bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inviscid long-wave theory for the absolute instability of the rotating-disc boundary layer
Authors: Healey J.J
Published: February 2006

This paper is concerned with the absolute instability of the boundary-layer flow produced when an infinite disc rotates in otherwise still fluid. A greater understanding of the mechanisms and properties of the absolute instability is sought through the development of an analytic theory in the inviscid long-wave limit. It is shown that the fundamental basic flow characteristic of the absolute instability is a wall-jet in the radial direction superposed with an asymptotically small cross-flow, which generates a small reverse flow outside the boundary layer in the appropriately resolved basic velocity profile. The absolute instability is produced by a modal coalescence involving the interaction of
eight
saddle-points of the dispersion relation. An explicit expression for the growth rate has been obtained in terms of basic flow parameters. Most curiously, the pinch-point for absolute instability is shown to become asymptotically close to a branch-cut on the imaginary axis of the complex wavenumber plane, and unstable spatial branches emanating from the pinch-point cross this imaginary axis onto a Riemann sheet of the dispersion relation composed of solutions growing exponentially with distance from the disc. The existence of such modes contradicts the expectation of monotonic exponential decay of disturbances outside a boundary layer.
Conical diffraction: observations and theory
Authors: Berry M.V , Jeffrey M.R , Lunney J.G
Published: February 2006

Conical refraction was produced by a transparent biaxial crystal of KGd(WO
4
)
2
illuminated by a laser beam. The ring patterns at different distances from the crystal were magnified and projected onto a screen, giving rings whose diameter was 265 mm. Comparison with theory revealed all predicted geometrical and diffraction features: close to the crystal, there are two bright rings of internal conical refraction, separated by the Poggendorff dark ring; secondary diffraction rings decorate the inner bright ring; as the distance from the crystal increases, the inner bright ring condenses onto an axial spot surrounded by diffraction rings. The scales of these features were measured and agreed well with paraxial theory; this involves a single dimensionless parameter
ρ
0
, defined as the radius of the rings emerging from the crystal divided by the width of the incident beam. The different features emerge clearly in the asymptotic limit
ρ
0
≫1; in these experiments,
ρ
0
=60.
Fossilized soft tissues in a Silurian platyceratid gastropod
Authors: Sutton M.D , Briggs D.E.G , Siveter David J , Siveter Derek J
Published: February 2006

Gastropod shells are common in the fossil record, but their fossil soft tissues are almost unknown, and have not been reported previously from the Palaeozoic. Here, we describe a Silurian (approx. 425 Myr) platyceratid gastropod from the Herefordshire Lagerstätte that preserves the oldest soft tissues yet reported from an undoubted crown-group mollusc. The digestive system is preserved in detail, and morphological data on the gonads, digestive gland, pedal muscle, radula, mouth and foot are also available. The specimen is preserved three-dimensionally, and has been reconstructed digitally following serial grinding. Platyceratids are often found attached to echinoderms, and have been interpreted as either commensal coprophages or kleptoparasites. The new data provide support for an attached mode of life, and are suggestive of a coprophagous feeding strategy. The affinities of the platyceratids are uncertain; they have been compared to both the patellogastropods and the neritopsines. Analysis of the new material suggests that a patellogastropod affinity is the more plausible of these hypotheses.
Encounter success of free-ranging marine predator movements across a dynamic prey landscape
Authors: Sims David W , Witt Matthew J , Richardson Anthony J , Southall Emily J , Metcalfe Julian D
Published: February 2006

Movements of wide-ranging top predators can now be studied effectively using satellite and archival telemetry. However, the motivations underlying movements remain difficult to determine because trajectories are seldom related to key biological gradients, such as changing prey distributions. Here, we use a dynamic prey landscape of zooplankton biomass in the north-east Atlantic Ocean to examine active habitat selection in the plankton-feeding basking sharkCetorhinus maximus. The relative success of shark searches across this landscape was examined by comparing prey biomass encountered by sharks with encounters by random-walk simulations of ‘model’ sharks. Movements of transmitter-tagged sharks monitored for 964 days (16 754 km estimated minimum distance) were concentrated on the European continental shelf in areas characterized by high seasonal productivity and complex prey distributions. We show movements by adult and sub-adult sharks yielded consistently higher prey encounter rates than 90% of random-walk simulations. Behavioural patterns were consistent with basking sharks using search tactics structured across multiple scales to exploit the richest prey areas available in preferred habitats. Simple behavioural rules based on learned responses to previously encountered prey distributions may explain the high performances. This study highlights how dynamic prey landscapes enable active habitat selection in large predators to be investigated from a trophic perspective, an approach that may inform conservation by identifying critical habitat of vulnerable species.
Variation in preference for a male ornament is positively associated with female eyespan in the stalk-eyed fly
Diasemopsis meigenii
Authors: Cotton Samuel , Rogers David W , Small Jennifer , Pomiankowski Andrew , Fowler Kevin
Published: February 2006

