bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole‐genome scan for guttural pouch tympany in Arabian and German warmblood horses
Authors: Zeitz A. , Spötter A. , Blazyczek I. , Diesterbeck U. , Ohnesorge B. , Deegen E. , Distl O.
Published: August 2009

Equine guttural pouch tympany (GPT) is a hereditary disease in foals of several breeds, including thoroughbreds, Arabian, Quarter and warmblood horses. We performed a whole‐genome scan for GPT in 143 horses from five Arabian and five German warmblood families and genotyped 257 microsatellites. Chromosome‐wide significant linkage was detected on ECA2 and ECA15 using multipoint non‐parametric linkage analyses. Analyses stratified by sex revealed chromosome‐wide significant linkage on ECA2 for fillies and chromosome‐wide significant linkage on ECA15 for colts. For Arabian colts, the quantitative trait locus (QTL) on ECA15 was genome‐wide significant. Haplotypes including two to four microsatellites within the QTL on ECA2 and 15 in fillies and colts, respectively, were significantly associated with GPT for both breeds. Thus, our analysis indicated sex‐specific QTL, a fact which is in agreement with a two‐ to fourfold higher incidence of GPT in females. This is the first report of QTL for equine GPT and a first step towards identifying genes responsible for GPT.
Pteropus vampyrus, a hunted migratory species with a multinational home‐range and a need for regional management
Authors: Epstein Jonathan H. , Olival Kevin J. , Pulliam Juliet R.C. , Smith Craig , Westrum Justin , Hughes Tom , Dobson Andrew P. , Zubaid Akbar , Rahman Sohayati Abdul , Basir Misliah Mohamad , Field Hume E. , Daszak Peter
Published: August 2009

1. The management of migratory species is challenging because of insufficient data on long‐range movement patterns, habitat use, and the impact of anthropogenic pressures (e.g. hunting) throughout their home ranges.

2. We evaluate the current abundance and mobility of the Malayan flying fox Pteropus vampyrus, a threatened fruit bat species of ecological and economic significance across Southeast Asia, using roost site surveys and satellite telemetry. We combined this with data from hunter license sales and population projection models to assess the impact and sustainability of current hunting practices in Peninsular Malaysia.

3. We monitored 33 active Pteropus vampyrus roost sites in Peninsular Malaysia, including eight seasonal roost sites. Roost site occupancy showed considerable temporal variation over the 3‐year study period.

4. Hunting activity has more than doubled since 1996, and based on license sales, we estimate that a minimum legal harvest of 87 800 bats occurred between 2002 and 2005. Population models suggest that this level of hunting is likely to be unsustainable given our baseline abundance scenarios of 100 000, 250 000 or 500 000 bats, especially considering that these models do not include culling of Malayan flying foxes as agricultural pests or illegal hunting activities, for which there are no available data.

5. Satellite telemetry of seven adult male bats show that Malayan flying foxes are highly mobile, travelling hundreds of kilometres between roosting sites within a year and occupying home ranges that extend beyond Malaysia to include Indonesia and Thailand. We conclude that focal hunting pressure in Malaysia threatens a regional population of this migratory mammal.

6.
Synthesis and applications. This is the first study of its kind on flying foxes in Asia, and illustrates that bats, like other migratory species, urgently require comprehensive protection by regional management plans across their range. P. vampyrus moves across international borders in Southeast Asia. Current hunting practices within Malaysia together with limited protection in other countries may threaten its long‐term survival.
Crop damage increases with pest species diversity: evidence from potato tuber moths in the tropical Andes
Authors: Dangles Olivier , Mesías Verónica , Crespo‐Perez Verónica , Silvain Jean‐François
Published: August 2009

1. Insect pests in agricultural systems are one of the major causes of damage to crop production and storage worldwide. However, the study of the effect of multiple pests on agricultural productivity has remained largely disconnected from the ongoing debate on how species diversity affects the productivity of ecosystems. The aim of our study is to use information from crop studies to inform the debate on species diversity and ecosystem productivity.

2. We present the results of an experimental study that manipulated the species richness of three tuber feeding moth species (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) at constant larval density. We measured the influence of this manipulation on (1) damage to the economically most important crop in the Andean region, the potatoSolanum tuberosumand (2) the performance of the moths as a consequence of feeding rates.

3. Our results showed that the three pest species together cause more damage to the crop than is predicted from the effects of each pest alone. This resulted in significant increases in pupal biomass and fecundity.

4. Potential mechanisms to explain our results are (1) more complete resource utilization and thus greater crop damage (feeding complementarity) and (2) negative interactions, where intra‐specific interactions are greater than inter‐specific interactions.

