bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bowen's disease concealed by purpura
Authors: YOON Tae Young , KIM Hee Jung , KIM June Woo , KIM Mi Kyeong , LEE Ji Yeoun
Published: December 2006

Bowen's disease (BD) is a squamous cell carcinoma in situ characterized by a well‐demarcated scaly erythematous thin plaque with an irregular outline. Clinically, BD is frequently misdiagnosed as superficial basal cell carcinoma, patches of dermatitis, psoriasis, lichen planus, actinic keratosis, benign lichenoid keratosis, irritated seborrheic keratosis, viral warts, amelanotic melanoma or melanoma. However, angiosarcoma has not usually been mentioned in the differential diagnosis of BD before. Herein, we describe two cases of BD presenting as purpura on the scalp of the elderly with an initial clinical suspicion of angiosarcoma.
The Journal of Inebriety (1876–1914): history, topical analysis, and photographic images
Authors: Weiner Barbara , White William
Published: December 2006

Aims  The publication of the Journal of Inebriety (1876–1914) chronicled the rise and fall of the first era of organized addiction medicine in the United States.

Methods  Findings from historical research, a content analysis of the Journal's 35 volumes and 141 issues and images from the Journal illustrate visually the medical treatment of addiction in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Results  Under the editorial direction of Dr T. D. Crothers, the Journal of Inebriety published papers and reviews focused primarily on the medical treatment of alcohol and opiate addiction within a growing international network of inebriate homes and asylums.

Conclusions  The history of the Journal of Inebriety mirrors efforts in America to forge a legitimized field of addiction medicine amid conflicting conceptualizations of the nature of severe alcohol and other drug problems.
The vulnerability and resilience of Dioscorea species in utilized and nonutilized zones of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Authors: Byarugaba Dominic , Ndemere P. , Midgley J.
Published: December 2006

The aim of this investigation was to present a status of Dioscorea species inventory, looking at abundance, distribution and on‐farm trials to sustain the need for its extraction from the forest by the Abayanda. The study looked at the vulnerability and resilience of Dioscorea species in and around Bwindi Impenetrable forest, south‐western Uganda. The biological association of Dioscorea species in eleven research sites of Nteko, Rubuguri, Nyabwishenya, Buhoma, Mpungu, Mushorero, Kagote, Migyera, Kitariro, Ntendure and Rwanju was ascertained. The success of this study was aided by the collaboration with the indigenous community of pygmies (Abayanda). This entailed the interpretation, description, analysis and identification of the data and voucher specimens of the Dioscorea species encountered in the research area. The study focused on the wild yams, a delicacy among the indigenous Abayanda people of Bwindi and Mgahinga forests presently known as Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (MGNP). These two Afromontane forests are known to be rich in plant diversity. The study of Dioscorea species was confined to BINP forest where the numbers of Abayanda are more than those around MGNP and Echuya forest reserves.
Implications of assumption violation in density estimates of antelope from dung‐heap counts: a case study on grey duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) in Zimbabwe
Authors: Lunt Nicola , Bowkett Andrew E. , Plowman Amy B.
Published: December 2006

Dung‐heap counts were used to estimate density of grey duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia Linnaeus 1758) in the Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe. To test assumptions of this method, defecation rate and defecation site selection were investigated under captive and field conditions, and densities were compared with independent estimates derived from territory mapping. Many assumptions were violated: males defecated more frequently than females with mean dry mass per deposit greater in females, but total daily faecal production was similar between sexes. Spatial distribution of faeces was clumped, and 52.8% of locations contained multiple deposits. Duikers exhibited habitat type preferences (i.e. low‐ to medium‐density woodland) with herbaceous layer heights 40–100 cm and visibility >20 m. Calculated grey duiker density from dung‐heap counts in cleared plots was 9.7 ± 1.3 animals km−2, approximately double the territory‐mapping estimate based on Minimum Convex Polygons (5.13 animals km−2) but similar to the 75% Fixed Kernel estimate (10.95 animals km−2). Provided that sex ratios approach parity and sampled area is representative of all utilized habitats, violation of basic assumptions of the dung‐heap count method has a minor effect on density estimate accuracy.
Remission in acute refractory and relapsing thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura following rituximab is associated with a reduction in IgG antibodies to ADAMTS‐13
Authors: Scully Marie , Cohen Hannah , Cavenagh Jamie , Benjamin Sylvia , Starke Richard , Killick Sally , Mackie Ian , Machin Samuel J.
Published: December 2006

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a life‐threatening disorder and plasma exchange (PEX) remains the primary treatment modality. Twenty‐five patients with acute refractory/relapsing idiopathic TTP received rituximab in conjunction with PEX because of progressive clinical disease or deterioration in laboratory parameters, despite intensive standard therapy. In relapsing TTP, rituximab was started if antibody to ADAMTS‐13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif‐13) was demonstrated during previous episodes. All 25 patients attained complete clinical and laboratory remission in a median of 11 d after initiating rituximab. In 21 cases, ADAMTS‐13 activity was within the normal range following rituximab. Inhibitors were detected in 24/25 patients by mixing studies and/or immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to ADAMTS‐13 pre‐rituximab. There was no evidence of inhibitors and/or IgG activity <10% in 23/25 patients following rituximab. In acute refractory cases, the median number of PEX pre‐rituximab and following the first rituximab infusion was 13 and 9, respectively. There have been no infectious complications, despite low CD 19 levels and no relapses. In patients with acute refractory/relapsing idiopathic TTP, rituximab appears to be a safe, effective, targeted therapy with a significant reduction in the requirement for PEX.
‘Thoughtful’ practice: child care social work and the role of case discussion
Authors: Ruch Gillian
Published: December 2006

