bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Polls: Presidential Greatness as Seen in the Mass Public: An Extension and Application of the Simonton Model
Authors: Cohen Jeffrey E.
Published: November 2003

I raise two questions in this article. In light of the scandals of the Clinton years, have the standards used to rate presidents changed or not? Second, do experts and informed citizens rate presidents similarly, and do they rely on the same criteria in their ratings? I use a C‐SPAN poll administered in 2000 to experts, and through the Internet to the citizenry, as the data to address these questions. Results find great temporal stability in how presidents are rated. Furthermore, in applying a predictive model developed by Simonton, I find stability in the factors that predict presidential greatness ratings. In particular, experts and informed citizens rate presidents similarly and use similar criteria. Substantively, the most important and consistent predictor of presidential greatness is the number of years that the president served in office. This finding brings us full circle to a question that motivates much scholarship on the presidency: why do presidents get reelected for a second term?
Object Attention Revisited
Authors: Han Songmei , Dosher Barbara Anne , Lu Zhong-Lin
Published: November 2003

Multiple attributes of a visual array are often more efficiently processed when they are attributes of a single object than when they are attributes of different objects—a pattern reflecting the limitations of object attention. This study used psychophysical methods to evaluate the object attention limitations in the report of attributes (orientation and phase) computed early in visual analysis for spatially separated objects. These limitations had large effects on dual-object report thresholds when different judgments were required for the two objects (orientation for one object and phase for the other), but the effects were small or nonexistent when the same judgment was made about both objects. Judgment consistency reduced or eliminated the expression of object attention deficits. Thus, the deficits in dual-object report reflect both division of attention over objects and the calculation of independent reference or judgment operations. Dual-object deficits, when they occurred, were substantial in displays with external noise masks. Smaller effects were observed in clear displays, even when difficulty was equated by stimulus contrast. Thus, the primary consequence of object attention is the exclusion of external noise, or mask suppression, and enhancement of the stimulus in clear displays is a secondary consequence.
Socioeconomic Status Modifies Heritability of IQ in Young Children
Authors: Turkheimer Eric , Haley Andreana , Waldron Mary , D'Onofrio Brian , Gottesman Irving I.
Published: November 2003

Scores on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children were analyzed in a sample of 7-year-old twins from the National Collaborative Perinatal Project. A substantial proportion of the twins were raised in families living near or below the poverty level. Biometric analyses were conducted using models allowing for components attributable to the additive effects of genotype, shared environment, and non-shared environment to interact with socioeconomic status (SES) measured as a continuous variable. Results demonstrate that the proportions of IQ variance attributable to genes and environment vary nonlinearly with SES. The models suggest that in impoverished families, 60% of the variance in IQ is accounted for by the shared environment, and the contribution of genes is close to zero; in affluent families, the result is almost exactly the reverse.
Facing Prejudice
Authors: Hugenberg Kurt , Bodenhausen Galen V.
Published: November 2003

We propose that social attitudes, and in particular implicit prejudice, bias people's perceptions of the facial emotion displayed by others. To test this hypothesis, we employed a facial emotion change-detection task in which European American participants detected the offset (Study 1) or onset (Study 2) of facial anger in both Black and White targets. Higher implicit (but not explicit) prejudice was associated with a greater readiness to perceive anger in Black faces, but neither explicit nor implicit prejudice predicted anger perceptions regarding similar White faces. This pattern indicates that European Americans high in implicit racial prejudice are biased to perceive threatening affect in Black but not White faces, suggesting that the deleterious effects of stereotypes may take hold extremely early in social interaction.
Eye Movements Reveal the On-Line Computation of Lexical Probabilities During Reading
Authors: McDonald Scott A. , Shillcock Richard C.
Published: November 2003

Skilled readers are able to derive meaning from a stream of visual input with remarkable efficiency. In this article, we present the first evidence that statistical information latent in the linguistic environment can contribute to an account of reading behavior. In two eye-tracking studies, we demonstrate that the transitional probabilities between words have a measurable influence on fixation durations, and using a simple Bayesian statistical model, we show that lexical probabilities derived by combining transitional probability with the prior probability of a word's occurrence provide the most parsimonious account of the eye movement data. We suggest that the brain is able to draw upon statistical information in order to rapidly estimate the lexical probabilities of upcoming words: a computationally inexpensive mechanism that may underlie proficient reading.
Feature. The Mam Tor landslip: still moving after all these years
Authors: Arkwright J.C. , Rutter E.H. , Holloway R.F.
Published: November 2003

The Mam Tor area (5 km west of Castleton, Derbyshire) is a perennial favourite for field visits by school and university parties and enthusiastic amateurs. As well as displaying the local stratigraphic relationships between the lower Carboniferous limestones and the overlying Edale mudstone/Mam Tor beds sequence, the major slope failure of the eastern side of Mam Tor is spectacularly developed.
Facial asymmetry – 3D assessment of infants with cleft lip & palate
Authors: Hood C. A. , Bock M. , Hosey M. T. , Bowman A. , Ayoub A. F.
Published: November 2003

Objectives.  To determine the degree of facial asymmetry in infants with unilateral cleft lip and/or palate, and quantify improvements following primary surgery, in three dimensions.