There is currently much interest in mate preferences for sexual ornaments. However, few studies have focused on individual variation in mate preference despite its importance for the rate and direction of sexual selection. Females of the sexually dimorphic stalk-eyed fly,
Diasemopsis meigenii
, exhibit an unambiguous rejection response towards unattractive males bearing small ornaments. We investigated individual mate preferences using repeated sequential sampling of female rejection or acceptance responses to a wide range of male ornament phenotypes. We found significant variation in the strength of individual preference. In addition, preference was positively associated with female eyespan, a condition-dependent trait putatively linked to visual acuity.
The proteome: structure, function and evolution
Authors: Fleming Keiran , Kelley Lawrence A , Islam Suhail A , MacCallum Robert M , Muller Arne , Pazos Florencio , Sternberg Michael J.E
Published: February 2006

This paper reports two studies to model the inter-relationships between protein sequence, structure and function. First, an automated pipeline to provide a structural annotation of proteomes in the major genomes is described. The results are stored in a database at Imperial College, London (3D-GENOMICS) that can be accessed at
www.sbg.bio.ic.ac.uk
. Analysis of the assignments to structural superfamilies provides evolutionary insights. 3D-GENOMICS is being integrated with related proteome annotation data at University College London and the European Bioinformatics Institute in a project known as e-protein (
http://www.e-protein.org/
). The second topic is motivated by the developments in structural genomics projects in which the structure of a protein is determined prior to knowledge of its function. We have developed a new approach PHUNCTIONER that uses the gene ontology (GO) classification to supervise the extraction of the sequence signal responsible for protein function from a structure-based sequence alignment. Using GO we can obtain profiles for a range of specificities described in the ontology. In the region of low sequence similarity (around 15%), our method is more accurate than assignment from the closest structural homologue. The method is also able to identify the specific residues associated with the function of the protein family.
The Impact of Institutional Forces Upon Knowledge Sharing in the UK NHS: The Triumph of Professional Power and the Inconsistency of Policy
Authors: Currie Graeme , Suhomlinova Olga
Published: February 2006

Academics, policy‐makers and practitioners are increasingly interested in the contribution that effective management of knowledge across organizational and professional boundaries can make to improved public services. Examining knowledge sharing within the context of the UK NHS, we ground our investigation in neo‐institutional organizational sociology. We highlight the influence of regulatory, normative and cultural‐cognitive aspects of institutions operating in the health care field on the boundaries that impede knowledge sharing. We illustrate how institutional isomorphic processes facilitate convergence within groups of organizations and occupations subject to the same institutional pressures, but, by the same token, inhibit convergence across different organizational and occupational groupings. In short, the development of a learning organization, where knowledge is shared freely across boundaries, will be difficult to realize.
The Relationship Between Civil Servants and Politicians in a Post‐Communist Country: A Case of Slovenia
Authors: Hacek Miro
Published: February 2006

In modern democracies, civil servants have outgrown their classic role as implementors of the orders given by politicians as their masters. They now play an increasingly important role in the exercising of authority – a role which depends to a great degree on politicians themselves. Based on classical politico‐administrative divisions, the main hypothesis of this paper is to claim that, in the case of the post‐communist country of Slovenia, politicians are in charge of policy‐making and possess a dominant role over high‐ranking civil servants, who are mere implementors of policy. To verify this hypothesis, we use several mutually complementary methods and techniques, among them detailed empirical research. We find that the relationship between members of Slovenia's administrative and political elite does show competitive traits, but the conflict between the two groups is not such that would lead to a win‐lose situation. Both high‐ranking civil servants and politicians do in fact have a role as important and irreplaceable actors in the policy‐making process.
Public Sector Growth: Comparing Politicians’ and Administrators’ Spending Preferences
Authors: Ingvar Jacobsen Dag
Published: February 2006

The notion that appointed bureaucrats act as budget maximizers still stands strong within theories attempting to explain the growth in the size of the public sector. This paper reports the results of a case study that included local authority politicians and bureaucrats in 30 Norwegian municipalities and where differences in spending preferences was empirically investigated. Counter to the original theory, bureaucrats seem to be less expansive than their political counterparts. The most expansive were found to be members of political left‐wing parties, the more peripheral politicians and administrators, women, those with lower education and those working in the public sector. Nevertheless, there is some support given to a modified hypothesis that administrators have stronger preferences for ‘slack’ (that is, organizational slack in terms of spending more money on internal administration) than politicians. The data also strongly support the notion that within a specialized sector, both politicians and administrators have similar preferences for higher spending to their specific sector.
Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in relapsed or refractory anaplastic large cell lymphoma of children and adolescents – a Berlin–Frankfurt–Münster group report
Authors: Woessmann Willi , Peters Christina , Lenhard Meike , Burkhardt Birgit , Sykora Karl‐Walter , Dilloo Dagmar , Kremens Bernhard , Lang Peter , Führer Monika , Kühne Thomas , Parwaresch Reza , Ebell Wolfram , Reiter Alfred
Published: February 2006

