bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., post‐smolts in the Shetland Isles, Scotland: virus identification, histopathology, immunohistochemistry and genetic comparison with Scottish mainland isolates
Authors: Smail D A , Bain N , Bruno D W , King J A , Thompson F , Pendrey D J , Morrice S , Cunningham C O
Published: December 2005

During mid‐June 1999 peak mortalities of 11% of the total stock per week were seen at a sea cage site of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., post‐smolts in the Shetland Isles, Scotland. Virus was isolated on chinook salmon embryo (CHSE) cells in a standard diagnostic test and infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) identified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. IPNV was confirmed as serogroup A by a cell immunofluorescent antibody test using the cross‐reactive monoclonal antibody AS‐1. Four weeks after the main outbreak, virus titres in surviving moribund fish were assayed at >1010 TCID50 g−1 kidney. Histopathology of moribund fish was characterized by pancreatic acinar cell necrosis and a marked catarrhal enteritis of the intestinal mucosa. In the liver, necrosis, leucocytic infiltration and a generalized cell vacuolation were noted. IPNV‐specific immunostaining was demonstrated in pancreas, liver, heart, gill and kidney tissue. The nucleotide sequence of the coding region of segment A was determined from the Shetland isolate. A 1180 bp fragment of the VP2 gene of this isolate was compared with a 1979 reference isolate from mainland Scottish Atlantic salmon, La/79 and another more recent mainland isolate, 432/00. Both A2 isolates were derived from carrier fish without signs of IPN and serotyped by a plaque neutralization test. The Shetland isolate shows a different nucleotide and amino acid sequence compared with the two isolates from carrier fish. These latter isolates showed identical amino acid sequences in the fragment examined, despite the 21 years separating the isolations. Sequence comparisons with other A2 (Sp) isolates on the database confirm all three Scottish isolates are A2 (Sp).
In infectious pancreatic necrosis virus carrier Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., post‐smolts, almost all kidney macrophages ex vivo contain a low level of non‐replicating virus
Authors: Munro E S , Gahlawat S K , Acosta F , Ellis A E
Published: December 2005

The level of infection by infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) of kidney macrophages from 12 asymptomatic carrier Atlantic salmon post‐smolts was studied. Kidney leucocytes were fractionated on 34/51% Percoll gradients, allowed to adhere to plastic wells overnight, washed to remove non‐adherent cells and cultured for up to 7 days with or without renewal of medium on day 3. On day 1, supernatants were harvested, macrophages were counted, lysed and IPNV in the supernatants and lysates was titred in chinook salmon embryo (CHSE‐214) cells. The multiplicity of infection ranged between 1:2.2 and 1:7.4 (virus:macrophages). On day 3, the titres of IPNV in macrophage lysates decreased and in wells where the medium was renewed on day 3, IPNV was no longer detectable on day 7. In the supernatants, one fish was positive for IPNV on day 1, four fish on day 3 but none were detectably positive on day 7. In parallel wells in which the medium was not renewed, on day 7 IPNV was detected in macrophage lysates of three fish and the supernatants were also IPNV positive in two of these fish. This suggests that virus might be shed from infected macrophages and then reinfect other macrophages. When macrophages were serially diluted in wells and cultured for 24 h, IPNV could be cultured from macrophage lysates of wells containing between two and 70 macrophages. These results indicate that a very high proportion of the adherent kidney macrophages must be infected with very few non‐replicating virions.
Spinal deformity in a sandtiger shark, Carcharias taurus Rafinesque: a clinical–pathological study
Authors: Preziosi R , Gridelli S , Borghetti P , Diana A , Parmeggiani A , Fioravanti M L , Marcer F , Bianchi I , Walsh M , Berzins I
Published: December 2005

The present study investigated spinal deformity in a captive sandtiger shark and describes the clinical and histopathological features of the lesion. Clinically, the shark presented a marked spinal curvature in the region between the pectoral girdle and cranial dorsal fin. Radiographic studies revealed scoliosis and kyphosis of the vertebral column with a modification of the basic structure of five vertebrae. Post‐mortem examination confirmed the results of radiographic studies and histological examination showed remodelling and cartilaginous proliferation of the vertebral bodies together with necrosis, haemorrhage and signs of a local chronic inflammatory response extending to the surrounding muscle. Different aetiologies are proposed and discussed but nutritional imbalance (dietary vitamin deficiency) and/or traumatic injury are considered the most likely contributing factors.
Minding the gap: frequency of indels in mtDNA control region sequence data and influence on population genetic analyses
Authors: PEARCE JOHN M.
Published: December 2005