Design.  The faces of 20 infants with unilateral clefts (10 UCL; 10 UCLP), and 20 age‐matched, non‐cleft controls, were captured using the C3D™ stereophotogrammetry system prior to primary lip/nose repair (at 3 months), at 6 months and at age 1 year.

Methods.  Procrustes techniques were applied to 3D landmark configurations to its mirror image. Mean squared distances between landmarks and their antimeres were calculated and expressed as asymmetry scores for each 3D configuration. Full‐face, nose and lip median scores were compared and changes with time evaluated (P < 0·01).

Results.  There were no significant changes in asymmetry scores in the control group from 3 months to 1 year. The UCLP group was more asymmetric than the UCL group, displaying greatest improvement in nasal symmetry following primary repair. The lips continued to improve over time. The UCL group had significant nasal asymmetry, which did not appear to improve with primary surgery.

Conclusions.  Immediate improvement in asymmetry scores in children with UCLP is related to the production of a more symmetrical nasal form after primary surgery. In contrast, the nasal asymmetry seen in children with UCL is unchanged despite surgery. Full face asymmetry scores may mask subtle changes over time. Nasal and lip asymmetry should be considered individually.
Asthma and tooth erosion. Is there an association?
Authors: Dugmore C. R. , Rock W. P.
Published: November 2003

Objectives.  To investigate whether there is an association between asthma and tooth erosion in a representative random sample of adolescents in the East Midlands.

Methods.  A random sample of 1753 12‐year‐old children was examined in all schools in Leicestershire and Rutland. 1308 children were re‐examined 2 years later. Tooth erosion was assessed using the index employed in the Children's Dental Health in the UK Survey 1993. Asthma presence was recorded on a self‐completed questionnaire at the time of the 12 years examination. Data on asthma prescribing over a one year period was obtained from the Prescription Pricing Authority.

Results.  Asthma was present in 16·8% of 12‐year‐olds. Tooth erosion was recorded in 59% of children with asthma and in 59·7% who were asthma free. There was no significant difference in erosion prevalence between asthmatics and asthma free in a cohort of children at age 12 or 14 years, and the incidence of erosion was 12·8% and 12·3%, respectively. 88% of drugs prescribed for treatment of asthma had a pH above the critical pH of 5·5.

Conclusion.  There was no association between asthma and tooth erosion. The majority of drugs prescribed for the treatment of asthma are not potentially erosive.
Communal roosts as structured information centres in the raven, Corvus corax
Authors: Wright Jonathan , Stone Richard E. , Brown Nigel
Published: November 2003

Ravens (Corvus corax, L.) feed on rich but ephemeral carcasses of large animals. Non‐breeding juveniles forage socially and aggregate in communal winter roosts, which may function as ‘information centres’ regarding food locations.

In a large roost in North Wales, regurgitated pellets on the forest floor contained a variety of prey remains, which were more similar for ravens that had roosted close together the same night.

Sheep carcasses placed at varying distances from the roost were baited with colour‐coded plastic beads. These were ingested and regurgitated in pellets back at the roost in aggregations, the spatial distribution of which consistently reflected the geographical location of bait sites.

Aggregations of beads at the roost grew daily with an increasing radius centred upon the first pellet per carcass. This mirrored the linear increase of six birds per day in the size of groups flying between roost and carcass each morning. Rates of recruitment were greater for carcasses closer to the roost.

Groups were led by a single bird roosting centrally within the aggregation. When individually identifiable (37·5% of cases), these individuals were dominant at the carcass and were among the minority of birds involved in acrobatic display flights at preroost gatherings.

When contrasted with data on two alternative groups of ravens peripheral to the main roost which foraged and roosted collectively, these results provide strong circumstantial evidence for raven roosts as structured information centres. The adaptive basis for competitive recruitment resulting in excessively large group sizes is also discussed.
Life‐history consequences of partial‐moult asymmetry
Authors: Brommer Jon E. , Pihlajamäki Outi , Kolunen Heikki , Pietiäinen Hannu
Published: November 2003

Experiments have shown that asymmetry in flight feathers reduces flight performance. Large birds moult only part of their flight feathers during one season. We explore the asymmetry in the pattern of partial moult of flight feathers.

We compared the partial‐moult pattern of all 10 primary and the 10 outermost secondary feathers on the right vs. the left wing of 327 Ural owl females. We counted the number of asymmetrically moulted feather positions. The number of feathers moulted affects the potential asymmetry in partial moult. We used bootstrapping to correct for this dependency.

Females moulted especially their primary feathers, but also their secondary feathers, more symmetrically than expected by chance. Ural owls moulted fewer feathers after breeding than after not breeding, but the moult pattern was not more asymmetric than expected by chance. Partial‐moult asymmetry did not correlate with current reproductive output (laying date), but the asymmetry in primaries was associated with a reduced probability to survive to the next breeding season.

