bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal Coordination during Bimanual Reach-to-Grasp Movements: The Role of Vision
Authors: Bruyn Jennifer L. , Mason Andrea H.
Published: February 2009

The performance of bimanual movements involving separate objects presents an obvious challenge to the visuo-motor system: Visual feedback can only be obtained from one target at a time. To overcome this challenge overt shifts in visual attention may occur so that visual feedback from both movements may be used directly (Bingham, Hughes, & Mon-Williams, 2008; Riek, Tresilian, Mon-Williams, Coppard, & Carson, 2003). Alternatively, visual feedback from both movements may be obtained in the absence of eye movements, presumably by covert shifts in attention (Diedrichsen, Nambisan, Kennerley, & Ivry, 2004). Given that the quality of information falls with increasing distance from the fixated point, can we obtain the level of information required to accurately guide each hand for precision grasping of separate objects without moving our eyes to fixate each target separately? The purpose of the current study was to examine how the temporal coordination between the upper limbs is affected by the quality of visual information available during the performance of a bimanual task. A total of 11 participants performed congruent and incongruent movements towards near and/or far objects. Movements were performed in natural, fixate-centre, fixate-left, and fixate-right vision conditions. Analyses revealed that the transport phase of incongruent movements was similar across vision conditions for the temporal aspects of both the transport and grasp, whereas the spatial aspects of grasp formation were influenced by the quality of visual feedback. We suggest that bimanual coordination of the temporal aspects of reach-to-grasp movements are not influenced solely by overt shifts in visual attention but instead are influenced by a combination of factors in a task-constrained way.
Mathematical Model Creation for Cancer Chemo‐Immunotherapy
Authors: de Pillis Lisette , Fister K. Renee , Gu Weiqing , Collins Craig , Daub Michael , Gross David , Moore James , Preskill Benjamin
Published: February 2009

One of the most challenging tasks in constructing a mathematical model of cancer treatment is the calculation of biological parameters from empirical data. This task becomes increasingly difficult if a model involves several cell populations and treatment modalities. A sophisticated model constructed by de Pillis et al., Mixed immunotherapy and chemotherapy of tumours: Modelling, applications and biological interpretations, J. Theor. Biol. 238 (2006), pp. 841–862; involves tumour cells, specific and non‐specific immune cells (natural killer (NK) cells, CD8+T cells and other lymphocytes) and employs chemotherapy and two types of immunotherapy (IL‐2 supplementation and CD8+T‐cell infusion) as treatment modalities. Despite the overall success of the aforementioned model, the problem of illustrating the effects of IL‐2 on a growing tumour remains open. In this paper, we update the model of de Pillis et al. and then carefully identify appropriate values for the parameters of the new model according to recent empirical data. We determine new NK and tumour antigen‐activated CD8+T‐cell count equilibrium values; we complete IL‐2 dynamics; and we modify the model in de Pillis et al. to allow for endogenous IL‐2 production, IL‐2‐stimulated NK cell proliferation and IL‐2‐dependent CD8+T‐cell self‐regulations. Finally, we show that the potential patient‐specific efficacy of immunotherapy may be dependent on experimentally determinable parameters.
CFTR Functions as a Bicarbonate Channel in Pancreatic Duct Cells
Authors: Ishiguro Hiroshi , Steward Martin C. , Naruse Satoru , Ko Shigeru B.H. , Goto Hidemi , Case R. Maynard , Kondo Takaharu , Yamamoto Akiko
Published: February 2009

Pancreatic duct epithelium secretes a HCO3−-rich fluid by a mechanism dependent on cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in the apical membrane. However, the exact role of CFTR remains unclear. One possibility is that the HCO3− permeability of CFTR provides a pathway for apical HCO3− efflux during maximal secretion. We have therefore attempted to measure electrodiffusive fluxes of HCO3− induced by changes in membrane potential across the apical membrane of interlobular ducts isolated from the guinea pig pancreas. This was done by recording the changes in intracellular pH (pHi) that occurred in luminally perfused ducts when membrane potential was altered by manipulation of bath K+ concentration. Apical HCO3− fluxes activated by cyclic AMP were independent of Cl− and luminal Na+, and substantially inhibited by the CFTR blocker, CFTRinh-172. Furthermore, comparable HCO3− fluxes observed in ducts isolated from wild-type mice were absent in ducts from cystic fibrosis (ΔF) mice. To estimate the HCO3− permeability of the apical membrane under physiological conditions, guinea pig ducts were luminally perfused with a solution containing 125 mM HCO3− and 24 mM Cl− in the presence of 5% CO2. From the changes in pHi, membrane potential, and buffering capacity, the flux and electrochemical gradient of HCO3− across the apical membrane were determined and used to calculate the HCO3− permeability. Our estimate of ∼0.1 µm sec−1 for the apical HCO3− permeability of guinea pig duct cells under these conditions is close to the value required to account for observed rates of HCO3− secretion. This suggests that CFTR functions as a HCO3− channel in pancreatic duct cells, and that it provides a significant pathway for HCO3− transport across the apical membrane.
KirBac1.1: It's an Inward Rectifying Potassium Channel
Authors: Cheng Wayland W.L. , Enkvetchakul Decha , Nichols Colin G.
Published: February 2009

