bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of terbinafine for tinea in Australian Aboriginal communities in the Top End
Authors: Koh Karen J , Parker Colin J , Ellis David H , Pruim Bert , Leysley Loyla , Currie Bart J
Published: November 2003

Tinea of the skin and nails is a common problem in remote Aboriginal communities of the Top End of Australia. A retrospective study was performed on data collected from 104 patients from several indigenous communities. Worksheets were filled in by district medical officers and rural general practitioners, detailing the extent of the tinea. Patients were prescribed between 4 and 12 weeks of 250 mg daily oral terbinafine. Fifty‐two patients were followed up, with 45 having a good response to treatment (87%) and with 22 of these patients having full clearance of tinea (42%).

A prospective study with 44 subjects was performed. The extent of the tinea was documented and fungal scrapings/clippings were taken. Forty subjects were recruited and given oral terbinafine (2–12 weeks depending on skin/nail involvement) or topical terbinafine if oral treatment was contraindicated. Twenty‐five of the 40 (63%) subjects were reviewed. Twenty‐three (92%) subjects that were followed up improved clinically, with 8/25 (32%) clearing completely. Twenty (80%) of followed‐up patients complied fully with treatment. Terbinafine was found to be a well‐tolerated and effective treatment of tinea of the skin and nails.
Multiple trichoepitheliomas in a mother and daughter
Authors: Crotty Kerry , Dutta Bishnu , Hogan Peter
Published: November 2003

A 38‐year‐old mother and her 8‐year‐old daughter presented with multiple facial papules. In both cases, the papules had started to develop at about the age of 4–5 years. Biopsy of one of the mother's papules revealed a trichoepithelioma. With time the lesions had become less obvious in the mother, so she and her daughter elected to have no treatment. Both mother and daughter were otherwise well. However, there have been rare reports of multiple trichoepitheliomas being associated with systemic conditions. Multiple trichoepitheliomas are inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and have been mapped to chromosome 9p21.
Porokeratosis of Mibelli: Successful treatment with topical 5% imiquimod cream
Authors: Harrison Shannon , Sinclair Rodney
Published: November 2003

A 77‐year‐old woman with a large porokeratosis of Mibelli on the left shin was successfully treated with topical 5% imiquimod cream applied to the entire lesion once daily without occlusion three times a week. A strong inflammatory reaction was achieved in 6 weeks of treatment. The lesion had been present for approximately 6 years and prior treatments included curettage and electrocautery, cryotherapy and topical 5‐fluorouracil under occlusion. At the end of treatment with topical 5% imiquimod cream, punch biopsy was negative for porokeratosis. The lesion healed without scarring. At 24‐month follow up there had been no sign of clinical recurrence.
Necrotizing eosinophilic folliculitis with mucinosis
Authors: Kossard Steven
Published: November 2003

A 23‐year‐old woman presented with a 2‐week history of an extensive facial eruption consisting of markedly crusted arciform plaques covered with a haemorrhagic eschar that commenced as pruritic follicular pustules. These were associated with facial oedema but no systemic symptoms or fever. Two skin biopsies revealed prominent tissue eosinophilia with eosinophilic folliculitis and areas of follicular mucinosis, as well as haemorrhagic scale crust over the surface. The clinical and histological findings may represent an example of a necrotizing variant of eosinophilic folliculitis that has recently been reported in atopic individuals. This patient, however, did not have evidence of atopy and appeared to have a florid form of Ofuji's disease that responded rapidly to indomethacin treatment.
In situ pressure–temperature conditions of a tectonic mélange: Constraints from fluid inclusion analysis of syn‐mélange veins
Authors: Hashimoto Y. , Enjoji M. , Sakaguchi A. , Kimura G.
Published: November 2003

Abstract  Pressure and temperature (P–T) conditions of mélange formation are estimated from fluid inclusions within “syn‐mélange” veins developed in the necks of boudins of sandstone blocks in the mélange of the Shimanto accretionary complex, south‐west Japan. The mélange records décollement‐zone processes. P–T conditions are in the range of 81 (+15) to 235 (±18) MPa and 150 (±25) to 220 (±31)°C. Assuming a constant fluid‐pressure to lithostatic‐pressure ratio for each data set, we estimate a P–T gradient of between 10.0°C/km (+0.2/−1.5) (lithostatic pressure) and 4.2°C/km (+0.1/−0.9) (hydrostatic pressure) from these results. The estimated lithostatic P–T gradient is much lower than that calculated from the age of the subducting oceanic plate. The estimated P–T conditions suggest that the mélange was formed within the seismogenic zone (hypothesized from thermal modeling), although the deformation mechanism of mélange (i.e. dominant diffusive mass transfer mainly in shale matrix with minor brittle breakage mainly in sandstone blocks) does not show evidence of seismic deformation. In addition, at the time of syn‐mélange vein formation, a shale matrix of mélange has injected into the vein, which indicates a ductile deformation of shale. A possible explanation for this discrepancy is that the mélange was formed during the interseismic period.
Insights into operation of the subduction factory from the oxygen isotopic values of the southern Izu–Bonin–Mariana Arc
Authors: Ito Emi , Stern Robert J. , Douthitt Chuck
Published: November 2003

