bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Test–retest intra‐rater reliability of vaginal measurement of pelvic floor muscle strength using Myomed 932
Authors: SIGURDARDOTTIR THORGERDUR , STEINGRIMSDOTTIR THORA , ARNASON ARNI , BØ KARI
Published: July 2009

Objectives. To investigate test–retest intra‐rater reliability of measurements of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength using Myomed 932® (Enraf‐Nonius, Delft, the Netherlands). Design. Test–retest intra‐rater reliability test with a 2–7 day interval. Setting. Physiotherapy outpatient clinic in association with the Department of Physiotherapy, University of Iceland. Population. Twenty healthy female volunteers in Reykjavik metropolitan area, Iceland, with a mean age of 43.8 (SD 9.8) years, mean body mass index (BMI) 26.2 (SD 5.3), and mean parity 2.1 children (SD 1.0). Main outcome measures. PFM strength during two attempts of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) measured as vaginal squeeze pressure in hectoPascals (hPa). Results. Mean MVC was 34.45 hPa (95% CI: 26.07–42.83) on Day 1 and 34.05 hPa (95% CI: 26.66–41.44) on Day 2. The measurements ranged from 5–74 hPa interindividually on Day 1 and 5–62 hPa on Day 2. Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was 0.97; p<0.001 and coefficient of variation (CV%) was 11.09%. There was no significant difference between the first and second tests (p = 0.74). Conclusion. This test–retest intra‐rater reliability study for Myomed 932 showed a very good reliability using ICC. The CV%, however, indicated some degree of intra‐individual variation. We suggest that this device can be used both in practice and clinical trials for assessing female PFM strength.
The relation between urinary incontinence and steroid hormone levels in perimenopausal women. A report from the Women's Health in the Lund Area (WHILA) study
Authors: TELEMAN PIA M. , PERSSON JAN , MATTIASSON ANDERS , SAMSIOE GÖRAN
Published: July 2009

Objective. To outline possible associations between urinary incontinence (UI) and serum levels of steroid hormones in middle‐aged women. Design and setting. Community‐based observational study. Sample. All women aged 50–59 living in the Lund area by December 1995 were invited to a screening procedure. Sixty‐four percent (n = 6,917) attended the screening that included physical and laboratory examinations and questionnaires. Methods. Serum levels of cortisol, testosterone, androstendione, SHBG (sex hormone‐binding globulin), and estradiol were analyzed and the 2,221 (32%) women who reported urinary leakage causing a social or hygienic problem were compared to those who denied incontinence. Main outcome measure. Possible differences in serum levels of steroid hormones in continent and incontinent women. Results. There were no significant differences between continent and incontinent women regarding serum levels of cortisol, testosterone, androstendione, or testosterone + androstendione combined. Serum estradiol adjusted for body mass index, parity, smoking, and hysterectomy was significantly higher in incontinent women (87.1±138.4 pmol/l vs. 78.0±118.5 pmol/l, p = 0.005), whereas the ratio estradiol/SHBG was not. These differences persisted when the group of women not on hormonal treatment was analyzed. Conclusions. UI in middle‐aged women seems related to higher serum estradiol levels. This corroborates with studies showing a higher incidence and/or prevalence of UI in women on hormone therapy. No association between UI and serum levels of cortisol, testosterone, or androstendione wasfound.
HIV, prayer, and vintage cars: Danny Douek talks shop
Authors: Maxmen Amy
Published: July 2009

If a scientist is defined as a person who acquires knowledge methodologically, Douek fits the bill in every way.
A Cluster of Cases of Nosocomial Legionnaires Disease Linked to a Contaminated Hospital Decorative Water Fountain
Authors: Palmore Tara N. , Stock Frida , White Margaret , Bordner MaryAnn , Michelin Angela , Bennett John E. , Murray Patrick R. , Henderson David K.
Published: July 2009

Background.

Nosocomial outbreaks of Legionnaires disease have been linked to contaminated water in hospitals. Immunocompromised patients are particularly vulnerable and, when infected, have a high mortality rate. We report the investigation of a cluster of cases of nosocomial pneumonia attributable toLegionella pneumophilaserogroup 1 that occurred among patients on our stem cell transplantation unit.

Methods.

We conducted a record review to identify common points of potential exposure, followed by environmental and water sampling forLegionellaspecies from those sources. We used an air sampler to in an attempt to detect aerosolizedLegionellaand pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to compare clinical and environmental isolates.

Results.

The most likely sources identified were the water supply in the patients' rooms and a decorative fountain in the radiation oncology suite. Samples from the patients' rooms did not growLegionellaspecies. Cultures of the fountain, which had been restarted 4 months earlier after being shut off for 5 months, yieldedL. pneumophilaserogroup 1. The isolates from both patients and the fountain were identical by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Both patients developed pneumonia within 10 days of completing radiation therapy, and each reported having observed the fountain at close range. Both patients' infections were identified early and treated promptly, and both recovered.

Conclusions.

