bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aberrant methylation of Reprimo correlates with genetic instability and predicts poor prognosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Sato Norihiro , Fukushima Noriyoshi , Matsubayashi Hiroyuki , Iacobuzio‐Donahue Christine A. , Yeo Charles J. , Goggins Michael
Published: June 2006

BACKGROUND

The p53‐dependent G2/M checkpoint plays a key role in the maintenance of genomic integrity, thereby protecting cells from neoplastic progression. Reprimo, a gene involved in the p53‐induced G2 cell cycle arrest, has been recently identified as a novel target for aberrant methylation in pancreatic and other cancers. The biological and clinical relevance of Reprimo methylation in pancreatic cancer was investigated.

METHODS

The methylation status of Reprimo CpG island was analyzed by methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction in a large series of pancreatic cancers and was correlated with p53 mutation status, genetic instability (as measured by the fractional allelic loss), and clinicopathologic features.

RESULTS

Aberrant methylation of Reprimo was identified in 60% (75 of 125) of pancreatic cancer xenografts and primary pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Reprimo methylation was also detectable in 30% (19 of 63) of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanIN), known precursors to infiltrating carcinoma. Reprimo methylation was unrelated to the p53 mutation status and associated with the increased degree of genetic instability (P = .04). Furthermore, we found that patients with Reprimo methylation in their primary pancreatic cancers have significantly worse prognosis than those without Reprimo methylation (P = .007). In contrast, other methylation targets in pancreatic cancers (SPARC and CXCR4) did not correlate with prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that aberrant methylation of Reprimo is a common event in pancreatic carcinogenesis and is associated with genetic instability and unfavorable outcome after surgical resection. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Cancer proteomics and its application to discovery of therapy response markers in human cancer
Authors: Smith Laura , Lind Michael J. , Welham Kevin J. , Cawkwell Lynn ,   Cancer Biology Proteomics Group
Published: June 2006

The administration of chemotherapy either alone or in combination with radiotherapy is an important factor in reducing the mortality and morbidity of cancer patients. Resistance to both chemotherapy and radiotherapy represents a major obstacle to a successful outcome. The identification of novel biomarkers that can be used to predict treatment response would allow therapy to be tailored on an individual patient basis. Although the mechanisms are unclear, it is accepted that development of therapy resistance is a multifactorial phenomenon involving alterations in several cellular pathways. Proteome analysis methods are powerful tools for identifying factors associated with resistance to anticancer therapy because they facilitate the simultaneous analysis of whole proteomes. The current review describes the plethora of existing proteomic approaches and details the studies that have identified biomarkers that may be useful in the prediction of clinical response to anticancer therapy. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Actin polymerization regulates clathrin coat maturation during early stages of synaptic vesicle recycling at lamprey synapses
Authors: Bourne Jennifer , Morgan Jennifer R. , Pieribone Vincent A.
Published: June 2006

Although it is established that presynaptic actin participates in synaptic vesicle recycling at several synapses, the earliest stages at which actin polymerization is employed during this process are still unclear. To address this, we prevented actin polymerization at lamprey synapses by applying latrunculin B or swinholide A. Latrunculin and swinholide depolymerize actin by sequestering actin monomers and, in addition, swinholide can sever existing actin filaments. When injected into individual presynaptic axons of the intact spinal cord, fluorescently labeled monomeric actin rapidly incorporated in a calcium‐dependent manner into a stable, filamentous actin network concentrated at endocytic zones. This pool of actin was disrupted completely by latrunculin. At stimulated synapses, specific disruption of actin polymerization with latrunculin and swinholide induced a selective increase in unconstricted clathrin‐coated pits and, in the case of swinholide, an additional increase in the size of plasma membrane evaginations. These results indicate that actin polymerization participates initially in the maturation of clathrin‐coated pits during early stages of synaptic vesicle recycling. J. Comp. Neurol. 497:600–609, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Zonal organization of the mouse flocculus: Physiology, input, and output
Authors: Schonewille Martijn , Luo Chongde , Ruigrok Tom J. H. , Voogd Jan , Schmolesky Matthew T. , Rutteman Mandy , Hoebeek Freek E. , De Jeu Marcel T. G. , De Zeeuw Chris I.
Published: June 2006

The zones of the flocculus have been mapped in many species with a noticeable exception, the mouse. Here, the functional map of the mouse was constructed via extracellular recordings followed by tracer injections of biotinylated‐dextran‐amine and immunohistochemistry for heat‐shock protein‐25. Zones were identified based on the Purkinje cell complex spike modulation occurring in response to optokinetic stimulation. In zones 1 and 3 Purkinje cells responded best to rotation about a horizontal axis oriented at 135° ipsilateral azimuth, whereas in zones 2 and 4 they responded best to rotation about the vertical axis. The tracing experiments showed that Purkinje cells of zone 1 projected to the parvicellular part of lateral cerebellar nucleus and superior vestibular nucleus, while Purkinje cells of zone 3 projected to group Y and the superior vestibular nucleus. Purkinje cells of zones 2 and 4 projected to the magnocellular and parvicellular parts of the medial vestibular nucleus, while some also innervated the lateral vestibular nucleus or nucleus prepositus hypoglossi. The climbing fiber inputs to Purkinje cells in zones 1 and 3 were derived from neurons in the ventrolateral outgrowth of the contralateral inferior olive, whereas those in zones 2 and 4 were derived from the contralateral caudal dorsal cap. Purkinje cells in zones 1 and 2, but not in zones 3 and 4, were positively labeled for heat‐shock protein‐25. The present study illustrates that Purkinje cells in the murine flocculus are organized in discrete zones with specific functions, specific input — output relations, and a specific histochemical signature. J. Comp. Neurol. 497:670–682, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional proteometrics for cell migration
Authors: Shen Feimo , Hodgson Louis , Rabinovich Andrew , Pertz Olivier , Hahn Klaus , Price Jeffrey H.
Published: June 2006