Insertions and deletions (indels) result in sequences of various lengths when homologous gene regions are compared among individuals or species. Although indels are typically phylogenetically informative, occurrence and incorporation of these characters as gaps in intraspecific population genetic data sets are rarely discussed. Moreover, the impact of gaps on estimates of fixation indices, such as FST, has not been reviewed. Here, I summarize the occurrence and population genetic signal of indels among 60 published studies that involved alignments of multiple sequences from the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region of vertebrate taxa. Among 30 studies observing indels, an average of 12% of both variable and parsimony‐informative sites were composed of these sites. There was no consistent trend between levels of population differentiation and the number of gap characters in a data block. Across all studies, the average influence on estimates of ΦST was small, explaining only an additional 1.8% of among population variance (range 0.0–8.0%). Studies most likely to observe an increase in ΦST with the inclusion of gap characters were those with < 20 variable sites, but a near equal number of studies with few variable sites did not show an increase. In contrast to studies at interspecific levels, the influence of indels for intraspecific population genetic analyses of control region DNA appears small, dependent upon total number of variable sites in the data block, and related to species‐specific characteristics and the spatial distribution of mtDNA lineages that contain indels.
Fine‐scale genetic structure and gene dispersal inferences in 10 Neotropical tree species
Authors: HARDY OLIVIER J. , MAGGIA LAURENT , BANDOU ERIC , BREYNE PETER , CARON HENRI , CHEVALLIER MARIE‐HÉLÈNE , DOLIGEZ AGNÈS , DUTECH CYRIL , KREMER ANTOINE , LATOUCHE‐HALLÉ CÉLINE , TROISPOUX VALÉRIE , VERON VINCENT , DEGEN BERND
Published: December 2005

The extent of gene dispersal is a fundamental factor of the population and evolutionary dynamics of tropical tree species, but directly monitoring seed and pollen movement is a difficult task. However, indirect estimates of historical gene dispersal can be obtained from the fine‐scale spatial genetic structure of populations at drift–dispersal equilibrium. Using an approach that is based on the slope of the regression of pairwise kinship coefficients on spatial distance and estimates of the effective population density, we compare indirect gene dispersal estimates of sympatric populations of 10 tropical tree species. We re‐analysed 26 data sets consisting of mapped allozyme, SSR (simple sequence repeat), RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) or AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) genotypes from two rainforest sites in French Guiana. Gene dispersal estimates were obtained for at least one marker in each species, although the estimation procedure failed under insufficient marker polymorphism, limited sample size, or inappropriate sampling area. Estimates generally suffered low precision and were affected by assumptions regarding the effective population density. Averaging estimates over data sets, the extent of gene dispersal ranged from 150 m to 1200 m according to species. Smaller gene dispersal estimates were obtained in species with heavy diaspores, which are presumably not well dispersed, and in populations with high local adult density. We suggest that limited seed dispersal could indirectly limit effective pollen dispersal by creating higher local tree densities, thereby increasing the positive correlation between pollen and seed dispersal distances. We discuss the potential and limitations of our indirect estimation procedure and suggest guidelines for future studies.
The vancomycin resistance VanRS two‐component signal transduction system of Streptomyces coelicolor
Authors: Hutchings Matthew I. , Hong Hee‐Jeon , Buttner Mark J.
Published: December 2005

We took advantage of the vancomycin‐dependent phenotype of Streptomyces coelicolor femX null mutants to isolate a collection of spontaneous, drug‐independent femX suppressor mutants that expressed the vancomycin‐resistance (van) genes constitutively. All of the suppressor mutations were in vanS but, unexpectedly, many were predicted to be loss‐of‐function mutations. Confirming this interpretation, a constructed vanS deletion mutation also resulted in constitutive expression of the van genes, suggesting that VanS negatively regulated VanR function in the absence of drug. In contrast, a vanS pta ackA triple mutant, which should not be able synthesize acetyl phosphate, failed to express the van genes, whereas a pta ackA double mutant showed wild‐type, regulated induction of the van genes. These results suggest that in the absence of vancomycin, acetyl phosphate phosphorylates VanR, and VanS acts as a phosphatase to suppress the levels of VanR∼P. On exposure to vancomycin, VanS activity switches from a phosphatase to a kinase and vancomycin resistance is induced. In S. coelicolor, the van genes are induced by both vancomycin and the glycopeptide A47934, whereas in Streptomyces toyocaensis (the A47934 producer) resistance is induced by A47934 but not by vancomycin. We exploited this distinction to replace the S. coelicolor vanRS genes with the vanRS genes from S. toyocaensis. The resulting strain acquired the inducer profile of S. toyocaensis, providing circumstantial evidence that the VanS effector ligand is the drug itself, and not an intermediate in cell wall biosynthesis that accumulates as result of drug action. Consistent with this suggestion, we found that non‐glycopeptide inhibitors of the late steps in cell wall biosynthesis such as moenomycin A, bacitracin and ramoplanin were not inducers of the S. coelicolor VanRS system, in contrast to results obtained in enterococcal VanRS systems.
The Pseudomonas aeruginosa type IV pilin receptor binding domain functions as an adhesin for both biotic and abiotic surfaces
Authors: Giltner Carmen L. , Van Schaik Erin J. , Audette Gerald F. , Kao Dan , Hodges Robert S. , Hassett Daniel J. , Irvin Randall T.
Published: December 2005

