bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Moisture Content and Soluble Level on the Physical, Chemical, and Flow Properties of Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS)
Authors: Ganesan V. , Muthukumarappan K. , Rosentrater K. A.
Published: June 2008

Distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is a bulk material that has been widely used as a protein source for ruminants and nonruminants for more than two decades. DDGS is the nonfermentable processing residue (i.e., protein, fiber, fat, and ash) from fuel ethanol manufacturing. With the exponential growth of the fuel ethanol industry in the past several years, significant quantities (≈13.0 million tons in 2007) of distillers grains are now being produced. To effectively utilize these coproduct streams in the domestic market, DDGS must be transported greater distances and must be stored until final use. DDGS flow is often problematic as it can become restricted by caking and bridging that occur during shipping and storage. This flowability problem can present itself during dynamic and static flow conditions. This issue most likely results from physical or chemical interactions between particles (including particle size and shape), storage moisture, temperature, and relative humidity variations, as well as storage time. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of five moisture content levels (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30% db) on the resulting physical and chemical properties of DDGS with four soluble levels (10, 15, 20, and 25% db). To produce these materials, condensed distillers solubles (CDS) were combined with DDG, and appropriate quantities of water were added to adjust moisture contents. Carr indices were used to quantify the flowability of the DDGS samples. The results showed that both soluble level and moisture content had noticeable effects on physical and flow properties (e.g., aerated bulk density, packed bulk density, and compressibility). According to dispersibility, flowability index, and floodability index, flowability generally declined significantly (P < 0.05) with an increase in moisture content for most of the soluble levels under consideration. The color values and protein content of the DDGS were significantly affected (P < 0.05) as soluble level increased as well.
Effects of Growing Location and Irrigation on Attributes and Ethanol Yields of Selected Grain Sorghums
Authors: Wu X. , Zhao R. , Liu L. , Bean S. , Seib P. A. , McLaren J. , Madl R. , Tuinstra M. , Lenz M. , Wang D.
Published: June 2008

Nine sorghum cultivars (five inbred lines and four hybrids) were grown in 2006 in three locations (Mount Hope, KS, Halstead, KS, and Plainview, TX) under different irrigation conditions and were evaluated for composition and ethanol fermentation efficiency. The objective was to study, in one growing season, the effects of genotype, growing location, and irrigation on the physical and chemical properties and fermentation efficiencies of grain sorghum. Genotype had a significant effect on chemical composition, physical properties, and ethanol yield. The cultivars showed a large variation in starch (61.0–74.8%), protein (7.56–16.35%), crude fat (2.79–4.77%), crude fiber (0.58–2.57%), ash (1.25–2.26%), kernel weight (20.0–35.9 mg), kernel hardness (49.6–97.5), and kernel size (1.9–2.7 mm) and were the most important factors affecting ethanol fermentation efficiency (87.5–93.9%). Starch and protein contents were significantly affected by growing location but not by irrigation. Environment had a significant effect on ethanol yields. Unexpectedly, irrigation somewhat reduced fermentation efficiency.
A focusing Laue diffractometer for the investigation of bulk crystals
Authors: Stockmeier Matthias , Magerl Andreas
Published: June 2008

A focusing Laue diffractometer for high-energy X-rays of up to 300 keV in a laboratory environment is presented. The long attenuation length for X-ray energies above 50 keV allows for the non-destructive investigation of structural issues and bulk properties of single crystals. Furthermore, massive sample environments such as high-temperature furnaces can be used more easily. With an area detector, anisotropic mosaicities or crystallite structure become visible without any rocking movement of the sample.
Rotation axis analysis of deformed crystals by X-rays and electrons
Authors: Borbély András , Maurice Claire , Driver Julian H.
Published: June 2008

X-ray and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) have been applied to investigate misorientation distributions in copper single crystals plastically deformed in single and multiple slip. The misorientation distributions are represented by `rocking curves' about specific rotation axes. Very good agreement for the rocking curves established by the two methods was obtained, despite the large difference between their resolution depths. Following this agreement, a new rotation axis imaging scheme, based on the EBSD data, is proposed in order to visualize the crystallite blocks and characterize the nature of their dislocation boundaries.
Maximum disorientation angles between crystals of any point groups and their corresponding rotation axes
Authors: He Youliang , Jonas John J.
Published: June 2008

The symmetry-reduced misorientation,i.e.disorientation, between two crystals is represented in the angle–axis format, and the maximum disorientation angle between any two lattices of the 32 point groups is obtained by constructing the fundamental zone of the associated misorientation space (i.e.Rodrigues–Frank space) using quaternion algebra. A computer program based on vertex enumeration was designed to automatically calculate the vertices of these fundamental zones and to seek the maximum disorientation angles and respective rotation axes. Of the C_{32}^2 = 528 possible combinations of any two crystals, 129 pairs give rise to incompletely bounded fundamental zones (i.e.zones having at least one unbounded direction inR3); these correspond to a maximum disorientation angle of 180° (the trivial value). The other 399 pairs produce fully bounded fundamental zones that lead to nine different nontrivial maximum disorientation angles; these are 56.60, 61.86, 62.80, 90, 90.98, 93.84, 98.42, 104.48 and 120°. The associated rotation axes were obtained and are plotted in stereographic projection. These angles and axes are solely determined by the symmetries of the point groups under consideration, and the only input data needed are the symmetry operators of the lattices.
Pharmacogenomic studies of the anticancer and immunosuppressive thiopurines mercaptopurine and azathioprine
Authors: Hawwa Ahmed F. , Millership Jeff S. , Collier Paul S. , Vandenbroeck Koen , McCarthy Anthony , Dempsey Sid , Cairns Carole , Collins John , Rodgers Colin , McElnay James C.
Published: June 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• 6‐Mercaptopurine (6‐MP) and azathioprine (AZA) are both inactive prodrugs that require intracellular activation into the active 6‐thioguanine nucleotides (6‐TGNs).