5.Synthesis and applications. Our findings may have important consequences for integrated pest management in poor tropical countries. Biodiversity in many tropical countries is decreasing rapidly, leading to reductions in ecosystem services such as biocontrol and pollination. At the same time an increasing number of species, many of them agricultural pests, are being introduced by humans. Our results show that the potential complementarity effects among pest species may increase damage to field crops to a larger extent than previously expected. Control strategies to limit the introduction of new pest species are therefore urgently needed in these countries where the daily management of biological resources is largely in the hands of poor rural people and local government staff with limited funding.
Fossil evidence and phylogeography of temperate species: ‘glacial refugia’ and post‐glacial recolonization
Authors: Sommer Robert S. , Zachos Frank E.
Published: August 2009

We present a short synthesis of the Pleistocene distribution dynamics and phylogeographic recolonization hypotheses for two temperate European mammal species, the red deer (Cervus elaphus) and the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), for which high‐resolution patterns of fossil evidence and genetic data sets are available. Such data are critical to an understanding of the role of hypothesized glacial refugia. Both species show a similar pattern: a relatively wide distribution in the southern part of Central Europe 60,000–25,000 years ago, and a strong restriction to areas in southern Europe for nearly 10,000 years during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and the early Late Glacial (25,000–14,700 years ago). With the beginning of Greenland Interstadial 1 (Bølling/Allerød warming, c. 14,700–11,600 years ago) a sudden range expansion into Central Europe is visible, but the colonization of most of Central Europe, including the northern European Lowlands, only began in the early Holocene. In a European context, regions where the species were distributed during the LGM and early Late Glacial are most relevant as potential origins of recolonization processes, because during these c. 10,000 years distribution ranges were smaller than at any other time in the Late Quaternary. As far as the present distribution of temperate species and their genetic lineages is concerned, so‐called ‘cryptic refugia’ are important only if the species are actually confirmed there during the LGM, as otherwise they could not possibly have contributed to the recolonization that eventually resulted in the present distribution ranges.
Non‐canonical RNA arrangement in T4‐even phages: accommodated ribosome binding site at the gene 26‐25 intercistronic junction
Authors: Malys Naglis , Nivinskas Rimas
Published: August 2009

Translational initiation region of bacteriophage T4 gene 25 contains three potential Shine and Dalgarno sequences: SD1, SD2 and SD3. Mutational analysis has predicted that an mRNA stem‐loop structure may include SD1 and SD2, bringing the most typical sequence SD3, GAGG, to the initiation codon. Here, we report physical evidence demonstrating that previously predicted mRNA stem‐loop structure indeed exists in vivo during gene 25 expression in T4‐infected Escherichia coli cells. The second mRNA stem‐loop structure is identified 14 nucleotides upstream of the stem‐loop I, while the SD3 sequence, as well as the start codon of the gene, are proved to be within an unfolded stretch of mRNA. Phylogenetic comparison of 38 T4‐like phages reveals that the T‐even and some pseudoT‐even phages evolve a similar structural strategy for the translation initiation of 25, while pseudoT‐even, schizoT‐even and exoT‐even phages use an alternative mRNA arrangement. Taken together, the results indicate that a specific mRNA fold forms the split ribosome binding site at the gene 26‐25 intercistronic junction, which is highly competent in the translational initiation. We conclude that this ribosome binding site has evolved after T‐even diverged from other T4‐like phages. Additionally, we determine that the SD sequence GAGG is most widespread in T4.
Clonally variant gene families in Plasmodium falciparum share a common activation factor
Authors: Howitt Cali A. , Wilinski Daniel , Llinás Manuel , Templeton Thomas J. , Dzikowski Ron , Deitsch Kirk W.
Published: August 2009

The genome of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum contains several multicopy gene families, including var, rifin, stevor and Pfmc‐2TM. These gene families undergo expression switching and appear to play a role in antigenic variation. It has recently been shown that forcing parasites to express high copy numbers of transcriptionally active, episomal var promoters led to gradual downregulation and eventual silencing of the entire var gene family, suggesting that a limiting titratable factor plays a role in var gene activation. Through similar experiments using rifin, stevor or Pfmc‐2TM episomal promoters we show that promoter titration can be used as a general method to downregulate multicopy gene families in P. falciparum. Additionally, we show that promoter titration with var, rifin, stevor or Pfmc‐2TM episomal promoters results in downregulation of expression not only of the family to which the episomal promoter belongs, but also members of the other gene families, suggesting that the var‐specific titratable factor previously described is shared by all four families. Further, transcriptionally active promoters from different families colocalize within the same subnuclear expression site, indicating that the role that nuclear architecture plays in var gene regulation also likely applies to the other multicopy gene families of P. falciparum.
Symmetric signalling within asymmetric dimers of the Staphylococcus aureus receptor histidine kinase AgrC
Authors: George Cisar Elizabeth A. , Geisinger Edward , Muir Tom W. , Novick Richard P.
Published: August 2009

Virulence in Staphylococcus aureus is largely under control of the accessory gene regulator (agr) quorum‐sensing system. The AgrC receptor histidine kinase detects its autoinducing peptide (AIP) ligand and generates an intracellular signal resulting in secretion of virulence factors. Although agr is a well‐studied quorum‐sensing system, little is known about the mechanism of AgrC activation. By co‐immunoprecipitation analysis and intermolecular complementation of receptor mutants, we showed that AgrC forms ligand‐independent dimers that undergo trans‐autophosphorylation upon interaction with AIP. Remarkably, addition of specific AIPs to AgrC mutant dimers with only one functional sensor domain caused symmetric activation of either kinase domain despite the sensor asymmetry. Furthermore, mutant dimers involving one constitutive protomer demonstrated ligand‐independent activity, irrespective of which protomer was kinase deficient. These results demonstrate that signalling through either individual AgrC protomer causes symmetric activation of both kinase domains. We suggest that such signalling across the dimer interface may be an important mechanism for dimeric quorum‐sensing receptors to rapidly elicit a response upon signal detection.
An outer membrane protease of the omptin family prevents activation of the Citrobacter rodentium PhoPQ two‐component system by antimicrobial peptides
Authors: Le Sage Valerie , Zhu Lei , Lepage Christine , Portt Andrea , Viau Charles , Daigle France , Gruenheid Samantha , Le Moual Hervé
Published: August 2009

