bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Apocynin and Natural Antioxidant from Spinach on Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase and Cyclooxygenase‐2 Induction in Lipopolysaccharide‐Induced Hepatic Injury in Rat
Authors: Lomnitski Liat , Foley Julie F. , Grossman Shlomo , Shaul Varda Ben , Maronpot Robert R. , Moomaw Cindy R. , Carbonatto Michela , Nyska Abraham
Published: October 2004

The immunoreactivity of inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase‐2 was compared among groups of male Wistar rats comprising those injected with lipopolysaccharide following pretreatment with either natural antioxidant from spinach or the antioxidant apocynin, with lipopolysaccharide without pretreatment with antioxidants, with each of the two antioxidants alone, and untreated controls. The grade of staining of both inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase‐2 increased with the severity of the inflammatory reaction in the lipopolysaccharide‐treated animals, compared to the antioxidant‐treated groups. Interpretation of the results of the immunostained tissues indicated that pretreatment with either antioxidant significantly (P<0.05) attenuated the lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated inducible nitric oxide synthase induction. Analysis of the cycloxygenase‐2‐stained liver samples indicated that the pretreatment with the natural antioxidant NAO significantly (P<0.05) attenuated lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated cycloxygenase‐2 induction; whereas, in animals pretreated with apocynin, there was a trend of reduction in the cyclooxygenase‐2 expression, but not statistically significant (P>0.05). The negative nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity of the lipopolysaccharide‐related hepatic lesions may indicate that there was relatively low interaction between superoxide anions and nitric oxide to form peroxynitrite or that the expression levels of the nitrotyrosine were below the limit of detection. In all treatment groups a positive correlation (P<0.05, r=0.86) found between the inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase‐2 scores suggests a strong relationship between these two parameters. The results indicate the possible therapeutic efficacy of NAO and apocynin in the prevention of liver damage related to clinical endotoxemia known to be associated with oxidative stress.
Preparation for Crisis Management: A Proposed Model and Empirical Evidence
Authors: Elsubbaugh S. , Fildes R. , Rose Mary B.
Published: October 2004

This article explores the forces restricting effective crisis management in a crisis ridden industry. Models of crisis preparedness have typically been developed based upon research in US or Western business. This study is based upon the Egyptian industry which, until the 1990s was state owned and heavily state supported. Changes in government policy, combined with external forces, not in the least the loss of markets in the previous Soviet bloc, had plunged the industry into serious crisis. Crisis is a cultural embarrassment to most Egyptian managers and this, combined with the depth of economic difficulties faced by the industry, makes it extraordinarily difficult for any level of crisis preparedness to be achieved. Based on interview and questionnaire data, this article extends existing models of crisis preparedness to better accommodate conditions in crisis prone industries outside the West. New dimensions in the proposed model are the stress on national culture and how this limits the range of managerial responses. This in turn requires the active development of an organisational culture to counteract these limitations.
Day case management of sickle pain: 3 years experience in a UK sickle cell unit
Authors: Wright J. , Bareford D. , Wright C. , Augustine G. , Olley K. , Musamadi L , Dhanda C. , Knight C.
Published: October 2004

A day centre was established to determine whether an alternative approach to the management of uncomplicated sickle pain would improve the quality of care and reduce hospital admissions in patients with sickle cell disease. Since the centre opened there has been a 43% decrease in hospital admissions and 49% decrease in occupied bed days. In the third year, 84% of patients treated for severe sickle pain were managed without the need for hospital admission. A centre offering day case management of painful crisis reduced unnecessary hospital admissions for uncomplicated pain. This approach is safe and cost‐effective.
Induction of acute graft‐versus‐host disease by T cells that do not respond to in vitro alloantigen stimulation
Authors: New Jen Yan , Chan Soh Ha , Yap Eu Hian , Hu Huaizhong
Published: October 2004

The mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) has been used extensively to measure alloreactive T cells. In clinical practice, a negative MLR of recipient T cells responding to donor cells does not necessarily mean that a donor‐specific tolerance has been established. This discrepancy indicates that the presently used methods fail to demonstrate the full repertoire of alloreactive T cells. This could be the result of the fact that some alloreactive T cells do not respond in vitro but will mount a response towards alloantigens in vivo, or that some alloreactive T cells do not respond during the MLR but will respond later if the alloantigen stimulation remains. We therefore examined the non‐proliferating T‐cell population in a mouse primary alloreactive response. Spleen and lymph node cells derived from C57BL/6J (H‐2b) mice were stained with carboxy‐fluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester and injected intravenously into C.B‐17 severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice (H‐2d). The donor cells were recovered 5 d after the injection. The non‐proliferating T cells were sorted and were non‐reactive to alloantigen stimulation in vitro. Nevertheless, these non‐proliferating T cells could proliferate and cause acute graft‐versus‐host disease after being adoptively transferred to secondary recipients of SCID mice. These results suggest that there exists an alloreactive T‐cell population that does not respond to in vitro alloantigen stimulation but can mount a delayed alloresponse in vivo.
Targeted pretransplant host lymphocyte depletion prior to T‐cell depleted reduced‐intensity allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Bishop Michael R. , Steinberg Seth M. , Gress Ronald E. , Hardy Nancy M. , Marchigiani Donna , Kasten‐Sportes Claude , Dean Robert , Pavletic Steven Z. , Gea‐Banacloche Juan , Castro Kathleen , Hakim Fran , Krumlauf Michael , Read Elizabeth J. , Carter Charles , Leitman Susan F. , Fowler Daniel H.
Published: October 2004

