bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pedigree information reveals moderate to high levels of inbreeding and a weak population structure in the endangered Catalonian donkey breed
Authors: Gutiérrez J.P. , Marmi J. , Goyache F. , Jordana J.
Published: November 2005

The Catalonian donkey is one of the most endangered donkey breeds in the world. At present, five main subpopulations exist: AFRAC, which consists of many genetically connected Catalonian localities; Berga, which consists of a single herd located also in Catalunya but under private management; and three minor non‐Catalonian subpopulations (Huesca, Sevilla and Toledo). In this study, we analysed the pedigree information of the Catalonian donkey herdbook to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of the breed. We found that the Catalonian donkey has suffered an important loss of genetic diversity and moderate to high increases of inbreeding because of the abuse of a few individuals in matings. This scenario is mainly characterized by the fact that both the effective number of founders and ancestors for the whole population was 70.6 and 27, respectively, while the equivalent number of founders was 146.5 and the number of ancestors explaining overall genetic variability was 93. In addition, only 14% of animals born between the 1960s and 1970s were significantly represented in the pedigree. Our results also show that subpopulations where breeders exchanged reproductive individuals had low levels of inbreeding and average relatedness. One subpopulation, Berga, was reproductively isolated and showed high levels of inbreeding (F = 7.22%), with average relatedness (AR = 6.61%) playing an important role in increasing the values of these coefficients in the whole pedigree. Using genealogical F‐statistics we have found little evidence of population structuring (FST = 0.0083) with major genetic differences among non‐Catalonian subpopulations.
Effect of the polymorphism of prolactin receptor (PRLR) and leptin (LEP) genes on litter size in Polish pigs
Authors: Terman A.
Published: November 2005

The aim of the experiment was to use the DNA mutations in the PRLR and LEP genes to determine associations between the genotype and litter size in Polish Large White × Landrace sows. Reproductive traits investigated were: total number of piglets born (TNB), number of piglets born alive (NBA) and number of piglets weaned. The polymorphism in PRLR and LEP genes was detected using the polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment‐length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) method, with specific primers and the restriction enzymes AluI and HinfI respectively. Two different alleles of PRLR and LEP gene were identified: alleles A (0.62) and B (0.38) of the PRLR gene and alleles C (0.10) and T (0.90) of the LEP gene. The relationships between the PRLR and LEP genotypes and TBN, NBA and NW were analysed. The analysis showed, in first parity sows, statistically significant (p ≤ 0.01) differences between sows carrying different PRLR genotypes. In later parities, sows with the AA genotype still had the largest litter size compared with AB and BB sows, but the difference was statistically not significant. Analysis of the interaction PARITY × PRLR showed small and statistically not significant differences. The analysis of relationship between different LEP genotypes and TNB, NBA, NW showed small and statistically non‐significant differences.
Quantitative analysis of production traits in saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus): I. reproduction traits
Authors: Isberg S.R. , Thomson P.C. , Nicholas F.W. , Barker S.G. , Moran C.
Published: November 2005

Repeatability and phenotypic correlations were estimated for saltwater crocodile reproductive traits. No pedigree information was available to estimate heritability or genetic correlations, because the majority of breeder animals on farms were wild‐caught. Moreover, as the age of the female breeders could not be accounted for, egg‐size measurements were used as proxies. The reproductive traits investigated were clutch size (total number of eggs laid), number of viable eggs, number of eggs that produced a live, healthy hatchling, hatchability, average snout–vent length of the hatchlings and time of nesting. A second data set was also created comprising binary data of whether or not the female nested. Repeatability estimates ranged from 0.24 to 0.68 for the measurable traits, with phenotypic correlations ranging from −0.15 to 0.86. Repeatability for whether a female nested or not was 0.58 on the underlying scale. Correlations could not be estimated between the measurement and binary traits because of confounding. These estimates are the first published for crocodilian reproduction traits.
Quantitative analysis of production traits in saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus): II. age at slaughter
Authors: Isberg S.R. , Thomson P.C. , Nicholas F.W. , Barker S.G. , Moran C.
Published: November 2005

Crocodile morphometric (head, snout‐vent and total length) measurements were recorded at three stages during the production chain: hatching, inventory [average age (±SE) is 265.1 ± 0.4 days] and slaughter (average age is 1037.8 ± 0.4 days). Crocodile skins are used for the manufacture of exclusive leather products, with the most common‐sized skin sold having 35–45 cm in belly width. One of the breeding objectives for inclusion into a multitrait genetic improvement programme for saltwater crocodiles is the time taken for a juvenile to reach this size or age at slaughter. A multivariate restricted maximum likelihood analysis provided (co)variance components for estimating the first published genetic parameter estimates for these traits. Heritability (±SE) estimates for the traits hatchling snout‐vent length, inventory head length and age at slaughter were 0.60 (0.15), 0.59 (0.12) and 0.40 (0.10) respectively. There were strong negative genetic (−0.81 ± 0.08) and phenotypic (−0.82 ± 0.02) correlations between age at slaughter and inventory head length.
Single nucleotide polymorphism detection in promoter III of the acetyl‐CoA carboxylase‐α gene in sheep
Authors: Moioli B. , Napolitano F. , Orrù L. , Catillo G.
Published: November 2005