Background:

Advances in living cellular fluorescence biosensors and computerized microscopy enable a vision of fully automated high‐resolution measurements of the detailed intracellular molecular dynamics directly linked to cellular behaviors. Given the heterogeneity of cell populations, a statistically relevant study of molecular‐cellular dynamics is a key motivation for improved automation.

Methods:

We explored automating computerized, microscope‐based data extraction and analyses that monitor cell locomotion, rates of mitoses, and spatiotemporal activities of intracellular proteins via ratiometric fluorescent biosensors in mouse fibroblasts. Novel image processing methods included K‐means clustering segmentation preprocessing followed by modified discrete, normalized cross‐correlational alignment of two‐color images; ratiometric processing for fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements; and intracellular spatial distribution measurements of RhoA GTPase activity.

Results:

The interdivision time was 19.4 h (mean) ± 6.0 h (SD) (n = 7) for the GFP‐histone cells in the two‐by‐two field that was scanned for 72 h. After registration and ratioing of the cells with the RhoA biosensor, increases in both cell protrusion and retraction were coincident with to increases in RhoA activity.

Conclusions:

These advances lay the foundation for extracting and correlating measurements characterizing the functional relationships of spatial localization and protein activation with features of cell migration such as velocity, polarization, protrusion, retraction, and mitosis. © 2006 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Cholesterol homeostasis in development: The role of Xenopus 7‐dehydrocholesterol reductase (Xdhcr7) in neural development
Authors: Tadjuidje Emmanuel , Hollemann Thomas
Published: June 2006

7‐dehydrocholesterol reductase (7‐Dhcr) catalyses the final step in the pathway of cholesterol biosynthesis. Human patients with inborn errors of 7‐Dhcr (Smith‐Lemli‐Opitz‐Syndrome) have elevated serum levels of 7‐dehydrocholesterol but low levels of cholesterol, which in phenotypical terms can result in growth retardation, craniofacial abnormalities including cleft palate, and reduced metal abilities. This study reports the isolation and molecular characterisation of 7‐dehydrocholesterol reductase (Xdhcr7) from Xenopus laevis. During early embryonic development, the expression of Xdhcr7 is first of all spatially restricted to the Spemann's organizer and later to the notochord. In both tissues, Xdhcr7 is coexpressed with Sonic hedgehog (Shh), which itself is cholesterol‐modified during autoproteolytic cleavage. Data from Xdhcr7 overexpression and knockdown experiments reveals that a tight control of cholesterol synthesis is particularly important for proper development of the central and peripheral nervous system. Developmental Dynamics 235:2095–2110, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tetrahedra, Super‐Tetrahedra, Bipyramids, Boxes and More: Polymetallic Clusters of Benzotriazole
Authors: Collison David , McInnes Eric J. L. , Brechin Euan K.
Published: June 2006

The syntheses, structures and magnetic properties of a host of polymetallic 3d transition‐metal clusters made with the pro‐ligand benzotriazole (BtaH) and its analogues are reported. These range from a family of tetradecametallic clusters with spin ground states as large as S ≈ 25, to decametallic vanadium “boxes”, to iron and manganese tetra‐ and super‐tetrahedra, to hexaicosametallic manganese single‐molecule magnets. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Increased osteoblast and decreased Staphylococcus epidermidis functions on nanophase ZnO and TiO2
Authors: Colon Gabriel , Ward Brian C. , Webster Thomas J.
Published: June 2006

Many engineers and surgeons trace implant failure to poor osseointegration (or the bonding of an orthopedic implant to juxtaposed bone) and/or bacteria infection. By using novel nanotopographies, researchers have shown that nanostructured ceramics, carbon fibers, polymers, metals, and composites enhance osteoblast adhesion and calcium/phosphate mineral deposition. However, the function of bacteria on materials with nanostructured surfaces remains largely uninvestigated. This is despite the fact that during normal surgical insertion of an orthopedic implant, bacteria from the patient's own skin and/or mucosa enters the wound site. These bacteria (namely, Staphylococcus epidermidis) irreversibly adhere to an implant surface while various physiological stresses induce alterations in the bacterial growth rate leading to biofilm formation. Because of their integral role in determining the success of orthopedic implants, the objective of this in vitro study was to examine the functions of (i) S. epidermidis and (ii) osteoblasts (or bone‐forming cells) on ZnO and titania (TiO2), which possess nanostructured compared to microstructured surface features. ZnO is a well‐known antimicrobial agent and TiO2 readily forms on titanium once implanted. Results of this study provided the first evidence of decreased S. epidermidis adhesion on ZnO and TiO2 with nanostructured when compared with microstructured surface features. Moreover, compared with microphase formulations, results of this study showed increased osteoblast adhesion, alkaline phosphatase activity, and calcium mineral deposition on nanophase ZnO and TiO2. In this manner, this study suggests that nanophase ZnO and TiO2 may reduce S. epidermidis adhesion and increase osteoblast functions necessary to promote the efficacy of orthopedic implants. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
Effect of curing time and concentration for a chemical treatment that improves surface gliding for extrasynovial tendon grafts in vitro
Authors: Tanaka Toshikazu , Sun Yu‐Long , Zhao Chunfeng , Zobitz Mark E. , An Kai‐Nan , Amadio Peter C.
Published: June 2006

