bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oligomerization states of Bowman‐Birk inhibitor by atomic force microscopy and computational approaches
Authors: Silva Luciano P. , Azevedo Ricardo B. , Morais Paulo C. , Ventura Manuel M. , Freitas Sonia M.
Published: September 2005

Several methods have been applied to study protein–protein interaction from structural and thermodynamic point of view. The present study reveals that atomic force microscopy (AFM), molecular modeling, and docking approaches represent alternative methods offering new strategy to investigate structural aspects in oligomerization process of proteinase inhibitors. The topography of the black‐eyed pea trypsin/chymotrypsin inhibitor (BTCI) was recorded by AFM and compared with computational rigid‐bodies docking approaches. Multimeric states of BTCI identified from AFM analysis showed globular–ellipsoidal shapes. Monomers, dimers, trimers, and hexamers were the most prominent molecular arrays observed in AFM images as evaluated by molecular volume calculations and corroborated by in silico docking and theoretical approaches. We therefore propose that BTCI adopts stable and well‐packed self‐assembled states in monomer–dimer–trimer–hexamer equilibrium. Although there are no correlation between specificity and packing efficiency among proteinases and proteinase inhibitors, the AFM and docked BTCI analyses suggest that these assemblies may exist in situ to play their potential function in oligomerization process. Proteins 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modification of gamma ray induced changes in the mouse hepatocytes by Centella asiatica extract: in vivo studies
Authors: Sharma Radha , Sharma Jaimala
Published: September 2005

Ionizing radiation, besides causing direct damage also generates reactive oxygen species that are capable of inducing damage to various organs. Pretreatment with Centella asiatica 1 h prior to irradiation at a dose rate of 100 mg/kg body weight was found to be effective against radiation induced damage in the liver. The number of normal hepatocytes was higher in the Centella asiatica pretreated group in comparison with the irradiated only group. The number of binucleated cells and abnormal hepatocytes was less in comparison with the animals irradiated without Centella asiatica pretreatment. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibition of hepatic neoglucogenesis and glucose‐6‐phosphatase by quercetin 3‐O‐α(2″‐galloyl)rhamnoside isolated from Bauhinia megalandra leaves
Authors: Gonzalez‐Mujica Freddy , Motta Norma , Estrada Omar , Perdomo Elsa , Méndez Jeannette , Hasegawa Masahisa
Published: September 2005

In intact microsomes, quercetin 3‐O‐α‐(2″‐galloyl)rhamnoside (QGR) inhibits glucose‐6‐phosphatase (G‐6‐Pase) in a concentration‐dependent manner. QGR increased the G‐6‐Pase Km for glucose‐6‐phosphate without change in the Vmax. The flavonol did not change the kinetic parameters of disrupted microsomal G‐6‐Pase or intact or disrupted microsomal G‐6‐Pase pyrophosphatase (PPase) activity. This result allowed the conclusion that QGR competitively inhibits the glucose‐6‐phosphate (G‐6‐P) transporter (T1) without affecting the catalytic subunit or the phosphate/pyrophosphate transporter (T2) of the G‐6‐Pase system.

QGR strongly inhibits the neoglucogenic capacity of rat liver slices incubated in a Krebs‐Ringer bicarbonate buffer, supplemented with lactate and oleate saturated albumin.

The QGR G‐6‐Pase inhibition might explain the decrease in the liver slice neoglucogenic capacity and, in turn, could reduce glucose levels in diabetic patients. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oral candidiasis treatment with Brazilian ethanol propolis extract
Authors: Santos V. R. , Pimenta F. J. G. S. , Aguiar M. C. F. , do Carmo M. A. V. , Naves M. D. , Mesquita R. A.
Published: September 2005

The Brazilian commercial ethanol propolis extract, also formulated to ensure physical and chemical stability, was found to inhibit oral candidiasis in 12 denture‐bearing patients with prosthesis stomatitis candidiasis association. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of toxicity of capsaicin and zosteric acid and their potential application as antifoulants
Authors: Xu Qingwei , Barrios Carlos A. , Cutright Teresa , Zhang Newby Bi‐min
Published: September 2005

The toxicity of two natural product antifoulants, capsaicin and zosteric acid, was evaluated using the Microtox assay and a static toxicity test. The EC50 values obtained from the Microtox assay for capsaicin and zosteric acid were 11.75 ± 1.02 and 442 ± 100 mg/L, respectively. The static toxicity test, conducted with freshwater organisms, yielded capsaicin EC50 values of 5.5 ± 0.5 and 23 ± 2.0 mg/L for P. putida and Lake Erie bacteria, respectively. Zosteric acid EC50 values were 167 ± 3.9 and 375 ± 10 mg/L for P. putida and Lake Erie bacteria, respectively. Tests with marine organisms resulted in capsaicin EC50 values of 6.9 ± 0.2 and 15.6 ± 0.4 mg/L for V. natriegens and V. parahaemolyticus, respectively; whereas zosteric acid EC50 values were 7.4 ± 0.1 and 18 ± 0.6 mg/L for V. natriegens and V. parahaemolyticus, respectively. These results indicate that zosteric acid is much less toxic than capsaicin and that both are substantially less toxic than the currently used antifoulants, such as TBT (EC50 < 0.01 ppb). Their effectiveness as natural antifoulants was demonstrated by preliminary attachments studies. As the aqueous antifoulant concentration increased, significant inhibition of bacteria attachment or prevention of biofilm formation was achieved. Hence, both capsaicin and zosteric acid could be attractive alternatives as new antifouling compounds. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 20: 467–474, 2005.
Hepatotoxic cyanobacterial blooms in the lakes of northern Poland
Authors: Mankiewicz Joanna , Komárková Jarka , Izydorczyk Katarzyna , Jurczak Tomasz , Tarczynska Małgorzata , Zalewski Maciej
Published: September 2005