Mixed chimaerism and graft rejection are higher after reduced‐intensity allogeneic stem cell transplantation (RIST) with T‐cell depleted (TCD) allografts. As host immune status before RIST affects engraftment, we hypothesized that targeted depletion of host lymphocytes prior to RIST would abrogate graft rejection and promote donor chimaerism. Lymphocyte‐depleting chemotherapy was administered at conventional doses to subjects prior to RIST with the intent of decreasing CD4+ counts to <0·05 × 109cells/l. Subjects (n = 18) then received reduced‐intensity conditioning followed by ex vivo TCD human leucocyte antigen‐matched sibling allografts. All evaluable patients (n = 17) were engrafted; there were no late graft failures. At day +28 post‐RIST, 12 patients showed complete donor chimaerism. Mixed chimaerism in the remaining five patients was associated with higher numbers of circulating host CD3+ cells (P = 0·0032) after lymphocyte‐depleting chemotherapy and was preferentially observed in T lymphoid rather than myeloid cells. Full donor chimaerism was achieved in all patients after planned donor lymphocyte infusions. These data reflect the importance of host immune status prior to RIST and suggest that targeted host lymphocyte depletion facilitates the engraftment of TCD allografts. Targeted lymphocyte depletion may permit an individualized approach to conditioning based on host immune status prior to RIST.
IL‐7 effect on immunological reconstitution after HSCT depends on MHC incompatibility
Authors: André‐Schmutz Isabelle , Bonhomme Delphine , Yates Frank , Malassis Michèle , Selz Françoise , Fischer Alain , Cavazzana‐Calvo Marina
Published: October 2004

Considerable progress has been recently accomplished in the management of patients who have undergone haplo‐incompatible haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in terms of intake and prevention of graft‐versus‐host disease. Nevertheless haplo‐incompatible HSCT is a procedure limited to a small number of patients because of the long‐lasting immunodeficiency that is responsible for more than 50% of deaths within the first 3 months. Interleukin (IL)‐7, which plays a unique and key role in T‐cell development both in the mouse and in the human, is particularly attractive for attempting to speed up T‐cell reconstitution. However, controversial results have been obtained after bone marrow graft in murine and primate models. To elucidate the impact of IL‐7 treatment, we have performed HSCT in irradiated murine recombination activating gene (RAG) immunodeficient recipients, using donors that exhibited increased major histocompatibilty complex (MHC) incompatibility. Although irradiation performed prior to HSCT lead to a profound defect in the thymic stromal cells responsible for IL‐7 production, IL‐7 treatment had no significant effect on immune reconstitution in the MHC compatible and partially compatible settings. Interestingly, in the MHC fully incompatible setting in which only one‐third of the recipients demonstrated active thymopoiesis, probably because of the rejection of donor cells by host natural killer cells, IL‐7 treatment had a beneficial effect on T‐cell development.
Prospective clinical evaluation of lower cut‐offs for galactomannan detection in adult neutropenic cancer patients and haematological stem cell transplant recipients
Authors: Maertens Johan , Theunissen Koen , Verbeken Eric , Lagrou Katrien , Verhaegen Jan , Boogaerts Marc , Eldere Johan Van
Published: October 2004

The recent advent of an improved commercial serum enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of circulating galactomannan (GM), a major constituent of Aspergillus cell walls, has contributed to the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in many haematology and transplant centres. However, the optimal threshold for positivity remains a matter of debate. We prospectively evaluated the impact of lowering the cut‐off in 124 neutropenic episodes with a high pretest probability for IA. Two new cut‐off points, lower than previously accepted, are proposed: (a) a ‘static’ cut‐off at 0·8 and (b) a ‘dynamic’ cut‐off at 0·5. A single assay with an optical density (OD) index ≥0·8 warrants the initiation of anti‐Aspergillus therapy. A further lowering of the ‘static’ threshold seems not clinically feasible given the drop in positive predictive value (PPV). However, the demonstration of at least two sequential sera with an OD ≥0·5 (‘dynamic’ threshold) increased the specificity and the PPV to 98·6% and the efficiency to 98%. Applying both cut‐offs to a subgroup of 21 ‘possible’ fungal infections further identified and upgraded six cases of IA. However, the clinical benefit of lower cut‐offs (particularly for earlier diagnosis) depends upon the kinetics of antigenaemia and the intensity of serum sampling.
High response rate and manageable toxicity with an intensive, short‐term chemotherapy programme for Burkitt's lymphoma in adults
Authors: Nicola Massimo Di , Carlo‐Stella Carmelo , Mariotti Jacopo , Devizzi Liliana , Massimino Maura , Cabras Antonello , Magni Michele , Matteucci Paola , Guidetti Anna , Gandola Lorenza , Gianni Alessandro M.
Published: October 2004