Abstract  Oxygen is the most abundant element in the earth, and isotopic analysis of this element in island arc lavas potentially provides sensitive constraints on the proportion of oxygen recycled from subducted material, relative to that extracted from the mantle. Here we report on 225 new oxygen isotopic analyses of whole‐rock and glass samples, and clinopyroxene separates, from lavas collected from the southernmost 1500 km of the Izu–Bonin–Mariana (IBM) convergent margin. Whole‐rock samples clustered around a mean of 6.11 ± 0.47‰, whereas Mariana Trough glasses and mafic melts, calculated to be in equilibrium with mafic phenocrysts, clustered narrowly around a mean of 5.7‰. These data demonstrate that unequivocal identification of magmatic oxygen requires analysis of fresh glass or mafic minerals, and that the source of southern IBM Arc melts is entirely, or almost entirely, in equilibrium with normal mantle oxygen. If the elemental enrichments characteristic of the subduction component originate in subducted materials, these oxygen isotopic data are most consistent with the interaction of a small amount of sediment melt (<4%; mostly less than 1%) with mantle peridotite to yield the hybrid mantle that melts to form IBM Arc magmas.
SARS: clinical virology and pathogenesis
Authors: NICHOLLS John , DONG Xiao‐Ping , JIANG Gu , PEIRIS Malik
Published: November 2003

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is caused by a novel coronavirus, called the SARS coronavirus (SARS‐CoV). Over 95% of well characterized cohorts of SARS have evidence of recent SARS‐CoV infection. The genome of SARS‐CoV has been sequenced and it is not related to any of the previously known human or animal coronaviruses. It is probable that SARS‐CoV was an animal virus that adapted to human‐human transmission in the recent past. The virus can be found in nasopharyngeal aspirate, urine and stools of SARS patients. Second generation reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays are able to detect SARS‐CoV in nasopharyngeal aspirates of approximately 80% of patients with SARS within the first 3 days of illness. Seroconversion for SARS‐CoV using immunofluorescence on infected cells is an excellent method of confirming the diagnosis, but antibody responses only appear around day 10 of the illness. Within the first 10 days the histological picture is that of acute phase diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) with a mixture of inflammatory infiltrate, oedema and hyaline membrane formation. Desquamation of pneumocytes is prominent and consistent. After 10 days of illness the picture changes to one of organizing DAD with increased fibrosis, squamous metaplasia and multinucleated giant cells. The role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of SARS is still unclear.
SARS: hospital infection control and admission strategies
Authors: HO Pak‐Leung , TANG Xiao‐Ping , SETO Wing‐Hong
Published: November 2003

Nosocomial clustering with transmission to health care workers, patients and visitors is a prominent feature of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Hospital outbreaks of SARS typically occurred within the first week after admission of the very first SARS cases when the disease was not recognized and before isolation measures were implemented. In the majority of nosocomial infections, there was a history of close contact with a SARS patient, and transmission occurred via large droplets, direct contact with infectious material or by contact with fomites contaminated by infectious material. In a few instances, potential airborne transmission was reported in association with endotracheal intubation, nebulised medications and non‐invasive positive pressure ventilation of SARS patients. In all SARS‐affected countries, nosocomial transmission of the disease was effectively halted by enforcement of routine standard, contact and droplet precautions in all clinical areas and additional airborne precautions in the high‐risk areas. In Hong Kong, where there are few private rooms for patient isolation, some hospitals have obtained good outcome by having designated SARS teams and separate wards for patient triage, confirmed SARS cases and step‐down of patients in whom SARS had been ruled out. In conclusion, SARS represents one of the new challenges for those who are involved in hospital infection control. As SARS might re‐emerge, all hospitals should take advantage of the current SARS‐free interval to review their infection control programmes, alert mechanisms, response capability and to repair any identified inadequacies.
The Quantification of Qualitative Survey Data: A Critical Assessment
Authors: Nardo Michela
Published: November 2003

Abstract.  Data obtained from business and consumer surveys are often used in forecasting models and in testing different expectation formation schemes. Their use, however, requires a previous step of transformation of the qualitative data into quantitative figures. This paper contains a critical review of the different quantification methods, highlighting the limits of their use in macroeconomic modelling.
The Mystery of Regional Unemployment Differentials: Theoretical and Empirical Explanations
Authors: Elhorst J. Paul
Published: November 2003

Abstract.  This paper provides an integrated overview of theoretical and empirical explanations used in the applied literature on regional unemployment differentials. On the basis of 41 empirical studies, four different model types covering nine theoretical constructs of regional unemployment determination and 13 sets of explanatory variables are identified. The overall conclusion is that theoretical and empirical explanations help to reduce the weaknesses in each other. While theory is found to predict that the regional unemployment rate depends on labour supply factors (a collection of factors which affect natural changes in the labour force, labour force participation, migration and commuting), labour demand factors and wage‐setting factors, it is the empirical studies that provide a more profound understanding of the explanatory variables involved. Conversely, whereas most empirical studies provide clear‐cut explanations for the signs of the explanatory variables, it is theory that shows that some of these explanations might be out of proportion. By grouping many studies together, this paper shows that there are indeed clear‐cut trends.
Regulating Banks through Market Discipline: A Survey of the Issues
Authors: De Ceuster Marc J. K. , Masschelein Nancy
Published: November 2003