The lakes of northern Poland are among the recreational sites most valued by Polish and German holiday makers. Given the socioeconomic importance of these lakes, water quality should be maintained at high levels for such intensive recreational purposes. In 2002 studies of species composition, biomass, and toxin production by phytoplankton and the attendant physicochemical variables were performed in order to assess the risk of cyanobacterial blooms in selected northern lakes: Lakes Jeziorak, Jagodne, Szymoneckie, Szymon, Taltowisko, Siecino, and Trzesiecko. The research showed that total phosphorus (0.1 mg P/L) and total nitrogen (1.5 mg N/L) in the studied lakes almost exceeded the permissible limits for eutrophication of water bodies. Most phytoplankton samples were taken in late summer, when cyanobacteria were expected to reach their highest biomass. At the time of sampling most of the lakes were dominated by oscillatorialean and nostocalean species. Average chlorophyll‐a concentration was higher than 10 μg/L in almost all the lakes studied, which corresponded with an average microcystin concentration in the range of 4–5 μg/L. The main microcystins in the analyzed samples were dmMC‐RR, MC‐RR, MC‐YR, and MC‐LR. The results demonstrated a potential for intensive cyanobacterial blooms to appear during the summer in northern Polish lakes. The levels of cyanobacteria found in the lakes investigated indicated that toxicity had reached the first‐alert level according to World Health Organization recommendations. If microcystin‐producing cyanobacteria dominate, with a microcystin concentration of 2–4 μg/L, symptoms of toxicity can appear in the swimmers most sensitive to exposure. Analysis of cyanobacterial assemblages in northern Polish lakes also indicated a significant presence of Aphanizomenon species including a Scandinavian species, A. skujae (Skuja) Kom.‐Legn. & Cronb. Future investigations of Polish lakes also should assess neurotoxins and study the biology of their producers. This study was the first attempt to evaluate the potential danger of toxic cyanobacterial blooms in the lakes of northern Poland. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 20: 499–506, 2005.
Traffic safety education: Panacea, prophylactic or placebo?
Authors: Johnston Ian R.
Published: September 2005

Education is one of the strategies available to reduce traffic crashes and the resultant personal injury. It is seen by many as the major strategy for achieving lasting change. However, there is considerable debate as to the effectiveness of traffic safety education programs to date and, in an era when public expenditure is strongly influenced by the results of cost‐benefit analyses, the more fundamental traffic safety education programs are under increasing challenge. The literature on effectiveness is indeed confusing. All too often, programs have commenced from a position of blind faith and have been implemented unsystematically, without specific objectives, targets, or evaluative milestones. The problem is compounded by the considerable methodological difficulties which confront the evaluators of long‐term programs of behavior change. If traffic safety education is to survive as a viable countermeasure, program planning and execution must become far more scientific and evaluation must become an integral component. There is also an arguable case for the funds for the longer‐term behavior change programs to come from the more general public health arena than from the narrower traffic safety field, while the short‐term, specific educational programs should compete directly for funds with alternative traffic safety measures available for the given problem.
Mandatory bicycle helmet use: Experience in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Vulcan A. Peter , Cameron Maxwell H. , Watson Wendy L.
Published: September 2005

On July 1, 1990, the legislation requiring wearing of an approved bicycle (safety) helmet by all pedal cyclists, unless exempted, came into effect in Victoria, Australia. The paper describes the more important activities which paved the way for this initiative and presents some preliminary information about the effect of the legislation on wearing rates and head injuries. Since 1980 there has been promotion of helmet use through bicycle education in schools, mass media publicity, support by professional organizations and community groups, bulk purchase schemes, and government rebates for helmet purchases. The Australian Standard for bicycle safety helmets has also been changed to meet community demands for lighter helmets with more provision for ventilation. There has been a steady increase in voluntary helmet use in Melbourne from 1983 to March 1990, as follows: 5% to 70% in primary school children; 2% to 20% in secondary students; and 27% to 40% in adults. In the period after the legislation, with relatively little enforcement, these three groups have shown substantial increases in helmet use rates, rising to 70–90% in most cases. Preliminary data show that the numbers of bicyclists with a head injury have dropped in the period since the legislation came into effect. The possible contributions to this reduction, of less bicycle use and lower risk of head injury in an accident, are discussed.
Head injuries in infants and children: Measures to reduce mortality and morbidity in road accidents
Authors: Simpson D. A. , Blumbergs P. C. , McLean A. J. , Scott G.
Published: September 2005

