bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment of Bronchial Stricture Due to Endobronchial Tuberculosis
Authors: Watanabe Yoh , Murakami Shinya , Oda Makoto , Hayashi Yoshinobu , Ohta Yasuhiko , Shimizu Junzo , Kobayashi Koichiro , Sato Hideo , Kobayashi Hiroaki , Nonomura Akitaka
Published: April 2006

Between 1974 and 1995 we encountered 19 cases of bronchial stricture or obliteration caused by endobronchial
tuberculous lesions. In 11 the involvements were located at the right
bronchus (including involvements of segmental and middle lobe bronchi)
and in 8 at the left bronchus. On bronchoscopic biopsy of the stenosed
bronchus, 7 patients showed histopathologic findings of tuberculous
bronchitis, but 12 patients showed nonspecific inflammatory granular
tissue. Five patients were kept under conservative observation because
of mild subjective symptoms or refusal to undergo operation. Two
patients underwent stent procedures but had poor outcomes. Twelve
patients underwent operation. As the bronchial lesions in four of them
were confined to the lobar or segmental bronchus, lobectomy was
performed. One patient with a history of infantile tuberculosis had
developed complete obliteration of the left main bronchus and cystic
bronchiectasis in the entire lung parenchyma; pneumonectomy was
essential. Seven patients who had strictures involving the main
bronchus underwent bronchoplastic surgery with right
(n= 4) or left (n= 3) upper sleeve lobectomy. None of the patients treated surgically showed any
postoperative complication or recurrence of the tuberculosis. These
surgical results for endobronchial tuberculosis indicate the need for
early detection and operation. Bronchoscopy and computed tomography are
the methods of choice for accurate diagnosis of bronchial involvement
and assessment of the surgical indications. It is emphasized that
bronchoplastic surgery is the best treatment for bronchial stricture
involving bilateral main bronchi.
Diagnostic Imaging of Early Gallbladder Cancer: Retrospective Study of 53 Cases
Authors: Onoyama Hirohiko , Yamamoto Masahiro , Takada Moriatsu , Urakawa Tamoaki , Ajiki Tetsuo , Yamada Isamu , Fujita Tsunenori , Saitoh Yoichi
Published: April 2006

To diagnose early gallbladder carcinoma is difficult but essential to improve the survival of the patients with this cancer. Fifty‐three early gallbladder cancers were macroscopically divided into protruding and flat types. The diagnostic devises [ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), and drip infusion cholangiography (DIC)] were compared for their ability of early detection. The specimens were examined cytologically for diagnosis during operation and the p53 protein was investigated. Thirty‐three cases were of the protruding type, eighteen of the flat type, and two unclassified. Carcinoma tended to be missed when gallstones were present. Preoperative diagnosis of the flat type was difficult. Tumor location did not always correlate with the preoperative diagnosis. Of the misdiagnosed cases of the protruding type, half were missed with US and CT and were not visualized clearly by DIC. Among the flat type cancers, only three had no abnormal findings by diagnostic imaging. Cytologic examination was effective, and p53 was expressed only in early carcinoma, not in adenoma or dysplasia. Even in the presence of gallstones or cholecystitis, any abnormal findings should make one suspicious of gallbladder cancer. Cytology and p53 expression may be useful for the intraoperative diagnosis, and a combination of diagnostic methods is important.
Postoperative Changes in Thyrotropin‐binding Inhibitory Immunoglobulin Level in Patients with Graves' Disease: Is Subtotal Thyroidectomy a Suitable Therapeutic Option for Patients of Childbearing Age with Graves' Disease?
Authors: Sugino Kiminori , Ito Koichi , Ozaki Osamu , Mimura Takashi , Iwasaki Hiroyuki , Wada Nobuyuki , Ito Kunihiko
Published: April 2006

Thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH)‐binding inhibitory immunoglobulin (TBII) is thought to be one of the essential causes of Graves' disease, and most cases of neonatal hyperthyroidism can be explained by transplacental passage of TBII. Because surgery is often indicated for patients of childbearing age, it is important to elucidate how surgery reduces TBII levels. Between 1988 and 1991 a total of 946 female patients with Graves' disease underwent subtotal thyroidectomy. Follow‐up examination was undertaken at 1, 2, 3, and 4 to 5 years after surgery. At 4 to 5 years after surgery, 76.8% of patients without recurrent overt hyperthyroidism had TBII < 20%. In patients with recurrent hyperthyroidism, TBII increased gradually during follow‐up, and they had higher TBII levels than nonrecurrence patients. There were a few euthyroid and hypothyroid patients who had TBII > 60%, and the number of such patients decreased annually. In most of the patients, immunologic remission was obtained by subtotal thyroidectomy except for their having recurrent hyperthyroidism. To acquire immunologic remission, hormonal remission, at least, would be necessary. Because no definite factor other than the size of the thyroid remnant related to postoperative thyroid function was elucidated, near‐total thyroidectomy rather than subtotal thyroidectomy is expected to be induced not only hormonal remission but also immunologic remission. It should be noted that a few patients achieved hormonal remission but not immunologic remission.
On simply laced Lie algebras and their minuscule representations
Authors: Lurie Jacob
Published: April 2006

In this paper we adapt a known construction for the simply laced, semisimple Lie algebras (over Z), and thereby obtain a very simple construction for all minuscule representations of those Lie algebras (again over Z). We apply these results to give explicit formulas for tensors invariant under the exceptional algebras