Pseudomonas aeruginosa readily binds to stainless steel and other abiotic surfaces, causing major problems in both the medical and food industries. In this study, we show that P. aeruginosa binds to abiotic surfaces in a concentration‐dependent, saturable manner during the initial stages of biofilm formation. P. aeruginosa type IV pili mediate binding to stainless steel as a pilus‐deficient strain does not bind to steel, purified type IV pili bound in a concentration‐dependent, saturable manner, and purified pili competitively inhibited whole cell binding. PAK pili can also bind polystyrene and polyvinylchloride in a concentration‐dependant and saturable manner. As an antibody specific for the C‐terminal pilin receptor binding domain inhibited adherence to abiotic surfaces, the role of the C‐terminal receptor binding domain in mediating binding to steel surfaces was examined. A synthetic peptide of the PAK pilin epithelial cell receptor binding domain [PAK(128–144)ox] bound directly to steel with high affinity. The interaction of pili with steel was specifically inhibited by this peptide with an apparent Ki of ∼0.2 nM and effectively inhibited the binding of viable homologous and heterologous P. aeruginosa strains to steel with an apparent Ki of ∼4 nM. A single point mutation (K130I) in the PAO receptor binding domain was observed to abolish binding to stainless steel while binding to human buccal epithelial cells was enhanced. Therefore, the C‐terminal receptor binding domain appears to have evolved for binding a variety of surfaces.
An exonuclease I‐sensitive DNA repair pathway in Deinococcus radiodurans: a major determinant of radiation resistance
Authors: Misra Hari S. , Khairnar Nivedita P. , Kota Swathi , Shrivastava Smriti , Joshi Vasudha P. , Apte Shree K.
Published: December 2005

Deinococcus radiodurans R1 recovering from acute dose of γ radiation shows a biphasic mechanism of DNA double‐strand break repair. The possible involvement of microsequence homology‐dependent, or non‐homologous end joining type mechanisms during initial period followed by RecA‐dependent homologous recombination pathways has been suggested for the reconstruction of complete genomes in this microbe. We have exploited the known roles of exonuclease I in DNA recombination to elucidate the nature of recombination involved in DNA double‐strand break repair during post‐irradiation recovery of D. radiodurans. Transgenic Deinococcus cells expressing exonuclease I functions of Escherichia coli showed significant reduction in γ radiation radioresistance, while the resistance to far‐UV and hydrogen peroxide remained unaffected. The overexpression of E. coli exonuclease I in Deinococcus inhibited DNA double‐strand break repair. Such cells exhibited normal post‐irradiation expression kinetics of RecA, PprA and single‐stranded DNA‐binding proteins but lacked the divalent cation manganese [(Mn(II)]‐dependent protection from γ radiation. The results strongly suggest that 3′ (ρ) 5′ single‐stranded DNA ends constitute an important component in recombination pathway involved in DNA double‐strand break repair and that absence of sbcB from deinococcal genome may significantly aid its extreme radioresistance phenotype.
Cytomegalovirus infection after autologous stem cell transplantation: incidence and outcome in a group of patients undergoing a surveillance program
Authors: Rossini F. , Terruzzi E. , Cammarota S. , Morini F. , Fumagalli M. , Verga L. , Elli E. , Verga M. , Miccolis I. , Parma M. , Pogliani E.M.
Published: December 2005

Abstract: This study was performed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and outcome of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), with the aim of performing preemptive therapy in patients with antigenemia. Starting from 2001, 171 consecutive ASCTs were performed in 136 patients; 102 of these patients were seropositive for CMV at the onset of hematological disease. In all these patients, a CMV pp65 antigenemia assay was determined weekly, starting from the day when the absolute neutrophil count went above 500/μL, and until day 60 after ASCT; subsequently, antigenemia was determined only when a CMV infection was suspected. Among the 136 transplanted patients, 40 (29.4%) presented a positive antigenemia; all of them were seropositive for CMV before ASCT; and no cases of primary infection were seen. The incidence of CMV infection in the seropositive population was 40/102 (39.3%); 6 patients (5 with multiple myeloma and 1 with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma) who received 2 ASCTs developed CMV infections after both transplantations, so that positive antigenemia developed after 46/171 (26.9%) transplantations. First positive antigenemia presented a median of 32 days (range 7–57) after stem cell reinfusion. The median antigenemia level at the first appearance was 2/200,000 (range 1–1000). No significant prognostic factors could be shown. Enteritis was present in 5 patients; 2 of them also had fever, and 1 of them also had thrombocytopenia. In 5 patients fever without any other clinical signs or symptoms was present; 30 patients were asymptomatic. Fourteen patients were treated with anti‐CMV drugs. CMV reactivation was successfully treated in all patients, and no patient died from CMV disease.
Retrospective analysis of varicella zoster virus (VZV) copy DNA numbers in plasma of immunocompetent patients with herpes zoster, of immunocompromised patients with disseminated VZV disease, and of asymptomatic solid organ transplant recipients
Authors: Kronenberg A. , Bossart W. , Wuthrich R.P. , Cao C. , Lautenschlager S. , Wiegand N.D. , Mullhaupt B. , Noll G. , Mueller N.J. , Speck R.F.
Published: December 2005

Abstract: Background. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. Subclinical reactivation has been described in solid organ recipients and has been associated with graft versus host disease in bone marrow transplantation. Newer studies assessing the prevalence and impact of subclinical VZV reactivation in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are lacking.

