bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compaction of Corn Distillers Dried Grains
Authors: Xu Yixiang , Hanna Milford A. , Weber Robert
Published: March 2008

Corn distillers dried grains (DDGS) were compacted into cylindrical pellets (3.5 cm in length, 1.5 cm in diameter) utilizing a closed‐end die under axial stress from a vertical piston applied by an Instron universal testing machine. The effects of independent variables, including the raw material moisture content (25–35% db), processing temperature (100–120°C), pressure (12.5–37.5 MPa), and dwell time (5–15 sec) on pellet density, durability, and stability were determined using response surface methodology. Moisture content, temperature, and pressure significantly affected (P < 0.05) the properties of DDGS pellets, while the influence of dwell time was negligible (P > 0.05). Increasing temperature initially increased and then decreased unit density. High moisture and pressure had favorable effects on unit density and durability rating. The density ratio increased with increasing pressure and moisture content. The results suggested technical feasibility of compacting DDGS. For the range of variables tested, optimum levels were identified as 34.6% moisture content, 107°C press temperature, and 36.8 MPa pressure to obtain maximum durability and density and acceptable dimensional stability.
Measurement of Wheat Hardness by Seed Scarifier and Barley Pearler and Comparison with Single‐Kernel Characterization System
Authors: Liu KeShun
Published: March 2008

A new procedure based on a seed scarifier (SS) for measuring wheat hardness was described and investigated along with methods using a barley pearler (BP) and the single kernel characterization system (SKCS). Hardness measured by SS and BP is expressed as a percentage of kernel weight remaining after abrading and defined as abrasion resistance index (ARI). For a given sample weight, increased abrading time decreased ARI but improved the ability to differentiate variation among samples. The effect of sample moisture was also statistically significant. For improved performance of SS and BP, based on distinct patterns of relationships between surface removal rates and surface removal levels among soft and hard wheats, a combination of parameters that produces ARI values in the range of 80–20, and a run for a set of reference material are recommended. Differences in measured hardness values from SS, BP, and SKCS existed within a wheat group, but they were very much method‐dependent. Nevertheless, all methods were able to differentiate variations between soft and hard wheat groups. Because of low cost, durability, simplicity, repeatability, and aforementioned ability, SS and BP, although limited by lack of standardization and calibration procedures, can still be useful for grain hardness measurement, particularly when and where instruments for contemporary popular methods such as SKCS and near‐infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy are not readily available.
Green Fluorescent Protein as a Tissue Marker in Transgenic Maize Seed
Authors: Shepherd C. T. , Vignaux N. , Peterson J. M. , Johnson L. A. , Scott M. P.
Published: March 2008

Seed tissues (endosperm, embryo, and pericarp) are often separated into tissue‐enriched fractions by wet‐ or dry‐milling methods for use in food, feed, and industrial products. Seed tissue markers that are sensitive and readily quantifiable would be useful to optimize fractionation processes. To meet this need for tissue markers, we set out to produce and characterize different transgenic maize lines, each containing green fluorescent protein (GFP) in either endosperm or embryo. We examined mRNA transcripts using expressed sequence tag (EST) profiles of several major seed proteins and selected several with strong seed tissue preferences. Stably transformed maize lines were produced, and visual observation of fluorescence confirmed the presence of GFP in the desired tissues. To establish the utility of this grain for evaluating the effectiveness or separation efficiencies of fractionation processes, transgenic kernels were hand‐dissected into pericarp, endosperm, and embryo fractions and the GFP concentration in each fraction was determined. The GFP distribution between fractions of each transgenic event was calculated from GFP concentration and mass balance, which enabled the determination of GFP yield based on the hand‐dissection fractionation data and the amount of tissue contamination in each fraction. Our transgenic lines exhibited strong tissue preference for either embryo or endosperm. These lines should be useful for assessing separation efficiencies in maize fractionation processes.
Glycemic Response to Oat Bran Muffins Treated to Vary Molecular Weight of β‐Glucan
Authors: Tosh Susan M. , Brummer Yolanda , Wolever Thomas M. S. , Wood Peter J.
Published: March 2008

Oat bran muffins, containing 4 or 8 g of β‐glucan per two‐muffin serving, were prepared with or without β‐glucanase treatment to produce a range of β‐glucan molecular weights from 130,000 to just over 2 million. Following an overnight fast, the glycemic responses elicited by the untreated and treated muffins was measured in 10 healthy subjects and compared with a control whole wheat muffin. Taken all together, the 4‐g β‐glucan/serving muffins reduced blood glucose peak rise (PBGR) by 15 ± 6% compared with the control. The 8‐g β‐glucan/serving muffins had a significantly greater effect (44 ± 5% reduction compared with the control, P < 0.05). The efficacy of the muffins decreased as the molecular weight was reduced from a 45 ± 6% reduction in PBGR (P < 0.05) for the untreated muffins (averaged of both serving sizes) to 15 ± 6% (P < 0.05) for muffins with the lowest molecular weight. As the molecular weight was reduced from 2,200,000 to 400,000, the solubility of the β‐glucan increased from a mean of 44 to 57%, but as the molecular weight was further decreased to 120,000, solubility fell to 26%. There was a significant correlation (r2 = 0.729, P < 0.001) between the peak blood glucose and the product of the extractable β‐glucan content and the molecular weight of the β‐glucan extracted.
Rapid High‐Performance Liquid Chromatography Determination of Tocopherols and Tocotrienols in Cereals
Authors: Nielsen Merete M⊘ller , Hansen Åse
Published: March 2008

