bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Penile duplex pharmaco‐ultrasonography of cavernous arteries in men with erectile dysfunction and generalized atherosclerosis
Authors: Bocchio Massimo , Scarpelli Piero , Necozione Stefano , Pelliccione Fiore , Spartera Carlo , Francavilla Felice , Francavilla Sandro
Published: April 2006

Assessment of cavernosal perfusion in men with erectile dysfunction (ED) relies on Doppler spectrum analysis of pharmachologically stimulated peak systolic velocity (sPSV) in cavernous arteries but its accuracy in identifying men affected by a cavernosal perfusion disorder correlated with atherosclerosis remains undefined. We estimated by B‐mode ultrasound, the accuracy of sPSV of cavernous arteries to identify ED with an expected cavernosal perfusion disorder. This was predicted by an elevated intima‐media thickness (IMT) of common carotid arteries, a reference methodology to estimate the degree of generalized atherosclerosis, in men exposed to vascular risk factors (VRFs). sPSV and IMT were evaluated in 269 men with ED, 49 had no VRFs, 100 were overweight with/or without hyperlipidaemia, 120 were affected by type 2 diabetes and/or essential hypertension. sPSV was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in patients with VRFs associated with atherosclerosis (IMT ≥ 1 mm) (n = 39) than in men with no VRFs and no atherosclerosis (n = 49). sPSV correlated negatively with age (p < 0.0001), with serum% of glycated haemoglobin (p = 0.010) and with carotid artery IMT (p = 0.013). An sPSV ≤ 30 cm/sec, the cut‐off value which showed at receiver operating characteristic curve analysis the combined highest value of sensitivity and specificity, correctly identified only 57% of men in whom a cavernosal perfusion disorder was expected based on the presence of carotid artery IMT ≥ 1 mm combined to the exposure to VRFs. The ultrasonographic evaluation of sPSV had a very limited accuracy in discriminating ED with an expected cavernosal perfusion disorder, based on the presence of a generalized atherosclerosis in men with VRFs.
Oesophageal motility disorders in type 1 diabetes mellitus and their relation to cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy
Authors: Ascaso J. F. , Herreros B. , Sanchiz V. , Lluch I. , Real J. T. , Minguez M. , Mora F. , Benages A.
Published: April 2006

Abstract  The relationship between cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CVAN) and oesophageal dysfunction in diabetes mellitus has not been well established because reports are contradictory. The aim of this study was to assess oesophageal function and its correlation with CVAN in type 1 diabetic patients without oesophageal symptoms. Forty‐six type 1 diabetic patients without oesophageal symptoms (DG) and 34 healthy volunteers (CG) were studied. Both groups underwent CVAN tests and oesophageal manometry and pH‐metry. Differences between groups regarding results of cardiovascular autonomic tests and oesophageal studies were statistically analysed. Compared with the CG, the DG group showed insufficient lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) relaxation and a higher percentage of simultaneous waves (P < 0.01). Patients with CVAN (n = 22) showed a higher prevalence of pathological simultaneous contractions (>10%), and the prevalence of simultaneous waves related to the degree of autonomic neuropathy was: 9% of patients without CVAN, 7% of those suspected to have it and 50% of patients with CVAN (P < 0.001). Factors associated with the presence of pathological simultaneous waves (>10%) were the presence of CVAN and duration of diabetes (P < 0.05, logistic regression analysis). Increase in simultaneous waves and impaired relaxation of LOS are more frequent in diabetic patients with CVAN.
Integrated control of Allium white rot with Trichoderma viride, tebuconazole and composted onion waste
Authors: Clarkson J. P. , Scruby A. , Mead A. , Wright C. , Smith B. , Whipps J. M.
Published: April 2006

Two isolates of Trichoderma viride (L4 and S17A) were assessed for biological control of Allium white rot (AWR) with different onion accessions and cultivars, alone and in combination with a tebuconazole‐based seed treatment or composted onion waste. In glasshouse tests, 23 new bulb‐onion accessions from previous work to detect resistance to Sclerotium cepivorum showed no differences in susceptibility to AWR but, when combined with S17A, disease was reduced by up to two‐thirds over all accessions. Trichoderma viride L4 and S17A also reduced the proportion of infected plants for five commercial bulb‐onion cultivars and one advanced breeding line by at least one‐third. Further glasshouse tests using a salad‐onion cultivar showed that L4, S17A, tebuconazole or composted onion waste controlled AWR and at least halved the proportion of diseased plants. Combination treatments of T. viride with either tebuconazole or compost enhanced control and, in some treatments, disease was almost eliminated. In field trials, control of AWR by S17A was significant for 17 out of 18 individual or mixed bulb‐onion accessions, with disease reduced overall by more than half. In another field experiment, S17A failed significantly to reduce AWR for two out of three commercial bulb‐onion cultivars, while tebuconazole reduced the final proportion of AWR‐infected plants over all cultivars from 0·47 to 0·09. Combining S17A and tebuconazole resulted in a similar level of AWR to using tebuconazole alone. The use of T. viride in an integrated strategy with other treatments to enhance control of S. cepivorum is discussed.
Characterization of Erwinia chrysanthemi, the soft‐rot pathogen of white‐flowered calla lily, based on pathogenicity and PCR‐RFLP and PFGE analyses
Authors: Lee Y.‐A. , Chen K.‐P. , Hsu Y.‐W.
Published: April 2006

