bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How evidence‐based is venous leg ulcer care? A survey in community settings
Authors: Van Hecke Ann , Grypdonck Maria , Beele Hilde , De Bacquer Dirk , Defloor Tom
Published: November 2008

Title.  How evidence‐based is venous leg ulcer care? A survey in community settings.

Background:  Incongruence between evidence and practice in leg ulcer care has been reported. Little is known about predictive factors related to the provision of lifestyle advice.

Method:  Two focus interviews and a Delphi procedure were used to develop a self‐administered questionnaire based on the Graham questionnaire. Nurses employed by community healthcare organizations and independent nurses in private practices participated (n = 789). The data were collected in 2006.

Findings:  Compression was applied in 58·7% of patients with venous ulcers. Pain was present in 82·9%. A third of patients with pain received analgesics, but half of these patients (52·1%) took analgesics as prescribed. Half of the nurses (50·8%) gave lifestyle advice related to the leg ulcer. It was mainly instructions about leg elevation (68·3%), promoting physical activity (39·8%) and optimizing nutrition (16·7%) that were provided. Nurses who perceived themselves to have adequate leg ulcer knowledge and skills were 3·75 times more likely to provide lifestyle advice compared with those lacking such knowledge and skills. Nurses who found leg ulcer care not rewarding, rarely successful or difficult gave statistically significantly less lifestyle advice than those who found it rather rewarding, successful and not difficult.

Conclusion:  Patients with leg ulcers receive less than optimum care and patient education. A particular challenge lies in leg ulcer education programmes and pain management.
Psychosocial treatments for people with co‐occurring severe mental illness and substance misuse: systematic review
Authors: Cleary Michelle , Hunt Glenn E. , Matheson Sandra , Walter Garry
Published: November 2008

Title.  Psychosocial treatments for people with co‐occurring severe mental illness and substance misuse: systematic review.

Aim.  This study is a report of a systematic review to assess current evidence for the efficacy of psychosocial interventions for reducing substance use, as well as improving mental state and encouraging treatment retention, among people with dual diagnosis.

Background.  Substance misuse by people with a severe mental illness is common and of concern because of its many adverse consequences and lack of evidence for effective psychosocial interventions.

Data sources.  Several electronic databases were searched to identify studies published between January 1990 and February 2008. Additional searches were conducted by means of reference lists and contact with authors.

Review methods.  Results from studies using meta‐analysis, randomized and non‐randomized trials assessing any psychosocial intervention for people with a severe mental illness and substance misuse were included.

Results.  Fifty‐four studies were included: one systematic review with meta‐analysis, 30 randomized controlled trials and 23 non‐experimental studies. Although some inconsistencies were apparent, results showed that motivational interviewing had the most quality evidence for reducing substance use over the short term and, when combined with cognitive behavioural therapy, improvements in mental state were also apparent. Cognitive behavioural therapy alone showed little consistent support. Support was found for long‐term integrated residential programmes; however, the evidence is of lesser quality. Contingency management shows promise, but there were few studies assessing this intervention.

Conclusion.  These results indicate the importance of motivational interviewing in psychiatric settings for the reduction of substance use, at least in the short term. Further quality research should target particular diagnoses and substance use, as some interventions may work better for some subgroups.
Health care service utilization among the elderly: findings from the Study to Understand the Chronic Condition Experience of the Elderly and the Disabled (SUCCEED project)
Authors: Nie Jason X , Wang Li , Tracy C. Shawn , Moineddin Rahim , Upshur Ross Eg
Published: November 2008

Rationale and objectives  Age‐related effects on health service utilization are not well understood. Most previous studies have examined only a single specific health care service or disease condition or have focused exclusively on economic variables. We aim to measure age‐related change in health care utilization among the elderly.

Methods  A population‐based retrospective cohort study was conducted using linked data from four administrative databases (OHIP, ODB, CIHI and RPDB). All Ontario residents over the age of 65 years and eligible for public health coverage were included in the analysis (approximately 1.6 million residents). Main outcome measures include utilization indicators for family physician visits, specialist physician visits, Emergency Department visits, drugs, lab claims, X‐rays, inpatient admissions, CT scans and MRI scans.

Results  The mean number of utilization events for Ontarians aged 65+ years for the 1‐year study period was 70 events (women = 76, men = 63). The overall absolute difference between the 65–69 age group and the 85+ age group was 155% (women = 162%, men = 130%), or 76 more events per person in the older group (women = 82, men = 61). Women averaged more events per person than men, as well as greater percentage differences by age. Drugs and diagnostics account for the majority of events. Only MRI and specialist visits were not higher among the older age groups.

Conclusions  At the population level, overall health care utilization would appear to increase significantly with age. It is unclear whether increasing health care utilization prevents morbidity, decreases mortality, or improves quality of life.
Immunogenicity of CIGB‐230, a therapeutic DNA vaccine preparation, in HCV‐chronically infected individuals in a Phase I clinical trial
Authors: Alvarez‐Lajonchere L. , Shoukry N. H. , Grá B. , Amador‐Cañizares Y. , Helle F. , Bédard N. , Guerra I. , Drouin C. , Dubuisson J. , González‐Horta E. E. , Martínez G. , Marante J. , Cinza Z. , Castellanos M. , Dueñas‐Carrera S.
Published: November 2008