Developmental homeostasis in partial moult appears to be under stabilizing survival selection. Partial‐moult asymmetry may link current reproductive expenditure to the next season and may serve as a tool for biomonitoring populations of large birds.
T cell responses to crude and defined leishmanial antigens in patients from the Lower Amazon region of Brazil infected with different species of Leishmania of the subgenera Leishmania and Viannia
Authors: Silveira F.T. , Blackwell J. M. , Ishikawa E.A. , Braga R. , Shaw J.J. , Quinnell R.J. , Soong L. , Kima P. , McMahon‐Pratt D. , Black G.F. , Shaw M.‐A.
Published: November 2003

Amazonian localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) is caused by parasites of the subgenera Leishmania and Viannia. Respectively, these parasites may cause diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL) and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL). This, together with differing skin test responses, suggests some species‐specificity in cell mediated immunity. In this study, T cell responses (proliferative and interferon‐γ) to crude and defined antigens were examined in paired samples pre and post chemotherapy. Untreated L. (L.) amazonensis LCL patients showed lower responses to crude leishmanial antigens than the L. (V.) spp. group. L. (V.) braziliensis antigen was a more potent stimulator of T cell responses than L. (L.) amazonensis antigen in all patient groups. Few positive responses were seen to the L. (L.) amazonensis glycoprotein GP46. A substantial proportion of LCL patients did respond to the L. (L.) pifanoi amastigote antigens A2, and the surface membrane glycoprotein P8. DCL patients were poor responders to all leishmanial antigens, except GP46. In contrast, MCL patients were good responders to all antigens except GP46 and A2. A significant rise in the response to P8 and A2 antigen was seen post treatment across all LCL and MCL patients, indicating that these antigens might provide suitable vaccine candidates.
Xylem sap flow as a major pathway for oxygen supply to the sapwood of birch (Betula pubescens Ehr.)
Authors: GANSERT D.
Published: November 2003

The role of xylem sap flow as an aqueous pathway for oxygen supply to the wood parenchyma of Betula pubescens saplings was investigated. Using micro‐optode sensors the oxygen status of the sapwood was quantified in relation to mass flow of xylem sap. Sap flow was gradually reduced by an increasing oxygen depletion in the root space. The effect of sap flow on radial O2 transport between stem and atmosphere was assessed by a stoichiometrical approach between respiratory CO2 production and O2 consumption. Restriction of sap flow set in 36.5 h after the onset of O2 depletion, and was complete after 71 h. Interruption of sap flow drastically increased the O2 deficit in the sapwood to 70%. Sap flow contributed about 60% to the total oxygen supply to the sapwood. Diurnal O2 flow rates varied between 3 and 6.3 nmol O2 m−2 leaf area (LA)  s−1 during night‐ and daytime, respectively. Maximum O2 flow rates of 20 nmol O2 m−2 LA s−1 were reached at highest sap flow rates of 5.7 mmol H2O m−2 LA s−1. Sap flow not only affected the oxygen status of the sapwood but also had an effect on radial O2 transport between stem and atmosphere.
Disentangling CO2 fluxes: direct measurements of mesocosm‐scale natural abundance 13CO2/12CO2 gas exchange, 13C discrimination, and labelling of CO2 exchange flux components in controlled environments
Authors: SCHNYDER H. , SCHÄUFELE R. , LÖTSCHER M. , GEBBING T.
Published: November 2003

A 13C/12C mass spectrometer was interfaced with a open gas exchange system including four growth chambers to investigate CO2 exchange components of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) stands. Chambers were fed with air containing CO2 with known δ13C (δCΟ2−2.6 or −46.8‰). The system did not fractionate C isotopes and no extraneous CO2 leaked into chambers. The on‐line 13C discrimination (Δ) of ryegrass stands in light was independent of δCΟ2 when δCΟ2 was constant. The δ of CO2 exchanged by the stands in light (δNd) and darkness (δRn) differed by 0.7‰, suggesting some Δ in dark respiration at the stand‐level. However, Δ decreased by ∼ 10‰ when δCΟ2 was switched from −46.8 to −2.5‰, and increased by ∼ 10‰ following a shift from −2.6 to −46.7‰ due to isotopic disequilibria between photosynthetic and respiratory fluxes. Isotopic imbalances were used to assess (non‐photorespiratory) respiration in light and the replacement of the respiratory substrate pool(s) by new photosynthate. Respiration was partially inhibited by light, but increased during the light period and decreased in darkness, in association with temperature changes. The labelling kinetics of respiratory CO2 indicated the existence of two major respiratory substrate pools: a fast pool which was exchanged within hours, and a slow pool accounting for ∼ 60% of total respiration and having a mean residence time of 3.6 d.
Hydrogen fertilization of soils – is this a benefit of legumes in rotation?
Authors: DONG Z. , WU L. , KETTLEWELL B. , CALDWELL C. D. , LAYZELL D. B.
Published: November 2003

Hydrogen gas (H2) is an obligate byproduct of the N2‐fixing enzyme, nitrogenase, claiming about 5–6% of the crops’ net photosynthesis but most, if not all of the H2 lost from nodules is oxidized by the soil surrounding the root system of the plant. When soils not recently used to support the growth of legumes were exposed to H2 gas at a rate and duration similar to that of soil adjacent to legume nodules, the fertility of the soil was enhanced in comparison with soil treated with air. Under growth‐chamber and field conditions, H2‐treated soils improved the growth performance of spring wheat, canola, barley and soybean (non‐symbiotic) when compared with untreated soils or with soils pretreated with air. The dry weights of 4‐ to 7‐week‐old plants were 15–48% greater in the H2‐treated soil, and in barley and spring wheat, tiller number of 7‐week‐old plants were 36 and 48% greater in the H2‐treated soils. These findings may contribute to an explanation for the persistence of H2 evolving associations in agricultural legume symbioses selected for high yields (Uratsu et al., Crop Science 22, 600–602, 1982) and suggest that it may be possible to isolate, identify and culture the micro‐organisms that are responsible for at least some of the benefits of legumes in crop rotation.
Characterization of a novel zinc metalloprotease involved in degrading targeting peptides in mitochondria and chloroplasts
Authors: Moberg Per , Ståhl Annelie , Bhushan Shashi , Wright Sarah J. , Eriksson AnnaCarin , Bruce Barry D. , Glaser Elzbieta
Published: November 2003

