bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Irradiated cultured apoptotic peripheral blood mononuclear cells regenerate infarcted myocardium
Authors: Ankersmit H. J. , Hoetzenecker K. , Dietl W. , Soleiman A. , Horvat R. , Wolfsberger M. , Gerner C. , Hacker S. , Mildner M. , Moser B. , Lichtenauer M. , Podesser B. K.
Published: April 2009

Background  Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is followed by post AMI cardiac remodelling, often leading to congestive heart failure. Homing of c‐kit+ endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) has been thought to be the optimal source for regenerating infarcted myocardium.

Methods  Immune function of viable peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was evaluated after co‐culture with irradiated apoptotic PBMC (IA‐PBMC) in vitro. Viable PBMC, IA‐PBMC and culture supernatants (SN) thereof were obtained after 24 h. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay were utilized to quantify interleukin‐8 (IL‐8), vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP9) in PBMC, SN and SN exposed fibroblasts. Cell suspensions of viable‐ and IA‐PBMC were infused in an experimental rat AMI model. Immunohistological analysis was performed to detect inflammatory and pro‐angiogenic cells within 72 h post‐infarction. Functional data and determination of infarction size were quantified by echocardiography and Elastica van Gieson staining.

Results  The IA‐PBMC attenuated immune reactivity and resulted in secretion of pro‐angiogenic IL‐8 and MMP9 in vitro. Fibroblasts exposed to viable and IA‐PBMC derived SN caused RNA increment of IL‐8 and MMP9. AMI rats that were infused with IA‐PBMC cell suspension evidenced enhanced homing of endothelial progenitor cells within 72 h as compared to control (medium alone, viable‐PBMC). Echocardiography showed a significant reduction in infarction size and improvement in post AMI remodelling as evidenced by an attenuated loss of ejection fraction.

Conclusion  These data indicate that infusion of IA‐PBMC cell suspension in experimental AMI circumvented inflammation, caused preferential homing of regenerative EPC and replaced infarcted myocardium.
Repeatability and correlation of swimming performances and size over varying time‐scales in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
Authors: Oufiero Christopher E. , Garland Theodore
Published: April 2009

1 Although the repeatability of a trait is of interest for several reasons, few studies have critically examined the repeatability or correlation of metrics of swimming performance. We quantified repeatability of three swimming performances (burst speed during a c‐start escape response, critical swimming speed [Ucrit], maximum speed [Umax]) and size/shape measures over short (within‐day), medium (days and weeks), and long (more than a year) time‐scales in a small poeciliid fish, the Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata).

2 We found that individual differences in most swimming performance metrics were repeatable on various time‐scales. Burst speed during c‐start was repeatable within a day, as well as over days and weeks, but it was not repeatable over the span of a year. However, the medium term repeatability was only statistically significant when accounting for the variation of individuals within a day and correcting for attenuation. Ucrit,Umax and size were repeatable on medium time‐scales, but only size and Umax were repeatable over the span of a year. Our index of shape was not statistically repeatable over any time‐scales.

3 When examining the correlations of performances and size, only a few traits were related to each other. Ucrit and Umax were significantly positively related to each other for trial 1 only, but not any of the others. Umax and the mean c‐start burst speed were correlated on trial 2 only. No other traits were significantly related to each other, and no performance traits were related to size or shape. Ucrit and Umax also did not differ in their overall mean values, suggesting that Umax, a more recently described assessment of fish swimming performance, may be a reliable alternative.

4 All traits, except our index of shape, shifted in their mean value over the span of a year. Ucrit and c‐start burst speed decreased significantly, consistent with previous findings on the effects of senescence on neuromuscular systems. However, Umax and size increased significantly over a year.

5 The measures of swimming performance used in this study are becoming widely used in ecological and evolutionary studies. Our results suggest that individual differences in these measures are relatively stable on various time‐scales. We found no significant relation of these performance metrics with body size or a simple index of shape, and few relations among the performance measures, suggesting that they measure different aspects of locomotor physiology and/or motivation under the test conditions used. Finally, while Ucrit and c‐start burst speed decreased over the span of the year, consistent with theories of senescence, Umax significantly increased over a year, suggesting that further studies of this recently described performance metric are needed.
Cytoplasmic tail of MT1‐MMP regulates macrophage motility independently from its protease activity
Authors: Sakamoto Takeharu , Seiki Motoharu
Published: April 2009

