bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patterns of essential oil relationships in Pimpinella (Umbelliferae) based on phylogenetic relationships using nuclear and chloroplast sequences
Authors: Tabanca Nurhayat , Douglas Andrew W. , Bedir Erdal , Dayan Franck E. , Kirimer Nese , Baser K. Husnu Can , Aytac Zeki , Khan Ikhlas A. , Scheffler Brian E
Published: March 2006

Hydro-distilled essential oils from fruits, aerial parts (without fruits) and roots of Pimpinellaspecies native to Turkey and their phylogenetic relationships to one another were examined. Phytochemical investigation of the essential oils of 19 species resulted in isolation of 16 phenylpropanoids, four sesquiterpenes and two azulene-type norsesquiterpenes. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined primarily from 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments as well as liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Phylogenetic relationships among 26 species were evaluated using ITS 1, ITS 4 nuclear rDNA and psbA-trnH cpDNA sequences. In this study, significance and occurrence of phenylpropanoids, azulenes and geijerenes are discussed from a phylogenetic, chemical and biosynthetic perspective. The distribution of different classes of compounds and their putative associations with one another as per current knowledge of their biosynthetic pathways indicates that this information, in conjunction with the phylogeny, could provide valuable information regarding the presence and perhaps evolution of the different classes of compounds. Analysis of the phenylpropanoid components indicates that (E)-anethole is an obligatory intermediate of this pathway. The various Pimpinellaspecies differ primarily in their ability to acylate anethole, suggesting that while the pathway leading to anethole is common to this genus, species differ in their enzymatic machinery leading to acylate. The relationship between azulenes and geijerenes is not as intuitive, but all Pimpinellaspecies analysed in this study have the biochemical machinery required to synthesize these chemical classes.
Sustainable bioproduction of phytochemicals by plant in vitro cultures: anticancer agents
Authors: Wink Michael , Alfermann A. Wilhelm , Franke Rochus , Wetterauer Bernhard , Distl Melanie , Windhövel Jörg , Krohn Oliver , Fuss Elisabeth , Garden Hermann , Mohagheghzadeh Abdolali , Wildi Eckart , Ripplinger Peter
Published: March 2006

Due to their complex structure with several chiral centres important anticancer agents are still extracted from plants and not synthesized chemically on a commercial scale. Sustainable bioproduction of the compounds of interest may be achieved by plant in vitro cultures. Undifferentiated callus and suspension cultures, which can be cultivated in large bioreactors easily, very often fail to accumulate the compounds of interest, whereas shoot and root cultures as well hairy roots normally produce the same compounds as in the appropriate organs. The production of anticancer compounds, such as the alkaloids vinblastine, vincristine, paclitaxel (Taxol®), camptothecin, or the lignan podophyllotoxin, by plant in vitro cultures is reviewed. Taxanes can be produced in bioreactors using cell suspensions of various Taxus species with good yields; presently paclitaxel is produced on a commercial scale by Phyton Biotech (Germany). Camptothecin has low yields in suspension cultures of Camptotheca acuminata or Nothapodytes foetida (0.0003–0.01%), but a good production (0.1–0.3% dry wt) in root and hairy root cultures of Ophiorrhiza pumila, O. mungos and C. acuminata. Podophyllotoxin can be produced in cell suspension and root as well as hairy root cultures of Podophyllum and various Linum species up to 130 mg/l (Linum album cell suspensions); its derivative 6-methoxypodophyllotoxin is accumulated in hairy roots of L. persicum up to about 500 mg/l. The in vitro production of dimeric indole alkaloids in Catharanthus roseus has failed so far both in undifferentiated and differentiated in vitro cultures. In cases where in vitro cultures show good yields, they can be employed in biotechnology for the sustainable production of valuable products.
In vitroculture and cultivation of Chinese medicinal plants for industrial utilization and genetic resource conservation
Authors: Gao Wenyuan , Jia Wei , Gao Xianfu , Wang Renfeng , Xiao Peigen
Published: March 2006

In China, medicinal plants enjoy an inherent and prominent role in the general health service. Due to excessive collection in the wild of rare and endangered plants, the natural resources of medicinal plants are depleting fast. In order to protect the medicinal plant resources, the Chinese government has implemented Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) programmes to cultivate the main popular medicinal plants in China. Thus far, around 800 GAP cultivation bases have been established nationwide and the total cultivation area of medicinal plants has reached 5000 km2. Besides GAP cultivation of medicinal plants, tissue cultural biotechnology has been applied to serve as an alternative for the supply of medicinal plant materials in China. Thus far, shoot production by tissue culture technology has been successful in medicinal plants such asAnoectochilus formosanus,Dalbergia odorifera,Dendrobium,Momordica grosvenorii,Pseudostellaria heterophyllaandTaxus chinensis.In addition, the cell culture ofLithospermum erythrorhizonandSaussurea involucratahas been industrialized in 300–20,000-litre bioreactors. Besides the production of shoot and cell culture in bioreactors, tissue culture technology is also being practised for the conservation of rare medicinal plants.
Characterization, genetic improvement and cultivation of Chlorophytum borivilianum—an important medicinal plant of India
Authors: Maiti Satyabrata , Geetha K.A.
Published: March 2006

