bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heat-Shock and Redox-Dependent Functional Switching of an h-Type Arabidopsis Thioredoxin from a Disulfide Reductase to a Molecular Chaperone
Authors: Park Soo Kwon , Jung Young Jun , Lee Jung Ro , Lee Young Mee , Jang Ho Hee , Lee Seung Sik , Park Jin Ho , Kim Sun Young , Moon Jeong Chan , Lee Sun Yong , Chae Ho Byoung , Shin Mi Rim , Jung Ji Hyun , Kim Min Gab , Kim Woe Yeon , Yun Dae-Jin , Lee Kyun Oh , Lee Sang Yeol
Published: April 2009

A large number of thioredoxins (Trxs), small redox proteins, have been identified from all living organisms. However, many of the physiological roles played by these proteins remain to be elucidated. We isolated a high M  r (HMW) form of h-type Trx from the heat-treated cytosolic extracts of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) suspension cells and designated it as AtTrx-h3. Using bacterially expressed recombinant AtTrx-h3, we find that it forms various protein structures ranging from low and oligomeric protein species to HMW complexes. And the AtTrx-h3 performs dual functions, acting as a disulfide reductase and as a molecular chaperone, which are closely associated with its molecular structures. The disulfide reductase function is observed predominantly in the low M  r forms, whereas the chaperone function predominates in the HMW complexes. The multimeric structures of AtTrx-h3 are regulated not only by heat shock but also by redox status. Two active cysteine residues in AtTrx-h3 are required for disulfide reductase activity, but not for chaperone function. AtTrx-h3 confers enhanced heat-shock tolerance in Arabidopsis, primarily through its chaperone function.
The influence of chronic periodontitis on serum TNF‐α, IL‐6 and hs‐CRP concentrations, and function of graft and survival of kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Blach Anna , Franek Edward , Witula Artur , Kolonko Aureliusz , Chudek Jerzy , Drugacz Jan , Wiecek Andrzej
Published: April 2009

Abstract:  Objective:  The aim of the study is to analyze whether chronic periodontitis (CP) influences serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6, and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) concentrations in renal transplant recipients and patients or graft survival.

Background:  CP is associated both with higher serum concentrations of cytokines and CRP and high cardiovascular risk.

Methods:  One hundred and seventeen patients with a transplanted kidney (Tx) were divided according to the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) into two subgroups: TxP+: severe CP (CPITN 3‐4) and TxP−: no or moderate CP (CPITN 0‐2). The control group (C) consisted of 36 subjects with no kidney disease and with no or moderate CP (CPITN 0‐2).

Results:  hs‐CRP concentration was higher in TxP+ than in TxP− patients [2.0 mg/L (0.7–4.4) vs. 0.9 mg/L (0.3–1.9), p = 0.006]. There were no differences in serum TNF‐α and IL‐6 between TxP+ and TxP−. Significant positive correlation between CPITN score and hs‐CRP concentration was found both in Tx and C. The hazard ratio of death was 7.17 (1.4–76.4) for TxP+ patients. CP status did not increase the risk of graft loss or doubling of serum creatinine.

Conclusions:  Severe CP is associated with increased serum hs‐CRP concentration in patients after kidney transplantation. Severe periodontitis seems to increase the risk of patients’ death after kidney transplantation.
Predictors and survival in hepatitis B‐related hepatocellular carcinoma in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Nguyen Van TT , Amin Janaki , Law Matthew G , Dore Gregory J
Published: March 2009

Background and Aim:  Incidence and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has increased markedly over the last three decades in Australia. An increasing proportion of HCC cases is related to chronic viral hepatitis including hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, there is very limited data on HBV‐related HCC survival.

Methods:  Data on HBV‐related HCC cases was obtained from a community‐based linkage study. HCC cases notified to the New South Wales (NSW) Central Cancer Registry (CCR) during the period 1994–2002 were linked to HBV notifications from the NSW Health Department. Age, sex, country of birth, year of diagnosis, tumor stage were extracted from the CCR database. Survival analysis was conducted to determine median survival and identify predictors of survival.

Results:  Over the 9‐year study period, 278 HCC cases were linked to chronic HBV infection. The majority of cases were male (83.5%) and overseas‐born (93.6%); Asian‐born cases accounted for 72.1%. Median survival following HCC diagnosis was 15.0 months. HCC survival was poorer among older age groups (P < 0.0001), and among cases with regional spread (hazard ratio, 3.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.83–5.69; P < 0.0001) and distant metastases (hazard ratio, 3.85; 95% confidence interval, 2.44–6.08; P < 0.0001). Sex, region of birth and study period (1994–1997 vs 1998–2002) were not associated with HCC survival.