Methods and results. In a first step we developed a highly sensitive quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for VZV DNA with a detection limit of ≤20 copies/mL. Using this assay, we retrospectively analyzed plasma samples of different patient groups for VZV DNA. VZV DNA was found in 10/10 plasma samples of immunocompentent patients with herpes zoster (VZV copy numbers/mL: mean±SEM 1710±1018), in 1/1 sample of a human immunodeficiency virus‐infected patient with primary VZV disease (15,192 copies/mL) and in 4/4 plasma samples of immunocompromised patients with visceral VZV disease (mean of first value 214,214±178,572). All 108 plasma samples of asymptomatic SOT recipients off any antiviral therapy, randomly sampled over 1 year, were negative for VZV DNA.

Conclusion. Our qPCR assay proved to be highly sensitive (100%) in symptomatic VZV disease. We did not detect subclinical reactivation in asymptomatic SOT recipients during the first post‐transplant year. Thus, subclinical VZV reactivation is either a rare event or does not exist. These data need to be confirmed in larger prospective trials.
Induction of pre‐transplant Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection by donor blood transfusion in EBV–seronegative recipients may reduce risk of post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease in adolescent renal transplant patients: report of two cases
Authors: Babel N. , Gabdrakhmanova L. , Hammer M. , Rosenberger C. , Oppert M. , Volk H.‐D. , Reinke P.
Published: December 2005

Abstract: Background: Post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a life‐threatening complication following organ transplantation. The greatest risk is seen in Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐seronegative patients receiving allografts from EBV‐seropositive donors. We demonstrate a new approach of pre‐transplant prophylaxis of EBV‐related PTLD, suggesting that, prior to living‐related renal transplantation, blood transfusion from an EBV‐seropositive donor to an EBV‐seronegative recipient could induce primary EBV infection in the recipient, developing EBV immunity and decreasing risk of PTLD.

Methods: Recipients underwent weekly donor‐specific blood transfusion (3 × 100 mL) before transplantation. EBV‐mRNA expression, viral load, serological tests, and clinical signs of EBV infection were assessed following blood transfusion.

Results: We explored a new approach in 2 young EBV‐seronegative renal allograft recipients. Both patients developed primary EBV infection following blood transfusion before transplantation and showed symptom‐free seroconversion post‐transplantation without persistent EBV activation. There were no signs of PTLD during 5‐year follow‐up.

Conclusions: A new effective and inexpensive approach is suggested for development of EBV immunity and probably for prophylaxis of EBV‐associated PTLD.
Clinical impact of ganciclovir‐resistant cytomegalovirus infections in solid organ transplant patients
Authors: Boivin G. , Goyette N. , Gilbert C. , Humar A. , Covington E.
Published: December 2005

Abstract: Clinical consequences of ganciclovir resistant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections were studied during 2 large prophylactic trials consisting of 100 days of valganciclovir or ganciclovir prophylaxis in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. The first one involved 301 high‐risk (CMV donor seropositive/recipient seronegative) SOT recipients excluding lung transplants followed for 12 months, whereas the second one involved 80 lung transplant patients evaluated over 6 months. Among the 7 patients (4 non‐lung and 3 lung transplant patients) carrying viruses with known ganciclovir resistance mutations in blood, adverse clinical outcome was only observed in the lung transplant recipients. Additionally, no CMV resistance mutations were observed in non‐lung transplant patients receiving valcanciclovir.
Successful treatment of patients with respiratory failure due to fungal infection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Koldehoff M. , Elmaagacli A.H. , Steckel N.K. , Trenschel R. , Hlinka M. , Ditschkowski M. , Beelen D.W.
Published: December 2005

Abstract: The mortality rate associated with respiratory failure due to invasive fungal infections after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is exceedingly high. We present a retrospective analysis of 4 HSCT recipients who survived long‐term artificial respiration subsequent to pulmonary mycosis, and compare our current findings with historic data. Several clinical parameters indicate a remarkable improvement in the clinical courses of those patients in recent years: weaning time, extubation rate, and improvement of additional organ failures were all significantly better in patients treated after the emergence of new antimycotic agents, resulting in prolonged overall survival. We propose that our observations reflect an improved management of these patients, mainly because of the use of new antimycotics with alternative mechanisms of action and decreased toxicity, allowing for earlier, more aggressive, and more effective antifungal treatment approaches. In addition, the optimized use of new technologies designed to augment spontaneous breathing efforts by patients, mechanical ventilation, as well as the advantages of early tracheotomy will contribute to better outcomes in the treatment of respiratory failure due to pulmonary mycoses following allogeneic HSCT.
Transarterial block as an addition to a conventional catheter technique improves the axillary block
Authors: Kjelstrup T.
Published: December 2005

Background:  We have had favourable experience with a triple injection technique, combining an axillary catheter technique with a transarterial axillary block. This method has been used successfully for routine surgery and re‐implantation of fingers, hand or forearm. We hypothesized that with this technique, block onset time and effectiveness are better than with a conventional catheter technique, and designed a study comparing this new technique with a conventional single injection through a catheter.

Methods:  Fifty‐one adult patients were included in a prospective study. In all patients, a short axillary plexus catheter was positioned close to the median nerve. All patients had an injection through the catheter, while 26 of the patients had an additional injection behind, and in front of, the axillary artery. Sensory and motor block were tested continuously every minute for 29 min. Block success was recorded as onset time to analgesia, anaesthesia and complete motor block in the first 29 min. At 30 and 50 min, an analgesia block score was recorded.