Patients with refractory or early relapsed anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) have a poor chance of survival. We report 20 children and adolescents with high‐risk relapsed or refractory ALCL who underwent allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We retrospectively analysed 20 patients who relapsed between December 1991 and April 2003 during (six patients) or soon after first‐line Berlin–Frankfurt–Münster‐type chemotherapy (14 patients) and underwent allogeneic HSCT. Nine patients received allogeneic HSCT after the first relapse and 11 after multiple relapses. Eight patients received their transplants from matched sibling donors, eight from unrelated donors and four from haploidentical family donors. The conditioning regimen was based on total body irradiation in 15 patients. Two patients relapsed after allogeneic HSCT and died. Three patients died of transplant‐related toxicity. Event‐free survival at 3 years after allogeneic transplant was 75 ± 10%. There was no influence of donor type or conditioning regimen on outcome. Two of six patients with progressive disease during frontline therapy survived compared with 13/14 patients with a first relapse after frontline therapy. Two of three patients who were transplanted with active lymphoma and all five patients who received allogeneic HSCT for relapse following autologous HSCT survived disease‐free. Allogeneic HSCT is effective and has acceptable toxicity as rescue therapy for high‐risk ALCL relapse. It even offers cure for patients refractory to chemotherapy, suggesting a graft‐versus‐ALCL effect.
Gene expression profiles underlying alternative caste phenotypes in a highly eusocial bee, Melipona quadrifasciata
Authors: Judice C. C. , Carazzole M. F. , Festa F. , Sogayar M. C. , Hartfelder K. , Pereira G. A. G.
Published: February 2006

To evaluate caste‐biased gene expression in Melipona quadrifasciata, a stingless bee, we generated 1278 ESTs using Representational Difference Analysis. Most annotated sequences were similar to honey bee genes of unknown function. Only few queen‐biased sequences had their putative function assigned by sequence comparison, contrasting with the worker‐biased ESTs. The expression of six annotated genes connected to caste specificity was validated by real time PCR. Interestingly, queens that were developmentally induced by treatment with a juvenile hormone analogue displayed an expression profile clearly different from natural queens for this set of genes. In summary, this study represents an important first step in applying a comparative genomic approach to queen/worker polyphenism in the bee.
Evolution of spider silks: conservation and diversification of the C‐terminus
Authors: Challis R. J. , Goodacre S. L. , Hewitt G. M.
Published: February 2006

Analysis of DNA sequences coding for the C‐terminus of spider silk proteins from a range of spiders suggests that many silk C‐termini share a common origin, and that their physical properties have been highly conserved over several hundred million years. These physical properties are compatible with roles in protein synthesis, silk function and in recruiting accessory proteins. Phylogenetic relationships among different silk genes suggest that any recombination has been insufficient to homogenize the different types of silk gene, which appear to have evolved independently of one another. The types of nucleotide substitutions that have occurred suggest that selection may have operated differently in the various silk lineages. Amino acid sequences of flagelliform silk C‐termini differ substantially from the other types of spider silk studied, but they are expected to have very similar physical properties and may perform a similar function.
Use of two transcription starts in the G6PD gene of the bark beetle Ips typographus
Authors: Doleželová E. , Žurovec M. , Böhmová M. , Sehnal F.
Published: February 2006

The enzyme glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) of the bark beetle Ips typographus is derived from a gene that includes eight exons and spans over 7100 nucleotides (nt). By means of two transcription starts, the gene generates two mRNA isoforms that are present in similar amounts in the larvae, pupae and adults. The A isoform includes exon IA of 115 nt, which is followed by intron 1a extending to position 3457 of the gene. The B mRNA isoform begins with exon IB (100 nt) that occupies positions 3291–3390 within the 1a intron. Exons II to VII are included in both mRNA isoforms. The gene contains 31.6% (36.5% in the translated region) of the GC nucleotides. Two transcription starts and the exon/intron organization distinguish bark beetle G6PD from the homologous genes known in other insects. Two enzyme variants were detected in the protein extracts of individual bark beetles but their relationship to the A and B mRNA isoforms is uncertain.
A novel guanylyl cyclase receptor, BdmGC‐1, is highly expressed during the development of the oriental fruit flyBactrocera dorsalis(Hendel)
Authors: Chang J.‐C. , Yang R.‐B. , Chen Y.‐H. , Lu K.‐H.
Published: February 2006

A novel receptor guanylyl cyclase (GC) has been identified from the oriental fruit flyBactrocera dorsalis(Hendel) and has been designated BdmGC‐1. Protein domain analysis revealed that BdmGC‐1 possesses a characteristic domain organization similar to all known receptor GCs but with a unique carboxyl‐terminal extension. When overexpressed in 293T cells, BdmGC‐1 manifests as a cell‐surface glycoprotein with a marked cGMP‐generating activity but is unresponsive to all ligands known to activate mammalian receptor GCs. BdmGC‐1 mRNAs were highly expressed during development but had low or no expression in adult tissues. On the basis of its unique sequence and distinct developmental expression pattern, BdmGC‐1 represents a novel receptor GC that may play a critical role during the development ofB. dorsalis.
Distribution and prevalence of Wolbachia in introduced populations of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta
Authors: Bouwma A. M. , Ahrens M. E. , DeHeer C. J. , DeWayne Shoemaker D.
Published: February 2006

