bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transformation of accommodation space of the Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation, the Songliao Basin, NE China
Authors: Jiang Zaixing , Lu Hongbo , Yu Wenquan , Sun Yu , Guan Deshi
Published: November 2005

Analysis of accommodation space variation during deposition of the Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation in the Songliao Basin, NE China, indicates that accommodation space changed both through time and across the basin as a seesaw movement. The mid‐upper Qingshankou Formation is divided into three units. In each unit, changes of accommodation space differ in the southern and northern part of the basin. Increasing accommodation in the southern part is accompanied by a decrease in the northern part, and vice versa. Between the northern and southern basin, there was a neutral belt that is like a fulcrum, called the transformation belt here, where the accommodation did not change to any significant degree. We call this response ‘accommodation transformation’, whose characteristics are defined by tectonic subsidence analysis, palaeontological and sedimentary analyses. The accommodation increasing belt, decreasing belt, transformation belt and accommodation transformation boundary together constitute the accommodation transformation system. The recognition of accommodation transformation in the Songliao Basin provides a new insight into sequence stratigraphy and might be widely applicable.
Hydrologic sources of carbon cycling uncertainty throughout the terrestrial–aquatic continuum
Authors: Darrel Jenerette G. , Lal Rattan
Published: November 2005

Linking hydrologic interactions with global carbon cycling will reduce the uncertainty associated with scaling‐up empirical studies and facilitate the incorporation of terrestrial–aquatic linkages within global and regional change models. Much of the uncertainty in estimates of carbon fluxes associated with precipitation and hydrologic transport results from the extensive spatial and temporal heterogeneity in both intrinsic functioning and anthropogenic modification of hydrological cycles. To better understand this variation we developed a landscape ecological approach to coupled hydrologic–carbon cycling that merges local mechanisms with multiple‐scale spatial heterogeneity. This spatially explicit framework is applied to examine variability in hydrologic influences on carbon cycling along a continental scale water availability gradient with an explicit consideration of human sources of variability. Hydrologic variation is an important component of the uncertainty in carbon cycling; accounting for this variation will improve understanding of current conditions and projections of future ecosystem responses to global change.
Carbon dioxide and methane exchange of a north‐east Siberian tussock tundra
Authors: Corradi C. , Kolle O. , Walter K. , Zimov S. A. , Schulze E.‐D.
Published: November 2005

Carbon dioxide, energy flux measurements and methane chamber measurements were carried out in an arctic wet tussock grassland located on a flood plane of the Kolyma river in NE Siberia over a summer period of 155 days in 2002 and early 2003. Respiration was also measured in April 2004. The study region is characterized by late thaw of the top soil (mid of June) and periodic spring floods. A stagnant water table below the grass canopy is fed by thawing of the active layer of permafrost and by flood water. The climate is continental with average daily temperature in the warmest months of 13°C (maximum temperature at midday: 28°C by the end of July), dry air (maximum vapour pressure deficit at midday: 28 hPa) and low rainfall of 50 mm during summer (July–September). Summer evaporation (July–September: 103 mm) exceeded rainfall by a factor of 2. The daily average Bowen ratio (H/LE) was 0.62 during the growing season. Net ecosystem CO2 uptake reached 10 μmol m−2 s−1 and was related to photon flux density (PFD) and vapour pressure deficit (VPD). The cumulative annual net carbon flux from the atmosphere to the terrestrial surface was estimated to be about −38 g C m−2 yr−1 (negative flux depicts net carbon sink). Winter respiration was extrapolated using the Lloyd and Taylor function. The net carbon balance is composed of a high rate of assimilation in a short summer and a fairly large but uncertain respiration mainly during autumn and spring. Methane flux (about 12 g C m−2 measured over 60 days) was 25% of C uptake during the same period of time (end of July to end of September). Assuming that CH4 was emitted only in summer, and taking the greenhouse gas warming potential of CH4 vs. CO2 into account (factor 23), the study site was a greenhouse gas source (at least 200 g Cequivalent m−2 yr−1). Comparing different studies in wetlands and tundra ecosystems as related to latitude, we expect that global warming would rather increase than decrease the CO2‐C sink.
Decontamination of deboned chicken legs by vacuum‐tumbling in lactic acid solution
Authors: Deumier François
Published: November 2005

Vacuum tumbling in a 1–5% lactic acid solution for a short time (1–10 min) improves the microbiological quality of deboned chicken legs, while inducing a light acidification and water absorption. The most significant variable of the process is the tumbling speed. High tumbling speeds lead to a high decontamination level of the chicken legs with regard to total viable counts and Enterobacteriaceae. Sodium lactate alone is unable to induce any decontamination at the same concentrations. Decontamination is probably more linked to acidification than to lactate ions. The use of vacuum tumbled (1 min in a 1% lactic acid solution) deboned chicken legs in the industrial manufacture of fresh chicken sausages led to a clear decrease in the number of Salmonella‐positive batches. The incidence of positive batches was reduced threefold and the acid decontamination process did not adversely affect the sensory quality of the sausages.
The mathematical modelling of the osmotic dehydration of shark fillets at different brine temperatures
Authors: Mujaffar Saheeda , Sankat Clement K.
Published: November 2005

The effect of brine temperature (20, 30, 40 and 50 °C) on the osmotic drying behaviour of shark slabs (10 × 5 × 1 cm) in saturated (100°) brine was investigated. The parameters investigated were weight reduction, water loss, salt gain and water activity. Salt uptake and moisture data were analysed using various mathematical solutions based on Fick's Law of Diffusion and the effective diffusion coefficients were predicted after considering the process variables. The expressions presented by Azuara et al. (1992), based on the model presented by Crank (1975), were successfully used to predict the equilibrium point and to calculate diffusion coefficients at not only the initial stages of dehydration, but also at different times during the osmotic process.
Invasion impacts diversity through altered community dynamics
Authors: YURKONIS KATHRYN A. , MEINERS SCOTT J. , WACHHOLDER BRENT E.
Published: November 2005

Invading plant species often alter community structure, composition and, in some instances, reduce local diversity. However, the community dynamics underlying these impacts are relatively unknown.