A very short, intensive paediatric chemotherapy programme was tested in a consecutive monoinstitutional group of 22 adult Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) patients. After a 5‐week induction phase of weekly infusions consisting of vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, high‐dose (HD) methotrexate (MTX) plus leukovorin rescue, and intrathecal MTX or cytarabine (ARA‐C), a consolidation phase including HD ARA‐C plus cisplatin was given. Responding patients achieving less than complete response (CR) after completion of the initial induction phase, were promptly shifted to a high‐dose, stem cell supported sequential chemotherapy schema (R‐HDS). Patient characteristics: median age, 35·5 (range 18–76) years; Ann Arbor stage I–II/III–IV, 11/11; bulky disease, 15 patients; LDH ≥ 460 U/l, 11 patients. The median duration of the chemotherapy programme was 62 d (range, 43–94 d). Seventeen patients achieved a CR (77%), one patient died of progressive disease and four partial responders following induction were converted to CR following R‐HDS. Of 17 patients in CR, one died of infectious toxicity while in CR, and one relapsed at 30 months and died of progressive disease. After a median follow‐up of 28·7 months (range, 6–158 months), 16 patients (73%) were in continued CR. Overall survival and progression‐free survival were 77% [95% confidence interval (CI), 52–99%] and 68% (95% CI, 43–99%) respectively. Confirmation of these excellent efficacy and feasibility results by larger, multicentre and prospective studies is warranted.
A novel silent β‐thalassemia mutation in the distal CACCC box affects the binding and responsiveness to EKLF
Authors: Moi Paolo , Faà Valeria , Marini Maria Giuseppina , Asunis Isadora , Ibba Giuseppe , Cao Antonio , Rosatelli Maria Cristina
Published: October 2004

The silent β‐thalassemia mutation, β+‐101C→T, is the only mutation currently described in the distal β‐globin CACCC box. We present a novel mutation, a C→G transversion, in the same position. Expression analysis in heterozygous subjects demonstrated that the mutation determines a 20% reduction in the output of the β‐globin gene. DNA–protein interaction and transactivation analysis correlated the decrease in the β‐globin synthesis with the reduced binding and transactivation of EKLF to the mutant promoter. These data predict that the β‐101C→G mutation will display a silent thalassemia phenotype similar to that of the β‐101C→T mutation.
Book review
Authors: Martin Michael A.
Published: October 2004

Graphical Models: Methods for Data Analysis and Mining. By Christian Borgelt and Rudolf Kruse.
Dysferlin mutation analysis in a group of Italian patients with limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy and Miyoshi myopathy
Authors: Kawabe K. , Goto K. , Nishino I. , Angelini C. , Hayashi Y. K.
Published: October 2004

Mutations in the dysferlin gene (DYSF) on chromosome 2p13 cause distinct phenotypes of muscular dystrophy: limb‐girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B (LGMD2B), Miyoshi myopathy (MM), and distal anterior compartment myopathy, which are known by the term ‘dysferlinopathy’. We performed mutation analyses of DYSF in 14 Italian patients from 10 unrelated families with a deficiency of dysferlin protein below 20% of the value in normal controls by immunoblotting analysis. We identified 11 different mutations, including eight missense and three deletion mutations. Nine of them were novel mutations. We also identified a unique 6‐bp insertion polymorphism within the coding region of DYSF in 15% of Italian population, which was not observed in East Asian populations. The correlation between clinical phenotype and the gene mutations was unclear, which suggested the role of additional genetic and epigenetic factors in modifying clinical symptoms.
Thiethylperazine‐induced parkinsonism: in vivo demonstration of dopamine D2 receptors blockade
Authors: Briani C. , Cagnin A. , Chierichetti F. , Tiberio M. , Battistin L. , Pizzolato G.
Published: October 2004

Thiethylperazine (Torecan®) is a piperazine phenothiazine employed to relieve vertigo. Its use may be associated with extrapyramidal side effects (dystonia, akathisia, tardive dyskinesia) (Sulkava, 1984), but parkinsonism has rarely been described. We describe a woman who, 1 month after the onset of thiethylperazine treatment, developed parkinsonism that disappeared 2 months after withdrawal of the drug. However, cerebral single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with the dopamine (DA) D2 receptors ligand 123I‐iodobenzamide (123I‐IBZM) revealed a persistent reduced DA D2 receptors activity (by 45%) in the basal ganglia (BG), which may be clinically not effective.
New V272A presenilin 1 mutation with very early onset subcortical dementia and parkinsonism
Authors: Jimenez‐Escrig A. , Rabano A. , Guerrero C. , Simon J. , Barquero M. S. , Güell I. , Ginestal R. C. , Montero T. , Orensanz L.
Published: October 2004

In this report, we present the clinical and pathological details of a kindred of four individuals with a novel missense mutation (V272A) of the presenilin 1 gene (PSEN1) that experienced a subcortical dementia. The age of onset of symptoms ranged 26–36‐year old, with an age at death of 36–46 years. Initial symptom was a marked mood disorder, with prominent parkinsonism in one case. The neuropsychological study, as well as the neuroimaging and PET in the proband were concordant with a subcortical dementia. The cerebral pathology showed in this patient, aside from the classical lesions of Alzheimer disease, Lewy bodies in cortex and substantia nigra, and widespread subcortical neuritic lesions. This clinical pattern and pathology expands the clinical spectrum of familial Alzheimer's disease and compel to include mutations of PSEN1 gene in the genetic study of subcortical dementia.
Reduced cerebellar vermis activation during urinary storage and micturition in multiple system atrophy: 99mTc‐labelled ECD SPECT study
Authors: Sakakibara R. , Uchida Y. , Uchiyama T. , Yamanishi T. , Hattori T.
Published: October 2004