Chlorophytum borivilianum is an important medicinal plant known as ‘Safed musli’, used in many Ayurvedic vital tonics and aphrodisiac formulations. The species was first described from India in 1954 and reached rare status in nature due to overexploitation. Owing to its increased demand, the species has attracted the attention of farmers as well as researchers in several institutions. The present paper deals with various research aspects such as conservation biology, cytology, chemistry, plant genetic resources, micropropagation, crop management, etc. conducted on the crop for the last two decades in India. The species is diploid 2n=4x=28 and is mainly vegetatively propagated. Seeds remain dormant for nearly 10 months and also suffer from poor germination. Fleshy roots of the species contain saponins having therapeutic value. Germplasm collections made from different states in India show the occurrence of wide genetic variability in terms of plant type, maturity period, growth and yield characters, and size and shape of fleshy roots. Although the species is cross-pollinated in nature, self-pollination is also feasible artificially. One high-yielding cultivar and two high-yielding morphotypes have been recently identified. A micropropagation protocol using different explants has been standardized and agrotechnology for cultivation developed. Successful use of synthetic seed has also been reported. The article presents a comprehensive overview of the current state of research in the species with due emphasis on future thrust and possibilities.
Plantago ovata: genetic diversity, cultivation, utilization and chemistry
Authors: Dhar M.K. , Kaul S. , Sareen S. , Koul A.K.
Published: March 2006

Plantago ovatais the cultivated and economically important species in the monotypic genusPlantago. P. ovatais a short-stemmed annual herb, 10–45 cm tall. The species is generally an in-breeder. The seed husk of this plant is commonly called Psyllium or Isabgol (in Hindi), which is a very effective laxative. Other usages of Isabgol are in ice cream making, cosmetics, printing and finishing. The intake of husk also reduces blood cholesterol levels. Isabgol is commercially very important as its export earns India foreign exchange worth INR 2.5 billion (US$1=44 INR). The plant is cultivated on a large scale in western India. In Gujarat, it is cultivated in about 144,000 ha of land, yielding 720 kg/ha.P. ovatahas a narrow genetic base, and the lack of variability is on account of low chromosome number, small chromosome size, presence of high heterochromatin in the chromosomes, low chiasmata frequency and low recombination index. The genome size of the species is ∼500 Mb. Different breeding methods, namely selection, hybridization, induced mutations, polyploidy and tissue culture, have been used for genetic improvement of this plant. Except selections, which have led to isolation of a few varieties, the results of other methods have not been encouraging.P. ovatahas about 200 wild allies, some of which are medicinally important. These wild species constitute a rich resource of important genes, which if transferred to cultivated species could revolutionize the production of Isabgol. The present paper highlights various aspects of genetic diversity, cultivation and utilization of this important medicinal plant, and suggests the prospects of genetic manipulation.
Geographical patterns of diversity for qualitative and quantitative traits in the pigeonpea germplasm collection
Authors: Upadhyaya Hari D. , Pundir R.P.S. , Gowda C.L.L. , Reddy K.N. , Singh Sube
Published: March 2006

We analysed the patterns of variation for 14 qualitative and 12 quantitative traits in 11,402 pigeonpea germplasm accessions from 54 countries, which were grouped into 11 regions. Semi-spreading growth habit, green stem colour, indeterminate flowering pattern and yellow flower colour were predominant among qualitative traits. Primary seed colour had maximum variability and orange colour followed by cream were the two most frequent seed colours in the collection. Variances for all the traits were heterogeneous among regions. The germplasm accessions from Oceania were conspicuous by short growth duration, short height, fewer branches, pods with fewer seeds, smaller seed size and lower seed yields. The accessions from Africa were of longer duration, taller, with multi-seeded pods and larger seeds. The germplasm diversity indicated by Shannon–Weaver diversity index (H′) pooled over all traits, was highest for Africa (0.464±0.039) and lowest for Oceania (0.337±0.037). The cluster analysis based on three principal component scores using 12 quantitative traits revealed formation of three clusters: cluster 1 includes accessions from Oceania; cluster 2 from India and adjacent countries; and cluster 3 from Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Europe, Africa, America and the Caribbean countries. Pigeonpea-rich countries such as Myanmar, Uganda, and others like Bahamas, Burundi, Comoros, Haiti and Panama are not adequately represented in the collection, and need priority attention for germplasm exploration.
The impact of breeding on genetic diversity and erosion in bread wheat
Authors: Donini Paolo , Law John R. , Koebner Robert M. D. , Reeves James C. , Cooke Robert J.
Published: March 2006