Declines in species richness with invasion may occur via displacement of resident species and/or reduction of seedling establishment by the invader. These two mechanisms differ in the demographic stage of the interaction.

We document turnover dynamics using long‐term permanent plot data to assess the mechanism(s) of invasion impacts of four exotic species on a mixed community of native and exotic species. These mechanisms were evaluated at both the neighbourhood (1‐m2 plot) and population (individual species) scales.

During invasion, species richness declined with increasing invader cover for three of the four invaders. All invaders reduced colonization rates, but had no effect on extinction rates at the neighbourhood scale. Populations differed in their susceptibility to invasion impacts, with significant reductions in colonization for 10 of 25 (40%) species and increases in extinction for only 4 of 29 (14%) species.

At neighbourhood and population scales, influences of invasion on community dynamics were essentially the same for all invaders regardless of life‐form. While individual resident species had some increase in extinction probability, community richness impacts were largely driven by colonization limitation.

The consistency of invasion impacts across life‐forms suggests establishment limitation as a general mechanism of invasion impact. This common causal mechanism should be explored in other systems to determine the extent of its generality.
Plant traits and local extinctions in natural grasslands along an urban–rural gradient
Authors: WILLIAMS NICHOLAS S. G. , MORGAN JOHN W. , MCDONNELL MARK J. , MCCARTHY MICHAEL A.
Published: November 2005

The effect that the surrounding landscape matrix has on the loss of species from fragmented patches remains largely unknown. To determine whether there were differences in the persistence of plants inhabiting remnant patches in contrasting landscape types we examined the local extinction of grassland plants along an urban–rural gradient in western Victoria, Australia.

Thirty small grassland remnants that had been comprehensively surveyed between 1979 and 1990 were intensively re‐surveyed. A total of 289 (26%) of the 1104 plant populations present in the 1980s were not relocated and were presumed to be locally extinct. The proportion of populations lost differed along the gradient, with higher local extinction rates at patches in urban (37%) and peri‐urban landscapes (27%) than those in the rural landscape (20%).

We calculated the probability of local extinction of species in urban, peri‐urban and rural landscapes using Bayesian logistic regression models. Across all plant functional traits examined, species had a consistently higher probability of local extinction in the urban landscape.

Species that were geophytes or hemicryptophytes with a flat rosette and species with seeds dispersed by wind or ants had substantially increased risks of extinction in the urban landscape. Low seed mass, the lack of vegetative reproduction and the presence of a soil‐stored seed bank increased the probability of local extinction in all landscapes. Regionally rare species had a higher probability of local extinction in rural and peri‐urban landscapes but rarity had little influence on extinction risk in urban landscapes.

Urbanization has a strong influence on the species composition of urban grasslands and substantially increases the probability of local extinction of plants with particular combinations of functional traits.
Evolutionary advantages of mast seeding in Fagus crenata
Authors: KON HIROKAZU , NODA TAKASHI , TERAZAWA KAZUHIKO , KOYAMA HIROMASA , YASAKA MICHIYASU
Published: November 2005

Two non‐mutually exclusive hypotheses have been proposed to explain the evolutionary advantages of mast seeding (the intermittent production of large crops of flowers or seeds by a population of perennial plants). Mast seeding could have evolved as a result of increased pollination efficiency in mast‐flowering years and/or as an anti‐predator adaptation that increases the survival of seeds by alternately starving seed predators in non‐mast years and satiating them in mast years.

We investigated annual seed crops to test the relative contributions of pollination efficiency and pre‐dispersal predator satiation to mast seeding in Fagus crenata, a tall tree species dominating cool‐temperate forests in Japan. Thirteen‐year (1990–2002) time series data were collected for five beech forests in south‐western Hokkaido.

The negative relationship observed between the pollination failure rate and the total seed crop in the current year supports the pollination efficiency hypothesis. The predator satiation hypothesis was also supported by the fact that the predation rate showed a good fit to the ratio of successive total seed crops, suggesting that a numerical response (starving the predator in low seed years) operated in F. crenata.

Key‐factor analysis revealed that pre‐dispersal seed predation had a larger effect on seed production per flower than did pollination efficiency.

We used a simulation model to examine how the magnitude of fluctuation in the total seed crop would influence the pollination failure rate, the predation rate and the viable seed rate. The mean levels of fluctuation of total seed crops of F. crenata were just large enough to provide maximum benefits from predator satiation at some sites.

Mast seeding in F. crenata thus appears to be determined by selective pressures from its seed predators.
Reconciling plant strategy theories of Grime and Tilman
Authors: CRAINE JOSEPH M.
Published: November 2005

The theories of Grime and Tilman are ambitious attempts to unify disparate theories regarding the construction of plants, their interaction with the environment and the assembly of communities. After over two decades of parallel research, their ideas have not been reconciled, hindering progress in understanding the functioning of ecosystems.

