bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intramuscular dendritic fibromyxolipoma: Myxoid variant of spindle cell lipoma?
Authors: Karim Rooshdiya Z. , McCarthy Stanley W. , Palmer Allan A. , Bonar S. Fiona , Scolyer Richard A.
Published: December 2004

Dendritic fibromyxolipoma (DFML) is an uncommon, recently described, benign soft tissue lesion that shares many clinical and pathological features with myxoid variants of spindle cell lipoma (SCL). As described, DFML is distinguished from SCL by the presence of dendritic cytoplasmic processes, abundant keloidal collagen and a prominent, often plexiform vascular pattern. We describe the first known reported case of an intramuscular DFML that occurred in the right shoulder region of a 73‐year‐old man. The tumor displayed the typical histopathological features of DFML but also included foci of chondroid metaplasia, a previously unreported finding. This report also discusses the differential diagnosis, particularly distinguishing DFML from SCL and myxoid liposarcoma. In view of the similarities in many clinical and pathological features between SCL and DFML, we speculate that DFML probably represents an unusual variant of myxoid SCL.
Risk factors for pre‐eclampsia/eclampsia among working women in Mexico City
Authors: Cerón‐Mireles  , Harlow  , Sánchez‐Carrillo  , Núñez
Published: December 2004

This study examined risk factors for pre‐eclampsia/eclampsia in a population‐based sample of pregnant working women in Mexico City. Over a 3‐month period, all women who gave birth at three major hospitals and who had worked for at least 3 months during pregnancy were interviewed. After excluding mothers with multiple gestations or infants with birth defects, and previous diagnoses of hypertension, chronic renal disease or diabetes, 131 of 2436 women (5.4%) had been diagnosed with pre‐eclampsia and/or eclampsia. The frequency was much higher among women of low socio‐economic status: 12% of uninsured women (SSA) compared with 4.2% of private sector employees (IMSS) and 1.3% of public sector employees (ISSSTE). After adjusting for education, women working in services (OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.01, 2.81) and in retail (OR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.18, 3.37), primiparae (OR = 2.64, 95% CI = 1.65, 4.21) and women whose pregestational weight was 55 kg (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.34, 3.04) were at increased risk. Efforts to develop and evaluate intervention programmes should target hospitals serving the uninsured (SSA) if reduction in the number of preventable maternal deaths in Mexico is to be achieved. Such programmes should also target service and retail workers and identify women with poor glycaemic control early in pregnancy.
Endemically exposed asymptomatic individuals show no increase in the specific Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis‐Th1 immune response in comparison to patients with localized cutaneous leishmaniasis
Authors: Trujillo C. M. , Robledo S. M. , Franco J. L. , Velez I. D. , Erb K. J. , Patiño P. J.
Published: December 2004

In Colombia, most cases of human cutaneous leishmaniasis are caused by Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis. Interestingly, up to 30% of the exposed population do not suffer from clinical leishmaniasis although it is likely that they are continuously infected with Leishmania parasites. Since it is believed that the induction of efficient Th1 immune responses protects against Leishmania infections both in humans and in animal models, we determined if endemically exposed asymptomatics showed stronger Leishmania‐specific Th1 immune responses than patients with active localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL). We found that Montenegro skin test responses were slightly higher among asymptomatic individuals compared to patients suffering from LCL. However, PBMC from patients with LCL showed similar Leishmania‐specific proliferative responses compared to PBMC from asymptomatic individuals. Furthermore, PBMC from both groups also secreted similar amounts of IFN‐γ, IL‐12p40 and IL‐10 after in vitro exposure to L. panamensis. No IL‐4 was detected in the supernatants. Taken together our results suggest that lack of LCL development in endemically exposed asymptomatics cannot be explained by stronger systemic anti‐Leishmania Th1 immune responses or decreased Th2 responses in these individuals in comparison to individuals who develop LCL. It may be possible that other mechanisms are responsible for resistance to cutaneous leishmaniasis in Colombia in endemically exposed asymptomatics.
The effect of ultrasound on the attractiveness of acoustic mating signals
Authors: Farris H. E. , Forrest T. G. , Hoy R. R.
Published: December 2004

Abstract.
Previous laboratory studies (Nolen & Hoy 1986b) have shown that the phonotactic responses of flying crickets are influenced by the relative intensities of attractive (mating signal) and repulsive (predator) stimuli. At the functional level, these results suggest that predator cues (ultrasound) can change the attractiveness of a calling song. Using extracellular recordings from cervical connectives it was shown that, like other field crickets, Gryllus rubens (south‐eastern field cricket) is sensitive to ultrasound. This ultrasonic sensitivity has probably evolved in response to predation pressure from echolocating bats. Using acoustic playback under field conditions, it was tested whether the relative attractiveness of two male calling songs was influenced by the simultaneous broadcast of ultrasound. A simulated male calling song of G. rubens was broadcast at two different intensities (109 and 103 dB) from two sound traps that caught flying crickets attracted to the songs. Simulated bat ultrasound was broadcast simultaneously with the high‐intensity calling song (109 dB) and the relative catch in each of the two traps was measured. The intensity of the ultrasound was varied on different nights. The relative attractiveness of the high‐intensity sound trap decreased significantly as the intensity of the ultrasound broadcast with it was increased. For the lowest of the ultrasound broadcast levels, the relative attractiveness did not differ from that expected for two calling songs broadcast without ultrasound. Thus, increased levels of simulated predation risk decreased the attractiveness of the calling song associated with it. These are the first field experiments to show that predation risk in the form of simulated bat ultrasound influences the phonotactic behaviour of flying crickets.
Ingestion of sugar diets correlates with spike activity in labellar chemosensilla of the flesh‐fly,Neobellieria(=Sarcophaga)bullata
Authors: Cheung Una S. , Smith J. J. Berry
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Female 2‐day‐old Neobellieria (= Sarcophaga) bullata (Parker) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) were exposed to different concentrations of sucrose, glucose and fructose in a single‐choice potometer, and the volume ingested in the first hour was measured. Nerve spike activity in response to the same sugars was recorded from medium labellar taste hairs of similar flies by tip‐recording. Two classes of chemosensory cells responded to sucrose, glucose and fructose. Cell 1 showed an increasing spike activity with sugar concentration, whereas cell 2 did not; cell 1 was identified as the ‘sugar cell'.

