bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Purification and characterization of an antibacterial compound produced by Agrobacterium vitis strain E26 with activity against A. tumefaciens
Authors: Wang H. M. , Wang H. X. , Ng T. B. , Li J. Y.
Published: December 2004

An antibacterial compound Ar26, with a molecular weight of 761, was isolated from a culture of a nonpathogenic strain of Agrobacterium vitis (originally called A. radiobacter) E26. Ar26 was purified by adsorption on activated charcoal, extraction with 70% ethanol and ion‐exchange chromatography successively on DEAE‐Sepharose, SP‐Sepharose and Mono S. Ar26 strongly inhibited the growth of the crown gall bacteria A. vitis MI3‐2 and A. tumefaciens CY4 on culture plates, the activities of human immunodeficiency virus‐1 reverse transcriptase and the glycohydrolases α‐glucosidase and β‐glucosidase.
Suppression of wheat‐seedling diseases caused by Fusarium culmorum and Microdochium nivale using bacterial seed treatment
Authors: Johansson P. M. , Johnsson L. , Gerhardson B.
Published: December 2004

Snow mould, caused by Microdochium nivale, and seedling blight caused by members of the Fusarium complex, are cereal diseases of great economic importance in many temperate zones. In a glasshouse bioassay designed to enhance disease, about 600 plant‐associated bacterial isolates obtained by different methods were screened for suppressive effects in wheat against infection caused by Fusarium culmorum. Although most of the isolates tested had a neutral effect on test plants and disease development, a few were synergistic to the pathogen and about one‐fifth showed > 80% disease suppression. During five consecutive growing seasons, 164 bacterial isolates were tested in field experiments against both F. culmorum and M. nivale as causal agents of seedling blight. Tests for effects on yield in experiments with spring and winter wheat, performed in different climatic regions of Sweden, showed that disease‐suppressive effects were repeatable. The most efficient isolates, three fluorescent pseudomonads and a species of Pantoea, suppressed disease equal to that of the fungicide guazatine, both with respect to crop stand and yield. Seed treatment with Pantoea sp. (isolate MF 626) increased yield by an average of more than 500 kg ha−1 in six field experiments.
Inter‐ and intraspecific morphometric variation and characterization of Phytophthora isolates from cocoa
Authors: Appiah A. A. , Flood J. , Bridge P. D. , Archer S. A.
Published: December 2004

Difficulties in the accurate identification of the Phytophthora species responsible for black pod disease of cocoa continue to hamper effective disease control. A re‐evaluation of morphological characters (Brasier & Griffin, 1979) and a detailed morphometric analysis of 161 Phytophthora isolates largely associated with black pod disease of cocoa from 17 countries worldwide have shown considerable inter‐ and intraspecific variation. Stable and more reliable parameters for the identification of the species responsible for the disease have been determined. Colony characteristics such as pattern and growth rate on V8 agar are reasonably characteristic for the cocoa Phytophthora species, and can be used to make preliminary identification to species level. Significant sporangial character variation was found within isolates of species from the same and different sources, highlighting the difficulties in making accurate identification on the basis of raw morphological data. Pedicel length was found to be the most consistent species‐linked sporangial characteristic. Cluster plots of length/breadth ratios of sporangia versus reciprocals of sporangial pedicel length clearly separated all isolates into distinct species groups (P. capsici, P. citrophthora, P. palmivora and P. megakarya) and can be used reliably to identify accurately those pathogens involved in black pod disease outbreaks.
Application of ‘Delete = Replace’ to Deletion Diagnostics for Variance Component Estimation in the Linear Mixed Model
Authors: Haslett John , Dillane Dominic
Published: December 2004

‘Delete = replace’ is a powerful and intuitive modelling identity. This paper extends previous work by stating and proving the identity in more general terms and extending its application to deletion diagnostics for estimates of variance components obtained by restricted maximum likelihood estimation for the linear mixed model. We present a new, fast, transparent and approximate computational procedure, arising as a by-product of the fitting process. We illustrate the effect of the deletion of individual observations, of ‘subjects’ and of arbitrary subsets. Central to the identity and its application is the conditional residual.
Local Polynomial Regression and Simulation–Extrapolation
Authors: Staudenmayer John , Ruppert David
Published: December 2004

The paper introduces a new local polynomial estimator and develops supporting asymptotic theory for nonparametric regression in the presence of covariate measurement error. We address the measurement error with Cook and Stefanski's simulation–extrapolation (SIMEX) algorithm. Our method improves on previous local polynomial estimators for this problem by using a bandwidth selection procedure that addresses SIMEX's particular estimation method and considers higher degree local polynomial estimators. We illustrate the accuracy of our asymptotic expressions with a Monte Carlo study, compare our method with other estimators with a second set of Monte Carlo simulations and apply our method to a data set from nutritional epidemiology. SIMEX was originally developed for parametric models. Although SIMEX is, in principle, applicable to nonparametric models, a serious problem arises with SIMEX in nonparametric situations. The problem is that smoothing parameter selectors that are developed for data without measurement error are no longer appropriate and can result in considerable undersmoothing. We believe that this is the first paper to address this difficulty.
Hypothesis Testing in Mixture Regression Models
Authors: Zhu Hong-Tu , Zhang Heping
Published: December 2004