This paper examines the fate of alleles and changes of genetic diversity in old (ca 1930s) versus more modern (ca 1990s) UK bread wheat varieties using 14 mapped DNA microsatellite (simple sequence repeat, SSR) loci and morphological markers. The allelic constitution of varieties belonging to three time periods (early, intermediate, late) was determined. While at certain loci one or more SSR alleles were gained between early and late periods, at others the allelic representation remained constant, although a shift in allelic frequencies could sometimes be detected. No locus showed a clear, net loss in the total number of alleles over the time period. In a further group of loci, there was neither clear gain nor loss, but rather a dynamic flux of alleles. A comparison of the allelic constitution of the UK variety set with a larger genetic pool (non-UK varieties) showed that some loci were rather similar in allelic constitution, while others possessed additional diversity. Certain SSR alleles appeared to be associated with old or modern varieties, possibly indicating associations with chromosome regions under selection pressure. The same exercise was conducted on the basis of 14 of the morphological characteristics recorded in the course of distinctness, uniformity and stability testing of varieties. Overall, this analysis generated a similar picture of changes in diversity to that obtained from the microsatellite data.
Wild plants of organoleptic or nutritional interest and food traditions in central Italy: some interesting cases
Authors: Guarrera Paolo Maria , Manzi Aurelio
Published: March 2006

Thirteen wild plants and their food uses in the folk traditions of some regions of central Italy are described. These uses that can be exploited for human nourishment were collected during field research (1977–2003). Some wild food plants quoted are not very well known. The herbs have been selected for their peculiar organoleptic characteristics (Taraxacum apenninum, T. glaciale, Crepis leontodontoides), for their nutritional interest (Bunium bulbocastanum, Sinapis alba, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum apenninum, T. glaciale) and the possibility of their cultivation in marginal areas (see Chenopodium bonus-henricus, Podospermum canum, P. laciniatum and some of the quoted species).
Vitamin D status of 51–75-year-old Irish women: its determinants and impact on biochemical indices of bone turnover
Authors: Hill Tom R , O'Brien Maria M , Lamberg-Allardt Christel , Jakobsen Jette , Kiely Mairead , Flynn Albert , Cashman Kevin D
Published: March 2006

Objectives

To assess the vitamin D status of Irish postmenopausal women during wintertime, and to examine its relationship with serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and biochemical markers of bone turnover. In addition, the determinants of wintertime serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OH–D) levels in these women were investigated.

Design

A cross-sectional observational study.

Setting

Cork City, Ireland (52°N).

Subjects

Ninety-five apparently healthy, free-living postmenopausal women (aged 51–75 years), not taking any medication and free from any condition likely to affect vitamin D status or calcium/bone metabolism.

Results

Forty-eight per cent and 7% of women had serum 25OH–D levels <50 nmol l−1and <25 nmol l−1, respectively. 25OH–D levels in these women were positively associated with dietary calcium intake (P= 0.0002) and use of vitamin D-containing supplements (P= 0.031), and negatively associated with cigarette smoking (P= 0.027) and body mass index (BMI) (P= 0.030). Low serum 25OH-D levels (<50 nmol l−1) were associated (P<0.01) with elevated serum PTH levels. There were no significant differences in urinary pyridinium crosslinks or serum osteocalcin, biochemical indices of bone turnover, between subjects with serum 25OH–D levels above or below 50 nmol l−1.

Conclusions

A high proportion of Irish postmenopausal women had low vitamin D status (< 50 nmol l−1) during late wintertime, which appeared to lead to elevated levels of serum PTH but not of bone turnover markers. Use of regular low-dose supplemental vitamin D, meeting daily calcium recommendations, cessation of smoking and maintaining BMI in the normal range are important factors that could help maintain adequate vitamin D levels during wintertime in these women.
Criterion-related validity of the last 7-day, short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire in Swedish adults
Authors: Ekelund Ulf , Sepp Hanna , Brage Sören , Becker Wulf , Jakes Rupert , Hennings Mark , Wareham Nicholas J
Published: March 2006

Objective

To examine the validity of the short, last 7-day, self-administered form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).

Design

All subjects wore an accelerometer for seven consecutive days and completed the IPAQ questionnaire on the eighth day. Criterion validity was assessed by linear regression analysis and by modified Bland–Altman analysis. Specificity and sensitivity were calculated for classifying respondents according to the physical activity guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Setting

Workplaces in Uppsala, Sweden.

Subjects

One hundred and eighty-five (87 males) participants, aged 20 to 69 years.

Results

Total self-reported physical activity (PA) (MET-min day−1) was significantly correlated with average intensity of activity (counts min−1) from accelerometry (r=0.34, P<0.001). Gender, age, education and body mass index did not affect this relationship. Further, subcomponents of self-reported PA (time spent sitting, time in PA, time in moderate and vigorous activity (MVPA)) were significantly correlated with objectively measured PA (P<0.05). Self-reported time in PA was significantly different from time measured by accelerometry (mean difference: −25.9 min day−1; 95% limits of agreement: −172 to 120 min day−1; P<0.001). IPAQ identified 77% (specificity) of those who met the current PA guidelines of accumulating more than 30 min day−1 in MVPA as determined by accelerometry, whereas only 45% (sensitivity) of those not meeting the guidelines were classified correctly.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the short, last 7-days version of the IPAQ has acceptable criterion validity for use in Swedish adults. However, the IPAQ instrument significantly overestimated self-reported time spent in PA. The specificity to correctly classify people achieving current PA guidelines was acceptable, whereas the sensitivity was low.
Disentangling women's responses on complex dietary intake patterns from an Indian cross-sectional survey: a latent class analysis
Authors: Padmadas Sabu S , Dias José G , Willekens Frans J
Published: March 2006

Objective

To investigate the degree of individual heterogeneity related to complex dietary behaviour and to further examine the associations of different dietary compositions with selected characteristics.

