bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison between two modified methods of neutral‐detergent fibre analysis
Authors: Gustavsson A.‐M. , Martinsson K.
Published: May 2004

When describing the methods of analysis of neutral‐detergent fibre (NDF) it is valuable to know if different modifications of the standard method of analysis give the same absolute results or if the analysing method has to be specified. In this study two modifications of the standard method were compared, a 16‐h oven technique and a filter‐bag technique. The comparisons were conducted using thirty‐two timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and thirty‐two red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) samples. The study showed that both methods ranked the forage samples in the same relative order and had good accuracy. However, the NDF concentrations for the filter‐bag system were on average 7·8 g kg−1 DM higher for the red clover samples and 39·7 g kg−1 DM higher for the timothy samples. The difference in concentration of NDF for the red clover samples was smaller than the field variation and the daily change in NDF concentration, but in timothy the difference was four to five times larger than the field variation and the mean daily changes in NDF concentration. The study shows that it is important to specify the method of analysis for NDF when analysing timothy samples but not red clover samples, and that for this dataset it was possible to use a correction constant to recalculate the results from one method to the other.
Microbial communities in the phyllosphere of grasses on fenland at different intensities of management
Authors: Behrendt U. , Stauber T. , Müller T.
Published: May 2004

The effects of changes from conventional grassland management on fenland in Germany to extensification due to reduced fertilizer inputs and cutting frequency on the microbial colonization in the phyllosphere were investigated. A delay in the first cut for silage and hay, required by a nature conservation programme, was accompanied by the senescence of grasses which significantly influenced certain microbial groups. Heterotrophic bacteria, aerobic and anaerobic spore‐formers, as well as filamentous fungi, showed an increase in population densities on the mature herbage of the later cuts. Differences in the rate of fertilizer application and cutting frequency, which had an effect on the dry‐matter yield, also influenced the population density of heterotrophic bacteria and, in certain circumstances, that of filamentous fungi. Chemical measures of forage quality were highly correlated with the population density of microbial groups and with the maturity of the herbage. In contrast to these results, the population dynamics of further groups of micro‐organisms (yeasts, Micrococcaceae, listeria) did not show any relationship with pasture management.
Discrimination of morphological findings in dentine from osteogenesis imperfecta patients using combinations of polarized light microscopy, microradiograhpy and scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Lindau B. , Dietz W. , Lundgren T. , Storhaug K. , Norén J.G.
Published: May 2004

Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphological appearance of dentine in teeth from individuals with osteogenesis imperfecta type I, III and IV using different histological techniques, and to correlate morphological findings to different types of osteogenesis imperfecta.

Sample and methods. Extracted or exfoliated primary and permanent teeth were collected from 15 patients with the osteogenesis imperfecta diagnoses I, III or IV, with or without the additional diagnosis dentinogenesis imperfecta. Ground and decalcified sections were prepared from the teeth. Histo‐morphological studies of the dentine were performed utilizing light and polarized light microscopy, microradiography and scanning electron microscopy.

Results. Characteristic findings were irregular tubules, remnants of capillary inclusions and obliterated pulps. All types of osteogenesis imperfecta exhibited similar types of dentine aberrations, but patients with type III or IV had a higher frequency of aberrations when compared to type I.

Conclusions. The combination of either polarized light microscopy or micro‐radiography, together with scanning electron microscopy, gave the most amount of morphological information from dentine samples. In addition, aberrations in dentine structure were more clearly observable. Light microscopy was not critical for the analyses.
Calmodulin activity and cAMP signalling modulate growth and apical secretion in pollen tubes
Authors: Rato Cláudia , Monteiro David , Hepler Peter K. , Malhó Rui
Published: May 2004

Our present understanding implicates both calmodulin (CaM) and 3′,5′‐cyclicAMP (cAMP) in the regulation of pollen tube growth. However, downstream molecules of these signalling pathways and the cellular processes they modulate remain largely unknown. In order to elucidate the role of CaM, we mapped its activity in growing pollen tubes. 2‐chloro‐(ε‐amino‐Lys75)‐[6‐4‐(N,N′‐diethylaminophenyl)‐1,3,5‐triazin‐4‐yl]‐calmodulin (TA‐CaM) and fluorescein‐calmodulin (FL‐CaM), fluorescent analogues of CaM, were loaded into pollen tubes and CaM activity was mapped by fluorescence ratio imaging. It was found that CaM activity exhibits a tip‐focused gradient, similar to the distribution of cytosolic‐free calcium ([Ca2+]c). In long pollen tubes, apical CaM activity was also found to oscillate with a period similar to [Ca2+]c (40–80 sec). This oscillatory behaviour was not observed in small pollen tubes or in tubes that had stopped growing. Changes in CaM activity within the dome of the pollen tube apex resulting from the photolysis of caged photolysis of RS‐20 (a peptide antagonist of CaM) induced re‐orientation of the growth axis, suggesting that CaM is also involved in the guidance mechanism. CaM activity was strongly modulated by intracellular changes in cAMP (induced by activators and antagonists of adenylyl cyclase). These results indicate that the action of this protein is dependent not solely on [Ca2+]c but also on a cross‐talk with other signalling pathways. A putative target of this cross‐talk is the secretory machinery as observed in pollen tubes loaded with the FM (N‐(3‐triethylammoniumpropyl)‐4‐(4‐dibutylamino)styryl)pyridinium dibromide 1‐43 dye and exposed to different antagonists and activators of these molecules. Our data thus suggest that pollen tube growth and orientation depend on an intricate cross‐talk between multiple signalling pathways in which CaM is a key element.
Senescence‐induced expression of cytokinin reverses pistil abortion during maize flower development
Authors: Young Todd E. , Giesler‐Lee Jane , Gallie Daniel R.
Published: May 2004