In the 6‐year period from 1983 to 1988, 12 infants (<24 months of age) and 103 children (2 to 14 years of age) were killed in road crashes in South Australia. This represents an annual incidence of 6.4 deaths per 100,000 children at risk. At least 4 other children were killed in off‐road vehicle‐related accidents. Of these deaths, approximately half were car passengers, one third pedestrians, and one sixth pedal cyclists. Most of these infants and children died at the accident site or soon after, but 26 of them survived long enough to be admitted to hospitals with neurosurgical units and an audit of these patients suggests that there were at least 3 preventable deaths. However, autopsies of 78 patients show that the great majority of these deaths resulted from devastating brain and/or trunk visceral injuries. Better emergency care and the use of neurosurgical retrieval teams may save some lives. But more lives might be saved by the use of appropriate restraints for infants and children in cars, by reducing the exposure of child pedestrians and cyclists to road traffic, and by mandatory use of helmets by child cyclists. Off‐road vehicular accidents are not as a rule included in road crash statistics; the practice of giving small motorcycles to young children has created a new category of vehicular accidents sometimes causing severe head injury.
Causes and control of spinal cord injury in automotive crashes
Authors: Viano David C.
Published: September 2005

This paper provides a history of automotive safety and a review of biomedical research on human tolerance and occupant protection. It discusses current understandings of body kinematics and impact biomechanics that result in neck injury. Perspective is given on the linkage between mechanical forces that are the cause and physiologic disruptions that are the consequence of spinal cord injury. The public health aspects of injury and disability are discussed as well as the need for injury prevention.
Mechanisms of injury and biomechanics: Vehicle design and crash performance
Authors: Mackay Murray
Published: September 2005

This paper reviews briefly the early evolution of the subject of the biomechanics of impacts. Some examples of rule‐making of vehicle crash performance are cited to illustrate the need for evaluation of all design changes and regulations in the real world of crashes and injuries. Some background data on the relative frequencies of causalties and types of collisions are given to establish overall priorities. Mechanisms of injuries in frontal collisions for unrestrained and restrained occupants are described to illustrate the relationships between interior localized contacts and injuries to the lower limbs, the chest, and the head. Kinematics of occupants in angled, lateral, and rear collisions are reviewed together with the related injury mechanisms, and rollover crashes with and without seat belt use are mentioned. Motorcyclist and pedestrian kinematics and some of the desirable characteristics of the vehicle exterior are described together with the unfortunate consequences of the current bumper standards. In summary the paper aims to be a general review of crash kinematics and general mechanisms of injury.
Lateral margins of resection in adenocarcinoma of the rectum
Authors: Wolff Bruce G.
Published: September 2005

Wide dissection of adenocarcinoma of the rectum is difficult because of the fixed structure of the anatomic pelvis. The role of lateral margins, excision of the mesorectum, and extended lymphadenectomy have recently received much attention in the literature in dealing surgically with more advanced rectal carcinomas. The basic question to be resolved in the future is whether additional radical surgery is of more benefit than adjuvant chemoradiation therapy in this setting.
Abdominoperineal resection for adenocarcinoma of the low rectum
Authors: Rothenberger David A. , Wong W. Douglas
Published: September 2005

Current understanding of the routes of spread of rectal cancer along with technical innovations such as the circular stapler have allowed surgeons to treat most rectal cancers with an anterior resection and low anastomosis. Appropriate use of local therapy options has further decreased the need for abdominoperineal resection (APR). Nonetheless, APR remains the procedure of choice for many distal rectal adenocarcinomas. Numerous factors influence the decision to perform an APR and are discussed in detail. Although mortality for APR has been reduced significantly, morbidity remains high. Specific complications commonly seen after APR are discussed. Operative technique is outlined since much of the specific morbidity of APR can be reduced by attention to detail in the conduct of this complex procedure.
Surgical management of locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the rectum
Authors: Devine Richard M. , Dozois Roger R.
Published: September 2005

Approximately 5% of rectal cancers are locally advanced with adherence to the vagina, uterus, bladder, prostate, or other structures. Sacral involvement is fortunately rare in primary cancers. In about 50% of patients there is histologic confirmation of tumor invasion in the area of adherence. It is important to recognize the nature of these tumors pre‐operatively so that the patient can be prepared for an exenterative procedure should this be necessary. When these tumors are removeden bloc, 5‐year survival rates of 50% can be obtained with survival depending on the presence or absence of regional metastasis and also the presence or absence of histologic tumor invasion into adjacent structures.
Locally recurrent rectal cancer: Surgical strategy
Authors: Pedro de Azevedo J. , Dozois Roger R. , Gunderson Leonard L.
Published: September 2005

Relapses after “curative resection” of rectal cancer may be localized and thus amenable to surgical treatment. The risk of relapse may be higher than previously believed depending on adequacy and length of follow‐up, the diagnostic modalities used, and the number of autopsies performed. Technical refinements such as a distal margin >2 cm, radical pelvic lymphadenectomy, and high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery at the aorta do not appear to diminish the risk of recurrence. A wider lateral margin and a more complete excision of the mesorectum may be beneficial, but this is yet unproven. Surgery for isolated, locally recurrent lesions should be limited to carefully selected patients and performed in tertiary centers using a team approach. Whether such radical “salvage” procedures are justifiable merits further careful evaluation.
The role of intra‐operative irradiation in locally advanced primary and recurrent rectal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Gunderson Leonard L. , O'Connell Michael J. , Dozois Roger R.
Published: September 2005