Design

Latent class analysis was applied to data from the recent cross-sectional National Family Health Survey that collected information on the intake frequency of selected foods. Different responses regarding intake frequency were condensed into a set of five meaningful latent clusters representing different dietary patterns and these clusters were then labelled based on the reported degree of diet mixing.

Setting

Indian states.

Subjects

In total, 90 180 women aged 15–49 years.

Results

Three clusters were predominantly non-vegetarian and two were vegetarian. A very high or high mixed-diet pattern was observed particularly in the southern and a few north-eastern states. Many women in the very high mixed-diet cluster consumed mostly non-green/leafy vegetables on a daily basis, and fruits and other non-vegetarian diet on a weekly basis. In contrast, those in the low mixed-diet cluster consumed more than three-fifths of the major vegetarian diet ingredients alone on a daily basis. The affluent group that represented the low mixed-diet cluster were primarily vegetarians and those who represented the very high mixed-diet cluster were mostly non-vegetarians. The significant interrelationships of different characteristics highlight not only socio-economic, spatial and cultural disparities related to dietary practices, but also the substantial heterogeneity in diet mixing behaviour.

Conclusions

The results of this study confirmed our hypothesis of heterogeneous dietary behaviour of Indian women and yielded useful policy-oriented results which might be difficult to establish otherwise.
Eating rough: food sources and acquisition practices of homeless young people in Adelaide, South Australia
Authors: Booth Sue
Published: March 2006

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the food sources and acquisition practices used by homeless youth in Adelaide. This work is part of a larger study that aimed to examine the extent and nature of food insecurity among homeless youth.

Design

Cross-sectional design involving quantitative and qualitative methods.

Setting

Four health and welfare inner-city agencies serving homeless youth in Adelaide, South Australia.

Subjects

A sample of 150 homeless youth aged between 15 and 24 years recruited from these agencies. Fifteen were selected via snowball sampling for interview.

Results

Use of welfare food sources was high (63%). Food from welfare agencies was supplemented by unorthodox food acquisition methods such as theft (65%), begging for money for food (61%), begging for food items (44%) and asking for help from friends and relatives (34%). Reasons given for non-usage of welfare food services included affordability, access, being too busy, shame or embarrassment.

Conclusions

Food insecurity is a salient issue for some homeless youth in Adelaide. Clarifying food acquisition practices of food-insecure homeless youth is essential for rational planning and improvement of food-related services to meet their needs. Such an understanding also underpins the development of broader public policy responses that improve individual and household skills and resources to acquire food and ensure food security. Nutrition professionals, welfare professionals and policy-makers need to work sensitively with welfare food agencies and others to improve food access and food security for homeless youth.
The Women's Health Initiative. What is on trial: nutrition and chronic disease? Or misinterpreted science, media havoc and the sound of silence from peers?
Authors: Lissner Lauren , Majem Lluis Serra , Vaz de Almeida Maria Daniel , Berg Christina , Hughes Roger , Cannon Geoffrey , Thorsdottir Inga , Kearney John , Gustafsson Jan-Å , Rafter Joseph , Elmadfa Lbrahim , Kennedy Nick
Published: March 2006

The first results of the Women's Health Initiative dietary intervention trial were published in the USA in February. This is a colossal intervention designed to see if diets lower in fat and higher in fruits, vegetables and grains than is usual in high-income countries reduce the incidence of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, heart disease and other chronic diseases, in women aged 50–79 years. As interpreted by US government media releases, the results were unimpressive. As interpreted by a global media blitz, the results indicate that food and nutrition has little or
nothing to do with health and disease. But the trial was in key respects not reaching its aims, was methodologically controversial, and in any case has not produced the reported null results. What should the public health nutrition profession do about such messes?
Impaired Langerhans cell migration in psoriasis
Authors: Cumberbatch Marie , Singh Minal , Dearman Rebecca J. , Young Helen S. , Kimber Ian , Griffiths Christopher E.M.
Published: March 2006

We have examined whether psoriasis is associated with systemic effects on epidermal Langerhans cell (LC) function and, specifically, the migration of LCs from the skin. Compared with normal skin, the frequency and morphology of epidermal LCs in uninvolved skin from patients with psoriasis was normal. However, mobilization of these cells in response to stimuli that normally induce migration (chemical allergen, tumor necrosis factor α [TNF-α], and interleukin-1β [IL-1β]) was largely absent, despite the fact that treatment with TNF-α and IL-1β was associated with comparable inflammatory reactions in patients and controls. The failure of LC migration from uninvolved skin was not attributable to altered expression of receptors for IL-1β or TNF-α that are required for mobilization, nor was there an association with induced cutaneous cytokine expression. Although a role for altered dynamics of LC migration/turnover has not been formally excluded, these data reveal a very consistent decrement of LC function in psoriasis that may play a decisive role in disease pathogenesis.
A dynamic programming algorithm for binning microbial community profiles
Authors: Ruan Quansong , Steele Joshua A. , Schwalbach Michael S. , Fuhrman Jed A. , Sun Fengzhu
Published: March 2006

Motivation: A number of community profiling approaches have been widely used to study the microbial community composition and its variations in environmental ecology. Automated Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis (ARISA) is one such technique. ARISA has been used to study microbial communities using 16S–23S rRNA intergenic spacer length heterogeneity at different times and places. Owing to errors in sampling, random mutations in PCR amplification, and probably mostly variations in readings from the equipment used to analyze fragment sizes, the data read directly from the fragment analyzer should not be used for down stream statistical analysis. No optimal data preprocessing methods are available. A commonly used approach is to bin the reading lengths of the 16S–23S intergenic spacer. We have developed a dynamic programming algorithm based binning method for ARISA data analysis which minimizes the overall differences between replicates from the same sampling location and time.