A rapid normal‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (NP‐HPLC) method has been developed for rapid determination of the total content of tocopherols (T) and tocotrienols (T3) in cereals. The new method uses a one‐step extraction followed by NP‐HPLC coupled with a fluorescence detector. The new method provides a baseline separation of the critical peaks of beta‐tocotrienol (β‐T3) and gamma‐tocopherol (γ‐T) within a short time of analysis. The extraction step requires no saponification step or addition of antioxidant. Addition of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) had no effect on the stability of vitamin E during sampling. The recovery was 96–100%. The method is demonstrated by successful quantification of vitamin E in barley, wheat, and spelt grains, as well as wheat germ and flours from wheat, spelt, and rye.
O fly, where art thou?
Authors: Grover Dhruv , Tower John , Tavaré Simon
Published: March 2008

In this paper, the design of a real-time image acquisition system for tracking the movement ofDrosophilain three-dimensional space is presented. The system uses three calibrated and synchronized cameras to detect multiple flies and integrates the detected fly silhouettes to construct the three-dimensional visual hull models of each fly. We used an extended Kalman filter to estimate the state of each fly, given past positions from the reconstructed fly visual hulls. The results show that our approach constructs the three-dimensional visual hull of each fly from the detected image silhouettes and robustly tracks them at real-time rates. The system is suitable for a more detailed analysis of fly behaviour.
Dam rain and cumulative gain
Authors: Brody Dorje C , Hughston Lane P , Macrina Andrea
Published: March 2008

We consider a financial contract that delivers a single cash flow given by the terminal value of a cumulative gains process. The problem of modelling such an asset and associated derivatives is important, for example, in the determination of optimal insurance claims reserve policies, and in the pricing of reinsurance contracts. In the insurance setting, aggregate claims play the role of cumulative gains, and the terminal cash flow represents the totality of the claims payable for the given accounting period. A similar example arises when we consider the accumulation of losses in a credit portfolio, and value a contract that pays an amount equal to the totality of the losses over a given time interval. An expression for the value process of such an asset is derived as follows. We fix a probability space, together with a pricing measure, and model the terminal cash flow by a random variable; next, we model the cumulative gains process by the product of the terminal cash flow and an independent gamma bridge; finally, we take the filtration to be that generated by the cumulative gains process. An explicit expression for the value process is obtained by taking the discounted expectation of the future cash flow, conditional on the relevant market information. The price of an Arrow–Debreu security on the cumulative gains process is determined, and is used to obtain a closed-form expression for the price of a European-style option on the value of the asset at the given intermediate time. The results obtained make use of remarkable properties of the gamma bridge process, and are applicable to a wide variety of financial products based on cumulative gains processes such as aggregate claims, credit portfolio losses, defined benefit pension schemes, emissions and rainfall.
Principal Transcriptional Programs Regulating Plant Amino Acid Metabolism in Response to Abiotic Stresses
Authors: Less Hadar , Galili Gad
Published: March 2008

Using a bioinformatics analysis of public Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) microarray data, we propose here a novel regulatory program, combining transcriptional and posttranslational controls, which participate in modulating fluxes of amino acid metabolism in response to abiotic stresses. The program includes the following two components: (1) the terminal enzyme of the module, responsible for the first catabolic step of the amino acid, whose level is stimulated or repressed in response to stress cues, just-in-time when the cues arrive, principally via transcriptional regulation of its gene; and (2) the initiator enzyme of the module, whose activity is principally modulated via posttranslational allosteric feedback inhibition in response to changes in the level of the amino acid, just-in-case when it occurs in response to alteration in its catabolism or sequestration into different intracellular compartments. Our proposed regulatory program is based on bioinformatics dissection of the response of all biosynthetic and catabolic genes of seven different pathways, involved in the metabolism of 11 amino acids, to eight different abiotic stresses, as judged from modulations of their mRNA levels. Our results imply that the transcription of the catabolic genes is principally more sensitive than that of the biosynthetic genes to fluctuations in stress-associated signals. Notably, the only exception to this program is the metabolic pathway of Pro, an amino acid that distinctively accumulates to significantly high levels under abiotic stresses. Examples of the biological significance of our proposed regulatory program are discussed.
SHORT HYPOCOTYL IN WHITE LIGHT1, a Serine-Arginine-Aspartate-Rich Protein in Arabidopsis, Acts as a Negative Regulator of Photomorphogenic Growth
Authors: Bhatia Shikha , Gangappa Sreeramaiah N. , Kushwaha Ritu , Kundu Snehangshu , Chattopadhyay Sudip
Published: March 2008