Useful palliation can often be achieved when standard treatment approaches of external beam irradiation and chemotherapy with or without resection are used for locally advanced primary rectal malignancies. Local control and long‐term survival are achieved in only 10% to 50% of patients, however, due to the limited irradiation tolerance of surrounding organs and tissues. Encouraging trends exist in separate intra‐operative irradiation analyses from Massachusetts General Hospital and Mayo Clinic with regard to improvement in local control and possibly survival of locally advanced rectal lesions, warranting continued evaluation of such approaches. Disease control within the intra‐operative and external irradiation field is decreased, however, when the surgeon is unable to accomplish gross total resection. Therefore it seems reasonable to consistently add 5‐Fluorouracil with or without Leucovorin during external irradiation and to evaluate the use of dose modifiers, such as sensitizers or hyperthermia, in conjunction with intra‐operative irradiation. Since high systemic failure rates exist with both locally advanced primary and recurrent lesions, more effective chemotherapy needs to be evaluated during external irradiation as well as after completion of such. In view of survival advantages with 5‐Fluorouracil plus Leucovorin versus 5‐Fluorouracil alone for metastatic disease, this regimen is currently being employed. Even with locally recurrent lesions, the aggressive multimodality approaches including intra‐operative irradiation have resulted in improved local control, and long‐term survival rates of 20% to 25% versus an expected 5% with conventional techniques in historical series.
Role of pre‐operative irradiation for anal preservation in cancer of the low rectum
Authors: Berard Ph. , Papillon J.
Published: September 2005

Since 1979, 157 patients with T2, T3, or T4 cancer of the lower rectum have been treated by a short course of irradiation, 30 Gy within 12 days by cobalt 60 using 120° arc rotation on a sacral field, followed by a 2‐month rest before surgery. The operative specimens were tumor‐free in 13% of patients, Dukes' A in 40% of patients, Dukes' B in 22% of patients, and Dukes' C in 25% of patients. Three (1.9%) patients died postoperatively. At 3 years (107 patients) and 5 years (74 patients) the rates of death of local failure were 7.5% and 9.5%, respectively. The 3‐year and 5‐year disease‐free survival were 71% and 58%. Since 1983, the surgeons took advantage of the tumor regression to carry out sphincter‐saving operation in 67 patients with T2, T3, and T4 tumors of the lower third of the rectum. The proportion of patients treated by restorative surgery instead of abdominoperineal resection has grown significantly during the past 4 years, from 22% to 71%. Diverting colostomy was performed in 10 patients. Anastomotic leakages were observed in 7 patients. Of 31 patients who underwent low anterior resection and were followed 3 to 7 years (mean 4.5 years), 5 patients died of distant metastasis and 3 patients are alive after segmental hepatectomy. One patient had local recurrence which was controlled by abdominoperineal resection. The rate of 3‐year disease‐free survival was 77%. Preliminary results indicate that well planned pre‐operative irradiation and delayed surgery can significantly extend the scope of anal preservation for selected patients with cancer of the lower third of the rectum without jeopardizing survival.
Adjuvant therapy for adenocarcinoma of the rectum
Authors: O'Connell Michael J. , Gunderson Leonard L.
Published: September 2005

Surgical resection continues to be the primary curative modality for patients with adenocarcinoma of the rectum. However, local tumor recurrence in the pelvis and/or distant metastasis may occur in spite of complete excision of grossly visible malignant disease. Surgical and pathologic staging can identify a subset of surgically treated rectal cancer patients at high risk for tumor relapse and death. Irradiation and chemotherapy have been used as adjuvant therapy in conjunction with surgery as single modalities and in combination for patients with high risk rectal cancer. Evidence from controlled clinical trials indicates a significant decrease in local tumor recurrence, and a significant improvement in disease‐free and overall survival with the use of combined postoperative irradiation and chemotherapy in this setting. A current national clinical trial in the United States of America is studying whether irradiation can be combined with new chemotherapy regimens which have shown significant therapeutic benefit as surgical adjuvant therapy for patients with high risk colon cancer (5FU + levamisole) and for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (5FU + leucovorin) to further improve the efficacy of surgical adjuvant therapy for adenocarcinoma of the rectum.
Giant cavernous hemangiomas: Diagnosis and surgical strategies
Authors: Lise Mario , Feltrin Gianpietro , Da Pian Pier Paolo , Miotto Diego , Pilati Pier Luigi , Rubaltelli Leopoldo , Zane Donatella
Published: September 2005