Isolates of Erwinia chrysanthemi from Zantedeschia aethiopica (white‐flowered calla lily) induced symptoms of soft rot on inoculated cv. Innocence flower‐stem segments. Isolates from Phalaenopsis aphrodite and potato caused mild symptoms, while those from green onion and celery produced no symptoms. In addition to pathogenicity, the isolates were further characterized at the molecular level. A specific oligonucleotide primer set was designed for the detection of the pelZ gene of E. chrysanthemi. All E. chrysanthemi isolates tested contained pelZ as determined by PCR amplification. No amplification was observed with other Erwinia spp. The pelZ of E. chrysanthemi isolate S3‐1 from Z. aethiopica was cloned, sequenced and compared with the nucleotide sequence of pelZ in GenBank. A point mutation produced an AhdI restriction site, leading to the development of a PCR‐RFLP assay to discriminate white‐flowered calla lily isolates from others of E. chrysanthemi. Furthermore, macrorestriction analysis by modifying a pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) protocol used by PulseNet revealed the genomic variation within E. chrysanthemi. After digestion with the restriction enzyme XbaI, white‐flowered calla lily E. chrysanthemi isolates could be easily distinguished from other isolates. Differences in virulence, combined with PCR‐RFLP and PFGE analyses, suggest that white‐flowered calla lily E. chrysanthemi isolates are a new strain or pathotype in Taiwan.
Costimulatory Molecules and Cytokine Production by T Lymphocytes in Common Variable Immunodeficiency Disease
Authors: Pons J. , Ferrer J. M. , Martínez‐Pomar N. , Iglesias‐Alzueta J. , Matamoros N.
Published: April 2006

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a heterogeneous syndrome characterized by hypogammaglobulinaemia and recurrent infections. Although early works pointed to a primary B‐lymphocyte defect as a cause of the disease, a failure in T‐lymphocyte cooperation has also been suggested. T cells exert their costimulatory function through either membrane costimulatory molecules or secreted cytokines, both having an influence in the development of the humoral response. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether an abnormal expression and induction of costimulatory molecules or alterations in the production of cytokines by T cells cause deficient T/B cooperation in CVID patients. We studied the expression and upregulation of costimulatory molecules (CD28, CD40L/CD154 and CTLA‐4/CD152) and production of cytokines (IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐10, IFN‐γ and TNF‐α) in purified T lymphocytes from CVID patients stimulated with optimal doses of anti‐CD3 or suboptimal doses of anti‐CD3 and anti‐CD28. Stimulated T cells from CVID patients expressed normal levels of CD28, CD40L/CD154 and CTLA‐4/CD152 when compared with controls. Except for higher production of IL‐4 after stimulation with anti‐CD3, T cells of CVID patients produced similar amounts of cytokines compared with controls. An imbalance between costimulatory molecules expression (CD28, CD40L/CD154 and CTLA‐4/CD152) and cytokine production by T cells does not explain a deficient cooperation between T and B cells in this group of CVID patients.
Nematode Infection in Alymphoplasia (aly) Mice: Worm Species‐Dependent Differential Effect of Defects of the Gut‐Associated Lymphatic Tissue System
Authors: Morimoto M. , Yamauchi Y. , Shinkawa S. , Ishiwata K. , Hayashi T.
Published: April 2006

Mice homologous for the alymphoplasia mutation (aly) show the systemic absence of secondary lymphoid tissues, with disorganized splenic architecture, including the absence of the germinal centre and follicular dendritic cells. In this study, we examined the influence of defects of gut‐associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), such as Peyer's patches and the mesenteric lymph nodes, on the host response to helminth infection in aly/aly mice. The present study showed that most of the worms were expelled by day 7 after Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection in both control aly/+ and aly/aly mice. In aly/aly mice, the number of peripheral blood eosinophils, intestinal goblet cells and mucosal mast cells were increased by N. brasiliensis infection in aly/aly mice to the same level as in the controls. Conversely, aly/aly mice developed more severe Heligmosomoides polygyrus infections than control aly/+ mice, as demonstrated by increased faecal egg counts, with reduced immune responses such as the numbers of intestinal goblet cells and mucosal mast cells. These results suggested that the dependency of GALT in activation of Th2 responses against gastrointestinal nematodes was different depending on the species of nematode.
The structure and kinematics of substrate entrainment into high‐concentration sandy turbidites: a field example from the Gorgoglione ‘flysch’ of southern Italy
Authors: BUTLER ROBERT W. H. , TAVARNELLI ENRICO
Published: April 2006