We establish asymptotic theory for both the maximum likelihood and the maximum modified likelihood estimators in mixture regression models. Moreover, under specific and reasonable conditions, we show that the optimal convergence rate of n−1/4 for estimating the mixing distribution is achievable for both the maximum likelihood and the maximum modified likelihood estimators. We also derive the asymptotic distributions of two log-likelihood ratio test statistics for testing homogeneity and we propose a resampling procedure for approximating the p-value. Simulation studies are conducted to investigate the empirical performance of the two test statistics. Finally, two real data sets are analysed to illustrate the application of our theoretical results.
Anaphylactic reaction to goat's milk in a cow's milk‐allergic infant
Authors: Pessler Frank , Nejat Morris
Published: December 2004

Goat's milk has been used as a substitute for cow's milk in cow's milk‐allergic individuals. It is currently advocated for this purpose in writings and internet resources directed at the lay person, and infant formula based on goat's milk is available in many countries. Clinically significant cross‐allergenicity between cow's and goat's milk has been noted, but a life‐threatening cross‐reaction has not been reported. We describe a 4‐month‐old infant with immunologically documented cow's milk protein allergy but no prior exposure to goat's milk who developed anaphylaxis after the ingestion of commercial goat's milk. Subsequent skin prick testing demonstrated a specific reaction to goat's milk. Thus, the cross‐allergenicity between cow's and goat's milk proteins can lead to life‐threatening complications. Individuals allergic to cow's milk protein should avoid goat's milk and goat's milk products.
Psychosocial adjustment and quality of life after renal transplantation in early childhood
Authors: Qvist Erik , Närhi Vesa , Apajasalo Marjo , Rönnholm Kai , Jalanko Hannu , Almqvist Fredrik , Holmberg Christer
Published: December 2004

Abstract:   Psychosocial adjustment and quality of life has been reported good in children after a successful renal transplantation (Tx). There are, however, few reports of using standardized methods in evaluating these issues, particularly in small children. We investigated the psychosocial adjustment in 32 children at school age (mean 9.6 ± 1.6), who had received a renal Tx under the age of 5 yr, using the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist with data collected from both parents (CBCL) and teachers (CBCL–TRF). Health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) was assessed by interviewing the children using a 17‐dimensional (17D) health‐related measure and compared to HRQOL of 244 normal school children. The effect of additional diseases and comorbidity on psychosocial adjustment and HRQOL was assessed. The total scores on the CBCL did not differ from normative samples of healthy children. However, somatic complaints and social problems were reported more frequently in boys, and attention problems in both boys and girls. Patients with pathological scores had significantly more comorbidity (p = 0.03) and were more often attending a special school (p = 0.007) than patients with normal scores. The global 17D HRQOL index was significantly lower than measured in healthy controls (94 ± 5 for controls and 85 ± 7 for patients, p < 0.0001). It is of crucial importance to further minimize the risk factors leading to comorbidity in children after Tx. HRQOL assessment by the children themselves can be used to direct interventions and support the children's psychosocial adjustment.
Growth and skeletal maturation after pediatric cardiac transplantation
Authors: Cohen Adi , Addonizio Linda J. , Softness Barney , Lamour Jacqueline M. , McMahon Donald J. , Addesso Vicki , Diamond Beverly E. , Shane Elizabeth
Published: December 2004

Abstract:  To examine the effects of cardiac transplantation on skeletal maturation and linear growth, we retrospectively evaluated annual bone age determinations and growth parameters of pediatric cardiac transplant recipients followed at our center. Included in the analysis were records of 86 patients (32 females) who had received a cardiac transplant at our institution between 1984 and 1998. Bone age delay of ≥12 months was apparent in 38.5% at the time of transplantation. At some point in their post‐transplant course, 23 patients (29%) had one or more bone age measurements that were ≥36 months delayed with respect to chronological age. Children transplanted before age seven and those with a pretransplantation diagnosis of cardiomyopathy experienced the most significant decrement in skeletal maturation after transplantation. High cyclosporin A levels and low body mass index were the only parameters found to be associated with delayed bone age. Although the majority of children grew at a normal rate after transplantation, height Z scores and height age were adversely affected regardless of the type of heart disease or the age at transplantation. The pathogenesis of both delayed skeletal maturation and growth retardation in this population warrant further investigation.
Liver transplantation for children – the Red Cross Children's Hospital experience
Authors: Millar A. J. W. , Spearman W. , McCulloch M. , Goddard E. , Raad J. , Rode H. , Kahn D. , Cywes S.
Published: December 2004