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether treatment time and concentration of these reagents have an effect on the resulting gliding resistance. Forty peroneus longus (PL) tendons were used, from 20 adult mongrel dogs, along with the A2 pulley obtained from the ipsilateral hind paw. After the baseline gliding resistance was measured, the PL tendons were treated with one of three concentrations of hyaluronic acid (HA) and 1‐ethyl‐3‐[3‐dimethylaminopropyl] carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) or N‐hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) mixed with 10% gelatin for various times (5, 30, and 60 min). Tendon friction was measured over 1000 cycles of simulated flexion/extension motion. Gliding resistance of the untreated PL tendons had no significant difference among the groups. After surface treatment with low concentration of HA and EDC/NHS for 5‐min cure, the gliding resistance was similar to that of the untreated PL tendon and significantly higher than its 30‐ and 60‐min treatment. For the rest of high concentration of HA and EDC/NHS groups, the gliding resistance was lower than that of untreated PL tendon. However, there was no significant difference among the timing points. It is possible to optimize the effect of surface treatment on friction and durability by regulating cure time and concentration of reagents in a canine extrasynovial tendon in vitro. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
Coronavirus phylogeny based on 2D graphical representation of DNA sequence
Authors: Liao Bo , Xiang Xuyu , Zhu Wen
Published: June 2006

A novel coronavirus has been identified as the cause of the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Previous phylogenetic analyses based on sequence alignments show that SARS‐CoVs form a new group distantly related to the other three groups of previously characterized coronaviruses. In this aritcle, a new approach based on the 2D graphical representation of the whole genome sequence is proposed to analyze the phylogenetic relationships of coronaviruses. The evolutionary distances are obtained through measuring the differences among the two‐dimensional curves. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 27: 1196–1202, 2006
If asked, hospitalized patients will choose whether to receive life‐sustaining therapies
Authors: Nicolasora Nelson , Pannala Rahul , Mountantonakis Stavros , Shanmugam Bala , DeGirolamo Angela , Amoateng‐Adjepong Yaw , Manthous Constantine A.
Published: June 2006

BACKGROUND

No national policy requires health care providers to discuss with hospitalized patients whether the latter would want cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or mechanical ventilation (MV) in the event of cardiopulmonary failure.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether hospitalized patients are willing to discuss end‐of‐life issues and choose whether to receive CPR and MV.

DESIGN

Prospective randomized trial.

PARTICIPANTS

297 patients admitted to the medicine service of a 350‐bed community teaching hospital.

INTERVENTION

Patients were randomized to receive routine care or a scripted intervention, delivered by research physicians, that included detailed information about CPR, MV, and advance directives.

MEASUREMENTS

Number of patients who welcomed the scripted intervention, number who chose to receive or reject CPR/MV, and number of advance directives created during hospitalization.

RESULTS

Of the 297 patients studied, 136 were in the intervention group and 161 were in the control group. Baseline characteristics and severity of illness were similar in the 2 groups. Of the 136 patients in the intervention group, 133 (98%) willingly discussed CPR and mechanical ventilation, and 112 (82%) found the information useful. One hundred and twenty‐five (92%) clarified their preferences regarding CPR and MV after receiving the intervention; of the 48 patients who were initially documented as wanting CPR/MV, 3 requested no CPR/MV after the intervention. Of the 87 patients in the intervention group who had no documentation of code status on admission, 5 asked for no CPR/MV. Of the 161 patients in the control group, 55 had documentation of their code status on admission. Of the 106 patients without documentation, 6 were later documented to receive no CPR/MV. Thirteen of the 102 patients who had no advance directive on admission created one after the intervention, whereas only 1 of the 128 patients in the control group did so (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients are willing to discuss and give informed consent for CPR and mechanical ventilation early in hospitalization. Only a minority drafted advance directives during hospitalization. Larger studies that include patients at other centers are required to determine whether these findings are reproducible and whether this approach is clinically feasible. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2006;3:161–167. © 2006 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Pernicious anemia associated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia and alopecia areata
Authors: Zafad Saadia , Madani Abdellah , Harif Mhamed , Quessar Asmaa , Benchekroun Said
Published: June 2006

We report a 16‐year‐old male with a combination of pernicious anemia, auto‐immune hemolytic anemia and alopecia areata. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia coexisted with pernicious anemia but was diagnosed only when the anemia failed to respond to cobalamin therapy. Alopecia areata occurred 9 years later. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:1017–1018. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cross‐trimester marker ratios in prenatal screening for Down syndrome
Authors: Wald Nicholas J. , Bestwick Jonathan P. , Morris Joan K.
Published: June 2006

Objective

To examine the performance of Integrated Down syndrome screening (first‐ and second‐trimester measurements integrated into a single screening test) when ratios of the levels of the same serum markers measured in both these trimesters (cross‐trimester ratios) are added as new screening markers.

