bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The use of low [CO2] to estimate diffusional and non‐diffusional limitations of photosynthetic capacity of salt‐stressed olive saplings
Authors: CENTRITTO M. , LORETO F. , CHARTZOULAKIS K.
Published: December 2004

In this study it has been shown that increased diffusional resistances caused by salt stress may be fully overcome by exposing attached leaves to very low [CO2] (∼ 50 µmol  mol−1), and, thus a non‐destructive‐in vivo method to correctly estimate photosynthetic capacity in stressed plants is reported. Diffusional (i.e. stomatal conductance, gs, and mesophyll conductance to CO2, gm) and biochemical limitations to photosynthesis (A) were measured in two 1‐year‐old Greek olive cultivars (Chalkidikis and Kerkiras) subjected to salt stress by adding 200 mm NaCl to the irrigation water. Two sets of A–Ci curves were measured. A first set of standard A–Ci curves (i.e. without pre‐conditioning plants at low [CO2]), were generated for salt‐stressed plants. A second set of A–Ci curves were measured, on both control and salt‐stressed plants, after pre‐conditioning leaves at [CO2] of ∼ 50 µmol mol−1 for about 1.5 h to force stomatal opening. This forced stomata to be wide open, and gs increased to similar values in control and salt‐stressed plants of both cultivars. After gs had approached the maximum value, the A–Ci response was again measured. The analysis of the photosynthetic capacity of the salt‐stressed plants based on the standard A–Ci curves, showed low values of the Jmax (maximum rate of electron transport) to Vcmax (RuBP‐saturated rate of Rubisco) ratio (1.06), that would implicate a reduced rate of RuBP regeneration, and, thus, a metabolic impairment. However, the analysis of the A–Ci curves made on pre‐conditioned leaves, showed that the estimates of the photosynthetic capacity parameters were much higher than in the standard A–Ci responses. Moreover, these values were similar in magnitude to the average values reported by Wullschleger (Journal of Experimental Botany 44, 907–920, 1993) in a survey of 109 C3 species. These findings clearly indicates that: (1) salt stress did affect gs and gm but not the biochemical capacity to assimilate CO2 and therefore, in these conditions, the sum of the diffusional resistances set the limit to photosynthesis rates; (2) there was a linear relationship (r2 = 0.68) between gm and gs, and, thus, changes of gm can be as fast as those of gs; (3) the estimates of photosynthetic capacity based on A–Ci curves made without removing diffusional limitations are artificially low and lead to incorrect interpretations of the actual limitations of photosynthesis; and (4) the analysis of the photosynthetic properties in terms of stomatal and non‐stomatal limitations should be replaced by the analysis of diffusional and non‐diffusional limitations of photosynthesis. Finally, the C3 photosynthesis model parameterization using in vitro‐measured and in vivo‐measured kinetics parameters was compared. Applying the in vivo‐measured Rubisco kinetics parameters resulted in a better parameterization of the photosynthesis model.
Water relations of tropical dry forest flowers: pathways for water entry and the role of extracellular polysaccharides
Authors: CHAPOTIN S. M. , HOLBROOK N. M. , MORSE S. R. , GUTIÉRREZ M. V.
Published: December 2004

Many trees in tropical dry forests flower during the dry season when evaporative demand is high and soil water levels are low. In this study the factors influencing the water balance of flowers from three species of dry forest trees were examined. Flowers had greater mucilage contents than leaves, high intrinsic and absolute capacitances, long time constants for water exchange and high transfer resistances. Flower water potentials were higher than in leaves and did not fluctuate over the lifespan of the flower. Flower water content also remained constant even though evaporation rates were high, suggesting that water was being supplied from the stem. In two of the species, the water potential gradient between flowers and leaves was opposite to that necessary for water transport from stem to flowers through the xylem, and it was therefore hypothesized that water may enter the flower through the phloem. Calculations showed that nectar production in these flowers could drive a sink of sufficient magnitude to allow water input via the phloem equal to water lost from the flower to the atmosphere.
Photosynthetic oxygen exchange in C4 grasses: the role of oxygen as electron acceptor
Authors: SIEBKE K. , GHANNOUM O. , CONROY J. P. , BADGER M. R. , VON CAEMMERER S.
Published: December 2004

C4 grasses of the NAD‐ME type (Astrebla lappacea, Eleusine coracana, Eragrostis superba, Leptochloa dubia, Panicum coloratum, Panicum decompositum) and the NADP‐ME type (Bothriochloa bladhii, Cenchrus ciliaris, Dichanthium sericeum, Panicum antidotale, Paspalum notatum, Pennisetum alopecuroides, Sorghum bicolor) were used to investigate the role of O2 as an electron acceptor during C4 photosynthesis. Mass spectrometric measurements of gross O2 evolution and uptake were made concurrently with measurements of net CO2 uptake and chlorophyll fluorescence at different irradiances and leaf temperatures of 30 and 40 °C. In all C4 grasses gross O2 uptake increased with increasing irradiance at very high CO2 partial pressures (pCO2) and was on average 18% of gross O2 evolution. Gross O2 uptake at high irradiance and high pCO2 was on average 3.8 times greater than gross O2 uptake in the dark. Furthermore, gross O2 uptake in the light increased with O2 concentration at both high CO2 and the compensation point, whereas gross O2 uptake in the dark was insensitive to O2 concentration. This suggests that a significant amount of O2 uptake may be associated with the Mehler reaction, and that the Mehler reaction varies with irradiance and O2 concentration. O2 exchange characteristics at high pCO2 were similar for NAD‐ME and NADP‐ME species. NAD‐ME species had significantly greater O2 uptake and evolution at the compensation point particularly at low irradiance compared to NADP‐ME species, which could be related to different rates of photorespiratory O2 uptake. There was a good correlation between electron transport rates estimated from chlorophyll fluorescence and gross O2 evolution at high light and high pCO2.
The effect of the presence of R‐genes for resistance to late blight (Phytophthora infestans) of potato (Solanum tuberosum) on the underlying level of field resistance
Authors: Stewart H. E. , Bradshaw J. E. , Pande B.
Published: December 2004

