bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of MHC class II tetramers to investigate CD4+ T cell responses: Problems and solutions
Authors: Cecconi Virginia , Moro Monica , Del Mare Sara , Dellabona Paolo , Casorati Giulia
Published: July 2008

MHC‐class I tetramers technology enabled the characterization of peptide‐specific T cells at the single cell level in a variety of studies. Several laboratories have also developed MHC‐class II multimers to characterize Ag‐specific CD4+ T cells. However, the generation and use of MHC‐class II multimers seems more problematic than that of MHC‐I multimers. We have generated HLA‐DR*1101 tetramers in a versatile empty form, which can be loaded after purification with peptides of interest. We discuss the impact of critical biological and structural parameters for the optimal staining of Ag‐specific CD4+ T cells using HLA‐DR*1101 tetramers, such as: (i) activation state of CD4+ T cells; (ii) membrane trafficking in the target CD4+ T cells; (iii) binding characteristics of the loaded CD4 epitope. Our data indicate that reorganization of TCR on the plasma membrane upon CD4+ T cell activation, as well as an homogenous binding frame of the CD4 epitopes to the soluble HLA‐DR monomer, are critical for a stable TCR/MHC‐class II tetramer interaction. These factors, together with the low frequencies and affinities of specific CD4+ T cells, explain the need for in vitro expansion or ex vivo enrichment of specific T cells for the optimal visualization with MHC‐class II tetramers. © 2008 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Optimization of yeast cell cycle analysis and morphological characterization by multispectral imaging flow cytometry
Authors: Calvert Meredith E. K. , Lannigan Joanne A. , Pemberton Lucy F.
Published: July 2008

Budding yeastSaccharoymyces cerevisiaeis a powerful model system for analyzing eukaryotic cell cycle regulation. Yeast cell cycle analysis is typically performed by visual analysis or flow cytometry, and both have limitations in the scope and accuracy of data obtained. This study demonstrates how multispectral imaging flow cytometry (MIFC) provides precise quantitation of cell cycle distribution and morphological phenotypes of yeast cells in flow. Cell cycle analysis of wild‐type yeast,nap1Δ, and yeast overexpressingNAP1, was performed visually, by flow cytometry and by MIFC. Quantitative morphological analysis employed measurements of cellular length, thickness, and aspect ratio in an algorithm to calculate a novel feature, bud length. MIFC demonstrated reliable quantification of the yeast cell cycle compared to morphological and flow cytometric analyses. By employing this technique, we observed both the G2/M delay and elongated buds previously described in thenap1Δstrain. Using MIFC, we demonstrate that overexpression ofNAP1causes elongated buds yet only a minor disruption in the cell cycle. The different effects ofNAP1expression level on cell cycle and morphology suggests that these phenotypes are independent. Unlike conventional yeast flow cytometry, MIFC generates complete cell cycle profiles and concurrently offers multiple parameters for morphological analysis. © 2008 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
In vitro evaluation of the clastogenicity of fumagillin
Authors: Stevanovic Jevrosima , Stanimirovic Zoran , Radakovic Milena , Stojic Velibor
Published: July 2008

Fumagillin, an antibiotic compound produced by Aspergillus fumigatus, is effective against microsporidia and various Amoeba species, but is also toxic when administered systemically to mammals. Furthermore, a recent in vivo study by Stanimirovic Z et al. 2007: (Mutat Res 628:1–10) indicated genotoxic effects of fumagillin. The aim of the present study was to investigate and explain the clastogenic effects of fumagillin (in the form of fumagillin dicyclohexylamine salt) on human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro by sister‐chromatid exchanges (SCE), chromosome aberrations (CA), and micronucleus (MN) tests. The mitotic index (MI), proliferation index (PI), and nuclear division index (NDI) were calculated to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of fumagillin. Five concentrations of fumagillin (0.34, 0.68, 1.02, 3.07, and 9.20 μg/ml) were applied to lymphocyte cultures. All the tested concentrations of fumagillin increased the frequency of SCE per cell significantly (P < 0.001 or P < 0.01) compared with the negative control. A significant (P < 0.001) increase in frequency of structural CA was observed at the three highest concentrations in comparison with the negative control. In addition, the three highest test concentrations increased MN formation and decreased MI, PI, and NDI significantly compared with the negative control. The present results indicate that fumagillin is clastogenic and cytotoxic to cultured human lymphocytes. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tissue‐specific metabolic activation and mutagenicity of 3‐nitrobenzanthrone in Muta™Mouse
Authors: Chen Guosheng , Gingerich John , Soper Lynda , Douglas George R. , White Paul A.
Published: July 2008