Single‐photon emission computed tomography brain imaging with special reference of bladder function was performed in eight multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients (two men, six women; mean age, 61 years) and age‐matched five normal control subjects (three men, two women; 62 years). In both groups imagings were obtained in three conditions; empty bladder, storage, and micturition. [99mTc]‐labelled ECD (555 MBq) was intravenously injected, which was immediately trapped and stabilized within the brain. Using NEUROSTAT software, which could also cancel morphologic differences between MSA and canonical brain, statistical difference between normalized mean tracer counts of both groups in each phase was calculated and visualized. In the storage phase, there was a significant decrease in tracer activity in bilateral cerebellar vermis, particularly of the right side in the MSA group (P < 0.05), which is also known to be involved in the neural control of micturition. In the micturition phase, the area of decrease in tracer activity in the cerebellar vermis became wider in the MSA group. In the resting state, no statistically significance was seen between both groups. In conclusion, it is suggested that the decrease in tracer activity in the cerebellar vermis during urinary storage and micturition is contributing to the micturitional disturbance in this disorder.
Differences between hypertensive and non‐hypertensive ischemic stroke
Authors: Arboix A. , Roig H. , Rossich R. , Martínez E. M. , García‐Eroles L.
Published: October 2004

We compared risk factors, clinical features, neuroimaging data, and outcome between hypertensive and non‐hypertensive ischemic stroke patients. Differential features of ischemic stroke patients with hypertension (n = 768) and without hypertension (n = 705) were assessed by bivariate analysis. Independent predictors of hypertensive ischemic stroke were determined by multivariate analysis. Atherothrombotic infarction and lacunar infarct were significantly more common in the hypertensive group, in which older age and a higher occurrence of previous cerebral infarction, hyperlipidemia, acute stroke onset, lacunar syndrome, and pons topography was also observed. Age of 85 years or older, valvular heart disease, and decreased consciousness were more common in non‐hypertensive patients. After multivariate analysis, lacunar syndrome, female gender, and previous infarction were directly associated with hypertensive ischemic stroke. Age of 85 years or older and valvular heart disease were inversely associated with hypertensive ischemic stroke. Hypertension was the main cardiovascular risk factor only for lacunes and atherothrombotic infarction, that is, ischemic stroke associated with small‐ and large‐artery disease.
Inadequate management of cerebrovascular risk factors in participants of a public stroke prevention program in Austria
Authors: Iglseder B. , Moroder T. , Staffen W. , Ladurner G.
Published: October 2004

The aim of our investigation was to identify frequencies and treatment quality of stroke risk factors in participants of a stroke prevention program in the province of Salzburg (Austria). A total of 9356 participants free of previous stroke were classified in three risk categories for suffering from ischemic stroke within the next 10 years and analyzed refering to history, therapy, and treatment quality of cerebrovascular risk factors. A total of 6519 (69.7%) participants were classified to be at low (<10%), 2232 (23.9%) at intermediate (10–20%) and 605 (6.5%) at high risk (>20%). Elevated blood pressure with the need for follow‐up investigations was found in 5193 persons (55.5%); of 3713 (39.7%) persons with a history of hypertension, 3204 (86.3%) are under medical treatment, which is sufficient only in 765 patients (23.9%). Similar results were present for other well documented modifiable risk factors. In the investigated population there is high presence of stroke risk factors with inadequate treatment in most cases.
No effect of eletriptan administration during the aura phase of migraine
Authors: Olesen J. , Diener H. C. , Schoenen J. , Hettiarachchi J.
Published: October 2004

Migraine aura is a warning sign readily recognized by patients. From the onset of aura it takes 30–60 min before the headache phase starts. Administration of acute medication during aura should provide sufficient time to achieve therapeutic plasma levels, counteracting the headache. To test this hypothesis we evaluated the efficacy of eletriptan 80 mg taken during aura. Patients met International Headache Society diagnostic criteria for migraine with aura, with an attack frequency of at least one per month and with aura occurring in >50% of recent attacks. Of 123 patients randomized, 87 (71%) were treated with a double‐blind, one attack, during the aura phase before headache, dose of either eletriptan 80 mg (n = 43; 74% female; mean age, 40 years), or placebo (n = 44; 82% female; mean age, 40 years). The primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients not developing moderate‐to‐severe headache within 6 h post‐dose. There was no significant difference in the proportion of patients developing moderate‐to‐severe headache on eletriptan (61%) versus placebo (46%). Eletriptan was well tolerated and did not prolong the aura phase. Typical transient triptan adverse events were observed; most were mild‐to‐moderate in intensity. This study confirms the findings of two studies showing that triptans are ineffective but safe when given during the migraine aura phrase.
Clinical and genetic features of human prion diseases in Catalonia: 1993–2002
Authors: Sanchez‐Valle R. , Nos C. , Yagüe J. , Graus F. , Domínguez A. , Saiz A. ,   the Catalan Collaborative Study Group for CJD
Published: October 2004

We describe the clinical and genetic characteristics of the 85 definite or probable human prion diseases cases died between January 1993 and December 2002 in Catalonia (an autonomous community of Spain, 6 million population). Seventy‐three (86%) cases were sporadic Creutzfeld‐Jakob diseases (sCJD) (49 definite, 24 probable), with a median age at onset of 66 years. The clinical presentation was dementia in 29 cases, ataxia in 14 and visual symptoms in five. The median survival was 3 months. The 14‐3‐3 assay was positive in 93% cases, 62% presented periodic sharp wave complexes (PSWC) in EEG but only 18% the typical signs on MRI. Forty‐eight sCJD were studied for codon 129 PRNP polymorphism: 69% were methionine/methionine (M/M), 14.5% valine/valine (V/V) and 16.5% M/V. Six out of seven V/V cases did not present PSWC and in two survival was longer than 20 months. Eleven cases (13%) were genetic: five familial fatal insomnia and six familial CJD (fCJD). Up to four (67%) fCJD lacked family history of disease, two presented seizures early at onset and one neurosensorial deafness. The only iatrogenic case was related to a dura mater graft. No case of variant CJD was registered. The study confirms in our population the consistent pattern reported worldwide on human prion diseases. Atypical features were seen more frequently in sporadic 129 V/V CJD and fCJD cases.
Decompressed eclogites in the Sveconorwegian (–Grenvillian) orogen of SW Sweden: petrology and tectonic implications
Authors: MÖLLER C.
Published: October 2004