Three novel SNPs were identified in the locus OAR292286, encoding the DNA sequence of promoter III of the ovine acetyl‐CoA carboxylase‐α gene, in Italian sheep of four breeds: Gentile di Puglia (25 individuals) and Sopravissana (31) which are triple‐purpose local endangered breeds, Comisana (25) which is a local non‐selected, non‐endangered dairy breed and Sarda (15) which is a popular selected high yielding dairy breed. Variant alleles are: G/T at 1330 bp, C/G at 1338 bp and C/T at 1430 bp. Frequencies of the variant alleles were calculated and chi‐squared analysis of the differences in allele frequency between breed pairs was performed. Allele frequencies of the Sarda breed differ significantly from the other considered breeds.
Estimates of genetic diversity in the brown cattle population of Switzerland obtained from pedigree information
Authors: Hagger C.
Published: November 2005

The study investigates the genetic diversity present as well as its development in the Brown Cattle population of Switzerland from pedigree information. The population consisted of three subpopulations, the Braunvieh (BV), the original Braunvieh (OB) and the US‐Brown Swiss (BS). The BV is a cross of OB with BS where crossing still continues. The OB is without any genetic influence of BS. The diversity measures effective population size, effective number of ancestors (explaining 99% of reference genome) and founder genome equivalents were calculated for 11 reference populations of animals born in a single year from 1992 onwards. The BS‐subpopulation consisted of animals and their known ancestors which were used in the crossing scheme and was, therefore, quite small. The youngest animals were born in 2002, the oldest ones in the 1920s. Average inbreeding was by far the highest in BS, in spite of the lowest quality of pedigrees, and lowest in OB. Effective population size obtained from the difference between average inbreeding of offspring and their parents was, mostly due to the heavy use of few highly inbred BS‐sires, strongly overestimated in some BV‐reference populations. If this parameter was calculated from the yearly rate of inbreeding and a generation interval of 5 years, no bias was observed and ranking of populations from high to low was OB – BV – BS, i.e. equal to the other diversity parameters. The high genetic diversity found in OB was a consequence of the use of many natural service sires. Rate of decrease of effective number of ancestors was steeper in BV than OB was, however, equal for founder genome equivalents. Founder genome equivalents were more stable than effective population sizes calculated from the difference between average inbreeding of offspring and parents. The five most important ancestors contributed one‐third of the 2002‐reference genomes of BV and OB, in BV all were BS‐sires. The relative amount of BS‐genes in the BV‐genome increased from 59.2% to 78.5% during the 11 years considered.
Polymorphism of 5′‐region of the bovine growth hormone receptor gene
Authors: Maj A. , Pareek C.S. , Klauzińska M. , Zwierzchowski L.
Published: November 2005

Genes coding for growth hormone (GH) and GH receptor (GHR) are candidates for quantitative trait markers in farm animals. This work describes a search for nucleotide sequence polymorphisms within the 5′‐region of the bovine GHR gene. Two new single nucleotide polymorphisms were found: restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) at a Fnu4HI/TseI site (C/T transition at position −1104), and at a Sau96I site (C/T transition at position −262). The Fnu4HI/TseI polymorphic site is located within the 1.2‐kbp LINE‐1 retrotransposon upstream of the P1 promoter, while the Sau96I RFLP locates in the P1 promoter for exon 1A. The appearance of the Sau96I RFLP was studied in representatives of two bovine species, Bos taurus and Bos indicus. An absolute correlation was observed between Sau96I genotype and the insertion/deletion of LINE‐1.
Direct effects of IL‐15 on corticosterone secretion by rat adrenocortical cells
Authors: Lo Ming‐Jae , Lee Shin‐Da
Published: November 2005

Cytokines might regulate the function of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. IL‐15 is a potent non‐T‐cell‐derived cytokine with IL‐2‐like activities. It has been shown that IL‐15 can reverse the inhibition of glucocorticoids on PBMC. In vitro experiments were designed to assess the direct effect of IL‐15 on corticosterone (CORT) secretion in the adrenal zona fasciculata‐reticularis (ZFR) cells of male rats. Administration of IL‐15 dose dependently decreased the basal and adrenocorticotropin‐stimulated release of CORT and production of cAMP in ZFR cells. The stimulatory effect of forskolin (an adenylate cyclase activator) on CORT secretion and accumulation of cAMP in ZFR cells was attenuated by the administration of IL‐15. However, 8‐Br‐cAMP (a cAMP analogue)‐stimulated release of CORT was not affected by IL‐15. Exogenous administration of IL‐15 (10−7 mol/L) significantly attenuated the pregnenolone (the substrate of 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase)‐ or deoxycorticosterone (the substrate of 11β‐hydroxylase)‐induced release of CORT. The results indicate that decrease of CORT secretion by IL‐15 is in part because of (i) the decrease of adenylate cyclase activity and cAMP production and (ii) the inhibition of 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 11β‐hydroxylase activities in rat ZFR cells.
Perturbations in nuclear factor‐κB or c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase pathways in pancreatic beta cells confer susceptibility to cytokine‐induced cell death
Authors: Thomas Helen E , Angstetra Eveline , Fernandes Rochelle V , Mariana Lina , Irawaty Windy , Jamieson Emma L , Dudek Nadine L , Kay Thomas W
Published: November 2005