3‐Nitrobenzanthrone (3‐NBA) is a mutagen and suspected human carcinogen detected in diesel exhaust, airborne particulate matter, and urban soil. We investigated the tissue specific mutagenicity of 3‐NBA at the lacZ locus of transgenic Muta™Mouse following acute single dose or 28‐day repeated‐dose oral administration. In the acute high dose (50 mg/kg) exposure, increased lacZ mutant frequency was observed in bone marrow and colonic epithelium, but not in liver and bladder. In the repeated‐dose study, a dose‐dependent increase in lacZ mutant frequency was observed in bone marrow and liver (2‐ and 4‐fold increase above control), but not in lung or intestinal epithelium. In addition, a concentration‐dependent increase in mutant frequency (8.5‐fold above control) was observed for Muta™Mouse FE1 lung epithelial cells exposed in vitro. 1‐Nitropyrene reductase, 3‐NBA reductase, and acetyltransferase activities were measured in a variety of Muta™Mouse specimens in an effort to link metabolic activation and mutagenicity. High 3‐NBA nitroreductase activities were observed in lung, liver, colon and bladder, and detectable N‐acetyltransferase activities were found in all tissues except bone marrow. The relatively high 3‐NBA nitroreductase activity in Muta™Mouse tissues, as compared with those in Salmonella TA98 and TA100, suggests that 3‐NBA is readily reduced and activated in vivo. High 3‐NBA nitroreductase levels in liver and colon are consistent with the elevated lacZ mutant frequency values, and previously noted inductions of hepatic DNA adducts. Despite an absence of induced lacZ mutations, the highest 3‐NBA reductase activity was detected in lung. Further studies are warranted, especially following inhalation or intratracheal exposures. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2008. Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On the permissiveness of the abductive theory of method
Authors: Haig Brian D.
Published: July 2008

In this article, the author examines Romeijn's (2008) contention that the account of theory construction in the abductive theory of scientific method suffers from the problem of the underdetermination of theories by empirical evidence. Following Romeijn, the author focuses on the issue of underdetermination as it affects the method of exploratory factor analysis, the strategy of analogical modeling, and the theory of explanatory coherence. The author argues that in each case there are sufficient methodological resources available to researchers to use these methods to good effect. Additionally, he comments on the normative force of the abductive theory of method. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 64:1–9, 2008.
Application of fibrin glue in microvascular anastomoses: Comparative analysis with the conventional suture technique using a free flap model
Authors: Cho Alvaro B. , Júnior Rames Mattar
Published: July 2008

Background: Several studies have already reported the utilization of fibrin glue in microvascular anastomoses to minimize the number of sutures and to decrease the operative time. Despite the good results obtained in most of these experiments, its clinical application has not launched. The aim of this study was to clarify the controversies around the safeness of fibrin glue application in microvascular anastomoses, and also to demonstrate the potential benefits of fibrin glue application in a realistic free flap model. Methods: Twenty‐seven rabbits were used in this study. The experimental model consisted of a free groin flap transfer to the anterior cervical region. The flap's circulation was restored by means of an end‐to‐side anastomosis between the femoral and carotid arteries, and an end‐to‐end anastomosis between the femoral and external jugular veins. The animals were divided into two groups (n = 10) according to the anastomosis technique: Group I (conventional suture) and group II (fibrin glue). Results: The number of sutures required to complete the arterial and venous anastomoses was reduced in 39 and 37% in group II, respectively. Despite this reduction, the anastomoses maintained adequate patency rates and mechanical strength. Both arterial and venous anastomoses benefited from fibrin glue application, which made them easier and faster to perform. The flaps' ischemic time and the total operative time were also significantly shortened. Conclusions: In this study, the application of fibrin glue in microvascular anastomoses was safe and reliable. The risk‐benefit ratio of fibrin glue application in microvascular anastomoses is favorable for its use. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2008.
Two distinct tumor phenotypes isolated from glioblastomas show different MRS characteristics
Authors: Thorsen Frits , Jirak Daniel , Wang Jian , Sykova Eva , Bjerkvig Rolf , Enger Per Øyvind , van der Kogel Albert , Hajek Milan
Published: July 2008

We have developed a human brain tumor model in immunodeficient rats that gradually changes its phenotype by serial passages in vivo, from a highly infiltrative, non‐angiogenic one with numerous stem cell markers [low‐generation (LG) tumor] to a more typical glioblastoma one with extensive angiogenesis and necrosis [high‐generation (HG) tumor]. In this study we determined the metabolic properties of these two phenotypes, using 1H MRS. The LG tumors showed an intact blood–brain barrier and normal vascular morphology, as shown by MRI and Hoechst staining. In contrast, the HG tumors exhibited vascular leakage and necrosis. The animals with HG tumor had raised concentrations of choline and myo‐inositol, and decreased concentrations of glutamate and N‐acetylaspartate. In the LG tumor group, similar changes in metabolic concentrations were detected, although the alterations were more pronounced. The LG tumors also had higher concentrations of choline, taurine, and lactate. Subdividing the LG and HG tumors into large and small tumors revealed a significant increase in choline and decrease in glutamate as the LG tumors increased in size. Our results show that metabolic profiles produced by 1H MRS can be used to distinguish between two distinct glioblastoma phenotypes. More pronounced anaerobic metabolism was present in the LG stem‐cell‐like tumors, suggesting a more malignant phenotype. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Factors influencing diabetes self‐management in Chinese people with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Xu Yin , Toobert Deborah , Savage Christine , Pan Wei , Whitmer Kyra
Published: July 2008