The differential genotypes R1, R10 and R11, as originally defined by Black, were crossed with R‐gene‐free cultivars and the progenies divided into two subpopulations comprising those which had inherited the R‐gene and those which had not. The underlying level of field resistance of the two groups was compared in a field trial in which they were inoculated with an isolate that could overcome the relevant R‐genes. The R‐gene‐bearing group was significantly (P < 0·001) more resistant than the R‐gene‐free group, with mean scores over four dates in 2000 of 4·86 and 4·09, respectively, on a 1–9 scale of increasing resistance, and of 4·10 and 2·35 on one date in 2001. However, the magnitude of the effect depended on the R‐gene and the year of the trial. Data from a progeny of cv. Stirling (with an R‐gene and a high level of field resistance) were examined and the same effect of an R‐gene found. Fewer of the R‐gene‐bearing group of clones were highly susceptible, and more were resistant. The most resistant clones always bore the R‐gene. It is concluded that increased resistance is conferred by the defeated R‐gene or linked genes for field resistance.
Phenotypic and genetic characterization of Erwinia carotovora from mulberry (Morus spp.)
Authors: Seo S. T. , Furuya N. , Lim C. K. , Takanami Y. , Tsuchiya K.
Published: December 2004

Phenotypic and genetic characteristics of nine bacterial strains isolated from mulberry (Morus spp.), which were originally described as Erwinia carotovora ssp. carotovora (Ecc), were investigated. Based on the results of biochemical tests, these bacterial strains were divided into two different types, type 1 and type 2. Two strains of type 1 were similar to Ecc, whereas seven strains of type 2 were distinct from Ecc. A polyphasic study that included serological assay, specific PCR assay for E. carotovora ssp. atroseptica (Eca), PCR‐RFLP of a pectate lyase (pel) gene and RAPD‐PCR was performed on the type 2 strains, and the data were compared with those of related E. carotovora subspecies. The results of serological and specific PCR assays for Eca showed that the type 2 strains were distinct from Eca. In RFLP analysis of the pel gene using Sau3AI, the type 2 strains showed a unique RFLP pattern. On the basis of RAPD analysis, similarity of RAPD patterns within the type 2 strains was very high. A unique RAPD fragment was isolated from the type 2 strains and used as a probe for Southern hybridization. This probe hybridized only with PCR products from the type 2 strains. Based on phenotypic, serological and genetic characteristics, the type 2 strains isolated from mulberry may belong to a distinct E. carotovora subspecies other than Eca or Ecc.
Molecular diagnostics of some trichodorid nematodes and associated Tobacco rattle virus
Authors: Boutsika K. , Phillips M. S. , MacFarlane S. A. , Brown D. J. F. , Holeva R. C. , Blok V. C.
Published: December 2004

Several Paratrichodorus and Trichodorus (trichodorid) nematode species are natural vectors of Tobacco rattle virus (TRV) and cause economically important diseases, especially in potato and ornamental bulbous crops. Identification of trichodorid species based on morphological characters is laborious, time‐consuming, and requires the services of highly trained personnel. Molecular diagnostics for trichodorid nematodes, using the ribosomal DNA repeat unit, were successfully developed to distinguish two Paratrichodorus and two Trichodorus species. The complete sequences of the 18S genes and the ITS‐1 regions for these species were obtained and species‐specific primers successfully designed for them. An RT‐PCR assay was developed utilizing isolate‐specific primers that amplify serologically distinguishable strains of TRV in individual trichodorid nematodes. The primers were based on the highly conserved RNA‐1 segment of the bipartite genome and also on different parts of the RNA‐2 segment of the virus genome.
Modelling Spatial Intensity for Replicated Inhomogeneous Point Patterns in Brain Imaging
Authors: Wager C. G. , Coull B. A. , Lange N.
Published: December 2004

Pharmacological experiments in brain microscopy study patterns of cellular activ- ation in response to psychotropic drugs for connected neuroanatomic regions. A typical ex- perimental design produces replicated point patterns having highly complex spatial variability. Modelling this variability hierarchically can enhance the inference for comparing treatments. We propose a semiparametric formulation that combines the robustness of a nonparametric kernel method with the efficiency of likelihood-based parameter estimation. In the convenient framework of a generalized linear mixed model, we decompose pattern variation by kriging the intensities of a hierarchically heterogeneous spatial point process. This approximation entails discretizing the inhomogeneous Poisson likelihood by Voronoi tiling of augmented point patterns. The resulting intensity-weighted log-linear model accommodates spatial smoothing through a reduced rank penalized linear spline. To correct for anatomic distortion between subjects, we interpolate point locations via an isomorphic mapping so that smoothing occurs relative to common neuroanatomical atlas co-ordinates. We propose a criterion for choosing the degree and spatial locale of smoothing based on truncating the ordered set of smoothing covariates to minimize residual extra-dispersion. Additional spatial covariates, experimental design factors, hierarchical random effects and intensity functions are readily accommodated in the linear predictor, enabling comprehensive analyses of the salient properties underlying replicated point patterns. We illustrate our method through application to data from a novel study of drug effects on neuronal activation patterns in the brain of rats.
Composite Conditional Likelihood for Sparse Clustered Data
Authors: Hanfelt John J.
Published: December 2004

