bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mid‐domain models as predictors of species diversity patterns: bathymetric diversity gradients in the deep sea
Authors: McClain Craig R. , Etter Ron J.
Published: March 2005

Geometric constraints represent a class of null models that describe how species diversity may vary between hard boundaries that limit geographic distributions. Recent studies have suggested that a number of large scale biogeographic patterns of diversity (e.g. latitude, altitude, depth) may reflect boundary constraints. However, few studies have rigorously tested the degree to which mid‐domain null predictions match empirical patterns or how sensitive the null models are to various assumptions. We explore how variation in the assumptions of these models alter null depth ranges and consequently bathymetric variation in diversity, and test the extent to which bathymetric patterns of species diversity in deep sea gastropods, bivalves, and polychaetes match null predictions based on geometric constraints.

Range–size distributions and geographic patterns of diversity produced by these null models are sensitive to the relative position of the hard boundaries, the specific algorithms used to generate range sizes, and whether species are continuously or patchily distributed between range end points. How well empirical patterns support null expectations is highly dependent on these assumptions. Bathymetric patterns of species diversity for gastropods, bivalves and polychaetes differ substantially from null expectations suggesting that geometric constraints do not account for diversity–depth patterns in the deep sea benthos.
What determines the likelihood of species discovery in marine holozooplankton: is size, range or depth important?
Authors: Gibbons Mark J. , Richardson Anthony J. , V. Angel Martin , Buecher Emmanuelle , Esnal Graciela , Fernandez Alamo Maria A. , Gibson Ray , Itoh Hiroshi , Pugh Phil , Boettger‐Schnack Ruth , Thuesen Erik
Published: March 2005

The relationship between date of first description and size, geographic range and depth of occurrence is investigated for 18 orders of marine holozooplankton (comprising over 4000 species). Results of multiple regression analyses suggest that all attributes are linked, which reflects the complex interplay between them. Partial correlation coefficients suggest that geographic range is the most important predictor of description date, and shows an inverse relationship. By contrast, size is generally a poor indicator of description date, which probably mirrors the size‐independent way in which specimens are collected, though there is clearly a positive relationship between both size and depth (for metabolic/trophic reasons), and size and geographic range. There is also a positive relationship between geographic range and depth that probably reflects the near constant nature of the deep‐water environment and the wide‐ranging currents to be found there. Although we did not explicitly incorporate either abundance or location into models predicting the date of first description, neither should be ignored.
Norfloxacin decreases bacterial adherence of quinolone‐resistant strains of Escherichia coli isolated from patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Gascón I. , Pascual S. , Plazas J. , Sánchez J. , Francés R. , Más P. , Zapater P. , Pérez‐Mateo M. , Such J.
Published: March 2005

Background:  Long‐term administration of norfloxacin is recommended for secondary prophylaxis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhosis, but it may be associated with the development of quinolone‐resistant bacteria in stools. However, these bacteria rarely cause infections.

Aim:  To assess bacterial adherence of either quinolone‐sensitive or ‐resistant Escherichia coli obtained from stools of cirrhotic patients, as one of the main virulence factors, and its variations when sub‐minimum inhibitory concentration of norfloxacin were added to the medium.

Methods:  E. coli strains were co‐cultured with oral epithelial cells obtained from patients in presence/absence of norfloxacin. Bacterial adherence was measured as percentage of cells exhibiting positive adherence and the number of bacteria attached to epithelial cells.

Results:  37 sensitive and 22 resistant E. coli strains were studied. Bacterial adherence was similar in both series (78% vs. 81%, P = N.S.), and these percentages were similarly and significantly reduced when subminimum inhibitory concentration of norfloxacin was added to the culture medium (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:  Bacterial adherence of E. coli obtained from patients with cirrhosis is unrelated to the sensitivity/resistance to quinolones, and is similarly reduced in both cases when subminimum inhibitory concentration of norfloxacin is added to the medium.
A randomized comparative study of esomeprazole 40 mg versus pantoprazole 40 mg for healing erosive oesophagitis: the EXPO study
Authors: Labenz J. , Armstrong D. , Lauritsen K. , Katelaris P. , Schmidt S. , Schütze K. , Wallner G. , Juergens H. , Preiksaitis H. , Keeling N. , Nauclér E. , Eklund S.
Published: March 2005

Aim:  To assess the efficacy of the 8‐week therapy with esomeprazole 40 mg vs. pantoprazole 40 mg for healing erosive oesophagitis (EE) as part of a management study.

Methods:  Patients had a history of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease symptoms (≥6 months) and had suffered heartburn on at least 4 of the 7 days preceding enrolment. Endoscopies were performed to grade EE severity using the Los Angeles (LA) classification system at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks (if unhealed at 4 weeks). Heartburn severity was recorded by patients on diary cards. The primary end point was healing of EE by week 8 of treatment.

Results:  Of 3170 patients randomized, the intent‐to‐treat population consisted of 3151 patients (63% male, mean age: 50.6 years, 27%Helicobacter pylori‐positive). Esomeprazole 40 mg healed a significantly greater proportion of EE patients than pantoprazole 40 mg at both 4 weeks (life table estimates: esomeprazole 81%, pantoprazole 75%, P < 0.001) and 8 weeks (life table estimates: esomeprazole 96%, pantoprazole 92%, P < 0.001). The median time to reach sustained heartburn resolution was 6 days in patients receiving esomeprazole and 8 days with pantoprazole (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:  Esomeprazole 40 mg is more effective than pantoprazole 40 mg for healing EE and providing resolution of associated heartburn.
Diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune hepatitis at age 65 and older
Authors: Verslype C. , George C. , Buchel E. , Nevens F. , Van Steenbergen W. , Fevery J.
Published: March 2005

Aim:  To study features in older patients with autoimmune hepatitis, as this was considered mainly a disease of young females.

