bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retinoic Acid Improves Ciliogenesis after Surgery of the Maxillary Sinus in Rabbits
Authors: Hwang Peter H. , Chan Joe M.
Published: July 2006

Objectives/Hypothesis: Retinoids have been shown to be important cofactors in regulating the differentiation and proliferation of ciliated epithelial cells of the respiratory tract. In particular, retinoic acid has been shown to enhance the regeneration of paranasal sinus mucosa. The objective of this study is to use scanning electron microscopy techniques to evaluate the effect of topical retinoic acid on mucosal wound healing in a rabbit model of maxillary sinus surgery. It is hypothesized that the application of topical retinoic acid will enhance ciliogenesis and improve the morphology of regenerated cilia compared with controls.

Study Design: Prospective multi‐arm controlled animal trial.

Methods: Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits underwent surgical opening of the maxillary sinuses through a midline incision. The rabbits were divided among four experimental groups: 1) mucosal stripping alone (stripped control), 2) stripping followed by topical application of an inert aqueous gel, 3) stripping followed by application of 0.01% retinoic acid in aqueous gel, and 4) no mucosal stripping and no topical treatment (nonstripped control). After 14 days, the medial wall of the maxillary sinus was harvested and examined by scanning electron microscopy at ×2,000 and ×5,000 magnification. The micrographs were then rated by a blinded review panel for ciliary density, orientation, and morphology.

Results: Mean scores for ciliary density, orientation, and morphology were all significantly higher for the retinoic acid treatment group compared with both the inert aqueous gel treatment group and the stripped control group (P = .004–.03 for all comparisons, Student's t test). Mean scores for the retinoic acid treatment group were numerically lower than the nonstripped control group but did not approach statistical significance for any parameter (P = .23–.31).

Conclusions: In a rabbit model of maxillary sinus surgery, topically delivered retinoic acid enhances ciliogenesis. Qualitative assessment of ciliary density, orientation, and morphology shows improved healing in retinoic acid treated sinuses compared with both untreated control sinuses and aqueous gel treated sinuses.
Cochlear Implantation in Postirradiated Ears: Outcomes and Challenges
Authors: Low Wong‐Kein , Gopal K , Goh L K. , Fong K W.
Published: July 2006

Objectives. Radiotherapy to head and neck tumors can potentially damage the auditory pathways. This has relevance in cochlear implants and there is a need for clinical studies to confirm the feasibility of cochlear implantation in these patients.

Methods. The records of all patients who had received cochlear implants at our institution were reviewed in this retrospective study and those who had prior irradiation for head and neck tumors were further studied. Case controls consisted of comparable cochlear implant recipients who did not have prior radiotherapy.

Results. Four of 230 patients met the criteria for further study. They had received radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma 11 to 28 years ago and the postimplant follow‐up period ranged from 9 to 46 months. The implanted ear of each patient had favorable preoperative promontory stimulation results. Postimplant, all patients were satisfied with their hearing outcomes and the improvement in speech discrimination scores was comparable to the controls. These cases also illustrated specific clinical concerns, including 1) radiation‐induced endocrine dysfunction was common and, if overlooked, could result in increased anesthetic risks, and 2) irreversible eustachian tube dysfunction led to chronic middle ear problems, which complicated surgery; the use of modified surgical techniques overcame these difficulties.

Conclusions. Deafened postirradiated patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were able to achieve good postimplant hearing outcomes comparable to those of nonirradiated patients. Should cochlear implantation be indicated in patients who have had prior radiation to the head and neck, specific preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative issues have to be addressed.
Thermovirga lienii gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel moderately thermophilic, anaerobic, amino-acid-degrading bacterium isolated from a North Sea oil well
Authors: Dahle Håkon , Birkeland Nils-Kåre
Published: July 2006

A novel anaerobic, moderately thermophilic bacterium, strain Cas60314T, was isolated from hot oil-well production water obtained from an oil reservoir in the North Sea. The cells were Gram-negative, motile, straight rods. The salinity and pH growth optima were 2.0–3.0 % NaCl and 6.5–7.0, respectively. The optimum temperature was 58 °C. Strain Cas60314T had a fermentative type of metabolism and utilized proteinous substrates, some single amino acids and a limited number of organic acids, but not sugars, fatty acids or alcohols. Cystine and elemental sulfur were reduced to sulfide. The G+C content of the DNA was 46.6 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic features, it is proposed that this isolate represents a novel genus and species with the name Thermovirga lienii gen. nov., sp. nov. within the family Syntrophomonadaceae. The proposed type strain is strain Cas60314T (=DSM 17291T=ATTC BAA-1197T).
Pseudonocardia tetrahydrofuranoxydans sp. nov.
Authors: Kämpfer Peter , Kohlweyer Ulrike , Thiemer Barbara , Andreesen Jan R.
Published: July 2006