The PhoPQ two‐component system of the intracellular pathogen Salmonella enterica senses and controls resistance to α‐helical antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) by regulating covalent modifications of lipid A. A homologue of the phoPQ operon was found in the genome of the murine enteric extracellular pathogen, Citrobacter rodentium. Here we report that C. rodentium PhoPQ was apparently unable to mediate activation of target genes in the presence of α‐helical AMPs. However, these AMPs activated C. rodentium PhoPQ expressed in a S. entericaΔphoPQ mutant. Analysis of the outer membrane (OM) fractions of the C. rodentium wild‐type and ΔphoPQ strains led to the identification of an omptin family protease (CroP) that was absent in ΔphoPQ. Deletion of croP in C. rodentium resulted in higher susceptibility to α‐helical AMPs, indicating a direct role of CroP in AMP resistance. CroP greatly contributed to the protection of the OM from AMP damage by actively degrading α‐helical AMPs before they reach the periplasmic space. Accordingly, transcriptional activation of PhoP‐regulated genes by α‐helical AMPs was restored in the ΔcroP mutant. This study shows that resistance to α‐helical AMPs by the extracellular pathogen C. rodentium relies primarily on the CroP OM protease.
Recombinant expression and characterization of a lysozyme from the midgut of Triatoma brasiliensis (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) in comparison with intestinal muramidase activity
Authors: WANIEK PETER J. , MENDONÇA‐LIMA LEILA , MENEZES GUSTAVO B. , JANSEN ANA M. , ARAÚJO CATARINA A. C.
Published: August 2009

Insect c‐type lysozymes are antibacterial proteins that are synthesized in different organs with high activity against Gram‐positive bacteria. Because lysozymes possess muramidase activity, they also play an important role in the digestion of bacteria in Diptera. Triatomines express lysozyme‐encoding genes constitutively in the anterior region (cardia and stomach) of the midgut and the fat body after injection of bacteria into the haemocoel. The present study describes the overexpression of the Triatoma brasiliensis lysozyme 1 (lys1) in Escherichia coli. Recombinant T. brasiliensis Lys1 (TbLys1) is purified after solubilization of the inclusion bodies. The protein refolds successfully, showing muramidase activity against Micrococcus lysodeikticus lyophilized cells, after enterokinase cleavage of its thioredoxin fusion protein. In in‐gel zymograms and turbidimetric liquid assays TbLys1 is broadly active under alkaline and acid conditions, indicating a possible digestive function in the two physiologically different midgut regions of the bug: the stomach and small intestine. Muramidase activity is shown in the stomach and small intestine content of unfed bugs and bugs at different days after feeding, respectively. Western blot analysis identifies TbLys1 as lysozyme.
Epidemiologic critique of literature on post‐transplant neoplasms in solid organ transplantation
Authors: Lanza Lee L. , Wang Lili , Simon Teresa A. , Irish William D.
Published: August 2009

Abstract:  As survival of transplant recipients improves, long‐term complications become more important. We reviewed epidemiologic literature on real‐world risks of de novo neoplasia post‐transplant. We searched the Medline/PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases for population‐based studies on risk of neoplasia from 1998 to 2005. Selection criteria included: solid organ transplants, neoplastic outcomes, n > 500 subjects, age ≥18 yr, and study design. Of 187 abstracts, 64 met criteria for study size, age range, topic, and design. We classified the articles by quality of reporting on components of cohort studies. Twelve of 64 studies reported cohort eligibility and exclusion criteria, defined time at risk, and ascertained incident neoplasms. Twenty‐one studies reported prevalence of neoplasms for unspecified time periods, and only eight incidence studies reported person yr at risk. Three studies of all types of neoplasms in kidney recipients reported incidence ranging from 11.0 to 17.3 cases per 1000 person yr. Two studies of post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorders reported incidence of 0.4 to 2.5 cases per 1000 person yr in kidney recipients. More precise estimation of risks and rates, better description of study population, and more attention to confounding in comparisons of rates would make studies more meaningful. Reports should adhere to established guidelines for presenting methods and results in epidemiologic studies.
Chronic liver disease in children on long‐term parenteral nutrition
Authors: MISRA SUDIPTA , AMENT MARVIN E. , VARGAS JORGE H. , SKOFF CHRISTOPHER , REYEN LAURIE , HERZOG FAY
Published: August 2009