Summary.  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a worldwide health problem. No vaccine is available against this pathogen and therapeutic treatments currently in use are of limited efficacy. In the present study, the immunogenicity of the therapeutic vaccine candidate CIGB‐230, based on the mixture of pIDKE2, a plasmid expressing HCV structural antigens, with a recombinant HCV core protein, Co.120, was evaluated. CIGB‐230 was administered by intramuscular injection on weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 to 15 HCV‐chronically infected individuals, non‐responders to previous treatment with interferon (IFN) plus ribavirin. Interestingly, following the final immunization, neutralizing antibody responses against heterologous viral pseudoparticles were modified in eight individuals, including six de novo responders. In addition, 73% of vaccinees exhibited specific T cell proliferative response and T cell IFN‐gamma secretory response 24 weeks after primary immunization with CIGB‐230. Furthermore, 33.3% of individuals developed de novo cellular immune response against HCV core and the number of patients (46.7% at the end of treatment) with cellular immune response against more than one HCV structural antigen increased during vaccination (P = 0.046). In addition, despite persistent detection of HCV RNA, more than 40% percent of vaccinated individuals improved or stabilized liver histology, particularly reducing fibrosis, which correlated with cellular immune response against more than one HCV antigen (P = 0.0053). In conclusion, CIGB‐230 is a promising candidate for effective therapeutic interventions based on its ability for enhancing the immune response in HCV chronically infected individuals.
Staphylococcus aureus SigB activity promotes a strong fibronectin–bacterium interaction which may sustain host tissue colonization by small‐colony variants isolated from cystic fibrosis patients
Authors: Mitchell Gabriel , Lamontagne Charles‐Antoine , Brouillette Eric , Grondin Gilles , Talbot Brian G. , Grandbois Michel , Malouin François
Published: November 2008

Genes encoding cell‐surface proteins regulated by SigB are stably expressed in Staphylococcus aureus small‐colony variants (SCVs) isolated from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Our hypothesis is that CF‐isolated SCVs are locked into a colonization state by sustaining the expression of adhesins such as fibronectin‐binding proteins (FnBPs) throughout growth. Force spectroscopy was used to study the fibronectin–FnBPs interaction among strains varying for their SigB activity. The fibronectin–FnBPs interaction was described by a strength of 1000 ± 400 pN (pulling rate of 2 μm s−1), an energetic barrier width of 0.6 ± 0.1 Å and an off‐rate below 2 × 10−4 s−1. A CF‐isolated SCV highly expressed fnbA throughout growth and showed a sustained capacity to bind fibronectin, whereas a prototypic strain showed a reduced frequency of fibronectin‐binding during the stationary growth phase when its fnbA gene was down‐regulated. Reduced expression of fnbA was observed in sigB mutants, which was associated with an overall decrease adhesion to fibronectin. These results suggest that the fibronectin–FnBPs interaction plays a role in the formation of a mechanically resistant adhesion of S. aureus to host tissues and supports the hypothesis that CF‐isolated SCVs are locked into a colonization state as a result of a sustained SigB activity.
Of blood, brains and bacteria, the Amt/Rh transporter family: emerging role of Amt as a unique microbial sensor
Authors: Tremblay Pier‐Luc , Hallenbeck Patrick C.
Published: November 2008

Members of the Amt/Rh family of transporters are found almost ubiquitously in all forms of life. However, the molecular state of the substrate (NH3 or NH4+) has been the subject of active debate. At least for bacterial Amt proteins, the model emerging from computational, X‐ray crystal and mutational analysis is that NH4+ is deprotonated at the exterior, conducted through the membrane as NH3, and reprotonated at the cytoplasmic interface. A proton concomitantly is transferred from the exterior to the interior, although the mechanism is unclear. Here we discuss recent evidence indicating that an important function of at least some eukaryotic and bacterial Amts is to act as ammonium sensors and regulate cellular metabolism in response to changes in external ammonium concentrations. This is now well documented in the regulation of yeast pseudohyphal development and filamentous growth. As well, membrane sequestration of GlnK, a PII signal transduction protein, by AmtB has been shown to regulate nitrogenase in some diazotrophs, and nitrogen metabolism in some Gram‐positive bacteria. Formation of GlnK–AmtB membrane complexes might have other, as yet undiscovered, regulatory roles. This possibility is emphasized by the discovery in some genomes of genes for chimeric Amts with fusions to various regulatory elements.
Anaerobiosis inhibits gas vesicle formation in halophilic Archaea
Authors: Hechler Torsten , Pfeifer Felicitas
Published: November 2008

The effect of anaerobiosis on the gas vesicle formation was investigated in three Halobacterium salinarum strains, Haloferax mediterranei and in Haloferax volcanii transformants. All these strains significantly reduced gas vesicle formation or lacked these structures under anoxic conditions. When grown by arginine fermentation, Hbt. salinarum PHH4 lacked gas vesicles, whereas Hbt. salinarum PHH1 and NRC‐1 contained 5–20 small gas vesicles arranged in two to three aggregates per cell instead of the 30–80 gas vesicles present under oxic conditions. The enlargement presumably stopped due to a depletion of Gvp proteins. Also Hfx. mediterranei and Hfx.  volcanii transformants lacked gas vesicles under anoxic growth and yielded a 10‐fold reduced gvp transcription. Even the gas vesicle‐overproducing ΔD transformants did not form gas vesicles under anoxic conditions, demonstrating that the repressing protein GvpD was not involved. The presence of large amounts of GvpA implied that the assembly of the gas vesicles was inhibited. When Hbt. salinarum PHH1 and NRC‐1 were grown with dimethyl sulphoxide or trimethylamine N‐oxid under anoxic conditions the number but not the size of gas vesicles was reduced. This was in contrast to the previously reported overproduction of gas vesicles in NRC‐1 that turned out to depend on the citrate‐containing medium used for growth.
Aspergillus nidulans FlbE is an upstream developmental activator of conidiation functionally associated with the putative transcription factor FlbB
Authors: Garzia Aitor , Etxebeste Oier , Herrero‐Garcia Erika , Fischer Reinhard , Espeso Eduardo A. , Ugalde Unai
Published: November 2008