Relict eclogites and associated high‐pressure rocks are present in the Eastern Segment of the SW Swedish gneiss region (the tectonic counterpart of the Parautochthonous Belt of the Canadian Grenville). These rocks give evidence of Sveconorwegian eclogite facies metamorphism and subsequent pervasive reworking and deformation at granulite and amphibolite facies conditions. The best‐preserved eclogite relics suggest a clockwise P–T –t history, beginning in the amphibolite facies, progressing through the eclogite facies, decompressing and partially reequilibrating through the high‐ and medium‐pressure granulite facies, before cooling through the amphibolite facies. Textures demonstrate the former coexistence of the plagioclase‐free assemblages garnet+clinopyroxene+quartz+rutile+ilmenite, garnet+clinopyroxene+ kyanite+rutile, and garnet+kyanite+quartz+rutile. The former existence of omphacite is evidenced by up to 45 vol.% plagioclase expelled as small grains within large clinopyroxene. Matrix plagioclase is secondary and occurs expelled from clinopyroxene or in fine‐grained, granulite facies reaction domains formed during resorption of garnet and kyanite. Garnet shows preserved prograde growth zoning with rimward increasing pyrope content, decreasing spessartine content and decreasing Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratio, but is partly resorbed and reequilibrated at the rims. P–T estimates from microdomains with clinopyroxene+plagioclase+quartz+garnet indicate pressures of 9.5–12 kbar and temperatures of 705–795 °C for a stage of the granulite facies decompression. The preservation of the prograde zoning suggests that the rocks did not reside at these high temperatures for more than a few million years, and chemical disequilibrium and ‘frozen’ reaction textures indicate heterogeneous reaction progress and overstepping of reactions during the decompression through the granulite facies. Together these features suggest a rapid tectonic exhumation. The eclogite relics occur within a high‐grade deformation zone with WNW–ESE stretching and associated oblique normal‐sense, top‐to‐the‐east (sensu lato) displacement, suggesting that extension was a main cause for the decompression and exhumation. Probable tectonic scenarios for this deformation are Sveconorwegian late‐orogenic gravitational collapse or overall WNW–ESE extension.
Proterozoic anticlockwise P–T path of the Lewisian Complex of South Harris, Outer Hebrides, NW Scotland
Authors: BABA S.
Published: October 2004

The Leverburgh Belt and South Harris Igneous Complex in South Harris (northwest Scotland) experienced high‐pressure granulite facies metamorphism during the Palaeoproterozoic. The metamorphic history has been determined from the following mineral textures and compositions observed in samples of pelitic, quartzofeldspathic and mafic gneisses, especially in pelitic gneisses from the Leverburgh Belt: (1) some coarse‐grained garnet in the pelitic gneiss includes biotite and quartz in the inner core, sillimanite in the outer core, and is overgrown by kyanite at the rims; (2) garnet in the pelitic gneiss shows a progressive increase in grossular content from outer core to rims; (3) the AlVI/AlIV ratio of clinopyroxene from mafic gneiss increases from core to rim; (4) retrograde reaction coronas of cordierite and hercynite+cordierite are formed between garnet and kyanite, and orthopyroxene+cordierite and orthopyroxene+plagioclase reaction coronas develop between garnet and quartz; (5) a P–T  path is deduced from inclusion assemblages in garnet and from staurolite breakdown reactions to produce garnet+sillimanite and garnet+sillimanite+hercynite with increasing temperature; and (6) in sheared and foliated rocks, hydrous minerals such as biotite, muscovite and hornblende form a foliation, modifying pre‐existing textures.

The inferred metamorphic history of the Leverburgh Belt is divided into four stages, as follows: (M1) prograde metamorphism with increasing temperature; (M2) prograde metamorphism with increasing pressure; (M3) retrograde decompressional metamorphism with decreasing pressure and temperature; and (M4) retrograde metamorphism accompanied by shearing. Peak P–T  conditions of the M2 stage are 800±30 °C, 13–14 kbar. Pressure increasing from M1 to M2 suggests thrusting of continental crust over the South Harris belt during continent–continent collision. The inferred P–T  path and tectonic history of the South Harris belt are different from those of the Lewisian of the mainland.
Empirical calibration of the silica–Ca‐tschermak’s–anorthite (SCAn) geobarometer
Authors: MCCARTHY* T. C. , PATIÑO DOUCE A. E.
Published: October 2004