Use of long‐term total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is often presumed to be associated with serious hepatic dysfunction. In this retrospective study, we reviewed the complete charts of patients who had received TPN for more than 2.5 years, starting in infancy or childhood, for evidence of liver dysfunction. There were 16 male and 10 female patients with a total of 254.5 patient years on TPN. Seventeen patients have been on TPN since birth or early infancy. Thirteen of 26 patients derive ≧90% of their calorie intake from TPN. Six patients had hepatomegaly; two of them also had splenomegaly. Twenty‐one patients had normal transaminases, nine have had past episodes of raised enzymes ranging from 2.5 to 7.5 times normal. Seventeen patients always had normal bilirubin levels, five had past episodes of hyperbilirubinaemia, while four patients had persistently raised bilirubin levels (range 1.5–20.7 g/dL). Alkaline phosphatase was normal for age in all patients except two. Hepatic synthetic function, as measured by albumin, pre‐albumin levels and prothrombin time, was within the normal range in all patients except one. Liver biopsies were performed in eight patients. Two biopsies showed cirrhosis, one showed chronic active hepatitis (CAH) with cholestasis, two patients had fibrosis, one showed cholestasis and two biopsies were normal. One patient with cirrhosis and one with CAH were positive for hepatitis C antibody. Another asymptomatic patient was positive for hepatitis B. Only the patient with CAH had hepatic decompensation. We conclude that clinical hepatic failure is uncommon in our group of patients on long‐term TPN for 2.5 years or more. Cirrhosis and fibrosis, when found, could not be solely attributed to TPN.
Surgery‐assisted reproductive technology hybrid therapy: A reproductive procedure for an infertile woman of late reproductive age with multiple myomas
Authors: Kuroda Keiji , Takeuchi Hiroyuki , Kitade Mari , Kikuchi Iwaho , Kumakiri Jun , Kobayashi Yuko , Kobori Hiroyuki , Kuroda Masako , Itagaki Kazuko , Machida Mai , Takeda Satoru
Published: August 2009

Aim:  To produce a successful pregnancy in a 38‐year‐old infertile patient with relapsed myoma using a technique we refer to as ‘surgery‐assisted reproductive technology (ART) hybrid therapy’ because it combines ART for cryopreservation of in vitro fertilized eggs with reproductive surgery.

Methods:  A 38‐year‐old nulliparous woman who had undergone abdominal myomectomy and in whom magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple myomas was treated at our University‐affiliated hospital and outpatient clinic. Blastocysts were cryopreserved during the preoperative period. Laparoscopic myomectomy was performed after preoperative treatment with a GnRH agonist. Ten months after the operation, the youngest cryopreserved blastocyst was transferred into the uterus and implanted successfully.

Results:  Treatment resulted in successful implantation and pregnancy. In January 2008, the course of pregnancy had been uneventful and the patient gave birth to a male infant weighing 2998 grams by cesarean section at 37 weeks of gestation.

Conclusion:  We have treated eight patients using hybrid therapy with encouraging results, and we describe these cases herein briefly.
Efficacy and safety of ormeloxifene in management of menorrhagia: A pilot study
Authors: Kriplani Alka , Kulshrestha Vidushi , Agarwal Nutan
Published: August 2009

Objective:  To assess the efficacy and safety of ormeloxifene (centchroman) in the medical management of menorrhagia.

Methods:  Forty‐two women with menorrhagia were recruited for the study. Ormeloxifene was given to each patient 60 mg twice a week for 3 months and then once a week for 1 month. Patients were followed up at 2 and 4 months of therapy, then at 3 and 6 months after treatment was stopped. Menstrual blood loss (MBL) was measured objectively by a pictorial blood loss assessment chart (PBAC) score and subjectively by a visual analog scale (VAS).

Results:  The pretreatment median PBAC score was 388 (range 169–835). Eighteen patients (42.9%) had amenorrhea with the therapy. Median PBAC reduced to 80 (range 0–730) and 5 (range 0–310) at 2 and 4 months, respectively (P‐value <0.001); thus, the percentage reduction was 97.7% at 4 months. Seven patients (16.7%) had no response and three (7.1%) discontinued treatment before 4 months. During the 10‐month study period, 21% of the patients underwent hysterectomy. Adverse effects included ovarian cyst (7.1%), cervical erosion and discharge (7.1%), gastric dyspepsia (4.8%), vague abdominal pain (4.8%) and headache (4.8%).

Conclusion:  Ormeloxifene is an effective and safe therapeutic option for the medical management of menorrhagia.
Emergency contraception: Knowledge, attitude and prescription practice among doctors in different specialties in Hong Kong
Authors: Lo Sue S.T. , Kok Wai‐ming , Fan Susan Y.S.
Published: August 2009

Aim:  Few studies have evaluated doctors' knowledge, attitudes and practices as regards emergency contraception (EC). Some studies have reported inadequate knowledge, bias and wrong prescriptions by doctors. This article compares the prescription pattern, attitude and knowledge of EC in Hong Kong doctors in different specialties.

Methods:  Questionnaires were mailed to family physicians, obstetrician‐gynecologists and doctors working in family planning clinics to ascertain their attitudes to EC. Those who provided EC described the types of EC used, whether drugs were given in advance and answered a 12‐question knowledge test. Those who did not provide EC stated why.

Results:  A total of 443 completed questionnaires were analyzed: 70.9% of doctors agreed that the benefits of EC outweigh its risks and 61.2% agreed that doctors should discuss it with clients. Advanced provision was supported by 54.2% of doctors but reduced to 32.5% if the target client was a girl aged 16 or below. Even fewer doctors (40.2%) supported the over‐the‐counter sales of EC pills. In the knowledge test, family planning doctors scored 10.45 out of 12 and obstetrician‐gynecologists in private practice had the lowest score of 6.08. Family planning doctors used levonorgestrel pills while private family physicians and obstetrician‐gynecologists used Yuzpe. Among 352 doctors who provided EC, only 21.7% of private family physicians and 15.9% of private obstetrician‐gynecologists prescribed it in advance.