Sandy turbidites commonly show evidence for significant dynamic coupling with their substrate. The resulting deformation can be described using structural kinematic methods, linked to palaeoflow indicators, to better understand the links between flow and entrainment processes. A field example from the syn‐orogenic Gorgoglione Flysch, a succession of upper Miocene turbidites deposited into a deforming array of thrust‐top basins in the southern Apennine thrust belt, Italy, is described. The succession contains metre‐scale packages of alternating sandy turbidites and shales but is notable for containing > 100 m thick, massive sandbodies. These are structureless apart from sporadic horizons of aligned mud clasts. Commonly, the substrate beneath the massive sandbodies is deformed, with minor folds and thrusts verging in the direction of palaeoflow determined from tool marks and flutes at the base of these sandbodies. Structural studies from the base of a selected massive sandbody have identified that the substrate mud has been injected upwards, with flames sheared over in the direction of palaeoflow. Thus the substrate has deformed and become entrained during emplacement of the massive sandy body. At some locations, the substrate can be traced into the overlying deposit, with substrate clay beds becoming boudinaged and entrained into the sandbody. Analysis of the orientation of the mud clasts indicates that this bed disruption and incorporation into the sandy massive‐bed turbidite was an organized, viscous process. These features indicate that significant shear stress was partitioned out of the flow and onto the substrate. The incorporation and disruption of substrate into the sandbody suggest that post‐disruption strains increase upwards – implying that displacement gradients increased into the flow. These behaviours, showing variations in strain partitioning between the flow and its substrate, are explored in terms of evolving flow dynamics and substrate rheology.
Seroepidemiology of leptospirosis in southern Vietnamese children
Authors: Thai Khoa T. D. , Binh Tran Quang , Giao Phan Trong , Phuong Hoang Lan , Hung Le Quoc , Nam Nguyen Van , Nga Tran Thanh , Goris Marga G. A. , De Vries Peter J.
Published: April 2006

Objective  To estimate the seroprevalence of human leptospirosis in southern Vietnam.

Methods  All pupils (n = 961) of two primary schools in two communes in southern Vietnam were screened for the presence of serum Leptospira immunoglobulin (Ig)G. Leptospira IgM was tested in 92 randomly selected samples. IgM and IgG were tested with a commercially available enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results  Leptospira IgG was found in 123 (12.8%, 95% CI: 10.8–15.1) children with a male:female ratio of 1.5:1. At the age of 7 years the prevalence was 11%. Log‐linear binary regression of the IgG seroprevalence by age showed a mean seroconversion rate of 1.5% (95% CI: 1.23–1.75) per year. Five (5.4%, 95% CI: 2.3–12.1) samples were definitely positive for IgM. Presence of serum Leptospira IgG antibodies was significantly associated with swimming in rivers (RR: 1.745, 95% CI: 1.117–2.724) and wading through water (RR 1.793, 95% CI: 1.181–2.722).

Conclusion  Our data emphasize the importance of leptospirosis among children in Vietnam, despite the absence of severe disease, and stress the need for adequate and cheap diagnostics.
Linking the concept of scale to studies of biological diversity: evolving approaches and tools
Authors: Beever Erik A. , Swihart Robert K. , Bestelmeyer Brandon T.
Published: April 2006

Although the concepts of scale and biological diversity independently have received rapidly increasing attention in the scientific literature since the 1980s, the rate at which the two concepts have been investigated jointly has grown much more slowly. We find that scale considerations have been incorporated explicitly into six broad areas of investigation related to biological diversity: (1) heterogeneity within and among ecosystems, (2) disturbance ecology, (3) conservation and restoration, (4) invasion biology, (5) importance of temporal scale for understanding processes, and (6) species responses to environmental heterogeneity. In addition to placing the papers of this Special Feature within the context of brief summaries of the expanding literature on these six topics, we provide an overview of tools useful for integrating scale considerations into studies of biological diversity. Such tools include hierarchical and structural‐equation modelling, kriging, variable‐width buffers,k‐fold cross‐validation, and cascading graph diagrams, among others. Finally, we address some of the major challenges and research frontiers that remain, and conclude with a look to the future.
Practical sources of error in measuring pulmonary artery occlusion pressure: a study in participants of a special intensivist training program of The Scandinavian Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (SSAI)
Authors: Parviainen I. , Jakob S. M. , Suistomaa M. , Takala J.
Published: April 2006

Background:  Physiological data obtained with the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) are susceptible to errors in measurement and interpretation. Little attention has been paid to the relevance of errors in hemodynamic measurements performed in the intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of this study was to assess the errors related to the technical aspects (zeroing and reference level) and actual measurement (curve interpretation) of the pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP).

Methods:  Forty‐seven participants in a special ICU training program and 22 ICU nurses were tested without pre‐announcement. All participants had previously been exposed to the clinical use of the method. The first task was to set up a pressure measurement system for PAC (zeroing and reference level) and the second to measure the PAOP.

Results:  The median difference from the reference mid‐axillary zero level was − 3 cm (−8 to + 9 cm) for physicians and −1 cm (−5 to + 1 cm) for nurses. The median difference from the reference PAOP was 0 mmHg (−3 to 5 mmHg) for physicians and 1 mmHg (−1 to 15 mmHg) for nurses. When PAOP values were adjusted for the differences from the reference transducer level, the median differences from the reference PAOP values were 2 mmHg (−6 to 9 mmHg) for physicians and 2 mmHg (−6 to 16 mmHg) for nurses.