This cluster was caused by contamination of a decorative fountain despite its being equipped with a filter and ozone generator. Fountains are a potential source of nosocomial Legionnaires disease despite standard maintenance and sanitizing measures. In our opinion, fountains present unacceptable risk in hospitals serving immunocompromised patients.
The Class II Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase C2β Is Required for the Activation of the K+Channel KCa3.1 and CD4 T-Cells
Authors: Srivastava Shekhar , Di Lie , Zhdanova Olga , Li Zhai , Vardhana Santosha , Wan Qi , Yan Ying , Varma Rajat , Backer Jonathan , Wulff Heike , Dustin Michael L. , Skolnik Edward Y.
Published: July 2009

The Ca2+-activated K+channel KCa3.1 is required for Ca2+influx and the subsequent activation of T-cells. We previously showed that nucleoside diphosphate kinase beta (NDPK-B), a mammalian histidine kinase, directly phosphorylates and activates KCa3.1 and is required for the activation of human CD4 T lymphocytes. We now show that the class II phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase C2β (PI3K-C2β) is activated by the T-cell receptor (TCR) and functions upstream of NDPK-B to activate KCa3.1 channel activity. Decreased expression of PI3K-C2β by siRNA in human CD4 T-cells resulted in inhibition of KCa3.1 channel activity. The inhibition was due to decreased phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate [PI(3)P] because dialyzing PI3K-C2β siRNA-treated T-cells with PI(3)P rescued KCa3.1 channel activity. Moreover, overexpression of PI3K-C2β in KCa3.1-transfected Jurkat T-cells led to increased TCR-stimulated activation of KCa3.1 and Ca2+influx, whereas silencing of PI3K-C2β inhibited both responses. Using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and planar lipid bilayers, we found that PI3K-C2β colocalized with Zap70 and the TCR in peripheral microclusters in the immunological synapse. This is the first demonstration that a class II PI3K plays a critical role in T-cell activation.
Comments on sequence normalization of tiling array expression
Authors: Gilbert Don , Rechtsteiner Andreas
Published: July 2009

Motivation: Methods to improve tiling array expression signals are needed to accurately detect genome features. Royce et al. provide statistical normalizations of tile signal based on probe sequence content that promises improved accuracy, and should be independently verified.

Results: Assessment of the sequence content normalization methods identified a problem: confounding of probe sequence content with gene structure (intron/exon) sequence content. Normalization obscured tile signal changes at gene structure boundaries. This and other evidence suggests that simple sequence normalization does not improve detection of genes from tile expression data.

Availability:  http://wfleabase.org/genome-summaries/tile-expression/tileseqnorms/

Contact:  gilbertd@indiana.edu
DYNAMIK: a software environment for cell DYNAmics, Motility, and Information tracKing, with an application to Ras pathways
Authors: Jaeger Stefan , Song Qingfeng , Chen Su-Shing
Published: July 2009

The emergence of new microscopy techniques in combination with the increasing resource of bioimaging data has given fresh impetus to utilizing image processing methods for studying biological processes. Cell tracking studies in particular, which are important for a wide range of biological processes such as embryonic development or the immune system, have recently become the focus of attention. These studies typically produce large volumes of data that are hard to investigate manually and therefore call for an automated approach. Due to the large variety of biological cells and the inhomogeneity of applications, however, there exists no widely accepted method or system for cell tracking until today. In this article, we present our publicly available DYNAMIK software environment that allows users to compute a suit of cell features and plot the trajectory of multiple cells over a sequence of frames. Using chemotaxis and Ras pathways as an example, we show how users can employ our software to compute statistics about cell motility and other cell information, and how to evaluate their test series based on the data computed. We see that DYNAMIK's segmentation and tracking compares favorably with the output produced by other software packages.

Contact:  jaeger@picb.ac.cn

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
FRED—a framework for T-cell epitope detection
Authors: Feldhahn Magdalena , Dönnes Pierre , Thiel Philipp , Kohlbacher Oliver
Published: July 2009

Summary: Over the last decade, immunoinformatics has made significant progress. Computational approaches, in particular the prediction of T-cell epitopes using machine learning methods, are at the core of modern vaccine design. Large-scale analyses and the integration or comparison of different methods become increasingly important. We have developed FRED, an extendable, open source software framework for key tasks in immunoinformatics. In this, its first version, FRED offers easily accessible prediction methods for MHC binding and antigen processing as well as general infrastructure for the handling of antigen sequence data and epitopes. FRED is implemented in Python in a modular way and allows the integration of external methods.

Availability: FRED is freely available for download at http://www-bs.informatik.uni-tuebingen.de/Software/FRED.

Contact:  feldhahn@informatik.uni-tuebingen.de
Cross-scale, cross-pathway evaluation using an agent-based non-small cell lung cancer model
Authors: Wang Zhihui , Birch Christina M. , Sagotsky Jonathan , Deisboeck Thomas S.
Published: July 2009

We present a multiscale agent-based non-small cell lung cancer model that consists of a 3D environment with which cancer cells interact while processing phenotypic changes. At the molecular level, transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) has been integrated into our previously developed in silico model as a second extrinsic input in addition to epidermal growth factor (EGF). The main aim of this study is to investigate how the effects of individual and combinatorial change in EGF and TGFβ concentrations at the molecular level alter tumor growth dynamics on the multi-cellular level, specifically tumor volume and expansion rate. Our simulation results show that separate EGF and TGFβ fluctuations trigger competing multi-cellular phenotypes, yet synchronous EGF and TGFβ signaling yields a spatially more aggressive tumor that overall exhibits an EGF-driven phenotype. By altering EGF and TGFβ concentration levels simultaneously and asynchronously, we discovered a particular region of EGF-TGFβ profiles that ensures phenotypic stability of the tumor system. Within this region, concentration changes in EGF and TGFβ do not impact the resulting multi-cellular response substantially, while outside these concentration ranges, a change at the molecular level will substantially alter either tumor volume or tumor expansion rate, or both. By evaluating tumor growth dynamics across different scales, we show that, under certain conditions, therapeutic targeting of only one signaling pathway may be insufficient. Potential implications of these in silico results for future clinico-pharmacological applications are discussed.

