loss of human capital to more developed countries—has motivated estimation of the magnitude of the phenomenon, most recently by the World Bank. Although frequently cited as a key contributor to Africa's wanting development record, what constitutes the "brain-drain" is not always clearly defined. Today, in the absence of an accounting system, resolution of the definitional and measurement question depends on relative comparisons of measurement variants, which will identify definitional shortcomings by clarifying the merits and demerits of these variants, and thereby suggest corrective imputations. This paper compares the World Bank's approach to a chronological precedent (Dodoo 1997) to clarify the value of variant comparisons. The resultant implications for corrections are also discussed.
Perception of Six Basic Emotional Facial Expressions by the Chinese
Authors: Wang Kai , Hoosain Rumjahn , Lee Tatia M. C. , Meng Yu , Fu Jia , Yang Renmin
Published: October 2006

Thirty morphed emotional faces were developed along a happiness-surprise-fear-sadness-disgust-anger-happiness continuum, and 71 Chinese participants were asked to label each of them in a forced-choice task. The frequency curves for correctly labeling each emotion across the morphed photographs showed six discrete peaks. The labeling results are consistent with categorical perception of basic emotions, although morphed photographs were used, and with the hypothesis of universal facial expressions of emotions, although disgust is not included in the Chinese idiom of seven emotions.
Subset Correspondence Analysis
Authors: Greenacre Michael , Pardo Rafael
Published: October 2006

This study shows how correspondence analysis may be applied to a subset of response categories from a questionnaire survey (e.g., the subset of undecided responses or the subset of responses for a particular category across several questions). The idea is to maintain the original relative frequencies of the categories and not reexpress them relative to totals within the subset, as would normally be done in a regular correspondence analysis of the subset. Furthermore, the masses and chi-square distances assigned to the subset of categories are the same as those in the correspondence analysis of the whole data set, which leads to a decomposition of total variance into parts if the whole data set is subdivided into disjoint subsets. This variant of the method, called subset correspondence analysis, is illustrated on data from the International Social Survey Programme’s Family and Changing Gender Roles survey.
Financial Participation in British, French and German Organizations: A Neoinstitutionalist Perspective
Authors: Kabst Rüdiger , Matiaske Wenzel , Schmelter Anja
Published: October 2006

Searching for flexible and competitive remuneration, financial participation has come into focus for both practitioners and scientists. The question of determinants and outcomes of financial participation schemes has been of special interest. Although many excellent studies have been conducted recently, further theory-based and empirically tested research would enrich our understanding of financial participation. Taking the examples of three European countries, namely Great Britain, France and Germany, we examine the explanatory power of neoinstitutionalist arguments in discussing financial participation. The hypotheses generated are tested empirically based on the data of the Cranfield Network on International Strategic Human Resource Management (Cranet).