KirBac1.1 is a prokaryotic homologue of eukaryotic inward rectifier potassium (Kir) channels. The crystal structure of KirBac1.1 and related KirBac3.1 have now been used extensively to generate in silico models of eukaryotic Kir channels, but functional analysis has been limited to 86Rb+ flux experiments and bacteria or yeast complementation screens, and no voltage clamp analysis has been available. We have expressed pure full-length His-tagged KirBac1.1 protein in Escherichia coli and obtained voltage clamp recordings of recombinant channel activity in excised membrane patches from giant liposomes. Macroscopic currents of wild-type KirBac1.1 are K+ selective and spermine insensitive, but blocked by Ba2+, similar to “weakly rectifying” eukaryotic Kir1.1 and Kir6.2 channels. The introduction of a negative charge at a pore-lining residue, I138D, generates high spermine sensitivity, similar to that resulting from the introduction of a negative charge at the equivalent position in Kir1.1 or Kir6.2. KirBac1.1 currents are also inhibited by PIP2, consistent with 86Rb+ flux experiments, and reversibly inhibited by short-chain di-c8-PIP2. At the single-channel level, KirBac1.1 channels show numerous conductance states with two predominant conductances (15 pS and 32 pS at −100 mV) and marked variability in gating kinetics, similar to the behavior of KcsA in recombinant liposomes. The successful patch clamping of KirBac1.1 confirms that this prokaryotic channel behaves as a bona fide Kir channel and opens the way for combined biochemical, structural, and electrophysiological analysis of a tractable model Kir channel, as has been successfully achieved for the archetypal K+ channel KcsA.
Mechanism of Increased BK Channel Activation from a Channel Mutation that Causes Epilepsy
Authors: Wang Bin , Rothberg Brad S. , Brenner Robert
Published: February 2009

Concerted depolarization and Ca2+ rise during neuronal action potentials activate large-conductance Ca2+- and voltage-dependent K+ (BK) channels, whose robust K+ currents increase the rate of action potential repolarization. Gain-of-function BK channels in mouse knockout of the inhibitory β4 subunit and in a human mutation (αD434G) have been linked to epilepsy. Here, we investigate mechanisms underlying the gain-of-function effects of the equivalent mouse mutation (αD369G), its modulation by the β4 subunit, and potential consequences of the mutation on BK currents during action potentials. Kinetic analysis in the context of the Horrigan-Aldrich allosteric gating model revealed that changes in intrinsic and Ca2+-dependent gating largely account for the gain-of-function effects. D369G causes a greater than twofold increase in the closed-to-open equilibrium constant (6.6e−7→1.65e−6) and an approximate twofold decrease in Ca2+-dissociation constants (closed channel: 11.3→5.2 µM; open channel: 0.92→0.54 µM). The β4 subunit inhibits mutant channels through a slowing of activation kinetics. In physiological recording solutions, we established the Ca2+ dependence of current recruitment during action potential–shaped stimuli. D369G and β4 have opposing effects on BK current recruitment, where D369G reduces and β4 increases K1/2 (K1/2 μM: αWT 13.7, αD369G 6.3, αWT/β4 24.8, and αD369G/β4 15.0). Collectively, our results suggest that the D369G enhancement of intrinsic gating and Ca2+ binding underlies greater contributions of BK current in the sharpening of action potentials for both α and α/β4 channels.
Study of Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunt–Associated Infections in the First Year Following Placement, by the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program
Authors: Langley Joanne M. , Gravel Denise , Moore Dorothy , Matlow Anne , Embree Joanne , MacKinnon-Cameron Donna , Conly John ,   Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program
Published: February 2009

In a national surveillance system study, the infection rate following cerebrospinal fluid shunt surgery was 4.1% (95% confidence interval, 3.36%-4.92%). Cases of infection were more common in children than in adults (4.85% vs 3.24%;P= .04) and occurred sooner after surgery in children than in adults. A wide variation in compliance with antimicrobial prophylaxis was observed between 21 participating medical centers.
Diacylglycerol Kinase ζ Regulates Actin Cytoskeleton Reorganization through Dissociation of Rac1 from RhoGDI
Authors: Abramovici Hanan , Mojtabaie Parmiss , Parks Robin J. , Zhong Xiao-Ping , Koretzky Gary A. , Topham Matthew K. , Gee Stephen H.
Published: February 2009

Activation of Rac1 GTPase signaling is stimulated by phosphorylation and release of RhoGDI by the effector p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1), but it is unclear what initiates this potential feed-forward mechanism for regulation of Rac activity. Phosphatidic acid (PA), which is produced from the lipid second messenger diacylglycerol (DAG) by the action of DAG kinases (DGKs), is known to activate PAK1. Here, we investigated whether PA produced by DGKζ initiates RhoGDI release and Rac1 activation. In DGKζ-deficient fibroblasts PAK1 phosphorylation and Rac1–RhoGDI dissociation were attenuated, leading to reduced Rac1 activation after platelet-derived growth factor stimulation. The cells were defective in Rac1-regulated behaviors, including lamellipodia formation, membrane ruffling, migration, and spreading. Wild-type DGKζ, but not a kinase-dead mutant, or addition of exogenous PA rescued Rac activation. DGKζ stably associated with PAK1 and RhoGDI, suggesting these proteins form a complex that functions as a Rac1-selective RhoGDI dissociation factor. These results define a pathway that links diacylglycerol, DGKζ, and PA to the activation of Rac1: the PA generated by DGKζ activates PAK1, which dissociates RhoGDI from Rac1 leading to changes in actin dynamics that facilitate the changes necessary for cell motility.
p120-Catenin Inhibits VE-Cadherin Internalization through a Rho-independent Mechanism
Authors: Chiasson Christine M. , Wittich Kristin B. , Vincent Peter A. , Faundez Victor , Kowalczyk Andrew P.
Published: February 2009