Light is an important factor for plant growth and development. We have identified and functionally characterized a regulatory gene SHORT HYPOCOTYL IN WHITE LIGHT1 (SHW1) involved in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seedling development. SHW1 encodes a unique serine-arginine-aspartate-rich protein, which is constitutively localized in the nucleus of hypocotyl cells. Transgenic analyses have revealed that the expression of SHW1 is developmentally regulated and is closely associated with the photosynthetically active tissues. Genetic and molecular analyses suggest that SHW1 acts as a negative regulator of light-mediated inhibition of hypocotyl elongation, however, plays a positive regulatory role in light-regulated gene expression. The shw1 mutants also display shorter hypocotyl in dark, and analyses of shw1 cop1 double mutants reveal that SHW1 acts nonredundantly with COP1 to control hypocotyl elongation in the darkness. Taken together, this study provides evidences that SHW1 is a regulatory protein that is functionally interrelated to COP1 and plays dual but opposite regulatory roles in photomorphogenesis.
Modeling of species distributions with Maxent: new extensions and a comprehensive evaluation
Authors: Phillips Steven J. , Dudík Miroslav
Published: March 2008

Accurate modeling of geographic distributions of species is crucial to various applications in ecology and conservation. The best performing techniques often require some parameter tuning, which may be prohibitively time‐consuming to do separately for each species, or unreliable for small or biased datasets. Additionally, even with the abundance of good quality data, users interested in the application of species models need not have the statistical knowledge required for detailed tuning. In such cases, it is desirable to use “default settings”, tuned and validated on diverse datasets. Maxent is a recently introduced modeling technique, achieving high predictive accuracy and enjoying several additional attractive properties. The performance of Maxent is influenced by a moderate number of parameters. The first contribution of this paper is the empirical tuning of these parameters. Since many datasets lack information about species absence, we present a tuning method that uses presence‐only data. We evaluate our method on independently collected high‐quality presence‐absence data. In addition to tuning, we introduce several concepts that improve the predictive accuracy and running time of Maxent. We introduce “hinge features” that model more complex relationships in the training data; we describe a new logistic output format that gives an estimate of probability of presence; finally we explore “background sampling” strategies that cope with sample selection bias and decrease model‐building time. Our evaluation, based on a diverse dataset of 226 species from 6 regions, shows: 1) default settings tuned on presence‐only data achieve performance which is almost as good as if they had been tuned on the evaluation data itself; 2) hinge features substantially improve model performance; 3) logistic output improves model calibration, so that large differences in output values correspond better to large differences in suitability; 4) “target‐group” background sampling can give much better predictive performance than random background sampling; 5) random background sampling results in a dramatic decrease in running time, with no decrease in model performance.
Genetic differentiation over small spatial scales in the absence of physical barriers in an Australian rainforest stream fish
Authors: Thuesen P. A. , Pusey B. J. , Peck D. R. , Pearson R. , Congdon B. C.
Published: March 2008

This study investigated the genetic population structure of the regionally endemic rainforest fishCairnsichthys rhombosomoidesby analysing sequence variation in the mitochondrial control region. The results indicated that individual populations, even those located in close proximity (5 km), were highly distinct. The pattern of genetic structure cannot be explained by physical barriers to gene flow and was not consistent with models based on separation of populations by distance or any hierarchical structuring within the riverine network. The management implications of the observed genetic structure are discussed.
Speciation in coral‐reef fishes
Authors: Rocha L. A. , Bowen B. W.
Published: March 2008

Covering <0·1% of the ocean’s surface, coral reefs harbour about one‐third of all marine fishes or c. 5000 species. Allopatry (geographic isolation) is believed to be the primary mode of speciation, yet few biogeographic barriers exist between reefs, and most reef fishes have a pelagic larval stage capable of extensive dispersal. Under these circumstances, why are there so many species of reef fishes? Since most biogeographic barriers in the oceans are either spatially or temporally permeable on a relatively short time frame, the requirement of isolation during allopatric speciation is hard to satisfy. Evidence from empirical and theoretical studies, the biological characteristics of coral reefs, and a reanalysis of biogeographic barriers indicate that sympatric speciation is possible but not common at small spatial scales and that parapatric speciation is a common (and probably the prevalent) mode of diversification in coral‐reef fishes. Regardless of the speciation mode, previous hypotheses of accelerated diversification in the Pleistocene due to sea level fluctuations are not supported by phylogenetic analyses. Recent developments in the area of comparative genomics can fuel a new revolution in the way marine speciation is studied.
Identification of natural hybrids of gibel carp Carassius auratus gibelio (Bloch) and crucian carp Carassius carassius (L.) from lower Dyje River floodplain (Czech Republic)
Authors: Papoušek I. , Vetešník L. , Halačka K. , Lusková V. , Humpl M. , Mendel J.
Published: March 2008

Morphometric and genetic variation were examined in parental Carassius auratus gibelio and Carassius carassius individuals, and their natural hybrids. Of meristic traits, only the number of gill rakers clearly distinguished hybrids (39·4 ± 1·4) from parental C. a. gibelio (48·3 ± 0·7) and C. carassius (28·6 ± 1·1). MtDNA sequences showed that the hybrids were descendants of female C. a. gibelio. Microsatellite analysis confirmed the presence in hybrids of variants typical of C. a. gibelio and C. carassius.
Intrapopulational polymorphism of nucleolus organizer regions in Serrapinnus notomelas (Characidae, Cheirodontinae) from the Paraná River
Authors: Santi‐Rampazzo A. P. , Nishiyama P. B. , Ferreira P. E. B. , Martins‐Santos I. C.
Published: March 2008