For both spike activity in cell 1 and feeding, sucrose was the most stimulatory sugar. The dose–response curves for glucose and fructose crossed over at about 200 mm. At higher concentrations, glucose was more stimulatory for both cell 1 and for feeding, and at lower concentrations, fructose. The pattern of spike activity supports a separate location on the sensory cells of receptors for pyranose and fructose forms of sugar. The strong correlation between volume ingested and spike activity indicates that sugar feeding is controlled by sensory input from the ‘sugar' cells of labellar chemosensilla. Moreover, the results suggest that the flies do not distinguish between these sugars except by apparent ‘sweetness'.
A role for ecdysteroids in the phase polymorphism of the desert locust
Authors: Tawfik Amer I. , Sehnal Frantisek
Published: December 2004

Abstract. Locusts show density‐dependent continuous phase polymorphism; they appear in two forms or phases, gregarious and solitary, and there is a continuous range of intermediates between the extreme phases. Although earlier studies showed that there are no major phase‐dependent differences in the titres of ecdysteroid in the haemolymph of desert locusts, Schistocerca gregaria, recent studies showed some minor differences in the timing of the main peak of ecdysteroids. In crowded penultimate‐ and last‐instar hoppers, peak titres were lower but longer‐lasting, whereas in isolated hoppers they were higher but of shorter duration. The major component of the haemolymph peak of ecdysteroid was 20‐hydroxyecdysone in both isolated and crowded hoppers, but differences were found in the relative amounts of two minor components (makisterone A‐like compound and highly polar products). In S. gregaria adults, the regression of the prothoracic glands was irregular and subject to high individual variations, but phase‐dependent differences in the rate of regression were significant, and the adult glands did not produce physiologically significant amounts of ecdysteroids. Peak titres of ecdysteroid in the haemolymph were higher in isolated than in crowded adults. Similar to larvae, adults of the solitary phase contain more ecdysone in the haemolymph than those of the gregarious phase. Moreover, the phase characteristic titres of ecdysteroid in the adult stage can be shifted from one phase to another phase in response to appropriate changes in density. In contrast, the maximum amount of ecdysteroids in both ovaries and eggs was significantly higher in the gregarious than in the solitary phase. The amounts, and to some extent the types of ecdysteroids, were the only difference between ovaries and eggs from solitary and gregarious locusts. In addition, in newly hatched larvae, the amount of ecdysteroid was more than five times higher in gregarious than in solitary phase.
Osmotic lysis of corpora cardiaca using distilled water reveals the presence of partially processed peptides and peptide fragments
Authors: Huybrechts Jurgen , Clynen Elke , De Loof Arnold , Schoofs Liliane
Published: December 2004

Abstract. A simple, single‐step aqueous extraction method has been developed to study the neuropeptide content of small neuroendocrine organs. Perifusion of these tissues with deionized water causes osmotic bursting of the cells and release of their content into the surrounding fluid. The neuropeptides are immediately retained from the perifusion fluid using disposable C18 cartridges. After one separation step and mass spectrometry, it was possible to identify a large number of known neuropeptides from the corpora cardiaca of Locusta migratoria (L). Also present in the extract were a number of neuropeptide fragments and two incompletely processed peptides. Using this method, a 959Da peptide present in the corpora cardiaca was sequenced de novo. The full sequence, deduced using Collision Induced Dissociation Tandem Mass Spectrometry (CID MS/MS), is Ser‐Pro‐Leu‐Asp‐Ala‐His‐His‐Leu‐Ala. This nonapeptide is predicted from the gene encoding the ion transport peptide precursor and from the gene encoding the ion transport‐like peptide precursor. In both cases, this nonapeptide, which was named ion transport peptide‐copeptide, is flanked by the signal sequence at the N‐terminus and a dibasic cleavage site (Lys‐Arg) at the C‐terminus. This structural feature is common to many physiologically important locust preproneuropeptides and indicates that this copeptide might have a physiological function, but this is not yet known.
Transcript levels of AtMRPs after cadmium treatment: induction of AtMRP3
Authors: BOVET L. , EGGMANN T. , MEYLAN‐BETTEX M. , POLIER J. , KAMMER P. , MARIN E. , FELLER U. , MARTINOIA E.
Published: December 2004