A Gram-positive, rod-shaped, non-endospore-forming but mycelium-forming actinobacterium (strain K1T) was isolated from an enrichment culture containing tetrahydrofuran (THF) as the sole source of carbon. On the basis of its G+C content (71.3 mol%) and of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, strain K1Twas shown to belong to the familyPseudonocardiaceae, most closely related toPseudonocardia hydrocarbonoxydans(99.3 %),P. benzenivorans(98.8 %) andP. sulfidoxydans(98.3 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to otherPseudonocardiaspecies was less than 97 %. Chemotaxonomic data [major menaquinone MK-8(H4); major fatty acids C16 : 0iso, C15 : 0iso and C17 : 1ω6c] supported the affiliation of strain K1Tto the genusPseudonocardia. The results of DNA–DNA hybridizations and physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain K1Tfrom the three speciesP. benzenivorans,P. sulfidoxydansandP. hydrocarbonoxydans, although all four organisms utilized THF. Strain K1Trepresents a novel species, for which the namePseudonocardia tetrahydrofuranoxydanssp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain K1T(=DSM 44239T=CIP 109050T).
Reclassification of Lactobacillus brevis strains LMG 11494 and LMG 11984 as Lactobacillus parabrevis sp. nov.
Authors: Vancanneyt Marc , Naser Sabri M. , Engelbeen Katrien , De Wachter Marjan , Van der Meulen Roel , Cleenwerck Ilse , Hoste Bart , De Vuyst Luc , Swings Jean
Published: July 2006

A polyphasic study revealed taxonomic heterogeneity among reference strains of the species Lactobacillus brevis. Representative strains of L. brevis and related taxa were investigated by partial sequence analysis of the housekeeping gene encoding the alpha-subunit of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthase (pheS). Species-specific clusters were delineated for all taxa studied except for two L. brevis strains, LMG 11494 and LMG 11984, respectively isolated from cheese and wheat, which occupied a distinct position. Their phylogenetic affiliation was determined using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and it was found that both strains (with 99.9 % gene sequence similarity between them) belonged to the Lactobacillus buchneri group, with nearest neighbours Lactobacillus hammesii and L. brevis (gene sequence similarities of 99.2 and 98.1 %, respectively). Further genotypic and phenotypic studies, including fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphism, DNA–DNA hybridization and DNA G+C content, clearly demonstrated that the two strains represent a single novel taxon for which the name Lactobacillus parabrevis sp. nov. is proposed (type strain LMG 11984T=ATCC 53295T).
Natronorubrum aibiense sp. nov., an extremely halophilic archaeon isolated from Aibi salt lake in Xin-Jiang, China, and emended description of the genus Natronorubrum
Authors: Cui Heng-Lin , Tohty Dilbr , Feng Jie , Zhou Pei-Jin , Liu Shuang-Jiang
Published: July 2006

An extremely halophilic archaeon (strain 7-3T) was isolated from Aibi salt lake in Xin-Jiang, China. It formed small (<1.0 mm), red, elevated colonies on salt-milk agar medium. Strain 7-3T was able to grow at pH 6.5–9.5 (optimum pH 8.0) and at 20–50 °C (optimum 45 °C). Analysis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain 7-3T was phylogenetically related to members of the genus Natronorubrum, with sequence similarities of 97.0 % to Natronorubrum bangense A33T and 95.2 % to Natronorubrum tibetense GA33T. The G+C content of its DNA was 61.2 mol% (T
m). Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness to Nrr. bangense and Nrr. tibetense were 45 and 37 %, respectively. It is concluded that strain 7-3T (=CGMCC 1.4299T=JCM 13488T) should be classified as the type strain of a novel species of the genus Natronorubrum, for which the name Natronorubrum aibiense sp. nov. is proposed. Based on the properties of Nrr. aibiense given here and of those of Nrr. bangense and Nrr. tibetense described previously, an emended description of the genus Natronorubrum is presented.
‘Candidatus Paenicardinium endonii’, an endosymbiont of the plant-parasitic nematode Heterodera glycines (Nemata: Tylenchida), affiliated to the phylum Bacteroidetes
Authors: Noel Gregory R. , Atibalentja Ndeme
Published: July 2006

Bacteria-like endosymbionts of females of the plant-parasitic nematodes Globodera rostochiensis and Heterodera goettingiana and juveniles of Heterodera glycines were first observed during transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies conducted in the 1970s. These organisms were characterized as being rod-shaped, ranging in size from 0.3 to 0.5 μm in diameter and 1.8 to 3 μm in length and containing structures labelled as striated inclusion bodies or tubular structures. A population of H. glycines was obtained from the soybean field where infected nematodes were first discovered in order to conduct TEM studies of females and males and to determine the phylogenetic position of the H. glycines endosymbiont among bacteria by studying the 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequences. The bacterium was observed in the pseudocoelom and intestine of juveniles, females and males, in hypodermal chords of juveniles and males, in ovary walls and in oocytes and spermatozoa. The bacterium was polymorphic, measuring 0.4–0.8×2.5–4.5 μm, and many specimens contained an array of microfilament-like structures similar to those observed in ‘Candidatus Cardinium hertigii’, the endosymbiont of Encarsia spp. wasps. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA and gyrB genes of the H. glycines-infecting bacterium revealed 93 % and 81 % sequence identity, respectively, to the homologous genes in ‘Candidatus C. hertigii’. Thus, the name ‘Candidatus Paenicardinium endonii’ is proposed for the bacterial endosymbiont of the plant-parasitic nematode H. glycines.
Halorubrum lipolyticum sp. nov. and Halorubrum aidingense sp. nov., isolated from two salt lakes in Xin-Jiang, China
Authors: Cui Heng-Lin , Tohty Dilbr , Zhou Pei-Jin , Liu Shuang-Jiang
Published: July 2006