Patients with diabetes must incorporate a complicated regimen of self‐management into their daily lives (e.g., taking medication, diet, exercise). Diabetes self‐management (DSM) is the cornerstone for controlling diabetes and preventing diabetic complications. The purpose of this study was to test a model describing the effects of individual and environmental factors on DSM in a sample of patients with diabetes in Beijing, China. Survey data were gathered from a convenience sample of 201 Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes during outpatient visits. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Model fit indices indicated a good fit to the data. In the final model, belief in treatment effectiveness and diabetes self‐efficacy were proximate factors affecting DSM. Knowledge, social support, and provider–patient communication affected self‐management indirectly via beliefs and self‐efficacy. The findings provide a theoretical basis to direct the development of interventions for improving DSM in Chinese individuals with diabetes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 31:613–625, 2008
Trends in the clinical characteristics of the U.S. cystic fibrosis patient population from 1995 to 2005
Authors: VanDevanter Donald R. , Rasouliyan Lawrence , Murphy Thomas M. , Morgan Wayne J. , Ren Clement L. , Konstan Michael W. , Wagener Jeffrey S.
Published: July 2008

Rationale

Respiratory signs and symptoms (cough, sputum production, or crackles) are considered bellwethers of underlying cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. If respiratory signs and symptoms predict future lung function loss, then improvements in population lung function over the past decade should have been paralleled by a decrease in the prevalence of these variables in the same population. Additionally, changes in these variables over the past decade may provide insight into the improving health of the CF population.

Methods

Cross‐sectional data from the Epidemiologic Study of Cystic Fibrosis for each year between 1995 and 2005 were analyzed to characterize changes in pulmonary function and respiratory signs and symptoms over time. Patients were separated into five age groups: <6, 6–12, 13–17, 18–24, and ≥25 years.

Results

Serial cross‐sectional analyses of an average of 13,381 patients per year indicated that mean pulmonary function for the CF population improved and the percent of patients reporting cough or sputum production or having crackles or wheeze at their clinic visit decreased over the study period. Observed changes in pulmonary function were not consistently mirrored by changes in symptoms, which differed as a function of the variable studied and the age group.

Conclusions

Reductions in respiratory signs and symptoms have paralleled improvements in pulmonary function. Both the absolute and relative magnitude of changes in prevalence for cough, sputum production, crackles, and wheeze differed among age groups and among variables. These results suggest the possibility that differences in respiratory signs and symptoms may arise from different underlying pathologies and may be influenced differently by therapeutic interventions. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:739–744. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rapid pulmonary delivery of inhaled tobramycin for Pseudomonas infection in cystic fibrosis: A pilot project
Authors: Coates Allan L , Green Maria , Leung Kitty , Chan Jeffrey , Ribeiro Nancy , Louca Emily , Ratjen Felix , Charron Martin , Tservistas Markus , Keller Manfred
Published: July 2008

Background

Patients with cystic fibrosis spend as much 30 min a day inhaling tobramycin. Could a new rapid system deposit the equivalent amount of tobramycin faster?

Methods

Six healthy adult males inhaled 5 ml (300 mg) of tobramycin from a breath enhanced nebulizer and either 125 mg (n = 3) or 150 mg (n = 3) from a vibrating membrane system with a large or small aerosol mixing chamber respectively. A radiolabel was added to the solution and shown to “track” with the tobramycin. Imaging was done with a dual headed gamma camera. Because the radiolabel will be cleared by mucociliary action during administration, algorithms were developed to allow the comparison of a slower system to a faster one.

Results

Both formulations were well tolerated. The lung deposition was 16.6 ± 3.2% (mean ± SD) of the charge dose delivered in 10.9 ± 1.0 min for the breath enhanced nebulizer versus 32.0 ± 5.1% delivered in 2.5 ± 0.4 min from the vibrating membrane system. The absolute pulmonary delivery of tobramycin was 49.9 ± 9.6 versus 43.9 ± 4.8 mg for the two systems respectively, differences that were statistically significant (pair t‐test) but unlikely to be clinically significant. There was a similar deposition of tobramycin for the 125 and 150 mg dose.

Conclusions

It is possible to deliver an equivalent amount of tobramycin in a shorter period of time with the new vibrating membrane system and a more concentrated formulation. These data will allow the design of a comparison in patients with CF. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:753–759. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stable isotopes may provide evidence for starvation in reptiles
Authors: McCue Marshall D. , Pollock Erik D.
Published: July 2008

Previous studies have attempted to correlate stable isotope signatures of tissues with the nutritional condition of birds, mammals, fishes, and invertebrates. Unfortunately, very little is known about the relationship between food limitation and the isotopic composition of reptiles. We examined the effects that starvation has on δ13C and δ15N signatures in the tissues (excreta, carcass, scales, and claws) of six, distantly related squamate reptiles (gaboon vipers, Bitis gabonica; ball pythons, Python regius; ratsnakes, Elaphe obsoleta; boa constrictors, Boa constrictor; western diamondback rattlesnakes, Crotalus atrox, and savannah monitor lizards, Varanus exanthematicus). Analyses revealed that the isotopic composition of reptile carcasses did not change significantly in response to bouts of starvation lasting up to 168 days. In contrast, the isotopic signatures of reptile excreta became significantly enriched in 15N and depleted in 13C during starvation. The isotopic signatures of reptile scales and lizard claws were less indicative of starvation time than those of excreta. We discuss the physiological mechanisms that might be responsible for the starvation‐induced changes in 13C and 15N signatures in the excreta, and present a mixing model to describe the shift in excreted nitrogen source pools (i.e. from a labile source pool to a nonlabile source pool) that apparently occurs during starvation in these animals. The results of this study suggest that naturally occurring stable isotopes might ultimately have some utility for characterizing nitrogen and carbon stress among free‐living reptiles. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A secure two‐factor authentication scheme for single sign‐on services
Authors: Brasee Kaleb , Makki S. Kami , Zeadally Sherali
Published: July 2008