The pressure‐sensitive equilibrium among anorthite, quartz and the Ca‐tschermak component in clinopyroxene (CaAl2SiO6; CaTs), CaAl2SiOCpx6+SiOQtz2=CaAl2Si2OPl8 (SCAn) ,can be used as a geobarometer in granulites with the proper assemblage, and has been calibrated using mineral composition data from partial melting experiments of natural assemblages and from phase equilibrium experiments on the end‐member CMAS system. The experimental data cover theP–T range 4–32 kbar and 900–1400 °C. Linear least‐squares regression analysis of the experimental data resulted in the following empirical expressions for pressure in terms of composition and temperature:P= 5.066 [±0.760]+ 1300 [±800]T −lnK276 [±16] ·T [±2.5 kbar]orP= 6.330 [±0.116]−lnK301 [±9]·T [±1.0 kbar] ,whereK=aPlAnaCpxCaTs  .The first equation incorporates an enthalpy term, but is less accurate than the second equation, in which the enthalpy of reaction is ignored. Application of these expressions to natural and experimental equilibrium mineral assemblages demonstrates that the empirical barometers are applicable over a wide range of pressures (≥4 kbar), temperatures (≥700 °C) and bulk compositions (Mg#≥32.5).
Reconciliation of conflicting tectonic models for Proterozoic rocks of northern New Mexico
Authors: PEDRICK J. N. , KARLSTROM K. E. , BOWRING S. A.
Published: October 2004

Two major Proterozoic tectonic events are documented in the Taos Range of northern New Mexico. Regional structures involving the tectonic interleaving of c. 1.65 Ga granitoids with supracrustal rocks are interpreted to have formed before 1.42 Ga and probably during collisional assembly of island arc crust into new (1.7–1.6 Ga) continental lithosphere. Supracrustal rocks record 650–750 °C, 6–8 kbar metamorphism (M2); these high temperatures may have been reached during sandwiching between c. 1.65 Ga granitoids. However, the early history has been obscured by renewed tectonism at c. 1.4 Ga that resulted in partial melting, fabric reactivation and new mineral growth at 4 kbar (M3). Metamorphic temperature variations from uppermost‐amphibolite to amphibolite facies rocks may be associated with c. 1.65 and/or 1.4 Ga plutonism, but not to a 1.4 Ga extensional shear zone as previously proposed. Syn‐ and post‐1.4 Ga contraction is suggested by high‐ and low‐temperature microstructures showing top‐to‐the‐south‐east thrusting. This work reconciles conflicting models by suggesting that the geometry of the structures was mainly established by c. 1.65 Ga, but that the present fabric also records 1.4 Ga tectonism involving high‐T  metamorphism and fabric reactivation.
Development of Reading in Grades K–2 in Spanish‐Speaking English‐Language Learners
Authors: Manis Franklin R. , Lindsey Kim A. , Bailey Caroline E.
Published: October 2004

Development of English‐ and Spanish‐reading skills was explored in a sample of 251 Spanish‐speaking English‐language learners from kindergarten through Grade 2. Word identification and reading comprehension developed at a normal rate based on monolingual norms for Spanish‐ and English‐speaking children, but English oral language lagged significantly behind. Four categories of predictor variables were obtained in Spanish in kindergarten and in English in first grade: print knowledge, expressive language (as measured by vocabulary and sentence repetition tasks), phonological awareness, and rapid automatic naming (RAN). Longitudinal regression analyses indicated a modest amount of cross‐language transfer from Spanish to English. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that developing English‐language skills (particularly phonological awareness and RAN) mediated the contribution of Spanish‐language variables to later reading. Further analyses revealed stronger within‐ than cross‐language associations of expressive language with later reading, suggesting that some variables function cross‐linguistically, and others within a particular language. Results suggest that some of the cognitive factors underlying reading disabilities in monolingual children (e.g., phonological awareness and RAN) may be important to an understanding of reading difficulties in bilingual children.
Literacy Instruction in Multiple‐Language First‐Grade Classrooms: Linking Student Outcomes to Observed Instructional Practice
Authors: Graves Anne W. , Gersten Russell , Haager Diane
Published: October 2004

This study examined literacy instruction in 14 first‐grade classrooms of English learners (ELs) in three schools in a large urban school district in southern California over a two‐year period. Pre‐ and posttest measures of oral‐reading fluency for 186 first graders, representing 11 native languages, were the outcome data. Reading‐fluency data were examined in reference to ratings of literacy practices using the English Learners Classroom Observation Instrument (ELCOI). Results indicated a moderately strong correlation (r= 0.65) between ELCOI rating and gain in oral‐reading fluency at the end of first grade. We report patterns of ELs who read below the oral‐reading fluency benchmark thresholds and patterns of students who were ultimately labeled with learning disabilities. Instructional practices of teachers rated “high” and “low” are discussed. Educational implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Ferrihydrite-Dependent Growth of
Sulfurospirillum deleyianum
through Electron Transfer via Sulfur Cycling
Authors: Straub Kristina L. , Schink Bernhard
Published: October 2004

Observations in enrichment cultures of ferric iron-reducing bacteria indicated that ferrihydrite was reduced to ferrous iron minerals via sulfur cycling with sulfide as the reductant. Ferric iron reduction via sulfur cycling was investigated in more detail with
Sulfurospirillum deleyianum
, which can utilize sulfur or thiosulfate as an electron acceptor. In the presence of cysteine (0.5 or 2 mM) as the sole sulfur source, no (microbial) reduction of ferrihydrite or ferric citrate was observed, indicating that
S. deleyianum
is unable to use ferric iron as an immediate electron acceptor. However, with thiosulfate at a low concentration (0.05 mM), growth with ferrihydrite (6 mM) was possible and sulfur was cycled up to 60 times. Also, spatially distant ferrihydrite in agar cultures was reduced via diffusible sulfur species. Due to the low concentrations of thiosulfate,
S. deleyianum
produced only small amounts of sulfide. Obviously, sulfide delivered electrons to ferrihydrite with no or only little precipitation of black iron sulfides. Ferrous iron and oxidized sulfur species were produced instead, and the latter served again as the electron acceptor. These oxidized sulfur species have not yet been identified. However, sulfate and sulfite cannot be major products of ferrihydrite-dependent sulfide oxidation, since neither compound can serve as an electron acceptor for
S. deleyianum
. Instead, sulfur (elemental S or polysulfides) and/or thiosulfate as oxidized products could complete a sulfur cycle-mediated reduction of ferrihydrite.
Discovery of Rare and Highly Toxic Microcystins from Lichen-Associated Cyanobacterium
Nostoc
sp. Strain IO-102-I
Authors: Oksanen Ilona , Jokela Jouni , Fewer David P. , Wahlsten Matti , Rikkinen Jouko , Sivonen Kaarina
Published: October 2004