p120-catenin is a cytoplasmic binding partner of cadherins and functions as a set point for cadherin expression by preventing cadherin endocytosis, and degradation. p120 is known to regulate cell motility and invasiveness by inhibiting RhoA activity. However, the relationship between these functions of p120 is not understood. Here, we provide evidence that p120 functions as part of a plasma membrane retention mechanism for VE-cadherin by preventing the recruitment of VE-cadherin into membrane domains enriched in components of the endocytic machinery, including clathrin and the adaptor complex AP-2. The mechanism by which p120 regulates VE-cadherin entry into endocytic compartments is dependent on p120's interaction with the cadherin juxtamembrane domain, but occurs independently of p120's prevention of Rho GTPase activity. These findings clarify the mechanism for p120's function in stabilizing VE-cadherin at the plasma membrane and demonstrate a novel role for p120 in modulating the availability of cadherins for entry into a clathrin-dependent endocytic pathway.
WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations
Authors: Lim Sabina
Published: February 2009

‘WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region (WHO Standard) was released in 2008. Initially, there were 92/361 controversial acupuncture points (acupoints). Through seven informal consultations and four task force team meetings, 86 points were agreed upon among the 92 controversial acupoints, leaving 6 remaining controversial acupoints, demanding active research in the future. This will enhance the reproducibility and validity of acupuncture studies. It will also lead to a better understanding of acupuncture mechanisms in order to optimize its clinical efficacy for a range of diseases and syndromes. This book has two parts: General Guidelines for Acupuncture Point Locations and WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations. First of all, familiarity with the General Guidelines for Acupuncture Point Locations in this book can help the reader to understand and use the contents of this book in depth. I would like to thank all of the participating experts and scholars for this great work, who have overcome the limits of previous acupuncture references. I also appreciate the dedicated effort and harmonious leadership of Dr Choi Seung‐hoon, former Regional Adviser in Traditional Medicine of Western Pacific Office, WHO.
Application of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 BED enzyme immunoassay on dried blood spots in India
Authors: Lakshmi Vemu , Sudha Talasila , Dandona Rakhi , Teja Vijay D. , Kumar G. Anil , Dandona Lalit
Published: February 2009

Dried blood spots (DBSs) on filter paper are being used increasingly in population-based human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) studies. This study evaluated the application of a BED enzyme immunoassay (EIA) on DBSs to estimate HIV incidence in a population-based study in India. The Calypte HIV-1 BED Incidence EIA was performed on 224 HIV-1-positive DBS samples, after screening 12 617 individuals from a population-based sample in Guntur district in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The number of recently infected HIV cases was identified using this BED assay and was used to estimate the annual HIV incidence rate based on calculations and adjustment formulae suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The updated BED data management software provided by the CDC was used for analyses. Of the 224 HIV-1 antibody-positive DBS samples, 29 (12.95 %) were estimated by the BED HIV-1 assay to have been infected within the past 155 days. After adjusting for age, gender and rural/urban distribution of the population, the annual incidence rate of HIV-1 infection was estimated to be 0.32 % (95 % confidence interval 0.20–0.44 %). This annual incidence was 18.6 % of the HIV prevalence of 1.72 % in this study. Thus, the BED assay revealed a higher incidence of HIV in this study than was expected from the prevalence. Correlation of the BED assay with panel testing and longitudinal incidence data in the Indian population is needed to calibrate it for use in India.
The frequency of molecular detection of virulence genes encoding cytolysin A, high-pathogenicity island and cytolethal distending toxin of Escherichia coli in cases of sudden infant death syndrome does not differ from that in other infant deaths and healthy infants
Authors: Highet Amanda R. , Berry Anne M. , Bettelheim Karl A. , Goldwater Paul N.
Published: February 2009

Consistent pathological findings in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) are seen which display similarities to the pathogenesis of toxaemic shock and/or sepsis. A key candidate infectious agent that is possibly involved is Escherichia coli, given its universal early colonization of the intestinal tract of infants and an increased frequency of toxigenic and mouse-lethal isolates from SIDS compared with comparison infants. An explanation for these findings has yet to be identified. Using PCR, we screened E. coli isolates from 145 SIDS and 101 dead control and healthy infants for three new candidate pathogenicity-related genes: clyA (cytolysin A), irp2 [high-pathogenicity island (HPI)-specific gene] and cdt (cytolethal distending toxin). The results failed to show a positive correlation with SIDS, instead proving that clyA and irp2 genes were common to the infant intestinal E. coli. Interestingly we observed a high rate of carriage of these two potentially pathogenic genes in E. coli from healthy infants in the absence of diarrhoeal disease, and we report that in a number of cases, the detection of HPI-specific genes was predictable by serotype. Despite the lack of associations defined so far, there remains the likelihood that genetic determinants influence the interactions between E. coli and the host, so these factors may be part of the multi-factorial aspect of SIDS.
Effect of free versus liposomal-complexed pentamidine isethionate on biological characteristics of Acanthamoeba castellanii in vitro
Authors: Siddiqui Ruqaiyyah , Syed Abdul , Tomas Salvador , Prieto-Garcia Jose , Khan Naveed Ahmed
Published: February 2009