We present a novel single sign‐on (SSO) scheme known as secure distributed SSO (SeDSSO). SeDSSO provides secure fault‐tolerant authentication using threshold key encryption with a distributed authentication service. The authentication service consists of n total authentication servers utilizing a (t, n) threshold encryption scheme, where t distinct server‐signed messages are required to generate a message signed by the service. SeDSSO provides secure portable identities by defining a two‐factor identity that uses both a username/password and a unique USB device. The combination of a distributed authentication service and two‐factor identities allows SeDSSO to securely authenticate users in any environment. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Encounter frequencies between GPS‐collared wolves (Canis lupus) and moose (Alces alces) in a Scandinavian wolf territory
Authors: Eriksen Ane , Wabakken Petter , Zimmermann Barbara , Andreassen Harry P. , Arnemo Jon M. , Gundersen Hege , Milner Jos M. , Liberg Olof , Linnell John , Pedersen Hans C. , Sand Håkan , Solberg Erling J. , Storaas Torstein
Published: July 2008

Over 6,000 GPS fixes from two wolves (Canis lupus) and 30,000 GPS fixes from five moose (Alces alces) in a wolf territory in southern Scandinavia were used to assess the static and dynamic interactions between predator and prey individuals. Our results showed that wolves were closer to some of the moose when inside their home ranges than expected if they had moved independently of each other, and we also found a higher number of close encounters (<500 m) than expected. This suggests that the wolves were actively seeking the individual moose within their territory. Furthermore, the wolves showed a preference for moving on gravel forest roads, which may be used as convenient travel routes when patrolling the territory and seeking areas where the moose are. However, due to the particularly large size of the wolf territory combined with relatively high moose densities, the wolves generally spent a very small proportion of their time inside the home range of each individual moose, and the frequency of encounters between the wolves and any particular moose was very low. We suggest that the high moose:wolf ratio in this large Scandinavian wolf territory compared to that typically occurring in North America, results in a relatively low encounter frequency and a low predation risk for individual moose, as the predation pressure is spread over a high number of prey individuals.
Regularized Multiple-Set Canonical Correlation Analysis
Authors: Takane Yoshio , Hwang Heungsun , Abdi Hervé
Published: July 2008

Multiple-set canonical correlation analysis (Generalized CANO or GCANO for short) is an important technique because it subsumes a number of interesting multivariate data analysis techniques as special cases. More recently, it has also been recognized as an important technique for integrating information from multiple sources. In this paper, we present a simple regularization technique for GCANO and demonstrate its usefulness. Regularization is deemed important as a way of supplementing insufficient data by prior knowledge, and/or of incorporating certain desirable properties in the estimates of parameters in the model. Implications of regularized GCANO for multiple correspondence analysis are also discussed. Examples are given to illustrate the use of the proposed technique.
Multiply Methyl‐Branched Fatty Acids and Diacids in the Polar Lipids of a Microaerophilic Subsurface Microbial Community
Authors: Hedrick David B. , Peacock Aaron D. , Long Philip , White David C.
Published: July 2008

A previously unreported series of di‐ and tri‐methylated fatty acids, as well as saturated and monounsaturated diacids were identified in polar lipids isolated from environmental subsurface sediment samples. Mechanisms are proposed for their formation, but their origin and role in cell membranes remains unknown.
Availability and use of obstetric guidelines in Nigeria
Authors: Olamijulo Joseph , Ogedengbe Olasubomi , Giwa‐Osagie Osato
Published: July 2008

Objective

To determine the availability and use of obstetric guidelines in Nigeria, and seek the opinions of obstetricians regarding the benefits of such guidelines.

Methods

A questionnaire survey of obstetricians attending the Annual Conference of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria held in November 2006. Respondents were asked whether their units had management guidelines for 12 common obstetric complications, and whether they thought the use of guidelines would improve obstetric outcome.

Results

Only 14.1% of 170 respondents worked in units with guidelines on all 12 obstetric complications, while 28.8% said their units had none. Guidelines were most commonly available for HIV/AIDS and hypertensive disorders, and least available for sepsis and abortion complications. The majority of respondents (96%) agreed that guidelines would improve obstetric outcome.

Conclusion

The availability of obstetric guidelines in Nigeria is low and variable. Widespread introduction is advocated as a strategy for improving obstetric outcome.
Uterine electrical activity and cervical shortening in the midtrimester of pregnancy
Authors: Grgic Ozren , Matijevic Ratko
Published: July 2008

Objective: To determine whether a correlation exists between increased uterine electrical activity and cervical length (CL) in the midtrimester of pregnancy.