Methods:  Analysis of 28 patients diagnosed at age ≥65 years compared with 84 younger patients.

Results:  The incidence was similar at all age decades. The ratio M:F was 1 : 3 (≥65 years) vs. 1 : 2 (<65 years). Presenting symptoms were not different when compared with younger patients and consisted of general malaise and fatigue (36%), jaundice ± other symptoms (50%), or ascites (11%). Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) ≥ 1/80 were positive in 93%, smooth muscle antibodies (SMA) > 1/40 in 50%, anti‐liver kidney microsomes (anti‐LKM) proved always negative. Histology showed acute necrotizing hepatitis in 19%, severe interphase hepatitis in 15%, chronic hepatitis with plasmo‐lymphocytic infiltrate in 30%, cirrhosis in 29% (with active inflammation in one‐third); biopsy was refused in 11%. The elderly responded very well to low doses of methylprednisolone (≤8 mg) and azathioprine (1 mg/kg). This schedule obviates side‐effects such as infections seen with higher dosages.

Conclusion:  Autoimmune hepatitis has to be also looked for in the elderly with acute and chronic hepatitis. The steroid therapy should be individualized but kept at a low dose.
A refined radiation hybrid map of the telomeric region of bovine chromosome 18q25–q26 compared with human chromosome 19q13
Authors: Mömke S. , Kuiper H. , Spötter A. , Drögemüller C. , Distl O.
Published: March 2005

Genome‐wide scans have mapped economically important quantitative trait loci (QTL) for mastitis susceptibility in dairy cattle at the telomeric end of bovine chromosome 18 (BTA18). In order to increase the density of markers in this chromosomal region and to improve breakpoint resolution in the human–bovine comparative map, this study describes the chromosomal assignment of seven newly developed gene‐associated markers and five microsatellites and eight previously mapped sequence tagged site markers near these QTL. The orientation of KCNJ14, BAX, CD37, NKG7, LIM2, PRKCG, TNNT1, MGC2705, RPL28, EPN1, ZNF582, ZIM2, STK13, ZNF132 and SLC27A5 on the 3000‐rad radiation hybrid (RH) map of BTA18 is homologous to the organization found on the corresponding 10 Mbp of human chromosome 19q (HSA19q). The resulting bovine RH map with a length of 20.9 cR spans over about 11 cM on the bovine linkage map. The location of KCNJ14 and SLC27A5 flanking the RH map on BTA18q25–26 has been confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The data of this refined human–bovine comparative map should improve selection of candidate genes for mastitis susceptibility in dairy cattle.
Importance of chroman ring and tyrosine phosphorylation in the subtype‐specific translocation and activation of diacylglycerol kinase α by d‐α‐tocopherol
Authors: Fukunaga‐Takenaka Rika , Shirai Yasuhito , Yagi Keiko , Adachi Naoko , Sakai Norio , Merino Ernesto , Merida Isabel , Saito Naoaki
Published: March 2005

Diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) has been suggested to be a pharmacological target of d‐α‐tocopherol for diabetic renal dysfunctions. However, the DGK subtypes involved in the d‐α‐tocopherol‐induced improvement of diabetic renal dysfunctions and the activation mechanisms of DGK by d‐α‐tocopherol are still unknown. Therefore, using GFP‐tagged DGKα, β, γ, ɛ and ζ, we analyzed their response to d‐α‐tocopherol and its derivatives. Only DGKα was translocated from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane with elevation of kinase activity. In addition, troglitazone and trolox possessing ‘chroman ring’ similarly to d‐α‐tocopherol, induced the subtype‐specific translocation of DGKα. Furthermore, the translocation of DGKα was abolished by pretreatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors or by mutation on Tyr‐334 of the kinase (YF mutant). d‐α‐tocopheryl succinate enhanced the Src‐mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of wild‐type DGKα but the same reagent did not enhance that of the YF mutant. These results demonstrate that tyrosine phosphorylation on Tyr‐334 and chroman ring are important for the d‐α‐tocopherol‐induced translocation of DGKα.
Epidural ropivacaine 1% with and without sufentanil addition for Caesarean section
Authors: Bachmann‐Mennenga B. , Veit G. , Biscoping J. , Steinicke B. , Heesen M.
Published: March 2005

Background:  So far only ropivacaine concentrations of 0.5 and 0.75% have been used for Caesarean section. This prospective double‐blind trial evaluated the anaesthetic quality of ropivacaine 1% with and without sufentanil addition.

Methods:  Three groups of patients (n = 20 each) scheduled for an elective Caesarean section were studied. The patients received initially 120 mg ropivacaine, or 120 mg ropivacaine plus 10 µg or 20 µg sufentanil. Additional epidural ropivacaine was injected if necessary. Primary outcome parameter was time to achieve sensory block at T4. Moreover, pain intensity at delivery (visual analogue scale, VAS), incidence of maternal side‐effects (hypotension, bradycardia, nausea, vomiting, shivering, pruritus), and neonatal outcome (Apgar score, neurologic and adaptive capacity score, umbilical cord blood‐gas values) were recorded.