We have recently isolated and identified a novel mitochondrial metalloprotease, pre‐sequence protease (PreP) from potato and shown that it degrades mitochondrial pre‐sequences. PreP belongs to the pitrilysin protease family and contains an inverted zinc‐binding motif. To further investigate the degradation of targeting peptides, we have overexpressed the Arabidopsis thaliana homologue of PreP, zinc metalloprotease (Zn‐MP), in Escherichia coli. We have characterized the recombinant Zn‐MP with respect to its catalytic site, substrate specificity and intracellular localization. Mutagenesis studies of the residues involved in metal binding identified the histidines and the proximal glutamate as essential residues for the proteolytic activity. Substrate specificity studies showed that the Zn‐MP has the ability to degrade both mitochondrial pre‐sequences and chloroplastic transit peptides, as well as other unstructured peptides. The Zn‐MP does not recognize an amino acid sequence per se. Immunological studies and proteolytic activity measurements in isolated mitochondria and chloroplasts revealed the presence of the Zn‐MP in both organelles. Furthermore, the Zn‐MP was found to be dually imported to both mitochondria and chloroplasts in vitro. In summary, our data show that the Zn‐MP is present and serves the same function in chloroplasts as in mitochondria – degradation of targeting peptides.
Functional analysis of barley RAC/ROP G‐protein family members in susceptibility to the powdery mildew fungus
Authors: Schultheiss Holger , Dechert Cornelia , Kogel Karl‐Heinz , Hückelhoven Ralph
Published: November 2003

Small monomeric G‐proteins of the plant ras (rat sarcome oncogene product) related C3 botulinum toxin substrate (RAC)/Rho of plants (ROP) family are molecular switches in signal transduction of many cellular processes. RAC/ROPs regulate hormone effects, subcellular gradients of Ca2+, the organisation of the actin cytoskeleton and the production of reactive oxygen intermediates. Therefore, we followed a genetic bottom‐up strategy to study the role of these proteins during the interaction of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) with the fungal biotrophic pathogen Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei (Bgh). We identified six barley RAC/ROP proteins and studied their gene expression. Five out of six Rac/Rop genes were expressed constitutively in the leaf epidermis, which is the site of interaction with Bgh. None of the genes showed enhancement of mRNA abundance after inoculation with Bgh. After microprojectile mediated transformation of single barley epidermal cells with constitutively activated mutant RAC/ROP proteins, we found an RAC/ROP‐specific enhancement of pathogen accessibility, tagging HvRACB, HvRAC3 and HvROP6 as host proteins potentially involved in the establishment of susceptibility to Bgh. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) of green fluorescent protein (GFP):HvRAC/ROP‐transformed cells revealed varying strengths of plasma membrane association of barley RAC/ROPs. The C‐terminal CAAX motif for presumable prenylation or the C‐terminal hypervariable region (HVR), respectively, were required for membrane association of the RAC/ROPs. Proper intracellular localisation was essential for HvRACB and HvRAC3 function. Together, our data support the view that different paths of host signal transduction via RAC/ROP G‐proteins are involved in processes supporting parasitic entry into epidermal host cells.
Analysis of the Arabidopsis nuclear proteome and its response to cold stress
Authors: Bae Min Seok , Cho Eun Ju , Choi Eun‐Young , Park Ohkmae K.
Published: November 2003

The nucleus is the subcellular organelle that contains nearly all the genetic information required for the regulated expression of cellular proteins. In this study, we comprehensively characterized the Arabidopsis nuclear proteome. Nuclear proteins were isolated and analyzed using two‐dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS). Approximately 500–700 spots were detected in reference 2D gels of nuclear proteins. Proteomic analyses led to the identification of 184 spots corresponding to 158 different proteins implicated in a variety of cellular functions. We additionally analyzed the changes in the nuclear proteome in response to cold stress. Of the 184 identified proteins, 54 were up‐ or downregulated with a greater than twofold change in response to cold treatment. Among these, six proteins were selected for further characterization. Northern analysis data revealed that gene expression of these proteins was also altered by cold stress. Following transient expression in BY‐2 protoplasts, two proteins were detected in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus and four others were detected exclusively in the nucleus, which correlates well with the nuclear localization patterns of the proteomic data. Our study provides an initial insight into the Arabidopsis nuclear proteome and its response to cold stress.
CUC1 gene activates the expression of SAM‐related genes to induce adventitious shoot formation
Authors: Hibara Ken‐ichiro , Takada Shinobu , Tasaka Masao
Published: November 2003