Abstract.  The interest in the application of market discipline to regulate the financial industry has boomed recently due to the proposed New Capital Accord. This paper reviews the potential role market discipline can play in financial regulation. We start with a discussion of the rationale for financial regulation and with a brief history of the current regulatory mechanisms. Next, a definition of market discipline as a regulatory mechanism is advanced. We evaluate the disciplining power various market participants have. Finally, we argue that more external risk management disclosure is a condition sine qua non in order to enable market discipline as a regulatory mechanism. In this respect, the Basle Committee has taken the right approach.
“Brain Abuse”, or the Devaluation of Immigrant Labour in Canada
Authors: Bauder Harald
Published: November 2003

Many professional and skilled Canadian immigrants suffer from de‐skilling and the nonrecognition of their foreign credentials. Consequently, they are underrepresented in the upper segments of the Canadian labour market. Rather than accepting this devaluation of immigrant labour as a naturally occurring adjustment period, I suggest that regulatory institutions actively exclude immigrants from the upper segments of the labour market. In particular, professional associations and employers give preference to Canadian‐born and educated workers and deny immigrants access to the most highly desired occupations.

Pierre Bourdieu's notion of institutionalised cultural capital and his views of the educational system as a site of social reproduction provide the entry point for my theoretical argument. I find that the nonrecognition of foreign credentials and dismissal of foreign work experience systematically excludes immigrant workers from the upper segments of the labour market. This finding is based on data from interviews with institutional administrators and employers in Greater Vancouver who service or employ immigrants from South Asia and the former Yugoslavia.
Well‐being of mothers of children with mental retardation: An evaluation of the Double ABCX model in a cross‐cultural context
Authors: Shin Jin Y. , Crittenden Kathleen S.
Published: November 2003

The present study was designed to compare the psychological well‐being of mothers of children with mental retardation in the USA and Korea. The Double ABCX model of stress proposed by McCubbin and Patterson (1983) was evaluated for the two national groups. Thirty‐eight American and 40 Korean mothers participated in the home‐visit interview. The path models in the present study partially supported the ABCX model, but different path models for the two national groups provided important explanations for the well‐being of mothers from the two nations. The cause of stress for the American mothers was specific to the individual variables. For Korean mothers, cultural values that carry social influence were more strongly associated with their attitudes towards the child and their experience of stress.
Interests, Institutions and Industrial Relations
Authors: Wailes Nick , Ramia Gaby , Lansbury Russell D.
Published: November 2003

In the comparative politics literature there are two main approaches to the impact of international economic change on national policy patterns. The first — new institutionalism — has been very influential in comparative industrial relations scholarship. The second, which focuses on the role of interests, has been less prominent. Comparing industrial relations reform in Australia and New Zealand during the 1980s and 1990s, this paper argues that there are a number of limitations to an institutionalist approach and outlines a framework for the comparative study of the impact of international economic change on national patterns of industrial relations which integrates both institutionalist and interest‐based approaches.
Gendering Industrial Citizenship
Authors: Zetlin Di , Whitehouse Gillian
Published: November 2003

In this paper we analyse the gendered construction of ‘industrial citizenship’ from the model envisaged by Marshall in 1950 to possibilities suggested in ‘Third Way’ thinking. We argue that the Marshallian model, while clearly exclusive to men, provided a framework on to which a more inclusive industrial citizenship could be built, primarily through its recognition of a social component to citizenship. Rather than giving an uncritical endorsement of Marshall's vision, we seek to highlight the benefits for women of viewing citizenship as inclusive of social rights, and the problems associated with dismantling this type of vision of the relationship between citizenship and work.
Making a Party Leader Less of a Party Member: The Impact of Ambivalence on Assimilation and Contrast Effects in Political Party Attitudes
Authors: Haddock Geoffrey
Published: November 2003

The present study tested the degree to which attitudes about a political party would be influenced by the context in which the party leader was rendered cognitively accessible. A sample of British undergraduates evaluated Prime Minister Tony Blair before expressing their opinion about the Labour party. In one condition, the two items were structured such that Blair was expected to be included in participants’ representation of the party. In a second condition, the same items were structured such that Blair was expected to be excluded from participants’ representation of the party. The results supported the hypothesis that manipulating the context in which Blair was made salient would produce different effects on a subsequent judgment of the Labour party, but only among politically ambivalent respondents.
The Reinvention of Tirau: Landscape as a Record of Changing Economy and Culture
Authors: Panelli Ruth , Stolte Ottilie , Bedford Richard
Published: November 2003