Since the publication of Lord Laming’s inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbé there have been a number of insightful and thoughtful papers into the professional context and circumstances that surrounded this tragedy. Those papers highlight the insufficient thought given to the psychosocial dimensions of Victoria’s situation, their impact on professional practice and the support needs of practitioners. This paper explores the tensions between ‘doing’ and ‘thinking’ in contemporary practice and draws on psychodynamic concepts to inform our understanding of why individuals and organizations behave in repetitiously compulsive ways. A case discussion model is outlined and its potential for addressing the psychodynamic demands facing practitioners and front‐line managers is considered.
When is lack of supervision neglect?
Authors: Reading Richard
Published: December 2006

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DOI: 10.1542/peds.2006‐1780.
Bronchial responsiveness to methacholine and adenosine 5′‐monophosphate in atopic and non‐atopic preschool children with recurrent wheezing
Authors: Kim D. K. , Choi S. H. , Yu J. , Yoo Y. , Koh Y. Y.
Published: December 2006

Background
It is well known that atopy is a major determinant of bronchial hyper‐responsiveness (BHR) in both asymptomatic and asthmatic children. However, the relationship between atopy and BHR has not been well studied in preschool children with wheezing. BHR is usually measured by bronchial challenges using direct and indirect stimuli.

Objective
The aim of this study was to investigate whether atopic and non‐atopic preschool wheezers display similar or different BHR profiles for direct and indirect stimuli.

Methods
Methacholine and adenosine 5′‐monophosphate (AMP) bronchial challenges were performed in 4 to 6‐year‐old children with recurrent wheezing, using a modified auscultation method. The end‐point was defined as the appearance of wheezing and/or oxygen desaturation. Atopy was determined to be present when a child had at least one positive reaction to a panel of 13 common airborne allergens in the presence of positive and negative controls.

Results
A positive response to methacholine (an end‐point concentration 8 mg/mL) was observed in 89.3% (50/56) of atopic wheezers and in 83.8% (31/37) of non‐atopic wheezers (P=0.44) for the difference. By contrast, the frequency of a positive response to AMP (an end‐point concentration 200 mg/mL) was significantly higher in the atopic group (47/56, 83.9%) compared with the non‐atopic group (12/37, 32.4%; P<0.01).

Conclusion
While a majority of both atopic and non‐atopic preschool wheezers were hyper‐responsive to methacholine, atopic subjects were more hyper‐responsive to AMP than non‐atopic subjects. These findings suggest that atopic and non‐atopic wheeze in preschool children are related to distinctive pathophysiologic pathways.
Standardized training for healthcare professionals and its impact on patients with perennial rhinitis: a multi‐centre randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sheikh A. , Khan‐Wasti S. , Price D. , Smeeth L. , Fletcher M. , Walker S.
Published: December 2006

Background
Perennial rhinitis is common and often results in substantial, potentially avoidable, impairment of quality of life. Quality of rhinitis care has been shown to be sub‐optimal in general practice. Rigorous evaluation of educational interventions for healthcare professionals using randomized controlled trials is very uncommon.

Objective
To evaluate the effectiveness of standardized allergy training for healthcare professionals on patients' disease‐specific quality of life.

Methods
Patients with clinician diagnosed perennial rhinitis and/or a prescription for relevant nasal medication were recruited from general practice. Following baseline measurement of quality of life using the validated rhino‐conjunctivitis questionnaire (RQLQ), patients were centrally randomized to receive care from an allergy‐trained primary healthcare professional or routine care. RQLQ was measured again at 13 months after randomization.

Results
Process measures revealed that the training was well received. 202 patients were included in the intention‐to‐treat analysis and 157 in the per‐protocol analysis. There was a 0.23 greater mean improvement in quality‐of‐life scores in the intervention group when compared with controls (P=0.08) in the intention‐to‐treat analysis, this increasing to a 0.3 greater mean improvement if confined to a per‐protocol analysis (P=0.05). The intention‐to‐treat analysis showed that 39/101 (39%) in the intervention group showed a clinically significant 0.5 improvement in RQLQ compared with 28/101 (28%) of controls (risk difference=11%, number needed to treat=9, P=0.1).

Conclusions
Standardized allergy education given to primary healthcare professionals leads to modest improvements in disease‐specific quality of life in patients with perennial rhinitis.
Asthma in young south Asian women living in the United Kingdom: the importance of early life
Authors: Kuehni C. E. , Strippoli M‐P. F. , Low N. , Silverman M.
Published: December 2006

Background
Studies of immigrants suggest that the environment during fetal life and duration of residence in the host country might influence the development of asthma. Little is known about the importance of the timing of the exposure in the host country and whether migrants might be especially vulnerable in certain age windows.

Objective
We compared the reported prevalence of asthma between young white and south Asian women in the United Kingdom, and investigated associations with country of birth and age at immigration.