Aspergillus nidulans switches from vegetative growth to conidiation when aerial hyphae make contact with the atmosphere, or are subjected to specific environmental stress. The activation of the central conidiation pathway led by the transcription factor brlA is a critical milestone in this morphogenetic transition. A number of upstream developmental activators (UDAs), expressed in vegetative cells, are required for this process to occur in conjunction with cessation of vegetative growth. Mutants affected in these factors remain aconidial (fluffy) with low brlA expression levels (flb). In this report, we describe FlbE as a UDA containing two conserved but hitherto uncharacterized domains, which functions in close association with putative transcription factor FlbB. Both UDAs are functionally interdependent, and colocalize at the hypha tip in an actin cytoskeleton‐dependent manner. Moreover, bimolecular fluorescence studies show that they physically interact in vivo. These findings add evidence in favour of the existence of a signalling complex at or near the Spitzenkörper as an important part of the machinery controlling the morphogenetic transition between vegetative growth and conidiation.
Neighbourhood deprivation and small‐for‐gestational‐age term births in the United States
Authors: Elo Irma T. , Culhane Jennifer F. , Kohler Iliana V. , O'Campo Patricia , Burke Jessica G. , Messer Lynne C. , Kaufman Jay S. , Laraia Barbara A. , Eyster Janet , Holzman Claudia
Published: November 2008

Residential context has received increased attention as a possible contributing factor to race/ethnic and socio‐economic disparities in birth outcomes in the United States. Utilising vital statistics birth record data, this study examined the association between neighbourhood deprivation and the risk of a term small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) birth among non‐Hispanic whites and non‐Hispanic blacks in eight geographical areas. An SGA birth was defined as a newborn weighing <10th percentile of the sex‐ and parity‐specific birthweight distribution for a given gestational week. Multi‐level random intercept logistic regression models were employed and statistical tests were performed to examine whether the association between neighbourhood deprivation and SGA varied by race/ethnicity and study site.

The risk of term SGA was higher among non‐Hispanic blacks (range 10.8–17.5%) than non‐Hispanic whites (range 5.1–9.2%) in all areas and it was higher in cities than in suburban locations. In all areas, non‐Hispanic blacks lived in more deprived neighbourhoods than non‐Hispanic whites. However, the adjusted associations between neighbourhood deprivation and term SGA did not vary significantly by race/ethnicity or study site. The summary fully adjusted pooled odds ratios, indicating the effect of one standard deviation increase in the deprivation score, were 1.15 [95% CI 1.08, 1.22] for non‐Hispanic whites and 1.09 [95% CI 1.05, 1.14] for non‐Hispanic blacks. Thus, neighbourhood deprivation was weakly associated with term SGA among both non‐Hispanic whites and non‐Hispanic blacks.
Identification of the novel HLA‐A*9250 allele by sequence‐based typing in a Caucasian bone marrow donor from Italy
Authors: Canossi A. , Del Beato T. , Liberatore G. , Papola F. , Adorno D.
Published: November 2008

HLA‐A*9250 allele was identified by SBT in a Caucasian bone marrow donor. It differs from the closest A*020101 by only one nucleotide (A→G) at position 124 in exon 2 (Arg to Gly at codon 18); this is an uncommon variation at a highly conserved nucleotide position, located on the loop between S1‐S2 β‐sheets in α1 domain.
A Pectinase‐deficient Ralstonia solanacearum Strain Induces Reduced and Delayed Structural Defences in Tomato Xylem
Authors: Nakaho Kazuhiro , Allen Caitilyn
Published: November 2008

It has been suggested that oligogalacturonides (OGAs) released by bacterial pectinases can induce plant defence responses. To test this hypothesis, resistant tomato cultivar LS‐89 and susceptible cultivar Ponderosa were inoculated with either wild‐type Ralstonia solanacearum strain K60 or a pectinase‐deficient triple mutant K60‐509, which lacks endo‐polygalacturonase PehA, exo‐poly‐alpha‐d‐galacturonosidase PehB, and pectin methylesterase Pme. K60 induced structural defence responses, including electron‐dense materials (EDMs) in vessels and apposition layers (ALs) in parenchyma cells adjacent to xylem vessels colonized by bacteria in LS‐89 stems. In contrast, LS‐89 infected with K60‐509 did not have any EDMs in vessels at 4 days after inoculation (DAI), and had them only rarely at 7 DAI. In LS‐89 infected with K60‐509, ALs were rarely observed in parenchyma cells adjacent to vessels at 4 DAI, and while they were present at 7 DAI, they were thinner than ALs induced by K60. The bacterial density in LS‐89 stems infected with K60‐509 was lower than in stems infected with K60 at 4 DAI, but the strains reached similar population sizes by 7 DAI, showing the pectinase‐deficient mutant colonized resistant stems more slowly than did the wild‐type strain. Vessels infected with K60‐509 contained fewer EDMs at 7 DAI than were observed at either 4 or 7 DAI in vessels colonized by K60, although bacterial density in the xylem tissues containing K60‐509 at 7 DAI was about the same as in the xylem tissues containing K60 at 4 DAI. Neither the wild‐type strain nor the pectinase‐deficient mutant induced these histopathological changes on susceptible cultivar Ponderosa. These results indicate that R. solanacearum pectinases play some role in eliciting histopathological changes in LS‐89, likely by releasing OGAs that trigger plant structural defences.
Partial Characterization of the Antimicrobial Activity of Streptomyces antimycoticus FZB53
Authors: Koch Eckhard , Löffler Irene
Published: November 2008