Sparse clustered data arise in finely stratified genetic and epidemiologic studies and pose at least two challenges to inference. First, it is difficult to model and interpret the full joint probability of dependent discrete data, which limits the utility of full likelihood methods. Second, standard methods for clustered data, such as pairwise likelihood and the generalized estimating function approach, are unsuitable when the data are sparse owing to the presence of many nuisance parameters. We present a composite conditional likelihood for use with sparse clustered data that provides valid inferences about covariate effects on both the marginal response probabilities and the intracluster pairwise association. Our primary focus is on sparse clustered binary data, in which case the method proposed utilizes doubly discordant quadruplets drawn from each stratum to conduct inference about the intracluster pairwise odds ratios.
Smoothing Spline Gaussian Regression: More Scalable Computation via Efficient Approximation
Authors: Kim Young-Ju , Gu Chong
Published: December 2004

Smoothing splines via the penalized least squares method provide versatile and effective nonparametric models for regression with Gaussian responses. The computation of smoothing splines is generally of the order O(n3), n being the sample size, which severely limits its practical applicability. We study more scalable computation of smoothing spline regression via certain low dimensional approximations that are asymptotically as efficient. A simple algorithm is presented and the Bayes model that is associated with the approximations is derived, with the latter guiding the porting of Bayesian confidence intervals. The practical choice of the dimension of the approximating space is determined through simulation studies, and empirical comparisons of the approximations with the exact solution are presented. Also evaluated is a simple modification of the generalized cross-validation method for smoothing parameter selection, which to a large extent fixes the occasional undersmoothing problem that is suffered by generalized cross-validation.
On the Use of Local Optimizations within Metropolis–Hastings Updates
Authors: Tjelmeland Håkon , Eidsvik Jo
Published: December 2004

We propose new Metropolis–Hastings algorithms for sampling from multimodal dis- tributions on ℜn. Tjelmeland and Hegstad have obtained direct mode jumping proposals by optimization within Metropolis–Hastings updates and different proposals for ‘forward’ and ‘backward’ steps. We generalize their scheme by allowing the probability distribution for forward and backward kernels to depend on the current state. We use the new setting to combine mode jumping proposals and proposals from a prior approximation. We obtain that the frequency of proposals from the different proposal kernels is automatically adjusted to their quality. Mode jumping proposals include local optimizations. When combining this with a prior approximation it is tempting to use local optimization results not only for mode jumping proposals but also to improve the prior approximation. We show how this idea can be implemented. The resulting algorithm is adaptive but has a Markov structure. We evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms in two simulation examples.
Approximating Likelihoods for Large Spatial Data Sets
Authors: Stein Michael L. , Chi Zhiyi , Welty Leah J.
Published: December 2004

Likelihood methods are often difficult to use with large, irregularly sited spatial data sets, owing to the computational burden. Even for Gaussian models, exact calculations of the likelihood for n observations require O(n3) operations. Since any joint density can be written as a product of conditional densities based on some ordering of the observations, one way to lessen the computations is to condition on only some of the ‘past’ observations when computing the conditional densities. We show how this approach can be adapted to approximate the restricted likelihood and we demonstrate how an estimating equations approach allows us to judge the efficacy of the resulting approximation. Previous work has suggested conditioning on those past observations that are closest to the observation whose conditional density we are approximating. Through theoretical, numerical and practical examples, we show that there can often be considerable benefit in conditioning on some distant observations as well.
Predictors of health care utilization of children with asthma in the community
Authors: Maziak Wasim , Mutius Erika von , Keil Ulrich , Hirsch Thomas , Leupold Wolfgang , Rzehak Peter , Behrens Thomas , Weiland Stephan K
Published: December 2004

The aim of this study was to assess the pattern of use of health care services among children with asthma symptoms within the community, and assess groups at increased risk of emergency department (ED) visits or hospital admissions (HA). Using International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood phase II protocol, information about asthma management and utilization of health care services was collected by parental questionnaire in a community‐based random sample of 5–7‐ and 9–11‐year‐old children (n = 11,094) in Dresden and Munich. Only 11.2% of children with current wheeze did not utilize any health care facility or consultation for their asthma symptoms in the 12 months prior to survey, while 86.2%, 12.3%, and 3.6% had at least one asthma related physician's consultation, ED visits, or HA, respectively. Predictors of ED visits and HA among current wheezers were: younger age, male gender, speech‐limiting wheeze, level of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. In addition, children of low socioeconomic status were more likely to have ED visits because of their asthma. Childhood asthma is a major public health problem in Germany leading to substantial morbidity and utilization of health care services. Exposure to tobacco smoke comes out as the major modifiable risk factor related to asthma morbidity in children.
Crohn's disease post‐cardiac transplantation presenting with severe growth failure and delayed onset of puberty
Authors: Harms Bettina , Bremner A. Ronald , Mulligan Jean , Fairhurst Joanna , Griffiths D. Mervyn , Salmon Tony , Beattie R. Mark
Published: December 2004