Conclusions:  Measurement of the PAOP is susceptible to substantial error as a result of practical mistakes. Comparison of results between ICUs or practitioners is therefore not possible.
Silene tatarica microsatellites are frequently located in repetitive DNA
Authors: Tero N. , Neumeier H. , Gudavalli R. , Schlötterer C.
Published: April 2006

The genomic distribution of microsatellites can be explained by DNA slippage, slippage like processes and base substitutions. Nevertheless, microsatellites are also frequently associated with repetitive DNA, raising the question of the relative contributions of these processes to microsatellite genesis. We show that in Silene tatarica about 50% of the microsatellites isolated by an enrichment cloning protocol are associated with repetitive DNA. Based on the flanking sequences, we distinguished seven different classes of repetitive DNA. PCR primers designed for the flanking sequences of an individual clone amplified a heterogeneous family of repetitive DNA. Despite considerable variation in the flanking sequence (π = 0.108), the microsatellite repeats did not show any evidence for decay. Rather, we observed the emergence of a new repeat type that probably arose by mutation and was spread by replication slippage. In fact, a complete repeat type switch could be observed among the analysed clones. We propose that the analysis of microsatellite sequences embedded in repetitive DNA provides a hitherto largely unexplored tool to study microsatellite evolution.
Successful treatment of Trichosporon mucoides infection with lipid complex amphotericin B and 5‐fluorocytosine
Authors: Kendirli Tanil , Ciftçi Ergin , İnce Erdal , Öncel Selim , Dalgiç Nazan , Güriz Haluk , Unal Emel , Dogru Ulker
Published: April 2006

Infections in immunocompromised children can stem from bacteria, fungi, viruses, or protozoa, but most importantly, from the host's endogenous bacterial flora. Disseminated infection caused by Trichosporon species is one of the emerging mycoses in neutropenic patients, particularly when they are treated for haematological malignancy with cytotoxic and immunosuppressive chemotherapy. We report a 15‐year‐old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, whose Trichosporon mucoides infection was successfully treated with lipid complex amphotericin B plus 5‐fluorocytosine.
Onychomycosis in a diabetic patient due to Trichophyton gallinae
Authors: Poblete‐Gutiérrez Pamela , Abuzahra Faris , Becker Francoise , Krause Heinrich , Merk Hans F. , Frank Jorge
Published: April 2006

A 67‐year‐old female suffering from diabetes mellitus type I revealed brownish‐yellow discolouration, subungual hyperkeratosis, and onychodystrophy of several finger nails. Upon culturing of nail specimens, Trichophyton gallinae could be repeatedly identified on Sabouraud glucose agar. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a human infection caused by this species in Germany. T. gallinae is a zoophilic dermatophyte that primarily infects higher animals, but can also be transmitted to humans sporadically. Herein, clinical, diagnostic, and epidemiological aspects of this zoophilic dermatophyte are briefly reviewed.
Ecological and evolutionary principles in immunology
Authors: Wodarz Dominik
Published: April 2006

Experimental immunology has given rise to detailed insights into how immune cells react to infectious agents and fight pathogens. At the same time, however, the interplay between infectious agents and immune responses can be viewed as an ecological systemin vivo. This is characterized by complex interactions between species of immune cells and populations of pathogens. This review discusses how an understanding of the immune system can be aided by the application of ecological and evolutionary principles: competition, predation, and the evolution of virusesin vivo. These concepts can shed light onto important immunological concepts such as the correlates of efficient virus control, immunodominance, the relationship between viral evolution and the development of pathology, as well as the ability of the immune system to control immunosuppressive infections.
Conditions Under Which Function Information Attenuates Name Extension via Shape
Authors: Truxaw Danielle , Krasnow Max M. , Woods Chantelle , German Tim P.
Published: April 2006

Children often extend names to novel artifacts on the basis of overall shape rather than core properties (e.g., function). This bias is claimed to reflect the fact that nonrandom structure is a reliable cue to an object having a specific designed function. In this article, we show that information about an object's design (i.e., about its creator's intentions) is neither necessary nor sufficient for children to override the shape bias. Children extend names on the basis of any information specifying the artifact's function (e.g., information about design, current use, or possible use), especially when this information is made salient when candidate objects for extension are introduced. Possible mechanisms via which children come to rely less on easily observable cues (e.g., shape) and more on core properties (e.g., function) are discussed.
Controlling the Integration of Emotion and Cognition
Authors: Beer Jennifer S. , Knight Robert T. , D'Esposito Mark
Published: April 2006

Emotion has been both lauded and vilified for its role in decision making. How are people able to ensure that helpful emotions guide decision making and irrelevant emotions are kept out of decision making? The orbitofrontal cortex has been identified as a neural area involved in incorporating emotion into decision making. Is this area's function specific to the integration of emotion and cognition, or does it more broadly govern whether emotional information should be integrated into cognition? The present research examined the role of orbitofrontal cortex when it was appropriate to control (i.e., prevent) the influence of emotion in decision making (Experiment 1) and to incorporate the influence of emotion in decision making (Experiment 2). Together, the two studies suggest that activity in lateral orbitofrontal cortex is associated with evaluating the contextual relevance of emotional information for decision making.
Vascularization of rat pituitary autografts
Authors: Lombardero Matilde , Quintanar‐Stephano Andres , Vidal Sergio , Horvath Eva , Kovacs Kalman , Lloyd Ricardo V. , Scheithauer Bernd W.
Published: April 2006