Method: In this case‐control study, 312 asymptomatic nulliparous women underwent both uterine electromyographic assessment and ultrasound CL measurement between the 16th and 23rd weeks of a singleton pregnancy. The outcome measure was the difference in ultrasound CL measurement between the women found to have uterine action potentials on electromyography and those who did not.

Results: Action potentials were detected in 66 (21.1%) of the 312 women; and compared with the remainder of the study population, cervical length was significantly shorter in these women (35.7 ± 8.9 mm vs 38.8 ± 7.9 mm; P < 0.01 by the Mann‐Whitney test).

Conclusion: Ultrasound CL measurement in the midtrimester was significantly shorter in women with increased uterine electrical activity.
Trends in the use of epidural analgesia in Australia
Authors: Lain Samantha , Ford Jane , Hadfield Ruth , Blyth Fiona , Giles Warwick , Roberts Christine
Published: July 2008

Objective

To investigate whether changes in maternal and birth characteristics explain the increase in the use of epidural analgesia during labor.

Methods

Using data from a statewide surveillance system of all births, the study included 857 667 women who labored at term between 1992 and 2003 in New South Wales, Australia. Annual rates of epidural analgesia use were calculated. Logistic regression models were used to predict epidural analgesia rates over time, and were compared with observed rates.

Results

Epidural analgesia use increased from 17.2% in 1992 to 26.5% in 2003. The increase in the proportion of women with factors associated with epidural analgesia use explained almost half of the increase in rate. After controlling for these factors, the odds of a woman receiving epidural analgesia in 2003 compared with 1992 were 1.42 (95% CI, 1.38–1.46).

Conclusion

Changes in maternal or birth characteristics partially explain the increase in epidural analgesia rate. The unexplained increase may be due to increased availability or other factors.
Factors affecting uptake of cervical cancer screening among Chinese women in New Zealand
Authors: Gao Wanzhen , DeSouza Ruth , Paterson Janis , Lu Tongjing
Published: July 2008

Objective

To examine the factors affecting uptake of cervical cancer screening among women born in China now living in Auckland, New Zealand.

Method

A community‐based pilot study of 260 women surveyed by questionnaire between November 2006 and February 2007 to ascertain the uptake of cervical screening.

Results

Of 234 returned questionnaires, 152 women (65%) reported being screened in New Zealand and 56% had been screened in the last 3 years. The 4 most important predictive factors affecting uptake were the women's belief that cervical smear tests are necessary for asymptomatic women, having a family doctor, having received gynecologic, obstetric, and family planning services in New Zealand, and having ever received a recommendation for a cervical smear test.

Conclusion

The most important influential factors affecting uptake of cervical screening among Chinese women in New Zealand are women's belief in its value and their engagement in general and women's health services.
Prenatal management of anencephaly
Authors: Cook Rebecca J. , Erdman Joanna N. , Hevia Martin , Dickens Bernard M.
Published: July 2008

About a third of anencephalic fetuses are born alive, but they are not conscious or viable, and soon die. This neural tube defect can be limited by dietary consumption of foliates, and detected prenatally by ultrasound and other means. Many laws permit abortion, on this indication or on the effects of pregnancy and prospects of delivery on a woman's physical or mental health. However, abortion is limited under some legal systems, particularly in South America. To avoid criminal liability, physicians will not terminate pregnancies, by induced birth or abortion, without prior judicial approval. Argentinian courts have developed means to resolve these cases, but responses of Brazilian courts are less clear. Ethical concerns relate to late‐term abortion, meaning after the point of fetal viability, but since anencephalic fetuses are nonviable, many ethical concerns are overcome. Professional guidance is provided by several professional and institutional codes on management of anencephalic pregnancies.
Within- and between-examiner agreement for two thyroid palpation techniques in healthy and hyperthyroid cats
Authors: Paepe Dominique , Smets Pascale , van Hoek Ingrid , Saunders Jimmy , Duchateau Luc , Daminet Sylvie
Published: July 2008

Thyroid gland palpation is an important aid for diagnosing feline hyperthyroidism in an early stage to prevent development of deleterious complications. Our objectives were to assess within- and between-examiner agreement for two thyroid gland palpation techniques in cats and to correlate palpation results with ultrasonographic thyroid measurements. Nine client-owned hyperthyroid (12.6±2.4 years) and 10 healthy control cats (7.4±5.4 years) entered this prospective study. Both thyroid glands of all cats were palpated twice by three blindfolded clinicians with the classic palpation technique [technique 1 (T1)] and the technique described by Norsworthy GD, Adams VJ, McElhaney MR, Milios JA [(2002a) Relationship between semi-quantitative thyroid palpation and total thyroxine concentration in cats with and without hyperthyroidism. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery4, 139–143] [technique 2 (T2)]. A semi-quantitative score from 1 to 6 was assigned to the gland size. After clipping of the ventral cervical region, another palpation session followed by ultrasonography of the thyroid glands was performed. Average weighted κ-values within- and between-examiners were 0.864 and 0.644 for T1 and 0.732 and 0.532 for T2. T1 did lead to significantly smaller within- ( P=0.007) and between-examiner ( P=0.048) differences than T2. Significant correlation coefficients ( P<0.001) between the palpation scores of both techniques and ultrasonographic thyroid lobe length (T1: 0.43; T2: 0.38) were observed. No significant difference before and after clipping was found (T1: P=0.503; T2: P=0.607). The first time that all cats were palpated by either technique, significant score differences between control and hyperthyroid cats were observed both for T1 ( P=0.002) and T2 ( P=0.003). Both feline thyroid gland palpation techniques have good within- and between-examiner agreements. Based on this study, the classic palpation technique is preferred.
Infertility in the cycling queen: Seven cases
Authors: Axnér Eva , Ågren Estelle , Båverud Viveca , Holst Bodil Ström
Published: July 2008

