bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A seroepidemiological study of bovine pestivirus in Queensland beef and dairy herds conducted in 1994/95
Authors: TAYLOR LF , BLACK PF , PITT DJ , MACKENZIE AR , JOHNSON SJ , RODWELL BJ
Published: June 2007

Objective To describe the distribution and prevalence of cattle herds with detectable antibody to bovine pestivirus in Queensland in 1994/95.

Materials and Methods The study used 7,838 serum samples collected from 250 herds in Queensland, as part of a structured animal health surveillance program conducted in 1994 and 1995. Samples were collected from female cattle bred on the property. In each herd, 10 to 20 heifers less than two years of age and 10 to 15 older cows were sampled giving a 95% probability of detecting one or more seropositive animals if the seroprevalence was approximately 10% or greater. Sera were analysed for antibodies to bovine pestivirus using a virus neutralisation test.

Results Total cattle numbers in sampled herds varied from 62 to 24,600 head, while total area of properties sampled varied from 50 to 395,400 hectares.

Eleven percent of herds contained no seropositive animals among those sampled, and in 38% of herds, all sampled cattle aged one to two years of age were seronegative. There was a trend for larger herds to have one or more animals seropositive for bovine pestivirus (χ2 for Linear trend = 3.656, p = 0.056). Herds with more than 500 head of cattle were significantly more likely than herds with less than 500 head to contain one or more seropositive animals in any age group (prevalence ratio = 1.12; 95% confidence interval 1.01 – 1.23; p = 0.026). Age specific seroprevalence increased from around 10% in heifers, to between 75% and 85% in cows aged 10 years. The average annual incidence risk for bovine pestivirus infection varied from 0.12 to 0.24 seroconversions per cattle year at risk, and did not vary with age.

The overall crude seroprevalence adjusted for herd size was 45%. There was a wide range of seroprevalence recorded for each level of stocking intensity.

Conclusions This survey provides valuable baseline data on bovine pestivirus infection in Queensland cattle herds.
Infection with Photobacterium damselae subspecies damselae and Vibrio harveyi in snapper, Pagrus auratus with bloat
Authors: STEPHENS FJ , RAIDAL SR , BULLER N. , JONES B.
Published: June 2007

Objective To diagnose the cause of chronic, low mortality associated with bloat in tanks of snapper at an aquaculture facility.

Design A clinical, pathological and microbiological investigation into the cause of a low number of ongoing mortalities associated with bloat in snapper at an aquaculture facility is outlined. Necropsy, histology, microbiology and a comparison of haematology and water analysis from affected and unaffected fish and holding tanks, respectively were conducted.

Results Affected moribund fish were found in lateral or dorsal recumbency floating on the water surface within 24 hours of death. Photobacterium damselae subspecies damselae was isolated from intestinal contents and Vibrio harveyi from the blood of affected fish and both were isolated from culture water. Both V harveyi and P damselae subspecies damselae isolates were sensitive to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and sulphamethoxazole plus trimethoprim. Environmental parameters such as pH and dissolved oxygen were similar in tanks of affected and unaffected fish. Affected fish had gas distended swimbladders, anaemia, and the intestines were diffusely distended with a clear, pale yellowish fluid. Livers were mottled tan and green in a zonal pattern. Histologically the intestines of fish from tanks suffering mortality had a moderate granulocytic enteritis with oedema and infiltrations with eosinophilic granule cells that were also present as an infiltrate in the gills. There were elevated numbers of melanomacrophage centres and haemosiderin deposits in the spleen, kidney and liver of affected fish.

Conclusion
Vibrio harveyi and Photobacterium damselae subspecies damselae infection should be recognised as potential pathogens of snapper held in water of less than optimal quality.
Susceptibility of bacteria from feline and canine urinary tract infections to doxycycline and tetracycline concentrations attained in urine four hours after oral dosage
Authors: WILSON BJ , NORRIS JM , MALIK R. , MARTIN PA , WIGNEY DI , BARAL RM , GOVENDIR M.
Published: June 2007

Objectives To measure urinary concentrations of doxycycline in cats and dogs and tetracycline in dogs 4 h after conventional oral dosing and determine whether these antibiotics were present in sufficient concentrations to be effective against common feline and canine urinary tract pathogens as assessed in vitro by Epsilometer and disc diffusion antimicrobial susceptibility methods.

Design A prospective study involving oral administration to clinically normal cats and dogs of doxycycline or tetracycline (dogs only) and culture of bacteria from dogs and cats with urinary tract infections to determine their susceptibility to both doxycycline and tetracycline in vitro.

Procedure In the first study, nine cats and eight dogs were administered doxycycline monohydrate (5 mg/kg every 12 h) and a further eight dogs were administered tetracycline hydrochloride (20 mg/kg every 8 h) for 72 h. Blood was collected at 2 and 4 h, and urine at 4 h, after the last dose. The concentration of each agent in serum and urine was determined by modified agar diffusion. In the second study, 45 urine samples from cats and dogs with urinary tract infections were cultured. Every bacterial isolate was tested in vitro using both Epsilometer (doxycycline and tetracycline) and disc diffusion (doxycycline, tetracycline or amoxycillin‐clavulanate) tests.

