bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structure and ecological production of the fish taxocene of a small floodplain system
Authors: Halyk Lawrence C. , Balon Eugene K.
Published: January 2010

Fish species richness in floodplain pools results from species addition by spring invasion from the stream and species subtraction by local extinction throughout the summer. Local extinction is the more important of the two components. Nineteen floodplain pools (1 to 597 m2) and an adjacent section of Irvine Creek (43°44′ N, 80°25′ W), Ontario, Canada, were treated with a piscicide to test if the pools contribute significantly to the resource potential of the river basin. Altogether, 41 626 fishes of 20 species were collected. Number of days of stream connection in the spring was not significantly correlated with fish species richness in the pools (P < 0.10). A significant correlation (P < 0.05, r = 0.7413) was found between species richness and the logarithm of pool area. The total fish production for the Irvine Creek section, adjusted to account for dominant and nondominant species, was 298 kg∙ha−∙year−1. Production for this site was underestimated by 49% when weights and densities were backcalculated to time of annulus formation. Total production estimates of the floodplain pools ranged from 135 to 314 kg∙ha−1∙year−1. Stream connection duration affects pool fish production by regulating accessibility to the young of stream spawning species. Floodplain pools are beneficial to the Irvine Creek system. As nursery areas, floodplain pools produce fish biomass which can return to the stream during periods of stream–pool connection. These pools may also act as fish havens if catastrophic stream mortality occurs.
Analyse quantitative des populations larvaires de moustiques (Diptera: Culicidae) dans l'Hémiarctique (Poste-de-la-Baleine, Québec)
Authors: Maire Alain , Bussières Bruno
Published: January 2010

The Great Whale River area (55°16′ N; 77°48′ W) is located at the fringe between the boreal forest and the forest tundra of the "hemiarctic" zone (between 55°N and the absolute limit of trees, as defined by J. Rousseau (1952. Can. J. Bot. 30: 436–474)). Two types of habitats are particularly productive for mosquito larval populations: arctic–alpine rock pools and bogs with palsas. Six of the 17 species present across the area have a high larval frequency of occurrence: Aedes hexodontus (60%), A. punctor (28.4%), A. excrucians (26.3%), A. communis (25.8%), A. pullatus (21.6%), and A. pionips (14.7%). Aedes impiger constitutes 36.2% of the captured imagos, A. hexodontus 31.8%, A. pullatus 10.8%, Culiseta alaskaensis 5%, and A. nigripes 3.8%. A quantitative analysis of the ecological distribution of the mosquito larvae is presented, illustrated, and discussed. Three clusters are distinguished: an A. communis – A. pionips group, an A. hexodontus – A. punctor group, and a third, less correlated group with A. pullatus and A. excrucians, characteristic of the alpine rock pools. Results from a principal components analysis indicated that in the area mosquito species are relatively ubiquitous and seem more related to the types of pools than to the general habitats comprising these pools.
Hovering performance of a negatively buoyant fish
Authors: Blake R. W.
Published: January 2010

The ratio of the induced power required to hover in ground effect relative to that out of ground effect in a small negatively buoyant demersal teleost (Synchiropus picturatus) is compared with that of helicopters and a theoretical curve. It is concluded that the hovering performance of S. picturatus in ground effect is superior to that of the average helicopter.
Tau as an index of similarity in community comparisons: the inaccuracy of its nominal confidence limits
Authors: Jumars P. A.
Published: January 2010

A. W. Ghent (1983. Can. J. Zool. 61: 687–690) erroneously suggests that I (P. A. Jumars. 1980. Ecology, 61: 1553–1554) recommend discarding Kendall's τ in community ecological applications. Instead, I simply point out that the nominal probability levels ordinarily associated with it are in error when applied to community rank orderings of abundance. Ghent confuses an inability to specify the probability of type I error in this use of τ with type II error, vitiating his arguments that the nominal probability associated with τ is conservative.
Brown and white adipose tissue in relation to age and sex in juvenile Richardson's ground squirrels
Authors: Dolman Teresa M. , Michener Gail R.
Published: January 2010

Deposits of brown and white adipose tissue were monitored from birth to hibernation in laboratory-born and field-caught juvenile Richardson's ground squirrels (Spermophilus richardsonii). The weight-specific mass of brown adipose tissue was low at birth and, except for a brief increase at 3 days, declined postnatally. Total mass of brown adipose tissue and its lipid content were also low at birth, but increased postnatally, up to hibernation. Brown adipose tissue probably plays a greater role in hibernation thermogenesis than in neonatal thermoregulation. Both total and weight-specific mass of white adipose tissue increased postnatally, with maximum values prior to hibernation. Laboratory-born squirrels were fatter than wild squirrels and acquired more fat for a given increase in body mass. Females, both laboratory-born and wild, were fatter than males, and likewise acquired more fat for a given increase in body mass. Although at entry into hibernation wild juvenile females weighed 20% less than juvenile males, we calculated that females had twice as much total body lipid (91.1 versus 45.8 g).
Patterns of variation in cranial damage in skunks (Mustelidae: Mephitinae) presumably caused by nematodes of the genus Skrjabingylus Petrov 1927 (Metastrongyloidea)
Authors: Kirkland Jr. Gordon L. , Kirkland Carol J.
Published: January 2010