Pituitary autotransplantation eliminates direct vascular contact between the hypothalamus and the adenohypophysis, and enables us to study the role of the hypothalamus in regulating adenohypophysial endocrine activity. The aim of this study was to investigate vascularization of the pituitary autografts. Three‐month‐old male Wistar rats were hypophysectomized, and their adenohypophyses were autotransplanted under the renal capsule. The animals were killed 3 weeks after autotransplantation. The grafts were removed and studied by using histology, immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy. In the central portion of the grafts, organizing necrosis was apparent. The peripheral portion of the graft contained all adenohypophysial cell types, with a predominance of lactotrophs. Vascular endothelial growth factor and hypoxia‐inducible factor were expressed in the graft mainly in the perinecrotic areas. Several capillaries inside the grafts were lined by continuous unfenestrated epithelium, while others were lined by fenestrated endothelium, suggesting that neovascularization is the result of two processes: ingrowths of capillaries from the renal capsule to the graft, and neoformation of capillaries from pre‐existing adenohypophysial vessels. In conclusion, hypoxia seems to be an important factor in the vascularization of pituitary autografts. Mediated via hypoxia‐inducible factor, hypoxia stimulates vascular endothelial growth factor secretion, which plays a crucial role in angiogenesis.
Total number of neurons in the habenular nuclei of the rat epithalamus: a stereological study
Authors: Zhang Rong , Oorschot Dorothy E.
Published: April 2006

The total number of neurons in the medial and lateral habenular nuclei of the rat epithalamus was estimated using modern stereological counting methods and systematic random sampling techniques. Six to eight young adult male rats, and a complete set of serial 40‐µm glycolmethacrylate sections for each rat, were used to quantify neuronal numbers. After a random start, a systematic subset (e.g. every third) of the serial sections was used to estimate the total volume of each nucleus using Cavalieri's method. The same set of sampled sections was used to estimate the number of neurons in a known subvolume (i.e. the numerical density Nv) by the optical disector method. Multiplication of the total volume by Nv yielded the total number of neurons. It was found that the right medial habenular nucleus consisted, on average, of 18 000 neurons (with a coefficient of variation of 0.18), while the right lateral habenular nucleus had 13 000 neurons on average (0.14). These total neuronal numbers provide important data for the transfer of information through these nuclei and for species comparisons.
A new model for the morphology of the arrector pili muscle in the follicular unit based on three‐dimensional reconstruction
Authors: Song Wu‐Chul , Hwang Weon‐Jung , Shin Chuog , Koh Ki‐Seok
Published: April 2006

In the classic model of the arrector pili (AP) muscle, each hair follicle is independently associated with a single AP muscle. Recently, new models have been proposed based on interpretations of serial histological cross‐sectional images. The purpose of this study was to confirm the morphology of the AP muscle in relation to the follicular unit (FU) using quantitative three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction of serially sectioned images. Skin samples were obtained from the parietal region of the scalp, and processed using routine histological procedures. The serially sectioned slides were stained with Masson's trichrome. All the hairs and hair follicles of the FU exhibited some degree of slanting, with the single AP muscle slanted in the same direction. The distal portion of the AP muscle was divided into branches, as in a bronchial tree. There was branching in the single AP muscle present in the FU, and it was inserted into all the hair follicles of the FU either tightly or loosely. We suggest that the classic anatomy of the AP muscle must be modified with this new model, now confirmed by computer‐based 3D reconstruction.
Transforming growth factor β1 and ethanol affect transcription and translation of genes and proteins for cell adhesion molecules in B104 neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Miller Michael W. , Mooney Sandra M. , Middleton Frank A.
Published: April 2006

Transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 and ethanol retard the migration of young, post‐mitotic neurons to the developing cerebral cortex. The coordination of this migration depends upon cell adhesion proteins (CAPs). We examined the effects of TGFβ1 and ethanol on genes related to both TGF and CAPs. Rat B104 neuroblastoma cells were treated with TGFβ1 (0 or 10 ng/mL) and ethanol (0 or 400 mg/dL) for 6–48 h. Total RNA was purified from each sample and analyzed using the Rat U34A GeneChip (Affymetrix). Candidate genes were those up‐ or down‐regulated by either TGFβ1 or ethanol. Twenty transcripts of CAPs were identified as being expressed by B104 cells and as being affected by treatment with TGFβ1 or ethanol. The expression was verified for five representative genes (neural cell adhesion molecule, L1, and integrins α1, α7, and β1) using assays with real‐time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reactions. Each of these genes showed time‐dependent changes. The changes were reflected in increases in protein expression that appeared within 24 or 48 h. Thus, the effects of TGFβ1 and ethanol on CAPs parallel changes described in vivo and likely underlie changes associated with ethanol‐induced alterations in neuronal migration.
Radioiodine therapy in hyperthyroid disease: poorer outcome in patients with high 24 hours radioiodine uptake
Authors: Kristoffersen Ulrik Sloth , Hesse Birger , Rasmussen Åse Krogh , Kjær Andreas
Published: April 2006

Purpose:  To evaluate the importance of 24 h radioiodine uptake (24 h RIU) for the outcome of radioiodine treatment of hyperthyroidism.