We report a 15 yr‐old girl who 10 yr post‐cardiac transplantation presented with severe growth failure and delayed onset of puberty. She was found to have pan‐enteric Crohn's disease and has done remarkably well on principally nutritional therapy with a significant growth spurt and the onset of menarche. The development of bowel disease whilst on immunosuppression is rare and the literature is reviewed.
Five cycles of recurrent selection for increased essential oil content in East Indian lemongrass: response to selection, and effects on heritabilities of traits and intertrait correlations
Authors: Kulkarni R. N. , Baskaran K. , Ramesh S.
Published: December 2004

Five cycles of phenotypic recurrent selection for increased essential oil content were carried out in East Indian lemongrass, Cymbopogon flexuosus. In each cycle, the top 5% of plants for essential oil content were selected and their ramets were planted in isolated polycross blocks to produce the seed of the next cycle. Response to selection for essential oil content and its effect on three unselected traits, leaf yield, dry matter content in leaves and citral content in the essential oil, were determined by evaluating C0‐C5 populations in a replicated trial. Genetic variation, heritability estimates and intertrait correlations for essential oil content, leaf yield, leaf width, tiller number and citral content in the essential oil in C4 were determined, by evaluating 40 clones and their half‐sib progenies produced from 40 randomly selected C4 plants, in a replicated experiment. These were compared with those determined in C0 earlier. The mean essential oil content increased from 0.66% in C0 to 1.67% in C5 (i.e. by about 31% per cycle over C0). Selection for essential oil content did not affect leaf yield and its effect on dry matter content in leaves was marginal. The first three cycles of selection for essential oil content did not affect citral content in the oil but two further cycles significantly decreased citral content. Heritabilities and intertrait correlations between all traits studied, except citral content and essential oil content, were similar to those found in C0.
Microsatellite monitoring of recombination around the Vrn‐B1 locus of wheat during early backcross breeding
Authors: Salina E. , Dobrovolskaya O. , Efremova T. , Leonova I. , Röuder M. S.
Published: December 2004

The length of chromosomal segments retained around the Vrn‐B1 gene controlling sensitivity to vernalization in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was studied in the first and third backcrosses by using microsatellite markers. Eleven polymorphic markers located on chromosome 5B were used for microsatellite analysis. It was shown in the first backcross that plants with a donor segment around the gene of interest not longer than 50% of chromosome 5B could be selected. When selection is not molecular‐marker assisted, the length of the chromosomal donor segment with the target gene may reach 94% of chromosome 5B even in plants of the third backcross generation. The considerable length differences in the 5B microsatellite loci between the winter and spring lines of wheat studied indicate that these markers are promising in marker‐assisted backcrossing or marker‐assisted selection for the Vrn‐B1 gene using different combinations of Spring and Winter genotypes.
Inheritance of plant height and allelism tests of the dwarfing genes in Chinese barley
Authors: Zhang J.
Published: December 2004

In order to find new dwarfing genes, the inheritance of plant height in 25 Chinese barley dwarf accessions was studied and allelism tests carried out, not only between the dwarfing genes found but also with the known dwarfing genes uz, br, sdw and denso. The results showed that out of the 25 dwarf accessions, 20 were due to monogenic recessiveness and four to digenic recessiveness. Only the short plant character in ‘1974E’ was controlled by a recessive together with a dominant dwarfing gene. In the present study, seven recessive and one dominant new dwarfing genes were identified. Five recessive genes were found in the monogenic mutants ‘91G318’, ‘91D27’ and ‘93‐597’ and in the Tibetan monogenic dwarf landraces ‘Jia Jiu’ and ‘BQK’, respectively. The other two recessives were found in the Tibetan digenic dwarf landraces ‘ZLL’ and ‘ZLLQK’, and the one dominant gene in the digenic mutant ‘1974E’.
Improvement of exploratory eye movements in schizophrenic patients during recovery period
Authors: Nakayama Hironobu , Morita Kiichiro , Mori Keiichiro , Hirai Sou , Maeda Hisao
Published: December 2004

Abstract In the present paper exploratory eye movements were examined as biologic markers in both acute schizophrenic patients (acute patients discharged after approximately 3 months and treated as outpatients, n = 8; acute patients who were still in hospital after 6 months, n = 8) and chronic schizophrenic patients (hospital stay >5 years, n = 15) in comparison with age‐matched healthy subjects (n = 30). Using an eye‐mark recorder, exploratory eye movements were analyzed for mean gazing time (MGT), and total eye scanning length (TESL) as subjects viewed six simple pictures in preparation for copying them. In acute schizophrenic patients discharged after 6 months (DP), MGT became significantly shorter and TESL became longer after 3 or 6 months treatment. In acute schizophrenic patients during admission after 6 months, TESL became longer after 3 or 6 months of treatment. However, no significant changes were observed in chronic patients in these measures. In schizophrenic patients, negative symptom scores were positively correlated with MGT (r = 0.43; P < 0.001), and negatively correlated with TESL (r = −45; P < 0.001). These findings suggest that exploratory eye movements are a biologic state and trait marker useful for evaluation of schizophrenia.
Perception of self‐physique and eating behavior of high school students in Japan
Authors: Nishizawa Yoshiko , Kida Kazuyuki , Nishizawa Katsunori , Hashiba Shizuka , Saito Kumiko , Mita Reizo
Published: December 2004