Membrane type‐1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1‐MMP) is a proinvasive protease that regulates various cellular functions as evidenced by myriad defects in different types of cells and tissues in MT1‐MMP‐deficient (MT1−/–) mice. Here we demonstrate that MT1−/– mice exhibit fewer infiltrating macrophages into sites of inflammation. MT1−/–macrophages exhibited a reduced ability to invade reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) and invasion by wild type (WT) macrophages was inhibited by a synthetic MMP inhibitor (BB94) to a level similar to that of MT1−/– cells. The rate of migration of MT1−/– macrophages was also low compared to that of the WT cells and re‐expression of MT1‐MMP in MT1−/– macrophages reconstituted their migratory activity. Unexpectedly, however, BB94 did not inhibit the migration of WT macrophages. The migration‐boosting activity of MT1‐MMP is retained in a mutant that lacks most of the extracellular portion including the catalytic and hemopexin‐like domains. In contrast, deletion of the cytoplasmic (CP) tail abolished the activity completely. Thus, we have demonstrated that MT1‐MMP regulates macrophages via its invasion‐promoting protease activity as well as its CP‐dependent non‐proteolytic activity to boost cell migration.
Roles of extracellular and intracellular sphingosine 1‐phosphate in cell migration
Authors: Yu Huan , Okada Taro , Kobayashi Masako , Abo‐Elmatty Dina M. , Jahangeer Saleem , Nakamura Shun‐ichi
Published: April 2009

Sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) is an important factor for the regulation of cell motility acting both inside and outside the cells. The precise role of S1P in the control of cell motility, however, remains unclear. Here we describe the roles of S1P in the regulation of cell motility by dissecting them into intracellular and extracellular actions using a liposomal S1P transfer technique. In a Boyden chamber assay free S1P enhanced directional cell movement, whereas liposomal S1P induced nondirectional cell movement. Furthermore, inhibition of sphingosine kinase (SphK) 1 by several inhibitors or knockdown of the enzyme expression by siRNA caused reduced wound‐faced cell polarity formation as assessed by wound‐healing assay. Moreover, S1P‐induced cell migration was strongly inhibited by SphK inhibitors. These results indicate that extracellular S1P acting through S1P receptors facilitates the formation of cell polarity, whereas S1P generated inside the cells functions as an intracellular mediatorper seto enhance nondirectional cell movement, thus S1P enhances directional cell movement in a coordinated fashion.
Investigating biological control over soil carbon temperature sensitivity
Authors: BALSER TERI C. , WIXON DEVIN L.
Published: April 2009

Understanding the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration is critical for predicting the response of ecosystems to climate change, yet the microbial communities responsible are rarely considered explicitly in studies or models. In this study, we assessed total microbial community composition, quantified bacterial respiration temperature response, and investigated the temperature dependence of bacterial carbon substrate utilization in tropical, temperate, and taiga soils (from Puerto Rico, California, and Alaska). Microbial community composition was characterized using phospholipid fatty acid analysis. Bacterial community respiration on a standardized set of substrates was ascertained using the BiOLOG™ substrate utilization assay incubated at four temperatures: 4, 12, 28, and 40 °C. First, we found that microbial communities from the three latitudes were compositionally distinct and that the bacterial component of the three communities had markedly different respiration temperature–response curves corresponding with their experienced temperature regimes. We use these data to highlight limitations of widely used temperature–response equations and investigate temperature‐dependent patterns of substrate utilization. We found that temperature response, in terms of both respiration rates and substrate use, varied for these bacterial communities independent of substrate quality or quantity interactions such as labile depletion. In contrast to the common assumption of heterotrophic microbial ubiquity, we found that bacterial community differences from these diverse systems appeared to determine both rates of respiration and patterns of carbon substrate usage. We suggest that microbial community composition‐specific responses to changing climate may be important in predicting the long‐term role of ecosystems in atmospheric CO2 dynamics.
Climate change induced hybridization in flying squirrels
Authors: GARROWAY COLIN J. , BOWMAN JEFF , CASCADEN TARA J. , HOLLOWAY GILLIAN L. , MAHAN CAROLYN G. , MALCOLM JAY R. , STEELE MICHAEL A. , TURNER GREGORY , WILSON PAUL J.
Published: April 2009

There is now unequivocal evidence for global climate change; however, its potential impacts on evolutionary processes remain unclear. Many species have responded to contemporary climate change through shifts in their geographic range. This could lead to increased sympatry between recently diverged species; likely increasing the potential for hybridization. Recently, following a series of warm winters, southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) in Ontario, Canada rapidly expanded their northern range limit resulting in increased sympatry with the closely related northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus). This provided the opportunity to test the prediction that contemporary climate change can act as a catalyst creating conditions for the formation of hybrid zones. Following extensive sampling and molecular analyses (nuclear and mitochondrial DNA), we identified the occurrence of hybridization between sympatricG. sabrinusandG. volans. There was evidence of backcrossing but not of extensive introgession, consistent with the hypothesis of recent rather than historic hybridization. To our knowledge, this is the first report of hybrid zone formation following a range expansion induced by contemporary climate change. This is also the first report of hybridization between North American flying squirrel species.
Dental Age Assessment: a comparison of 4‐ to 24‐year‐olds in the United Kingdom and an Australian population
Authors: PEIRIS TANYA SHYAMI , ROBERTS GRAHAM J. , PRABHU NEETA
Published: April 2009

Background.  The physiological age of a person is determined by the degree of maturation of the different tissue systems. Children of the same chronological age (CA) can demonstrate different degrees of maturation. Dental age (DA) is based on the maturation of teeth. Tooth formation is a continuous process, where the developmental stages of the tooth can be sequenced and defined depending on the degree of mineralization. These stages can be visualized on a dental panoramic tomograph (DPT).