Wolbachia are intracellular bacteria that induce phenotypic effects in many arthropod hosts to enhance their own transmission within host populations. Wolbachia commonly infect the Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta, in native South American populations. A previous study failed to detect Wolbachia in fire ants from the introduced range in the USA. We conducted an extensive study of individuals collected from 1157 nests from 10 widespread geographical populations in the USA. Wolbachia were detected in ants from two nearby populations in southern Mississippi, with different variants (wsp gene sequences) infecting ants from colonies of the multiple‐queen (polygyne) vs. single‐queen (monogyne) social forms. The parsimonious explanation for the presence of Wolbachia in introduced S. invicta is that there have been one or more recent introductions of Wolbachia‐infected fire ants into the southern USA.
Nur, a nickel‐responsive regulator of the Fur family, regulates superoxide dismutases and nickel transport in Streptomyces coelicolor
Authors: Ahn Bo‐Eun , Cha Joonseok , Lee Eun‐Jin , Han Ah‐Reum , Thompson Charles J. , Roe Jung‐Hye
Published: February 2006

Nickel serves as a cofactor for various microbial enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD) found in Streptomyces spp. In Streptomyces coelicolor, nickel represses and induces production of Fe‐containing and Ni‐containing SODs, respectively, primarily at the transcriptional level. We identified the nickel‐responsive regulator (Nur), a Fur (ferric‐uptake regulator) homologue, which binds to the promoter region of the sodF gene encoding FeSOD in the presence of nickel. Disruption of the nur gene caused constitutive expression of FeSOD and no induction of NiSOD in the presence of nickel. The intracellular level of nickel was higher in a Δnur mutant than in the wild type, suggesting that Nur also regulates nickel uptake in S. coelicolor. A putative nickel‐transporter gene cluster (nikABCDE) was identified in the genome database. Its transcription was negatively regulated by Nur in the presence of nickel. Purified Nur protein bound to the nikA promoter region in a nickel‐dependent way. These results support the action of Nur as a regulator of nickel homeostasis and antioxidative response in S. coelicolor, and add a novel nickel‐responsive member to the list of versatile metal‐specific regulators of the Fur family.
Cyclicity in the nearshore marine to coastal, Lower Permian, Pebbley Beach Formation, southern Sydney Basin, Australia: a record of relative sea‐level fluctuations at the close of the Late Palaeozoic Gondwanan ice age
Authors: FIELDING CHRISTOPHER R. , BANN KERRIE L. , MACEACHERN JAMES A. , TYE STUART C. , JONES BRIAN G.
Published: February 2006

The Lower Permian (Artinskian to Sakmarian) Pebbley Beach Formation (PBF) of the southernmost Sydney Basin in New South Wales, Australia, records sediment accumulation in shallow marine to coastal environments at the close of the Late Palaeozoic Gondwanan ice age. This paper presents a sequence stratigraphic re‐evaluation of the upper half of the unit based on the integration of sedimentology and ichnology. Ten facies are recognized, separated into two facies associations. Facies Association A (seven facies) comprises variably bioturbated siltstones and sandstones with marine body fossils, interpreted as recording sediment accumulation in open marine environments ranging from lower offshore to middle shoreface water depths. Evidence of deltaic influence is seen in several Association A facies. Facies Association B (three facies) comprises mainly heterolithic, interlaminated and thinly interbedded sandstone and siltstone with some thicker intervals of dark grey, organic‐rich mudstone, some units clearly filling incised channel forms. These facies are interpreted as the deposits of estuarine channels and basins. Throughout the upper half of the formation, erosion surfaces with several metres relief abruptly separate open marine facies of Association A (below) from estuarine facies of Association B (above). Vertical facies changes imply significant basinward shift of environment across these surfaces, and lowering of relative sea level in the order of 50 m. These surfaces can be traced over several kilometres along depositional strike, and are defined as sequence boundaries. On this basis, at least nine sequences have been recognized in the upper half of the formation, each of which is < 10 m thick, condensed, incomplete and top‐truncated. Sequences contain little if any record of the lowstand systems tract, a more substantial transgressive systems tract and a highstand systems tract that is erosionally truncated (or in some cases, missing). This distinctive stacking pattern (which suggests a dominance of retrogradation and progradation over aggradation) and the implied relative sea‐level drop across sequence boundaries of tens of metres are remarkably similar to some other studies of continental margin successions formed under the Neogene icehouse climatic regime. Accordingly, it is suggested that the stratigraphic architecture of the PBF was a result of an Icehouse climate regime characterized by repeated, high‐amplitude cycles of relative sea‐level change.
Data depth, data completeness, and their influence on quantitative genetic estimation in two contrasting bird populations
Authors: Quinn J. L. , Charmantier A. , Garant D. , Sheldon B. C.
Published: February 2006