E_6

and

E_7

.
Differential involvement of ERK1‐2 and p38MAPK activation on Swiss 3T3 cell proliferation induced by prostaglandin F2α
Authors: Dekanty Andrés , Giulianelli Sebastián , Coso Omar A. , Rudland Philip S. , Jimenez de Asua Luis
Published: April 2006

Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) induces cyclin D1 expression and DNA synthesis in Swiss 3T3 cells. In order to assess which signaling mechanisms are implicated in these processes, we have used both a pharmacological approach and interfering mutants. We demonstrate that PGF2α induces extracellular‐signal‐regulated kinase (ERK1‐2) and p38MAPK activation, and inhibition of any of these signaling pathways completely blocks PGF2α‐stimulated DNA synthesis. We also show that ERK1‐2, but not p38MAPK activation is required to induce cyclin D1 expression, strongly suggesting that the concerted action of cyclin D1 gene expression and other events are required to induce complete phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein and S‐phase entry in response to PGF2α.
Cricotracheal separation: a review and a case with bilateral recovery of recurrent laryngeal nerve function
Authors: McCrystal D J , Bond C
Published: April 2006

Cricotracheal separation (CTS) is an uncommon injury, with a high index of suspicion required to establish the diagnosis. Computerized tomography (CT) plays a role in diagnosis but cannot necessarily be relied upon. Bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsies are usually associated with this type of injury. We recently treated a patient with CTS in whom one RLN was intact from the time of the injury and the other nerve recovered within three months. Computed tomography was inconclusive.

Early open repair of the injury and frequent follow-up examinations led to successful decannulation after six weeks and excellent short-term voice and airway outcomes.

A detailed discussion of this unusual case is followed by a review of the current literature on CTS, with particular emphasis on significant management dilemmas and controversies.

Clinical suspicion remains more sensitive than investigations in diagnosing CTS. Permanent bilateral RLN palsies are not inevitable following these injuries.
Dinoflagellate-infecting viruses
Authors: Nagasaki K. , Tomaru Y. , Shirai Y. , Takao Y. , Mizumoto H.
Published: April 2006

Dinoflagellates (Dinophyceae) are considered to be one of the most abundant and diverse groups of phytoplankton; however, the viral impact on dinoflagellates was not studied until recently. This review shows the present information concerning the viruses infecting dinoflagellates and the ecology relationships between the host and the virus. So far, two viruses have been isolated and characterized: a large DNA virus (HcV: Heterocapsa circularisquama virus) and a small RNA virus (HcRNAV: H. circularisquama RNA virus); both of which are infectious to the harmful bloom-forming dinoflagellate H. circularisquama.

In the present review, we mainly discuss the relationship between HcRNAV and H. circularisquama from the viewpoint of physiology, ecology and genetics. It will help clarify the viral impact on dinoflagellate populations in marine environments to understand the host/parasite ecology.
Phylogenetic analysis of PgV-102P, a new virus from the English Channel that infects Phaeocystis globosa
Authors: Wilson William H. , Schroeder Declan C. , Ho Jenna , Canty Martin
Published: April 2006

A new virus that infects the harmful algal bloom-forming microalga Phaeocystis globosa was isolated from surface water in the English Channel off the coast of Plymouth, UK, in May 2001. Phylogenetic analysis of the DNA polymerase gene revealed the virus isolate, designated PgV-102P, belongs to the family Phycodnaviridae, a group of large double-stranded DNA viruses known to infect algae. Basic characterization of PgV-102P revealed it was a lytic virus with a relatively slow culture lysis period of 10-days. The genome size (176 kbp) and capsid diameter (98 nm) of PgV-102P fall at the bottom end of the range expected for phycodnaviruses. Interestingly, PgV-102P did not cluster with other P. globosa viruses; instead, it was more closely related to other prymnesioviruses that infect the marine prymnesiophyte Chrysochromulina brevifilum. We discuss the effectiveness of DNA polymerase as a diagnostic marker. Although it is ideal for determining what family or even genus an algal virus belongs to, it is clear that the DNA polymerase gene does not have sufficient resolution when looking for relationships within algal virus genera.
A satellite altimeter model for ocean slick detection
Authors: Tournadre J. , Chapron B. , Reul N. , Vandemark D. C.
Published: April 2006

About 5% of Ku‐band altimeter ocean data are degraded by the occurrence of high radar return cross sections (σ0), usually called σ0 blooms. During blooms, which occur during no or low wind conditions, the mean altimeter waveform can significantly depart from the expected shape. In about 60% of the cases the waveforms are distorted to such an extent that either the range tracker loses lock or the off‐nadir angle estimate becomes unrealistic. The analysis of high data rate altimeter waveforms during bloom events reveals the presence of V‐shaped patterns similar to the ones observed during rain events. These patterns trace small‐scale (i.e., smaller than the altimeter footprint) changes in surface backscatter. Such variations of surface roughness are commonly observed in SAR images under low wind conditions. On the basis of the experience gained through the analysis of high‐resolution altimeter waveforms in the presence of rain cell, a model is developed to analyze the altimeter response to phenomena whose length scale is smaller than the altimeter footprint. The model is applied to simple patterns (linear slicks and circular patches) as well as to realistic surface σ0 estimated by SAR. It is also used to analyze bloom events in terms of surface slicks. The model results shows that the small‐scale σ0 variations explain the behavior of altimeter waveforms in bloom events. The results also show that a good proportion of data during bloom events are still valid for estimating geophysical parameters as the Brown model remains valid. Use of high‐resolution altimeter waveforms may also offer an interesting mean to study marine slick occurrence rates and type.
Rosmarinic acid as a downstream inhibitor of IKK‐β in TNF‐α‐induced upregulation of CCL11 and CCR3
Authors: Lee Jongsung , Jung Eunsun , Kim Youngji , Lee Jiyoung , Park Junho , Hong Seongtaek , Hyun Chang‐Gu , Park Deokhoon , Kim Yeong Shik
Published: April 2006