Analysis of the nucleolus organizer regions by silver nitrate (AgNOR), fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and C‐banding of Serrapinnus notomelas from the Paraná River, PR, Brazil revealed intrapopulational polymorphisms that could be classified into six patterns (I–VI). Pattern I consisted of a single nucleolus organizer region (NOR) on chromosome pair 26 with at least one active homologue, indicating that it was a preferential NO. This NOR was also present in all the other patterns. In addition, seven other variable pairs appeared in patterns II–VI. These polymorphisms may indicate transpositions of rDNA genes, located on pair 26, to various sites in the genome. These transpositions may be due to transpose mechanisms or reinsertion into sites that have sequences homologous with the inserts. C‐band analysis also reflected this variability and confirmed the various patterns described here.
Impact of the Leeuwin Current on the spatial distribution of the puerulus settlement of the western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus) and implications for the fishery of Western Australia
Authors: CAPUTI NICK
Published: March 2008

Previous studies have shown that the strength of the Leeuwin Current is correlated with the level of the puerulus (post‐larval stage) settlement in the western rock lobster (Panulirus cygnus). The level of puerulus settlement has also been shown to be a reliable predictor of catch in the rock lobster fishery in Western Australia, 3 and 4 yr later. This study examines the impact of the south‐flowing Leeuwin Current on the spatial distribution of the puerulus settlement along the coast based on information from 10 settlement sites. In years of strong Leeuwin Current, the location of the peak settlement occurs further south by up to 2° latitude compared with years of weak Leeuwin Current. The key months of Leeuwin Current strength that affect the abundance of the puerulus settlement are generally February to April, during the early larval stages. However, the months that affect the spatial distribution are from June onwards, which is closer to the period of puerulus settlement that starts in about August each year. The mean latitude of puerulus settlement shows a very good relationship with Leeuwin Current strength in June to December (r = 0.86, P < 0.001). The variation in spatial distribution in puerulus settlement can be used to predict the spatial distribution of fishing effort and catch, 3 and 4 yr later (r = 0.78 and 0.84, respectively, P < 0.001).
Density reductions by predatory trout increase adult size and fecundity of surviving caddisfly larvae in a detritus‐based stream food web
Authors: GREIG HAMISH S. , McINTOSH ANGUS R.
Published: March 2008

1. In some situations, individuals surviving in environments where predation is intense can grow faster because the benefits of release from intraspecific competition outweigh costs associated with anti‐predator responses. Whether these ‘thinning’ effects of predation occur in detritus‐based food webs where resource renewal occurs independently of consumption by consumers was studied. We investigated how effects of predatory brown trout (Salmo trutta) on the larvae of the detritivorous stream caddisfly, Zelandopsyche ingens, influenced the size and fecundity of the caddisfly adults.

2. Trout substantially reduced the abundance of Z. ingens larvae, but adult male and female Z. ingens were significantly larger in trout streams compared to fishless streams. Females in trout streams had 33% more eggs than fishless stream females, and egg sizes were not significantly different. In mesocosms, Z. ingens larvae in low density treatments reflecting trout stream abundances grew significantly faster than larvae in high density treatments that were characteristic of fishless stream abundances. Non‐lethal trout presence did not influence case building behaviour, feeding rates or growth or Z. ingens larvae, indicating non‐lethal effects of predators were negligible.

3. Increased adult size and fecundity associated with trout stream individuals were probably a result of predator thinning of larval density indirectly releasing surviving Z. ingens from intraspecific competition. Thus, predator thinning did influence interactions between larvae in this detritus‐based food web as larval growth was strongly density‐dependent. However, extrapolating the total number of eggs potentially produced indicates the increased fecundity of females in trout streams would not compensate for losses of larvae to trout predation.
CO2 fertilization in temperate FACE experiments not representative of boreal and tropical forests
Authors: HICKLER THOMAS , SMITH BENJAMIN , PRENTICE I. COLIN , MJÖFORS KRISTINA , MILLER PAUL , ARNETH ALMUT , SYKES MARTIN T.
Published: March 2008

Results from free‐air CO2 enrichment (FACE) experiments in temperate climates indicate that the response of forest net primary productivity (NPP) to elevated CO2 might be highly conserved across a broad range of productivities. In this study, we show that the LPJ‐GUESS dynamic vegetation model reproduces the magnitude of the NPP enhancement at temperate forest FACE experiments. A global application of the model suggests that the response found in the experiments might also be representative of the average response of forests globally. However, the predicted NPP enhancement in tropical forests is more than twice as high as in boreal forests, suggesting that currently available FACE results are not applicable to these ecosystems. The modeled geographic pattern is to a large extent driven by the temperature dependence of the relative affinities of the primary assimilation enzyme (Rubisco) for CO2 and O2.
Respiration acclimation contributes to high carbon‐use efficiency in a seasonally dry pine forest
Authors: MASEYK KADMIEL , GRÜNZWEIG JOSÉ M. , ROTENBERG EYAL , YAKIR DAN
Published: March 2008