Methods

Using data from Serum Urine and Ultrasound Screening Study (SURUSS), second‐trimester concentrations (in multiples of the median, or MoM) of pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPP‐A), alphafetoprotein (AFP), unconjugated oestriol (uE3), human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) (free β and total), and inhibin‐A were divided by the first‐trimester concentration to obtain a cross‐trimester (CT) ratio for each analyte in 74 Down syndrome and 492 unaffected pregnancies. We identified CT ratios that improved screening performance and then, using Monte Carlo simulations, estimated the efficacy and cost effectiveness of adding them to the Integrated and serum Integrated tests.

Results

All the median CT ratios differed significantly between Down syndrome and unaffected pregnancies. Setting the Integrated test to achieve a 90% detection rate, the false‐positive rate (FPR) was 0.7% with CT ratios for PAPP‐A, uE3, inhibin‐A, and total hCG compared with 2.2% without CT ratios, a reduction of about two‐thirds. Using the serum Integrated test to achieve the same 90% detection rate and the first‐trimester measurements made at 11 completed weeks of pregnancy, the corresponding FPRs were 2.4 and 8.1%, a similar proportional reduction. The AFP CT ratio had little effect on screening performance. Using CT ratios did not increase the cost per Down syndrome pregnancy detected.

Conclusion

The addition of CT ratios to an Integrated test substantially improves the efficacy and safety of prenatal screening for Down syndrome. It is cost effective and could be usefully introduced into screening programmes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonlinear conduction of irradiation‐crosslinked high‐density polyethylene/acetylene carbon black composites at the electric–thermal equilibrium state
Authors: Song Yihu , Zheng Qiang
Published: June 2006

At the electric–thermal equilibrium state, the nonlinear conduction behaviors of high‐density polyethylene/acetylene carbon black composites crosslinked with electron‐beam irradiation have been studied in wide ranges of electric field and ambient temperature. Critical electric field E0.5 at the global electrical breakdown and the corresponding apparent resistivity are related to the intrinsic resistivity at given ambient temperatures. The relationship between the nonlinear conduction and the intrinsic positive temperature coefficient effect of resistivity is established by a discussion of E0.5 as a function of the macroscopic resistivity temperature coefficient. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1979–1984, 2006
Chemical synthesis of mouse cripto CFC variants
Authors: Marasco Daniela , Saporito Angela , Ponticelli Salvatore , Chambery Angela , De Falco Sandro , Pedone Carlo , Minchiotti Gabriella , Ruvo Menotti
Published: June 2006

We report for the first time the chemical synthesis of refolded CFC domain of mouse Cripto (mCFC) and of two variants bearing mutations on residues W107 and H104 involved in Alk4 binding. The domains undergo spontaneous and quantitative refolding in about 4 h, yet with very different kinetics. Disulfide linkages have been assessed by enzyme digestion and mass spectrometry analysis of resulting fragments, and the first experimental studies on structural organization have been conducted by circular dichroism spectroscopy under different pH conditions. Upon refolding, the domains considerably change their conformations, although they do not assume canonical structures, and become highly resistant to enzyme degradation. A comparative study of receptor binding shows that the CFC domain can bind Alk4 and confirms the importance of W107 and H104 for receptor recognition. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Use of noncollinear exchange‐correlation potentials in multiplet resolutions by time‐dependent density functional theory
Authors: Wang Fan , Ziegler Tom
Published: June 2006

The resolution of spin‐multiplets in an electronic system with a spin‐degenerate ground state requires a method that can deal with spin‐flip excitations. We recently showed that time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) can treat such excitations provided that use is made of a noncollinear exchange‐correlation (XC) potential. The new formulation is a generalization of conventional TDDFT. The form of the new formulation is exactly the same as that of the conventional TDDFT for transitions that do not involve spin‐flips. However, the noncollinear TDDFT formulation allows in addition for spin‐flip transitions. In the present account, we explain in more detail why a noncollinear formulation of the XC potential is required. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
Responses of macroinvertebrate communities to river restoration in a channelized segment of the Shibetsu River, Northern Japan
Authors: Nakano Daisuke , Nakamura Futoshi
Published: June 2006

The effects of restoration of channel meandering and of groyne structures on physical variables and river‐dwelling macroinvertebrates were examined in a lowland river, the Shibetsu River in Northern Japan. The lowland segment of the Shibetsu River, which previously meandered, was straightened by channelization and groynes installed on some portions of the channelized reach. In 2002, the channelization works were partly reversed to improve the degraded river ecosystem.