Aim.  The aim of this study was to use a new method of Dental Age Assessment (DAA) to compare a United Kingdom (UK) and an Australian (AUS) population.

Design.  The DPTs used are from the archives of the Westmead Centre for Oral Health (Westmead, Australia) and the King's College London Dental Institute. From the preliminary sample of 89 DPTs from each population, 77 were suitable for use as matched pairs. The radiographic technique used was developed by Demirjian and describes eight stages of tooth development. This was used in combination with numerical data derived from a meta‐analysis of a single UK subject.

Results.  A significant difference was shown between the CA and DA of the AUS patients. The AUS patients were also shown to have a significant 0.82 years delay in their DA compared to the UK patients. The findings indicate a difference in AUS compared to UK patients. These results indicate the need to develop a reference data set for the AUS population for DAA.

Conclusions.  This research is of significance in a number of clinical disciplines and can also be used to assist in age determination of subjects of unknown birth date to assist in forensic dentistry or social deliberations.
Oral Langerhans cell histiocytosis in Malaysian children: a 40‐year experience
Authors: JALIL AJURA BT ABDUL , HIN‐LAU SHIN
Published: April 2009

Background.  Oral Langerhans cell histiocytosis is generally seen in children.

Objective.  To determine the clinicopathological features of oral LCH in Malaysian paediatric patients.

Methods.  A retrospective study was carried out to determine the clinicopathological features of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), Letterer–Siwe disease, Hand–Schuller–Christian disease, eosinophilic granuloma, and histiocytosis X occurring in the oral cavity in children, diagnosed histologically in the main oral histopathology laboratory in Malaysia from 1967 to 2007.

Result.  There were 17 cases (eight girls and nine boys) with age ranging from 1 to 7 years. There were ten Malays, four Chinese, two Indians, and one of other ethnicity. Thirteen cases presented as gingival swellings with six of these cases accompanied with mobility of the teeth. Nine cases involved the mandible, two in the maxilla, and two cases in both the maxilla and mandible. The radiographic findings were mentioned only in nine cases with presence of bony erosion or destruction of the jaw bones. Four cases had punched‐out radiolucencies of the skull. The patients also had other systemic signs and symptoms: skin lesions (n = 5), hepatosplenomegaly (n = 2), prolonged fever (n = 2), diabetes insipidus (n = 1), and exophthalmos (n = 1). Two cases were known cases of systemic LCH.

Conclusion.  The histopathologic features of LCH are easily recognized; however, with the development of immunostaining, the use of CD1a helps in confirming the diagnosis.
The effects of orthodontic appliances on Candida in the human mouth
Authors: HIBINO KYOKO , WONG RICKY W. K. , HÄGG URBAN , SAMARANAYAKE LAKSHMAN P.
Published: April 2009

Background.  Candida is an opportunistic pathogen present in about 50–60% of the healthy human population, and becomes pathogenic when the host immune defence is undermined such as in HIV infection. Adhesion and colonization of the oral cavity by Candida albicans is an initial step in candidosis, and the presence of orthodontic and other oral appliances seems to alter the oral ecological environment, hence may tip the balance to favour the candidal presence.

Objective.  The purpose of this paper was to review the literature with specific attention to prevalence; intra‐oral density of the candidal organisms; and Candida carriage status in orthodontic patients before, during, and after treatment.

Conclusions.  The limited amount of literature demonstrated that the density of Candida increases; the most common Candida species isolated in the orthodontic patients was C. albicans; and that there seems to be a direct relationship between the presence of a removable appliance, Candida, and low salivary pH levels. No healthy patients developed Candida infection from the orthodontic appliances. However, there seems to be a trend that some non‐Candida carriers converted to Candida carriers following the insertion of the appliances by unknown mechanism. This may indicate a more cautious approach when providing orthodontic treatments to immunocompromised children concerning the possible increased risk of candidal infection.
Three‐dimensional space changes after premature loss of a maxillary primary first molar
Authors: PARK KITAE , JUNG DA‐WOON , KIM JI‐YEON
Published: April 2009

Background.  A space maintainer is generally preferred when a primary first molar is lost before or during active eruption of the first permanent molars in order to prevent space loss. However, controversy prevails regarding the space loss after eruption of the permanent first molars.

Aim.  The purpose of this study was to examine spatial changes subsequent to premature loss of a maxillary primary first molar after the eruption of the permanent first molars.

Design.  Thirteen children, five girls and eight boys, expecting premature extraction of a maxillary primary first molar because of caries and/or failed pulp therapy, were selected. Spatial changes were investigated using a three‐dimensional laser scanner by comparing the primary molar space, arch width, arch length, and arch perimeter before and after the extraction of a maxillary primary first molar. Also, the inclination and angulation changes in the maxillary primary canines, primary second molars, and permanent first molars adjacent to the extraction site were investigated before and after the extraction of the maxillary primary first molar in order to examine the source of space loss.

