bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal human platelet antigen‐1a antibody level correlates with the platelet count in the newborns: a retrospective study
Authors: Killie Mette Kjær , Husebekk Anne , Kaplan Cecile , Taaning Ellen , Skogen Bjørn
Published: November 2006

BACKGROUND: Maternal plasma and/or serum levels of anti‐HPA‐1a at delivery were compared to neonatal platelet (PLT) counts.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Samples from HPA‐1bb women who gave birth to children with thrombocytopenia or had anamnestic information about a previous child with neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) were collected at delivery. A modified monoclonal antibody immobilization of PLT antigen method was used for quantification of anti‐HPA‐1a.

RESULTS: The anti‐HPA‐1a level in women with severely thrombocytopenic children was higher than the corresponding level in mothers of children born with moderate thrombocytopenia or normal PLT counts.

CONCLUSION: Our data show a significant correlation between maternal anti‐HPA‐1a level and the neonatal PLT count and indicate strongly that this may be a reliable predictive measure for NAIT. Suitable test systems for quantitative measurements of anti‐HPA‐1a must be developed and evaluated for this particular purpose.
A prospective study on the prevalence and risk factors for neonatal thrombocytopenia and platelet alloimmunization among 9332 unselected Brazilian newborns
Authors: Castro Vagner , Kroll Hartmut , Origa Andréa F. , Falconi Mônica A. , Marques Sílvia B.D. , Marba Sérgio T. , Passini Renato , Annichino‐Bizzacchi Joyce M. , Costa Fernando F. , Santoso Sentot , Arruda Valder R.
Published: November 2006

BACKGROUND: Neonatal thrombocytopenia (NT) occurs in 0.5 to 0.9% of unselected Caucasian newborns. However, the prevalence of this complication in other populations is unknown. In this study the prevalence/causes of NT was determined in Brazilian newborns, a population characterized by admixture among Indigenous, Africans, and Caucasians.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study was carried out in a 3‐year period, to determine the prevalence and causes of thrombocytopenia in cord blood samples. Genotyping for HPA 1‐5 systems was performed in pairs of mother/neonates with and without thrombocytopenia. All mothers with genotypic mismatches from each group were tested for HPA‐specific antibody using the MAIPA technique to identify alloimmunization.

RESULTS: Platelet counts <100 × 109/L were detected in 1.5% of 9,332 unselected newborns. In 0.15%, platelet count was <50 × 109/L. Clinically significant bleeding was rare. Underlying diseases were present in 48% of the thrombocytopenic cases. HPA 1‐5 system genotype mismatches occurred in 50% of gestations, but did not predict the risk for thrombocytopenia. Notably, mismatched genotypes for HPA‐5 were slightly increased in the thrombocytopenic group. The presence of anti‐HPA‐5b antibodies was observed in 0.05% of unselected pregnancies, but increased to 12% among mothers of neonates with thrombocytopenia and mismatched genotype (N = 51).

CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal thrombocytopenia is common among Brazilian newborns at rates comparable with those described among Caucasians. These data suggest that screening for genotypic HPA mismatch, followed by an HPA‐specific immunoassay system, particularly for the HPA‐5 system, among mothers of newborns with thrombocytopenia in our population would allow the identification of pregnancies at risk of alloimmune thrombocytopenia.
Anti–hepatits B core antigen testing, viral markers, and occult hepatitis B virus infection in Pakistani blood donors: implications for transfusion practice
Authors: Bhatti Farhat Abbas , Ullah Zia , Salamat Nuzhat , Ayub Muhammad , Ghani Ejaz
Published: November 2006

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of anti–hepatitis B core antigen (HBc) and the impact of its testing along with other markers of hepatitis B, hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, hepatitis C virus antibody (anti‐HCV), and syphilis in Pakistani blood donors.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The study design was cross‐sectional. A total of 966 donors were selected randomly for testing of anti‐HBc and HBV markers, including HBV DNA, of 94,177 blood donors who were routinely screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti‐HCV, human immunodeficiency virus antibody (anti‐HIV), Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA), and malarial parasites from 2003 to October 2005.

RESULTS: The seroprevalence of various infectious markers was as follows: HBsAg, 2.16 percent; anti‐HCV, 4.16 percent; anti‐HIV, 0.004 percent; TPHA, 0.75 percent; and malaria, 0.002 percent. Anti‐HBc prevalence in HBsAg‐negative, HBV DNA–negative blood donors was 167 of 966 (17.28%), with 76 percent demonstrating anti‐HBs positivity. Younger donors with mean age of 25 years were exposed to HBV to a lesser extent compared to those with a mean age of 29 years. Anti‐HBc positivity was significantly higher in anti‐HCV–reactive individuals. HBV DNA was detectable in 5 blood donors who were HBsAg‐, anti‐HBc–positive and were categorized as having occult HBV infection.

CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that more than 17 percent of healthy, young blood donors in Pakistan are already exposed to HBV, with two‐thirds showing anti‐HBs levels of greater than 100 mIU per mL. One in 200 blood donors who are HBsAg‐, anti‐HBc–positive, however, have occult HBV infection, with likelihood of transmission of hepatitis B in recipients of blood components derived from them. HBsAg–negative individuals who are anti‐HBc–negative and those who are anti‐HBc–positive, anti‐HBs–positive, and HBV DNA–negative should be selected as regular blood donors to minimize transmission due to occult hepatitis B infection.
Monitoring survival and function of transfused platelets in Bernard‐Soulier syndrome by flow cytometry and a cone and plate(let) analyzer (Impact‐R)
Authors: Panzer Simon , Eichelberger Beate , Koren Daniela , Kaufmann Karin , Male Christoph
Published: November 2006

BACKGROUND: Bernard‐Soulier syndrome (BSS) patients may repeatedly require transfusion of platelets (PLTs). The hemostatic competence of transfused PLTs requires monitoring.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Flow cytometry and a cone and plate(let) analyzer (Impact‐R, DiaMed) were used to monitor survival and function of transfused PLTs in a 7‐year‐old girl with BSS undergoing surgery. Flow cytometry was applied to differentiate autologous PLTs from transfused PLTs by staining for CD42b. The Impact, which measures PLT adhesion and aggregation in response to high shear stress, was used to evaluate PLT function.

RESULTS: Transfused PLTs were detectable by flow cytometry for 1 week after transfusion. While the patient’s PLTs did not respond to high shear stress before transfusion, a normal response was documented by the Impact on the day after transfusion and 1 week thereafter.

CONCLUSION: Transfused PLTs were detectable by flow cytometry, and their functional activity was demonstrated by the Impact.
Collaborative Public Management: Assessing What We Know and How We Know It
Authors: McGuire Michael
Published: November 2006

Collaborative public management research is flourishing. A great deal of attention is being paid to the process and impact of collaboration in the public sector, and the results are promising. This article reviews the literature on collaborative public management by synthesizing what we know from recent research and what we’ve known for quite some time. It addresses the prevalence of collaboration (both recently and historically), the components of emerging collaborative structures, the types of skills that are unique to collaborative management, and the effects of collaboration. Collaborative public management research offers a set of findings that contribute to an emerging knowledge base that supplements established public management theory.
Ways of Knowing and Inclusive Management Practices
Authors: Feldman Martha S. , Khademian Anne M. , Ingram Helen , Schneider Anne S.
Published: November 2006

The authors engage structural and agentic perspectives to examine opportunities for deliberation and the purposeful role of managers in creating those opportunities. Drawing on actor‐network theory as a way of understanding the process of structuring knowledge, this essay focuses on the continuous enactment and reenactment of networks of human and nonhuman actants and the associations that connect them. This thinking is applied to policy issues, which the authors propose should be understood as ways of knowing. The fluidity of such ways of knowing provides opportunities for public managers to use the inclusive practices associated with boundary experiences, boundary objects, and boundary organizations to facilitate deliberation.
Collaborative Public Management and Democracy: Evidence from Western Watershed Partnerships
Authors: Leach William D.
Published: November 2006

This article provides a framework for assessing the democratic merits of collaborative public management in terms of seven normative ideals: inclusiveness, representativeness, impartiality, transparency, deliberativeness, lawfulness, and empowerment. The framework is used to analyze a random sample of 76 watershed partnerships in California and Washington State. The study reveals the exclusionary nature of some partnerships and suggests that critical stakeholders are missing from many partnerships. However, representation was generally balanced. National and statewide advocacy groups were absent from most of these place‐based partnerships; public agencies were the primary source of nonlocal perspectives. Deliberativeness was relatively strong, indicated by the prevalence of educational and fact‐finding strategies and participants’ perceptions of respectful discussion and improved social capital. Half the partnerships had implemented new policies, and two‐thirds of stakeholders believed their partnership had improved watershed conditions, indicating empowerment.
What Do We Know and Need to Know about the Environmental Outcomes of Collaborative Management?
Authors: Koontz Tomas M. , Thomas Craig W.
Published: November 2006

Many tout the benefits of collaborative environmental management as an alternative to centralized planning and command and control regulation, but the excitement over collaborative processes has not been matched by evidence that these processes actually improve the environment. The most crucial question in collaborative environmental management remains unanswered and often unasked: To what extent does collaboration lead to improved environmental outcomes? We know much about why collaboration is occurring and how collaborative processes and outputs vary. The primary goal of future research on collaborative environmental management should be to demonstrate whether collaboration improves environmental conditions more than traditional processes and newer market‐based processes. Collaboration is not a panacea; it is a choice that policy makers and public managers should make based on evidence about expected outcomes.
Collaboration and Leadership for Effective Emergency Management
Authors: Waugh William L. , Streib Gregory
Published: November 2006

Collaboration is a necessary foundation for dealing with both natural and technological hazards and disasters and the consequences of terrorism. This analysis describes the structure of the American emergency management system, the charts development of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and identifies conflicts arising from the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the attempt to impose a command and control system on a very collaborative organizational culture in a very collaborative sociopolitical and legal context. The importance of collaboration is stressed, and recommendations are offered on how to improve the amount and value of collaborative activities. New leadership strategies are recommended that derive their power from effective strategies and the transformational power of a compelling vision, rather than from hierarchy, rank, or standard operating procedures.
A short matrix‐version of the Edinburgh Depression Scale
Authors: Eberhard‐Gran M. , Eskild A. , Samuelsen S. O. , Tambs K.
Published: November 2006

Objective:  Given the importance of depression as a world health problem, depression assessment should be standard practice in large‐scale health surveys. The aim of the study was to construct a short matrix‐version of the Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS) that can be used in questionnaire studies.