Results:  The onset time for the sensory block was not significantly different among the groups. Also, VAS scores at delivery did not differ significantly between the plain ropivacaine 1% group (18 ± 29 mm), the 10‐µg sufentanil group (1 ± 5 mm), and the 20‐µg sufentanil group (6 ± 18 mm). The total dose of ropivacaine was significantly higher in the plain ropivacaine 1% group (145 ± 19 mg) compared to the patients receiving additional 10 µg sufentanil (130 ± 15 mg, P = 0.02) or 20 µg sufentanil (129 ± 16 mg, P = 0.01). The incidence of maternal side‐effects and neonatal outcome were similar in all groups.

Conclusion:  Ropivacaine 1% alone provided sufficient analgesia. Sufentanil addition did not significantly improve the quality of epidural anaesthesia with ropivacaine 1.0% for Caesarean section.
Prevalence of IgE antibodies to morphine. Relation to the high and low incidences of NMBA anaphylaxis in Norway and Sweden, respectively
Authors: Florvaag E. , Johansson S. G. O. , Öman H. , Venemalm L. , Degerbeck F. , Dybendal T. , Lundberg M.
Published: March 2005

Background:  Anaphylactic reactions to a neuromuscular blocking agent (NMBA) is more than six times as common in Norway as in Sweden, probably due to differences in preoperative sensitization. The prevalence of IgE‐sensitization to morphine (MOR) and suxamethonium (SUX) in comparable populations in Bergen, Norway, and Stockholm, Sweden, was studied and related to possible sensitizing agents.

Methods:  Three hundred sera of ‘allergics’ and 500 blood donors in Bergen and Stockholm were tested for IgE antibodies to MOR and SUX using Pharmacia Diagnostics ImmunoCAP®(Uppsala, Sweden) assay and the results compared to those of 65 patients from Bergen with documented anaphylaxis to NMBA. In addition, 84 different household chemicals were tested, by IgE antibody inhibition, for SUX and MOR.

Results:  In Norway 0.4% of blood donors, 3.7% of allergics and 38.5% of anaphylactics were IgE‐sensitized to SUX, and 5.0, 10.0 and 66.7%, respectively, to MOR. No serum from Sweden was positive. The majority of those sensitized (69%) were women. Several household chemicals contained SUX and/or MOR activity, but the only difference between Norway and Sweden was cough mixtures containing pholcodine (PHO). IgE antibodies to PHO were present in 6.0% of blood donors from Norway and in no serum from Sweden. Of the anaphylactics, 65–68% were sensitized to MOR or PHO but only 39% to SUX.

Conclusions:  IgE‐sensitization to SUX, MOR and PHO was detected in Norway but not in Sweden. One possible explanation is the unrestricted use of cough mixtures containing MOR derivatives in Norway.
Effect of additives in lidocaine spray on postoperative sore throat, hoarseness and dysphagia after total intravenous anaesthesia
Authors: Hara K. , Maruyama K.
Published: March 2005

Background:  Laryngo‐tracheal lidocaine spray before intubation is associated with an increased risk of postoperative throat problems. Our study investigated the effect of additives contained in lidocaine spray on postoperative sore throat, hoarseness and dysphagia.

Methods:  We compared the incidence and severity of postoperative throat complications after laryngo‐tracheal application of lidocaine spray (40 mg), lidocaine (40 mg) or normal saline as placebo during laryngoscopy with total intravenous anaesthesia in 122 ASA I–III patients aged 15–87 years in a double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled study. The incidence and severity of postoperative sore throat, hoarseness and dysphagia were evaluated on the day of and the day after surgery.

Results:  Sore throat and dysphagia were significantly more severe after lidocaine spray was used than after lidocaine or placebo was used. However, there was no significant difference in the incidence or severity of postoperative sore throat, hoarseness or dysphagia between the lidocaine group and the placebo group throughout the study.

Conclusion:  These results suggest that additives in lidocaine spray, not lidocaine itself, contribute to the increase in postoperative throat problems. Therefore, lidocaine spray should be avoided to prevent these unnecessary complications. Our findings also confirm that laryngo‐tracheal lidocaine application does not prevent sore throat, hoarseness or dysphagia after total intravenous anaesthesia.
Participation in the RACS Sentinel Node Biopsy versus Axillary Clearance Trial
Authors: Wetzig Neil R. , Gill P. Grantley , Ung Owen , Collins John , Kollias James , Gillett David , Gebski Val , Greig Caroline , Ray Adam , Stockler Martin ,   for the RACS SNAC Group
Published: March 2005

Background:  The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) SNAC trial is a randomized controlled trial of sentinel node biopsy (SNB) versus axillary clearance (AC). It opened in May 2001 and is recruiting rapidly with good acceptance by consumers.

Methods:  A study of eligibility and treatment choices was conducted between November 2001 and September 2002 for women presenting with early breast cancer to 10 centres participating in the trial.

Results:  More than half of the 622 women (54%) were ineligible for trial entry because they had large (> 3 cm) or multicentric cancers. Participation was offered to 92% of eligible women and was taken up by 63%. The commonest reason for not participating was the desire to choose treatment rather than have it randomly allocated. Despite this there is a great acceptance of clinical trials because very few women (4% of those eligible) gave ‘lack of interest in clinical trials’ as the reason for non‐participation. Few women who declined trial participation chose to have SNB alone (4.5% of those eligible).

