bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Des‐γ carboxy prothrombin (PIVKA‐II) and α‐fetoprotein producing gastric cancer with multiple liver metastases
Authors: Takahashi Yoshihisa , Inoue Tohru
Published: December 2004

We describe the case of an 87‐year‐old woman who presented to Tokyo Kousei Nenkin Hospital because of appetite loss and general fatigue. Multiple liver masses and Borrmann type 2 gastric tumor were detected. A clinical diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and gastric cancer was made based on the patient's high levels of serum α‐fetoprotein (AFP; 490 200 ng/mL) and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist‐II (PIVKA‐II, 2284mAU/mL). The patient's general condition worsened gradually and she died 42 days after admission. Autopsy revealed that the predominant histological structure of the gastric tumor was trabecular or sheet‐like, although a tubular structure was also found. Venous invasion was prominent. Immunohistochemically, the tumor tissue was positive for AFP and a few tumor cells were positive for PIVKA‐II. The histological appearance and immunohistochemical features of the hepatic tumors resembled that of the gastric tumor. This case was pathologically diagnosed as AFP‐ and PIVKA‐II‐producing gastric carcinoma with multiple liver metastases. When tumors are found in the stomach and liver and serum PIVKA‐II level is abnormally high, the possibility of PIVKA‐II‐producing gastric cancer with liver metastasis should be considered, especially when hepatitis virus markers are negative and liver cirrhosis is not present.
Low‐grade endometrial stromal sarcoma with an extensive epithelial‐like element
Authors: Ohta Yoshiki , Suzuki Takao , Kojima Motohiro , Shiokawa Akira , Mitsuya Toshiyuki
Published: December 2004

A case of low‐grade endometrial stromal sarcoma with extensive epithelial‐like element (ELE) is reported. This tumor was composed of classical endometrial stromal sarcoma (CESS) showing diffuse proliferation, and ELE occupying approximately 72% of the tumor mass. On immunohistochemistry, ELE was negative for sex‐cord differentiation markers, and was positive for myogenic markers used in our investigation, and had a particularly prominent positivity for α‐smooth muscle actin within the ELE. Therefore, it was considered that ELE showed no true sex cord feature, but smooth muscle differentiation. Moreover, ELE was also positive for CD10, suggesting that it was derived from CESS. It has been reported that there is a distinct clinical behavior between endometrial stromal tumors with abundant ELE and those with limited ELE. In the present case, the Ki‐67 labeling index was markedly higher in CESS than in ELE. Therefore, a difference in cell proliferative activity between ELE and CESS might underlie a different clinical prognosis.
Molecular identification of the Anopheles nili group of African malaria vectors
Authors: Kengne P. , Awono‐Ambene P. , Nkondjio C. Antonio , Simard F. , Fontenille D.
Published: December 2004

Distinction between members of the Anopheles nili group of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae), including major malaria vectors in riverside villages of tropical Africa, has been based mainly on doubtful morphological characters. Sequence variations of the ribosomal DNA second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) and D3 28S region between morphological forms revealed four genetic patterns corresponding to typical An. nili (Theobald), An. carnevalei Brunhes et al., An. somalicus Rivola & Holstein and the newly identified variant provisionally named Oveng form. Primers were designed based on ITS2 fixed nucleotide differences between haplotypes to develop a multiplex PCR for rapid and specific identification of each species or molecular form. Specimens of the An. nili group from Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Senegal were successfully identified to species, demonstrating the general applicability of this technique based on criteria described in this paper.
Trend in cerebral palsy birth prevalence in eastern Denmark: birth‐year period 1979–86
Authors: Topp Monica , Uldall Peter , Langhoff‐Roos Jens
Published: December 2004

To investigate changes in cerebral palsy birth prevalence and perinatal mortality rate by different gestational age groups, 1979–86, cerebral palsy cases in eastern Denmark were identified from the Danish Cerebral Palsy Register, and information on birth and mortality rates was sought in the Danish Medical Birth Register. From 1979–82 to 1983–86, the birth prevalence of cerebral palsy increased from 2.6 to 3.0 per 1000 (P < 0.05). The rate for infants of 31 weeks' gestation or more did not change, whereas a significant increase was observed in infants below 31 weeks (85–123 per 1000, P < 0.05). In the same periods, perinatal mortality in eastern Denmark decreased significantly from 8.6 to 7.8 per 1000. The decrease in stillbirth rate was significant in all subgroups of gestational ages except in those of 28–30 weeks' gestation. The early neonatal mortality rate decreased significantly only in infants below 31 weeks (282–239 per 1000, P < 0.05). Thus, in eastern Denmark, cerebral palsy birth prevalence has increased from birth‐year period 1979–82 to 1983–86 because of an increased rate in preterm infants below 31 weeks, who at the same time had a reduced risk of early neonatal death.
A comparison of methods of adjusting stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates for birthweight in hospital and geographical populations
Authors: Joyce Rachel , Peacock Janet
Published: December 2004

Birthweight‐specific rates can be useful for summarising stillbirth and neonatal mortality in populations but, sometimes, a single summary measure is required to compare several relatively small subpopulations. However, any particular summary has its shortcomings, and various methods have been proposed. We wished to compare mortality between local authorities and between hospitals in the Thames regions and thus required a single summary measure for each subpopulation. It was not obvious in advance which summary to use or whether a single method would work well for both local authorities (a geographical unit) and hospitals.

This study compared six methods of calculating a single summary, three using indirect standardisation to adjust (500 g bands, 10‐percentile bands, 10 z‐score bands) and three using regression to adjust (mean birthweight, proportion < 2500 g, proportion < 1500 g). The data used were 570 016 births in the Thames Regions, broken down into its 96 local authorities and 65 hospitals. To investigate how well each adjustment had performed, we calculated the rank correlation between the crude and various adjusted mortality rates and mean birthweight, proportion < 2500 g and proportion < 1500 g. This was done separately in the local authorities and hospitals. If a method of adjustment had worked very well, these correlations should be negligible.

For the local authorities, adjustment for proportion < 1500 g gave the lowest correlations. Adjustment for mean birthweight and 500 g‐band standardisation did not appear to work so well but gave moderately low correlations. For hospitals, 500 g standardisation gave the lowest correlations. Adjustment for mean birthweight and proportion < 2500 g worked only moderately well. Percentile and z‐score adjustment did not work well for local authorities or hospitals. We conclude that several methods appear to work reasonably well for local authorities, whereas for hospitals, 500 g indirect standardisation worked best. Percentile and z‐score standardisation did not work well in these subpopulations.
DNA variants in cytokine and NOD2 genes, exposures to infections and risk for Crohn's disease
Authors: Amre Devendra K. , Seidman Ernest G.
Published: December 2004

The incidence and prevalence of Crohn's disease (CD) among children in developed countries is increasing. Although extensive progress has been made in the elucidation of the pathogenesis of the disease, its mechanism remains unknown. CD is likely to be the result of a complex interplay of both genetic and environmental factors (G × E). However, the specific elements underlying these interactions have not been defined. We propose that the underlying pathology of CD may be related to interactions between infections acquired either during intrauterine life and/or early childhood and DNA variants in the cytokine and the NOD2 genes. DNA variants in the latter could confer susceptibility by altering immune development and response to infectious agents. We present a molecular and epidemiological perspective on possible mechanisms underlying G × E. Investigating these and other pathways will be paramount for the appropriate identification of susceptible populations, so that preventive and/or therapeutic interventions could be adequately targeted.
Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA in target organs of lethal and non‐lethal strains of murine malaria
Authors: Nahrevanian Hossein , Dascombe Michael J.
Published: December 2004

Nitric oxide (NO) is a putative mediator of the immunological and/or pathological responses to malaria, consequently it is a potential target for novel drug therapy. Numerous cell types increase expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) under inflammatory conditions, the most relevant stimuli being cytokines and endotoxins. In this study the expression of iNOS mRNA in several target organs (brain, liver, spleen) of malaria have been investigated in MF1 mice during lethal Plasmodium (P.) berghei and non‐lethal P. c. chabaudi infection. In P. berghei malaria, iNOS mRNA decreased in liver and was unchanged in spleen during the period of rising parasitaemia, but increased in both organs late in the infection, when parasitaemia was high and death imminent. In mice infected with P. c. chabaudi, spleen iNOS mRNA increased progressively throughout the early, peak and recovery periods of parasitaemia, but decreased in liver. Brain iNOS mRNA decreased in samples collected throughout the time courses of both infections. Hence it is evident that changes in iNOS mRNA in murine malaria depend upon the tissue, day of infection, degree of parasitaemia and strain of Plasmodium. These data indicate induction of iNOS mRNA in the spleen has a role in combating these strains of Plasmodium in MF1 mice. Failure to clear lethal P. berghei parasitaemia was associated with increased iNOS mRNA expression in the liver, which may contribute to the pathology of this malaria.
Cytoplasmic signalling pathways in alveolar macrophages involved in the production of nitric oxide after stimulation with excretory/secretory antigens of Toxocara canis
Authors: Espinoza Elsa , Pérez‐Arellano José Luis , Vicente Belén , Muro Antonio
Published: December 2004

We studied the cytoplasmic signalling pathways involved in the generation of nitric oxide (NO) after stimulation with adult e

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cretory/secretory antigens (ESA) of Toxocara canis. The pathways of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and phospholipase C (PLC) were considered as potentially involved in the synthesis of nitric oxide. We used inhibitors of these pathways at different levels. Several concentrations of lithium chloride, verapamil, TMB‐8 and staurosporine were used to inhibit the PLC pathway. Inhibition of the PLA2 pathway was attempted with mepacrine, diethylcarbamazine or meloxicam. Lithium chloride, verapamil and TMB‐8 reduced the production of NO induced by ESA in a concentration‐dependent manner. Regarding the PLA2 pathway, a range of concentrations of mepacrine greatly reduced the production of NO induced by ESA. Meloxicam inhibition was always higher than 50%. Diethylcarbamazine showed a dose‐dependent effect on the production of NO induced by the ESA. Our results suggest that both the PLC and the PLA2 pathways play an essential role in activating the production of macrophage NO triggered by the ESA of T. canis. This could indicate that NO production in our experimental conditions is due to both an increase of intracellular calcium and to the participation of the arachidonic acid cascade. The implications of these activations on the host–parasite relationship are discussed and compared with LPS‐stimulated macrophages.
Molecular and immunological characterization of the C‐terminal region of a new Echinococcus granulosus Heat Shock Protein 70
Authors: Ortona E. , Margutti P. , Delunardo F. , Vaccari S. , Riganò R. , Profumo E. , Buttari B. , Teggi A. , Siracusano A.
Published: December 2004

By screening an expression library of Echinococcus granulosus with IgE from sera of patients with cystic echinococcosis (CE) and allergic reactions, we isolated the C‐terminal region of a new heat shock protein (HSP)70 of E. granulosus. The protein, named Eg2HSP70, has close homology with the C‐terminal region of Dermatophagoides farinae and human HSP70. We investigated the humoral and cell‐mediated immune responses to this antigen in patients with CE grouped according to the presence of allergic reactions. Immunoblotting detected total IgG, IgG4 and IgE specific to Eg2HSP70 (83% of sera contained IgG, 31% IgG4 and 57% IgE). No significant difference was found in immunoglobulin percentages according to the presence of allergic reactions. Immunoblotting inhibition showed that no IgG or IgE specific to Eg2HSP70 cross‐reacted with D. farinae or human HSP70. Eg2HSP70‐stimulated PBMC from 26 patients produced significantly greater amounts of TNF‐α, IFN‐γ, and IL‐10 than unstimulated cultures in all patients, irrespective of the presence of allergic reactions (P < 0·05). They also produced significantly greater amounts of IL‐4 than unstimulated cultures exclusively in patients with allergic reactions (P < 0·05). These findings show that Eg2HSP70 is a new antigenic molecule inducing both B and T cell responses.
Sexual receptivity and post‐emergence ovarian development in females ofCoproica vagans(Diptera: Sphaeroceridae)
Authors: Lachmann A. D.
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Males and females of the dung fly species Coproica vagans Haliday 1833 (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae) mate soon after emergence from the puparium. At this time females still have immature ovaries. Therefore, mating precedes vitellogenesis in this species. Data presented here show that mating enhances oogenesis in C. vagans females. Mated females mature their first egg batch sooner and oviposit four days earlier than virgin conspecifics. Mating‐related enhancement of oogenesis could be explained either through nutritional benefits to females or male chemical or stimulatory manipulation of the females. Oogenesis was divided into six arbitrary stages, with vitellogenesis beginning in stage 4. Ovarian development beyond stage 4 is rapid compared with pre‐vitellogenetic development. Virgin females pause oogenesis in stage 4. The genital opening of mated females is blocked by a mating plug that persists until oviposition begins. The plug seems to ensure the paternity of the last male to mate by preventing females from remating. The operational sex ratio in C. vagans populations is presumed to be strongly male‐biased.
Analyses of the stomach deposit that develops inMyzus persicaefeeding on sugar beet
Authors: Kift N. B. , Mellon F. A. , Dewar A. M. , Dixon A. F. G.
Published: December 2004

Abstract.The white deposit, commonly found in the stomach of aphids that feed on sugar beet (Beta vulgaris ssp. saccharifera L), turns a dark colour just prior to the death of the aphid, suggesting that chemical changes causing the deposit to darken may be associated with the death of the aphid. Chemical analyses of the white and dark stomach deposits by HPLC after hydrolysis, elemental analysis and FAB‐MS, showed that the dark deposit is formed after the loss of hydrogen and oxygen from the organic white deposit, and that it appears to be a complex that is not dominated by any given compound. These results contrast with those of previous studies, in which the white precipitate was described as a polysaccharide or a mucopolysaccharide.
Maternal temperature has different effects on the photoperiodic response and duration of larval diapause in blow fly (Calliphora vicina) strains collected at two latitudes
Authors: Mcwatters H. G. , Saunders D. S.
Published: December 2004

Abstract.The blow fly Calliphora vicina Robineau‐Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae) has a wide distribution across northern and temperate Europe. It has a facultative, maternally‐induced larval diapause in response to short days. The photoperiodic response, measured at 15 and 20°C, of two populations was compared. A southern population (originating at 51° N) was sensitive to temperature at all daylengths; the incidence of diapause was greatly reduced at 20°C compared with 15°C. The photoperiodic response of a northern population (from 65° N) was sensitive to temperature only in long days; in short days (< 14 h of light) the response of this strain was identical at each temperature.

Variation in parental photoperiod and temperature were found to affect the duration of larval diapause, indicating a role for maternal effects in diapause intensity as well as incidence. However, the between‐strain variation was greater than that within strains, indicating qualitative differences in diapause response. These differences may arise from the ecological conditions at the points of origin of the two strains. The northern strain from the harsher climate has a more intense diapause that follows a relatively temperature‐insensitive photoperiodic response. In contrast, the southern strain has a shallow diapause and its photoperiodic response may be overridden by the experience of concurrent high temperature.
Behavioural differences in Locusta migratoria associated with albinism and their relation to [His7]‐corazonin
Authors: Hoste Bruno , Simpson Stephen J. , De Loof Arnold , Breuer Michael
Published: December 2004

Abstract. The neuropeptide [His7]‐corazonin induces black colouration in locusts, a feature typically occurring in gregarious animals. To date, the function of this neuropeptide in relation to phase transition has not been fully clarified. Unanswered questions on its involvement in behavioural and morphometrical phaseshifting and possible temperature‐induced regulation still remain. In the African locust, Locusta migratoria migratorioides (Reiche and Fairmaire) (Orthoptera: Acrididae), the gregarious form possesses mainly a brown colouration with typical intense black pigmentation. To find a possible behavioural function, an albino L. migratoria mutant, deficient in [His7]‐corazonin and thus lacking the typical gregarious colour, was used. Between these two phenotypes, nonphase specific behavioural differences in a phase‐dependent behavioural set‐up were found. Additionally, a wild‐type of the Okinawa strain was screened behaviourally and located in comparison to the other groups. Treatment of albinos with corazonin induced normal phenotype behaviour. The degree of interference of corazonin in relation to these findings and a possible effect at the level of visual perception is discussed.
Relationship between plant hydraulic and biochemical properties derived from a steady‐state coupled water and carbon transport model
Authors: KATUL G. , LEUNING R. , OREN R.
Published: December 2004

There is growing evidence that plant stomata have evolved physiological controls to satisfy the demand for CO2by photosynthesis while regulating water losses by leaves in a manner that does not cause cavitation in the soil–root–xylem hydraulic system. Whether the hydraulic and biochemical properties of plants evolve independently or whether they are linked at a time scale relevant to plant stand development remains uncertain. To address this question, a steady‐state analytical model was developed in which supply of CO2via the stomata and biochemical demand for CO2are constrained by the balance between loss of water vapour from the leaf to the atmosphere and supply of water from the soil to the leaf. The model predicts the intercellular CO2concentration (Ci) for which the maximum demand for CO2is in equilibrium with the maximum hydraulically permissible supply of water through the soil–root–xylem system. The model was then tested at two forest stands in which simultaneous hydraulic, ecophysiological, and long‐term carbon isotope discrimination measurements were available. The model formulation reproduces analytically recent findings on the sensitivity of bulk stomatal conductance (gs) to vapour pressure deficit (D); namely,gs = gref(1 − m × lnD), wheremis a sensitivity parameter andgrefis a reference conductance defined atD = 1 kPa. An immediate outcome of the model is an explicit relationship between maximum carboxylation capacity (Vcmax) and soil–plant hydraulic properties. It is shown that this relationship is consistent with measurements reported for conifer and rain forest angiosperm species. The analytical model predicts a decline inVcmaxas the hydraulic capacity of the soil–root–xylem decreases with stand development or age.
Nitrogen use strategies of neotropical rainforest trees in threatened Atlantic Forest
Authors: AIDAR M. P. M. , SCHMIDT S. , MOSS G. , STEWART G. R. , JOLY C. A.
Published: December 2004

The characteristics of nitrogen acquisition, transport and assimilation were investigated in species of an Atlantic Forest succession over calcareous soil in south‐eastern Brazil. Differences in behaviour were observed within the regeneration guilds. Pioneer species showed high leaf nitrogen contents, a high capacity to respond to increased soil nitrogen availability, a high capacity for leaf nitrate assimilation and were characterized by the transport of nitrate + asparagine. At the other end of the succession, late secondary species had low leaf nitrogen contents, little capacity to respond to increased soil nitrogen availability, low leaf nitrate assimilation and were active in the transport of asparagine + arginine. The characteristics of nitrogen nutrition in some early secondary species showed similarities to those of pioneer species whereas others more closely resembled late secondary species. Average leaf δ15N values increased along the successional gradient. The results indicate that the nitrogen metabolism characteristics of species may be an additional ecophysiological tool in classifying tropical forest tree species into ecological guilds, and may have implications for regeneration programmes in degraded areas.
Interactions in the uptake of amino acids, ammonium and nitrate ions in the Arctic salt‐marsh grass, Puccinellia phryganodes
Authors: HENRY H. A. L. , JEFFERIES R. L.
Published: December 2004

The uptake of amino acids and inorganic nitrogen by roots of Puccinellia phryganodes was examined to assess the potential contribution of soluble organic nitrogen to plant nitrogen uptake in Arctic coastal marshes, where free amino acids constitute a substantial fraction of the soil‐soluble N pool. Short‐term excised root uptake experiments were performed using tillers grown hydroponically under controlled conditions in the field. The percentage reductions in ammonium uptake at moderate salinity (150 mm NaCl) compared with uptake at low salinity (50 mm NaCl) were double those of glycine, but glycine uptake was more adversely affected than ammonium uptake by low temperatures. Glycine uptake was higher at pH 5·7 than at pH 7·0 or 8·2. The glycine uptake was up‐regulated in response to glycine, whereas ammonium uptake was up‐regulated in response to ammonium starvation. Nitrate uptake was strongly down‐regulated when tillers were grown on either ammonium or glycine. In contrast to N‐starved roots, which absorbed ammonium ions more rapidly than glycine, the roots grown on glycine, ammonium and nitrate and not N‐starved prior to uptake absorbed glycine as rapidly as ammonium and nitrate ions combined. Overall, the results indicate that amino acids are probably an important source of nitrogen for P. phryganodes in Arctic coastal marshes.
Structural acclimation and radiation regime of silver fir (Abies albaMill.) shoots along a light gradient
Authors: CESCATTI A. , ZORER R.
Published: December 2004

Shoot architecture has been investigated using the ratio of mean shoot silhouette area to total needle area () as a structural index of needle clumping in shoot space, and as the effective extinction coefficient of needle area. Althoughcan be used effectively for the prediction of canopy gap fraction, it does not provide information about the within‐shoot radiative regime. For this purpose, the estimation of three architectural properties of the shoots is required: needle area density, angular distribution and spatial aggregation. To estimate these features, we developed a method based on the inversion of a Markov three‐dimensional interception model. This approach is based on the turbid medium approximation for needle area in the shoot volume, and assumes an ellipsoidal angular distribution of the normals to the needle area. Observed shoot dimensions and silhouette areas for different vertical and azimuth angles (AS) are used as model inputs. The shape coefficient of the ellipsoidal distribution (c) and the Markov clumping index (λ0) are estimated by a least square procedure, in order to minimize the differences between model prediction and measurements ofAS. This methodology was applied to silver fir (Abies albaMill.) shoots collected in a mixed fir–beech–spruce forest in the Italian Alps. The model worked effectively over the entire range of shoot morphologies:cranged from 1 to 8 andλ0from 0·3 to 1 moving from the top to the base of the canopy. Finally, the shoot model was applied to reconstruct the within‐shoot light regime, and the potential of this technique in upscaling photosynthesis to the canopy level is discussed.
Infection of oats and other cereals by oat chlorotic stunt virus in the field and laboratory
Authors: BOONHAM N. , HARJU V. , WOOD K. R. , HENRY C. M.
Published: December 2004

During 1992/1993 and 1994/1995, field experiments were carried out to investigate the infection of several cultivars of oats, other cereals and grasses, with oat chlorotic stunt virus (OCSV), which is provisionally identified as a member of the Tombusviridae. Under field conditions a high percentage of oat plants became infected when sown in infested soil and there was little difference in susceptibility between the oat cultivars compared. Although plants of other Poaceae such as winter wheat, winter barley and annual meadow grass also became infected, the percentage was low and the virus titre reached was much lower than in oats. In most infected plants the virus was localized within the roots, and only in a few plants did it spread systemically. This suggests that the virus was acquired through the roots, indicating further similarities between OCSV and members of the Tombusviridae. Several cereals, including oats, wheat, barley and maize, were infected by mechanical inoculation using an embryo‐wounding technique; in the majority of cases virus infection only reached a low titre.
Effects of combinations amongst genes Lr13, Lr34 and Lr37 on components of resistance in wheat to leaf rust
Authors: KLOPPERS F. J. , PRETORIUS Z. A.
Published: December 2004

Gene pyramiding is a breeding strategy whereby host resistance genes are combined together with the objective of prolonging their usefulness in crops such as wheat (Triticum aestivum) for resistance to leaf rust caused by Puccinia recondita f.sp. tritici. When genes are combined they often give reactions different from those given by each component gene alone. Effects of gene combinations in lines Lr13 + Lr34 (T34‐13), Lr13 + Lr37 (T13‐37) and Lr34 + Lr37 (T34‐37) were compared with those of the single gene lines CT263 (Lr13)(T13), RL6058 (Lr34)(T34), RL6081 (Lr37)(T37) and the leaf rust susceptible control, Thatcher. Infection types on plants infected with pathotypes UVPrt2 or UVPrt13 in the glasshouse, and disease severity in the field, demonstrated higher levels of resistance in the combination lines T13‐37 and T34‐37 than in the lines with the individual genes. The absence of sporulating uredinia in these combination lines prevented quantitative measurements of components such as latent period. In the T34‐13 line, no increased resistance to pathotype UVPrt13 was apparent from assessment of the infection types in the glasshouse. Precise measurements of its resistance components showed, however, that it had a longer latent period and smaller uredinia and its resistance was highly effective in the field. There was variation in leaf rust severity amongst sister lines containing both Lr13 and Lr34, suggesting that increased resistance in T13–34 may not be controlled solely by these two genes themselves. Development of fungal structures, and the incidence and area displaying a hypersensitive reaction, were assessed using UV‐1A and B‐2A fluorescence microscopy filter combinations. Significant restriction of fungal growth during early postinfection stages occurred in the gene combination lines T34–13, T13–37 and T34–37. Colony size in these lines was also significantly reduced compared with that in the single gene lines T13, T34, T37 and the leaf rust‐susceptible Thatcher, when either or both pathotypes possessed avirulence for one of the Lr genes. In the compatible T13–34/UVPrt13 interaction no clear histological evidence of resistance enhancement was observed. The hypersensitive reaction in Lr37 alone or in combination and with either pathotypes, and Lr13 alone or in combination and with UVPrt2 indicated that the major component of the resistance mechanism is posthaustorial. Lr34 had the lowest hypersensitive index and even less hypersensitivity was observed in the Lr34/Lr37 combination line than in Lr37 alone. There was more prehaustorial abortion of infection structures in the line T34–37 than in T34 and T37 with isolate UVPrt2 but not with UVPrt13. It did not appear that abortion of infection structures was a major component of the resistance studied.
Sensitivity to cymoxanil in populations of Plasmopara viticola in northern Italy
Authors: GULLINO M. L. , MESCALCHIN E. , MEZZALAMA M.
Published: December 2004

In 1993, control failures were reported on grapevine in northern Italy under severe downy mildew pressure after postinfection application of cymoxanil in mixtures with copper or mancozeb. A monitoring survey was started immediately in Piedmont (north‐western Italy) in order to determine the sensitivity of populations of Plasmopara viticola to cymoxanil from those vineyards where the fungicide was not controlling the disease satisfactorily. In 1994 and 1995, monitoring surveys were extended to north‐eastern Italy, where cymoxanil mixtures were not performing as well as in the past. Sampled populations were tested on detached leaf discs and on whole potted plants under controlled conditions. In 1993, 12 populations, sampled in Piedmont, showed MIC values (minimum inhibitory concentration) varying from 10 to more than 100 mg L−1 cymoxanil. With a baseline reference population having a MIC value of 3 mg L−1, resistance factors ranged from 3 to more than 30. In 1994, 17 populations out of 27 sampled in Trentino (north‐eastern Italy) showed MIC values of 100 mg L−1 or higher and in 1995, 32 populations out of 38 showed the same behaviour. In similar experiments, the MIC values of populations from nontreated plots were between 3 and 10 mg L−1. In whole potted plant tests, populations with MIC values higher than 200 mg L−1 in a leaf disc test were not controlled by 500 mg L−1 of cymoxanil. The results of our study suggest that resistance to cymoxanil in P. viticola may contribute to a lack of disease control in Italian vineyards.
Effects of temperature on ascospore germination and penetration of oilseed rape (Brassica napus) leaves by A‐ or B‐groupLeptosphaeria maculans(phoma stem canker)
Authors: Huang Y. J. , Toscano‐Underwood C. , Fitt B. D. L. , Hu X. J. , Hall A. M.
Published: December 2004

Ascospores of both A‐group and B‐groupLeptosphaeria maculansgerminated at temperatures from 5 to 20°C on leaves of oilseed rape. Germination of ascospores of both groups started 2 h after inoculation and percentage germination reached its maximum about 14 h after inoculation at all temperatures. Both the percentage of A‐/B‐group ascospores that had germinated after 24 h incubation and germ tube length increased with increasing temperature from 5 to 20°C. Germ tubes from B‐group ascospores were longer than those from A‐group ascospores at all temperatures, with the greatest difference at 20°C. Hyphae from ascospores of both groups penetrated the leaves predominantly through stomata, at temperatures from 5 to 20°C. A‐group ascospores produced highly branched hyphae that grew tortuously, whereas B‐group ascospores produced long, straight hyphae. The percentage of germinated ascospores that penetrated stomata increased with increasing temperature from 5 to 20°C and was greater for A‐group than for B‐groupL. maculansafter 40 h incubation.
Causal Inference with Generalized Structural Mean Models
Authors: Vansteelandt S. , Goetghebeur E.
Published: December 2004

We estimate cause–effect relationships in empirical research where exposures are not completely controlled, as in observational studies or with patient non-compliance and self-selected treatment switches in randomized clinical trials. Additive and multiplicative structural mean models have proved useful for this but suffer from the classical limitations of linear and log-linear models when accommodating binary data. We propose the generalized structural mean model to overcome these limitations. This is a semiparametric two-stage model which extends the structural mean model to handle non-linear average exposure effects. The first-stage structural model describes the causal effect of received exposure by contrasting the means of observed and potential exposure-free outcomes in exposed subsets of the population. For identification of the structural parameters, a second stage ‘nuisance’ model is introduced. This takes the form of a classical association model for expected outcomes given observed exposure. Under the model, we derive estimating equations which yield consistent, asymptotically normal and efficient estimators of the structural effects. We examine their robustness to model misspecification and construct robust estimators in the absence of any exposure effect. The double-logistic structural mean model is developed in more detail to estimate the effect of observed exposure on the success of treatment in a randomized controlled blood pressure reduction trial with self-selected non-compliance.
An Estimating Equation for Parametric Shared Frailty Models with Marginal Additive Hazards
Authors: Pipper Christian Bressen , Martinussen Torben
Published: December 2004

Multivariate failure time data arise when data consist of clusters in which the failure times may be dependent. A popular approach to such data is the marginal proportional hazards model with estimation under the working independence assumption. In some contexts, however, it may be more reasonable to use the marginal additive hazards model. We derive asymptotic properties of the Lin and Ying estimators for the marginal additive hazards model for multivariate failure time data. Furthermore we suggest estimating equations for the regression parameters and association parameters in parametric shared frailty models with marginal additive hazards by using the Lin and Ying estimators. We give the large sample properties of the estimators arising from these estimating equations and investigate their small sample properties by Monte Carlo simulation. A real example is provided for illustration.
Detecting Dependence Between Marks and Locations of Marked Point Processes
Authors: Schlather Martin , Ribeiro Paulo J. , Diggle Peter J.
Published: December 2004

We introduce two characteristics for stationary and isotropic marked point proces- ses, E(h) and V(h), and describe their use in investigating mark–point interactions. These quantities are functions of the interpoint distance h and denote the conditional expectation and the conditional variance of a mark respectively, given that there is a further point of the process a distance h away. We present tests based on E and V for the hypothesis that the values of the marks can be modelled by a random field which is independent of the unmarked point process. We apply the methods to two data sets in forestry.
Stepwise Likelihood Ratio Statistics in Sequential Studies
Authors: Huang Wenzheng
Published: December 2004

It is well known that in a sequential study the probability that the likelihood ratio for a simple alternative hypothesis H1versus a simple null hypothesis H0 will ever be greater than a positive constant c will not exceed 1/c under H0. However, for a composite alternative hypothesis, this bound of 1/c will no longer hold when a generalized likelihood ratio statistic is used. We consider a stepwise likelihood ratio statistic which, for each new observation, is updated by cumulatively multiplying the ratio of the conditional likelihoods for the composite alternative hypothesis evaluated at an estimate of the parameter obtained from the preceding observations versus the simple null hypothesis. We show that, under the null hypothesis, the probability that this stepwise likelihood ratio will ever be greater than c will not exceed 1/c. In contrast, under the composite alternative hypothesis, this ratio will generally converge in probability to ∞. These results suggest that a stepwise likelihood ratio statistic can be useful in a sequential study for testing a composite alternative versus a simple null hypothesis. For illustration, we conduct two simulation studies, one for a normal response and one for an exponential response, to compare the performance of a sequential test based on a stepwise likelihood ratio statistic with a constant boundary versus some existing approaches.
Chest x‐ray investigation in newly discovered asthma
Authors: Hederos Carl‐Axel , Janson Staffan , Andersson Henry , Hedlin Gunilla
Published: December 2004

Chest X‐ray in 60 children (0–6 yr old) with newly diagnosed asthma at the primary care level showed normal findings in 85% at paediatric follow‐up. The pathological findings were transient. The only X‐ray that led to a change in treatment was performed on clinical grounds due to concurrent disease. In conclusion, routine X‐ray need not be part of the initial routine work up of asthma in preschool children.
C2blood concentrations of orally administered cyclosporine in pediatric liver graft recipients with a body weight below 10 kg
Authors: Ganschow R. , Richter A. , Grabhorn E. , Schulz A. , Von Hugo A. , Mir T. S. , Broering D. C. , Rogiers X. , Hinrichs B. , Burdelski M.
Published: December 2004

Abstract: Pharmacokinetic studies in adult and pediatric liver transplant recipients have shown that the C2monitoring is superior to the traditional determination of CsA trough levels (C0) as an estimate of CsA exposure. However, target reference values for C2in very small infants have not been established yet. The objective of our study was to assess the distribution of C2levels in the first week following Ltx and to analyze enteral absorption of CsA for this group of patients. We documented CsA C0and C2levels in 25 infants with a body weight below 10 kg (median 6.8 kg; range 3.0–9.8 kg) in the first 7 days after Ltx. The infants had a median age at transplantation of 7 months (range 0.3–20.0 months). The underlying diagnoses were biliary atresia (n = 17), acute liver failure (n = 4), metabolic disease (n = 4). All children received CsA microemulsion (NeoralTM, initial 10 mg/kg/day), prednisolone, and two single doses of basiliximab as immunosuppressive drugs. The mean C0and C2levels were as follows: day 1: C077.0 ± 39.6, C2340.5 ± 140.0 ng/mL; day 2: C0135.5 ± 53.2, C2467.0 ± 168.2 ng/mL; day 3: C0146.5 ± 70.8, C2519.0 ± 219.1 ng/mL; day 4: C0168.5 ± 55.1, C2570.0 ± 163.7 ng/mL; day 5: C0156.5 ± 38.0, C2612.0 ± 132.4 ng/mL; day 6: C0177.0 ± 41.1, C2606.0 ± 149.2 ng/mL; day 7: C0174.0 ± 27.2, C2622.0 ± 98.8 ng/mL (r = 0.82, p < 0.05). This analysis demonstrates that there is a good enteral absorption of CsA in very small children post‐Ltx in the early post‐operative period. Based on the C2levels achieved, we conclude that there is a good correlation between C0and C2levels even in very small infants.
Liver transplantation with monosegment from a living donor
Authors: Enne Marcelo , Pacheco‐Moreira Lucio Filgueiras , Cerqueira Alexandre , Balbi Elizabeth , Halpern Marcia , Luiz Pereira João , Santalucia Giuseppe , Gracia Josther , De Souza e Oliveira Flavia Goncalves Coelho , Paranhos Grace Kelly , Miecznikowski Rosalice , De Faria Lucio José Auler , Pereira Diaz André Rodrigo , Caroli Bottino Adriana , Manoel Martinho José
Published: December 2004

Abstract:  The shortage of organ donors for low‐weight liver transplant recipients, especially for small children, has led to the development of new surgical techniques to increase the donor pool. Almost all of these techniques use the left lateral segment (Couinaud's segments II and III), but even this graft could be too large for children under 10 kg. We report here the case of an 8‐month‐old boy, weighing 6.1 kg, who received a monosegmental graft (segment III) from his grandmother weighing 68 kg. The graft was reduced at the donor surgery, before clamping of the vessels. The donor was discharged on the fourth post‐operative day; the recipient had an uneventful post‐operative period and was discharged after 22 days.
Fatal and life threatening rupture of splenic artery aneurysms in children with portal hypertension
Authors: Evans Helen M , Sharif Khalid , Brown Rachel M , Platt Craig , Crisp William J. , Kelly Deirdre A.
Published: December 2004

Abstract:  Aneurysms of the splenic artery (SAAs) are a rare complication of portal hypertension in adults. Although the risk of rupture is small, associated mortality is high. Furthermore, circulatory changes that occur following liver transplantation (OLT) may increase the risk of SAA rupture. The incidence in children with portal hypertension is unknown and thus we present our experience with two children who had ruptured SAA, one of whom died. Although there are no accepted methods for routine screening, hepatic angiography should be considered in children with long‐standing portal hypertension (more than 10 yr), in order to detect and consider resection of the aneurysms, either before or at the time of liver transplantation.
Intraspecific olive diversity assessed with AFLP
Authors: Sanz‐Cortés F. , Parfitt D. E. , Romero C. , Struss D. , Llacer G. , Badenes M. L.
Published: December 2004

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) was used to study diversity within and among Spanish olive varieties. A high degree of diversity was found among the varieties present in each growing region. Olive oil production and quality relies on appropriate cultivar selection as well as good orchard management. Production based only on a few superior cultivars would result in improved yield, oil quality, and production management. Amplified fragment length polymorphism were evaluated as a tool to identify the intraspecific and intravarietal diversity of olive. Amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis of 38 accessions belonging to 10 cultivars using six primer combinations produced 106 polymorphic bands. Results were analyzed for similarity among accessions via unweighted pair‐group means cluster analysis, resulting in 10 clusters corresponding to named variety designations. Similarity among varieties ranged from 0.60 to 0.72. Diversity within varieties was identified. Similarity within named varieties (accessions with the same varietal name) ranged from 0.75 to 0.96. Differences in several markers were found among 34 accessions. Intravarietal diversity was shown to exist within the Spanish olive varieties grown in the region surrounding Valencia.
Genetic analysis of tissue culture traits in barley cv. ‘Lenins’
Authors: Rikiishi K. , Matsuura T. , Maekawa M. , Noda K. , Takeda K.
Published: December 2004

The barley cultivar ‘Lenins’ was found to be a genotype showing high shoot regeneration ability in cultures derived from immature embryos. Five cultivars different from ‘Lenins’ in shoot regeneration ability were reciprocally crossed with ‘Lenins’ and the inheritance of tissue culture traits was investigated. F2 plants showed continuous distributions in callus growth and percentage of shoot regeneration, suggesting that these traits were controlled by polygenes. The F2 population, derived from a cross between ‘Lenins’ and ‘6721′, showed a monogenic segregation for the number of regenerated shoots, and the segregation ratio fitted 1:2:1. Tissue culture traits of ‘Lenins’ were controlled by several genes, whereas the number of regenerated shoots related to the efficiency of shoot regeneration is controlled by one major gene.
Barley lines showing prominent high green shoot regeneration in cultures derived from immature embryos
Authors: Rikiishi K. , Matsuura T. , Maekawa M. , Noda K. , Takeda K.
Published: December 2004

Eighty‐four cultivars of barley (Hordeum vulgare) and 95 wild strains (82 of H. spontaneum and 13 of H. agriocrithon) were surveyed for the production of callus, callus growth, and shoot regeneration in cultures derived from immature embryos. All cultivars except for ‘Turkey 381′, induced calli from more than 90% of embryos. On the other hand, the wild lines showed a large variation in the percentage of callus induction from 0 to 100%. Among the cultivars, those with the brittle rachis genotype, bt Bt2, on chromosome 3H, regenerated shoots with a significantly higher percentage than the cultivars with the Bt bt2 genotype. Green shoots were produced in a higher ratio (0.84) in the cultivars than in the wild lines (0.52). Among the lines examined,‘Lenins’ regenerated shoots efficiently (90.4%) and produced the highest number of calli with green shoots per embryo (4.77) followed by ‘Golden Promise’ (3.15). Examination of callus growth and shoot regeneration from embryos at different developmental stages revealed that scutellum development affected the quantity and quality of callus and shoot regeneration.
Identification of incompatibility genotypes in almond (Prunus dulcis Mill.) using specific primers based on the introns of the S‐alleles
Authors: Channuntapipat C. , Wirthensohn M. , Ramesh S.A. , Batlle I. , Arús P. , Sedgley M. , Collins G.
Published: December 2004

Identification of the incompatibility genotypes of almond cultivars is important in breeding programmes for designing crosses and for selecting progeny. This paper describes a novel molecular technique for the identification of S‐alleles in almond based on the use of PCR primers designed from the sequences of the introns without the need for restriction enzyme digestion. Nine specific pairs of primers have been designed for the S1, S2, S5, S7, S8, S9, S10 (putative), S23 and Sf alleles, and these confirmed the S‐allele specificities for 22 of the 23 accessions for which published information is available. This technique provides a precise method for identifying S‐alleles from the genomic DNAs of almond cultivars, and will be useful for confirming the segregation of alleles in breeding progeny.