CUP‐SHAPED COTYLEDON (CUC)1 encodes members of the NAC family. These are functionally redundant genes that are involved in shoot apical meristem (SAM) formation and cotyledon separation during embryogenesis in Arabidopsis. We analyzed transgenic plants overexpressing CUC1 (35S::CUC1). The cotyledons of these transgenic seedlings regularly had two basal lobes, small and round epidermal cells between the sinuses, and adventitious SAMs on the adaxial surface of this region. This suggests that CUC1 promotes adventitious SAM formation by maintaining epidermal cells in an undifferentiated state. In 35S::CUC1 cotyledons, the class I knotted‐like homeobox (KNOX) genes, including SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM) and BREVIPEDICELLUS (BP), which are involved in SAM formation and/or maintenance, were ectopically expressed before adventitious SAM formation. In stm mutants, ectopic expression of CUC1 could not induce adventitious SAMs, whereas they continued to be observed in bp mutants. These results suggest that STM, but not BP, is necessary for the formation of adventitious SAMs in 35S::CUC1 cotyledons. Furthermore, we examined the relationship between CUC1 and ASYMMETRIC LEAVES (AS)1 and AS2. The as1 and as2 mutations genetically enhance 35S::CUC1 phenotypes even in the absence of STM function. Interestingly, the as1 mutation can partially rescue the mutant vegetative development phenotypes in the cuc1 cuc2 double mutant. Our results suggest that CUC1 positively regulates SAM formation not only through STM but also through an STM‐independent pathway that is negatively regulated by AS1 and AS2.
Unexpected presence of fructan 6‐exohydrolases (6‐FEHs) in non‐fructan plants: characterization, cloning, mass mapping and functional analysis of a novel ‘cell‐wall invertase‐like’ specific 6‐FEH from sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.)
Authors: Van den Ende Wim , De Coninck Barbara , Clerens Stefan , Vergauwen Rudy , Van Laere André
Published: November 2003

About 15% of flowering plant species synthesize fructans. Fructans serve mainly as reserve carbohydrates and are subject to breakdown by plant fructan exohydrolases (FEHs), among which 1‐FEHs (inulinases) and 6‐FEHs (levanases) can be differentiated. This paper describes the unexpected finding that 6‐FEHs also occur in plants that do not synthesize fructans. The purification, characterization, cloning and functional analysis of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) 6‐FEH are described. Enzyme activity measurements during sugar beet development suggest a constitutive expression of the gene in sugar beet roots. Classical enzyme purification followed by in‐gel trypsin digestion and mass spectrometry (quadruple‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (Q‐TOF) MS) led to peptide sequence information used in subsequent RT‐PCR based cloning. Levan‐type fructans (β‐2,6) are the best substrates for the enzyme, while inulin‐type fructans (β‐2,1) and sucrose are poorly or not degraded. Sugar beet 6‐FEH is more related to cell wall invertases than to vacuolar invertases and has a low iso‐electric point (pI), clearly different from typical high pI cell wall invertases. Poor sequence homology to bacterial or fungal FEHs makes an endophytic origin highly unlikely. The functionality of the 6‐FEH cDNA was further demonstrated by heterologous expression in Pichia pastoris. As fructans are absent in sugar beet, the role of 6‐FEH in planta is not obvious. Like chitinases and β‐glucanases hydrolysing cell‐surface components of fungal plant pathogens, a straightforward working hypothesis for further research might be that plant 6‐FEHs participate in hydrolysis (or prevent the formation) of levan‐containing slime surrounding endophytic or phytopathogenic bacteria.
Granulocyte concentrates: how can we assess their quality?
Authors: Bashir S. , Cardigan R.
Published: November 2003

Summary.  The use of granulocyte transfusions to treat and prevent life‐threatening infection in patients lacking neutrophil numbers or function may become increasingly important in aiding advances in the treatment of haematological malignancies. A critical factor in determining the outcome of granulocyte transfusion is the number of cells transfused, and collection of sufficiently high concentration of cells from donors remains challenging. A number of tests of granulocyte function can be performed in vitro to assess the quality of granulocyte concentrates, which may be useful in helping to optimize granulocyte collection, processing and storage methods. Studies that have examined neutrophil function in granulocyte concentrates to date have tended to focus on the assessment of viability, chemotaxis, phagocytosis and oxidative killing. How useful in vitro tests of neutrophil function are in predicting neutrophil function following granulocyte transfusion remains to be established in conjunction with well‐designed clinical trials.
Neoral dose monitoring using 2‐hour cyclosporine post‐dose levels in stable children with liver transplants: Improvement in renal function
Authors: Shapiro Rivka , Waissman Irit , Mor Eytan , Kleper Roxana , Nussinovitch Moshe , Dinari Gabriel , Ben‐Ari Ziv
Published: November 2003

Abstract: In adult liver transplant recipiens, 2‐h post‐Neoral (C2) dose monitoring is associated with a lower incidence and severity of acute cellular rejection and improved renal function than C0 (trough level) monitoring. This study examined whether switching from C0 to C2 monitoring during maintenance also improves renal function in pediatric liver transplant recipients. Three boys aged 11–16 yr with stable graft function at 6–50 months after liver transplantation were switched from C0 to C2 monitoring. Median C0 was 148 ng/mL (range 100–186), and median C2 was 767 ng/mL (range 702–1187). At the time of conversion, C2 levels exceeded the recommended targets (0–6 months 1000 ng/mL; >12 months 600 ng/mL in all children). Within 3 months, serum creatinine level decreased by a median of 42.8%, and glomerular filtration rate increased by a median of 86%. No clinical or biochemical evidence of rejection was noted during the 6‐month follow‐up. Our results suggest that in pediatric liver transplant recipients, C2 monitoring is associated with greater improvement in renal function than C0 monitoring; switching to C2 monitoring can correct cyclosporine‐associated toxicity.
Tacrolimus dosage requirements after initiation of azole antifungal therapy in pediatric thoracic organ transplantation
Authors: Mahnke C. Becket , Sutton Robert M. , Venkataramanan Raman , Michaels Marian , Kurland Geoffrey , Boyle Gerard J. , Law Yuk M. , Miller Susan A. , Pigula Frank A. , Gandhi Sanjiv , Webber Steven A.
Published: November 2003