Cleaned and dried crania of 3055 striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), 63 hooded skunks (M. macroura), 1584 spotted skunks (Spilogale putorius), and 83 hog-nosed skunks (Conepatus spp.) from the United States and Canada were examined for lesions caused by frontal sinus nematodes of the genus Skrjabingylus Petrov 1927 (Metastrongyloidea). Striped and spotted skunks evinced similar patterns of pronounced geographic variation in the prevalence of lesions, with frequency of damage being highest in regions of high precipitation and lowest in arid regions. Regionally, the percentages of adult striped skunks exhibiting lesions ranged from 46.1% in the Great Basin to 89.0% along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. In adult spotted skunks, the frequency of lesions ranged from 39.9% in the Rocky Mountains to 100% in the Middle Atlantic, Southern Appalachian, and British Columbian regions. The frequency and severity of lesions increased with age in both striped and spotted skunks. Among adults of both species, there were no significant differences between the sexes in the frequency and extent of cranial damage. Lesions were significantly more severe in spotted skunks than in striped skunks. No lesions attributable to Skrjabingylus were found in the sample of hog-nosed skunks.
The genus Anonyx (Crustacea, Amphipoda) in the North Pacific Ocean: Anonyx validus group
Authors: Steele D. H.
Published: January 2010

Two new species, Anonyx dalli and A. shoemakeri, closely allied to Anonyx validus Gurjanova are described. This group of three species is unique within the genus Anonyx in having short, broad, and poorly armed second uropods and an angular lower posterior margin on the side plate of peraeopod 4. These species are medium sized and confined to the North Pacific Ocean.
Olfactory organ morphology and histology in the yellow perch and golden shiner
Authors: Lyons John
Published: January 2010

The structure of the olfactory organs of adult yellow perch Perca flavescens and golden shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas is described. The yellow perch has 14–16 primary lamellae and the golden shiner 17–20. Yellow perch olfactory epithelium is best developed in the proximal portions of the lamellae and consists of basal cells, sensory cells, and ciliated and unciliated sustentacular cells. Distal regions of the lamellae are made up of mucous cells and undifferentiated epithelium. The general structure of the yellow perch olfactory organ is similar to that of the Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilus. In the shiner sensory cells are organized into clusters. These clusters are interspersed throughout the epithelium and are surrounded by mucous and unciliated sustentacula cells. Ciliated sustentacular cells are rare, while neural pits are common. This type of epithelial organization has not previously been described from cyprinids.
EFFICIENT NON-INTERSECTION QUERIES ON AGGREGATED GEOMETRIC DATA
Authors: GUPTA PROSENJIT , JANARDAN RAVI , SMID MICHIEL
Published: January 2010

Geometric intersection searching problems are a well-studied class of query-retrieval problems with many applications. The goal here is to preprocess a set of geometric objects so that the ones that are intersected by a query object can be reported efficiently. Often, a more general version of the problem arises, where the data comes aggregated in disjoint groups and of interest are the groups, not the individual objects, that are intersected by the query object. One approach to a generalized problem is to ignore the grouping, solve the corresponding classical problem, and then infer the groups from the reported answer. However, this is not efficient, since the number of objects intersected can be much larger than the number of groups (i.e., the output size). The problem of designing efficient, output-sensitive query algorithms for generalized intersection searching has received much attention in recent years, and such solutions have been developed for several problems.

This paper considers a new class of generalized query-retrieval problems. Specifically, given aggregated geometric data the goal is to report the distinct groups such that no objects from those groups are intersected by the query. Of interest in these generalized non-intersection searching problems are solutions where the query time is sensitive to the output size, i.e., the number of groups reported. Unfortunately, the obvious approaches of (i) solving the corresponding generalized intersection searching problem and reporting the complement, or (ii) solving a generalized intersection searching problem with the complement of the query are either inefficient or incorrect. This paper provides efficient, output-sensitive solutions to several generalized non-intersection searching problems, using techniques such as geometric duality, sparsification, persistence, filtering search, and pruning.
Seismic interpretation of Dinantian carbonate platforms in the Netherlands; implications for the palaeogeographical and structural development of the Northwest European Carboniferous Basin
Authors: Kombrink Henk , Lochem Henk Van , Zwan Kees J.Van Der
Published: January 2010