Pro‐inflammatory cytokines have been implicated in the death of pancreatic beta cells leading to type 1 diabetes. NIT‐1 cells are an insulinoma cell line derived from mice expressing the SV40 large T antigen. These cells are a useful tool in analysis of beta cell death. NIT‐1 cells are highly susceptible to caspase‐dependent apoptosis induced by TNF‐α alone. Primary islets are not susceptible to cell death induced by TNF‐α alone; however, they are killed by TNF‐α and IFN‐γ in a nitric oxide‐dependent manner. We examined signal transduction in NIT‐1 cells in response to cytokines to determine the mechanism for TNF‐α‐induced apoptosis. We found that NIT‐1 cells are defective in the activation of nuclear factor‐κB (NFκB) as a result of functionally deficient RelA activity, because overexpression of RelA protected NIT‐1 cells from apoptosis. TNF‐α also did not induce phosphorylation of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase in NIT‐1 cells. Together, these defects prevent expression of anti‐apoptotic genes in NIT‐1 cells and make them susceptible to TNF‐α. To determine whether similar defects in primary beta cells would induce the same effect, we examined TNF‐α‐induced apoptosis in islets isolated from mice deficient in NFκB p50. These islets were as susceptible as wild‐type islets to TNF‐α and IFN‐γ‐induced cell death. In contrast to wild‐type islets, cell death was not prevented by inhibition of nitric oxide in p50‐deficient islets. Blocking NFκB has been proposed as a mechanism for protection of beta cells from cytokine‐induced cell death in vivo. Our results suggest that this would make beta cells equally or more sensitive to cytokines.
Targeting the monocytic ubiquitin system with extracellular ubiquitin
Authors: Majetschak Matthias , Ponelies Norbert , Hirsch Thomas
Published: November 2005

Recent findings suggest that extracellular ubiquitin has pleiotropic effects on host defence mechanisms, but its cellular mechanism of action is not yet understood. Using fluorescence and in vivo confocal microscopy, we observed uptake of N‐terminal fluorescein‐labelled ubiquitin into human PBMC and MonoMac 6 cells. Immunoblotting experiments indicated that extracellular ubiquitin is then rapidly conjugated to a multitude of intracellular proteins. LPS and lipoteichoic acid significantly increased uptake and subsequent conjugation to intracellular proteins dose dependently. This mechanism showed saturation kinetics with a K d value for ubiquitin in the low nanomolar range (<10 nmol/L) and a B max value of 0.14–0.27 μmol ubiquitin/mg protein. These results suggest that the monocytic ubiquitin system can be targeted with physiologically relevant concentrations of extracellular ubiquitin during inflammation. This concept could provide a simple explanation for a multitude of extracellular ubiquitin's actions and open up new strategies to influence ubiquitin‐dependent intracellular processes.
Role for IL‐4 nonproducing NKT cells in CC‐chemokine ligand 2‐induced Th2 cell generation
Authors: Fujita Kazuhiko , Kobayashi Makiko , Brutkiewicz Randy R , Hanafusa Toshiaki , Herndon David N , Suzuki Fujio
Published: November 2005

NKT cells from C57Bl/6 mice are known to be the initial cellular source of IL‐4 that acts as a trigger for Th2 cell differentiation. CC‐chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) has been described as an initial stimulator of IL‐4 production by these cells; however, IL‐4 was not produced by NKT cells from BALB/c mice even when Th2 cell responses were established in these mice. In this study, we found a new pathway for CCL2‐associated Th2 cell generation in BALB/c mice. Splenic T cells from BALB/c mice produced IL‐4 in response to CCL2 stimulation. However, IL‐4 production was not seen in cultures of splenic T cells from CD1−/− mice (BALB/c origin), whereas, in the presence of CCL2, splenic T cells from CD1−/− mice produced IL‐4 when NKT cells from wild‐type mice were added. CCL2 induced IL‐4 in cultures of NKT cells cocultured with naive T cells, but IL‐4 was not produced by these cells cultured separately with CCL2. Interestingly, IL‐4 was produced by naive T cells cocultured with NKT cells that were previously treated with CCL2 (CCL2‐NKT cells). In addition, IL‐4 was produced by naive T cells supplemented with a culture supernatant of CCL2‐NKT cells. These results indicate that, through the production of a soluble factor(s) other than IL‐4, NKT cells play a role in the CCL2‐associated generation of Th2 cells.
Effects of Helicobacter pylori infection on mucin expression in gastric carcinoma and pericancerous tissues
Authors: WANG RONG‐QUAN , FANG DIAN‐CHUN
Published: November 2005

Background:  Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the major causes of human gastric carcinoma and can disturb the gastric mucosa barrier. Mucins have not only lubricating and protecting functions, but are also related to signal transduction, turnover of gastric epithelium and carcinogenesis of gastric mucosa. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between H. pylori infection and aberrant mucin expression in patients with gastric carcinoma.

Methods:  H. pylori infection was diagnosed by the Warthin–Starry staining method. Different kinds of mucins were detected using an immunohistochemical method.