Contact:  deisboec@helix.mgh.harvard.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Sexual segregation of common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in Greenland, and the influence of sea temperature on the sex ratio of catches
Authors: Laidre Kristin L. , Heagerty Patrick J. , Heide-Jørgensen Mads Peter , Witting Lars , Simon Malene
Published: July 2009

Laidre, K. L., Heagerty, P. J., Heide-Jørgensen, M. P., Witting, L., and Simon, M. 2009. Sexual segregation of common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in Greenland, and the influence of sea temperature on the sex ratio of catches. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 2253–2266. The harvest of common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in West Greenland has historically been skewed towards female whales, yet a complete analysis of spatial and temporal patterns of catch sex ratio has never been conducted. We examined trends in the sex ratio of catches over time, season, space, and relative to sea temperature using 2400 records from inshore Greenland subsistence whaling operations (1960–2006) and 2072 records from offshore Norwegian commercial operations (1968–1985). Logistic regression models were developed to examine the trend in sex ratio in three regions (Northwest, NW; Central West, CW; Southwest, SW) and by latitude. The highly skewed proportion of females in all catches was strongly positively correlated (r2 = 0.8) with latitude in the offshore catches (>100 km). Generalized linear models of inshore catches indicated slightly increasing though non-significant trends in the proportion of females taken off CW and NW Greenland and a significant declining trend off SW Greenland. Sensitivity analyses show that the declining inshore SW trend was entirely accounted for by the past 5 years (2002–2006) of data. Models containing both year and temperature interactions suggested that either parameter provided an equivalent explanation of the variation in trends across regions.
Mean daily growth of herring larvae in relation to temperature over a range of 5–20°C, based on weekly repeated cruises in the Greifswalder Bodden
Authors: Oeberst Rainer , Dickey-Collas Mark , Nash Richard D. M.
Published: July 2009

Oeberst, R., Dickey-Collas, M., and Nash, R. D. M. 2009. Mean daily growth of herring larvae in relation to temperature over a range of 5–20°C, based on weekly repeated cruises in the Greifswalder Bodden. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 1696–1701. Reported estimates of mean daily growth of herring larvae generally cover the temperature range 1–12°C and few estimates are available for temperatures >15°C. We use larval surveys on Rügen spring-spawning herring in the Strelasund and the Greifswalder Bodden to estimate larval growth over a wider temperature range because the water temperature in that area normally increases from 5 to 20°C during the larval growth period (i.e. from spring to summer). This large temperature increase has a significant influence on the mean daily growth of herring larvae. Growth estimates were based on the modes of length frequencies observed at individual stations or accumulated over strata from consecutive surveys. Mean daily growth (G; mm d−1) of larvae was primarily determined by the ambient temperature (T) during the growth interval (5–7 d), resulting in the following relationship: G = 0.011 + 0.037 T. A non-linear function is also described. Growth rate was not length-dependent over the size range studied (5–20 mm). The study also showed that herring larvae were growing and surviving in temperatures up to 17.5°C.
Spatial predictive distribution modelling of the kelp species Laminaria hyperborea
Authors: Bekkby Trine , Rinde Eli , Erikstad Lars , Bakkestuen Vegar
Published: July 2009

Bekkby, T., Rinde, E., Erikstad, L., and Bakkestuen, V. 2009. Spatial predictive distribution modelling of the kelp species Laminaria hyperborea. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 2106–2115. The kelp species Laminaria hyperborea constitutes highly productive kelp forest systems hosting a broad diversity of species and providing the basis for commercial kelp harvesting and, through its productivity, the fishing industry. Spatial planning and management of this important habitat and resource needs to be based on distribution maps and detailed knowledge of the main factors influencing the distribution. However, in countries with a long and complex coastline, such as Norway, detailed mapping is practically and economically difficult. Consequently, alternative methods are required. Based on modelled and field-measured geophysical variables and presence/absence data of L. hyperborea, a spatial predictive probability model for kelp distribution is developed. The influence of depth, slope, terrain curvature, light exposure, wave exposure, and current speed on the distribution of L. hyperborea are modelled using a generalized additive model. Using the Akaike Information Criterion, we found that the most important geophysical factors explaining the distribution of kelp were depth, terrain curvature, and wave and light exposure. The resulting predictive model was very reliable, showing good ability to predict the presence and absence of kelp.
Objectives and harvest control rules in the management of the fishery of Norwegian spring-spawning herring
Authors: Tjelmeland Sigurd , Røttingen Ingolf
Published: July 2009