Maize is a monoecious species that produces imperfect (unisexual), highly derived flowers called florets. Within the spikelet, the basic repeating unit of the maize inflorescence, the spikelet meristem gives rise to an upper and a lower floret. Although initially bisexual, floret unisexuality is established through selective organ elimination. In addition, the lower floret of each ear spikelet is aborted early in its development, leaving the upper floret to mature as the only pistillate floret. Expression from the cytokinin‐synthesizing isopentenyl transferase (IPT) enzyme under the control of the Arabidopsis senescence‐inducible promoter SAG (senescence associated gene)12 was observed during early maize floret development. Moreover, the lower floret was rescued from abortion, resulting in two functional florets per spikelet. The pistil in each floret was fertile, but the spikelet produced just one kernel composed of a fused endosperm with two viable embryos. The two embryos were genetically distinct, indicating that they had arisen from independent fertilization events. These results suggest that cytokinin can determine pistil cell fate during maize floret development.
The Etched1 gene of Zea mays (L.) encodes a zinc ribbon protein that belongs to the transcriptionally active chromosome (TAC) of plastids and is similar to the transcription factor TFIIS
Authors: Da Costa e Silva Oswaldo , Lorbiecke René , Garg Preeti , Müller Lenard , Waßmann Martina , Lauert Patricia , Scanlon Mike , Hsia An‐Ping , Schnable Patrick S. , Krupinska Karin , Wienand Udo
Published: May 2004

Etched1 (et1) is a pleiotropic, recessive mutation of maize that causes fissured and cracked mature kernels and virescent seedlings. Microscopic examinations of the et1 phenotype revealed an aberrant plastid development in mutant kernels and mutant leaves. Here, we report on the cloning of the et1 gene by transposon tagging, the localization of the gene product in chloroplasts, and its putative function in the plastid transcriptional apparatus. Several alleles of Mutator (Mu)‐induced et1 mutants, the et1‐reference (et1‐R) mutant, and Et1 wild‐type were cloned and analyzed at the molecular level. Northern analyses with wild‐type plants revealed that Et1 transcripts are present in kernels, leaves, and other types of tissue, and no Et1 expression could be detected in the et1 mutants analyzed. The ET1 protein is imported by chloroplasts and has been immunologically detected in transcriptionally active chromosome (TAC) fractions derived from chloroplasts. Accordingly, the relative transcriptional activity of TAC fractions was significantly reduced in chloroplasts of et1‐R plants. ET1 is the first zinc ribbon (ZR) protein shown to be targeted to plastids. With regard to its localization and its striking structural similarity to the eukaryotic transcription elongation factor TFIIS, it is feasible that ET1 functions in plastid transcription elongation by reactivation of arrested RNA polymerases.
Interaction of the plant glycine‐rich RNA‐binding protein MA16 with a novel nucleolar DEAD box RNA helicase protein fromZea mays
Authors: Gendra Elisenda , Moreno Alicia , Albà M. Mar , Pages Montserrat
Published: May 2004

The maize RNA‐binding MA16 protein is a developmentally and environmentally regulated nucleolar protein that interacts with RNAs through complex association with several proteins. By using yeast two‐hybrid screening, we identified a DEAD box RNA helicase protein fromZea maysthat interacted with MA16, which we namedZ. maysDEAD boxRNAhelicase1(ZmDRH1). The sequence of ZmDRH1 includes the eight RNA helicase motifs and two glycine‐rich regions with arginine–glycine‐rich (RGG) boxes at the amino (N)‐ and carboxy (C)‐termini of the protein. Both MA16 and ZmDRH1 were located in the nucleus and nucleolus, and analysis of the sequence determinants for their cellular localization revealed that the region containing the RGG motifs in both proteins was necessary for nuclear/nucleolar localization The two domains of MA16, the RNA recognition motif (RRM) and the RGG, were tested for molecular interaction with ZmDRH1. MA16 specifically interacted with ZmDRH1 through the RRM domain. A number of plant proteins and vertebrate p68/p72 RNA helicases showed evolutionary proximity to ZmDRH1. In addition, like p68, ZmDRH1 was able to interact with fibrillarin. Our data suggest that MA16, fibrillarin, and ZmDRH1 may be part of a ribonucleoprotein complex involved in ribosomal RNA (rRNA) metabolism.
Non‐invasive online detection of nitric oxide from plants and some other organisms by mass spectrometry
Authors: Conrath Uwe , Amoroso Gabriele , Köhle Harald , Sültemeyer Dieter F.
Published: May 2004