Acanthamoeba is an opportunistic protozoan pathogen that can cause blinding keratitis and a rare but fatal encephalitis involving the central nervous system with a very poor prognosis. This is due to limited availability of effective anti-acanthamoebic drugs. Here, we tested whether the use of liposomes can improve the potency of pentamidine isethionate, an anti-amoebic compound. The liposomes consisted of l-α-phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol or ergosterol in a molar ratio of 1 : 5. Pentamidine isethionate was incorporated to achieve a final drug to lipid ratio of 1 : 5. At a drug concentration of 10 μg ml−1, the liposomal drug was >12 times more effective than the free drug at preventing Acanthamoeba binding to human cells and significantly more effective in reducing parasite-mediated human cell cytopathogenicity, compared with the drug alone. Both the free and liposomal drug blocked Acanthamoeba encystation.
Comparative evaluation of three commercial Toxoplasma-specific IgG antibody avidity tests and significance in different clinical settings
Authors: Bobić Branko , Klun Ivana , Vujanić Marija , Nikolić Aleksandra , Ivović Vladimir , Živković Tijana , Djurković-Djaković Olgica
Published: February 2009

Determination of the avidity of specific IgG antibodies has become a generally accepted diagnostic aid for datingToxoplasmainfection. In this study, the Labsystems, VIDAS and EUROIMMUNToxoplasmaIgG avidity assays were compared on a series of 133ToxoplasmaIgG- and IgM-positive sera from symptomatic patients (n=28), from pregnant (n=43) and non-pregnant (n=26) women, and on 18 IgG-positive and IgM-negative sera from chronically infected patients. The results showed excellent concordance between the Labsystems and VIDAS tests in both the IgM-positive (r=0.82,κ=0.771) and IgM-negative (κ=0.609) sera, whilst the agreement of the EUROIMMUN assay with both the Labsystems and VIDAS tests in the IgM-positive sera was moderate (κ=0.575 andκ=0.525, respectively) and in the IgM-negative sera was poor (κ=0.000). Analysis of the kinetics of the maturation of avidity in 13 patients in whom follow-up sera were available showed that, despite a general trend of maturation, in two patients the avidity did not become high during 6 and 11 months of follow-up. In view of the clinical setting, in the symptomatic patients, despite one case of complete discrepancy and five cases of partial discrepancy, the Labsystems and VIDAS tests were in almost perfect agreement (κ=0.812), whilst the agreement in pregnant and non-pregnant women was substantial (κ=0.754 andκ=0.708, respectively). In conclusion, the Labsystems and VIDAS tests are equally reliable for the measurement ofToxoplasmaIgG avidity; the choice of test should depend on the laboratory set-up. The EUROIMMUN test may be an acceptable alternative in resource-limited settings, but should be used prudently.
Olecranon bursitis secondary to Mycobacterium kansasii infection in a patient receiving infliximab for Behçet's disease
Authors: Malkin Joanne , Shrimpton Anna , Wiselka Martin , Barer Michael R. , Duddridge Michael , Perera Nelun
Published: February 2009

We present a case of Mycobacterium kansasii olecranon bursitis in a woman with known immunosuppression secondary to the treatment received for her Behçet's disease. We found only one other case report of olecranon bursitis caused by M. kansasii in the literature, which, unlike our case, presented in an immunocompetent adult following trauma. This case extends the range of opportunistic mycobacterial infections that are associated with anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy.
Molecular and Genetic Evidence for the Key Role of AtCaM3 in Heat-Shock Signal Transduction in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zhou Ren-Gang , Gao Ying-Jie , Zheng Shu-Zhi , Xu Peng , Zhang Su-Qiao , Sun Da-Ye
Published: February 2009

Heat shock (HS) is a common form of stress suffered by plants. It has been proposed that calmodulin (CaM) is involved in HS signal transduction, but direct evidence has been lacking. To investigate the potential regulatory function of CaM in the HS signal transduction pathway, T-DNA knockout mutants for AtCaM2, AtCaM3, and AtCaM4 were obtained and their thermotolerance tested. Of the three knockout mutant plants, there were no differences compared with wild-type plants under normal conditions. However, the AtCaM3 knockout mutant showed a clear reduction in thermotolerance after heat treatment at 45°C for 50 min. Overexpression of AtCaM3 in either the AtCaM3 knockout or wild-type background significantly rescued or increased the thermotolerance, respectively. Results from electrophoretic mobility-shift assays, real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and western-blot analyses revealed that, after HS, the DNA-binding activity of HS transcription factors, mRNA transcription of HS protein genes, and accumulation of HS protein were down-regulated in the AtCaM3 knockout mutant and up-regulated in the AtCaM3-overexpressing transgenic lines. Taken together, these results suggest that endogenous AtCaM3 is a key component in the Ca2+-CaM HS signal transduction pathway.
Rice protein‐concentrate meal as a potential dietary ingredient in practical diets for blackspot seabream Pagellus bogaraveo: a histological and enzymatic investigation
Authors: Daprà F. , Gai F. , Costanzo M. T. , Maricchiolo G. , Micale V. , Sicuro B. , Caruso G. , Genovese L. , Palmegiano G. B.
Published: February 2009