In this study we examined seven queens with normal oestrous cycles and a history of infertility after normal matings. We performed clinical examination, vaginal cytology, evaluation of oestradiol, progesterone and total T4 levels, vaginal bacterial culture, ultrasonography, and serum analyses for detection of antibodies against chlamydia and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) antigenemia. Ovariohysterectomy (OHE) was recommended for 1/7 queens because of pathological uterine changes detected at ultrasonography and clinical examination. Four out of seven queens were treated with antibiotics and two of these had more litters. One of the queens that were treated was not mated again and one was mated without conceiving and was at a later OHE found to have degenerative uterine changes. No treatment was given and no diagnosis could be established in 2/7 queens. Both of them were later ovariohysterectomised and one showed degenerative uterine changes while the uterus of the other queen could not be obtained for follow-up. In summary, 4/7 cats were diagnosed with uterine pathology and no definitive diagnosis could be established for 3/7 queens.
Daily ration and feeding activity of juvenile hake in the central Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Carpentieri P. , Colloca F. , Ardizzone G.
Published: July 2008

We investigated daily ration, feeding rhythms and gastric evacuation rates of juvenile (<16 cm total length) European hake Merluccius merluccius, using stomach samples collected during four 24-hour trawl surveys carried out in 2001–2002 on the continental shelf-break (from 120 m to 160 m in depth) off the western coast of central Italy (central Mediterranean Sea). In each survey 8 hauls of 30 minutes were performed every three hours throughout the 24-hour period to cover the entire diel cycle. Diet of juvenile hake was mostly composed of the euphausiid Nyctiphanes couchii, showing a peak in stomach contents during early morning followed by a daytime decrease. Fullness index (%FI) was generally higher during sunrise when migratory activity ceased and juvenile hake return to the bottom after feeding. Concerning the hake abundance the highest density value was obtained in May during the recruitment period.

Two independent daily ration estimates were produced. First, an empirical attempt to estimate the daily amount of food consumed was obtained by back-calculating the fresh weight of euphausiid prey ingested by juvenile hake. Estimated values ranged from 4.96–5.89% body wet weight (%BW). Second, the daily ration was computed applying the exponential gastric evacuation models proposed by Elliot & Persson (1978) and Eggers (1979). Daily ration values obtained using these consumption models produced a considerable (15–20%) underestimation of consumption rate for juvenile hake.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the psychosis continuum: evidence for a psychosis proneness–persistence–impairment model of psychotic disorder
Authors: van Os J. , Linscott R. J. , Myin-Germeys I. , Delespaul P. , Krabbendam L.
Published: July 2008

A systematic review of all reported incidence and prevalence studies of population rates of subclinical psychotic experiences reveals a median prevalence rate of around 5% and a median incidence rate of around 3%. A meta-analysis of risk factors reveals associations with developmental stage, child and adult social adversity, psychoactive drug use, and also male sex and migrant status. The small difference between prevalence and incidence rates, together with data from follow-up studies, indicates that approximately 75–90% of developmental psychotic experiences are transitory and disappear over time. There is evidence, however, that transitory developmental expression of psychosis (psychosis proneness) may become abnormally persistent (persistence) and subsequently clinically relevant (impairment), depending on the degree of environmental risk the person is additionally exposed to. The psychosis proneness–persistence–impairment model considers genetic background factors impacting on a broadly distributed and transitory population expression of psychosis during development, poor prognosis of which, in terms of persistence and clinical need, is predicted by environmental exposure interacting with genetic risk.
The long-term course of depression: development of an empirical index and identification of early adult outcomes
Authors: Pettit J. W. , Lewinsohn P. M. , Roberts R. E. , Seeley J. R. , Monteith L.
Published: July 2008

Background

Research on the long-term course of major depressive disorder (MDD) is hindered by the absence of established course criteria and by idiosyncratic definitions of chronicity. The aims of this study were to derive an empirical index of MDD course, to examine its predictive validity, and to identify the adulthood outcomes associated with a chronic course.

Method

Indicators for a MDD course factor were rationally selected and subjected to principal components (PCA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) among 426 subjects with a lifetime history of MDD by age 30. Scores on the index prior to age 19 were examined as predictors of course from age 19 to 30. Associations between the index and outcomes of interest at age 30 were examined.

Results

Three indicators loaded highly on a chronic course index and displayed adequate internal consistency: early onset age, number of episodes, and duration of ill time. Predictive validity of the index was supported. A more chronic course was associated with greater symptom severity, greater likelihood of treatment utilization, and greater psychosocial impairment in multiple domains. Treatment utilization interacted with chronicity to predict relatively few outcomes and did not reduce the negative impact of a chronic course.