Results.  There was no statistically significant space loss on the extraction side compared to the control side (P = 0.33). No consistent findings were seen on the inclination and angulation changes on the extraction side.

Conclusions.  The premature loss of a maxillary primary first molar, in cases with class I molar relationship, has limited influence on the space in permanent dentition.
Shapes and functions of species–area curves (II): a review of new models and parameterizations
Authors: Tjørve Even
Published: April 2009

This paper has extended and updated my earlier list and analysis of candidate models used in theoretical modelling and empirical examination of species–area relationships (SARs). I have also reviewed trivariate models that can be applied to include a second independent variable (in addition to area) and discussed extensively the justifications for fitting curves to SARs and the choice of model. There is also a summary of the characteristics of several new candidate models, especially extended power models, logarithmic models and parameterizations of the negative‐exponential family and the logistic family. I have, moreover, examined the characteristics and shapes of trivariate linear, logarithmic and power models, including combination variables and interaction terms. The choice of models according to best fit may conflict with problems of non‐normality or heteroscedasticity. The need to compare parameter estimates between data sets should also affect model choice. With few data points and large scatter, models with few parameters are often preferable. With narrow‐scale windows, even inflexible models such as the power model and the logarithmic model may produce good fits, whereas with wider‐scale windows where inflexible models do not fit well, more flexible models such as the second persistence (P2) model and the cumulative Weibull distribution may be preferable. When extrapolations and expected shapes are important, one should consider models with expected shapes, e.g. the power model for sample area curves and the P2 model for isolate curves. The choice of trivariate models poses special challenges, which one can more effectively evaluate by inspecting graphical plots.
A phylogenetic test of multiple proposals for the origins of the East Indies coral reef biota
Authors: Halas D. , Winterbottom R.
Published: April 2009

Aim  We analysed data on Indo‐Pacific coral reef taxa to test four mechanisms proposed for the origins of the biodiversity centre in the East Indies Triangle: (1) the centre of origin hypothesis, (2) the centre of accumulation hypothesis, (3) the centre of overlap hypothesis, and (4) the bioaccumulation hypothesis.

Location  The Indian and western Pacific oceans.

Methods  The data set consisted of eight clades of fishes, four of corals and one of molluscs, consisting of a total of 95 species, with 72 informative nodes, in 29 areas. We used phylogenetic analysis for comparing trees (PACT) to reconstruct reticulate area relationships.

Results  An analysis using PACT produced very little congruence between area relationships among the histories of the taxa examined. Only two sets of two taxa each showed substantial congruence; several other taxa showed partial congruence.

Main conclusions  Despite numerous ‘explanatory’ claims for the incredible biodiversity of the marine macrofauna of the East Indies Triangle, the patterns obtained here did not accord with any of the hypotheses proposed. It is possible that, with the addition of more taxa, additional patterns would emerge. Much more systematic work within the East Indies is required to resolve this problem.
The adaptive value of hatching towards the end of the night: lessons from eggs of the haematophagous bug Rhodnius prolixus
Authors: SCHILMAN PABLO E. , MINOLI SEBASTIAN A. , LAZZARI CLAUDIO R.
Published: April 2009

Abstract. The daily hatching rhythm of Rhodnius prolixus eggs is established under an LD 12 : 12 h photoperiod. The endogenous nature of this rhythm is demonstrated under continuous darkness. Hatching takes place during the last half of the night, when the maximum environmental relative humidity (RH) and minimum temperature (i.e. the combination that yields the lower water vapour saturation deficits) occur in wild habitats. This temporal window of approximately 7 h recurs at 24‐h intervals, producing a hatching rhythm in the population. The effects of the RH upon egg‐hatching are analysed. In agreement with previous studies, hatching success is strongly affected by environmental RH. Although 88% of eggs hatch at 75% RH, only 4% and 10% hatch at 0% or 100% RH, respectively. These results support the hypothesis that temporal synchronization is related to the avoidance of low environmental RHs, high environmental temperatures, or high water vapour saturation deficit during hatching, thus minimizing their deleterious effects. Given that eggs cannot choose optimum microclimatic conditions, selective pressures appear to have originated from an adaptive temporal rather than spatial hygropreference.
Virgin females compete for mates in the male lekking species Ceratitis capitata
Authors: PAPADOPOULOS NIKOS T. , CAREY JAMES R. , LIEDO PABLO , MÜLLER HANS‐GEORG , SENTÜRK DAMLA
Published: April 2009