In yeasts, the ABC‐type transporters are involved in vacuolar sequestration of cadmium. In plants, transport experiments with isolated vacuoles indicate that this is also true. In order to know more about the response of AtMRPs, a subclass of Arabidopsis ABC transporters, to cadmium, their expression pattern was analysed using the microchip technology and semi‐quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction. From 15 putative sequences coding for AtMRPs, transcript levels were detected for 14. All were expressed in the roots as well as in the shoots, although at a different level. In 4‐week‐old Arabidopsis, transcript levels of four AtMRPs were up‐regulated after cadmium treatment. In all cases up‐regulation was exclusively observed in the roots. The increase of transcript levels was most pronounced for AtMRP3. A more detailed analysis revealed that induction of AtMRP3 could also be observed in the shoot when leaves were cut and cadmium allowed to be taken up in the shoot. In young plantlets, a far higher portion of Cd2+ was translocated in the aerial part compared with adult plants. Consequently, AtMRP3 transcript levels increased in both root and shoot of young plants. This suggests that 7‐day‐old seedlings do not exhibit such a strict root–shoot barrier as 4‐week‐old plants. Expression analysis with mutant plants for glutathione and phytochelatin synthesis as well as with compounds producing oxidative stress indicate that induction of AtMRP3 is likely due to the heavy metal itself.
Photoperiodic regulation of CS‐ACS2, CS‐ACS4 and CS‐ERS gene expression contributes to the femaleness of cucumber flowers through diurnal ethylene production under short‐day conditions
Authors: YAMASAKI S. , FUJII N. , TAKAHASHI H.
Published: December 2004

Photoperiod and the plant hormone, ethylene, modify sex expression of flowers in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). In the present study, femaleness of cucumber occurred under short‐day (8 h photoperiod) conditions compared to that under long‐day (16 h photoperiod) conditions, although the effect of photoperiod was more pronounced in a monoecious than in an andromonoecious cucumber. Application of ethylene had a greater effect than photoperiod on the production of female and bisexual flowers in monoecious and andromonoecious cucumbers, respectively. Ethylene evolution and the expression of CS‐ACS2, CS‐ACS4 and CS‐ERS genes in the shoot apices of both monoecious and andromonoecious cucumber plants had a diurnal rhythm with a peak in the middle of an 8 h or a 16 h light period. Peak ethylene evolution and expression of CS‐ACS2 was greater under short‐day conditions than under long‐day conditions in a monoecious cucumber but not in an andromonoecious one. Expression of CS‐ACS4 in monoecious and andromonoecious cucumber plants did not differ, but the level was higher under short‐day conditions compared with that under long‐day conditions. Thus, CS‐ACS2 and CS‐ACS4 might be involved in the basic diurnal rhythm of ethylene evolution in cucumber. Because exogenous ethylene increased the expression of CS‐ACS2 and CS‐ERS in monoecious cucumber possessing the M locus, but not in andromonoecious cucumber in which the function of the M locus was lost (Yamasaki et al. Plant and Cell Physiology 42, 608–619, 2001), the CS‐ACS2 gene might also be involved in ethylene production by positive feedback via regulation of M locus under short‐day conditions.
Cynipid galls: insect‐induced modifications of plant development create novel plant organs
Authors: HARPER L. J. , SCHÖNROGGE K. , LIM K. Y. , FRANCIS P. , LICHTENSTEIN C. P.
Published: December 2004

Cynipid gall formation is achieved by an insect–plant interaction whereby cynipid gallwasps redirect host‐plant development to form novel structures to protect and nourish the developing larvae. Work was carried out to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in this interaction, and extend the understanding of plant tissue development. Cytological changes of the inner‐gall tissue throughout the development of several gall species was investigated and the developmental stages of gall formation defined, to reveal two different patterns of development followed by the galls tested. Fluorescentin situhybridization demonstrated many of the inner‐gall cells to be polytenized. Comparisons between inner‐gall and non‐gall tissue protein signatures by Schönroggeet al. (Plant, Cell and Environment23, 215–222, 2000) have demonstrated the variation between gall and non‐gall protein signatures, and identified a number of inner‐gall proteins. Further analysis of one of these inner‐gall proteins involved in lipid synthesis, putative biotin carboxyl carrier protein (BCCP), revealed differential expression throughout development, and showed this expression to be concentrated in the inner‐gall tissue in all the gall species tested.
Defoliation effects on carbon and nitrogen substrate import and tissue‐bound efflux in leaf growth zones of grasses
Authors: LATTANZI F. A. , SCHNYDER H. , THORNTON B.
Published: December 2004