Tjelmeland, S., and Røttingen, I. 2009. Objectives and harvest control rules in the management of the fishery of Norwegian spring-spawning herring. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 1793–1799. The main element in the management of the Norwegian spring-spawning herring, as implemented by the coastal states, is to conduct the fishery based on a maximum fishing mortality (F) of 0.125. As the appropriateness of this rule (given the stated objectives) has not yet been tested thoroughly, we set out to do this by long-term simulations, in which we applied a range of alternative stock–recruitment relationships. These different relationships are estimated from historical replicates of the stock, as calculated by the herring-stock assessment model SeaStar. During prognostic simulations, a recruitment model is selected probabilistically for each historical replicate based on Akaike weights. We evaluate whether the management objectives are met by applying the present harvest control rule. Results are given for the current assessment option of natural mortality (M = 0.5) in the oldest aggregated age group and for the assessment option used in 2005 and earlier (M = 0.15). These show that perceptions of the long-term yield differ considerably and that the current management is somewhat on the conservative side from the perspective of maximum sustainable yield.
Phytoplasmas Associated with Grapevine Yellows Disease in Chile
Authors: Gajardo A. , Fiore N. , Prodan S. , Paltrinieri S. , Botti S. , Pino A. M. , Zamorano A. , Montealegre J. , Bertaccini A.
Published: July 2009

An extensive survey was performed from 2002 to 2006 to detect and identify phytoplasmas associated with Chilean grapevines. Nested polymerase chain reaction assays using phytoplasma universal primer pairs P1/P7 and R16F2n/R2 detected phytoplasmas in 34 out of the 94 samples tested (36%). Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses, cloning, and sequencing allowed identification of phytoplasmas belonging to ribosomal subgroups 16SrI-B, 16SrI-C, 16SrVII-A, and 16SrXII-A. The 16SrVII-A phytoplasma represents a new finding in grapevine; moreover, variability of the RFLP profile was observed in some of the 16SrXII-A phytoplasmas, indicating possible new ribosomal subgroups. Mixed phytoplasma infections and infections of phytoplasmas together with one or more viruses also occurred.
First Report of Gymnosporangium sabinae, European Pear Rust, on Bradford Pear in Michigan
Authors: Yun H. Y. , Rossman A. Y. , Byrne J.
Published: July 2009

Bradford pear, Pyrus calleryana Decne., is well known as an ornamental plant for its flowers, leaf color in fall, and disease resistance, making it desirable as a street tree. In August and October of 2008, the aecial stage of Gymnosporangium sabinae (Dicks.) G. Winter was collected from leaves of P. calleryana in Farmington, MI (Oakland County). The one tree had foliage that was severely affected by the rust fungus. Using published descriptions of G. sabinae as the synonym of G. fuscum, type of the genus Gymnosporangium (1–4), the Michigan specimen was identified and confirmed by comparison with previously reported European and U.S. specimens (BPI 118736 and BPI 856578). The diagnostic characteristics of G. sabinae include: spermagonia epiphyllous; aecia hypophyllous, roestelioid, 3 to 6 mm high; peridium balanoid (acorn shaped), becoming elongated at maturity, pale yellow, sides opening with lateral slits but remaining attached at light brown, pointed apex; peridial cells elongated, 51 to 68 μm long, outer walls smooth, inner walls and side walls sparsely echinulate; aeciospores globose to broadly ellipsoid, somewhat angular, surface slightly coronate, 22 to 32 × 22 to 36 μm, walls orange, 3.5 to 5.5 μm thick. This species is distinguished from other species of Gymnosporangium on Pyrus by the balanoid (acorn-shaped) peridium and the late season maturation of the aecial stage (4). Telia and teliospores of G. sabinae are produced on the alternate host, various species of Juniperus sect. Sabinae, but were not observed in Michigan. The specimen from Michigan is deposited in the U.S. National Fungus Collections (BPI 878928). G. sabinae is widely distributed in Europe, extending to Asia and North Africa, but is rarely reported in North America. It was accidentally introduced into California in the aecial stage on P. communis L. and the telial stage on Juniperus chinensis L. (2), as well as introduced into Canada (British Columbia) (3,4). The only previous report of G. sabinae on P. calleryana is in Germany (1). G. sabinae is known to attack commercial pear and ornamental juniper plants in Europe, thus it seems important to prevent the further spread of this fungus in North America.

References: (1) U. Braun. Feddes Repert. Beih. 93:213, 1982. (2) G. Laundon. Mycotaxon 3:133, 1975. (3) A. H. McCain and D. Y. Rosenberg. Calif. Dep. Agric. Bull. 50:13, 1961. (4) J. A. Parmelee. Fungi Canadensis No. 43. Gymnosporangium fuscum, 1974.
Sperm: seminal fluid interactions and the adjustment of sperm quality in relation to female attractiveness
Authors: Cornwallis Charlie K. , O'Connor Emily A.
Published: July 2009