Method:  On the basis of the complete EDS scale of ten items, answered by 2730 women, stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to find the combination of items that explains the maximum proportion of the variance of the full scale sum score. The selected EDS items were thereafter correlated with the Hopkins Symptom Check List (SCL‐25) for external validation.

Results:  The sum of five selected items from the EDS correlated at r = 0.96 with the full version. The EDS‐5 scores correlated strongly with the SCL‐25 (r = 0.75).

Conclusion:  The EDS‐5 version shows good psychometric properties and may, for some scientific purposes, substitute the full EDS scale.
Bindi dermatitis to ‘chandan’ bindi
Authors: Tewary M. , Ahmed I.
Published: November 2006

Bindi (meaning dot in Sanskrit) is a mark worn by most Indian women on their forehead for religious and social purposes. Traditionally it was worn by only Hindu women to signify their marital status. Nowadays, it is a huge fashion accessory, being worn in different sizes, shapes, designs and colours. The variety includes sequined designs, motifs dusted with gold and silver powder, studded with beads, or even surrounded by glittering gems. Stick‐on and liquid ranges are both equally in demand.

We report a case of bindi dermatitis with ‘chandan’ (sandalwood) bindi. To our knowledge this is the first report of contact allergic dermatitis to ‘chandan’ (sandalwood) bindi.
Allergic contact dermatitis from oleyl alcohol in Elidel® cream
Authors: Andersen Klaus Ejner , Broesby‐Olsen Sigurd
Published: November 2006

We report an atopic dermatitis patient with recurrent hand dermatitis who developed a severe allergic contact dermatitis from the use of Elidel® cream. Diagnostic patch tests showed an isolated contact allergy to the emulsifier oleyl alcohol present in the product. Pimecrolimus appeared to have had an aggravating effect on the dermatitis in spite of its immunosuppressive effects. The initial clinical appearance of the patient’s widespread dermatitis was atypical with resemblance to subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Even though emulsifiers are widely used in topical products, contact allergic reactions to these are relatively uncommon.
Allergic contact granuloma due to palladium following ear piercing
Authors: Goossens An , De Swerdt Ann , De Coninck Karen , Snauwaert Johan Ernest , Dedeurwaerder Marleen , De Bonte Marc
Published: November 2006

Two cases of sarcoidal‐type allergic contact granuloma due to metals in ear piercing are presented, the first to palladium (Pd) only, and the second to Pd and possibly also to other metals. Both the patients developed papulonodular lesions at the helices following ear piercing, which after 3–4 weeks, became more granulomatous and very resistant to treatment. Indeed, repeated intralesional injections with corticosteroids produced only a temporary regression of the lesions. Biopsies from the persistent granulomatous lesions from the helices in both the patients and the positive test to Pd in case 2, 3 weeks after the patch‐testing procedure, demonstrated epithelioid granulomas, with some multinucleate histiocytes surrounded by a lymphocytic–histiocytic infiltrate. Areas of fibrinoid necrosis were found in both the helix biopsies. An infectious pathology was excluded. Patch testing showed a strong positive reaction to Pd only in case 1 and to Pd and nickel in case 2. Chemical analysis of the earring of patient 1 confirmed the presence of Pd; however, analysis of the earrings of the second patient did not show the presence of Pd, but showed the presence of nickel and copper. Both the clinical and histological findings concur with some rarely reported similar observations in the literature.
Late skin reaction to iodixanol (Visipaque®): clinical manifestations, patch test study, and histopathological evaluation
Authors: Delgado‐Jimenez Yolanda , Perez‐Gala Silvia , Aragüés Maximiliano , Sanchez‐Perez Javier , Garcia‐Diez Amaro
Published: November 2006

Late reactions to iodinated contrast media are frequent. Cutaneous manifestations are the commonest, in which maculopapular exanthema, a type of cutaneous presentation, is widespread. Controversy exists about the utility of the skin test in the management of these reactions. The aim of this study is to analyse the clinical characteristics, the histopathological findings, and the results of the patch test in patients who developed a late skin reaction (LSR) to the nonionic, dimeric, iodinated contrast media Visipaque®. We retrospectively reviewed the patients with LSR to Visipaque®, seen in the Dermatology Department between 1999 and 2005. A total of 12 patients participated in this study (7 men and 5 women), ages ranging from 39 to 76 years (mean 56). 11 of the patients had significant medical history. All the patients developed a maculopapular exanthema between 2 hr and 3 days after the radiological examination, involving the trunk and proximal limbs, although some of the patients showed involvement of distal areas. The skin biopsy, performed in 6 patients, showed nonspecific findings consistent with drug reaction. In 3 patients, patch tests to Visipaque® and iodixanol were positive. The most frequent manifestation of LSR to iodixanol is a maculopapular exanthema, involving the trunk and the limbs, although distal involvement can be seen. Histopathological findings are nonspecific and cannot be distinguished from other drug reaction. Patch tests have a limited value, and in cases where they were negative, reintroduction of the drug triggered a new LSR.
Allergic contact dermatitis among maintenance and clerical workers in a military population
Authors: Slodownik Dan , Wohl Y Yonit , Mansura Adva , Moshe Shlomo , Sarbagil‐Maman Hagit , Shochat Tsipora , Levi Yehezkel , Brenner Sarah , Ingber Arieh
Published: November 2006