Grassland plants suffer regular defoliation, causing loss of photosynthetic activity and internal resources. Consequently, re‐foliation may be substrate‐limited. The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that decreased C import in leaf growth zones is (partially) compensated by: (i) mobilization of substrate within growth zones; and (ii) increased efficiency of substrate use in leaf area expansion; but (iii) that these processes depend on the C status of growth zones at defoliation. Mixtures of a C3 (Lolium perenne L.) and a C4 grass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.) were grown at 15 °C (C3 dominance) and 23 °C (C4 dominance). Individual plants thus grew in contrasting (light and temperature) environments before being defoliated. Defoliation caused a drastic and immediate decrease in C import, but effects on leaf area expansion were buffered by biomass mobilization in the growth zone and increases in specific leaf area of produced tissue. Thus, over the first 2 d post‐defoliation, the amount of leaf area produced per unit imported C increased by 39 to 102% depending on treatment. The magnitude of these buffering responses was correlated with the concentration of water soluble carbohydrates in the growth zone at defoliation. Similar responses were observed for N, although defoliation effects were smaller and delayed relative to those on C import. This study demonstrates refoliation is sustained by short‐term mobilization of reserves within the growth zone and reduced costs of produced leaf area, but that these mechanisms depend on growth zone C status at defoliation.
Phosphonate transport in Phytophthora capsici
Authors: DARAKIS G. A. , BOURBOS V. A. , SKOUDRIDAKIS M. T.
Published: December 2004

Phosphate was shown to reverse the in vitro activity of phosphonate ions against P. capsici (strain 375) more efficiently in liquid than in solid media. Phosphonate transport by mycelia incubated in aqueous solutions was enhanced by a previous phosphate starvation and the presence of K+ cations. The intracellular phosphonate concentration reached a constant level and this concentration, which is a function of the external concentration, fits a hyperbolic relationship. Phosphonate transport was greatly stimulated when mycelia were incubated in modified Ribeiro's medium. In the absence of any phosphorus source in the growth medium, the phosphate content of mycelia at stationary phase of growth decreased. This sign of phosphate deficiency was intensified in the presence of phosphonate.
Variation in genotype, pathotype and anastomosis groups of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum isolates from Mexico
Authors: Rodríguez‐Guerra R. , Ramírez‐Rueda M‐T. , De La Vega O. Martínez , Simpson J.
Published: December 2004

Patterns of variation were determined in anastomosis, pathotype and genotype of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum samples collected from individual plants of common bean cultivars from four locations in the Mexican highlands. In Chihuahua, 22 polymorphic AFLP bands in isolates taken from a single plant identified five distinct genotypes. In Michoacán, nine genotypes were identified based on a total of only six polymorphic bands. Combined cluster analysis of all isolates from individual plants grouped them geographically. In Chihuahua, in isolates from 16 individual plants, only nine genotypes were identified and all samples were found to belong to the same anastomosis group. However, analysis of selected isolates revealed two new pathotypes not reported previously from Chihuahua (races 449 and 467). In contrast, in Michoacán all 13 isolates from individual plants were found to have distinct genotypes, and in Mexico State only two pairs of isolates among 20 samples had identical genotypes. Although no pathotype variation was determined, five anastomosis groups were identified in Michoacán and three in Mexico State. These results suggest that patterns of variation in genotype and anastomosis groups are complex in the different locations sampled, and that no strong relationship exists between genotype, pathotype or anastomosis group.
Characterization of phytoplasmas detected in Chinaberry trees with symptoms of leaf yellowing and decline in Bolivia
Authors: Harrison N. A. , Boa E. , Carpio M. L.
Published: December 2004

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were used to detect phytoplasmas in foliage samples from Chinaberry (Melia azedarach) trees displaying symptoms of yellowing, little leaf and dieback in Bolivia. A ribosomal coding nuclear DNA (rDNA) product (1·8 kb) was amplified from one or more samples from seven of 17 affected trees by PCR employing phytoplasma‐universal rRNA primer pair P1/P7. When P1/P7 products were reamplified using nested rRNA primer pair R16F2n/R16R2, phytoplasmas were detected in at least one sample from 13 of 17 trees with symptoms. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of P1/P7 products indicated that trees CbY1 and CbY17 harboured Mexican periwinkle virescence (16SrXIII)‐group and X‐disease (16SrIII)‐group phytoplasmas, respectively. Identification of two different phytoplasma types was supported by reamplification of P1/P7 products by nested PCR employing X‐disease‐group‐specific rRNA primer pair R16mF2/WXint or stolbur‐group‐related primer pair fSTOL/rSTOL. These assays selectively amplified rDNA products of 1656 and 579 bp from nine and five trees with symptoms, respectively, of which two trees were coinfected with both phytoplasma types. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences revealed Chinaberry yellows phytoplasma strain CbY17 to be most similar to the chayote witches’‐broom (ChWBIII‐Ch10) agent, a previously classified 16SrIII‐J subgroup phytoplasma. Strain CbY1 resembled the Mexican periwinkle virescence phytoplasma, a 16SrXIII‐group member. The latter strain varied from all known phytoplasmas composing group 16SrXIII. On this basis, strain CbY1 was assigned to a new subgroup, 16SrXIII‐C.
Low frequency of positive skin tests in asthmatic patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni exposed to high levels of mite allergens
Authors: Medeiros Manoel , Almeida Maria C. , Figueiredo Joanemile P. , Atta Ajax M. , Mendes Carlos M. C. , Araújo Maria I. , Taketomi Ernesto A. , Terra Silvia A. , Silva Deise A. O. , Carvalho Edgar M.
Published: December 2004