Grime's theories do not adequately incorporate the importance of non‐heterogeneous supplies of nutrients and how these supplies are partitioned over long time scales, are inconsistent regarding the importance of disturbance in nutrient‐limited habitats and need to reconsider the carbon economy of shade‐tolerant plants.

Failure to account for differences between aquatic and terrestrial systems in how resource supplies are partitioned led Tilman to develop a shifting set of theories that have become reduced in mechanistic detail over time. The most recent highlighted the reduction of nutrient concentrations in soil solution, although it can no longer be derived from any viable mechanistic model. The slow diffusion of nutrients in soils means that the reduction of average soil solution nutrient concentrations cannot explain competitive exclusion.

Although neither theory, nor a union of the two, adequately characterizes the dynamics of terrestrial plant assemblages, the complementarity in their assumptions serve as an important foundation for future theory and research.

Reconciling the approaches of Grime and Tilman leads to six scenarios for competition for nutrients and light, with the outcome of each depending on the ability of plants to pre‐empt supplies. Under uniform supplies, pulses or patches, light competition requires leaf area dominance, while nutrient competition requires root length dominance. There are still important basic questions regarding the nature of nutrient supplies that will need to be answered, but recent research brings us closer to a unified set of theories on resource competition.
Frequency of the nt230 (del4)MDR1mutation in Collies and related dog breeds in Germany
Authors: GEYER J. , DÖRING B. , GODOY J. R. , LEIDOLF R. , MORITZ A. , PETZINGER E.
Published: November 2005

MDR1(ABCB1) P‐glycoprotein exerts a protective function in the blood–brain barrier thereby limiting the entry of many drugs and other xenobiotics to the central nervous system. A nonsense mutation has been described for Collies and related dog breeds which abolishes this function and is associated with increased susceptibility to neurotoxic side effects of several drugs including ivermectin, moxidectin and loperamide. In order to evaluate the occurrence and frequency of this nt230 (del4)MDR1mutation in Germany, we screened 1500 dogs. Frequency of the homozygous mutated genotype was highest for Collies (33.0%), followed by Australian Shepherd (6.9%) and Shetland Sheepdog (5.7%). Thirty‐seven percent of the Wäller dogs and 12.5% of the Old English Sheepdogs were heterozygous for the mutantMDR1(−) allele. Considering the predominant role ofMDR1P‐glycoprotein in drug disposition and in particular for blood–brain barrier protection,MDR1genotype‐based breeding programs are recommended for improving the safety of drug therapy in these canine breeds.
Pharmacokinetics of oral omeprazole in llamas
Authors: POULSEN K. P. , SMITH G. W. , DAVIS J. L. , PAPICH M. G.
Published: November 2005

Gastrogard®, an oral formulation of omeprazole, was given to six llamas at a dose of 4 mg/kg once a day for 6 days. Plasma samples were collected at 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 min and 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 h on days 1 and 6. Plasma omeprazole concentrations were measured by high‐pressure liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Pharmacokinetic parameters calculated included the area under the curve (AUC0‐‐∞), peak plasma concentration (Cmax), time of peak plasma concentration (Tmax), and terminal half‐life (t1/2). On day 6, plasma omeprazole concentrations reached aCmaxof 0.12 μg/mL at aTmaxof 45 min. Thet1/2of omeprazole was 2.3 h and theAUC0‐‐∞was 0.38 h·μg/mL. Plasma concentrations remained above the minimum concentration for inhibition of gastric acid secretion projected from other studies on day 6 in all the llamas for approximately 6 h. However, theAUC0‐‐∞was below the concentrations associated with clinical efficacy. It was not possible to measure oral systemic bioavailability because there was no i.v. data collected from these animals. However, using data published on the i.v. pharmacokinetics of omeprazole in llamas, oral absorption was estimated to be only 2.95%. Due to low absorption the oral dose was increased to 8 and 12 mg/kg and studies were repeated. There were no significant differences inCmax,Tmax, orAUC0‐‐∞for either of the increased doses. These results indicate that after 6 days of treatment with doses up to 12 mg/kg, oral omeprazole produced plasma drug concentrations which are not likely to be associated with clinical efficacy in camelids.
Inhibitory effect of several fluoroquinolones on hepatic microsomal cytochrome P‐450 1A activities in dogs
Authors: REGMI N. L. , ABD EL‐ATY A. M. , KUROHA M. , NAKAMURA M. , SHIMODA M.
Published: November 2005