Results:   Of 46 patients with gastric carcinoma, there were 26 patients who had H. pylori infection (56.5%). Of 21 pericancerous mucosas from the H. pylori‐positive patients, 14 had MUC2 expression (66.7%), seven had strong MUC1 expression (+ + +) (33.7%), seven had strong MUC6 expression (+ + +) (33.3%), and five had strong MUC5AC expression (+ + +) (23.8%). In contrast, only six of 18 H. pylori‐negative pericancerous mucosas had MUC2 expression (33.3%) (P < 0.05 compared with H. pylori‐positive pericancerous mucosas), 12 had strong MUC1 expression (+ + +) in 16 H. pylori‐negative pericancerous mucosas (75%) (P < 0.05), 11 had strong MUC6 expression (+ + +) in 16 H. pylori‐negative pericancerous mucosas (68.8%) (P < 0.05), and 10 had strong MUC5AC expression (+ + +) in 14 H. pylori‐negative pericancerous mucosas (71.4%) (P < 0.01). Of the H. pylori‐positive cancerous tissues, 50% (13/26) had MUC1 expression and 38.5% (10/26) had MUC6 expression. In comparison, of the H. pylori‐negative cancerous tissues, 80% (16/20) had MUC1 expression (P < 0.05) and 80% (16/20) had MUC6 expression (P < 0.01).

Conclusions:  The results indicate that H. pylori infection can alter the expression of some mucin genes in pericancerous mucosa and cancerous tissues of gastric carcinoma, then destroy the gastric mucosa barrier.
Ratio of circulating follistatin and activin A reflects the severity of acute liver injury and prognosis in patients with acute liver failure
Authors: LIN SHI DE , KAWAKAMI TADASHI , USHIO AKIRA , SATO AKIHIRO , SATO SIN‐ICHIRO , IWAI MASAKATSU , ENDO RYUJIN , TAKIKAWA YASUHIRO , SUZUKI KAZUYUKI
Published: November 2005

Background and Aim:  The activin A–follistatin system is known to play a critical role in hepatocyte regeneration during the repair of liver tissue. However, the relationship between blood levels of these compounds and the severity and prognosis of acute liver injury remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of circulating activin A and follistatin in patients with acute liver disease.

Methods:  Serum activin A and plasma follistatin levels were determined on admission by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in 32 patients with acute hepatitis (AH), 23 patients with acute severe hepatitis (ASH) and 16 patients with acute liver failure (ALF).

Results:  Both serum activin A and plasma follistatin levels were significantly elevated in patients with ASH and ALF when compared with those in patients with AH and normal controls (NC). Although plasma follistatin levels were significantly and positively correlated with serum activin A levels (r = 0.413, P < 0.001), the follistatin and activin A (F/A) ratio showed distinct deviation from NC between AH and ALF patients. The F/A ratio in AH patients was significantly elevated when compared with NC, but was significantly reduced in ALF patients. Furthermore, the F/A ratio in non‐surviving ALF patients was significantly lower than that in survivors. Levels of serum activin A and plasma follistatin were significantly and negatively correlated with prothrombin time (PT) and normotest (NT) levels, while the F/A ratio showed significant and positive correlations with PT and NT.

Conclusions:  Decreased blood F/A ratio in ALF patients may be a reliable indicator of the severity of acute liver injury and prognosis in ALF.
Is there ileopathy in portal hypertension?
Authors: RANA SURINDER S , BHASIN DEEPAK K , JAHAGIRDAR SUJEET , RAJA KAISER , NADA RITAMBHRA , KOCHHAR RAKESH , JOSHI KUSUM
Published: November 2005

Background and Aims:  Portal hypertensive gastropathy and colopathy are well described endoscopic abnormalities in patients with portal hypertension. Endoscopic abnormalities in the ileum in patients with portal hypertension have not been well described. The aim of the present study was to evaluate endoscopic abnormalities in the ileum of patients with portal hypertension.

Methods:  Patients with portal hypertension of various etiologies were included in the study. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed to record esophageal varices, gastric varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy. Colonoscopy with retrograde intubation of the ileum was performed and the presence of colorectal varices, colopathy and mucosal findings in the ileum were noted.

Results:  Forty‐one patients (age 16–80 years, 33 men) were studied. Esophageal varices were present in all. Portal hypertensive gastropathy was present in 27/41 (66%) patients. Rectal varices were noted in 22/41 (54%) patients and 17/41 (42%) patients had features suggestive of colopathy. Ileum could be intubated in 38 patients (93%). Endoscopic abnormalities in the ileum were noted in 13/38 (34%) patients. Ileopathy as evident by endoscopic mucosal abnormalities was observed in 10/38 (26%) patients. Ileal varices were present in 8/38 (21%) patients. Three of these had ileal varices alone while the remaining five patients also had associated ileopathy The presence of ileopathy was significantly associated with the presence of portal hypertensive gastropathy and colopathy but not with esophageal, gastric or rectal varices.

Conclusions:  Ileopathy occurs in one‐third of patients with portal hypertension and is significantly associated with the presence of portal hypertensive gastropathy and colopathy.
Maintenance therapy with H2‐receptor antagonist until assessment of Helicobacter pylori eradication can reduce recurrence of peptic ulcer after successful eradication of the organism: prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: MURAKAMI KAZUNARI , SATO RYUGO , OKIMOTO TADAYOSHI , WATANABE KOICHIRO , NASU MASARU , KODAMA MASAAKI , FUJIOKA TOSHIO
Published: November 2005

Purpose:  This study examined the possible relationship between peptic ulcer recurrence and the presence or absence of maintenance therapy with an H2‐receptor antagonist performed until evaluation of Helicobacter pylori eradication.