Results:  The transarterial injection plus catheter method was more effective, with a higher success rate and faster onset, than the catheter method. Readiness for surgery with analgesia in the median, radial and ulnar nerves was achieved in the catheter group in 13 patients (52%) at a mean time of 20.8 min, and in the combined group in 21 patients (81%) at a mean time of 13.3 min (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). At 50 min the situation was 17 (68%) and 24 (92%), respectively (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:  The combined triple injection is faster and more effective than the catheter method alone.
Oxygenation within the first 120 h following coronary artery bypass grafting. Influence of systemic hypothermia (32 °C) or normothermia (36 °C) during the cardiopulmonary bypass: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Rasmussen B. S. , Sollid J. , Rees S. E. , Kjærgaard S. , Murley D. , Toft E.
Published: December 2005

Background:  Lung function is often impaired after cardiac surgery performed under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Normothermic CPB has become more common, but it remains unknown whether it reduces post‐operative lung function compared with hypothermic CPB. The aim of this study was to investigate oxygenation within the first 120 h after systemic hypothermia and normothermia under CPB.

Methods:  Thirty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were randomized to either hypothermic (32 °C) or normothermic (36 °C) CPB. Oxygenation was studied by a simple method for the estimation of intrapulmonary shunt and ventilation–perfusion (V/Q) mismatch pre‐operatively and 4, 48 and 120 h post‐operatively by changing Fio2 in four to six steps. V/Q mismatch was described with ΔPo2 (normal values, 0–2.38 kPa).

Results:  Shunt and V/Q mismatch (ΔPo2) increased post‐operatively in both groups (P < 0.01), with no differences between the groups, and with the nadir values 48 h after surgery, i.e. shunt of 15% (5.8–25%) and ΔPo2 of 3.0 kPa (0.8–14 kPa) [values given as median (range)].

Conclusions:  Impaired oxygenation is prevalent and prolonged following CABG, with equal intensity after hypothermic and normothermic CPB.
International Programme for Resource Use in Critical Care (IPOC) – a methodology and initial results of cost and provision in four European countries
Authors: Negrini D. , Sheppard L. , Mills G. H. , Jacobs P. , Rapoport J. , Bourne R. S. , Guidet B. , Csomos A. , Prien T. , Anderson G. , Edbrooke D. L.
Published: December 2005

Background:  A standardized top‐down costing method is not currently available internationally. An internally validated method developed in the UK was modified for use in critical care in different countries. Costs could then be compared using the World Health Organization's Purchasing Power Parities (WHO PPPs).

Methods:  This was an observational, retrospective, cross‐sectional, multicentre study set in four European countries: France, UK, Germany and Hungary. A total of 329 adult intensive care units (ICUs) participated in the study.

Results:  The costs are reported in international dollars ($) derived from the WHO PPP programme. The results show significant differences in resource use and costs of ICUs over the four countries. On the basis of the sum of the means for the major components, the average cost per patient day in UK hospitals was $1512, in French hospitals $934, in German hospitals $726 and in Hungarian hospitals $280.

Conclusions:  The reasons for such differences are poorly understood but warrant further investigation. This information will allow us to better adjust our measures of international ICU costs.
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN RETRACTED: Early recovery, cognitive function and costs of a desflurane inhalational vs. a total intravenous anaesthesia regimen in long‐term surgery
Authors: Röhm K. D. , Piper S. N. , Suttner S. , Schuler S. , Boldt J.
Published: December 2005

Background:  The purpose of the study was to compare time of recovery, return of cognitive function, post‐anaesthetic care unit (PACU) stay and costs of a propofol/remifentanil (TIVA) with a desflurane/fentanyl‐based anaesthesia (desflurane group) in surgical procedures lasting more than 150 min.

Methods:  Forty‐nine patients undergoing elective abdominal prostatectomy were allocated randomly to receive bispectal index (BIS)‐controlled desflurane/fentanyl (n = 24) or propofol/remifentanil (n = 25). Awakening, clinical recovery, direct drug acquisition and post‐operative pain treatment were documented. Cognitive skills were tested using the Mini‐Mental Status (MMST) test.

Results:  Extubation was significantly faster with desflurane (6.9 ± 3.5 min) than with TIVA (11.2 ± 4.0 min) as well as times for stating name and date of birth (desflurane: 6.1 ± 3.9 and 6.6 ± 4.0 min; TIVA: 12.4 ± 11.5 min and 13.4 ± 11.3 min). There were no significant differences in PACU discharge times or MMS scores between the groups. Significantly more patients suffered post‐operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in the desflurane (33% vs. 0%) than the TIVA group. Overall costs were significantly higher in the TIVA (58.8 ± 11.6 €) than in the desflurane group (35.0 ± 5.7 €).