Conclusion:  The vast majority of HBV‐related HCC were overseas‐born, however, region of birth was unrelated to HCC survival. The continued extremely poor HCC survival, including lack of improvement in HCC survival in more recent years, suggests low uptake of HCC screening programs. Public health strategies including early diagnosis and appropriate referral for antiviral therapy assessment and increased HCC screening among high‐risk populations are required to reduce HCC incidence and improve HCC survival.
Clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of Epstein–Barr virus‐associated gastric carcinoma: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Lee Ju‐Han , Kim Seo‐Hee , Han Sun‐Hee , An Jung‐Suk , Lee Eung‐Seok , Kim Young‐Sik
Published: March 2009

There is conflicting data regarding the clinicopathological significance of the risk factors associated with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC). To address this controversy, we performed a meta‐analysis for the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of EBVaGC. The relevant published studies were reviewed according to the defined selection criteria. The effect sizes of the outcome parameters were estimated by an odds ratio or a weighted mean difference. This meta‐analysis included 48 studies that encompassed a total of 9738 patients. The frequency of EBVaGC was 8.8%, and EBVaGC was significantly associated with ethnicity. It was more predominant in men and in younger individuals. Interestingly, EBVaGC was more prevalent in Caucasian and Hispanic patients than in Asian ones. EBVaGC developed most often in the cardia and body, and it generally showed the diffuse histological type. EBV was highly prevalent in the patients with lymphoepithelial carcinoma. EBVaGC was closely associated with remnant cancer and a CpG island methylator‐high status, but not with Helicobacter pylori infection, a TP53 expression, and p53 mutation. In addition, EBVaGC was not significantly associated with the depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, or the clinical stage. The clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of EBVaGC are quite different from those of conventional gastric adenocarcinoma. However, further study is needed to determine the effect of EBV on the survival of EBVaGC patients.
Neonatal blood cultures: Effect of delayed entry into the blood culture machine and bacterial concentration on the time to positive growth in a simulated model
Authors: Jardine Luke Anthony , Sturgess Barbara Ruth , Inglis Garry Donald Trevor , Davies Mark William
Published: March 2009

Aims:  To determine if: time from blood culture inoculation to positive growth (total time to positive) and time from blood culture machine entry to positive growth (machine time to positive) is altered by delayed entry into the automated blood culture machine, and if the total time to positive differs by the concentration of organisms inoculated into blood culture bottles.

Methods:  Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli and group B beta‐haemolytic streptococci were chosen as clinically significant representative organisms. Two concentrations (≥10 colony‐forming units per millilitre and <1 colony‐forming units per millilitre) were inoculated into PEDS BacT/Alert blood culture bottles and randomly allocated to one of three delayed automated blood culture machine entry times (30 min/8.5 h/15.5 h).

Results:  For all organisms at all concentrations, except the Staphylococcus epidermidis, the machine time to positive was significantly decreased by delayed entry. For all organisms at all concentrations, the mean total time to positive significantly increased with increasing delayed entry into the blood culture machine. Higher concentrations of group B beta‐haemolytic streptococci and Escherichia coli grew significantly faster than lower concentrations.

Conclusion:  Bacterial growth in inoculated bottles, stored at room temperature, continues although at a slower rate than in those blood culture bottles immediately entered into the machine. If a blood culture specimen has been stored at room temperature for greater than 15.5 h, the currently allowed safety margin of 36 h (before declaring a result negative) may be insufficient.
Risk factors and ultrasonographic profile of posterior fossa haemorrhages in preterm infants
Authors: Sehgal Arvind , El‐Naggar Walid , Glanc Phyllis , Asztalos Elizabeth
Published: March 2009

Aims:  While preterm infants are known to be at risk of intracranial haemorrhages, advances in ultrasound imaging of preterm babies have facilitated recognition of presence of haemorrhages in the posterior fossa, which include cerebellar and Cisterna Magna haemorrhages. There are limited data on the profile and predisposing risk factors. The objective was to identify antenatal, intrapartum and post‐natal risk factors for and to define the clinical spectrum.

The study was designed as a retrospective case‐control study in the setting of a tertiary level neonatal intensive care unit. Preterm babies ≤30 weeks gestation age admitted between January 2005 and December 2006, with an ultrasound diagnosis of posterior fossa haemorrhage and an equal number of controls matched for gestation age, gender and month of birth with normal cranial scans were selected. Systematic chart and radiographic review was done. All cranial ultrasounds in both groups were reviewed.

Results:  Eighteen babies had documented posterior fossa haemorrhage (13 cerebellar, 5 isolated Cisterna Magna, 10 both), the median time of detection being 2.5 days. Eleven babies had either no or grade I/II supratentorial bleeds, while half of all cerebellar bleeds were bilateral. All haemorrhages were visualised from mastoid view and none from anterior fontanel. On univariate analysis, multiple gestations, lack of antenatal steroids, foetal heart rate abnormalities, need for volume expanders and cardiotrophins and sepsis were associated with a higher risk for having posterior fossa bleeds.

Conclusions:  Posterior fossa haemorrhages in preterm babies are being increasingly recognised. Antenatal, intrapartum and post‐natal factors may predispose towards haemorrhages in the cerebellum or Cisterna Magna.
Neurodevelopmental outcomes of premature infants treated with l‐arginine for prevention of necrotising enterocolitis
Authors: Amin Harish J , Soraisham Amuchou S , Sauve Reg S
Published: March 2009

Aim:  This study aimed to compare the long‐term neurodevelopmental outcomes at 36 months adjusted age in preterm infants (birth weight ≤ 1250 gm) who received supplementation with l‐arginine during the first 28 days of life with controls.

Methods:  Surviving infants enrolled in a randomised control study of l‐arginine supplementation were prospectively followed longitudinally to determine their neurodevelopmental outcomes at 36 months of adjusted age. Neurologic examination and neurodevelopmental assessments were performed by examiners who were unaware of the original treatment assignments.

