bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prostate epithelial stem cells
Authors: Rizzo S. , Attard G. , Hudson D. L.
Published: November 2005

Abstract.   The prostate gland is the site of the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in USA and UK, accounting for one in five of new cases of male cancer. Common with many other cancer types, prostate cancer is believed to arise from a stem cell that shares characteristics with the normal stem cell. Normal prostate epithelial stem cells were recently identified and found to have a basal cell phenotype together with expression of CD133. Preliminary data have now emerged for a prostate cancer stem cell that also expresses cell surface CD133 but lacks expression of the androgen receptor. Here we examine the evidence supporting the existence of prostate cancer stem cells and discuss possible mechanisms of stem cell maintenance.
Isolation and characterization of human mammary stem cells
Authors: Clarke R. B.
Published: November 2005

Abstract.  Since stem cells are present throughout the lifetime of an organism, it is thought that they may accumulate mutations, eventually leading to cancer. In the breast, tumours are predominantly oestrogen and progesterone receptor‐positive (ERα/PR+). We therefore studied the biology of ERα/PR‐positive cells and their relationship to stem cells in normal human mammary epithelium. We demonstrated that ERα/PR‐positive cells co‐express the putative stem cell markers p21CIP1/WAF1, cytokeratin (CK) 19 and Musashi‐1 when examined using dual label immunofluorescence on tissue sections. Next, we isolated a Hoechst dye‐effluxing ‘side population’ (SP) from the epithelium using flow cytometry and demonstrated them to be undifferentiated cells by lack of expression of myoepithelial and luminal cell‐specific antigens such as CALLA and MUC1. Epithelial SP cells were shown to be enriched for the putative stem cell markers p21CIP1/WAF1, Musashi‐1 and ERα/PR‐positive cells. Lastly, SP cells, compared to non‐SP, were highly enriched for the capacity to produce colonies containing multiple lineages in 3D basement membrane (Matrigel) culture. We conclude that breast stem cells include two populations: a primitive ERα/PR‐negative stem cell necessary for development and a shorter term ERα/PR‐positive stem cell necessary for adult tissue homeostasis during menstrual cycling. We speculate these two basic stem cell types may therefore be the cells of origin for ERα‐positive and ‐negative breast tumours.
From gene mutations to tumours – stem cells in gastrointestinal carcinogenesis
Authors: Leedham S. J. , Schier S. , Thliveris A. T. , Halberg R. B. , Newton M. A. , Wright N. A.
Published: November 2005

Abstract.  Stem cells share many properties with malignant cells, such as the ability to self‐renew and proliferate. Cancer is believed to be a disease of stem cells. The gastrointestinal tract has high cancer prevalence partly because of rapid epithelial cell turnover and exposure to dietary toxins. The molecular pathways of carcinogenesis differ according to the tissue. Work on hereditary cancer syndromes including familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) has led to advances in our understanding of the events that occur in tumour development from a gastrointestinal stem cell. The initial mutation involved in the adenoma–carcinoma sequence is in the ‘gatekeeper’ tumour‐suppressor gene adenomatous polyposis coli (APC). Somatic hits in this gene are non‐random in FAP, with the type of mutation selected for by the position of the germline mutation. In the stomach, a metaplasia–dysplasia sequence occurs and is often related to Helicobacter pylori infection. Clonal expansion of mutated cells occurs by niche succession. Further expansion of the aberrant clone then occurs by the longitudinal division of crypts into two daughter units – crypt fission. Two theories seek to explain the early development of adenomas – the ‘top down’ and ‘bottom up’ hypotheses. Initial studies suggested that colorectal tumours were monoclonal; however, later work on chimeric mice and a sex chromosome mixoploid patient with FAP suggested that up to 76% of early adenomas were polyclonal. Introduction of a homozygous resistance allele has reduced tumour multiplicity in the mouse and has been used to rule out random collision of polyps as the cause of these observations. It is likely that short‐range interaction between adjacent initiated crypts is responsible for polyclonality.
Growth, demography and carbon relations ofPolylepistrees at the world's highest treeline
Authors: HOCH G. , KÖRNER C.
Published: November 2005

Growth, reproductive success and non‐structural carbon pools inPolylepis tarapacanaPhilippi trees were examined across a transect between 4360 and 4810 m altitude on Nevado Sajama, Bolivia.

The mean −10‐cm soil temperature of 5·4 °C under trees at the treeline during the 265‐day growing season matched the threshold temperature found at other subtropical and tropical treelines. Beyond 4400 mPolylepisis restricted to the warmer and drier equator‐facing slopes, suggesting a direct thermal limitation of tree growth.

Maximum tree height, annual shoot increment and mean tree‐ring width decreased with altitude. Trees near the upper range limit reached a maximum tree height of 3·3 m and a maximum stem diameter of 34 cm.

The smallest tree‐height classes dominated populations at all altitudes, and the uppermost site revealed the highest proportion of seedlings. Tree‐size demography indicates a critical phase for tree establishment during the sapling stage, when trees emerge from sheltered niches near the ground.