The paper describes experiments aimed at evaluating the sensitivity of different fungi, most of them plant pathogens and bacteria towards Streptomyces antimycoticus FZB53, a biocontrol agent that, when applied as a seed treatment, in previous studies has shown good activity against different seed‐borne fungal diseases. When incorporated into agar media, the filtrate from shake cultures of S. antimycoticus FZB53 inhibited the mycelial growth or spore germination, respectively, of a broad spectrum of fungi. The most sensitive of the fungi tested was Fusarium culmorum. The inhibitory activity could be removed from the culture filtrate by extraction with ethyl acetate. When ethyl acetate extracts of the pellet and supernatant obtained by centrifugation of the shake culture were added to the agar medium, inhibition of mycelial growth of F. culmorum was restored, especially with the extracts of the pelleted biomass. Autoclaving of the culture filtrate reduced the inhibition of F. culmorum but completely eliminated the inhibitory activity against Fusarium graminearum. Among the bunt fungi tested, spore germination of Tilletia tritici was more sensitive to the culture filtrate of S. antimycoticus FZB53 than spore germination of Ustilago avenae and U. tritici. Separation by thin layer chromatography (tlc) and spraying with different reagents showed that ethyl acetate extracts from shake cultures or biomass scraped from agar media contained several hydrophobic metabolites. When eluted from the tlc‐plates, the material from one of the spots had strong antifungal activity against spore germination of T. tritici and mycelial growth of F. culmorum, respectively. Ethyl acetate extracts from biomass of S. antimycoticus FZB53 prevented the growth of the tested Gram‐positive bacteria, namely Clavibacter michiganensis and different species of Bacillus. The results indicated that these bacteria were at least as sensitive towards the metabolites of S. antimycoticus FZB53 as F. culmorum. The tested Gram‐negative bacteria were not affected.
KYNURENINE METABOLITES AND INFLAMMATION MARKERS IN DEPRESSED PATIENTS TREATED WITH FLUOXETINE OR COUNSELLING
Authors: Mackay Gillian M , Forrest Caroline M , Christofides John , Bridel Michala A , Mitchell Susan , Cowlard Richard , Stone Trevor W , Darlington L Gail
Published: November 2008

Depression could result from changes in tryptophan availability caused by activation of the kynurenine pathway as a result of inflammation. In the present study, we examined patients newly diagnosed with depression to determine whether kynurenines and related factors change in parallel with improvements in mood.

Concentrations of 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT; serotonin), 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA), oxidized tryptophan metabolites, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and inflammatory mediators (interleukin (IL)‐2, C‐reactive protein (CRP), neopterin) were measured in peripheral blood during an 18 week period of treatment with fluoxetine, fluoxetine plus tri‐iodothyronine (T3) or psychiatric counselling.

The results showed significant improvements in mood, with reduced 5‐HT concentrations in patients given fluoxetine and a rise in plasma tryptophan in patients given counselling or fluoxetine and T3. The addition of T3 to the fluoxetine regimen appeared to slow recovery from depression, although the use of T3 was associated with a fall in thyroxine concentrations. Changes in 5‐HT concentrations did not correlate with psychiatric scores and were seen only in drug‐treated groups, not those given counselling. There were no associated changes in absolute concentrations of kynurenines, BDNF, CRP, neopterin or IL‐2. With fluoxetine treatment, there were correlations between the concentrations of kynurenine metabolites and the psychiatric rating scores, whereas no correlations were found with BDNF or inflammatory markers.

It is concluded that depression scores are largely independent of inflammatory status, but kynurenine metabolism may be related to the degree of depression after fluoxetine treatment.
INVOLVEMENT OF PROLYLCARBOXYPEPTIDASE IN THE EFFECT OF RUTAECARPINE ON THE REGRESSION OF MESENTERIC ARTERY HYPERTROPHY IN RENOVASCULAR HYPERTENSIVE RATS
Authors: Qin Xu‐Ping , Zeng Si‐Yu , Tian Hai‐Hong , Deng Shui‐Xiu , Ren Jun‐Fang , Zheng Yuan‐Bin , Li Dai , Li Yuan‐Jian , Liao Duan‐Fang , Chen Shi‐You
Published: November 2008

Previous studies indicate that rutaecarpine blocks increases in blood pressure and inhibits vascular hypertrophy in experimentally hypertensive rats. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the effects of rutaecarpine are related to activation of prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP).

Renovascular hypertensive rats (Goldblatt two‐kidney, one‐clip (2K1C)) were developed using male Sprague‐Dawley rats. Chronic treatment with rutaecarpine (10 or 40 mg/kg per day) or losartan (20 mg/kg per day) for 4 weeks to the hypertensive rats caused a sustained dose‐dependent attenuation of increases in blood pressure, increased lumen diameter and decreased media thickness, which was accompanied by a similar reduction in the media cross‐sectional area : lumen area ratio in mesenteric arteries compared with untreated hypertensive rats.