Physical environment variables and macroinvertebrate community structure and composition were compared among reconstructed meanders and channelized reaches with and without groynes. The shear stress of the river edge in reconstructed meanders and groyne reaches was lower than that in a channelized reach. In addition, the edge habitat near the stream bank created by the reconstructed meander and groyne reaches had higher total density and taxon richness of macroinvertebrates than those of the channelized reach. Restoration provided a relatively stable edge habitat, contributing to the recovery of macroinvertebrate communities in such channelized lowland rivers. The placement of groynes can be an effective method of in‐stream habitat restoration for macroinvertebrates. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of incremental dietary chromium (Cr3+) on growth, hormone concentrations and glucose clearance in growing goats (Capra hircus)
Authors: HALDAR S. , GHOSH T. K. , PAKHIRA M. C. , DE K.
Published: June 2006

Castrated male black Bengal kids were supplemented daily with 0, 0·5, 1·0, 1·5 and 2·0 mg chromium (Cr3+ as chromic chloride hexahydrate) for 150 days. Metabolic stresses such as a feeding challenge, an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) and a short-term (72 h) feed deprivation were imposed on the animals to ascertain if supplemental Cr could alleviate these stresses and whether the stress-alleviating effect could provide an explanatory basis for the performance traits of the supplemented animals. The kids were fed with a concentrate diet containing 0·197 mg Cr/kg DM. DM intake (g/kgw0·75) was lower (P=0·006) in the 0·5 and 1·5 mg groups. Feed efficiency tended (P=0·086) to improve in the Cr-supplemented kids, although a distinct dose response was absent. Basal serum T3 increased linearly (P=0·01) with increased dose of Cr although the post-prandial change did not follow any definite trend. Basal serum insulin increased (P=0·001) linearly while the post-prandial increment was higher (P=0·037) in the control group. The IVGTT indicated that the kids supplemented with 1·5 mg Cr had significantly (P<0·05) higher serum clearance rate and lower half-life for insulin. Serum Cr during the IVGTT declined (P<0·05) until 45 m after glucose infusion and then increased again (P<0·10) at 60 m in the 0·5 and 1·5 mg groups although in the rest of the experimental groups serum Cr was stable during the entire course of the IVGTT. The body weights at the beginning of the fast were higher (P=0·036) in the kids supplemented with 0·5 and 1·5 mg Cr. However, the change in body weight at the end of the 72 h fast did not vary (P>0·10) between the groups. Cr supplementation reduced (P<0·05) serum cortisol level in the supplemented animals consistently throughout the duration of the feed deprivation. Moreover, as the fast progressed serum cortisol tended to increase (P=0·059) in all the experimental groups irrespective of the level of Cr supplementation. It was concluded that inorganic Cr supplementation might appreciably increase serum T3 concentration and reduce the level of cortisol which might augment animal productivity. However, further research with a more sensitive design is required to establish the exact level of Cr supplementation for enhancing performance of livestock.
Identifying patients who need close monitoring during and after upper airway surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Pang K P
Published: June 2006

Potentially serious complications have been documented in patients undergoing upper airway surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Consensus is lacking regarding peri- and post-operative monitoring and identification of those patients likely to suffer post-operative complications.

This retrospective review of 118 patients treated and 152 surgical procedures undertaken, from January 1998 to December 2003, addresses this issue. The overall peri- and post-operative complication rate was 13.8 per cent, with one patient experiencing upper airway compromise, five patients experiencing post-operative oxygen desaturation within 150 minutes of extubation, six patients experiencing persistent hypertension and four patients suffering secondary haemorrhage. All patients were treated accordingly and recovered well, with no mortality. From these results, it is concluded that patients with severe OSA (apnoea–hypopnoea index > 60 and lowest oxygen saturation <80 per cent) are at higher risk of post-operative oxygen desaturation. Post-operative hypertension is more likely in patients with a prior history of hypertension. Routine post-operative admission to an intensive care unit for all OSA patients is unnecessary (including patients with severe OSA). However, all patients with OSA should be closely monitored in the post-anaesthesia care area for at least three hours after surgery; based on the outcome of this period and the clinical judgment of the clinician, the patient can then be observed overnight in either the high dependency unit or on a general ward. Patients with mild OSA may be admitted to the 23-hour ambulatory unit post-operatively. Use of continuous positive airway pressure in the immediate post-operative period can reduce the incidence of post-operative respiratory compromise and complications and is strongly recommended.
Failed tracheostomy under local anaesthesia…plan B?
Authors: Maiya B , Smith H L
Published: June 2006

Severe stridor of recent onset is a challenge to deal with because of the lack of investigations on which to base the management plan. We describe a case of an elderly lady who presented to us with a short history of severe stridor. We encountered unanticipated difficulties with tracheostomy under local anaesthesia as the thyroid was replaced by a diffuse mass and the airway had to be secured by an awake fibre-optic intubation. Awake fibre-optic intubation is thought to be a relative contraindication in acute upper airway obstruction, but occasionally tracheostomy under local anaesthesia may not be possible and in experienced hands an awake fibre-optic intubation is a reasonable alternative.
Calcium-ions are involved in erythrocyte invasion by equine Babesia parasites
Authors: OKUBO K. , WILAWAN P. , BORK S. , OKAMURA M. , YOKOYAMA N. , IGARASHI I.
Published: June 2006