Two extremely halophilic archaea, strains 9-3T and 31-hongT, were isolated from Aibi salt lake and Aiding salt lake in Xin-Jiang, China. Their morphology, physiology, biochemical features, polar lipid compositions and 16S rRNA gene sequences were characterized in order to elucidate their taxonomic status. The results from this study indicated that strains 9-3T and 31-hongT are members of the genus Halorubrum. Their physiological properties and polar lipid compositions are clearly different from those of the currently described species of Halorubrum. DNA–DNA relatedness values for strain 9-3T with respect to its closely related neighbours Halorubrum saccharovorum JCM 8865T and Halorubrum lacusprofundi JCM 8891T were 51.6 and 25.1 %, respectively, DNA–DNA relatedness values for strain 31-hongT with respect to its closely related neighbours Hrr. saccharovorum JCM 8865T and Hrr. lacusprofundi JCM 8891T were 29.4 and 44.9 %, respectively, and DNA–DNA relatedness between strains 9-3T and 31-hongT was 54 %. Thus, two novel species of the genus Halorubrum are proposed, Halorubrum lipolyticum sp. nov. (type strain 9-3T=CGMCC 1.5332T=JCM 13559T) and Halorubrum aidingense sp. nov. (type strain 31-hongT=CGMCC 1.2670T=JCM 13560T).
Gene Delivery to Skin Using Biolistics
Authors: Heiser William C.
Published: July 2006

INTRODUCTION

Biolistics (“biological ballistics”) or particle bombardment provides a rapid and simple physical procedure for delivering genes into cells (Klein et al. 1987; Yang et al. 1990). The technique has many advantages—plasmids may be used for delivery, DNA theoretically can be delivered to any cell type, and genes may be delivered to cells in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo. DNA-coated gold particles are distributed evenly along the length of the tubing, which is subsequently cut into short sections of cartridges to be used in a gene gun. The Helios Gene Gun uses a pulse of helium to launch the DNA-coated particles, spreading them onto the target cells.
The oligomeric state and stability of the mannitol transporter, EnzymeIImtl, from Escherichia coli: A fluorescence correlation spectroscopy study
Authors: Veldhuis Gertjan , Hink Mark , Krasnikov Victor , van den Bogaart Geert , Hoeboer Jeroen , Visser Antonie J.W.G. , Broos Jaap , Poolman Bert
Published: July 2006

Numerous membrane proteins function as oligomers both at the structural and functional levels. The mannitol transporter from Escherichia coli, EnzymeIImtl, is a member of the phosphoenolpyruvate‐dependent phosphotransferase system. During the transport cycle, mannitol is phosphorylated and released into the cytoplasm as mannitol‐1‐phosphate. Several studies have shown that EIImtl functions as an oligomeric species. However, the oligomerization number and stability of the oligomeric complex during different steps of the catalytic cycle, e.g., substrate binding and/or phosphorylation of the carrier, is still under discussion. In this paper, we have addressed the oligomeric state and stability of EIImtl using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. A functional double‐cysteine mutant was site‐specifically labeled with either Alexa Fluor 488 or Alexa Fluor 633. The subunit exchange of these two batches of proteins was followed in time during different steps of the catalytic cycle. The most important conclusions are that (1) in a detergent‐solubilized state, EIImtl is functional as a very stable dimer; (2) the stability of the complex can be manipulated by changing the intermicellar attractive forces between PEG‐based detergent micelles; (3) substrate binding destabilizes the complex whereas phosphorylation increases the stability; and (4) substrate binding to the phosphorylated species partly antagonizes the stabilizing effect.
Age and skin structure and function, a quantitative approach (II): protein, glycosaminoglycan, water, and lipid content and structure
Authors: Waller Jeanette M. , Maibach Howard I.
Published: July 2006

Background/purpose: The aging process has been studied with fervor recently, given our shifting demographics. As age's effects are so manifest in the skin's appearance, structure, mechanics, and barrier function, it is not surprising that much effort has been made in research to better understand them. Quantitative measurements permitted by bioengineering have allowed us to objectively and precisely study aging skin. These overviews piece together the immense amounts of information that have emerged from recent technological advances in dermatological research in order to develop a unified understanding of the quantitative effects of age on skin.

Methods: We performed a literature search on age‐related changes in protein, glycosaminoglycan (GAG), water, and lipid content and structure, searching Pub‐med, Em‐Base, Science Citation Index, and the UCSF dermatological library's collection of books on the topic of aging skin.

Results: Collagen becomes sparser and less soluble in intrinsically aged skin, but is thickened and more soluble in extrinsically aged areas. Elastin is degraded slowly and accumulates damage with intrinsic aging; also, increased synthesis of abnormally structured elastin occurs in photoexposed areas. This leads to an age‐related accumulation of aberrant elastoic material, clumped in the papillary dermis. Generally, age leads to increased folding and decreased interaction of proteins with water. Also, despite increased GAGs in aged skin, these are abnormally deposited on the elastoic material and cannot interact properly with water. Hence, in aged skin, water is found in the tetrahedron form, bound to itself rather than other molecules. Lipid content appears to decrease with age, although the proportion of different lipid classes seems to remain fairly constant.