Contact dermatitis is one of the leading causes of occupational morbidity and absenteeism and has become an intolerable cause of missed workdays and health problems in the Israeli military. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of contact dermatitis in maintenance and clerical workers, the common allergens causing it, and the background of atopy in the subjects in order to design preventive measures. Medical records of all recruits to the Israel Defense Forces from 2000 to 2003 were reviewed for contact dermatitis. The 102 cases found were further assessed for job assignment, atopic background, and allergens. Of the 102 cases, 60 had irritant contact dermatitis and 42 had allergic contact dermatitis, of which 33 (78.6%) were maintenance workers, mainly mechanics. 13 soldiers in the maintenance job category (39%) and 2 soldiers in the clerical group (22.2%) had atopic background. There were 55 positive reactions in patch tests, 25 of them to oil and cooling fluids, with 14.5% attributed to methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone) (Kathon CG). Atopy was found to be a risk factor for allergic contact dermatitis in our study and should be screened for in job assignment procedures in the military. Oil and greases contain significant allergens, especially their preservatives.
Elicitation response characteristics to permanent hair dye in paraphenylenediamine‐allergic volunteers
Authors: Jowsey Ian R. , Basketter David A. , McFadden John P. , Kullavanijaya Preya , Duangdeeden Imelda
Published: November 2006

Background:  Elicitation response characteristics to complete permanent hair dye products in paraphenylenediamine (PPD)‐allergic volunteers have not previously been explored in detail.

Objectives:  To assess the elicitation response characteristics observed in PPD‐allergic volunteers upon patch testing with complete hair dyes.

Methods:  PPD‐allergic volunteers were assigned to 1 of 3 groups depending upon whether they elicited + (group 1), ++ (group 2) or +++ (group 3) reactions following the standard diagnostic procedure. Each group was subsequently patch tested with 2 complete hair dyes (A and B) for 30 min, 1 hr and 24 hr. Patch sites were examined 1 day, 2 days and 3 days after patch removal.

Results:  Exposure to either hair dye for 30 min or 1 hr was insufficient to yield positive patch test reactions in all of the PPD‐allergic patients in groups 1 or 2. Application of either hair dye for 24 hr was sufficient to yield positive reactions in all of the individuals within groups 2 and 3.

Conclusions:  The frequency of positive patch test reactions observed following 24‐hr exposure to complete permanent hair dyes is comparable to that observed following 48‐hr exposure to 1% PPD/petrolatum in those individuals whose degree of sensitization is such that they typically present ++ or +++ reactions diagnostically.
OEESC‐2005 – Summing up on the theme Irritants and Wet Work
Authors: Flyvholm Mari‐Ann , Lindberg Magnus
Published: November 2006

The aim of this paper was to summarize the presentations and discussions on the theme Irritants and Wet Work at the second conference on Occupational and Environmental Exposures of Skin to Chemicals held in Stockholm June 2005 (OEESC‐2005) to bring the focus points to a broader group of professionals and stimulate further discussions. Occupational skin diseases are common diseases with a huge potential for prevention. The risk factors are mostly well known, and the ongoing high occurrence of occupational skin diseases may be seen as a paradox problem. Although all mechanisms involved in occupational skin diseases are not shown throughout, much is known. The existing knowledge justifies the relevance of reducing exposure and introducing prevention programmes. The questions identified for further research included an internationally agreed‐upon definition of wet work; better methods to assess the exposure to wet work; the effect of combined exposure to water and water‐soluble irritants; the importance of wet work with frequent/short wet–dry cycles versus working longer periods with wet hands; testing skin protection and skin care products; long‐term skin effects from alcohol‐based hand disinfectants; workplace testing of evidence‐based prevention programmes in prospective randomized, controlled intervention studies.
Evidence supporting the use of melatonin in short gestation infants
Authors: Jan James E. , Wasdell Michael B. , Freeman Roger D. , Bax Martin
Published: November 2006