Abstract The authors investigated the condition of self‐physique perception and eating behavior, and the relationship between self‐physique perception and eating behavior of high school students in Japan. Regarding self‐physique perception, subjects were shown six pictures of physiques and asked to choose one physique each for their actual physique and their ideal physique. With respect to eating behavior, the Japanese version of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT)‐26 was used. Groups of underweight girls, normal girls, and normal boys tended to regard their actual physiques as rather broad, demonstrating that many girls are excessively preoccupied with thinness. The rate of eating problems was 11.2% for the girls and 2.4% for the boys. For both boys and girls, those who idealized the thinner physique scored higher in terms of the EAT score and factor I score. Education regarding body perception and diet must be undertaken as soon as possible in Japan.
Childhood parental separation experiences and depressive symptomatology in acute major depression
Authors: Takeuchi Hiroshi , Hiroe Takahiro , Kanai Takahiro , Morinobu Shigeru , Kitamura Toshinori , Takahashi Kiyohisa , Furukawa Toshiaki A.
Published: December 2004

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the pathoplastic effects of childhood parental separation experiences on depressive symptoms. Patients with acute major depression were identified in a large 31‐center study of affective disorders in Japan. Information regarding the patients’ childhood losses was collected using a semistructured interview, and their depressive symptomatology was assessed by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D). Patients reported significantly higher CES‐D total scores when they had experienced early object loss of the same‐sex parent. In terms of the CES‐D subscores derived by factor analysis, early object loss significantly aggravated symptoms that people normally could cope with but could no longer cope with when depressed (e.g. ‘poor appetite’, ‘cannot shake off the blues’ and ‘everything an effort.’). Once depression develops, early object loss may act as a pathoplastic factor by making it severer especially by rendering people less able to perform what they normally could do.
Long lasting impaired cerebral blood flow after ecstasy intoxication
Authors: Finsterer Josef , Stöllberger Claudia , Steger Christine , Kroiss Alois
Published: December 2004

AbstractFour hours after having taken 10 ecstasy tablets a Grand Mal seizure occurred in a 19‐year‐old woman followed by coma, hyperthermia, tachycardia, tachypnea, and renal failure. After awakening she was oriented but presented with helplessness, disconcertion, hallucinations, panic attacks, and amnesic syndrome. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans of the brain were normal. [99Tc]‐hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO)‐single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), 20 days after intoxication, showed reduced, inhomogeneous, supratentorial tracer uptake bilaterally. Electroencephalography (EEG) disclosed diffuse slowing and occasionally generalized sharp waves. Valproic acid was begun. Except for slight amnesia, neuropsychological deficits had disappeared and [99Tc]‐HMPAO‐SPECT normalized, 29 days later. Decreased cortical blood flow was explained by vasoconstriction following ecstasy‐induced depletion of serotonin.
Discrepancy between subjective and objective sleep in patients with depression
Authors: Tsuchiyama Kounosuke , Nagayama Haruo , Kudo Kiyomi , Kojima Katsuhiro , Yamada Kumiko
Published: December 2004

Abstract The literature investigating the relationship between objective and subjective sleep in depressed patients is limited and the results are inconsistent. Furthermore, many factors that influence the aforementioned relationship have not been investigated. The present study was carried out to clarify the characteristics of self‐estimation of sleep in depressed patients. Sleep was estimated concurrently using a sleep log and polysomnography for 5 consecutive days to investigate the relationship between subjective sleep estimation and objective sleep estimation in 23 patients with major depression (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd edn, revised; DSM‐III‐R). Factors related to a discrepancy between both types of estimation were identified. The subjective total sleep time showed a significant, but moderate, positive correlation (correlation coefficient: 0.63) with the objective total sleep time. The degree of discrepancy was significantly correlated with various objective sleep variables and severity of depression. In the underestimation group in which the subjective total sleep time was shorter than the objective total sleep time, the objective total sleep time and slow‐wave sleep time were shorter, age was greater and the extroversion score (Maudsley Personality Inventory) was lower than in the overestimation group in which the subjective total sleep time was longer than the objective total sleep time. The data suggest that subjective sleep estimation in depressed patients is influenced by their objective sleep, severity of depression, age and personality.
Differences in emotional distress between breast tumor patients with emotional inhibition and those with emotional expression
Authors: Iwamitsu Yumi , Shimoda Kazutaka , Abe Hajime , Tani Toru , Kodama Masashi , Okawa Masako
Published: December 2004

Abstract The differences in affective status between patients who restrain their negative emotion and those who express negative emotion after being given their breast cancer diagnosis were studied using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) at two sessions: (i) at the first visit to the outpatient surgery clinic, and (ii) immediately after being given the diagnosis of breast cancer. Eighty‐seven patients completed the POMS and the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS) at the first visit to the outpatient surgery clinic at Shiga University of Medical Science Hospital. They also completed the POMS immediately after being given the diagnosis of breast cancer. Breast cancer patients who restrain their negative emotion (n = 8) were highly anxious, depressed and confused after being given the diagnosis compared to breast cancer patients who express negative emotion (n = 8). Emotional distress in benign breast tumor patients was reduced after being given the diagnosis regardless of the trend of emotional inhibition. That is, emotional distress in patients who restrain their emotions was considerably increased compared with that of patients who expressed their emotions when they were faced with a life‐threatening disease. These results suggest that it may be therapeutic to advise breast cancer patients to express their negative emotion.
Understanding personality traits from early life experiences
Authors: Kitamura Toshinori , Fujihara Shigeki
Published: December 2004