Predictions of warming and drying in the Mediterranean and other regions require quantifying of such effects on ecosystem carbon dynamics and respiration. Long‐term effects can only be obtained from forests in which seasonal drought is a regular feature. We carried out measurements in a semiarid Pinus halepensis (Aleppo pine) forest of aboveground respiration rates of foliage, Rf, and stem, Rt over 3 years. Component respiration combined with ongoing biometric, net CO2 flux [net ecosystem productivity (NEP)] and soil respiration measurements were scaled to the ecosystem level to estimate gross and net primary productivity (GPP, NPP) and carbon‐use efficiency (CUE=NPP/GPP) using 6 years data. GPP, NPP and NEP were, on average, 880, 350 and 211 g C m−2 yr−1, respectively. The above ground respiration made up half of total ecosystem respiration but CUE remained high at 0.4. Large seasonal variations in both Rf and Rt were not consistently correlated with seasonal temperature trends. Seasonal adjustments of respiration were observed in both the normalized rate (R20) and short‐term temperature sensitivity (Q10), resulting in low respiration rates during the hot, dry period. Rf in fully developed needles was highest over winter–spring, and foliage R20 was correlated with photosynthesis over the year. Needle growth occurred over summer, with respiration rates in developing needles higher than the fully developed foliage at most times. Rt showed a distinct seasonal maximum in May irrespective of year, which was not correlated to the winter stem growth, but could be associated with phenological drivers such as carbohydrate re‐mobilization and cambial activity. We show that in a semiarid pine forest photosynthesis and stem growth peak in (wet) winter and leaf growth in (dry) summer, and associated adjustments of component respiration, dominated by those in R20, minimize annual respiratory losses. This is likely a key for maintaining high CUE and ecosystem productivity similar to much wetter sites, and could lead to different predictions of the effect of warming and drying climate on productivity of pine forests than based on short‐term droughts.
Missing methane emissions from leaves of terrestrial plants
Authors: BEERLING DAVID J. , GARDINER TOM , LEGGETT GRAHAM , MCLEOD ANDY , QUICK W. PAUL
Published: March 2008

The controversial claim that attached leaves of terrestrial plants emit CH4 aerobically remains to be corroborated. Here, we report CH4 fluxes and CO2 exchange rates for leaves of the C4 species Zea mays using a high‐accuracy traceable online analytical system. In contrast to earlier results for Z. mays, our measurements provide no evidence for substantial aerobic CH4 emissions from photosynthesizing leaves illuminated with photosynthetically active radiation (λ=400–700 nm), or from dark‐respiring leaves. Preliminary measurements with the same system indicated a similar lack of aerobic CH4 emissions in the light or dark from leaves of the C3 species Nicotiana tabacum. These findings are supported by independent high‐precision 13C‐labeling studies that also failed to confirm substantial aerobic CH4 emissions from plants. Nevertheless, we are not able to exclude the possibility that CH4 emissions from plants may be linked to nonenzymatic processes with an action spectrum lying outside the wavelength range for photosynthesis.
Prognostic significance of DNA repair proteins MLH1, MSH2 and MGMT expression in non‐small‐cell lung cancer and precursor lesions
Authors: Cooper W A , Kohonen‐Corish M R J , Chan C , Kwun S Y , McCaughan B , Kennedy C , Sutherland R L , Lee C‐S
Published: March 2008

Aims:  To investigate the role of DNA repair proteins and their prognostic significance in non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods and results:  A retrospective analysis of 108 cases of stage I–II NSCLC was undertaken. Immunohistochemical expression of DNA repair proteins MLH1, MSH2 and MGMT was assessed using tissue microarrays of paraffin‐embedded samples of invasive carcinoma and precursor lesions. Results were analysed in relation to clinicopathological parameters and patient survival. Reduced expression of MLH1 was found in 58.5% of tumours and occurred less frequently in poorly differentiated tumours (P = 0.044) and large cell carcinomas (P = 0.004). MSH2 and MGMT expression was reduced in 18.1% and 77.8% of cases, respectively. There was an inverse relationship between MLH1 and MSH2 expression (P = 0.012). Normal expression of MLH1, MSH2 and MGMT was found in all cases of squamous metaplasia and squamous dysplasia. Only a single case of carcinoma in situ (12.5%) showed reduced MLH1, none showed reduced MSH2 and 25% showed reduced MGMT. Survival analyses showed no prognostic significance based on expression of MLH1 (P = 0.92), MSH2 (P = 0.78) or MGMT (P = 0.57).

Conclusions:  Reduction in expression of DNA repair proteins MLH1, MSH2 and MGMT is relatively common in NSCLC, appears to be a late event in the development of invasive malignancy and does not influence survival in this patient cohort.
Evolutionary demography of long‐lived monocarpic perennials: a time‐lagged integral projection model
Authors: Kuss Patrick , Rees Mark , Ægisdóttir Hafdís Hanna , Ellner Stephen P. , Stöcklin Jürg
Published: March 2008

The evolution of flowering strategies (when and at what size to flower) in monocarpic perennials is determined by balancing current reproduction with expected future reproduction, and these are largely determined by size‐specific patterns of growth and survival. However, because of the difficulty in following long‐lived individuals throughout their lives, this theory has largely been tested using short‐lived species (< 5 years).

Here, we tested this theory using the long‐lived monocarpic perennial Campanula thyrsoides which can live up to 16 years. We used a novel approach that combined permanent plot and herb chronology data from a 3‐year field study to parameterize and validate integral projection models (IPMs).

Similar to other monocarpic species, the rosette leaves of C. thyrsoides wither over winter and so size cannot be measured in the year of flowering. We therefore extended the existing IPM framework to incorporate an additional time delay that arises because flowering demography must be predicted from rosette size in the year before flowering.