Results Serum doxycycline concentrations in sera of cats and dogs at 2 h were 4.2±1.0 mg/mL and 3.4±1.1 mg/mL, respectively. The corresponding concentrations at 4 h were 3.5±0.7 mg/mL and 2.8±0.6 mg/mL. Urinary doxycycline concentrations at 4 h (53.8±24.4 mg/mL for cats and 52.4±24.1 mg/mL for dogs) were substantially higher than corresponding serum values. Serum tetracycline concentrations in dogs at 2 and 4 h, and in urine at 4 h, were 6.8±2.8, 5.4±0.8, 144.8±39.4 mg/mL, respectively.

Most of the urinary tract pathogens (35/45) were susceptible to urinary concentrations of doxycycline and 38/45 were susceptible to tetracycline. In contrast 41/45 of all isolates were susceptible to amoxycillin‐clavulanate.

Conclusion This is the first report of urinary concentrations of doxycycline after conventional oral administration. Concentrations attained in the urine of normal cats and dogs were sufficient to inhibit the growth of a significant number of urinary tract pathogens and thus doxycycline may be a useful antimicrobial agent for some urinary tract infections.
Detection of Echinococcus granulosus coproantigens in faeces from naturally infected rural domestic dogs in south eastern Australia
Authors: JENKINS DJ , MCKINLAY A. , DUOLONG HE , BRADSHAW H. , CRAIG PS
Published: June 2007

Objective To investigate the occurrence of Echinococcus granulosus in rural domestic dogs in farming areas around Yass, New South Wales, and Mansfield and Whitfield, Victoria.

Design Faeces were collected per‐rectally from farm dogs voluntarily presented by their owners in four farming districts in New South Wales and two in Victoria.

Procedure Faeces were collected in the field, an extract prepared from each sample and E granulosus coproantigens detected in an ELISA. Farmers were also questioned about their dog feeding and worming practices.

Results
Echinococcus granulosus coproantigens were detected in 99 of 344 dogs (29%) from 95 farms in south eastern New South Wales and 38 of 217 dogs (17.5%) from 43 farms in Victoria.

Cross‐reactions between E granulosus coproantigen trapping antibody and coproantigens in faeces from dogs monospecifi‐cally infected with other species of intestinal helminthes (Taenia ovis, T hydatigena, T pisiformis, Spirometra ericacei, Dipylidium caninum, hookworm, Toxocara canis, Trichuris vulpis) were not evident.

Dietary and worming data revealed many owners fed raw meat and occasionally offal from domestic livestock and wildlife to their dogs and few owners wormed their dogs frequently enough to preclude the chance of patent E granulosus being present in their dogs.

Conclusion
Echinococcus granulosus occurs commonly in rural dogs in south eastern Australia and an education program promoting the public health importance of responsible management of rural dogs is urgently needed.
The efficacy of an imidacloprid/moxidectin combination against naturally acquired Sarcoptes scabiei infestations on dogs
Authors: FOURIE LJ , HEINE J. , HORAK IG
Published: June 2007

The study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the efficacy of an imidacloprid (10% w/v) / moxidectin (2.5% w/v) combination (Advocate® Bayer HealthCare, Animal Health) with that of selamectin for the treatment of Sarcoptes scabiei on dogs. Thirty naturally infested dogs, of which one was later withdrawn because of distemper, were allocated to two equal groups and individually housed. The dogs in each group were treated twice, four weeks apart, with either the combination product (0.1 mL/kg body weight) or with selamectin (0.05 mL/kg body weight) administered topically. Skin scrapings were made every 14 days over a period of 50 to 64 days after the first treatment to quantify mite numbers. Clinical signs and the extent of sarcoptic lesions were assessed on each dog when skin scrapings were made. Efficacy was based on the presence or absence of mites, supported by clinical signs associated with canine sarcoptic mange. From Day 22 and onwards no Sarcoptes mites were found in the skin scrapings of any of the treated dogs. Treatment with the imidacloprid/moxidectin formulation or with selamectin was highly effective against Sarcoptes scabiei and resulted in an almost complete resolution of clinical signs within 50 to 64 days after the initial treatment.
Antemortem diagnosis and treatment of toxoplasmosis in two cats on cyclosporin therapy
Authors: BARRS VR , MARTIN P. , BEATTY JA
Published: June 2007

Clinical toxoplasmosis was diagnosed antemortem in two cats being treated with therapeutic doses of cyclosporin. The diagnosis was made by detecting tachyzoites on cytological examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from one case and pleural effusion from the other. Despite early diagnosis and aggressive treatment in both cases, only one cat survived. Reactivation of latentToxoplasma gondiiinfection secondary to cyclosporin‐induced immunosuppression was considered likely in both cases. The presence of respiratory signs in cats treated with cyclosporin should alert clinicians to the possibility of clinical toxoplasmosis. Consideration should be given to determining the serostatus of cats toT gondiiprior to use of drugs which are potent inhibitors of cell mediated immunity such as cyclosporin.

Two cases of feline toxoplasmosis are presented.
The use of mitomycin C as an adjunctive treatment for equine ocular squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: RAYNER SG , VAN ZYL N.
Published: June 2007

Objective To assess the effectiveness of topical mitomycin C application as an alternative adjunctive therapy to CO2 laser ablation in the treatment of equine ocular squamous cell carcinoma.