Conclusions:  Only doctors working in family planning clinics were competent in their knowledge of emergency contraception and up to date with current practice. Although half of the doctors supported advanced provision, few implemented it. Most doctors did not support advanced provision to young girls nor the over‐the‐counter sales of EC pills.
Relations between fetal head descent and cervical dilatation during individual uterine contractions in the active stage of labor
Authors: Barnea Ofer , Luria Oded , Jaffa Ariel , Stark Michael , Fox Harold E. , Farine Dan
Published: August 2009

The relationship between instantaneous changes in fetal head station and cervical dilatation within the individual contraction during the active stage of labor were studied and an index of labor progress was suggested. Cervix dilatation and fetal head station were measured continuously in 30 nullipara women (mean age 27.5, standard deviation 4.8). The continuous measurements enabled the analysis of each variable and the analysis of the relations between these two variables. The relationship between the head station and the cervical dilatation were demonstrated by plotting one against the other during a contraction. This led to the definition of a contraction vector that integrates the interaction between the two variables. The angle of this vector, that indicates this relation, was plotted against mean head station to demonstrate change along the delivery process regardless of time to normalize the progress and allow comparison between different women with different labor durations. This plot showed a sharp change from almost zero into a steep curve at about zero head station. A zero angle indicates that the cervix dilates during a contraction with little effect on head station while a steep angle indicates a significant effect of cervical dilatation on head station during the contraction. The contraction‐vector angle reflects the changing intra‐contraction relationship between head station and cervical dilatation. The angle of this vector may serve as an indicator of labor progress.
Pseudocyesis in a rural southeast Nigerian community
Authors: Ouj Umeora
Published: August 2009

Context:  Pseudocyesis is uncommon and probably under reported among the African population.

Aims and Objectives:  To document the incidence and presentation of false pregnancies in a Nigerian rural population.

Methods:  This involved a review of prospectively collected data on all patients who were diagnosed with pseudocyesis over a four‐year period in a Mission hospital.

Results:  Pseudocyesis occurred at a frequency of 1 in 344 pregnancies. The mean age was 33.6 years and the condition was found more commonly among poorly educated women. Amenorrhea was common among the subjects and 54% claimed they felt fetal movement. Ultrasound studies confirmed the absence of pregnancies in all cases. Management included counseling and referral to specialist clinical psychologists.

Conclusion:  Pseudocyesis is more common among the African population than in developed countries. Gynaecologists in these regions should have a high index of suspicion to diagnose this and assess the mental status of the subject and the precipitating factors.
Prospective assessment of overactive bladder symptoms in women who have undergone transvaginal surgery for advanced vaginal wall prolapse: A preliminary report
Authors: Chin Hung‐Yen , Chiang Chi‐Hsin , Lin Kuan‐Cheng , Wang Chin‐Jung , Lee Chyi‐Long , Soong Yung‐Kuei
Published: August 2009

Aim:  To evaluate the changes in symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) on the advanced cystocele after restoration of prolapse using the Perigee system.

Methods:  This prospective clinical study recorded 16 women for the Perigee procedure due to advanced cystocele with OAB symptoms. Prolapse assessment was measured according to the pelvic organ prolapse quantization system. Complete urodynamic examination was performed before and six months after the operation. Subjects were also asked to fill in a questionnaire before and after the operation for a quantitative assay of OAB symptoms. Additional pelvic reconstructive surgeries including the Apogee procedure, retropubic tension‐free vaginal tape and posterior colporrhaphy with tension‐free vaginal tape were performed concurrently on 10 patients.

Results:  Eleven cases were available for data analysis. Results showed significant improvement at points Aa and Ba after the operation. The Perigee procedure could restore the advanced cystocele adequately, with points Aa and Ba almost back to their normal physiological and anatomical positions. However, urodynamics showed two subjects with motor urgency and one with sensory urgency having objective improvement in urge sensation. Questionnaire results of postoperative subjective symptoms revealed a significant improvement with respect to coping, concern and sleep as compared to preoperative symptoms.

Conclusion:  This preliminary report reveals that the Perigee procedure is an efficient and effective surgical approach for the treatment of anterior vaginal wall prolapse. It can also improve the subjective symptoms of OAB.
Outcome of cesarean section in asymptomatic HIV‐1 infection in Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Sekirime Wilberforce K. , Lule John C.
Published: August 2009

Aim:  Sepsis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda, following cesarean section (CS). The present study was designed to assess whether asymptomatic HIV infection could be contributing to the increased morbidity following emergency CS in the form of wound and genital tract infection (GTI) with consequent prolonged stay in the hospital.

Methods:  Five hundred patients who had undergone emergency lower segment CS had their blood taken to check for HIV‐1 serostatus on the first postoperative day. The patients were followed up for evidence of wound sepsis, defined as occult pus discharge on compression of the wound or removal of the closing stitches, GTI and duration of stay in the hospital after the operation.