The production of hepatotoxic cyclic heptapeptides, microcystins, is almost exclusively reported from planktonic cyanobacteria. Here we show that a terrestrial cyanobacterium
Nostoc
sp. strain IO-102-I isolated from a lichen association produces six different microcystins. Microcystins were identified with liquid chromatography-UV mass spectrometry by their retention times, UV spectra, mass fragmentation, and comparison to microcystins from the aquatic
Nostoc
sp. strain 152. The dominant microcystin produced by
Nostoc
sp. strain IO-102-I was the highly toxic [ADMAdda
5
]microcystin-LR, which accounted for ca. 80% of the total microcystins. We assigned a structure of [DMAdda
5
]microcystin-LR and [
d
-Asp
3
,ADMAdda
5
]microcystin-LR and a partial structure of three new [ADMAdda
5
]-XR type of microcystin variants. Interestingly,
Nostoc
spp. strains IO-102-I and 152 synthesized only the rare ADMAdda and DMAdda subfamilies of microcystin variants. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated congruence between genes involved directly in microcystin biosynthesis and the 16S rRNA and
rpoC1
genes of
Nostoc
sp. strain IO-102-I.
Nostoc
sp. strain 152 and the
Nostoc
sp. strain IO-102-I are distantly related, revealing a sporadic distribution of toxin production in the genus
Nostoc. Nostoc
sp. strain IO-102-I is closely related to
Nostoc punctiforme
PCC 73102 and other symbiotic
Nostoc
strains and most likely belongs to this species. Together, this suggests that other terrestrial and aquatic strains of the genus
Nostoc
may have retained the genes necessary for microcystin biosynthesis.
Persistence of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci in New Zealand Broilers after Discontinuation of Avoparcin Use
Authors: Manson Janet M. , Smith John M. B. , Cook Gregory M.
Published: October 2004

Large amounts of tylosin, zinc-bacitracin, and avilamycin are currently used as prophylactics in New Zealand broiler production. Avoparcin was also used from 1977 to 2000. A total of 382 enterococci were isolated from 213 fecal samples (147 individual poultry farms) using enrichment broths plated on m-
Enterococcus
agar lacking antimicrobials. These isolates were then examined to determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance. Of the 382 isolates, 5.8% (22 isolates) were resistant to vancomycin, and 64.7% were resistant to erythromycin. The bacitracin MIC was ≥256 μg/ml for 98.7% of isolates, and the avilamycin MIC was ≥8 μg/ml for 14.9% of isolates. No resistance to ampicillin or gentamicin was detected. Of the 22 vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) isolates, 18 (81.8%) were
Enterococcus faecalis
, 3 were
Enterococcus faecium
, and 1 was
Enterococcus durans
. However, when the 213 fecal enrichment broths were plated on m-
Enterococcus
agar containing vancomycin, 86 VRE were recovered; 66% of these isolates were
E. faecium
and the remainder were
E. faecalis
. Vancomycin-resistant
E. faecium
isolates were found to have heterogenous pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns of SmaI-digested DNA, whereas the PFGE patterns of vancomycin-resistant
E. faecalis
isolates were identical or closely related, suggesting that this VRE clone is widespread throughout New Zealand. These data demonstrate that vancomycin-resistant
E. faecalis
persists in the absence and presence of vancomycin-selective pressure, thus explaining the dominance of this VRE clone even in the absence of avoparcin.
Strain-Specific Differences in the Grazing Sensitivities of Closely Related Ultramicrobacteria Affiliated with the
Polynucleobacter
Cluster
Authors: Boenigk Jens , Stadler Peter , Wiedlroither Anneliese , Hahn Martin W.
Published: October 2004

Ultramicrobacteria (cell volume < 0.1 μm
3
) are the numerically dominant organisms in the plankton of marine and freshwater habitats. Flagellates and other protists are assumed to be the most important predators of these ultramicrobacteria as well as of larger planktonic bacteria. However, due to controversial observations conducted previously, it is not clear as to whether fractions of the ultramicrobacteria are resistant to flagellate predation. Furthermore, it is not known if closely related bacteria vary significantly in their sensitivity to flagellate predation. We investigated the sensitivity of ultramicrobacteria affiliated with the cosmopolitan
Polynucleobacter
cluster to grazing by
Spumella
-like nanoflagellates. Laboratory grazing experiments with four closely related (≥99.6% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) bacteria and three closely related (100% 18S rRNA gene sequence similarity) flagellates were performed. In comparison to larger bacteria, predation on the ultramicrobacterial
Polynucleobacter
strains was weak, and the growth of the predating flagellates was slow. Specific clearance rates ranged between 0.14 × 10
5
and 2.8 × 10
5
units of predator size h
−1
. Feeding rates strongly depended on the flagellate and bacterial strain (
P
< 0.001). Grazing mortality rates of the three flagellate strains investigated varied for the same prey strain by up to almost fourfold. We conclude that (i) ultramicrobacteria affiliated with the
Polynucleobacter
cluster are not protected from grazing, (ii) strain-specific variations in grazing sensitivity even between closely related bacteria are high, and (iii) strain-specific differences in predator-prey interaction could be an important factor in the evolution and maintenance of microbial microdiversity.
Isolation and Purification of Pyranose 2-Oxidase fromPhanerochaete chrysosporiumand Characterization of Gene Structure and Regulation
Authors: de Koker Theodorus H. , Mozuch Michael D. , Cullen Daniel , Gaskell Jill , Kersten Philip J.
Published: October 2004