• This metabolic process undergoes three different competitive pathways that are catalysed by three different enzymes; xanthine oxidase (XO), thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) and inosine triphosphatase (ITPA), all of which exhibit genetic polymorphisms.

• Although the impact of genetic variation in theTPMTgene on treatment outcome and toxicity has been demonstrated, the role of other polymorphisms remains less well known.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• New information on the allelic variation of these three enzymes (XO, TPMT and ITPA) and their influence on 6‐MP/AZA metabolism and toxicity.

• Confirmation of the association ofTPMTpolymorphism with haematological toxicity.

• Identified potential genetic characteristics that may contribute to higher risk of adverse events (such asITPA IVS2+21A→Cmutation).

AIMS

To examine the allelic variation of three enzymes involved in 6‐mercaptopurine/azathioprine (6‐MP/AZA) metabolism and evaluate the influence of these polymorphisms on toxicity, haematological parameters and metabolite levels in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

METHODS

Clinical data and blood samples were collected from 19 ALL paediatric patients and 35 IBD patients who were receiving 6‐MP/AZA therapy. All patients were screened for seven genetic polymorphisms in three enzymes involved in mercaptopurine metabolism [xanthine oxidase,inosine triphosphatase(C94→AandIVS2+21A→C) andthiopurine methyltransferase]. Erythrocyte and plasma metabolite concentrations were also determined. The associations between the various genotypes and myelotoxicity, haematological parameters and metabolite concentrations were determined.

RESULTS

Thiopurine methyltransferasevariant alleles were associated with a preferential metabolism away from 6‐methylmercaptopurine nucleotides (P = 0.008 in ALL patients,P = 0.038 in IBD patients) favouring 6‐thioguanine nucleotides (6‐TGNs) (P = 0.021 in ALL patients). Interestingly, carriers ofinosine triphosphatase IVS2+21A→Cvariants among ALL and IBD patients had significantly higher concentrations of the active cytotoxic metabolites, 6‐TGNs (P = 0.008 in ALL patients,P = 0.047 in IBD patients). The study confirmed the association ofthiopurine methyltransferaseheterozygosity with leucopenia and neutropenia in ALL patients and reported a significant association betweeninosine triphosphatase IVS2+21A→Cvariants with thrombocytopenia (P = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

Pharmacogenetic polymorphisms in the 6‐MP pathway may help identify patients at risk for associated toxicities and may serve as a guide for dose individualization.
Betalains: properties, sources, applications, and stability – a review
Authors: Azeredo Henriette M.C.
Published: June 2008

Consumers are increasingly avoiding foods containing synthetic colourants, which lead food industries to replace them by natural pigments, such as carotenoids, betalains, anthocyanins and carminic acid. Betalains are water‐soluble nitrogen‐containing pigments, composed of two structural groups: the red‐violet betacyanins and the yellow‐orange betaxanthins. This review synthesises the published literature on basic chemistry of betalains, their sources and chemical stability. Moreover, several works are mentioned which have demonstrated the potent antioxidant activity of betalains, which has been associated with protection against degenerative diseases.
Antioxidative activity of rosemary extract using connective tissue proteins as carriers
Authors: Waszkowiak Katarzyna
Published: June 2008

In the research the activity of rosemary extract introduced using connective tissue proteins was investigated, taking into consideration the effect of the type of carrier (collagen and elastin), carrier concentration (1%, 2%, 4%) and the method of its introduction to fat substrate (rehydrated or unhydrated). Antioxidative activity was assessed using the Oxidograph instrumental test. The activity of rosemary extract on protein preparations was significantly affected by the rehydration of these preparations. The application of collagen as carrier of rosemary extract had an advantageous effect on the activity of this antioxidant. In turn, under the adopted testing conditions the application of elastin resulted in partial masking of antioxidative activity of rosemary extract. Amounts of the carriers, onto which the antioxidant was introduced, did not have a statistically significant effect on this activity.
Population structure and diversity in sexual and asexual populations of the pathogenic fungus Melampsora lini
Authors: BARRETT LUKE G. , THRALL PETER H. , BURDON JEREMY J. , NICOTRA ADRIENNE B. , LINDE CELESTE C.
Published: June 2008