Evolutionary biologists increasingly use pedigree-based quantitative genetic methods to address questions about the evolutionary dynamics of traits in wild populations. In many cases, phenotypic data may have been collected only for recent parts of the study. How does this influence the performance of the models used to analyse these data? Here we explore how data depth (number of years) and completeness (number of observations) influence estimates of genetic variance and covariance within the context of an existing pedigree. Using long-term data from the great tit Parus major and the mute swan Cygnus olor, species with different life-histories, we examined the effect of manipulating the amount of data included on quantitative genetic parameter estimates. Manipulating data depth and completeness had little influence on estimated genetic variances, heritabilities, or genetic correlations, but (as expected) did influence confidence in these estimates. Estimated breeding values in the great tit were not influenced by data depth but were in the mute swan, probably because of differences in pedigree structure. Our analyses suggest the ‘rule of thumb’ that data from 3 years and a minimum of 100 individuals per year are needed to estimate genetic parameters with acceptable confidence, and that using pedigree data is worthwhile, even if phenotypes are only available toward the tips of the pedigree.
Long‐term Measurement of Gastric Motility using Passive Telemetry and Effect of Guar and Cellulose as Food Additives in Dogs
Authors: Burger D. M. , Wiestner T. , Montavon P. M. , Kündig H. , Hubler M. , Binder H. , Arnold S.
Published: February 2006

The suitability of passive telemetry for long‐term measurements of gastric motility in two groups of dogs with different body weights, four Beagles and four Labrador Retrievers, was investigated. An intra‐abdominal measuring device, with a pressure sensor and electrodes within the gastric wall, allowed the continuous recording of the intensity and frequency of contractions simultaneously with an electromyogram (EMG). In fasting dogs a typical inter‐digestive motility cycle was reproducible. Within 15 min of feeding the integral of the pressure curve increased significantly, reaching its maximum 30–45 min post‐prandially. The peak frequency also significantly increased immediately after feeding, reaching the maximum of 22 contractions per 5 min. The post‐prandial motility patterns of the groups were significantly different. The pressure amplitudes of the Labradors were significantly higher and the peak frequencies significantly lower than the Beagles. The addition of guar to the food (2.5% or 5%) leads to a significant reduction of the intensity of the antral contractions, whereas the frequency was hardly affected. In comparison, the effect of cellulose, as a food additive (2.5% or 5%), was rather modest. The intensity of the post‐prandial contractions, influenced by cellulose, was significantly increased in Beagles, but was decreased in Labradors. Passive telemetry has been proven to be a suitable method for the long‐term investigation of the physiological gastric motility and the effect of food additives. The measuring device was still functional after removal 8 weeks later.
In Vitro Binding Capacity of Zeolite A to Calcium, Phosphorus and Magnesium in Rumen Fluid as Influenced by Changes in pH
Authors: Thilsing T. , Jørgensen R. J. , Poulsen H. D.
Published: February 2006

An in vitro experiment was designed to mimic the transport of ingested zeolite A in the forestomachs and proximal part of the small intestine so as to evaluate the binding capacity of zeolite A to Ca, P and Mg as influenced by changes in pH. This was done by incubation of rumen fluid solutions with and without zeolite, as well as varying the content of Ca and/or P. The pH was lowered by addition of HCl so as to mimic abomasal conditions, followed by subsequent HCO addition to mimic small intestinal pH. Rumen fluid samples were taken at strategic time points in the experiment. All samples were centrifuged and the supernatant analysed for Ca, P and Mg as indicators of the amount of unbound mineral. The addition of zeolite to rumen fluid solutions reduced the amount of supernatant Ca and Mg at rumen pH, whereas the level of P was not reduced. After adding HCl, a large proportion of the zeolite‐bound Ca and Mg was released, increasing supernatant Ca and Mg levels; whereas, HCl addition led to a profound drop in supernatant P in zeolite samples, indicating binding of P. A low level of supernatant P was maintained after HCO addition. Neutralization by HCO led to a zeolite‐induced drop in supernatant Ca and Mg. The reduction in supernatant Ca observed in the present study concurs well with the theoretical rationale of prepartum zeolite supplementation in milk fever prevention. Furthermore, the apparent binding of P by the zeolite may also contribute because of the connection between the calcium and phosphorus homeostasis. The zeolite‐induced reduction in supernatant Mg indicates that zeolite supplementation should probably be avoided in Mg‐deficient herds unless Mg supplementation is initiated.
Intracellular oxidative response of human monocytes and granulocytes to different strains of Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Pastor Alexandrine , Gafa Valérie , Boutonnat Jean , Grillot Renée , Ambroise‐Thomas Pierre , Aldebert Delphine
Published: February 2006

Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the most prevalent airborne fungal pathogens, causing severe and often fatal infections. Its fungal virulence factors have not been clearly identified. Reactive oxygen species produced by phagocytic cells are potent fungicides for A. fumigatus. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of conidia pigmentation, fungal development stage and genotype strain on human leucocytes oxidative response. Various A. fumigatus strains were used and the oxidative response was analysed by flow cytometry. A significant difference was observed between live‐ and killed‐conidia. A pigmentless strain gave an important intracellular oxidative response compared with pigmented strains. But no difference was observed between strains isolated from patients with invasive aspergillosis (IA) and bronchial colonisation. The modification of healthy phagocytes’ oxidative response caused by A. fumigatus components is not sufficient to explain the virulence of fungus and to predict an evolution of patients with IA.
Utility of the oestrogen‐dependent vaginal candidosis murine model in evaluating the efficacy of various therapies against vaginal Candida albicans infection
Authors: Hamad Mawieh , Muta'eb Enas , Abu‐Shaqra Qasem , Fraij Abeer , Abu‐Elteen Khaled , Yasin Salem R.
Published: February 2006