An important predictor of male fitness is the fertilizing efficiency of their ejaculates. Ejaculates are costly to produce and males are predicted to devote greater resources to copulations with reproductively superior females. It is well established that males allocate different numbers of sperm to ejaculates. However, less is known about how males adjust their sperm quality, which has important implications for our understanding of fertilization and the evolution of sexual strategies. Here we test in the fowl,
Gallus gallus
, whether males adjust their sperm velocity by differentially allocating seminal fluid to copulations with attractive and unattractive females. To disentangle the contributions of sperm and seminal fluid to sperm velocity, we separated and remixed sperm and seminal fluid from ejaculates allocated to females of different attractiveness. We show that dominant males increase the velocity of the sperm they invest in more attractive females by allocating larger ejaculates that contain seminal fluid that increases sperm velocity. Furthermore, we find weak evidence that males also allocate sperm with higher velocity, irrespective of seminal fluid, to more attractive females.
Express your personality or go along with the group: what determines the behaviour of shoaling perch?
Authors: Magnhagen Carin , Bunnefeld Nils
Published: July 2009

Behavioural syndromes, defined as correlated behaviours in different contexts, have been studied across species and taxa including humans as part of a personality concept. While most studies have focused on solitary individuals, less is known on how shoaling fish compromise between own personality and group behaviour. Risk-taking behaviour in 1-year-old perch (Perca fluviatilis) was observed to compare individual behaviour when in a group and when alone. An experimental design gave the fish the choice between foraging in an open area in the presence of a piscivore and hiding in the vegetation. We quantified the variation accountable by the effect of individuals being in a group, individuals alone and repeated measurements, using hierarchical mixed effects models. Within-group variances were low, but when individuals were later tested alone, individual differences explained most of the variation. Still, the individual best linear unbiased predictors (BLUPs) of time spent in the open area, extracted from the random effects of the mixed effects model, were positively correlated with the corresponding BLUPs when alone. The results indicate that individual behavioural traits are to some degree expressed also within groups. Most fish showed a shyer behaviour when alone, but bolder individuals changed less between treatments than did shyer ones, suggesting a more influential role of bold fish in the group.
Quantitative photoacoustic tomography
Authors: Yuan Zhen , Jiang Huabei
Published: July 2009

In this paper, several algorithms that allow for quantitative photoacoustic reconstruction of tissue optical, acoustic and physiological properties are described in a finite-element method based framework. These quantitative reconstruction algorithms are compared, and the merits and limitations associated with these methods are discussed. In addition, a multispectral approach is presented for concurrent reconstructions of multiple parameters including deoxyhaemoglobin, oxyhaemoglobin and water concentrations as well as acoustic speed. Simulation and
in vivo
experiments are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the reconstruction algorithms presented.
Microwave tomography: review of the progress towards clinical applications
Authors: Semenov Serguei
Published: July 2009

Microwave tomography (MWT) is an emerging biomedical imaging modality with great potential for non-invasive assessment of functional and pathological conditions of soft tissues. This paper presents a review of research results obtained by the author and his colleagues and focuses on various potential clinical applications of MWT. Most clinical applications of MWT imaging have complicated, nonlinear, high dielectric contrast inverse problems of three-dimensional diffraction tomography. There is a very high dielectric contrast between bones and fatty areas compared with soft tissues. In most cases, the contrast between soft-tissue abnormalities (the target imaging areas) is less pronounced than between bone (fat) and soft tissue. This additionally complicates the imaging problem. In spite of the difficulties mentioned, it has been demonstrated that MWT is applicable for extremities imaging, breast cancer detection, diagnostics of lung cancer, brain imaging and cardiac imaging.
Assessment of Problem Gambling in a Chinese Context: The Chinese G-MAP
Authors: Shek Daniel T. L. , Chan Elda M. L.
Published: July 2009

There is a severe lack of instruments to assess problem gambling in Chinese people. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Maroondah Assessment Profile for Problem Gambling (Chinese G-MAP), based on the responses of eight problem gamblers and 125 pathological gamblers seeking help from a problem gambling treatment center. Reliability analyses showed that the G-MAP and its related domains and scales were generally internally consistent. There are also several lines of evidence suggesting that the Chinese G-MAP and the various domains are valid: (a) the various G-MAP domain and scale measures were significantly correlated among themselves, (b) the G-MAP measures were significantly correlated with pathological gambling behavior assessed by the 4thEdition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), and (c) the G-MAP total scale and domain measures were able to discriminate problem gamblers and pathological gamblers. The present study suggests that the Chinese G-MAP possesses acceptable psychometric properties that can be used in research and practice settings.
Angiotensin-(1-7) and Its Effects in the Kidney
Authors: Dilauro Marc , Burns Kevin D.
Published: July 2009

Angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-[1-7]) is a heptapeptide member of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and acts as a vasodilator and antagonist of angiotensin II (Ang II) in the vasculature. The role of Ang-(1-7) in regulating kidney function is not well understood. Within the kidneys, Ang-(1-7) is generated by angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)–mediated degradation of Ang II, sequential cleavage of the precursor angiotensin I (Ang I) by ACE2 and ACE, or the actions of brush-border membrane peptidases on Ang I. Ang-(1-7) mediates its effects via binding to kidney Mas receptors, although some actions may occur via Ang II AT1or AT2receptors.In vitrostudies suggest that Ang-(1-7) is an intrarenal vasodilator. Ang-(1-7) has been reported to induce either natriuresis/diuresis or sodium and water retention, via modulation of sodium transporters in the proximal tubule and loop of Henle, and collecting duct water transport. In the proximal tubule, Ang-(1-7) antagonizes growth-promoting signaling pathways via activation of a protein tyrosine phosphatase, whereas in mesangial cells, Ang-(1-7) stimulates cell growth via activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. The phenotype of the Mas gene knockout mouse suggests that Ang-(1-7)–signaling events exert cardiovascular protection by regulating blood pressure, and by limiting production of reactive oxygen species and extracellular matrix proteins. Ang-(1-7) also protects against renal injury in the renal wrap hypertension model, independent of effects on blood pressure. In diabetic nephropathy, however, the role of Ang-(1-7) on disease progression remains unclear. In summary, Ang-(1-7) and its receptor Mas have emerged as important components of the intrarenal RAS. The signaling and downstream effects of Ang-(1-7) in the kidney are complex and appear to be cell specific. The body of evidence suggests that Ang-(1-7) is protective against endothelial dysfunction or Ang II–stimulated proximal tubular injury, although the overall effects on glomerular function require further study.
The Precapillary Segment of the Blood-Brain Barrier and Its Relation to Perivascular Drainage in Alzheimer's Disease and Small Vessel Disease.
Authors: Thal Dietmar R.
Published: July 2009

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is the border between the brain tissue and the blood and consists of a pre- and post-capillary and a capillary segment. At capillaries protein transport is possible via receptor-mediated endocytosis through endothelial cells. At the arteries and veins the BBB is thicker and there is, under physiological conditions, no direct transport from the brain tissue to the blood or vice versa. Here, extracellular fluid is drained into the perivascular space, which is a fluid-filled space between the border of the brain tissue, the glia limitans, and that of the vessel wall, the adventitia as well as along basement membranes within the vessel wall. In the event of degenerative changes in the arterial vessel wall, known as small vessel disease (SVD), leakage of plasma proteins into the vessel wall and into the perivascular space occurs. Thus, the pre-capillary segment of the BBB is altered and drainage of extracellular fluid from the brain tissue competes with the leaking plasma for perivascular drainage. Since the amyloid ß-protein (Aß) is subject of this perivascular drainage and accumulates in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, an alteration of this drainage system in the course of SVD may support the accumulation of Aß within the brain and, in so doing, the development of AD.
Cardiac Expression of Tnnt1 Requires the GATA4-FOG2 Transcription Complex
Authors: Manuylov Nikolay L. , Tevosian Sergei G.
Published: July 2009

Previous work by us and others has shown that the loss of interaction between GATA4 and FOG2 protein partners is embryonic lethal due to heart failure at embryonic day (E) 13.5; however, the role of this important protein duo in various cardiac compartments (e.g., myocardial, endocardial, or epicardial cells) remains to be understood. Although a dual role (both as an activator and a repressor) for the GATA4-FOG2 transcriptional complex has been put forward, the specific genes under GATA4-FOG2 control in the developing heart have remained largely elusive. Since the myocardial-restrictedFog2re-expression in theFog2null embryos is sufficient to extend their life span, identification of GATA4-FOG2 target genes in cardiomyocytes could shed light on the molecular mechanism of GATA4-FOG2 action in these cells. We report here that cardiac expression of slow skeletal troponin T (Tnnt1) strictly depends on the physical interaction between GATA4-FOG2 in the myocardium of both atria and ventricles.
Recurrent torsades de pointes in association with a very low calorie diet
Authors: Crawford E‐J. T. , Cochran D.
Published: July 2009

The use of very low calorie diets under medical supervision is becoming increasingly popular in the UK, as the incidence of obesity continues to rise. We report the case of torsades de pointes developing during such a diet. Torsades de pointes has been reported in association with very low calorie diets in the past but to our knowledge, this is the first report since the introduction of newer, nutritionally complete versions of the diet. We review the intensive care management of recurrent torsades de pointes resistant to standard therapy and its relationship to dieting and obesity.
Increased erythropoiesis of β‐thalassaemia/Hb E proerythroblasts is mediated by high basal levels of ERK1/2 activation
Authors: Wannatung Tirawat , Lithanatudom Pathrapol , Leecharoenkiat Amporn , Svasti Saovaros , Fucharoen Suthat , Smith Duncan R.
Published: July 2009

β‐thalassaemia is one of the most common inherited anaemias, arising from a partial or complete loss of β‐globin chain synthesis. In severe cases, marked bone marrow erythroid hyperplasia, believed to result from erythropoietin (EPO)‐mediated feedback from the anaemic condition is common, however, as yet, no study has investigated EPO‐mediated signal transduction in thalassaemic erythroid cells. Using proerythroblasts generated from peripheral blood circulating CD34+ haematopoietic progenitor cells, the activation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase/extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (MAPK/ERKs) pathway was examined under conditions of steady state growth, cytokine deprivation and post‐EPO stimulation. Levels of cellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and Ca2+ were determined as was the degree of erythroid expansion. A significantly higher basal level of phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was observed in β‐thalassaemia/Hb E proerythroblasts as compared to normal controls, which was coupled with significantly higher levels of both cAMP and Ca2+. Modulation of either cAMP or Ca2+ or direct inhibition of MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) reduced basal levels of ERK1/2 phosphorylation, as well as significantly reducing the level of erythroid expansion. These results suggest that, in contrast to current models, hyper proliferation of β‐thalassaemia/Hb E proerythroblasts is an intrinsic process driven by higher basal levels of ERK1/2 phosphorylation resulting from deregulation of levels of cAMP and Ca2+.
Differential Gene Expression in CD45+ Cells at Para‐aortic Foci Stage of Chicken Haematopoiesis
Authors: Säynäjäkangas R. , Uchida T. , Vainio O.
Published: July 2009

Para‐aortic foci of chicken embryos at 6–7 days of development are considered to provide a microenvironment for haematopoietic stem cell proliferation and initial differentiation similar to that of fetal liver in mammals. Here, we have investigated the genes involved in this process by constructing and analysing a subtractive cDNA library from CD45+ cells in para‐aortic region. Among 394 analysed clones 99 distinct genes were identified by sequence homology search. Classification of the identified genes according to biological processes revealed that innate immunity‐related genes are highly expressed at this stage. This can be explained by the presence of yolk sac‐derived macrophages in the original tissue sample but also by the indiscriminate expression of multiple lineage‐specific genes in haematopoietic stem cells and primitive progenitors. Differentially expressed genes related to transcription, signalling and lymphocyte functions are potential candidates involved in lineage commitment.
Extracellular ATP is a regulator of pathogen defence in plants
Authors: Chivasa Stephen , Murphy Alex M. , Hamilton John M. , Lindsey Keith , Carr John P. , Slabas Antoni R.
Published: July 2009

In healthy plants extracellular ATP (eATP) regulates the balance between cell viability and death. Here we show an unexpected critical regulatory role of eATP in disease resistance and defensive signalling. In tobacco, enzymatic depletion of eATP or competition with non‐hydrolysable ATP analogues induced pathogenesis‐related (PR) gene expression and enhanced resistance to tobacco mosaic virus and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci. Artificially increasing eATP concentrations triggered a drop in levels of the important defensive signal chemical salicylic acid (SA) and compromised basal resistance to viral and bacterial infection. Inoculating tobacco leaf tissues with bacterial pathogens capable of activating PR gene expression triggered a rapid decline in eATP. Conversely, inoculations with mutant bacteria unable to induce defence gene expression failed to deplete eATP. Furthermore, a collapse in eATP concentration immediately preceded PR gene induction by SA. Our study reveals a previously unsuspected role for eATP as a negative regulator of defensive signal transduction and demonstrates its importance as a key signal integrating defence and cell viability in plants.
Cutin deficiency in the tomato fruit cuticle consistently affects resistance to microbial infection and biomechanical properties, but not transpirational water loss
Authors: Isaacson Tal , Kosma Dylan K. , Matas Antonio J. , Buda Gregory J. , He Yonghua , Yu Bingwu , Pravitasari Arika , Batteas James D. , Stark Ruth E. , Jenks Matthew A. , Rose Jocelyn K. C.
Published: July 2009

Plant cuticles are broadly composed of two major components: polymeric cutin and a mixture of waxes, which infiltrate the cutin matrix and also accumulate on the surface, forming an epicuticular layer. Although cuticles are thought to play a number of important physiological roles, with the most important being to restrict water loss from aerial plant organs, the relative contributions of cutin and waxes to cuticle function are still not well understood. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruits provide an attractive experimental system to address this question as, unlike other model plants such as Arabidopsis, they have a relatively thick astomatous cuticle, providing a poreless uniform material that is easy to isolate and handle. We identified three tomato mutants, cutin deficient 1 (cd1), cd2 and cd3, the fruit cuticles of which have a dramatic (95–98%) reduction in cutin content and substantially altered, but distinctly different, architectures. This cutin deficiency resulted in an increase in cuticle surface stiffness, and in the proportions of both hydrophilic and multiply bonded polymeric constituents. Furthermore, our data suggested that there is no correlation between the amount of cutin and the permeability of the cuticle to water, but that cutin plays an important role in protecting tissues from microbial infection. The three cd mutations were mapped to different loci, and the cloning of CD2 revealed it to encode a homeodomain protein, which we propose acts as a key regulator of cutin biosynthesis in tomato fruit.
Ultrastructural Study of the Canine Zona Pellucida Surface During In Vitro Maturation
Authors: De los Reyes M , Hetz J , Palomino J
Published: July 2009

Contents

The aim of the present study was to compare the ultrastructure of the surface of the zona pellucida (ZP) of immature and in vitro matured dog oocytes using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Bitch oocytes were collected after ovariohysterectomy; the ovaries were sliced and the released cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were washed with phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The selected COCs were randomly allocated into three groups, two groups were processed after in vitro maturation at both 72 and 96 h and a third group was processed immediately at immature state in PBS medium. After that, oocytes were fixed, critical point dried and viewed by using SEM. The diameters of the outer holes of the ZP were measured on a total of 93 oocytes; the results were analyzed with anova. The mean diameters of holes were different between groups (p < 0.05): 0.69 ± 0.12, 1.56 ± 0.19 and 1.42 ± 0.27 μm, for immature and in vitro matured oocytes for 72 and 96 h, respectively. The difference in the hole sizes between immature and in vitro matured canine oocytes indicates that the ZP surface is related to oocyte maturity in canines.
Induction of Parturition with Aglepristone in Various Sized Bitches of Different Breeds.
Authors: Fontbonne A , Fontaine E , Lévy X , Bachellerie R , Bernex F , Atam‐Kassigadou S , Guffroy M , Leblond E , Briant E
Published: July 2009

Contents

The objective of this study was to confirm in various breeds of dogs the efficacy and safety of a parturition induction treatment described to be successful in Beagle dogs. Parturition was induced in seven various sized pregnant bitches of different breeds, with 15 mg aglepristone per kg at day 59–61 post‐estimated ovulation day, followed 24 h later by 0.15 IU oxytocin per kg subcutaneous injections every 2 h. Two bitches were small‐sized bitches (<10 kg), three bitches were large‐sized bitches (30–40 kg) and two bitches were giant bitches (>40 kg). The results were compared to a control group (n = 6), in which bitches underwent a natural delivery in the same environmental conditions as the induced group. In the induced group, parturition was successfully induced in 7/7 bitches. The first pup in a litter was born on average 25.9 ± 3.29 h after aglepristone administration (21–30 h). Two of seven bitches from the small‐sized group delivered some of their pups before the first administration of oxytocin. The mean duration of parturition was 9.6 ± 5.4 h vs 8.0 ± 4.8 h in the control group. The mean interval between two successive pups being delivered was 115.6 ± 82.8 min (34–265) vs 68.8 ± 24.5 min in the control group (p < 0.03). The mean weight at parturition did not differ significantly between the two groups. One litter of four Yorkshire Terrier pups in the induced group were premature at the time of birth and died between 19 and 29 h post‐delivery. This study, although on a very limited number of dogs, confirms the efficacy of the aglepristone/oxytocin protocol to induce parturition in dogs.
Controlled Delivery of a GnRH Agonist by a Silastic Implant (Gonazon) Results in Long‐Term Contraception in Queens
Authors: Rubion S , Driancourt MA
Published: July 2009

Contents

Many female cats are spayed to prevent problems associated with calling and unwanted pregnancies. This study describes the safety and efficacy of an alternative approach, using an azagly‐nafarelin containing implant (Gonazon) inserted subcutaneously in the neck of six treated queens for 3 years. These six queens together with six controls were permanently housed with vasectomized tom cats, and changes in progesterone concentrations were used to document the contraceptive efficacy of Gonazon. All six control queens ovulated regularly throughout the treatment period (3 years), as shown by regular changes in progesterone concentration. Sixteen ovulatory cycles were observed in each control throughout the study. In Gonazon treated queens, during the week following implant placement, two queens displayed a treatment‐induced rise in progesterone concentration. Later on, all treated queens continuously displayed low progesterone concentrations until 3 years post‐implant insertion, with the exception of a single isolated episode (at approximately 2.5 years of treatment), of follicular luteinization in two queens. In all queens, azagly‐nafarelin concentrations peaked in the week following implant insertion remained high for 1 month and later decreased slowly. After 2.5 years of treatment, azagly‐nafarelin concentrations were still greater than 150 pg/ml in 3/6 queens. During a 6‐month long extension of the study (36–42 months post‐treatment), all queens (treated and controls) were run with intact tom cats. None of them conceived. Following autopsy, ovarian weight and diameter of the uterine horns of 3/6 treated queens were shown to be similar to those of the controls. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that Gonazon efficiently prevented ovulation in queens (100%) for 3 years. Return to fertile heat was not observed towards the end of treatment. However, in half of the treated queens, reversibility of the treatment induced effects on the genital tract was demonstrated.
Pulmonary Maturation in Canine Foetuses From Early Pregnancy to Parturition
Authors: Sipriani TM , Grandi F , Da Silva LCG , Maiorka PC , Vannucchi CI
Published: July 2009

Contents

Development of the foetal respiratory system includes both pulmonary growth and maturation. In human medicine, a higher incidence of respiratory distress is reported in newborn males. This study aimed to identify different phases of canine foetal lung maturation throughout pregnancy, to determine the stage of pregnancy in which surfactant production begins and to compare pulmonary development of male and female foetuses. Pregnant bitches (34) were subjected to elective ovariohysterectomy and allocated into four groups, according to the stage of pregnancy: 30–40 days of pregnancy (n = 10), 41–50 days (n = 10), 51–60 days (n = 10) and bitches in the first stage of parturition (n = 4). Foetal lungs were histologically processed and evaluated by optical microscopy. The pseudoglandular phase was identified between the 35th day and 46th day of gestation; the onset of canalicular and saccular periods was observed, respectively, from the 48th day and 60th day of pregnancy. Lungs from foetuses at term were in the saccular phase; thus, the development into the alveolar period occurs in the neonatal period. The histological analyses revealed that respiratory tract development is centrifugal, from upper to lower airways. Therefore, it is possible to identify distinct development periods in different portions of the same organ. In conclusion, the saccular phase of lung development begins around 57 and 60 days of pregnancy, the period in which surfactant production is believed to occur. Male and female foetuses present similar pulmonary development from early pregnancy until parturition.