Angiotensin (Ang) II expression was significantly increased in mesenteric arteries of hypertensive rats compared with sham‐operated rats. No significant differences in plasma AngII levels were observed between untreated hypertensive and sham‐operated rats. Hypertensive rats treated with high‐dose rutaecarpine had significantly decreased Ang II levels in both the plasma and mesenteric arteries.

Expression of PRCP protein or kallikrein mRNA was significantly inhibited in the right kidneys and mesenteric arteries of hypertensive rats. However, expression of PRCP protein and kallikrein mRNA was significantly increased after treatment with rutaecarpine or losartan (20 mg/kg per day).

The data suggest that the repression of increases in systolic blood pressure and reversal of mesenteric artery remodelling by rutaecarpine may be related to increased expression of PRCP in the circulation and small arteries in 2K1C hypertensive rats.
ANTINOCICEPTIVE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ANANDAMIDE AND ENDOMORPHIN‐1 AT THE SPINAL LEVEL
Authors: Tuboly Gabor , Mecs Laszlo , Benedek György , Horvath Gyöngyi
Published: November 2008

Although it is well known that the combined administration of synthetic or plant‐originated opioids with cannabinoids (CB) results in synergistic antinociception, the effects of combined administration of endogenous ligands acting at µ‐opioid and CB receptors are not known. The aim of the present study was to determine the interaction between anandamide (AEA; a CB1receptor agonist) and endomorphin‐1 (EM‐1; a µ‐opioid receptor agonist) after intrathecal administration.

Nociception was assessed by the paw‐withdrawal test after carrageenan‐induced inflammation in male Wistar rats.

Endomorphin‐1 (16.4 pmol to 16.4 nmol) and AEA (4.3–288 nmol) alone dose‐dependently decreased carrageenan‐induced thermal hyperalgesia, although the highest dose of AEA also exhibited pain‐inducing potential. The potency of AEA was approximately 59‐fold lower than that of EM‐1 (35% effective dose (ED35) 194.4vs3.3 nmol, respectively). Coadministration of these ligands revealed that combinations of 16.4 pmol EM‐1 plus 28.8 or 86.5 nmol AEA were more effective than either drug alone, but other combinations were no more effective than the administration of EM‐1 itself. Therefore, coadministration of AEA did not significantly shift the dose–response curve to EM‐1.

The results of the present study indicate that the coadministration of AEA and EM‐1 results in potentiated antihyperalgesia only for a combination of specific doses. Because AEA activates other receptor types (e.g. TRPV1) in addition to CB1receptors, the results of the present suggest that, after the coadministration of EM‐1 and AEA, complex interactions ensue that may lead to different outcomes compared with those seen following the injection of exogenous ligands.
DIRECT EFFECT OF DEXMEDETOMIDINE ON RAT ISOLATED AORTA INVOLVES ENDOTHELIAL NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHESIS AND ACTIVATION OF THE LIPOXYGENASE PATHWAY
Authors: Kim Hee‐Jin , Sohn Ju‐Tae , Jeong Young‐Seok , Cho Man Seok , Kim Hye Jung , Chang Ki Churl , Shin Mi‐Kyung , Park Chang‐Shin , Chung Young‐Kyun
Published: November 2008

The aims of the presentin vitrostudy were to examine the roles of pathways associated with arachidonic acid metabolism in dexmedetomidine‐induced contraction and to determine which endothelium‐derived vasodilators are involved in the endothelium‐dependent attenuation of vasoconstriction elicited by dexmedetomidine.

Dexmedetomidine (10−9–10−6 mol/L) concentration–response curves were constructed in: (i) aortic rings with no drug pretreatment; (ii) endothelium‐denuded aortic rings pretreated with either 2 × 10−5 mol/L quinacrine dihydrochloride, 10−5 mol/L nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), 3 × 10−5 mol/L indomethacin or 10−5 mol/L fluconazole; and (iii) endothelium‐intact aortic rings pretreated with either 5 × 10−5 mol/LNG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME), 10−5 mol/L fluconazole, 10−5 mol/L indomethacin, 10−5 mol/L glibenclamide, 5 × 10−3 mol/L tetraethylammonium or 5 × 10−5 mol/Ll‐NAME plus rauwolscine (10−5, 10−6 mol/L). The production of nitric oxide (NO) metabolites was determined in human umbilical vein endothelial cells treated with dexmedetomidine.

Quinacrine dihydrochloride, NDGA and indomethacin attenuated the dexmedetomidine‐induced contraction of endothelium‐denuded rings. Dexmedetomidine (10−7–10−6 mol/L)‐induced contractions of endothelium‐denuded rings were enhanced compared with those of endothelium‐intact rings, as were dexmedetomidine‐induced contractions of endothelium‐intact rings pretreated withl‐NAME or tetraethylammonium. Rauwolscine attenuated dexmedetomidine‐induced contractions in endothelium‐intact rings pretreated withl‐NAME. Dexmedetomidine (10−6 mol/L) was found to activate NO production.