Results: In a test example from an ocean time series sampling program, data preprocessing identified several outliers which upon re-examination were found to be because of systematic errors. Clustering analysis of the ARISA from different times based on the dynamic programming algorithm binned data revealed important features of the biodiversity of the microbial communities.

Availability: The algorithm is implemented in a software package and it is available upon request from the corresponding author.

Contact:  fsun@usc.edu
β2-Adrenoceptor Genotype Affects Vasopressor Requirements during Spinal Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery
Authors: Smiley Richard M. , Blouin Jean-Louis , Negron Maria , Landau Ruth
Published: March 2006

Background

Maternal hypotension is common after spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery. There is wide variability in the incidence and severity of hypotension and in the response to treatment. The beta2 adrenoceptor (beta2AR) possesses several polymorphic sites. Codons 16 (Arg16Gly) and 27 (Glu27Gln) have been shown to affect desensitization of the receptor. The goal of this study was to determine whether genetic variants of the beta2AR alter incidence of hypotension or the amount of vasopressor treatment required during spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery.

Methods

One hundred seventy healthy women undergoing elective cesarean delivery were studied. Spinal anesthesia was performed with 12 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine, 25 microg fentanyl, and 200 microg morphine. Hypotension was treated with ephedrine and/or phenylephrine intravenously, and beta2AR genotype at codons 16 and 27 was determined. Analysis of variance was used to compare variables between genotypes, with data expressed as mean +/- SD.

Results

Ephedrine or phenylephrine was used in more than 90% of patients, with no difference in the incidence of hypotension between beta2AR genotypes. However, there was a significant effect of genotype on the amount of vasopressor required. Gly16 homozygotes received significantly less ephedrine (18 +/- 14 mg) than Arg16 homozygotes (28 +/- 13 mg) and Arg16Gly heterozygotes (30 +/- 20 mg; P = 0.0005). Glu27 homozygotes required significantly less ephedrine than Gln 27 homozygotes (14 +/- 13 vs. 30 +/- 19 mg; P = 0.002). Gln27Glu heterozygotes received less ephedrine than Gln27 homozygotes (23 +/- 16 vs. 30 +/- 19 mg; P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Glycine at position 16 and/or glutamate at position 27 of the beta2AR leads to lower vasopressor use for treatment of hypotension during spinal anesthesia.
A New Equal Area Method to Calculate and Represent Physiologic, Anatomical, and Alveolar Dead Spaces
Authors: Tang Yongquan , Turner Martin J. , Baker A Barry
Published: March 2006

Background

Physiologic dead space is usually estimated by the Bohr-Enghoff equation or the Fletcher method. Alveolar dead space is calculated as the difference between anatomical dead space estimated by the Fowler equal area method and physiologic dead space. This study introduces a graphical method that uses similar principles for measuring and displaying anatomical, physiologic, and alveolar dead spaces.

Methods

A new graphical equal area method for estimating physiologic dead space is derived. Physiologic dead spaces of 1,200 carbon dioxide expirograms obtained from 10 ventilated patients were calculated by the Bohr-Enghoff equation, the Fletcher area method, and the new graphical equal area method and were compared by Bland-Altman analysis. Dead space was varied by varying tidal volume, end-expiratory pressure, inspiratory-to-expiratory ratio, and inspiratory hold in each patient.

Results

The new graphical equal area method for calculating physiologic dead space is shown analytically to be identical to the Bohr-Enghoff calculation. The mean difference (limits of agreement) between the physiologic dead spaces calculated by the new equal area method and Bohr-Enghoff equation was -0.07 ml (-1.27 to 1.13 ml). The mean difference between new equal area method and the Fletcher area method was -0.09 ml (-1.52 to 1.34 ml).

Conclusions

The authors' equal area method for calculating, displaying, and visualizing physiologic dead space is easy to understand and yields the same results as the classic Bohr-Enghoff equation and Fletcher area method. All three dead spaces--physiologic, anatomical, and alveolar--together with their relations to expired volume, can be displayed conveniently on the x-axis of a carbon dioxide expirogram.
Halothane Does Not Inhibit the Functional Coupling between the β2-Adrenergic Receptor and the GαsHeterotrimeric G Protein
Authors: Hayashi Masao , Penheiter Sumedha G. , Nakayama Tetsuzo , Penheiter Alan R. , Warner David O. , Jones Keith A.
Published: March 2006

Background

This study investigated whether halothane affects the functional coupling between the beta2 adrenergic receptor and the alpha subunit of its cognate stimulatory heterotrimeric guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein (Galphas). The authors hypothesized that halothane does not affect isoproterenol-promoted guanosine nucleotide exchange at Galphas and hence would not affect isoproterenol-induced relaxation of airway smooth muscle.