No evidence of a depletion of mobile C stores (sugars, starch and lipids) was found in any tissue type with increasing elevation, suggesting a limitation of C investment (growth) rather than C acquisition (photosynthesis) at treeline.
The influence of reproductive state on cardiac parameters and hypoxia tolerance in the Grass Shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio
Authors: GUADAGNOLI J. A. , JONES L. A. , REIBER C. L.
Published: November 2005

In many crustaceans, female reproduction represents a time of increased metabolic demand. Palaemonetes pugio are typically hypoxia tolerant; but the energetic demands of reproduction may compromise their ability to tolerate hypoxic conditions. Given the correlation between cardiac output and metabolic demand, we used cardiac output (CO) to measure differences in metabolic demand in the life‐history stages of P. pugeo.

We hypothesized that (1) the cost of egg production would result in an increased CO for gravid females compared with non‐gravid females; (2) those females that were both ovigerous and gravid would have an additional metabolic demand due to brooding behaviour (pleopod fanning) and hence an even greater CO; and (3) hypoxia tolerance would decrease with increasing reproductive demand. To test these hypotheses, we compared cardiac output across three reproductive states and at decreasing water oxygen tensions.

Ovigerous females had significantly greater pleopod fanning frequency than non‐ovigerous females at all oxygen tensions. Additionally, ovigerous/gravid females had significantly higher cardiac output at all oxygen tensions than gravid only or non‐gravid females.

Changes in cardiac output indicate that females became more sensitive to environmental oxygen tension with increasing reproductive demand. Non‐gravid females were able to maintain cardiac output down to 15 mm Hg O2, whereas gravid and ovigerous/gravid females maintained cardiac output down to 50 mm Hg and 75 mm Hg O2, respectively.

These differences in CO suggest that metabolic demands of females change with reproductive state and, while gravid and ovigerous/gravid females appear more sensitive to low oxygen tensions, they are able to physiologically tolerate low environmental oxygen conditions.
Mate location tactics in garter snakes: effects of rival males, interrupted trails and non‐pheromonal cues
Authors: SHINE R. , WEBB J. K. , LANE A. , MASON R. T.
Published: November 2005

The ability to follow substrate‐deposited scent trails using sophisticated vomeronasal abilities is a key feature of snake biology. However, previous research on this topic has derived mostly from a highly artificial test situation: captive snakes following continuous trails over structurally simple homogeneous substrates, in the absence of any other cues (e.g. visual or olfactory) either from the target of that search or from other snakes.

Our field experimental trials with Red‐Sided Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) at a communal den in Manitoba explored wider issues in mate location.

Males followed a female's trail less successfully if she had recently been followed by rival males, suggesting that trailing males obscured the cues left by the female.

Males that lost contact with a female's trail exhibited stereotyped, spatially extensive and prolonged circling behaviour centred on the last point at which the trail was detectable; in nature, this behaviour would maximize the male's ability to relocate a discontinuous trail.

Trail‐following males switched from chemical to visual cues as soon as they were close to a female, enhancing speed but decreasing the accuracy of mate location (because males could distinguish between females and other males based on either visual or airborne olfactory cues).

Incorporating additional cues and broader spatial scales can clarify aspects of trail‐following behaviour not evident from studies in small, highly simplified laboratory situations.
Bud‐burst modelling in Siberia and its impact on quantifying the carbon budget
Authors: PICARD GHISLAIN , QUEGAN SHAUN , DELBART NICOLAS , LOMAS MARK R. , LE TOAN THUY , WOODWARD F. IAN
Published: November 2005

Vegetation phenology is affected by climate change and in turn feeds back on climate by affecting the annual carbon uptake by vegetation. To quantify the impact of phenology on terrestrial carbon fluxes, we calibrate a bud‐burst model and embed it in the Sheffield dynamic global vegetation model (SDGVM) in order to perform carbon budget calculations.

Bud‐burst dates derived from the VEGETATION sensor onboard the SPOT‐4 satellite are used to calibrate a range of bud‐burst models. This dataset has been recently developed using a new methodology based on the normalized difference water index, which is able to distinguish snowmelt from the onset of vegetation activity after winter. After calibration, a simple spring warming model was found to perform as well as more complex models accounting for a chilling requirement, and hence it was used for the carbon flux calculations. The root mean square difference (RMSD) between the calibrated model and the VEGETATION dataset was 6.5 days, and was 6.9 days between the calibrated model and independent ground observations of bud‐burst available at nine locations over Siberia.

The effects of bud‐burst model uncertainties on the carbon budget were evaluated using the SDGVM. The 6.5 days RMSD in the bud‐burst date (a 6% variation in the growing season length), treated as a random noise, translates into about 41 g cm−2 yr−1 in net primary production (NPP), which corresponds to 8% of the mean NPP. This is a moderate impact and suggests the calibrated model is accurate enough for carbon budget calculations.