Recent attention to rural revivals and place‐specific economic activity has supported studies of 'culture economies' and local identity formation in different western settings. This paper builds on these analyses of rural change to extend debate and present a New Zealand case. While recent works within rural studies have been important for exploring the intersection between economic and cultural values and processes, we argue that additional attention to landscape provides an added level of analysis. Landscape studies can trace and analyse both the material and symbolic ways in which social, cultural and economic processes (and tensions) evolve in a changing rural location. In addition, landscape analysis reiterates the importance of the specificity of place and the embeddedness of economic and cultural discourses and practices. Using the case of Tirau, a small centre in the North Island of New Zealand, we read the townscape as a portrayal of how a traditional service centre has reinvented itself around a consumption culture and a tourism‐related identity.
Feminist Methodology and Rural Research: Reflections on a Study of an Australian Agricultural Organisation
Authors: Pini Barbara
Published: November 2003

This paper describes a feminist doctoral research project undertaken to examine women's leadership in the Australian sugar industry. My purpose is three‐fold. Firstly, I seek to bridge the theoretical and the practical by documenting the 'what' and 'how' of a feminist research project within rural sociology. To do so, I explore five principles which guided my approach to undertaking a feminist study. These were: focusing on gender, valuing women's experiences, rejecting the split between subject and object, emphasising personal empowerment and acting for political change. Secondly, I aim to highlight some of the difficulties and dilemmas such an approach brought and describe some of my attempts to work through these tensions. Thirdly, I seek to open up further debate and dialogue on the question of feminist research in rural sociology.
Catholic Priests and the Political Order: The Political Behavior of Catholic Pastors
Authors: Jelen Ted G.
Published: November 2003

A nationwide mail survey of Catholic priests is analyzed with respect to their political behavior in the presidential election of 2000. Priests exhibit a slight tendency to self‐identify as political liberals, and a strong tendency to identify with the Democratic Party. Nevertheless, Bill Clinton won a very narrow victory over Bob Dole among priests in 1996, and George W. Bush trounced Al Gore among Catholic clergy in 2000. My analysis suggests that support for Gore was motivated by concern for hunger and poverty among Catholic priests, while support for Bush was driven primarily by priestly opposition to abortion. Political participation among priests was predicted by the importance attached to social justice concerns, and by congruence between the social and economic views of each priest and his congregation.
Regulated binding of the fibrinogen‐like domains of tenascin‐R and tenascin‐C to the neural EGF family member CALEB
Authors: Schumacher Stefan , Stübe Eva‐Maria
Published: November 2003

The neural transmembrane protein CALEB was discovered in a screen for novel molecules implicated in neuronal differentiation processes and was found to bind to two proteins of the extracellular matrix, tenascin‐C and tenascin‐R. The expression of different isoforms of CALEB in axon‐ and synapse‐rich areas in the nervous system is regulated during development. Here we show that an unusual acidic peptide segment of CALEB is sufficient to mediate the binding of CALEB to the fibrinogen‐like globes of both tenascin family members as well as to native tenascin‐C. We idengify a small sequence element within the acidic peptide segment of CALEB as important for this binding. Interestingly, the interactions of CALEB and tenascin‐C and ‐R seem to be regulated during development. We demonstrate that only CALEB‐80, the expression of which is up‐regulated in the chicken retina during synaptogenesis, but not CALEB‐140, expressed later on in development, can bind to the fibrinogen‐like domains of tenascin‐R or tenascin‐C and to native tenascin‐C. While both CALEB‐80 and CALEB‐140 are expressed in the plexiform layers and the optic fiber layer of embryonic chicken retina, CALEB‐140 labeling is more intense in the optic fiber layer in comparison to the inner plexiform layer.
Isolation, characterization and cross‐species amplification of eight microsatellite DNA loci in the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria)
Authors: Zhang De‐Xing , Yan Lu‐Na , Ji Ya‐Jie , Kang Le , Hewitt Godfrey M. , Huang Zu‐Shi
Published: November 2003

Eight polymorphic di‐ and trinucleotide microsatellite loci suitable for population genetic analysis were developed in Locusta migratoria from a partial phagemid genomic library enriched for microsatellite inserts. The expected heterozygosity at these loci ranges from 0.45 to 0.97, with the observed allele numbers varying between nine and 45. The overall microsatellite cloning efficiency in L. migratoria is 14%, suggesting that in migratory locusts, microsatellite sequences are abundant and should provide a valuable and easily accessible source of nuclear markers for genetic studies. These microsatellite loci were highly Locusta‐specific, with only very limited cross‐species applicability.
Characterization of microsatellite loci isolated from the blacktip shark and their utility in requiem and hammerhead sharks
Authors: Keeney Devon B. , Heist Edward J.
Published: November 2003

We isolated and characterized 16 microsatellite loci from the blacktip shark, Carcharhinus limbatus, and tested cross‐species amplification in 11 Carcharhinus species and five additional shark genera. Thirty‐six (1.6%) and 180 (48%) colonies were positive for dinucleotide repeat motifs from unenriched and enriched libraries, respectively. Heterozygosities of polymorphic loci ranged from 0.04 to 0.96 with two to 22 alleles per locus. Amplification products were observed at nine to 13 loci (five to 11 of which where polymorphic) in 10 Carcharhinus species. Several loci were also polymorphic in each of the additional genera examined.
Isolation and characterization of 16 microsatellite loci in the Great Tit Parus major
Authors: Saladin Verena , Bonfils Danielle , Binz Thomas , Richner Heinz
Published: November 2003