Abstract:  Pineal melatonin regulates circadian rhythms and influences sleep. Melatonin also has protective actions against tissue damage from free‐radicals and other toxins. Evidence is presented that this indoleamine is involved in pre‐ and postnatal brain (and ocular) development and intrauterine growth. In the absence of maternal melatonin, short gestation infants have a prolonged period of melatonin deficiency. Melatonin supplementation, which has a benign safety profile, may help reduce complications in the neonatal period that are associated with short gestation. We believe that this treatment might result in a wide range of health benefits, improved quality of life and reduced healthcare costs.
Embryonic holoprosencephaly: pathology and phenotypic variability
Authors: Yamada Shigehito
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT  Holoprosencephaly (HPE) is one of the major brain anomalies caused by the failure of cleavage of the prosencephalon during the early stage of development. Over 200 cases of HPE in the Kyoto Collection of Human Embryos were observed grossly and histologically, with special emphasis on the anomalies of the brain, face and eye. The facial anomalies of HPE human embryos after Carnegie stage (CS) 18 could be classified into cyclopia, synophthalmia, ethmocephaly, cebocephaly, and premaxillary agenesis, similarly as the classical classification for postnatal cases. On the other hand, HPE embryos at CS 13–17 showed some characteristic facies which are different from those in older embryos. In the present paper, pathology and phenotypic variability in HPE embryos were discussed from the embryopathological point of view. Recently, the molecular mechanism of HPE has been clarified by the techniques of gene manipulation, and various HPE genes have been identified by gene analysis of familial HPE cases. HPE is one of the major CNS anomalies which have been extensively studied and provides a clue to the mechanisms of normal and abnormal development of craniofacial structures.
Descriptive epidemiology of hemivertebrae, Hawaii, 1986–2002
Authors: Forrester Mathias B. , Merz Ruth D.
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT  The intent of this study was to report on the epidemiology of hemivertebrae. Cases were derived from a population‐based birth defects registry in Hawaii and comprised all infants and fetuses with hemivertebrae delivered during 1986–2002. Hemivertebrae rates per 10 000 births were determined for selected factors and comparisons made by calculating the rate ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Forty‐two cases of hemivertebrae were identified, for a total rate of 1.33. Forty‐one of the cases were live births, of which 26.83% expired within one year after delivery. Other major structural birth defects were found in 95.24% of the cases. The most frequent associated defect was scoliosis, affecting 54.76% of the cases. The rate among females was significantly lower than among males (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.23–0.94). The rate was lower with maternal age ≥35 years (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.10–1.57) and higher with birth weight <2500 g (RR 5.96, 95% CI 2.84–11.90) and gestational age <38 weeks (RR 3.94, 95% CI 2.01–7.64). The majority of hemivertebrae cases had other major structural birth defects. Hemivertebrae occurred predominantly among males and risk was lower with increased maternal age. Rates for hemivertebrae were higher with lower birth weight and gestational age. Further population‐based research involving larger study populations are recommended to confirm these observations.
Histological brain alterations following prenatal methamphetamine exposure in rats
Authors: Cui Chun , Sakata‐Haga Hiromi , Ohta Ken‐ichi , Nishida Manami , Yashiki Mikio , Sawada Kazuhiko , Fukui Yoshihiro
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT  When pregnant women abuse methamphetamine, the foremost concern is the potential adverse effect of this substance on fetal development. Clinical studies in humans have found that exposure to methamphetamine during brain development can cause neurobehavioral abnormalities, such as aggressive behavior, learning problems, and poor social adaptation. In the present study, we examined the effects of prenatal methamphetamine exposure on brain development in rats. The first group of pregnant rats was administered methamphetamine at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day during gestational day (GD 10 to GD 20 [MA]. The second group of pregnant rats was injected with saline vehicle only [SAL]. On GD 21 their fetuses were removed and fetal brains were observed. We found various types of morphological damage in MA fetal brains, including microgyria, ectopia, and hemorrhage. In some cases, abnormal distribution of the leptomeninx, such as breach or accumulation, was observed in addition to these histological abnormalities. Therefore, we examined the expression of laminin, which is an important component of the pia mater, in the fetal brains. However, Western blot analysis revealed that there was no difference in expression amount of laminin in whole fetal brain between the MA and SAL groups. We concluded that methamphetamine use during pregnancy can cause histological brain alterations in fetuses. Morphological alterations of brain seen in the present study and previous human studies following prenatal exposure to methamphetamine might be related to the neurobehavioral abnormalities seen in patients who had been exposed to methamphetamine in utero.
Age‐related changes in growth hormone‐immunoreactive cells in the anterior pituitary gland of Jcl: Wistar‐TgN (ARGHGEN) 1Nts rats (Mini rats)
Authors: Matsumoto Yoshiki , Tsukamoto Yasuhiro , Miki Takanori , Ogawa Kazushige , Lee Kyoung‐Youl , Yokoyama Toshifumi , Satriotomo Irawan , Li Hong‐Peng , Gu He , Wang Zhi‐Yu , Karasawa Shigeru , Ueda Susumu , Sasaki Fumihiko , Takeuchi Yoshiki
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT  Rats of the Jcl: Wistar‐TgN (ARGHGEN) 1Nts strain (Mini rats) are transgenic animals carrying an antisense RNA transgene for rat growth hormone (GH); they show poor somatic growth and a low blood GH level compared to age‐matched wild‐type Wistar (non‐Mini) rats. The purpose of the present study was to investigate age‐related changes in growth hormone‐immunoreactive (GH‐IR) cells in the anterior pituitary gland (AP) of Mini rats at four, six, and eight weeks of age. The body weight and size of the GH‐IR cells of Mini rats was significantly lower than that of non‐Mini rats at six and eight weeks of age; however, this difference was not observed at four weeks of age. The AP volume and the number of GH‐IR cells in Mini rats were significantly smaller than those of the age‐matched non‐Mini rats at the three ages. These results suggest that the abnormal development of GH‐IR cells in the AP induced by the GH antisense RNA transgene is responsible for the poor somatic growth and the low blood GH levels in Mini rats.
Nitrogen use efficiency. 1. Uptake of nitrogen from the soil
Authors: Lea P.J. , Azevedo R.A.
Published: November 2006

The nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of crop plants can be expressed very simply as the yield of nitrogen per unit of available nitrogen in the soil. This NUE can be divided into two processes: uptake efficiency, the ability of the plant to remove N from the soil normally present as nitrate or ammonium ions, and the utilisation efficiency, the ability of the plant to transfer the N to the grain, predominantly present as protein. In this article, we have highlighted the latest developments in the isolation and characterisation of the genes involved in the uptake of nitrogen from the soil.
Cell Signaling and Trafficking of Human Melanocortin Receptors in Real Time Using Two‐photon Fluorescence and Confocal Laser Microscopy: Differentiation of Agonists and Antagonists
Authors: Cai Minying , Varga Eva V. , Stankova Magda , Mayorov Alexander , Perry Joseph W. , Yamamura Henry I. , Trivedi Dev , Hruby Victor J.
Published: November 2006

Melanocortin hormones and neurotransmitters regulate a vast array of physiologic processes by interacting with five G‐protein‐coupled melanocortin receptor types. In the present study, we have systematically studied the regulation of individual human melanocortin receptor wild subtypes using a synthetic rhodamine‐labeled human melanotropin agonist and antagonist, arrestins fused to green fluorescent protein in conjunction with two‐photon fluorescence laser scanning microscopy and confocal microscopy. Stimulation of the melanocortin receptors by its cognate agonist triggered rapid arrestin recruitment and receptor internalization for all four human melanocortin receptors examined. Antagonists‐bound melanocortin receptors, on the other hand, did not recruit β‐arrestins, and remained in the cell membrane even after long‐term (30 min) treatment. Agonist‐mediated internalization of all melanocortin receptor subtypes was sensitive to inhibitors of clathrin‐dependent endocytosis, but not to caveolae inhibitors. In summary, agonist‐mediated internalization of all subtypes of melanocortin receptors are dependent upon β‐arrestin‐mediated clathrin‐coated pits, whereas, β‐arrestin‐2 conjugated green fluorescence protein (β‐arrestin‐2‐GFP) recruitment is not dependent on protein kinase A activation. Real time two‐photon fluorescence laser scanning microscopy is a most powerful tool to study the dynamic processes in living cells and tissues, without inflicting significant and often lethal damage to the specimen.
Ensembles of Bayesian‐regularized Genetic Neural Networks for Modeling of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition by Huprines
Authors: Fernández Michael , Caballero Julio
Published: November 2006

Acetylcholinesterase inhibition was modeled for a set of huprines using ensembles of Bayesian‐regularized Genetic Neural Networks. In the Bayesian‐regularized Genetic Neural Network approach the Bayesian regularization avoids overfitted regressions and the genetic algorithm allows exploring a wide pool of three‐dimensional descriptors. The predictive capacity of our selected model was evaluated by averaging multiple validation sets generated as members of neural network ensembles. When 60 members are assembled, the neural network ensemble provides a reliable measure of training and test set R2‐values of 0.945 and 0.850 respectively. In other respects, the ability of the nonlinear selected genetic algorithm space for differentiate the data were evidenced when total data set was well distributed in a Kohonen self‐organizing map. The analysis of the self‐organizing map zones allows establishing the main structural features differentiated by our vectorial space.
Synthesis of Overlapping Fibrin Citrullinated Peptides and their use for Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Pérez María L. , Gómara María J. , Kasi Devi , Alonso Ana , Viñas Odette , Ercilla Guadalupe , Sanmartí Raimon , Haro Isabel
Published: November 2006

With the aim of developing a new enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay test to detect autoantibodies in the sera of rheumatoid arthritis patients with a high sensitivity and specificity using synthetic citrullinated peptides of fibrin (which is abundant in rheumatoid synovium) as antigenic substract, peptides belonging to α‐ and β‐fibrin chains were selected by computer‐aided prediction of antigenicity and epitope mapping and synthesized in solid phase. We analysed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay 133 sera from patients with well‐characterized rheumatic diseases, including 67 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The results of the immunoassays reported highlight the usefulness of fibrin‐related peptides in rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis and, especially, the ability and specificity of the [Cit621,627,630]α‐fibrin(617–631) (αfib617) peptide sequence to recognize the autoantibodies that are present in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
The effect of current grain feeding practices on hindgut starch fermentation and acidosis in the Australian racing Thoroughbred
Authors: Richards N , Hinch GN , Rowe JB
Published: November 2006

A survey of 72 thoroughbred trainers in several regions of NSW was conducted to better define current grain feeding practices, and the risks involved with grain feeding in the Australian thoroughbred racing industry. Results from the survey indicate that horses in the industry are currently being fed an average of 7.3 ± 0.23 kg of grain concentrate per day, with oats, commercial pre‐mixed diets and corn most commonly used. The feeding of extruded, micronised and steam flaked grains was uncommon.