Field and laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the intestinal responses to partial replacement of fish meal with rice protein concentrate (RPC) in practical diets for blackspot seabream Pagellus bogaraveo. Two experimental diets were formulated to be isoproteic and isoenergetic with an increasing level of RPC (20 and 35%, respectively) and were tested against a fish meal‐based control diet (RPC0). The diets showed similar features for growth performances and both intestinal histology and digestive enzymes. This study confirmed that RPC does not induce intestinal mucosa alterations in this fish. The dietary RPC supplement caused a significant increase in trypsin activity, whereas lipase activity was reduced.
Are there predominant strains and toxins of Staphylococcus aureus in atopic dermatitis patients? Genotypic characterization and toxin determination of S. aureus isolated in adolescent and adult patients with atopic dermatitis
Authors: KIM Do‐Won , PARK Jee‐Young , PARK Kyung‐Duck , KIM Tae‐Hoon , LEE Weon‐Ju , LEE Seok‐Jong , KIM Jungmin
Published: February 2009

The colonization of Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important aggravating factors of atopic dermatitis (AD). Until now, the importance of S. aureus in AD and a positive correlation between colonization with S. aureus and clinical severity/skin barrier function has been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to determine whether there are certain clones of S. aureus which colonize the skin of AD patients. For this purpose, the genotype of S. aureus isolated from AD patients was examined by newly‐developed typing methods. With 36 strains of S. aureus isolated from 35 patients with AD, spa typing, multi‐locus sequence typing (MLST), and staphylococcal toxin gene assay by multiplex polymerase chain reaction, were performed. Clinical severity and skin barrier function were evaluated with eczema area and severity index (EASI) and with transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Among 36 strains of S. aureus, 14 sequence types (ST) and 20 spa types were identified, suggesting a very heterogeneous genetic composition of S. aureus and the absence of a prevailing genotype in S. aureus colonized with AD patients. Furthermore, there was no specific genotype of S. aureus which was associated with the clinical severity of AD or skin barrier dysfunction. A toxin gene assay, however, showed the predominance of S. aureus strains carrying sea and/or tsst‐1. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to show the genetic composition of S. aureus strains isolated from AD patients determined by sequence‐based typing methods.
A quantitative method for analyzing establishing‐efficiency of persistent viral infection
Authors: Ito Morihiro , Yamakawa Izumi , Nishio Machiko , Tsurudome Masato , Kawano Mitsuo , Komada Hiroshi , Ito Yasuhiko
Published: February 2009

A quantitative method for analyzing establishing‐efficiency of persistent infection was devised. The efficiency of hPIV2 CA and SV5 T1 strains was found to be high, that is, 0.1∼0.3 (an efficiency of 1.0 indicates that 100% of the virus‐infected cells became persistently infected). The efficiency of the SV5 WR strain was also high, approximately 0.1, though the virus had no ability to immediately establish a steady state of persistent infection in whole cell‐culture systems. At about 0.0007, the efficiency of SV41 was almost the same as that of the hPIV2 Toshiba strain. The establishing efficiencies of various rSeV were further analyzed in detail. The efficiencies of the rSeV(PA), rSeV(Ppi) and rSeV(HNpi) were below the limit of detection, while that of rSeV(Lpi) was nearly 1. Although the efficiency was around 0.001, the rSeV(Mpi) and the rSeV(Fpi) were unexpectedly found to be capable of forming persistently‐infected cells, indicating that both the Fpi and Mpi proteins contribute to the establishing efficiency of persistent infection of SeVpi.
Acute necrotizing encephalopathy: A comparison between influenza and non‐influenza cases
Authors: Okumura Akihisa , Abe Sinpei , Kidokoro Hiroyuki , Mizuguchi Masashi
Published: February 2009

The aim of this study was to clarify the difference between influenza and non‐influenza cases in clinical symptoms, laboratory and neuroimaging findings, and outcome in children with ANE. We retrospectively studied 22 children with ANE. Eleven of them had virological proof of influenza infection and the other 11 were judged as non‐influenza infection. There was no significant difference between influenza and non‐influenza cases in sex, antipyretics use and neurological symptoms. Although laboratory data were not different between the two groups, brainstem lesions were relatively more frequent in influenza cases than in non‐influenza cases. Outcome was not different between the two groups. The results of our study suggest that the pathogenesis of acute necrotizing encephalopathy will not be dependent on infectious agents.
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy and its effects on neurodevelopment: what is known and what remains uncertain
Authors: Gray Ron , Mukherjee Raja A. S. , Rutter Michael
Published: February 2009

It has been claimed that mothers' drinking during pregnancy may affect the neurodevelopment of around 1% of all children. If this is true, then prenatal alcohol exposure represents an important risk factor for neurodevelopmental problems, giving rise to a large burden of disability which could be potentially preventable. Evidence to support this idea has come from animal experiments and human observational studies. However, such findings need to be supported by more robust research designs. Because randomized controlled trials in this area are neither feasible nor ethical, suggestions are made for further research making more use of natural experiments.
Parental alcohol dependence and the transmission of adolescent behavioral disinhibition: a study of adoptive and non‐adoptive families
Authors: King Serena M. , Keyes Margaret , Malone Stephen M. , Elkins Irene , Legrand Lisa N. , Iacono William G. , McGue Matt
Published: February 2009

Aim  To examine the genetic and environmental influences of parental alcoholism on offspring disinhibited behavior.