Results:  There were 98 (20.5%) HIV‐1 seropositive patients. The incidence of postoperative wound sepsis (P = 0.948, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56–1.86), GTI (P = 0.339, 95% CI = 0.74–2.39) as well as hospital stay >8 days (P = 0.327, 0.78–2.09) was not statistically significantly different between the infected and non‐infected groups. Significant predisposing factors to postoperative morbidity were poor general condition on admission, dehydration, preoperative clinical anemia, and ruptured membranes prior to the operation.

Conclusion:  Asymptomatic HIV‐1 was not associated with increased postoperative morbidity following emergency lower segment cesarean section.
Acute mesenteric venous thrombosis due to protein S deficiency in a pregnant woman
Authors: Atakan Al Ragıp , Borekci Bunyamin , Ozturk Gurkan , Akcay Mufide N. , Kadanali Sedat
Published: August 2009

Acute mesenteric venous thrombosis is a rare and potentially fatal disease, which often occurs in medically compromised elderly patients. Isolated mesenteric venous thrombosis may be encountered in young women who have underlying hypercoagulable disease. We report a case of mesenteric venous thrombosis in a young pregnant woman in whom protein S deficiency was diagnosed at a later stage. The patient underwent extensive bowel resection. On follow‐up she had developed an obstruction on the intestinal anastomosis. The anastomosis was revised, but the patient died of intervening complications 3 months after the operation. Early management of acute mesenteric venous thrombosis relies on early diagnosis, which requires a high index of suspicion. The condition must be considered during evaluation of persistent abdominal pain in pregnant women with hypercoagulable disorder.
Port wound closure assisted by Foley catheter: An easier way to provide fascia security
Authors: Su Wen‐Hsiang , Cheng Ming‐Huei , Tsou Tsung‐Shan , Cheung Sai‐Ming , Chang Sheng‐Ping , Wang Peng‐Hui
Published: August 2009

Aim:  Specific laparoscopy‐related complications, such as incisional hernia (trocar hernia) or hemorrhage, are worthy of our special attention. Preventing and managing these complications safely and efficiently are important, suggesting that a definite closure of the 10–12 mm port wound after laparoscopy is needed; for this, a newer, simpler method was used.

Methods:  Ninety‐six patients with benign ovarian tumor warranting laparoscopic surgery were enrolled into the study. Forty‐eight patients (50%) underwent a Foley catheter‐assisted port wound closure (Foley group) and the remaining patients (50%) underwent a conventional port would closure (control group). The outcome was measured by comparing operative time, the amount of suture material used (difficulty of wound closure), therapeutic efficacy (hernia), postoperative complications (bleeding, hematoma, and wound pain by a self‐reported six‐point verbal numeric rating scale (VNRS‐6)) and anesthesia use as measured by an analgesic usage score (AUS), and dissatisfaction with the cosmetic results, in both groups.

Results:  The general characteristics of the patients were similar in both groups. There were no statistical differences in mean operative time, therapeutic efficacy, and postoperative complications between the two groups. However, the amount of extra suture material needed was significantly less in the Foley group compared to the control group (1.04 ± 0.08 vs 1.29 ± 0.44, P = 0.015, and 4.2 vs 25%, P = 0.02, respectively).

Conclusion:  Wound closure with the assistance of a Foley catheter offers an easy and secure way to close a 10–12 mm port wound.
Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH) of the breast: Intraductal appearance
Authors: Gur Akif Serhat , Unal Bulent , Edington Howard , Kanbour‐Shakir Amal , Soran Atilla
Published: August 2009

Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH) is a benign proliferative lesion of breast stroma. The diagnosis of PASH can be made using imaging techniques such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance or mammography. Ductoscopy is a relatively new technique which is used for imaging the intraductal surface. We report a patient with PASH in whom ductoscopy was performed successfully.
Recurrent pregnancy loss: A disease of inflammation and coagulation
Authors: Kwak‐Kim Joanne , Yang Kwang Moon , Gilman‐Sachs Alice
Published: August 2009

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is one of the most common obstetrical complications. Multiple etiologies, such as endocrine, anatomic, genetic, hematological and immunological causes have been reported for this devastating disease. However, over half of the cases remain unexplained. Thrombotic/inflammatory processes are often observed at the maternal‐fetal interface as the final pathological assault in many cases of RPL, including those of unexplained etiologies. In the present paper, cellular immune responses (T, natural killer [NK], natural killer‐T [NKT], regulatory T [Treg] cells and their cytokines) and autoimmune abnormalities of women with RPL are reviewed. In addition, metabolic diseases and hematological conditions which often lead to thrombotic/inflammatory conditions are discussed in association with RPL. Finally, current therapeutic options for RPL are reviewed.
A marine refugium in Iceland during the last glacial maximum: fact or fiction?
Authors: Ingólfsson Agnar
Published: August 2009

Although several authors have postulated coastal ice‐free areas during the last glacial maximum in Iceland, where some species may have survived, the geological evidence strongly indicates that there were none. Also, the species involved are mostly not found in the high arctic today, and are therefore unlikely to have endured conditions in frigid glacial refugia.
The Shared Equal Access Regional Cancer Hospital (SEARCH) nomogram for risk stratification in intermediate risk group of men with prostate cancer: validation in the Duke Prostate Center database
Authors: Jayachandran Jayakrishnan , Schroeck Florian , Sun Leon , Gerber Leah , Moreira Daniel M. , Moul Judd W. , Freedland Stephen J.
Published: August 2009

Study Type – Prognosis (cohort) Level of Evidence 2a

OBJECTIVES

To validate the Shared Equal Access Regional Cancer Hospital (SEARCH) nomogram to better risk stratify men with intermediate‐risk pathology after prostatectomy (positive surgical margins, PSM, and/or extracapsular disease, ECE, without seminal vesicle or lymph node involvement) in a tertiary referral centre (the Duke Prostate Center, DPC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analysed 485 men in the DPC cohort with PSM and/or ECE but without seminal vesicle or lymph node involvement. The predicted risk of biochemical progression‐free probability at 1, 3 and 5 years was estimated by the SEARCH and updated Kattan postoperative nomograms. Calibration plots were generated and accuracy assessed with the concordance index.