Conclusion:  Sentinel node biopsy may become the standard of care for managing small breast cancers, but a significant number of patients will still require or choose axillary dissection. Results from large randomized trials are needed to determine the relative benefits and harms of SNB compared with AC. Surgeons must carefully discuss options for management with their patients.
Spectral doppler characterization of endoleaks following endoluminal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
Authors: Wright Isabel A. , Gordon Malcolm K. , Buckenham Tim M.
Published: March 2005

Background:  Colour Doppler ultrasound of endoluminal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair is becoming an established imaging technique in identifying endoleak. Management and treatment of endoleak is determined in part by the exact nature of the endoleak, namely its type and whether it has single or multiple vessel inflow and outflow. To date, spectral Doppler waveform analysis has provided some information about the propensity for spontaneous seal of isolated type II endoleaks, rather than assisting in their classification.

Methods:  We present a collection of three case reports outlining the directionality/phasicity of the Doppler waveform profile associated with endoleaks whose type and subtype (uni‐ /or multi‐conduital) were angiographically determined.

Results:  In all three cases uniconduital type II endoleak demonstrated a to‐and‐fro waveform on Doppler ultrasound imaging.

Conclusions:  To‐and‐fro Doppler waveforms may be associated with uniconduital type II endoleaks. If upon investigation of further cases this is found to be the case, this waveform classification may facilitate determination of the subtype (uni‐ or multi‐conduital) of endoleak, thus identifying those cases which may be more amenable to percutaneous repair.
CT‐guided lung biopsies in children: anesthesia management and complications
Authors: BENDON ANJU ANNE , KRISHNAN B.S. , KORULA GRACE
Published: March 2005

We describe the anesthetic management of three children who underwent CT‐guided lung biopsies and the complications associated with the procedure. We discuss the likely causes and recommend steps that would help decrease the risk of these complications during such a procedure.
Ultrasound‐guided central venous cannulation in a very small preterm neonate
Authors: MACHOTTA ANDREAS , KERNER SABINE , HÖHNE CLAUDIA , KERNER THORALF
Published: March 2005

Percutaneous central venous cannulation of small infants is a challenging procedure. The use of ultrasound guidance has been shown to increase the success rate generally in children and to decrease the incidence of associated complications. To demonstrate that this technique is also suitable in very small infants we describe the case of a preterm neonate of 850 g body weight (BW), in which percutaneous central venous cannulation was performed successfully using ultrasound imaging for guidance.
A case of supercarbia following pneumoperitoneum in an infant
Authors: LEW Y.S. , THAMBI DORAI C.R. , PHYU P.T.
Published: March 2005

A 4‐month‐old healthy male infant underwent left herniotomy under general anesthesia with caudal block. Carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum was created through the left hernial sac for inspection of the right processus vaginalis. Episodes of desaturation associated with significant reduction in chest compliance were noted intraoperatively. This was overcome by increasing the inspired oxygen concentration (FiO2). The infant failed to regain consciousness and spontaneous respiration at the end of surgery. The chest compliance deteriorated further and clinically a CO2 pneumothorax (capnothorax) was suspected. The endtidal carbon dioxide (PEco2) was initially low in the immediate postoperative period. Subsequent to the readministration of sevoflurane and manual ventilation with a Jackson Rees circuit, a sudden surge in PEco2 with improvement of chest compliance was observed. At that time arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis revealed a PCO2 of 17.5 kPa (134 mmHg) and pH of 6.9. The causes of severe hypercarbia and the physiological changes observed in this infant are discussed.
The shifting sands of self: a framework for the experience of self in addiction
Authors: Gray Mary Tod
Published: March 2005

Abstract  The self is a common yet unclear theme in addiction studies. William James's model of self provides a framework to explore the experience of self. His model details the subjective and objective constituents, the sense of self‐continuity through time, and the ephemeral and plural nature of the changing self. This exploration yields insights into the self that can be usefully applied to subjective experiences with psychoactive drugs of addiction. Results of this application add depth to the common understanding of self in addiction, acknowledge the importance of feelings and choice in the sense of self created in addiction experiences, and affirm the values salient to these interior experiences in addiction. These results suggest meaning derived from those values, and provide important background knowledge for the nurse interacting with these clients.
Antigenic differences between neurological and diabetic patients with anti‐glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies
Authors: Vianello M. , Keir G. , Giometto B. , Betterle C. , Tavolato B. , Thompson E. J.
Published: March 2005

Antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADAb) are found in Stiff‐Person syndrome, type 1 diabetes, cerebellar ataxia and other neurological disorders (such as epilepsy and myoclonus) involving the GABAergic ways. GADAb are usually detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC), radioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This study analysed the serum of 14 patients with neurological disorders who were positive by IHC for GADAb. The performance of a commercial RIA was compared with in‐house immunoblotting and ELISA methods using recombinant GAD65 (rGAD65). RIA was positive in 14 of 14, immunoblotting was positive in seven of 14 and ELISA in 12 of 14. There was no correlation between the RIA result and the ELISA optical densities. Using a sodium thiocyanate chaotrope system with ELISA to determine antibody affinity, we found no significant correlation between antibody affinity and the RIA result. A consensus should be defined concerning which assay could be used as the gold standard for detecting GADAb. The most intriguing finding was that GAD antibodies from uncomplicated diabetics do not appear to recognize GAD in frozen sections from the rat cerebellum, whereas GAD antibodies from neurologically compromised diabetics do. A working proposal is therefore that type 1 diabetic patients with unusual neurological symptoms should be tested for GADAb both by RIA and IHC.
Reduced prevalence of ischemic events and abnormal supraortic flow patterns in patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: Berzigotti Annalisa , Bonfiglioli Andrea , Muscari Antonio , Bianchi Giampaolo , LiBassi Silvia , Bernardi Mauro , Zoli Marco
Published: March 2005

Background: A reduced prevalence of cardiovascular diseases has been reported in liver cirrhosis. However, studies focusing on supraortic district of cirrhotic patients are lacking.