Methods:  The subjects were 483 patients with peptic ulcer (281 gastric ulcer and 202 duodenal ulcer) who were diagnosed as H. pylori positive. After receiving eradication therapy for H. pylori, patients were allocated at random to one of three different maintenance therapies: control group (no maintenance therapy), H2‐receptor antagonist half‐dose group, and H2‐receptor antagonist full‐dose group. The maintenance therapy was performed for 4 weeks until evaluation of H. pylori eradication.

Results:  Among the 25 patients with a recurrent ulcer, 18 patients (72%) had a recurrence at the time of or before evaluation of H. pylori eradication. In the control group, the rate of ulcer recurrence occurring before evaluation of H. pylori eradication was 10.5% (14/133). This rate was significantly higher than those in the H2‐receptor antagonist half‐dose group (2.9%, 4/136) and the full‐dose group (0%, 0/135).

Conclusion:  The results of this study suggest that maintenance therapy with an H2‐receptor antagonist performed after eradication therapy until evaluation of H. pylori eradication is likely to greatly reduce the ulcer recurrence rate without affecting evaluation of H. pylori eradication.
Efficacy of camostat mesilate compared with famotidine for treatment of functional dyspepsia: Is camostat mesilate effective?
Authors: ASHIZAWA NOBUO , HASHIMOTO TOMOYUKI , MIYAKE TATSUYA , SHIZUKU TOSHIHIRO , IMAOKA TOMONORI , KINOSHITA YOSHIKAZU
Published: November 2005

Background:  Differentiation between functional dyspepsia and early chronic pancreatitis is difficult because these diseases do not produce specific abnormalities in laboratory testing. The aim of this study was to examine the potential efficacy of camostat mesilate, a protease inhibitor, against functional dyspepsia and to characterize patients with favorable responses.

Methods:  Dyspeptic patients who exhibited no abnormalities on laboratory blood and urine testing, abdominal ultrasonography and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were randomized to receive camostat mesilate 200 mg three times daily or famotidine 20 mg twice daily for 4 weeks. Symptoms severity was recorded before and at 2 and 4 weeks after starting treatment using a visual analog scale.

Results:  Epigastralgia was significantly improved after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment in both groups (P < 0.01); this improvement tended to be more marked in the camostat mesilate group (P < 0.05 at 2 weeks). The beneficial effect of camostat mesilate on epigastralgia was more prominent in chronic alcohol drinkers at 2 weeks (P < 0.05) and 4 weeks (P < 0.01).

Conclusions:  Camostat mesilate is superior to famotidine for relieving epigastralgia in patients with functional dyspepsia. Its pain‐relieving effect is greater in patients who habitually drink alcohol.
Hydrogen Sulphide Headache and Other Rare, Global Headaches
Authors: Sjaastad O , Bakketeig LS
Published: November 2005

One aim of the Vågå study of headache epidemiology was to depict the total panorama of headaches in a small-sized, Norwegian community at the end of the 20th century. In the present part of the study, a search was made for the rare, global headaches. Various, relatively unknown headache categories were observed, such as hydrogen sulphide intoxication ( n = 2) after exposure to H2S ambient air concentrations of ≥100 p.p.m. In Vågå, nitroglycerine headache (‘dynamite headache’) proved to be a relatively frequent disorder ( n = 13). This represents approximately 0.7% of the study group. A main reason for this, in all probability unusually high frequency is that there previously have been soapstone mines within the precincts of the parish. Another relatively frequently occurring headache followed exposure to wind ( n = 7; 0.38%). Ice-cream headache was rare ( n = 3; 0.16%), when only the general question was asked: ‘other headaches?’. Approximately 7 years later, an ad hoc procedure was adopted: 50 parishioners who did not answer positively concerning ice-cream headache on the first examination were asked specific questions concerning ice-cream headache. Four had had such an experience, i.e. prevalence of 8%, which is 50 times higher than the original result, but still a rather low prevalence when compared with the mean prevalence from other studies: 39%. This demonstrates that the result as regards prevalence, even for a headache such as ice-cream headache, to a large degree depends upon the interview technique used.
Prophylactic Treatment of Migraine in Children. Part 2. A Systematic Review of Pharmacological Trials∗
Authors: Damen L , Bruijn J , Verhagen AP , Berger MY , Passchier J , Koes BW
Published: November 2005

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of pharmacological prophylactic treatments of migraine in children. Databases were searched from inception to June 2004 and references were checked. We selected controlled trials on the effects of pharmacological prophylactic treatments in children with migraine. We assessed trial quality using the Delphi list and extracted data. Analyses were carried out according to type of intervention. A total of 20 trials were included. Headache improvement was significantly higher for flunarizine compared with placebo (relative risk 4.00, 95% confidence interval 1.60, 9.97). There is conflicting evidence for the use of propranolol. Nimodipine, clonidine, L-5HTP, trazodone and papaverine showed no effect when compared with placebo. All medications were well tolerated and adverse events showed no significant differences. Flunarizine may be effective as prophylactic treatment for migraine in children. Because of the small number of studies and the methodological shortcomings, conclusions regarding effectiveness have to be drawn with caution.
Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Somatostatin Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients Affected by Chronic Migraine and Fibromyalgia
Authors: Sarchielli P , Alberti A , Candeliere A , Floridi A , Capocchi G , Calabresi P
Published: November 2005