The results of grain and faecal sample analyses conducted during the survey indicate that incomplete starch digestion in the equine small intestine and subsequent hindgut starch fermentation and low hindgut pH are common. These observations quantify the adverse impact of current grain feeding practices on faecal measures of gut health and demonstrate that when selecting grains for use in the thoroughbred racehorse, greater emphasis should be placed on the starch digestibility characteristics of grains.
Comment on "Statistical Independence of Escalatory Ecological Trends in Phanerozoic Marine Invertebrates"
Authors: Roopnarine Peter D. , Angielczyk Kenneth D. , Hertog Rachel
Published: November 2006

The analysis of Madin
et al
. (Reports, 12 May 2006, p. 897) of Phanerozoic diversity failed to support expected correlations between carnivores and noncarnivores, leading the authors to reject escalation as an important macroevolutionary process. The test, however, is based on a flawed model of causality, and the ecological groups are improperly delineated with regard to the hypothesis.
Comment on "Statistical Independence of Escalatory Ecological Trends in Phanerozoic Marine Invertebrates"
Authors: Dietl Gregory P. , Vermeij Geerat J.
Published: November 2006

Madin
et al
. (Reports, 12 May 2006, p. 897) reported that escalation has not been an important cause of biological change throughout the history of life. However, they evaluated the escalation hypothesis with inappropriate data. First, global-scale data integrate heterogeneous signals that obscure the economic context of life. Second, diversity data cannot yield information about selection and adaptation.
Low-Field Magnetic Separation of Monodisperse Fe
3
O
4
Nanocrystals
Authors: Yavuz Cafer T. , Mayo J. T. , Yu William W. , Prakash Arjun , Falkner Joshua C. , Yean Sujin , Cong Lili , Shipley Heather J. , Kan Amy , Tomson Mason , Natelson Douglas , Colvin Vicki L.
Published: November 2006

Magnetic separations at very low magnetic field gradients (<100 tesla per meter) can now be applied to diverse problems, such as point-of-use water purification and the simultaneous separation of complex mixtures. High–surface area and monodisperse magnetite (Fe
3
O
4
) nanocrystals (NCs) were shown to respond to low fields in a size-dependent fashion. The particles apparently do not act independently in the separation but rather reversibly aggregate through the resulting high-field gradients present at their surfaces. Using the high specific surface area of Fe
3
O
4
NCs that were 12 nanometers in diameter, we reduced the mass of waste associated with arsenic removal from water by orders of magnitude. Additionally, the size dependence of magnetic separation permitted mixtures of 4- and 12-nanometer–sized Fe
3
O
4
NCs to be separated by the application of different magnetic fields.
Ecological Role of Purple Sea Urchins
Authors: Pearse John S.
Published: November 2006

Sea urchins are major components of marine communities. Their grazing limits algal biomass, and they are preyed upon by many predators. Purple sea urchins (

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

) are among the best studied species. They live in environments that alternate between two stable states: luxuriant, species-rich kelp forests and sea urchin–dominated “barrens.” The transition from one state to the other can be initiated by several factors, including the abundance of algal food, predators, storm intensities, and incidence of disease. Purple sea urchins compete with other grazers, some of which are important fishery resources (such as abalones and red sea urchins), and they are harvested for scientific research. Revelations from their genome will lead to a better understanding of how they maintain their ecological importance, and may in turn enhance their economic potential.
Predators Accelerate Nutrient Cycling in a Bromeliad Ecosystem
Authors: Ngai Jacqueline T. , Srivastava Diane S.
Published: November 2006

Conventional ecological theory predicts that predators affect nutrient cycling by decreasing the abundance or activity of prey. By using a predator-detritivore-detritus food chain in bromeliads, we show that predators can increase nutrient cycling by a previously undescribed, but broadly applicable, mechanism: reducing nutrient export by prey emigration. Contrary to expectations, predation on detritivores increases detrital nitrogen uptake by bromeliads. Predation reduces detritivore emergence and hence export of nitrogen from the system. Detritivores therefore benefit their host plant, but only when predators are present. More generally, our results show that predator loss or extinction can dramatically and unexpectedly affect ecosystem functioning.
Ion Selectivity in a Semisynthetic K
+
Channel Locked in the Conductive Conformation
Authors: Valiyaveetil Francis I. , Leonetti Manuel , Muir Tom W. , MacKinnon Roderick
Published: November 2006

Potassium channels are K
+
-selective protein pores in cell membrane. The selectivity filter is the functional unit that allows K
+
channels to distinguish potassium (K
+
) and sodium (Na
+
) ions. The filter's structure depends on whether K
+
or Na
+
ions are bound inside it. We synthesized a K
+
channel containing the
d
-enantiomer of alanine in place of a conserved glycine and found by x-ray crystallography that its filter maintains the K
+
(conductive) structure in the presence of Na
+
and very low concentrations of K
+
. This channel conducts Na
+
in the absence of K
+
but not in the presence of K
+
. These findings demonstrate that the ability of the channel to adapt its structure differently to K
+
and Na
+
is a fundamental aspect of ion selectivity, as is the ability of multiple K
+
ions to compete effectively with Na
+
for the conductive filter.
Direct Measurement of the Full, Sequence-Dependent Folding Landscape of a Nucleic Acid
Authors: Woodside Michael T. , Anthony Peter C. , Behnke-Parks William M. , Larizadeh Kevan , Herschlag Daniel , Block Steven M.
Published: November 2006