Conclusion: Much work remains to be carried out to reach a consensus on the effects of age on skin structure and function. Future studies would be benefited by increased standardization of skin sites tested, methodology, and increased sample sizes.
Activation of Wnt signaling in the intestinal mucosa of Apc+/min mice does not cause overexpression of the receptor tyrosine kinase Met
Authors: Boon Elles M. J. , Pouwels Walter , Redeker Sandra , Joosten Sander P. J. , Hamann Jörg , Van Der Neut Ronald , Pals Steven T.
Published: July 2006

The receptor tyrosine kinase MET is overexpressed in human colorectal adenomas and carcinomas, suggesting an instrumental role for MET signaling in the onset and progression of colorectal cancer. To corroborate this role, animal models are needed. To study the expression of Met in the normal and neoplastic mouse intestine, we generated an Armenian hamster monoclonal antibody against mouse Met. By using this antibody in immunohistochemical studies, we observed strong Met expression in fetal mouse intestinal epithelial cells. In contrast, in the intestines of adult mice, Met expression was very low whereas the protein was undetectable on the neoplastic epithelium of intestinal adenomas in Apc+/min mice. By immunoblotting, we were also unable to detect Met in intestinal adenomas, whereas Met mRNA levels in microdissected adenomas were very low. The absence of detectable Met protein expression in adenomas of Apc+/min mice contrasts sharply with the vast overexpression of the protein in adenomas of humans with familial adenomatous polyposis or sporadic colorectal carcinomas. Our results imply that deregulation of Wnt signaling in mouse − unlike in human − intestinal epithelium does not result in Met overexpression. Our findings thus reveal important interspecies differences in the regulation of Met expression during intestinal tumorigenesis. (Cancer Sci 2006; 97: 710–715)
Fbxw7 contributes to tumor suppression by targeting multiple proteins for ubiquitin‐dependent degradation
Authors: Fujii Yo , Yada Masayoshi , Nishiyama Masaaki , Kamura Takumi , Takahashi Hidehisa , Tsunematsu Ryosuke , Susaki Etsuo , Nakagawa Tadashi , Matsumoto Akinobu , Nakayama Keiichi I.
Published: July 2006

Fbxw7 (also known as Sel‐10, hCdc4 or hAgo) is the F‐box protein component of a Skp1–Cul1–F‐box protein (SCF) ubiquitin ligase. Fbxw7 contributes to the ubiquitin‐mediated degradation of cyclin E, c‐Myc, Aurora‐A, Notch and c‐Jun, all of which appear to function as cell‐cycle promoters and oncogenic proteins. Loss of Fbxw7 results in elevated expression of its substrates, which may lead to oncogenesis. However, it remains largely unclear which accumulating substrate is most related to cancer development in Fbxw7‐mutant cancer cells. In the present study, we examined the abundance of cyclin E, c‐Myc and Aurora‐A in seven cancer cell lines, which harbor wild‐type (three lines) or mutant (four lines) Fbxw7. Although these three substrates accumulated in the Fbxw7‐mutant cells, the extent of increase in the expression of these proteins varied in each line. Forced expression of Fbxw7 reduced the levels of cyclin E, c‐Myc and Aurora‐A in the Fbxw7‐mutant cells. In contrast, a decrease in the expression of cyclin E, c‐Myc or Aurora‐A by RNA interference significantly suppressed the rate of proliferation and anchorage‐independent growth of the Fbxw7‐mutant cells. These findings thus suggest that the loss of Fbxw7 results in accumulation of cyclin E, c‐Myc and Aurora‐A, all of which appear to be required for growth promotion of cancer cells. Fbxw7 seems to regulate the levels of multiple targets to suppress cancer development. (Cancer Sci 2006; 97: 729–736)
Abundance and diversity of rodents at the human–wildlife interface in Western Serengeti, Tanzania
Authors: Magige Flora , Senzota Ramadhani
Published: July 2006

Rodent species abundance and diversity in Western Serengeti are evaluated and discussed in relation to different levels of conservation status [Unprotected Area (UA), Game Reserve (GR) and National Park (NP)] and broad site differences in human livelihood activities. A total of 2170 individuals, spread over 16 rodent species, were caught in a capture‐mark‐recapture study which covered both the dry and wet seasons. The more humid site (Tabora B) in the northern part of Serengeti had the highest diversity of rodents followed by the Mihale site at the western extension. The driest site at Robanda had the lowest overall species diversity. Diversity also varied between the three levels of conservation status whereby the UA had the least diversity while the NP, which enjoyed the highest level of conservation status, had the highest diversity of rodents. Unprotected Area and NP plots at Tabora B showed a rodent species similarity index of 40%; all the other paired plots scored over 50% similarity indices, suggesting that, within a site, species composition did not vary significantly between the three levels of conservation status. The Robanda site had the highest (56%) overall abundance of rodents; Mihale and Tabora B sites had about the same level of rodent abundance (20 and 24% respectively). For the Mihale site, Mastomys natalensis ranked first followed by Arvicanthis niloticus and Tatera robusta, each of which contained 40, 38 and 16%, respectively, of all individuals caught at the site. For the Robanda site, the figures were 66%A. niloticus, 22%M. natalensis and 9%T. robusta; while for the Tabora B site the scores were 37%M. natalensis, 18%T. robusta and 11%Lemniscomys barbarus. The differences in diversity, species composition and population abundance appear to result largely from physiognomic vegetation types, and habitat perturbations caused by livelihood activities in Western Serengeti.
Making a home, finding a job: investigating early housing and employment outcomes for young people leaving care
Authors: Wade Jim , Dixon Jo
Published: July 2006