Helminthic infections and allergic diseases are highly prevalent in many parts of the world. Although skin reactivity to indoor allergens is decreased in subjects from helminthic endemic areas, the degree of exposure to mite allergens has not yet been investigated in these areas. This study evaluated the association between exposure to dust mites and skin reactivity to mite allergens in subjects with a history of wheezing in the last 12 months selected from a rural endemic area for schistosomiasis (group I, n = 21), and two non‐Schistosoma mansoni endemic locale, a rural area (group II, n = 21) and a urban slum area (group III, n = 21). All subjects were evaluated by skin prick tests with mite allergens, and for total and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) against dust mites, antibodies for S. mansoni, and for intestinal parasites. Dust samples from each subjects’ home were quantified for mite allergen and species of the mite identification. Except for S. mansoni infection which was more prevalent in group I than in groups II and III (p < 0.0001), the prevalence of intestinal parasites, and total and specific IgE levels were similar for all groups. Despite the levels of mite allergens and specifically to Der p 1 detected in dust samples of subjects home from all three areas, the frequency of positive skin reactivity to mite antigens was significantly lower (19.0%) in subjects from group I relative to group II (76.2%) and group III (57.1%; p < 0.001). This result suggests that S. mansoni infection could modulate the immediate hypersensitivity skin response to mite allergens in highly exposed subjects.
Regenerative nodule mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma in a cirrhotic child due to hepatitis B: An imaging dilemma
Authors: Özgenç Funda , Aydoğdu Sema , Aksoylar Serap , Elmas Nevra , Yüce Gül , Yağci Raşit V. , Tokat Yaman
Published: December 2004

Abstract:  Viral hepatitis B, post‐hepatitic cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the classical sequence of events in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected children and serum Alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) and ultrasound (USG) screening is recommended during follow up. We present a 13‐yr‐old girl with cirrhosis related to chronic HBV infection with normal AFP level and a 4 cm mass appearance by USG. Contrast spiral evaluation computed tomography (CT) study demonstrated a single mass located at 8th segment of the liver. Pre‐contrast CT and portal venous phase studies showed heterogeneous liver parenchyma without mass appearance. HCC was suspected based on strong arterial enhancement. Two mediastinal lymphadenopathies, 1 cm under the xyphoid and 2 cm above the pericardium, were detected by thorax CT. Mediastinal exploration was undertaken with living related liver transplant donor in a second operating room. She was transplanted with the right lobe of her ABO compatible mother after evaluation of the lymph nodes revealed reactive histology by frozen section. Histologic evaluation of the explant liver documented cirrhosis with a cirrhotic nodule without histologic malignant evidence. False negative results from screening methods are familiar in the literature; however false positivity of a contrast CT study is rare. The significance of screening methods is discussed.
Applicability of molecular markers in the context of protection of new varieties of cucumber
Authors: Bernet G. P. , Bramardi S. , Calvache D. , Carbonell E. A. , Asins M. J.
Published: December 2004

The growing number of candidate varieties presented every year at each national Plant Variety Protection Office and their decreasing genetic variability forces strategies to be adopted that will reduce costs without losing rigour when deciding about the acceptance or rejection of a candidate variety. Molecular markers have been envisaged as a reliable tool to establish differences, but can molecular markers be used for assessing distinctness? A comparison between a molecular and a morphological characterization of 41 seed samples belonging to 36 cucumber varieties and including several external controls has been carried out to investigate the applicability of molecular markers in the context of distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS) tests and the protection of new varieties. Both types of character indicate the same relationships among main groups, Dutch and Beth‐Alpha types, and Gerking and Slice types, the correlation between distance matrices being only 0.6489. Varieties considered uniform for morphological traits proved not to be so for molecular markers. Therefore, molecular characterization is not offering the same estimates of uniformity and relatedness between varieties as does morphological characterization. External controls were used to establish distinction limits with morphological and molecular dendrograms to focus on those varieties, which were suspiciously similar. The results with cucumber show that molecular identity could be used to assess any lack of distinctness and so corroborate the morphological assessment of candidate varieties. The morphological trait ‘type’ provides distinct characterization of varieties and the molecular characterization of candidate varieties could be used to design better field experiments to assess distinction within each group of morphological cucumber type.
Advances in Biotechnology: New Tools in Future Pig Production for Agriculture and Biomedicine
Authors: Niemann H , Rath D , Wrenzycki C
Published: December 2004

Contents

Biotechnology in livestock comprises an arsenal of reproductive biotechniques and molecular genetics. While molecular genetics are poorly developed in swine, reproductive techniques are more advanced and applied under field conditions. This review describes three selected examples of our own research to illustrate the implication of biotechnology in future pig reproduction. Sperm sexing technology is now available and can be used to generate piglets of the desired sex by IVF and ICSI. First studies also indicate satisfactory success rates following intrauterine insemination with sexed spermatozoa. Cloning technique and production of transgenic pigs require information about the regulation and time course of gene expression during in vitro production and pre‐implantation development. Information on gene expression is scare in porcine embryos. With the exception of transcripts for the oestrogen receptor gene, no mRNA's from the activated porcine genome have been identified. Recent development of cDNA arrays might help to identify a larger amount of genes in single embryos. Remarkable progress has been made in organ transplantation technology. As the demand for human organs is increasing rapidly, the pig might serve as donor of xenotranplants, provided the transmission of zoonoses from the donor animal to the human recipient is prevented, donor organ anatomy and function are compatible, and immunological rejections (HAR, VAR MAC) can be overcome. The most promising strategy is the synthesis of human complement regulatory proteins in the pig. Transgenic pigs have been generated for hDAF or hCD 46 and their hearts have been transplanted into non human primates for up to 90 days. HCD 59 driven by CMV promotor provides significant protection against HAR at least under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Current studies indicate a temporary use in patients within the next 3–5 years. As the microinjection technology to produce transgenic offspring is time consuming and very expensive, nuclear transfer technology provides a possibility for multiplication without going through the germ line with recombination effects. A functional nuclear transfer system will be crucial for xenotransplantation as it is anticipated that the expression of several transgenes will be required.
Lack of amyloid plaque formation in the central nervous system of a patient with Werner syndrome
Authors: Mori Hiroshi , Tomiyama Takami , Maeda Naoki , Ozawa Kazuharu , Wakasa KenIchi
Published: December 2004