As nitric oxide (NO) is a key messenger in many organisms, reliable techniques for the detection of NO are essential. Here, it is shown that a combination of membrane inlet mass spectrometry (MIMS) and restriction capillary inlet mass spectrometry (RIMS) allows for the fast, specific, and non‐invasive online detection of NO that has been emitted from tissue cultures of diverse organisms, or from whole plants. As an advantage over other NO assays, MIMS/RIMS discriminates nitrogen isotopes and simultaneously measures NO and O2 (and other gases) from the same sample. MIMS/RIMS technology may thus help to identify the source of gaseous NO in cells, and elucidate the relationship between primary gas metabolism and NO formation. Using RIMS, it is demonstrated that the novel fungicide F 500® triggers NO production in plants.
The Rad17 homologue of Arabidopsis is involved in the regulation of DNA damage repair and homologous recombination
Authors: Heitzeberg Fabian , Chen I‐Peng , Hartung Frank , Orel Nadiya , Angelis Karel J. , Puchta Holger
Published: May 2004

Rad17 is involved in DNA checkpoint control in yeast and human cells. A homologue of this gene as well as other genes of the pathway (the 9‐1‐1 complex) are present in Arabidopsis and share conserved sequence domains with their yeast and human counterparts. DNA‐damaging agents induce AtRAD17 transcriptionally. AtRAD17 mutants show increased sensitivity to the DNA‐damaging chemicals bleomycin and mitomycin C (MMC), which can be reversed by complementation, suggesting that the loss of function of Rad17 disturbs DNA repair in plant cells. Our results are further confirmed by the phenotype of a mutant of the 9‐1‐1 complex (Rad9), which is also sensitive to the same chemicals. AtRAD9 and AtRAD17 seem to be epistatic as the double mutant is not more sensitive to the chemicals than the single mutants. The mutants show a delay in the general repair of double‐strand breaks (DSBs). However, frequencies of intrachromosomal homologous recombination (HR) are enhanced. Nevertheless, the mutants are proficient for a further induction of HR by genotoxic stresses. Our results indicate that a mutant Rad17 pathway is associated with a general deregulation of DNA repair, which seems to be correlated with a deficiency in non‐homologous DSB repair.
Two TIR:NB:LRR genes are required to specify resistance to Peronospora parasitica isolate Cala2 in Arabidopsis
Authors: Sinapidou Eva , Williams Kevin , Nott Lucy , Bahkt Saleha , Tör Mahmut , Crute Ian , Bittner‐Eddy Peter , Beynon Jim
Published: May 2004

Resistance responses that plants deploy in defence against pathogens are often triggered following a recognition event mediated by resistance (R) genes. The encoded R proteins usually contain a nucleotide‐binding site (NB) and a leucine‐rich repeat (LRR) domain. They are further classified into those that contain an N‐terminal coiled coil (CC) motif or a Toll interleukin receptor (TIR) domain. Such R genes, when transferred into a susceptible plant of the same or closely related species, usually impart full resistance capability. We have used map‐based cloning and mutation analysis to study the recognition of Peronospora parasitica (RPP)2 (At) locus in Arabidopsis accession Columbia (Col‐0), which is a determinant of specific recognition of P. parasitica (At) isolate Cala2. Genetic mapping located RPP2 to a 200‐kb interval on chromosome 4, which contained four adjacent TIR:NB:LRR genes. Mutational analysis revealed three classes of genes involved in specifying resistance to Cala2. One class, which resulted in pleiotropic effects on resistance to other P. parasitica (At) isolates, was unlinked to the RPP2 locus; this class included AtSGT1b. The other two classes were mapped within the interval and were specific to Cala2 resistance. Representatives of each of these classes were sequenced, and mutations were found in one or the other of two (RPP2A and RPP2B) of the four TIR:NB:LRR genes. RPP2A and RPP2B complemented their specific mutations, but failed to impart resistance when present alone, and it is concluded that both genes are essential determinants for isolate‐specific recognition of Cala2. RPP2A has an unusual structure with a short LRR domain at the C‐terminus, preceded by two potential but incomplete TIR:NB domains. In addition, the RPP2A LRR domain lacks conserved motifs found in all but three other TIR:NB:LRR class proteins. In contrast, RPP2B has a complete TIR:NB:LRR structure. It is concluded that RPP2A and RPP2B cooperate to specify Cala2 resistance by providing recognition or signalling functions lacked by either partner protein.
Identification of cold‐inducible downstream genes of the Arabidopsis DREB1A/CBF3 transcriptional factor using two microarray systems
Authors: Maruyama Kyonoshin , Sakuma Yoh , Kasuga Mie , Ito Yusuke , Seki Motoaki , Goda Hideki , Shimada Yukihisa , Yoshida Shigeo , Shinozaki Kazuo , Yamaguchi‐Shinozaki Kazuko
Published: May 2004

The transcriptional factor DREB/CBF (dehydration‐responsive element/C‐repeat‐binding) specifically interacts with the dehydration‐responsive element (DRE)/C‐repeat (CRT) cis‐acting element (A/GCCGAC) and controls the expression of many stress‐inducible genes in Arabidopsis. Transgenic plants overexpressing DREB1A showed activated expression of many stress‐inducible genes and improved tolerance to not only drought, salinity, and freezing but also growth retardation. We searched for downstream genes in transgenic plants overexpressing DREB1A using the full‐length cDNA microarray and Affymetrix GeneChip array. We confirmed candidate genes selected by array analyses using RNA gel blot and identified 38 genes as the DREB1A downstream genes, including 20 unreported new downstream genes. Many of the products of these genes were proteins known to function against stress and were probably responsible for the stress tolerance of the transgenic plants. The downstream genes also included genes for protein factors involved in further regulation of signal transduction and gene expression in response to stress. The identified genes were classified into direct downstream genes of DREB1A and the others based on their expression patterns in response to cold stress. We also searched for conserved sequences in the promoter regions of the direct downstream genes and found A/GCCGACNT in their promoter regions from −51 to −450 as a consensus DRE. The recombinant DREB1A protein bound to A/GCCGACNT more efficiently than to A/GCCGACNA/G/C.
Geminivirus VIGS of endogenous genes requires SGS2/SDE1 and SGS3 and defines a new branch in the genetic pathway for silencing in plants
Authors: Muangsan Nooduan , Beclin Christophe , Vaucheret Herve , Robertson Dominique
Published: May 2004

Virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a sequence‐specific RNA degradation process that can be used to downregulate plant gene expression. Both RNA and DNA viruses have been used for VIGS, but they differ in their mode of replication, gene expression, and cellular location. This study examined silencing mediated by a DNA virus, cabbage leaf curl virus (CaLCuV), in several silencing‐deficient Arabidopsis mutants. A DNA VIGS vector derived from CaLCuV, which silenced chlorata42 (ChlI) needed for chlorophyll formation, was used to test endogenous gene silencing responses in suppressor of gene silencing (sgs)1, sgs2, sgs3, and Argonaute (ago)1 mutants defective in sense transgene‐mediated post‐transcriptional silencing (S‐PTGS). SGS2/silencing defective (SDE)1, SGS3, and AGO1 are each dispensable for silencing mediated by transgenes containing inverted repeats (IR‐PTGS), and SGS2/SDE1 is dispensable for RNA VIGS. We show that DNA VIGS requires both SGS2/SDE1 and SGS3, regardless of the orientation of 362 nt ChlI transcripts produced from the viral DNA promoter. Viral DNA accumulation is slightly higher, and viral symptoms increase in sgs2 and sgs3, whereas overexpression of SGS2/SDE1 mRNA results in decreased viral symptoms. Mutants affected in SGS1 and AGO1 function are only delayed in the onset of silencing, and have a small effect on chlorophyll accumulation. DNA VIGS is unaffected in defective DNA methylation (ddm)1/somniferous (som)8 and maintenance of methylation (mom)1 mutants, impaired for TGS. These results demonstrate that SGS2/SDE1 and SGS3 are needed for endogenous gene silencing from DNA viruses, and suggest that SGS2/SDE1 may reduce geminivirus symptoms by targeting viral mRNAs.
Studies of Pediatric Liver Transplantation 2002: Patient and graft survival and rejection in pediatric recipients of a first liver transplant in the United States and Canada
Authors: Martin S. R. , Atkison P. , Anand R. , Lindblad A. S. ,   The SPLIT Research Group
Published: May 2004

Abstract:  Studies of Pediatric Liver Transplantation (SPLIT) is a cooperative research network comprising 38 pediatric liver transplant centers in North America. Data from the 1092 patients who have received a first liver transplant since 1995 were analyzed for factors influencing patient survival, graft survival and acute rejection. The 3, 12, 24 and 36 month Kaplan–Meier estimates of patient/graft survival were 90.9/85.5, 86.3/80.2, 84.3/76.0, and 83.8/75.3% respectively. Univariate analysis identified initial diagnosis, type of graft (whole vs. living and cadaveric technical variant), growth failure and continuous hospitalization or ICU admission prior to transplantation as significantly influencing patient and graft survival. Subsequent multivariate analysis identified as risk factors for death: fulminant liver failure (RR = 3.05, p < 0.05), cadaveric technical variant grafts (RR = 1.95, p < 0.05), continuous hospitalization pre‐transplant (RR = 1.79, p < 0.05), height deficit >2 s.d. from mean (RR = 3.22, p < 0.05). Risk factors for graft loss included: fulminant liver failure (RR = 2.27, p < 0.05), cadaveric technical variant grafts, (RR = 1.97, p < 0.05). Eleven percent of the 1092 patients were re‐transplanted; vascular complications, particularly hepatic artery thrombosis (8.3% overall; 36.3% of graft failures), were responsible for the majority of re‐transplants. Infection was the single most important cause of death (40 of 141, 28.4%) and was a contributing cause in 55 (39%), particularly with bacterial or fungal organisms. The cumulative Kaplan–Meier estimates of first rejection at 3, 12, 24 and 36 months were 44.8, 52.9, 59.1, and 60.3%. Initial immunosuppression with tacrolimus reduced the probability of rejection (RR = 0.62, p < 0.05). Eleven percent of rejections were steroid‐resistant; chronic rejection led to 7 of 121 (5.8%) re‐transplants. The SPLIT registry, in compiling data from a large number of centers, reflects the current outcomes for pediatric liver transplants in North America.
Sirolimus for pediatric liver transplant recipients with post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease and hepatoblastoma*
Authors: Jiménez‐Rivera Carolina , Avitzur Yaron , Fecteau Annie H. , Jones Nicola , Grant David , Ng Vicky Lee
Published: May 2004