This paper presents findings from a new study of outcomes for young people leaving care funded by the Department for Education and Skills. It reports findings for a sample of 106 young people in relation to progress made in housing and employment some 12–15 months after leaving care. The generally poor employment outcomes of care leavers are acknowledged, but ingredients that make for success are also highlighted, including the value of settled care and post‐care careers, sound career planning and, significantly, the value of delaying young people’s transitions from care. Early career paths also interconnect with how young people fare in housing, in developing life skills and with other problems in their lives after leaving care. Housing outcomes were more encouraging and predominantly shaped by events after leaving care, and faring well in housing was the factor most closely associated with positive mental well‐being in young people. Some groups that are at risk of faring badly are identified, including young people with mental‐health problems, young people with persistent offending or substance misuse problems and, in some respects, young disabled people. The implications of these findings for leaving care services are considered.
Predicting after‐care outcomes: the importance of ‘felt’ security
Authors: Cashmore Judy , Paxman Marina
Published: July 2006

Young people who ‘age out of care’ generally do not have the continuing source of emotional, social and financial support that is available to most young people in their transition to early adulthood. They therefore face the challenges of making various transitions with fewer resources and less support, and at an earlier age and in a less graduated way than young people of the same age in the general population. Some, however, manage this process more successfully than others. The current study examines the links between stability, perceived or ‘felt’ security and later outcomes for young people 4–5 years after leaving care. It is based on a four‐wave longitudinal study over 5 years of 47 young people leaving care in New South Wales, Australia. Felt security in care, and continuity and social support beyond care were the main significant predictors of these young people’s outcomes 4–5 years after leaving care. While stability in care was important, this may be as a means to an end–building a sense of security, belonging and a network of social support.
Sediment respiration and lake trophic state are important predictors of large CO2 evasion from small boreal lakes
Authors: KORTELAINEN PIRKKO , RANTAKARI MIITTA , HUTTUNEN JARI T. , MATTSSON TUIJA , ALM JUKKA , JUUTINEN SARI , LARMOLA TUULA , SILVOLA JOUKO , MARTIKAINEN PERTTI J.
Published: July 2006

We show that sediment respiration is one of the key factors contributing to the high CO2 supersaturation in and evasion from Finnish lakes, and evidently also over large areas in the boreal landscape, where the majority of the lakes are small and shallow. A subpopulation of 177 randomly selected lakes (<100 km2) and 32 lakes with the highest total phosphorus (Ptot) concentrations in the Nordic Lake Survey (NLS) data base were sampled during four seasons and at four depths. Patterns of CO2 concentrations plotted against depth and time demonstrate strong CO2 accumulation in hypolimnetic waters during the stratification periods. The relationship between O2 departure from the saturation and CO2 departure from the saturation was strong in the entire data set (r2=0.79, n=2 740, P<0.0001). CO2 concentrations were positively associated with lake trophic state and the proportion of agricultural land in the catchment. In contrast, CO2 concentrations negatively correlated with the peatland percentage indicating that either input of easily degraded organic matter and/or nutrient load from agricultural land enhance degradation. The average lake‐area‐weighted annual CO2 evasion based on our 177 randomly selected lakes and all Finnish lakes >100 km2 (Rantakari & Kortelainen, 2005) was 42 g C m−2 LA (lake area), approximately 20% of the average annual C accumulation in Finnish forest soils and tree biomass (covering 51% of the total area of Finland) in the 1990s. Extrapolating our estimate from Finland to all lakes of the boreal region suggests a total annual CO2 evasion of about 50 TgC, a value upto 40% of current estimates for lakes of the entire globe, emphasizing the role of small boreal lakes as conduits for transferring terrestrially fixed C into the atmosphere.
Variation in Serripes groenlandicus (Bivalvia) growth in a Norwegian high‐Arctic fjord: evidence for local‐ and large‐scale climatic forcing
Authors: AMBROSE WILLIAM G. , CARROLL MICHAEL L. , GREENACRE MICHAEL , THORROLD SIMON R. , McMAHON KELTON W.
Published: July 2006