Abstract:  Liver transplantation for infants and children has been available in South Africa at a single centre, the only established service in Sub‐Saharan Africa, for more than a decade. Current concerns have shifted from an initial target of early post‐transplant survival to quality of life in the long‐term. Materials and methods: Since 1985, 225 infants and children have been assessed, with 146 accepted for transplantation. Sixty‐nine have had 71 orthotopic liver transplants (OLTx). Biliary atresia was the most frequent diagnosis (54%) followed by acute liver failure (ALF) (15%). Waiting list mortality has remained high (23%), particularly for the ALF group (50%). Forty‐three were reduced size transplants with donor: recipient weight ratios ranging from 2:1 to 11:1. Twenty‐seven were <10 kg. Results: Fifty (74%) survive 1 month–12 years post‐transplant. Actuarial survival after 1996 since HBV core antibody positive donor livers were refused and prophylactic IV ganciclovir used has been >82%. Early post‐OLTx mortality was low (5%), one primary non‐function, one IVC thrombosis, one PV thrombosis, but late morbidity and mortality (20%) was mainly due to viral infection: de novo hepatitis B (five patients, three deaths), EBV‐related post‐transplantation lymphoproliferative disease (PTLPD) (eight patients, six deaths) and CMV disease (11 patients, five deaths). Tuberculosis prophylaxis, required in six cases, resulted in major morbidity in two and mortality in one. Poor compliance played a significant role in seven deaths. Hypertension requiring medication along with some compromise of renal function has been present in all but two patients. However, all those of school‐going age (25) attend school normally and remain in good health and only three of the survivors have abnormal liver function tests. Conclusions: Successful liver transplantation is possible in a developing country with limited resources. Scarcity of virus‐free donors (HBV and HIV) leading to waiting list mortality and infrequent re‐transplantation along with long‐term consequences of immunosuppression (infection, lymphoma and renal toxicity) remain problems. Intense education of the caregiver and close follow‐up, particularly of those living at long distances has partly addressed the compliance problem.
The effect of long‐term calcineurin inhibitor therapy on renal function in children after liver transplantation
Authors: Arora‐Gupta Nitika , Davies Paul , McKiernan Patrick , Kelly Deirdre A
Published: December 2004

Abstract:  Calcineurin inhibitor drugs (CNI), cyclosporin and tacrolimus are potent immunosuppressants, which have improved survival after liver transplantation. We evaluated long‐term renal function in children receiving calcineurin inhibitors after liver transplantation. A retrospective analysis of all children undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) from 1989 to 1999 who survived 1‐yr post‐transplantation was performed. All received prednisolone and either cyclosporin and azathioprine or tacrolimus. Steroids were withdrawn at 3 months and cyclosporin/tacrolimus monotherapy was initiated 12 months post‐OLT. Calculated glomerular filtration rate (cGFR) was calculated using the modified Counahan–Barratt formula and measured pretransplant, 3, 6 and 12 months post‐transplant and annually thereafter. Data were analysed in a serial manner to evaluate the trend of cGFR over time selectively using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and paired t‐tests as appropriate. A total of 113 patients (65 males:48 females) were followed up for more than 1 yr (maximum 5 yr). Median (range) age at transplantation was 26 months (3–177). There was a significant fall of 35% in cGFR at 3 months compared with the pretransplant value (p = 0.001). By 12 months following the reduction in immunosuppression dosage, renal function stabilized with a slight improvement in cGFR which reached 76% of the pretransplant value at 5 yr (p < 0.001). Children who were <1 yr of age at the time of OLT had better recovery of renal function than older children (p = 0.02). No association was seen with sex, the type of immunosuppression or the underlying diagnosis. Renal dysfunction is a known complication of CNI therapy. Despite an initial reduction in cGFR, which was associated with maximal immunosuppression, long‐term low dose CNI therapy was not associated with continued deterioration of renal function, particularly in children who were transplanted as infants.
Genomic DNA fingerprints as a tool for identifying cultivated types of radicchio (Cichorium intybus L.) from Veneto, Italy
Authors: Barcaccia G. , Pallottini L. , Soattin M. , Lazzarin R. , Parrini P. , Lucchin M.
Published: December 2004

Red or variegated chicory (Cichorium intybus L., 2n = 2 ×= 18) native to, and very extensively cultivated in north‐eastern Italy as a leafy vegetable, locally called ‘radicchio’, includes different types which represent valuable high‐quality crops. The five major types of radicchio cultivated in the Veneto region were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐derived markers. The experimental material was represented by two outbred populations (one of ‘Variegato di Castel‐franco’ (CF) and one of ‘Rosso di Verona’ (VR)) and by eight inbred lines (three of early ‘Rosso di Treviso’ (TVP), three of late ‘Rosso di Treviso’ (TVT) and two of ‘Rosso di Chioggia’ (CH)). A total of 96 individual plant DNAs and 16 bulked DNAs of six plants each were assayed. The different types were well distinguished from one another if analysed by means of bulks using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers at the population level, while they were not if analysed at the individual level using random amplified polymorphic DNA, inter‐simple sequence repeat and Arbitrarily Primed (AP)‐PCR markers. The genetic variation was shown to be much higher within types than between types. This result suggests that, in each radicchio type, populations produced by breeders through controlled intercrossing (VR and CF) or repeated selfing (TVP, TVT and CH) conserved their well‐separated gene pools over the years. The setting up of a molecular reference system seems to be feasible and suitable both for the precise identification of the single types of radicchio and for the evaluation of the extent of natural hybridization that can occur between different types.
Two genes and linked RAPD markers involved in resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Ciceris race 0 in chickpea
Authors: Rubio J. , Hajj‐Moussa E. , Kharrat M. , Moreno M. T. , Millan T. , Gil J.
Published: December 2004