Design A retrospective clinical study of eight client owned horses in which 10 affected eyes were treated for ocular squamous cell carcinoma over a 17 month period. (March 2003 to

Procedure Each horse was given a general anaesthetic to allow CO2 laser ablation of the lesion(s). Mitomycin C at a concentration of 0.4 mg/mL was then applied intraoperatively to the affected areas for 1 or 5 minutes. Postoperatively a triple antibiotic eye ointment was applied to the eye twice daily and each horse was treated with systemic non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs for 7 days.

Results Recurrence following treatment was noted in three eyes. Two of these were retreated and no further signs developed. The remaining eye was enucleated at the request of the owner. Overall 90% of treated eyes appeared free of tumour a minimum of 11 months post treatment.

Conclusion In this case series mitomycin C appeared to offer a valid alternative to other adjunctive therapies currently employed in the treatment of equine ocular squamous cell carcinoma.
Pilot study ‐ parenteral treatment of recently acquired subclinical mastitis during lactation
Authors: BEGGS DS , WRAIGHT MD
Published: June 2007

Objective To conduct a pilot study to investigate the effect of parenteral antibiotic treatment with penethamate hydriodide on recently acquired sub‐clinical mastitis.

Design Sixty‐nine cows from five Western Victorian dairy farms were enrolled in a pilot trial. Cows that had an Individual Cow Cell Count (ICCC) of greater than 250,000 cells per mL in their milk at their first or second herd test were enrolled in the trial if they were in their first lactation, or if they had a history of ICCCs below 250,000 cells per mL at all herd tests during the previous lactation. These criteria were used in an effort to exclude cows with chronic subclinical mastitis and include cows with recently acquired subclinical mastitis.

Procedure Cows were divided into control and treatment groups on the basis of having an odd or even ear tag number. The treatment group was treated with penethamate hydriodide shortly after the first or second herd test; the control group was left untreated. The ICCCs of subsequent herd tests were recorded for the remainder of lactation.

Results In 58% of the treatment group, and 25% of the control group, all subsequent ICCCs for that lactation were less than 250,000 cells per mL (p<0.05). If only first and second lactation cows were considered, 72% of the treatment group, and 11% of the control group, had subsequent ICCCs less than 250,000 cells per mL (p<0.05).

Conclusion An ICCC of greater than 250,000 cells per mL is a good predictor for more high ICCCs at subsequent herd tests. This effect was significantly altered in our trial by treatment with penethamate hydriodide at or near the first or second herd test. Whilst in general treatment of high ICCC cows during lactation is considered to be unrewarding, this pilot study suggests that treatment of cows and heifers appropriately selected on the basis of a previous history of low ICCCs can lead to sustained reductions in cell counts. These results support the case for further study into this area.
Abnormal turning behaviour, GABAergic inhibition and the degeneration of astrocytes in ovineTribulus terrestrismotor neuron disease
Authors: BOURKE CA
Published: June 2007

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical signs of sheep affected byTribulus terrestrismotor neuron disease, to ascertain their response to striatal dopamine reducing drugs, and to examine their brains and spinal cords for microscopic changes.

ProceduresTwenty‐eight sheep displaying well developed clinical signs of the disorder were observed. Twenty‐two of these and 22 normal sheep were then randomly allocated to three groups and treated with diazepam, chlorpromazine, or xylazine. The time that it took an animal to return to a standing position following drug administration was recorded.

The brain and complete spinal cord were removed from each of the other six affected sheep and fixed in formalin. Brains were sectioned throughout at 5 mm intervals and spinal cords at 10 mm intervals. All tissues were paraffin embedded and examined by light microscopy. A few samples were examined by electron microscopy.

ResultsClinical signs included postural asymmetry with a right:left body‐side dominance within the group of 50:50, unequal flaccid paresis in the pelvic limbs, extensor muscle atrophy and adduction of the weaker pelvic limb, and concurrent abduction of the stronger. Forward motion followed either a fixed left or right hand curved trajectory, the sheep no longer being able to choose which. Twelve animals intermittently displayed rotational behaviour that involved loss of postural balance without locomotor activation. The administration of diazepam, chlorpromazine, or xylazine caused limb paresis and sedation, with affected sheep being slower than normal sheep by factors of 8, 3 and 2 respectively, to return to a standing position. There were scattered areas of mild Wallerian degeneration throughout the spinal cord, and in both the brain and the cord there were small numbers of degenerate astrocytes containing novel cytoplasmic pigment granules.

ConclusionsAffected sheep had a dysfunction in the control of directional change and this provides a new insight into the normal mechanism for ‘turning’ in quadrupeds. Directional change requires a functional asymmetry or lateralisation within the upper motor neuron to accommodate a difference in the rate of forward progression of each body side and, simultaneously, a lateral shift of the centre of gravity. The sensitivity of affected sheep to diazepam is consistent with a pre‐existing elevation in GABAergic neuronal inhibition, probably as a result of a reduction in glutamatergic neuronal excitation. The cytoplasmic pigment found in degenerate astrocytes was novel and its presence in the brain nuclei known to contribute to turning behaviour could have aetiological significance. The motor output of the basal ganglia inTribulusneurotoxicity appeared to be excessively inhibitory to the pelvic limb extensor muscles and was asymmetric, causing fixation of the turning posture but not locomotor activation. An intoxication of specific purine sensitive, glutamate releasing astrocytes, located in nuclei controlling turning, was suspected.
Infectivity of Scrapie Prion Protein (PrPSc) Following In vitro Digestion with Bovine Gastrointestinal Microbiota
Authors: Scherbel C. , Pichner R. , Groschup M. H. , Mueller‐Hellwig S. , Scherer S. , Dietrich R. , Maertlbauer E. , Gareis M.
Published: June 2007

The influence of a complex microflora residing in the gastrointestinal tract of cattle on the prion protein plays a crucial role with respect to early pathogenesis and the potential infectivity of faeces resulting in contamination of the environment. It is unknown whether infectious prion proteins, considered to be very stable, are inactivated by microbial processes in the gastrointestinal tract of animals during digestion. In our previous study it was shown that the scrapie‐associated prion protein was degraded by ruminal and colonic microbiota of cattle, as indicated by a loss of anti‐prion antibody 3F4 immunoreactivity in Western blot. Subsequently, in this study hamster bioassays with the pre‐treated samples were performed. Although the PrPSc signal was reduced up to immunochemically undetectable levels within 40 h of pre‐treatment, significant residual prion infectivity was retained after degradation of infected hamster brain through the gastrointestinal microflora of cattle. The data presented here show that the loss of anti‐prion antibody 3F4 immunoreactivity is obviously not correlated with a biological inactivation of PrPSc. These results highlight the deficiency of using Western blot in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies inactivation assessment studies and, additionally, point to the possibility of environmental contamination with faeces containing PrPSc following an oral ingestion of prions.
Assessing the Within‐herd Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii Milk‐shedder Cows using a Real‐time PCR Applied to Bulk Tank Milk
Authors: Guatteo R. , Beaudeau F. , Joly A. , Seegers H.
Published: June 2007

Thirty‐seven bulk tank milk (BTM) and individual milk samples of all contributing cows were tested for Coxiella burnetii detection by a real‐time PCR assay and used to assess the relationship between the BTM PCR‐response and (i) the within‐herd prevalence of milk‐shedder cows and (ii) the proportion of heavy milk‐shedder cows. The within‐herd prevalence of milk‐shedder cows (i) was found to be significantly higher in herds with a positive BTM and (ii) increased significantly with the estimated titre in Coxiella burnetii obtained in positive BTM. The proportion of heavy milk‐shedder cows among the milk‐shedder cows increased significantly with an increased estimated titre in Coxiella burnetii in positive BTM. Therefore, a real‐time PCR assay applied to BTM samples collected repeatedly over time appears to be a valuable tool to assess on a larger scale the status of herds towards Coxiella shedding, and to evaluate the efficiency of control actions aimed at controlling and/or preventing Coxiella shedding in dairy herds.
Control Versus No Control: Options for Avian Influenza H5N1 in Nigeria
Authors: Fasina F. O. , Meseko A. C. , Joannis T. M. , Shittu A. I. , Ularamu H. G. , Egbuji N. A. , Sulaiman L. K. , Onyekonwu N. O.
Published: June 2007

In January 2006, an outbreak of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was recorded in Nigeria for the first time. This present work describes an estimation of possible costs associated with a vaccination‐based control policy added to other measures to restrict HPAI H5N1 virus infections. The evaluations used epidemiological and production data, including budgets necessary for the vaccine acquisition, distribution and administration in arriving at the final costs. Using decision tree and cost benefit analysis the economical benefits for Nigeria and countries with similar veterinary infrastructures, biosecurity and farming systems are calculated. The result indicated that a halting in the continued spread of the virus through effective control measure will be 52 times better than taking no action. This should help policy makers in deciding in favour of vaccination combined with other tools as an effective means of controlling avian influenza H5N1. • Control of HPAI H5N1 will best be understood by policy makers in financial terms. • Effective control through vaccination of poultry is much cheaper and reduces the chances of human zoonoses. • Poultry vaccination combined with other control measures will be the most effective means of control in most developing economies.
Epidemiological Study of Non‐systemic Parasitism in Dogs in Southeast Mediterranean Spain Assessed by Coprological and Post‐mortem Examination
Authors: Martínez‐Carrasco C. , Berriatua E. , Garijo M. , Martínez J. , Alonso F. D. , Ruiz de Ybáñez R.
Published: June 2007

The prevalence and risk factors of non‐systemic canine ecto‐ and endoparasitism and anthelminthic use in Murcia located at the centre of the Spanish Mediterranean coastal arch, was investigated by coprology and necropsy in up to 275 pet, city shelter and stray dogs in 2001–2004. Faecal parasite stages were detected in 25% of dogs. Species frequency was 6–10% forToxocara canis,Ancylostomatidae spp.,Toxascaris leoninaandIsospora canis, and 0.4–1% forTrichuris vulpis,Giardia lamblia, andDipylidium caninum. Logistic regression indicated that the risk of intestinal parasitism was highest for dogs ≤1 year old, in the middle to low weight range and kept at the city shelter. Although risk factors varied according to the species,T. caniswas most common in <1 year old andAncylostomatidae spp. was more prevalent in older dogs. This suggests that the dominant species wasUncinariaspp. and not the more zoonotically importantAncylostoma spp. This was further supported by necropsy findings; however, the degree of agreement between post‐mortem and coprological examination for intestinal parasites was generally poor. Necropsy revealed 10%G. lamblia,12%Taenia spp. 38%D. caninuminfections. Fleas, ticks and lice were also found in 38%, 6% and 2% of necropsied stray dogs. These results demonstrate the need for an urgent parasite control programme at the city dog shelter and the need to improve the owner’s education on zoonotic risks, the proper use of anthelminthics, and other parasite control practices.
Expression of collagen and related growth factors in rat tendon and skeletal muscle in response to specific contraction types
Authors: Heinemeier K. M. , Olesen J. L. , Haddad F. , Langberg H. , Kjaer M. , Baldwin K. M. , Schjerling P.
Published: June 2007

Acute exercise induces collagen synthesis in both tendon and muscle, indicating an adaptive response in the connective tissue of the muscle–tendon unit. However, the mechanisms of this adaptation, potentially involving collagen‐inducing growth factors (such as transforming growth factor‐β‐1 (TGF‐β‐1)), as well as enzymes related to collagen processing, are not clear. Furthermore, possible differential effects of specific contraction types on collagen regulation have not been investigated. Female Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to 4 days of concentric, eccentric or isometric training (n= 7–9 per group) of the medial gastrocnemius, by stimulation of the sciatic nerve. RNA was extracted from medial gastrocnemius and Achilles tendon tissue 24 h after the last training bout, and mRNA levels for collagens I and III, TGF‐β‐1, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), lysyl oxidase (LOX), metalloproteinases (MMP‐2 and ‐9) and their inhibitors (TIMP‐1 and 2) were measured by Northern blotting and/or real‐time PCR. In tendon, expression of TGF‐β‐1 and collagens I and III (but not CTGF) increased in response to all types of training. Similarly, enzymes/factors involved in collagen processing were induced in tendon, especially LOX (up to 37‐fold), which could indicate a loading‐induced increase in cross‐linking of tendon collagen. In skeletal muscle, a similar regulation of gene expression was observed, but in contrast to the tendon response, the effect of eccentric training was significantly greater than the effect of concentric training on the expression of several transcripts. In conclusion, the study supports an involvement of TGF‐β‐1 in loading‐induced collagen synthesis in the muscle–tendon unit and importantly, it indicates that muscle tissue is more sensitive than tendon to the specific mechanical stimulus.
Dual control of cardiac Na+–Ca2+exchange by PIP2: analysis of the surface membrane fraction by extracellular cysteine PEGylation
Authors: Shen Chengcheng , Lin Mei‐Jung , Yaradanakul Alp , Lariccia Vincenzo , Hill Joseph A. , Hilgemann Donald W.
Published: June 2007

We describe a new assay to determine the fraction of cardiac Na+–Ca2+exchangers (NCX1) in the surface membrane of cells (Fsurf). An extracellular NCX1 disulphide bond is rapidly reduced by tris(2‐carboxyethyl)phosphine hydrochloride (TCEP), cysteines are ‘PEGylated’ by alkylation with an impermeable conjugate of maleimide and a 5000 MW polyethylene glycol (MPEG), andFsurfis quantified from Western blots as the fraction of NCX1 that migrates at a higher molecular weight.Fsurfremains less than 0.1 when NCX1 is expressed via transient transfections. Values of 0.15–0.4 are obtained for cell lines with stable NCX1 expression, 0.3 for neonatal myocytes and 0.6–0.8 for adult hearts. To validate the assay, we analysed an intervention that promotes clathrin‐independent endocytosis in fibroblasts. Using BHK cells, removal of extracellular potassium (K+) caused yellow fluorescent protein (YFP)‐tagged NCX1 to redistribute diffusely into the cytoplasm within 30 min,Fsurfdecreased by 35%, and whole‐cell exchange currents decreased by > 50%. In both HEK 293 and BHK cell lines, expression of human hPIP5Iβ kinase significantly decreasesFsurf. In BHK cells expressing M1 receptors, a muscarinic agonist (carbachol) causes a 40% decrease ofFsurfin normal media. This decrease is blocked by a high wortmannin concentration (3 μm), suggesting that type III phosphatidylinositol‐4‐kinase (PI4K) activity is required. As predicted from functional studies, carbachol increasesFsurfwhen cytoplasmic Ca2is increased by removing extracellular Na+. Phorbol esters are without effect in BHK cells. In intact hearts, interventions that change contractility have no effect within 15 min, but we have identified two long‐term changes. First, we analysed the diurnal dependence ofFsurfbecause messages for cardiac phosphatidylinositol‐4‐phosphate (PIP) 5‐kinases increase during the light phase in entrained mice (i.e. during sleep). Cardiac phosphatidylinositol‐(4,5)‐bis‐phosphate (PIP2) levels increase during the light phase andFsurfdecreases in parallel. Second, we analysed effects of aortic banding because NCX1 currents do not mirror the increases of NCX1 message and protein that occur in this model.Fsurfdecreases significantly within 10 days, and cardiac PIP and PIP2levels are significantly increased. In summary, multiple experimental approaches suggest that PIP2synthesis favours NCX1 internalization, that NCX1 internalization is probably clathrin‐independent, and that significant changes of NCX1 surface expression occur physiologically and pathologically in intact myocardium.
Rate, extent and concentration dependence of histamine‐evoked Weibel–Palade body exocytosis determined from individual fusion events in human endothelial cells
Authors: Erent M. , Meli A. , Moisoi N. , Babich V. , Hannah M. J. , Skehel P. , Knipe L. , Zupančič G. , Ogden D. , Carter T.
Published: June 2007

The rate, concentration dependence and extent of histamine‐evoked Weibel–Palade body (WPB) exocytosis were investigated with time‐resolved fluorescence microscopy in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells expressing WPB‐targeted chimeras of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). Exocytosis of single WPBs was characterized by an increase in EGFP fluorescence, morphological changes and release of WPB contents. The fluorescence increase was due to a rise of intra‐WPB pH from resting levels, estimated as pH 5.45 ± 0.26 (s.d.,n= 144), to pH 7.40. It coincided with uptake of extracellular Alexa‐647, indicating the formation of a fusion pore, prior to loss of fluorescent contents. Delays between the increase in intracellular free calcium ion concentration evoked by histamine and the first fusion event were 10.0 ± 4.42 s (n= 9 cells) at 0.3 μmhistamine and 1.57 ± 0.21 s (n= 15 cells) at 100 μmhistamine, indicating the existence of a slow process or processes in histamine‐evoked WPB exocytosis. The maximum rates of exocytosis were 1.20 ± 0.16 WPB s−1(n= 9) at 0.3 μmand 3.66 ± 0.45 WPB s−1at 100 μmhistamine (n= 15). These occurred 2–5 s after histamine addition and declined to lower rates with continued stimulation. The initial delays and maximal rate of exocytosis were unaffected by removal of external Ca2+indicating that the initial burst of secretion is driven by Ca2+release from internal stores, but sustained exocytosis required external Ca2+. Data were compared to exocytosis evoked by a maximal concentration of the strong secretagogue ionomycin (1 μm), for which there was a delay between calcium elevation and secretion of 1.67 ± 0.24 s (n= 6), and a peak fusion rate of ∼10 WPB s−1.
Ca2+‐stimulated adenylyl cyclase isoform AC1 is preferentially expressed in guinea‐pig sino‐atrial node cells and modulates the If pacemaker current
Authors: Mattick Paul , Parrington John , Odia Efe , Simpson Alasdair , Collins Thomas , Terrar Derek
Published: June 2007

Ca2+‐stimulated adenylyl cyclases (AC) are known to play important roles in neurons but have not previously been reported in the heart. Here we present the first evidence for selective expression of Ca2+‐stimulated AC in the sino‐atrial node (SAN) but not in ventricular muscle of the guinea‐pig heart. The AC1 isoform of Ca2+‐stimulated AC was shown to be present in SAN, both as mRNA using RT‐PCR and as protein using immuno‐blotting with a specific antibody. Confocal immuno‐fluorescence studies detected membrane localization of AC1 in SAN cells, but no AC1 in ventricular muscle. Ca2+‐stimulated AC8 may also be present in SAN. The functional importance of AC activity was investigated by monitoring activation of If (gated by hyperpolarization and regulated by cAMP, which shifts activation to more depolarized voltages). Basal activity of AC in isolated SAN myocytes was demonstrated by the observations that an inhibitor of AC activity (MDL 12330A, 10 μm) shifted activation in the hyperpolarizing direction, while inhibition of phosphodiesterases (IBMX, 100 μm) shifted If activation in the depolarizing direction. Buffering cytosolic Ca2+ with the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA (by exposure to BAPTA‐AM) shifted activation of If in the hyperpolarizing direction, and under these conditions the AC inhibitor MDL had little or no further effect. The actions of BAPTA were overcome by exposure to forskolin (10 μm), a direct stimulator of all AC isoforms, to restore cAMP levels. These effects are consistent with the functional importance of Ca2+‐stimulated AC, which is expected to be fundamental to initiation and regulation of the heartbeat.
How Much More Rain Will Global Warming Bring?
Authors: Wentz Frank J. , Ricciardulli Lucrezia , Hilburn Kyle , Mears Carl
Published: June 2007

Climate models and satellite observations both indicate that the total amount of water in the atmosphere will increase at a rate of 7% per kelvin of surface warming. However, the climate models predict that global precipitation will increase at a much slower rate of 1 to 3% per kelvin. A recent analysis of satellite observations does not support this prediction of a muted response of precipitation to global warming. Rather, the observations suggest that precipitation and total atmospheric water have increased at about the same rate over the past two decades.
Imaging the Surface of Altair
Authors: Monnier John D. , Zhao M. , Pedretti E. , Thureau N. , Ireland M. , Muirhead P. , Berger J.-P. , Millan-Gabet R. , Van Belle G. , ten Brummelaar T. , McAlister H. , Ridgway S. , Turner N. , Sturmann L. , Sturmann J. , Berger D.
Published: June 2007

Spatially resolving the surfaces of nearby stars promises to advance our knowledge of stellar physics. Using optical long-baseline interferometry, we constructed a near-infrared image of the rapidly rotating hot star Altair with a resolution of <1 milliarcsecond. The image clearly reveals the strong effect of gravity darkening on the highly distorted stellar photosphere. Standard models for a uniformly rotating star cannot explain our findings, which appear to result from differential rotation, alternative gravity-darkening laws, or both.
Synthesis and Reactivity of Pyrrolide-Diimine Complexes of Chromium
Authors: Salisbury Brian A. , Young John F. , Yap Glenn P. A. , Theopold Klaus H.
Published: June 2007

Lithium 2,5-bis{[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]methyl}pyrrol-1-ide (LiL) reacts with [CrCl3(thf)3] to yield the octahedral complex [(η2-L)CrCl2(thf)2] (1), in which only two of the three potential nitrogen donors are coordinated to chromium. In the presence of various alkyl aluminum cocatalysts, 1 catalyzes the polymerization of ethylene. Attempts to prepare alkyl derivatives of 1 were thwarted by an apparent disproportionation, yielding divalent [(η2-L)(η1-L)Cr(thf)] (2). The molecular structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The structure of 2 is unusual in that it features weak, but equivalent interactions of both imine groups of the η1-pyrrolide ligands with the chromium, giving rise to an approximately octahedral coordination geometry with two extremely long Cr-N distances.
Rembrandt’s doctors
Authors: Abastado Philippe , Chemla Denis
Published: June 2007

Medical doctors appear in numerous Rembrandt paintings and reciprocally, physicians interested in art have used their diagnostic skills in dissecting the painter’s work, especially his lifetime of self-portraits. The possible existence of skin and eye diseases, hypothyroidism and Horton’s disease, and psychiatric and psychological traits has been a matter of everlasting debate, as summarised in the present paper. Most of all, the ageing process reveals itself over time in the continuity of the self-portraits. In the quest for signs of illness, the slightest bump in the canvas can be considered a symptom, and the examination of Rembrandt’s self-portraits is a difficult exercise. However, the resulting published papers have given rise to a great number of diagnostic hypotheses.
Wittgenstein’s neurophenomenology
Authors: Cole J
Published: June 2007

Wittgenstein, despite being considered an analytical philosopher, has been quoted extensively by neurologists like Oliver Sacks. This paper explores how Wittgenstein, despite suggesting that science was antithetical to philosophy, made observations relevant to cognitive neuroscience.

His work on the inner and the outer, the relation between language and sensation or perception, and on the embodied nature of emotion and its communication, is important for an understanding of neurological impairment beyond our experience. In some of his enigmatic short writing his insights are pertinent to patients’ experience, say of pain, Capgras’ Syndrome and spinal cord injury. He also made observations on movement sense, will and action.

He did not engage in empirical science, nor obtain data in any conventional sense. But his genius was not confined to abstract philosophy. His powers of observation and introspection led him to explore lived experience in new ways, some of which are only now being approached empirically. The method of science, he once wrote, leads philosophy into complete darkness. Had he lived today, one hopes that even he might have changed his mind.
Appreciation of art in a workers’ hospital in Chile
Authors: Horwitz Nina , Trucco Marcelo
Published: June 2007

To assess the impact of selected murals in the Workers’ Hospital in Santiago on different groups of clients, a quantitative and qualitative approach, including a semantic differential scale, was applied. The sample was composed of 120 subjects—40 patients, 40 visitors and 40 hospital staff. Appreciation of the paintings (45–87%) and assessment of the benefit of each painting (56–84%) varied widely. Differences in perceptions according to age, gender and educational level were not significant. Over two-thirds of the sample had a positive appreciation of the murals and considered them beneficial. Differences in perception relate to personal characteristics of the subjects and are also associated with certain characteristics of the murals, such as location, or the structure and style of the work. This study, the first of its kind in Chile, provides grounds for the development of an art-for-health policy in the future, showing that most people are willing to participate by giving their opinions and assessments.
Structural and ultrastructural characterization of maize coenocyte and endosperm cellularization
Authors: Monjardino Paulo , Machado Jorge , Gil Fabíola S. , Fernandes Rui , Salema Roberto
Published: June 2007

Maize coenocytic and cellularizing endosperm development were characterized at optical and transmission electron microscopy levels. Samples were collected daily in 3 consecutive years under different temperature regimes; therefore, the developmental stages were expressed on a growing degree basis. Soon after the primary endosperm nucleus is formed, it starts dividing without cytokinesis, leading to the formation of the coenocyte. The nuclei divide freely on the periphery of the coenocyte and spread from the micropylar region toward the chalazal region. The first anticlinal walls are formed as the nuclei come closer to each other, followed by periclinal wall formation also starting in the micropylar region. As cellularization proceeds, new anticlinal and periclinal walls assume a less organized pattern until the central vacuole is fully occupied by newly formed cells. Overall, our findings suggest that the developmental pattern of maize coenocytic and cellularizing endosperm has many similarities to other species of the Poaceae family.
Do low-ethylene-producing transgenic canola (Brassica napus) plants expressing the ACC deaminase gene differ from wild-type plants in response to UVB radiation?
Authors: Qaderi Mirwais M. , Islam M. Anisul , Reid David M. , Shah Saleh
Published: June 2007

Few studies have considered ethylene involvement in plant responses to ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation. We studied the responses to UVB radiation of one wild-type (WT, ‘Westar’) canola (Brassica napus L.) with normal ethylene evolution and two transgenic (C1, C2) lines with lower ethylene evolution. Canola plants were grown under biologically effective levels of UVB (UVBBE) radiation: 0.03 (low), 4.88 (medium), and 9.78 (high) kJ·m–2·d–1 in controlled-environment growth chambers. The growth and physiological parameters of the plants were measured. Of the two transgenic lines, C1 demonstrated higher ethylene evolution than C2 but lower than WT. The lowest aboveground and belowground biomass was found with exposure to high UVB radiation. WT produced more biomass than C2. Net CO2 assimilation and transpiration did not vary among plant lines or UVB treatments. Water-use efficiency was lower under high UVB radiation than under low UVB. The quantum yield of photosystem II was higher for C2 than for either WT or C1. WT did not differ from transgenic plants in respect to photosynthetic pigments and UV-screening compounds. Photosynthetic pigment concentration decreased, but concentration of UV-screening compounds, thickness of epicuticular wax, and the rate of root hydraulic conductance were increased by exposure to UVB radiation. While there appears to be a lack of ethylene involvement in some of the measured physiological parameters, the transgenic plants exhibited differential sensitivity to UVB in a few key measured parameters.
Differences in the responses of stem tissues of spring-type Brassica napus cultivars with polygenic resistance and single dominant gene-based resistance to inoculation with Leptosphaeria maculans
Authors: Li Hua , Kuo John , Barbetti Martin John , Sivasithamparam Krishnapillai
Published: June 2007

Six spring-type Brassica napus L. cultivars, either susceptible or with polygenic or monogenic resistance, were inoculated with Leptosphaeria maculans (Desmaz.) Ces. & De Not. (organism causing phoma stem canker in crucifers) to investigate differences in the responses of host stem tissues to the pathogen. At growth stage 1.06, plants were inoculated with pycnidiospores at the junction of the petiole and stem. The pre-penetration and penetration phases were examined along with the histological, ultrastructural, and histochemical responses. The processes of pycnidiospore attachment, germination, and penetration through the stomata of petioles and stems were found to be similar in all cultivars. Specific post-penetration defense reactions identified were lignification, suberisation, and additional cambium formation in the resistant cultivars. In ‘Surpass 400’, which has monogenic resistance, these responses occurred 4–5 d earlier than in polygenically resistant cultivars, and were more intense (preventing hyphal penetration of the additional cambium layer), and resulted in a hypersensitive reaction without pycnidia formation. Our study clearly emphasizes the variatiability in location, timing, and histochemistry of stem responses between compatible and incompatible interactions and will improve our overall understanding of the role and importance of the mechanisms of resistance in spring-type B. napus to L. maculans.
Different cone colours pay off: lessons learnt from European larch (Larix decidua) and Norway spruce (Picea abies)
Authors: Geburek Thomas , Robitschek Karin , Milasowszky Norbert , Schadauer Klemens
Published: June 2007

The colour morphs of immature female cones in European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) are green, red, and intermediate in colour. For the first time, these three colour morphs were studied to verify the thermoregulatory hypothesis and to investigate its underlying genetic spatial pattern. The study was based on an extensive systematic sampling, and data were analysed using principal component analysis (PCA), binary logistic regression (BLR), and spatial autocorrelation. Correlations between the nontransformed environmental variables and PC scores revealed two main ecological gradients, (i) altitude–temperate and (ii) annual precipitation. Loadings of the first two principal components exceeded 85% in both species. BLR was used to test the effect of the altitude–temperature gradient on the probability of occurrence of a specific cone colour. In both species, the occurrence of red cones was significantly positively related to high altitude with low temperatures, while green cones were significantly negatively correlated with decreasing temperature and increasing altitude. In both species the spatial pattern based on a putative Mendelian gene was nonrandom as indicated by significantly high Moran’s I values based on altitudinal distance. Spatial genetic structure was probably maintained by limited gene flow and balanced selection that maintained short-distance genetic differentiation.
Molecular comparisons of Salsola tragus from California and Ukraine
Authors: Ryan Frederick J. , Mosyakin Sergei L. , Pitcairn Michael J.
Published: June 2007

In California, the exotic invasive plant Salsola tragus L. (Russian thistle)  has been found to consist of two genetic entities, types A and B. Type A, with chromosome number 2n = 36, was identified as S. tragus s.str., but type B, with 2n = 18, was not identical with Salsola species found elsewhere in the world. Plants of S. tragus from Ukraine were subjected to isoenzymic and DNA analyses to determine whether type B was found there and to compare S. tragus from Ukraine with that in California. In isoenzymic assays, plants from Ukraine exhibited patterns of aspartate aminotransferase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase activity after non-denaturing electrophoresis that were identical with those for S. tragus from California. No Ukrainian accessions had an isoenzymic pattern that resembled type B from California. DNA-based assays, using random amplified polymorphic DNA and inter-simple sequence repeat primers, indicated that all the Ukrainian accessions were similar to S. tragus type A from California and not to Californian type B. The area of origin of type B remains unknown, although it has recently been found to be widespread in southern Africa, where it is also believed to be an introduced species.
Static liquefaction of sand in plane strain
Authors: Wanatowski Dariusz , Chu Jian
Published: June 2007

Experimental results on the static liquefaction behaviour of sand under plane-strain conditions are presented in this paper. Undrained tests on very loose sand under both plane-strain and axisymmetric conditions were conducted and the results compared. The test data show that the undrained behaviour of sand under plane strain is similar to that under axisymmetric conditions. However, the critical-state line (CSL) on both the q–p′ and the e–p′ planes determined under plane-strain conditions is different from that under axisymmetric conditions. The slope of the CSL is different as a result of the influence of the intermediate principal stress. The state parameter (ψ), which is measured with reference to the CSL in the e – log p′ plane, is also different: the ψ value for plane strain is about 0.05 less than that for axisymmetric conditions for the sand tested. The instability behaviour of very loose sand under undrained plane-strain conditions is also studied. Based on the testing data, a unique relationship between the stress ratio of the instability line and ψ is established to enable the triaxial results to be used for plane-strain conditions.Key words: failure, sands, laboratory tests, liquefaction, shear strength.