Abstract: Azole antifungals inhibit the metabolism of tacrolimus mediated by CYP3A4. Upon initiation of azole therapy, the required dose reduction of tacrolimus is unknown. We reviewed our experience with azole antifungals in our pediatric thoracic transplant population receiving tacrolimus. Tacrolimus levels and dosage requirements were compared before and during azole therapy. Thirty‐one patients received both tacrolimus and an azole antifungal (fluconazole = 9, itraconazole = 22). The tacrolimus dose was empirically reduced by approximately one‐third when azole therapy was initiated. Mean tacrolimus dose requirements decreased by 68% within the first month of therapy (pre‐azole: 0.27 ± 0.14 mg/kg/day; 30 day post‐azole: 0.087 ± 0.069 mg/kg/day; p < 0.001). Despite a mean decrease in tacrolimus dose from baseline of 33, 42, and 55% on day 1, 2, and 4 of azole therapy, respectively, there was still an unintended 38% increase in tacrolimus levels during the first month of azole therapy. A calculated dose‐reduction protocol of 50% on day of azole initiation, 70% on day 3, and 75% on day 14 should result in minimal mean changes in the tacrolimus levels. There was no difference in tacrolimus dose reduction between fluconazole and itraconazole groups. Azole antifungals markedly decrease tacrolimus requirements within the first few days of therapy. An initial reduction in tacrolimus dose by one‐third is insufficient, and dose reduction of at least 50% upon azole initiation seems warranted. Once azole antifungal therapy is initiated, frequent therapeutic drug monitoring is required.
A novel B*38 allele, B*3809, was identified via sequence ‐based typing of B‐cell line no. 299 of the UCLA International Cell Exchange
Authors: Witter K. , Lau M. , Th. Schreuder G.M. , Albert E.D.
Published: November 2003

Abstract:  In this paper we report the identification of a new HLA‐B allele in a sample that was distributed in the International UCLA Terasaki Cell/DNA Exchange, and the results were summarized in the final report of the 280th Cell Exchange. This novel allele officially designed B*3809 was found in B‐cell line no. 299 from a Dutch Caucasoid donor and differs from B*3801 by mutation C→G at position 483 in exon 3, resulting in an amino‐acid substitution at codon 161 from aspartic acid in B*3801 to glutamic acid in B*3809, respectively.
The contribution of human leucocyte antigen complex genes to disease phenotype in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Ahmad Tariq , Armuzzi Alessandro , Neville Matt , Bunce Mike , Ling Khoon‐Lin , Welsh Ken I. , Marshall Sara E. , Jewell Derek P.
Published: November 2003

Abstract:  Linkage and association studies implicate the human leucocyte antigen (HLA) region in genetic susceptibility to ulcerative colitis (UC). However, associations with specific variants have been inconsistent, even within defined ethnic groups. A genetic basis for the disease heterogeneity of UC may account for these discrepant findings from studies in unselected populations. Here, we examine the contribution of the HLA region to the clinical phenotype of UC. We studied 321 accurately phenotyped patients recruited from a single UK centre, with a median follow‐up time of 15 years. Individuals were genotyped for 340 polymorphisms constructed into 25 gene‐specific allelic haplotypes between HLA‐A and Tapasin. Data were analysed with respect to age of onset, disease extent and severity. Strongest association with overall susceptibility was identified with HLA‐DRB1 alleles replicating previous studies (DRB1*0103, DRB1*1502 and DRB1*0401). We report a novel association with homozygosity of a tumour necrosis factor (TNF) promoter haplotype (TNF‐1031T, ‐863C, ‐857C, ‐380G, ‐308G and ‐238G) and distal disease extent that does not extend with time (distal vs total 40.9 vs 25.7%; RR = 2.0; 95% CI 1.23–3.24). We confirm the association of DRB1*0103 with total disease and/or disease requiring colectomy and further demonstrate that DRB1*0103 is associated with shorter time to surgery. Genes in the HLA play a role in modifying disease phenotype. Further studies are required to dissect how these genes functionally interact with each other and with environmental factors to determine clinical patterns of disease
Mycophenolate mofetil in pediatric liver transplant patients with renal dysfunction: Preliminary data
Authors: Nobili V.
Published: November 2003