We examined inhibitory effects of ofloxacin (OFX), orbifloxacin (OBFX), ciprofloxacin (CFX), enrofloxacin (EFX) and norfloxacin (NFX) on cytochrome P‐450 1A (CYP1A) activities using hepatic microsomes from four beagle dogs. Ethoxyresorufin O‐de‐ethylation was referred as CYP1A activities. All the fluoroquinolones inhibited the reaction in a noncompetitive manner. The determined inhibitory constants were the followings; 10.1 ± 3.8 mm for OFX, 6.43 ± 2.01 mm for OBFX, 0.726 ± 0.134 mm for CFX, 4.06 ± 1.19 mm for EFX and 4.75 ± 1.63 mm for NFX respectively. As these values are >100‐fold of plasma concentrations after a clinical single dose of the fluoroquinolones, it is suggested that the inhibitory effect on CYP1A activities is not so high to elicit drug–drug interaction with CYP1A substrates, when these fluoroquinolones are co‐administered. Mechanism based inhibition was also examined in this study. Of the five fluoroquinolones examined, OFX, OBFX and CFX had this inhibition manner. As this inhibition is irreversible, inhibitory effects of the three fluoroquinolones may accumulate, when they are repeatedly administered. Therefore, OFX, OBFX and CFX may result in substantial drug–drug interaction with a CYP1A substrate even in clinical states. As EFX is metabolized to CFX in the body, it may also have the same possibility.
Limited concentration of RecA delays DNA double‐strand break repair in Deinococcus radiodurans R1
Authors: Jolivet Edmond , Lecointe François , Coste Geneviève , Satoh Katsuya , Narumi Issay , Bailone Adriana , Sommer Suzanne
Published: November 2005

To evaluate the importance of RecA in DNA double‐strand break (DSB) repair, we examined the effect of low and high RecA concentrations such as 2500 and 100 000 molecules per cell expressed from the inducible Pspac promoter in Deinococcus radiodurans in absence or in presence of IPTG respectively. We showed that at low concentration, RecA has a negligible effect on cell survival after γ‐irradiation when bacteria were immediately plated on TGY agar whereas it significantly decreased the survival to γ‐irradiation of ΔddrA cells while overexpression of RecA can partially compensate the loss of DdrA protein. In contrast, when cells expressing limited concentration of RecA were allowed to recover in TGY2X liquid medium, they showed a delay in mending DSB, failed to reinitiate DNA replication and were committed to die during incubation. A deletion of irrE resulted in sensitivity to γ‐irradiation and mitomycin C treatment. Interestingly, constitutive high expression of RecA compensates partially the ΔirrE sensitization to mitomycin C. The cells with low RecA content also failed to cleave LexA after DNA damage. However, neither a deletion of the lexA gene nor the expression of a non‐cleavable LexA(Ind–) mutant protein had an effect on survival or kinetics of DNA DSB repair compared with their lexA+ counterparts in recA+ as well as in bacteria expressing limiting concentration of RecA, suggesting an absence of relationship between the absence of LexA cleavage and the loss of viability or the delay in the kinetics of DSB repair. Thus, LexA protein seems to play no major role in the recovery processes after γ‐irradiation in D. radiodurans.
tRNAGlu wobble uridine methylation by Trm9 identifies Elongator's key role for zymocin‐induced cell death in yeast
Authors: Jablonowski Daniel , Zink Sabrina , Mehlgarten Constance , Daum Gabriele , Schaffrath Raffael
Published: November 2005

Zymocin‐induced cell death in Saccharomyces cerevisiae requires the toxin‐target (TOT) effector Elongator, a protein complex with functions in transcription, exocytosis and tRNA modification. In line with the latter, trm9Δ cells lacking a tRNA methylase specific for wobble uridine (U34) residues survive zymocin and in excess, the Trm9 substrate tRNAGlu copies zymocin protection of Elongator mutants. Phenotypes typical of a tot3/elp3Δ Elongator mutant are absent from trm9Δ cells but copied in a tot3Δtrm9Δ double mutant suggesting that Elongator acts upstream of Trm9. Consistent with Elongator‐dependent tRNA modification being more important to mRNA decoding than Trm9, SUP4 and SOE1TRNA suppressors are highly sensitive to loss of Elongator and tRNA U34 hypomodification. As Trm9 overexpression counteracts the effect of high‐copy tRNAGlu, zymocin suppression by high‐copy tRNAGlu may reflect tRNA hypomethylation of trm9Δ cells. Thus, Trm9 methylation may enable recognition of tRNA by zymocin, a notion supported by a dramatic reduction of tRNAGlu levels in zymocin‐treated cells and by cytotoxic zymocin residues conserved between bacterial nucleases and a tRNA modifying GTPase. In sum, Trm9 is a bona fideTOT pathway component whose methylation may be hijacked by zymocin to target tRNA function and eventually, mRNA translation.
Proteomic and functional analysis of the suite of Ysp proteins exported by the Ysa type III secretion system of Yersinia enterocolitica Biovar 1B
Authors: Matsumoto Hiroyuki , Young Glenn M.
Published: November 2005