Abstract. Aggressive behaviour occurring in intrasexual competition is an important trait for animal fitness. Although female intrasexual aggression is reported in several insect species, little is known about female competition and aggressive interactions in polygynous male lekking species. The interactions of female Mediterranean fruit flies, Ceratitis capitata (a male lekking species), with other females and mating pairs under laboratory conditions are investigated. Mature, unmated (virgin) females are aggressive against each other and against mating pairs, whereas immature females are not. Female aggression against other females decreases dramatically after mating; however, mated females maintain aggression against mating pairs. In addition, higher intrasexual aggression rates are observed for mature, virgin females than for virgin males of the same age. The results show that female aggressiveness is virginity related, suggesting female competition for mates. These findings have important implications for understanding the physiological aspects of a complex social behaviour such as aggression and should stimulate further research on female agonistic behaviour in male lekking mating systems.
Influence of competition and host plant resistance on selection in Phytophthora infestans populations in Michigan, USA and in Northern Ireland
Authors: Young G. K. , Cooke L. R. , Kirk W. W. , Tumbalam P. , Perez F. M. , Deahl K. L.
Published: April 2009

Competition between genotypes of Phytophthora infestans was studied by inoculating potato cultivars with differing susceptibility to late blight in field experiments over three years in Northern Ireland, UK, and Michigan, USA. Multiple isolates of six genotype groups of P. infestans were chosen from the local populations in both N. Ireland and Michigan for inoculation of separate field trials planted in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Four cultivars were used in each trial; two (susceptible cv. Atlantic and the partially resistant cv. Stirling) were common to both locations, whereas the two additional cultivars (with partial resistance to late blight) were cvs Santé and Milagro in N. Ireland and cvs Pike and Jacqueline Lee in Michigan. Single‐lesion isolates of P. infestans were obtained from leaves at 1% level of infection, characterized using pre‐assigned markers and re‐assigned to their respective genotype groups. Extreme selection occurred within the population of genotypes of P. infestans in N. Ireland in each year, with different genotype groups dominating the infection of different cultivars. Selection was observed on all cultivars tested, but was greatest on the more resistant cultivars. Over the 3 years, all of the 114 isolates obtained from cv. Milagro belonged to a single group, whereas among the 118 isolates from cv. Atlantic all six groups were represented. By contrast, in Michigan, the US‐8 genotype dominated infection in all cultivars in each year; only 12 of 374 isolates characterized belonged to other genotypes (11 US‐14 and a single US‐10 isolate).
Evidence for inbreeding and apomixis in close crosses of Phytophthora capsici
Authors: Hurtado‐Gonzales O. P. , Lamour K. H.
Published: April 2009

A series of inbreeding crosses, recurrent backcrosses and successive sibling crosses were completed up to the sixth generation in the plant pathogen Phytophthora capsici, generating a total of 692 oospore‐derived isolates. All of the crosses stemmed from an initial mating between two wild‐type P. capsici isolates. The heterozygosity level, as measured through the inheritance of 20 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers, decreased incrementally with continued inbreeding and was reduced by ~60–75% by the second consecutive sibling cross. Of the eight crosses analysed, all but one cross produced a proportion of oospore‐derived progeny that were identical to one or other parent, indicating that apomixis can play a role in P. capsici intraspecific crosses. There was no evidence of isolates emerging through selfing or generation of homothallic isolates. Overall, these results indicate that back and sibling crosses are possible and that the large reservoirs of naturally occurring genetic variation in P. capsici may be useful for developing inbred lines to characterize complex genetic traits in Phytophthora.
Extracutaneous neutrophilic inflammation in a dog with lesions resembling Sweet's Syndrome
Authors: Johnson Charles S. , May Elizabeth R. , Myers Ronald K. , Hostetter Jesse M.
Published: April 2009

A 7‐year‐old‐spayed female standard poodle dog presented to the Iowa State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital with an 8‐day history of lethargy, left hind limb lameness, ptyalism and peripheral lymphadenomegaly. On physical examination, the dog was lethargic, febrile (40.5 °C) and had multifocal to coalescing erythematous papular to pustular eruptions on the skin of all four limbs, periocularly and on the ventral and lateral thorax and abdomen. Histopathological findings from skin biopsies of the papules revealed a severe diffuse neutrophilic dermatitis with sub‐ and intra‐epithelial pustules. Four days after being admitted the dog died from cardiac and respiratory failure. At necropsy, in addition to the multifocal to coalescing erythematous papules, the skin contained scattered pustules. Additionally, the subcutaneous tissue surrounding the right stifle was diffusely oedematous, and the peripheral and visceral lymph nodes were enlarged. The predominant histologic lesion was neutrophilic inflammation, in the absence of detectable bacteria in the skin, heart, lungs, oesophagus and left tarsus. In the absence of neoplasia or bacteraemia, a syndrome similar to Sweet's Syndrome should be considered as a differential diagnosis in dogs with cutaneous and extracutaneous neutrophilic infiltrates.
Canine nodular dermatophytosis (kerion): 23 cases
Authors: Cornegliani Luisa , Persico Paola , Colombo Silvia
Published: April 2009