From January, 1972 to June, 1989, 51 patients with liver hemangiomas (32 females and 19 males, mean age 35 years) were evaluated for surgical treatment. Diameters of the masses were 5 cm to 20 cm (median 8.5 cm). Nine of the patients had already been treated for cancer. Twenty‐two (43.1%) of the 51 patients were symptomatic and 29 (56.9%) patients were asymptomatic. In 34 patients (66.7%) a definite diagnosis of hemangioma was made by scintiscan and/or ultrasound and/or computed tomography and/or angiography while in the remaining 17 (33.3%) patients the diagnosis was uncertain. The most common indications for resection were the presence of a symptomatic angioma, a symptomatic mass with an uncertain diagnosis, and/or lack of a definite pre‐operative diagnosis. Surgery was performed on 25 patients. Ten anatomic and 15 atypical resections or enucleations were performed. There were no postoperative deaths. Two further patients, operated for probable hemangioma, were found to have primary hepatic malignancies. In the 26 unresected patients, no complications were observed during follow‐up. In 3 patients, hemangioma enlargement was detected by ultrasound, but there were no symptoms. As cavernous liver hemangiomas are now more reliably diagnosed and their natural history is usually uneventful, surgery can be avoided in most cases. However, when a non‐resection policy is adopted, an exact diagnosis is essential in order to rule out primary or metastatic cancer. Surgical exploration and treatment should be limited to symptomatic or complicated cases as well as to patients with an uncertain diagnosis.
Early postoperative mortality following cholecystectomy in the entire female population of Denmark, 1977–1981
Authors: Bredesen J. , Jørgensen T. , Andersen T. F. , Brønnum‐Hansen H. , Roepstorff C. , Madsen M. , Wille‐Jørgensen P. , Loft A.
Published: September 2005

This paper assesses the risk of dying within 30 days of admission among 13,854 women who had a cholecystectomy performed as the principal operation from 1977 to 1981. The overall crude mortality rate was 1.2%. Women who had a simple elective cholecystectomy performed had a mortality rate similar to women who had a simple hysterectomy. The mortality was significantly higher than in the general female population (p < 0.05). Increased age, acute admission, admissions to hospital within 3 months prior to the index admission, the number of discharge diagnoses, and the geographical region were significantly associated with increased mortality. Exploration of the common bile duct was associated with higher mortality in the bivariate analysis, but the association disappeared when the number of discharge diagnoses was taken into account. Type of hospital and the population based cholecystectomy rate of the patient's residential area was not associated with mortality. As regards early mortality, it is concluded that simple elective cholecystectomy is a safe procedure before the age of 50 to 60 years. Acute admissions and more than one diagnosis at discharge were associated with an increased mortality, whereas exploration of the common bile duct may not be as important an independent factor as previously assumed.
Balloon dilatation for anastomotic stricture after upper gastro‐intestinal surgery
Authors: Inagake Masao , Yamane Tetsuro , Kitao Yoshitaka , Okuzumi Junichi , Kuwata Katsuya , Yamaguchi Toshiharu , Oya Kazuhiko , Sawai Kiyoshi , Kojima Osamu , Takahashi Toshio
Published: September 2005

We report our study on the correlation between the types of anastomosis and the incidence of anastomotic stricture formation in the upper gastro‐intestinal tract. Our experience with balloon dilatation is also reported. We examined the incidence of stricture formation among patients who had an anastomosis between the esophagus and stomach following subtotal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, and esophagojejunostomy following proximal or total gastrectomy for gastric cancer in the past 17 years. Among 283 patients undergoing esophagojejunostomy, 7 cases of stricture (excluding 3 cases of cancer recurrence) were observed (conventional anastomosis 1.8%; stapling anastomosis 4.6%). There were 17 cases of stricture among 56 patients who had anastomosis between the esophagus and stomach following subtotal esophagectomy (conventional anastomosis 28.6%; stapling anastomosis 50.0%). One month or more after the operation, the diameter of the esophagojejunostomy was estimated using a barium study. The mean diameter of the anastomosis using the stapling method was 11.9 ± 2.9 mm, whereas the mean diameter of serosubmucosal single layer hand‐sewn anastomosis (Jourdan's) was 19.8 ± 2.2 mm, and that of vertical mattress hand‐sewn anastomosis was 19.0 ± 2.0 mm.

Balloon dilatation was used in 29 patients with anastomotic stricture of the upper gastro‐intestinal tract (esophageal cancer, 19 patients, gastric cancer, 10 patients). With repeated dilatation, we were able to obtain satisfactory efficacy for benign strictures and there were no severe complications. We believe that balloon dilatation is an easy, safe and effective therapy for anastomotic stricture of the upper gastro‐intestinal tract.
Palindromic repetitive DNA elements with coding potential in Methanocaldococcus jannaschii
Authors: Suyama Mikita , Lathe Warren C. , Bork Peer
Published: September 2005

We have identified 141 novel palindromic repetitive elements in the genome of euryarchaeon Methanocaldococcus jannaschii. The total length of these elements is 14.3 kb, which corresponds to 0.9% of the total genomic sequence and 6.3% of all extragenic regions. The elements can be divided into three groups (MJRE1–3) based on the sequence similarity. The low sequence identity within each of the groups suggests rather old origin of these elements in M. jannaschii. Three MJRE2 elements were located within the protein coding regions without disrupting the coding potential of the host genes, indicating that insertion of repeats might be a widespread mechanism to enhance sequence diversity in coding regions.
On distributional responses of North Atlantic fish to climate change
Authors: Rose G.A.
Published: September 2005