Conclusions

The course of MDD through early adulthood is best represented by a composite of early onset age, number of episodes, and duration of ill time. A chronic course through early adulthood is associated with numerous indicators of psychosocial impairment. Mental health treatment utilization in a naturalistic setting does not appear to reduce the negative impact of chronic MDD.
Pathways to psychiatric care in Ethiopia
Authors: Bekele Y. Y. , Flisher A. J. , Alem A. , Baheretebeb Y.
Published: July 2008

Background

Understanding the pathways to psychiatric care and recognition of delay points are crucial for the development of interventions that aim to improve access to mental health-care services.

Method

Over a 2-month period in 2003, a total of 1044 patients at the commencement of new episodes of care at Amanuel Specialized Mental Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia were interviewed using the encounter form that was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the study of pathways to psychiatric care.

Results

The mental hospital was contacted directly by 41% of patients. The remaining patients sought care from up to four different caregivers before arriving at the psychiatric hospital. Where the initial service was not received at the psychiatric hospital, 30.9% of patients sought care from priests/holy water/church. The median delay between onset of illness and arrival at the psychiatric hospital was 38 weeks. The longest delays before arriving at the mental hospital were associated with having no formal education, joblessness, and diagnoses of epilepsy and physical conditions.

Conclusions

Implementing a robust referral system and establishing a strong working relationship with both traditional and modern health-care providers, as well as designing a service delivery model that targets particular segments of the population, such as those who are uneducated, jobless and/or suffer from epilepsy and somatic conditions, should be the most important strategies towards improving mental health service delivery and shortening of undue delay for patients receiving psychiatric care in Ethiopia.
Hypofractionated whole breast irradiation
Authors: Yarnold J.
Published: July 2008

The international standard regimen of radiotherapy for women with early breast cancer following mastectomy or local tumour excision involves the delivery of daily doses (fractions) of 2.0 Gy to a total dose of 50 Gy. Recent randomised clinical trials suggest that there is most unlikely to be any disadvantages in terms of local tumour control or late adverse effects, and obvious advantages in terms of convenience, for schedules treating to a lower total dose using a smaller number of larger fractions. Fifteen or 16 fractions of 2.67 Gy are being adopted in some countries, and future research will test the limits of this approach, termed accelerated hypofractionation.
The case for life on Mars
Authors: Schulze-Makuch Dirk , Fairén Alberto G. , Davila Alfonso F.
Published: July 2008

There have been several attempts to answer the question of whether there is, or has ever been, life on Mars. The boldest attempt was the only ever life detection experiment conducted on another planet: the Viking mission. The mission was a great success, but it failed to provide a clear answer to the question of life on Mars. More than 30 years after the Viking mission our understanding of the history and evolution of Mars has increased vastly to reveal a wetter Martian past and the occurrence of diverse environments that could have supported microbial life similar to that on Earth for extended periods of time. The discovery of Terran extremophilic microorganisms, adapted to environments previously though to be prohibitive for life, has greatly expanded the limits of habitability in our Solar System, and has opened new avenues for the search of life on Mars. Remnants of a possible early biosphere may be found in the Martian meteorite ALH84001. This claim is based on a collection of facts and observations consistent with biogenic origins, but individual links in the collective chain of evidence remain controversial. Recent evidence for contemporary liquid water on Mars and the detection of methane in the Martian atmosphere further enhance the case for life on Mars. We argue that, given the cumulative evidence provided, life has and is likely to exist on Mars, and we have already found evidence of it. However, to obtain a compelling certainty a new mission is needed, one which is devoted to the detection of life on Mars.
Micro-scale variations of iron isotopes in fossilized microorganisms
Authors: Ivarsson Magnus , Gehör Seppo , Holm Nils G.
Published: July 2008

Laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy analyses have been performed on carbonaceous filamentous structures that have been interpreted as fossilized microorganisms containing ~10–50 wt% Fe and on non-carbonaceous filamentous structures that have been interpreted to have been formed abiotically containing ~80 wt% Fe. The obtained laser-ablation profiles of the two structural types show a distinct difference in the iron isotopic variations. The centers of the carbonaceous filaments are enriched in 57Fe and 58Fe and depleted in 56Fe. The surficial parts of the filaments display an opposite behavior of the iron isotopes and are thus enriched in 56Fe and depleted in 57Fe and 58Fe. 54Fe usually follows 57Fe and 58Fe but in some cases it follows 56Fe instead. The outer, surficial parts enriched in 56Fe have been interpreted as iron oxides precipitated on the surfaces of the microorganisms as they mediate oxidation of the iron to achieve metabolic energy. The laser-ablation profiles of the abiotically formed non-carbonaceous filamentous structures do not show the same characteristics as the carbonaceous filaments but only irregular elevations of 56Fe. The characteristic profile patterns of the isotope variations in the microfossils suggest that microbially formed iron oxides may be enriched in 56Fe. If that is the case the isotopic profiles could be used to distinguish abiotically formed iron oxides from biologically formed oxides.
Thermodynamics of the prokaryote nuclear zone
Authors: Braun F.N.
Published: July 2008