Ethylene glycol bis (β-aminoethylether)-N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) is a chelating agent capable of binding to positively-charged metal ions, including a calcium-ion (Ca2+). Here, we demonstrated the inhibitory effect of the chemical on the in vitro asexual growth of the equine protozoan parasites, Babesia caballi and Babesia equi. The growth of both B. caballi and B. equi was significantly inhibited in the presence of EGTA (IC50=1·27 and 2·25 mM, respectively). Under microscopical observation, increased percentages of extracellular merozoites in the total parasites were detected in both of the cultures treated with high concentrations of EGTA. In contrast, further addition of Ca2+ to the EGTA-treated cultures prevented the parasites from clearing and the percentages of extracellular merozoites from increasing. As for B. caballi, an invasion test using high-voltage pulsing proved that EGTA has an inhibitory effect to their erythrocyte invasion. These results suggest that Ca2+ is involved in erythrocyte invasion by equine Babesia parasites.
Comparing the efficacy of EMDR and trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy in the treatment of PTSD: a meta-analytic study
Authors: SEIDLER GUENTER H. , WAGNER FRANK E.
Published: June 2006

Background. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are both widely used in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There has, however, been debate regarding the advantages of one approach over the other. This study sought to determine whether there was any evidence that one treatment was superior to the other.

Method. We performed a systematic review of the literature dating from 1989 to 2005 and identified eight publications describing treatment outcomes of EMDR and CBT in active–active comparisons. Seven of these studies were investigated meta-analytically.

Results. The superiority of one treatment over the other could not be demonstrated. Trauma-focused CBT and EMDR tend to be equally efficacious. Differences between the two forms of treatment are probably not of clinical significance. While the data indicate that moderator variables influence treatment efficacy, we argue that because of the small number of original studies, little benefit is to be gained from a closer examination of these variables. Further research is needed within the framework of randomized controlled trials.

Conclusions. Our results suggest that in the treatment of PTSD, both therapy methods tend to be equally efficacious. We suggest that future research should not restrict its focus to the efficacy, effectiveness and efficiency of these therapy methods but should also attempt to establish which trauma patients are more likely to benefit from one method or the other. What remains unclear is the contribution of the eye movement component in EMDR to treatment outcome.
A low cost decision support tool for the diagnosis of endemic bovine infectious diseases in the mixed crop–livestock production system of sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: EISLER M. C. , MAGONA J. W. , JONSSON N. N. , REVIE C. W.
Published: June 2006

Diagnosis and treatment of endemic infectious disease is crucial for productivity of cattle in rural sub-Saharan Africa, but shortages of trained veterinary professionals necessitate support for less well-trained cadres of animal health worker. A Delphi survey of veterinary experts provided quantitative information on key clinical signs associated with eight endemic bovine diseases, then heuristics and dendrogram analysis identified a reduced sign set to be incorporated in a diagnostic decision support tool implemented as a simple colour-banded card. One hundred and seventy disease-sign questionnaire returns were obtained from 32 veterinary research scientists and 14 veterinary practitioners. Preliminary validation of the decision support tool for 16 prototypical cases resulted in ‘correct’ diagnosis over 90% of the time. The card potentially serves as a training aid and aide-mémoire, and could improve the diagnostic competence of animal healthcare providers.
Modelling the unidentified mortality burden from thirteen infectious pathogenic microorganisms in infants
Authors: MARKOV P. V. , CROWCROFT N. S.
Published: June 2006

Official statistics routinely underestimate mortality from specific microorganisms and deaths are assigned to non-specific syndromes. Here we estimate mortality attributed to specific pathogens by modelling non-specific infant deaths from laboratory reports and codes on death certificates for these pathogens, 1993–2000 in England and Wales using a generalized linear model. In total, 22·4–59·8% of non-specific deaths in infants (25–66 deaths a year) are attributable to specific pathogens. Yearly deaths from Bordetella pertussis in neonates are 6·8 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1·5–11·9]. In post-neonates 9·4 (95% CI 2·3–16·6) deaths a year are attributable to Neisseria meningitidis, 7·3 (95% CI 2·4–12·3) to Streptococcus pneumoniae, from 2·8 (95% CI 0·8–4·9) to 15·1 (95% CI 9·4–20·9) to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and 3 (95% CI 0·3–5·9) to parainfluenza type 2. Our results suggest there is substantial hidden mortality for a number of pathogens in infants. A considerable proportion of deaths classified to infectious syndromes are non-infectious, suggesting low specificity of death certification. Laboratory reports were the more reliable source, reinforcing the asset of strong surveillance systems.
Bats and human emerging diseases
Authors: BENNETT M.
Published: June 2006

Recently, two independent research teams reported evidence of infection with SARS-like coronaviruses in insectivorous horseshoe bats (genus Rhinolophus) in China [1, 2]. SARS emerged in China in 2002, and eventually infected over 8000 people around the world, killing about 10% of them. Early epidemiological studies suggested that the human disease may have originated in Chinese live-animal food markets, and the hunt for a source of the virus quickly identified apparently healthy Himalayan palm civets (Paguma larvata) as prime suspects [3]. Other studies, however, failed to find any evidence of widespread infection in civets [4] or a variety of other animals traditionally used as food in China. Rather, palm civets, like human beings, seem to be only accidental hosts of the virus, becoming infected, again like people, when mixed with other species in markets. More structured hunts for the reservoir continued, although not before thousands of palm civets had been slaughtered.
Recent decrease in gentoo penguin populations at Iles Kerguelen
Authors: Lescroël Amélie , Bost Charles-André
Published: June 2006