Methods

Halothane effects on isoproterenol-induced inhibition of calcium sensitivity were measured in permeabilized porcine airway smooth muscle. Galphas nucleotide exchange was measured in crude membranes prepared from COS-7 cells transfected to transiently coexpress the human beta1 or beta2 receptor each with human short Galphas. A radioactive, nonhydrolyzable analog of GTP, [S]GTPgammaS, was used as the reporter for nucleotide exchange at Galphas.

Results

Halothane (0.75 mm, approximately 2.8 minimum alveolar concentration [MAC] in pigs) did not affect isoproterenol-induced inhibition of calcium sensitivity. Isoproterenol caused a time- and concentration-dependent increase in Galphas nucleotide exchange. Halothane, even at concentrations of 1.5 mm (approximately 5.6 MAC), had no effect on basal Galphas nucleotide exchange in the absence of isoproterenol, whereas halothane inhibited isoproterenol-promoted Galphas nucleotide exchange in both the beta1-Galphas and beta2-Galphas expressing membranes. However, the effect was significantly greater on beta1-Galphas coupling compared with beta2-Galphas coupling, with no effect on beta2-Galphas coupling at 2.8 MAC halothane.

Conclusion

Halothane does not inhibit the biochemical coupling between the beta2 receptor and Galphas and hence does not affect the inhibition of calcium sensitivity induced by isoproterenol. Therefore, halothane should not affect the efficacy of beta2 agonists, as suggested by studies of in vivo animal models of asthma.
Discontinuous Monitoring of Propofol Concentrations in Expired Alveolar Gas and in Arterial and Venous Plasma during Artificial Ventilation
Authors: Grossherr Martin , Hengstenberg Andreas , Meier Torsten , Dibbelt Leif , Gerlach Klaus , Gehring Hartmut
Published: March 2006

Background

Analyzing propofol concentration in expired alveolar gas (cPA) may be considered as a convenient, noninvasive method to follow the propofol concentration in plasma (cPPL). In the current study, the authors established procedures to measure cPA and cPPL for the assessment of their relation in two animal models during anesthesia.

Methods

Expired alveolar gas and mixed venous and arterial blood were simultaneously sampled during continuous application of propofol for general anesthesia to three goats and three pigs. Propofol infusion rates were varied to modify plasma concentrations. cPA, sampled cumulatively over several respiratory cycles, was quantified by thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. cPPL was determined using reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

Results

cPA ranged from 0 to 1.4 and from 0 to 22 parts per billion in goats and pigs, respectively, at cPPL of 0-8 microg/ml. The relation between cPA and cPPL was linear; however, the slopes of the regression lines varied between animals.

Conclusion

Propofol can be quantified in expired alveolar gas. The results stress the role of marked species-specific variability.
Phospho‐proteomic immune analysis by flow cytometry: from mechanism to translational medicine at the single‐cell level
Authors: Perez Omar D. , Nolan Garry P.
Published: March 2006

Summary:  Understanding a molecular basis for cellular function is a common goal of biomedicine. The complex and dynamic cellular processes underlying physiological processes become subtly or grossly perturbed in human disease. A primary objective is to demystify this complexity by creating and establishing relevant model systems to study important aspects of human disease. Although significant technological advancements over the last decade in both genomic and proteomic arenas have enabled progress, accessing the complexity of cellular interactions that occur in vivo has been a difficult arena in which to make progress. Moreover, there are extensive challenges in translating research tools to clinical applications. Flow cytometry, over the course of the last 40 years, has revolutionized the field of immunology, in both the basic science and clinical settings, as well as having been instrumental to new and exciting areas of discovery such as stem cell biology. Multiparameter machinery and systems exist now to access the heterogeneity of cellular subsets and enable phenotypic characterization and functional assays to be performed on material from both animal models and humans. This review focuses primarily on the development and application of using activation‐state readouts of intracellular activity for phospho‐epitopes. We present recent work on how a flow cytometric platform is used to obtain mechanistic insight into cellular processes as well as highlight the clinical applications that our laboratory has explored. Furthermore, this review discusses the challenges faced with processing high‐content multidimensional and multivariate data sets. Flow cytometry, as a platform that is well situated in both the research and clinical settings, can contribute to drug discovery as well as having utility for both biomarker and patient‐stratification.
A shared gene‐expression signature in innate‐like lymphocytes
Authors: Yamagata Tetsuya , Benoist Christophe , Mathis Diane
Published: March 2006