Conclusion:  Patients undergoing prolonged surgical procedures showed a faster early recovery after desflurane/fentanyl than using TIVA, whereas stay in the PACU and recovery of cognitive function were similar in both groups. Costs of a TIVA regimen were significantly higher than using a desflurane‐based anaesthesia technique.
Gene expression pathways induced by axotomy and decentralization of rat superior cervical ganglion neurons
Authors: Del Signore Arianna , De Sanctis Veronica , Di Mauro Ernesto , Negri Rodolfo , Perrone‐Capano Carla , Paggi Paola
Published: December 2005

To identify genes potentially involved in remodelling synaptic connections, we induced the temporary detachment of pre‐ and post‐synaptic elements by axotomy or denervation of rat superior cervical ganglion neurons. cDNA microarray analysis followed by stringent selection criteria allowed the identification of a panel of genes whose expression was modulated by axotomy at various time points after injury. Among these genes, 11 were validated by real‐time reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction on independently prepared samples after superior cervical ganglion neuron axotomy (1, 3 and 6 days) and compared with the effect of decentralization (8 h, 1 and 3 days). These genes code for extracellular matrix/space [apolipoprotein D (apoD), decorin, collagen alpha1 type I, collagen alpha1 type III] and intermediate filament (vimentin) proteins, for modulators of neurite outgrowth (thrombin receptor, plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1, bone morphogenetic protein 4, annexin II and S‐100‐related protein, clone 42C) and for a nerve cell transcription factor (brain finger protein). Eight of these 11 genes showed significant and persistent modulations after both types of injury. Finally, protein levels of apoD were shown to increase in superior cervical ganglion after axotomy. Our results identify hitherto unrecorded genes responsive to axotomy and decentralization of superior cervical ganglion neurons, and probably involved in synapse formation, remodelling and elimination.
Three‐dimensional reconstruction of the angioarchitecture of the ciliary body of the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus)
Authors: Natiello Michelle , Samuelson Don
Published: December 2005

Objective  To examine the angioarchitecture of the ciliary body in the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), through the use of three‐dimensional reconstruction.

Procedure  Specimens from West Indian manatee were preserved in 10% buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin, serial sectioned and stained by Masson trichrome for light microscopic three‐dimensional reconstruction and evaluation.

Results  The network of blood vessels in the ciliary processes of the West Indian manatee is fed by the major arterial circle that lies mostly near the base of the iris. The branching arterioles give rise to a capillary‐sinusoidal bed that extends internally along each process, emptying into two sets of veins, one being elevated. The elevated and nonelevated veins join posteriorly before emptying into the choroidal venous system.

Conclusions  The angioarchitecture of the ciliary body of the West Indian manatee is clearly unique when compared to those previously examined in land mammals. Three‐dimensional reconstruction of paraffin sections is an effective means to evaluate vascular patterns in ocular specimens, especially those unavailable for corrosion casting.
Major histocompatibility class II expression in the normal canine cornea and in canine chronic superficial keratitis
Authors: Williams D. L.
Published: December 2005

Objective  To compare the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen in the corneas of normal dogs and dogs affected with chronic superficial keratitis (CSK).

Methods  MHC class II expression was determined in frozen sections of normal canine cornea and cornea from lesions of CSK by immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody directed against the canine MHC class II molecule. Langerhans cell phenotype was determined morphologically and by histochemical determination of ATPase activity. To determine the influence of gamma interferon on expression of MHC class II molecules by corneal cells, corneal explants were cultured with the cytokine and MHC class II expression determined as above.

Results  Numerous MHC class II‐expressing cells were demonstrated within the stroma and epithelium of the normal corneal limbus and conjunctival epithelium while very little MHC class II expression was detected in the central region of normal canine cornea. In limbal and conjunctival epithelium, cells expressing MHC class II antigen showed ATPase activity, suggesting that they were Langerhans cells. Corneas from dogs with CSK showed MHC class II expression associated with stromal cells, some of which exhibited a dendritic morphology while most were lymphocytic. Corneal epithelial cells within the lesion also aberrantly expressed MHC class II. Corneal explants expressed MHC class II to varying degrees after differing periods of incubation with the cytokine gamma interferon.

Conclusions  While the normal central cornea has little MHC class II expression, aberrant expression occurs in CSK, associated with secretion of gamma interferon by infiltrating CD4‐expressing lymphocytes. Although this change is likely to be a secondary feature of the CSK lesion, increased MHC class II expression may play a part in perpetuating the corneal inflammation seen in the disease.
Detection of cone dysfunction induced by digoxin in dogs by multicolor electroretinography
Authors: Maehara Seiya , Osawa Akiko , Itoh Norihiko , Wakaiki Shinsuke , Tsuzuki Keiko , Seno Takahiro , Kushiro Tokiko , Yamashita Kazuto , Izumisawa Yasuharu , Kotani Tadao
Published: December 2005

