bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distributional patterns of 0-group Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) in the eastern Bering Sea under variable recruitment and thermal conditions
Authors: Hurst Thomas P. , Moss Jamal H. , Miller Jessica A.
Published: February 2012

Hurst, T. P., Moss, J. H., and Miller, J. A. 2012. Distributional patterns of 0-group Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) in the eastern Bering Sea under variable recruitment and thermal conditions. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 163–174. Despite the importance of Pacific cod in Bering Sea fisheries and foodwebs, little is known about the habitat use and the distribution of early life stages. We analysed 6 years of catch data for 0-group Pacific cod in fishery-independent surveys of the Bering Sea shelf. Juvenile cod were most commonly captured on the middle shelf over depths of 50–80 m and were rarely captured north of 58°N. Consistently high catches were observed east of the Pribilof Islands and north of Port Moller along the Alaska Peninsula. There was evidence of density-dependent habitat selection at the local scale as the frequency of occurrence increased with regional catch per unit effort. At the basin scale, the southerly distribution of the weak 2009 cohort suggested the possibility of a range contraction for small cohorts. There was no consistent shift in the distribution of juvenile Pacific cod in response to interannual climate variability. These results for Pacific cod contrast with those observed for walleye pollock, which appears to exhibit greater variance in distribution, but are similar to patterns observed for juvenile Atlantic cod. Future work should focus on distribution in nearshore habitats and examine the patterns of dispersal and the connectivity of the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska populations.
Antiproliferative Effects of Local Anesthetics on Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Lucchinetti Eliana , Awad Ahmed E. , Rahman Mamoona , Feng Jianhua , Lou Phing-How , Zhang Liyan , Ionescu Lavinia , Lemieux Hélène , Thébaud Bernard , Zaugg Michael
Published: February 2012

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are self-renewing clonal progenitor cells of nonhematopoietic tissues that exhibit a marked tropism to wounds and tumors. The authors' studies aimed at exploring how local anesthetics would affect MSC biology.

Methods

Proliferation, colony formation, in vitro wound healing, and bone differentiation assays of culture-expanded bone-marrow-derived murine MSC were performed in the presence of increasing concentrations of lidocaine, ropivacaine, and bupivacaine. Cytotoxicity was monitored by measuring lactate dehydrogenase activity and phosphatidylserine exposure/propidium iodide staining (early apoptotic cells/necrotic cells). Measurements of mitochondrial function in intact and permeabilized cells, transcriptional changes, and changes in nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells signaling in MSC treated with ropivacaine were used to further characterize the biologic effects of local anesthetics on MSC.

Results

All local anesthetics reduced MSC proliferation at 100 μM, consistent with cell cycle delay or arrest at the G0/1-S phase transition. They increased lactate dehydrogenase release and the number of annexin V-positive MSC but not necrotic MSC. Colony formation was decreased, differentiation into osteoblasts impaired, and in vitro wound healing delayed. Mitochondrial respiration and adenosine 5'-triphosphate concentrations were reduced. Microarray analysis revealed significant expression changes in lysosomal genes and genes controlling sterol metabolism, indicating an impaired phospholipid metabolism in the lysosome. Multiple transcriptional programs related to cell differentiation, tumorigenesis, and metastasis were negatively affected by ropivacaine.

Conclusions

The authors' studies demonstrate that local anesthetics significantly affect important aspects of MSC biology. These experiments provide novel rationales for the perioperative use of local anesthetics in patients with cancer but also highlight the potentially detrimental effects of local anesthetics on wound healing.
The nanometre-scale physiology of bone: steric modelling and scanning transmission electron microscopy of collagen–mineral structure
Authors: Alexander Benjamin , Daulton Tyrone L. , Genin Guy M. , Lipner Justin , Pasteris Jill D. , Wopenka Brigitte , Thomopoulos Stavros
Published: February 2012

The nanometre-scale structure of collagen and bioapatite within bone establishes bone's physical properties, including strength and toughness. However, the nanostructural organization within bone is not well known and is debated. Widely accepted models hypothesize that apatite mineral (‘bioapatite’) is present predominantly inside collagen fibrils: in ‘gap channels’ between abutting collagen molecules, and in ‘intermolecular spaces’ between adjacent collagen molecules. However, recent studies report evidence of substantial extrafibrillar bioapatite, challenging this hypothesis. We studied the nanostructure of bioapatite and collagen in mouse bones by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) using electron energy loss spectroscopy and high-angle annular dark-field imaging. Additionally, we developed a steric model to estimate the packing density of bioapatite within gap channels. Our steric model and STEM results constrain the fraction of total bioapatite in bone that is distributed within fibrils at less than or equal to 0.42 inside gap channels and less than or equal to 0.28 inside intermolecular overlap regions. Therefore, a significant fraction of bone's bioapatite (greater than or equal to 0.3) must be external to the fibrils. Furthermore, we observe extrafibrillar bioapatite between non-mineralized collagen fibrils, suggesting that initial bioapatite nucleation and growth are not confined to the gap channels as hypothesized in some models. These results have important implications for the mechanics of partially mineralized and developing tissues.
B23/nucleophosmin is involved in regulation of adenovirus chromatin structure at late infection stages, but not in virus replication and transcription
Authors: Samad Mohammad Abdus , Komatsu Tetsuro , Okuwaki Mitsuru , Nagata Kyosuke
Published: February 2012