In studying the functional and evolutionary significance of compartmentation in biology, it is instructive to consider its thermodynamic context as a conceptual centrepiece of entropy and phase transitions. Here we focus specifically on compartmentation at the intracellular level of microbial organellar cytology. Via a colloid-statistical argument, supplemented with order of magnitude estimates for the relevant physical quantities, we find that the DNA-containing nucleoid of prokaryotes presents a plausible nucleation site for phase-transitional behaviour, provided the genome exceeds some threshold size of the order of 10 Mbp. Large genome size seems capable in this respect of seeding compartmentation effects such as the nuclear envelope of Planctomycetes bacteria, which is widely regarded as a possible precursor to the nuclear envelope of eukaryotes.
Science highlights from Hipparcos
Authors: Perryman M. A. C.
Published: July 2008

The Hipparcos and Tycho Catalogues were published in 1997. In the intervening 10 years, several thousand papers making more-or-less direct use of the data have been published. I summarise a number of scientific applications which illustrate the variety of problems to which the data have been applied. This includes the re-reduction of old and contemporary astrometric observations, investigations of Galactic structure and dynamics, investigations of stellar structure and evolution, investigations of the Solar System and our Earth's environment, and various uses of the binary star and photometric data.
CCD survey with the CMASF from the Southern Hemisphere
Authors: Vallejo M. , Muiños J. L. , Belizón F. , Montojo F. J. , Mallamaci C. C. , Pérez J. A. , Marmolejo L. F. , Navarro J. L. , Sedeño J.
Published: July 2008

A subcatalogue with positions and magnitudes of stars brighter than V = 16 and declinations between −30° and 0° is presented. The observations have been carried out with the Círculo Meridiano Automático de San Fernando at the Carlos Ulrrico Cesco Observatory in San Juan (Argentina) in the framework of an agreement between the ROA and the OAFA. The final goal of this collaboration is to publish a survey of positions and magnitudes of stars brighter than V = 16 and with declinations between −55° and +30°.
Use of optical and radio astrometric observations of planets, satellites and spacecraft for ephemeris astronomy
Authors: Pitjeva E. V.
Published: July 2008

Different types of radiometric observations of planets and spacecraft, as well as optical data used for constructing modern high-precision planet ephemerides are presented. New mass values for planets and asteroids are given. The IAA RAS EPM ephemerides (Ephemerides ofPlanets and theMoon) are the basis for the Russian “Astronomical Yearbook” and are used in the navigation program “GLONASS” and the cosmic program “Phobos-Grunt”.
Systematic biases and uncertainties of Hipparcos parallax
Authors: Pan X. P.
Published: July 2008

Ground-based optical/IR interferometers have provided strong support to the space-based astrometric mission Hipparcos ever since the Hipparcos instrument was in operation in 1989. Interferometric observations also produced critical corrections of orbital motion to many targets, including radio stars, which link the Hipparcos system to the International Celestial Reference Frame (ICRF). In particular, orbital parallax from interferometers confirmed the 10% bias of the Pleiades distance from Hipparcos, and thus avoids revision of classical astronomy. Significant offsets and errors of Hipparcos parallax introduced by binary jitters are demonstrated in this work. By comparing the Hipparcos results with long baseline interferometry and other techniques including spectroscopy, multi-color photometry, Main-Sequence fitting, light curve measurements, Lunar occultation, Fine Guidance Sensor, etc., systematic biases and uncertainties of Hipparcos parallaxes are investigated and analyzed. We have established good models for major error sources of Hipparcos parallax, such as zonal bias, binary jitters, and luminosity-dependent errors. The lessons learned from the systematic biases of Hipparcos parallax are valuable to future space missions like SIM and Gaia.
Towards a better understanding of Hipparcos
Authors: van Leeuwen F.
Published: July 2008

The formal errors on the astrometric data in the 1997 publication of the Hipparcos catalogue are, for stars brighter than about magnitude 9, largely the result of inaccuracies in the description of the along-scan attitude of the satellite. A detailed study of the dynamics of the Hipparcos satellite has led to a much improved understanding and modelling of the satellite attitude, taking into account peculiarities in the rotation of the payload (scan-phase jumps) as well as the detections of small hits. A new reduction of the Hipparcos data was initiated, in which the attitude modelling is a direct description of the dynamics of the satellite. In this so-called fully-dynamic attitude modelling the underlying torques acting on the satellite are reconstructed, and rates and error angles are obtained through integrations. Both the hits and the scan-phase jumps could be taken into account in the context of this model. The new model, including the provisions for discontinuities, led to a factor five reduction in the attitude noise. A new reduction, based on a global iterative solution like is also planned for Gaia, was started in 2004, and completed, after some 15 iterations, in 2007. In the process of this reduction, also the sensitivity of the solution to optimal connectivity between the data in the two fields of view was exposed and taken care of, as well as a couple of small-scale calibrations. The latter had not been possible to solve for in the original reductions. In the catalogue that resulted from this new reduction, the errors on the astrometric data for all but stars brighter than magnitude 4, are dominated by photon noise. Error-correlation levels in the underlying abscissa data are down by more than an order of magnitude, and play no longer any significant role. This feature very much simplifies the analysis of, for example, wide-binary stars and open cluster data.