Many pathogens undergo both sexual and asexual reproduction to varying degrees, yet the ecological, genetic and evolutionary consequences of different reproductive strategies remain poorly understood. Here we investigate the population genetic structure of wild populations of the plant pathogen Melampsora lini on its host Linum marginale, using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers, two genes underlying pathogen virulence, and phenotypic variation in virulence. In Australia, M. lini occurs as two genetically and geographically divergent lineages (AA and AB), one of which is completely asexual (AB), and the other able to reproduce both clonally and sexually (AA). To quantify the genetic and evolutionary consequences of these different life histories, we sampled five populations in each of two biogeographical regions. Analysis of AFLP data obtained for 275 isolates revealed largely disjunct geographical distributions for the two different lineages, low genetic diversity within lineages, and strong genetic structure among populations within each region. We also detected significant divergence among populations for both Avr genes and virulence phenotypes, although generally these values were lower than those obtained with AFLP markers. Furthermore, isolates belonging to lineage AA collectively harboured significantly higher genotypic and phenotypic diversity than lineage AB isolates. Together these results illustrate the important roles of reproductive modes and geographical structure in the generation and maintenance of virulence diversity in populations of M. lini.
Phylogeography of the Rhabditis (Pellioditis) marina species complex: evidence for long‐distance dispersal, and for range expansions and restricted gene flow in the northeast Atlantic
Authors: DERYCKE S. , REMERIE T. , BACKELJAU T. , VIERSTRAETE A. , VANFLETEREN J. , VINCX M. , MOENS T.
Published: June 2008

Pinpointing processes that structure the geographical distribution of genetic diversity of marine species and lead to speciation is challenging because of the lack of obvious dispersal barriers and the likelihood of substantial (passive) dispersal in oceans. In addition, cryptic radiations with sympatric distributions abound in marine species, challenging the allopatric speciation mechanism. Here, we present a phylogeographical study of the marine nematode species complex Rhabditis (Pellioditis) marina to investigate processes shaping genetic structure and speciation. Rhabditis (P.) marina lives on decaying macroalgae in the intertidal, and may therefore disperse over considerable distances. Rhabditis (P.) marina consists of several cryptic species sympatrically distributed at a local scale. Genetic variation in the COI gene was screened in 1362 specimens from 45 locations around the world. Two nuclear DNA genes (ITS and D2D3) were sequenced to infer phylogenetic species. We found evidence for ten sympatrically distributed cryptic species, seven of which show a strong genetic structuring. A historical signature showed evidence for restricted gene flow with occasional long‐distance dispersal and range expansions pre‐dating the last glacial maximum. Our data also point to a genetic break around the British Isles and a contact zone in the Southern Bight of the North Sea. We provide evidence for the transoceanic distribution of at least one cryptic species (PmIII) and discuss the dispersal capacity of marine nematodes. The allopatric distribution of some intraspecific phylogroups and of closely related cryptic species points to the potential for allopatric speciation in R. (P.) marina.
Helicobacter pylori AddAB helicase‐nuclease and RecA promote recombination‐related DNA repair and survival during stomach colonization
Authors: Amundsen Susan K. , Fero Jutta , Hansen Lori M. , Cromie Gareth A. , Solnick Jay V. , Smith Gerald R. , Salama Nina R.
Published: June 2008

Helicobacter pylori colonization of the human stomach is characterized by profound disease‐causing inflammation. Bacterial proteins that detoxify reactive oxygen species or recognize damaged DNA adducts promote infection, suggesting that H. pylori requires DNA damage repair for successful in vivo colonization. The molecular mechanisms of repair remain unknown. We identified homologues of the AddAB class of helicase‐nuclease enzymes, related to the Escherichia coli RecBCD enzyme, which, with RecA, is required for repair of DNA breaks and homologous recombination. H. pylori mutants lacking addA or addB genes lack detectable ATP‐dependent nuclease activity, and the cloned H. pylori addAB genes restore both nuclease and helicase activities to an E. coli recBCD deletion mutant. H. pylori addAB and recA mutants have a reduced capacity for stomach colonization. These mutants are sensitive to DNA damaging agents and have reduced frequencies of apparent gene conversion between homologous genes encoding outer membrane proteins. Our results reveal requirements for double‐strand break repair and recombination during both acute and chronic phases of H. pylori stomach infection.
A Porphyromonas gingivalis tyrosine phosphatase is a multifunctional regulator of virulence attributes
Authors: Maeda Kazuhiko , Tribble Gena D. , Tucker Chelsea M. , Anaya Cecilia , Shizukuishi Satoshi , Lewis Janina P. , Demuth Donald R. , Lamont Richard J.
Published: June 2008

Low Molecular Weight Tyrosine Phosphatases (LMWTP) are widespread in prokaryotes; however, understanding of the signalling cascades controlled by these enzymes is still emerging. Porphyromonas gingivalis, an opportunistic oral pathogen, expresses a LMWTP, Ltp1, that is differentially regulated in biofilm communities. Here we characterize the enzymatic activity of Ltp1 and, through the use of mutants that lack Ltp1 or expresses catalytically defective Ltp1, show that tyrosine phosphatase activity constrains both monospecies biofilm development and community development with the antecedent oral biofilm constituent Streptococcus gordonii. Exopolysaccharide production is downregulated by Ltp1 through transcriptional regulation of multiple genes involved in biosynthesis and transport. Furthermore, Ltp1 regulates transcriptional activity of luxS and thus impacts AI‐2‐dependent signalling in biofilm communities. In the absence of Ltp1 transcription across the hmu haemin uptake locus is reduced, and consequently uptake of haemin is impaired in the Ltp1 mutant. The gingipain proteinases Kgp and RgpA/B remain phosphorylated in the Ltp1 mutant. Phosphorylated Rgps are poorly secreted, whereas cell surface activity of phosphorylated Kgp is enhanced. By controlling the activity of several virulence‐associated properties, Ltp1 may restrain the pathogenic potential of P. gingivalis and maintain a commensal interaction with the host.
Activation mechanism, functional role and shedding of glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐anchored Yps1p at the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell surface
Authors: Gagnon‐Arsenault Isabelle , Parisé Luc , Tremblay Jessy , Bourbonnais Yves
Published: June 2008