Results:  A total of 132 children (95% of survivors) were evaluated at 36 months adjusted age. In the group given l‐arginine, 5 of 61 (8.1%) had major neurodevelopmental disabilities, defined as the presence of one or more of cerebral palsy, cognitive delay (cognitive index <70), bilateral blindness or bilateral hearing loss requiring hearing aids as compared with 9 of 71 (12.6%) in the placebo group (relative risk, 0.64; 95 % confidence interval, 0.22–1.82; P= 0.40).

Conclusions:  There is no increase in neurodevelopmental disability in preterm infants who received l‐arginine supplementation.
Therapeutic errors among children in the community setting: nature, causes and outcomes
Authors: McD Taylor David , Robinson Jeffrey , MacLeod Dawson , MacBean Catherine E , Braitberg George
Published: March 2009

Aim:  This study aimed to determine the epidemiology of therapeutic errors among children in the community setting.

Methods:  This was a prospective, observational study of 491 consecutive cases reported to the Victorian Poisons Information Centre, between January 2006 and March 2007. A total of 450 (91.7%) parents/carers were followed up by telephone approximately 48 h after the initial call. The main outcome measures were the nature, causes and outcomes of the errors and actions taken or recommendations given to avoid future errors.

Results:  The majority of children (334, 68.0%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 63.7, 72.1) were aged ≤3 years. Incorrect and double dosage accounted for 279 (56.8%, 95% CI 52.3, 61.2) and 128 (26.1%, 95% CI 22.3, 30.2) cases, respectively. Almost all errors occurred in the home (98.2%) and involved a single medication (98.8%) and the oral route (98.4%). Close family members were responsible in 408 (83.1%, 95% CI 79.4, 86.2) cases. Analgesics and cough and cold preparations were taken in error in 259 (52.0%) cases. Human (rushing, distraction, carelessness) and communication factors were reported to be causal factors in 337 (38.4%, 95% CI 35.2, 41.8) and 111 (12.7%, 95% CI 10.6, 15.1) cases, respectively. In almost all cases (474, 96.5%, 95% CI 94.4, 97.9), the caller was advised to observe the child at home, and no child experienced significant morbidity. Preventive strategies included attention to administration care and routine, communication, medication storage, administration devices, packaging and labelling issues.

Conclusion:  Very young children are at particular risk, especially from single, over‐the‐counter medication dosing errors, made at home by family members.
THE IMPACT OF CLEAN FUEL SPECIFICATIONS ON ADELAIDE RETAIL PETROL PRICES*
Authors: DAVEY ALISTAIR
Published: March 2009

In March 2001, the South Australian Government introduced a clean fuel policy which it claimed was designed to protect air quality. This paper quantifies the policy's impact on relative Adelaide retail prices for unleaded petrol through Box‐Jenkins autoregressive integrated moving average methodology coupled with Box and Tiao intervention analysis. The analysis uses weekly price data spanning from January 2000 until the beginning of June 2002. It finds the clean fuel policy had a statistically significant impact on relative retail petrol prices, resulting in an increase of almost 1.9 cents per litre and, therefore, costing Adelaide motorists around an extra $15.8 million per annum. Based on claims that the quality of fuel produced by the local Adelaide refiner did not change in response to the implementation of the clean fuel policy, the paper concludes that the increase in relative retail petrol prices was most likely associated with the exercise of market power rather than an increase in refinery production costs.
PURE INDICATOR OF RISK APPETITE
Authors: DUPUY PHILIPPE
Published: March 2009

We study the concept of risk appetite, that is investors’ willingness to buy risky assets. Market players and researchers have tried to find a proxy for it, notably by means of spreads in high yielding markets like credit or emerging markets. However, these measures might be biased because they hinge on series of prices that include market movements due to the re‐pricing of both systemic and specific risks. Being macro factors that affect all the assets in the universe, risk appetite and risk aversion can only produce systemic risk re‐pricing. We apply a methodology to correct this bias. We analysed emerging market debt capital markets and compute a systemic risk only indicator that enables one to ascertain more precisely periods in which risk appetite might have driven market returns. We find that from the end of 1997 to 2004 only about 30 per cent of the return of the EMBI+ might have been due to changes in risk appetite.
HOW CONSERVATIVE DOES THE CENTRAL BANKER HAVE TO BE? ON THE TREATMENT OF EXPECTATIONS UNDER DISCRETIONARY POLICYMAKING
Authors: GUENDER ALFRED V
Published: March 2009

This paper explores an issue that arises in the delegation process. The paper shows that a myopic central banker, one who treats expectations as constant in setting discretionary policy, can replicate the behaviour of output and inflation under policy from a timeless perspective. For that to happen, society must delegate a price level target or a speed limit policy to a central banker who is more weight‐conservative than society.
THE DETERMINANTS OF THE QUANTITY‐QUALITY BALANCE IN MONOPOLY*
Authors: SIBLY HUGH
Published: March 2009