In addition to random differences between the calibrated model and VEGETATION data, systematic errors between the calibrated bud‐burst model and true ground behaviour may occur, because of bias in the temperature dataset or because the bud‐burst detected by VEGETATION is because of some other phenological indicator. A systematic error of 1 day in bud‐burst translates into a 10 g cm−2 yr−1 error in NPP (about 2%). Based on the limited available ground data, any systematic error because of the use of VEGETATION data should not lead to significant errors in the calculated carbon flux. In contrast, widely used methods based on the normalized difference vegetation index from the advanced very high resolution radiometer satellite are likely to confuse snowmelt and vegetation greening, leading to errors of up to 15 days in bud‐burst date, with consequent large errors in carbon flux calculations.
Model‐data synthesis of diurnal and seasonal CO2fluxes at Niwot Ridge, Colorado
Authors: SACKS WILLIAM J. , SCHIMEL DAVID S. , MONSON RUSSELL K. , BRASWELL BOBBY H.
Published: November 2005

Eddy covariance records hold great promise for understanding the processes controlling the net ecosystem exchange of CO2(NEE). However, NEE is the small difference between two large fluxes: photosynthesis and ecosystem respiration. Consequently, separating NEE into its component fluxes, and determining the process‐level controls over these fluxes, is a difficult problem. In this study, we used a model‐data synthesis approach with the Simplified PnET (SIPNET) flux model to extract process‐level information from 5 years of eddy covariance data at an evergreen forest in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. SIPNET runs at a twice‐daily time step, and has two vegetation carbon pools, a single aggregated soil carbon pool, and a soil moisture submodel that models both evaporation and transpiration. By optimizing the model parameters before evaluating model‐data mismatches, we were able to probe the model structure independent of any arbitrary parameter set. In doing so, we were able to learn about the primary controls over NEE in this ecosystem, and in particular the respiration component of NEE. We also used this parameter optimization, coupled with a formal model selection criterion, to investigate the effects of making hypothesis‐driven changes to the model structure. These experiments lent support to the hypotheses that (1) photosynthesis, and possibly foliar respiration, are down‐regulated when the soil is frozen and (2) the metabolic processes of soil microbes vary in the summer and winter, possibly because of the existence of distinct microbial communities at these two times. Finally, we found that including water vapor fluxes, in addition to carbon fluxes, in the parameter optimization did not yield significantly more information about the partitioning of NEE into gross photosynthesis and ecosystem respiration.
Variation of carbon isotope fractionation in hydrogenotrophic methanogenic microbial cultures and environmental samples at different energy status
Authors: PENNING HOLGER , PLUGGE CAROLINE M. , GALAND PIERRE E. , CONRAD RALF
Published: November 2005

Methane is a major product of anaerobic degradation of organic matter and an important greenhouse gas. Its stable carbon isotope composition can be used to reveal active methanogenic pathways, if associated isotope fractionation factors are known. To clarify the causes that lead to the wide variation of fractionation factors of methanogenesis from H2 plus CO2 (), pure cultures and various cocultures were grown under different thermodynamic conditions. In syntrophic and obligate syntrophic cocultures thriving on different carbohydrate substrates, fermentative bacteria were coupled to three different species of hydrogenotrophic methanogens of the families Methanobacteriaceae and Methanomicrobiaceae. We found that C‐isotope fractionation was correlated to the Gibbs free energy change (ΔG) of CH4 formation from H2 plus CO2 and that the relation can be described by a semi‐Gauss curve. The derived relationship was used to quantify the average ΔG that is available to hydrogenotrophic methanogenic archaea in their habitat, thus avoiding the problems encountered with measurement of low H2 concentrations on a microscale. Boreal peat, rice field soil, and rumen fluid, which represent major sources of atmospheric CH4, exhibited increasingly smaller , indicating that thermodynamic conditions for hydrogenotrophic methanogens became increasingly more favourable. Vice versa, we hypothesize that environments with similar energetic conditions will also exhibit similar isotope fractionation. Our results, thus, provide a mechanistic constraint for modelling the 13C flux from microbial sources of atmospheric CH4.
Partners in crime: phosphotransfer profiling identifies a multicomponent phosphorelay
Authors: Ryan Kathleen R.
Published: November 2005

The first multicomponent phosphorelay, regulating stalk biogenesis, has been identified in Caulobacter crescentus using a bioinformatic screen, targeted disruptions of each histidine kinase and response regulator, and a new technique called phosphotransfer profiling, in which a purified histidine kinase or histidine phosphotransferase is simultaneously assayed for the ability to phosphorylate each purified response regulator protein from one organism. This powerful combination of approaches will allow future researchers to map the interactions among all two‐component signal transduction proteins in genetically tractable bacteria with sequenced genomes.
Pulsating subsidence during a rift episode: stratigraphic and tectonic consequences (Aptian–Albian, northern Spain)
Authors: García‐Mondéjar Joaquín , López‐Horgue Mikel A. , Aranburu Arantxa , Fernández‐Mendiola Pedro A.
Published: November 2005

