bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exposing pepper plants to high day temperatures prevents the adverse low night temperature symptoms
Authors: Pressman Etan , Shaked Rachel , Firon Nurit
Published: February 2006

Exposing pepper (Capsicum annuum) plants to extremely high day temperatures (HDT) (day/night temperatures of 36 ± 2/10 ± 2°C), obtained by keeping the greenhouse closed during the day to exploit solar heating, prevented the development of low night temperature (LNT) symptoms. Plants of cultivars Fiesta and Selica grown under LNTs (10 ± 2°C) and moderate day temperatures (25 ± 2°C) during winter exhibited retarded growth, reduced leaf numbers, and deformed fruits with few or no seeds. LNT caused a reduction in the number and quality of pollen grains: the reduction in pollen quality was associated with reduced starch accumulation in pollen grains at 3 days before anthesis (DBA) and a decrease of more than two‐fold in total soluble sugars in the mature pollen grains. This inhibitory effect was associated with more than 50% reduction in the enzymatic activities of the cell wall‐bound and soluble acid invertases that catalyze the hydrolysis of incoming sucrose molecules. All these symptoms were prevented by HDT treatment which matched the vegetative and reproductive performance of the plants to those of plants grown under optimal night temperature (ONT) conditions (day/night temperatures of 23 ± 2/18 ± 2°C). HDT also prevented the inhibitory effect of LNT on enzymatic activities of both invertases in pollen at 5 DBA and brought about the accumulation of high levels of starch in pollen at 3 DBA. The results presented could support the development of a novel procedure for producing greenhouse crops with minimum or even with no fuel consumption for heating during the winter nights in regions with bright and sunny days.
Contrasting water relations of three coastal tree species with different exposure to salinity
Authors: Carter Jennifer L. , Veneklaas Erik J. , Colmer Timothy D. , Eastham Judy , Hatton Thomas J.
Published: February 2006

This field study examined the ecophysiological responses of three tree species to salinity in the Austin Bay Nature Reserve, adjacent to the Peel‐Harvey Estuary in Western Australia (115°46′ E 32°37′ S). The area is at increased risk of flooding with saline water during storm surges due to the construction of a channel between the estuary and Indian Ocean in 1994.Banksia attenuataR.Br. occurs on small sandy ridges adjacent to a seasonal wetland, whileMelaleuca cuticularisLabill. andCasuarina obesaMiq. occur in a seasonally flooded wetland. Landscape position determined exposure to salinity, withM. cuticularisandC. obesaexperiencing high soil and groundwater salinity during summer (electrical conductivity, EC, up to 70 dS m−1) whileB. attenuatawas not exposed to soil or groundwater with EC greater than 20 dS m−1.B. attenuatahad relatively stable leaf water status throughout the year and did not osmotically adjust as root‐zone salinity increased. By contrast,M. cuticularisandC. obesahad large variation in stem water potential and exhibited osmotic adjustment during summer. Whereas the sap flow rates ofM. cuticularisandC. obesaremained high throughout the year, sap flow ofB. attenuatadecreased during summer which may have limited uptake of salt. The three species also exhibited differences in traits associated with tissue‐level salt tolerance, asM. cuticularisandC. obesaproduced compatible organic solutes (methyl proline inM. cuticularisand proline inC. obesa), whereasB. attenuatadid not. The distributions of these species within the Austin Bay Nature Reserve are determined in part by their tolerance to salinity, which will influence their responses to hydrological disturbance.
Progress in manipulating ascorbic acid biosynthesis and accumulation in plants
Authors: Ishikawa Takahiro , Dowdle John , Smirnoff Nicholas
Published: February 2006

l‐Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is synthesized from hexose sugars. It is an antioxidant and redox buffer, as well as an enzyme cofactor, so it has multiple roles in metabolism and in plant responses to abiotic stresses and pathogens. Plant‐derived ascorbate also provides the major source of vitamin C in the human diet. An understanding of how ascorbate metabolism is controlled should provide a basis for engineering or otherwise manipulating its accumulation. Biochemical and molecular genetic evidence supports synthesis from GDP‐d‐mannose via l‐galactose (d‐Man/l‐Gal pathway) as a significant source of ascorbate. More recently, evidence for pathways via uronic acids has been obtained: overexpression of myo‐inositol oxygenase, d‐galacturonate reductase and l‐gulono‐1,4‐lactone oxidase all increase leaf ascorbate concentration. Interestingly, this has proved more effective in pathway engineering than overexpressing various d‐Man/l‐Gal pathway genes. Ascorbate oxidation generates the potentially unstable dehydroascorbate, and the overexpression of glutathione‐dependent dehydroascorbate reductase has resulted in increased ascorbate. Ascorbate is catabolized to products such as oxalate, l‐threonate and l‐tartrate. The enzymes involved have not been identified, so catabolism is not yet amenable to manipulation. In the examples of pathway engineering so far, the increase in ascorbate has been modest on an absolute or proportional basis. Therefore, a deeper understanding of ascorbate metabolism is needed to achieve larger increases. Identifying genes that control ascorbate accumulation by techniques such as analysis of quantitative trait loci (QTL) or activation tagging may hold promise, particularly if regulatory genes can be identified.
Buccal mucosal cell immunohistochemistry: a simple method of determining the ABH phenotype of baboons, monkeys, and pigs
Authors: Busch Jamie , Specht Susan , Ezzelarab Mohamed , Cooper David K. C.
Published: February 2006

Abstract: Background: Baboons and monkeys fail to express ABH antigens on red blood cells (RBCs), and the A or H antigens are expressed only weakly on the surface of pig RBCs. Baboons and monkeys have been previously blood typed by detection of ABH antigens in the saliva after administration of pilocarpine. A reliable method to ABH type pigs is by immunohistochemical staining of renal distal tubules in kidney biopsies. We describe a simple and efficient method to blood type baboons, monkeys, and pigs.