Yeast cell wall assembly is a highly regulated and dynamic process. A class of cell surface aspartic peptidases anchored by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) group, collectively known as yapsins, was proposed to be involved in cell wall construction. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Yps1p, the prototypal yapsin, is processed internally within a loop region to produce an α/β two‐subunit enzyme. Here we investigated the activation mechanism of GPI‐anchored Yps1p and identified some of its substrates. We report that all activation steps of GPI‐Yps1p take place at the cell surface and are regulated by the environmental pH. GPI‐Yps1p is active in vivo at pH 6.0 and pH 3.0 and functions as a sheddase for a subset of GPI‐anchored enzymes, including itself and the Gas1 glucanosyltransferase. Importantly, while native GPI‐Yps1p weakly suppresses many phenotypes associated with the yeast kex2Δ mutant, loop mutants that interfere with conversion into the two‐subunit enzyme restore the kex2Δ phenotypes to near wild type level. We propose that cleavage of this internal loop region plays an important regulatory function through stimulating its shedding activity. Collectively, our data provide a direct link between the pH regulation of yeast cell wall assembly and the activity of a yapsin.
Soil bacteria augment Arabidopsis photosynthesis by decreasing glucose sensing and abscisic acid levels in planta
Authors: Zhang Huiming , Xie Xitao , Kim Mi‐Seong , Kornyeyev Dmytro A. , Holaday Scott , Paré Paul W.
Published: June 2008

Photosynthesis is regulated by environmental factors as well as endogenous sugar signals. Whereas light‐driven sugar biosynthesis is essential for terrestrial organisms, as well as belowground microflora, whether and how soil symbionts regulate photosynthesis has yet to be reported. Here, we show that the plant growth‐promoting soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis GB03 augments photosynthetic capacity by increasing photosynthetic efficiency and chlorophyll content in Arabidopsis. Mechanistic studies reveal an elevation of sugar accumulation as well as the suppression of classic glucose signaling responses, including hypocotyl elongation and seed germination, with exposure to GB03. Compared with wild‐type plants, two Arabidopsis mutants defective in hexokinase‐dependent sugar signaling exhibit increased photosynthetic capacity, which is not further enhanced with GB03 exposure. Overlap in sugar/ABA sensing is observed in GB03‐exposed plants, with a reduction of ABA‐biosynthetic transcripts as well as downstream metabolite levels in leaves. Moreover, exogenous ABA abrogates GB03‐triggered increases in photosynthetic efficiency and chlorophyll content. These results demonstrate that certain rhizobacteria elevate photosynthesis through the modulation of endogenous sugar/ABA signaling, and establish a regulatory role for soil symbionts in plant acquisition of energy.
Stimulus‐induced downregulation of root water transport involves reactive oxygen species‐activated cell signalling and plasma membrane intrinsic protein internalization
Authors: Boursiac Yann , Boudet Julie , Postaire Olivier , Luu Doan‐Trung , Tournaire‐Roux Colette , Maurel Christophe
Published: June 2008

The water uptake capacity of plant roots (i.e. their hydraulic conductivity, Lpr) is determined in large part by aquaporins of the plasma membrane intrinsic protein (PIP) subfamily. In the present work, we investigated two stimuli, salicylic acid (SA) and salt, because of their ability to induce an accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an inhibition of Lpr concomitantly in the roots of Arabidopsis plants. The inhibition of Lpr by SA was partially counteracted by preventing the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) with exogenous catalase. In addition, exogenous H2O2 was able to reduce Lpr by up to 90% in <15 min. Based on the lack of effects of H2O2 on the activity of individual aquaporins in Xenopus oocytes, and on a pharmacological dissection of the action of H2O2 on Lpr, we propose that ROS do not gate Arabidopsis root aquaporins through a direct oxidative mechanism, but rather act through cell signalling mechanisms. Expression in transgenic roots of PIP‐GFP fusions and immunogold labelling indicated that external H2O2 enhanced, in <15 min, the accumulation of PIPs in intracellular structures tentatively identified as vesicles and small vacuoles. Exposure of roots to SA or salt also induced an intracellular accumulation of the PIP‐GFP fusion proteins, and these effects were fully counteracted by co‐treatment with exogenous catalase. In conclusion, the present work identifies SA as a novel regulator of aquaporins, and delineates an ROS‐dependent signalling pathway in the roots of Arabidopsis. Several abiotic and biotic stress‐related stimuli potentially share this path, which involves an H2O2‐induced internalization of PIPs, to downregulate root water transport.
Multiple eruptive dermatofibromas and immunosuppression: report of two cases and review of the literature
Authors: Zaccaria E. , Rebora A. , Rongioletti F.
Published: June 2008