The efficacy of yogurt treatment against vaginal candidosis (VC) was examined using an oestrogen‐dependent vaginal candidosis (EDVC) murine model. The EDVC mouse model was constructed by inoculating mice with viable Candida albicans cells under pseudo‐oestrus conditions. Vaginal fungal burden in the various mouse groups was evaluated at several time points following the induction of VC. Untreated and yogurt‐treated naïve mice exhibited background levels of VC (<6000 CFU per mouse). Candida albicans colonisation in untreated EDVC mice was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that in yogurt‐treated EDVC mice at days 20–30. Metronidazole‐treated naïve mice developed persistent C. albicans vaginal colonisation at significantly lower levels (P < 0.05) than that in untreated or metronidazole‐treated EDVC mice. Lactobacillus was only detected in the reproductive tracts of yogurt‐treated naïve and EDVC mice. These findings suggest that the presence of Lactobacillus in the reproductive tract can suppress C. albicans growth and the antibiotics may predispose to VC.
Family history of alcoholism and cognitive recovery in subacute withdrawal
Authors: MORIYAMA YASUSHI , MURAMATSU TARO , KATO MOTOICHIRO , MIMURA MASARU , KASHIMA HARUO
Published: February 2006

Abstract  A family history of alcoholism has been demonstrated to be an important factor affecting cognitive function. However, no studies have yet been conducted to compare cognitive recovery of family history‐positive (FH+) and family history‐negative (FH–) alcoholics in the subacute withdrawal period. To tackle this problem, a neuropsychological test battery consisting of six computerized tests was administered to 19 FH+ and 20 FH– alcoholics at 2 and 7 weeks after abstinence. At 2 weeks after abstinence, overall performance of both FH+ and FH– groups was significantly poorer than that of healthy controls. At 7 weeks, these performances tended to recover, but in Trail Making A and Figure Position, performances of FH+ alcoholics remained worse than those of controls, while those of FH– alcoholics did not. Thus cognitive recovery during the subacute withdrawal period was worse among FH+ alcoholics than FH– alcoholics, and this finding should be considered when planning alcohol rehabilitation programs.
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme criteria for the use of tumour necrosis factor‐α inhibitors in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis in Australia: are they evidence based?
Authors: Smith M. D. , Ahern M. J.
Published: February 2006

Background: In 2004, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listed infliximab as a subsidised treatment for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Eligibility to receive this treatment for AS involved fulfilling several criteria.

Aim: To examine the medical literature concerning response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α inhibitors in AS and compare with the PBS criteria for these agents.

Methods: Review of published studies and analysis of the PBS criteria for the prescription of TNF inhibitors for the treatment of AS to assess whether the published criteria are evidence based.

Results: The published findings on the prediction of response to TNF inhibitors in the treatment of AS suggest that age, duration of disease, disease activity, functional status at the time of commencement of TNF inhibitors and, possibly, level of acute phase reactants predict the outcome of treatment with TNF inhibitors in AS. The PBS criteria do not reflect the published findings on predictors of response to TNF inhibitors.

Conclusion: The current PBS criteria that need to be fulfilled for patients to receive subsidised treatment with TNF inhibitors for AS are not evidence based and will lead to the selection of patients with established disease while excluding patients with early disease.
Communication deficiencies in research and monitoring by ethics committees
Authors: Karunaratne A. S. , Myles P. S. , Ago M. J. , Komesaroff P. A.
Published: February 2006

Aim: To assess the range of issues that arise for researchers, research participants and ethics committee members in the setting of a hospital‐based research environment and to develop a tool that could be used to assist in the process of monitoring.

Methods: A qualitative phase comprising focus group sessions and interviews involving research participants, researchers and ethics committee members of a public teaching hospital and a quantitative phase involving distribution of a questionnaire to research participants and researchers. The data from the qualitative phase were used to assist with the development of the quantitative instrument. Descriptive statistics were derived to describe the various attitudes and practices with respect to the conduct of research.

Results: The qualitative study identified issues concerning monitoring procedures and the quality of communication between researchers and study participants. The quantitative analysis showed that parts of the Explanatory Statement (also known as the Participant Information Statement) were incomprehensible to 21% of research participants; the Explanatory Statement was considered too long by 34% of researchers; 6% of researchers believed that explicit consent was not always necessary; of the participants who were out of pocket for attending a study, 53% were offered compensation; and 44% of research participants were unaware of the existence of the ethics committee. In addition, 12% of researchers felt that the quality of monitoring should be improved.