Nucleic acid hairpins provide a powerful model system for understanding macromolecular folding, with free-energy landscapes that can be readily manipulated by changing the hairpin sequence. The full shapes of energy landscapes for the reversible folding of DNA hairpins under controlled loads exerted by an optical force clamp were obtained by deconvolution from high-resolution, single-molecule trajectories. The locations and heights of the energy barriers for hairpin folding could be tuned by adjusting the number and location of G:C base pairs, and the presence and position of folding intermediates were controlled by introducing single-nucleotide mismatches.
Genomic Insights into the Immune System of the Sea Urchin
Authors: Rast Jonathan P. , Smith L. Courtney , Loza-Coll Mariano , Hibino Taku , Litman Gary W.
Published: November 2006

Comparative analysis of the sea urchin genome has broad implications for the primitive state of deuterostome host defense and the genetic underpinnings of immunity in vertebrates. The sea urchin has an unprecedented complexity of innate immune recognition receptors relative to other animal species yet characterized. These receptor genes include a vast repertoire of 222 Toll-like receptors, a superfamily of more than 200 NACHT domain–leucine-rich repeat proteins (similar to nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain (NOD) and NALP proteins of vertebrates), and a large family of scavenger receptor cysteine-rich proteins. More typical numbers of genes encode other immune recognition factors. Homologs of important immune and hematopoietic regulators, many of which have previously been identified only from chordates, as well as genes that are critical in adaptive immunity of jawed vertebrates, also are present. The findings serve to underscore the dynamic utilization of receptors and the complexity of immune recognition that may be basal for deuterostomes and predicts features of the ancestral bilaterian form.
An Honest and Deceitful Review
Authors: LeVan Katherine E. , Wilson-Rich Noah
Published: November 2006

The Evolution of Animal Communication
. Reliability and Deception in Signaling Systems.
By William A. Searcy and Stephen Nowicki
. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ. 2005. 286 pp. $85, £55, ISBN 0-691-070946. Paper, $39.50, £26.95. ISBN 0-691-07095-4. Monographs in Behavior and Ecology

Through considerations of such phenomena as nestling begging, alarm notes, mating calls, carotenoid coloration, and threat displays, the authors examine the dependability of animal communication systems.
The Sea Urchin Genome: Where Will It Lead Us?
Authors: Davidson Eric H.
Published: November 2006

The sea urchin genome reveals large domains of biology heretofore unexplored at the genome level, as this is the first nonchordate deuterostome sequence. The sequence will accelerate progress toward complete understanding of the genomic regulatory system that controls developmental specification and morphogenetic function, thus illuminating basic developmental process in all animals.
Some Noble Causes from Nobelists
Authors: Wynn Anita C.
Published: November 2006

Nobelity
.
By Turk Pipkin
. Monterey Media, Thousand Oaks, CA, 2006. 84 minutes. DVD, $24.95.
www.nobelitythemovie.com

Nine recent Nobelists identify crucial global concerns, explain why we need to act now, and suggest how we can begin to solve the problems.
Enhancement of Umbilical Cord Blood Cell Hematopoiesis by Maitake Beta-Glucan Is Mediated by Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Production
Authors: Lin Hong , Cheung Sandy W. Y. , Nesin Mirjana , Cassileth Barrie R. , Cunningham-Rundles Susanna
Published: November 2006

Maitake beta-glucan (MBG) is an extract from the fruit body of theGrifola frondosamushroom that is being widely used to treat cancer in Asia. We have previously reported that MBG enhances mouse bone marrow cell (BMC) hematopoiesis in vitro and protects BMC from doxorubicin (DOX) toxicity. In the current study, we investigated the ability of MBG to enhance hematopoiesis and to reduce the toxic effects of DOX on fresh human umbilical cord blood (CB) cells. MBG treatment significantly enhanced the colony formation unit (CFU) response of granulocytes-macrophages (CFU-GM response) over the whole dose range of 12.5 to 100 μg/ml (P< 0.05). The addition of MBG to DOX-treated CB cells significantly protected granulocyte-macrophage colony formation from the toxicity of DOX, which otherwise produced strong hematopoietic repression. MBG also partially replaced recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF), as shown by a significant augmentation of the CFU-GM response in the absence of rhG-CSF. We found that MBG induces granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) production in CB CD33+monocytes, as detected by intracellular cytokine flow cytometric assessment. In contrast, we found that adult peripheral blood monocytes did not produce a significant G-CSF response to MBG, whereas both adult and CB monocytes produced G-CSF in response to lipopolysaccharide. These studies provide the first evidence that MBG induces hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and differentiation of CFU-GM in umbilical CB cells and acts directly to induce G-CSF.
Accuracy of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Using Crude and Purified Antigens for Serodiagnosis of Melioidosis
Authors: Chantratita Narisara , Wuthiekanun Vanaporn , Thanwisai Aunchalee , Limmathurotsakul Direk , Cheng Allen C. , Chierakul Wirongrong , Day Nicholas P. J. , Peacock Sharon J.
Published: November 2006

Five enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays developed to detect antibodies to different
Burkholderia pseudomallei
antigen preparations were evaluated as diagnostic tests for melioidosis in northeast Thailand. The highest diagnostic indices were observed for an affinity-purified antigen (sensitivity, 82%; specificity, 72%) and crude
B. pseudomallei
antigen (sensitivity, 81%; specificity, 70%), an improvement over the indirect hemagglutination assay (sensitivity, 73%; specificity, 64%).