B23/nucleophosmin has been identifiedin vitroas a stimulatory factor for replication of adenovirus DNA complexed with viral basic core proteins. In the present study, thein vivofunction of B23 in the adenovirus life cycle was studied. It was found that both the expression of a decoy mutant derived from adenovirus core protein V that tightly associates with B23 and small interfering RNA-mediated depletion of B23 impeded the production of progeny virions. However, B23 depletion did not significantly affect the replication and transcription of the virus genome. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses revealed that B23 depletion significantly increased the association of viral DNA with viral core proteins and cellular histones. These results suggest that B23 is involved in the regulation of association and/or dissociation of core proteins and cellular histones with the virus genome. In addition, these results suggest that proper viral chromatin assembly, regulated in part by B23, is crucial for the maturation of infectious virus particles.
Origin and fate of A/H1N1 influenza in Scotland during 2009
Authors: Lycett Samantha , McLeish Nigel J. , Robertson Christopher , Carman William , Baillie Gregory , McMenamin James , Rambaut Andrew , Simmonds Peter , Woolhouse Mark , Leigh Brown Andrew J.
Published: February 2012

The spread of influenza has usually been described by a ‘density’ model, where the largest centres of population drive the epidemic within a country. An alternative model emphasizing the role of air travel has recently been developed. We have examined the relative importance of the two in the context of the 2009 H1N1 influenza epidemic in Scotland. We obtained genome sequences of 70 strains representative of the geographical and temporal distribution of H1N1 influenza during the summer and winter phases of the pandemic in 2009. We analysed these strains, together with another 128 from the rest of the UK and 292 globally distributed strains, using maximum-likelihood phylogenetic and Bayesian phylogeographical methods. This revealed strikingly different epidemic patterns within Scotland in the early and late parts of 2009. The summer epidemic in Scotland was characterized by multiple independent introductions from both international and other UK sources, followed by major local expansion of a single clade that probably originated in Birmingham. The winter phase, in contrast, was more diverse genetically, with several clades of similar size in different locations, some of which had no particularly close phylogenetic affinity to strains sampled from either Scotland or England. Overall there was evidence to support both models, with significant links demonstrated between North American sequences and those from England, and between England and East Asia, indicating that major air-travel routes played an important role in the pattern of spread of the pandemic, both within the UK and globally.
The neuraminidase and matrix genes of the 2009 pandemic influenza H1N1 virus cooperate functionally to facilitate efficient replication and transmissibility in pigs
Authors: Ma Wenjun , Liu Qinfang , Bawa Bhupinder , Qiao Chuanling , Qi Wenbao , Shen Huigang , Chen Ying , Ma Jingqun , Li Xi , Webby Richard J. , García-Sastre Adolfo , Richt Jürgen A.
Published: February 2012

The 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus (pH1N1) contains neuraminidase (NA) and matrix (M) genes from Eurasian avian-like swine influenza viruses (SIVs), with the remaining six genes from North American triple-reassortant SIVs. To characterize the role of the pH1N1 NA and M genes in pathogenesis and transmission, their impact was evaluated in the background of an H1N1 triple-reassortant (tr1930) SIV in which the HA (H3) and NA (N2) of influenza A/swine/Texas/4199-2/98 virus were replaced with those from the classical H1N1 A/swine/Iowa/15/30 (1930) virus. The laboratory-adapted 1930 virus did not shed nor transmit in pigs, but tr1930 was able to shed in infected pigs. The NA, M or both genes of the tr1930 virus were then substituted by those of pH1N1. The resulting virus with both NA and M from pH1N1 grew to significantly higher titre in cell cultures than the viruses with single NA or M from pH1N1. In a pig model, only the virus containing both NA and M from pH1N1 was transmitted to and infected sentinels, whereas the viruses with single NA or M from pH1N1 did not. These results demonstrate that the right combination of NA and M genes is critical for the replication and transmissibility of influenza viruses in pigs.
Visual landmarks facilitate rodent spatial navigation in virtual reality environments
Authors: Youngstrom Isaac A. , Strowbridge Ben W.
Published: February 2012

Because many different sensory modalities contribute to spatial learning in rodents, it has been difficult to determine whether spatial navigation can be guided solely by visual cues. Rodents moving within physical environments with visual cues engage a variety of nonvisual sensory systems that cannot be easily inhibited without lesioning brain areas. Virtual reality offers a unique approach to ask whether visual landmark cues alone are sufficient to improve performance in a spatial task. We found that mice could learn to navigate between two water reward locations along a virtual bidirectional linear track using a spherical treadmill. Mice exposed to a virtual environment with vivid visual cues rendered on a single monitor increased their performance over a 3-d training regimen. Training significantly increased the percentage of time avatars controlled by the mice spent near reward locations in probe trials without water rewards. Neither improvement during training or spatial learning for reward locations occurred with mice operating a virtual environment without vivid landmarks or with mice deprived of all visual feedback. Mice operating the vivid environment developed stereotyped avatar turning behaviors when alternating between reward zones that were positively correlated with their performance on the probe trial. These results suggest that mice are able to learn to navigate to specific locations using only visual cues presented within a virtual environment rendered on a single computer monitor.
Micro‐computed tomography: an alternative method for shark ageing
Authors: Geraghty P. T. , Jones A. S. , Stewart J. , Macbeth W. G.
Published: February 2012