Summary:  Innate and adaptive immunities are the two major arms of the immune system, which rely on distinct cell types. These cells can be distinguished not only by the source of diversity for non‐self recognition, of germline or somatic origin, but also by their localization and the pattern and rates of response after encounter of antigenic triggers. In addition, subsets of lymphocytes exist whose receptors require rearrangement but result in semi‐invariant structures with a high degree of self‐specificity. We hypothesized that these innate‐like lymphocytes might share a common gene transcription signature that relates them to classic members of the innate immune system. This relationship was first observed in agonist‐induced CD8αα T cells in fetal/neonatal thymus. We then asked whether this notion could be extended to other innate‐like lymphocytes, by comparison of gene expression profiles of innate‐like lymphocytes and closely paired adaptive system counterparts (NKT versus CD4T, CD8ααT versus CD8αβT, and B1 versus B2). A statistically significant ‘innate signature’ indeed was distilled. Particularly intriguing was the high representation of interferon‐inducible guanosine triphophatases crucial for resistance against intracellular pathogens and of small G proteins involved in intracellular vacuole maturation and trafficking. Overall, this combined expression pattern can be designated as an innate signature among lymphocytes.
Cutaneous mesenchymal hamartoma with mixed myogenous differentiation
Authors: Schrecengost John Edwin , Tabbara Sana , Patterson James , Wick Mark R.
Published: March 2006

A 3‐month‐old infant girl presented with a polypoid lesion in the perianal region. No changes in this lesion had been noted since birth. Microscopic examination of the excised specimen showed a mixture of mesenchymal elements, dominated by haphazard thin fascicles of skeletal muscle. Collagen and vascular changes were also apparent. Immunohistochemistry showed positive staining for muscle‐specific actin and desmin in the fascicular components of the lesion, and smooth muscle actin, desmin, and h‐caldesmon positivity in a haphazard collection of muscle fibers in the deep dermis and anal submucosa. Numerous Verhoeff‐van Gieson positive elastic fibers were also noted. Hamartomas containing skeletal muscle have rarely been reported outside of the head and neck region. They must be distinguished from a variety of other tumors, including juvenile rhabdomyoma, benign Triton tumor, and rhabdomyosarcoma.
Intraepithelial sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid misdiagnosed as Bowen's disease
Authors: Leibovitch Igal , Selva Dinesh , Huilgol Shyamala , Davis Garry , Dodd Thomas , James Craig L.
Published: March 2006

Background:  Sebaceous carcinoma (SC) is well known for its ability to masquerade clinically and histologically as a variety of periocular conditions resulting in a delayed diagnosis. We present a series of periocular SC cases and discuss the difficulties in histopathological diagnosis when this tumor presents with a Bowenoid pattern of intraepithelial spread.

Methods:  A retrospective case study of all patients with SC of the eyelid treated in our Hospital, from 1997 to 2004, was conducted.

Results:  Eight patients were identified (four females and four males). Seven cases involved the upper eyelid. Initial clinical diagnoses included blepharitis (three cases), blepharoconjunctivitis (one case), cicatrizing conjunctivitis (one case), and lid lesions (two cases). Histopathologically, 87.5% of cases were misdiagnosed as Bowen's disease (BD) on the initial biopsy. Six of these cases showed no invasive disease on the initial biopsy and were eventually found to be invasive SC on subsequent excisions. In one case, the tumor was wholly in situ. Delay in diagnosis ranged from 0 to 56 months.

Conclusions:  SC should always be considered in the histological differential diagnosis of any eyelid lesion which resembles BD, particularly if the upper eyelid is involved or if multivacuolated cytoplasmic clear cell changes are seen.
Association of plasminogen activators and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 proteolytic cascade with blood–CNS barrier damage of angiostrongyliasis
Authors: Chen Ke‐Min , Liu Jer‐Yuh , Lai Shih‐Chan , Hsu Li‐Sung , Lee Hsiu‐Hsiung
Published: March 2006

Blood–central nervous system (blood–CNS) barrier breakdown, an important pathophysiological event in meningitis, results in extravasation of leucocytes into subarachnoid space. The blood–CNS barrier disruption is mediated by primarily two enzyme systems, the plasminogen activators (PAs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The present study showed that the activities of tissue‐type PA (tPA), urokinase‐type activator (uPA) and MMP‐9 in cerebrospinal‐like fluid (CSF‐like fluid) were significantly increased in mice with eosinophilic meningitis compared with uninfected mice. Eosinophilia significantly correlated with tPA, uPA and MMP‐9 activities, and albumin concentration. In addition, when GM6001, a specific matrix metalloproteinase blocker, was injected into infected mice, MMP‐9 activity and total protein concentrations declined from their preinjection highs. These results suggest that the PAs and MMP‐9 proteolytic cascade may be associated with blood–CNS barrier disruption in eosinophilic meningitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis.
Intragranulomatous necrosis in pulmonary granulomas is not related to resistance against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in experimental murine models induced by aerosol
Authors: Guirado Evelyn , Gordillo Sergi , Gil Olga , Díaz Jorge , Tapia Gustavo , Vilaplana Cristina , Ausina Vicenç , Cardona Pere‐Joan
Published: March 2006

