bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Targeted Surveillance for Control of Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusin a Community Hospital System
Authors: West Timothy E. , Guerry Cile , Hiott Mary , Morrow Nancy , Ward Katherine , Salgado Cassandra D.
Published: March 2006

Objective.

To examine the cost associated with targeted surveillance for methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) and the effect of such surveillance on the rate of nosocomial MRSA infection in a community hospital system.

Design.

A before-and-after study comparing the rate of MRSA infection before (BES) and after (AES) the initiation of expanded surveillance. Cost-effectiveness was calculated as the difference between the cost savings associated with preventing nosocomial MRSA bacteremias and surgical site infections AES and the cost of MRSA cultures and contact isolation for patients colonized with MRSA.

Setting and Participants.

Patients in a 400-bed tertiary-care facility (Roper Hospital) and a 180-bed suburban hospital (St. Francis Hospital), both in Charleston, South Carolina.

Interventions.

Beginning in September 2001, patients were screened for MRSA colonization upon admission to the intensive care unit and weekly thereafter. In July 2002, surveillance was expanded to include targeted screening of patients admitted to general wards who were at risk of MRSA colonization. Colonized patients were placed in contact isolation.

Results.

The mean rate of nosocomial MRSA infection decreased at Roper (0.76 cases per 1,000 patient-days BES and 0.45 per 1000 patient-days AES;P= .05) and at St. Francis (0.73 cases per 1,000 patient-days BES and 0.57 cases per 1000 patient-days AES;P= .35). Surveillance was cost-effective, preventing 13 nosocomial MRSA bacteremias and 9 surgical site infections, for a savings of $1,545,762.

Conclusions.

Targeted surveillance for MRSA colonization was cost-effective and provided substantial benefits by reducing the rate of nosocomial MRSA infections in a community hospital system.
Duration of Colonization with Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusAmong Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: Implications for Intervention
Authors: Ridenour Glenn A. , Wong Edward S. , Call Mark A. , Climo Michael W.
Published: March 2006

Objectives.

To determine the duration of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) colonization or infection before entry and during hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU) and the characteristics of patients who tested positive for MRSA.

Design.

Prospective observational cohort survey.

Setting.

A combined medical and coronary care ICU with 16 single-bed rooms in a 427-bed tertiary care Veteran Affairs Medical Center

Patients.

A total of 720 ICU patients associated with 845 ICU admissions were followed up for the detection of MRSA from January 13, 2003, to October 12, 2003. MRSA colonization was detected in patients by using active surveillance cultures (ASCs) of nasal swab specimens obtained within 48 hours of ICU entry and 3 times weekly thereafter. The duration of colonization during ICU stay and before ICU entry was calculated after a review of surveillance culture results, clinical culture results, and medical history.

Results.

Ninety-three (11.0%) of 845 ICU admissions involved patients who were colonized with MRSA at the time of ICU entry, and 21 admissions (2.5%) involved patients who acquired MRSA during ICU stay. ASCs were positive for MRSA in 84 (73.6%) of the 114 admissions associated with MRSA positivity and were the sole means of identifying MRSA in 50 cases (43.8%). More than half of the MRSA-associated admissions involved patients who were transferred from hospital wards. The total bed-days of care for 38 admissions involving patients who tested positive for MRSA before ICU entry (1131 days) was nearly 20% higher than the total bed-days of care for all admissions associated with MRSA positivity (970 days). Admissions involving MRSA-positive patients were associated with a longer length of hospitalization before ICU entry (P<.001), longer length of ICU stay (P<.001), longer overall length of hospitalization (P<.001), and greater inpatient mortality than admissions involving MRSA-negative patients (P<.001). A total of 22.8% of all bed-care days were dedicated to MRSA-positive patients in the ICU, and 55 (48.2%) of 114 admissions associated with MRSA positivity involved patients who were colonized for the duration of their ICU stay.

Conclusions.

In our unit, ASCs were an effective means to identify MRSA colonization among patients admitted to the ICU. Unfortunately, the majority of identified patients had long durations of stay in our own hospital before ICU entry, with prolonged MRSA colonization. Enhanced efforts to control MRSA will have to account for the prevalence of MRSA within hospital wards and to direct control efforts at these patients in the future.
Epidemiology of Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusand Vancomycin-ResistantEnterococcusin a Rural State
Authors: Polgreen Philip M. , Beekmann Susan E. , Chen Yi Yi , Doern Gary V. , Pfaller Michael A. , Brueggemann Angela B. , Herwaldt Loreen A. , Diekema Daniel J.
Published: March 2006

Background.

Most data on methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) isolates come from large tertiary care centers. Infection control personnel need to understand the epidemiology of MRSA and VRE across the continuum of care, including small rural hospitals, to develop effective control strategies.

Objective.

To describe the epidemiology of MRSA and VRE in Iowa.

Setting.

Fifteen hospitals in Iowa.

Methods.

Between July 1998 and June 2001, a total of 1,968S. aureusisolates and 1,845Enterococcusisolates from patients infected with these pathogens were examined. Multivariate models were developed to evaluate patient and institutional risk factors for MRSA infection and VRE infection.

Results.