This paper describes how a monopolist manipulates the balance of quantity and quality in order to increase revenue when its customers treat quantity and quality as substitutes. This ‘skewing’ of quality depends on the characteristics of customer's demand for quality. Customers differ in demand for quality, because they differ in either (i) their preferences and/or (ii) their time cost per unit. The monopolist is constrained to supply the same quality of good to all customers. The price and quality per unit are described under the assumption the monopolist (i) profit maximises; (ii) maximises social welfare subject to a profit constraint. The determinants of the skewing of quantity and quality are found under third‐degree price discrimination and uniform pricing.
COSTLY EVIDENCE AND SYSTEMS OF FACT‐FINDING
Authors: Bull Jesse
Published: April 2009

This paper compares the relative merits of adversarial and inquisitorial systems of civil procedure in the presence of evidence suppression. Each party has the incentive to suppress evidence that may damage her case, and to reveal any evidence that strengthens her case. I model the decision of a litigant to suppress evidence. The court conditions its action (transfers between the parties) upon the evidence which is revealed. Enforcement costs, which are the cost of suppression and the cost of requesting evidence, are a loss to the relationship and form the basis for my evaluation of the relative merits of each system. I find that neither system always outperforms the other. The strength of the inquisitorial system is that it allows for randomization over evidence requests, which leads to lower expected enforcement cost. Litigants cannot commit to randomize as they are motivated by the expected award in litigation. The strength of the adversarial system is that it sometimes allows litigants to utilize their information about the level of suppression.
Long‐acting moxidectin for the control of trichostrongylid infections of sheep in south‐eastern Australia
Authors: Larsen JWA , Anderson N , Preshaw AR
Published: March 2009

Objective  To compare the effectiveness of a single long‐acting injection of moxidectin, given in either summer or winter, with a two‐summer (‘standard’) treatment strategy for controlling gastrointestinal nematodes in spring‐lambing Merino ewes.

Design  A replicated study over 2 years in the high winter rainfall environment of western Victoria.

Methods  Measures of worm infection were worm egg counts of ewes and total worm counts of tracer lambs. Measures of production were body weight, proportion of pregnant ewes and number of weaned lambs.

Results  The egg counts of ewes given the standard strategy followed a characteristic pattern, rising to 300 to 600 eggs per gram before the second summer treatment in February. During this time, ewes given long‐acting moxidectin in December had zero or negligible counts. There were no consistent differences between tracer worm counts or production measures for the two groups treated in summer, but when data from both years were pooled, the total egg output from December to May was significantly lower for ewes treated with long‐acting moxidectin in December. Ewes not treated during summer had lower body weights, and higher worm egg counts and tracer worm counts, showing that this was not a suitable strategy at that time of the year. However, following treatment with long‐acting moxidectin in winter, ewes had rapid compensatory weight gain and lower egg output than ewes treated in summer.

Conclusion  A single injection of long‐acting moxidectin in December is an effective treatment strategy for Merino ewes lambing in spring.
Outcomes of Heimlich valve drainage in dogs
Authors: Salci H , Bayram AS , Gorgul OS
Published: March 2009

Objective and design  Retrospective study of the outcomes of Heimlich valve drainage in dogs.

Procedure  Medical records of the past 3 years were retrospectively reviewed. Heimlich valve drainage was used in 34 dogs (median body weight 30 ± 5 kg): lobectomy (n = 15), pneumonectomy (n = 9), intrathoracic oesophageal surgery (n = 2), diaphragmatic hernia repair (n = 1), traumatic open pneumothorax (n = 2), bilobectomy (n = 2), ligation of the thoracic duct (n = 1), and chylothorax and pneumothorax (n = 1 each). Evacuation of air and/or fluid from the pleural cavity was performed with the Heimlich valve following thoracostomy tube insertion. During drainage, the dogs were closely monitored for possible respiratory failure. Termination of Heimlich valve drainage was controlled with underwater seal drainage and assessed with thoracic radiography.

Results  Negative intrathoracic pressure was provided in 29 dogs without any complications. Post pneumonectomy respiratory syncope and post lobectomy massive hemothorax, which did not originate from the Heimlich valve, were the only postoperative complications. Dysfunction of the valve diaphragm, open pneumothorax and intrathoracic localisation of an acute gastric dilatation–volvulus syndrome caused by a left‐sided diaphragmatic hernia following pneumonectomy were the Heimlich valve drainage complications.

Conclusions  The Heimlich valve can be used as a continuous drainage device in dogs, but the complications reported here should be considered by veterinary practitioners.
Effectiveness of a non‐surgical alternative to the Mules operation in sheep
Authors: Levot GW , Rothwell JT , Sales N , Dawson KL , Lloyd JB
Published: March 2009

Objective   To measure changes to the perineal bare area, local tissue reaction and healing responses of young sheep, following intradermal administration of cetrimide and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), with and without ethanol, to the breech and tail.

Method   A needle‐less injector was used to deposit formulations containing 40 g/L cetrimide and 30 g/L PVP (group 2) or 20 g/L cetrimide, 30 g/L PVP and 15 g/L ethanol (group 3), within the dermis of the tail and the region surrounding the perineal bare breech area of groups (N = 8) of Merino weaner sheep. The dimensions of the perineal bare area (length, width and diagonal distances left and right) and tail width were recorded before and at intervals after treatment for 60 days. Observations of swelling and bruising and scab formation at the treatment sites were recorded for up to 35 days after treatment. Rectal temperatures were monitored for up to 35 days after treatment and bodyweight for up to 60 days after treatment. An untreated control group (group 1) was included.