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α is known to induce the expression of CCL11 and CCR3 via the activation of NF‐κB. CCL11 (eotaxin), the C–C chemokine, is a potent chemoattractant for eosinophils and Th2 lymphocytes, and CCR3 is the receptor for CCL11.

In order to determine the effects of rosmarinic acid on the TNF‐α‐induced upregulation of CCL11 and CCR3 in human dermal fibroblasts, we performed an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for CCL11 and a Western blot assay for CCR3. The TNF‐α‐induced expression of CCL11 and CCR3 genes was attenuated by rosmarinic acid.

In our NF‐κB luciferase reporter system, TNF‐α‐induced NF‐κB activation was observed to be reduced by rosmarinic acid. In accordance with this result, rosmarinic acid also inhibited TNF‐α‐induced phosphorylation and degradation of IκB‐α, as well as nuclear translocation of NF‐κB heterodimer induced by TNF‐α. This suggests that rosmarinic acid downregulates the expression of CCL11 and CCR3 via the inhibition of NF‐κB activation signaling.

Using the NF‐κB luciferase reporter system, Western blot analysis, and IKK‐β activity assay, we determined that rosmarinic acid inhibits IKK‐β activity in NF‐κB signaling, which upregulates the expression of CCL11 and CCR3. Additionally, TNF‐α‐induced secretion of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 molecules was found to be attenuated by rosmarinic acid.

Our results show that rosmarinic acid inhibits the expression of CCL11 and CCR3 by suppressing the IKK‐β activity in NF‐κB activation signaling. Further, these results suggest that rosmarinic acid might inhibit the expression of NF‐κB promoter‐related genes.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 148, 366–375. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706728
Polarized cathodoluminescence study of InP nanowires by transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Yamamoto N. , Bhunia S. , Watanabe Y.
Published: April 2006

Cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra and polarized monochromatic CL images of InP nanowires were studied using a transmission electron microscope combined with a CL detection system. Emission spectra from individual nanowires showed a broad single peak with a peak energy of 1.6 eV, which is higher than expected from the quantum confinement effect for an average nanowire with a diameter of 20 nm. An individual nanowire could be resolved in the monochromatic CL images. The emission is highly polarized along the wire axis with a degree of polarization of more than 50%.
New simple method for fast and accurate measurement of volumes
Authors: Frattolillo Antonio
Published: April 2006

A new simple method is presented, which allows us to measure in just a few minutes but with reasonable accuracy (less than 1%) the volume confined inside a generic enclosure, regardless of the complexity of its shape. The technique proposed also allows us to measure the volume of any portion of a complex manifold, including, for instance, pipes and pipe fittings, valves, gauge heads, and so on, without disassembling the manifold at all. To this purpose an airtight variable volume is used, whose volume adjustment can be precisely measured; it has an overall capacity larger than that of the unknown volume. Such a variable volume is initially filled with a suitable test gas (for instance, air) at a known pressure, as carefully measured by means of a high precision capacitive gauge. By opening a valve, the test gas is allowed to expand into the previously evacuated unknown volume. A feedback control loop reacts to the resulting finite pressure drop, thus contracting the variable volume until the pressure exactly retrieves its initial value. The overall reduction of the variable volume achieved at the end of this process gives a direct measurement of the unknown volume, and definitively gets rid of the problem of dead spaces. The method proposed actually does not require the test gas to be rigorously held at a constant temperature, thus resulting in a huge simplification as compared to complex arrangements commonly used in metrology (gas expansion method), which can grant extremely accurate measurement but requires rather expensive equipments and results in time consuming methods, being therefore impractical in most applications. A simple theoretical analysis of the thermodynamic cycle and the results of experimental tests are described, which demonstrate that, in spite of its simplicity, the method provides a measurement accuracy within 0.5%. The system requires just a few minutes to complete a single measurement, and is ready immediately at the end of the process. The measurement can therefore be quickly repeated as many times as needed, in order to either check or further improve its accuracy.
Electric double-layer capacitor based on zinc metaphosphate glass-derived hydrogel
Authors: Akamatsu Takafumi , Kasuga Toshihiro , Nogami Masayuki
Published: April 2006