Dermatophytosis is a common zoonotic disease, and one of its clinical presentations in the dog is nodular dermatophytosis (kerion). Because the infection is located within the dermis, routine diagnostic tests such as a Wood's lamp examination, microscopic examination of hair shafts for fungal elements and fungal culture can yield negative results. In such cases, histopathological examination with routine and special stains (periodic acid‐Schiff, Gomori methenamine silver) is required to confirm the diagnosis. Nodular dermatophytosis in 23 dogs of different breed, age and sex with single or multiple nodules is described. Twelve dogs had a single nodule, and 11 dogs showed multiple lesions. Wood's lamp examination was negative in all cases. Microscopic examination of plucked hairs showed arthrospores in 8 of 23 cases. Skin scrapings in mineral oil looking for arthrospores and/or hyphae were positive in 12 cases. Impression smears of exudates were diagnostic in 21 of 23 cases (91%), showing arthrospores within fragments of hair shafts or free among neutrophils and macrophages (pyogranulomatous inflammation). Histopathology was performed in two cases. Fungal culture was positive for Microsporum canis in 16 dogs and for Microsporum gypseum in one dog. In six cases, the causative agent was not identified by fungal culture. All dogs were treated with systemic antifungal therapy and in eight cases with concurrent antibiotic therapy. Nodular dermatophytosis resolved in all dogs with the prescribed treatments within 4 to 8 weeks. Transmission to people or other pets in the home was not found.
Pneumonia due to Legionella feeleii: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Lee J. , Caplivski D. , Wu M. , Huprikar S.
Published: April 2009

Abstract: Legionella feeleii is a rare cause of community‐acquired pneumonia that occurs in immunocompromised hosts who are often receiving corticosteroid therapy. We report a 69‐year‐old man who underwent bone marrow transplantation and developed pneumonia due to L. feeleii, and review the clinical characteristics of 7 cases of L. feeleii infection reported in the literature.
The Smell of New Competitors: The Response of American Mink,Mustela vison, to the Odours of Otter,Lutra lutraand Polecat,M. putorius
Authors: Harrington Lauren A. , Harrington Andrew L. , Macdonald David W.
Published: April 2009

We tested the response of wild American mink (an established alien species in the UK), to the odours of unfamiliar mink, European polecat and Eurasian otter. Polecats are similar in size and habits to mink, otters are larger than mink and a dominant competitor; both are native to the UK and both were absent during the original colonization by mink but are now undergoing natural population recoveries. The response of mink to experimental odours was assessed by counting the numbers of tracks (footprints) on rafts treated with anal gland secretions, and compared with response to a control raft, on two rivers in the Upper Thames valley, UK. Remote video showed that the number of tracks was positively correlated with the time that mink spent investigating an odour. We found that mink were attracted to the odours of both unfamiliar mink and polecats. There was little evidence that mink avoided the odour of otters. We suggest that, during an encounter with a polecat, mink may behave much as they would to a conspecific. We infer from the response of mink to the odour of otters, that, if mink do avoid otters, the mechanism of avoidance is likely to be complex, situation‐dependent and perhaps affected by prior experience.
Sex Differences in Retrieval Behavior by the Biparental Convict Cichlid
Authors: Snekser Jennifer L. , Itzkowitz Murray
Published: April 2009

Biparental species occasionally demonstrate a division of roles in which parents perform sex‐typical tasks, with females offering direct care and spending the majority of their time with the offspring while males are more indirect in their care, providing the majority of defense against potential brood predators. To examine the flexibility in the sex‐typical roles shown by convict cichlids (Amatitlania nigrofasciata), we displaced non‐swimming young at three different distances from the nest and then analyzed the retrieval behaviors of each parent. Retrieval of altricial young is a behavior commonly used to measure parental care in mammalian studies, but has rarely been used in other taxa. We found sex differences in retrieval behavior: on average, females retrieved young close to the nest and males retrieved young far from the nest. This difference in parental contribution suggests a division of labor with sex‐specific roles. Sex differences may be due to proximity to young and/or apparent risk of offspring predation. Additionally, we found that latency to first retrieval and total time spent retrieving young remained consistent across the various displacement distances, suggesting that retrieval is an essential parental behavior. Additionally, we include observations of wriggler retrieval by parents in a natural population of Costa Rican convict cichlids.
Sensory System Affects Orientational Strategy in a Short‐Range Spatial Task in Blind and Eyed Morphs of the Fish,Astyanax fasciatus
Authors: Sutherland Laura , Holbrook Robert I. , Burt De Perera Theresa
Published: April 2009

In the concerted effort to discover the mechanisms that animals use to orient through space, little attention has been given to the role of the sensory system on shaping orientational strategy. This study tests whether animals with different sensory systems use different mechanisms to orient. The characin fishAstyanax fasciatus(Cuvier, 1819) exists in two morphs in the same species – a number of populations of blind cave fish that rely on their lateral line to gain fine‐scale information from their surroundings, and eyed surface populations that can also use visual cues. Both forms of the species were trained to orient to a goal signalled by landmarks and by egocentrically based cues (turn left or right) in a T‐maze. When these cues were placed in conflict by switching the landmark position, only the eyed fish used the landmarks to orient, reflecting a difference in the way that the two sensory systems of these animals operate. Our results have implications for the evolution of the mechanisms of orientation, suggesting that these mechanisms may be constrained by the sensory cues that are available and hence the type of information that animals are able to glean from their surroundings.
The Allure of the Distinctive: Reduced Sexual Responsiveness of Female Guppies to ‘Redundant’ Male Colour Patterns
Authors: Hampton Katherine J. , Hughes Kimberly A. , Houde Anne E.
Published: April 2009