Results   Comparison of day ‐3 and day 35 measurement data showed that both treated groups had significantly (P < 0.05) wider breech bare areas compared to the untreated controls and that group 2 sheep had significantly (P < 0.05) longer breech bare areas compared to group 3 sheep or to the untreated controls, which were not significantly different. At this time scabs were still firmly in place on many treated sheep. At day 35 there was no increase in tail bare area caused by either treatment. By day 60 there was no significant difference between the treated and control groups in either the breech or tail regions indicating that the changes present at day 35, were not permanent.

Mean weight gain in the groups throughout the 60‐day interval was unaffected by treatment. Intradermal treatment was associated with a significant elevation in body temperature. This effect lasted for 3 days and was associated with signs of discomfort and depressed appearance in at least some of the treated sheep. Bruising was mild to severe in all treated sheep within two days of treatment but was not evident in any sheep by day 21. Mild to moderate swelling was also associated with treatment but was not uniform across sheep in the groups. The tail of one sheep was severely swollen for several days. Swelling remained obvious in most treated sheep until day 14 but was not present at day 21.

Conclusion   Under the conditions of this study intradermal injection of cetrimide had no permanent effect on bare area measurements on the breech or the amount of wool‐bearing skin on the tail. It also caused signs of discomfort and pain that raise welfare concerns.
Extradural haematoma secondary to brown snake (Pseudonaja species) envenomation
Authors: Ong RKC , Lenard ZM , Swindells KL , Raisis AL
Published: March 2009

A 4‐year‐old Siberian Husky dog was treated with brown snake antivenom by his regular veterinarian after a witnessed episode of brown snake envenomation. The dog was discharged 5 hours post presentation despite an ongoing coagulopathy. The dog was presented to the emergency centre 2 hours later because the owner believed the dog to be in pain. Initial examination revealed an ambulatory but neurologically normal patient with thoracolumbar pain and laboratory evidence of a coagulopathy. Despite correction of the coagulopathy, the signs progressed to bilateral hind limb paresis after approximately 3 hours of hospitalisation, and continued to deteriorate over the next 56 hours to loss of deep pain perception in the right hind limb. Computed tomography imaging identified the presence of an extradural haematoma which was subsequently removed via a hemilaminectomy. Surgical decompression was successful in treating the spinal compression and the dog recovered with minimal complications. To our knowledge this is the first report of extradural haematoma secondary to coagulopathy induced by brown snake envenomation.
Ectoparasitic dermatitis in free‐ranging swamp wallabies (Wallabia bicolor) in New South Wales
Authors: Portas TJ , Crowley A , Hufschmid J
Published: March 2009

We report extensive dermatological lesions in three, free‐ranging, adult, male swamp wallabies (Wallabia bicolor), presented to Taronga Western Plains Zoo wildlife hospital. All three animals were moderately infested with the louse species Heterodoxus ualabati, and two were concurrently infested with a previously undescribed sarcoptiform mite of the genus Diabolicoptes. Histological changes included moderate to marked compact hyperkeratosis, focal deep pyoderma and superficial dermatophytosis. Mild to moderate hyperplastic perivascular and periadnexal dermatitis with marked superficial and follicular hyperkeratosis was evident in the skin of the inguinal region and lateral thigh of the two wallabies infested with the Diabolicoptes species. This is the first report of ectoparasitic dermatitis in free‐ranging swamp wallabies and the first report of mites of the genus Diabolicoptes from a macropodid.
The laboratory network in Australia and New Zealand – an evolving system
Authors: Richards RB
Published: March 2009

This paper discusses the network of government, private and university veterinary laboratories in Australia and New Zealand and how it is adapting and evolving to meet the challenges it faces. It includes the mechanisms for standardisation of procedures, quality assurance, and the role of national reference laboratories hosted by state government laboratories. It also highlights the crisis in supply of veterinary diagnosticians, especially the declining numbers of veterinary pathologists. Recent positive changes include the setting up of the National Animal Health Laboratory Strategy and an initiative to empower State and Territory government laboratories to test for exotic diseases. The ideal outcome for Australia and New Zealand is a laboratory service that remains the gold standard around the world.
Comparative Thinking Styles in Group and Person Perception: One Mechanism – Many Effects
Authors: Corcoran Katja , Mussweiler Thomas
Published: April 2009

Perceptions of individuals and groups are inextricably intertwined. An individual is perceived differently depending on the group he or she belongs to, and the perception of the group depends on the characteristics of single group members that are encountered or come to mind. However, this mutual influence is far from uniform. A review of the literature indicates that sometimes the individual is perceived as similar to a group, and sometimes as dissimilar. Likewise, the group can be either assimilated toward or contrasted away from the individual. In the present article, we propose that these diverse effects may be explained by a comparison process between the individual and the group. More specifically, we argue that the comparative thinking style during this comparison (i.e. whether one focuses on similarities or dissimilarities) shapes the direction of the influence.
Application of ion-induced carbon nanocomposite fibers to magnetic force microscope probes
Authors: Sugita Yoshitaka , Kitazawa Masashi , Zamri M. Yusop M. , Tanemura Masaki , Hayashi Yasuhiko , Ohta Ryo
Published: April 2009