RESULTS

The SEARCH nomogram appeared to be well calibrated, with the highest‐risk quartile having a predicted <60% progression‐free probability at 5 years, vs >80% for the lowest risk. In comparison, overall external calibration appeared to be similar for the updated Kattan nomogram, although there was less separation between the highest‐ and lowest‐risk quartiles. The SEARCH model had an overall predictive accuracy of 0.65, which compared favourably with the updated Kattan nomogram (0.57).

CONCLUSION

In an external dataset, the SEARCH nomogram to predict progression‐free probability for men at intermediate risk after prostatectomy was well calibrated and performed better than the updated postoperative Kattan nomogram.
Estimated blood loss as a predictor of PSA recurrence after radical prostatectomy: results from the SEARCH database
Authors: Lloyd Jessica C. , Bañez Lionel L. , Aronson William J. , Terris Martha K. , Presti Jr Joseph C. , Amling Christopher L. , Kane Christopher J. , Freedland Stephen J.
Published: August 2009

Study Type – Diagnosis (exploratory cohort)  Level of Evidence 2b

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the relationship between estimated blood loss (EBL) and biochemical recurrence, assessed by prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level, as blood loss is a long‐standing concern associated with radical prostatectomy (RP), and no studies to date have examined the association between blood loss and cancer control.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 1077 patients were identified in the Shared Equal‐Access Regional Cancer Hospital database who underwent retropubic RP (between 1998 and 2008) and had EBL and follow‐up data available. We examined the relationship between EBL and recurrence using multivariate Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

Increased EBL was correlated with PSA recurrence in a multivariate‐adjusted model (P = 0.01). When analysed by 500‐mL EBL categories, those with an EBL of <1500 mL had a similar risk of recurrence. However, the risk of PSA recurrence tended to increase for an EBL of 1500–3499 mL, before decreasing again for patients with an EBL of ≥3500 mL. Men with an EBL of 2500–3499 mL had more than twice the risk of recurrence than men with an EBL of <1500 mL (P = 0.02). EBL was not associated with adverse tumour stage, grade or margin status.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a significant correlation between EBL at the time of RP and biochemical recurrence. We hypothesized that this association might be due to transfusion‐related immunosuppression, excessive blood obscuring the operative field, EBL being a marker of aggressive disease, or EBL being a marker of poor surgical technique. However, our data did not completely fit any one of these hypotheses, and thus the ultimate cause for the increased risk of recurrence remains unclear and requires further study.
Evaluation of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial Risk calculator in a high‐risk screening population
Authors: Kaplan David J. , Boorjian Stephen A. , Ruth Karen , Egleston Brian L. , Chen David Y. T. , Viterbo Rosalia , Uzzo Robert G. , Buyyounouski Mark K. , Raysor Susan , Giri Veda N.
Published: August 2009

Study Type – Diagnostic (exploratory cohort)  Level of Evidence 2b

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) risk calculator in a screening cohort of young, racially diverse, high‐risk men with a low baseline prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level and enrolled in the Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment Program (PRAP). The PCPT calculator provides an assessment of prostate cancer risk based on age, PSA level, race, previous biopsy, and family history.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eligibility for PRAP includes men aged 35–69 years who are African‐American, have a family history of prostate cancer, or have a known BRCA1/2 mutation. PCPT risk scores were determined for PRAP participants, and were compared to observed prostate cancer rates.

RESULTS

In all, 624 participants were evaluated, including 382 (61.2%) African‐American men and 242 (38.7%) men with a family history of prostate cancer; the median (range) age was 49.0 (34.0–69.0) years and the median PSA level 0.9 (0.1–27.2) ng/mL. The PCPT risk score correlated with prostate cancer diagnosis, as the median baseline risk score in patients diagnosed with prostate cancer was 31.3%, vs 14.2% in patients not diagnosed with prostate cancer (P < 0.001). The PCPT calculator similarly stratified the risk of diagnosis of Gleason score ≥7 disease, as the median risk score was 36.2% in patients diagnosed with Gleason ≥7 prostate cancer vs 15.2% in all other participants (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The PCPT risk calculator score was found to stratify prostate cancer risk in a cohort of young, primarily African‐American men with a low baseline PSA level. These results support further evaluation of this predictive tool for assessing the risk of prostate cancer in high‐risk men.
Ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate diagnosed on transurethral biopsy or resection is not always indicative of aggressive disease: implications for clinical management
Authors: Aydin Hakan , Zhang Jun , Samaratunga Hemamali , Tan Nelly , Magi‐Galluzzi Cristina , Klein Eric , Jones J. Stephen , Zhou Ming
Published: August 2009