Methods:  Retrospective analysis of 72 patients who underwent radioiodine treatment for toxic goiter at our outpatient clinic [29 diffuse goiters (DG), 30 toxic multinodular goiters (TMG) and 13 toxic adenomas (TA)]. Thyroid status was determined by TSH, fT3 and fT4 levels, and outcome was rendered successful when hyperthyroidism was absent. Relation between low 24 h RIU (below median) or high 24 h RIU (above or equal to median) and outcome was evaluated.

Results:  Of patients with DG and low 24 h RIU, 15% remained hyperthyroid, as opposed to 56% of patients with DG and high 24 h RIU (P<0·05). Of patients with TMG and low 24 h RIU, none remained hyperthyroid, as opposed to 44% of patients with TMG and high 24 h RIU (P<0·01). Of patients with TA and low 24 h RIU, none remained hyperthyroid, as opposed to 43% of patients with TA and high 24 h RIU (NS, P = 0·19).

Conclusion:  In patients with hyperthyroid disease treated with radioiodine the outcome is poorer for patients with high 24 h RIU compared with low 24 h RIU measured prior to treatment when the radioiodine dose is calculated on the basis of 24 h RIU.
Enhancing a sequence of facial images by combining multiple undersampled and compressed images
Authors: Scarmana Gabriel , Fryer John G.
Published: April 2006

The enhancement of a sequence of low‐resolution images of a human face into a single higher resolution composite poses a real problem in the fields of forensics and security. This is due to the substantial variations in appearance that faces undergo with changing illumination, orientation, scale, facial expressions and occlusions. In addition, faces often appear small in surveillance imagery because of the wide fields of view that are typically used and the relatively large distance between the cameras and the scene. A device‐independent algorithm for the estimation of an enhanced resolution image from multiple low‐resolution and non‐coplanar compressed images having arbitrary motion is proposed in this paper. The basic algorithm has previously been described but its application to enhancing images of objects, in this case a human face, with a range of scales and orientations is the extension detailed here.

The task of obtaining a super‐resolved image from a dynamic, undersampled and degraded image sequence can take advantage of the additional spatio‐temporal data available in the image sequence. In particular, camera and scene motion lead to frames containing similar, but not identical information. While the images may look similar to the human eye, the grey‐scale values of the individual pixels are sufficiently different to allow reconstruction of a super‐resolved image with wider bandwidth than that of any of the individual low‐resolution frames. The arbitrarily distorted images must be warped, firstly, to a common orientation so that a rigorous least squares area‐based matching technique can then compute the registration parameters needed for their accurate combination. The warping is an iterative process relying on manual intervention. Once all the low‐resolution images are brought into registration and comply with pre‐established image correlation criteria, they are combined using the algorithm to recover the desired high‐resolution composite. In addition to improving the spatial resolution of the undersampled sequence, the method may also attenuate compression artefacts.
Zonisamide Prophylaxis in Refractory Pediatric Headache
Authors: Pakalnis Ann , Kring Donna
Published: April 2006

Introduction.—Currently, no medications are approved for pediatric headache prophylaxis in the United States. Zonisamide is an antiepileptic drug with preliminary studies suggesting some efficacy in the adult headache population.

Methods.—A retrospective chart review was conducted on refractory headache patients in our multidisciplinary Headache Clinic who were treated with zonisamide, an antiepileptic drug, for headache prophylaxis. Records were reviewed for pertinent data including patient history, diagnosis, prior treatment regimens, and zonisamide response, along with headache frequency.

Results.—Twelve patients were identified (8 girls); mean age was 13.5 years. Eight of the 12 patients had a positive response to zonisamide with greater than 50% reduction in headaches from pretreatment values.

Conclusion.—Zonisamide had some efficacy in headache reduction. It was well tolerated with only minor side effects. Further prospective studies with zonisamide are warranted in refractory pediatric headache patients.
Different pathophysiological mechanisms of intramitochondrial iron accumulation in acquired and congenital sideroblastic anemia caused by mitochondrial DNA deletion
Authors: Matthes Thomas , Rustin Pierre , Trachsel Hedwige , Darbellay Régis , Costaridou S. , Xaidara A. , Rideau Alexandra , Beris Photis
Published: April 2006

Abstract:  Sideroblastic anemias (SA) are characterized by iron accumulation in the mitochondria of erythroblasts. Although we have evidence of mitochondrial gene alterations in sporadic congenital cases, the origin of acquired forms [refractory anemia with ring sideroblasts (RARS)], is still largely unknown. Here, we report the analysis of respiratory chain function in a patient with a large mitochondrial deletion and in patients with RARS. A young boy with SA showed symptoms typical of a mitochondrial disease with metabolic acidosis, muscle weakness and cerebral involvement. His bone marrow DNA was analyzed for the presence of mitochondrial deletions. We found a new mitochondrial (mt)DNA deletion spanning 3614 bp and including all the mt genes encoding complex IV, plus ATPase 6 and 8, and several transfer (t)RNAs. All tissues analyzed (liver, skeletal muscle, brain, pancreas) showed a heteroplasmic distribution of this mutant DNA. Bone marrow homogenates were obtained from five patients with RARS and from three patients with normal bone marrow and respiratory chain function assayed by spectrophotometric analysis. Cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) activity was greatly reduced in the patient's bone marrow. In contrast, CCO activity and global respiratory chain function were conserved in patients with RARS. We conclude that deficient CCO activity secondary to mtDNA deletions is related to intramitochondrial iron accumulation, as in our patient or in those with Pearson's syndrome, whereas other mechanisms, e.g. nuclear DNA mutations, have to be proposed to be involved in the acquired forms of SA.
The magnitude of muscle strain does not influence serial sarcomere number adaptations following eccentric exercise
Authors: Butterfield T. A. , Herzog W.
Published: April 2006