We examined the growth rate of the circumpolar Greenland Cockle (Serripes groenlandicus) over a period of 20 years (1983–2002) from Rijpfjord, a high‐Arctic fjord in northeast Svalbard (80°10′N, 22°15′E). This period encompassed different phases of large‐scale climatic oscillations with accompanying variations in local physical variables (temperature, atmospheric pressure, precipitation, sea ice cover), allowing us to analyze the linkage between growth rate, climatic oscillations, and their local physical and biological manifestations. Standard growth index (SGI), an ontogenetically adjusted measure of annual growth, ranged from a low of 0.27 in 2002 up to 2.46 in 1996. Interannual variation in growth corresponded to the Arctic climate regime index (ACRI), with high growth rates during the positive ACRI phase characterized by cyclonic ocean circulation and a warmer and wetter climate. Growth rates were influenced by local manifestations of the ACRI: positively correlated with precipitation and to a lesser extent negatively correlated with atmospheric pressure. A multiple regression model explains 65% of the variability in growth rate by the ACRI and precipitation at the nearest meteorological station. There were, however, complexities in the relationship between growth and physical variables, including an apparent 1 year lag between physical forcing changes and biological response. Also, when the last 4 years of poor growth are excluded, there is a very strong negative correlation with ice cover on a pan‐arctic scale. Our results suggest that bivalves, as sentinels of climate change on multi‐decadal scales, are sensitive to environmental variations associated with large‐scale changes in climate, but that the effects will be determined by changes in environmental parameters regulating marine production and food availability on a local scale.
European phenological response to climate change matches the warming pattern
Authors: MENZEL ANNETTE , SPARKS TIM H. , ESTRELLA NICOLE , KOCH ELISABETH , AASA ANTO , AHAS REIN , ALM‐KÜBLER KERSTIN , BISSOLLI PETER , BRASLAVSKÁ OL'GA , BRIEDE AGRITA , CHMIELEWSKI FRANK M. , CREPINSEK ZALIKA , CURNEL YANNICK , DAHL ÅSLÖG , DEFILA CLAUDIO , DONNELLY ALISON , FILELLA YOLANDA , JATCZAK KATARZYNA , MÅGE FINN , MESTRE ANTONIO , NORDLI ØYVIND , PEÑUELAS JOSEP , PIRINEN PENTTI , REMIŠOVÁ VIERA , SCHEIFINGER HELFRIED , STRIZ MARTIN , SUSNIK ANDREJA , VAN VLIET ARNOLD J. H. , WIELGOLASKI FRANS‐EMIL , ZACH SUSANNE , ZUST ANA
Published: July 2006

Global climate change impacts can already be tracked in many physical and biological systems; in particular, terrestrial ecosystems provide a consistent picture of observed changes. One of the preferred indicators is phenology, the science of natural recurring events, as their recorded dates provide a high‐temporal resolution of ongoing changes. Thus, numerous analyses have demonstrated an earlier onset of spring events for mid and higher latitudes and a lengthening of the growing season. However, published single‐site or single‐species studies are particularly open to suspicion of being biased towards predominantly reporting climate change‐induced impacts. No comprehensive study or meta‐analysis has so far examined the possible lack of evidence for changes or shifts at sites where no temperature change is observed. We used an enormous systematic phenological network data set of more than 125 000 observational series of 542 plant and 19 animal species in 21 European countries (1971–2000). Our results showed that 78% of all leafing, flowering and fruiting records advanced (30% significantly) and only 3% were significantly delayed, whereas the signal of leaf colouring/fall is ambiguous. We conclude that previously published results of phenological changes were not biased by reporting or publication predisposition: the average advance of spring/summer was 2.5 days decade−1 in Europe. Our analysis of 254 mean national time series undoubtedly demonstrates that species' phenology is responsive to temperature of the preceding months (mean advance of spring/summer by 2.5 days°C−1, delay of leaf colouring and fall by 1.0 day°C−1). The pattern of observed change in spring efficiently matches measured national warming across 19 European countries (correlation coefficient r=−0.69, P<0.001).
Podocalyxin‐like protein 1 expression in primary hepatic tumours and tumour‐like lesions
Authors: Heukamp L C , Fischer H P , Schirmacher P , Chen X , Breuhahn K , Nicolay C , Büttner R , Gütgemann I
Published: July 2006

Aims:  The differential diagnosis of benign hepatic lesions and well‐differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas can be a challenge, especially in small biopsy specimens. Recently, novel proteins expressed by the neovasculature in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been identified. The aim of this study was to compare the expression of podocalyxin‐like protein 1 (PODXL1), a CD34‐related sialomucin, in HCC and benign liver tumours or tumour‐like lesions.

Methods and results:  Vascular marker expression was examined using tissue microarrays as well as standard paraffin sections from formalin fixed paraffin‐embedded liver tissue samples. Expression of PODXL1 was compared with anti‐CD34, CD31 and von Willebrand factor VIII staining by immunohistochemistry. PODXL1 is expressed in tumour‐associated microvasculature endothelial cells in HCC, as well as in capillarized sinusoidal endothelium of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) and hepatic adenoma. Expression in cirrhotic nodules correlates with CD34 and highlights endothelium in the inflow area. In dysplastic nodules CD34 and PODXL1 are not or only focally expressed.

Conclusions:  Expression patterns of CD34 and PODXL1 are almost identical in primary hepatic tumours and tumour‐like lesions. The presence of CD34+ and PODXL1+ sinusoidal endothelial cells aids in the diagnosis of HCC. Sinusoidal expression of PODXL1 is also seen in a less diffuse pattern in FNH and adenoma.
Mineral trioxide aggregate: a review of the constituents and biological properties of the material
Authors: Camilleri J. , Pitt Ford T. R.
Published: July 2006

This paper reviews the literature on the constituents and biocompatibility of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). A Medline search was conducted. The first publication on the material was in November 1993. The Medline search identified 206 papers published from November 1993 to August 2005. Specific searches on constituents and biocompatibility of mineral trioxide aggregate, however, yielded few publications. Initially all abstracts were read to identify which fitted one of the two categories required for this review, constituents or biocompatibility. Based on this assessment and a review of the papers, 13 were included in the constituent category and 53 in the biocompatibility category. Relatively few articles addressed the constituents of MTA, whilst cytological evaluation was the most widely used biocompatibility test.
Influence of sterilization on mechanical properties and fatigue resistance of nickel–titanium rotary endodontic instruments
Authors: Viana A. C. D. , Gonzalez B. M. , Buono V. T. L. , Bahia M. G. A.
Published: July 2006

Aim  To evaluate the effect of repeated sterilization cycles in dry oven or autoclave, on the mechanical behaviour and fatigue resistance of rotary endodontic Ni–Ti instruments.