Six dinucleotide, three trinucleotide and seven tetranucleotide microsatellite loci developed for the great tit Parus major are presented. Thirty individual birds were screened at each locus. Loci were polymorphic (four to 19 alleles per locus). These markers provide a system to study paternity, genetic diversity in natural populations, gene flow, dispersal and inbreeding.
Primers for the amplification of sequence‐characterized loci in Cryphonectria cubensis populations
Authors: Van Der Merwe N. A. , Wingfield B. D. , Wingfield M. J.
Published: November 2003

We describe the development of DNA markers for the fungal pathogen of Eucalyptus, Cryphonectria cubensis. These markers originated from cloned intershort sequence repeat polymerase chain reactions, which enrich for medium to highly repetitive DNA sequences. In total, 10 markers were isolated, eight of which were polymorphic, and these can subsequently be applied to study populations of C. cubensis.
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers in the white‐winged chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos)
Authors: Beck N. , Peakall R. , Heinsohn R
Published: November 2003

We have isolated and characterized seven polymorphic microsatellite loci in the white‐winged chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos), a highly social, cooperatively breeding bird of Australian eucalypt woodlands. In analyses of 100 samples from 16 family groups, the number of alleles per locus ranged from four to 18, and observed heterozygosity ranged between 0.46 and 0.93. One locus appears to be sex‐linked. The primers were also tested in apostlebirds (Struthidera cinerea), the only other species in the subfamily Corcoracinae. Five loci were successfully amplified and three were polymorphic.
New microsatellite markers for the snow crab Chionoecetes opilio (Brachyura: Majidae)
Authors: Puebla O. , Parent É. , Sévigny J.‐M.
Published: November 2003

Five microsatellite markers were developed for the snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) and polymerase chain reaction conditions and/or primer sequences of three previously developed microsatellites were adapted for fluorescent labelling analysis. All loci were analysed in 449 individuals from 11 sampling sites in the northwest Atlantic. The high degree of polymorphism exhibited by these microsatellites (mean of 34 alleles per locus and mean observed heterozygosity of 0.76) suggests that they will be suitable for spatial and temporal genetic analysis of C. opilio populations.
Perceived locus of control and satisfaction in same–sex friendships
Authors: Morry Marian M.
Published: November 2003

Two studies examined perceptions of locus of control (LofC) and friendship satisfaction. Study 1 tested the accuracy of college students’ perceptions of a friend's LofC and their friendship satisfaction. Participants perceived their friends to be similar to themselves on LofC and satisfaction but these perceptions did not match the friends’ self–ratings. Instead, the perceptions reflected a belief in the similarity to the self—the Attraction–Similarity Hypothesis. Study 2 tested whether own and perceived friend's LofC predicted own satisfaction. The Internality Hypothesis indicates that an external LofC would predict dissatisfaction but an internal LofC would predict satisfaction. It was also predicted that these effects would be stronger for women's friendships than for men's friendships. For female, but not male, friendships, perceptions of the friend's external LofC predicted dissatisfaction.
Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Perri Francesco , Qasim Asghar , Marras Lea , O'Morain Colm
Published: November 2003

Review of the recently published data on Helicobacter pylori management highlights various interesting aspects. Current H. pylori eradication guidelines generally suggest a noninvasive ‘test and treat’ strategy for all dyspeptic patients with certain age limits depending on the local gastric neoplasia risk. According to the ‘Maastricht 2–2000 Consensus Report’ treatment should be thought of as a ‘package’ considering first‐ and second‐line eradication therapies together. Various centres have published their results using novel antimicrobial formulations and ‘rescue’ and ‘sequential’ therapies. Review suggests that care at the specialist level remains a challenge and guidelines are deficient particularly as regards the selection and duration of eradication therapies. Results indicate that differences for CYP2C19 genotype and the selection of proton pump inhibitors have no significant role in determining eradication rates whereas antibiotic resistance and socio‐economic factors play a variable role according to different geographical areas. Compliance remains an important factor in determining clinical outcome at the primary and secondary levels worldwide.
Pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Lamarque Dominique , M. Peek Richard
Published: November 2003

Helicobacter pylori induces persistent inflammation in the human stomach, yet only a minority of colonized persons develop peptic ulcer disease or gastric malignancy. Numerous studies published in the last year have demonstrated that H. pylori isolates possess substantial phenotypic and genotypic diversity, which may engender differential host inflammatory responses that influence clinical outcome. Results from these recent investigations have more precisely delineated the mechanisms of H. pylori pathogenesis, which will ultimately help to define colonized persons bearing the highest risk for disease, and enable physicians to appropriately focus diagnostic testing and eradication therapy.
Dissociated Pulmonary Vein Arrhythmia:
Authors: WEERASOORIYA RUKSHEN , JAÏS PIERRE , SCAVÉE CHRISTOPHE , MACLE LAURENT , SHAH DIPEN C. , ARENTZ THOMAS , SALERNO JORGE A. , RAYBAUD FLORENCE , CHOI KEE‐JOON , HOCINI MÉLÈZE , CLÉMENTY JACQUES , HAÏSSAGUERRE MICHEL
Published: November 2003