The present work reports the electrochemical characteristics of an electric double-layer capacitor (EDC) cell with an electrolyte consisting of a glass-derived zinc metaphosphate hydrogel (ZP gel) or H3PO4 solution. The EDC cell showed specific discharge capacities of 2.06 and 3.21F∕g using the ZP gel and H3PO4 solution, respectively. The EDC cell performed higher voltage retentionability for self-discharge behavior after constant voltage using the ZP gel (0.83V after 24h) than using H3PO4 solution (0.45V after 24h). Self-discharge behaviors of the ZP gel and H3PO4 solution were controlled by a diffusion and current leakage process, respectively. These results show that the ZP gel has a great potential for practical use as an EDC electrolyte.
Individual β-Ga2O3 nanowires as solar-blind photodetectors
Authors: Feng P. , Zhang J. Y. , Li Q. H. , Wang T. H.
Published: April 2006

Individual β-Ga2O3 nanowires as solar-blind photodetectors are investigated. The detectors show encouraging advantages to 254nm light. The dark current is on the order of pA. The conductance of the nanowire increases by about three orders of magnitude under 254nm ultraviolet illumination. The upper limits of the response and recovery time are 0.22 and 0.09s, respectively. These results indicate that β-Ga2O3 nanowires have potential applications in realizing future miniaturized solar-blind photodetectors.
Aromatic ring generation as a dust precursor in acetylene discharges
Authors: De Bleecker Kathleen , Bogaerts Annemie , Goedheer Wim
Published: April 2006

Production of aromatic hydrocarbon compounds as an intermediate step for particle formation in low-pressure acetylene discharges is investigated via a kinetic approach. The detailed chemical reaction mechanism contains 140 reactions among 55 species. The cyclic hydrocarbon chemistry is mainly based on studies of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon formation in cosmic environments. The model explicitly includes organic chain, cyclic molecules, radicals, and ions up to a size of 12 carbon atoms. The calculated density profiles show that the aromatic formation yields are quite significant, suggesting that aromatic compounds play a role in the underlying mechanisms of particle formation in hydrocarbon plasmas.
Tuning acceptor energy level for efficient charge collection in copper-phthalocyanine-based organic solar cells
Authors: Chu Chih-Wei , Shrotriya Vishal , Li Gang , Yang Yang
Published: April 2006

We compare organic donor/acceptor heterojunction photovoltaic devices based on copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) as the donor and [6,6]-phenyl C60 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) or buckminsterfullerene (C60) as the acceptor. The effect of the two acceptors on open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current density is studied. Improved interface properties, optimal energy level matching, and more balanced charge transport are believed to be the reasons for better performance of CuPc/PCBM heterojunction device, in terms of photocurrent and fill factor. The energy conversion efficiency of the devices under AM1.5G solar illumination at 130mW∕cm2 is improved to 1.18%, up from 0.74%.
Strain redistribution at the phase transition of MnAs∕GaAs(001) films
Authors: Adriano C. , Giles C. , Couto O. D. D. , Brasil M. J. S. P. , Iikawa F. , Däweritz L.
Published: April 2006

We investigated the thermal evolution of the lattice parameters of a MnAs film epitaxially grown on GaAs(001) around its magnetostructural first-order phase transition using x-ray diffraction. Despite the substrate constraint, large variation of one of the in-plane lattice parameters is preserved, typical of bulk MnAs phase transition, during a large temperature range where two phases coexist. We demonstrated that the condition of the constant film length along this direction, in accord to the substrate length, is always fulfilled during the process. The effect is attributed to the gliding of misfit dislocations present on the film.
Formation of a self-aligned hard mask using hydrogen silsesquioxane
Authors: Im Kiju , Ahn Chang-Geun , Yang Jong-Heon , Baek In-Bok , Lee Seongjae , Hwang Hyunsang , Cho Won-ju
Published: April 2006

A process to form a self-aligned hard mask using hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) was investigated. Application of the flowing property of HSQ to form a hard mask is the main concept underlying the proposed process. When HSQ is coated on a wafer, most of it remains beside the pattern. Using the thick remaining HSQ beside the pattern as a hard mask, we could reduce the height of the pattern exclusively without etching beside the pattern region by the dry etching process. The proposed mask process was successfully applied to fabricate a poly-Si elevated source drain ultrathin body silicon on insulator metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor.
Classic flea-borne transmission does not drive plague epizootics in prairie dogs
Authors: Webb Colleen T. , Brooks Christopher P. , Gage Kenneth L. , Antolin Michael F.
Published: April 2006

We lack a clear understanding of the enzootic maintenance of the bacterium (
Yersinia pestis
) that causes plague and the sporadic epizootics that occur in its natural rodent hosts. A key to elucidating these epidemiological dynamics is determining the dominant transmission routes of plague. Plague can be acquired from the bites of infectious fleas (which is generally considered to occur via a blocked flea vector), inhalation of infectious respiratory droplets, or contact with a short-term infectious reservoir. We present results from a plague modeling approach that includes transmission from all three sources of infection simultaneously and uses sensitivity analysis to determine their relative importance. Our model is completely parameterized by using data from the literature and our own field studies of plague in the black-tailed prairie dog (
Cynomys ludovicianus
). Results of the model are qualitatively and quantitatively consistent with independent data from our field sites. Although infectious fleas might be an important source of infection and transmission via blocked fleas is a dominant paradigm in the literature, our model clearly predicts that this form of transmission cannot drive epizootics in prairie dogs. Rather, a short-term reservoir is required for epizootic dynamics. Several short-term reservoirs have the potential to affect the prairie dog system. Our model predictions of the residence time of the short-term reservoir suggest that other small mammals, infectious prairie dog carcasses, fleas that transmit plague without blockage of the digestive tract, or some combination of these three are the most likely of the candidate infectious reservoirs.
Balance between DBT/CKIε kinase and protein phosphatase activities regulate phosphorylation and stability of
Drosophila
CLOCK protein
Authors: Kim Eun Young , Edery Isaac
Published: April 2006