Backstripping analysis has been carried out on nine outcrop sections of the Basque‐Cantabrian Aptian and Albian of northern Spain which consist of shallow‐water marine deposits up to 7000 m thick. It reveals four main pulses of common accelerated subsidence: I (Early Aptian), II (Early Albian), III (lower Late Albian), and IV (uppermost Late Albian) separated by tectonic quiescent intervals. Tectonic subsidence rates of 70 m Myr–1 for the Aptian and 101 m Myr–1 for the Albian were recorded (Sopuerta section). The calculated stretching factor referred to a pre‐rift continental crust of 35 km is (βs=1.32) and represents approximately 8.5 km of crustal thinning. Points of change towards lesser subsidence rate in the curves are correlated with major unconformities in the sections, in the Basque‐Cantabrian Basin and in Boreal Europe, suggesting geodynamic changes related with the opening of Bay of Biscay. Minor variations of spreading direction and intensity are proposed to explain the subsidence pulses.
Multi‐genetic origin of the continental Moho: insights from Lithoprobe
Authors: Eaton David W.
Published: November 2005

This paper reviews four hypotheses for the origin of the continental crust–mantle boundary and discusses seismic parameters with which these hypotheses might be tested. The relict Moho hypothesis posits that the oceanic Moho is preserved during continental assembly; the magmatic underplating hypothesis posits formation of a new Moho by episodic emplacement of sill‐like intrusive bodies; the metamorphic (or metasomatic) front hypothesis posits that the Moho is overprinted by a phase transformation; and the regional décollement hypothesis posits that the Moho behaves as a structural detachment. These hypotheses are not mutually exclusive, and examples from the Canadian Lithoprobe program suggest that all four may be applicable in different regions of North America. Comparison of seismic images from a fossil subduction zone with modern subduction at Cascadia suggests that serpentinization of the forearc mantle, a previously unrecognized mechanism for overprinting and erasing the reflection Moho, may have occurred in the Proterozoic.
Analysis of ABA Hypersensitive Germination2 revealed the pivotal functions of PARN in stress response in Arabidopsis
Authors: Nishimura Noriyuki , Kitahata Nobutaka , Seki Motoaki , Narusaka Yoshihiro , Narusaka Mari , Kuromori Takashi , Asami Tadao , Shinozaki Kazuo , Hirayama Takashi
Published: November 2005

Accumulating evidence suggests that mRNA degradation systems are crucial for various biological processes in eukaryotes. Here we provide evidence that an mRNA degradation system is associated with some plant hormones and stress responses in plants. We analysed a novel Arabidopsis abscisic acid (ABA)‐hypersensitive mutant, ahg2‐1, that showed ABA hypersensitivity not only in germination, but also at later developmental stages, and that displayed pleiotropic phenotypes. We found that ahg2‐1 accumulated more endogenous ABA in seeds and mannitol‐treated plants than did the wild type. Microarray experiments showed that the expressions of ABA‐, salicylic acid‐ and stress‐inducible genes were increased in normally grown ahg2‐1 plants, suggesting that the ahg2‐1 mutation somehow affects various stress responses as well as ABA responses. Map‐based cloning of AHG2 revealed that this gene encodes a poly(A)‐specific ribonuclease (AtPARN) that is presumed to function in mRNA degradation. Detailed analysis of the ahg2‐1 mutation suggests that the mutation reduces AtPARN production. Interestingly, expression of AtPARN was induced by treatment with ABA, high salinity and osmotic stress. These results suggest that both upregulation and downregulation of gene expression by the mRNA‐destabilizing activity of AtPARN are crucial for proper ABA, salicylic acid and stress responses.
Maize association population: a high‐resolution platform for quantitative trait locus dissection
Authors: Flint‐Garcia Sherry A. , Thuillet Anne‐Céline , Yu Jianming , Pressoir Gael , Romero Susan M. , Mitchell Sharon E. , Doebley John , Kresovich Stephen , Goodman Major M. , Buckler Edward S.
Published: November 2005

Crop improvement and the dissection of complex genetic traits require germplasm diversity. Although this necessary phenotypic variability exists in diverse maize, most research is conducted using a small subset of inbred lines. An association population of 302 lines is now available – a valuable research tool that captures a large proportion of the alleles in cultivated maize. Provided that appropriate statistical models correcting for population structure are included, this tool can be used in association analyses to provide high‐resolution evaluation of multiple alleles. This study describes the population structure of the 302 lines, and investigates the relationship between population structure and various measures of phenotypic and breeding value. On average, our estimates of population structure account for 9.3% of phenotypic variation, roughly equivalent to a major quantitative trait locus (QTL), with a high of 35%. Inclusion of population structure in association models is critical to meaningful analyses. This new association population has the potential to identify QTL with small effects, which will aid in dissecting complex traits and in planning future projects to exploit the rich diversity present in maize.
PICKLE acts during germination to repress expression of embryonic traits
Authors: Li Hui‐Chun , Chuang King , Henderson James T. , Rider Stanley Dean , Bai Yinglin , Zhang Heng , Fountain Matthew , Gerber Jacob , Ogas Joe
Published: November 2005