Abstract:  Sirolimus is a promising immune suppressive agent, with the potential to reduce calcineurin inhibitor associated nephrotoxicity, halt progression of chronic rejection and prevent tumor proliferation. The aim of this study was to review the experience using sirolimus in pediatric liver transplant recipients at a single center. Database and medical charts of all pediatric liver transplant recipients receiving sirolimus at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto were reviewed. Eight patients received sirolimus between October, 2000 and September, 2002. Indications for using sirolimus were post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) (n = 6) and hepatoblastoma (n = 2). Two patients with PTLD concurrently had renal impairment and chronic rejection. Sirolimus dosages ranged between 1.5 and 5 mg once daily. Median duration of follow‐up was 17 months. Persistently elevated liver transaminase levels in the two children with chronic rejection decreased during sirolimus therapy. Recurrence of PTLD occurred in one patient. Two patients were diagnosed with acute cellular rejection after transition to maintenance sirolimus monotherapy. Resolution of adverse effects including mouth sores (n = 3), leg swelling (n =  2) and hyperlipidemia (n = 3) occurred either spontaneously or with dose reduction. Sirolimus was discontinued in four patients because of persisting bone marrow suppression, interstitial pneumonitis, life‐threatening sepsis and refractory diarrhea. Children with PTLD or hepatoblastoma may benefit from immune suppression with sirolimus after liver transplantation. Further multi‐center, prospective, randomized controlled trials will be instrumental to further the knowledge of long‐term efficacy, safety and tolerability of sirolimus for selected children following liver transplantation.
Successful treatment of a child with fulminant liver failure and coma caused by Amanita phalloides intoxication with albumin dialysis without liver transplantation
Authors: Rubik Jacek , Pietraszek‐Jezierska Elżbieta , Kamiński Andrzej , Skarzynska Anna , Jóźwiak Sergiusz , Pawłowska Joanna , Drewniak Tomasz , Prokurat Sylwester , Grenda Ryszard , Kaliciński Piotr
Published: May 2004

Abstract:  FLF is a life‐threatening disease. Hepatic coma exerts dramatic impact on patient survival. At present, LTx is the treatment modality of choice that provides significant improvement in outcome of most patients with FLF. Multiple attempts have been made to reduce mortality and improve the patient's condition. One of the new options is AD – MARS. We present the case of a 11‐yr‐old boy with FLF and hepatic coma who avoided the scheduled LTx because of rapid neurological and biochemical improvement immediately after three MARS sessions.
Reversal of acquired cisplatin resistance by modulation of metallothionein in transplanted murine tumors
Authors: SAGA YUJI , HASHIMOTO HIROSHI , YACHIKU SUNAO , IWATA TATSUYA , TOKUMITSU MASAYUKI
Published: May 2004

Background: The platinum‐based chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin is involved in a broad spectrum of activities against human systemic malignancies. However, acquired resistance to cisplatin reduces its clinical efficacy. Elucidation of the molecular basis of cisplatin resistance is required to improve the effectiveness of cisplatin. In the present study, the mechanism of acquired resistance to cisplatin was studied in C3H mice inoculated with MBT‐2 murine bladder tumor cells.

Methods: C3H mice were subcutaneously inoculated with 1.0 × 106 MBT‐2 cells/mouse on day 0. The mice were given intraperitoneal injections of 10 µmol/kg cisplatin and subcutaneous injections of 1000 µmol/kg propargylglycine, an inhibitor of gamma‐cystathionase, once a day for 10 consecutive days from day 11 to day 20.

Results: The metallothionein content of the tumors was increased to twice the control level by repeated administration of cisplatin. Co‐administration of propargylglycine reduced metallothionein induction in the tumors and markedly enhanced the antitumor activity of cisplatin. In contrast, the glutathione content in the tumors did not change from the control level after cisplatin administration. The platinum accumulation in tumors treated with cisplatin alone was 1.7‐fold greater than when propargylglycine was administered concomitantly. The platinum concentrations changed in accordance with the metallothionein contents.

Conclusions: These observations suggest that metallothionein, but not glutathione or reduced platinum accumulation, might play a role in the acquired resistance to cisplatin of C3H mice inoculated with MBT‐2. Moreover, reversal of this resistance might be possible by biochemical modulation of metallothionein.
Assessment of a protocol for prophylactic antibiotics to prevent perioperative infection in urological surgery: A preliminary study
Authors: KANAMARU SOJUN , TERAI AKITO , ISHITOYA SATOSHI , KUNISHIMA YASUHARU , NISHIYAMA HIROYUKI , SEGAWA TAKEHIKO , NAKAMURA EIJIRO , KINOSHITA HIDEFUMI , MOROI SEIJI , ITO NORIYUKI , KAMOTO TOSHIYUKI , OKUNO HIROSHI , HABUCHI TOMONORI , SENDA KAZUYOSHI , ICHIYAMA SATOSHI , OGAWA OSAMU , YAMAMOTO SHINGO
Published: May 2004

Background: The aim of the present study was to assess the usability and efficacy of our new protocol of prophylactic antibiotic use to prevent perioperative infection in urological surgery.

Methods: We prospectively investigated 339 cases of typical urological surgery in our department between April 2001 and March 2002 (group I). We classified surgical procedures into four categories by invasiveness and contamination levels: category A, clean less invasive or endoscopic surgery; category B, clean invasive or clean contaminated surgery; category C, urinary tract diversion using the intestine; and category D, infected surgery. Antibiotics were administrated intravenously according to our protocol: category A, first or second generation cephems or penicillins during the operative day only; category B, first and second generation cephems or penicillins for 3 days; and category C, second or third generation cephems for 4 days. Category D was excluded from the analysis. To judge perioperative infections, the wound condition and general conditions were evaluated in terms of the surgical site infection (SSI) as well as remote infection (RI) up to postoperative day (POD) 14. We retrospectively reviewed 308 patients who underwent urological surgery between April 2000 and March 2001 (group II) as reference cases that were administered antibiotics without any restriction.