Several sub-Antarctic penguin populations have exhibited decreasing trends in the last 5–20 years. At Iles Kerguelen, the gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) has decreased by approximately 30% over the last 15 years. This decrease is likely to be related to reduced food availability for this coastal species. We discuss this decrease with regard to the impact of overfishing and to the potential effects of climate changes on marine food webs.
Habitat preference and reproductive traits in the Antarctic midge Parochlus steinenii (Diptera: Chironomidae)
Authors: Hahn Steffen , Reinhardt Klaus
Published: June 2006

We provide the first comprehensive account of habitat preference, mating, oviposition and developmental stages of Parochlus steinenii. There are eight records from the South Shetland Islands. On King George Island, none out of 40 temporary ponds and 9% out of 44 lakes with variable water levels were inhabited by P. steinenii. By contrast, 94% of 52 lakes with stable water levels were occupied, for 92% of which breeding was confirmed. Lakes were occupied independently of their height above sea level ranging from 5 to 115 m. The midges aggregated at two different microhabitats at the shoreline of lakes. Terrestrial swarms of more than 5000 individuals at open wind sheltered rocks were strongly dominated by males. Their mean density was 40, their maximum 150 ind. cm−2. Aggregations under stones at the water edge showed a female-biased or equal sex ratio; their densities seasonally increased from 0.17 to 2.02 ind. cm−2. Female midges produced one to four egg batches totalling on average 247 eggs/female. Four larval stages can be clearly discriminated by head length. Our data on the habitat preferences and the high reproductive output predict that P. steinenii will rapidly colonize habitats that become available in the course of the regional warming of the Antarctic Peninsula region.
Response of two Antarctic marine bacteria to different natural UV radiation doses and wavelengths
Authors: Hernandez Edgardo A. , Ferreyra Gustavo A. , Mac Cormack Walter P.
Published: June 2006

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of different fractions of UVR on two Antarctic marine bacteria (Arthrobacter UVvi and FCB-related UVps strains) and to study the relationship between the bacterial viability and the UVB dose. Ten experiments exposing strains to natural solar radiation were conducted in Potter Cove, South Shetland Islands. The effect of different UVR wavelengths on viability was analysed by using cultures in quartz bottles covered with interferential filters. Six treatments were performed: DARK, PAR (with UVR shielded off), UVA360, UVA320, UVB305 and UVB280. In all UVR treatments, strains showed significant losses of viability under high and moderate irradiance and no differences were observed between UV treatments. Under high UVB dose (15.0 kJ m−2 received in only two hours), the effect of UVB treatments was significantly higher than that observed under UVA treatments. However, UVA caused a significant reduction on bacterial viability. Survival rates were negatively correlated with integrated UVB dose, FCB-related UVps being more sensitive than Arthobacter UVvi. The similar values observed in viability when the same dose was received in different time periods suggested that DNA repair mechanisms are not much effective in these strains. The different response to the UV wavelength ranges studied here suggests that changes in the spectral composition of natural radiation could differentially affect the components of Antarctic marine bacterial communities.
Jurassic sedimentation of the Miers Bluff Formation, Livingston Island, Antarctica: evidence from SHRIMP U–Pb ages of detrital and plutonic zircons
Authors: Hervé Francisco , Faúndez Víctor , Brix Manfred , Fanning Mark
Published: June 2006

Detrital zircon populations from two sandstone samples from the lower member (Johnsons Dock Member) of the Miers Bluff Formation at Hurd Peninsula have been dated by the Sensitive High Resolution Ion Microprobe (SHRIMP) U–Pb method. In one of the samples, zircons as young as early Middle Jurassic (Bajocian) age are present. In the second sample, the youngest detrital zircons are Middle Triassic in age. The detrital zircon age spectra indicate that Permian, early Palaeozoic and Meso- to Neoproterozoic zircon bearing rocks were present in the source areas of the Miers Bluff Formation. The sedimentary rocks are intruded by the Hespérides Point Intrusive diorite stock which yielded a U–Pb zircon crystallization age of 137.7 ± 1.4 Ma (Early Cretaceous, Valanginian). These results indicate that sedimentation of the Johnsons Dock Member of the Miers Bluff Formation is bracketed in time between the Bajocian and the Valanginian. The Miers Bluff Formation has been correlated with the Trinity Peninsula Group from the Antarctic Peninsula, based on sedimentological and structural similarity. Since the Trinity Peninsula Group is older than Middle Jurassic a direct chronological correlation is not supported by our new U–Pb zircon data. However, we suggest that the tectonic setting may have migrated in time with deposition of the pre-Middle Jurassic TPG on the peninsula, to Livingston Island where the maximum age for deposition of the MBF is Bajocian (about 170 Ma).
Cancer patients' perceptions of using a “breast gown”: a qualitative study
Authors: McLean M. , Hodgson D.
Published: June 2006