Methods: By ultrasound duplex scanning, the presence and severity of atherosclerotic plaques and flow pattern abnormalities were assessed in carotid and vertebral arteries of 118 cirrhotics aged 60.7±12.8 (1 standard deviation) years, and in 236 controls matched with cirrhotic patients according to age, sex and cigarette smoking.

Results: Previous ischemic strokes were significantly less numerous in cirrhotic patients than in controls (0.8% vs. 10.5%; P=0.0009); also the prevalence of myocardial infarction was significantly reduced (1.7% vs. 6.4%; P=0.0532). Moreover, cirrhotic patients differed from controls for a lower prevalence of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, and for a greater proportion of diabetics. Although the presence and severity of atherosclerotic plaques was similar in the two groups, liver cirrhosis was associated with a lower prevalence of abnormal flow patterns (13.6% vs. 29.2%; P=0.0011). The inverse association of hemodynamic changes with liver cirrhosis persisted after all main risk factors were simultaneously taken into account by multiple logistic regression. However, in the presence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and cigarette smoking, the ‘protective’ effect of cirrhosis on the occurrence of abnormal flow patterns was no longer detectable.

Conclusions: Advanced liver disease is associated with a reduced prevalence of ischemic stroke, which seems to be related to a decreased prevalence of abnormal flow patterns in the supraortic vessels, especially among non‐smokers.
Physical hemodynamic interaction between portal venous and hepatic arterial blood flow in humans
Authors: Sugimoto Hiroyuki , Kaneko Tetsuya , Hirota Masashi , Inoue Soichiro , Takeda Shin , Nakao Akimasa
Published: March 2005

Objective: The hepatic arterial end‐diastolic velocity (HAEDV) is normally equal to portal vein peak velocity (PVPV). However, there is no report of quantitative measurement that HAEDV was equal to PVPV. We investigated the interaction in PVPV and HAEDV in both chronic and acute hepatic hemodynamic changes.

Methods: One hundred and nineteen patients (54 with cirrhosis, 23 with chronic hepatitis, and 42 with no diffuse liver disorder) were enrolled. We investigated the differences in PVPV and HAEDV among the patients with and without liver disorder. In addition, we measured the intraindividual changes in HAEDV when PVPV was mechanically changed by percutaneous isolated hepatic perfusion in six patients and by percutaneous transhepatic portal embolization (PTPE) in six more.

Results: HAEDV was nearly equal to PVPV not only in patients with both normal and hepatitis but also in those with cirrhosis (PVPV−HAEDV=3.0±5.2, 2.2±5.4, 2.3±6.5 cm/s, respectively). In the intraindividual study, both PVPV and HAEDV decreased during hepatic mechanical perfusion and HAEDV was equal to PVPV (8.2±2.8, 10.5±1.5 cm/s, respectively). After PTPE, PVPV was increased and hepatic arterial peak systolic velocity was reciprocally decreased. However, HAEDV was nearly equal to PVPV 7 days after PTPE (PVPV−HAEDV=5.9±5.1 cm/s).

Conclusions: Since arterial end‐diastolic velocity depends on the downstream vascular resistance, lower HAEDV in patients with cirrhosis was considered to reflect a high outflow resistance. If there is no collateral pathway, we consider that HAEDV may actually reflect sinusoidal resistance to the same degree as PVPV.
Hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus co‐infection in sub‐Saharan Africa: a call for further investigation
Authors: Burnett R. J. , François G. , Kew M. C. , Leroux‐Roels G. , Meheus A. , Hoosen A. A. , Mphahlele M. J.
Published: March 2005

Abstract: A growing body of evidence indicates that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐positive individuals are more likely to be infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) than HIV‐negative individuals, possibly as a result of shared risk factors. There is also evidence that HIV‐positive individuals who are subsequently infected with HBV are more likely to become HBV chronic carriers, have a high HBV replication rate, and remain hepatitis Be antigen positive for a much longer period. In addition, it is evident that immunosuppression brought about by HIV infection may cause reactivation or reinfection in those previously exposed to HBV. Furthermore, HIV infection exacerbates liver disease in HBV co‐infected individuals, and there is an even greater risk of liver disease when HIV and HBV co‐infected patients are treated with highly active anti‐retroviral therapy (HAART). Complicating matters further, there have been several reports linking HIV infection to ‘sero‐silent’ HBV infections, which presents serious problems for diagnosis, prevention, and control. In sub‐Saharan Africa, where both HIV and HBV are endemic, little is known about the burden of co‐infection and the interaction between these two viruses. This paper reviews studies that have investigated HIV and HBV co‐infection in sub‐Saharan Africa, against a backdrop of what is currently known about the interactions between these two viruses.
SEN virus infection influences the pathological findings in liver but does not affect the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis
Authors: Moriyama Mitsuhiko , Mikuni Morio , Matsumura Hiroshi , Nakamura Hitomi , Oshiro Shyu , Aoki Hiroshi , Shimizu Toshihiro , Yamagami Hiroaki , Shioda Atsuo , Kaneko Miki , Tanaka Naohide , Arakawa Yasuyuki
Published: March 2005

Background/Aims: This investigation compared the histological findings in the livers of chronic hepatitis C patients who were or were not co‐infected with SEN virus (SEN‐V) to determine the histological and clinical characteristics of SEN‐V infection in Japan.