PICKLE (PKL) codes for a CHD3 chromatin remodeling factor that plays multiple roles in Arabidopsis growth and development. Previous analysis of the expression of genes that exhibit PKL‐dependent regulation suggested that PKL acts during germination to repress expression of embryonic traits. In this study, we examined the expression of PKL protein to investigate when and where PKL acts to regulate development. A PKL:eGFP translational fusion is preferentially localized in the nucleus of cells, consistent with the proposed role for PKL as a chromatin remodeling factor. A steroid‐inducible version of PKL [a fusion of PKL to the glucocorticoid receptor (PKL:GR)] was used to examine when PKL acts to repress expression of embryonic traits. We found that activation of PKL:GR during germination was sufficient to repress expression of embryonic traits in the primary roots of pkl seedlings, whereas activation of PKL:GR after germination had little effect. In contrast, we observed that PKL is required continuously after germination to repress expression of PHERES1, a type I MADS box gene that is normally expressed during early embryogenesis in wild‐type plants. Thus, PKL acts at multiple points during development to regulate patterns of gene expression in Arabidopsis.
HIV‐1 NAT minipool during the pre‐seroconversion window period: detection of a repeat blood donor
Authors: Palla P. , Vatteroni M. L. , Vacri L. , Maggi F. , Baicchi U.
Published: November 2005

Background  The introduction of nucleic acid amplification technology (NAT) for screening pooled or individual donations remarkably improved the safety of blood products. The size of mini‐pooled NAT is considered critical for identification of HIV‐1 infected donors during preseroconversion phase of infection. We describe a case of HIV‐1 infection in a serologically negative repeat blood donor identified by 16 minipool (MP) NAT.

Materials and Methods  The donation was tested by Roche Cobas AmpliScreen HIV‐1 Test with manual extraction (MultiPrep Specimen Processing Procedure). The sensitivity of different MP sizes was observed. Serial samples of infected donor were examined with different third and fourth generation HIV‐1 serological assays.

Results  In the index donation viral load was 515 copies/ml corresponding to about 50 IU when diluted in 16 MP. Abbott third and fourth generation EIA tests detected the seroconversion four days later the index donation.

Conclusion  The report emphasizes the relevance of a very small size of MP to really reduce the window serologic phase of current EIA test by HIV‐1 NAT test.
Comparison of flow cytometry vs. a haematology cell analyser‐based method to guide the optimal time‐point for peripheral blood stem cell apheresis
Authors: Gutensohn K. , Magens M. , Krüger W. , Kröger N. , Kühnl P.
Published: November 2005

Background and Objectives For timing the onset of apheresis, parameters obtained by flow cytometry and by a haematological cell analyser were compared.

Materials and Methods Haematopoietic cell counts (n = 159) were performed by two different methods; CD34 analyses by flow cytometry, immature myeloid information (IMI) and human progenitor cell counts (HPC) by a haematological cell analyser.

Results Comparing the IMI total results with CD34+ analyses (n = 159) revealed a correlation ofr = 0·46 (P < 0·05). Similar results were obtained for HPC (r = 0·44;P < 0·05).

Conclusion The haematology analyser‐based method does not allow the precise determination of absolute haematopoietic stem cell numbers and is thus not able to replace flow cytometry for the monitoring of peripheral blood stem cell counts.
Cytological Diagnosis of Mandibular Salivary Gland Adenocarcinoma in a Dog
Authors: Militerno G. , Bazzo R. , Marcato P. S.
Published: November 2005

A case of mandibular salivary gland adenocarcinoma in a 9‐year‐old female dog is described. Material collected by fine needle aspiration underwent cytological examination and after the diagnosis of salivary carcinoma the mass was surgically excised and then was processed for histological examination. The aim of this work is to describe the cytopathological features of this carcinoma and to emphasize the usefulness of fine needle aspiration technique, which is an effective, inexpensive and minimally invasive method of diagnosis that can be performed before incisional biopsy or even before surgical excision.
Energy and Fibre Intake in a Group of Captive Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) Offered Increasing Amounts of Browse
Authors: Hatt J.‐M. , Schaub D. , Wanner M. , Wettstein H.‐R. , Flach E. J. , Tack C. , Hässig M. , Ortmann S. , Hummel J. , Clauss M.
Published: November 2005

We investigated the effect of diet on intake of energy and fibre in a group of three captive adult giraffe by weighing offered diet items and leftovers for 7 days after an adaptation period of 7 days. Digestion coefficients were calculated using, as internal marker, the acid detergent lignin content of a faecal sample pooled from subsamples taken during the last 5 days of intake measurement. Two lucerne hay‐only diets of differing quality (L1, L2) were fed, as well as the regular diet of lucerne hay and concentrates (L2C), and the regular diet supplemented with 3 or 6 kg of edible, fresh browse material (L2CB3, L2CB6). The proportion of roughage in the ingested diets L2CB6 (45 ± 5% dry matter), L2CB3 (35 ± 3%) and L2C (37 ± 10%) did not differ significantly. Digestible energy intake was low on the hay‐only diets [L1: 0.28 ± 0.06 MJ/kg body weight (BW)0.75; L2: 0.33 ± 0.10 MJ/kg BW0.75] and increased from L2C (0.60 ± 0.13 MJ/kg BW0.75) to a significant increase with L2CB3 (0.72 ± 0.17 MJ/kg BW0.75); no further increase was obvious for L2CB6 (0.63 ± 0.15MJ/kg BW0.75). The results confirm that giraffes are unlikely to meet energy requirements on lucerne hay‐only diets. In a feeding scenario where both lucerne hay and the concentrate component of the diet are fed ad libitum, the animals tended to exchange hay for browse when browse was added. Only the higher level of browse supplementation led to a potentially beneficial increase in fibre intake. Whether additional browse supplementation will lead to increased intakes in a feeding scenario with restricted concentrate provision can be suspected but remains to be demonstrated.
Tolerance of Therapeutic Doses of Abamectin and Doramectin in Istrian Pramenka Sheep
Authors: Kužner J. , Kolar L. , Nemec M. , Borko Č. , Marc I. , Pogačnik M. , Eržen N. K. , Flajs V. C.
Published: November 2005