Introduction: The incidence and characteristics of dissociated arrhythmia confined to the pulmonary vein (PV) following disconnection have not been described in a large number of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Methods and Results: This was a prospective study of 152 patients (29 female, mean age 51 ± 11 years) referred for catheter ablation of drug‐refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Following ostial ablation, the rate and regularity of any dissociated venous activity was analyzed with and without isoproterenol infusion (to achieve a heart rate of 120–140 beats/min). Patients then were classified according to their venous dissociated activity. Group 1 consisted of patients in whom the dissociated PV spike had a slow rhythm >1,200 ms. Group 2 consisted of patients with spontaneous repetitive dissociated discharges confined in the vein with a cycle length <400 ms. A total of 384 PVs were ablated in 152 patients. Disappearance of all venous potentials was observed in 88% of the treated veins; at least one dissociated venous potential was observed in the remaining 12%. Group 1 activity was seen more often than group 2 (23 patients, mean cycle length 2,300 ± 1,100 ms vs 13 patients, mean cycle length 179 ± 77 ms). Dissociated PV arrhythmia was seen most often in the right superior PV (19%).

Conclusion: Dissociation as the endpoint of PV disconnection was observed in 12% of PVs. Due to the capricious nature of this activity, the actual incidence is almost certainly higher. The dissociated venous rhythm usually is slow and, less commonly, is rapid and repetitive. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 14, pp. 1173‐1179, November 2003)
Electrode Jump Motion in Linear Motor Equipped Die-Sinking EDM
Authors: Cetin Serkan , Okada Akira , Uno Yoshiyuki
Published: November 2003

The effects of electrode jump parameters on machining speed and depth were experimentally investigated in linear motor equipped electrical discharge machining. A new definition named “Machining speed break point” is introduced, theoretically calculated from a proposed electrode jump and debris exclusion model, and compared with the experimental results. Additionally, an algorithm is developed to calculate the accumulation of debris in machining gap. The algorithm showed that the debris concentration in gap rises suddenly before the machining speed break point.
Experimental and calculated bremsstrahlung spectra from a 25‐MeV linear accelerator and a 19‐MeV betatron
Authors: Levy Louis B. , Waggener Robert G. , McDavid William D. , Payne William H.
Published: November 2003

The bremsstrahlung spectra from a 25‐MeV linear accelerator and a 19‐MeV betatron have been measured using a NaI(Tl) spectrometer system. The spectra show a low energy cut‐off at 0.6 and 0.4 MeV, respectively, and the maximum photon energies were 26.8 and 19 MeV, respectively. Cross sections, thin‐ and thick‐target photon spectra and total electron energy losses (collision and radiative) were computed using a digital computer for tungsten () and platinum () targets. The measured spectra were compared to the calculated spectra for thin and thick targets using electron kinetic energies of 26.75 and 19 MeV. The photon spectra from the two therapy units are different; however, depth dose data (10 × 10 cm, 100 cm TSD) are approximately the same. In addition, narrow‐beam attenuation coefficients in lead for the two machines were measured. The effective energy derived from the first HVL was 8.1 MeV for the linear accelerator and 7.8 MeV for the betatron.
Analysis of iron in blood using radioisotopic‐excited x‐ray fluorescence
Authors: Cesareo R. , Del Principe D.
Published: November 2003

A proportional gas counter and a radioisotope excitation source are used to demonstrate the simplicity and efficiency of the x‐ray fluorescence (XRF) method in quantitative analysis of blood iron.
Comparison of fast neutron beams for radiotherapy produced by 17.3‐MeV deuterons incident on beryllium and deuterium targets
Authors: Edwards F. M. , Fielding H. W. , Kraushaar J. J. , Weaver K. A.
Published: November 2003

Fast neutron beams produced by 17.3‐MeV deuterons incident on a totally stopping beryllium target, a totally stopping deuterium gas target, and a 5.8‐MeV‐thick deuterium‐gas target are compared. It is shown that the deuterium‐gas target yields a significantly higher average energy and dose rate and may offer other advantages as well.
Photonuclear production of potassium‐38
Authors: Cole Coye M. , Gray Fred C. , Meaburn G. Malcolm , Stevenson John S.
Published: November 2003

Radioactive potassium‐38 has been produced by the photonuclear reactions and , using the bremsstrahlung field developed by an electron linear accelerator. Non‐carrier‐free 38K was produced by irradiating potassium hydroxide pellets for 30 min using 10 kW of 40 MeV electrons passing through a thick tantalum converter. Yields of 25–35 mCi 38K per gram irradiated KOH were obtained. Carrier‐free 38K was produced by similarly irradiating shredded calcium metal, obtaining 2–6 mCi per gram of calcium. In both cases, the target material was dissolved in HCl, neutralized, and prepared as sterile solutions of KCl for injection.
Phosphorylation of
Streptococcus salivarius
Lactose Permease (LacS) by HPr(His∼P) and HPr(Ser-P)(His∼P) and Effects on Growth
Authors: Lessard Christian , Cochu Armelle , Lemay Jean-Dominique , Roy Denis , Vaillancourt Katy , Frenette Michel , Moineau Sylvain , Vadeboncoeur Christian
Published: November 2003