Results: Perioperative infection rates (SSI + RI) in group I and group II were 25 of 339 (7.4%) and 35 of 308 (11.4%), respectively. Surgical site infection rates of categories A, B, and C in group I were 1.8%, 7.6%, and 30.0%, respectively, while those in group II were 2.0%, 7.4%, and 46.2%, respectively. There was no significant difference in infection rates in terms of RI and SSI between group I and group II. The amounts, as well as the prices, for intravenously administrated antibiotics and oral antibiotics decreased to approximately half and one‐fifth, respectively.

Conclusion: Our protocol effectively decreased the amount of antibiotics used without increasing perioperative infection rates. Thus, our protocol of prophylactic antibiotic therapy would be recommended as an appropriate method for preventing perioperative infection in urological surgery.
Cavernous hemangioma of the urinary bladder in an 8‐year‐old child
Authors: IKEDA TETSUHIRO , SHIMAMOTO KENJI , TANJI NOZOMU , OHOKA HIROJI , NISHIO SHUNJI , YOKOYAMA MASAYOSHI , IKEDA MINORU
Published: May 2004

An 8‐year‐old boy was admitted to Ehime University Hospital, Ehime, Japan, for the further investigation of a 5‐month episode of gross hematuria accompanied by lower abdominal pain. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a solid tumor measuring 3 cm in diameter of the bladder wall. Cystoscopy demonstrated a red, wide‐based, nodular tumor situated on the dome of the bladder. Histological examination of tissue taken at hot biopsy showed fibrolipoma. In consideration of potential malignancy, a partial cystectomy was carried out after informed consent was given. Histological examination of the resected specimen showed it to be cavernous hemangioma.
Prognostic value of nuclear area index in patients with bladder cancer
Authors: YUSUP ANWAR , KANAMARU HIROSHI , AOKI YOSHITAKA , SAIKAWA SHIGEKI , MORIYAMA NORIHIRO , OYAMA NOBUYUKI , AKINO HIRONOBU , OKADA KENICHIRO , YOKOYAMA OSAMU
Published: May 2004

Background: To assess the prognostic usefulness of the nuclear area index (NAI), a new nuclear morphometric parameter expressed as the mean nuclear area (MNA) ratio of cancer to normal transitional cells in patients with bladder cancer, who have undergone radical cystectomy.

Methods: Measurements of the nuclear areas of cancer and normal transitional cells were carried out on the histological slides of 73 patients with bladder cancer. The clinical usefulness of MNA, NAI, grade, and TNM categories for the prediction of the cause‐specific survival of the patients was examined.

Results: The median values of MNA and NAI in the 73 patients were 39 µm2 and 1.2, respectively. Cause‐specific survival rates of the patients were calculated according to stage (T1–2 vs T3–4), grade (grade 2 vs grade 3), MNA (<39 µm2vs≥39 µm2) and NAI value (<1.2 vs≥1.2). Using univariate analysis, all these parameters were statistically significant prognostic factors. However, by multivariate analysis, NAI was the only independent variable for the survival of the patients (P < 0.01). Cause‐specific survival rates of patients with NAI values of less than 1.2 were significantly higher than those with NAI values of 1.2 or more, in both grade 2 and grade 3 tumors.

Conclusions: These results suggest that NAI could provide improved prognostic information for patients with bladder cancer.
Combined adrenal adenoma and myelolipoma in a patient with Cushing's syndrome: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: HISAMATSU HIROSHI , SAKAI HIDEKI , TSUDA SATOSHI , SHIGEMATSU KAZUTO , KANETAKE HIROSHI
Published: May 2004

Myelolipoma is an uncommon benign tumor of unknown etiology and adrenal myelolipoma is rarely associated with endocrine disorders. We report a 67‐year‐old woman with Cushing's syndrome due to left adrenal adenoma associated with myelolipoma. The patient underwent laparoscopic left adrenalectomy and pathological examination revealed an adrenocortical adenoma associated with myelolipoma. To the best of our knowledge, 25 cases of endocrine dysfunction associated with myelolipoma have been reported in the English and Japanese literature. We review and discuss the pathogenesis of adrenal myelolipoma.
Effects of sextant transrectal prostate biopsy plus additional far lateral cores in improving cancer detection rates in men with large prostate glands
Authors: KOBAYASHI TAKASHI , NISHIZAWA KOJI , WATANABE JUN , OGURA KEIJI , MITSUMORI KENJI , IDE YOSHIHIRO
Published: May 2004

Purpose: To determine whether additional, far lateral cores improve the diagnostic performance of transrectal sextant biopsy in men with large prostate glands.

Methods: Men with prostate volumes of 50 mL or greater in transrectal ultrasonography who were suspected of prostatic adenocarcinoma were prospectively enrolled. Biopsy criteria were defined as 2.0 ng/mL or greater of serum total prostate‐specific antigen and/or abnormal findings on digital rectal examination. Four cores of far lateral biopsies were added to the standard sextant technique.

Results: Of 104 patients enrolled in the present study and undergoing biopsy, 14 (13.5%) were diagnosed as having prostate cancer and 27 (26.0%) were diagnosed as having prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) or an atypical gland. There were no cases where cancer was only detected in the additional cores, whereas PIN/atypical gland was uniquely detected from the additional, far lateral sites in eight of the 27 patients who were diagnosed with this condition.