Methods
A questionnaire on atopic disorders was posted to 2380 south Asian and 5796 white young mothers randomly sampled in Leicestershire. Data on ethnicity were also available from maternity records. Data were analysed using multivariable logistic regression and a propensity score approach.

Results
The reported prevalence of asthma was 10.9% in south Asian and 21.8% in white women. South Asian women who migrated to the United Kingdom aged 5 years or older reported less asthma (6.5%) than those born in the United Kingdom or who migrated before age 5 (16.0%), with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.38 [95% Confidence Interval 0.23–0.64, P<0.001]. For those who migrated aged over 5 years, the prevalence did not alter with the duration of residence in the United Kingdom. Current exposure to common environmental risk factors had relatively little effect on prevalence estimates.

Conclusion
These data from a large population‐based study support the hypothesis that early life environmental factors influence the risk of adult asthma.
Inhaled allergen‐driven CD1c up‐regulation and enhanced antigen uptake by activated human respiratory‐tract dendritic cells in atopic asthma
Authors: McCarthy N. E. , Jones H. A. , Marks N. A. , Shiner R. J. , Ind P. W. , Al‐Hassi H. O. , English N. R. , Murray C. M. , Lambert J. R. , Knight S. C. , Stagg A. J.
Published: December 2006

Background
Dendritic cells (DC) mediate inflammation in rodent models of allergic airway disease, but the role played by human respiratory‐tract DC (hRTDC) in atopic asthma remains poorly defined. Recent data suggest that CD1 antigen presentation by hRTDC may contribute to asthma pathogenesis.

Objective
To investigate the influence of hRTDC on the balance between atopy and allergic asthma in human subjects and to determine whether CD1 expression by hRTDC is modulated during asthmatic inflammation.

Methods
Sputum cells were induced from steroid‐naïve, allergen‐challenged and allergen‐naïve subjects (atopic asthmatics, atopic non‐asthmatics and non‐atopic controls). hRTDC were identified using monoclonal antibody labelling and analysis by flow cytometry.

Results
hRTDC stained HLA‐DR+ (negative for markers of other cell lineages) were predominantly myeloid and comprised ∼0.5% of viable sputum cells. Sputum cells were potent stimulators of allogeneic CD4+ naïve T cells and enrichment/depletion experiments correlated stimulatory potency with DC numbers. Sputum contained cells that exhibited typical dendritic morphology when analysed by electron microscopy. Myeloid hRTDC were endocytically active, but uptake of FITC‐dextran was enhanced in cells from asthmatics (P<0.001). Despite their increased endocytic capacity, asthmatic myeloid hRTDC appeared mature and expressed increased levels of maturation markers (P<0.05–P<0.001), CD1c, CD1d and langerin (P<0.05). CD1c expression by asthmatic myeloid hRTDC was enhanced upon in vivo allergen challenge (three to ninefold within 24 h; P<0.05). CD11c−CD123high hRTDC were only detected in asthmatic sputum and were increased in number following allergen challenge.

Conclusion
Despite limited cell numbers, it proved possible to analyse human RTDC in induced sputum, providing evidence that increased antigen uptake and enhanced CD1 presentation by activated hRTDC may contribute to allergic airway disease. CD1 presentation by hRTDC in atopic asthma may therefore constitute a novel target for future intervention strategies.
Histamine prevents apoptosis in human monocytes
Authors: Soga F. , Katoh N. , Kishimoto S.
Published: December 2006

BackgroundAs chronic atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with activation of circulating and infiltrating monocytes, monocytes are considered to play a pivotal role in the establishment of chronic lesions in AD. Histamine is an important mediator of inflammatory and allergic responses. Although new immunomodulatory functions of histamine have recently become apparent, the effect of histamine on the life span of monocytes remains unclear.

ObjectiveIn the present study, we investigated the effect of histamine on the life span of human monocytes from normal healthy donors and patients with AD.

MethodsMonocyte apoptosis was induced by serum deprivation, CD95/Fas ligation, or dexamethasone in the presence of histamine, and measured using annexin V‐and propidium iodide‐staining. Bcl‐2 protein and activated caspase‐3 were determined by flow cytometry. We also examined the effect of soluble, histamine‐induced factors produced by monocytes on apoptosis. Furthermore, we examined whether monocytic apoptosis is dependent on the cAMP pathway.

ResultsHistamine prevented monocytic apoptosis induced by serum deprivation, CD95/Fas ligation, or dexamethasone in a dose‐ and time‐dependent fashion. The inhibitory effects of histamine on monocytic apoptosis were blocked by an H2R antagonist, and mimicked by an H2R agonist. Histamine also up‐regulated the expression of Bcl‐2 and Mcl‐1, and inhibited the activation of caspase‐3. The culture supernatants from histamine‐treated monocytes inhibited monocytic apoptosis, which was partly reversed by the removal of IL‐10. Monocytes cultured with anti‐IL‐10 mAb and histamine did not exhibit an inhibitory effect on apoptosis. The histamine‐induced anti‐apoptotic effect was attenuated when monocytes were cultured in the presence of a cAMP inhibitor.