Methods: Three hundred and ninety‐two patients with hepatitis C virus‐associated chronic hepatitis (CH) or liver cirrhosis (LC) were included in the study. Serum samples were tested for the presence of SEN‐V DNA by nested polymerase chain reaction. The liver biopsy specimen of each patient was examined and scores were assigned to indicate the severity of each of the following features: inflammatory cell infiltration in the periportal, parenchymal, and portal areas; F stage; portal sclerotic change; perivenular fibrosis; pericellular fibrosis; damage to the bile ducts; steatosis and irregular regeneration of hepatocytes (IR).

Results: Of the 473 patients, 194 (41.0%) were positive for SEN‐V DNA. The rate of progression of F stage correlated with SEN‐V DNA positivity. The blood biochemical parameters did not differ significantly between the SEN‐V DNA‐positive and ‐negative patients. The histological features of the livers of SEN‐V DNA‐positive patients included more severe parenchymal inflammatory cell infiltration and more IR. In particular, among those at the F2, F3 and F4 stages, the degree of IR of the SEN‐V DNA‐positive patients was significantly greater than that of the SEN‐V DNA‐negative patients. The cumulative probability of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence and survival rate did not differ between the SEN‐V DNA‐positive and‐negative patients.

Conclusions: SEN‐V co‐infection may influence the histopathological features of the livers of patients with type C CH and LC but does not affect the outcome of patients with type C chronic liver disease.
Instant diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis using leukocyte esterase reagent strips: Nephur‐Test® vs. MultistixSG®
Authors: Sapey Thierry , Kabissa Denis , Fort Eric , Laurin Christine , Mendler Michel Henry
Published: March 2005

Background/Aim: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), defined by an ascites neutrophil count >250/μl, is a severe complication of cirrhosis and demands prompt diagnosis. Leukocyte esterase reagent strips can rapidly detect leukocytes in physiological fluids. We compared the performance of two leukocyte esterase reagent strips in the diagnosis of SBP.

Methods: Non‐selected patients with cirrhosis and ascites were prospectively included in a Community Hospital. Manual ascites cytology, culture and biochemistry were compared with the Nephur‐Test® (read at 60 s: negative+1 to+3) and MultistixSG® (read at 120 s: negative, trace, +1 to +3). Multiple investigators performed the tests with repeat readings by one nurse.

Results: Two hundred and forty five ascites fluid samples were obtained in 51 patients: 44% in conditions of SBP antibiotic prophylaxis, 64% in an ambulatory setting. Seventeen samples had an ascites polymorphonuclear count of ≥250/μl, associated with a positive ascites culture in seven, obtained in 12 patients (24%), 53% in an ambulatory setting. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were: Nephur‐Test® (88.2%, 99.6%, 93.8%, 99.1%); MultistixSG® (64.7%, 99.6%, 91.7%, 97.4%). There was excellent agreement between the investigators and the nurse.

Conclusions: Leukocyte esterase reagent strips may provide a rapid bedside diagnosis of SBP and thereby shorten time to appropriate management. The Nephur‐Test® appeared to out‐perform MultistixSG®. These tests might be particularly useful in ambulatory settings or whenever ascites fluid analysis is not rapidly available.
Effects of ammonium hydroxide treatment on the in vitro dry matter digestibility and gas production of wheat straw, sugarcane bagasse medium and konara oak rotted by edible basidiomycetes
Authors: OKANO Kanji , BOONLUE Surachai , SUZUKI Yuichi
Published: March 2005

Wheat straw, sugarcane bagasse medium and konara oak logs used to cultivate edible basidiomycetes were treated with ammonium hydroxide to investigate the relationship between the degree of rotting and the effect of ammonium hydroxide treatment on digestibility. Wheat straw was sampled before inoculation and on days 67 and 97 after inoculation with Pleurotus salmoneostramineus. Similarly, bagasse media were sampled before inoculation and on days 47 and 96 after inoculation with Pleurotus abalonus. Konara oak logs were sampled before inoculation and at 2 and 4 years after inoculation with Lentinula edodes. Aliquots of the samples were treated with ammonium hydroxide (NH4‐N, 3% dry matter) at 45°C for 10 days. Ammonium hydroxide treatment increased the in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and gas production (IVGP) of all the samples, except the konara oak samples collected before inoculation. The degree of increased digestibility was largest for the samples collected after short cultivation periods, followed by those collected after long cultivation periods and those collected before inoculation. However, the IVDMD and IVGP values after short cultivation periods were lower than those after long cultivation periods. Ammonium hydroxide treatment is effective at improving the digestibility of white‐rotted materials, although the effect is lessened as rotting proceeds.
Selective feeding behavior of calves is affected by basal diet
Authors: FUKASAWA Michiru , TSUKADA Hideharu , KOSAKO Takami
Published: March 2005