Design  We compared the effect of parental alcoholism history on offspring in adoptive and non‐adoptive families. In families with a history of parental alcohol dependence, we examined the effect of exposure to parental alcoholism symptoms during the life‐time of the adolescent.

Setting  Assessments occurred at the University of Minnesota from 1998 to 2004.

Participants  Adolescents adopted in infancy were ascertained systematically from records of three private Minnesota adoption agencies; non‐adopted adolescents were ascertained from Minnesota birth records. Adolescents and their rearing parents participated in in‐person assessments.

Measurements  For adolescents, measures included self‐ reports of delinquency, deviant peers, substance use, antisocial attitudes and personality. For parents, we conducted DSM‐IV clinical assessments of alcohol abuse and dependence.

Findings  A history of parental alcohol dependence was associated with higher levels of disinhibition only when adolescents were related biologically to their rearing parents. Within families with a history of parental alcoholism, exposure to parental alcohol misuse during the life‐time of the adolescent was associated with increased odds of using alcohol in adopted adolescents only.

Conclusions  These findings suggest that the association between a history of parental alcohol dependence and adolescent offspring behavioral disinhibition is attributable largely to genetic rather than environmental transmission. We also obtained some evidence for parental alcohol misuse as a shared environmental risk factor in adoptive families.
Drinking patterns, dependency and life‐time drinking history in alcohol‐related liver disease
Authors: Hatton Jennifer , Burton Andrew , Nash Harriet , Munn Emma , Burgoyne Lesley , Sheron Nick
Published: February 2009

Aims  To examine the hypothesis that increases in UK liver deaths are a result of episodic or binge drinking as opposed to regular harmful drinking.

Design  A prospective survey of consecutive in‐patients and out‐patients.

Setting  The liver unit of a teaching hospital in the South of England.

Participants  A total of 234 consecutive in‐patients and out‐patients between October 2007 and March 2008.

Measurements  Face‐to‐face interviews, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, 7‐day drinking diary, Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire, Lifetime Drinking History and liver assessment.

Findings  Of the 234 subjects, 106 had alcohol as a major contributing factor (alcoholic liver disease: ALD), 80 of whom had evidence of cirrhosis or progressive fibrosis. Of these subjects, 57 (71%) drank on a daily basis; only 10 subjects (13%) drank on fewer than 4 days of the week—of these, five had stopped drinking recently and four had cut down. In ALD patients two life‐time drinking patterns accounted for 82% of subjects, increasing from youth (51%), and a variable drinking pattern (31%). ALD patients had significantly more drinking days and units/drinking day than non‐ALD patients from the age of 20 years onwards.

Conclusions  Increases in UK liver deaths are a result of daily or near‐daily heavy drinking, not episodic or binge drinking, and this regular drinking pattern is often discernable at an early age.
Quantitative trait loci for porcine white blood cells and platelet‐related traits in a White Duroc × Erhualian F2 resource population
Authors: Yang S. , Ren J. , Yan X. , Huang X. , Zou Z. , Zhang Z. , Yang B. , Huang L.
Published: February 2009

White blood cell count and platelets are implicated as risk factors for common complex diseases. Genetic factors substantially affect these traits in humans and mice. However, little is known about the genetic architecture of these traits in pigs. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for leucocyte‐ and platelet‐related traits in pigs, the total leucocyte number and differential leucocyte counts including the fraction of basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, and a series of platelet parameters including platelet count, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width and plateletcrit were measured in 1033 F2 animals on 240 days from a White Duroc × Erhualian intercross resource population. A total of 183 informative microsatellites distributed across 19 pig chromosomes (SSC) were genotyped across the entire resource population. Thirty‐three QTL were identified for the examined traits, including eight genome‐wide significant QTL for white blood cells and differential leucocyte counts on SSC2, 7, 8, 12 and 15 and six significant QTL for platelet‐related traits on SSC2, 8, 13 and X. Erhualian or White Duroc alleles were not systematically associated with increased phenotypic values. These results not only confirmed many QTL identified previously in the mouse and swine, but also revealed a number of novel QTL for the traits recorded. Moreover, it is the first time that QTL for platelet‐related traits in pigs have been reported.
Ant colony optimization as a method for strategic genotype sampling
Authors: Spangler M. L. , Robbins K. R. , Bertrand J. K. , MacNeil M. , Rekaya R.
Published: February 2009