The aim of the present study was to verify cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and somatostatin, both measured by sensitive immunoassay, in: 16 chronic migraine (CM) patients, 15 patients with an antecedent history of migraine without aura diagnosed as having probable chronic migraine (PCM) and probable analgesic-abuse headache (PAAH), 20 patients affected by primary fibromyalgia syndrome (PFMS), and 20 control subjects. Significantly lower levels of GDNF and somatostatin were found in the CSF of both CM and PCM + PAAH patients compared with controls (GDNF = P < 0.001, P < 0.002; somatostatin = P < 0.002, P < 0.0003), without significant difference between the two groups. PFMS patients, with and without analgesic abuse, also had significantly lower levels of both somatostatin and GDNF ( P < 0.0002, P < 0.001), which did not differ from those of CM and PCM + PAAH patients. A significant positive correlation emerged between CSF values of GDNF and those of somatostatin in CM ( r = 0.70, P < 0.02), PCM + PAAH ( r = 0.78, P < 0.004), and PFMS patients ( r = 0.68, P < 0.008). Based on experimental findings, it can be postulated that reduced CSF levels of GDNF and somatostatin in both CM and PCM + PAAH patients can contribute to sustained central sensitization underlying chronic head pain. The abuse of simple or combination analgesics does not seem to influence the biochemical changes investigated, which appear to be more strictly related to the chronic pain state, as demonstrated also for fibromyalgia.
How patients experience psoriasis: results from a European survey
Authors: Fouéré S , Adjadj L , Pawin H
Published: November 2005

Background  Most of the psoriasis that affects the European population is treated with topical preparations. Compliance rates, however, are known to be quite low.

Objective  To provide an update on how psoriasis is experienced by patients and how well these patients comply with prescribed topical treatment.

Methods  This was an observational and transversal survey conducted in 1281 patients with psoriasis. Patient input alone formed the basis of the study. Participants were contacted through the national psoriasis patient associations in France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.

Results  The study showed that 32% of the patients suffer currently from psoriasis in the face, skin folds and genital areas – areas very sensitive to topical treatments. Most of the patients (74%) considered their psoriasis as at least moderately severe, and 73% stated not to comply with their current treatment. Lack of efficacy and messiness of the treatment were the main reasons for non‐compliance, an element that is especially important for the use in sensitive areas such as the face, skin folds and genitalia.

Conclusion  The present survey confirmed that cosmetic acceptability is, together with efficacy and safety, a very important aspect of a successful treatment of psoriasis.
Rheological properties of three different vitamin D ointments and their clinical perception by patients with mild to moderate psoriasis
Authors: Marty JP , Lafforgue C , Grossiord JL , Soto P
Published: November 2005

Background  Ointments, classically used for the treatment of dermatological diseases, are monophasic viscous semisolid formulations. According to the proportion of their compounds, they have physicochemical and organoleptic properties and when applied on skin show a specific behaviour allowing to be spread more or less easily.

Objective  To measure in vitro rheological characteristics of three vitamin D derivative ointments prescribed for the treatment of psoriasis, and to compare their viscosity and clinical acceptability when applied on the diseased skin.

Methods  Rheological characteristics of tacalcitol 4 µg/g, calcipotriol 50 µg/g and calcitriol 3 µg/g ointments were assessed by measuring the oscillatory viscoelastic parameters and the permanent flow analysis. Clinical acceptability was studied in 20 psoriatic male or female subjects, aged 18 years or older. A survey evaluated the acceptability of calcitriol vs. tacalcitol and calcipotriol. Questions included information about fluidity, spreading capacity and stickiness after application.

Results  We demonstrated that viscoelastic parameters were four times higher for ointment tacalcitol than for calcipotriol and calcitriol, corresponding to a higher consistency of ointment tacalcitol compared to calcipotriol and calcitriol showing both similar results; better fluidity was demonstrated by calcitriol than by tacalcitol and calcipotriol. Comparable results were obtained for the quality to be spread. The sensation of stickiness, significantly different between tacalcitol and calcitriol, was not different between calcipotriol and calcitriol.

Conclusion  The above results confirm the relationship between rheological in vitro and sensorial in vivo results: variations between different formulations may have an important influence on non‐adherence and treatment failure.
The right dose in the right place: an overview of current prescription, instruction and application modalities for topical psoriasis treatments
Authors: Savary J , Ortonne JP , Aractingi S
Published: November 2005

Background:  Compared to treatment success with oral medications, treatment success with topical treatments is currently difficult to achieve.

Aim:  To assess and compare existing methods of lesion size evaluation, prescription habits, instruction and application modalities of topical medications.

Methods:  Review of current and new procedures to estimate the body surface area, to calculate the most adequate quantity of medication to be prescribed, to instruct patients and to assess the individual dosing procedures of topical treatments.