Methods: Baboons (n=14) and cynomolgus monkeys (n=8) were blood typed by staining of buccal mucosal smears and by determining the presence of serum anti‐A or B antibodies following human type O adsorption. Pigs (n=11) were tested for ABH type by immunohistochemistry for the presence of A, B, and H antigens using monoclonal antibodies on (i) renal biopsies, (ii) RBCs, and (iii) buccal mucosal smears, without pilocarpine administration, in addition, (iv) after adsorption on human type O RBCs to remove anti‐human antibodies, the pig sera were typed by hemagglutination assay for the presence of anti‐A or B antibodies using human A and B RBCs.

Results and conclusions: There was complete consistency among the results obtained using all of the above methods, except that no determination could be made from staining of RBCs in one pig. Staining of buccal mucosal cells proved to be the preferred method in all three species because: (i) expression of A or H antigen is weak on pig RBCs, making an accurate blood type determination difficult, and A, B, and H expression is non‐existent on baboon and monkey RBCs, (ii) neither venepuncture nor organ biopsy is necessary, (iii) time‐consuming adsorption of anti‐human antibodies from the sera of the test animal is not required, and (iv) it proved a quick method of evaluation.
Phenotypic and functional characterization of human T cell clones indirectly activated against adult pig islet cells
Authors: Lindeborg Ellinor , Kumagai‐Braesch Makiko , Möller Erna
Published: February 2006

Abstract: Background: Xenotransplanted patients produce xenospecific IgG1 antibodies directed against epitopes other than Galα1,3Gal. IgG1 antibody production is believed to be dependent upon T cell help. Therefore, as a natural continuation of our work aimed at characterizing the xenoimmune antibody response against pig islet cells, we have also examined the T cell response. T cell reactivity against islet cells is believed to result from indirect antigen presentation, and our in vitro study was designed to mimic the response in vivo. The main purpose of this study was to characterize the phenotype, the immunological specificity and the functional capacity of indirectly activated T cell clones, reactive against pig islet cell antigens.

Materials and methods: Human T cell clones, activated against pig islet cells in the presence of autologous antigen‐presenting cells, were produced from limiting dilutions of bulk cultures. Clonality was investigated by T cell receptor Vβ (TcRVβ) expression analysis. Clonal specificity was studied in proliferation assays using different pig cells as stimulators. ELISpot experiments were performed to detect cytokine production patterns. The cytotoxic capacity of the clones was assessed using standard cell‐mediated lysis tests and different porcine and human target cells. Several long‐term bulk cultures of human lymphocytes, indirectly activated against pig islet cells, maintained for up to 60 days, were used as a control for possible bias in the selection of the clones.

Results: Nineteen CD4+ TcRVαβ+ T cell clones were recovered. No activation of natural killer T cells or γδ‐T cells was recorded. There was no bias in the TcRVβ‐usage. The immunological specificity differed between clones; some were specifically reactive against pig islet cell antigens, while others were reactive with antigens present on a variety of pig cells. All clones produced a broad spectrum of cytokines, e.g. interferon (IFN)‐γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)5, IL10 and IL13, with no evidence of bias for a particular phenotype. None of the T cell clones were cytotoxic against pig islet cells, but two clones were cytotoxic against pig phytohemagglutinin (PHA)‐blasts.

Conclusion: The analysis of several, indirectly activated, human CD4+ T cell clones shows that the response against pig islet cells is heterogeneous both with regard to immunological specificity and functional characteristics. This heterogeneity was further confirmed by analysis of the long‐term bulk cultures of human lymphocytes, indirectly activated against pig islet cells.
T‐cell responses during pig‐to‐primate xenotransplantation
Authors: Davila Eduardo , Byrne Guerard W. , LaBreche Peter T. , McGregor Hugh C. J. , Schwab Allison K. , Davies William R. , Rao Vinay P. , Oi Keiji , Tazelaar Henry D. , Logan John S. , McGregor Christopher G. A.
Published: February 2006