We found that all main demographic functions (growth, survival probability, flowering probability and fecundity) were strongly size‐dependent and there was a pronounced threshold size of flowering. There was good agreement between the predicted distribution of flowering ages obtained from the IPMs and that estimated in the field. Mostly, there was good agreement between the IPM predictions and the direct quantitative field measurements regarding the demographic parameters λ, R0 and T. We therefore conclude that the model captures the main demographic features of the field populations.

Elasticity analysis indicated that changes in the survival and growth function had the largest effect (c. 80%) on λ and this was considerably larger than in short‐lived monocarps. We found only weak selection pressure operating on the observed flowering strategy which was close to the predicted evolutionary stable strategy.

Synthesis. The extended IPM accurately described the demography of a long‐lived monocarpic perennial using data collected over a relatively short period. We could show that the evolution of flowering strategies in short‐ and long‐lived monocarps seem to follow the same general rules but with a longevity‐related emphasis on survival over fecundity.
Physical symptoms that predict psychiatric disorders in rural primary care adults
Authors: Rasmussen Norman H. , Bernard Matthew E. , Harmsen William S.
Published: March 2008

Rationale, aims and objectives  There is a robust association between physical symptoms and mental distress, but recognition rates of psychiatric disorders by primary care doctors are low. We investigated patient‐reported physical symptoms as predictors of concurrent psychiatric disorders in rural primary care adult outpatients.

Method  A convenience sample of 1092 patients were assessed with a two‐stage diagnostic system consisting of a brief screening questionnaire and a clinician‐administered semi‐structured interview that linked common physical symptoms with the concurrent presence of psychiatric disorders.

Results  Somatoform physical symptoms were highly predictive of the concurrent presence of a psychiatric disorder, with odds ratios ranging from 10.4 (fainting spells) to 54.6 (shortness of breath). Aggregate analysis of somatoform and non‐somatoform symptoms relative to no physical symptom produced odds ratios of 3.0 or higher for headaches, chest pain, dizziness, sleep problem, shortness of breath, tired or low energy, and fainting spells. As the number of symptoms (especially somatoform) increased, the odds of a psychiatric disorder increased.

Conclusion  Although individual physical symptoms are valid triggers for suspecting a psychiatric disorder, the most powerful correlates are total number of physical complaints and somatoform symptom status.
Compliance, attitudes and barriers to post‐operative colorectal cancer follow‐up
Authors: Cardella Jonathan , Coburn Natalie G. , Gagliardi Anna , Maier Barbara‐Anne , Greco Elisa , Last Linda , Smith Andrew J. , Law Calvin , Wright Frances
Published: March 2008

Rationale  Meta‐analyses demonstrate that surveillance following curative‐intent colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery can improve survival. Our multidisciplinary team adopted a stringent CRC follow‐up (FU) guideline in 2000. The purpose of this study was to assess adherence and barriers to FU for CRC.

Methods  Patients with primary CRC aged 19–75 years, treated with curative intent surgery from July 2000 to December 2002 were identified from a prospective database. Compliance with FU was assessed primarily by chart review. We also surveyed patients and providers to explore attitudes and barriers to surveillance adherence using tenets of the Health Belief Model.

Results  96 patients met inclusion criteria and were appropriate for FU. Median FU was 34 months. Guideline targets were met for 70% of clinic visits; 49% of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) determinations; and 62% of abdominal imaging studies. Post‐operative colonoscopy did not occur in 6/93 patients. Seventy per cent of health care providers and 55% of patients completed a survey. Access to testing and confusion about which provider orders investigations were identified as important barriers to FU.

Conclusion  Patterns of CRC FU were widely variable despite implementation of a guideline. Despite patient and provider agreement with the principles of CRC FU, adoption was inhibited by confusion among multiple providers regarding investigation coordination.
Shared decision making: evaluation of German medical students’ preferences
Authors: Schneider Heide B. , Sandholzer Hagen
Published: March 2008

Rationale  Current medical student perceptions of patient centredness and the priorities of students for a change in medical care were investigated.

Methods  We conducted an observational study using questionnaires at the University of Leipzig in Germany. In total, 188 consecutive medical students attending the Department of General Medicine participated in this study. We investigated students’ priorities for an improvement in medical care related to aspects of the patient–doctor relationship and to aspects of organization.

Results  Receiving more information and undergoing the process of shared decision making was the most important choice; selected by 43.2% as their first priority. The second choice was found to be consultation time (16.2%) which also refers to the patient–doctor relationship. Shorter queues for tests, also considered important for more patient autonomy, were ranked third (14.6%). Medical students participating in this study were least interested in access to specialists, cost of medications and continuity of care.