Abstract The contribution of early experiences towards the onset of personality disorder has often been stressed. However, the contribution to trait personality has received less attention. To examine the impact of early experiences on the development of personality, two subscale scores of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ): neuroticism (N) and extroversion (E), were used to assess a total of 220 residents of a rural city of Japan (aged ≥18 years). After controlling for age and social desirability response bias, the N score of men could be predicted by the experience of relocation; the E score of men by high parental care and low parental overprotection; and the E score of women by the experience of death of a sibling. Personality traits in a non‐patient population may be explained by early experiences.
Phenomenology of hallucinations: A factor analytic approach
Authors: Singh Gagandeep , Sharan Pratap , Kulhara Parmanand
Published: December 2004

Abstract The present study was carried out with the aim of obtaining a factor analytic solution of parameters of hallucinations in schizophrenia. Seventy‐five chronic hallucinating schizophrenic patients were assessed on the Phenomenology of Hallucinations Scale and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. A factor analytic solution was obtained by principal component analysis using varimax rotation. Two factors, ‘reality of hallucinatory perception’ and ‘immersion in hallucination’, were obtained. Findings are discussed in relation to existing literature.
Hepatoid carcinoma of the uterus that collided with carcinosarcoma
Authors: Takahashi Yoshihisa , Inoue Tohru
Published: December 2004

The case of a 68‐year‐old woman who was seen at Tokyo Kousei Nenkin Hospital because of abnormal genital bleeding is described. A malignant uterine tumor was suspected based on biopsy results. Hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy were performed. Grossly, a solid whitish tumor occupied the area from the endocervix to the uterine body. On the consecutive fundal side, a whitish tumor protruded into the uterine cavity. Histologically, the tumor occupying the endocervical side showed a trabecular growth pattern. Many periodic acid–Schiff (PAS)‐positive hyaline globules were observed. The cytoplasm of the tumor cells and the hyaline globules were immunohistochemically positive for α‐fetoprotein (AFP). The tumor occupying the fundal side was identified as having endometrioid adenocarcinoma and spindle cell sarcoma components. The two tumors collided at a clear boundary. The present case was pathologically diagnosed as a collision cancer involving a hepatoid carcinoma and a carcinosarcoma. To our knowledge, this is the fourth reported case of a hepatoid carcinoma of the uterus. When no lesion is detected in the liver and stomach of a patient whose serum AFP level is abnormally high, the female reproductive system, such as the ovaries and uterus, should be examined as a possible site of AFP‐producing cancer.
Mature teratoma of the uterine cervix with lymphoid hyperplasia
Authors: Lim Sung‐chul , Kim Youn‐shin , Lee Yang‐han , Lee Mi‐sook , Lim June‐young
Published: December 2004

A rare case of an extragonadal teratoma, which occurred primarily in the uterus, is described. The tumor developed in the uterine cervix as a conventional cervical polyp, 3 months after an elective abortion in a 27‐year‐old woman. Microscopically, the solid 2.2 × 1.8 × 1.5 cm mass was a mature teratoma with exuberant lymphoid elements. It consisted of ectodermal, mesodermal and endodermal derivatives. The lymphoid elements may have been a lymphoid hyperplasia, a chronic inflammatory reaction or a component of the teratoma. However, as the lymphoid tissues had no spatial relation to the teratomatous components, the possibility of a teratomatous element was excluded. This could be regarded as a result of an immunological reaction to the tissues composing the tumor, rather than just a chronic inflammatory response because the lymphoid reaction was present in the tumor, the tumor–host interface and the perivascular areas. Because of the patient's history of an abortion and a lymphoid reaction, the possibility of fetal remnants implantation was raised, so DNA typing to compare the teratoma portion with a normal portion of the host was performed. We found the teratoma portions to be in accordance with that of the host, and hence ruled out fetal remnants implantation. This case showed that a mature teratoma of the uterine cervix may manifest as a feature of implanted fetal tissue. In addition, a real teratoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of uterine teratomatous lesion, even when detected in patients with a recent history of pregnancy and lymphoid hyperplasia.
Immunohistochemical study of cytokeratins in amyloid deposits associated with squamous cell carcinoma and dysplasia in the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx
Authors: Ueno Tohru , Hoshii Yoshinobu , Cui Dan , Kawano Hiroo , Gondo Toshikazu , Takahashi Mutsuo , Ishihara Tokuhiro
Published: December 2004