Avermectin endectocides are very effective and safe veterinary drugs, when used at recommended doses. Adverse reactions are described in some species and breeds of animals. In this study, the effects of therapeutic doses of abamectin and doramectin on some haematological and biochemical parameters in Istrian Pramenka sheep are discussed. In the pilot trial, we compared selected haematological and blood biochemical parameters of an experimental sheep flock (40 sheep) with the reference values. Then, two groups of 12 sheep (and their suckling lambs) were chosen from the experimental sheep flock. Each group was subdivided into a control (six animals) and treated (six sheep and their six suckling lambs) groups. We compared haematological and biochemical parameters between control and treated group before subcutaneous administration of abamectin or doramectin (0.2 mg/kg b.w.) and on days 15 and 42 after treatment. In addition, animals were observed for neurological signs. We detected some significant differences (P < 0.05) in some haematological and biochemical parameters between control and treated animals, but none of them appeared to be of clinical importance. No neurological symptoms were observed. Therefore, abamectin and doramectin might be well tolerated in Istrian Pramenka sheep.
α 1‐Adrenoceptor‐mediated Negative Inotropic Effect Caused by Intracellular Ionic Activities in Guinea‐pig Papillary Muscle
Authors: Kim S.‐J. , Kang H.‐S. , Kim J.‐S.
Published: November 2005

In guinea‐pig papillary muscle, phenylephrine (PE), an agonist of α1‐adrenoceptor (α1‐AR), led to a transient negative inotropic effect (NIE) and a subsequent sustained positive inotropic effect (PIE). To clarify the ionic mechanisms underlying the NIE, we measured the [Na+]i or [pH]i by ion‐selective microelectrodes. PE produced a decrease in the intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]i) and an increase in intracellular pH ([pH]i). During the phase of NIE, PE produced only a (−) change of [Na+]i (Δ[Na+]i). With a decrease in extracellular Na+ or an increase in extracellular Ca2+, the PE‐induced NIE was attenuated and PE produced (+)Δ[Na+]i. The PE‐induced NIE and (−)Δ[Na+]i were definitely strengthened by lowering the bath temperature or increasing the stimulation frequency. 2‐(2,6‐di‐methoxyphenoxyethyl)amino‐methyl‐1,4‐benzidioxane HCl, an antagonist of α1A‐AR, completely abolished the PE‐induced NIE and (−)Δ[Na+]i. Phorbol 12,13‐dibutyrate, an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), decreased the baseline [Na+]i and twitch force and increased the baseline [pH]i in mimicry of PE. Pretreatment with 1‐5(isoquinolinesulphonyl)‐2‐methylpiperazine, an inhibitor of PKC, abolished the PE‐induced NIE and (−)Δ[Na+]i. During pretreatment with benzamil, an inhibitor of Na+/Ca2+ exchange, we found that the PE‐induced NIE and (−)Δ[Na+]i were reversibly abolished. Our results indicate the PE‐induced NIE may be elicited upon the activation of Na+/Ca2+ exchange which can be attributed to the (−)Δ[Na+]i. (−)Δ[Na+]i is mediated through a PKC‐dependent pathway via an activation of α1A‐AR subtype and its effect could be strengthened remarkably at high [Na+]i and [Ca2+]i values.
Pulmonary Adenosquamous Carcinoma in a Dog
Authors: Sato T. , Ito J. , Shibuya H. , Asano K. , Watari T.
Published: November 2005

A mass that developed in the lung of a 10‐year‐old mixed‐breed dog was pathologically examined. Histopathological examination showed papillary and tubular growth of glandular epithelium‐like cells in some areas and growth of squamous cells arranged in nests in other areas, showing coexistence of adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in a lung tumour. Immunohistochemical staining with anti‐keratin–cytokeratin antibody was strongly positive for cytoplasms in both components. Electron microscopically, the neoplastic cells of the adenocarcinoma component had features of glandular cells, with microvilli, numerous free ribosomes, large round secretory granules and intercellular desmosomes. Non‐keratinized squamous cells had tonofilaments and intercellular desmosomes. These findings led to the diagnosis of primary adenosquamous carcinoma, which demonstrates phenotypic profiles characteristic of both epidermal keratinocytes and glandular epithelium.
Profile of paediatric occupational therapy practice in Australia
Authors: Rodger Sylvia , Brown G. Ted , Brown Anita
Published: November 2005

Background:  The purpose of the present study was to describe a profile of Australian paediatric occupational therapy practice in terms of theories, assessments and interventions used with the most frequently seen client groups.

Methods:  An ex post facto survey design was utilised. A purpose‐designed survey was mailed to 600 occupational therapists identified by OT Australia as working in paediatrics.