Abstract: Xenotransplantation using porcine organs may resolve a chronic shortage of donor organs for clinical transplantation if significant immunological barriers can be overcome. To determine the potential role of T lymphocytes in Xenograft (Xg) rejection, we transplanted transgenic hCD46 porcine hearts heterotopically into baboon recipients. Methods: Recipients were treated to deplete anti‐Gal antibody with a non‐antigenic α‐Gal polyethylene glycol polymer (TPC) (n=2), TPC plus rituximab (anti‐CD20) (n=1) or were untreated (n=1). None of the recipients received T‐cell immunosuppression. Results: All Xgs failed within 7 days and showed evidence of a mixed humoral and cellular rejection process. Cellular infiltration consisting primarily of CD4+ T cells and few CD8+ T cells. Proliferation and cytotoxicity assays showed sensitization of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that reacted with porcine IFN‐γ (pIFN‐γ)‐stimulated porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEC). The CD4+ lymphocytes displayed greater cytotoxicity than CD8+ cells. An increased frequency of PAEC‐specific interleukin (IL) 2 and IFN‐γ‐secreting T cells was observed, suggesting a Th1 cytokine bias. An increase in the percentage of circulating CD4+CD28− cells was observed at the time of rejection and over 50% of the CD4+ cells recovered from residual pig tissue at necropsy lacked CD28 expression. Conclusions: These findings show that lymphocytes are efficiently stimulated by PAEC antigens and can mediate direct tissue destruction. These studies (1) provide an insight into the potential of cellular‐mediated cardiac Xg rejection, (2) show for the first time the induction of cytotoxic pig‐specific CD4+CD28− lymphocytes and (3) provide a rational basis for determining different modes of immunosuppression to treat Xg rejection.
Expression of human soluble complement receptor 1 by a pig endothelial cell line inhibits lysis by human serum
Authors: Manzi Lorna , Montaño Ramón , Abad María Jesús , Arsenak Miriam , Romano Egidio , Taylor Peter
Published: February 2006

Abstract:The importance of complement activation and naturally occurring anti‐pig antibodies in the hyperacute rejection (HAR) observed in models of pig‐to‐human xenotransplantation is well established. To overcome this, much effort has been dedicated to preparing transgenic pigs by knocking out Galα(1‐3)Gal expression in these animals, or knocking in the expression of human complement regulatory proteins (CRPs), such as CD59 or decay accelerating factor. A soluble form of another membrane CRP, complement receptor type 1 (CR1), has also been shown to inhibit complement activation. Here, we show that transfection of a pig endothelial cell line with a truncated form of human soluble complement receptor 1 (sCR1) almost completely protected these cells from complement‐mediated lysis by human AB serum. Pigs genetically manipulated to express human sCR1 may represent an additional strategy to inhibit HAR of pig‐to‐human transplanted organs.
Effects of SZ1677, a new non‐depolarizing steroidal neuromuscular blocking drug, and rocuronium on two laryngeal muscles and the anterior tibial muscle in guinea pigs
Authors: Michalek‐Sauberer A. , Nicolakis E. M. , Vizi E. S. , Gilly H.
Published: February 2006

Background:  SZ1677 is a new neuromuscular blocking drug structurally related to rocuronium. We compared the effect of an ED90 of SZ1677 (25 μg/kg) with that of rocuronium (100 μg/kg) in guinea pig laryngeal and peripheral muscles.

Methods:  Electromyography was used to quantify neuromusc‐ular blockade at the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle, the thyroarytenoid muscle and the anterior tibial muscle after SZ1677 (n = 10) and rocuronium (n = 9).

Results:  Maximum neuromuscular blockade was similar after SZ1677 and rocuronium (83 ± 11% vs. 89 ± 11%; thyroarytenoid muscle: 91 ± 8% vs. 97 ± 3%; anterior tibial muscle: 91 ± 15% vs. 96 ± 3%, respectively). Onset time of neuromuscular blockade at the laryngeal muscles was similar for the two neuromuscular blocking drugs; it was shorter at the thyroarytenoid muscle (67 ± 32 s vs. 42 ± 40 s) than at the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle (101 ± 26 s vs. 102 ± 108 s). Onset time at the anterior tibial muscle was longer after SZ1677 (114 ± 34 s) than after rocuronium (68 ± 46 s); P < 0.05. Neuromuscular recovery was faster after SZ1677 (interval 25%−75%: posterior cricoarytenoid muscle: 222 ± 66 s; thyroarytenoid muscle: 192 ± 92 s; tibial muscle 149 ± 55 s) than after rocuronium (450 ± 148 and 464 ± 183 s, 292 ± 86 s, respectively); P < 0.05.

Conclusions:  In guinea pigs, SZ1677 offers a rapid onset of neuromuscular blockade at a laryngeal adductor muscle with a shorter duration than rocuronium. Regardless of the drug used, the course of neuromuscular blockade differs not only between peripheral muscles and the larynx but also between antagonistic laryngeal muscles. The differences seem to be species specific.
Hypomagnesaemia associated with diabetes mellitus may cause laryngospasm
Authors: Papaioannou A. , Papantonaki S. , Nyktari V. , Psomopoulos H. , Karatsis P. , Fraidakis O. , Askitopoulou H.
Published: February 2006

This report describes the case of a female diabetic patient who experienced two episodes of severe laryngospasm during maintenance of anaesthesia and also 1 h post‐operatively. The most probable diagnosis considered was severe hypomagnesaemia with concomitant hypocalcaemia confirmed by electrolyte measurements. The association between hypomagnesaemia and laryngospasm is discussed.
The influence of the weather and the phase of the moon on post‐operative nausea and vomiting
Authors: Kredel M. , Goepfert C. , Bassi D. , Roewer N. , Apfel C. C.
Published: February 2006

Background:  Post‐operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is believed and previously reported to be influenced by the weather and the phase of the moon. We therefore determined the effects of specific and general weather patterns as well as the lunar phase on PONV in adults undergoing balanced inhalation anaesthesia.