Werner syndrome (WS) is an autosomal recessive disorder associated with accelerated aging. It is well documented on systemic aging but it is unclear whether the brain with WS shows accelerated aging. A 55‐year‐old patient with WS was studied and it was found that a deletion mutation of exon 26 of the WRN gene was not associated with CNS pathology, such as amyloid plaques or NFT. Furthermore, additional genetic analysis showed an apolipoprotein E genotype of ɛ3/ɛ3 that did not play either an accelerating or inhibitory action on amyloid deposition. Therefore, based on the genetic and neuropathological analysis, it was observed that the WS‐associated aging seen in many organs did not extend to the CNS.
Genotype–phenotype correlation: Familial Parkinson disease
Authors: Mori Hideo , Hattori Nobutaka , Mizuno Yoshikuni
Published: December 2004

Kindreds with Mendelian inheritance of Parkinson disease (PD) have been known since a long time ago. Nine loci have been mapped in familial PD by linkage study and four causative genes have been cloned. This paper discusses Park 1 and Park 2, the identification of which has brought about many advances in the studies on pathomechanism of PD. Investigations of these genes in familial PD have expanded their clinical and pathological phenotypes. However, to clarify the effect of mutations on these phenotypes, additional post‐mortem neuropathological studies are required.
Factors affecting the family support system of patients with schizophrenia: A survey in the remote island of Tsushima
Authors: Hamada Yoshito , Ohta Yasuyuki , Nakane Yoshibumi
Published: December 2004

Abstract Possible support for home‐cared schizophrenic patients and their families was investigated on Tsushima, one of the many isolated islands in Japan. The psychopathologic symptoms of the patients were evaluated using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scales (BPRS), their social adjustment using the Psychiatric Disability Assessment Schedule (DAS), mental states of the families using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), and the quality of life (QOL) using the Life Satisfaction Rating Scales (LSR). The family support systems for the patients were evaluated with regard to: (i) family support for the patient's daily life (FS), (ii) hardships of family life caused by living with the patient (HF), and (iii) empathic attitude of the family toward the patient (EA). Psychotic symptoms of schizophrenic patients were closely related to the mental state and QOL of their families. Family support was significantly correlated with HF and EA. Moreover, the family support system was shown to be related both to the psychotic symptoms of the patient and the mental state of the family. These results suggest that an approach to improve the family support system for the patient may exert positive effects on the patient's psychotic symptoms and his/her social adjustment. We also consider that intervention by a public organization is necessary to improve the family support system on islands.
Efficacy of open‐system social skills training in inpatients with mood, neurotic and eating disorders
Authors: Takahashi Megumi , Kosaka Kenji
Published: December 2004

Abstract Open‐system social skills training (SST) was performed in an open psychiatric ward of the hospital of Yokohama City University. Between June 1998 and March 2000, 223 patients were being treated for various mental disorders and 136 of these patients voluntarily participated in the open‐system SST at least once. The SST participants’ ages were 37.2 ± 16.9 years and the admission period was 102.6 ± 61.4 days, while non‐participants’ ages were 49.8 ± 18.8 years and the admission period was 71.8 ± 55.6 days. The correlation between participation time and the admission period showed a ratio of approximately 0.5. As for diagnoses, schizophrenia, eating disorder and personality disorder patients tended to participate in SST, while organic mental disorder patients tended to be non‐participants. After October 1998 there were 26 patients continuing to attend SST who participated in the evaluation study that compared social skills estimation before SST with that after SST by self‐evaluation and by the staff using a social skills questionnaire. After SST sessions, the average staff evaluation score was 43.9% in schizophrenia, 64.4% in mood disorder, 64.9% in neurotic disorder and 55.3% in eating disorders, while they were 29.1%, 33.8%, 44.4% and 34.5% before the sessions, respectively. After the SST sessions, mood disorder patients showed a 25–30% increase of both self‐estimation and staff estimation in all subcategories of social skills. These findings suggest that SST was effective for all patients motivated to improve their social skills despite diagnoses and that the SST program had different effects in each diagnosis group.
Case of clear cell ependymoma of medulla oblongata: Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study with literature review
Authors: Amatya Vishwa Jeet , Takeshima Yukio , Kaneko Mayumi , Nakano Tomohiro , Yamaguchi Satoshi , Sugiyama Kazuhiko , Kurisu Kaoru , Nakazato Yoichi , Inai Kouki
Published: December 2004