A simulation study was carried out to develop an alternative method of selecting animals to be genotyped. Simulated pedigrees included 5000 animals, each assigned genotypes for a bi‐allelic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) based on assumed allelic frequencies of 0.7/0.3 and 0.5/0.5. In addition to simulated pedigrees, two beef cattle pedigrees, one from field data and the other from a research population, were used to test selected methods using simulated genotypes. The proposed method of ant colony optimization (ACO) was evaluated based on the number of alleles correctly assigned to ungenotyped animals (AKP), the probability of assigning true alleles (AKG) and the probability of correctly assigning genotypes (APTG). The proposed animal selection method of ant colony optimization was compared to selection using the diagonal elements of the inverse of the relationship matrix (A−1). Comparisons of these two methods showed that ACO yielded an increase in AKP ranging from 4.98% to 5.16% and an increase in APTG from 1.6% to 1.8% using simulated pedigrees. Gains in field data and research pedigrees were slightly lower. These results suggest that ACO can provide a better genotyping strategy, when compared to A−1, with different pedigree sizes and structures.
Transformation of the offshore benthic community in Lake Michigan: recent shift from the native amphipod Diporeia spp. to the invasive mussel Dreissena rostriformis bugensis
Authors: NALEPA THOMAS F. , FANSLOW DAVID L. , LANG GREGORY A.
Published: February 2009

1. The native amphipod Diporeia spp. was once the dominant benthic organism in Lake Michigan and served as an important pathway of energy flow from lower to upper trophic levels. Lake‐wide surveys were conducted in 1994/1995, 2000 and 2005, and abundances of Diporeia and the invasive bivalves Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussel) and Dreissena rostriformis bugensis (quagga mussel) were assessed. In addition, more frequent surveys were conducted in the southern region of the lake between 1980 and 2007 to augment trend interpretation.

2. Between 1994/1995 and 2005, lake‐wide density of Diporeia declined from 5365 to 329 m−2, and biomass (dry weight, DW) declined from 3.9 to 0.4 g DW m−2. The percentage of all sites with no Diporeia increased over time: 1.1% in 1994/1995, 21.7% in 2000 and 66.9% in 2005. On the other hand, total dreissenid density increased from 173 to 8816 m−2, and total biomass increased from 0.4 to 28.6 g DW m−2. Over this 10‐year time period, D. r. bugensis displaced D. polymorpha as the dominant dreissenid, comprising 97.7% of the total population in 2005. In 2007, Diporeia was rarely found at depths shallower than 90 m and continued to decline at greater depths, whereas densities of D. r. bugensis continued to increase at depths greater than 50 m.

3. The decline in Diporeia occurred progressively from shallow to deep regions, and was temporally coincident with the expansion of D. polymorpha in nearshore waters followed by the expansion of D. r. bugensis in offshore waters. In addition, Diporeia density was negatively related to dreissenid density within and across depth intervals; the latter result indicated that dreissenids in shallow waters remotely influenced Diporeia in deep waters.

4. With the loss of Diporeia and increase in D. r. bugensis, the benthic community has become a major energy sink rather that a pathway to upper trophic levels. With this replacement of dominant taxa, we estimate that the relative benthic energy pool increased from 17 to 109 kcal m−2 between 1994/1995 and 2005, and to 342 kcal m−2 by 2007. We project that previously observed impacts on fish populations will continue and become more pronounced as the D. r. bugensis population continues to expand in deeper waters.
Does the disturbance hypothesis explain the biomass increase in basin‐wide Amazon forest plot data?
Authors: GLOOR M. , PHILLIPS O. L. , LLOYD J. J. , LEWIS S. L. , MALHI Y. , BAKER T. R. , LÓPEZ‐GONZALEZ G. , PEACOCK J. , ALMEIDA S. , De OLIVEIRA A. C. ALVES , ALVAREZ E. , AMARAL I. , ARROYO L. , AYMARD G. , BANKI O. , BLANC L. , BONAL D. , BRANDO P. , CHAO K.‐J. , CHAVE J. , DÁVILA N. , ERWIN T. , SILVA J. , Di FIORE A. , FELDPAUSCH T. R. , FREITAS A. , HERRERA R. , HIGUCHI N. , HONORIO E. , JIMÉNEZ E. , KILLEEN T. , LAURANCE W. , MENDOZA C. , MONTEAGUDO A. , ANDRADE A. , NEILL D. , NEPSTAD D. , VARGAS P. NÚÑEZ , PEÑUELA M. C. , CRUZ A. PEÑA , PRIETO A. , PITMAN N. , QUESADA C. , SALOMÃO R. , SILVEIRA MARCOS , SCHWARZ M. , STROPP J. , RAMÍREZ F. , RAMÍREZ H. , RUDAS A. , Ter STEEGE H. , SILVA N. , TORRES A. , TERBORGH J. , VÁSQUEZ R. , Van Der HEIJDEN G.
Published: February 2009

Positive aboveground biomass trends have been reported from old‐growth forests across the Amazon basin and hypothesized to reflect a large‐scale response to exterior forcing. The result could, however, be an artefact due to a sampling bias induced by the nature of forest growth dynamics. Here, we characterize statistically the disturbance process in Amazon old‐growth forests as recorded in 135 forest plots of the RAINFOR network up to 2006, and other independent research programmes, and explore the consequences of sampling artefacts using a data‐based stochastic simulator. Over the observed range of annual aboveground biomass losses, standard statistical tests show that the distribution of biomass losses through mortality follow an exponential or near‐identical Weibull probability distribution and not a power law as assumed by others. The simulator was parameterized using both an exponential disturbance probability distribution as well as a mixed exponential–power law distribution to account for potential large‐scale blowdown events. In both cases, sampling biases turn out to be too small to explain the gains detected by the extended RAINFOR plot network. This result lends further support to the notion that currently observed biomass gains for intact forests across the Amazon are actually occurring over large scales at the current time, presumably as a response to climate change.
Endometrial stromal sarcomas with extensive endometrioid glandular differentiation: report of a series with emphasis on the potential for misdiagnosis and discussion of the differential diagnosis
Authors: McCluggage W Glenn , Ganesan Raji , Herrington C Simon
Published: February 2009

Aims:  To describe a series of endometrial stromal sarcomas with large numbers of endometrioid‐type glands.