The inheritance of resistance to fusarium wilt race 0 of chickpea and linked random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were studied in two F6:7 recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations. These RILs were developed from the crosses CA2156 × JG62 (susceptible × resistant) and CA2139 × JG62 (resistant × resistant), and were sown in a field infected with fusarium wilt race 0 in Beja (Tunisia) over 2 years. A1:1 resistant to susceptible ratio was found in the RIL population from the CA2156 × JG62 cross, indicating that a single gene with two alleles controlled resistance. In the second RIL population (CA2139 × JG62) a 3:1 resistant to susceptible ratio indicated that two genes were present and that either gene was sufficient to confer resistance. Linkage analysis showed a RAPD marker, OPJ20600, linked to resistance in both RIL populations, which is present in the resistant parent JG62.
Influencing combustion quality in Miscanthus sinensis Anderss.: identification of QTLs for calcium, phosphorus and sulphur content
Authors: Atienza S. G. , Satovic Z. , Petersen K. K. , Dolstra O. , Martin A.
Published: December 2004

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses for combustion‐related traits including calcium, phosphorus and sulphur content have been carried out using two years of field trial data. Nine putative QTLs were detected using the Multiple QTL Model approach and the programme MapQTL 4.0. Two QTLs were found for calcium, two for sulphur and five for phosphorus. Out of the QTLs for phosphorus, P1 is probably the same locus as P3, and P2 as P4, although their confidence intervals do not agree. Ca1 was also consistently detected. These results may constitute the first step in developing a Marker‐Assisted Selection programme in Miscanthus for combustion‐related traits.
Application of Triticum monococcum for the improvement of triticale resistance to leaf rust (Puccinia triticina)
Authors: Sodkiewicz W. , Strzembicka A.
Published: December 2004

The aim of this work was to evaluate the leaf rust resistance introduced into introgressive triticale lines with Triticum monococcum genes, and to study the expression of these genes at the hexaploid level. The introgressive lines were developed by incorporating diploid wheat (T. monococcum s.s.) genes into hexaploid triticale LT 522/6 using the synthetic allotetraploid T. monococcum/Secale cereale (AmAmRR) as a bridging form. A group of 44 those lines, parental stocks and check cultivars were inoculated at the seedling stage (in a greenhouse) and at the adult‐plant stage (in the field) with four pathotypes of Puccinia triticina. At the seedling stage the assessment of infection type showed that four lines had resistance to all pathotypes as high as in the T. monococcum donor. Adult plant examinations showed some introgressive lines with complete resistance and also lines with partial resistance, expressed in area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) calculations as slow rusting. Some lines comprise low AUDPC with complete resistance at seedling stage.
Seeking Mathematical Strategies in Sperm Function Analysis: Between Scylla and Charybdis?
Authors: Petrunkina AM , Günzel‐Apel A‐R , Töpfer‐Petersen E
Published: December 2004

Contents

During the last decades, essential progresses in reproductive biotechnology were achieved, implying development of special spermatological techniques. The major problem was to set up simple, rapid, precise and adequate evaluation methods. The key aspect to be considered in all assays of sperm fertilizing function is capacitation. As not all spermatozoa respond to fertilizing conditions in a similar manner, it seems to be logical to assess samples via their response to these specific conditions. For the spermatological practice, the sensitivity of methodology for assessment and analysis of data with respect to differences in individual response, in heterogeneity of the population, and proper temporal characterization of the response is crucial for the improvement of evaluation procedures. Currently, most used statistical analytical tools in spermatology do not always fulfil these essential sensitivity requirements. We structured our paper concerning different fields of mathematical science (distribution analysis, fractal geometry, functional approximation and differentiation) related to the modern insights in sperm function analysis. The spectrum of methods we are going to review in this paper is restricted to basic ideas to illustrate how the accuracy and sensitivity of sperm evaluation assays may be improved by applying adequate elementary tools of the mathematical analysis.
Cloning and Characterization of Boar Epididymal Secretory Proteins by Homology to the Human
Authors: Schäfer B , von Horsten HH , Dacheux JL , Holtz W , Kirchhoff C
Published: December 2004

Contents

Northern blot analysis suggested that the boar epididymis produces closely related counterparts to human epididymal proteins HE1, HE3, HE4, HE5 and HE12. ‘Full‐length’ cloning by nucleic acid and amino acid sequence similarity was achieved by RT‐PCR methods in the case of the porcine counterparts of HE3 and HE4, while the homologues of HE5 and HE12, despite their cross‐hybridization during Northern blot analysis, have not yet been cloned. The two novel porcine cDNAs were derived from moderately abundant epididymal mRNAs that were 75 and 83% identical to HE3 and HE4 cDNAs, respectively. To emphasize their relationship to the corresponding HEs, they were named Se3 and Se4 cDNAs. Their open reading frames predicted small secretory proteins with 55% (Se3) and 76% (Se4) conserved amino acids. Monospecific antipeptide antibodies to HE secretory proteins identified He3‐ and HE12‐related proteins on Western blots of porcine epididymal fluid and semen. Both Northern and Western analyses indicated that the Se proteins were produced in a regionalized pattern and accumulated in the cauda fluid.
Identification of Cytokeratins in Bovine Sperm Outer Dense Fibre Fractions
Authors: Hinsch E , Boehm JG , Groeger S , Mueller‐Schloesser F , Hinsch K‐D
Published: December 2004

Contents

Outer dense fibres (ODF) are important substructures of mammalian sperm tails that are involved in the regulation of sperm motility. In this study, we investigated the identity of several sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)‐insoluble ODF proteins. Bovine ODF were purified by separating sperm heads and tails using ultrasound and Percoll® density gradient centrifugation. Sperm flagella were treated with the detergent cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). CTAB‐insoluble material, which reportedly represents the ODF fraction, was collected, and electron microscopy confirmed a highly purified ODF fraction. We found after solubilization of this fraction with SDS that high amounts of insoluble material were retained after centrifugation. SDS‐insoluble material was collected and quantitatively dissolved in 8 M urea. SDS‐gel electrophoresis in the presence of urea revealed polypeptides with apparent molecular masses of approximately 25, 43, and 50 kDa. Subsequent immunoblotting with anti‐cytokeratin antibodies detected two urea‐soluble, SDS‐insoluble proteins with apparent molecular masses of 45 and 66 kDa. The 45‐kDa protein was identified as cytokeratin 19. An antibody reacting with a palette of cytokeratins (CK 1–18 and CK 20), KL1, was the only antibody that reacted with the 66‐kDa polypeptide. We conclude that sperm ODF fractions contain at least one each of type I and type II intermediate filaments. As keratins and intermediate filaments are described as rope‐like structures, we suggest that these intermediate filaments play an important structural or tension‐bearing role in sperm flagella.
Expression of presenilin 1 and synapse‐related proteins during postnatal development is not different between accelerated senescence‐prone and ‐resistant mice
Authors: Keino Hiromi , Kishikawa Masao , Satoh Mamoru , Shimada Atsuyoshi
Published: December 2004

SAMP1TA/Ngs is an inbred strain of senescence‐accelerated mice in which there is delayed development of cognitive functions and dendritic spine formation compared with normal control SAMR1TA//Ngs mice. It is hypothesized that abnormalities might be in the postnatal expression of synapse‐related proteins in SAMP1TA/Ngs mice. Quantitative western blot analyses showed that the postnatal developmental changes in the expression of synaptophysin, post‐synaptic density protein 95 and presenilin 1 in the cerebrum were similar between SAMP1TA/Ngs and SAMR1TA//Ngs mice. Therefore, the expression of synapse‐related proteins was not disturbed in SAMP1TA/Ngs mice regardless of reported abnormal numbers of dendritic spines during postnatal development. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the expression of synaptophysin in the neuropil increased postnatally with development in the same way in SAMP1TA/Ngs and SAMR1TA//Ngs mice. Presenilin 1 expression was relatively high at age 5 days in the neuropil of the cerebral cortex and decreased with postnatal development in the same way in SAMP1TA/Ngs and SAMR1TA//Ngs mice. At age 5 days the distribution of presenilin 1 was similar to the distribution of synaptophysin in that there were two separate immunoreactive patterns: a subpial band and patches in the middle layers reminiscent of barrels. These findings suggest that presenilin 1 is transiently expressed in the neuropil to induce synaptogenesis, and then its expression decreases overall.
Catatonia in childhood and adolescence
Authors: Takaoka Ken , Takata Tomoji
Published: December 2004

Abstract Child and adolescent catatonia has been poorly investigated. A literature review was undertaken to clarify phenomenology, diagnosis, etiology, and treatment as well as ethical problems of catatonia in childhood and adolescence. Although there are no accepted standardized criteria for catatonia in childhood and adolescence, catatonic features described by child psychiatrists are similar to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edn; DSM‐IV) criteria for catatonia. With respect to etiology, the motor and behavioral symptoms that are part of catatonia bear some similarities with those seen in autism. Several case reports suggest an association between catatonia and general medical conditions. Certain drugs abused by youngsters as well as prescribed medicine can induce catatonia. Regarding catatonic cases originally diagnosed as schizophrenia, it is unclear whether all of these cases should be identified as schizophrenia or whether some of them are pervasive developmental disorders that develop psychic features in adolescence. Environmental changes preceding the onset of catatonia in patients with mood disorder play a possibly important role. Examples that suggest stress‐induced catatonia, although rare, also exist. A few patients exhibit features of malignant catatonia, some without taking neuroleptics and others having taken them. Benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy are considered to be effective treatments for catatonic youngsters.
Nightmares and dissociative experiences: The key role of childhood traumatic events
Authors: Agargun Mehmet Yucel , Kara Hayrettin , Özer Ömer Akil , Selvi Yavuz , Kiran Ümit , Kiran Songül
Published: December 2004

Abstract In order to examine the co‐occurrence of nightmares with dissociative experiences in the adolescent population and to demonstrate the impact of childhood traumatic events in this association, 292 undergraduate students were interviewed for childhood traumatic events. The Van Dream Anxiety Scale (VDAS) and Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) were also administered to the subjects. For nightmares a 7.5% prevalence of ‘often’ and a 58.2% prevalence of ‘sometimes’ was found for college students. Nightmare prevalence was higher in women than in men. The rate of childhood traumatic experiences was higher in nightmare sufferers than in those who did not have nightmares. The subjects who had undergone physical and sexual abuse had higher VDAS global scores and item scores. When the DES scores of the subjects with nightmares were compared with that of those who had never reported nightmares, the subjects with nightmares had significantly higher scores on DES. The DES scores were also negatively correlated with duration of nightmares in subjects who had childhood traumatic experiences. These findings suggest that the subjects with childhood traumatic events failed to psychologically integrate their traumatic experiences and used dissociation as a coping strategy.
Structured intervention in family caregivers of the demented elderly and changes in their immune function
Authors: Hosaka Takashi , Sugiyama Yoko
Published: December 2004

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a group structured intervention on the mental and physical discomfort and immune function of 20 family caregivers. A structured intervention for caregivers consists of five sessions, each of which lasts 90 min. This was a modified version of the program that had been originally developed for cancer patients. All the family caregivers were female and ranged in age from 47 to 66 years (mean: 54.7 ± 4.4). The period of care at home ranged from 1 to 12 years (mean: 5.8 ± 2.7). Concerning the original diseases of the care‐receivers, 10 had vascular dementia and eight had Alzheimer's disease. Nine out of 20 caregivers had no care support, and seven utilized no public resources such as day‐care centers. Only five caregivers felt that they were healthy. Two psychometries, that is, Profile of Mood States (POMS) and General Health Questionnaire‐30 (GHQ‐30) were administered and blood samples were drawn before and after intervention. Comparison of results showed that there was significant improvement (P < 0.05) in the scores of depression, anger–hostility, fatigue and confusion in the POMS, and physical symptoms, anxiety–mood disorder, suicidality–depression in the GHQ‐30. Also, there was significant (P = 0.0325) augmentation of natural‐killer cell activity. The present study suggests that this kind of intervention was effective for relieving emotional and physical discomfort, and also for improving immune function.
Interleukin‐10 gene promoter polymorphism is not associated with schizophrenia in the Korean population
Authors: Jun Tae‐Youn , Pae Chi‐Un , Kim Kwang‐Soo , Han Hoon , Serretti Alessandro
Published: December 2004

Abstract The present study was aimed at examining the interleukin (IL)‐10 gene promoter region polymorphic variants in patients with schizophrenia in the Korean population. Two hundred and thirty‐three Korean patients diagnosed to have schizophrenia on the basis of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edn; DSM‐IV) and 181 normal healthy controls participated in the present study. The DNA was extracted from whole blood using proteinase K and the IL‐10 gene promoter region was amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Gene typing was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism and single‐strand conformation polymorphism. Distribution of the alleles and haplotypes in patients with schizophrenia was not significantly different from those of controls. The present study suggests that IL‐10 gene promoter polymorphism is not associated with the development of schizophrenia in the Korean population.
Clinical efficacy of tandospirone augmentation in patients with major depressive disorder: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yamada Kazuo , Yagi Gohei , Kanba Shigenobu
Published: December 2004

Abstract The purpose of the present paper was to investigate the efficacy of augmentation of clomipramine (CMI) by tandospirone in 36 untreated outpatients with major depressive disorder. Twelve patients were treated with CMI and tandospirone (T group), 12 with CMI and diazepam (D group) and 12 with CMI alone (C group) for 6 weeks. No statistically significant differences in the percentage improvement of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (17 items; HDRS‐17) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (14 items; HARS‐14) scores were shown among the three treatment groups. However, at 2 weeks, the percentage improvement of HDRS‐17 score in the T group tended to be higher than that in the D and C groups, although there was no statistically significant difference among the three treatment groups. No change in plasma prolactin level or adverse events was induced by the addition of tandospirone. These results suggest that 6 weeks of treatment with tandospirone or diazepam was not effective for augmentation of CMI in major depressive disorder patients. However, augmentation of antidepressants by tandospirone administration for a few weeks might induce early expression of antidepressive effects.
Three components of obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome
Authors: Kumano‐Go Takayuki , Mikami Akira , Suganuma Nakamori , Adachi Hiroyoshi , Watanabe Takuya , Shigedo Yoshihisa , Sugita Yoshiro , Takeda Masatoshi
Published: December 2004

Abstract The aims of this study were to calculate the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), which represented as the number of apnea–hypopnea occurrences per hour, the 4% oxygen desaturation index (ODI4) and the breathing‐related arousal index (B‐ArI) in polysomnographic studies of obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients and to investigate whether there was any relationship between each pair of scoring schemes. Thirty‐four cases of OSAHS were studied. Total OSAHS patients were subdivided into those with a high AHI (> 25), and those with a low AHI (< 25). The correlation between each pair of scoring schemes for OSAHS with a high AHI showed high value. The correlation between AHI and ODI4 for OSAHS with a low AHI was 0.18 and that between AHI and B‐ArI showed a weak correlation of 0.59, while that between ODI4 and B‐ArI was only −0.078. Our results mean that oxygen desaturation and arousal occur separately in mild or moderate OSAHS patients, even though they are diagnosed with the same level of OSAHS by means of AHI. Breathing‐related arousal without oxygen desaturation often occurs in mild or moderate OSAHS patients. We previously reported that AHI does not accurately reflect the severity of the increase in negativity of esophageal pressure manifested as respiratory efforts. We consider that the comprehension and assessment of OSAHS can be improved by the systematic differentiations among the three components: oxygen desaturation, arousals and respiratory efforts.
Immunohistochemical study of neuronal intranuclear and cytoplasmic inclusions in Machado–Joseph disease
Authors: Hayashi Masahiro , Kobayashi Katsuji , Furuta Hisakazu
Published: December 2004