Methodology  New Ni–Ti instruments were subjected to five consecutive sterilization cycles in a dry oven or steam autoclave. Microhardness was measured in the nonmachined parts of the shanks of instruments using a Vickers indenter. Specimens of Ni–Ti wires were submitted to the same sterilization protocol and tensile tested until rupture. A group of instruments were fatigued to one half of their average fatigue life and then sterilized. New and sterilized instruments were fatigue tested until rupture. anova tests at α = 0.05 were used for statistical analysis.

Results  Sterilization procedures resulted in no significant changes in Vickers microhardness, nor in the parameters describing the mechanical behaviour of the wires. However, the number of cycles to failure was statistically higher for all instruments after dry heat or autoclave sterilization cycles. In the instruments previously fatigued to one half of their fatigue life, autoclave sterilization gave rise to an increase of 39% in the remaining number of cycles to failure.

Conclusions  Changes in the mechanical properties of Ni–Ti endodontic instruments after five cycles of commonly used sterilization procedures were insignificant. The sterilization procedures are safe as they produced a significant increase in the fatigue resistance of the instruments.
Referred pain: a confusing case of differential diagnosis between two teeth presenting with endo‐perio problems
Authors: Koyess E. , Fares M.
Published: July 2006

Aim  A case of a patient with a confusing referred pain is reported that emphasizes the importance of providing a differential diagnosis in order to avoid inappropriate treatment.

Summary  This article describes the management of a patient presenting with a combined endo‐perio problem that was apparently treated adequately. After a short period of time, the reappearance of mild pain was misdiagnosed. The situation was more complicated when multiple diagnostic procedures were attempted and inadequate therapies were tried consecutively. When the true differential diagnosis was established and appropriate treatment provided, the symptoms disappeared and normal function returned. Diagnosis of teeth with necrotic pulps may be difficult to establish with possible reasons including inconclusive and poorly localized symptoms and signs. The situation can be further complicated if other teeth developing endodontic or combined endo‐perio problems occur simultaneously as this may lead to misdiagnosis and treatment of the wrong tooth.

Key learning points:

• Diagnosis of teeth with necrotic pulps can be difficult to establish.

• The entire dentition should be examined for possible causes of pain before commencing treatment.

• Some periodontal lesions of endodontic origin can heal following root canal treatment alone.
Robust hierarchical state–space models reveal diel variation in travel rates of migrating leatherback turtles
Authors: JONSEN IAN D. , MYERS RANSOM A. , JAMES MICHAEL C.
Published: July 2006

Biological and statistical complexity are features common to most ecological data that hinder our ability to extract meaningful patterns using conventional tools. Recent work on implementing modern statistical methods for analysis of such ecological data has focused primarily on population dynamics but other types of data, such as animal movement pathways obtained from satellite telemetry, can also benefit from the application of modern statistical tools.

We develop a robust hierarchical state–space approach for analysis of multiple satellite telemetry pathways obtained via the Argos system. State–space models are time‐series methods that allow unobserved states and biological parameters to be estimated from data observed with error. We show that the approach can reveal important patterns in complex, noisy data where conventional methods cannot.

Using the largest Atlantic satellite telemetry data set for critically endangered leatherback turtles, we show that the diel pattern in travel rates of these turtles changes over different phases of their migratory cycle. While foraging in northern waters the turtles show similar travel rates during day and night, but on their southward migration to tropical waters travel rates are markedly faster during the day. These patterns are generally consistent with diving data, and may be related to changes in foraging behaviour. Interestingly, individuals that migrate southward to breed generally show higher daytime travel rates than individuals that migrate southward in a non‐breeding year.

Our approach is extremely flexible and can be applied to many ecological analyses that use complex, sequential data.
Real‐time quantification of human telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA in liver tissues from patients with hepatocellular cancer and chronic viral hepatitis
Authors: Satra M. , Gatselis N. , Iliopoulos D. , Zacharoulis D. , Dalekos G. N. , Tsezou A.
Published: July 2006

Summary.  We determined, for the first time, the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA expression, using real‐time quantitative PCR, in liver tissues from patients with hepatocellular cancer (HCC; n = 13), chronic hepatitis B (n = 19) and C (n = 13). Liver tissues from the 45 patients and 17 patients without liver disease in whom liver biopsy was performed during cholecystectomy (control group), were investigated for telomerase activity (TA) and hTERT mRNA expression using the LightCycler technology. TA was detected in all HCC tissues compared with 15.6% of chronic hepatitis (P < 0.001) and none of controls (P < 0.001). TA levels and hTERT mRNA were higher in HCC compared with chronic hepatitis (P < 0.001) and normal livers (P < 0.001). hTERT mRNA expression was correlated with TA (P < 0.05). Chronic hepatitis patients who tested negative for TA and hTERT mRNA had significantly lower disease duration (58 ± 85 months) compared with those tested positive (144 ± 50 months; P < 0.05). Detection of TA and quantification of hTERT mRNA expression in liver tissues could be useful and additional markers for HCC diagnosis and may serve as prognostic markers for HCC development in chronic viral hepatitis patients. However, we were not able to draw general conclusions at this moment, as the number of chronic hepatitis patients positive for hTERT mRNA was relatively small. Real‐time quantification of hTERT mRNA expression as a diagnostic/prognostic marker in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C and its relationship with hepatocarcinogenesis needs further evaluation.
Operational feasibility of lot quality assurance sampling (LQAS) as a tool in routine process monitoring of filariasis control programmes
Authors: Vanamail P. , Subramanian S. , Srividya A. , Ravi R. , Krishnamoorthy K. , Das P. K.
Published: July 2006