Small-scale batch fabrication of Co-included carbon nanofibers (Co-CNFs) onto commercially available Si cantilevers for scanning probe microscope by an Ar+-ion-irradiation method with a simultaneous Co supply was demonstrated (eight chips/batch). As confirmed by scanning and transmission electron microscopes equipped with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, Co-CNFs were fibrous and contained Co and C. With increasing the Co supply rate, Co-CNFs decreased in length from ∼600to∼400nm, whereas their diameter was almost independent of the Co supply rate, 20–30nm. As proven by magnetic force microscope (MFM) measurements using the Co-CNF probes, they were applicable as MFM probes. Since various metals including alloys can be incorporated into CNFs, this ion-irradiation method with a simultaneous metal supply was believed to be quite promising for the functionalization of CNF probes for a variety of applications.
Toward surround gates on vertical single-walled carbon nanotube devices
Authors: Franklin Aaron D. , Sayer Robert A. , Sands Timothy D. , Fisher Timothy S. , Janes David B.
Published: April 2009

The one-dimensional, cylindrical nature of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) suggests that the ideal gating geometry for nanotube field-effect transistors (FETs) is a surround gate (SG). Using vertical SWCNTs templated in porous anodic alumina, SGs are formed using top-down processes for the dielectric/metal depositions and definition of the channel length. Surround gates allow aggressive scaling of the channel to 25% of the length attainable with a bottom-gate geometry without incurring short-channel effects. The process demonstrated here for forming SGs on vertical SWCNTs is amenable for large-scale fabrication of multinanotube FETs.
Control of channel resistance on metal nanowires by electromigration patterning method
Authors: Takahashi Keisuke , Tomoda Yusuke , Itami Soichiro , Shirakashi Jun-ichi
Published: April 2009

A simple method for fabricating nanoscale gaps between metal electrodes, based on the break of metal nanowires induced by electromigration of metal atoms, was investigated to control the channel resistance of the nanowires. In this article, the authors studied the control of the resistance of metal nanowires by introducing a constant-voltage (CV) mode and feedback-controlled electromigration (FCE) scheme. Ni nanowires were fabricated by electron-beam lithography on Si wafers coated with SiO2. The initial resistance of the nanowires was 0.8–1.2 kΩ. In CV mode, the channel resistance of 200-nm-wide nanowires was adjusted to be 10 kΩ, but nanowires with a width greater than 300 nm were not well controlled due to Joule heating. To improve the controllability of the channel resistance, they added the CV mode to the FCE scheme, based on resistance monitoring, to control the electromigration. This procedure created a nanogap with resistance ranging from a few-atom regime to a tunneling regime. These results imply that this technique can easily control the channel resistance of metal nanowires.
Consecutive Thermal H
2
and Light-Induced O
2
Evolution from Water Promoted by a Metal Complex
Authors: Kohl Stephan W. , Weiner Lev , Schwartsburd Leonid , Konstantinovski Leonid , Shimon Linda J. W. , Ben-David Yehoshoa , Iron Mark A. , Milstein David
Published: April 2009

Discovery of an efficient artificial catalyst for the sunlight-driven splitting of water into dioxygen and dihydrogen is a major goal of renewable energy research. We describe a solution-phase reaction scheme that leads to the stoichiometric liberation of dihydrogen and dioxygen in consecutive thermal- and light-driven steps mediated by mononuclear, well-defined ruthenium complexes. The initial reaction of water at 25°C with a dearomatized ruthenium (II) [Ru(II)] pincer complex yields a monomeric aromatic Ru(II) hydrido-hydroxo complex that, on further reaction with water at 100°C, releases H
2
and forms a cis dihydroxo complex. Irradiation of this complex in the 320-to-420–nanometer range liberates oxygen and regenerates the starting hydrido-hydroxo Ru(II) complex, probably by elimination of hydrogen peroxide, which rapidly disproportionates. Isotopic labeling experiments with H
2
17
O and H
2
18
O show unequivocally that the process of oxygen–oxygen bond formation is intramolecular, establishing a previously elusive fundamental step toward dioxygen-generating homogeneous catalysis.
Experimental evolution withDrosophila
Authors: Burke Molly K. , Rose Michael R.
Published: April 2009

Experimental evolution is a powerful approach that can be used for the study of adaptation. Evolutionary biologists often use Drosophila as a model organism in experiments that test theories about the evolution of traits related to fitness. Such evolution experiments can take three forms: direct selection for a trait of interest; surveys of traits of interest in populations selected for other traits; and reverse selection. We review some of the Drosophila experiments that have provided insight into both the evolution of particular physiological traits and the correlations between physiological and life history traits, focusing on stress resistance. The most common artifacts that can obscure the results from evolution experiments are discussed. We also include a treatment of genomic technologies that are now available for the Drosophila model. The primary goal of this review is to introduce the kind of experimental evolution strategies and technologies that evolutionary physiologists might use in the future.
Combining a Genetic Algorithm and Simulated Annealing to Design a Fixed‐Order Mixed H2/H∞ Deconvolution Filter with Missing Observations
Authors: Hung Jui-Chung
Published: March 2009

We introduce a new combination approach to a fixed‐order mixed H2/H∞ deconvolution filter with missing observations. The missing observations model is based on a probabilistic structure with the probability of the occurrence of missing data modeled as the unknown prior. The aim of the mixed H2/H∞ criterion is to achieve H2 optimal reconstruction and subject the H∞ norm constraint to the transfer function from the channel input to the filter error. For simplicity of implementation, the fixed‐order model is interesting for engineers in signal processing and in practical applications. In this situation, the deconvolution filter design becomes a complicated nonlinear estimation problem. In this paper, we combine a genetic algorithm (GA) and simulated annealing (SA) to treat the signal reconstruction problem with missing observations. Finally, a numerical example is presented to illustrate the design procedure and confirm the robustness performance of the proposed method.
Virus‐Specific Read‐Through Codon Preference Affects Infectivity of Chimeric Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Viruses Displaying a Dengue Virus Epitope
Authors: Teoh Pak-Guan , Ooi Aik-Seng , AbuBakar Sazaly , Othman Rofina Yasmin
Published: March 2009

A Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) was used to present a truncated dengue virus type 2 envelope (E) protein binding region from amino acids 379 to 423 (EB4). The EB4 gene was inserted at the terminal end of the CGMMV coat protein (CP) open reading frame (ORF). Read‐through sequences of TMV or CGMMV, CAA‐UAG‐CAA‐UUA, or AAA‐UAG‐CAA‐UUA were, respectively, inserted in between the CP and the EB4 genes. The chimeric clones, pRT, pRG, and pCG+FSRTRE, were transcribed into full‐length capped recombinant CGMMV transcripts. Only constructs with the wild‐type CGMMV read‐through sequence yielded infectious viruses following infection of host plant, muskmelon (Cucumis melo) leaves. The ratio of modified to unmodified CP for the read‐through expression clone developed was also found to be approximately 1:1, higher than what has been previously reported. It was also observed that infectivity was not affected by differences in pI between the chimera and its wild counterpart. Analysis of recombinant viruses after 21‐days‐postinculation (dpi) revealed that deletions occurred resulting in partial reversions of the viral population to near wild type and suggesting that this would be the limiting harvest period for obtaining true to type recombinants with this construct.
High Blood Pressure in Acute Ischaemic Stroke – Broadening Therapeutic Horizons
Authors: Sare Gillian M. , Geeganage Chamila , Bath Philip M.W.
Published: April 2009

High blood pressure (BP) is present in 80% of patients with acute ischaemic stroke and is independently associated with poor outcome. Although this epidemiology suggests that BP should be lowered acutely, concerns about dysfunctional cerebral autoregulation suggest otherwise. Several small randomised trials have assessed cerebral blood flow with various antihypertensive classes and agents in acute ischaemic stroke. Overall, these studies showed no change in cerebral perfusion, although the numbers of studies and patients are limited and there are methodological problems with some trials. There are no large published randomised trials assessing outcome with BP lowering in acute stroke. Calcium channel blockers did not alter outcome after ischaemic stroke (29 trials, 7,665 patients). However, some trials, especially those testing intravenous calcium channel blockers (INWEST) or oral β-receptor antagonists (BEST) reported real or potential hazard. In contrast, oral candesartan reduced combined vascular events in 339 patients with ischaemic stroke (ACCESS) although it had no effect on disability. The CHHIPS trial found that death was reduced in patients randomised to active treatment (labetalol, lisinopril) as compared with placebo. Two larger trials reported that glucose-potassium-insulin therapy (GIST) or magnesium (IMAGES) lowered BP but had no effect on functional outcome. The INTERACT pilot trial studied patients with intracerebral haemorrhage and found that an intensive BP-lowering regime non-significantly reduced haematoma expansion. There are four large ongoing trials examining whether to continue or stop pre-stroke antihypertensive therapy (COSSACS, ENOS) or lower BP in acute stroke (ENOS, SCAST) or haemorrhage (INTERACT 2).
Poststroke Emotional and Behavior Impairment: A Narrative Review
Authors: Ferro José M. , Caeiro Lara , Santos Catarina
Published: April 2009

Emotional and behavioral disturbances are a frequent complication in stroke survivors. They are underdiagnosed, have a high impact on quality of life and are often a precipitant of institutionalization. For the caregivers of stroke survivors, these disturbances are a main cause of exhaustion. Health professionals have an insufficient training in their diagnosis and management which demands qualified skills and dedication of a multiprofessional team. In this article, we update some of the most common or relevant poststroke emotional and behavioral disturbances, including poststroke mania and poststroke depression, poststroke anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, personality changes with focus on apathy and disturbances of emotional expression control. Significant advances in the management of poststroke emotional and behavioral disturbances will need the use of comparable instruments and methods and multicenter collaboration.
Alcohol Craving Scale Based on Three Factors
Authors: Jimenez Monica , Graña José Luis , Montes Victoria , Rubio Gabriel
Published: April 2009

Background: Alcohol craving is a central aspect of alcoholism about which various explanatory theories and assessment questionnaires, based on such craving, have been developed. However, there are no instruments for the assessment of craving in line with the integrative hypotheses recently formulated that propose three types of craving: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and loss of control. Objectives: The construction and validation of a craving scale based on three factors. We expect to obtain a correlation between each factor and associated variables from prior studies. We also expect significant differences in craving between alcoholic individuals and controls. Sample: The scale was administered to 209 alcohol-dependent subjects and 137 controls. Instruments: Alcohol Craving Scale Based on Three Factors (ACS-3F); Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Severity of Alcohol Dependence Scale. Results: We confirmed the existence of the three factors initially proposed in the structure of the instrument, with high reliability. The relationship between the scale and the measures employed for its validation was confirmed. Adequate capacity of the scale to discriminate between the sample of alcoholics and the controls was observed. Conclusions: The ACS-3F has adequate psychometric properties and may be useful in future research and in clinical practice.
Burden of Caregivers of People with Stroke: Evolution and Predictors
Authors: Vincent Claude , Desrosiers Johanne , Landreville Philippe , Demers Louise
Published: April 2009