The proportion ofS. aureusisolates resistant to methicillin was 31%, and the proportion ofEnterococcusisolates resistant to vancomycin was 6%. Independent risk factors for MRSA infection included residence in a long-term care facility, age of more than 60 years, hospitalization in a hospital with less than 200 short-term care beds, and acquiring the infection in the hospital. Independent risk factors for VRE infection included use of a central venous catheter, residence in a long-term care facility, acquisition of infection in the hospital, and hospitalization in a hospital with more than 200 short-term care beds.

Conclusions.

In Iowa, the epidemiology of MRSA differ from those of VRE. MRSA has become established in small rural hospitals. Effective MRSA control strategies may require inclusion of all hospitals in a state or region.
A New Effect of Acetylsalicylic Acid? Significantly Lower Prevalence of Nasal Carriage ofStaphylococcus aureusAmong Patients Receiving Orally Administered Acetylsalicylic Acid
Authors: Karabay Oguz , Arinc Huseyin , Gunduz Hüseyin , Tamer Ali , Ozhan Hakan , Uyan Cihangir
Published: March 2006

We aimed to evaluate effect of acetylsalicylic acid on the prevalence of nasal carriage ofStaphylococcus aureus. Patients were orally administered a prophylactic dose of acetylsalicylic acid and then were compared with control subjects. The prevalence of nasal carriage ofS. aureuswas significantly lower among patients who received acetylsalicylic acid than among the control subjects (P<.001).
The Relationship Between Surgical Site Infection and Volume of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgeries: Taiwan Experience
Authors: Wu Shiao-Chi , Chen Chi-Chen , Ng Yee-Yung , Chu Hui-Fan
Published: March 2006

In this study, the overall incidence of surgical site infection was 8.83% (3.28% for index hospitalization events [ie, events that occurred during hospitalization for surgery] and 5.55% for postdischarge events [ie, events that occurred within 30 days after discharge]). There was a negative association between surgical volume and the incidence of surgical site infection following coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The hospital volume has a greater effect than does surgeon volume on reducing the incidence of surgical site infection.
An Investigation of Potential Neurosurgical Transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: Challenges and Lessons Learned
Authors: Stricof Rachel L. , Lillquist Patricia P. , Thomas Nadia , Belay Ermias D. , Schonberger Lawrence B. , Morse Dale L.
Published: March 2006

In 2001, New York State health officials were notified about 2 patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease who had undergone neurosurgical procedures at the same hospital within 43 days of each other. One patient had Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease at the time of surgery; the other patient developed Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease 6.5 years later. This investigation highlights the difficulties in assessing possible transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
High-throughput design and fabrication of an integrated microsystem with high aspect-ratio sub-micron pillar arrays for free-solution micro capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Chan Yick Chuen , Lee Yi-Kuen , Zohar Yitshak
Published: March 2006

A new technology approach for the design, fabrication and application of an integrated free-solution capillary electrophoresis microsystem is presented. Combining the advantages of projection, contact photolithography and deep-reactive-ion-etching, this approach allows fast and flexible formation of micron-sized channels integrated with extremely high aspect-ratio (>50:1) sub-micron pillar arrays on a silicon substrate. Utilizing fluorescence video microscopy, free-solution DNA separation has been demonstrated. Furthermore, the detailed DNA molecular interaction with the pillars inside the microsystem can be analysed. In comparison with the previously reported fabrication technologies, such as electron beam lithography, the newly presented technology approach offers a significant improvement in fabrication time and design flexibility; both are highly desirable not only for potential commercialization of the free-solution electrophoresis microsystem in applications such as lab-on-a-chip but also for systematic studies of micro-scale DNA kinetics.
Heterosis, the catapult effect and establishment success of a colonizing bird
Authors: Drake John M
Published: March 2006

The genetic basis of population colonization is poorly understood, particularly in animals. Here, I introduce the idea of a ‘catapult effect’ to explain how the effects of transient increases in fitness can be retained in population demography diminishing the chance of extinction. I tested this idea using information on historical introductions of hybrid and non-hybrid pheasants in the United States. I found that hybrid pheasants were 2.2 times more likely to establish than non-hybrid strains. Analysis of fitness components failed to support the alternative that the increased odds of establishment resulted from increased genetic variation conferring permanent fitness benefits through directional selection or by purging deleterious alleles. These results show that even ephemeral increases in fitness can affect the persistence of small populations.
Evidence for conformal invariance of crop yields
Authors: McCullagh Peter , Clifford David
Published: February 2006

The aim of this paper is to study the nature of spatial correlation of yields of agricultural crops. The focus is primarily on natural or non-anthropogenic spatial variation, patterns that cannot be explained by topography, by variety or treatment effects, or by agricultural practices. Conformal invariance implies stationarity and isotropy, and also determines the rate of decay of spatial correlations. The resulting Gaussian model is studied empirically to see whether it describes satisfactorily the pattern of spatial correlations observed in field trials of various crops. By embedding the law in a larger statistical model, a convolution of white noise and the Matérn class having a range parameterλ−1and a smoothness parameterν, and by gathering data of sufficient range and quantity, the model predictions were tested. Twenty-five examples of crop yields are studied, including cereals, root crops and other vegetables, nut, citrus and alfalfa yields. At the scale of typical field trials, we find that non-anthropogenic variation is reasonably close to isotropic. Furthermore, we find consistent evidence that the range parameter tends to be large and the smoothness parameter small. The large value of the range parameter confirms Fairfield Smith (Fairfield Smith 1938J. Agric. Sci.28, 1–23), who found that spatial correlation in agricultural processes decreases with distance, but at a slower rate than exponential. The small value of the smoothness parameter means that, by Matérn standards, agricultural processes are rough. For each of the examples studied, the limiting model fits the data just as well as the full model, in reasonable agreement with the hypothesis of the conformal model that (λ, ν)=(0, 0) for all crops in all seasons.
Sliding thermoelastodynamic instability
Authors: Afferrante L , Ciavarella M , Barber J.R
Published: March 2006