The present study examined the way the selective feeding behavior of calves was affected by basal diet. Three basal diets containing oat hay and concentrate, with the addition of different levels of roughage content (low, medium and high) were prepared by changing their mix ratios. Orchard grass (OG) and Japanese pampas grass leaf (JP) were used as testing foods. In the preliminary phase, all calves were fed each basal diet three times per day and then food selection between JP and OG was examined. Dry matter intake (DMI) of JP and OG throughout the test was significantly different. Increasing the roughage rate in the basal diet decreased the DMI of JP, whereas the DMI of OG was increased. There was no significant effect of basal diet condition on nutrient intake, whereas the acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber ingestive efficiency were affected by the basal diet condition. It is suggested that calves prefer food that complement the basal diet, even if nutrient requirements are met.
ThePasteurella multocida nrfEGene Is Upregulated during Infection and Is Essential for Nitrite Reduction but Not for Virulence
Authors: Boucher David J. , Adler Ben , Boyce John D.
Published: March 2005

Pasteurella multocidais the causative agent of a range of diseases with economic importance in production animals. Many systems have been employed to identify virulence factors ofP. multocida, including in vivo expression technology (IVET), signature-tagged mutagenesis, and whole-genome expression profiling. In a previous study in which IVET was used withP. multocida,nrfEwas identified as a gene that is preferentially expressed in vivo. InEscherichia coli,nrfEis part of the formate-dependent nitrite reductase system involved in utilizing available nitrite as an electron accepter during growth under anaerobic conditions. In this study, we constructed an isogenicP. multocidastrain that was unable to reduce nitrite under either aerobic or anaerobic conditions, thereby demonstrating thatP. multocida nrfEis essential for nitrite reduction. However, thenrfEmutant was still virulent in mice. Real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis indicated thatnrfEwas regulated independently ofnrfABCDby an independent promoter that is likely to be upregulated in vivo.
Strong Decrease in Invasive Ability and Outer Membrane Vesicle Release in Crohn's Disease-Associated Adherent-Invasive
Escherichia coli
Strain LF82 with the
yfgL
Gene Deleted
Authors: Rolhion Nathalie , Barnich Nicolas , Claret Laurent , Darfeuille-Michaud Arlette
Published: March 2005

Adherent-invasive
Escherichia coli
strain LF82 recovered from a chronic lesion of a patient with Crohn's disease is able to invade cultured intestinal epithelial cells. Three mutants with impaired ability to invade epithelial cells had the Tn
5phoA
transposon inserted in the
yfgL
gene encoding the YfgL lipoprotein. A
yfgL
- negative isogenic mutant showed a marked decrease both in its ability to invade Intestine-407 cells and in the amount of the outer membrane proteins OmpA and OmpC in the culture supernatant, as shown by analysis of the culture supernatant protein contents by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. Transcomplementation of the LF82-Δ
yfgL
isogenic mutant with the cloned
yfgL
gene restored invasion ability and outer membrane protein release in the culture supernatant. The outer membrane proteins in the culture supernatant of strain LF82 resulted from the formation of vesicles. This was shown by Western blot analysis of periplasmic and outer membrane fraction markers typically found in outer membrane vesicles and by transmission electron microscopic analysis of ultracentrifuged cell-free LF82 supernatant pellets, indicating the presence of vesicles with a bilayered structure surrounding a central electron-dense core. Thus, deletion of the
yfgL
gene in strain LF82 resulted in a decreased ability to invade intestinal epithelial cells and a decreased release of outer membrane vesicles.
N Glycolylation of the Nucleotide Precursors of Peptidoglycan Biosynthesis of
Mycobacterium
spp. Is Altered by Drug Treatment
Authors: Mahapatra Sebabrata , Scherman Hataichanok , Brennan Patrick J. , Crick Dean C.
Published: March 2005

The peptidoglycan of
Mycobacterium
spp. reportedly has some unique features, including the occurrence of
N
-glycolylmuramic rather than
N-
acetylmuramic acid. However, very little is known of the actual biosynthesis of mycobacterial peptidoglycan, including the extent and origin of N glycolylation. In the present work, we have isolated and analyzed muramic acid residues located in peptidoglycan and UDP-linked precursors of peptidoglycan from
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
and
Mycobacterium smegmatis
. The muramic acid residues isolated from the mature peptidoglycan of both species were shown to be a mixture of the
N-
acetyl and
N-
glycolyl derivatives, not solely the N-glycolylated product as generally reported. The isolated UDP-linked
N
-acylmuramyl-pentapeptide precursor molecules also contain a mixture of
N-
acetyl and
N-
glycolyl muramyl residues in apparent contrast to previous observations in which the precursors isolated after treatment with
d
-cycloserine consisted entirely of
N-
glycolyl muropeptides. However, nucleotide-linked peptidoglycan precursors isolated from
M. tuberculosis
treated with
d
-cycloserine contained only
N-
glycolylmuramyl-tripeptide precursors, whereas those from similarly treated
M. smegmatis
consisted of a mixture of N-glycolylated and N-acetylated residues. The full pentapeptide intermediate, isolated following vancomycin treatment of
M. smegmatis
, consisted of the
N
-glycolyl derivative only, whereas the corresponding
M. tuberculosis
intermediate was a mixture of both the
N-
glycolyl and
N-
acetyl products. Thus, treatment with vancomycin and
d
-cylcoserine not only caused an accumulation of nucleotide-linked intermediate compounds but also altered their glycolylation status, possibly by altering the normal equilibrium maintained by de novo biosynthesis and peptidoglycan recycling.
Evidence that the Essential Response Regulator YycF inStreptococcus pneumoniaeModulates Expression of Fatty Acid Biosynthesis Genes and Alters Membrane Composition
Authors: Mohedano M. Luz , Overweg Karin , de la Fuente Alicia , Reuter Mark , Altabe Silvia , Mulholland Francis , de Mendoza Diego , López Paloma , Wells Jerry M.
Published: March 2005