Results:  The response rate was 55% (n = 330). Respondents in the sample worked chiefly with children with developmental delays, learning disabilities, neurological impairments, and infants/toddlers. Theoretical models used by paediatric clinicians that were common to the most frequently seen client groups focused on sensory integration/multisensory approaches, occupational performance, and client‐centred practice. Assessment tools most frequently used were the Test of Visual Motor Integration, Sensory Profile, Bruininks‐Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Handwriting Speed Test, and Motor‐Free Visual Perception Test. The most often used treatment methods across the four most frequently seen client groups were parent/caregiver education, sensory integration/stimulation techniques, and managing activities of daily living.

Conclusions:  Paediatric occupational therapists appeared to draw on a range of theoretical models. With the exception of the Sensory Profile, the assessment and treatment methods most frequently used are not congruent with the most commonly used theoretical models. It is critical that the assessment and treatment methods used are conceptually consistent with the theoretical models that guide practice. Occupational therapists need to examine the evidence and determine whether their clinical practice is grounded in the best contemporary theoretical models, assessments and interventions.
A systematic and critical review of the literature: The effectiveness of Occupational Therapy Home Assessment on a range of outcome measures
Authors: Barras Sarah
Published: November 2005

Aim:  To identify, collate and assess the findings of the available literature regarding discharge planning involving occupational therapy home assessments and the identified outcome measures. A systematic critical review of 31 studies of home assessment was completed.

Methods:  A comprehensive computer‐aided search was conducted of 10 databases. Any searches identifying literature on home assessment and occupational therapy were retained. The McMaster critical appraisal tools were used to determine methodological quality, the McMaster (qualitative and quantitative). Summaries were made of the key features of each study to enable comparison.

Results:  Two systematic reviews, eight randomised controlled trials, 16 descriptive and five anecdotal studies were found. Twelve papers relating directly to occupational therapy were identified. A wide variety of outcome measures were identified, covering seven major categories of: personnel present, cost, frequency and when a home assessment was completed, readmission to hospital, stakeholder perspective and use of standardised assessments. There was minimal consistency in measuring outcomes. The McMaster critical review format was used to evaluate each paper and denote a score out of 15 for quantitative and 27 for qualitative papers. These forms are written in basic terms that can be understood by researchers as well as clinicians and students.

Conclusion:  Low numbers of high level (levels 1, 2) or high quality publications directly relevant to the effectiveness of occupational therapy home assessment and discharge planning were identified. It is apparent from the paucity of quality and quantity of studies identified in this current review that considerably more high‐quality research is required prior to definitive recommendations being made regarding the use of occupational therapy home assessments in discharge planning.
Interests that occupy 86‐year‐old persons living at home: Associations with functional ability, self‐rated health and sociodemographic characteristics
Authors: Häggblom‐Kronlöf Greta , Sonn Ulla
Published: November 2005

Background and Aims: Interest is generated from the experience of pleasure in occupational behaviour. However, there is little known about the type and amount of interests that occupy very old people. The aims of the present study were to explore the interests of people aged 86 years who are living at home (n = 205) and to study the association between these interests and functional ability, self‐rated health and sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods: Participants were interviewed during home visits and data were analysed by using content analysis and statistics.

Results: Participants had a broad range of interests. Personal and environmental factors played a part in people giving up their interests. Participants who regarded their health as good or who had no problems in carrying out daily activities had more interests than those with poor health or limited ability to participate in daily activities. Few differences based on gender and sociodemographics were found.

Conclusions: Being active (i.e. practising many interests) also means experiencing good health. In the name of occupational justice, it is important to enable elderly persons to pursue interests.
Prioritization of radiotherapy in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Lim KSH , Vinod SK , Bull C , O'Brien P , Kenny L
Published: November 2005

The purpose of this study was to document how radiation oncology departments in Australia and New Zealand manage extended waiting lists by prioritizing patients for radiotherapy and how these centres define the ‘waiting time’. A literature search on strategies for management of waiting lists in radiotherapy, both locally and internationally, was performed. A collaborative survey of all the radiotherapy departments in Australia and New Zealand was then undertaken. Of the 32 centres surveyed around Australia and New Zealand, 25 (77%) responded. There was considerable variation in the definitions used for ‘waiting times’. Eleven of the 25 centres had formally documented protocols. New Zealand has a national policy for prioritization of patients for radiotherapy. Six centres had verbal protocols. Four centres had no significant waiting times and did not require a protocol for prioritization. One centre prioritized according to clinician discretion, two centres used a first‐come, first‐served basis. One centre replied but their protocol was missing. The variation in the definition of waiting time reduces its usefulness as an indirect measure of resources and as a method of comparing centres. There is also wide variation in the management of waiting lists, particularly in the prioritization schedules used by different centres. The major factor contributing to waiting lists at present is a shortage of radiation oncology staff, particularly radiation therapists. The implementation of standardized protocols for prioritizing patients may be useful in helping to manage scarce resources not withstanding the need to increase the resource base. However, the existence of such protocols should not give legitimacy to undue delays in commencing radiation treatment.
Bilateral optic pathway glioma with intracranial calcification: Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy findings
Authors: Pungavkar SA , Lawande MA , Patkar DP , Agrawal NV , Gadani S
Published: November 2005