Numerous mechanisms can give rise to instabilities and vibrations in sliding systems. These can generally be characterized as either elastodynamic (e.g. ‘brake squeal’) or thermoelastic. The time-scales of these processes differ considerably, so it is usual to neglect coupling between them, i.e. to neglect thermal effects in elastodynamic analyses and to use the quasi-static approximation in thermoelastic analyses. In the present paper, we consider the potential coupling between them in the simplest possible context—a thermoelastodynamic layer sliding against a rigid plane and constrained to one-dimensional displacements. The results show that although the coupling is extremely weak, it has a destabilizing effect on the natural elastodynamic vibration of the layer at arbitrarily low sliding speeds. A numerical solution of the transient equations below the quasi-static critical speed shows that an initial disturbance grows exponentially until periods of separation develop, after which the system approaches asymptotically to a steady state involving periods of contact and separation alternating at the lowest natural frequency of the elastodynamic system. With increasing sliding speed, the proportion of the cycle spent in contact is reduced and the maximum contact pressure increases.

It is important to note that neither a quasi-static thermoelastic analysis, nor an elastodynamic analysis neglecting thermal expansion would predict instability in this speed range. Similar instabilities due to thermoelastodynamic coupling are almost certain to occur in more complex practical sliding systems such as brakes and clutches, implying the need for the incorporation of these effects in commercial analysis software. The proposed mechanism might also provide an explanation of reported experimental observations of vibrations normal to the contact interface during frictional sliding.
Correlated preferences for facial masculinity and ideal or actual partner's masculinity
Authors: DeBruine Lisa M , Jones Benedict C , Little Anthony C , Boothroyd Lynda G , Perrett David I , Penton-Voak Ian S , Cooper Philip A , Penke Lars , Feinberg David R , Tiddeman Bernard P
Published: February 2006

Studies of women's preferences for male faces have variously reported preferences for masculine faces, preferences for feminine faces and no effect of masculinity–femininity on male facial attractiveness. It has been suggested that these apparently inconsistent findings are, at least partly, due to differences in the methods used to manipulate the masculinity of face images or individual differences in attraction to facial cues associated with youth. Here, however, we show that women's preferences for masculinity manipulated in male faces using techniques similar to the three most widely used methods are positively inter-related. We also show that women's preferences for masculine male faces are positively related to ratings of the masculinity of their actual partner and their ideal partner. Correlations with partner masculinity were independent of real and ideal partner age, which were not associated with facial masculinity preference. Collectively, these findings suggest that variability among studies in their findings for women's masculinity preferences reflects individual differences in attraction to masculinity rather than differences in the methods used to manufacture stimuli, and are important for the interpretation of previous and future studies of facial masculinity.
Computational modeling of the Plasmodium falciparum interactome reveals protein function on a genome-wide scale
Authors: Date Shailesh V. , Stoeckert Christian J.
Published: March 2006

Many thousands of proteins encoded by the genome of Plasmodium falciparum, the causal organism of the deadliest form of human malaria, are of unknown function. It is of utmost importance that these proteins be characterized if we are to develop combative strategies against malaria based on the biology of the parasite. In an attempt to infer protein function on a genome-wide scale, we computationally modeled the P. falciparum interactome, elucidating local and global functional relationships between gene products. The resulting interaction network, reconstructed by integrating in silico and experimental functional genomics data within a Bayesian framework, covers ∼68% of the parasite genome and provides functional inferences for more than 2000 uncharacterized proteins, based on their associations. Network reconstruction involved the use of a novel strategy, where we incorporated continuously updated, uniform reference priors in our Bayesian model. This method for generating interaction maps is thus also well suited for application to other genomes, where pre-existing interactome knowledge is sparse. Additionally, we superimposed this map on genomes of three apicomplexan pathogens—Plasmodium yoelii,Toxoplasma gondii, and Cryptosporidium parvum—describing relationships between these organisms based on retained functional linkages. This comparison provided a glimpse of the highly evolved nature of P. falciparum; for instance, a deficit of nearly 26% in terms of predicted interactions is observed against P. yoelii, because of missing ortholog partners in pairs of functionally linked proteins.
Olfactory responses to steroids in an African mouth‐brooding cichlid, Haplochromis burtoni(Günther)
Authors: Cole T. B. , Stacey N. E.
Published: February 2006