Conclusion  For the first time, it is shown that shared decision making, in addition to its many benefits, is not only a patients’, but also a prospective doctors’ top priority. Consequently, medical student training programmes might incorporate shared decision‐making training as an important element of patient centredness.
Gastric emptying of a non‐digestible solid: assessment with simultaneous SmartPill pH and pressure capsule, antroduodenal manometry, gastric emptying scintigraphy
Authors: Cassilly D. , Kantor S. , Knight L. C. , Maurer A. H. , Fisher R. S. , Semler J. , Parkman H. P.
Published: March 2008

Abstract  Gastric emptying of digestible solids occurs after trituration of food particles. Non‐digestible solids are thought to empty with phase III of the migrating motor complex (MMC). The aim of this study was to determine if a non‐digestible capsule given with a meal empties from the stomach with return of the fasting phase III MMC or during the fed pattern with the solid meal. Fifteen normal subjects underwent antroduodenal manometry and ingestion of a radiolabelled meal and SmartPill wireless pH and pressure capsule. In five subjects, emptying of the SmartPill was studied in the fasting period by ingesting the SmartPill with radiolabelled water. The SmartPill emptied from the stomach within 6 h in 14 of 15 subjects. SmartPill pressure recordings showed high amplitude phasic contractions prior to emptying. SmartPill gastric residence time (261 ± 22 min) correlated strongly with time to the first phase III MMC (239 ± 23 min; r = 0.813; P < 0.01) and correlated moderately with solid‐phase gastric emptying (r = 0.606 with T‐50% and r = 0.565 with T‐90%). Nine of 14 subjects emptied the capsule with a phase III MMC. In five subjects, the SmartPill emptied with isolated distal antral contractions. In five subjects ingesting only water, SmartPill gastric residence time (92 ± 44 min) correlated with the time to the first phase III MMC (87 ± 30 min; r = 0.979; P < 0.01). The non‐digestible SmartPill given with a meal primarily empties from the stomach with the return of phase III MMCs occurring after emptying the solid‐phase meal. However, in some subjects, the SmartPill emptied with isolated antral contractions, an unappreciated mechanism for emptying of a non‐digestible solid.
Reproducibility and symptomatic predictors of a slow nutrient drinking test in health and in functional dyspepsia
Authors: Kindt S. , Coulie B. , Wajs E. , Janssens J. , Tack J.
Published: March 2008

Abstract  Impaired accommodation to a meal has been recognized as a pathophysiological mechanism in functional dyspepsia (FD). Based on observations in tertiary care patients, the drinking test has been proposed as a non‐invasive tool to estimate accommodation. Our aim was to assess the reproducibility of the drinking test and its correlation with demographic, symptomatic and pathophysiological parameters in secondary care FD patients and healthy controls. Thirty‐four healthy controls and 78 FD patients completed a drinking test (3 respectively 2 times), a gastric emptying study and an FD symptom questionnaire. Factors influencing maximal volume and gastric emptying were determined, and the reproducibility of the drinking test was investigated. The maximal satiety was reached at a lower volume in patients (489 ± 276 and 503 ± 248 mL for first and second test respectively vs 937 ± 428 and 1048 ± 421 mL, P < 0.0001). The ingested amount depended on age, sex and baseline FD symptom score. Patients’ sex, final satiety score, total score for stomach complaints at screening and total symptom score before test accounted for the total symptom score after the test. The slow nutrient drinking test confirms its possible role as an attractive non‐invasive and reproducible tool for the diagnosis of impaired accommodation and for the assessment of treatment responsiveness.
Temperature responses are a window to the physiology of dark respiration: differences between CO2 release and O2 reduction shed light on energy conservation
Authors: KRUSE JÖRG , HOPMANS PETER , ADAMS MARK A.
Published: March 2008

We showed that temperature responses of dark respiration for foliage of Pinus radiata could be approximated by Arrhenius kinetics, whereby E0 determines shape of the exponential response and denotes overall activation energy of respiratory metabolism. Reproducible and predictable deviation from strict Arrhenius kinetics depended on foliage age, and differed between RCO2 and RO2. Inhibition of oxygen reduction (RO2) by cyanide (inhibiting COX) or SHAM (inhibiting AOX) resulted in reproducible changes of the temperature sensitivity for RO2, but did not affect RCO2. Enthalpic growth – preservation of electrons in anabolic products – could be approximated with knowledge of four variables: activation energies (E0) for both RCO2 and RO2, and basal rates of respiration at a low reference temperature (RREF). Rates of enthalpic growth by P. radiata needles were large in spring due to differences between RREF of oxidative decarboxylation and that of oxygen reduction, while overall activation energies for the two processes were similar. Later during needle development, enthalpic growth was dependent on differences between E0 for RCO2 as compared with RO2, and increased E0(RO2) indicated greater contributions of cytochrome oxidase to accompany the switch from carbohydrate sink to source. Temperature‐dependent increments in stored energy can be calculated as the difference between RCO2▵HCO2 and RO2▵HO2.
Clinicopathologic challenge
Authors: Vega Janelle , Bouzari Navid , Romanelli Paolo , Lanuti Emma L. , Benedetto Pasquale , Green Andy , Rongioletti Franco , Kerdel Francisco
Published: March 2008

What is your diagnosis?
Skin blood flow in necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum*
Authors: Ngo Binh , Wigington Greg , Hayes Kristie , Huerter Christopher , Hillman Brandon , Adler Matt , Rendell Marc
Published: March 2008

Background  Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD) is a granulomatous skin reaction found in < 1% of diabetic patients. Our purpose was to determine if NLD represented areas of cutaneous ischemia.

Methods  Using laser Doppler flowmetry, we measured cutaneous blood flow in nine diabetic patients at NLD lesions and at contiguous uninvolved sites. Flow values were also determined at several reference sites noncontiguous with the NLD lesions and compared to age‐ and sex‐matched controls: 24 diabetic subjects without skin abnormalities, 18 diabetic patients with dermopathy, and 40 nondiabetic subjects.