Methods and results:  The eight tumours occurred in patients aged 42–74 years. In three cases, the neoplasm arose in the uterine corpus and in the others there was either an extrauterine origin or the origin could not be determined since multiple sites were involved. In four cases, glands were present throughout the neoplasm and in the others there were areas of typical endometrial stromal sarcoma without glands. In one case, glands were present only in the recurrent neoplasm. The malignant stromal component comprised, for the most part, typical endometrial stromal sarcoma. In two patients, repeated biopsy specimens from the vagina or cervix were initially diagnosed as endometriosis, and in some cases there was a significant delay in diagnosis. Apart from endometriosis, other diagnostic considerations, depending on the tumour location and exact morphology, included adenomyosis, adenosarcoma and carcinosarcoma.

Conclusions:  Endometrial stromal sarcoma with extensive endometrioid glandular differentiation is rare. The presence of glands often results in diagnostic difficulty with a significant risk of misdiagnosis or delay in diagnosis. It is likely that some cases reported in the literature as aggressive endometriosis represent this entity.
Computerized analyses of morphology and proliferative activity differentiate hepatoblastoma from paediatric hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Tsai Hung‐Wen , Tsai Hsun‐Heng , Kuo Fang‐Ying , Chang Kung‐Chao
Published: February 2009

Aims:  To differentiate hepatoblastoma (HB) from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by computerized image analysis. This is critical for treatment modalities and prognostic stratification but is usually difficult in small biopsy specimens.

Methods and results:  Computerized image‐processing technology was used to calculate the nuclear–cytoplasmic ratio (N/C), cellularity (CEL) and other cellular and nuclear parameters in HB (n = 18) and paediatric HCC (pHCC, n = 11). The proliferation index (PI) and apoptotic index (AI) were also measured. Fetal type HB (FHB) compared with pHCC had more uniform nuclei (P ≤ 0.014), lower PI (P = 0.028) and AI (P = 0.009), whereas the embryonal type HB (EHB) had a higher N/C (P < 0.001), higher CEL (P = 0.043), smaller cells (P = 0.043) and higher PI (P = 0.020) than pHCC. Moreover, EHB had a higher N/C (P < 0.001), higher CEL (P = 0.021), smaller cells (P = 0.021), more nuclear pleomorphism (P ≤ 0.036) and higher PI (P < 0.001) than FHB. Multivariate analysis showed that FHB, EHB and pHCC could be classified accurately by a regression model. This logistic model further correctly stratified four additional test cases from biopsy specimens.

Conclusions:  These results indicate that computerized morphometric analysis can yield useful criteria to distinguish HB from pHCC in small biopsy specimens, and, compared with FHB, the poorer prognosis of EHB may result from its more undifferentiated (immature) and proliferative phenotype.
Effects of density and ontogeny on size and growth ranks of three competing tree species
Authors: Boyden Suzanne B. , Reich Peter B. , Puettmann Klaus J. , Baker Timothy R.
Published: February 2009

Rank reversals in species performance are theoretically important for structuring communities, maintaining diversity and determining the course of forest succession. Species growth ranks can change with ontogeny or in different microenvironments, but interactions between ontogeny and the environment are not well‐understood because of the lack of long‐term forest competition studies. While early differences in growth among species may reflect intrinsic differences in shade‐tolerance and physiology, ontogenetic trends in growth and variation in neighbourhood density and composition may change or even reverse early patterns of growth rankings.

We experimentally studied spatial and temporal patterns of species interactions and growth for three northern tree species:Larix laricina,Picea marianaandPinus strobus. We compared species size and growth rankings over an 11‐year period, for different species mixtures planted at four density levels in north‐eastern Minnesota, USA.

The benefits of different growth strategies changed with ontogeny and density leading to reversals in the size rank of competing species over time and space. High‐density stands promoted dominance and resource pre‐emption byL. laricina, whereas lower‐density stands favoured gradual accumulation of biomass and eventual dominance byP. strobus. In the absence of strong neighbour competition, ontogenetic trends in growth had greater influence on growth patterns.

Species interactions affected the productivity of mixed stands vs. monocultures. Species generally grew more in monoculture than when planted withP. strobusat low density, or withL. laricinaat high density. OnlyL. laricinaandP. marianashowed potential for greater overall productivity, or over‐yielding, when planted together than alone, probably because of improved resource uptake by the highly stratified canopy.

Synthesis. Density predictably determined whether size‐asymmetric growth or ontogenetic growth trends would drive early establishment and growth patterns. Variation in vertical and horizontal structure that results from early competitive dynamics can influence the successional trajectory or character of the mature forest. This study extends previous efforts to identify the causes of rank reversals in communities and understand the importance of temporal changes beyond the early years of seedling establishment.