ConclusionsThese results indicate that the H2R signals induced by histamine allow monocytes to prolong their life span and infiltrate to the site of inflammation. This process may contribute to the establishment of chronic allergic disorders, such as AD.
Effects of egg albumen removal on yellow‐legged gull chick phenotype
Authors: ALQUATI A. BONISOLI , RUBOLINI D. , ROMANO M. , BONCORAGLIO G. , FASOLA M. , SAINO N.
Published: December 2006

Egg size is an important maternal trait that can have major consequences on offspring phenotype. However, the effects of the variation of different components of cleidoic eggs have been little investigated.

Here, we addressed whether a reduction of the relative egg albumen content within the natural range of variation affects viability, time to hatching, early post‐natal begging displays, morphology and immune response of yellow‐legged gullLarus michahellischicks.

Egg mass strongly positively predicted chick size and mass at all ages, while time to hatching positively predicted tarsus length and immune response, irrespective of albumen removal. Variation in time to hatching may thus affect immune system maturation.

Albumen removal resulted in a lower embryonic viability and increased time to hatching of individual eggs. The probability that an egg originated a chick surviving until 8 days of age increased with original egg mass among controls, but not among chicks hatching from eggs with reduced albumen content (‘albumen chicks’).

Begging rate increased with laying order among albumen chicks while it decreased among controls. Concomitantly, begging rate decreased with egg mass among controls while it did not vary among albumen chicks. Surprisingly, albumen removal did not affect body mass or tarsus length except at 8 days of age, when control chicks were lighter than albumen chicks.

In conclusion, our study indicates that a reduction of the relative egg albumen content can have complex effects on offspring development, behaviour and viability of a semiprecocial bird, suggesting that the relative albumen content of the eggs represents an important mechanism of maternal effects.
Host condition and host immunity affect parasite fitness in a bird–ectoparasite system
Authors: TSCHIRREN BARBARA , BISCHOFF LINDA L. , SALADIN VERENA , RICHNER HEINZ
Published: December 2006

Parasites might preferentially feed on hosts in good nutritional condition as such hosts provide better resources for the parasites’ own growth, survival and reproduction. However, hosts in prime condition are also better able to develop costly immunological or physiological defence mechanisms, which in turn reduce the parasites’ reproductive success. The interplay between host condition, host defence and parasite fitness will thus play an important part in the dynamics of host–parasite systems.

In a 2 × 2 design, we manipulated both the access to food in great titParus majorbroods and the exposure of the nestlings to hen fleasCeratophyllus gallinae, a common ectoparasite of hole‐breeding birds. We subsequently investigated the role of manipulated host condition, host immunocompetence, and experimentally induced host defence in nestlings on the reproductive success of individual hen flea females.

The food supplementation of the nestlings significantly influenced the parasites’ reproductive success. Female fleas laid significantly more eggs when feeding on food‐supplemented hosts.

Previous parasite exposure of the birds affected the reproductive success of fleas. However, the impact of this induced host response on flea reproduction depended on the birds’ natural level of immunocompetence, assessed by the phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) skin test. Flea fecundity significantly decreased with increasing PHA response of the nestlings in previously parasite‐exposed broods. No relationship between flea fitness and host immunocompetence was, however, found in previously unexposed broods. The PHA response thus correlates with the nestlings’ ability to mount immunological or physiological defence mechanisms against hen fleas. No significant interaction effect between early flea exposure and food supplementation on the parasites’ reproductive success was found.

Our study shows that the reproductive success of hen fleas is linked to the hosts’ food supply early in life and their ability to mount induced immunological or physiological defence mechanisms. These interactions between host quality and parasite fitness are likely to influence host preference, host choice and parasite virulence and thus the evolutionary dynamics in host–parasite systems.
Dvl regulates endo‐ and exocytotic processes through binding to synaptotagmin
Authors: Kishida Shosei , Hamao Kozue , Inoue Makoto , Hasegawa Mamoru , Matsuura Yoshiharu , Mikoshiba Katsuhiko , Fukuda Mitsunori , Kikuchi Akira
Published: December 2006

Dvl, an important component of the Wnt signalling pathway, is thought to be involved in synaptogenesis. In this study, we investigated whether Dvl regulates neurotransmitter release. Knockdown of Dvl in PC12 cells suppressed K+‐induced dopamine release, and this phenotype was restored by expression of Dvl‐1. We identified synaptotagmin (Syt) I, which is involved in neurotransmitter release, as a Dvl‐binding protein. Dvl directly bound to the C2B domain of Syt I. Dvl colocalized with Syt I at the tip of neurites of differentiated PC12 cells and of neurons in the rat dorsal root ganglion. Dvl and Syt I was located in large dense‐core vesicles, which contain dopamine. In addition, endocytosis of vesicles containing Syt I was suppressed in Dvl knockdown PC12 cells. Dvl inhibited the binding of Syt I to the complex consisting of syntaxin‐1A and SNAP‐25. Furthermore, µ2‐adaptin of AP‐2, which is known to play a role in endocytosis, formed a complex with Dvl and Syt I. Taken together, these results suggest that Dvl is involved in endo‐ and exocytotic processes through the binding to Syt I.
Extracellular domain splice variants of a transforming protein tyrosine phosphatase α mutant differentially activate Src‐kinase dependent focus formation
Authors: Kapp Katja , Siemens Jan , Weyrich Peter , Schulz Jörg B. , Häring Hans‐Ulrich , Lammers Reiner
Published: December 2006