The first circadian-relevant kinase to be identified was DOUBLE-TIME (DBT) in
Drosophila
, a homolog of vertebrate CKIε, which regulates the progressive phosphorylation and stability of PERIOD (PER) proteins in animals. A negative feedback loop wherein PER directly inhibits the transcriptional activity of the CLOCK-CYCLE (CLK-CYC) heterodimer is central to the generation of molecular rhythms and normal progression of the clock in
Drosophila
. We show that DBT activity is required for the phase-specific hyperphosphorylation of CLK
in vivo
, an event that correlates with times of maximal repression in
per
RNA levels. The ability of DBT to hyperphosphorylate CLK, enhance its degradation, and evoke modest inhibition of CLK-dependent transactivation from circadian promoter elements was directly shown in cultured
Drosophila
cells. Intriguingly, DBT seems to function in close partnership with the PER-relevant protein phosphatase 2A, resulting in dynamic equilibrium between hypo- and hyperphosphorylated isoforms of CLK. This balancing mechanism might act to stabilize the limiting levels of CLK against stochastic fluctuations minimizing the propagation of “molecular noise” in the feedback circuitry. Also, the subcellular localization of CLK was altered from predominately nuclear to strong cytoplasmic staining in the presence of PER. These results suggest that, in contrast to mammalian clocks, circadian transcriptional inhibition in
Drosophila
involves displacement of the positive factors from chromatin. These results also demonstrate that DBT can target both negative and positive factors in circadian feedback loops and support a conserved role for dynamic regulation of reversible phosphorylation in directly modulating the activities of circadian transcription factors.
Bispecific Abs against modified protein and DNA with oxidized lipids
Authors: Akagawa Mitsugu , Ito Sohei , Toyoda Kazuyo , Ishii Yoshihisa , Tatsuda Emi , Shibata Takahiro , Yamaguchi Satoru , Kawai Yoshichika , Ishino Kousuke , Kishi Yusuke , Adachi Takahiro , Tsubata Takeshi , Takasaki Yoshinari , Hattori Nobutaka , Matsuda Tsukasa , Uchida Koji
Published: April 2006

4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), a racemic mixture of 4R- and 4S-enantiomers, is a major product of lipid peroxidation and is believed to be largely responsible for the cytopathological effects observed during oxidative stress. HNE reacts with histidine to form a stable HNE-histidine Michael addition-type adduct possessing three chiral centers in the cyclic hemiacetal structure. We have previously raised the mAbs, anti-RmAb 310 and anti-SmAb S412, that enantioselectively recognized theR-HNE-histidine andR-HNE-histidine adducts, respectively, and demonstrated the presence of both epitopesin vivo. In the present study, to further investigate the anti-HNE immune response, we analyzed the variable genes and primary structure of these Abs and found that the sequence of R310 was highly homologous to anti-DNA autoantibodies, the hallmark of systemic lupus erythematosus. An x-ray crystallographic analysis of the R310 Fab fragment showed that theR-HNE-histidine adduct binds to a hydrophobic pocket in the antigen-binding site. Despite the structural identity to the anti-DNA autoantibodies, however, R310 showed only a slight crossreactivity with the native double-stranded DNA, whereas the Ab immunoreactivity was dramatically enhanced by the treatment of the DNA with 4-oxo-2-nonenal (ONE), an analog of HNE. Moreover, the 7-(2-oxo-heptyl)-substituted 1,N2-etheno-type ONE-2′-deoxynucleoside adducts were identified as alternative epitopes of R310. Molecular mimicry between theR-HNE-histidine configurational isomers and the ONE-DNA base adducts is proposed for the dual crossreactivity.
Echocardiographic comparison of left ventricular dimensions and function after standardized treadmill exercise in trained and untrained healthy warmblood horses
Authors: Gehlen Heidrun , Marnette Silke , Rohn Karl , Ellendorff Franz , Stadler Peter
Published: April 2006

The purpose of the present study was to determine the influence of fitness on cardiac function, particularly on left ventricular function parameters. Fifteen healthy ‘three-day event’ warmblood horses were examined at rest and immediately after high-speed treadmill exercise (3% incline, 3 min 1.8 m s−1, 3 min 4 m s−1, 3 min 5 m s−1, 3 min 6 and 3 min 7 m s−1, 1.5 min 8 m s−1). Horses were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of nine conditioned horses and group 2 included six unconditioned horses. Left ventricular dimensions and function were acquired using standardized echocardiographic indices. To assess the level of fitness, heart rate and blood lactate concentration were determined at rest and immediately after exercise. The group of conditioned horses showed a significantly lower blood lactate concentration (mean value 2.39 mmol l−1) after high-speed treadmill exercise than did the group of unconditioned horses (mean value 3.81 mmol l−1), which clearly revealed the difference in fitness between the two groups. During exercise the heart rate was not significantly different between both groups. Only in the recovery phase did the trained horses show a significant faster decrease in heart rate than did the untrained horses. Mean heart rate during echocardiography immediately after exercise (within the first 2 min) was 105 bpm in the group of trained horses and 113 bpm in the group of untrained horses.Within each group of horses, several echocardiographic parameters differed significantly between resting values and values after treadmill exercise. Particularly, in the group of trained horses, 17 out of 30 echocardiographic parameters (most diastolic) differed significantly between rest and exercise. In the group of untrained horses, only six out of 30 parameters were significantly different. At rest, left ventricular diameter at theapex cordis, left ventricular free wall at papillary muscle level, left ventricular volume and stroke volume, as well as fractional shortening (at theapex cordisand at papillary muscle level) were significantly different between both groups. After treadmill exercise comparison of echocardiographic parameters of the conditioned to those of the unconditioned animals showed no significant differences. In the present study, data have been provided for stress echocardiography in conditioned and unconditioned warmblood horses without any disorders of the cardiovascular system.
Daily variation in plasma electrolyte and acid–base status in fasted horses over a 25 h period of rest
Authors: Waller Amanda , Smithurst Kerri Jo , Ecker Gayle L , Geor Ray , Lindinger Michael I
Published: April 2006

Measurement and interpretation of acid–base status are important in clinical practice and among racing jurisdictions to determine if horses have been administered alkalinizing substances for the purpose of enhancing performance. The present study used the physicochemical approach to characterize the daily variation in plasma electrolytes and acid–base state that occurs in horses in the absence of feeding and exercise. Jugular venous blood was sampled every 1–2 h from two groups (n=4 andn=5) of Standardbred horses over a 25 h period where food and exercise were withheld. One group of horses was studied in October and one in December. The time course and magnitude of circadian responses differed between the two groups, suggesting that subtle differences in environment may manifest in acid–base status. Significant daily variation occurred in plasma weak acid concentration ([Atot]) and strong ion difference ([SID]), [Cl−], [K+], [Na+] and [lactate−], which contributed to significant changes in [H+] and TCO2. The night-time period was associated with a mild acidosis, marked by increases in plasma [H+] and decreases in TCO2, compared with the morning hours. The night-time acidosis resulted from an increased plasma [Atot] due to an increased plasma protein concentration ([PP]), and a decreased [SID] due to increases in [Cl−] and decreases in [Na+]. An increased plasma [K+] during the night-time had a mild alkalotic effect. There were no differences inpCO2. It was concluded that many equine plasma electrolyte and acid–base parameters exhibit fluctuations in the absence of feeding and exercise, and it is likely that some of these changes are due to daily variation.
Development of a composite collection for mining germplasm possessing allelic variation for beneficial traits in chickpea
Authors: Upadhyaya H.D. , Furman B.J. , Dwivedi S.L. , Udupa S.M. , Gowda C.L.L. , Baum M. , Crouch J.H. , Buhariwalla H.K. , Singh S.
Published: April 2006

Chickpea is one of the most important grain legume crops in the world. Large collections of genetic resources are maintained in the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) genebanks. Association mapping using neutral markers has been suggested as a means to identify useful alleles in the vast reservoirs of genetic diversity existing in the germplasm collections that could be associated with the phenotypes among the population individuals. ICRISAT in collaboration with ICARDA developed a global composite collection of 3000 accessions that will be profiled using 50 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The data generated through this collaborative effort will be used to define the genetic structure of the global composite collection and to select a reference sample of 300 accessions representing the maximum diversity for the isolation of allelic variants of candidate gene associated with beneficial traits. It is then expected that molecular biologists and plant breeders will have opportunities to use diverse lines in functional and comparative genomics, in mapping and cloning gene(s), and in applied plant breeding to diversify the genetic base of the breeding populations which should lead to the development of broad-based elite breeding lines/cultivars with superior yield and enhanced adaptation to diverse environments.
The associated nontargets effect: Evidence of nontarget processing at and beyond the level of letter recognition
Authors: Reynolds Ann , Miller Jeff
Published: April 2006

In four visual search tasks participants were asked to make a target response if either of two targets was present and to make a nontarget response if neither target was present. Some target-absent displays included only nontarget stimuli or features that never occurred in the same displays as targets, whereas other target-absent displays included nontarget stimuli or features that did sometimes occur with targets. Nontarget responses were reliably faster in the former case than in the latter. This “associated nontargets effect” indicates that nontargets are not simply classified as nontargets but in addition are discriminated from one another. Current visual search models may underestimate the degree to which nontargets are processed during search.
Participant recruitment methods and statistical reasoning performance
Authors: Brase Gary L. , Fiddick Laurence , Harries Clare
Published: April 2006

Optimal Bayesian reasoning performance has reportedly been elusive, and a variety of explanations have been suggested for this situation. In a series of experiments, it is demonstrated that these difficulties with replication can be accounted for by differences in participant-sampling methodologies. Specifically, the best performances are obtained with students from top-tier, national universities who were paid for their participation. Performance drops significantly as these conditions are altered regarding inducements (e.g., using unpaid participants) or participant source (e.g., using participants from a second-tier, regional university). Honours-programme undergraduates do better than regular undergraduates within the same university, paid participation creates superior performance, and top-tier university students do better than students from lower ranked universities. Pictorial representations (supplementing problem text) usually have a slight facilitative effect across these participant manipulations. These results indicate that studies should take account of these methodological details and focus more on relative levels of performance rather than absolute performance.
Abdominal plain film findings in acute ischemic bowel disease differ with age
Authors: Wadman M. , Syk I. , Elmståhl B. , Ekberg O. , Elmståhl S.
Published: April 2006

Purpose: To evaluate the use and findings of abdominal plain film in acute ischemic bowel disease (AIBD) in different age subsets, and to correlate the clinical findings.

Material and Methods: Eighty-nine radiographically examined patients with AIBD at Malmö University Hospital, Sweden between 1987 and 1996.

Results: In 89%, the plain film displayed pathologic signs. Bowel dilatation was more common in the elderly. Of 68 patients aged ⩾71 years, 19 (28%) had colon gas/fluid levels with/without colon dilatation, and of 19 patients >84 years 16 (84%) had small-bowel dilatation. Of 20 patients aged <71 years, 1 (5%) had colon gas/fluid levels with/without colon dilatation, and 11 (55%) small-bowel dilatation ( P<0.05; P<0.05). Gasless abdomen was more common in the younger age group, noted in 5 of 20 (25%) patients aged <71 years, compared to 2 of 68 (3%) patients aged ⩾71 years ( P = 0.001). Of the patients with diarrhea, 13 of 33 (40%) had colon gas/fluid levels with/without colon dilatation compared to 2 of 29 (7%) without ( P = 0.003). In the elderly (⩾71years), 48 of 53 (91%) patients with bowel dilatation on plain film died, compared to 11 out of 16 (69%) without this finding ( P<0.05).

Conclusion: Abdominal plain film findings differed with age. Bowel dilatation was more frequent in the elderly with AIBD, whereas gasless abdomen was more common in younger patients. The radiographic findings were associated with clinical symptoms and mortality.
Effect of computer-aided detection on mammographic performance: experimental study on readers with different levels of experience
Authors: Hukkinen K. , Vehmas T. , Pamilo M. , Kivisaari L.
Published: April 2006

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of computer-aided detection (CAD) on the reader's performance.

Material and Methods: Four screening radiologists, two novice radiologists, and two residents with no prior experience in CAD read films of 200 women without and with CAD. The films, including 16 screen-detected cancers and 35 cancers “missed” on prior screening, were divided into two rollers: A (free time schedule) and B (prompted time schedule). Reading times were noted. Individual readings without and with CAD were compared, sensitivities and specificities were calculated.

Results: The sensitivity of CAD was 70.6% and specificity 15.8%. In 408 cancer readings, the screeners found 10 and other readers 7 new cancers with the aid of CAD. The screeners changed their opinion four times and others six times from true positive to false negative when CAD was negative. CAD output produced 12 versus 13 new false-positive findings respectively after 2352 readings. CAD did not significantly affect the reader's sensitivities/specificities regardless of the time limit ( P = not significant). The use of CAD increased mean time for roller reading from 56 to 63 min ( P = 0.053).

Conclusion: Screening radiologists benefited slightly more from CAD than other readers did, but no statistical significant difference was found in personal readings without and with CAD.
Tumor extension in high-grade gliomas assessed with diffusion magnetic resonance imaging: values and lesion-to-brain ratios of apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy
Authors: van Westen D. , Lätt J. , Englund E. , Brockstedt S. , Larsson E.-M.
Published: April 2006

Purpose: To determine whether the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) can distinguish tumor-infiltrated edema in gliomas from pure edema in meningiomas and metastases.

Material and Methods: Thirty patients were studied: 18 WHO grade III or IV gliomas, 7 meningiomas, and 5 metastatic lesions. ADC and FA were determined from ROIs placed in peritumoral areas with T2-signal changes, adjacent normal appearing white matter (NAWM), and corresponding areas in the contralateral healthy brain. Values and lesion-to-brain ratios from gliomas were compared to those from meningiomas and metastases.

Results: Values and lesion-to-brain ratios of ADC and FA in peritumoral areas with T2-signal changes did not differ between gliomas, meningiomas, and metastases ( P = 0.40, P = 0.40, P = 0.61, P = 0.34). Values of ADC and FA and the lesion-to-brain ratio of FA in the adjacent NAWM did not differ between tumor types ( P = 0.74, P = 0.25, and P = 0.31). The lesion-to-brain ratio of ADC in the adjacent NAWM was higher in gliomas than in meningiomas and metastases ( P = 0.004), but overlapped between tumor types.

Conclusion: Values and lesion-to-brain ratios of ADC and FA in areas with T2-signal changes surrounding intracranial tumors and adjacent NAWM were not helpful for distinguishing pure edema from tumor-infiltrated edema when data from gliomas, meningiomas, and metastases were compared.
Book Reviews
Authors: Smith Hans-Jørgen
Published: April 2006

Clinical Cardiac MRI with Interactive CD-ROM. Edited by J. Bogaert, S. Dymarkowski and A. M. Taylor. Springer- Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 2005. ISBN 3-540- 40170-9. Hardback. 551 pages, 1218 figs, 52 tables. Price €239.00 (net).
Drosophila melanogasterScramblases modulate synaptic transmission
Authors: Acharya Usha , Edwards Michael Beth , Jorquera Ramon A. , Silva Hugo , Nagashima Kunio , Labarca Pedro , Acharya Jairaj K.
Published: April 2006

Scramblases are a family of single-pass plasma membrane proteins, identified by their purported ability to scramble phospholipids across the two layers of plasma membrane isolated from platelets and red blood cells. However, their true in vivo role has yet to be elucidated. We report the generation and isolation of null mutants of two Scramblases identified in Drosophila melanogaster. We demonstrate that flies lacking either or both of these Scramblases are not compromised in vivo in processes requiring scrambling of phospholipids. Instead, we show that D. melanogaster lacking both Scramblases have more vesicles and display enhanced recruitment from a reserve pool of vesicles and increased neurotransmitter secretion at the larval neuromuscular synapses. These defects are corrected by the introduction of a genomic copy of the Scramb 1 gene. The lack of phenotypes related to failure of scrambling and the neurophysiological analysis lead us to propose that Scramblases play a modulatory role in the process of neurotransmission.
Internalization is required for proper Wingless signaling in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Seto Elaine S. , Bellen Hugo J.
Published: April 2006

The Wnt–Wingless (Wg) pathway regulates development through precisely controlled signaling. In this study, we show that intracellular trafficking regulates Wg signaling levels. In Drosophila melanogaster cells stimulated with Wg media, dynamin or Rab5 knockdown causes reduced Super8XTOPflash activity, suggesting that internalization and endosomal transport facilitate Wg signaling. In the wing, impaired dynamin function reduces Wg transcription. However, when Wg production is unaffected, extracellular Wg levels are increased. Despite this, target gene expression is reduced, indicating that internalization is also required for efficient Wg signaling in vivo. When endosomal transport is impaired, Wg signaling is similarly reduced. Conversely, the expression of Wg targets is enhanced by increased transport to endosomes or decreased hepatocyte growth factor–regulated tyrosine kinase substrate– mediated transport from endosomes. This increased signaling correlates with greater colocalized Wg, Arrow, and Dishevelled on endosomes. As these data indicate that endosomal transport promotes Wg signaling, our findings suggest that the regulation of endocytosis is a novel mechanism through which Wg signaling levels are determined.
To Isolate or Not to Isolate? Analysis of Data From the German Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System Regarding the Placement of Patients With Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Private Rooms in Intensive Care Units
Authors: Gastmeier Petra , Schwab Frank , Geffers Christine , Rüden Henning
Published: April 2006

Objective:

To investigate whether isolating patients with MRSA in private rooms in ICUs (or cohorting) is a protective factor for nosocomial MRSA infection.

Design:

Association between nosocomial MRSA infection rates and ICU structure and process parameters in the German Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System (KISS).

Setting:

Two hundred twelve ICUs participating in KISS in 2001.

Methods:

In June 2001, a structured questionnaire was sent to the participating ICUs regarding their preventive measures, their type and size, their patient-to-personnel ratios, and routine cultures. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify risk factors for nosocomial MRSA infection.

Results:

The questionnaire was completed by 164 (77.4%) of the ICUs. These ICUs had 325 nosocomial MRSA infections in a 5-year period (1997 to 2001). The mean incidence density of nosocomial MRSA infections was 0.3/1,000 patient-days. Ninety-one ICUs (55.5%) did not register any nosocomial MRSA infections during the observation period. Forty-two ICUs had an incidence density of at least 0.3/1,000 patient-days (75th percentile). Surgical ICUs were found to be a risk factor for a nosocomial MRSA infection rate above this threshold. Multivariate analysis found surgical ICUs to be an independent predictor and isolation in private rooms (or cohorts) to be a protective factor (OR, 0.36; CI95, 0.17-0.79).

Conclusion:

Many (34.4%) of the German ICUs have not isolated MRSA patients in private rooms or cohorts, a procedure associated with lower MRSA infection rates in this study.
Nasal Carriage of Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusin an American Indian Population
Authors: Leman Richard , Alvarado-Ramy Francisco , Pocock Sean , Barg Neil , Kellum Molly , McAllister Sigrid , Cheek James , Kuehnert Matthew
Published: April 2006

Background and Objective:

Although reports of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) infections without healthcare exposure are increasing, population-based data regarding nasal colonization are lacking. We assessed the prevalence of and risk factors for community-associated MRSA nasal carriage in patients of a rural outpatient clinic.

Design:

A cross-sectional population survey was conducted through random sample and stratification by community of residence. Recent healthcare exposure (ie, hospitalization, dialysis, or healthcare occupation) and other risk factors for MRSA carriage were assessed. Cultures of the nares were performed. Community-associated MRSA was defined as MRSA carriage without healthcare exposure.

Setting:

A predominantly American Indian community in Washington.

Patients:

Those receiving healthcare from an Indian Health Service clinic.

Results:

Of 1,311 individuals identified for study, 475 (36%) participated. Unsatisfactory culture specimens resulted in exclusion of 6 participants. In all, 128 (27.3%) of 469 participants hadS. aureus.Nine (1.9%) of 469 had MRSA carriage; of these, 5 had community-associated MRSA (5 of 469; overall community-associated MRSA carriage rate, 1.1%). MRSA carriage was associated with antimicrobial use in the previous year (risk ratio [RR], 7.2;P= .04) and residence in a household of more than 7 individuals (RR, 4.5;P= .03). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis indicated that 5 (55%) of 9 MRSA carriage isolates were closely related, including 3 (60%) of 5 that were community associated.

Conclusions:

Prevalence of community-associated MRSA colonization was approximately 1% in this rural, American Indian population. Community-associated MRSA colonization was associated with recent antimicrobial use and larger household.