Results:  The most accurate method to assess the body surface area remains the rule of nine, allowing, together with a recently developed calculation disc, to estimate the most adequate quantity of topical treatment (here calcitriol 3 g/g ointment) to be prescribed. Precise instructions to the patient are other important elements for the successful treatment of dermatoses. Dosing devices, such as a spatula, may help patients to dose their daily topical treatment, avoiding over‐ and underdosing of the medication.

Conclusion:  A correct evaluation of the lesions sizes, a precise calculation of the treatments quantity to be prescribed, clear instructions and treatment‐specific individual dosing devices may help to achieve higher patient compliance and treatment success.
Therapy of paraneoplastic pemphigus with Rituximab: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Barnadas MA , Roe E , Brunet S , Garcia P , Bergua P , Pimentel L , Puig L , Francia A , García R , Gelpí C , Sierra J , Coll P , Alomar A
Published: November 2005

Paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) is an autoimmune blistering disease with poor prognosis when associated with malignant neoplasm. We report the case of a patient with PNP associated with a CD20+ non‐Hodgkin follicular lymphoma who was treated with Rituximab plus corticosteroids and short courses of cyclosporin. One and a half years after Rituximab therapy, oral ulcerations had cleared and oral methylprednisolone was slowly tapered down without further recurrences. In the course of the disease, the patient developed sepsis due to Listeria monocytogenes and viral infections by human herpes virus 1 and 3. At the end‐stage of the disease she developed a cutaneous infection from Mycobacterium chelonae. The patient died 2 years and 7 months after the onset of PNP. Rituximab may be useful for PNP therapy, but further studies are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.
Generalized granuloma annulare associated with chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Ma HJ , Zhu WY , Yue XZ
Published: November 2005

We describe a 63‐year‐old Chinese woman with generalized granuloma annulare (GGA) associated with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection for 10 years. She developed non‐annular papule lesions after a previous infection of hepatitis B virus. Since then, her clinical course was aggressive with involvement of the trunk, extremities and neck. Histologically, granulomatous inflammations were found in the upper to mid dermis. The HBV DNA in these lesions was demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). GGA was totally regressed after treatment of interferon‐α for 3 months. To the best of our knowledge, GGA associated with chronic HBV infection has never been reported in literature. The prognostic significance of the association of granulomatous inflammation and virus infection is reviewed.
Caregivers as Managers of Subjective Wellbeing: A Homeostatic Perspective
Authors: Cummins Robert A.
Published: November 2005

Background  This paper proposes that the adequacy of service delivery and caregiving to people who are disabled should be assessed using two criteria. One is the objective circumstance of living, which should be at a standard acceptable to the community at large. The other is a level of subjective wellbeing (SWB) within the normal range.

Method  This latter criterion is a novel conception based on an understanding that SWB is homeostatically managed to lie normally within a narrow range of values.

Results  People who have a disability are more likely than usual to have a fragile homeostatic system because of the additional life challenges imposed by their disability.

Conclusions  The role of a caregiver is to provide resources and protection against strong threats to homeostasis, thereby ensuring that the person in their care has a normal‐range level of SWB.
The Environment in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health
Authors: Chapireau Francois
Published: November 2005

Background  The World Health Organization has adopted two classifications relating to disability, one was published in 1980 and the more recent one in 2001. Although the international classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF) was drafted as a revision of the international classification of impairments, disabilities and handicaps (ICIDH), the ICF is based on major changes when compared with the ICIDH. One of them has to do with the environment.

Method  Quotations from the classification manuals and related articles are presented in order to make clear the scope of the environment in the ICF.

Results  The ICF has a universal application. The gap between capacity and performance reflects the barriers created by the environment.

Conclusions  In the ICF, universalism and barriers have specific meanings, reflecting specific policy choices.
Early Intervention for Children with Intellectual Disabilities: Current Knowledge and Future Prospects*
Authors: Guralnick Michael J.
Published: November 2005

The field of early intervention is vibrant, generating expectations that systematic, comprehensive, experientially based interventions will alter developmental trajectories and prevent secondary complications. In this article, the existing knowledge base in the field is reviewed. It emphasizes the importance of an overall developmental framework, what is known through intervention science and the emergence of guiding principles for programme design and development. This is followed by a discussion of future prospects for improving early intervention outcomes in four areas. First, the importance of designing studies that provide information about carefully defined subgroups is discussed. This issue of specificity of outcomes is crucial in order to determine boundaries for effectiveness and to direct attention to areas of special concern. Second, prospects for translational research are discussed with particular reference to our knowledge of the core developmental processes affected. Third, the need to focus on the increasingly apparent mental health and social competence difficulties of even young children with intellectual disabilities is considered. Finally, the complex problems and potential solutions associated with the transfer of model intervention programmes to communities as part of early intervention systems are described.
Heritability of background EEG across the power spectrum
Authors: Smit D. J. A. , Posthuma D. , Boomsma D. I. , De Geus E. J. C.
Published: November 2005