Lot quality assurance sampling (LQAS) with two‐stage sampling plan was applied for rapid monitoring of coverage after every round of mass drug administration (MDA). A Primary Health Centre (PHC) consisting of 29 villages in Thiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu was selected as the study area. Two threshold levels of coverage were used: threshold A (maximum: 60%; minimum: 40%) and threshold B (maximum: 80%; minimum: 60%). Based on these thresholds, one sampling plan each for A and B was derived with the necessary sample size and the number of allowable defectives (i.e. defectives mean those who have not received the drug). Using data generated through simple random sampling (SRSI) of 1750 individuals in the study area, LQAS was validated with the above two sampling plans for its diagnostic and field applicability. Simultaneously, a household survey (SRSH) was conducted for validation and cost‐effectiveness analysis. Based on SRSH survey, the estimated coverage was 93.5% (CI: 91.7–95.3%). LQAS with threshold A revealed that by sampling a maximum of 14 individuals and by allowing four defectives, the coverage was ≥60% in >90% of villages at the first stage. Similarly, with threshold B by sampling a maximum of nine individuals and by allowing four defectives, the coverage was ≥80% in >90% of villages at the first stage. These analyses suggest that the sampling plan (14,4,52,25) of threshold A may be adopted in MDA to assess if a minimum coverage of 60% has been achieved. However, to achieve the goal of elimination, the sampling plan (9, 4, 42, 29) of threshold B can identify villages in which the coverage is <80% so that remedial measures can be taken. Cost‐effectiveness analysis showed that both options of LQAS are more cost‐effective than SRSH to detect a village with a given level of coverage. The cost per village was US $76.18 under SRSH. The cost of LQAS was US $65.81 and 55.63 per village for thresholds A and B respectively. The total financial cost of classifying a village correctly with the given threshold level of LQAS could be reduced by 14% and 26% of the cost of conventional SRSH method.
House dust and forage mite allergens and their role in human and canine atopic dermatitis
Authors: Nuttall T. J. , Hill Peter B. , Bensignor E. , Willemse T. ,   the members of the International Task Force on Canine Atopic Dermatitis
Published: July 2006

This article reviews the literature regarding the role of house dust and forage mite allergens in canine atopic dermatitis. The presence of immunoglobulin E (IgE) to these mites, especially to Dermatophagoides farinae, is common in both normal and atopic dogs. Exposure of dogs to the different mites is described both in the direct environment and in the coat of animals for house dust mites and in the food for forage mites. Allergens causing allergic disease in dogs seem to be different from those in humans. Dogs seem to react to high molecular weight allergens, compared to the low molecular weight group 1 and group 2 proteases that are commonly implicated in humans with atopic diseases. Despite numerous published studies dealing with this subject, a number of questions still need to be addressed to better understand the exact role of these mites in the pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis and to improve the quality of the allergens used in practice.
Effect of combination therapy with systemic glucantime and pentoxifylline in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis
Authors: Sadeghian G. , Nilforoushzadeh M. A.
Published: July 2006

Introduction  Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a common parasitic disease in Iran, especially in Isfahan. First line treatment for this disease is antimonial compounds; however, owing to the intermittent failure of this treatment and its significant side‐effects alternative therapeutic measures have been advocated.

Objective  Evaluating the efficacy of pentoxifylline plus glucantime in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Methods  This double‐blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial with simple sampling was performed on 64 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis referred to the Skin Diseases & Leishmaniasis Research Center from an endemic foci of L. major in Isfahan. The patients randomly were divided into two groups. One group was treated with systemic Glucantime (20 mg pentavalent antimony/kg/day) combined with pentoxifylline (400 mg three times daily) and the other group were treated with Glucantime (20 mg pentavalent antimony/kg/day) plus placebo (three tablets daily) for 20 days. Follow up lasted 3 months. Response to treatment was grouped as complete improvement (lesions had been flattened, no induration, and epidermal creases had appeared), partial improvement (reduction in lesion size, but without the appearance of epidermal creases) and poor response (no reduction in lesion size).

Results  Of 64 participants, 32 patients in the trial group and 31 patients in the control group were followed for 3 months. One patient in group B discontinued withdrew. After this time, complete improvement, partial improvement and poor response to treatment were 81.3%, 12.5% and 6.2% in the trial group and 51.6%, 29% and 19.4% in the control group, respectively. We also observed no adverse effect resulting from pentoxifylline.

Discussion  The result obtained by two therapeutic methods indicates that combined therapy with Glucantime and pentoxifylline is more effective than Glucantime alone (P < 0.05).