Micro‐computed tomography (microCT) produced 3D reconstructions of shark Carcharhinus brevipinna vertebrae that could be virtually sectioned along any desired plane, and upon which growth bands were readily visible. When compared to manual sectioning, it proved to be a valid and repeatable means of ageing and offers several distinct advantages over other ageing methods.
Identification of behaviour change techniques to reduce excessive alcohol consumption
Authors: Michie Susan , Whittington Craig , Hamoudi Zainab , Zarnani Feri , Tober Gillian , West Robert
Published: February 2012

Background  Interventions to reduce excessive alcohol consumption have a small but important effect, but a better understanding is needed of their ‘active ingredients’.

Aims  This study aimed to (i) develop a reliable taxonomy of behaviour change techniques (BCTs) used in interventions to reduce excessive alcohol consumption (not to treat alcohol dependence) and (ii) to assess whether use of specific BCTs in brief interventions might be associated with improved effectiveness.

Methods  A selection of guidance documents and treatment manuals, identified via expert consultation, were analysed into BCTs by two coders. The resulting taxonomy of BCTs was applied to the Cochrane Review of brief alcohol interventions, and the associations between the BCTs and effectiveness were investigated using meta‐regression.

Findings  Forty‐two BCTs were identified, 34 from guidance documents and an additional eight from treatment manuals, with average inter‐rater agreement of 80%. Analyses revealed that brief interventions that included the BCT ‘prompt self‐recording’ (P = 0.002) were associated with larger effect sizes.

Conclusions  It is possible to identify specific behaviour change techniques reliably in manuals and guidelines for interventions to reduce excessive alcohol consumption. In brief interventions, promoting self‐monitoring is associated with improved outcomes. More research is needed to identify other behaviour change techniques or groupings of behaviour change techniques that can produce optimal results in brief interventions and to extend the method to more intensive interventions and treatment of alcohol dependence.
Thrombotic adverse events to coagulation factor concentrates for treatment of patients with haemophilia and von Willebrand disease: a systematic review of prospective studies
Authors: COPPOLA A. , FRANCHINI M. , MAKRIS M. , SANTAGOSTINO E. , DI MINNO G. , MANNUCCI P. M.
Published: February 2012

Summary.  Thrombotic adverse events (AEs) after clotting factor concentrate administration are rare but the actual rate is unknown. A systematic review of prospective studies (1990–2011) reporting safety data of factor concentrates in patients with haemophilia A (HA), haemophilia B (HB) and von Willebrand disease (VWD) was conducted to identify the incidence and type of thrombotic AEs. In 71 studies (45 in HA, 15 HB, 11 VWD) enrolling 5528 patients treated with 27 different concentrates (20 plasma‐derived, 7 recombinant), 20 thrombotic AEs (2 HA, 11 HB, 7 VWD) were reported, including two major venous thromboembolic episodes (both in VWD patients on prolonged replacement for surgery). The remaining thrombotic AEs were superficial thrombophlebitis, mostly occurring at infusion sites in surgical patients and/or during concentrate continuous infusion. The overall prevalence was 3.6 per 103 patients (3.6 per 104 for severe AEs) and 1.13 per 105 infusions, with higher figures in VWD than in haemophilia. Thrombotic AEs accounted for 1.9% of non‐inhibitor‐related AEs. Thrombosis‐related complications occurred in 10.8% of patients with central venous access devices (CVADs) reported in six studies, the risk increasing with time of CVAD use. Data from prospective studies over the last 20 years suggest that the risk of thrombotic AEs from factor concentrate administration is small and mainly represented by superficial thrombophlebitis. These findings support the high degree of safety of products currently used for replacement treatment.
Rapid evolution of an adaptive cyanogenesis cline in introduced North American white clover (Trifolium repens L.)
Authors: KOOYERS NICHOLAS J. , OLSEN KENNETH M.
Published: February 2012

White clover is polymorphic for cyanogenesis (HCN production after tissue damage), and this herbivore defence polymorphism has served as a classic model for studying adaptive variation. The cyanogenic phenotype requires two interacting biochemical components; the presence/absence of each component is controlled by a simple Mendelian gene (Ac/ac and Li/li). Climate‐associated cyanogenesis clines occur in both native (Eurasian) and introduced populations worldwide, with cyanogenic plants predominating in warmer locations. Moreover, previous studies have suggested that epistatic selection may act within populations to maintain cyanogenic (AcLi) plants and acyanogenic plants that lack both components (acli plants) at the expense of plants possessing a single component (Acli and acLi plants). Here, we examine the roles of selection, gene flow and demography in the evolution of a latitudinal cyanogenesis cline in introduced North American populations. Using 1145 plants sampled across a 1650 km transect, we determine the distribution of cyanogenesis variation across the central United States and investigate whether clinal variation is adaptive or an artefact of population introduction history. We also test for the evidence of epistatic selection. We detect a clear latitudinal cline, with cyanogenesis frequencies increasing from 11% to 86% across the transect. Population structure analysis using nine microsatellite loci indicates that the cline is adaptive and not a by‐product of demographic history. However, we find no evidence for epistatic selection within populations. Our results provide strong evidence for rapid adaptive evolution in these introduced populations, and they further suggest that the mechanisms maintaining adaptive variation may vary among populations of a species.
Environment or kin: whence do bees obtain acidophilic bacteria?
Authors: McFREDERICK QUINN S. , WCISLO WILLIAM T. , TAYLOR DOUGLAS R. , ISHAK HEATHER D. , DOWD SCOT E. , MUELLER ULRICH G.
Published: February 2012