Abstract:  The prolonged use of CNI has been associated with nephrotoxicity. MMF is a new immunosuppressive agent. In the present study, the consequences of introducing MMF and reduction of CNI in liver‐transplant children were analysed. The present study included eight pediatric liver‐transplant patients who had transplantation at least 5 yr previously, had stable graft function and had renal dysfunction as a probable side‐effect of CNI therapy. CNI was replaced with MMF in all patients and serum creatinine, uric acid concentration, azotemia and creatinine clearance before and 6 months after study entry were measured. The patients were monitored closely for side‐effects of MMF as well as graft function. Six months after study entry serum creatinine, uric acid concentration, azotemia and creatinine clearance improved in all the patients at the last follow‐up. The aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase concentrations were stable during the study period and did not observe any serum bilirubin increased as well. No side‐effects were reported in patients on MMF. Only one patient reported temporary pruritis and nausea. The results indicate that renal dysfunction significantly improved when MMF therapy is started and CNI reduced. Furthermore present data suggest that the risk of acute allograft rejection is very low when the CNI desired reduction is achieved in not too short time and absolutely when the MPA levels are strictly monitored.
Successful treatment of primary refractory acute myeloid leukemia with megadose stem cell transplantation, bone marrow boost and reduced intensity conditioning avoiding chronic graft vs. host disease and severe late toxicity
Authors: Langer Thorsten , Beck Joern‐Dirk , Gravou‐Apostulatou Chara , Lang Peter , Handgretinger Rupert , Greil Johann
Published: November 2003

Abstract:  We report on a 9‐yr‐old boy suffering from primary refractory AML. Remission was not achieved after two courses of induction therapy, leading to prolonged aplasia for more than 3 months and severe infection. Therefore, the boy was treated with a reduced intensity conditioning regimen consisting of fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and OKT3. Megadose transplantation of highly enriched CD34+ peripheral stem cells from his HLA‐identical brother, followed on day +11 by a boost of unmanipulated bone marrow, was performed. Regeneration of donor hematopoiesis was rapid and led to resolution of infection. No additional donor lymphocyte infusions were necessary. More than 4 1/2 yr after the transplant the boy remains in complete continuous remission with no evidence for chronic GvHD or other late effects. Therefore, we conclude that reduced intensity conditioning in combination with allogeneic megadose stem cell transplantation and bone marrow boost may have helped to achieve cure from primary refractory AML as well as a good quality of life for this boy.
Idiopathic colitis following cardiac transplantation: Three pediatric cases
Authors: Wahbeh Ghassan , Hupertz Vera , Hallowell Sara , Patel Rajiv , Chrisant Maryanne R. K.
Published: November 2003

Abstract:  Colitis can cause significant morbidity in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients. In many cases, despite intensive evaluation, a specific infectious, inflammatory, or immunologic etiology is not identified, and idiopathic colitis may be the ultimate diagnosis. We defined idiopathic colitis as the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain) with inflammatory changes seen on intestinal biopsy in the absence of identifiable bowel disease. We describe three cases of idiopathic colitis following cardiac transplantation. In each case, the post‐transplant course was complicated by persistent abdominal pain, diarrhea, and in two cases, vomiting. All three patients’ post‐transplant courses were marked by multiple graft rejection episodes, and all received intensified immune therapy in addition to usual maintenance immunosuppression. Differential diagnosis of the patients’ gastrointestinal symptoms included drug side effect, indolent opportunistic infections, inflammatory bowel disease, post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease, and microvascular ischemic colitis. Continued symptoms led these patients to extensive evaluation including imaging studies, endoscopy and tissue biopsy, and stool, blood and tissue cultures for viral, bacterial and parasitic pathogens. Definitive differentiation presented significant diagnostic challenge, and once identifiable etiologies were excluded, the diagnosis of idiopathic colitis was assigned. We conclude that idiopathic colitis following pediatric cardiac transplantation can be a cause of significant morbidity. Endoscopic evaluation of patients who present with gastrointestinal symptoms after transplant is warranted to identify the presence of idiopathic colitis once common causes are ruled out. Further study is needed to identify its incidence, etiology, therapeutic options and prognosis.
Characterization of Met95 mutants of a heme‐regulated phosphodiesterase from Escherichia coli
Authors: Hirata Satoshi , Matsui Toshitaka , Sasakura Yukie , Sugiyama Shunpei , Yoshimura Tokiko , Sagami Ikuko , Shimizu Toru
Published: November 2003

On the basis of amino acid sequences and crystal structures of similar enzymes, it is proposed that Met95 of the heme‐regulated phosphodiesterase from Escherichia coli (Ec DOS) acts as a heme axial ligand. In accordance with this proposal, the Soret and visible optical absorption and magnetic circular dichroism spectra of the Fe(II) complexes of the Met95Ala and Met95Leu mutant proteins indicate that these complexes are five‐coordinated high‐spin, suggesting that Met95 is an axial ligand for the Fe(II) complex. However, the Fe(III) complexes of these mutants are six‐coordinated low‐spin, like the wild‐type enzyme. The latter spectral findings are inconsistent with the proposal that the axial ligand to the Fe(III) heme is Met95. To determine the possibility of a redox‐dependent ligand switch in Ec DOS, we further analyzed Soret CD spectra and redox potentials, which provide direct evidence on the environmental structure of the heme protein. CD spectra of Fe(III) Met95 mutants were all different from those of the wild‐type protein, suggesting indirect coordination of Met95 to the Fe(III) wild‐type heme. The redox potentials of the Met95Leu, Met95Ala and Met95His mutants were considerably lower than that of the wild‐type enzyme (+70 mV) at −1, −26, and −122 mV vs. SHE, respectively. Thus, it is reasonable to speculate that water (or hydroxy anion) interacting with Met95, rather than Met95 itself, is the axial ligand to the Fe(III) heme.
Review of the psychometric properties of the Diabetes Self‐Efficacy Scale: Australian longitudinal study
Authors: Rapley Pat , Passmore Anne , Phillips Mike
Published: November 2003