Results  NLD lesions exhibited significantly higher blood flow (4.8 ± 0.7 ml/min/100 g) than areas of unaffected skin close to the lesions (1.2 ± 0.1 ml/min/100 g) (P < 0.01 for both comparisons). There were no significant differences in flow between normal skin sites in NLD patients and normal sites in diabetic patients without skin lesions.

Conclusions  Our findings refute the hypothesis that NLD is a manifestation of microvascular ischemic disease of the skin. The increased blood flow seen in NLD lesions suggests an ongoing inflammatory process.
Neutropenia in antibody‐deficient patients under IVIG replacement therapy
Authors: Lemos Sonia , Jacob Cristina M. A. , Pastorino Antonio C. , Castro Ana Paula B. M. , Fomin Ângela B. F. , Carneiro‐Sampaio Magda M. S.
Published: March 2008

Patients with antibody deficiencies are more prone to develop acute neutropenic episodes even during immunoglobulin replacement. The aims of this study were to evaluate the presence of acute neutropenia in 42 patients with primary antibody immunodeficiencies, currently receiving intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and to describe the clinical and laboratory findings during neutropenic episodes. Of all patients, 10 (23.8%) presented acute neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count <1500 cells/mm3) during follow up (mean of 6.4 yr). The absolute neutrophil count ranged from 71 to 1488 cells/mm3. Neutropenia was not clearly associated with antibiotic prophylactic therapy or immunoglobulin levels, while infections were associated with neutropenia in the majority of episodes. Most acute neutropenia episodes were mild or moderate, except in CVID patients who present more severe neutropenia. Although IVIG may have contributed to reducing the severity of neutropenia, it does not prevent its occurrence in all patients. In conclusion, primary immunodeficient patients, even submitted to IVIG replacement therapy, must be regularly evaluated for neutropenia in order to minimize the risk of infections and its appropriate approach.
LEIOMYOMA OF THE OESOPHAGUS
Authors: COLE W. R.
Published: March 2008

The radiological findings in leiomyoma of the oesophagus are reviewed with particular reference to lesions involving the oesophago‐gastric junction, one case is presented.
GIANT DUODENAL ULCER*
Authors: CRICK ANTHONY
Published: March 2008

A giant duodenal ulcer may be mistaken for a normal duodenal cap and the associated spasm misinterpreted. It is essential to examine the mucosal pattern in every case.
URINARY CALCULUS‐ARTIFACT
Authors: Owen M.
Published: March 2008

The record is presented of a patient whose symptoms and signs included abdominal pain, haematuria and stone in the urine. The artifactual nature of the stone was proven by x‐ray diffraction analysis.
ADVANCED CARCINOMA OF THE BREAST, FAILED TESTOSTERONE OR STILBOESTROL, TREATED BY PREDNISOLONE*
Authors: SCOTT R. KAYE
Published: March 2008

A series from private practice of 31 consecutive patients having advanced carcinoma of the breast, having failed treatment with testoterone or stilboestrol was treated with prednisolone.

 39% (12/31) showed no objective response.

16% (5/31) showed objective improvement for from 6 to 12 months and then relapsed.

13% (4/31) continue in remission 6 months or more but less than 12 months.

32% (10/31) had objective improvement lasting more than 12 months.

 Of cases at risk:

90% (28/31) have survived three months.

83% (25/30) have survived six months.

60% (12/20) have survived twelve months.

20% (3/15) have survived 24 months.

14% (2/14) have survived 30 months.

 Prednisolone treatment and factor of age:

No patient in the 30–40 age group showed response. Three‐fifths of the patients (13/22) in the 40–60 age group came into remission.

All the patients in the over 60 age group came into remission.

 Prednisolone treatment and factor of histological differentiation:

Most of the cases were found to be dedifferentiated carcinomas indicating that many anaplastic car cinomas are still hormone dependent. The few adenocarcinomas in the series did not appear to give different response from the undifferentiated group.

 Prednisolone treatment and factor of previous hormone response:

3 of 14 (21%) patients in the series who had not responded previously to Testoterone subsequently showed objective prednisolone remission. A patient failed testosterone, therefore has approximately a 20% chance of benefiting subsequently from prednisolone.

9 of 10 (90%) patients who had previously responded to testosterone and relapsed showed subsequent prednisolone remission. Such a patient having benefited and then failed testosterone has approximately 90% chance of subsequent benefit from prednisolone.

All of the patients relapsing after stilboestrol response showed subsequent response to prednisolone.
Large Kidneys
Authors: Bloomfield J. A.
Published: March 2008

The lack of interest in the causes of large kidneys is contrasted with concern over causes and significance of small kidneys. A classification of generalized renal enlargement is suggested. Examples of congenital solitary kidney, medullary sponge kidney, polycystic kidney, hydatid infection and infiltration of Hodgkin's disease are illustrated, and the diagnosis of these is discussed, with particular reference to medullary sponge kidney and related conditions.
The Value of Immediate Intravenous Pyelography
Authors: Goy Ian C.
Published: March 2008

Immediate intravenous pyelography has been performed over a period of two years in various acute clinical conditions. This procedure was found to be of great value in the diagnosis of nn‐opaque calculi, small calculi in the lower ureter, traumatic conditions, and in the differential diagnosis of the acute abdomen.