As honey bee populations decline, interest in pathogenic and mutualistic relationships between bees and microorganisms has increased. Honey bees and bumble bees appear to have a simple intestinal bacterial fauna that includes acidophilic bacteria. Here, we explore the hypothesis that sweat bees can acquire acidophilic bacteria from the environment. To quantify bacterial communities associated with two species of North American and one species of Neotropical sweat bees, we conducted 16S rDNA amplicon 454 pyrosequencing of bacteria associated with the bees, their brood cells and their nests. Lactobacillus spp. were the most abundant bacteria in many, but not all, of the samples. To determine whether bee‐associated lactobacilli can also be found in the environment, we reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Lactobacillus. Previously described groups that associate with Bombus and Apis appeared relatively specific to these genera. Close relatives of several bacteria that have been isolated from flowers, however, were isolated from bees. Additionally, all three sweat bee species associated with lactobacilli related to flower‐associated lactobacilli. These data suggest that there may be at least two different means by which bees acquire putative probiotics. Some lactobacilli appear specific to corbiculate apids, possibly because they are largely maternally inherited (vertically transmitted). Other lactobacilli, however, may be regularly acquired from environmental sources such as flowers. Sweat bee–associated lactobacilli were found to be abundant in the pollen and frass inside the nests of halictids, suggesting that they could play a role in suppressing the growth of moulds and other spoilage organisms.
Elevated BAFF Levels in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Neuro‐Behçet’s Disease: BAFF is Correlated with Progressive Dementia and Psychosis
Authors: Sumita Y. , Murakawa Y. , Sugiura T. , Wada Y. , Nagai A. , Yamaguchi S.
Published: February 2012

Neuro‐Behçet’s disease (NBD) is a serious complication of Behçet’s disease. Generally, NBD patients with a chronic course are refractory to immunosuppressive treatment, resulting in the deterioration of personality. In this study, levels of B cell‐activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF) were measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 18 patients with NBD, 27 patients with epidemic aseptic meningitis (AM), 24 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 34 healthy controls. BAFF levels in patients with NBD were significantly elevated compared with healthy controls, but showed no statistically significant elevation compared with either of the disease controls. In contrast, CSF IL‐6 levels were slightly elevated in patients with NBD and significantly elevated in patients with AM and MS compared with healthy controls. Patients with NBD were subdivided into two groups according to their clinical course (eight patients with a slowly progressive course presenting with psychosis and dementia and 10 patients with an acute course including aseptic meningitis, brainstem involvement and myelopathy). BAFF levels were significantly increased in those with a slowly progressive course compared with those with an acute course. CSF BAFF levels did not correlate with serum BAFF levels, CSF cell counts or CSF IL‐6 levels in patients with NBD. These data suggested that BAFF was produced within the central nervous system and may be associated with the development of NBD, particularly with a progressive course.
Basophils are not the key antigen‐presenting cells in allergic patients
Authors: Eckl‐Dorna J. , Ellinger A. , Blatt K. , Ghanim V. , Steiner I. , Pavelka M. , Valent P. , Valenta R. , Niederberger V.
Published: February 2012

Background

Recent data obtained in mouse models have initiated a controversy whether basophils are the key antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) in allergy. Here, we investigate whether basophils are of importance for the presentation of allergen and the induction of T cell proliferation in allergic patients.

Methods

T cells, basophils, and APCs depleted of basophils were purified from allergic patients. Co‐culture systems based on purified major allergens were established to study allergen‐specific T cell responses using proliferation assays.

Results

Only co‐cultures of T cells with APCs depleted of basophils but not with basophils proliferated in response to allergen. Even addition of IL‐3 to T cell–basophil co‐cultures failed to induce allergen‐specific T cell proliferation.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate by classical in vitro proliferation assays that basophils are not key antigen‐presenting cells that promote T cell proliferation in secondary immune responses to allergen in allergic patients.
The non‐DNA‐binding bHLH transcription factor PRE3/bHLH135/ATBS1/TMO7 is involved in the regulation of light signaling pathway in Arabidopsis
Authors: Castelain Mathieu , Le Hir Rozenn , Bellini Catherine
Published: February 2012

Plant basic Helix‐loop‐helix (bHLH) proteins are transcription factors that are involved in many developmental mechanisms, including light signaling and hormone homeostasis. Some of them are non‐DNA‐binding proteins and could act as dominant negative regulators of other bHLH proteins by forming heterodimers, in a similar way to animal inhibitor of DNA‐binding proteins. It has been recently reported that several non‐DNA‐binding bHLHs are involved in light signaling (KDR/PRE6), gibberellic acid signaling (PRE1/BNQ1/bHLH136) or brassinosteroid signaling (ATBS1). Here we report that Arabidopsis lines overexpressing the PRE3/bHLH135/ATBS1/TMO7 gene are less responsive to red, far‐red and blue light than wild‐type which is likely to explain the light hyposensitive phenotype displayed when grown under white light conditions. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we show that the expression of PRE3 and KDR/PRE6 genes is regulated by light and that light‐related genes are deregulated in the PRE3‐ox lines. We show that PRE3 is expressed in the shoot and root meristems and that PRE3‐ox lines also have a defect in lateral root development. Our results not only suggest that PRE3 is involved in the regulation of light signaling, but also support the hypothesis that non‐DNA‐binding bHLH genes are promiscuous genes regulating a wide range of both overlapping and specific regulatory pathways.
Involvement of lignin and hormones in the response of woody poplar taproots to mechanical stress
Authors: Trupiano Dalila , Di Iorio Antonino , Montagnoli Antonio , Lasserre Bruno , Rocco Mariapina , Grosso Alessandro , Scaloni Andrea , Marra Mauro , Chiatante Donato , Scippa Gabriella S.
Published: February 2012

Mechanical stress is a widespread condition caused by numerous environmental factors that severely affect plant stability. In response to mechanical stress, plants have evolved complex response pathways able to detect mechanical perturbations and inducing a suite of modifications in order to improve anchorage. The response of woody roots to mechanical stresses has been studied mainly at the morphological and biomechanical level, whereas investigations on the factors triggering these important alterations are still at the initial stage. Populus has been widely used to study the response of stem to different mechanical stresses and, since it has the first forest tree genome to be decoded, represents a model woody plant for addressing questions on the mechanisms controlling adaptation of woody roots to changing environments. In this study, a morphological and physiological analysis was used to investigate factors controlling modifications in Populus nigra woody taproots subjected to mechanical stress. An experimental model analyzing spatial and temporal mechanical force distribution along the woody taproot axis enabled us to compare the events occurring in its above‐, central‐ and below‐bending sectors. Different morphogenetic responses and local variations of lignin and plant hormones content have been observed, and a relation with the distribution of the mechanical forces along the stressed woody taproots is hypothesized. We investigated the differences of the response to mechanical stress induction during the time; in this regard, we present data referring to the effect of mechanical stress on plant transition from its condition of winter dormancy to that of full vegetative activity.
Innervation of the Circumvallate Papilla of the Cat Tongue
Authors: Marettová E. , Maretta M.
Published: February 2012

Immunohistochemically, the distribution of S‐100 protein and acetylated tubulin‐positive nerve fibres was studied in the circumvallate papilla and its taste buds (TB) in the adult cat. The immunostaining for acetylated tubulin demonstrated an extensive innervation of the circumvallate papilla. Vegetative ganglionic cells were found in the central area of papilla, whereas fine nerve fibres were concentrated under epithelium. Individual positive axons were seen in relation to TB. Nerve fibres enter the TB and branch out among the supporting and sensory cells. Some nerve fibres reach the apical surface of the TB, including the taste pore. Nerve fibres positive for S‐100 protein were observed as dense nerve plexus located in the core of the papilla. Satellite cells localized inside the papilla were seen to surround the ganglionic cells. Bands of fine nerve fibres were present under lining epithelium, mainly at the base of the TB. A weak reaction was displayed by taste bud cells and surrounding epithelial cells as well as by the epithelial cells of the papillary side of the moat. A dense network of the nerve fibres was present among the glandular acini and surrounding the ducts of the serous Ebner's glands.
Screening Saccharum Barberi and Sinense Accessions for Flood Tolerance and Biomass Production
Authors: Reed S. , Ayala‐Silva T. , Brown S. , Glaz B. , Comstock J.
Published: February 2012

This study evaluated the biomass production potential of Saccharum barberi (Jeswiet) and Saccharum sinense (Roxb. Amend. Jeswiet) accessions under short‐term flooded conditions. Plots were arranged in a completely randomized design with 20 S. sinense and 29 S. barberi accessions, two flood durations with non‐flooded controls and three replications of each treatment. There were no significant flood effects. However, in two individual accessions, ‘China’ and ‘Lu Cane’, sucrose production increased with additional flooding. The plant cane produced larger plants with a greater percentage of fibre and sucrose. Higher Brix values were obtained with the ratoon crop. Brix and fibre were negatively correlated with stem diameter. Stem length in S. barberi was the only physical characteristic that was correlated with sugar factors Brix and optical rotation. S. barberi accessions had high loadings for variables associated with sugar production and stem length, and fibre had moderate loadings for factor 1. Factor 1 explained 35 % of variance in the data. The second principal factor revealed high loadings for variables associated with plant size. Factor 2 explained 30 % of the proportional and together with Factor 1 explained 65 % of the cumulative variance in the data. Several accessions with low sucrose, high plot weight and low fibre were identified. These accessions make attractive selections in breeding for biomass production.
Development of cutaneous sarcoidosis during treatment with tumour necrosis alpha factor antagonists
Authors: Lamrock Edwina , Brown Pam
Published: February 2012

The use of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) antagonists is increasing in the field of dermatology. These agents have been used for multiple inflammatory and immune skin conditions, but most notably, psoriasis. Adverse effects of anti‐TNF‐α agents have been reported, including the paradoxical development of sarcoidosis. We present an unusual case of limited cutaneous sarcoidosis developing while the patient was on etanercept therapy, and a review of the current literature.
Success treatment of post‐irradiation morphoea with acitretin and narrowband UVB
Authors: Newland Kate , Marshman Gillian
Published: February 2012

Post‐irradiation morphoea is a rare but under‐recognised complication of radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer. Management of this condition is difficult, and many cases are recalcitrant to therapy. A 43‐year‐old woman with breast cancer received radiotherapy following a mastectomy and partial axillary lymph node dissection, shortly after which she developed a hot, tender, erythematous and indurated plaque at the mastectomy site. Subsequently the skin became retracted, depressed and hyperpigmented. The clinical features, along with histological findings, were consistent with post‐irradiation morphoea. Treatment with narrowband ultraviolet B and acitretin 10 mg daily was commenced 5 years following radiotherapy. After 2 months of therapy the patient reported significant improvement in tenderness and range of left arm movement. Objectively the plaque was less indurated and softer to palpation. We propose that this treatment regimen is an option in the management of post‐irradiation morphoea.
Intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm of pancreas with stromal osseous and cartilaginous metaplasia; a case report
Authors: Jokoji Ryu , Tsuji Hiromi , Tsujimoto Masahiko , Shinno Naoki , Tori Masayuki
Published: February 2012

Recently, a surgically resected case of intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm (ITPN) with stromal osseous and cartilaginous metaplasia was encountered. A CT scan showed calcification at the tail of the pancreas two years before the operation. In the resected specimen, macroscopically, the main pancreatic duct was dilated and filled with a whitish solid mass without mucinous material. The tumor showed mainly a solid and papillary growth pattern. The tumor cells had no evidence of acinar differentiation. The tumor cells, at the tail of the pancreas, invaded focally to surrounding pancreatic parenchyma with stromal desmoplastic and fibrosclerotic reaction and also formed nodular stromal osseous and cartilaginous metaplasia. The tumor did not invade extrapancreatic tissue and showed no lymph node metastasis. As there were no signs of chronic calcifying pancreatitis, it is hypothesized that the metaplastic stroma was formed by a stromal reaction due to the tumor growth. It is thought, therefore, that the intraducal component of the tumor had existed at least for two years. This case suggests that ITPN is a relatively indolent tumor with a better prognosis than that of other types of invasive ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.
Pregnant woman with an extremely small uterus due to pelvic irradiation in childhood
Authors: Watanabe Takashi , Matsubara Shigeki , Saito Yutaka , Usui Rie , Mugishima Hideo , Suzuki Mitsuaki
Published: February 2012

A female cancer survivor, having suffered malignant lymphoma during childhood and received radio‐ and chemotherapy, became pregnant. Her uterus was extremely small and in the 22nd week of gestation, acute uterine contractions occurred, leading to preterm delivery and resulting in the death of the infant. Pelvic irradiation in childhood was considered to have caused a small uterus and thus brought on preterm delivery. The younger the patient, the more vulnerable the uterus is to irradiation. The exposure dose to the uterus in pediatric cancer patients should therefore be reduced, especially in younger patients. The cooperation of pediatric cancer specialists and obstetricians is necessary to preserve the future fertility of female cancer survivors.
Abdominal wall endometriosis in the cesarean section surgical scar: A potential diagnostic pitfall
Authors: Ozel Leyla , Sagiroglu Julide , Unal Aysun , Unal Ethem , Gunes Pembegul , Baskent Erdem , Aka Nurettin , Titiz M. Izzet , Tufekci E. Can
Published: February 2012

Aim:  The abdominal wall is an uncommon site of extrapelvic endometriosis. It usually develops in a previous surgical scar and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any abdominal swelling. Classical symptoms of endometriosis may resemble abdominal wall lesions such as an incisional hernia, hematoma, granuloma, abscess or various soft tissue tumors; therefore, a definitive preoperative diagnosis is not always easy to determine in every case. The aim of this article is to review the clinical findings, imaging results and histopathology of those of our patients who have had cesarean scar endometriosis.

Methods:  Patients diagnosed with abdominal wall endometriosis in their surgical scars from February 2008 to March 2010 were documented. The age, parity, symptoms, previous surgeries, initial diagnosis, diagnostic modalities, definitive operation, postoperative complications, histopathological evaluations and recurrences were recorded and analyzed.

Results:  There were 18 patients with a mean age of 34.5 ± 9.6 years. All (100%) had a gradually growing nodular abdominal mass in or adjacent to their cesarean incision scars. This was often associated with pain (83.3%), either noncyclical (26.6%) or cyclical (73.3%) in nature. Ultrasonography (100%), computerized tomography with intravenous contrast (22.2%) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (66.6%) were performed on the patients. All patients underwent surgery and their masses were completely excised. The mean diameter of the removed masses was 3.9 ± 1.4 cm. The final pathological diagnosis for each case was abdominal wall endometriosis. Biannual follow‐up examinations for two years revealed that each patient had a complete and uneventful recovery without recurrence.

Conclusion:  Abdominal wall endometriosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of masses located at cesarean section incision scars, which should be excised for definitive diagnosis and treatment.
Berberine‐induced growth inhibition of epithelial ovarian carcinoma cell lines
Authors: Park Kyoung Sik , Kim Jong Bin , Lee Sun Joo , Bae Jaeman
Published: February 2012

Aim:  The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of berberine on the two human epithelial ovarian carcinoma cell lines OVCAR‐3 and SKOV‐3 in relation to the potential usefulness of berberine in the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer.

Methods:  Under adherent culture conditions, the cell lines were treated with berberine and analyzed for changes in cell growth. The cell cycle duration and degree of apoptosis were evaluated by means of propidium iodide staining and Annexin V staining.

Results:  After the berberine treatment, the two cell lines showed a dose‐dependent reduction in the growth rate. In the cell cycle analysis, the OVCAR‐3 and SKOV‐3 cells showed an increased DNA content of 5% in the G2/M phase and 7% in the S phase, respectively. Additionally, the results confirm the cell cycle arrest by immunoblotting and the up‐regulation of p27; however, in the apoptosis analysis, neither cell line showed an increase in apoptosis after the berberine treatment.

Conclusion:  Berberine treatment can inhibit proliferation through a cell cycle arrest in OVCAR‐3 and SKOV‐3 cells. Thus, berberine may be a novel anticancer drug for the treatment of ovarian cancer.
Exercise increases skeletal muscle GLUT4 gene expression in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Hussey S. E. , McGee S. L. , Garnham A. , McConell G. K. , Hargreaves M.
Published: February 2012

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a single bout of exercise on GLUT4 gene expression in muscle of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and control subjects, matched for age and body mass index. Nine patients with T2D and nine control subjects performed 60 min of cycling exercise at ∼55% peak power (Wmax). Skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained at baseline, immediately post and 3‐h post exercise. GLUT4 mRNA expression increased (p < 0.05) to a similar extent immediately post exercise in control (∼60%) and T2D (∼66%) subjects, and remained elevated (p < 0.05) 3‐h post exercise with no differences between groups. Similarly, p‐AMP‐activated protein kinase, p38 mitogen‐activated kinase and proliferator‐activated receptor gamma co‐activator‐alpha mRNA expression were increased (p < 0.05) post exercise, and were not different between the groups. In conclusion, a single bout of exercise increased skeletal muscle GLUT4 mRNA expression in patients with T2D to a similar extent as in control subjects.
Long‐term potency preservation following brachytherapy for prostate cancer
Authors: Snyder Kurt M. , Stock Richard G. , Buckstein Michael , Stone Nelson N.
Published: February 2012

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Previously, rates of potency preservation with or without external beam radiation and/ or hormone therapy have been published with smaller series and limited follow‐up. The study provides greater numbers and longer follow‐up giving patients and clinicians a better appreciation of the true potency preservation rates in this population and how various factors such as age, hormone use and external beam affect those rates.

OBJECTIVES

To assess potency preservation in men following brachytherapy for prostate cancer with or without external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and/or androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).

To evaluate the factors that significantly impact this rate.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 1063 potent men with T1–T3 prostate cancer were treated from 1990 to 2007 with seed implantation alone (103Pd or125I) (69.6%) or combined modality treatment consisting of a partial dose103Pd implant followed 6–8 weeks later by EBRT (45 Gy, prostate/seminal vesicles only) (30.4%). ADT was used in 49.1% of cases (range 1–27 months).

Patients were required to have a minimum of 2 years follow‐up and to be off ADT for a minimum of 1 year.

Erectile function was assessed prior to seed implantation and at each follow‐up visit using the physician‐assigned Mount Sinai Erectile Function Score (MSEFS): 0, unable to have erections; 1, erections insufficient for intercourse; 2, suboptimal erections but sufficient for intercourse; 3, normal erectile function. Potent was defined as a score of greater than or equal to 2 with or without use of a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor.

The potency rate was calculated using actuarial methods with comparisons tested by log‐rank and Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

The 5‐year and 10‐year actuarial rate of potency preservation was 68.0% and 57.9%, respectively, at last follow‐up.

On multivariate analysis, 5‐ and 10‐year potency was 87.6% (79.5%) for men younger than 60, 68.0% (57.5%) for age 60–70, and 42.2% (31.0%) for men older than 70 (P< 0.001).

Pretreatment MSEFS of 2 had a potency rate of 51.7% (37.2%) vs 74.2% (65.2%) for an MSEFS of 3 (P< 0.001).

There was a 75.8% (62.6%) potency rate without ADT vs 60.0% (53.0%) with ADT (P< 0.001).

Five‐year potency was 76.4% for implant alone, 71.0% for implant with EBRT, 62.2% for implant with ADT, and 57.9% for implant with EBRT and ADT (P< 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Increasing initial age at implant, diminished pretreatment erectile function and the use of combination therapy with EBRT and/or ADT significantly increases erectile dysfunction following brachytherapy.
Patterns and processes of global riverine fish endemism
Authors: Tedesco Pablo A. , Leprieur Fabien , Hugueny Bernard , Brosse Sébastien , Dürr Hans H. , Beauchard Olivier , Busson Frédéric , Oberdorff Thierry
Published: February 2012

Aim  To explore global patterns of riverine fish endemism by applying an island biogeography framework to river drainage basins and highlight evolutionary mechanisms producing two kinds of endemism: neo‐endemism, arising from within‐drainage cladogenetic speciation, and palaeo‐endemism, arising from species range contraction or anagenetic speciation.

Location  World‐wide.

Methods  We use a uniquely comprehensive data set of riverine fish species distributions to map global fish endemism patterns. We then use the relationships between (1) total species richness and proportions of endemic species and (2) total species richness and a measure of in situ (i.e. within‐drainage basin) probability of speciation by cladogenesis, to identify the two distinct forms of endemism. After separating drainage basins into two different sets according to dominance of one of these two forms, we apply a model averaging procedure to highlight, for both datasets, the environmental and historical variables that better explain endemism patterns. We finally analyse the effect of biotic components related to dispersal ability on the percentages of both kinds of endemism among lineages.

Results  Our results indicate that the two types of endemism are distributed differently across space and taxonomic lineages: (1) neo‐endemism, positively related to the overall richness of the drainage basin, is essentially linked to in situ cladogenetic speciation and is positively related to drainage basin area, negatively related to climate variability since glacial periods and negatively related to all proxies of dispersal ability; and (2) palaeo‐endemism, not directly contributing to drainage basin richness, is a pure process of extinction through range contraction and/or isolation through time and is mostly related to geographic isolation, glacial history and positively related to marine‐derived origin of families.

Main conclusions  The non‐random spatial and taxonomic distribution of neo‐endemism and palaeo‐endemism sharply reflects the role of evolutionary processes and provides a way to identify areas of high conservation interest based on their high present and future diversification potential.
Spatially extensive reconstructions show variable‐severity fire and heterogeneous structure in historical western United States dry forests
Authors: Williams Mark A. , Baker William L.
Published: February 2012

Aim Wildfire is often considered more severe now than historically in dry forests of the western United States. Tree‐ring reconstructions, which suggest that historical dry forests were park‐like with large, old trees maintained by low‐severity fires, are from small, scattered studies. To overcome this limitation, we developed spatially comprehensive reconstructions across 927,000 ha in four landscapes, using a new method based on land surveys fromc. 1880.

Location Dry forests of the western United States.

Methods We reconstructed forest structure for four large dry‐forest landscapes using forest descriptions and tree data from historical land surveys. Using multiple elements of historical forest structure from this study along with corroborating information from tree‐ring studies, we were able to interpret past forest dynamics. Hypotheses concerning historical structure and dynamics were then tested.

Results These reconstructions show that dry forests were structurally variable, containing from 20 to over 1000 trees ha−1and some dense understoreys of shrubs and small trees. Park‐like stands of large trees maintained by low‐severity fire predominated only in parts of the study landscapes. Only 3, 12, 40 and 62% of the four landscapes fit a low‐severity fire model; 38–97% had evidence ofhigher‐severity (mixed‐ and high‐severity) fire. Some large modern wildfires (e.g. Rodeo‐Chediski), perceived as catastrophic, had fire severity congruent with historical variability.

Main conclusions Spatially extensive reconstructions from the late 1800s show that these forests were structurally variable, including areas of dense forests and understorey trees and shrubs, and fires varied in severity, including 15–65% high‐severity fire. A set of laws, policies and initiatives that aim to uniformly reduce fuels and fire severity is likely to move many of these forests outside their historical range of variability with adverse effects on biological diversity. Macroscale survey‐based reconstructions and palaeoecological studies reveal thathigher‐severity fires were and are a part of the normal dynamics of dry forests.
Quality of life after radiosurgery for cerebral arteriovenous malformation patients who present with seizure
Authors: Yang S.‐Y. , Paek S. H. , Kim D. G. , Chung H.‐T.
Published: February 2012

Background and purpose:  This study assessed the quality of life (QOL) and employment status after radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformation (AVM) patients who presented with seizure.

Methods:  Between 1997 and 2006, 78 AVM patients who presented with seizure and received radiosurgery were assessed using serial imaging tests, clinical evaluations that included employment status, and a QOL survey. The QOL questionnaire was developed as a retrospective screening tool to estimate the present QOL and the patient’s self‐rated relative changes (trend values) in QOL after radiosurgery. These results were correlated to one another using the Engel seizure frequency scoring system.

Results:  The follow‐up periods ranged from 48.0 to 151.0 months (mean, 92.5). The mean trend values and mean QOL scores in patients with seizure freedom or AVM obliteration were significantly greater than in patients without these outcomes (all P values < 0.05). Good radiosurgical outcomes were associated with attaining employment (all P values < 0.05). However, differences in employment status were not significant (P = 0.186) despite a higher proportion of patients who described their workplace activity as improved compared with their pre‐radiosurgical activity at the last follow‐up evaluation.

Conclusions:  Radiosurgery may improve QOL and employment status in AVM patients, especially patients who experience seizure freedom or AVM obliteration.