Methods:  The incidence of PONV was prospectively evaluated in 1801 patients undergoing elective surgical, urologic and head and neck procedures. Air temperature, barometric pressure, air water vapour pressure and the general weather situation were obtained from the National Weather Institute in Germany on the days of surgery. Corresponding categories of temperature, pressure, vapour pressure and their day‐to‐day changes, the general weather situation and the phase of the moon were used to group the patient data. The differences between the proportion of patients having PONV and the proportion predicted to have PONV according to their calculated risk were determined for each category. Further, bivariate and multivariate testing was applied.

Results:  Within 24 h after anaesthesia, PONV occurred in 555 of the patients (31%). There was no correlation between weather conditions and PONV occurrence or between the phase of the moon and PONV occurrence. Even when corrected for the patients' risk and other potentially confounding factors in multivariate logistic regression analysis, no statistically significant impact of the hypothesized factors could be detected.

Conclusion:  These data suggest that neither the weather nor the phases of the moon have any clinically relevant effect on the incidence of PONV after general anaesthesia.
Sexually antagonistic coevolution in insects is associated with only limited morphological diversity
Authors: Eberhard W.
Published: February 2006

Morphological traits involved in male–female sexual interactions, such as male genitalia, often show rapid divergent evolution. This widespread evolutionary pattern could result from sustained sexually antagonistic coevolution, or from other types of selection such as female choice or selection for species isolation. I reviewed the extensive but under-utilized taxonomic literature on a selected subset of insects, in which male–female conflict has apparently resulted in antagonistic coevolution in males and females. I checked the sexual morphology of groups comprising 500–1000 species in six orders for three evolutionary trends predicted by the sexually antagonistic coevolution hypothesis: males with species-specific differences and elaborate morphology in structures that grasp or perforate females in sexual contexts; corresponding female structures with apparently coevolved species-specific morphology; and potentially defensive designs of female morphology. The expectation was that the predictions were especially likely to be fulfilled in these groups. A largely qualitative overview revealed several surprising patterns: sexually antagonistic coevolution is associated with frequent, relatively weak species-specific differences in males, but male designs are usually relatively simple and conservative (in contrast to the diverse and elaborate designs common in male structures specialized to contact and hold females in other species, and also in weapons such as horns and pincers used in intra-specific battles); coevolutionary divergence of females is not common; and defensive female divergence is very uncommon. No cases were found of female defensive devices that can be facultatively deployed. Coevolutionary morphological races may have occurred between males and females of some bugs with traumatic insemination, but apparently as a result of female attempts to control fertilization, rather than to reduce the physical damage and infections resulting from insertion of the male's hypodermic genitalia. In sum, the sexually antagonistic coevolution that probably occurs in these groups has generally not resulted in rapid, sustained evolutionary divergence in male and female external sexual morphology. Several limitations of this study, and directions for further analyses are discussed.
Lowering sample size in comparative analyses can indicate a correlation where there is none: example from Rensch's rule in primates
Authors: Lindenfors P. , Tullberg B. S.
Published: February 2006

The fact that characters may co-vary in organism groups because of shared ancestry and not always because of functional correlations was the initial rationale for developing phylogenetic comparative methods. Here we point out a case where similarity due to shared ancestry can produce an undesired effect when conducting an independent contrasts analysis. Under special circumstances, using a low sample size will produce results indicating an evolutionary correlation between characters where an analysis of the same pattern utilizing a larger sample size will show that this correlation does not exist. This is the opposite effect of increased sample size to that expected; normally an increased sample size increases the chance of finding a correlation. The situation where the problem occurs is when co-variation between the two continuous characters analysed is clumped in clades; e.g. when some phylogenetically conservative factors affect both characters simultaneously. In such a case, the correlation between the two characters becomes contingent on the number of clades sharing this conservative factor that are included in the analysis, in relation to the number of species contained within these clades. Removing species scattered evenly over the phylogeny will in this case remove the exact variation that diffuses the evolutionary correlation between the two characters – the variation contained within the clades sharing the conservative factor. We exemplify this problem by discussing a parallel in nature where the described problem may be of importance. This concerns the question of the presence or absence of Rensch's rule in primates.
Protective immunity against hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Elliott Lisa N , Lloyd Andrew R , Ziegler John B , Ffrench Rosemary A
Published: February 2006

There is increasing evidence that a small percentage of individuals exposed to the hepatitis C virus have the capacity to generate a strong cellular immune response against the virus and avoid persistent infection, and perhaps do so repeatedly after re‐exposure. This article reviews the evidence that the responses identified in this unique group of individuals represent the protective immunity that will need to be elicited by hepatitis C virus vaccines.
Isolation of myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells from human bronchoalveolar lavage fluid
Authors: Tsoumakidou Maria , Tzanakis Nikolaos , Papadaki Heleni A , Koutala Heleni , Siafakas Nikolaos M
Published: February 2006