Clear cell ependymoma has been included in the WHO classification of the central nervous system in 1993, after the first report by Kawano et al. Since then, only a few cases have been reported. Most clear cell ependymoma cases reported in the literature so far were located in the supra‐tentorial compartment and/or cerebellum, and one case was in the cervical spinal cord. We report a case of clear cell ependymoma whose histological features were sufficient for the diagnosis and was unusually located in the fourth ventricle originating from the medulla oblongata. The tumor showed uniform tumor cells with perinuclear halo, nuclei being centrally located. Most of the tumor cells were arranged as perivascular pseudorosettes, and no ependymal canals or rosettes were evident. Mitotic figures were not frequent. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were strongly reactive for glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin, and weak and dot‐like positive for epithelial membrane antigen. Clear cell change of the tumor cells appeared to be fixation artifact because this feature was not evident in the frozen section.
Case‐control study of giant coronary aneurysms due to Kawasaki disease
Authors: Nakamura Yosikazu , Yashiro Mayumi , Uehara Ritei , Watanabe Makoto , Tajimi Morihiro , Oki Izumi , Ojima Toshiyuki , Yanagawa Hiroshi
Published: December 2004

Background
: Epidemiologic features of the formation of giant coronary aneurysm due to Kawasaki disease and its risk factors are not still clear.

Methods
: One hundred and five patients with giant coronary aneurysms were selected from the 15th and 16th nationwide surveys of Kawasaki disease in Japan. With all other patients reported from the same hospital as a control group, odds ratios (OR) were calculated for some potential risk factors.

Results
: Some factors affecting the formation of giant coronary aneurysms were revealed. Of these factors, the following were considered to be useful for the treatment of patients with Kawasaki disease: male sex (OR compared with females = 1.99), 0 years old (OR compared with 1−2 years = 1.71), visiting the hospital on 1−3 days of illness (OR compared to 4−6 days = 1.72), leukocyte count (OR with 1000 /mm3 increase = 0.56), neutrophil concentration among leukocyte (OR with 10% increase = 1.11), hemoglobin concentration (OR with 1 mg/dL increase = 0.73), alanine aminotransferase level (ALT; OR with 10 IU/dL increase = 1.02) and serum sodium level (OR with 1 mEq/L increase = 0.80).

Conclusions
: The observation of 105 cases with giant coronary aneurysms due to Kawasaki disease reported in the nationwide survey provides information about some risk factors and other considerations about the aneurysms.
Insulin‐like growth factors and their binding proteins: Potential relevance to reproductive physiology
Authors: Yoshimura Yasunori
Published: December 2004

Cyclic ovarian follicular development is a complex process that involves proliferation, differentiation, and death of follicle cells. Gonadotropins produced by the pituitary gland have a central role in the regulation of these processes. In addition, a wide range of paracrine and autocrine factors produced in the reproductive organs have been proposed as regulators of reproductive functions. Components of the insulin‐like growth factors (IGF) system are widely expressed in the female reproductive tract. The IGFs and their binding proteins play a significant role in several processes of reproductive physiology, including ovarian follicular development, oogenesis and oocyte maturation, ovulation, luteal function, follicular atresia, and testicular function. The majority of these physiological actions of the IGFs are believed to occur via activation of the IGF‐I receptor, although the IGF‐I effects are modulated by IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs). As much of the data obtained to date have been in the rodent reproductive organs, it may not be possible to directly extrapolate the results to the primate organs. There is a distinct species‐difference in the gene expression and functional roles of the IGF‐IGFBP system in reproductive organs. However, the disturbance of the IGF‐IGFBP system in human reproductive physiology may lead to anovulation, disorders of androgen excess, infertility associated with implantation failure, and male infertility. Further research is needed in domestic animals to determine if manipulation of the IGF‐IGFBP system may result in improved reproductive efficiency. As our understanding of the IGF‐IGFBP system increases, the uses of human recombinant IGF peptides and IGFBPs as clinical therapy for disease states is becoming a reality. (Reprod Med Biol 2003; 2: 1–24)
Detection of mitomycin C‐induced testicular toxicity by micronucleus assay in mice
Authors: Nakagawa Soichi , Mori Chisato
Published: December 2004

Background, Aims and Methods:  Mitomycin C is a promising cancer agent that has been shown to inhibit DNA synthesis. Our previous study showed that mitomycin C induces spermatogenic cell apoptosis in the mouse testis. By using TdT‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick‐end labeling in the study, we confirmed that apoptotic cell death was most commonly found in the spermatogonia and less frequently found in spermatocytes in mitomycin C‐treated mice. We therefore hypothesized that the spermatogenic cell apoptosis induced by mitomycin C occurred as the result of a mechanism to eliminate male germ cells with DNA damage or chromosomal aberrations. To test our hypothesis, we used a micronucleus assay for the detection of chromosomal damage induced in the spermatogonia or spermatocyte stages.