The YycFG two-component system, originally identified inBacillus subtilis, is highly conserved among gram-positive bacteria with low G+C contents. InStreptococcus pneumoniae, the YycF response regulator has been reported to be essential for cell growth, but the signal to which it responds and the gene members of the regulon remain unclear. In order to investigate the role of YycFG inS. pneumoniae, we increased the expression ofyycFby using a maltose-inducible vector and analyzed the genome-wide effects on transcription and protein expression during the course ofyycFexpression. The induction ofyycFexpression increased histidine kinaseyycGtranscript levels, suggesting an autoregulation of theyycFGoperon. Evidence from both proteomic and microarray transcriptome studies as well as analyses of membrane fatty acid composition indicated that YycFG is involved in the regulation of fatty acid biosynthesis pathways and in determining fatty acid chain lengths in membrane lipids. In agreement with recent transcriptome data on pneumococcal cells depleted of YycFG, we also identified several other potential members of the YycFG regulon that are required for virulence and cell wall biosynthesis and metabolism.
Characteristic Thermodependence of the RadA Recombinase from the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon
Desulfurococcus amylolyticus
Authors: Kil Yury V. , Glazunov Eugene A. , Lanzov Vladislav A.
Published: March 2005

The
Desulfurococcus amylolyticus
RadA protein (RadA
Da
) promotes recombination at temperatures approaching the DNA melting point. Here, analyzing ATPase of the RadA
Da
presynaptic complex, we described other distinguishing characteristics of RadA
Da
. These include sensitivity to NaCl, preference for lengthy single-stranded DNA as a cofactor, protein activity at temperatures of over 100°C, and bimodal ATPase activity. These characteristics suggest that RadA
Da
is a founding member of a new class of archaeal recombinases.
TOTAL AND NEGATIVE REFRACTION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
Authors: ZHANG YONG , MASCARENHAS A.
Published: March 2005

Recently there has been a great deal of interest in an unusual category of material, that is, a material that exhibits negative refractive index or more generally negative group velocity. Perhaps the most immediate application of this type of material is in an area known as total and negative refraction, which may potentially lead to many novel optical devices. The reason that the phenomenon of total and negative refraction has become so interesting to the physics community is also due largely to the notion that this phenomenon would never occur in conventional materials with positive refractive index. It turns out that total and negative refraction can be realized even in natural crystalline materials or in artificial materials (e.g. photonic crystals) without negative (effective) refractive index. In this brief review, after providing a brief historic account for the research related to finding materials with negative group velocity and achieving negative refraction, we discuss the three primary approaches that have yielded experimental demonstrations of negative refraction, in an effort to clarify the underlying physics involved with each approach. A brief discussion on the subwavelength resolution application of the negative (effective) refractive index material is also given.
A GENERALIZED SYNCHRONIZATION THEOREM FOR AN ARRAY OF DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS WITH APPLICATION TO SECURE COMMUNICATION
Authors: MIN LEQUAN , ZHANG XIAODAN , CHEN GUANRONG
Published: March 2005

This paper first presents a theorem for constructing a unidirectionally coupled array of differential equations (ADE) such that a driving system and a driven system achieve generalized synchronization (GS) via a set of invertible C1-diffeomorphism transformations. Secondly, a new secure communication scheme for digital image transformation is developed based on the theorem. Finally, a Chua's ADE with GS property is introduced, based on a prototype introduced by Chua as a two-dimensional dual-layer two-dimensional reaction–diffusion cellular neural network (CNN), and is applied to construct a secure image communication scheme.
ON THE CONTROL OF PARAMETERS OF DISTRIBUTIONS OF LIMIT CYCLES FOR A Z2-EQUIVARIANT PERTURBED PLANAR HAMILTONIAN POLYNOMIAL VECTOR FIELD
Authors: LI JIBIN , ZHOU HONGXIAN
Published: March 2005

In this paper, a Z2-equivariant perturbed planar Hamiltonian polynomial vector field of degree 5 is used to show how to control parameter conditions such that this system has more limit cycles and various configurations of these limit cycles. By using the method of detection functions, we prove that under different determined parameter conditions, the given system has at least 20–23 limit cycles having different configurations of the compound eyes. We give a corollary to point out that the assertion is incorrect that this system exists as 29 limit cycles in a reference.
INTEGRATION AND FOURIER TRANSFORM OF FRACTAL INTERPOLATION FUNCTIONS
Authors: FENG ZHIGANG , TIAN LIXIN , JIAO JIANLI
Published: March 2005

Fractal interpolation function (FIF) is continuous on its interval of definition. As a special kind of continuous function, FIFs' integrations on various scales and Fourier transform are studied in this paper. All of them can be expressed by the parameters of the corresponding iterative function systems.