It is difficult to detect discrete cone function with the present conventional electroretinography (ERG) examination. In this study, we developed contact electrodes with a built‐in color (red (644 nm), green (525 nm), or blue (470 nm)) light source (color LED‐electrode), and evaluated an experimental model of digoxin in the dog. First, 17 normal Beagle dogs were used to determine which electrode works well for color ERG measurement on dogs. Then, color ERG was performed on seven normal Beagle dogs at various points during a 14‐day period of digoxin administration. A single daily dose of 0.0125 mg/kg/day, which is within the recommended oral maintenance dosage range for dogs, was administered orally for 2 weeks. Ophthalmic examination, measurement of plasma concentration of digoxin, and color ERG examination were performed. On first examination, amplitudes of all responses were significantly (P < 0.01) lower with the red, than with the blue and green electrodes during ERG recording. In ERG using the red electrode, the standard deviation was large. According to these preliminary results, the red electrode was not used in the experimental dog model with digoxin. In the digoxin administrated animals, no significant change was observed in the ophthalmic examination findings. The digoxin level increased steadily throughout the dosing period but was always within the therapeutic range for dogs. In rod ERG, no abnormalities were detected with any electrode. In standard combined ERG, decreased amplitude of the a‐wave was detected with every electrode. In single flash cone ERG, prolongation of implicit time was detected by color ERG with the blue and green electrodes. In 30‐Hz flicker ERG, decreased amplitude was detected only by color ERG with the blue electrode. The decreased amplitude and prolonged implicit time recovered after termination of digoxin administration. Cone dysfunction induced by digoxin in the dog was revealed by multicolor ERG using blue and green LED‐electrodes. Multi‐color ERG was useful for detecting cone type‐specific dysfunction in the dog.
Congenital stationary night blindness in a Thoroughbred and a Paso Fino
Authors: Nunnery Catherine , Pickett J. Phillip , Zimmerman Kurt L.
Published: December 2005

This report documents congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) in two non‐Appaloosa horse breeds (Thoroughbred and Paso Fino). History of vision impairment since birth, normal ocular structures on ophthalmic examination, and electroretinographic findings were consistent with CSNB. In one horse (Thoroughbred), a 9‐year follow‐up was carried out. In the Paso Fino, severe vision impairment from birth to approximately 1 year of age in both dim and bright light situations led to humane euthanasia and histopathologic confirmation of the disorder.
Intracranial meningioma causing internal ophthalmoparesis in a dog
Authors: Webb Aubrey A. , Cullen Cheryl L. , Rose Patricia , Eisenbart David , Gabor Les , Martinson Shannon
Published: December 2005

A 10‐year‐old, spayed female, Irish water spaniel was presented with a 2‐week history of anisocoria characterized by mydriasis of the right eye compared to the left eye in ambient light. Ophthalmic and neurological examinations, combined with pharmacological testing, identified a disease process affecting the right parasympathetic nucleus of cranial nerve 3 (CN III) and/or the parasympathetic component of CN III. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identified a mass involving the right midbrain and extending caudally to the rostral border of the medulla oblongata. The dog became comatose within 12 h following MRI and was euthanized. Histopathology identified the intracranial mass as a meningioma.
Phylogeny and biogeography of water skinks of the genus Tropidophorus (Reptilia: Scincidae): a molecular approach
Authors: Honda Masanao , Ota Hidetoshi , Murphy Robert W. , Hikida Tsutomu
Published: December 2005

Phylogenetic relationships of the Oriental semiaquatic lygosomine skinks of the genus Tropidophorus were inferred from 1219 base positions of mitochondrial 12S and 16S rRNA genes. Results of the phylogenetic analyses incorporating data for representatives of other lygosomine genera indicated that the basal phylogenetic split within Tropidophorus separated a clade of continental Indochinese species exclusive of T. cocincinensis and T. microlepis from one comprising T. cocincinensis, T. microlepis and species from Borneo, Sulawesi and the Philippines. Of the latter group, the two continental species form the sister taxon to a clade comprising the island species. Diversification among species in Indochina and among Borneo, the Philippines and Sulawesi was likely concentrated in the Miocene, with no apparent dispersal among these regions during the Pleistocene. The body depression recognized in several Indochinese species is likely to have occurred twice in parallel as an adaptation to saxicolous habitats.
Histoplasmosis in solid organ transplant recipients at a large Midwestern university transplant center
Authors: Freifeld A.G. , Iwen P.C. , Lesiak B.L. , Gilroy R.K. , Stevens R.B. , Kalil A.C.
Published: December 2005

Abstract:Histoplasma capsulatumsporadically causes severe infections in solid organ transplant (SOT) patients in the Midwest, but it has been an unusual infection among those patients followed at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), located at the western edge of the ‘histo belt.’ Nine SOT patients with histoplasmosis are described (6 renal or renal‐pancreas and 3 liver recipients) who developed severe histoplasmosis over a recent 2.5‐year period at UNMC. Symptoms started a median of 11 months (range, 1.2–90 months) after organ transplant and consisted primarily of fever, cough, shortness of breath, and malaise or fatigue present for approximately 30 days prior to medical evaluation. All patients had an abnormal chest radiograph and/or computed tomographic scan. Tacrolimus was the main immunosuppressant in all 9 patients, along with prednisone or mycophenolate. Dacluzimab or thymoglobulin had been given around the time of transplant in 6 of 9. None was treated for an episode of acute rejection within 2 months before onset of histoplasmosis, although 2 were on high‐dose immunosuppression after recent transplants. Diagnosis was made by culture in 8 of the 9 patients, with positive serum and urine histoplasma antigen tests in all 9 cases. From 1997 to 2001, during a period of relative quiescence of the disease in the general population, the rate of clinical histoplasmosis among SOT patients at UNMC was estimated at 0.11%, whereas during 2002 through the first half of 2004, the rate rose 17‐fold to 1.9%. Histoplasmosis can present as a prolonged febrile illness with subacute pulmonary symptoms in a cohort of SOT patients, despite the absence of a regional outbreak.
Practical CFD Simulations on Programmable Graphics Hardware using SMAC†
Authors: Scheidegger Carlos E. , Comba João L. D. , Da Cunha Rudnei D.
Published: December 2005