Conclusions: Although the number of patients diagnosed as having PIN/atypical gland might increase with the addition of far lateral cores, this additional sampling does not improve cancer detection rates in men with large prostate glands.
Rectosigmoidal bladder utilizing intussuscepted ileal segment: A surgical technique for urinary diversion and experiences in 30 patients
Authors: OHYAMA CHIKARA , TSUCHIYA NORIHIKO , HABUCHI TOMONORI , SATO KAZUNARI , SATOH SHIGERU , SHIMODA NAOTAKE , KATO TETSURO
Published: May 2004

Background: We previously reported that the ileocecal rectal bladder consists of interposition of an intussuscepted ileocecal segment between the ureters and the rectum for those in whom the urethra is not available. Although the ileocecal rectal bladder has been well accepted by most patients, it requires an extensive preparation along the ascending colon. We present a modified operation technique (rectosigmoidal bladder) by using the ileal segment alone as an interposing antireflux component and by using the sigmoidal segment to augment the rectal capacity.

Methods: From February 1993 to July 2002, 30 patients with a median age of 64 years underwent construction of a rectosigmoidal bladder. Median follow‐up period was 26 months (range, 13–125). The follow up was carried out using clinical and functional assessments such as evacuation status, serum chemistry and radiographic evaluation of the upper urinary tracts and rectosigmoidal pouch. To assess the postoperative health‐related quality of life, we carried out a survey comparison of the ileocecal rectal bladder patients and the rectosigmoidal bladder patients.

Results: No operative or urinary diversion‐related postoperative mortality was encountered. All rectosigmoidal bladders had sufficient capacity, with no evidence of urinary reflux or daytime incontinence. When compared with our previous procedure, the ileocecal rectal bladder, the present procedure had advantages with respect to complications with urine‐fecal leak and acidosis. There were no differences in mean operation time, or in the health‐related quality of life survey, between the two procedures.

Conclusions: Our experience showed that this technique should be considered for those in whom the urethra is not available.
Increased detection of clinically significant prostate cancer by additional sampling from the anterior lateral horns of the peripheral zone in combination with the standard sextant biopsy
Authors: MIYAKE HIDEAKI , SAKAI IORI , HARADA KEN‐ICHI , HARA ISAO , ETO HIROSHI
Published: May 2004

Background: The objective of the present study was to investigate whether obtaining an increased number of biopsy cores by sampling additional areas, along with the standard sextant biopsy, results in a higher rate of detection of potentially insignificant prostate cancer.

Methods: We included 130 patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy at our institution between January 1999 and June 2003 after being diagnosed as having prostate cancer based on systematic prostate biopsies that included the areas examined by standard sextant biopsies and the bilateral anterior lateral horns (ALHs) of the peripheral zone (PZ). Several clinicopathological factors were analyzed, focusing on the significance of additional sampling from ALHs in relation to the incidence of potentially insignificant cancer, which was defined as organ confined disease with tumor volume less than 0.5 cc and Gleason scores <7.

Results: According to the location of positive biopsy results, these 130 patients were divided into three groups as follows: 61 patients (46.9%) with cancer detected from the cores taken by standard sextant biopsy only (group A), 15 (11.6%) from ALHs of the PZ only (group B), and 54 (41.5%) from both sites (group C). There were no significant differences in age, incidence of abnormal digital rectal examination, prostate volume, or biopsy Gleason score among these three groups; however, pretreatment serum PSA value in group C was significantly higher than that in groups A or B. Pathological examinations of radical prostatectomy specimens demonstrated that there were no significant differences in the incidence of lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion and perineural invasion, or Gleason score among the three groups; however, group C had a significantly larger tumor volume than groups A or B. Furthermore, insignificant tumor was detected in eight patients in group A (13.1%), two in group B (13.3%), and four in group C (7.4%).

Conclusion: These findings suggest that the additional sampling of biopsy cores from ALHs does not appear to increase the detection of potentially insignificant cancer, and that biological tumor characteristics seem to be similar irrespective of cancer location on the needle biopsy.
Cognitive, emotional and psychosocial factors in fragrance experience
Authors: Dalton P.
Published: May 2004

Although the intensity and quality of fragrance perception is elicited by the physical mixture of volatile chemicals available to stimulate the olfactory system, the subjective experience and response an individual exhibits is often the product of those sensory or physiological signals and higher level psychological processes involved in perception, memory and judgment. For example, the frequency and duration of exposure to a fragrance can determine whether the subsequent perception is diminished (adaptation) or enhanced (sensitization), but an individual's memories of prior associations, the situational context or expectations, and their current emotional state are potent modifiers of the intensity and quality of the final chemosensory experience. Similarly, the context in which an irritant sensation is experienced (e.g., the product or situation) may determine whether it is perceived as an adverse or pleasurable sensation. Results from numerous laboratory studies have shown that these factors play a key role in the evaluation of odor and irritant sensations arising from the perception of fragrances. Importantly, cognitive and psychosocial factors appear to have significance for understanding reactions to fragrances in a variety of use situations, from consumer products to indoor environments.
Physiological effects of emotional odors
Authors: Lorig T. S.
Published: May 2004