The extracellular domains of receptor‐type protein‐tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) contain a diverse range of protein modules like fibronectin‐ or immunoglobulin‐like structures. These are frequently expressed in a tissue‐ and development specific manner as splice variants. The extracellular domain of PTPα is rather short and heavily glycosylated. Two splice variants are known, which it differs by an exon encoding nine amino acids within the extracellular domain. We have analyzed the expression pattern of both variants and found that the smaller form is ubiquitously expressed while the larger form was found at an increased level only in brain, some skeletal muscle and differentiating cells like granule neurons, adipocytes and myotubes. The phosphatase activity of both forms was similar when tested in vitro using para‐nitrophenylphosphate as a substrate and in a transient expression system with the substrates c‐Fyn or c‐Src. In a quantitative focus formation assay the capability of the larger form to activate Src‐dependent focus formation in intact cells was increased more than twofold whereas the capability to dephosphorylate the insulin receptor in a BHK cell system was similar. We conclude that the two splice variants of PTPα are expressed differentially and regulate c‐Src activity in different ways.
Rituximab for the treatment of patients with very high‐titre acquired factor VIII inhibitors refractory to conventional chemotherapy
Authors: FIELD J. J. , FENSKE T. S. , BLINDER M. A.
Published: December 2006

Summary.  Acquired factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitors are a rare cause of coagulopathy which are associated with a high mortality rate. Treatment of bleeding episodes is often difficult and may vary with the degree of titre elevation. Individuals with very high‐titre antibodies [>100 Bethesda units mL−1 (BU)] may have difficulty achieving a complete sustained remission and, consequently, various treatments including immunosuppression, cytotoxic chemotherapy and plasmapheresis have been reported. Rituximab is an anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody which has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of individuals with acquired FVIII inhibitors, however there is limited data in the subgroup of patients with inhibitor titres >100 BU. In this study, we present four patients with acquired FVIII inhibitor titres >100 BU who were resistant to initial therapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone. The patients’ inhibitor titres ranged from 249 BU mL−1 to 725 BU mL−1 and all received 4 weekly infusions of rituximab at 375 mg m−2. Each patient partially responded to rituximab therapy with an improvement in inhibitor titres and FVIII activity, however, three of the four patients relapsed thereafter. The individual who did not relapse achieved a partial response for 13 months and then died of causes unrelated to her coagulopathy. We conclude that in patients with acquired FVIII inhibitors and titres >100 BU, treatment with rituximab alone is effective but not sufficient to achieve a sustained response. Rituximab in combination with other therapies may provide a better result in this high‐risk population.
Cyclosporin A can achieve immune tolerance in a patient with severe haemophilia B and refractory inhibitors
Authors: CROSS D. C. A. , VAN DEN BERG H. M.
Published: December 2006

Summary.  Immune tolerance induction (ITI) is described in a patient with severe haemophilia B complicated by the presence of an inhibitor. A number of ITI regimes were attempted without success and the patient suffered from frequent relapses and bleeding episodes. Successful ITI was achieved with the additional use of cyclosporin A. The patient developed nephrotic syndrome although had a negative Bethesda titre at this time. When cyclosporin A therapy was ceased, the inhibitor titre rose and the patient suffered again from bleeding episodes. Cyclosporin A was reintroduced at a lower dose. The patient has now received cyclosporin A for 10 years, during which time he has relapsed three times for short periods (2 weeks). He is also on prophylaxis with factor IX three times a week with preinfusion levels >1% and without bleeding.
Functional analysis of Drosophila melanogaster hexokinase Hex‐A locus: multiple Initiator‐like elements enhance DPE containing promoter activity
Authors: Jayakumar P. C. , Shouche Y. S. , Patole M. S.
Published: December 2006

Flight muscle Hexokinase‐A (HEX‐A) is the most conserved and essential hexokinase isoenzyme among Drosophila species. In this study, the Hex‐A locus, encoding the HEX‐A isoenzyme, has been analysed for the elements regulating its expression. By sequencing the 5′ ends of Hex‐A cDNA amplified by 5′ RACE, we identified a transcription start site that overlapped the Initiator and downstream promoter elements. A 214 bp sequence, encompassing transcription start sites and promoter elements, was required for minimal promoter activity. DNA sequence to the 5′ end of the minimal promoter element did not demonstrate any promoter activity; however, its inclusion with the basal promoter element enhanced the promoter activity. Oligonucleotide competition and site‐directed mutagenesis identified the Initiator‐like sequences, TCAWT, present in this region that were responsible for enhancing the promoter activity. The Hex‐A locus is expressed as a single protein in Drosophila cell line, whereas in pupae, larvae and adult flies, it is expressed as two distinct types.
Altered gene expression in Choristoneura fumiferana and Manduca sexta in response to sublethal intoxication by Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab toxin
Authors: Van Munster M. , Préfontaine G. , Meunier L. , Elias M. , Mazza A. , Brousseau R. , Masson L.
Published: December 2006

In order to understand how lepidopteran insects react physiologically to Bacillus thuringiensis crystal toxin ingestion, transcriptional profiling of Choristoneura fumiferana larvae exposed to sublethal doses of Cry1Ab protoxin were monitored using a C. fumiferana‐specific cDNA microarray derived from a protoxin‐specific subtractive library. Differential gene expression occurred primarily between 2 and 5 h postingestion. Metabolic enzymes such as lipases and proteases were generally repressed, whereas genes involved in detoxification, immune system regulation or general stress response were upregulated. A similar protoxin‐specific transcriptional pattern was also observed with Manduca sexta larvae, using three upregulated genes (serpin, cytochrome P450 and carboxyl/cholinesterase) and one downregulated gene (β‐glucosidase), suggesting that a susceptible larval response to Cry toxin exposure might be universal among lepidopterous insects.
Evaluation of the role of CYP6B cytochrome P450s in pyrethroid resistant Australian Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Grubor Vladimir D. , Heckel David G.
Published: December 2006

The AN02 strain of Helicoverpa armigera from eastern Australia exhibits 50‐fold, PBO‐suppressible resistance to the pyrethroid insecticide fenvalerate. The semidominant resistance gene RFen1 was previously mapped to AFLP Linkage Group 13. In evaluating the cytochrome P450 genes CYP6B7, CYP6B6, and CYP6B2 as candidates for RFen1, we found that they occur in a tandem array in the genome, next to the gene encoding the para‐type sodium channel; the target of pyrethroid insecticides. We mapped these genes to AFLP Linkage Group 14, thus rejecting mutations within the P450 cluster or para as candidates for RFen1. RFen1 genotypes produced slightly different mRNA levels of the three P450s, but the differences were too small to convincingly account for resistance. We conclude that even if one or more of these P450s metabolize fenvalerate, they are unlikely to be responsible for the resistance in AN02.
Use of cellular and cordless telephones and risk of testicular cancer
Authors: Hardell L. , Carlberg M. , Ohlson C.‐G. , Westberg H. , Eriksson M. , Hansson Mild K.
Published: December 2006

A case–control study on testicular cancer included use of cellular and cordless telephones. The results were based on answers from 542 (92%) cases with seminoma, 346 (89%) with non‐seminoma, and 870 (89%) controls. Regarding seminoma the use of analog cellular phones gave odds ratio (OR) = 1.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.9–1.6, digital phones OR = 1.3, CI = 0.9–1.8, and cordless phones OR = 1.1, CI = 0.8–1.5. The corresponding results for non‐seminoma were OR = 0.7, CI = 0.5–1.1, OR = 0.9, CI = 0.6–1.4, and OR = 1.0, CI = 0.7–1.4, respectively. There was no dose–response effect and OR did not increase with latency time. No association was found with place of keeping the mobile phone during standby, such as trousers pocket. Cryptorchidism was associated both with seminoma (OR = 4.2, CI = 2.7–6.5) and non‐seminoma (OR = 3.3, CI = 2.0–5.6), but no interaction was found with the use of cellular or cordless telephones.
Motor impairment and neuronal damage following hypothermia in tropical amphibians
Authors: Daló Nelson L. , Bracho Gustavo A. , Piña‐Crespo Juan C.
Published: December 2006

Although the induction of mild to moderate cerebral hypothermia in mammals can have neuroprotective activity, some deleterious effects have been described when inducing deep hypothermia during cooling of the brain. In the spinal cord, rapid deep cooling can induce seizure activity accompanied by release of the excitatory neurotransmitters, glutamate and aspartate. We used cold‐sensitive tropical amphibians as a model to determine (a) the critical temperature inside the central nervous system necessary to induce seizures during rapid cooling; (b) the survival rate during slow deep cooling of the whole animal; and (c) whether deep cooling can cause neuronal cell damage. Seizures induced by deep rapid (≤3 min) cooling of the spinal cord began when a critical temperature of 10.4 °C was reached. During slow (≥30 min) deep cooling of the whole animal (12 h at 2–3 °C), around 70% of animals died. Spinal reflexes were enhanced when temperatures within the spinal cord reached between 9.0 °C and 11.6 °C. A fivefold increase in blood glucose level was observed during slow deep cooling. Recovery after slow deep cooling was accompanied by motor impairment and the main histological findings were condensation of the cytoplasm and nuclear pyknosis. Severe neuronal cell damage was characterized by swelling, vacuolated cytoplasm with distended neuronal bodies. These results indicate that deep cooling can easily induce neuronal cell damage in the central nervous system of cold‐sensitive animals. They also warn us to the potential sequels associated with the use of deep brain cooling as a neuroprotective strategy.
Histological and serological evidence of experimental paracoccidioidomycosis in Calomys callosus (Rodentia: Cricetidae)
Authors: Berbert Alceu L.C.V. , Faria Gabriele G. , Gennari‐Cardoso Margareth L. , Silva Maria M.M.D. , Mineo José R. , Loyola Adriano M.
Published: December 2006

The responses of animal experimental models related to the infectivity, virulence and pathogenicity of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is constantly used to develop new perspectives of investigation. The rodent Calomys callosus, Rengger 1830 (Rodentia: Cricetidae) is an indigenous inhabitant of the savannah environment found in the central regions of Brazil. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the histopathological and serological features of C. callosus after inoculation with the Pb18 strain of P. brasiliensis. Furthermore, A/Sn and B10.A mice strains were also tested to compare the results obtained in C. callosus to these well‐established experimental models of resistance and susceptibility respectively. In every instance, survival analysis was performed, and histopathological study of the lungs, liver and spleen was employed to investigate tissue involvement, degree of inflammation and fungal presence. Levels of antibodies to P. brasiliensis were measured by using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay after 4 weeks and at the advanced stage of infection. The mortality rate was proportional to inoculation dose in all groups, but overall it was much superior in C. callosus than in the B10.A‐susceptible mice. Macroscopical and microscopical pathological alterations were also more extensive and remarkable for C. callosus, once again proportional to inoculation dose, but more noticeable differences among the studied groups were found with 0.6 × 105 inoculum. In addition, the serological profile of C. callosus was similar to that found for B10.A‐susceptible mice. Infection of C. callosus with 0.6 × 108 Pb18 inoculum resulted in more serious illness, and it decreased in severity in proportion to the inoculum dose. This difference was more pronounced in C. callosus, and the clinical, serological and pathological findings in this animal were more intense and precocious compared with the B10.A‐susceptible mice. The present results suggest that C. callosus is a potentially alternative experimental animal model for paracoccidioidomycosis infection.
Histopathological study of time course changes in inter‐renal aortic banding‐induced left ventricular hypertrophy of mice
Authors: Higashiyama Hiroyuki , Sugai Masaki , Inoue Hirotaka , Mizuyachi Kaori , Kushida Hiroshi , Asano Satoshi , Kinoshita Mine
Published: December 2006

The left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in response to pressure overload is an important risk factor in cardiac morbidity and mortality. To investigate the time course of histopathological alterations in the LVH in response to pressure overload, histopathological and immunohistochemical examination was performed using the aortic banding‐induced mouse LVH model. Five‐week‐old male CD‐1 mice were subjected to the inter‐renal aortic banding. Major organs were sampled on 3, 10, 14, 21, 28 or 42 days after banding. Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, Masson's trichrome staining and immunohistochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), alpha‐smooth muscle actin (aSMA), ICAM‐1, type I collagen and CD31 was performed and microscopically examined. Three days after aortic banding, acute inflammatory changes, such as macrophages/neutrophil infiltration and vascular wall injury were observed on/around the coronary arteries/arterioles of both ventricles. Intense ICAM‐1 immunostaining was observed on the endothelium of the coronary arteries/arterioles. After day 10, vascular wall thickening and perivascular fibrosis was induced on the coronary arteries/arterioles. Immunohistochemistry for aSMA and PCNA demonstrated the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in the media. After day 28, minimal cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was observed at the light microscope level. In the inter‐renal aortic banding LVH model, histopathological alterations in early phase were mainly observed on coronary arteries/arterioles. These early phase alterations were thought to be hypertension‐related changes in the coronary vasculatures. The cardiomyocyte hypertrophy observed in later phase was minimal at the light microscope level. These evidences would facilitate the understanding of pathophysiology of pressure overload LVH.
Cellular morphological parameters of the human urinary bladder (malignant and normal)
Authors: Keshtkar Ahmad , Keshtkar Asghar , Lawford Pat
Published: December 2006

The normal and malignant cellular morphological parameters (intra‐ and extracellular spaces of the human urinary bladder) were obtained from analysis of digital images of bladder histology sections. Then these cellular morphological parameters were compared with the same parameters obtained from the literature for the bladder tissue. However, the limited quantitative data about these parameters available in the literature for bladder cell sizes and other geometrical parameters such as extra‐cellular space does not provide a scientific basis to construct accurate structural models of normal and malignant bladder tissue. Therefore, there is usually no quantitative discussion of cell sizes in literature but the measured data in this work can provide a reasonable estimation of expected morphological parameter changes of bladder tissue with pathology. To produce this quantitative information, and also, to build a suitable models in another study using electrical properties of the tissue, 10 digital images of histological sections of normal, and six sections from malignant areas of the human urinary bladder, were chosen randomly (ex vivo). Finally, the measured data showed that there is a significant difference between the cell dimensions (in basal and intermediate layers) of normal and malignant bladder tissues.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis in a child: a 10‐year follow‐up
Authors: DE CAMARGO MORAES PAULO , BÖNECKER MARCELO , FURUSE CRISTIANE , TEIXEIRA RUBENS GONÇALVES , ARAUJO VERA CAVALCANTI
Published: December 2006

Background. This report describes a case of the benign form of Langerhans cell histiocytosis, which involves only the maxilla and mandible, and has no extraskeletal manifestations.

Case report. A 2.9‐year‐old boy was referred to a paediatric dentistry clinic, where clinical, radiographic and histological findings were found to be consistent with Langerhans cell histiocytosis. The difficulties involved in the diagnosis and the subject's functional oral rehabilitation are described. In view of the presence of large bone lesions, systematic treatment consisted of oral chemotherapy and the administration of methylprednisolone by intralesional infiltration. Oral examination revealed complete resolution of the ulcerative lesions. The soft tissue appeared healthy and had a normal colour. There was no tooth mobility and radiography provided evidence of bony healing.

Conclusion. This case is particularly interesting because follow‐up clinical and radiographic observations have been made over the past 10 years. The successful treatment had several objectives, including providing the patient with an aesthetic appearance and recovering the lost vertical dimension of occlusion.
Large‐scale intraspecific variation in life‐history traits of European freshwater fish
Authors: Blanck Aurélie , Lamouroux Nicolas
Published: December 2006

Aims  To test the magnitude and direction of the effects of large‐scale environmental factors (latitude and habitat type: lotic or lentic) on the intraspecific variations in multiple life‐history traits, across multiple European freshwater fish species. To test the relevance of defining species traits by quantifying the magnitude of interspecific vs. intraspecific variability in traits.

Location  Europe.

Methods  We obtained estimates of 11 fish traits from published sources for 1089 populations of 25 European freshwater fish species. Traits were: longevity, maximal length, growth rate, asymptotic length, mortality rate, age and length at maturation, fecundity, egg size, gonadosomatic index, and length of breeding season. We described population habitats by latitude and habitat type (lotic or lentic), when available. For each species we tested the combined effect of latitude and habitat type on the intraspecific variation of each trait using analysis of covariance (ancova). We compared the intraspecific variation in traits with the variation between species using an analysis of variance (anova) for each trait, all species pooled.

Results  We found a consistent effect in direction of latitude on six traits, but we showed that this effect is not always significant across species. Higher‐latitude populations often grew more slowly, matured later, had a longer life span and a higher maximal and asymptotic length, and allocated more energy to reproduction than populations at lower latitudes. By contrast, we noted only a slight effect of habitat type on the intraspecific variation in traits, except for Salmo trutta. All traits varied significantly between species. However, traits such as growth rate, mortality rate and length of breeding season varied more between populations than between species, whereas fecundity and traits associated with body length varied more between species.

Main conclusions  Latitude, in contrast to habitat type, is an important factor influencing several traits of geographically widely dispersed populations of multiple European freshwater fish species. Species traits that vary more between species than between populations are attractive variables for understanding and predicting the responses of stream fish communities to their environment.
West Wind Drift revisited: testing for directional dispersal in the Southern Hemisphere using event‐based tree fitting
Authors: Sanmartín Isabel , Wanntorp Livia , Winkworth Richard C.
Published: December 2006

Aim Recent studies suggest that if constrained by prevailing wind or ocean currents dispersal may produce predictable, repeated distribution patterns. Dispersal mediated by the West Wind Drift (WWD) and Antarctic Circumpolar Current (AAC) has often been invoked to explain the floristic similarities of Australia, South America and New Zealand. If these systems have been important dispersal vectors then eastward dispersal – from Australia to New Zealand and the western Pacific to South America – is expected to predominate. We investigate whether phylogenies for Southern Hemisphere plant groups provide evidence of historical dispersal asymmetry and more specifically whether inferred asymmetries are consistent with the direction of the WWD/AAC.

Location Southern Hemisphere.

Methods We assembled a data set of 23 published phylogenies for plant groups that occur in New Zealand, Australia and/or South America. We used parsimony‐based tree fitting to infer the number and direction of dispersals within each group. Observed dispersal asymmetries were tested for significance against a distribution of expected values.

Results Our analyses suggest that dispersal has played a major role in establishing present distributions and that there are significant patterns of asymmetry in Southern Hemisphere dispersal. Consistent with the eastward direction of the WWD/ACC, dispersal from Australia to New Zealand was inferred significantly more often than in the reverse direction. No significant patterns of dispersal asymmetry were found between the western Pacific landmasses and South America. However, eastward dispersal was more frequently inferred between Australia and South America, while for New Zealand–South American events westward dispersal was more common.

Main conclusions Our results suggest that eastward circumpolar currents have constrained the dispersal of plants between Australia and New Zealand. However, the WWD/ACC appear to have had less of an influence on dispersal between the western Pacific landmasses and South America. This observation may suggest that differences in dispersal mechanism are important – direct wind or water dispersal vs. stepping‐stone dispersal along the Antarctic coast. While our analyses provide useful preliminary insights into dispersal asymmetry in the Southern Hemisphere we will need larger data sets and additional methodological advances in order to test fully these dispersal patterns and infer processes from phylogenetic data.
Prenatal Glucocorticoid Exposure Alters Hypothalamic‐Pituitary‐Adrenal Function in Juvenile Guinea Pigs
Authors: Owen D. , Matthews S. G.
Published: December 2006

The neurodevelopmental consequences of prenatal glucocorticoid exposure are not well‐understood, particularly in species that give birth to neuroanatomically mature offspring. In the present study, we hypothesised that repeated prenatal glucocorticoid administration would alter hypothalamo‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) function in juvenile guinea pig offspring. Pregnant guinea pigs were injected with betamethasone (1 mg/kg) or vehicle on gestational days 40, 41, 50, 51, 60 and 61 (six doses). Prenatal glucocorticoid exposure abolished the pituitary‐adrenal response to maternal separation in juvenile males, but had no effect in female offspring. Indeed, female offspring (vehicle and betamethasone) did not mount a significant HPA response to separation at 10 days of age. Although there were no effects of prenatal glucocorticoid exposure on hippocampal or hypothalamic corticosteroid receptor expression or corticotrophin‐releasing factor (CRF) mRNA, there were significant effects in the pituitary and adrenal; again males were more affected than females. Prenatal glucocorticoid exposure increased pituitary pro‐opiomelanocortin and CRF receptor mRNA, and markedly decreased adrenocortical CYP17 mRNA. In conclusion, repeated prenatal glucocorticoid exposure has profound influences on HPA function and regulation in the juvenile guinea pig, and this involves altered regulation at the level of the pituitary and adrenal cortex. Furthermore, juvenile males appear to be more vulnerable to the effects of prenatal glucocorticoid exposure than females.