Optic nerve glioma is the most common primary neoplasm of the optic nerve in childhood. It can extend intracranially along the optic pathway (optic pathway glioma). The lesion tends to present with decreased visual acuity in the affected eye, but can cause additional symptoms when it is large. Local involvement within the orbit can be characterized using CT, but MRI is superior in showing the intracranial extent of the lesion. Intracranial calcification in optic pathway glioma is rare. We present a rare case of optic pathway glioma with calcification in the intracranial component. Also, we describe MR spectroscopy (MRS) findings in this case.
Review of non‐positron emission tomography functional imaging of primary musculoskeletal tumours: Beyond the humble bone scan
Authors: Ho YY
Published: November 2005

Bone and soft tissue tumours are rare neoplasms. There are five major roles of imaging in the management of primary musculoskeletal tumours, that is, to differentiate between benignity and malignancy, to evaluate for local tumour extension, to screen for metastases, to judge the effect of chemotherapy, and to monitor for recurrence. To accomplish this, multiple modalities are required because no single examination is able to complete all these tasks. These modalities include plain radiography, CT, MRI, conventional nuclear medicine as well as positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Elsewhere, PET imaging has been discussed at length, because it is likely to be superior in the assessment of bone and soft tissue tumours over conventional nuclear medicine procedures. However, conventional nuclear medicine may be of value when PET is unavailable. In this review, an overview of anatomical imaging will be given and the role of non‐PET functional imaging will be discussed in detail. A variety of illustrative cases will be presented.
Multiple pancreatic metastases from clear cell renal carcinoma: Diagnosis with chemical shift magnetic resonance imaging before surgery
Authors: Koyama H , Maruta T , Kudo T , Mayahara H , Yoshida K
Published: November 2005

We present a case in which multiple pancreatic tumours were diagnosed as metastatic clear cell renal carcinomas with chemical shift MRI (CSI) before surgery. Radiologists may be unable to recognize the loss of intensity on CSI macroscopically. We believe that it is useful to make subtraction images and calculate signal intensity on CSI, even if the lesions are multiple metastatic tumours.
Intracranial metastasis from prostatic adenocarcinoma simulating a meningioma
Authors: Lath CO , Khanna PC , Gadewar S , Patkar DP
Published: November 2005

We report an unusual case of extra‐axial metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate that closely simulated a frontal, parasagittal, dural‐based meningioma. Such tumours, which satisfy several criteria for a diagnosis of meningioma, but which have proved instead to be metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate, form the focus of our report.
Paradoxical embolization via a patent foramen ovale following acute pulmonary embolism
Authors: Thomas DV , Bynevelt M , Price R
Published: November 2005

The foramen ovale is usually obliterated following establishment of the adult circulation but remains patent in 25% of individuals. This potential communication between the venous and arterial circulations can allow thromboembolic material to bypass the lungs and enter the systemic circulation. We report two cases of paradoxical embolization through a patent foramen ovale following acute large pulmonary embolism (PE) and discuss the factors that predispose to paradoxical embolization following PE.
Paget's disease of the bone in a Chinese woman
Authors: H’ng MWC , Ho YY
Published: November 2005

Paget's disease, otherwise known as osteitis deformans, is an unusual condition in the Oriental population. We report a case of Paget's disease in a Chinese woman, incidentally diagnosed on a bone scan. This was confirmed by clinical history, biochemistry and imaging findings using other modalities. Although bone scans are commonly performed to diagnose traumatic occult fractures and bone metastases, they can also be used to diagnose metabolic bone diseases, such as osteoporotic fractures, and to evaluate Paget's disease. It can also diagnose acute fractures secondary to renal osteodystrophy and osteomalacia.
Movement of the side hole occurring in a port‐catheter system percutaneously implanted for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy
Authors: Yamagami T , Kato T , Nishimura T
Published: November 2005

The authors report a case in which catheter‐related difficulties occurred with a port‐catheter system implanted to perform repeated hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinomas. The port‐catheter system had been percutaneously implanted with the catheter tip fixation method, and a side hole had been created in the indwelling catheter for placement in the common hepatic artery. Four months after port‐catheter placement, however, the indwelling catheter became bent at the location of the side hole in the proper hepatic artery. Subsequently, the side hole moved into the left hepatic artery, resulting in a lack of distribution of chemotherapeutic agents to the tumours in the segments of the liver supplied by the right hepatic artery. This situation was easily corrected with a simple interventional radiological method so that hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy could be resumed with sufficient distribution over the entire liver. To our knowledge, such a problem involving a port‐catheter system implanted with the catheter tip fixation method and its management thereafter has not been reported in the published literature.
Pre and postnatal diagnosis of fetus‐in‐fetu
Authors: House MK , Pahuja M , Bethune M
Published: November 2005

Differentiation of abdominal masses detected on prenatal ultrasound is difficult and requires careful characterization of the mass and precise localization. Differentiation is required in order to distinguish benign from potentially malignant conditions. We describe a case of fetus‐in‐fetu with pre and postnatal imaging.