Studies of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) dendritic cells (DC) have been hampered by the scarcity of DC and the lack of DC‐specific surface markers. Four surface Ag have been recently described as specific markers for distinct subsets of DC and have been used for the isolation and characterization of fresh noncultured DC from lung resection specimens: BDCA‐1 (CD1c) and BDCA‐3 for myeloid DC type 1 and type 2, respectively, and BDCA‐2 and BDCA‐4 for plasmacytoid DC. The aim of this study was to develop a new method for the isolation of BALF DC, using immunomagnetic separation of BDCA+ cells. Mononuclear cells were obtained from BALF after Ficoll‐Paque density gradient centrifugation. Monocytes, T cells and B cells were magnetically labelled and depleted. The unlabelled cell fraction was incubated with BDCA‐1, BDCA‐3 and BDCA‐4 beads and the total BDCA+ DC were retained. The ability of isolated DC to induce T‐cell responses was evaluated by coculturing the isolated DC with immunomagnetically sorted naive T cells. The above procedure resulted in a population of viable DC that showed a strong capacity in induce T‐cell responses. Functionally intact human BALF myeloid DC types 1 and 2 as well as plasmacytoid DC can be easily obtained by immunomagnetic isolation. Considering that bronchoalveolar lavage is a minimally invasive procedure, these cells are optimal candidates with which to elucidate the properties and capabilities of pulmonary DC.
A comparison of ovine monocyte‐derived macrophage function following infection with Mycobacterium avium ssp. avium and Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis
Authors: Berger Sven T , Griffin Frank T
Published: February 2006

Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis causes Johne's disease in ruminants, whereas the antigenically and genetically similar subspecies Mycobacterium avium ssp. avium is less virulent. In this study, we compared one strain of each subspecies for its ability to survive, induce cytokines, suppress MHC class I and II expression and induce apoptosis or necrosis in ovine monocyte‐derived macrophages. Both subspecies survived intracellularly and induced the secretion of IL‐10. Low levels of TNF‐α were detected after infection with both subspecies at 4 h. IL‐12 was not upregulated after infection. Downregulation of MHC class I and II was evident in response to infection with both M. avium ssp. avium and M. avium ssp. paratuberculosis. No significant cytotoxicity was detectable in ovine macrophages after the addition of bacteria. M. avium ssp. paratuberculosis induced slightly more apoptosis than M. avium ssp. avium. Still the overall rate of apoptosis was very low and both subspecies suppressed LPS‐induced macrophage apoptosis.
Living donor liver transplantation: Histological abnormalities found on liver biopsies of apparently healthy potential donors
Authors: TRAN TRAM T , CHANGSRI CHANIKARN , SHACKLETON CR , POORDAD FRED F , NISSEN NICHOLAS N , COLQUHOUN STEVEN , GELLER STEPHEN A , VIERLING JOHN M , MARTIN PAUL
Published: February 2006

Objective:  With the continued shortage of deceased donor grafts, living donor liver transplantation has become an option for adult liver transplant candidates. In the non‐transplant setting, liver biopsy is typically carried out to evaluate clinical or biochemical hepatic dysfunction. In living donor liver transplantation, assessment of histological abnormalities that are undetectable by serological, biochemical and radiological methods might play an important role in donor and recipient outcome.

Methods:  Seventy consecutive liver biopsies carried out as part of our evaluation of potential donor candidates for adult‐to‐adult or adult‐to‐child living donor liver transplants were analyzed.

Results:  Of the 70 potential donor candidates who underwent liver biopsy for evaluation for living donor liver transplantation, 67% had an unexpected abnormality, of which steatosis was the most common abnormality (38.5%). A variety of other histopathological abnormalities were found including granulomas of unknown etiology (7%), chronic hepatitis (6%) and a microabscess. None of the histological abnormalities had been suspected despite extensive clinical, serological or radiological investigation.

Conclusions:  Among the 70 potential donor candidates for living donor liver transplantation, 34% had unremarkable liver biopsies. The most common abnormality was steatosis (38.5%). These findings suggest that all potential candidates for living donor liver transplants should undergo screening liver biopsies. The precise significance of these changes remains to be determined, including which of these changes are contraindications to liver transplantation. These findings may also have implications in the non‐transplant setting as changes ascribed to specific etiologies for liver disease might include changes occurring in apparently healthy individuals.
Treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels with the combination of peginterferon α‐2a (40 kDa) plus ribavirin: Impact on health‐related quality of life
Authors: ARORA SANJEEV , O'BRIEN CHRISTOPHER , ZEUZEM STEFAN , SHIFFMAN MITCHELL L , DIAGO MOISES , TRAN ALBERT , POCKROS PAUL J , REINDOLLAR ROBERT W , GANE EDWARD , PATEL KAVITA , WINTFELD NEIL , GREEN JESSE
Published: February 2006

Background:  Peginterferon α‐2a (40 kDa) plus ribavirin is equally effective in chronic hepatitis C patients with normal or elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values. This analysis, in patients with normal ALT levels, compared health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) measurements between untreated control patients and treated patients grouped by virological response. HRQoL in the present population was also compared with HRQoL in patients with elevated ALT levels, observed in a previous study.