Pyranose 2-oxidase (POX) was recovered fromPhanerochaete chrysosporiumBKM-F-1767 solid substrate culture using mild extraction conditions and was purified.13C-nuclear magnetic resonance confirmed production ofd-arabino-hexos-2-ulose (glucosone) fromd-glucose with the oxidase. Peptide fingerprints generated by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry of tryptic digests and analysis of the corresponding cDNA revealed a structurally unusual sequence for theP. chrysosporiumPOX. Relatively high levels ofpoxtranscript were detected under carbon-starved culture conditions but not under nutrient sufficiency. This regulation pattern is similar to that observed for lignin peroxidases, manganese peroxidases, and glyoxal oxidase ofP. chrysosporium, supporting evidence that POX has a role in lignocellulose degradation.
Development and Application of a Selective PCR-Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis Approach To Detect a Recently Cultivated
Bacillus
Group Predominant in Soil
Authors: Tzeneva Vesela A. , Li Youguo , Felske Andreas D. M. , de Vos Willem M. , Akkermans Antoon D. L. , Vaughan Elaine E. , Smidt Hauke
Published: October 2004

The worldwide presence of a hitherto-nondescribed group of predominant soil microorganisms related to
Bacillus benzoevorans
was analyzed after development of two sets of selective primers targeting 16S rRNA genes in combination with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The high abundance and cultivability of at least some of these microorganisms makes them an appropriate subject for studies on their biogeographical dissemination and diversity. Since cultivability can vary significantly with the physiological state and even between closely related strains, we developed a culture-independent 16S rRNA gene-targeted DGGE fingerprinting protocol for the detection of these bacteria from soil samples. The composition of the
B. benzoevorans
relatives in the soil samples from The Netherlands, Bulgaria, Russia, Pakistan, and Portugal showed remarkable differences between the different countries. Differences in the DGGE profiles of these communities in archived soil samples from the Dutch Wieringermeer polder were observed over time during which a shift from anaerobic to aerobic and from saline to freshwater conditions occurred. To complement the molecular methods, we additionally cultivated
B. benzoevorans
-related strains from all of the soil samples. The highest number of
B. benzoevorans
relatives was found in the soils from the northern part of The Netherlands. The present study contributes to our knowledge of the diversity and abundance of this interesting group of microbes in soils throughout the world.
Listeria monocytogenesIsolates from Foods and Humans Form Distinct but Overlapping Populations
Authors: Gray Michael J. , Zadoks Ruth N. , Fortes Esther D. , Dogan Belgin , Cai Steven , Chen Yuhuan , Scott Virginia N. , Gombas David E. , Boor Kathryn J. , Wiedmann Martin
Published: October 2004

A total of 502Listeria monocytogenesisolates from food and 492 from humans were subtyped by EcoRI ribotyping and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the virulence genehly. Isolates were further classified into genetic lineages based on subtyping results. Food isolates were obtained through a survey of selected ready-to-eat food products in Maryland and California in 2000 and 2001. Human isolates comprised 42 isolates from invasive listeriosis cases reported in Maryland and California during 2000 and 2001 as well as an additional 450 isolates from cases that had occurred throughout the United States, predominantly from 1997 to 2001. Assignment of isolates to lineages and to the majority ofL. monocytogenessubtypes was significantly associated with the isolate source (food or human), although most subtypes and lineages included both human and food isolates. Some subtypes were also significantly associated with isolation from specific food types. Tissue culture plaque assay characterization of the 42 human isolates from Maryland and California and of 91 representative food isolates revealed significantly higher average infectivity and cell-to-cell spread for the human isolates, further supporting the hypothesis that food and human isolates form distinct populations. Combined analysis of subtype and cytopathogenicity data showed that strains classified into specific ribotypes previously linked to multiple human listeriosis outbreaks, as well as those classified into lineage I, are more common among human cases and generate larger plaques than other subtypes, suggesting that these subtypes may represent particularly virulent clonal groups. These data will provide a framework for prediction of the public health risk associated with specificL. monocytogenessubtypes.
Movement of Viruses between Biomes
Authors: Sano Emiko , Carlson Suzanne , Wegley Linda , Rohwer Forest
Published: October 2004

Viruses are abundant in all known ecosystems. In the present study, we tested the possibility that viruses from one biome can successfully propagate in another. Viral concentrates were prepared from different near-shore marine sites, lake water, marine sediments, and soil. The concentrates were added to microcosms containing dissolved organic matter as a food source (after filtration to allow 100-kDa particles to pass through) and a 3% (vol/vol) microbial inoculum from a marine water sample (after filtration through a 0.45-μm-pore-size filter). Virus-like particle abundances were then monitored using direct counting. Viral populations from lake water, marine sediments, and soil were able to replicate when they were incubated with the marine microbes, showing that viruses can move between different ecosystems and propagate. These results imply that viruses can laterally transfer DNA between microbes in different biomes.