Conclusions: Improvements are necessary in the communication between ethics committees and researchers and research participants, and there is a need for more effective monitoring by ethics committees of research practices. The questionnaire designed for this study could be applied in a prospective manner as a useful tool for monitoring the conduct of research.
Management of chronic hepatitis B virus infection: a new era of disease control
Authors: Farrell G. C. , Teoh N. C.
Published: February 2006

When assessing patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, consider the state of viral replication, the immune response and whether viral mutations could be present, as well as evidence for liver disease or extrahepatic manifestations. In wild‐type infections, loss of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), gain of anti‐HBe and disappearance of HBV DNA from serum indicate immunosuppression of viral replication, or ‘nonreplicative chronic HBV infection’. This ‘healthy carrier’ state must be distinguished from HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) resulting from precore and core promoter mutations. HBeAg‐negative CHB is common with genotypes D (Mediterranean region, south Asia) and C (north Asia) infections. Age, disease activity (alanine aminotransferase level) and severity (fibrosis stage, cirrhosis) influence treatment decisions. Following the marginal effectiveness of interferon and often temporary effectiveness of lamivudine due to drug resistance, treatment of CHB is entering a new era. Adefovir, entecavir, tenofovir, telbivudine and clevudine have equal or superior antiviral efficacy to lamivudine, whereas several agents are effective against lamivudine‐resistant HBV. Pegylated‐interferon (peginterferon) is superior to conventional interferon for obtaining sustained immunosuppression of HBV without drug resistance. Antiviral suppression of HBV replication for 2–5 years reverses hepatic fibrosis, prevents cirrhosis and, when cirrhosis is established, improves liver function, prevents hepatic decompensation and lowers the risk of liver cancer. Before embarking on immunosuppressive chemotherapy or organ transplantation in patients with chronic HBV infection, it is important to start antiviral therapy to prevent hepatitis flares. Antiviral therapy can be effective against membranous glomerulonephritis and polyarteritis nodosa caused by HBV. Further improvements in treatment of CHB are needed to prevent drug resistance and permanently suppress viral replication by eradicating viral templates or stimulating host immune responsiveness to HBV.
Impact of elective resection on plasma TIMP‐1 levels in patients with colon cancer
Authors: Hammer J. H. , Basse L. , Svendsen M. N. , Werther K. , Brünner N. , Christensen I. J. , Nielsen H. J.
Published: February 2006

Objective  Pre‐ and post‐operative plasma tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases‐1 (TIMP‐1) levels have a prognostic impact on patients with colorectal cancer. However, the surgical trauma may play an essential role in regulation of plasma TIMP‐1 levels, which in turn may influence subsequent TIMP‐1 measurements.

Patients and methods  Consecutively, 48 patients with colon cancer (CC) and 12 patients with nonmalignant colonic disease were randomised to undergo elective laparoscopically assisted or open resection followed by fast track recovery. Plasma samples were collected just before and 1, 2 and 6 h after skin incision, and 1, 2, 8 and 30 days after surgery. TIMP‐1 was determined concurrently in all samples by a validated ELISA method.

Results  Geometric mean preoperative TIMP‐1 level was 142 ng/ml (range 54–559 ng/ml) among CC patients compared with 106 ng/ml (range 64–167 ng/ml) among patients with nonmalignant diseases (P < 0.0001). TIMP‐1 levels were decreased significantly 2 h after skin incision compared to the preoperative levels returning to preoperative levels at 6 h. A highly significant (P < 0.0001) maximum level was observed 1 day after surgery and was decreasing to preoperative levels 30 days after surgery. Patients undergoing laparoscopically assisted or open resection had similar TIMP‐1 levels at each time point.

Conclusions  Major surgery has considerable impact on plasma TIMP‐1 levels. Intra‐ and post‐operative changes of plasma TIMP‐1 levels are independent of the surgical approach, and resection for CC does not lead to a significant decrease of plasma TIMP‐1 levels within 30 days postoperatively.
Sacral neuromodulation; does it affect colonic transit time in patients with faecal incontinence?
Authors: Uludaǧ Ö. , Koch S. M. P. , Dejong C. H. C. , van Gemert W. G. , Baeten C. G. M. I.
Published: February 2006

Objective  Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) has been a successful treatment in urinary voiding disorders for years. A concomitant effect on bowel function was observed leading to the treatment of faecal incontinence with SNM. In this study we describe the effect of SNM on bowel frequency and (segmental) colonic transit time.

Patients and methods  Fourteen patients with faecal incontinence who qualified for permanent SNM underwent a colon transit study before and one month after permanent implant. Patients completed a three‐week bowel habits diary before and during stimulation.

Results  Median incontinence episodes and days per week before SNM were, 8.7 and 4.2, respectively, and both decreased significantly to 0.67 (P = 0001) and 0.5 (P = 0001) during trial screening and to 0.33 (P = 0001) and 0.33 (P = 0001) after permanent implant. The median number of bowel movements per week decreased from 14.7 (6.7–41.7) to 10.0 (3.7–22.7)(P = 0005) during trial screening and to 10.0 (6.0–24.3)(P = 0008) during permanent stimulation. Resting and squeeze pressures did not change significantly during stimulation. Segmental colonic transit time before and during stimulation for right colon, left colon and recto sigmoid were, respectively, 6 (0–25) vs 5 (0–16) hours, 2 (0–29) vs 4 (0–45) hours and 7 (28) vs 8 (0–23) hours. No significant changes were found in both segmental and total colonic transit time; 17 (1–65) vs 25 (0–67) hours.

Conclusion  SNM in patients with fecal incontinence led to a significant decrease of bowel movements however (segmental) colonic transit time was not influenced.
The use of intra‐operative endo‐anal ultrasound in perianal disease
Authors: Tilney H. S. , Heriot A. G. , Trickett J. P. , Massouh H. , Edwards D. P. , Mellor S. G. , Gudgeon A. M.
Published: February 2006

Introduction  Endoanal ultrasound (EAUS) has demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for the structural imaging of anorectal pathology. This study prospectively assessed the impact of intra‐operative EAUS on the surgical management of perianal disease.

Methods  EAUS was performed prior to and after examination under anaesthesia (EUA) in a consecutive series of patients with perianal disease. The impact of EAUS on the surgery performed was identified.

Results  Forty‐three procedures have been performed in 38 patients (21 male, 17 female; mean age 42.7 years, range 6–76 years) over a three year period. Pathologies encountered were fistula‐in‐ano (42%), fissure‐in‐ano (26%), complicated perianal sepsis (16%) and carcinoma (5%). No specific abnormality was identified in 5 symptomatic patients (12%). Four patients with fissures had undergone previous sphincterotomy. In 22 cases (51.2%) the EAUS findings affected the surgical management (extent of muscle above a fistula 9 cases, extent of sphincterotomy 7 cases, site of sepsis identified 2 cases, exclusion of sepsis 2 cases, assessment of cancer resectability 1 case, biopsy of intersphincteric lesion 1 case).

Conclusion  Intra‐operative EAUS accurately identifies perianal disease and influences the surgical procedure performed. While not essential, it is a useful adjunct especially in recurrent perianal sepsis, undiagnosed anorectal pain and anal fissure.
A double‐blind randomized dose‐response study comparing daily doses of 5, 10 and 15 mg controlled‐release oxybutynin: balancing efficacy with severity of dry mouth
Authors: CORCOS JAQUES , CASEY RICHARD , PATRICK ALLAN , ANDREOU CAL , MICELI PAULA C. , REIZ JOSEPH L. , HARSANYI ZOLTAN , DARKE ANDREW C. ,   FOR THE UROMAX STUDY GROUP
Published: February 2006

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy, incidence of dry mouth and overall satisfaction with initial doses of 5, 10 and 15 mg of a new, once‐daily, controlled‐release (CR) form of oxybutynin for treating urge urinary incontinence (UUI).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients who reported urinary incontinence (UI) (one or more episodes/diary) and voiding frequency (eight or more voids/day) or urgency (one or more episodes/diary) during a 2‐week baseline were randomized to once‐daily 5, 10 or 15 mg CR oxybutynin for 4 weeks. Daily episodes of UI, voids, urgency, adverse events, dry mouth and satisfaction were recorded in a 3‐day diary at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment. In all, 237 patients were randomized and evaluated.

RESULTS

Episodes of UI, voids and urgency were significantly reduced over the study period at all doses. Daily UI episodes were significantly lower with 15 mg/day than 5 and 10 mg/day. Dry mouth symptoms were similar in the 10 and 15 mg/day groups, and higher than in the 5 mg/day group. However, significantly greater overall satisfaction was reported with 15 than 5 mg/day.

CONCLUSIONS

There were significant dose–response relationships with CR oxybutynin for both UI episodes and dry mouth. The greatest satisfaction was with 15 mg/day, and the severity of dry mouth was comparable at 10 mg/day, indicating that greater efficacy at the higher dose did not compromise tolerability.
Medical visits among adults with symptoms commonly associated with an overactive bladder
Authors: KIM SUNNY H. , BOYE MARK , BHATTACHARYYA SAMIR K. , COYNE KARIN , DHAWAN RAVINDER
Published: February 2006

OBJECTIVES

To examine nationally representative data and thus obtain estimates of the use of healthcare providers associated with the overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms, a condition characterized by frequency, urgency and nocturia, with or with no urge incontinence, as although it is ranked among the 10 most common chronic medical conditions in the USA, the level of OAB‐associated medical treatment remains largely unknown.

METHODS

To estimate the number of annual OAB‐associated medical visits among patients aged ≥18 years, three national databases in the USA (year 2000) were examined: the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, and the National Hospital Discharge Survey. Population estimates were constructed using design‐based statistical analyses to account for the complex survey designs of data.

RESULTS

During 2000, adult Americans made 1.4 million (95% confidence interval 1.1–1.8  million) ambulatory visits to non‐Federal office‐based physicians with International Classification of Disease (ICD‐9) coding indicative of OAB symptoms. Accounting for emergency and outpatient department visits, as well as non‐Federal short‐stay hospital discharges, the estimated number of medical visits with OAB‐associated ICD‐9 coding was <1.5 million.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of OAB was estimated to be 34 million adult Americans. When 1.4 million ambulatory visits were compared with this prevalence, as few as 4% of adult Americans with OAB sought medical treatment during the year 2000. The present results therefore suggest a large unmet medical need among the population of adult Americans with OAB.