Background: Caregiver burden differs according to the amount of care, but no study has really focused on that point. This study compares the evolution of burden of two groups of caregivers of people with a recent stroke who returned home after discharge from two different types of health care facilities. Methods: Burden was assessed at 3 weeks and 3 and 6 months after discharge. The two groups of people with stroke and their caregivers were recruited from acute care (n = 69) and rehabilitation facilities (n = 89). Caregivers completed a questionnaire with three dimensions. In addition to sociodemographic characteristics, we assessed variables pertaining to the clinical, physical and cognitive functioning of the people with stroke. Results: Differences in burden were noted. The best predictors of burden were the caregivers’ characteristics, i.e. gender (female), occupation (retired), schooling (low), age (older) and hours of care given, and the stroke survivors’ characteristics, i.e. depressive symptoms, poor motor function (leg), verbal comprehension deficits, difficulty walking and neurological deficits. Conclusion: These results reinforce the view that services (information, training and support) should be tailored to the needs of caregivers, depending on whether or not the recipient of care has received rehabilitation services.
New Approach to Stroke Subtyping: The A-S-C-O (Phenotypic) Classification of Stroke
Authors: Amarenco P. , Bogousslavsky J. , Caplan L.R. , Donnan G.A. , Hennerici M.G.
Published: April 2009

We now propose a new approach to stroke subtyping. The concept is to introduce a complete ‘stroke phenotyping’ classification (i.e. stroke etiology and the presence of all underlying diseases, divided by grade of severity) as distinguished from past classifications that subtype strokes by characterizing only the most likely cause(s) of stroke. In this phenotype-based classification, every patient is characterized by A-S-C-O: A for atherosclerosis, S for small vessel disease, C for cardiac source, O for other cause. Each of the 4 phenotypes is graded 1, 2, or 3. One for ‘definitely a potential cause of the index stroke’, 2 for ‘causality uncertain’, 3 for ‘unlikely a direct cause of the index stroke (but disease is present)’. When the disease is completely absent, the grade is 0; when grading is not possible due to insufficient work-up, the grade is 9. For example, a patient with a 70% ipsilateral symptomatic stenosis, leukoaraiosis, atrial fibrillation, and platelet count of 700,000/mm3 would be classified as A1-S3-C1-O3. The same patient with a 70% ipsilateral stenosis, no brain imaging, normal ECG, and normal cardiac imaging would be identified as A1-S9-C0-O3. By introducing the ‘level of diagnostic evidence’, this classification recognizes the completeness, the quality, and the timing of the evaluation to grade the underlying diseases. Diagnostic evidence is graded in levels A, B, or C: A for direct demonstration by gold-standard diagnostic tests or criteria, B for indirect evidence or less sensitive or specific tests or criteria, and C for weak evidence in the absence of specific tests or criteria. With this new way of classifying patients, no information is neglected when the diagnosis is made, treatment can be adapted to the observed phenotypes and the most likely etiology (e.g. grade 1 in 1 of the 4 A-S-C-O phenotypes), and analyses in clinical research can be based on 1 of the 4 phenotypes (e.g. for genetic analysis purpose), while clinical trials can focus on 1 or several of these 4 phenotypes (e.g. focus on patients A1-A2-A3).
Vasculitic IgA Nephropathy: Prognosis and Outcome
Authors: Pankhurst Tanya , Lepenies Julia , Nightingale Peter , Howie Alexander J. , Adu Dwomoa , Harper Lorraine
Published: April 2009

Background: A vasculitic glomerulonephritis is seen in both IgA nephropathy and Henoch-Schönlein purpura. No study has examined prognostic factors in vasculitic IgA nephropathy. Methods: All patients with vasculitic IgA presenting to our centre between January 1996 and May 2003 were retrospectively reviewed by analysis of clinical and pathological features at presentation and during follow-up. Results: Of 363 patients with IgA nephropathy, 67 patients had vasculitic IgA nephropathy (33 Henoch-Schönlein purpura; 34 IgA). Median length of follow-up was 32.38 months (range 0–90). Median glomerular filtration rate at presentation was 45.56 ml/min (range 4–110), arterial blood pressure 104.67 mm Hg and proteinuria 1.19 g/24 h (range 0–14.8) falling during follow-up to 0.11 g (range 0–3.1). Median chronic damage at presentation in the biopsy was 10% (range 0–91). The majority (79%) were immunosuppressed with 84% patient survival and 85% renal survival at 60 months. Three factors significantly affected renal outcome: renal function; blood pressure at presentation and the amount of chronic damage in the biopsy. The effect of immunosuppression on outcome was difficult to comment on as treated and untreated groups were not comparable. Conclusions: Presenting renal function, blood pressure and chronic damage in the biopsy are important prognostic factors in vasculitic IgA nephropathy. Immunosuppression is advocated in some patients.