Frequency‐dependent mating behaviour has the potential to maintain genetic variation in characteristics of organisms. The colour patterns of guppies (Poecilia reticulata) provide an example of one of the most extreme genetically based polymorphisms known in nature, for which frequency‐dependent mate choice could be a mechanism. Numerous studies have shown that female guppies base mating preferences on male colour patterns and there is evidence that females prefer to mate with males displaying novel or unfamiliar colour patterns. This preference could lead to frequency‐dependent mating success in males. Nevertheless, the possibility that female sexual responsiveness itself may depend on the frequency of male types has not been tested systematically in guppies or any other species. This study examined the sexual responses of female guppies in experimental groups consisting of two males with similar (redundant) and two males with different (unique) colour patterns. We found that female guppies were much more likely to respond sexually to the displays of unique males than to those of redundant males. Further, there was no effect of orange colouration on female responsiveness as has been documented for this population in several previous studies, thus, discrimination against redundant male types appears to have overridden directional selection based on colour pattern characteristics. This discrimination against redundant male types could in turn lead to frequency‐dependent mating success in males and maintenance of colour pattern polymorphism.
Intelligence in Corvids and Apes: A Case of Convergent Evolution?
Authors: Seed Amanda , Emery Nathan , Clayton Nicola
Published: April 2009

Intelligence is suggested to have evolved in primates in response to complexities in the environment faced by their ancestors. Corvids, a large‐brained group of birds, have been suggested to have undergone a convergent evolution of intelligence [Emery & Clayton (2004)Science, Vol. 306, pp. 1903–1907]. Here we review evidence for the proposal from both ultimate and proximate perspectives. While we show that many of the proposed hypotheses for the evolutionary origin of great ape intelligence also apply to corvids, further study is needed to reveal the selective pressures that resulted in the evolution of intelligent behaviour in both corvids and apes. For comparative proximate analyses we emphasize the need to be explicit about the level of analysis to reveal the type of convergence that has taken place. Although there is evidence that corvids and apes solve social and physical problems with similar speed and flexibility, there is a great deal more to be learned about the representations and algorithms underpinning these computations in both groups. We discuss recent comparative work that has addressed proximate questions at this level, and suggest directions for future research.
Improving the Drought Tolerance in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) by Exogenous Application of Salicylic Acid
Authors: Farooq M. , Basra S. M. A. , Wahid A. , Ahmad N. , Saleem B. A.
Published: April 2009

Drought stress encumbers the rice growth predominantly by oxidative damage to biological membranes and disturbed tissue water status. In this study, the role of salicylic acid (SA) to induce drought tolerance in aromatic fine grain rice cultivar Basmati 2000 was evaluated. SA was applied as seed and foliar treatments. For seed treatment, rice seeds were soaked in 50, 100 and 150 mg l−1 aerated solution of SA for 48 h and then dried back. Treated and untreated seeds were sown in plastic pots in a phytotron. At four leaf stage, one set of plants was subjected to drought stress, while the other remained well watered. Drought was maintained at 50 % of field capacity by watering every alternate day. For exogenous application, SA was applied 50, 100 and 150 mg l−1 at five leaf stage. In the control, SA was neither applied exogenously nor as seed treatment. Drought stress severely affected the seedling fresh and dry weight, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, plant water relations and starch metabolism; however, SA application improved the performance of rice under both normal and stress conditions. Drought tolerance in rice was well associated with the accumulation of compatible solutes, maintenance of tissue water potential and enhanced potency of antioxidant system, which improved the integrity of cellular membranes and facilitated the rice plant to sustain photosynthesis and general metabolism. Foliar treatments were more effective than the seed treatments. Foliar application with 100 mg l−1 (FA 100) was the best treatment to induce the drought tolerance and improve the performance under normal and stress conditions compared with the control or other treatments used in this study.
Family experiences of home caring for patients with HIV/AIDs in rural Limpopo Province, South Africa
Authors: Tshililo Azwidihwi R. , Davhana‐Maselesele Mashudu
Published: April 2009

The increasing rate of patients with HIV/AIDS brings a burden to the already weakened health care delivery systems in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Hospitals alone cannot deal with the needs of AIDS patients effectively; the patients are discharged to be cared for at home. A qualitative study was conducted to explore and describe the experiences of the family members that are caring for patients with HIV/AIDS at home. Interviews were conducted with 12 participants who were purposively selected as the caregivers of patients suffering from AIDS at home. Ethical measures were adhered to for the protection of the participants. The findings revealed that the family members experience negative feelings, characterized by sadness, pain, anger, depression, and frustration, as they care for their loved one within the context of extreme poverty. Quality care was compromised in situations where basic resources were not available. Guidelines to assist families in caring for their loved one with HIV/AIDS at home were developed.
Elevated intraperitoneal matrix metalloproteinases‐8 and ‐9 in patients who develop anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer surgery: a pilot study
Authors: Pasternak B. , Matthiessen P. , Jansson K. , Andersson M. , Aspenberg P.
Published: April 2009