The oral bacterium
Streptococcus salivarius
takes up lactose via a transporter called LacS that shares 95% identity with the LacS from
Streptococcus thermophilus
, a phylogenetically closely related organism.
S. thermophilus
releases galactose into the medium during growth on lactose. Expulsion of galactose is mediated via LacS and stimulated by phosphorylation of the transporter by HPr(His∼P), a phosphocarrier of the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase transport system (PTS). Unlike
S. thermophilus
,
S. salivarius
grew on lactose without expelling galactose and took up galactose and lactose concomitantly when it is grown in a medium containing both sugars. Analysis of the C-terminal end of
S. salivarius
LacS revealed a IIA-like domain (IIA
LacS
) almost identical to the IIA domain of
S. thermophilus
LacS. Experiments performed with purified proteins showed that
S. salivarius
IIA
LacS
was reversibly phosphorylated on a histidine residue at position 552 not only by HPr(His∼P) but also by HPr(Ser-P)(His∼P), a doubly phosphorylated form of HPr present in large amounts in rapidly growing
S. salivarius
cells. Two other major
S. salivarius
PTS proteins, IIAB
L
Man
and IIAB
H
Man
, were unable to phosphorylate IIA
LacS
. The effect of LacS phosphorylation on growth was studied with strain G71, an
S. salivarius
enzyme I-negative mutant that cannot synthesize HPr(His∼P) or HPr(Ser-P)(His∼P). These results indicated that (i) the wild-type and mutant strains had identical generation times on lactose, (ii) neither strain expelled galactose during growth on lactose, (iii) both strains metabolized lactose and galactose concomitantly when grown in a medium containing both sugars, and (iv) the growth of the mutant was slightly reduced on galactose.
New Bacterial Pathway for 4- and 5-Chlorosalicylate Degradation via 4-Chlorocatechol and Maleylacetate in
Pseudomonas
sp. Strain MT1
Authors: Nikodem Patricia , Hecht Volker , Schlömann Michael , Pieper Dietmar H.
Published: November 2003

Pseudomonas
sp. strain MT1 is capable of degrading 4- and 5-chlorosalicylates via 4-chlorocatechol, 3-chloromuconate, and maleylacetate by a novel pathway. 3-Chloromuconate is transformed by muconate cycloisomerase of MT1 into protoanemonin, a dominant reaction product, as previously shown for other muconate cycloisomerases. However, kinetic data indicate that the muconate cycloisomerase of MT1 is specialized for 3-chloromuconate conversion and is not able to form
cis
-dienelactone. Protoanemonin is obviously a dead-end product of the pathway. A
trans
-dienelactone hydrolase (
trans
-DLH) was induced during growth on chlorosalicylates. Even though the purified enzyme did not act on either 3-chloromuconate or protoanemonin, the presence of muconate cylcoisomerase and
trans
-DLH together resulted in considerably lower protoanemonin concentrations but larger amounts of maleylacetate formed from 3-chloromuconate than the presence of muconate cycloisomerase alone resulted in. As
trans
-DLH also acts on 4-fluoromuconolactone, forming maleylacetate, we suggest that this enzyme acts on 4-chloromuconolactone as an intermediate in the muconate cycloisomerase-catalyzed transformation of 3-chloromuconate, thus preventing protoanemonin formation and favoring maleylacetate formation. The maleylacetate formed in this way is reduced by maleylacetate reductase. Chlorosalicylate degradation in MT1 thus occurs by a new pathway consisting of a patchwork of reactions catalyzed by enzymes from the 3-oxoadipate pathway (catechol 1,2-dioxygenase, muconate cycloisomerase) and the chlorocatechol pathway (maleylacetate reductase) and a
trans
-DLH.
Analysis of
bvgR
Expression in
Bordetella pertussis
Authors: Merkel Tod J. , Boucher Philip E. , Stibitz Scott , Grippe Vanessa K.
Published: November 2003

Bordetella pertussis
, the causative agent of whooping cough, produces a wide array of factors that are associated with its ability to cause disease. The expression and regulation of these virulence factors are dependent upon the
bvg
locus, which encodes three proteins: BvgA, a 23-kDa cytoplasmic protein; BvgS, a 135-kDa transmembrane protein; and BvgR, a 32-kDa protein. It is hypothesized that BvgS responds to environmental signals and interacts with BvgA, a transcriptional regulator, which upon modification by BvgS binds to specific promoters and activates transcription. An additional class of genes is repressed by the products of the
bvg
locus. The repression of these genes is dependent upon the third gene,
bvgR
. Expression of
bvgR
is dependent upon the function of BvgA and BvgS. This led to the hypothesis that the binding of phosphorylated BvgA to the
bvgR
promoter activates the expression of
bvgR
. We undertook an analysis of the transcriptional activation of
bvgR
expression. We identified the
bvgR
transcript by Northern blot analysis and identified the start site of transcription by primer extension. We determined that transcriptional activation of the
bvgR
promoter in an in vitro transcription system requires the addition of phosphorylated BvgA. Additionally, we have identified
cis
-acting regions that are required for BvgA activation of the
bvgR
promoter by in vitro footprinting and in vivo deletion and linker scanning analyses. A model of BvgA binding to the
bvgR
promoter is presented.
The
Bacillus thuringiensis
Linear Double-Stranded DNA Phage Bam35, Which Is Highly Similar to the
Bacillus cereus
Linear Plasmid pBClin15, Has a Prophage State
Authors: Strömsten Nelli J. , Benson Stacy D. , Burnett Roger M. , Bamford Dennis H. , Bamford Jaana K. H.
Published: November 2003

Bam35, a 15-kbp double-stranded DNA phage, infects
Bacillus thuringiensis
. Recently, sequencing of the related
Bacillus cereus
revealed a 15.1-kbp linear plasmid, pBClin15. We show that pBClin15 closely resembles Bam35 and demonstrate conversion of Bam35 to a prophage. This state is common, as several
B. thuringiensis
strains release Bam35-related viruses.
FolM, A New Chromosomally Encoded Dihydrofolate Reductase in
Escherichia coli
Authors: Giladi Moshe , Altman-Price Neta , Levin Itay , Levy Liat , Mevarech Moshe
Published: November 2003

Escherichia coli
(
thyA ΔfolA
) mutants are viable and can grow in minimal medium when supplemented with thymidine alone. Here we present evidence from in vivo and in vitro studies that the
ydgB
gene determines an alternative dihydrofolate reductase that is related to the trypanosomatid pteridine reductases. We propose to rename this gene
folM
.
Estimation of recruitment in catch-at-age models
Authors: Maunder Mark N , Deriso Richard B
Published: November 2003

Management strategies must be designed to take into account the uncertainty inherent in fish populations and their assessments. Annual recruitment variation is an important component of uncertainty. Several methods that allow the estimation of annual recruitment in statistical catch-at-age models are described: (a) maximum likelihood estimation with no penalty on the annual recruitment residuals, (b) maximum likelihood estimation with a lognormal penalty on the annual recruitment residuals, (c) importance sampling to numerically approximate the marginal likelihood with a lognormal penalty on the annual recruitment residuals, and (d) full Bayesian integration using Markov Chain Monte Carlo with a lognormal prior on the annual recruitment residuals. Simulation analysis is used to test the performance of these methods. All four methods perform similarly at estimating quantities that are based on averaging or summing multiple estimates of annual recruitment; however the marginal likelihood method (c) and Bayesian integration (d) perform best at estimating annual recruitment and the standard deviation in annual recruitment residuals (σR) when catch-at-age data is missing for some years. The ability to estimate σR can be important for defining uncertainty when developing management strategies. The methods are applied to a New Zealand snapper (Pagrus auratus) stock and the estimate of σR is approximately 0.6.
Role of disease in abundance of a Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) population
Authors: Marty Gary D , II Terrance J. Quinn , Carpenter Greg , Meyers Theodore R , Willits Neil H
Published: November 2003

Disease significantly affects population abundance of Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi). Comprehensive epidemiological study of the Pacific herring population of Prince William Sound, Alaska, U.S.A., from 1994 to 2000 included complete necropsy examination of 230500 fish each spring and 40160 fish each fall (total n = 2983 fish). Mortality is best estimated, through modifications of an age-structured assessment model, using a disease index that combines the prevalence of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) with the prevalence of ulcers. Risk factors for an epidemic include poor body condition and abundant recruitment before spawning in the spring. Prevalence of the pathogen Ichthyophonus hoferi increased as fish aged, but changes in I. hoferi prevalence were not related to changes in population abundance. Disease that caused an epidemic in 1998 (VHSV and ulcers) nearly disappeared from the population when changes in abundance were detected by traditional stock assessment methods in 1999. Disease significantly affects recruitment  the two lowest recruitment estimates on record, in 1994 and 1999, followed increased natural mortality of adults in 1993 and 1998.
Fatty acid metabolism in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) tissues: differential incorporation of palmitate and oleate
Authors: Weber Jean-Michel , Brichon Gérard , Zwingelstein Georges
Published: November 2003

Total fatty acid (FA) fluxes of teleost have been well characterized, but the tissues incorporating FA from the circulation and the metabolic fate of these FA remain unclear. Our goals were to determine (i) the relative roles of different tissues in incorporating FA, (ii) the lipid pools that include FA (phospholipids (PL) or neutral lipids (NL)), and (iii) whether saturated and monounsaturated FA behave differently. Fatty acid incorporation was measured after administration of 1-14C-palmitate and 9,10-3H-oleate in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Results show that FA incorporation varies tremendously among tissues and that the dominant physiological roles of palmitate and oleate are different. For all tissues, oleate is incorporated more rapidly than palmitate into NL (ratio oleate-palmitate 2.8 ± 0.3), showing that oleate plays a prominent role in energy metabolism. However, the two FA enter tissue PL to the same extent (incorporation ratio 1.0 ± 0.2), suggesting equal contributions to membrane turnover. This study reveals a novel aspect of the dominant role played by monounsaturates in energy metabolism: their preferential incorporation in triacylglycerol reserves.