We estimated the genetic and nongenetic (environmental) contributions to individual differences in the background EEG power spectrum in two age cohorts with mean ages of 26.2 and 49.4 years. Nineteen‐lead EEG was recorded with eyes closed from 142 monozygotic and 167 dizygotic twin pairs and their siblings, totaling 760 subjects. We obtained power spectra in 24 bins of 1 Hz ranging from 1.0 to 25.0 Hz. Generally, heritability was highest around the alpha peak frequency and lower in the theta and delta bands. In the beta band heritability gradually decreased with increasing frequency, especially in the temporal regions. Genetic correlations between power in the classical broad bands indicated that half to three‐quarters of the genetic variance can be attributed to a common source. We conclude that across the scalp and most of the frequency spectrum, individual differences in adult EEG are largely determined by genetic factors.
Lifespan extension in hypomorphic daf‐2 mutants of Caenorhabditis elegans is partially mediated by glutathione transferase CeGSTP2‐2
Authors: Ayyadevara Srinivas , Dandapat Abhijit , Singh Sharda P. , Beneš Helen , Zimniak Ludwika , Reis Robert J. Shmookler , Zimniak Piotr
Published: November 2005

Electrophilic stress caused by lipid peroxidation products such as 4‐hydroxynonenal (4‐HNE) and/or related compounds may contribute to aging. The major mode of 4‐HNE metabolism involves glutathione conjugation catalyzed by specialized glutathione transferases. We have previously shown that glutathione transferase CeGSTP2‐2, the product of the Caenorhabditis elegans gst‐10 gene, has the ability to conjugate 4‐HNE, and that its overexpression extends lifespan of C. elegans. We now demonstrate that the expression level of CeGSTP2‐2 correlates highly with lifespan in a series of hypomorphic daf‐2 mutants of C. elegans. The overexpression of CeGSTP2‐2 in daf‐2 is abrogated in daf‐16; daf‐2 mutants, indicating that expression of the gst‐10 gene is modulated by insulin‐like growth factor signaling. To determine whether the relationship between CeGSTP2‐2 and lifespan is causal, we used RNAi to knock down CeGSTP2‐2. Treatment with gst‐10‐specific dsRNA decreased CeGSTP2‐2 protein in wild‐type N2 and in daf‐2 strains to an approximately equal level. The ability to conjugate 4‐HNE was similarly decreased by RNAi, suggesting that the increment of that activity in daf‐2 over N2 is due largely to the overexpression of CeGSTP2‐2. RNAi‐mediated knock‐down of CeGSTP2‐2 led to an increased susceptibility to 4‐HNE, paraquat, and heat shock, and to a shortening of lifespan by 13% in both N2 and daf‐2 strains. These results indicate that CeGSTP2‐2 significantly contributes to the maintenance of the soma, and that this function is augmented in daf‐2 mutants concordantly with other longevity assurance genes, probably via insulin‐like growth factor signaling.
CXCL12 overexpression and secretion by aging fibroblasts enhance human prostate epithelial proliferation in vitro
Authors: Begley Lesa , Monteleon Christine , Shah Rajal B. , MacDonald James W. , Macoska Jill A.
Published: November 2005

The direct relationship between the aging process and the incidence and prevalence of both benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) implies that certain risk factors associated with the development of both diseases increase with the aging process. In particular, both diseases share an overly proliferative phenotype, suggesting that mechanisms that normally act to suppress cellular proliferation are disrupted or rendered dysfunctional as a consequence of the aging process. We propose that one such mechanism involves changes in the prostate microenvironment, which ‘evolves’ during the aging process and disrupts paracrine interactions between epithelial and associated stromal fibroblasts. We show that stromal fibroblasts isolated from the prostates of men 63–81 years of age at the time of surgery express and secrete higher levels of the CXCL12 chemokine compared with those isolated from younger men, and stimulate CXCR4‐mediated signaling pathways that induce cellular proliferation. These studies represent an important first step towards a mechanistic elucidation of the role of aging in the etiology of benign and malignant prostatic diseases.
Methodology and Transport Medium for Collection of Helicobacter pylori on a String Test in Remote Locations
Authors: Windsor Helen M. , Abioye‐Kuteyi Emmanuel A. , Marshall Barry J.
Published: November 2005

Background.  Helicobacter pylori can be isolated from patients using the string test but contaminating oral and nasopharyngeal microflora need to be suppressed by rapid plating out onto selective culture media. Recently, use of this diagnostic method was enhanced by using a novel transport medium to collect specimens from subjects in a remote Australian clinic over 1300 km from the laboratory.

Methods.  Retrieved string tests were transported to the laboratory in chilled polystyrene boxes in 5 ml screw‐cap bottles with 3 ml of a brain heart infusion broth plus antibiotics. These were 20 g/ml vancomycin, 10 g/ml trimethoprim, 10 g/ml cefsulodin, and 10 g/ml amphotericin B. A comparison was made between subjects who gargled with a chlorhexidine mouthwash before swallowing the string test and those who did not.

Results.  Forty‐five urea breath test‐positive subjects were tested and H. pylori was isolated from 34 of them. Successful culture was achieved from string tests that were in transit for up to 29 hours and where the maximum temperature in the transport box was 14 °C. The additional use of a mouthwash had a marked effect on the isolation rate. H. pylori was cultured from 75% of subjects who gargled but only from 39% who did not.

Conclusions.  This methodology and transport medium can broaden the use of the string test to more remote geographic areas where endoscopy is not feasible so that H. pylori isolates may still be obtained for diagnostic and epidemiologic studies. The value of this promising methodology of collection and transport should be assessed in a controlled study.