Study Type – Prognosis (case series)  Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

To report the clinicopathological characteristics of 23 cases of ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate (DCP) and discuss the implications for clinical management, as DCP is considered an aggressive subtype of prostate adenocarcinoma (PA).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The presence of DCP in transrectal ultrasonography‐guided prostate biopsy (TRUSB) is associated with adverse pathological findings at radical prostatectomy (RP) and clinical outcomes, and the significance of detecting DCP initially in transurethral biopsy (UB) or transurethral resection (TURP) in the present era of screening with prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) is unclear. The study included 23 cases of pure DCP without acinar PA diagnosed on UB or TURP. Demographic information, serum PSA level, follow‐up surgical procedures (RP, TURP or TRUSB) and outcome data were collected.

RESULTS

The mean age of the men was 67.5 years and the mean PSA level before the procedure was 12.5 ng/mL; 14 cases were detected on UB and nine were diagnosed on TURP. The mean (range) follow‐up was 4 (1–23) months after the initial procedure. In all, 21 (89%) patients had DCP or PA in follow‐up procedures. Two (11%) patients had no residual cancer, one on RP and the other on two repeat TURPs. DCP or PA was found in 12 RP cases; four patients had Gleason score 7 PA, three of which were organ‐confined, and eight had Gleason score ≥8 PA. Extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle invasion and regional lymph node metastasis were present in seven, six and two cases, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Most DCP diagnosed on UB or TURP in this contemporary series was associated with aggressive PA, but a subset presented as a small periurethral tumour with no concomitant acinar PA, and was eradicated by the initial biopsy/TURP alone. We recommend that patients with a diagnosis of DCP on UB or TURP undergo follow‐up TURP and TRUSB before radical surgery is offered.
Firm Productivity and Foreign Direct Investment into Non‐core Activities*
Authors: Cieślik Andrzej , Ryan Michael
Published: August 2009

As foreign direct investment (FDI) often originates from multinational enterprises (MNEs) with non‐core activities and not single‐product firms, as MNE theory typically suggests, we hypothesize that such firms are more productive than MNEs without non‐core activities as well as non‐MNE firms. We test this hypothesis using Kolmogorov–Smirnov stochastic dominance Tests and Japanese firm‐level productivity and FDI data for the period 1985–2001. We find that both manufacturing and service multinational firms with non‐core foreign investments stochastically dominate firms without non‐core activities. We also find cost‐complementarities between certain core and non‐core FDI activities that span both manufacturing and service affiliates.
Out‐of‐sample Hedge Performances for Risk Management in China Commodity Futures Markets*
Authors: Chung Sang‐Kuck
Published: August 2009

We consider a new time‐series model that describes long memory and asymmetries simultaneously under the dynamic conditional correlation specification, and that can be used to assess an extensive evaluation of out‐of‐sample hedging performances using aluminum and fuel oil futures markets traded on the Shanghai Futures Exchange. Upon fitting it to the spot and futures returns of aluminum and fuel oil markets, it is found that a parsimonious version of the model captures the salient features of the data rather well. The empirical results suggest that separating the effects of positive and negative basis on the market volatility, and the correlation between two markets as well as jointly incorporating the long memory effect of the basis on market returns not only provides better descriptions of the dynamic behaviors of commodity prices, but also plays a statistically significant role in determining dynamic hedging strategies.
Multinational Firms’ Heterogeneity in Tax Responsiveness: The Role of Transfer Pricing
Authors: Azémar Céline , Corcos Gregory
Published: August 2009

In this paper we show that the ability of multinational firms to manipulate transfer prices affects the tax sensitivity of foreign direct investment (FDI). We offer a model of international capital allocation where firms are heterogeneous in their ability to manipulate transfer prices. Perhaps paradoxically, we show that the ability to shift profits can make parent companies’ investment more sensitive to host‐country tax rates, as long as investors expect fiscal authorities to use price and profit detection methods. We then offer a comprehensive empirical study to test our predictions in the case of Japanese FDI. We exploit the finding that the unobservable ability to manipulate transfer prices is correlated with whole ownership of affiliates and R&D expenditure. Based on country, parent firm and sector characteristics, we estimate an investment equation on a sample of 3,614 Japanese affiliates in 49 emerging countries. We obtain a greater semi‐elasticity of investment to the statutory tax rate in affiliates that are wholly‐owned and that have R&D‐intensive parents. We interpret these results as indirect evidence that abusive transfer pricing is one of the determinants of FDI activity.
Ontology integration within a service‐oriented architecture for expert system applications using sensor networks
Authors: Goodwin J. Caleb , Russomanno David J.
Published: August 2009

Abstract:This paper describes the development of an architecture for the discovery of sensor services leveraging ontology‐based semantics in the search query. A prototype has been implemented based upon the architecture and can be used to support the development of expert system applications in which sensors of certain types, operational capabilities or physical properties are required to support applications within a network‐centric environment. In the prototype, sensor services are listed in a registry that references a machine‐interpretable ontology. The registry conforms to the Universal Discovery and Description Interface (UDDI) specification, but it is augmented with semantic matching via an ontology to increase the likelihood that relevant sensor services are discovered when needed by expert system applications.