Objective  Experimental studies suggest that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) enzymes mediate the early tissue breakdown that leads to a decrease in intestinal anastomotic strength. Patients with upregulation of MMPs in intestinal biopsies have an increased rate of anastomotic leakage. We measured MMPs and their inhibitors [tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs)] in postoperative intraperitoneal fluid after rectal cancer surgery, and hypothesized that they would be elevated in patients who later would develop anastomotic leakage.

Method  Twenty‐nine patients with rectal carcinoma underwent low anterior resection of the rectum for cancer. Intraperitoneal fluid was collected via a pelvic drain at a median of 4 h postoperatively. MMP‐1, ‐2, ‐3, ‐7, ‐8, ‐9 and ‐13 were determined using particle‐based multiplex flow‐cytometry. TIMP‐1 and ‐2 were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. MMP‐9 was considered the main outcome variable.

Results  Ten patients developed anastomotic leakage. These patients had increased intraperitoneal MMP‐9 [median difference (m.d.) 29%; P = 0.03] and MMP‐8 (m.d. 58%; P = 0.02), compared with patients who did not develop leakage. There were no differences between the groups for other MMPs and TIMPs.

Conclusion  Matrix metalloproteinase‐8 and ‐9 appear to have an important role in the development of anastomotic leakage and may be promising pharmacological targets to protect anastomotic integrity. We suggest further investigation of MMPs as markers for anastomotic leakage.
The impact of evolving management strategies on negative appendicectomy rate
Authors: Myers E. , Kavanagh D. O. , Ghous H. , Evoy D. , McDermott E. W.
Published: April 2009

Aim  The management of appendicitis has evolved from the era of open surgery with a negative appendicectomy rate ranging from 20 to 30%. Diagnostic adjuncts such as computed tomography (CT), ultrasound (US) and diagnostic laparoscopy (DL) facilitate refinement of the clinical impression in equivocal cases. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the increased availability and selective utilization of diagnostic adjuncts on the negative appendicectomy rate.

Method  This was a retrospective study of all emergency appendicectomy procedures performed over two 12‐month periods encompassing 1996 and 2006. Clinical, radiological, operative and pathological data were analysed. Diagnostic adjuncts were only employed in equivocal cases. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi‐squared test.

Results  A total of 218 and 171 patients underwent an appendicectomy in 2006 and 1996 respectively. There were 103 men in 1996 and 128 in 2006. There was a significant increase in laparoscopic appendicectomy [131(60%) vs 31 (18%), P > 0.001]. In addition, there was a significant increase in the use of CT (38 vs 1, P < 0.001) and US (39 vs 4, P < 0.001).There was also a significant difference in the use of DL without appendicectomy (39 vs 8, P < 0.001). The negative appendicectomy rate was lower in 2006 (15%vs 22%, P = 0.13).The perforation rates in both study periods were similar (10%vs 8%).

Conclusion  A policy of selective usage of diagnostic adjuncts only in equivocal cases of appendicitis does not significantly reduce the negative appendicectomy rate.
Prognostic factors in survival of colorectal cancer patients with synchronous liver metastasis
Authors: Zhang S. , Gao F. , Luo J. , Yang J.
Published: April 2009

Aim  To determine the factors affecting the survival in colorectal cancer patients with synchronous liver metastases.

Method  A total of 168 patients who had been treated colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases at Guangxi Medical University from January 2000 to December 2005 were identified. Criteria studied consisted of gender, age, time of symptoms, primary tumour location, primary tumour circumference, histological type, grade (tumour differentiation), T‐status, N‐status, large bowel obstruction, type of operation, primary tumour resection, ascities, location, number and diameter of liver lesions, preoperative CEA and chemotherapy. Survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan–Meier method. Multivariate analysis was conducted by Cox regression analysis.

Results  The mean survival time for all patients was 18.71 (SEM = 1.59) months. The 1, 2, 3 and 5‐year survival rates were 55.95%, 23.21%, 12.30%, 8.0% respectively. Univariate analysis share of grade (tumour differentiation), N‐status, large bowel obstruction, operation, primary tumour resection, location, number and the most diameter of liver lesions, extrahepatic transfer, preoperative CEA level and chemotherapy to be predictors of survival. In the Cox regression analysis, the N‐status, large bowel obstruction, operation, diameter of liver lesion and extrahepatic transfer were independent factors related to survival.

Conclusion  Tumour differentiation, N‐status, bowel obstruction, operation, primary tumour resection, location of liver metastasis, number of liver metastasis, diameter of liver metastasis, extrahepatic transfer, preoperative CEA level and chemotherapy are related to the survival of patients with colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases.