bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperature sensitivity and substrate quality in soil organic matter decomposition: results of an incubation study with three substrates
Authors: WETTERSTEDT J. Å. MARTIN , PERSSON TRYGGVE , ÅGREN GÖRAN I.
Published: October 2009

Kinetic theory suggests that the temperature sensitivity of decomposition of soil organic matter should increase with increasing recalcitrance. This ‘temperature–quality hypothesis’ was tested in a laboratory experiment. Microcosms with wheat straw, spruce needle litter and mor humus were initially placed at 5, 15 and 25 °C until the same cumulative amount of CO2 had been respired. Thereafter, microcosms from each single temperature were moved to a final set of incubation temperatures of 5, 15 and 25 °C. Straw decomposed faster than needle litter at 25 and 15 °C, but slower than needle litter at 5 °C, and showed a higher temperature sensitivity (expressed as Q10) than needle litter at low temperatures. When moved to the same temperature, needle litter initially incubated at 5 and 15 °C had significantly higher respiration rates in the final incubation than litters initially placed at 25 °C. Mor humus placed at equal temperatures during the initial and final incubations had higher cumulative respiration during the final incubation than humus experiencing a shift in temperature, both up‐ and downwards. These results indicate that other factors than substrate quality are needed to fully explain the temperature dependence. In agreement with the hypothesis, Q10 was always higher for the temperature step between 5 and 15 °C than between 15 and 25 °C. Also in agreement with the temperature–quality hypothesis, Q10 significantly increased with increasing degree of decomposition in five out of the six constant temperature treatments with needle litter and mor humus. Q10s for substrates moved between temperatures tended to be higher than for substrates remaining at the initial temperature and an upward shift in temperature increased Q10 more than a downward shift. This study largely supports the temperature–quality hypothesis. However, other factors like acclimation and synthesis of recalcitrant compounds can modify the temperature response.
Winter climate change implications for decomposition in northeastern forests: comparisons of sugar maple litter with herbivore fecal inputs
Authors: CHRISTENSON LYNN M. , MITCHELL MYLON J. , GROFFMAN PETER M. , LOVETT GARY M.
Published: October 2009

Forests in northeastern North America are influenced by varying climatic and biotic factors; however, there is concern that rapid changes in these factors may lead to important changes in ecosystem processes such as decomposition. Climate change (especially warming) is predicted to increase rates of decomposition in northern latitudes. Warming in winter may result in complex effects including decreased levels of snow cover and an increased incidence of soil freezing that will effect decomposition. Along with these changes in climate, moose densities have also been increasing in this region, likely affecting nutrient dynamics. We measured decomposition and N release from15N‐labeled sugar maple leaf litter and moose feces over 20 months in reference and snow removal treatment (to induce soil freezing) plots in two separate experiments at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire, USA. Snow removal/soil freezing decreased decomposition of maple litter, but stimulated N transfer to soil and microbial biomass. Feces decomposed more rapidly than maple litter, and feces N moved into the mineral soil more than N derived from litter, likely due to the lower C : N ratio of feces. Feces decomposition was not affected by the snow removal treatment. Total microbial biomass (measured as microbial N and C) was not significantly affected by the treatments in either the litter or feces plots. These results suggest that increases in soil freezing and/or large herbivore populations, increase the transfer rate of N from plant detritus or digested plants into the mineral soil. Such changes suggest that altering the spatial and temporal patterns of soil freezing and moose density have important implications for ecosystem N cycling.
Expression of the Hsp83 gene in response to diapause and thermal stress in the moth Sesamia nonagrioides
Authors: Gkouvitsas T. , Kontogiannatos D. , Kourti A.
Published: October 2009

A full‐length Hsp83, named SnoHsp83, cDNA from the corn stalk borer, Sesamia nonagrioides, was cloned and sequenced. Genomic analysis showed that the SnoHsp83 gene is unique. The size of the SnoHsp83 cDNA was found to be approximately 2.6 kb. The deduced polypeptide comprised 717 amino acid residues, with a molecular mass of 82.6 kDa. It contained all the highly conserved amino acid motifs that characterize the cytosolic members of the hsp90 family. We investigated the expression of SnoHsp83 gene in response to diapause and heat/cold stress. SnoHsp83 is constitutively expressed in non‐diapausing larvae and is induced 15‐fold by heat. SnoHsp83 displays a similar pattern to SnoHsc70 under diapause conditions, when extra larval moults occur. Our results indicate that the SnoHsp83 gene could be involved in the developmental process that occurs between two moults.
RNA interference directed against ribosomal protein S3a suggests a link between this gene and arrested ovarian development during adult diapause in Culex pipiens
Authors: Kim M. , Sim C. , Denlinger D. L.
Published: October 2009

Arrested ovarian development is a key characteristic of adult diapause in the mosquito Culex pipiens. In this study we propose that ribosomal protein S3a (rpS3a), a small ribosomal subunit, contributes to this shutdown. RpS3a is consistently expressed in females of C. pipiens that do not enter diapause, but in females programmed for diapause, expression of the rpS3a transcript is dramatically reduced for a brief period in early diapause (7–10 days after adult eclosion). RNA interference directed against rpS3a in nondiapausing females arrested follicle development, mimicking the diapause state. The effect of the dsRNA injection faded within 10 days, allowing the follicles to grow again, thus the suppression of rpS3a caused by RNAi did not permanently block ovarian development, implying that a brief suppression of rpS3a is not the only factor contributing to the diapause response. The arrest in development that we observed in dsRNA‐injected females could be reversed with a topical application of juvenile hormone III, an endocrine trigger known to terminate diapause in this species. Though we speculate that many genes contribute to the diapause syndrome in C. pipiens, our results suggest that a shut down in the expression of rpS3a is one of the important components of this developmental response.
Genes related to immunity, as expressed in the alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata, during pathogen challenge
Authors: Xu J. , James R.
Published: October 2009

Virtually nothing is known about disease resistance in solitary bees, so expressed sequence tag (EST) databases were developed to search for immune response genes in the alfalfa leafcutting bee. We identified 104 putative immunity‐related genes from both healthy and pathogen‐challenged bee larvae, and 12 more genes using PCR amplification. The genes identified coded for proteins with a wide variety of innate immune response functions, including pathogen recognition, phagocytosis, the prophenoloxidase cascade, melanization, coagulation and several signalling pathways. Some immune response genes were highly conserved with honey bee genes, and more distantly related to other insects. The data presented provides the first analysis of immune function in a solitary bee and provides a foundation for the further analysis of gene expression patterns in bees.
Use of dispersal–vicariance analysis in biogeography – a critique
Authors: Kodandaramaiah Ullasa
Published: October 2009

Aim Analytical methods are commonly used to identify historical processes of vicariance and dispersal in the evolution of taxa. Currently, dispersal–vicariance analysis implemented in the softwaredivais the most widely used method. Despite some recognized shortcomings of the method, it has been treated as error‐free in many cases and used extensively as the sole method to reconstruct histories of taxa. In light of this, an evaluation of the limitations of the method is needed, especially in relation to several newer alternatives.

Methods In an approach similar to simulation studies in phylogenetics, I use hypothetical taxa evolving in specific geological scenarios and test how welldivareconstructs their histories.

Results divareconstructs histories accurately when evolution has been simple; that is, where speciation is driven mainly by vicariance. Ancestral areas are wrongly identified under several conditions, including complex patterns of dispersals and within‐area speciation events. Several potentially serious drawbacks in usingdivafor inferences in biogeography are discussed. These include the inability to distinguish between contiguous range expansions and across‐barrier dispersals, a low probability of invoking extinctions, incorrect constraints set on the maximum number of areas by the user, and analysing the ingroup taxa without sister groups.

Main conclusions Most problems with inferences based ondivaare linked to the inflexibility and simplicity of the assumptions used in the method. These are frequently invalid, resulting in spurious reconstructions. I argue that it might be dangerous to rely solely ondivaoptimization to infer the history of a group. I also argue thatdivais not ideally suited to distinguishing between dispersal and vicariance because it cannota prioritake into account the age of divergences relative to the timing of barrier formation. I suggest that other alternative methods can be used to corroborate the findings indiva, increasing the robustness of biogeographic hypotheses. I compare some important alternatives and conclude that model‐based approaches are promising.
Testing the abundant‐centre hypothesis using intertidal porcelain crabs along the Chilean coast: linking abundance and life‐history variation
Authors: Rivadeneira Marcelo M. , Hernáez Patricio , Antonio Baeza J. , Boltaña Sebastian , Cifuentes Mauricio , Correa Cristian , Cuevas Alejandra , del Valle Erasmo , Hinojosa Iván , Ulrich Niklas , Valdivia Nelson , Vásquez Nelson , Zander Anke , Thiel Martin
Published: October 2009

Aim  The abundant‐centre hypothesis (ACH) is based on the assumption that physiological constraints limit populations at the edges of their distributional range, yet the geographical variation of physiological performance or life‐history traits has rarely been examined. Here we examine the applicability of the ACH in a marine system by testing whether physiological predictions are reflected in large‐scale variations of life‐history traits.

Location  The Chilean coast (18°–42° S), encompassing more than 2500 km along the Pacific coast of South America.

Methods  Five porcelain crab species (Petrolisthes granulosus, Petrolisthes laevigatus, Petrolisthes tuberculatus, Petrolisthes violaceus and Allopetrolisthes angulosus) were sampled on intertidal boulder beaches at 13 sampling sites. For each species and site we evaluated: (1) relative abundance (density), (2) maximum size, (3) size at maturity, (4) sex ratio, (5) proportion of ovigerous females, and (6) presence of recruits. The shape of the spatial distribution of each trait was evaluated statistically against the prediction of four hypothetical models (normal, ramped‐south, ramped‐north and abundant‐edge).

Results  The relative abundance and life‐history traits showed different spatial patterns among species. Relative abundance (across sites) was fitted by a normal model in only two species. No model fitted the spatial variation in body size and size at first maturity, which showed a slight but monotonic poleward increase in all species. Sex ratio showed a prominent hump‐shaped pattern, with females prevailing in the centre of the ranges and males dominating towards the range boundaries; this pattern was statistically significant in three of the five studied species. The proportion of ovigerous females showed no clear latitudinal trends, and mature individuals were observed across most of the geographical range of the species. However, recruits tended to be absent towards the southern (poleward) boundaries of the distribution.

Main conclusions  The ACH does not apply to all species equally. The link between abundance and life‐history traits is complex and variable among the porcelain crab species studied. Overall, the observed patterns were consistent with the idea that equatorward boundaries might be controlled by physiological restrictions mainly affecting adult survival, whereas poleward boundaries might be shaped by limitations in reproductive output and larval survival. Our results underline the importance of incorporating ecological, physiological and life‐history studies in future tests of the ACH.
Local analysis of the edge dislocation core in BaTiO3 thin film by STEM‐EELS
Authors: KURATA H. , ISOJIMA S. , KAWAI M. , SHIMAKAWA Y. , ISODA S.
Published: October 2009

The a <100> edge dislocation core formed in an epitaxial BaTiO3 (BTO) thin film grown on a substrate was investigated by scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with electron energy‐loss spectroscopy. Elemental analysis using core‐loss spectrum indicates that the atomic ratios of O/Ti and Ba/Ti are decreased at the dislocation core. The near‐edge fine structure of the oxygen K‐edge recorded from the dislocation core differs slightly from that of relaxed BTO region, which suggests that Ba‐O bonding is decreased at the dislocation core. The structure of the dislocation core is discussed using a high‐angle annular dark‐field image and the electron energy‐loss spectroscopy results.
Two‐photon microscopy of deep intravital tissues and its merits in clinical research
Authors: WANG B.‐G. , KÖNIG K. , HALBHUBER K.‐J.
Published: October 2009

Multiphoton excitation laser scanning microscopy, relying on the simultaneous absorption of two or more photons by a molecule, is one of the most exciting recent developments in biomedical imaging. Thanks to its superior imaging capability of deeper tissue penetration and efficient light detection, this system becomes more and more an inspiring tool for intravital bulk tissue imaging. Two‐photon excitation microscopy including 2‐photon fluorescence and second harmonic generated signal microscopy is the most common multiphoton microscopic application. In the present review we take diverse ocular tissues as intravital samples to demonstrate the advantages of this approach. Experiments with registration of intracellular 2‐photon fluorescence and extracellular collagen second harmonic generated signal microscopy in native ocular tissues are focused. Data show that the in‐tandem combination of 2‐photon fluorescence and second harmonic generated signal microscopy as two‐modality microscopy allows for in situ co‐localization imaging of various microstructural components in the whole‐mount deep intravital tissues. New applications and recent developments of this high technology in clinical studies such as 2‐photon‐controlled drug release, in vivo drug screening and administration in skin and kidney, as well as its uses in tumourous tissues such as melanoma and glioma, in diseased lung, brain and heart are additionally reviewed. Intrinsic emission two‐modal 2‐photon microscopy/tomography, acting as an efficient and sensitive non‐injurious imaging approach featured by high contrast and subcellular spatial resolution, has been proved to be a promising tool for intravital deep tissue imaging and clinical studies. Given the level of its performance, we believe that the non‐linear optical imaging technique has tremendous potentials to find more applications in biomedical fundamental and clinical research in the near future.
Reconstructing the evolutionary history of nitrotoluene detection in the transcriptional regulator NtdR
Authors: Ju Kou‐San , Parales Juanito V. , Parales Rebecca E.
Published: October 2009

Many toxic man‐made compounds have been introduced into the environment, and bacterial strains that are able to grow on them are ideal model systems for studying the evolution of metabolic pathways and regulatory systems. Acidovorax sp. strain JS42 is unique in its ability to use 2‐nitrotoluene as a sole carbon, nitrogen, and energy source for growth. The LysR‐type transcriptional regulator NtdR activates expression of the 2‐nitrotoluene degradation genes not only when nitroaromatic compounds are present, but also in the presence of a wide range of aromatic acids and analogues. The molecular determinants of inducer specificity were identified through comparative analysis with NagR, the activator of the naphthalene degradation pathway genes in Ralstonia sp. strain U2. Although NagR is 98% identical to NtdR, it does not respond to nitrotoluenes. Exchange of residues that differ between NagR and NtdR revealed that residues at positions 227 and 232 were key for the recognition of nitroaromatic compounds, while the amino acid at position 169 determined the range of aromatic acids recognized. Structural modelling of NtdR suggests that these residues are near the predicted inducer binding pocket. Based on these results, an evolutionary model is presented that depicts the stepwise evolution of NtdR.
First evidence for large earthquakes on the Deshir Fault, Central Iran Plateau
Authors: Nazari H. , Fattahi M. , Meyer B. , Sébrier M. , Talebian M. , Foroutan M. , Le Dortz K. , Bateman M. D. , Ghorashi M.
Published: October 2009

Although sliced by several strike slip faults, a large part of Central Iran remained aseismic during the period of time covered by the instrumental and historical seismic records. Stating the existence of earthquakes in the Holocene is therefore important for the assessment of the regional seismic hazard. A palaeoseismic study of the Deshir fault demonstrates that Central Iran hosted large earthquakes during latest Pleistocene and Holocene. The last event corresponds to 1 m‐deep fissures, which sandy infilling yielded an optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) age of 2.8 ± 1.4 ka. At least two previous events, outlined by older fissures and/or colluvial wedges, have been recorded over the last 10–30 ka. The magnitudes are difficult to assess because the actual slips per event are unknown. The size of the fissures and the significant vertical displacement associated with a colluvial wedge are nevertheless compatible with M ≈ 7 events along a primary strike‐slip surface break.
Alternaria sensitization and allergic rhinitis with or without asthma in the French Six Cities study
Authors: Randriamanantany Z. A. , Annesi‐Maesano I. , Moreau D. , Raherison C. , Charpin D. , Kopferschmitt C. , Lavaud F. , Taytard A. , De Blay F. , Caillaud D.
Published: October 2009

To cite this article: Randriamanantany ZA, Annesi‐Maesano I, Moreau D, Raherison C, Charpin D, Kopferschmitt C, Lavaud F, Taytard A, De Blay F, Caillaud D. Alternaria sensitization and allergic rhinitis with or without asthma in the French Six Cities study. Allergy 2010; 65: 368–375.

Background:  Allergic sensitization to Alternaria has been related to asthma in various studies, but its association with allergic rhinitis is still controversial.

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to assess at the population level the relationships in childhood between Alternaria sensitization and ‘past‐year rhinoconjunctivitis’ (PYRC), ‘ever hay fever’ (EHF) and ‘ever allergic rhinitis caused by allergens other than pollens’ (EAR) according to the presence or the absence of asthma.

Methods:  This study is part of the Six Cities Study, the French contribution to the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase II. Children underwent skin prick test (SPT) to Alternaria and parents filled a standardized medical questionnaire.

Results:  Some 6726 children with a mean age of 10 years were examined. The overall prevalence of Alternaria sensitization was 2.8%, 0.8% for monosensitization. Prevalences of symptoms in sensitized children were 27.7% for PYRC, 27.0% for EHF and 30.4% for EAR. Adjusted Odds Ratios (OR) between Alternaria sensitization and allergic rhinitis phenotypes were 2.34 (95% confidence interval: 1.51–3.63) for PYRC, 2.40 (1.65–3.50) for EHF and 2.95 (2.05–4.23) for EAR. The relationship still remained in the case of monosensitization to Alternaria for both PYRC and EAR when excluding the asthmatic children [OR = 3.87 (1.54–9.78) and 2.88 (1.10–7.55) respectively].

Conclusion:  In our population‐based sample of children, we found a link between Alternaria sensitization and allergic rhinitis, independently of asthma, which is compatible with the mechanisms of deposition of Alternaria in the upper airways.
Screening and instability of FMR1 alleles in a prospective sample of 24,449 mother–newborn pairs from the general population
Authors: Lévesque S , Dombrowski C , Morel M‐L , Rehel R , Côté J‐S , Bussières J , Morgan K , Rousseau F
Published: October 2009

To study the instability of FMR1 triplet repeats in the general population, we screened a prospective sample of 24,449 anonymized mother–offspring pairs and analyzed transmissions of intermediate‐size (45–54 triplets) and premutation‐size (55–200 triplets) alleles. We screened all mothers for alleles ≥ 45 triplets by Southern blot and studied transmission of 545 maternal alleles to their offspring using polymerase chain reaction. Out of 21,411 maternal samples with conclusive results, we identified 250 carriers of at least one intermediate‐size allele and 39 carrying a premutation‐size allele. Out of a subsample of 430 transmissions of normal‐size alleles (< 45 triplets), we observed four (< 1%) unstable transmissions. There were 6/90 intermediate‐size unstable alleles (7%) and 11/25 unstable premutation‐size alleles (44%). Two mothers transmitted a typical full mutation. The incidence of fragile X syndrome was thus 1/12,225 newborns (upper limit of 95% confidence interval: 1/4638 newborns), but larger in males (1/6209) than females (none detected in over 12,000 newborn females). Intermediate‐size alleles were more unstable than normal‐size alleles (p = 0.0027), but more stable (about sixfold) than premutation‐size alleles (p < 0.0001). Unstable premutation‐size alleles harbored the major fragile X haplotype (T50‐T42‐T62), and this haplotype appeared to be a good predictor of instability in premutations (p = 0.02). Incidence and instability are important to determine the feasibility and cost effectiveness of putative FMR1 screening programs. Carriers of FMR1 alleles of 55+ triplets with no family history of the disease may have a significant risk of expansion to a full mutation in a single generation.
Surveillance in von Hippel‐Lindau disease (vHL)
Authors: Poulsen MLM , Budtz‐Jørgensen E , Bisgaard ML
Published: October 2009

Poulsen MLM, Budtz‐Jørgensen E, Bisgaard ML. Surveillance in von Hippel‐Lindau disease (vHL).

von Hippel‐Lindau disease (vHL) is a hereditary multisystem cancer syndrome requiring lifelong prophylactic surveillance. Current surveillance recommendations rely on best medical judgement and no evidence of effect exists. We aimed to evaluate the capability of surveillance in manifestation detection, before these turn symptomatic, in order to prevent disabling or even fatal outcomes. We focus on surveillance of central nervous system (CNS) hemangioblastomas, retinal hemangiomas and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) as these have the most severe consequences. On the basis of full medical records from 54 living vHL‐mutation carriers, risks of intercurrent manifestations in‐between surveillance examinations were determined and clinical consequences of surveillance findings evaluated. Current recommendations of annual ophthalmic and abdominal examinations corresponded to acceptably low intercurrent manifestation risks (1.7% and 1.2%, respectively), whereas recommendations of biennial CNS imaging corresponded to a risk of 7.2%. Annual CNS examinations, however, significantly reduces this risk to 2.7%. Furthermore, most CNS manifestations found due to surveillance (71%, 106 of 150) had clinical consequence for the patient. Also, pre‐symptomatic surveillance increased cumulative incidence of clinical vHL diagnosis from 46% to 72% and from 89% to 94% by age 30 and 50 years, respectively. The present results promote optimization of surveillance, expectantly improving clinical vHL outcomes.
Clinical and genetic analysis of Korean patients with Marfan syndrome: possible ethnic differences in clinical manifestation
Authors: Yoo E‐H , Woo H , Ki C‐S , Lee HJ , Kim D‐K , Kang I‐S , Park P , Sung K , Lee CS , Chung T‐Y , Moon JR , Han H , Lee S‐T , Kim J‐W
Published: October 2009

Yoo E‐H, Woo H, Ki C‐S, Lee HJ, Kim D‐K, Kang I‐S, Park P, Sung K, Lee CS, Chung T‐Y, Moon JR, Han H, Lee S‐T, Kim J‐W. Clinical and genetic analysis of Korean patients with Marfan syndrome: possible ethnic differences in clinical manifestation.

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant disorder of the fibrous connective tissue caused by mutations in the fibrillin‐1 (FBN1) gene. Although clinical and genetic analyses have been performed in various populations, there have been few studies in Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and genetic background of Korean patients with MFS. In 39 Korean patients with MFS who met the Ghent criteria, the most common clinical finding was aortic dilatation and/or dissection (94.9%), whereas only 35.9% of patients had ectopia lentis. The majority of MFS patients had fewer than four of the skeletal findings required to fulfill the major skeletal Ghent criterion for MFS. Only 21% of Korean patients had major skeletal abnormalities and most cases showed only minor skeletal involvement. FBN1 gene mutations were detected in 35 out of 39 patients (89.7%), which is similar to rates presented in the previous reports. These results suggest that some clinical features in Korean patients with MFS differed from those reported in Western MFS patients.
Sudden death: ethical and legal problems of post‐mortem forensic genetic testing for hereditary cardiac diseases
Authors: Elger BS , Michaud K , Fellmann F , Mangin P
Published: October 2009

Elger BS, Michaud K, Fellmann F, Mangin P. Sudden death: ethical and legal problems of post‐mortem forensic genetic testing for hereditary cardiac diseases.

Hereditary non‐structural diseases such as catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), long QT, and the Brugada syndrome as well as structural disease such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) cause a significant percentage of sudden cardiac deaths in the young. In these cases, genetic testing can be useful and does not require proxy consent if it is carried out at the request of judicial authorities as part of a forensic death investigation. Mutations in several genes are implicated in arrhythmic syndromes, including SCN5A, KCNQ1, KCNH2, RyR2, and genes causing HCM. If the victim's test is positive, this information is important for relatives who might be themselves at risk of carrying the disease‐causing mutation. There is no consensus about how professionals should proceed in this context. This article discusses the ethical and legal arguments in favour of and against three options: genetic testing of the deceased victim only; counselling of relatives before testing the victim; counselling restricted to relatives of victims who tested positive for mutations of serious and preventable diseases. Legal cases are mentioned that pertain to the duty of geneticists and other physicians to warn relatives. Although the claim for a legal duty is tenuous, recent publications and guidelines suggest that geneticists and others involved in the multidisciplinary approach of sudden death (SD) cases may, nevertheless, have an ethical duty to inform relatives of SD victims. Several practical problems remain pertaining to the costs of testing, the counselling and to the need to obtain permission of judicial authorities.
Incidence and management of biliary complications after adult‐to‐adult living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Kyoden Yusuke , Tamura Sumihito , Sugawara Yasuhiko , Matsui Yuichi , Togashi Junichi , Kaneko Junichi , Kokudo Norihiro , Makuuchi Masatoshi
Published: October 2009

Kyoden Y, Tamura S, Sugawara Y, Matsui Y, Togashi J, Kaneko J, Kokudo N, Makuuchi M. Incidence and management of biliary complications after adult‐to‐adult living donor liver transplantation. Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 535–542. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Background:  There are few detailed reports of biliary complications in a large adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) series.

Patient and methods:  Biliary complications, treatment modalities, and outcomes in these patients were retrospectively analyzed in 310 adult LDLT.

Results:  One patient underwent retransplantation. Duct‐to‐duct anastomosis was primarily performed in 223 patients (72%). During the observation period (median 43 months), biliary complications were observed in 111 patients (36%); 53 patients (17%) had bile leakage, 70 patients (23%) had bile duct stenosis, and 12 patients (4%) had bile leakage followed by stenosis. A biliary anastomotic stent tube was placed in 266 patients (86%) at the time of transplantation. Univariate analysis of various clinical factors revealed duct‐to‐duct anastomosis as the single significant risk factor (p = 0.009) for biliary complications. The three‐yr and five‐yr overall patient survival rates were 88% and 85% in those with biliary complications, and 85% and 83%, respectively, in those without biliary complications (p = 0.59).

Conclusion:  Biliary complications are a major cause of morbidity following LDLT. Duct‐to‐duct anastomosis carried a higher risk for bile duct stenosis. With appropriate management, however, there was little influence on overall survival.
Anoxic nitric oxide cycling in plants: participating reactions and possible mechanisms
Authors: Igamberdiev Abir U. , Bykova Natalia V. , Shah Jay K. , Hill Robert D.
Published: October 2009

At sufficiently low oxygen concentrations, hemeproteins are deoxygenated and become capable of reducing nitrite to nitric oxide (NO), in a reversal of the reaction in which NO is converted to nitrate or nitrite by oxygenated hemeproteins. The maximum rates of NO production depend on the oxygen avidity. The hemeproteins with the highest avidity, such as hexacoordinate hemoglobins, retain oxygen even under anoxic conditions resulting in their being extremely effective NO scavengers but essentially incapable of producing NO. Deoxyhemeprotein‐related NO production can be observed in mitochondria (at the levels of cytochrome c oxidase, cytochrome c, complex III and possibly other sites), in plasma membrane, cytosol, endoplasmic reticulum and peroxisomes. In mitochondria, the use of nitrite as an alternative electron acceptor can contribute to a limited rate of ATP synthesis. Non‐heme metal‐containing proteins such as nitrate reductase and xanthine oxidase can also be involved in NO production. This will result in a strong anoxic redox flux of nitrogen through the hemoglobin‐NO cycle involving nitrate reductase, nitrite: NO reductase, and NO dioxygenase. In normoxic conditions, NO is produced in very low quantities, mainly for signaling purposes and this nitrogen cycling is inoperative.
Efficacy and safety of omalizumab in an Asian population with moderate‐to‐severe persistent asthma
Authors: OHTA Ken , MIYAMOTO Terumasa , AMAGASAKI Taro , YAMAMOTO Manabu ,   on behalf of the 1304 Study Group
Published: October 2009

Background and objective:  The efficacy and safety of the anti‐IgE antibody, omalizumab, has been widely studied in patients with asthma. However to date, no large studies have been performed in Asian populations. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of omalizumab with placebo, as add‐on therapy in Asian patients with moderate‐to‐severe persistent asthma.

Methods:  Japanese patients (20–75 years of age) with uncontrolled asthma, despite receiving high‐dose inhaled corticosteroids and other standard therapies, were randomized to receive add‐on treatment with omalizumab or placebo in a 16‐week, double‐blind, parallel‐group, multicentre study.

Results:  Altogether, 315 treated patients were included in the efficacy and safety analyses. The change from baseline in morning PEF was 15.45 L/min (least squares mean) with omalizumab versus 2.25 L/min with placebo, a statistically significant difference of 13.19 L/min (P = 0.0004). Clinically significant asthma exacerbations occurred in six patients (4.0%) treated with omalizumab and in 18 patients (11.0%) treated with placebo. The odds ratio for the risk of experiencing an asthma exacerbation was 0.32 in favour of omalizumab (P = 0.0192). Changes in asthma symptom scores, daily life activity scores, sleep scores and rescue medication use were in favour of omalizumab, but group differences did not reach statistical significance. Adverse event rates were similar between omalizumab and placebo, except for injection site reactions, which were more frequently observed in the omalizumab group.

Conclusions:  Add‐on treatment with omalizumab improved asthma control without significant adverse events in Japanese patients with moderate‐to‐severe persistent asthma.
Botulism Questionnaire: A tactical tool for community use in a mass casualty incident
Authors: Burkholder‐Allen Kelly , Rega Paul , Bork Christopher , Budd Churton
Published: October 2009

A botulism‐induced mass casualty incident has the potential to severely compromise a community's health‐care infrastructure, based upon its lethality, rare occurrence, and duration of symptoms, which require extensive support and care. Although early recognition and treatment with antitoxin or botulism immunoglobulin are essential to the effective management of this type of an incident, the two major challenges in recognition and treatment are the hundreds, if not thousands, of casualties or potential casualties requiring rapid screening and the fact that most clinicians remain ignorant of the management of botulism. The purpose of this article is to present the Botulism Questionnaire, which will assist with the screening of casualties, provide educational and diagnostic cues for clinicians and the lay public, and create a layer of protection for the health‐care infrastructure. The applications of this questionnaire in various formats, the numerous points of distribution, and the variety of platforms from which it can be launched will be explored.
Predictors of long‐term mortality in the elderly: the Dubbo Study
Authors: Simons L. A. , Simons J. , Friedlander Y. , McCallum J.
Published: October 2009

Background:  This study examines the predictors of long‐term all‐causes mortality (ACM) in Australian senior citizens.

Methods:  We have analysed ACM in a cohort of 2805 citizens, 1233 men and 1572 women aged ≥60 years, first examined in 1988 and followed for 20 years. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for ACM were obtained from Cox models employing conventional predictors.

Results:  Over 20 years 66% of men (815/1233) and 53% of women (833/1572) died. Constant proportional hazard over the 20 years was demonstrated for all predictors, indicating similar relative hazard of ACM during long‐term or short‐term follow up. There was significant prediction of ACM by current smoking (hazard ratio 1.96, 95% confidence interval 1.57–2.43 in men; 1.67, 1.32–2.10 in women), high blood pressure (1.37, 1.03–1.81; 1.41, 1.07–1.86), diabetes (1.46, 1.17–1.82; 1.83, 1.43–2.34), impaired peak expiratory flow (1.39, 1.15–1.69; 1.80, 1.47–2.21), coronary heart disease at study entry in men (1.33, 1.13–1.57), physical disability (1.38, 1.13–1.68; 1.45, 1.17–1.79) and alcohol intake (0.82, 0.69–0.97; 0.77, 0.66–0.89 respectively). ACM was not significantly predicted by standard lipid parameters. Over the 20‐year period smoking was associated with reduced survival of 41 months in men and 25 months in women, hypertension with reduced survival of 20 and 17 months, and diabetes with reduced survival of 24 and 30 months respectively.

Conclusions:  The findings confirm the contribution of cigarette smoking, hypertension and diabetes to ACM in senior citizens, conditions that are potentially amenable to intervention.
Un‐promoted issues in inflammatory bowel disease: opportunities to optimize care
Authors: Andrews J. M. , Mountifield R. E. , Van Langenberg D. R. , Bampton P. A. , Holtmann G. J.
Published: October 2009

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), comprising Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic inflammatory disorders of the gut, which lead to significant morbidity and impaired quality of life (QoL) in sufferers, without generally affecting mortality. Despite CD and UC being chronic, life‐long illnesses, most medical management is directed at acute flares of disease. Moreover, with more intensive medical therapy and the development of biological therapy, there is a risk that management will become even more narrowly focused on acute care, and be directed only at those with more severe disease, rather than encompassing all sufferers and addressing important non‐acute issues. This imbalance of concentration of medical attention on ‘high‐end’ care is in part driven by the need to perform and publish randomized clinical trials of newer therapies to obtain registration and licensing for these agents, which thus occupy a large proportion of the recent IBD treatment literature. This leads to less attention on relatively ‘low‐technology’ issues including: (i) the psychosocial burden of chronic disease, QoL and specific psychological comorbidities; (ii) comorbidity with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs); (iii) maintenance therapy, monitoring and compliance; (iv) smoking (with regard to CD); (v) sexuality, fertility, family planning and pregnancy; and (vi) iron deficiency and anaemia. We propose these to be the ‘Un‐promoted Issues’ in IBD and review the importance and treatment of each of these in the current management of IBD.
Herniation of fallopian tube through perforated uterine wall during previous first trimester surgical abortion in an infertile patient
Authors: Alanbay İbrahim , Dede Murat , Karaşahin Emre , Üstün Yusuf , Yenen Müfit Cemal , Başer İskender
Published: October 2009

A unique case of fallopian tube herniation into the endometrial cavity after dilatation and curettage is presented. A 28‐year‐old patient who had secondary infertility for 2 years following dilatation and curettage without any other specific complaint was evaluated by laparoscopy and hysteroscopy. During these procedures, herniation of the right tube and infundibulopelvic ligament into the uterine cavity were observed. The herniation was repaired through a minilaparotomy incision.
Endometriosis in a patient with Rokitansky‐Kuster‐Hauser syndrome
Authors: Cho Moon Kyoung , Kim Cheol Hong , Oh Sung Tack
Published: October 2009

Endometriosis in Rokitansky‐Kuster‐Hauser syndrome has been reported only once previously. We present here a case of endometrioma in a patient with Rokitansky‐Kuster‐Hauser syndrome. A 26‐year‐old patient with Rokitansky‐Kuster‐Hauser syndrome presented with abrupt pain in the left iliac quadrant. A mass was confirmed by sonography. Laparoscopic inspection revealed no uterus. The mass was removed laparoscopically. Endometriosis was confirmed histologically. If endometrioma in a patient with Rokitansky‐Kuster‐Hauser syndrome is associated with a small rudimentary unicornis uterus with a small endometrial cavity, endometriosis can be assumed to have developed by retrograde menstruation theory. Because the patient did not have a functioning endometrium, her endometrioma is assumed to have arisen from coelomic metaplasia.
Prenatal diagnosis of mosaic ring 22 duplication/deletion with terminal 22q13 deletion due to abnormal first trimester screening and choroid plexus cyst detected on ultrasound
Authors: Koç Altuğ , Arısoy Özgür , Pala Elif , Erdem Mehmet , Kaymak Ayşegül Öztürk , Erkal Özgür , Karaoğuz Meral Yirmibeş
Published: October 2009

We report a rare case of mosaic ring chromosome 22 duplication/deletion in a fetus for whom karyotype analysis was required because of an abnormal finding in the maternal serum screening test and a choroid plexus cyst detected on prenatal ultrasound. Additional prenatal study of the amniotic fluid by fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed and the terminal 22q13.3 deletion was detected on ring chromosome. The final karyotype was 45,XX,‐22[3]/46,XX,r(22)(p11q13.2)[63]/46,XX,idicr(22)(p11q13.2;p11q13.2)[2]dn.ishder(22)(N25+, ARSA‐, ter‐). The pegnancy was terminated. Cytogenetic analysis of the intracardiac blood also revealed ring 22 mosaicism with only one metaphase spread with idicr(22) as the unstable isodicentric rings are subsequently lost from most cells. We discuss the prenatal diagnosis of this rare condition.
Midtrimester termination of pregnancy using gemeprost in combination with laminaria in women who have previously undergone cesarean section
Authors: Obata‐Yasuoka Mana , Hamada Hiromi , Watanabe Hideki , Shimura Rena , Toyoda Maki , Yagi Hiroya , Takeshima Kinuko , Abe Kanako , Nakamura Yoshiko , Ogura Tsuyoshi , Fujiki Yutaka , Yoshikawa Hiroyuki
Published: October 2009

Aim:  We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of midtrimester termination of pregnancy using gemeprost in combination with laminaria in women who had previously undergone cesarean section and in women who had not.