Full virulence of Yersinia enterocolitica Biovar 1B requires two distinct and distantly related contact‐dependent type III secretion (T3S) systems. The plasmid‐encoded Ysc T3S system is essential for systemic stages of infection and the Yop effector proteins it translocates have been extensively studied. The chromosome‐encoded Ysa T3S system contributes to gastrointestinal stages of infection, but the suite of Ysp effectors proteins it translocates into host cells remains obscure. Using a proteomics‐based approach, the Ysa T3S system was analysed revealing a complex set of 15 secreted Ysp proteins. Seven of these proteins were previously described (YspA, YspB, YspC, YspD, YopE, YopN and YopP). Eight of these Ysps (YspK, YspI, YspE, YspF, YspP, YspY, YspN and YspL) had not previously been characterized. Several of the new Ysps are homologous to other virulence factors, including YspP with similarity to the Yersinia protein tyrosine phosphatase YopH and YspK with similarity to the Shigella serine/threonine kinase OspG. Biochemical analysis of purified hexa‐histidine tagged YspK and YspP established that these proteins have kinase and phosphatase activity respectively. Infection of eukaryotic cells with Y. enterocolitica strains expressing a Ysp‐CyaA chimeric protein resulted in Ysa T3S system‐dependent increases in cytosolic levels of cAMP for six Ysps (YspK, YspI, YspE, YspF, YspP and YspL), but not two others (YspY and YspN). YspN, however, was required for translocation of effector proteins into eukaryotic cells by the Ysa T3S system. Competition assays in BALB/c mice revealed that mutants defective for the production of an individual Ysp are affected for colonization of gastrointestinal tissues. Collectively, the results of this study support the hypothesis that the Ysa T3S system targets a complex suite of effector proteins into host cells to affect the outcome of an infection. Identification of the suite of effectors delivered by the Ysa T3S system reveals that host cell signalling pathways are the probable targets of several Ysp effectors.
The post‐operative analgesic efficacy and tolerability of lumiracoxib compared with placebo and naproxen after total knee or hip arthroplasty
Authors: Chan V. W. S. , Clark A. J. , Davis J. C. , Wolf R. S. , Kellstein D. , Jayawardene S.
Published: November 2005

Background:  Lumiracoxib is a novel selective cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitor in development for the treatment of chronic and acute pain.

Methods:  This randomized, double‐blind multicentre study enrolled 180 patients (aged 18–80 years) with moderate‐to‐severe pain (≥2 on a 4‐point categorical scale) within 48 h of unilateral total knee or total hip arthroplasty. Patients were randomized to receive lumiracoxib 400 mg once daily (n = 60), placebo (n = 60) or naproxen 500 mg twice daily (n = 60). The study consisted of a 12‐h single‐dose phase followed by a multiple‐dose phase (up to 96 h or until discontinuation). The primary efficacy measure was the summed (time‐weighted) pain intensity difference over 0–8 h after the first dose (SPID‐8).

Results:  Lumiracoxib and naproxen were comparable and both treatments were superior to placebo for the primary efficacy measure, SPID‐8. Both treatments were generally similar and also superior to placebo for the secondary efficacy measures during both the single‐ and multiple‐dose phases for up to 96 h. Both active treatments were well tolerated.

Conclusion:  Lumiracoxib is an effective alternative to traditional non‐selective non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the treatment of post‐operative pain.
Peri‐operative ketamine for acute post‐operative pain: a quantitative and qualitative systematic review (Cochrane review)
Authors: Bell R. F. , Dahl J. B. , Moore R. A. , Kalso E.
Published: November 2005

Background:  Post‐operative pain management is usually limited by adverse effects such as nausea and vomiting. Adjuvant treatment with an inexpensive opioid‐sparing drug such as ketamine may be of value in giving better analgesia with fewer adverse effects. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of ketamine administered peri‐operatively in the treatment of acute post‐operative pain in adults.

Methods:  Studies were identified from MEDLINE (1966–2004), EMBASE (1980–2004), the Cochrane Library (2004) and by hand searching reference lists from review articles and trials. The manufacturer of ketamine (Pfizer AS, Lysaker, Norway) provided search results from their in‐house database, PARDLARS. Randomized and controlled trials (RCTs) of adult patients undergoing surgery, being treated with peri‐operative ketamine, placebo or an active control were considered for inclusion.

Results:  Eighteen trials were excluded. Thirty‐seven trials were included. Twenty‐seven out of 37 trials found that peri‐operative ketamine reduced rescue analgesic requirements or pain intensity, or both. Quantitative analysis showed that treatment with ketamine reduced 24‐h patient‐controlled analgesia (PCA) morphine consumption and post‐operative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Adverse effects were mild or absent.

Conclusion:  In the first 24 h after surgery, ketamine reduces morphine requirements. Ketamine also reduces PONV. Adverse effects are mild or absent. These data should be interpreted with caution as the retrieved studies were heterogenous and the result of the meta‐analysis can not be translated into any specific administration regimen with ketamine.
Hemodynamic effects of spontaneous breathing in the post‐operative period
Authors: Neumann P. , Schubert A. , Heuer J. , Hinz J. , Quintel M. , Klockgether‐Radke A.
Published: November 2005

Background:  During mechanical ventilatory support, spontaneous breathing has been linked to improved hemodynamics. These findings may be explained by a decrease in intrathoracic pressure which may improve venous return to the heart. Such a mechanism should result in a dose–response relation between the amount of spontaneous breathing and an increase in the global end‐diastolic volume (GEDV) and cardiac output (Q̇t).

Methods:  To test this hypothesis, 15 patients were studied after major elective surgery during weaning from mechanical ventilation using bilevel positive airway pressure (BIPAP). BIPAP allows unrestricted spontaneous breathing during every phase of the respiratory cycle. Thus, ventilatory support was modified by changing the mechanical respiratory rate only, whereas inspiratory airway pressure and PEEP were kept constant. GEDV and Q̇t were measured by transpulmonary thermodilution.

Results:  GEDV (P = 0.055), stroke volume (P = 0.027) and subsequently also Q̇t (P < 0.001) increased when spontaneous breathing increased. In contrast, no difference was observed for central venous pressure (P = 0.19).

Conclusion:  The beneficial hemodynamic effects of spontaneous breathing during mechanical ventilatory support can partially be explained by improved venous return to the heart which increases stroke volume and Q̇t.
Leaf rust and stripe rust resistance genes Lr54 and Yr37 transferred to wheat from Aegilops kotschyi
Authors: Marais G. F. , McCallum B. , Snyman J. E. , Pretorius Z. A. , Marais A. S.
Published: November 2005

The tendency of unpaired meiotic chromosomes to undergo centric misdivision was exploited to translocate leaf rust and stripe rust resistance genes from an Aegilops kotschyi addition chromosome to a group 2 chromosome of wheat. Monosomic and telosomic analyses showed that the translocation occurred to wheat chromosome arm 2DL. The introgressed region did not pair with the corresponding wheat 2DL telosome during meiosis suggesting that a whole arm may have been transferred. Female transmission of the resistance was about 55% whereas male transmission was strongly preferential (96%). The symbols Lr54 and Yr37 are proposed to designate the new resistance genes.
Genetic diversity of some surviving on‐farm Italian common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) landraces
Authors: Lioi L. , Piergiovanni A. R. , Pignone D. , Puglisi S. , Santantonio M. , Sonnante Gabriella
Published: November 2005

This study was undertaken to estimate the level of variation among and within 33 local populations belonging to seven Italian common bean landraces, by analysing the polymorphism of seed storage proteins, simple sequence repeat (SSR) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) molecular markers. The nutritional seed quality of the landraces studied was also investigated. Results showed that the landraces retain a considerable level of heterogeneity. Use of both biochemical and molecular approaches provided a picture of the genetic diversity of each landrace. Cluster analyses based on Nei's genetic distances and Jaccard's similarity index as defined by SSR and AFLP markers, respectively, showed that all populations clustered into two groups corresponding to the Andean and the Mesoamerican gene pools. Knowledge of the genetic structure of a landrace is fundamental in elaborating strategies, which involve the local farmers, allowing us to improve and, at the same time, safeguard the genetic integrity of landrace genetic resources.
On improving crossing success in chickpea
Authors: Anbessa Y. , Warkentin T.
Published: November 2005

Artificial hybridization in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is a tedious operation with known low rate of success. A study conducted at the University of Saskatchewan showed that crossing success was influenced by parental identity in this crop. Percent pod set to the total flowers pollinated in chickpea crosses was significantly increased when the smaller‐seeded parent was used as the female. Also, success rate increased with the size of the leaf subtending female parent's flowers at the time of crossing.
Development of molecular markers for crown rot resistance in wheat: mapping of QTLs for seedling resistance in a ‘2‐49’ × ‘Janz’ population
Authors: Collard B. C. Y. , Grams R. A. , Bovill W. D. , Percy C. D. , Jolley R. , Lehmensiek A. , Wildermuth G. , Sutherland M. W.
Published: November 2005

Crown rot, caused by Fusarium pseudograminearum, is an important disease of wheat in Australia and elsewhere. In order to identify molecular markers associated with partial seedling resistance to this disease, bulked segregant analysis and quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping approaches were undertaken using a population of 145 doubled haploid lines constructed from ‘2‐49’ (partially resistant) × ‘Janz’ (susceptible) parents. Phenotypic data indicated that the trait is quantitatively inherited. The largest QTLs were located on chromosomes 1D and 1A, and explained 21% and 9% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. Using the best markers associated with five QTLs identified by composite interval mapping, the combined effect of the QTLs explained 40.6% of the phenotypic variance. All resistance alleles were inherited from ‘2‐49’ with the exception of a QTL on 2B, which was inherited from ‘Janz’. A minor QTL on 4B was loosely linked (19.8 cM) to the Rht1 locus in repulsion. None of the QTLs identified in this study were located in the same region as resistance QTLs identified in other populations segregating for Fusarium head blight, caused by Fusarium graminearum.
Community educators as supporters in ethnographic research
Authors: Procter Nicholas G.
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACT:  The present article describes ethnographic research on the structure and function of bilingual community educators (CEs) as brokers of information involving culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. An important aspect of CE involvement was supporting the chief investigator to engage CALD communities to interpret their understanding of mental health and mental illness, and make appropriate choices about their health care. CEs advised the chief investigator on the appropriate use of language when dealing with mental and emotional health issues so that CALD community people were not isolated from the research process. The author contends that the benefit of CEs in ethnographic research is to help research teams synthesize different viewpoints to shape research questions and create workable solutions in local situations.
Correlation between Musashi‐1 and c‐hairy‐1 expression and cell proliferation activity in the developing intestine and stomach of both chicken and mouse
Authors: Asai Rieko , Okano Hideyuki , Yasugi Sadao
Published: November 2005

Musashi‐1 (Msi‐1) is an RNA‐binding protein that plays key roles in the maintenance of neural stem cell states and in their differentiation into neural cells. Msi‐1 has also been proposed as a candidate marker gene of mammalian intestinal stem cells and their immediate lineages. In this study, we examined Msi‐1 expression in the small intestine and the stomach of both chicken and mouse during embryonic, fetal and postnatal development. In addition, we analyzed the expression of c‐hairy‐1, a chicken homologue of mouse Hes1, and assessed the proliferative activity of the cells expressing both of these factors. Significantly, during the development of these digestive organs in both species Msi‐1 expression showed dynamic changes, suggesting that it is important for digestive organ development, particularly for epithelial differentiation. Based on our observations of the expression patterns of Msi‐1 and c‐hairy‐1 in the adult small intestine, we speculate that Msi‐1 is also a stem cell marker of the chicken small intestinal epithelium.
Expression of KIT, EGFR, HER‐2 and tyrosine phosphorylation in undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma: Implication for a new therapeutic approach
Authors: Murakawa Tetsuya , Tsuda Hitoshi , Tanimoto Takao , Tanabe Tetsuya , Kitahara Satoshi , Matsubara Osamu
Published: November 2005

The KIT, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and HER‐2 oncoproteins have tyrosine kinase activity and are molecular targets in human cancer therapy. To clarify the significance of KIT, EGFR, and HER‐2 in undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma (UTC), the expression of these receptors and tyrosine phosphorylation was examined immunohistochemically in resected cases of UTC and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). KIT, EGFR, and HER‐2 were also examined at the protein and mRNA levels in five UTC cell lines. KIT expression (1+), EGFR overexpression (2+/3+), HER‐2 expression (1+), and tyrosine phosphorylation were detected immunohistochemically in 40%, 70%, 10%, and 50% of the 10 UTC. In 20 PTC, KIT, EGFR, and HER‐2 were not detected, but tyrosine phosphorylation was detected in 25% of cases. In the five UTC cell lines, KIT expression (1+), EGFR overexpression (3+), HER‐2 expression (1+), and tyrosine phosphorylation were detected immunocytochemically in 60%, 100%, 20%, and 40%, respectively. Western blot analysis did not detect KIT expression, but did detect EGFR and HER‐2 expression in all five cell lines. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction detected KIT mRNA in two of the cell lines (40%), EGFR in five (100%), and HER‐2 in three (60%). The present findings suggest that EGFR overexpression was involved in the proliferation and development of UTC and was frequently accompanied by tyrosine phosphorylation. Expression of KIT and HER‐2 appeared to be weak but significant, suggesting a possible role in the development of UTC. Molecular therapies targeting KIT, EGFR, HER‐2, and/or tyrosine phosphorylation might be indicated for UTC.
Can cytological findings predict intraductal spread of breast cancer? Histopathological case–control study
Authors: Sakai Takehiko , Tsuchiya Shin‐ichi , Hama Yoshihisa , Matsuyama Ikuo , Fujimori Minoru
Published: November 2005

An important predictive factor for local recurrence after breast‐conserving therapy is the state of the surgical margin. In order to obtain a negative surgical margin, the present case–control study was conducted to determine whether the extent of ductal spread can be estimated from the information obtained by fine‐needle aspiration (FNA). Samples from 69 cases of extensive ductal spread (EDS) in which it was thought that cancer cells had remained in the residual breast when the lumpectomy was performed with 2 cm margins, were retrieved and compared with 62 cases having almost the same clinical and pathological tumor size. The cases of EDS included a significantly larger number of papillotubular carcinomas (37%vs 13%, P = 0.004) and displayed a high nuclear atypia (42%vs 26%, P = 0.001). We could estimate the same tendency with cytological studies. Cancer cells with cohesive papillary‐like clusters suggesting papillotubular carcinoma and with a large nuclear diameter were significantly more numerous in cases of EDS (P < 0.01). In conclusion, EDS can be determined by estimating histological type via cytodiagnosis and measuring the nuclear diameter of cancer cells.
Composite mucinous and granulosa cell tumor of the ovary
Authors: Kushida Yoshio , Haba Reiji , Kadota Kyuichi , Doi Takashi , Ishikawa Masashi , Hirakawa Eiichiro , Kira Masamichi
Published: November 2005

A composite mucinous and granulosa cell tumor of the ovary in a 76‐year‐old woman is herein reported. At laparotomy this tumor proved to be a solid and cystic mass measuring 10 cm in greatest diameter. Many of the cysts were lined with a benign mucinous epithelium of the endocervical type, and solid areas contained a proliferation of granulosa cells. These two disparate components were intimately mixed. A theca cell component was also present in areas adjacent to the mucinous epithelium. The coexistence of mucinous and granulosa cell tumor is extremely rare and only four such cases have previously been reported in the literature, and the histogenesis of this tumor has not yet been elucidated. In the present case it is suggested that the granulosa cell element commenced as a reactive stromal hyperplasia in the wall of the pre‐existing mucinous neoplasm and thereafter progressed to the point of producing a tumor‐like mass or neoplastic changes.
Ecological perspectives on the sequenced genome collection
Authors: Hughes Martiny Jennifer B. , Field Dawn
Published: November 2005

Our complete genome collection is one of our most valuable biological resources. A key challenge for the future is the interpretation of these genomes from an ecological perspective. In this review, we discuss current work at this increasingly important interface. In particular, we review ongoing work aimed at developing high quality data sets that combine ecological, environmental, evolutionary and genomic information. Such data will help to identify biases in the sequence collection and facilitate future discoveries about the nature of ecological adaptation at the genome level. These efforts will be greatly enhanced by the contributions of ecologists.
Perianal and intrarectal anaesthesia for transrectal biopsy of the prostate: a prospective randomized study comparing lidocaine‐prilocaine cream and placebo
Authors: Raber Marco , Scattoni Vincenzo , Roscigno Marco , Rigatti Patrizio , Montorsi Francesco
Published: November 2005

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of perianal and intrarectal lidocaine‐prilocaine cream for prostate biopsy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study, 200 consecutive patients were randomized to receive 5 mL lidocaine‐prilocaine cream or 5 mL placebo peri‐anally and transrectally before transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)‐guided prostate needle biopsy (mean number of cores, 12). The men were asked to grade the pain when the TRUS probe was inserted and during the biopsy procedure using a 10‐point linear visual analogue pain scale.