Dermatofibromas are common benign fibrohistiocytic tumors that are most often solitary. The occurrence of multiple eruptive dermatofibromas (MEDF), on the contrary, is a rare event. MEDF have been reported in the setting of autoimmune diseases, treated with immunosuppressive drugs, in the course of HIV infection and in neoplastic diseases. An association with immunosuppression has led to the speculation that they are the result of an abortive immunoreactive process. Here, we describe a patient with Sézary syndrome and a patient with multiple IgA myeloma who developed MEDF. These associations have not been reported previously.
Rhinosporidiosis: gigantic cells with engulfed sporangia of Rhinosporidium seeberi in the case of dermosporidiosis
Authors: Ghorpade Ashok
Published: June 2008

Rhinosporidiosis in an Indian male with a tumorous skin lesion is reported. Histopathology from the skin lesion revealed gigantic foreign body giant cells bloated with multiple, engulfed sporangia of rhinosporidiosis, which has not been reported earlier. The term “dermosporidiosis”, should be used to denote such predominant skin lesions of rhinosporidiosis.
Lichenoid inflammation in vitiligo – a clinical and histopathologic review of 210 cases*
Authors: Attili Venkat Ratnam , Attili Sasi Kiran
Published: June 2008

Background  ‘“Inflammatory vitiligo” cases with clear lichenoid infiltrates have been reported. However, the inflammatory nature of common vitiligo has not gained wide acceptance because of its benign appearance and scanty cellular infiltrates. We have observed in our patients a few lesions with mild erythema, scaling and marginal hyperpigmentation which were suspected to be inflammatory. This study was conducted to assess the histological features and prevalence of such marginally active lesions, in comparison with common vitiligo.

Methods  Two hundred and ten consecutive new cases of vitiligo seeking treatment for the first time were included in this study. Clinical lesions were carefully examined and biopsies were taken in all cases. Biopsies were also taken from pigmented skin 3 cm away from the vitiligo lesion in 20 cases and normal pigmented skin over the contralateral side in 20.

Results  Marginally active lesions with erythema, scaling and hyperpigmentation were identified in 27 patients (13%). Lymphocytic infiltration of dermo‐epidermal interface was observed in 89% of these cases which was clearly lichenoid in 59%. Similar lichenoid infiltrates were also seen in 50% of pigmented skin samples 3 cm away from the lesion and 23% of common macular vitiligo lesions.

Conclusions  Vitiligo is an inflammatory disease that with development involves a lichenoid tissue reaction.
Eponyms of Sir Jonathan Hutchinson
Authors: Van Ruth Serge , Toonstra Johan
Published: June 2008

Sir Jonathan Hutchinson was an extraordinary man. He was trained as a surgeon and a pathologist, but was also keenly interested in dermatology, the study of syphilis, ophthalmology, and neurology. His observations with detailed descriptions of skin diseases were remarkable. His medical bibliography staggeringly consists of over 1000 published reports. This description of the eponyms attributed to Hutchinson – illustrated with clinical images, an old plate, and a portrait – demonstrates his important contribution to dermatology.
Oral infection by Diptera larvae in children: a case report
Authors: De Souza Barbosa Taís , Salvitti Sá Rocha Renata Andréa , Guirado Cecília Gatti , Rocha Fábio Jordão ,   Graduate student, Duarte Gavião Maria Beatriz
Published: June 2008

Background  Oral myiasis is usually caused by flies of the order Diptera. One of the causes of human myiasis is Cochliomyia hominivorax, which is a true obligate parasite of mammals.

Methods  A case of oral myiasis in a 5‐year‐old girl is reported. She presented with a swelling on the hard palate accompanied by intense pain and a fetid odor. A literature review of oral myiasis reports in children was performed.

Results  The poor oral hygiene, lip incompetence, open bite, and residence in a rural area were considered to be predisposing factors for larval infestation in this patient. Treatment consisted of manual larval removal and systemic therapy with antimicrobials.

Conclusions  The prevention of human myiasis should involve the control of fly populations and general cleanliness, such as reducing decomposition odors and cleaning and covering wounds. In addition, the public should be informed that individuals living in locations without basic sanitation are more predisposed to infestation.
Comparison of time use, role participation and life satisfaction of older people after stroke with a sample without stroke
Authors: McKenna Kryss , Liddle Jacki , Brown Alysha , Lee Katherine , Gustafsson Louise
Published: June 2008

Background/aims:  This study investigated the time use, role participation and life satisfaction of older Australians (aged 65 years and older) who were 1–3 years post‐stroke and living in the community. The results of this study were compared with a published study on the time use, role participation and life satisfaction of older Australians who had not experienced stroke.

Methods:  Twenty‐three participants with stroke (mean age 74.2 years, 69.6% men) were interviewed using measures of time use, role participation and life satisfaction.

Results:  Participants with stroke spent most of their time in sleep (7.2 h/day), solitary leisure (7.0 h/day), social leisure (3.0 h/day), and basic activities of daily living (2.9 h/day). Compared to the sample without stroke, participants with stroke spent significantly less time in sleep, instrumental activities of daily living, and volunteer work, and significantly more time at home, with others, and engaged in solitary leisure. Similar to the sample without stroke, the most common roles for participants with stroke were family member, friend, and home maintainer. Participants with stroke engaged in fewer roles than participants without stroke. Unlike the sample without stroke, role loss was not correlated with life satisfaction for participants with stroke; however, having more roles was correlated with greater life satisfaction.