Results and Conclusions:  The frequency of micronuclei was clearly increased in the mitomycin C‐treated animals, and the number of micronuclei was greater at the spermatogonia or early spermatocyte stage than at the secondary spermatocyte stage. These results revealed that apoptosis and chromosomal aberration in the mouse testis after mitomycin C treatment occurred in the same cell types, that is, spermatogonia and spermatocytes. These findings indicate that chromosomal aberration of the spermatogenic cells induced by mitomycin C may have caused the spermatogenic cell apoptosis. (Reprod Med Biol 2003; 2: 69–73)
Echocardiographic Modeling of Cardiac Dyssynchrony Before and During Multisite Stimulation: A Prospective Study
Authors: CAZEAU S. , BORDACHAR P. , JAUVERT G. , LAZARUS A. , ALONSO C. , VANDRELL M.C. , MUGICA J. , RITTER P.
Published: December 2004

CAZEAU, S.,

et al.:

Echocardiographic Modeling of Cardiac Dyssynchrony Before and During Multisite Stimulation: A Prospective Study.
Multisite biventricular pacing therapy offers significant clinical improvement in some stimulated patients with electrocardiographic criteria of cardiac dyssynchrony. However, observational data increasingly suggest that patients suffering from congestive heart failure in presence of modest QRS widening may also derive benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), and that some patients can be significantly improved clinically after system implantation despite no apparent change in QRS width. This pilot study explored the value of an echocardiographic model to identify cardiac electromechanical dyssynchrony parameters (EDP) in candidates for CRT, and their potential correction after implantation. The study included 66 consecutive CRT recipients of CRT in NYHA functional class III or IV who had one or more atrioventricular, interventricular or intraventricular dyssynchrony criteria. An immediate improvement was observed in 85% of the population with a partial or total correction of their EDP. However, the modifications in EDP differed considerably between recipients of de novo CRT systems and patients with previously implanted standard pacing systems upgraded with the implantation of a left ventricular lead. EDP measurements appear to identify potential candidates for CRT, and to confirm the success of system implantation. (PACE 2003; 26[Pt. II]:137–143)
How Many Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy May Potentially Benefit from Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy?
Authors: GRIMM WOLFRAM , SHARKOVA JULIA , FUNCK REINHARD , MAISCH BERNHARD
Published: December 2004

GRIMM, W., et al.: How Many Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy May Potentially Benefit from Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy?
The clinical and electrocardiographic Marburg Cardiomyopathy database was analyzed to identify potential candidates for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with biventricular or left ventricular pacing among 566 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). All of the following restrictive selection criteria were fulfilled by 38 patients (7%): NYHA functional class ≥ 3 (

n = 193

, 34%), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <30% (n = 238, 42%), sinus rhythm (

n = 437

, 77%), left bundle branch block (LBBB,

n = 142

, 25%), and QRS duration ≥ 150 ms (

n = 136

, 24%). In 78 of the 566 patients (14%) all of the following less restrictive selection criteria were fulfilled: NYHA functional class ≥3 (

n = 193

, 34%), LVEF < 35% in presence of any underlying rhythm (n = 326, 58%), QRS duration ≥ 120 ms with right or left bundle branch block (

n = 223

, 39%). Thus, between 7% and 14% of patients with DCM were candidates for CRT depending on the application of strict versus less restrictive selection criteria.(PACE 2003; 26[Pt. II]:155–157)
Relationship Between Selected Overdrive Parameters and the Therapeutic Outcome and Tolerance of Atrial Overdrive Pacing
Authors: ATTUEL PATRICK , DANILOVIC DEJAN , KONZ KARL‐HEINZ , BRACHMANN JOHANNES , ALLAF DIA EL , LÖSCHER STEFFEN , GOMES CANDIDO , SCHEIBNER THOMAS , SCHIBGILLA VOLKER , SZENDEY ISTVAN , HARTMANN ANDREAS ,   on behalf of the “Suppression of Atrial Fibrillation by DDD+ Overdrive Pacing with Inos CLS Pacemakers” study investigators
Published: December 2004

ATTUEL, P.,

et al.

: Relationship Between Selected Overdrive Parameters and the Therapeutic Outcome and Tolerance of Atrial Overdrive Pacing.
There is a paucity of information on the influence of selected overdrive parameters on the clinical efficacy and tolerance of atrial overdrive algorithms to suppress atrial tachyarrhythmias. Data from a completed clinical trial investigating a new DDD+ overdrive algorithm implemented in a permanent pacemaker were analyzed. One‐hundred patients with standard pacing indications and atrial tachyarrhythmias were enrolled and followed for 6 months in DDD and 6 months in DDD+ mode in a randomized, crossover fashion. The overdrive step size was programmed at the discretion of the investigators between 4 and 12 beats/min, overdrive plateau length between 10 and 32 beats, and maximum overdrive rate between 100 and 160 beats/min. The effects of DDD+ versus DDD mode on burden and incidence of atrial tachyarrhythmias stored in the mode switch memory were examined as a function of the programmed overdrive parameters. An overdrive step size between 7 and 12 beats/min, and higher a maximum overdrive rate between 121 and 160 beats/min were slightly more effective than lower programmed values, though >500 randomized, crossover observations would have been necessary to verify statistical significance. Overdrive pacing related symptoms mandated early manual deactivation of overdrive pacing in 4.7% of 85 evaluated patients. Overdrive was disabled without testing tolerability of less aggressive overdrive values. There was no link between patient symptoms and programmed overdrive step size or overdrive plateau length values. (PACE 2003; 26[Pt. II]:257–263)