Abstract The current paper presents the findings from the reliability and validity testing of an 18‐item Diabetes Self‐efficacy Scale derived from the 28‐item Insulin Management Diabetes Self‐efficacy Scale. Testing in the Australian context occurred at three points over 9 months. Diabetes self‐efficacy is defined as the individual's judgement of confidence to carry out tasks specific to diabetes management. Data were obtained from an Australian metropolitan sample of adult, English speaking men and women with diabetes (N = 226). Participants were insulin‐using and non‐insulin‐using. Factor analysis indicated five subscales. The data support the construct validity and reliability of the 18‐item scale in terms of stability, internal consistency and item‐total correlation matrices. This study provides consistent evidence that the Diabetes Self‐efficacy Scale is a valid and reliable measure over time when the individual's efficacy beliefs are changing. Hence this instrument should be a useful outcome measure for educational diabetes related interventions.
Development of a comprehensive scoring system to measure multifaceted nursing workloads in ICU
Authors: Yamase Hiroaki
Published: November 2003

Abstract  A new scoring system, the comprehensive nursing intervention score (CNIS), was developed to quantify the overall workload of diverse nursing activities in the intensive care unit (ICU). A total of 88 nursing items were listed. With the cooperation of 20 skilled ICU nurses, a three‐round Delphi survey was conducted to assign a four‐grade workload score to each item from five aspects: number of nurses required, muscular exertion, mental stress, skill, and intensity. After the survey, 15 unnecessary items were deleted. Appropriateness of the assigned scores was confirmed by surveying 118 nurses in other ICU. Within‐individual reproducibility, examined in 44 nurses, was summarized as a mean kappa‐coefficient of 0.65. Time required for each job was recorded and added as the sixth aspect of the workload. Thus, final CNIS gave six subscores (0–3) plus one overall score (3–18) to each of the 73 job items. The CNIS was confirmed as truly representing overall nursing workload by applying it to the daily care of 107 patients.
Disrupted mucosal barrier in quiescent ulcerative colitis: effect of metronidazole and of a symbiotic preparation in a pilot cross‐over study
Authors: MAROTTA F , NAITO Y , TAJIRI H , LIGHTHOUSE J , YOSHIOKA M , OGLIARI C , BOZZANI A , FUJI H , FESCE E
Published: November 2003

OBJECTIVES:  The aims of the present study were to investigate the plasma concentration of endotoxin in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the effect of metronidazole (MNZ) and of symbiotics on that concentration, and the relationship to IBD activity.

METHODS:  The study group comprised 26 patients with quiescent ulcerative colitis (UC), all of whom were on maintenance mesalazine treatment (1200− 2400 mg/day). The control group comprised 15 subjects. Blood samples were taken from all study subjects to measure: routine blood chemistry, endotoxin concentration, lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) and macrophage‐colony stimulating factor (M‐CSF). All the IBD patients were randomly enrolled for a 2‐week oral daily treatment regimen with either MNZ (250 mg t.i.d.) or the symbiotic mixture SCM‐III (Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. helveticus and Bifidobacteria brevis in an ion‐ and vitamin‐enriched medium; 3 mL t.i.d.). Following a 6‐week washout period during which the patients continued their maintenance treatment, the cross‐over study of the new treatments was begun. Blood parameters were checked at entry and 2 weeks after each treatment schedule.

RESULTS:  The concentration of endotoxin level in the UC patients, as a whole, was comparable with that of the control subjects. However, a separate group of patients with long‐standing disease and pancolitis showed a statistically significant increase in toxin. SCM‐III, but not MNZ, normalized this parameter. There was no statistical change in LBP and plasma endotoxin‐inhibiting capacity in the IBD patients. The M‐CSF concentration was increased in the UC group, particularly in the pancolitis subgroup. SCM‐III, but not MNZ, significantly decreased the M‐CSF concentration in the UC patients, but there was only an insignificant trend toward decrease in the subgroup. There was a significant correlation between M‐CSF and endotoxin in the pancolitis subgroup (r: 0.74, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:  Although these preliminary results need to be treated with caution, they suggest the effectiveness of long‐term administration of probiotics/symbiotics in conjunction with standard treatment in patients with UC, even if there is not gross disease activity.
A preliminary study of liver cells derived from bone marrow
Authors: ZHU Wei , QIU De Kai , WANG Ya Dong , LAI Zhuo Shen
Published: November 2003

OBJECTIVE:  To investigate whether hepatocytes can be derived from bone marrow cells in vivo.

METHODS:  A cohort of lethally irradiated BALB/C female mice received whole bone marrow transplants from age‐matched male donors and were killed at 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks post transplantation. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for the Y‐chromosome was performed using liver tissue.

RESULTS:  A few Y‐chromosome positive hepatocytes were found in the liver tissues at 2 months post transplantation.

CONCLUSION:  Hepatocytes can be derived from bone marrow cells after transplantation in lethally irradiated mice without severe acute hepatic injury.