It is generally accepted that eccentric exercise, when performed by a muscle that is unaccustomed to that type of contraction, results in a delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS). A prolonged exposure to eccentric exercise leads to the disappearance of the signs and symptoms associated with DOMS, which has been referred to as the repeated bout effect (RBE). Although the mechanisms underlying the RBE remain unclear, several mechanisms have been proposed, including the serial sarcomere number addition following exercise induced muscle damage. In the traditional DOMS and RBE protocols, muscle injury has been treated as a global parameter, with muscle force and strain assumed to be uniform throughout the muscle. To assess the effects of muscle‐tendon unit strain, fiber strain, torque and injury on serial sarcomere number adaptations, three groups of New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits were subjected to chronic repetitive eccentric exercise bouts of the ankle dorsiflexors for 6 weeks. These eccentric exercise protocols consisted of identical muscle tendon unit (MTU) strain, but other mechanical factors were systematically altered. Following chronic eccentric exercise, serial sarcomere number adaptations were not identical between the three eccentric exercise protocols, and serial sarcomere number adaptations were not uniform across all regions of the muscle. Peak torque and relaxation fiber strain were the best predictors of serial sarcomere number across all three protocols. Therefore, MTU strain does not appear to be the primary cause for sarcomerogenesis, and differential adaptations within the muscle may be explained by the nonuniform architecture of the muscle, resulting in differential local fiber strains.
COMPARISON OF CONVENTIONAL SPIN‐ECHO AND FAST SPIN‐ECHO MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN THE CANINE BRAIN
Authors: SAGE JAIME E. , SAMII VALERIE F. , ABRAMSON CARLEY J. , GREEN ERIC M. , SMITH MARK , DINGUS CHERYL
Published: April 2006

T2‐weighted fast spin echo and conventional spin echo are two magnetic resonance (MR) pulse sequences used to image the brain. Given the same scan parameters the resolution of fast spin‐echo images will be inferior to that of conventional spin‐echo images. However, fast spin‐echo images can be acquired in a shorter time allowing scan parameters to be optimized for increased resolution without increasing the time to an unacceptable level. MR imaging of the brain of 54 dogs, suspected of having parenchymal brain abnormalities was performed using a 1.5 T scanner. Acquisition time ranged from 4 min 24 s to 7 min 16 s (average=5 min 15 s) for fast spin‐echo scans and from 6 min 32 s to 11 min 26 s (average=7 min 55 s) for conventional spin‐echo scans. All reviewers consistently rated the resolution of fast spin‐echo images higher than the conventional spin‐echo images (P=0.000). The potential disadvantages of fast spin‐echo acquisitions (motion artifacts, blurring, and increased hyperintensity of fat) did not affect the resolution of the images. Fast spin echo offers increased resolution in a comparable time to conventional spin echo by increased number of excitations and finer matrix size, thus improving the signal‐to‐noise ratio and spatial resolution, respectively.
CONGENITAL SCOLIOSIS IN A QUARTER HORSE FILLY
Authors: WONG DAVID , MILES KRISTINA , SPONSELLER BRETT
Published: April 2006

A 4‐week old Quarter Horse filly was evaluated for abnormal gait and lateral deviation of the cervical spine. Physical examination findings prompted radiographs and computed tomography of the thoracic vertebral column which revealed hypoplasia of several thoracic vertebral bodies and resultant scoliosis of the thoracic vertebral column and deviation of the left and right hemithoraces and associated ribs. Collectively, radiography and computed tomography provided an accurate description of the vertebral malformations resulting in scoliosis in this foal.
Structure of the complex of a yeast glucoamylase with acarbose reveals the presence of a raw starch binding site on the catalytic domain
Authors: Ševčík Jozef , Hostinová Eva , Solovicová Adriana , Gašperík Juraj , Dauter Zbigniew , Wilson Keith S.
Published: April 2006

Most glucoamylases (α‐1,4‐d‐glucan glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.3) have structures consisting of both a catalytic and a starch binding domain. The structure of a glucoamylase from Saccharomycopsis fibuligera HUT 7212 (Glu), determined a few years ago, consists of a single catalytic domain. The structure of this enzyme with the resolution extended to 1.1 Å and that of the enzyme–acarbose complex at 1.6 Å resolution are presented here. The structure at atomic resolution, besides its high accuracy, shows clearly the influence of cryo‐cooling, which is manifested in shrinkage of the molecule and lowering the volume of the unit cell. In the structure of the complex, two acarbose molecules are bound, one at the active site and the second at a site remote from the active site, curved around Tyr464 which resembles the inhibitor molecule in the ‘sugar tongs’ surface binding site in the structure of barley α‐amylase isozyme 1 complexed with a thiomalto‐oligosaccharide. Based on the close similarity in sequence of glucoamylase Glu, which does not degrade raw starch, to that of glucoamylase (Glm) from S. fibuligera IFO 0111, a raw starch‐degrading enzyme, it is reasonable to expect the presence of the remote starch binding site at structurally equivalent positions in both enzymes. We propose the role of this site is to fix the enzyme onto the surface of a starch granule while the active site degrades the polysaccharide. This hypothesis is verified here by the preparation of mutants of glucoamylases Glu and Glm.
Effects of Market and Regulatory Changes on Livestock Manure Management in Southern Alberta
Authors: Smith Elwin G. , Card Gordon , Young Douglas L.
Published: April 2006