Conclusion:  Experiencing a stroke can affect the configuration of older people's time use and reduce their role participation. Facilitation of older people's role participation after stroke may enhance their life satisfaction.
The Tree Theme Method as an intervention in psychosocial occupational therapy: Client acceptability and outcomes
Authors: Gunnarsson A. Birgitta , Eklund Mona
Published: June 2008

Background/aim: The Tree Theme Method (TTM) is an intervention in which the client paints trees representing certain periods in his/her life. The intervention comprises five sessions, using trees as a starting point to tell one's life story. This study, which is part of an implementation project, aimed to examine the therapeutic alliance and client satisfaction, in relation to perceptions of everyday occupations and health‐related factors, with clients going through a TTM intervention.

Methods: Nine occupational therapists recruited 35 clients, at general outpatient mental health care units, for the TTM intervention. Self‐rating instruments, targeting therapeutic alliance (HAq‐II), different aspects of daily occupations (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Satisfaction with Daily Occupations), health‐related factors (Sense of Coherence measure, Mastery Scale, Symptom Checklist‐90‐R) and client satisfaction (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire), were administrated before and after the intervention.

Results: A good initial therapeutic alliance, experienced by both therapists and clients, was correlated to increased changes regarding occupational performance and self‐mastery. According to the therapists’ ratings, a good initial therapeutic alliance was correlated to increased sense of coherence and a decreased level of psychiatric symptoms. The results showed positive significant changes in occupational performance and health‐related factors. High ratings of the therapeutic alliance by the therapists were also related to high client satisfaction.

Conclusions: The TTM seemed to function well in psychosocial occupational therapy, but there is a need for further implementation studies to deepen our understanding of the treatment process, comprising both technique and formation of the therapeutic alliance.
V1 Posterior colpotomy for transvaginal specimen retrieval after laparoscopic colectomy. Video demonstration of technique and anatomical landmarks in Pelvis
Authors: Riaz M. , Brown J. J. S. , Lim M. , Hebblethwaite N. , Clarke M. D.
Published: June 2008

Advances in laparoscopic colorectal resection have already demonstrated benefits in surgical recovery. The improvement in recovery is in part related to the reduced trauma to the parietes of the abdominal wall. Retrieval of the resected specimen has required a short laparotomy. Posterior colpotomy has been used in gynaecological surgery to provide access to the abdomen for specimen retrieval after subtotal hysterectomy and oophorectomy, removing the requirement for laparotomy completely. This technique represents progression encompassing many of the benefits in Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (N.O.T.E.S). We have reported the use of a posterior colpotomy in the retrieval of a colonic specimen after laparoscopic right hemicolectomy and are currently undertaking a prospective randomised controlled trial of specimen retrieval via mini‐laparotomy or posterior colpotomy. This presentation aims to demonstrate the surgical anatomy encountered where the technique is used by means of video footage and viva voci. We discuss potential pitfalls for a colorectal surgical audience new to a gynaecological technique which has been in practice since 1951. A short video demonstrates the technique and scope of its approach.
V2 Prone abdomeno perineal excision of rectum
Authors: Lacy‐Colson J. C. H. , Bowley D. , Hendrickse C. , Karandikar S. S.
Published: June 2008

Traditionally, the perineal dissection during an Anbdomeno‐perineal resection of the rectum (APER) is conducted in conjunction with the trans‐abdominal pelvic dissection with the patient in Lloyd‐Davis and then the Lithotomy positions. There is a higher local recurrence rate in APER as compared to restorative anterior resection. The current practices in APER often result in a ‘surgical waist’ in the resection specimen, which might threaten the resection margin. There are many advantages to performing the perineal dissection with the patient in a prone Jack‐Knife position. The oncological benefit is that it facilitates the achievement of a more cylindrical resection specimen, giving a wider resection margin and hence lowering the risk of local recurrence. This video utilises annotated diagrams and a high definition digital recording of the perineal dissection in a 52 year old male patient with a low rectal cancer undergoing APER, following neo‐adjuvant long course chemo‐radiotherapy. We demonstrate how the use of the prone jack‐knife position gives excellent exposure and improved surgical access, facilitating a better oncological resection.
Doppler‐guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation: long‐term outcome and patient satisfaction
Authors: Wilkerson P. M. , Strbac M. , Reece‐Smith H. , Middleton S. B.
Published: June 2008

Objective  Conventional Milligan–Morgan haemorrhoidectomy is associated with significant pain and potentially hazardous complications. Doppler‐Guided Haemorrhoidal Artery Ligation (DGHAL) may offer a lower risk, pain‐free alternative. We present our early and long‐term outcome experience with DGHAL, combined with patient views and satisfaction with the procedure.

Method  One hundred and thirteen DGHALs were performed over a 13 month period by two surgeons in a single centre. Patients graded the severity of postoperative pain on visual‐analogue scales. Clinical follow‐up was at 6 weeks (n = 103), with long‐term follow‐up (n = 90) by postal questionnaire at median of 30 months.