Methods:  A total of 491 patients with persistently normal ALT levels were randomized to peginterferon α‐2a (40 kDa)/ribavirin for 24 (group A) or 48 weeks (group B) or no treatment for 72 weeks (group C). Quality of life was assessed with valid instruments (self‐administered Short Form (SF)‐36 Health Survey and Fatigue Severity Scale).

Results:  In groups A and B, patients with sustained virological responses after combination therapy had significantly better quality of life and less fatigue than patients without sustained responses. Differences were significant for five SF‐36 domains, the SF‐36 Physical Component score and both Fatigue Severity Scale scores. Viral clearance was not observed in any untreated patients (group C). Comparison with data from elevated ALT patients revealed little difference in baseline quality of life, although normal ALT patients had significantly higher scores related to mental health than elevated ALT patients.

Conclusions:  Eradication of HCV with peginterferon α‐2a (40 kDa) plus ribavirin is associated with better quality of life and less fatigue in normal ALT patients. These patient benefits, coupled with the high probability of eradicating HCV, should be considered in making decisions about treating this population.
Interventional applications of endoscopic ultrasound
Authors: Raj Melvin , Chen Robert Y
Published: February 2006

Endoscopic ultrasound, which was developed more than 20 years ago, is currently a valuable investigative tool for endoscopists. It began as a diagnostic instrument and in the short span of a decade made a clinical impact as a therapeutic tool with a promising potential for various interventional applications. The introduction of the curved linear array echoendoscope in the 1990s enabled a whole range of interventional applications of endoscopic ultrasound ranging from fine needle aspiration of lesions surrounding the gastrointestinal tract to celiac plexus block and drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst. This review article outlines the current interventional applications of endoscopic ultrasound and discusses potential future procedures. These procedures include endoscopic ultrasound guided creation of communication between the gastrointestinal tract and adjacent organs, such as hepaticogastrostomy and choledochoduodenostomy.
Paediatric tuberculosis in a Pacific Islands community in New Zealand
Authors: Voss Lesley , Campbell Mary , Tildesley Christine , Hay Deborah , Vaughan Anne , Thornley Craig
Published: February 2006

Objectives: To describe the demographic, clinical and management aspects of an outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) within a paediatric Pacific Island community in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2002–2003.

Methods: The index and source case are described along with details of the extensive contact tracing that was undertaken in this community.

Results: A total of 24 children were diagnosed with TB over an 11‐month period. All cases were found to be epidemiologically linked to the one source case, mother of the index case. This total included 22 children with pulmonary disease, 1 case of miliary disease (index case) and 1 of cervical adenitis. Only 58% had symptoms at diagnosis and only 5 presented to medical attention with symptoms, the remainder had symptoms disclosed after contact tracing occurred. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolate was fully sensitive and all children (excluding the child with miliary disease) received short course directly observed therapy. One child developed hepatotoxicity requiring modification of his drug regimen.

Conclusions: Children are at high risk of developing active disease after exposure to TB. The study describes the minimal symptoms manifested in many of the children with significant radiological changes consistent with pulmonary TB. This highlights the need to consider Mantoux testing and chest X‐rays for children presenting with persistent respiratory symptoms in high‐risk populations. Issues of contact tracing and adherence were also a problem in this population.
Non‐fatal injuries among Pacific infants in Auckland: Data from the Pacific Islands Families First Two Years of Life study
Authors: Schluter Philip J , Paterson Janis , Percival Teuila
Published: February 2006

Aims: Child injury is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in developed countries. While Pacific infant death rates are relatively high in New Zealand, little is known about non‐fatal injury rates. We seek to describe maternally reported injury in Pacific infants aged between 0–24 months.

Methods: A cohort of Pacific infants born during 2000 in Auckland, New Zealand, was followed. Maternal home interviews were conducted at 6 weeks, 12 months and 24 months postpartum and injury events were recalled. Marginal models using generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to analysis the longitudinal data.

Results: The inception cohort included 1398 infants at 6 weeks, 1241 infants at 12 months and 1161 infants at 24 months. The age‐specific injury incidence per 1000 person‐years exposure was estimated at 48 (95% CI: 23, 88) injuries for infants aged 0–6 weeks, 106 (95% CI: 88, 127) injuries for infants aged 7 weeks–12 months and 174 (95% CI: 151, 199) injuries for infants aged 13–24 months. In the multivariable GEE model, older infants (P <  0.001), infants who were male (P = 0.01), born to Pacific Island fathers and non‐Pacific Island mothers (P <  0.001), and in higher or unknown income groups (P = 0.01) were significantly more likely to suffer injury events. No significant two‐factor interaction with infant age was identified.

Conclusions: Among Pacific infants, non‐fatal injury is common and injury incidence rates are considerably higher than national levels. Male infants and those born into ethnically mixed families, where the father was of Pacific Island ethnicity and the mother was non‐Pacific, were at increased relative risk of injury and might benefit from specific injury prevention targeting. However, given the high injury incidence levels found, we advocate that investigation and targeting of culturally appropriate prevention strategies for all Pacific families with young children is required to reduce injury rates for Pacific infants in New Zealand.
Serious injuries from dishwasher powder ingestions in small children
Authors: Bertinelli Amy , Hamill James , Mahadevan Murali , Miles Fiona
Published: February 2006

Aims: To describe patterns and severity of caustic injuries sustained from dishwasher powder ingestion and highlight need for national safety standards.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of admissions for caustic ingestion to Starship Children's Hospital from January 2003 to January 2005 and review of New Zealand National Poisons Centre data.

Results: Between January 2003 and January 2005, the National Poisons Centre recorded 610 dishwashing powder ingestions, with 88% of children less than 2 years old. Twenty‐three children were admitted to Starship Children's Hospital following caustic ingestion, of whom 11 were identified as having ingested dishwasher powder (9 boys and 2 girls) and were aged 11 to 30 months (mean 17.5). Five children (45%) were admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit over 4 months (October 2004 to January 2005), requiring intubation for airway control. Two children needed tracheostomy. Three of the 11 children (27%) required repeated oesophageal dilatation, and two underwent gastrostomy formation. One brand of dishwasher detergent and container type was implicated in over half of the cases.

Conclusions: Dishwasher detergents are highly corrosive substances that cause potentially life‐threatening injuries and ongoing morbidity. The recent surge of incidents may be related to change in product constituents or non‐compliance with New Zealand safety standards. Efforts to limit product alkalinity, legislative requirement of Child‐Resistant Packaging and public education may reduce injuries from these common household substances.
Growth impairment and adrenal suppression on low‐dose inhaled beclomethasone
Authors: Shenoy Shruthakrithi D , Swift Peter GF , Cody Declan
Published: February 2006

Abstract:  Growth impairment and adrenal suppression secondary to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is a well‐recognised phenomenon. We report a 13‐year‐old boy, treated long‐term for asthma, who presented with short stature while on low‐dose inhaled corticosteroid (beclomethasone 200 μg/d). Investigations revealed evidence of severe adrenal suppression. Weaning off the steroid treatment resulted in recovery of adrenal activity and rapid growth. While low‐dose ICS are normally considered to have few side effects, this case illustrates the extreme variability of individual sensitivity and the need for careful surveillance of all children treated with long‐term steroids.
Sildenafil as treatment for Human Immunodeficiency Virus‐related pulmonary hypertension in a child
Authors: Wong Abdul Rahim , Rasool Aida Hanum G. , Abidin Nik Zainal , Noor Abdul Rahmand , Quah Ban Seng
Published: February 2006

Abstract:  Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)‐related pulmonary hypertension is a relatively rare disease that can affect HIV sufferers. This is almost always associated with a poor outcome and death. An 18 month‐old girl, probably the youngest on record, was diagnosed to have pulmonary hypertension (PHT) and retrospectively found to have HIV infection. Sildenafil was used to control her PHT and she remains alive even after 2 years.
Acute laryngotracheobronchitis and associated transient hyperphosphatasemia: A new case of transient hyperphosphatasemia in early childhood
Authors: Eboriadou Maria , Skouli Georgia , Panagopoulou Paraskevi , Haidopoulou Katerina , Makedou Artemis , Varlamis George
Published: February 2006

We report the case of a 20‐month old boy with markedly elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, documented during an episode of acute laryngotracheobronchitis. Biochemical investigations and imaging studies revealed no evidence of bone or liver disease. Transient hyperphosphatasemia (TH) was confirmed when serum ALP levels normalized within 2 months. Several theories were suggested for TH pathophysiology, viral infections among them; the exact causes, however, remain unclear. It is important to recognize TH and avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary investigations.
Induction of efficient apoptosis and cell‐cycle arrest in tumor cells by adenovirus‐mediated p53 A4 mutant
Authors: Maeda Akihiro , Nakamura Seiichi , Isono Masato , Osaki Mitsuhiko , Ito Hisao , Sato Kenzo
Published: February 2006

p53 is an effective tumor suppressor and is inactivated in numerous cancer cells. In the present study, p53 mutant A4, which carries mutations in C‐terminus of the protein and is resistant to murine double minute 2‐mediated degradation, was exploited to introduce p53 function in tumor cells. The effect of p53 A4 mutant with recombinant adenovirus vector (Ad‐p53 A4) was examined. Ad‐p53 A4 infection at a low multiplicity of infection showed significant accumulation of p53 protein and strongly induced a killing effect on osteosarcoma cell line MG‐63 that is less sensitive to transduction of wild‐type p53. DNA fragmentation assay and caspase assay showed that the cell death induced by Ad‐p53 A4 was more rapid and higher than that by Ad‐p53 wild‐type infection. It is also showed Ad‐p53 A4 induces cell‐cycle arrest in G1 phase. Moreover, a similar effect was observed in some human cancer cell lines (HeLa, HepG2, KATO III and Saos‐2) in various status of endogenous p53 expression. These results suggest that Ad‐p53 A4 has the ability to strongly suppress tumor cells and is a promising, novel tool for cancer gene therapy.
Augmentation of osteopontin expression in renal tubuli is independent of a histopathological type of glomerular lesions in mouse lupus nephritis
Authors: Sasaki Yoshifumi , Yamamoto Yukisei , Miyazaki Tatsuhiko , Ito Mitsuko R. , Nose Masato , Watanabe Makoto
Published: February 2006

Augmentation of osteopontin (OPN) expression in renal tubuli is often observed in lupus nephritis. To investigate whether this might depend on histopathological type of glomerular lesions, comparative studies of the distribution and levels of OPN expression in kidneys were performed by in situ hybridization and real‐time polymerase chain reaction in mouse lupus nephritis manifesting inflammatory (endocapillary proliferative) and deposit (wire loop) types of glomerular lesions. These glomerular lesions were developed in C.B‐17/Inc‐scid/scid mice by injection of IgG3 antibody producing hybridoma clones, 2B11.3 and 7B6.8, respectively, which are derived from an MRL/Mp‐lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) lupus mouse. Both clones significantly augmented OPN expression in renal tubuli, but a non‐nephritogenic IgG3 clone, 1G3, derived from the same MRL/lpr mouse, did not. The OPN augmentation was prominent in the renal cortex and the inner stripe of the outer medulla. These results indicate that OPN augmentation in renal tubuli is not associated with a histopathological type of glomerular lesion in lupus nephritis, at least not with an inflammatory or a deposit type.
Phyllodes tumor of the prostate with exuberant glandular hyperplasia
Authors: Morikawa Teppei , Nagata Masayoshi , Tomita Kyoichi , Kitamura Tadaichi , Goto Akiteru , Chong Ja‐Mun , Fukayama Masashi
Published: February 2006

Reported herein is an unusual case of prostatic phyllodes tumor with exuberant glandular hyperplasia that led to misdiagnosis of adenocarcinoma. The tumor was detected in a 52‐year‐old man who had a 1 year history of dysuria. Adenocarcinoma of the prostate was diagnosed from a needle biopsy specimen. The patient received hormonal therapy for 6 months and underwent radical prostatectomy. Histologically, the tumor had an atypical stromal cell proliferation and elongated slit‐like glands characterictic of a phyllodes tumor. The tumor was also accompanied by a florid proliferation of small acini, most of which lacked basal cells, a common manifestation of adenocarcinoma in the overall tumor area. The following features of the resected tumor were helpful for concluding that these acini were benign: lack of cytological anaplasia in spite of structural atypia, presence of scattered basal cells confirmed by immunohistochemistry (high‐molecular‐weight cytokeratin), and histological transition from these acini to apparently benign slit‐like glands. The final diagnosis was then made as ‘phyllodes tumor of the prostate with exuberant glandular hyperplasia’. Atypical stromal cells might provide a clue for the recognition of this rare tumor at initial diagnosis by needle biopsy.
Branchial‐like cysts of the thyroid associated with solid cell nests
Authors: Michal Michal , Mukensnabl Petr , Kazakov Dmitry V.
Published: February 2006

Presented herein is the case of a 65‐year‐old man with a 20 year history of thyroid hypofunction. On sonography a cystic lesion 4 × 4 × 5 cm in largest diameter was found, replacing most of the right lobe of the thyroid gland. Microscopically, the lesion was composed of labyrinth‐like cystic structures (LCS) lined by a few layers of benign‐appearing squamous cells and filled by mucinous material. Adjacent to the cyst walls were discontinuous patches of a lymphoid tissue, composed of haloed centrocyte‐like cells or germinal centers mostly depleted of germinal cells. Additionally, there were numerous squamous cell nests equivalent to solid cell nests (SCN), all of which were surrounded by a similar‐looking lymphoid tissue. Rare SCN were thus cystically changed and contained a small amount of mucus. The SCN communicated with the LCS: the former represented the most distal outpouchings of the latter. The epithelial structures were surrounded by a loose collagenous adipocytic stroma with plump fibroblasts, which resembled the stroma often seen in lateral neck cysts associated with structures such as cartilage, accessory salivary gland tissues, cysts and accessory thyroid and thymus. Immunohistochemically, all lesional elements were negative for calcitonin and thyroglobulin. The results of the paper suggest that branchial cleft‐like cyst have an origin in the ultimobranchial body.
Chromosomal numerical abnormalities in early stage lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Sano Takehisa , Kitayama Yasuhiko , Igarashi Hisaki , Suzuki Masaya , Tanioka Fumihiko , Chida Kingo , Okudela Koji , Sugimura Haruhiko
Published: February 2006

Chromosomal numerical abnormalities (CNA) are ubiquitous in human cancers. However, the question of when a CNA occurs in the course of tumor generation and progression, is controversial. Recent radiological scrutiny has enabled the identification of small peripheral lesions in the lung. A chromosome‐wide investigation encompassing almost all the chromosomal centromeres was performed using modified fluorescence in situ hybridization on the archived pathological samples of 16 atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) and 30 lung adenocarcioma (AdCa) specimens including those smaller than 1 cm in size. The prevalence of the gain was more extensive in male than in female patients, and in non‐smokers than in smokers. It tended to be greater in poorly differentiated AdCa, in moderately differentiated AdCa, and in well‐differentiated AdCa cases, in that order. Most AAH had non‐specific gains affecting all the examined chromosomes. The prevalence of the gain differed significantly between AAH and bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) ≤ 1 cm, but not between BAC < 1 cm and well‐differentiated AdCa > 1 cm. It is proposed that the CNA is a distinct phenomenon occurring in the early or premalignant stage of lung AdCa, and that the CNA itself may not be a sequel in the carcinogenetic process, but a driving factor in carcinogenesis.