Underwater electro‐olfactogram (EOG) recordings involving 150 steroids and eight prostaglandins were used to determine which of these potential odorants are detected by the olfactory organ of an African cichlid, Haplochromis burtoni. In initial EOG tests at 10−9 M, H. burtoni did not respond to unconjugated steroids or prostaglandins, but did respond to 17 conjugated steroids, 11 of which (17β‐oestradiol‐17β‐glucuronide; 17β‐oestradiol‐3‐sulphate; 17β‐oestradiol‐3,17β‐disulphate; epiandrosteron‐3β‐sulphate; etiocholanolone‐3α‐glucuronide; testosterone‐17β‐sulphate; dehydroepiandrosterone‐3β‐sulphate; 5α‐pregnan‐3β‐ol‐20‐one‐3β‐sulphate; 5β‐pregnan‐3α,17‐diol‐20‐one‐3α‐glucuronide; 5β‐pregnan‐3α,17,21‐triol‐11,20‐dione‐3α‐glucuronide; pregnenolone‐3β‐sulphate) were selected for EOG concentration‐response, cross‐adaptation and binary mixture tests. The EOG detection thresholds ranged from 10−11 to 10−9 M in all but one instance (female threshold to pregnenolone‐3β‐sulphate; 10−8 M), and males and females exhibited only minor differences in EOG threshold or response magnitude. Results of EOG cross‐adaptation tests, which were supported by results of binary mixture tests, indicated that the response to the 11 steroid conjugates is mediated by five putative olfactory receptor mechanisms characterized by specificity for conjugate position and type: 3‐sulphate, 17‐sulphate, 3,17‐disulphate, 3‐glucuronide, 17‐glucuronide. Although there is no evidence that H. burtoni releases, or exhibits biological response to, the steroids shown to be detected in this study, the present results are suggestive of a complex pheromone system utilizing steroid conjugates.
Life history of an unusual marine fish: survival, growth and movement patterns ofHippocampus guttulatusCuvier 1829
Authors: Curtis J. M. R. , Vincent A. C. J.
Published: February 2006

The life history of the long‐snouted seahorseHippocampus guttulatuswas characterized using mark‐recapture data collected within a focal study site and catch data from 53 additional sites in the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon, southern Portugal. Population structure in benthic habitats was characterized by high local densities (0·3–1·5 m−2), equal sex ratios and few juveniles <70 mm. AdultH. guttulatusmaintained small (19·9 ± 12·4 m2), strongly overlapping home ranges during multiple reproductive seasons. Recruited (benthic) juveniles exhibited significantly lower site fidelity than adults. A Ford‐Walford plot of standard length (LS) at timetagainstLSmeasured during the previous year from tagged juveniles and adults led to estimates of the von Bertalanffy parametersK = 0·571 andL∞ = 197·6 mm. The growth rate of planktonic juveniles (inferred from previous studies), was greater than predicted by the von Bertalanffy model, providing evidence of an ontogenetic shift in growth trajectory. The instantaneous rate of natural mortality,M, ranged from 1·13 to 1·22 year−1(annual survival rate = 29·4–32·2%). Sexes did not differ in movement, growth or survival patterns. On average,H. guttulatusmeasured 12·2 ± 0·8 mm at birth. Planktonic juveniles recruited to vegetated habitat at 96·0 ± 8·0 mm (0·25 years), had mature brood pouches (males only) at 109·4 mm (0·49 years), began maintaining home ranges and reproducing at 125–129 mm (0·85–0·94 years), and lived for 4·3–5·5 years. Early age at maturity, rapid growth rates, and short generation times suggested thatH. guttulatusmay recover rapidly when direct (e.g. exploitation) and indirect (e.g. by‐catch and habitat damage) effects of disturbance cease, but may be vulnerable to extended periods of poor recruitment.
The Japanese threadfin bream Nemipterus japonicus, a new Indo‐Pacific fish in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Golani D. , Sonin O.
Published: February 2006

A specimen of the Japanese threadfin bream Nemipterus japonicus was recorded for the first time from the Mediterranean Sea. The presence of this Indo‐Pacific fish in the Mediterranean is evidently due to migration from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal.
The effect of Schistocephalus solidus infection on meal size of three‐spined stickleback
Authors: Wright H. A. , Wootton R. J. , Barber I.
Published: February 2006

The effect of infection with the pseudophyllidean cestode Schistocephalus solidus on the meal size of individually housed three‐spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus was quantified. Infected fish harboured plerocercoid loads that contributed from 1·1 to 33·9% of their total mass. Across this range of infection levels, the presence of S. solidus infection had no significant directional effect on standard length (LS) corrected meal size of host three‐spined sticklebacks. Amongst multiply infected fish there was a significant negative relationship between LS‐corrected meal size and the proportion of host mass contributed by S. solidus parasites. This relationship, however, did not hold for singly‐infected fish. Furthermore, the data suggest that multiply‐infected fish that harbour a combined mass of parasites contributing <c. 15% to host body mass might exhibit meal sizes that exceed those of length‐matched uninfected fish. The results suggest that although heavy infections can significantly reduce the meal size of heavily infected three‐spined sticklebacks, in the early stages of multiple S. solidus infections host food intake may increase. The probable causes of these differential effects on meal size and their consequences for the host‐parasite system are discussed.
Feeding behaviour in some teleosts is triggered by single amino acids primarily through olfaction
Authors: Hara T. J.
Published: February 2006

The present study investigated behavioural responses of naïve rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, lake charr Salvelinus namaycush, lake whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis and goldfish Carassius auratus to food extracts as well as selected amino acids (at 10−6 M) and related chemicals in a flow‐through behaviour trough. Cysteine, the most potent olfactory stimulating amino acid determined electrophysiologically, enhanced locomotor activity, an initial arousal behaviour, in all species examined, in exactly the same fashion as did food extracts. The increased locomotor activity was followed by distinct species‐specific search behavioural patterns: 1) bottom searching in rainbow trout; 2) surfacing and jumping in lake charr; 3) exploratory behaviour against the trough window in lake whitefish; 4) gravel pecking in goldfish. Olfactory‐stimulating neutral amino acids alanine and serine and gustatory‐stimulating imino acid proline were effective, to varying degrees, in eliciting feeding behaviour. Arginine and glutamate suppressed the locomotor activity in rainbow trout, but triggered feeding behaviour in the other species. Agmatine, a decarboxylated arginine, stimulated feeding behaviour in all species tested, except rainbow trout. The observed behavioural responses were in close accordance with the electrophysiological threshold and specificity. Together, the present data demonstrate that single amino acids and closely related chemicals initiate feeding behaviour primarily by olfaction, and interchangeably and complemented by gustation, in naive fishes.
Age and growth of Anguilla anguilla in the Camargue lagoons
Authors: Melià P. , Bevacqua D. , Crivelli A. J. , De Leo G. A. , Panfili J. , Gatto M.
Published: February 2006

Age and total length (LT) data from a 11 year monitoring of the Anguilla anguilla eel population of the Camargue lagoons (Rhône delta, southern France) were collected for glass, yellow and silver eels. Three distinct models were calibrated to describe the growth process of undifferentiated eels, females and males, respectively. Uncertainty of parameter estimates was evaluated by bootstrapping. Females were characterized by larger asymptotic body size (LT) than males (580 ± 50 v. 388 ± 13 mm) and faster growth, whilst the Brody growth coefficient was larger for males than for females (means ± s.d. 3·00 10−3 ± 1·68 10−3v. 1·73 10−3 ± 0·50 10−3). Sexual differentiation was estimated to begin at 204 ± 38 mm mean ± s.d., i.e. at the end of the second year in the lagoons, well before the LT at which macroscopic differentiation became possible (c. 300 mm). Males probably leave the lagoon or die (due to either natural or fishing mortality) within the first 3 years, whilst females can remain up to 5 years. Sexual differentiation and maturation have a major role in shaping the LT structure of the population. The LT and mass (M) data were fitted by allometric curves . The calibration of distinct curves for data from different years indicated that the allometric coefficient a was subject to wider interannual fluctuations than the allometric exponent b. A negative correlation linked the average LT and the allometric exponent (r = −0·58, P < 0·01).
Intraspecific geographic and seasonal physiological variability in an intertidal fish, Girella laevifrons, along a climatic gradient
Authors: Pulgar J. M. , Ojeda F. P. , Bozinovic F.
Published: February 2006

Metabolic rate and condition factor (K) of juvenile Girella laevifrons were highest in southern populations along the Chilean coast. Since adults of G. laevifrons complete their life cycle in subtidal waters, the results suggest a metabolic cold adaptation in juveniles of this species and physiological compensation that enable them to move early to subtidal environments for reproduction
Energy density of anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus L. in the Adriatic Sea
Authors: Tirelli V. , Borme D. , Tulli F. , Cigar M. , Fonda Umani S. , Brandt S. B.
Published: February 2006

European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus, with total lengths ranging from 40·0 to 132·5 mm, were sampled during October 2002 and May 2003 in the northern Adriatic Sea in order to estimate their energy densities (ED). A highly significant (P < 0·001) relationship between ED(y)(J g−1wet mass) and per cent dry mass (x) was found: y = 321x − 3316·9 (n = 161, r2 = 0·82).
Photoallergic contact dermatitis from ketoprofen in southern Sweden
Authors: Hindsén Monika , Zimerson Erik , Bruze Magnus
Published: March 2006

The non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug ketoprofen is widely used for topical treatment. In Sweden, ketoprofen has been available for topical application since 1995. Photoallergic contact dermatitis from ketoprofen‐containing topical preparations usually includes severe eczematous reactions. Ketoprofen is derived from propionic acid, and it is also a substituted benzophenone and therefore structurally similar to fenofibrate and sunscreen agents based on benzophenones. During the last 2 years, 35 patients have been refereed to our department with suspected photoallergic or allergic reactions after having used ketoprofen‐containing gels. Photopatch testing with the photopatch standard series, the ketoprofen‐containing gels and their ingredients, fenofibrate, benzophenone‐3, benzophenone‐10 and benzophenone‐4, was performed. Photoallergic reactions to ketoprofen were noted in 35 patients and a simultaneous contact allergy to ketoprofen in 2 patients. Simultaneous photoallergy to fentichlor, tetrachlorosalicylanilide and fenofibrate was registered in 74%, 40% and 73% of the patients, respectively.
Cross‐reactivity between thiurams
Authors: Lerbæk Anne , Menné Torkil , Knudsen Bodil
Published: March 2006

Retesting with an allergen at a site with previous allergic contact dermatitis has been shown to enhance reactivity. It has been suggested that retesting with a cross‐reactive allergen will also induce hyperreactivity. Concurrent sensitization to more than 1 thiuram is common, but whether this is due to concomitant primary sensitization or cross‐reactivity is uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of retesting to distinguish between concomitant sensitization and cross‐reactivity in the rubber chemicals tetraethylthiuram disulphide (TETD) and tetramethylthiuram disulphide (TMTD). There was a non‐significant trend towards enhanced reactivity for both TETD and TMTD when testing in an area with previous allergic contact dermatitis due to TETD. Cross‐reactivity between the 2 chemicals is likely, but a definite conclusion from this pilot study is not possible.
The capsaicin cough reflex in eczema patients with respiratory symptoms elicited by perfume
Authors: Elberling Jesper , Dirksen Asger , Johansen Jeanne Duus , Mosbech Holger
Published: March 2006

Respiratory symptoms elicited by perfume are common in the population but have unclear pathophysiology. Increased capsaicin cough responsiveness has been associated with the symptoms, but it is unknown whether the site of the symptoms in the airways influences this association. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the site of airway symptoms elicited by perfume and cough responsiveness to bronchial challenge with capsaicin. 21 eczema patients with respiratory symptoms elicited by perfume were compared with 21 healthy volunteers in a sex‐ and age‐matched case control study. The participants completed a symptom questionnaire and underwent a bronchial challenge with capsaicin. Lower, but not upper, respiratory symptoms elicited by perfume were associated with increased capsaicin cough responsiveness. Having severe symptoms to perfume (n = 11) did not relate to the site of the symptoms in the airways and was not associated with increased capsaicin cough responsiveness. In conclusion, respiratory symptoms elicited by perfume may reflect local hyperreactivity related to defensive reflexes in the airways, and measurements of the capsaicin cough reflex are relevant when patients with lower respiratory symptoms related to environmental perfume exposures are investigated.
Plant genotype and induced responses affect resistance to herbivores on evening primrose (Oenothera biennis)
Authors: Mcguire Rosanna J. , Johnson Marc T. J.
Published: March 2006

Abstract.  1. Although both genotype and induced responses affect a plant's resistance to herbivores, little is known about their relative and interactive effects. This study examined how plant genotype of a native plant (Oenothera biennis) and induced plant responses to herbivory affect resistance to, and interactions among, several herbivores.

2. In a field experiment, genetic and environmental variation among habitats led to variation in the amount of early season damage and plant quality. The pattern of variation in early season infestation by spittlebugs (Philaenus spumarius, a piercing–sucking herbivore) negatively correlated with oviposition preference by a later feeding specialist weevil (Tyloderma foveolatum, a leaf‐chewer).

3. To determine if plant genotype and induced responses to herbivory might be responsible for these field patterns, we performed no‐choice and choice bioassays using four genotypes of O. biennis that varied in resistance. Plants were induced by either spittlebugs or weevils and assays measured the responses of the same specialist weevil as well as a generalist caterpillar (Spodoptera exigua).

4. Resistance to adult weevils was largely unaffected by plant genotype, while they experienced induced resistance following damage by conspecific weevils in no‐choice assays. Caterpillars were more strongly affected by plant genotype than induced responses in both no‐choice and choice assays, but they also fed less and experienced higher mortality on plants previously damaged by weevils. In contrast to the pattern suggested by the field experiment, spittlebugs did consistently induce resistance against either weevils or caterpillars in the bioassay experiment.

5. These results support recent findings that show herbivore species can compete via induced plant responses. Additionally, a quantitative review of the literature demonstrates that plant genotype tends to be more important than interspecific competition among herbivores (plant‐mediated or otherwise) in affecting herbivore preference and performance.
Normal expression of myelin protein zero with frame‐shift mutation correlates with mild phenotype
Authors: Steck Andreas J. , Erne Beat , Pareyson Davide , Sghirlanzoni Angelo , Taroni Franco , Schaeren‐Wiemers Nicole
Published: March 2006

Abstract  Mutations in the gene encoding for myelin protein zero (MPZ) cause inherited demyelinating peripheral neuropathies of different severity. The molecular and cellular mechanisms by which the MPZ mutations cause neuropathy are incompletely understood. We investigated MPZ, myelin basic protein, and peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) protein expression levels in a nerve biopsy of a Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth type 1B patient heterozygous for the Val 102 frame‐shift mutation. We demonstrate by quantitative immunohistochemical as well as by Western blot analyses that MPZ expression levels were not reduced in myelin membranes, a finding that is in accordance with the mild phenotype of this patient. Our data show that heterozygous ‘loss‐of‐function’ of MPZ may not necessarily lead to reduced protein levels. In conclusion, we demonstrate that careful analysis of protein expression levels in peripheral nerve tissues provides important information with respect to the understanding of the molecular basis of these neuropathies.
JNK1 activation mediates C5b‐9‐induced P0 mRNA instability and P0 gene expression in Schwann cells
Authors: David Stefan , Hila Sorana , Fosbrink Matthew , Rus Horea , Koski Carol Lee
Published: March 2006

Abstract  The protein zero (P0) glycoprotein is an important component of compact peripheral nerve myelin produced by the glial cells of the mammalian peripheral nervous system. P0 mRNA expression is reduced following exposure of Schwann cells to sublytic C5b‐9, the terminal activation complex of the complement cascade. Sublytic complement treatment decreased P0 mRNA by 81% within 6 h and required C5b‐9 assembly. C5b‐9 induced a threefold increase in both JNK1 activity and c‐jun mRNA within 20 and 30 min, respectively, compared with cells treated with either human serum depleted of complement component C7 (C7dHS) or medium alone. Sublytic C5b‐9 stimulation, in the presence of the transcription inhibitor Actinomycin D, decreased P0 mRNA expression by 52%, indicating that mRNA was selectively destabilized. This effect was prevented by pretreatment with L‐JNK inhibitor 1 (L‐JNKI1). To study a potential inhibition of P0 gene transcription, we transfected Schwann cells with a P0 promoter‐firefly luciferase construct. Sublytic C5b‐9 stimulation of the transfected cells decreased luciferase activity by 82% at 6 h, and this effect was prevented by pretreatment with L‐JNKI1 inhibitor. Our results indicate that the ability of C5b‐9 in vitro to affect P0 gene expression is mediated via JNK1 activation that leads to enhanced mRNA decay and transcriptional repression of P0.
Mediterranean spotted fever: A review of fifteen cases
Authors: MERT Ali , OZARAS Resat , TABAK Fehmi , BILIR Muammer , OZTURK Recep
Published: March 2006

We aimed to determine the following things: the frequency of patients with Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) during the last 10 years among those patients admitted with fever and rash, their clinical features, and the factors predicting the diagnosis of MSF among patients admitted with fever and rash. Between 1993–2002, the files of all patients admitted to our hospital with fever and rash were collected. The clinical features and serologic results of the patients diagnosed with MSF were further investigated. The diagnosis of MSF was established by epidemiological and clinical features and also by the clinical response within 2 days after doxycycline treatment. During the previous 10 years, 140 patients were admitted with fever and rash, and 15 (10%; four females, 11 males; mean age: 41 years; range: 17–70) of them were diagnosed with MSF. Clinical features were as follows: fever (100%), rash (100%), myalgia and/or arthralgia (93%), headache (87%), petechiae (27%), tache noire (13%), leucocytosis (74%), thrombocytopenia (33%), and accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (100%). In nine of these patients, the diagnosis of MSF was established by epidemiological and clinical features and was confirmed by serologic studies. As a complication, one patient developed facial paralysis. Six (40%) were given several antibiotics. In conclusion, MSF should be considered in the differential diagnosis when a patient is admitted with fever, maculopapular rash, headache, myalgia and/or arthralgia, especially in spring, summer, or autumn.
A probable case of Muckle–Wells syndrome
Authors: KAGAMI Shinji , SAEKI Hidehisa , KUWANO Yoshihiro , IMAKADO Sumihisa , TAMAKI Kunihiko
Published: March 2006

Muckle–Wells syndrome is a rare autosomally dominant disorder belonging to the group of periodic fever syndromes. Three main features of the disease are: (i) urticarial eruptions; (ii) progressive perceptive deafness; and (iii) amyloid nephropathy. A 26‐year‐old Japanese woman had suffered at birth from an urticarial rash and episodic fever. The fever was frequently associated with chills and ill‐defined malaise. There was no familial history of urticarial rash or fever. Although she did not recognize hearing loss, audiometry revealed perceptive deafness. She also had hepatosplenomegaly and hyperimmunoglobulinemia, but did not have persistent arthritis, or any neurological or gastrointestinal disorder. No growth retardation was observed. Skin biopsy specimens from her buttock showed a sparse perivascular and interstitial infiltrate of neutrophils in the papillary dermis. Periodic fever syndrome was diagnosed. Muckle–Wells syndrome was most likely, although no amyloid nephropathy was observed and no gene mutations of CIAS1 (T785C, C778T, G907A, G1315A, G1075C) were detected. We treated her with prednisolone, which had a partial effect. Previous treatment with colchicines, antihistamines, dapsone, clarithromycin, minocycline hydrochloride and loxoprofen sodium had been unsuccessful. Muckle–Wells syndrome may go undiagnosed for many years or be misdiagnosed as refractory urticaria. Therefore, we should consider the possibility of periodic fever syndrome when we see patients with refractory urticaria and episodic fever.
A case of implantation dermatosis that formed a tumor
Authors: KONDOH Akio , AKASAKA Emiko , YAMAMOTO Kozo , MIZUTANI Kimihiko , IWASHITA Kenichi , UMEZAWA Yoshinori , OHTA Yukinori , MATSUYAMA Takashi , OZAWA Akira
Published: March 2006

A 51‐year‐old man visited our hospital complaining of a tumor located above his lip. He had been hit on his upper left lip by a chopstick holder 2 months previously. The lesion turned into a tumor and gradually enlarged. The tumor was well circumscribed, smooth and covered with reddish, partially milk‐white skin. During surgery to remove the tumor, a piece of a chopstick was found in the subcutaneous tissue, and a diagnosis of implantation dermatosis (ID) was made. On histology, the tumor appeared as an abscess that had increased fibroblasts, small vessels and a large number of neutrophils. In the Japanese published work, we found 86 cases of ID; three were similar to our case and had been clinically diagnosed as adnexal tumors. There were also six cases that showed abscess formation similar to our case on histology. In a survey of the published work from other countries, there were 44 ID cases. There were no common features found among the cases reported in the published work.
A case of carotenemia associated with ingestion of nutrient supplements
Authors: TAKITA Yuko , ICHIMIYA Makoto , HAMAMOTO Yoshiaki , MUTO Masahiko
Published: March 2006

Carotenemia is characterized by an abnormal yellowish orange pigmentation of the skin, most prominently seen on the palms and soles. Although it is associated with several disease such as diabetes, hypothyroidism and anorexia nervosa, it is caused by excessive intake of carotene‐rich food such as oranges and carrots in most cases. Herein, we describe an interesting case of carotenemia in a 66‐year‐old female secondary to increased ingestion of oral supplements of carotene in order to improve hemorrhage in the eyeground. There could be an increasing trend of intake of commercial nutrient supplements in which case it is necessary to remind ourselves that commercial nutrient supplements could cause various skin disorders as side‐effects.
A case of sclerodermatous graft‐versus‐host disease following autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
Authors: NAKAMURA Koichiro , KAWAKAMI Yoshio , OYAMA Noritaka , KANEKO Fumio , ABE Hiroyuki , SAGARA Hiroya , OHTO Hitoshi
Published: March 2006

We report a 65‐year‐old woman with chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) who developed severely sclerotic skin on the fingers, hand and trunk following autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT). The patient had suffered from breast cancer and been treated with surgery and chemotherapy. She showed pancytopenia and was treated with APBCST. Four years after APBSCT, she developed the severe sclerotic changes on the fingers, hands, extremities and trunk. The skin biopsy showed a flattened epidermis and a proliferation of collagen bundles in the dermis. No anti‐nucleolar DNA titers were detected in the serum. She was diagnosed with chronic GVHD. Despite treatment with oral prednisolone, the skin sclerotic change developed and the breast cancer recurred. She died due to pericarditis. This is a rare case of sclerodermatous GVHD following APBSCT. The serum interleukin (IL)‐12 levels were examined during the treatment.
Role of ABCG2 as a biomarker for predicting resistance to CPT‐11/SN‐38 in lung cancer
Authors: Bessho Yuji , Oguri Tetsuya , Achiwa Hiroyuki , Muramatsu Hideki , Maeda Hiroyoshi , Niimi Takashi , Sato Shigeki , Ueda Ryuzo
Published: March 2006

To examine the mechanism of resistance to 7‐ethyl‐10‐hydroxycamptothecin (SN‐38) in lung cancer, we continuously exposed the non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line NCI‐H23 to SN‐38 and selected the SN‐38‐resistant clone H23/SN‐38. After 2 months of culturing in SN‐38‐free conditions, H23/SN‐38 cells recovered their sensitivity to SN‐38 and were subsequently established as the revertant H23/SN‐38REV cell line. Because H23/SN‐38 cells show cross resistance to certain anticancer drugs, such as topotecan, etoposide, doxorubicin and mitoxantrone, we examined the gene and protein expression levels of drug efflux transporters of the ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) family. We found that both gene and protein expression of ABCG2/BCRP (ABCG2) in H23/SN‐38 cells was increased compared with that in NCI‐H23 cells and H23/SN‐38REV cells. The cellular accumulation of topotecan in H23/SN‐38 cells was decreased compared with that in NCI‐H23 and H23/SN‐38REV cells, and treatment with reserpine (an inhibitor of ABCG2) increased the cellular accumulation of topotecan in H23/SN‐38 cells. Furthermore, treatment with reserpine also altered the sensitivity of H23/SN‐38 cells to SN‐38. These results indicate that the upregulation of ABCG2 was functional, and related to the resistance of H23/SN‐38 cells to SN‐38. Moreover, we found that gene expression levels of ABCG2 were significantly correlated with the concentration of SN‐38 for 50% cell survival in 13 NSCLC cells (r = 0.592, P < 0.05). The present results indicate that the induction of ABCG2 by SN‐38 does confer acquired resistance to CPT‐11/SN‐38, but the induction of ABCG2 and subsequent drug resistance are reversible. However, the expression level of ABCG2 may be a useful indicator of CPT‐11/SN‐38 activity in lung cancer. (Cancer Sci 2006; 97: 192–198)
Impairment of double‐strand breaks repair and aberrant splicing of ATM and MRE11 in leukemia–lymphoma cell lines with microsatellite instability
Authors: Ham Maria Francisca , Takakuwa Tetsuya , Luo Wen‐Juan , Liu Angen , Horii Akira , Aozasa Katsuyuki
Published: March 2006

Mutations of DNA double‐strand breaks (DSB) repair genes, ATM, MRE11, RAD50, NBS1 and ATR, are postulated to play a role in the development of gastrointestinal malignancies with an impaired mismatch repair (MMR) function. In the present study, mutations of these genes together with the presence of microsatellite instability (MSI) were examined in 50 leukemia–lymphoma cell lines. MSI was detected in 13 (26%) lines. Mutations of intronic mononucleotide repeats in ATM and MRE11 were found in nine and six lines, respectively, whereas mutations of mononucleotide repeats of RAD50 were found in only one line, and none were found in either NBS1 or ATR. Frequencies of ATM and MRE11 mutations were significantly higher in MSI‐positive than MSI‐negative lines. These mutations generated aberrant splicing in both genes. The intensity of the aberrant transcript of ATM (497del22) was stronger in five lines harboring mononucleotide mutations of 2 bp or more than in the lines without or with a 1‐bp mutation. The intensity of the aberrant transcript of MRE11 (315del88) was stronger in four lines with mononucleotide mutations than in lines without. The expression levels of ATM and MRE11 transcripts in MSI‐positive lines were significantly higher than those in MSI‐negative lines. MSI‐positive cell lines showed delay or abrogation of DSB repair. The present study suggests that impairment of the MMR system causes aberrant transcripts in the DSB repair genes ATM and MRE11. This might result in inactivation of the DSB repair system, thus inducing an acceleration of genome instability and accumulation of genetic damage. (Cancer Sci 2006; 97: 226–234)