Abstract Machado–Joseph disease (MJD) is a dominantly inherited spinocerebellar disorder, and expansions of trinucleotide (CAG) at chromosome 14 have been shown to be the locus of this disorder. Polyglutamine CAG stretches in the neuronal cytoplasms and nuclei were studied with immunolabeling using 1C2, a monoclonal antibody recognizing polyglutamine stretches, and polyclonal antiubiquitin antibody in six genetically verified cases of MJD. 1C2 clearly labeled two types of neuronal intranuclear inclusions (NII) and neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions (NCI) in the substantia nigra, pontine nucleus, dentate nucleus and spinal anterior horn where NII and NCI were also positive for ubiquitin, as were extracellular dot‐like structures and oligodendroglial inclusions. 1C2‐positive NII and NCI had a lesion‐specific distribution. While the spinal motoneurons contained only 1C2‐positive NCI and lacked 1C2‐positive NII, the ventral pontine nucleus neurons had many 1C2‐positive NII and few 1C2‐positive NCI. Semi‐quantitative examination of NII and NCI positive for 1C2 or ubiquitin demonstrated that there were more 1C2‐positive NII and NCI than ubiquitin‐positive ones. It is noteworthy that the nuclei of the spinal motoneurons lacked 1C2‐positive immunoreactivity, so that ubiquitination of 1C2‐positive structures is presumed to occur late in the course of the disease.
Comparison of hangover effects among triazolam, flunitrazepam and quazepam in healthy subjects: A preliminary report
Authors: Takahashi Taro , Okajima Yuka , Otsubo Tempei , Shinoda Junko , Mimura Masaru , Nakagome Kazuyuki , Kamijima Kunitoshi
Published: December 2004

Abstract The aim of the present study was to compare the hangover effects of night‐time administration of triazolam (0.25 mg), flunitrazepam (1 mg) and quazepam (15 mg) in healthy subjects. Daytime sleepiness and performance level following the night‐time administration of the drugs were assessed using Standford Sleepiness Scale (SSS), Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (SEQ), Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), actigraphy recordings and Continuous Performance Test (CPT). Fifteen healthy volunteers were given one of the three hypnotics at each drug session, which lasted for 1 week, in a single‐blind cross‐over fashion. No significant between‐drug difference was observed for the psychomotor performance assessed by CPT. Subjective hangover effects assessed by SSS and SEQ in the morning were prominent for flunitrazepam and quazepam relative to triazolam, whereas objective indices such as MSLT or activity counts obtained in actigraphy indicated a marked hangover effect of quazepam compared with the other two compounds restrictively in the afternoon, which were nearly in accordance with their pharmacokinetic profiles.
Effective open‐label treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder with venlafaxine
Authors: Hsiao Mei‐Chun , Liu Chia‐Yih
Published: December 2004

Abstract Various studies have demonstrated the efficacy of selective serotonergic re‐uptake inhibitors in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). But the effectiveness of novel antidepressant, venlafaxine, in PMDD has been reported in only one Western study. The purpose of the present open‐label study was to provide preliminary data on the effectiveness of venlafaxine for Asian women with PMDD. Thirty women with PMDD were enrolled and treated with a flexible dosage of venlafaxine for two menstrual cycles. Responses were assessed every 2 weeks. Outcome measures included the scores of the Prospective Record of the Impact and Severity of Menstrual Symptomatology (PRISM) calendar, self‐rating Zung Depressive Scale (Zung), State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression/Anxiety (HAM‐D/HAM‐A), and the Clinical Global Impression scale (CGI). Twenty patients completed the trial. All patients had significant improvement of the mood and behavior components in the PRISM calendar. The effects of active treatment were marked by the first active cycle of menstruation. Venlafaxine at a mean dose of 60.1 ± 29.1 mg per day was effective in reducing PMDD symptoms. The results of the present open trial indicated that venlafaxine is effective in the treatment of ethnic Taiwanese women with PMDD.
Intranasal pericytic tumors (glomus tumor and sinonasal hemangiopericytoma‐like tumor): Report of two cases with review of the literature
Authors: Li Xiao‐Qiu , Hisaoka Masanori , Morio Takashi , Hashimoto Hiroshi
Published: December 2004

An intranasal glomus tumor and a sinonasal hemangiopericytoma‐like tumor are reported. Both patients were elderly women suffering from nasal bleeding, and presented with a polypoid mass arising in the nasal septum. Microscopically, the glomus tumor displayed a proliferation of uniform rounded or cuboidal epithelioid cells arranged in sheets and interrupted by a rich vasculature with a characteristic configuration mimicking the normal glomus bodies, while the sinonasal hemangiopericytoma‐like tumor featured a perivascular proliferation of spindle‐ to oval‐shaped cells that were arranged in short fascicles. Both tumors shared immunohistochemical features supporting their myoid differentiation by the expression of vimentin, α‐smooth muscle actin and muscle‐specific actin, albeit with no immunoreaction to desmin. Both the intranasal glomus tumor and sinonasal hemangiopericytoma‐like tumor are characterized by a perivascular growth pattern and myoid differentiation, having a close relation to the ‘perivascular myomas’, which was recently designated.
Sialolith of the submandibular gland with bone formation
Authors: Takeda Yasunori , Oikawa Yuko , Satoh Masanobu , Nakamura Shin‐ichi
Published: December 2004

An unusual case of sialolith with bone formation, occurring in the submandibular gland of a 33‐year‐old woman, is reported. In addition to the irregularly laminated structure of sialolith, sparsely scattered foci of bone tissue were found. Some of them were mature, lamellar bone with lacunae containing osteocytes, endosteum and a bone marrow‐like element. Others were immature bone associated with or without multinucleated giant cells. Foci of bone tissue were in contact with caliculi or fibrous tissue, and no epithelial component was seen around them. These observations suggest that bone formation in the present case may be in the nature of pathological ossification, and that in the earlier stage, the bone that is deposited is woven and is replaced through successive remodeling cycles by lamellar bone. This is the first case of sialolith with bone formation, although sialolithiasis is a common disease of the salivary glands.
Subphrenic bronchopulmonary foregut malformation with pulmonary‐sequestration‐like features
Authors: Matsubayashi Jun , Ishida Tsuyoshi , Ozawa Takashi , Aoki Tatsuya , Koyanagi Yasuhisa , Mukai Kiyoshi
Published: December 2004

A retroperitoneal bronchopulmonary foregut malformation in a 62‐year‐old man is reported. The lesion was composed of mature lung tissue with randomly distributed bronchial structures and ciliated epithelium‐lined cysts, some of which were lined with gastric mucosa. The histological features of this lesion were of both pulmonary sequestration and a bronchogenic, or foregut, cyst, and thus were a unique example of bronchopulmonary foregut malformation with pulmonary differentiation. This case is important in understanding the pathogenesis of foregut anomalies (i.e. bronchopulmonary foregut malformations), which range from pulmonary sequestrations to bronchogenic cysts and foregut duplication cysts.
Overexpression of p21, cyclin E and decreased expression of p27 in DMBA (7, 12‐dimethylbenzanthracene)‐induced rat ovarian carcinogenesis
Authors: Kim Ki Kwon , Shim Jae Chul , Kim Jung Ran
Published: December 2004

Ovarian cancer is a common gynecological malignancy and a leading cause of death in women. Inactivation of the tumor suppressor gene and deregulation of cyclin E are frequent in human ovarian cancer. The objective of this study was to investigate the expressions and roles of cyclin E, p21 and p27 in 7, 12‐dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA)‐induced ovarian tumors in rats. The expressions of cyclin E, p21 and p27 were evaluated by immunohistochemisty and western blot analysis. The expressions of cyclin E and p21 in ovarian tumors was higher than that in normal ovarian surface epithelium. In contrast, the expression of p27 in ovarian tumors was lower than that in normal ovarian surface epithelium. But there were no differences among the cancer types. Positive correlation was present between cyclin E and p21. p27 was negatively correlated with cyclin E and p21. These results suggest that the increased expression of cyclin E and p21, and the decreased expression of p27, occur in DMBA‐induced rat ovarian carcinogenesis and result in tumor progression.
Deciduoid mesothelioma in the pelvic cavity
Authors: Maeda Shotaro , Hosone Masaru , Katayama Hironori , Azuma Keiko , Yokota Akishige , Nakai Akihito , Liu Aimin , Naito Zenya
Published: December 2004

A very rare case of deciduoid mesothelioma in the pelvic cavity is presented. A 24‐year‐old woman (gestational stage: 28 weeks and 6 days) was admitted because of a tumor mass in the abdominal cavity. A well‐circumscribed and fibrously encapsulated tumor mass was revealed in the Douglas cavity. Histologically, tumor cells were arranged in a solid sheet with deciduoid appearance and showed partial glandular and papillary structures. The tumor cells contained  PAS positive and diastase‐digested granules in the cytoplasm as well as alcian‐blue positive and hyaluronidase‐digested substances in the stroma. The cellularity of the tumor cells was moderate and mitoses were rare. There was partial tumor necrosis and tumor cells had infiltrated through the fibrous capsule. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were reactive for pancytokeratin, cytokeratin5/6, vimentin, HBME‐1, calretinin and thrombomodulin. Ultrastructurally, numerous, long microvilli, tonofilaments and desmosome junctions could be seen. Consequently, this case was diagnosed as deciduoid mesothelioma and 2 years and 4 months after operation, the patient's clinical course has been good. This case is considered to be the first reported in Japan.
Significance of lung shrinkage on CXR as a prognostic factor in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: KAWABATA Hidenobu , NAGAI Sonoko , HAYASHI Michio , NAKAMURA Hiroshi , NAGAO Taisi , SHIGEMATSU Michio , KITAICHI Masanori , IZUMI Takateru
Published: December 2004

Objective:  The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of lung shrinkage on CXR can predict diminished survival in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)/usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP).

Methodology:  In a hospital‐based cohort study 68 subjects diagnosed with IPF/UIP by surgical lung biopsy or at autopsy were observed for a mean of 7.6 years. The radiographic scores from Cherniack's method, pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gas, and haematological data were obtained at initial presentation. Longitudinal radiographic changes over a mean interval of 2.7 years were measured. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan‐Meier and Cox's proportional hazards regression analysis.

Results:  At some point during the observation period 36 (53%) of 68 patients did not exhibit lung shrinkage and 32 (47%) of 68 patients showed lung shrinkage. Patients with lung shrinkage were more likely to have a diminished survival than those with lung preservation; median survival was 4.4 vs 7.8 years, respectively. Lung shrinkage during the observation period (hazard ratio, 3.89; 95% CI = 1.68–9.01; P= 0.001) was associated with lower rates of survival.

Conclusion:  In patients with IPF/UIP, lung shrinkage on CXR during the observation period was a poor prognostic factor.