Changes in fish distribution and climate in the North Atlantic have been observed for millennia by seafaring peoples, chronicled in many historical anecdotes, and recently studied systematically. For temperate to Arctic North Atlantic fish, a literature compendium of limits of temperature, salinity, and depth during feeding and spawning was used to investigate factors that influence distribution. Latitude and depth were negatively correlated with species number and density. Peak numbers of species feed at 0–4°C, but spawn at 2–7°C and salinities of 32.5–33.5. Principal components of feeding depths and temperatures suggested four groups of species: (i) small pelagics characterized by shallow habitat and cooler temperatures; (ii) most groundfish in deeper and warmer waters; (iii) warm-water large pelagics; and (iv) deepwater species. Spawning temperatures, salinities, depths, and timing produced groupings consistent with feeding components for pelagics, but differing for distant migrants such as tunas. Principal components (PCA) of spawning characteristics explained 56% of the variance in species resilience (doubling time), while PCA of feeding characteristics explained only 23%. We infer that the small pelagics capelin (Mallotus villosus) and herring (Clupea harengus) react strongly and quickly to climate change because of their physiological limits and potential for fast population growth. Verification comes from Icelandic and Greenland waters, which warmed considerably during 1920–1940, and where capelin, herring, cod (Gadus morhua), and other species shifted north very quickly.
Compartment Syndrome of the Forearm Following an Electromyographic Assessment
Authors: VAIENTI L. , VOURTSIS S. , URZOLA V.
Published: September 2005

We present a case of compartment syndrome after electromyographic study of the upper limbs. The cause was the unintentional punction and laceration of the ulnar artery while the electromyography was being performed.
New Early Cambrian bivalved arthropods from southern France
Authors: VANNIER JEAN , WILLIAMS MARK , ALVARO J. JAVIER , VIZCAÏNO DANIEL , MONCERET SYLVIE , MONCERET ERIC
Published: September 2005

The Lower Cambrian Pardailhan Formation of the Montagne Noire (Southern France) has yielded a diverse fossil assemblage including bivalved arthropods (the bradoriids Monceretia erisylvia gen. et sp. nov., Cambria danvizcainia sp. nov. and Matthoria? sp., together with Isoxys sp.) associated with trilobites, hyolithids, inarticulate brachiopods, sponge spicules, ichnofossils and chancelloriid sclerites. This assemblage provides new evidence about the biodiversity of Early Cambrian marine communities in palaeocontinental Gondwana. The bradoriids are Cambriidae, a family with widespread distribution in offshore shelf marine environments during Early Cambrian times. The present study confirms the presence of cambriids within a subtropical latitudinal belt that encompasses Laurentia, Siberia and the Gondwanan margins from Southern France to South China. Although knowledge of the distribution of fossil cambriids is patchy, at the generic level they appear to be provincial, with Petrianna from Laurentia, Shangsiella and Auriculatella from South China, Cambria from Siberia and Gondwana (Armorica), and Monceretia gen nov. from Gondwana (Armorica). The presence of Isoxys in the Montagne-Noire confirms the cosmopolitan distribution of this genus in the Early and Middle Cambrian tropics. Cambriid bradoriids occupy a biostratigraphically narrow time interval, probably equating to part of the Atdabanian and Botomian stages of Russian terminology. Their presence in the Pardailhan Formation supports the notion of a Botomian age, determined from archaeocyathan evidence. The North American bradoriid genus Matthoria, also possibly present in the Pardailhan Formation, is reassigned to the Cambriidae.
Local differences in immunocompetence reflect resistance of sticklebacks against the eye fluke Diplostomum pseudospathaceum
Authors: KALBE M. , KURTZ J.
Published: September 2005

We investigated population differences in immunological adaptation of three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) to one of their most abundant macroparasites, the eye fluke Diplostomum pseudospathaceum. We compared infection success in lab-bred fish of 2 populations in northern Germany, from a lake, where eye flukes are prevalent, and a river, where these parasites do not occur. In order to discriminate between protection through innate and acquired immunity, we exposed fish either only once or repeatedly. Lake fish were significantly less susceptible than river sticklebacks already after a single exposure, indicating that in sympatric hosts innate immunity plays the major role in the defence against this helminth infection. In both habitat types, previous exposures only marginally decreased infection rates within 12 weeks. Lake fish showed higher immunocompentence by means of respiratory burst activity and spleen size, regardless of the infection status. Furthermore, they were in a better energy status than river fish, as indicated by a higher hepatosomatic index and haematocrit value. Interestingly, F1 hybrid fish of both populations ranged between the pure habitat types in parasite susceptibility as well as in immunological and condition parameters. Our results suggest that sticklebacks from lakes are better adapted to cope with higher parasite abundance in this habitat.
Are multiple gametocyte infections in malarial parasites an adaptation to ensure fertility?
Authors: MARTÍNEZ-DE LA PUENTE J. , MERINO S. , TOMÁS G. , MORENO J. , MORALES J. , LOBATO E.
Published: September 2005

Multiple infections, those by more than one parasite in the same erythrocyte, may be adaptive for the malarial parasite as a means to ensure fertility. Alternatively they may simply be the consequence of a non-adaptive process forcing several parasites to compete for resources in one host cell. Avian hosts infected withHaemoproteuswere medicated with primaquine or injected with saline solution and the density of infection and number, maturity and sex of mature multiple infections counted. Multiple infections depend on density of infection, and maturity is attained rarely and usually by gametocytes of the same sex. The role of multiple infections for fertility insurance is not supported by these results.
Gender differences in the prevalence of DSM-IV and ICD-10 PTSD
Authors: PETERS LORNA , ISSAKIDIS CATHY , SLADE TIM , ANDREWS GAVIN
Published: September 2005

Background. Gender differences in the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder were examined by analysing discrepancies between the DSM-IV and ICD-10 diagnostic systems.