A spatial model of intensive livestock production for a region in southern Alberta was used to evaluate the impact of economic factors and regulation on regional returns and optimal manure management. Under current conditions, profit maximizing application of manure met nitrogen requirements but phosphorus application was about three times the crop requirements. Higher commercial nitrogen prices did not significantly alter the optimal manure application, but reduced regional returns. With a phosphorus limit regulation, it was less costly to compost about half of the beef cattle manure to remove it from the region than to truck manure long distances to meet the regulation. A $0.91/t reduction in the costs of composting, or a subsidy to reduce costs, was required to meet the phosphorus regulation. The net costs of the subsidy were slightly less than that ofphosphorus regulation. Future research needs to explore the economic market and limitations of composting for manure management before any composting policy is initiated.

Nous avons utilisé un modèle spatial de la production animale intensive dans une région du sud de l'Alberta pour évaluer l'impact de la réglementation et de facteurs économiques sur les rendements économiques régionaux et la gestion optimale du fumier. Dans les conditions actuelles, l'épandage de fumier effectué en vue de maximiser les profits a respecté les exigences en azote, tandis que la quantité de phosphore était trois fois supérieure aux besoins des cultures. Le prix élevé de l'azote commercial n'a pas modifié de manière significative l'épandage optimal de fumier, mais a diminué les rendements économiques dans la région. En raison de la réglementation sur le taux d'application limite du phosphore, il a été moins coûteux de composter environ la moitié du fumier de bovins pour l'éliminer de la région que de le transporter par camion sur de longues distances. Pour respecter la réglementation sur le phosphore, il faudrait diminuer le coût du compostage de 0,91 $/tonne ou offrir une subvention équivalente pour diminuer les coûts. Les coûts nets de la subvention étaient légèrement inférieurs à ceux de la réglementation sur le phosphore. Des recherches ultérieures devront être effectuées pour explorer le marchééconomique et les limites du compostage dans le cadre de la gestion du fumier avant d'élaborer toute politique sur le compostage.
Simulation and Optimization of a Concentrated Photovoltaic System
Authors: Mahderekal I. , Halford C. K. , Boehm R. F.
Published: April 2006

Reported here is the development, using results of analysis and experiments, and optimization of a numerical model for a concentrated photovoltaic system. Models for the two major components of the system (cooling system and receiver) are developed separately from one another and then linked to simulate the performance for the entire system. The model is linked to yearly weather data and the optimization routines included in MATLAB are then used to select the input parameters (pump size, number of radiators, fan speed, etc.) which maximize the solar to electrical conversion efficiency of the system.
Temperature Moderation in a Real-Size Room by PCM-Based Units
Authors: Mozhevelov S. , Ziskind G. , Letan R.
Published: April 2006

The objective of this work is to study the feasibility of temperature moderation inside a room using a phase-change material (PCM) which is stored in storage units. A real-size room which is at temperature conditions typical in a desert region in summer is considered. The idea is to use a phase change material which could melt during the day hours, absorbing heat from the room, while at night it solidifies due to a low night temperature. The heat from the room air to a PCM unit is free or forced-convected. The numerical model includes the transient heat conduction inside the walls/ceiling, free/forced convection of air, and radiation inside the room. The processes inside the PCM are modeled by the effective heat capacity (EHC) method. The PCM is assumed to melt and solidify within a certain temperature range, which represents the true situation for most commercial-grade phase-change materials. The numerical calculations are performed for the transient temperature fields inside the three-dimensional room, including PCM in the units, walls/ceiling, and the interior of the room. The boundary conditions for the room are chosen according to the experimental data which were obtained in previous works. The basic conservation equations of continuity, momentum, and energy are solved numerically, using the FLUENT 6.1 software. The numerical simulations are performed for at least one full 24-hcycle. Effect of different parameters on the behavior of the system is discussed, including the mass of the PCM and radiation effects inside the room. The night cooling by free and forced convection is analyzed. It is shown that a complete 24-hcycle is feasible in a properly designed configuration with a suitable PCM.
A Two-Dimensional Model of a Double-Façade With Integrated Photovoltaic Panels
Authors: Charron R. , Athienitis A. K.
Published: April 2006

Building integrated photovoltaic (PV) systems that include heat capture are more cost effective than PV systems that generate only electricity. This paper presents a two-dimensional control-volume model for a double-façade with integrated PV. The model may be employed to determine maximum PV temperature. Good agreement with a one-dimensional analytical model is obtained for air temperature rise. Experiments in Montreal showed that air temperatures could increase by 20°C when passing air through a 1m high façade section, and maximum PV temperatures of close to 50°C could be reached even in −17°C weather for an air velocity of 0.6m∕s. The highest uncertainty in PV temperature prediction is due to the values of convective heat transfer coefficients from the literature which are generally lower than observed values.