Taken together, the results indicate that dexmedetomidine‐induced contraction of aortic rings involves activation of the lipoxygenase and cyclo‐oxygenase pathways and is attenuated by increased NO production following stimulation of endothelial α2‐adrenoceptors by dexmedetomidine.
Crown architecture and leaf traits of understory saplings of Macaranga semiglobosa in a tropical montane forest in Indonesia
Authors: TAKAHASHI KOICHI , MIKAMI YUMI
Published: November 2008

Crown architecture and leaf traits were investigated in understory saplings (17–233 cm tall) of Macaranga semiglobosa in a tropical montane forest in Indonesia. The crown of a M. semiglobosa sapling consists of only leaves without branches. The total number of leaves per sapling increased from 4 to 19 leaves with an increase in trunk height in the examined saplings. Leaf area index (total sapling leaf area divided by crown projection area) increased with trunk height because of the increase in the total number of leaves per sapling with trunk height. Thus, it is suggested that there is limitation to avoid self‐shading. Leaf blade width was relatively constant from the top (the youngest leaf, leaf order 1) to the lowest (the oldest leaf) leaf. By contrast, petiole length increased from leaf order 1 to leaf order 6, and then remained relatively constant after leaf order 6. Vertical changes in the leaf mass per area within a crown showed a similar pattern to that of petiole length. Leaf nitrogen (a proxy of assimilation capacity) and chlorophyll (a proxy of light‐harvesting ability) contents per leaf area increased from leaf order 1 to leaf order 4, remained high until leaf order 7, and then decreased after leaf order 7. The present study suggests that petioles of M. semiglobosa elongate for longer than the leaf blades and that leaf morphological and physiological traits are coupled with the degree of petiole elongation occurring with vertical position, and this might increase light‐capture and nitrogen‐use efficiencies.
Dynamic of migration of HSV‐1 from a medullary pronociceptive centre: antinociception by overexpression of the preproenkephalin transgene
Authors: Martins I. , Pinto M. , Wilson S. P. , Lima D. , Tavares I.
Published: November 2008

Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV‐1) vectors are known to inhibit nociceptive transmission at the spinal cord after peripheral applications. Similar approaches may also be useful when applied at the supraspinal pain control system as the system includes pronociceptive (facilitatory) components. We performed a study aimed to analyse the migration of HSV‐1 along with the inhibition of pronociception from the medullary dorsal reticular nucleus (DRt), a major facilitatory component of the supraspinal pain control system. To study the migration, a HSV‐1 vector expressinglacZunder control of the human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) promoter was injected in the DRt and the expression of β‐galactosidase (β‐gal) was detected at 2, 4, 7, 10 and 14 days. Numerous β‐gal‐immunoreactive neurons were observed at the injection site until day 4, and at some of the brain areas projecting to the DRt until day 7. To block the pronociceptive effects of the DRt, a HSV‐1 vector expressing the preproenkephalin transgene, under the control of hCMV promoter, was injected into the DRt. Behavioural evaluation was performed at the time‐points referred above, using the paw withdrawal latency test to evaluate thermal nociceptive responses. Anti‐hyperalgesic effects persisted during 4 days, decreasing after that time‐point. The present study demonstrates that selective migration of HSV‐1 should be considered in gene therapy strategies based on HSV‐1 injections into the brain. The study also shows that it is possible to decrease pain facilitation from the brain using opioidergic inhibition of pronociceptive supraspinal areas.
Memantine protects rat cortical cultured neurons against β‐amyloid‐induced toxicity by attenuating tau phosphorylation
Authors: Song M. S. , Rauw G. , Baker G. B. , Kar S.
Published: November 2008

It has been suggested that accumulation of beta‐amyloid (Aβ) peptide triggers neurodegeneration, at least in part, via glutamate‐mediated excitotoxicity in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain. This is supported by observations that toxicity induced by Aβ peptide in cultured neurons and in adult rat brain is known to be mediated by activation of glutamatergic N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Additionally, recent clinical studies have shown that memantine, a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, can significantly improve cognitive functions in some AD patients. However, very little is currently known about the potential role of memantine against Aβ‐induced toxicity. In the present study, we have shown that Aβ1–42‐induced toxicity in rat primary cortical cultured neurons is accompanied by increased extracellular and decreased intracellular glutamate levels. We subsequently demonstrated that Aβ toxicity is induced by increased phosphorylation of tau protein and activation of tau kinases, i.e. glycogen synthase kinase‐3β and extracellular signal‐related kinase 1/2. Additionally, Aβ treatment induced cleavage of caspase‐3 and decreased phosphorylation of cyclic AMP response element binding protein, which are critical in determining survival of neurons. Memantine treatment significantly protected cultured neurons against Aβ‐induced toxicity by attenuating tau‐phosphorylation and its associated signaling mechanisms. However, this drug did not alter either conformation or internalization of Aβ1–42 and it was unable to attenuate Aβ‐induced potentiation of extracellular glutamate levels. These results, taken together, provide new insights into the possible neuroprotective action of memantine in AD pathology.
The representation of Kanizsa illusory contours in the monkey inferior temporal cortex
Authors: Sáry Gy. , Köteles K. , Kaposvári P. , Lenti L. , Csifcsák G. , Frankó E. , Benedek G. , Tompa T.
Published: November 2008

Stimulus reduction is an effective way to study visual performance. Cues such as surface characteristics, colour and inner lines can be removed from stimuli, revealing how the change affects recognition and neural processing. An extreme reduction is the removal of the very stimulus, defining it with illusory lines. Perceived boundaries without physical differences between shape and background are called illusory (or subjective) contours. Illusory and real contours activate early stages of the macaque visual pathway in similar ways. However, data relating to the processing of illusory contours in higher visual areas are scarce. We recently reported how illusory contours based on abutting‐line gratings affect neurones in the monkey inferotemporal cortex, an area essential for object and shape vision. We now present data on how inferotemporal cortical neurones of monkeys react to another type of shapes, the Kanizsa figures. A set of line drawings, silhouettes, their illusory contour‐based counterparts, and control shapes have been presented to awake, fixating rhesus monkeys while single‐cell activity was recorded in the anterior part of the inferotemporal cortex. Most of the recorded neurones were responsive and selective to shapes presented as illusory contours. Shape selectivity was proved to be different for line drawings and illusory contours, and also for silhouettes and illusory contours. Neuronal response latencies for Kanizsa figures were significantly longer than those for line drawings and silhouettes. These results reveal differences in processing for Kanizsa figures and shapes having real contours in the monkey inferotemporal cortex.
Genetic mapping of Foxb1‐cell lineage shows migration from caudal diencephalon to telencephalon and lateral hypothalamus
Authors: Zhao Tianyu , Szabó Nora , Ma Jun , Luo Lingfei , Zhou Xunlei , Alvarez‐Bolado Gonzalo
Published: November 2008

The hypothalamus is a brain region with vital functions, and alterations in its development can cause human disease. However, we still do not have a complete description of how this complex structure is put together during embryonic and early postnatal stages. Radially oriented, outside‐in migration of cells is prevalent in the developing hypothalamus. In spite of this, cell contingents from outside the hypothalamus as well as tangential hypothalamic migrations also have an important role. Here we study migrations in the hypothalamic primordium by genetically labeling the Foxb1 diencephalic lineage. Foxb1 is a transcription factor gene expressed in the neuroepithelium of the developing neural tube with a rostral expression boundary between caudal and rostral diencephalon, and therefore appropriate for marking migrations from caudal levels into the hypothalamus. We have found a large, longitudinally oriented migration stream apparently originating in the thalamic region and following an axonal bundle to end in the anterior portion of the lateral hypothalamic area. Additionally, we have mapped a specific expansion of the neuroepithelium into the rostral diencephalon. The expanded neuroepithelium generates abundant neurons for the medial hypothalamus at the tuberal level. Finally, we have uncovered novel diencephalon‐to‐telencephalon migrations into septum, piriform cortex and amygdala.
Nonoperative management of right colonic diverticulitis using radiologic evaluation
Authors: Park H.‐C. , Chang M. Y. , Lee B. H.
Published: November 2008

Objective  Although a few reviews have been conducted, nonoperative management may be the mainstay of therapy for uncomplicated right colonic diverticulitis. With increasing use of radiological evaluation for diverticulitis, the status of the disease is becoming more accessible. In this study, clinical outcomes of nonoperative management for right colonic diverticulitis were assessed according to disease status using radiological evaluation.

Method  From April 2000 to March 2007, 296 patients were admitted for acute right colonic diverticulitis upon first attack and were treated with nonoperative management. The status of diverticulitis was classified using ultrasonography and/or computed tomography as inflamed diverticulum or phlegmon in 276 patients or pericolic abscess in 20 patients. Uncomplicated diverticulitis was defined as inflamed diverticulum or phlegmon. Length of hospital stay, antibiotic use, failure of initial therapy and the incidence of recurrence after nonoperative management were assessed.

Results  The mean length of hospital stay and antibiotic use were 6 and 4.7 days respectively. All patients were successfully treated with the initial medical therapy and their hospital stays were uneventful. Of the 276 patients with an uncomplicated diverticulitis, two patients (1%) had a recurrence during follow‐up that could be managed nonoperatively. Of the 20 patients with pericolic abscesses, four patients (20%) had a recurrence. One patient underwent laparoscopic ileocolic resection and the other patients were treated nonoperatively.

Conclusion  Nonoperative management may be the treatment of choice for right colonic diverticulitis with inflamed diverticulum or phlegmon. Diverticulitis with pericolic abscess should be treated with additional care.
ERG findings in three hypothyroid adult dogs with and without levothyroxine treatment
Authors: Durieux Philippe , Rigaudière F. , LeGargasson J.‐F. , Rosolen S. G.
Published: November 2008

Purpose To evaluate the effects of levothyroxine (LTh) on the electroretinogram (ERG) of adult dogs.

Material and methods Binocular, full field photopic and scotopic ERGs were recorded from an anesthetized Maltese Bichon cross (MB), a Yorkshire Terrier (YT) and a Shetland Sheepdog (SS) affected with hypothyroidism and treated with a daily dose of LTh at 20 µg/kg. The photopic ERGs were evoked to 12 different intensities ranging from 0.81 to –2.19 log cd.s/m2and presented under photopic conditions in order to assess (from the derived luminance‐response curves)Vmax and b : a amplitude ratio parameters. Photopic flicker ERGs were obtained at 30 Hz. The scotopic ERGs (intensity: –3.09 log cd.s/m2) were recorded while the retina was dark‐adapting and after 32 min of dark adaptation. This procedure was performed on two separate sessions: following a 3‐day interruption of LTh treatment (S1) and following 30 days without interruption of LTh treatment (S2).

Results The mean photopic a‐wave peak times were 9.8 ms at S1 and 5.0 ms at S2, respectively. The mean photopic b‐wave peak times were 23.3 ms at S1 and 11.5 ms at S2, respectively, and the mean scotopic b‐wave peak times (after 32 min of dark adaptation) were 45.2 ms at S1 and 26.0 ms at S2, respectively. No other significant ERG changes were observed.

Conclusion Our results indicate that a dose of 20 µg/kg of LTh given to adult dogs was accompanied by a marked peak time shortening of both photopic and scotopic ERGs, without affecting other ERG parameters.
Evaluation of different sampling methods and results of real‐time PCR for detection of feline herpes virus‐1,Chlamydophila felisandMycoplasma felisin cats
Authors: Sjödahl‐Essén Titti , Tidholm Anna , Thorén Peter , Persson‐Wadman Annie , Bölske Göran , Aspán Anna , Berndtsson Louise Treiberg
Published: November 2008

Objective To investigate how different sampling techniques affect detection of DNA from feline herpes virus Type 1 (FHV‐1),Chlamydophila felisandMycoplasma felisand to study the correlation between positive test results and clinical signs in cats.

Animals Fifty‐one cats; 24 with ocular signs and 27 healthy control cats.

Procedures Samples were collected from all cats using cotton swabs, conjunctival and corneal biopsies, and corneal scrapings. Samples were analyzed for presence of FHV‐1,C. felis, M. felis, and feline DNA, defined by 28S rDNA, by using real‐time PCR.

Results In affected cats, FHV‐1 was detected in only one cat;C. felisandM. feliswere not detected in any affected cats. None of the three organisms was detected in any control cats. Feline DNA was demonstrated in all conjunctival samples, in 82% of corneal swabs, 92% of corneal scrapings, and 100% of keratectomy samples.

Conclusions Because of the generally low detection rate for FHV‐1,C. felis, andM. felisDNA in this study, differences regarding sampling technique could not be determined and correlation between positive test results and degree of clinical signs could not be made. Detection of feline DNA in most samples irrespective of sampling technique, suggests a low prevalence of FHV‐1,C. felisandM. felisin this population of cats.
Use of an axial pattern flap and nictitans to reconstruct medial eyelids and canthus in a dog
Authors: Jacobi Susan , Stanley Bryden J. , Petersen‐Jones Simon , Dervisis Nikolaos , Dominguez Pedro A.
Published: November 2008

A 10‐year‐old male neutered Boxer presented with recurrence of a mast cell tumor at the right medial canthal area. Following excision including 2 cm margins, the medial one‐half of the upper and lower eyelids and the medial canthus were reconstructed using an axial pattern flap based on the cutaneous branch of the superficial temporal artery. The bulbar conjunctiva of the nictitans was preserved and sutured to the medial flap edge, thus creating a conjunctival lining to the deep aspect of the flap, protecting corneal epithelium. This is a valuable surgical technique for closing a large skin defect and reconstructing the medial eyelids, thus preserving the globe.
Global‐scale patterns of nutrient resorption associated with latitude, temperature and precipitation
Authors: Yuan Z. Y. , Chen Han Y. H.
Published: November 2008

Aim  Nutrient resorption from senescing leaves is an important mechanism of nutrient conservation in plants, but the patterns of nutrient resorption at the global scale are unknown. Because soil nutrients vary along climatic gradients, we hypothesize that nutrient resorption changes with latitude, temperature and precipitation.

Location  Global.

Methods  We conducted a meta‐analysis on a global data set collected from published literature on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) resorption of woody plants.

Results   For all data pooled, both N resorption efficiency (NRE) and P resorption efficiency (PRE) were significantly related to latitude, mean annual temperature (MAT) and mean annual precipitation (MAP): NRE increased with latitude but decreased with MAT and MAP. In contrast, PRE decreased with latitude but increased with MAT and MAP. When functional groups (shrub versus tree, coniferous versus broadleaf and evergreen versus deciduous) were examined individually, the patterns of NRE and PRE in relation to latitude, MAT and MAP were generally similar.

Main conclusions  The relationships between N and P resorption and latitude, MAT and MAP indicate the existence of geographical patterns of plant nutrient conservation strategies in relation to temperature and precipitation at the global scale, particularly for PRE, which can be an indicator for P limitation in the tropics and selective pressure shaping the evolution of plant traits. Our results suggest that, although the magnitude of plant nutrient resorption might be regulated by local factors such as substrate, spatial patterns are also controlled by temperature or precipitation.
Importance of soil nutrients in the distribution of forest communities on a large geographical scale
Authors: Marage Damien , Gégout Jean‐Claude
Published: November 2008

Aim Soil nutrient content plays a key role in plant growth through mineral nutrition and toxicity. Its impact on plant species and community distribution is studied on a large geographical scale through surrogates like topography or geology. We investigated the importance of soil pH and C:N ratio, as direct nutritional gradients, to determine, with climatic factors, the spatial distribution of plant communities over large territories.

Location We studied the distribution of six beech habitats of the NATURA 2000 network throughout France (550,000 km2).

Methods Models were calibrated with 2108 floristic plots classified in the NATURA 2000 system and including climatic and topographic variables and soil nutritional measurements carried out in a laboratory. Logistic regression was used to model habitat distribution according to environmental variables. Climatic layers, a digital elevation model and maps of soil pH and nitrogen content, created using plant indicator values and large floristic databases, were used to map the sites suitable for beech communities. Distribution models were evaluated with an independent set of 2091 phytosociological plots.

Results pH and nitrogen supply were the key distribution drivers for four of the six beech communities on a national scale. Their use in the distribution models distinguished within homogeneous climatic territories a gradient of nutritional conditions from acidic areas, suitable for nutrient‐poor beech communities, to calcareous areas suitable for nutrient‐rich ones. Predicted maps of beech habitats fit the spatial distribution of validation plots.

Main conclusions Soil pH and nitrogen supply strongly improve predictions of forest community distribution carried out with climatic variables on a broad geographical scale. They allow delineation of areas with nutritional conditions suitable for each community, as well as the realization of predictive high‐resolution maps over large areas useful for sustainable and conservation management.

Nomenclature Tutin & Heywood (2001)Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.