Method. Data from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being (n=10641) were analysed at the diagnostic, criterion and symptom level for DSM-IV and ICD-10 PTSD for males versus females.

Results. While there was a significant gender difference in the prevalence of PTSD for ICD-10, no such difference was found for DSM-IV. The pattern of gender difference at the diagnostic level was mirrored in the pattern of gender differences at the criterion level for both DSM-IV and ICD-10. Females only endorsed three symptoms at a significantly higher rate than males. For all other symptoms, endorsement was equal. This apparently small gender difference at the symptom level was sufficient to cause the gender difference at the diagnostic level for ICD-10, but not DSM-IV because of the different manner in which symptoms are configured into criteria in each of the diagnostic systems.

Conclusions. Gender differences in ICD-10 PTSD but not in DSM PTSD diagnoses are attributable in this study to different patterns of endorsement of symptoms by males and females. Possible reasons for the differential endorsement of symptoms and implications for the use of epidemiological instruments are discussed.
Calculating PSSM probabilities with lazy dynamic programming
Authors: MALDE KETIL , GIEGERICH ROBERT
Published: September 2005

Position-specific scoring matrices are one way to represent approximate string patterns, which are commonly encountered in the field of bioinformatics. An important problem that arises with their application is calculating the statistical significance of matches. We review the currently most efficient algorithm for this task, and show how it can be implemented in Haskell, taking advantage of the built-in non-strictness of the language. The resulting program turns out to be an instance of dynamic programming, using lists rather the typical dynamic programming matrix.
role development for therapeutic radiographers in the public hospitals in hong kong
Authors: white p. , lee s.w.y. , wong c.w.y. , lee a.k.w. , cheung d.n.
Published: September 2005

purpose: to identify factors determining the possibility of role development for therapeutic radiographers in hong kong public hospitals.

methods: questionnaires were sent to all ranks of radiographers, clinical oncologists, medical physicists and nurses in four clinical oncology departments in local public hospitals. information was sought on role development and the nature of extended role tasks that should be undertaken by therapeutic radiographers. both open and closed questions were used to ascertain views. individual, semi-structured interviews were used to explore further opinions of therapeutic radiographers. for open-ended questions, data were analysed thematically by grouping similar opinions, while for closed questions data were analysed by descriptive statistics and independent-samples t-test/levene's test for homogeneity of variances.

results and discussion: in total, 132 out of 285 questionnaires were returned (46.32%). subjects (77.10%) expressed views that role development in therapeutic radiography (rt) would have a positive impact on oncology services within the region. medical dominance was highlighted as the main barrier to role development (mean: 2.86; sd: 1.78). radiographers would tend not to extend their roles by taking up tasks that were performed by oncologists: for example, radiographers would not want to prescribe drugs to patients with radiation side-effects (57.58%), while 83.33% of oncologists also disagreed with this being performed by radiographers. other professionals (nurses and medical physicists) held a reserved view in delegating their tasks to radiographers, even after accredited clinical training.

conclusion: role development in rt should relieve the increasing workload of the entire clinical oncology department. it also increases the status of therapeutic radiographers within the health care setting, which is beneficial for the whole profession. however, efforts must be made by all health professionals within the department to ensure that the greatest effectiveness can be achieved from such developments.
recommendations on best practice for radiographer set-up of conformal radiotherapy treatment for patients with prostate cancer: experience developed during the mrc rt01 trial (isrtcn 47772397)
Authors: griffiths s. e. , stanley s. , sydes m. ,   rt01 radiographers group on behalf of all the rt01 collaborators
Published: September 2005

the trial required field placement to within 3mm. radiographers from participating centres related set-up methods to accuracy to establish best practice and inform recommendations. all centres made changes to methods as a result of the trial to improve accuracy, identified in categories, including patient positioning, iso-centre setting, couch top, imaging methods, and bladder and rectal filling. up to 80% of centres made changes in any one category.

in three centres accuracy was inferior in one axis, related to the set-up methods used.