Methods:  Between January 1999 and December 2006, we carried out a retrospective study of termination of pregnancy at 12–21 weeks of gestation at the University of Tsukuba Hospital. Termination of pregnancy was carried out by three‐step uterine cervical dilation using laminaria followed by vaginal administration of 1 mg gemeprost every 3 h for up to four doses over 24 h.

Results:  A total of 173 women underwent midtrimester termination of pregnancy. The women were categorized into two groups: those who had previously undergone cesarean section (n = 26) (previous cesarean section group) and those who had not (n = 147) (control group). Seven women had undergone cesarean section at least twice. The gemeprost dose administered was 2.8 ± 1.4 mg for the previous cesarean section group and 2.4 ± 1.6 mg for the control group (difference in doses not significant). Although abnormal vaginal bleeding (>500 mL) was more likely to occur in the previous cesarean section group than in the control group (odds ratio, 2.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.63–10.82), none of the woman required blood transfusion. Uterine rupture and failed abortion were not observed.

Conclusion:  The efficacy and safety of our laminaria‐gemeprost protocol for termination of pregnancy during the midtrimester are similar for women who have previously undergone cesarean section and those who have not.
Clinical features of fetal growth restriction complicated later by preeclampsia
Authors: Mitani Minoru , Matsuda Yoshio , Makino Yasuo , Akizawa Yoshika , Ohta Hiroaki
Published: October 2009

Objective:  To assess the maternal and perinatal outcome of preeclampsia with fetal growth restriction (FGR) and to assess the risk factors of FGR complicated later by preeclampsia.

Subjects and Methods:  A cohort of women with preeclampsia and/or FGR (n = 306) were retrospectively reviewed. First, the maternal and perinatal outcome were compared between preeclampsia with FGR (n = 37) and preeclampsia without FGR (n = 96). Second, the clinical findings of FGR followed later by preeclampsia (n = 24) were compared to FGR without preeclampsia (n = 149).

Results:  The incidence of severe hypertension and critical maternal complications in women with preeclampsia with FGR was significantly higher than in those with preeclampsia without FGR. In women diagnosed with FGR, 13.8% (24/173) developed preeclampsia later. In this group, FGR was diagnosed at 28.8 gestational weeks, which was then complicated by preeclampsia at a mean of 32.6 gestational weeks, and delivered at 33.3 gestational weeks. The diagnosis of FGR was earlier and the incidence of proteinuria at entry was more common in women with FGR complicated later by preeclampsia than in those with FGR without preeclampsia (45.8% vs 4.7%; P < 0.001).

Conclusions:  Preeclampsia with FGR is severe condition which can possibly adversely affect the maternal condition. About 15% of all mothers diagnosed with FGR developed preeclampsia afterwards; therefore, those with FGR are considered to be candidates for close monitoring for the clinical manifestation of preeclampsia, and those with early‐onset FGR with proteinuria may represent a high‐risk group for preeclampsia.
Safety of cesarean myomectomy
Authors: Park Byung‐Joon , Kim Yong‐Wook
Published: October 2009

Aim:  To examine the safety and appropriateness of uterine myomectomy during cesarean section.

Methods:  We conducted a retrospective analysis of 97 patients who underwent myomectomy during cesarean section and 60 patients who had uterine myomas, but underwent cesarean section only, between January 2000 and December 2007. Based on the patients' medical records, we conducted an analysis of the characteristics of the uterine myomas, hematologic changes that occurred between the preoperative and postoperative phases, complications, and length of hospital stay.

Results:  Changes in hemoglobin values between the preoperative and postoperative phases, indicating the degree of intraoperative bleeding, were evaluated. There were no significant differences between the two groups (cesarean myomectomy group [1.2 ± 1.2 g/dL] versus control group [1.1 ± 1.3 g/dL]). There were no significant differences in the frequency of blood transfusion, incidence of postoperative fever, duration of surgery, and length of hospital stay between the two groups. In patients who received a blood transfusion intraoperatively, the increased amount was added to the hemoglobin changes between the preoperative and postoperative phases (adjusted value). The difference in the adjusted value of hemoglobin change did not reach statistical significance (cesarean myomectomy group [1.3 ± 1.2 g/dL] versus control group [1.2 ± 1.1 g/dL]). When the size of the uterine myoma exceeded 6 cm, the operative time was longer in the cesarean myomectomy group.

Conclusion:  Cesarean myomectomy is a safe surgical option with no significant complications if performed by an experienced practitioner.