The explosive growth in integration technology and the parallel nature of rasterization‐based graphics APIs (Application Programming Interface) changed the panorama of consumer‐level graphics: today, GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) are cheap, fast and ubiquitous. We show how to harness the computational power of GPUs and solve the incompressible Navier‐Stokes fluid equations significantly faster (more than one order of magnitude in average) than on CPU solvers of comparable cost. While past approaches typically used Stam's implicit solver, we use a variation of SMAC (Simplified Marker and Cell). SMAC is widely used in engineering applications, where experimental reproducibility is essential. Thus, we show that the GPU is a viable and affordable processor for scientific applications. Our solver works with general rectangular domains (possibly with obstacles), implements a variety of boundary conditions and incorporates energy transport through the traditional Boussinesq approximation. Finally, we discuss the implications of our solver in light of future GPU features, and possible extensions such as three‐dimensional domains and free‐boundary problems.
Adaptive Deformable Models for Graphics and Vision†
Authors: Goldenstein Siome , Vogler Christian , Velho Luiz
Published: December 2005

Deformable models are a powerful tool in both computer graphics and computer vision. The description and implementation of the deformations have to be simultaneously flexible and powerful, otherwise the technique may not satisfy the requirements of all the distinct applications. In this paper, we introduce a new method for the deformable model specification: deformable fields. Deformable fields are conceptually simple, lead to an easy implementation, and are suitable for adaptive models. We apply our new technique to describe an adaptive deformable face, and compare three different adaptation strategies. We show how our technique is suitable to describe different individuals, how to construct a model based on information from a single image, and how it allows the tracking of the deformation parameters over a video sequence.
Parametric Generation of Facial Expressions Based on FACS
Authors: Wojdeł A. , Rothkrantz L. J. M.
Published: December 2005

This paper presents a parametric performance‐based model for facial animation that was inspired by Facial Action Coding System (FACS) developed by P. Ekman and F. W. Friesen. The FACS consists of 44 Action Units (AUs) corresponding to visual changes on the face. Additionally, predefined co‐occurrence rules describe how different AUs influence each other. In our model, each facial animation parameter corresponds to one of the AUs as defined in FACS. Implementation of the model is completed with methods for accumulating displacement from separate AUs together, and fuzzy‐logical adaptation of co‐occurrence rules from the FACS. We also describe the method for adapting our model to a specific person.
3D Posture Reconstruction and Human Animation from 2D Feature Points
Authors: Zhao Jianhui , Li Ling , Chee Keong Kwoh
Published: December 2005

An optimal approach is proposed in this paper for posture reconstruction and human animation from 2D feature points extracted from the monocular images containing human motions. Biomechanical constraints are encoded in every joint of the adopted 3D skeletal human model to make sure that each state of the joints represents a physically valid posture. Size of the human model is adjusted to be consistent with the human figure represented by feature points. Energy Function is defined to represent the residuals between the extracted 2D feature points and the corresponding features resulted from projection of the 3D human model. Local Adjustment and Global Adjustment procedures are proposed to place the joints and body segments into proper locations and orientations in 3D space to create the posture with the minimum value of Energy Function. To find the optimal solution of the ill‐posed recovery problem from 2D to 3D, Genetic Algorithm is employed in the high‐dimensional parameter space by considering all the parameters simultaneously. Smooth and continuous changes between consecutive frames are considered in development of the human animation procedure. The proposed approach produces optimal reconstruction results of any possible human postures and movements. It is different from classical kinematics and dynamics formulations, and is an attempt to bridge the gap between computer vision and computer animation in human motion study.
A Survey of Inverse Surface Design From Light Transport Behavior Specification
Authors: Patow Gustavo , Pueyo Xavier
Published: December 2005

Inverse surface design problems from light transport behavior specification usually represent extremely complex and costly processes, but their importance is well known. In particular, they are very interesting for lighting and luminaire design, in which it is usually difficult to test design decisions on a physical model in order to avoid costly mistakes. In this survey, we present the main ideas behind these kinds of problems, characterize them, and summarize existing work in the area, revealing problems that remain open and possible areas of further research.
Constrained Visualization Using the Shepard Interpolation Family
Authors: Brodlie K. W. , Asim M. R. , Unsworth K.
Published: December 2005

This paper discusses the problem of visualizing data where there are underlying constraints that must be preserved. For example, we may know that the data are inherently positive. We show how the Modified Quadratic Shepard method, which interpolates scattered data of any dimensionality, can be constrained to preserve positivity. We do this by forcing the quadratic basis functions to be positive. The method can be extended to handle other types of constraints, including lower bound of 0 and upper bound of 1—as occurs with fractional data. A further extension allows general range restrictions, creating an interpolant that lies between any two specified functions as the lower and upper bounds.