Advances in neuromaging have provided new and exciting knowledge concerning how odors come to activate emotional systems in the brain. Often neglected are the concomitant changes that follow this activation throughout the body. Odor‐induced emotional changes in peripheral physiological systems will be critically discussed including changes in respiration, muscle tone, skin conductance and heart rate. Multidimensional patterning of these responses may prove especially valuable in identifying subtle emotional response. Research to date, however, contains few examples of successful response patterning related to odors.
The Stuff of Life?
Authors: Ledbury Mark
Published: May 2004

Book reviewed:

Colin B Bailey, Philip Conisbee and Thomas W Gaehtgens, The Age of Watteau, Chardin and Fragonard: Masterpieces of French Genre Painting
Trope Control: The Costs and Benefits of Metaphor Unreliability in the Description of Empirical Phenomena*
Authors: Ramsay John
Published: May 2004

The process of communicating and interpreting the meaning of metaphors in business writing is deeply unreliable. This stems from the structure of metaphors in which some of the characteristics of a source domain are transferred to a target domain. The precise selection of characteristics is made by the reader rather than the author of the metaphor, thus creating uncertainty of meaning. Although there are some benefits stemming from the inherent ambiguity of metaphor, the unreliability of the trope not only makes it impossible to choose between competing metaphors, but may distort our view of reality and thus lead to poor management decision‐making. Moreover, the unreliability of the interpretation process is so pronounced that some authors have attempted to reject the use of metaphor entirely. However, this paper argues that although it is impossible to avoid employing metaphor, contrary to the conventional wisdom in this subject area, it is possible to improve meaning reliability. Drawing on linguistic theory to explain the recommendations, and illustrative examples from business literature and practice, the papers offers several recommendations for so doing that may be applied throughout the Business and Management field.
Narcissus Revisited: The Values of Management Academics and their RoleinBusiness School Strategies in the UK and Canada*
Authors: Stiles David R.
Published: May 2004

The myth of Narcissus provides an appropriate metaphor for the continuing debate over the relationship between academics, business and other stakeholders; most recently expressed in terms of Mode 1 and Mode 2 knowledge and academic entrepreneurialism. Both myth and debate are based partly on conflicts over identity. However, surprisingly little empirical work has been conducted on the identity of management academics. A step towards this is made here by exploring the role of embedded and enduring values as a primary element of academic identity in business schools. Contextualized in the Mode/entrepreneuralism debate, a layered metaphor of academic organization is adopted, in which values are located among deep‐set constructs and a comparative and longitudinal perspective employed. A value‐ranking instrument is devised, applied and retested over five years in two business schools in Britain and Canada. This reveals values that are widely held by management academics and those that are more pervasive in each institution. Understanding such values helps provide insight into the strategic role of academic identity, grounded in ontological and epistemological frameworks.
Rethinking Knowledge: A Bergsonian Critique of the Notion of Tacit Knowledge*
Authors: Styhre Alexander
Published: May 2004

The recent focus on the intangible resources of the organization in general, and specifically the notion of knowledge, has problematized the notion of organization. Rather than seeing organizations as systems that integrate the use of all kinds of physical, financial and human resources, the knowledge‐based view (KBV) of the firm and knowledge management literature emphasize the organization as a site for the development, use of and dissemination of knowledge and other forms of intellectual resources and assets. KBV and knowledge management literature also address the notion of knowledgeas such; is knowledge what can be represented by concepts, figures, and statistics, or are there qualities inherent in knowledge that cannot easily be described, disseminated, or procured? The notion of tacit knowledge has been used to denote all forms of knowledge that cannot be represented: knowledge that cannot be fully articulated, expressed in formulas or described in documents. This paper aims to provide a critique of the notion of tacit knowledge as it is used in KBV and knowledge management literature. It examines the notion of tacit knowledge through the philosophy of Henri Bergson and concludes that the notion of tacit knowledge is little more than an umbrella term for unrepresentable knowledge. Thus, the notion of tacit knowledge should be used with care rather than being a residual category of knowledge.
Utilizing the balanced scorecard for R&D performance measurement
Authors: Bremser Wayne G. , Barsky Noah P.
Published: May 2004

R&D programs are critical for many firms to achieve and sustain competitive advantage. Yet, measuring R&D performance over time can be quite complex due to inherent uncertainty. The paper responds to calls in the R&D literature to explore integrated performance measurement systems that capture financial and nonfinancial performance. We integrate the Stage‐Gate approach to R&D management with the Balanced Scorecard to present a framework to show how firms can link resource commitments to these activities and the firm's strategic objectives. In this paper, we provide specific examples of how firms can apply this integrated performance measurement system to the R&D function.
The use and importance of external sources of knowledge in the software development process
Authors: Segelod Esbjörn , Jordan Gary
Published: May 2004

This is an empirical study of external sources of knowledge and their relative importance in different stages of the software development process. The amount of new knowledge generated through different sources and the differences between single client, customised and packaged software, are analysed. The analysis draws on case studies of 92, mostly European, software projects, and a pilot study. It shows the length, type, and relative importance of 718 sources of external knowledge in the software development process. The data collected show that there are important differences between tangible hardware and software projects with respect to the relative importance of the various sources and the knowledge acquired from these sources; differences which in part may be derived from the special characteristics of software in contrast to hardware development projects. Frequently the customers cannot specify exactly what they want, which means that the development process must be kept open to customer influence and feedback which may result in changes in the requirements, and subsequent modifications in the software.