Recently, radiotherapy breast gowns have been introduced into some Radiotherapy Departments across the country. The idea of using the breast gowns came from issues highlighted regarding privacy and dignity from patient satisfaction surveys. The introduction of the breast gowns was not evidence based, however they have become popular as they were considered a good aid for patients' comfort. This study aimed to investigate patients' perceptions of the breast gowns using a qualitative, phenomenological approach. The methodology was designed to explore patient's feelings about their experiences throughout their cancer journey. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed and analysed, via content analysis. The key themes that emerged from the study were related to: patients' emotions; dignity and privacy issues; exposure; patient choice and an unexpected result were their views relating to the notion of “possession”. The results of this study cannot be generalised due to the methodology chosen, however the findings can aid the development of a multi-centred study to investigate this topic further. In addition, this study has highlighted an important recommendation for radiotherapy practice: the development of a “modesty gown” for most treatment sites.
Decomposing non-redundant sharing by complementation
Authors: ZAFFANELLA ENEA , HILL PATRICIA M. , BAGNARA ROBERTO
Published: June 2006

Complementation, the inverse of the reduced product operation, is a technique for systematically
finding minimal decompositions of abstract domains. Filé and Ranzato advanced
the state of the art by introducing a simple method for computing a complement. As an
application, they considered the extraction by complementation of the pair-sharing domain
PS from the Jacobs and Langen's set-sharing domain SH. However, since the result of this
operation was still SH, they concluded that PS was too abstract for this. Here, we show that
the source of this result lies not with PS but with SH and, more precisely, with the redundant
information contained in SH with respect to ground-dependencies and pair-sharing. In fact,
a proper decomposition is obtained if the non-redundant version of SH, PSD, is substituted
for SH. To establish the results for PSD, we define a general schema for subdomains of SH
that includes PSD and Def as special cases. This sheds new light on the structure of PSD
and exposes a natural though unexpected connection between Def and PSD. Moreover, we
substantiate the claim that complementation alone is not sufficient to obtain truly minimal
decompositions of domains. The right solution to this problem is to first remove redundancies
by computing the quotient of the domain with respect to the observable behavior, and only
then decompose it by complementation.
NICE's use of cost effectiveness as an exemplar of a deliberative process
Authors: Culyer Anthony J.
Published: June 2006

This paper seeks to test 12 conjectures about the predicted use of deliberative processes by applying them to the technology assessment procedures used by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in England and Wales. A deliberative process is one that elicits and combines evidence of different kinds and from different sources in order to develop guidance – in the present case, guidance for a health care system. A deliberative process entails the integration of three kinds of evidence: scientific context-free evidence about the general clinical potential of a technology, scientific context-sensitive evidence about particular evidence in realistic scenarios, and colloquial evidence to fit context-free scientific evidence into a context and to supply the best evidence short of scientific evidence to fill in any relevant gaps. It is shown that NICE's appraisals procedures and, in particular, its approach to cost effectiveness, entail both the weighing of each of these types of evidence and can be seen as rational responses to the 12 conjectures.
Verabreichungsfehler – welche Informationen braucht ein Patient um seine Arzneimittel-Therapie sicher durchzuführen?
Authors: Haefeli
Published: June 2006

Über 100 verschiedene Verabreichungswege für Arzneimittel sind bekannt, für die es oft spezialisierte galenische Formulierungen, ausgeklügelte Behältnisse und technische Verabreichungshilfen gibt. Entsprechend groß ist der Informationsbedarf um sie richtig einzusetzen. Aus der zunehmenden Verlagerung solcher Therapien in die Hand der Patienten erwächst nun die Pflicht, Patienten und Hilfspersonen so zu informieren, dass sie komplexe Verabreichungen sicher durchführen können. Dazu gehören auch praktische Fähigkeiten, um Arzneimittel aus ihren Behältnissen zu entnehmen, sie gegebenenfalls richtig zu teilen und schließlich korrekt zu applizieren. Dieser Artikel stellt die Punkte zusammen, die für eine optimale Information des Patienten bei der Verordnung und Arzneimittelabgabe übermittelt werden sollten, um den Patienten in die Lage zu versetzen, seine Therapie richtig durchzuführen.
Arzneimittelanwendung in der Therapie chronischer Schmerzen
Authors: Bertsche  , Bardenheuer
Published: June 2006

Die Wahl der geeigneten Arzneiform ist maßgeblich für den Therapieerfolg. Tabletten, Kapseln und perorale Liquida stehen als klassische Applikationsformen in der Schmerztherapie zur Verfügung. Retardgaleniken haben die Therapie chronischer Schmerzen verbessert und bieten die Möglichkeit der peroralen Basismedikation mit nur zwei Applikationen pro Tag. Transdermale Systeme mit stark wirksamen Opioiden bieten Vorteile zur Therapie insbesondere chronischer und stabiler Schmerzzustände. Orotransmukosale Systeme sind eine Option für eine schnell wirksame Rescuemedikation. Suppositorien sind wegen geringer Patientenakzeptanz und schlecht reproduzierbarer Bioverfügbarkeit keine Applikationsformen der ersten Wahl. Eine PCA (patient controlled analgesia) ist den Patienten vorbehalten, die mit den genannten Applikationsformen nicht adäquat therapierbar sind. Für viele dieser Applikationsformen sind spezifische Informationen zu Verordnung und Anwendung notwendig, um gute Therapieergebnisse sicher zu stellen.