recommendations included:

for reproducibility –

achieving a comfortable bladder status

using a standardised firm head support (not pillow)

using the hands on chest position to avoid the weight of the arms on the trunk

aligning lateral tattoos in both the longitudinal and vertical directions

using leg or ankle supports

evidence-based methods of controlling rectal filling are still required

for iso-centre setting –

using the anterior tattoo for lateral direction and the lateral tattoos for the superior/inferior direction

using a solid/carbon couch top throughout, using the height above couch as the reference measurement, not the anterior source to skin distance

develop an alternative to using the couch height readout alone
a critical evaluation of internal organ immobilisation techniques
Authors: bridge p.
Published: September 2005

this paper aims to evaluate the range of techniques available to minimise both interfraction and intrafraction errors. the main interfraction errors are due to changes in volume of the rectum and bladder. intrafraction errors are mainly due to respiration and to a lesser extent cardiac motion. there are various methods of minimising internal organ motion that attempt to permit reduction of the internal margin around the clinical target volume (ctv).

techniques such as rectal balloon insertion and breathing control are evaluated to determine their role in reduction of margins for improved conformal radiotherapy. the paper concludes that rectal balloons have been shown to permit limited reduction of internal margins and morbidity levels. breathing control has not increased reproducibility, but has allowed for reduction in lung morbidity. reduction of margins can only be recommended when using breathing control in conjunction with daily ctv relocalisation.

although these techniques do have a role to play at the moment, it appears that attempting to maintain a static environment within the highly mobile patient is fraught with difficulties and we must accept that there is always going to be motion. rather than attempting to control the position of the tumour, future developments such as adaptive radiotherapy and tomotherapy may account for the movement.
The Aigion–Neos Erineos coastal normal fault system (western Corinth Gulf Rift, Greece): Geomorphological signature, recent earthquake history, and evolution
Authors: Palyvos N. , Pantosti D. , De Martini P. M. , Lemeille F. , Sorel D. , Pavlopoulos K.
Published: September 2005

At the westernmost part of the Corinth Rift (Greece), an area of rapid extension and active normal faulting, geomorphological observations reveal the existence and geometry of an active NW‐SE trending coastal fault system, which includes the Aigion fault. We recognize a similar fault pattern on both the coastal range front to the NW of Aigion town and the Holocene fan deltas in front of it. We interpret this as a result of recent migration of faulting to the hanging wall of the fault system. Differences in the geomorphic expression of the constituent faults provide hints on the possible evolution of the fault pattern during this recent migration. A trench excavated across one of the identified coastal fault scarps (on a Holocene fan delta) provides information on the seismic history of the fault system, which includes at least four (possibly six) earthquakes in the past 4000 years. A minimum estimate for the slip rate of the trenched fault is 1.9–2.7 mm/yr. The trench exposed sediments of an uplifted paleolagoon (approximate age 2000 years B.P.), inside which the last two earthquakes formed an underwater monoclinal scarp. Oscillating coastal vertical movements are suggested by the fact that the lagoonal deposits are also uplifted on the trenched fault hanging wall (uplift by offshore faults) and by the abrupt transition from fluvial to lagoonal deposits (subsidence by more landward faults, assuming that extensive coastal sediment failure has not taken place in the specific part of the fan delta, within the time interval of interest). These movements suggest that the proposed migration of activity from the range front faults to those on the fan deltas is probably still ongoing, with activity on both sets of faults.
Effects of a topographic gradient on coastal current dynamics
Authors: Cenedese Antonio , Vigarie Céline , Visconti di Modrone Emilia
Published: September 2005

When a boundary current in a rotating environment encounters a significant change in depth, two typical behaviors are observed. The flow may bifurcate, with one branch moving away from the boundary following the topographic contours and the other branch following the boundary. Alternatively, the boundary current may rebound or retroflect from the topography, with the formation of a dipole that moves in the upstream direction. Which behavior is observed is determined, for the most part, by the geometry of the system and not by the initial direction of the boundary current. Bifurcation is typical in a right‐handed geometry, i.e., in the case with the boundary on the right side looking from deep to shallow water, while retroflection is typical in a left‐handed geometry. Laboratory experiments in a rotating tank using dye visualization and particle tracking verify this basic dichotomy but also reveal new aspects of the problem not examined in previous studies. In particular, it is demonstrated that in the enclosed basin, there is a return current flowing counter to the branch following the topographic contours. The experimental design allows comparison of the large time flow with the circulation in the Adriatic Sea.
Thermal conditions for PMC existence derived from Odin/OSIRIS and TIMED/SABER data
Authors: Petelina S. V. , Degenstein D. A. , Llewellyn E. J. , Lloyd N. D. , Mertens C. J. , Mlynczak M. G. , Russell J. M.
Published: September 2005

We study a relationship between Polar Mesospheric Cloud (PMC) brightness and coincident mesospheric Kinetic Temperatures (KT) measured by two satellite instruments, the Optical Spectrograph and Infrared Imager System and Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry respectively. Two fifteen‐day periods in July 2002 and 2003 have been analyzed. For coincidences ≤3 hours and ≤200 km PMCs with a peak at 82–84 km were observed for the mean KT in this height range ≤142 K. Bright PMCs, at least twice brighter than the seasonal mean, were detected only for KT ≤ 134 K. The average KT for PMCs at 80°–82.2°N was lower than that at 60°–75°N by 5–8 K. The average KT coincident with PMCs was 1.4 to 7.9 K lower than that for non‐PMC cases. There was up to 7% of non‐PMC detections for the very low KT, ≤130 K. The total random and systematic uncertainty of this analysis was 9 K.