Results  Seven out of one hundred and three (6%) patients reported postoperative discomfort requiring analgesia. Ninety‐three out of one hundred and three (90%) patients reported complete relief or significant improvement in their symptoms at 6 weeks, dropping to 77/90 (86%) at 30 months. Anal fissures developed in 2/103 (2%) patients, both treated with Diltiazem ointment. Further surgery was required in 8/90 (9%) patients. Eighty‐two out of ninety (91%) patients said they would undergo DGHAL again.

Conclusion  DGHAL is a relatively painless, safe, and effective procedure for symptomatic stage I–III haemorrhoids, for which we have demonstrated long‐term durability and acceptability. Its role lies between office based procedures and more invasive operative interventions.
REFLECTIONS ON TERRITORIAL COHESION AND EUROPEAN SPATIAL PLANNING
Authors: EVERS DAVID
Published: June 2008

From a strictly legal point of view, the European Union does not have authority to carry out spatial planning. The closest thing resembling a spatial policy is the outdated and unofficial European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP). The inclusion of the term ‘territorial cohesion’ in the Reform Treaty has created new opportunities for proponents of European spatial planning. Despite wide political support for the concept, there is still little consensus on its actual meaning. The purpose of this paper is to take stock of this curious situation. This is done by raising some fundamental issues. Does a ‘planning subject’ and ‘planning object’ exist in Europe? What different interpretations of territorial cohesion are there, and what implications could this have? These issues are investigated further by means of a recent ESPON study which produced several policy‐oriented spatial scenarios. Ultimately, the lack of a precise definition of territorial cohesion may prove to be advantageous.
THE ABDUCTION OF EUROPE: A PLEA FOR LESS ‘UNIONISM’ AND MORE EUROPE
Authors: BOEDELTJE FREERK , VAN HOUTUM HENK
Published: June 2008

This article claims that the development of a European super–state is undesirable and unreal. Europe has never presented itself as a single bordered entity supported by a constitution and a clear definition of Europe and non‐Europe. The contemporary forceful abduction by the European Union re‐creates Europe as a bounded political entity institutionalised through treaties and acts. It is made a socio‐political cultural construction embedded in its own created geography, history and culture. We will argue that European Union is not the same as Europe and that Europe is not a people. Europe is neither finite nor restrictive. The invention and fabrication of a bounded version of Europe leads to new forms of ‘spatial containerisation’ which carries the name of ‘Europeanization’.
Practitioner Review: How can epidemiology help us plan and deliver effective child and adolescent mental health services?
Authors: Ford Tamsin
Published: June 2008

This review focuses on ways in which epidemiological research can inform mental health service development and clinical practice. Data from epidemiological studies can provide cross‐sectional and secular estimates of the prevalence of psychopathology to support rational service development. Epidemiological surveys have difficulties in finding large enough samples of children with rare disorders, although these disorders are often severely debilitating and require extensive service input. Systematic surveillance provides a rigorous method for studying rare disorders and events. Only a minority of children with impairing psychopathology reach mental health services, although a larger proportion have mental health related contacts with other services. The gap in provision is such that an expansion of mental health services is unlikely to reach all children who could benefit, suggesting that mental health professionals need to develop innovative strategies to increase the number of children seen and the effectiveness of interventions that they receive. Training and supervision of non‐mental‐health professionals working with children in the identification and management of mental health problems is also extremely important. Most studies suggest that the children with the severest problems are getting to specialist mental health services, and service contact is more likely if important adults can perceive the child’s difficulty or find it to be burdensome. The latter suggests that education of key adults would improve detection if services had the capacity to cope. Studies consistently suggest that the region in which the child lives affects the likelihood of service contact, but studies of other characteristics predicting service contact are so contradictory that studies should only be (cautiously) applied to similar populations to assess which types of children may currently be falling through gaps in service provision. Academics are beginning to explore the use of structured measures developed for epidemiological studies in clinical assessment and outcome monitoring.
Formation of clinopyroxene + spinel and amphibole + spinel symplectites in coronitic gabbros from the Sierra de San Luis (Argentina): a key to post‐magmatic evolution
Authors: CRUCIANI G. , FRANCESCHELLI M. , GROPPO C. , BROGIONI N. , VASELLI O.
Published: June 2008

The El Arenal metagabbros preserve coronitic shells of orthopyroxene ± Fe‐oxide around olivine, as well as three different types of symplectite consisting of amphibole + spinel, clinopyroxene + spinel and, more rarely, orthopyroxene + spinel. The textural features of the metagabbros can be explained by the breakdown of the olivine + plagioclase pair, producing orthopyroxene coronas and clinopyroxene + spinel symplectites, followed by the formation of amphibole + spinel symplectites, reflecting a decrease in temperature and, possibly, an increase in water activity with respect to the previous stage. The metagabbros underwent a complex P–T history consisting of an igneous stage followed by cooling in granulite, amphibolite and greenschist facies conditions. Although the P–T conditions of emplacement of the igneous protolith are still doubtful, the magmatic assemblage suggests that igneous crystallization occurred at a pressure lower than 6 kbar and at 900–1100 °C. Granulitic P–T conditions have been estimated at about 900 °C and 7–8 kbar combining conventional thermobarometry and pseudosection analysis. Pseudosection calculation has also shown that the formation of the amphibole + spinel symplectite could have been favoured by an increase in water activity during the amphibolite stage, as the temperature of formation of this symplectite strongly depends on aH2O (<740 °C for aH2O = 0.5; <790 °C for aH2O = 1). Furthermore, but not pervasive, re‐equilibration under greenschist facies P–T conditions is documented by retrograde epidote and chlorite. The resulting counterclockwise P–T path consists of progressive, nearly isobaric cooling from the igneous stage down to the granulite, amphibolite and greenschist stage.
The Real Truth behind Seizure Count
Authors: Burneo Jorge G.
Published: June 2008

Epilepsy: Accuracy of Patient Seizure Counts. Hoppe C, Poepel A, Elger CE. Arch Neurol 2007;64(11):1595–1599. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a daily patient reminder on seizure documentation accuracy. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Monitoring unit of an academic department of epileptology. PATIENTS: Consecutive sample of 91 adult inpatients with focal epilepsies undergoing video-electroencephalographic monitoring. INTERVENTION: While all patients were asked to document seizures at the beginning of the monitoring period, patients from the experimental group were reminded each day to document seizures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Documentation accuracy (percentage of documented seizures). RESULTS: A total of 582 partial seizures were recorded. Patients failed to document 55.5% of all recorded seizures, 73.2% of complex partial seizures, 26.2% of simple partial seizures, 41.7% of secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures, 85.8% of all seizures during sleeping, and 32.0% of all seizures during the awake state. The group medians of individual documentation accuracies for overall seizures, simple partial seizures, complex partial seizures, and secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures were 33.3%, 66.7%, 0%, and 83.3%, respectively. Neither the patient reminder nor cognitive performance affected documentation accuracy. A left-sided electroencephalographic focus or lesion, but not the site (frontal or temporal), contributed to documentation failure. CONCLUSIONS: Patient seizure counts do not provide valid information. Documentation failures result from postictal seizure unawareness, which cannot be avoided by reminders. Unchanged documentation accuracy is a prerequisite for the use of patient seizure counts in clinical trials and has to be demonstrated in a subsample of patients undergoing electroencephalographic monitoring.
Impact of Protein Kinase C Activation on Status Epilepticus and Epileptogenesis: Oh, What a Tangled Web
Authors: Merlin Lisa R.
Published: June 2008

Deficits in Phosphorylation of GABAA Receptors by Intimately Associated Protein Kinase C Activity Underlie Compromised Synaptic Inhibition during Status Epilepticus. Terunuma M, Xu J, Vithlani M, Sieghart W, Kittler J, Pangalos M, Haydon PG, Coulter DA, Moss SJ. J Neurosci 2008;28(2):376–384. Status epilepticus (SE) is a progressive and often lethal human disorder characterized by continuous or rapidly repeating seizures. Of major significance in the pathology of SE are deficits in the functional expression of GABAA receptors (GABAARs), the major sites of fast synaptic inhibition in the brain. We demonstrate that SE selectively decreases the phosphorylation of GABAARs on serine residues 408/9 (S408/9) in the β3 subunit by intimately associated protein kinase C isoforms. Dephosphorylation of S408/9 unmasks a basic patch-binding motif for the clathrin adaptor AP2, enhancing the endocytosis of selected GABAAR subtypes from the plasma membrane during SE. In agreement with this, enhancing S408/9 phosphorylation or selectively blocking the binding of the β3 subunit to AP2 increased GABAAR cell surface expression levels and restored the efficacy of synaptic inhibition in SE. Thus, enhancing phosphorylation of GABAARs or selectively blocking their interaction with AP2 may provide novel therapeutic strategies to ameliorate SE.
Funny Team Member Makes Key Plays, but Leaves the Dendritic Field When Hit Hard
Authors: Cooper Edward C.
Published: June 2008

Progressive Dendritic HCN Channelopathy during Epileptogenesis in the Rat Pilocarpine Model of Epilepsy. Jung S, Jones TD, Lugo JN Jr, Sheerin AH, Miller JW, D'Ambrosio R, Anderson AE, Poolos NP. J Neurosci 2007;27(47):13012–13021. Ion channelopathy plays an important role in human epilepsy with a genetic cause and has been hypothesized to occur in epilepsy after acquired insults to the CNS as well. Acquired alterations of ion channel function occur after induction of status epilepticus (SE) in animal models of epilepsy, but it is unclear how they correlate with the onset of spontaneous seizures. We examined the properties of hyperpolarization-activated cation (HCN) channels in CA1 hippocampal pyramidal neurons in conjunction with video-EEG (VEEG) recordings to monitor the development of spontaneous seizures in the rat pilocarpine model of epilepsy. Our results showed that dendritic HCN channels were significantly downregulated at an acute time point 1 week postpilocarpine, with loss of channel expression and hyperpolarization of voltage-dependent activation. This downregulation progressively increased when epilepsy was established in the chronic period. Surprisingly, VEEG recordings during the acute period showed that a substantial fraction of animals were already experiencing recurrent seizures. Suppression of these seizures with phenobarbital reversed the change in the voltage dependence of Ih, the current produced by HCN channels, but did not affect the loss of HCN channel expression. These results suggest two mechanisms of HCN channel downregulation after SE, one dependent on and one independent of recurrent seizures. This early and progressive downregulation of dendritic HCN channel function increases neuronal excitability and may be associated with both the process of epileptogenesis and maintenance of the epileptic state.