The frequency of amyloid deposits associated with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and dysplasia in the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx was examined. In addition, the origin of amyloid proteins by immunohistochemical staining with a panel of anticytokeratin monoclonal antibodies was investigated. Amyloid deposits were found in eight of 73 (11.0%) SCC and one of seven (14.3%) dysplasias in the oral cavity, in eight of 22 (36.4%) SCC and zero of two (0%) dysplasias in the pharynx, and in 22 of 37 (59.5%) SCC and four of 10 (40.0%) dysplasias in the larynx. Eight of 12 different cytokeratin (CK) antibodies reacted with these deposits: 34βE12 (CK1, ‐5, ‐10, ‐14) reacted with amyloid deposits in 19 of 19 cases (100%), LL002 (CK14) in eight of 18 cases (44.4%), MNF116 (CK5, ‐6, ‐8, ‐17) in eight of 19 cases (42.1%), D5/16B4 (CK5, ‐6) in five of 18 cases (27.8%), DE‐K10 (CK10) in four of 17 cases (23.5%), RCK108 (CK19) in three of 18 cases (16.7%), 34βB4 (CK1) in three of 19 cases (15.8%) and AE8 (CK13) in two of 17 cases (11.8%). These antibodies always reacted with the cytoplasm of squamous cell lesions. Amyloid deposits in two cases contained a CK5 and CK14 pair, and in another two cases they contained both a CK5 and CK14 pair, and a CK1 and CK10 pair. Anti‐CK antibodies, including OV‐TL12/30 (CK7), c‐51 (CK8), DC10 (CK18) and IT‐Ks20.8 (CK20) did not react with the amyloid deposits. We conclude that the amyloid deposits associated with SCC or dysplasia in the oral cavity, pharynx or larynx were derived from CK of cancer cells and that some amyloid deposits might be assembled by two or more different CK.
Variable expression of podocyte‐related markers in the glomeruloid bodies in Wilms tumor
Authors: Kanemoto Katsuyoshi , Takahashi Shori , Shu Yujing , Usui Joichi , Tomari Shinsuke , Yan Kunimasa , Hamazaki Yutaka , Nagata Michio
Published: December 2004

Several podocyte‐related markers are organized to express in glomerular differentiation. However, whether expression of them is virtually synchronized and a reliable indicator of the state of differentiation is unknown. The present study investigated, by immunohistochemistry, the divergent expression of several podocyte markers in the improperly differentiated glomeruloid bodies from four cases of Wilms tumors. The glomeruloid bodies were classified into immature (IGB) or mature forms (MGB) based on morphology and epithelial features. Podocytes in IGB expressed WT1, synaptopodin, podocalyxin, and nephrin, and their expression was stronger in MGB. In contrast, Pax2 was strong in IGB and diminished in MGB. p27 was first expressed in MGB. The expression pattern in each molecule mimics normal glomerulogenesis. Podocytes in MGB showed persistent expression of bcl‐2 and cytokeratin with synaptopodin, podocalyxin, and nephrin by serial section, a finding unusual for normal glomerulogenesis. Moreover, parietal cells in MGB also occasionally expressed these podocyte markers. The ultrastructure revealed that podocytes in MGB showed tight junctions without foot process formations, which indicated incomplete differentiation. These results suggest that a set of podocyte differentiation markers are occasionally diversely expressed, and raise the possibility that expression of these markers is insufficient to determine the state of terminal differentiation in podocytes.
A case of pulmonary veno‐occlusive disease associated with systemic sclerosis
Authors: SAITO Akira , TAKIZAWA Hajime , ITO Koji , YAMAMOTO Kazuhiko , OKA Teruaki
Published: December 2004

Abstract:  The case of a patient with pulmonary veno‐occlusive disease associated with systemic sclerosis is reported. The patient presented with progressive dyspnoea. Echocardiography and cardiac catheterization study demonstrated right‐sided heart failure. The CXR suggested pulmonary hypertension and interstitial pulmonary oedema. We suspected pulmonary veno‐occlusive disease based on radiological and haemodynamic findings. Treatment with prednisolone resulted in a reduction in pulmonary arterial pressure and CXR findings improved 2 months later, but no further effect was observed. The patient died 7 months later and at autopsy the lungs showed prominent thickening of the interlobular septa and small branches of pulmonary veins showed intimal thickening.
Clinical and CT characteristics of Chinese medicine‐induced acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: SAKAMOTO Osamu , ICHIKADO Kazuya , KOHROGI Hirotsugu , SUGA Moritaka
Published: December 2004

Objective:  The aim of the present study was to explore the clinical and radiographic characteristics of Chinese medicine‐induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), focusing on high resolution CT (HRCT) findings.

Methodology:  Five patients diagnosed with Chinese medicine‐induced ARDS were enrolled in the study. Details regarding clinical history, previous medical history, and laboratory data were collected and reviewed. The extent of involvement of each HRCT abnormality was assessed for each of three zones of each lung and was estimated to the nearest 10% of parenchymal involvement.

Results:  The causative Chinese medicines were as follows: Sho‐saiko‐to (two cases), Sai‐rei‐to (two cases) and Otsu‐ji‐to (one case). Scutellariae radix was the common ingredient in these drugs. The mean duration of medication use before the onset of ARDS was 22 days (range 7–49 days). High levels of C‐reactive protein and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and mild liver dysfunction were common laboratory findings. The major HRCT findings were as follows: ground‐glass opacity 50.2% (range 37–68%); airspace consolidation 16.0% (7–27%); spared area 26.6% (7–45%). In addition, the abnormalities tended to predominate in the peribronchovascular regions. Furthermore, architectural distortion was seen in all five cases, interlobular septal thickening occurred in four, irregular interface in four, and interlobar effusion in two. Corticosteroid therapy was very effective, and partial pressure of arterial oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FIO2) improved in proportion to the decrease in LDH level.

Conclusions:  Patients with Chinese medicine‐induced acute lung injury exhibited ARDS. However, their prognosis was satisfactory, which suggests that a hypersensitivity reaction or a permeability oedema with minimal epithelial injury may be involved in the pathophysiology.
Modulation of adenovirus infection in vitro by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides
Authors: WHITEHEAD Bruce F. , SCHOFIELD Rebecca , ROGERS Kerry M. , GUSTAFSSON Kenth , FABRE John W.
Published: December 2004

Objective:  Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) may represent a novel, airway directed approach to the treatment of adenovirus infection of the lung, for which no specific therapy exists. This study assessed the efficacy of antisense ODNs in modulating adenovirus infection in vitro.

Methodology:  A biological assay, which quantified viral plaque formation by wild type adenovirus 5 in a lung epithelial cell line (A549), was used to evaluate the inhibitory effect of a number of antisense ODNs targeted to the early (E) 1 A and protein IX genes of adenovirus 5. Antisense ODNs (20–21mers, phosphorothioate end‐protected) were designed to straddle the initiation of translation (AUG) codon of the mRNA of the targeted gene.

Results:  There was a consistent and significant (P < 0.005) reduction in viral plaque formation in those cells treated with an E1A antisense ODN, compared with the nonsense control ODN. Neither the addition of a cationic lipid (Lipofectamine), nor increasing the concentration of ODN from 1 µmol to 15 µmol enhanced the original inhibitory effect observed with the E1A antisense ODN.

Conclusions:  An antisense ODN targeted to the E1A gene can specifically inhibit adenovirus 5 infection in vitro, suggesting a potential therapeutic role for antisense ODNs in adenovirus infection of the lung.
Effect of aluminum adjuvants on safety and immunogenicity of Haemophilus influenzae type b‐CRM197 conjugate vaccine
Authors: Kanra Güler , Viviani Simonetta , Yurdakök Kadriye , Özmert Elif , Anemona Alessandra , Yalçİn SongüL , Demiralp Okan , Bilgili Nihan , Kara Ates , Cengiz Ali BüLent , Mutlu Belgin , Baldini Alexandra , Marchetti Elisa , Podda Audino
Published: December 2004

Abstract
Objective
: The present study was carried out to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the Haemophilus influenzae type b‐CRM197 (Hib‐CRM197) conjugate vaccine in relation to the change of adjuvant from aluminum hydroxide to aluminum phosphate (AlPO4).

Methods
: The present study was a clinical phase II, observer‐blind, randomized, multicenter, controlled study. Subjects were healthy infants aged 6−12 weeks, eligible for expanded program of immunization (EPI) routine vaccination and admitted to Hacettepe University Department of Social Pediatrics and Gülveren Health Center, Ankara. A total of 520 healthy infants were randomized in a 2:2:1 ratio to receive at either Chiron Hib/AlPO4 vaccine or VaxemHib (aluminum hydroxide adjuvant) vaccine or HibTiter (no adjuvant). Vaccines were administered simultaneously with routine diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP) and oral polio vaccine (OPV) vaccines at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. Blood samples for anti‐plain polysaccharide (PRP) antibody measurement were collected before the first vaccination and 1 month after the last vaccination. After each vaccination parents filled out a diary for 7 days.

Results
: Out of 520 subjects enrolled, 514 received three doses and were included for safety analysis. Local and systemic reactions occurred with low and similar frequencies in all groups. Only erythema was more common in Chiron Hib/AlPO4 vaccine (19, 10, 11% in Chiron Hib/AlPO4, VaxemHib and HibTiter, respectively, P < 0.05). Nine serious adverse events were reported in seven cases of which none were related to vaccines. A total of 504 subjects were included in the immunogenicity analysis. The three vaccines were highly immunogenic and equivalent in terms of percentage of acquisition of long‐term protective levels. The anti‐PRP geometric mean titers were 9.9, 8.3 and 5.14 µg/mL, respectively (P < 0.05).

Conclusions
: The use of aluminum compounds adjuvants in Hib‐CRM197 conjugate vaccines does not impact the safety profile, while it does increase the magnitude of anti‐PRP antibody titers.
Limited effectiveness of betaine therapy for cystathionine β synthase deficiency
Authors: Sakamoto Akiko , Sakura Nobuo
Published: December 2004

Abstract
Background
: Orally administered betaine (Bet) is regarded as an effective and safe therapy for homocystin­uria. However, even when patients’ serum Bet concentrations are increased by supplementation, serum homocysteine (Hcy) concentrations are often not lowered to the normal range. The present study tested the hypothesis that with relatively high serum methionine (Met), serum Hcy does not adequately decrease, even when serum Bet concentrations are potentially therapeutic.

Methods
: The present study examines the relationship between these amino acids by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in a total of 63 samples obtained over 2 years from two patients with cystathionine β synthase (CBS) deficiency.

Results
: When serum Met was less than 80 µmol/L (1.2 mg/dL), the treatment reduced serum Hcy to within the normal range. When serum Met exceeded 80 µmol/L, serum Hcy showed only a limited decrease, despite sufficient doses of Bet (serum concentration, over 250 µmol/L). The findings of the present study suggest that it is necessary to follow a low methionine diet that keeps serum Met within the normal range when treating patients with homocystinuria due to CBS deficiency when Bet is administered. Homocystinuria is a rare congenital metabolic disease and the data presented in the present paper, although it relates to only two patients, is worth reporting.