RESULTS

At probe insertion, men in the anaesthetic group reported a significantly lower mean pain level than men in the placebo group (0.3 vs 1.6, P < 0.001). Men who had anaesthetic also reported less pain during biopsy punctures (1.8 vs 3.2, P < 0.001). Stratifying results by age, younger men (<67 years) benefited more from anaesthesia during probe insertion (0.9 vs 1.7; P = 0.04) and biopsy (1.8 vs 4.0, P < 0.001) than older men (1.0 vs 1.1, P = 0.7 and 1.9 vs 2.4, P = 0.3, respectively). There were only minor complications, and these were not significantly different between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Topical anaesthesia with prilocaine‐lidocaine cream significantly reduced pain at transrectal probe insertion and during the biopsy procedure.
Effect of glycine on recovery of bladder smooth muscle contractility after acute urinary retention in rats
Authors: Hong Sung K. , Son Hwancheol , Kim Soo W. , Oh Seung‐June , Choi Hwang
Published: November 2005

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of glycine on the recovery of bladder smooth muscle contractility after acute urinary retention.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Bladder overdistension was induced in Sprague‐Dawley rats by an infusion of saline (twice the threshold volume), maintained for 2 h. From 15 min before emptying of the bladder until 2 h after, saline or glycine solution was infused i.v. At 30 min, 2 h and 1 week after bladder emptying, samples of bladder tissue were taken for muscle strip study, malondialdehyde (MDA) assay, ATP assay, Western blotting for apoptosis‐related molecules (Bcl‐2, Bax, Caspase‐3), and histological analysis including terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated nick‐end labelling staining. The results were compared among normal control, saline‐treated and glycine‐treated rats.

RESULTS

In the glycine‐treated group, muscle strip contractile responses induced by electrical‐field stimulation and carbachol were both significantly greater at 1 week after bladder emptying than in the saline‐treated group. The results of the ATP assay appeared to correspond with those of the muscle strip study. The saline‐treated group had significantly higher MDA levels at 30 min after bladder emptying than the glycine‐treated group. At 2 h after bladder emptying, there was significantly more apoptosis and greater leukocyte infiltration in the saline‐treated group than in the glycine‐treated group. While pro‐apoptotic Bax and caspase‐3 were down‐regulated, Bcl‐2 was up‐regulated in the glycine‐treated group.

CONCLUSION

Glycine infusions might improve the contractile responses of bladder smooth muscle after acute urinary retention by reducing oxidative damage and apoptosis.
An open‐label, multicentre, randomized, crossover study comparing sildenafil citrate and tadalafil for treating erectile dysfunction in men naïve to phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor therapy
Authors: Eardley Ian , Mirone Vincenzo , Montorsi Francesco , Ralph David , Kell Philip , Warner Margaret R. , Zhao Yanli , Beardsworth Anthony
Published: November 2005

Associate Editor

Michael G. Wylie

Editorial Board

Ian Eardley, UK

Jean Fourcroy, USA

Sidney Glina, Brazil

Julia Heiman, USA

Chris McMahon, Australia

Bob Millar, UK

Alvaro Morales, Canada

Michael Perelman, USA

Marcel Waldinger, Netherlands

OBJECTIVES

To compare treatment preference, efficacy, and tolerability of sildenafil citrate (sildenafil) and tadalafil for treating erectile dysfunction (ED) in men naïve to phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was an open‐label, crossover study of sildenafil and tadalafil (taken as needed). After a 4‐week baseline assessment, 367 men with ED (mean age 54 years) were randomized to receive sildenafil for 12 weeks followed by tadalafil for 12 weeks or vice versa (8‐week dose optimization and 4‐week assessment phases). During dose optimization, patients started taking 25‐ or 50‐mg sildenafil or 10‐mg tadalafil and could titrate to find their optimum dose (25‐, 50‐ or 100‐mg sildenafil; 10‐ or 20‐mg tadalafil). After completing both 12‐week periods, patients chose which treatment to continue during an 8‐week extension. Efficacy was measured with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP) diary.

RESULTS

Of the 291 men who completed both treatments, 85 (29%) chose sildenafil and 206 (71%) chose tadalafil (P < 0.001) for the 8‐week extension. The IIEF erectile function domain scores were 14.2 at baseline, 23.9 at endpoint on sildenafil, and 24.3 at endpoint on tadalafil (P = 0.08, sildenafil vs tadalafil). The mean per patient percentage success scores for SEP2 (penetration) were: baseline (46%), sildenafil (post‐baseline 82%) and tadalafil (post‐baseline 85%; P = 0.06, sildenafil vs tadalafil), and for SEP3 (successful intercourse) were: baseline (19%), sildenafil (post‐baseline 72%), and tadalafil (post‐baseline 77%; P = 0.003, sildenafil vs tadalafil). The only treatment‐emergent adverse events that were reported by >5% of men were headache and flushing.

CONCLUSIONS

In men with ED who were naïve to PDE5 inhibitor therapy, sildenafil and tadalafil were both effective and well tolerated. After treatment with sildenafil and tadalafil, 29% of men chose sildenafil and 71% chose tadalafil for ED therapy during an 8‐week extension.