Intragranulomatous necrosis is a primary feature in the natural history of human tuberculosis (TB). Unfortunately, this phenomenon is not usually seen in the experimental TB murine model. Artificial induction of this necrosis in pulmonary granulomas (INPG) may be achieved through aerosol inoculation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 3 weeks after Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. At week 9 post‐infection, the centre of primary granulomas became larger, showing eosinophilic necrosis. Interestingly, INPG induction was related to mice strains C57BL/6 and 129/Sv, but not to BALB/c and DBA/2. Furthermore, the same pattern was obtained with the induction of infection using a clinical M. tuberculosis strain (UTE 0335R) that naturally induces INPG. In all the mice strains tested, the study of pulmonary mRNA expression revealed a tendency to increase or to maintain the expression of RANTES, interferon‐γ, tumour necrosis factor and iNOS, in both LPS‐ and UTE 0335R‐induced INPG, thus suggesting that this response must be necessary but not sufficient for inducing INPG. Our work supports that INPG induction is a local phenomenon unrelated to the resistant (C57BL/6 and BALB/c) or susceptible (129/Sv and DBA/2) background of mice strains against M. tuberculosis infection.
Histopathology in a murine model of anthrax
Authors: Duong Scott , Chiaraviglio Lucius , Kirby James E.
Published: March 2006

Systemic anthrax infection is usually fatal even with optimal medical care. Further insights into anthrax pathogenesis are therefore urgently needed to develop more effective therapies. Animal models that reproduce human disease will facilitate this research. Here, we describe the detailed histopathology of systemic anthrax infection in A/J mice infected with Bacillus anthracis Sterne, a strain with reduced virulence for humans. Subcutaneous infection leads to systemic disease with multiple pathologies including oedema, haemorrhage, secondary pneumonia and lymphocytolysis. These pathologies bear marked similarity to primary pathologies observed during human disease. Therefore, this simple, small animal model will allow researchers to study the major pathologies observed in humans, while permitting experimentation in more widely available Biosafety Level 2 facilities.
Developing Children's Participation: Lessons from a Participatory IT Project
Authors: Brady Bernadine
Published: March 2006

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, advances in the sociology of childhood and the consumer rights movement have placed the spotlight on children's rights in society, challenging those working with children to examine how they share power and ensure that children's views are taken on board. While childrens’ service practitioners are broadly supportive of the concept of participation and there are numerous examples of how children's participation has been realised in practice, many are unsure where to begin due to the range of options, considerations and challenges associated with participatory work. This article describes and analyses the process used by Barnardos in developing and implementing a participatory approach in a children's IT project in Galway City, Ireland. The process employed, the challenges encountered and the added value the participatory approach brought to the project are outlined. Finally, four broad lessons emerging from the experience are discussed, namely, that a clear framework and reflective practice is valuable that good participatory work is inextricably linked with good project management; that small efforts at participatory work can increase capacity and appetite for further work; and that there is a role for informal approaches in the context of a formal participatory framework. © 2006 The Author(s) Journal compilation © 2006 National Children's Bureau.
Evaluation of intubation using the Airtraq® or Macintosh laryngoscope by anaesthetists in easy and simulated difficult laryngoscopy – a manikin study*
Authors: Maharaj C. H. , Higgins B. D. , Harte B. H. , Laffey J. G.
Published: March 2006

The Airtraq® Laryngoscope is a novel intubation device which allows visualisation of the vocal cords without alignment of the oral, pharyngeal and tracheal axes. We compared the Airtraq® with the Macintosh laryngoscope in simulated easy and difficult laryngoscopy. Twenty‐five anaesthetists were allowed up to three attempts to intubate the trachea in each of three laryngoscopy scenarios using a Laerdal® Intubation Trainer followed by five scenarios using a Laerdal SimMan® Manikin. Each anaesthetist then performed tracheal intubation of the normal airway a second time to characterise the learning curve. In the simulated easy laryngoscopy scenarios, there was no difference between the Airtraq® and the Macintosh in success of tracheal intubation. The time taken to intubate at the end of the protocol was significantly lower using the Airtraq® (9.5 (6.7) vs. 14.2 (7.4) s), demonstrating a rapid acquisition of skills. In the simulated difficult laryngoscopy scenarios, the Airtraq® was more successful in achieving tracheal intubation, required less time to intubate successfully, caused less dental trauma, and was considered by the anaesthetists to be easier to use.
Pyruvate kinase deficiency in France: a 3‐year study reveals 27 new mutations
Authors: Pissard Serge , Max‐Audit Isabelle , Skopinski Laurent , Vasson Aurélie , Vivien Pascal , Bimet Catherine , Goossens Michel , Galacteros Frederic , Wajcman Henri
Published: March 2006

Pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency is the most common enzyme defect affecting the glycolytic pathway of the erythrocyte. Usually, it is clinically silent in heterozygotes but serious disorders are described at birth in homozygotes or compound heterozygotes. Including the mutants herein reported, more than 180 mutations of the PK‐LR gene have now been identified. This 3‐year study was carried out to detect mutations associated with disease‐affecting families. Haematological indices, erythrocyte PK and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase activities were measured. Molecular characterisation of the PK gene mutations included restriction enzyme analysis, mutation scanning and gene sequencing. Among the 56 families studied, nine homozygous cases and 41 different mutations were found. Eight mutations involved a splice site, 31 missense mutations were located in crucial domains of the molecule (catalytic site, cleft between the A and C domains, A/A’ interface) and two cases of insertion–deletion were found. In total, 20 new mutations modifying the structure of the enzyme and seven affecting a splice site are reported. PK deficiency is an under diagnosed disease. However, deficiency could be life threatening in perinatal period and we report two lethal cases. These results support the characterisation of PK mutations, and show that prenatal diagnosis can identify affected infants and prepare safer conditions for the birth.