The Northwest European Carboniferous Basin is characterized by a series of carbonate platforms and intervening shale-dominated troughs during the Dinantian Sub-period. These structures have been mainly found along the margins of the basin. Here we present the results of an investigation of high-quality 3D seismic surveys, which has allowed the construction of a palaeogeographical and structural framework of the Dinantian Sub-period in the centre of the Northwest European Carboniferous Basin. Analysis of these data has revealed a series of structures characterized by flat tops, well-developed slopes and onlap by overlying strata. These geometrical features suggest that the structures represent Dinantian carbonate platforms, an interpretation that is supported by recently published well data. These findings suggest the following sequential depositional and structural model for the area: (1) during the Tournaisian Stage, carbonate sedimentation took place in basinal areas; (2) continued subsidence, probably induced by rifting, resulted in the gradual onlap of carbonate deposition onto topographically higher areas; (3) during the Late Viséan Stage, rimmed shelf deposition took place, by analogy with observations from the UK and Belgium. The seismically mapped structures represent these rimmed-shelf carbonate platforms.
Age of alkaline rocks in the Seiland Igneous Province, Northern Norway
Authors: Roberts R.J. , Corfu F. , Torsvik T.H. , Hetherington C.J. , Ashwal L.D.
Published: January 2010

Spatially associated carbonatite and syenite complexes at Breivikbotn on the island of Sørøy, in the Caledonian nappes of northern Norway, have been dated by isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry U–Pb analysis on zircon and titanite. Zircon crystals in malignite and silico-carbonatite contain many inclusions of Th- and U-rich minerals and have been locally affected by dissolution–reprecipitation processes, all features that tend to cause disturbed U–Pb systems. Some alkalic gneisses also exhibit evidence of new zircon growth during the Caledonian metamorphism. The carbonatite was emplaced into the Kalak Nappe Complex at 574 ± 5 Ma, and various alkaline gneisses and nepheline syenite dykes intruded the neighbouring Breivikbotn Gabbro and its metasedimentary host between 580 and 560 Ma. The alkaline rocks were coeval with, and probably genetically related to major mafic and ultramafic magmatism throughout the Seiland Igneous Province, preceding the emplacement of nepheline syenite pegmatites at 530–520 Ma. The ages of the Seiland Igneous Province indicate formation in an extensional setting, the multistage history of the host Kalak Nappe Complex pointing to a potential origin as an Avalonian-type peri-Gondwanan terrane.
InSAR maps and time series observations of surface displacements of rock salt extruded near Garmsar, northern Iran
Authors: Baikpour Shahram , Zulauf Gernold , Dehghani Maryam , Bahroudi Abbas
Published: January 2010

A large allochthonous sheet of Eocene rock salt is forming the Eyvanekey plateau west of Garmsar along the northern periphery of the Great Kavir basin. This salt extruded over the central plains of Iran, where the southward advancing front of the Alborz Mountains is offset by the NE–SW-trending Zirab–Garmsar strike-slip fault. Based on nine descending Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar images, produced by the European Space Agency's ENVISAT satellite from 2003 to 2006, we used interferograms to map the displacement over 22 increments ranging in time from 2 to 18 months. To study the surface deformation at high temporal and spatial resolution, a small subset of interferograms was used to map the mean velocity of surface deformation. The results suggest that the top of the salt is subsiding continuously at rates that depend on the season. The surface displacement rate throughout the region ranges from subsidence of −40 to −50 mm a
−1
to uplift of 20 mm a
−1
. The agricultural lowlands, where groundwater extraction for irrigation exceeds recharge, are subsiding faster than the salt sheet. Correlation of surface displacements with active folds and seismic faults around the salt sheet also suggests that the study area is undergoing active deformation.

Supplementary material:

Interferogram for the period 19.08.2003–14.02.2006 is available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18383
.
Periconceptional undernutrition and being a twin each alter kidney development in the sheep fetus during early gestation
Authors: MacLaughlin Severence M. , Walker Simon K. , Kleemann David O. , Tosh Darran N. , McMillen I. Caroline
Published: January 2010

Adaptive growth responses of the embryo and fetus to nutritional restraint are important in ensuring early survival, but they are implicated in the programming of hypertension. It has been demonstrated that kidney growth and nephrogenesis are each regulated by intrarenal factors, including the insulin-like growth factors, glucocorticoids, and the renin-angiotensin system. Therefore, we have investigated the impact of periconceptional undernutrition (PCUN; from ∼6 wk before to 7 days after conception) in singleton (control, n = 18; PCUN, n = 16) and twin pregnancies (control, n = 6; PCUN, n = 5) on the renal mRNA expression of 11β- hydroxysteroid dehydrogensase type 1 and type 2 (11β-HSD-1 and -2), the glucocorticoid (GR), and mineralocorticoid receptors, angiotensinogen, angiotensin receptor type 1 (AT1R) and 2 (AT2R), IGF-1 and IGF-2, and IGF1R and IGF2R at ∼55 days gestation. There was no effect of PCUN or fetal number on fetal weight on relative kidney weight at approximately day 55 of gestation. There was an inverse relationship between the relative weight of the fetal kidney at approximately day 55 and maternal weight loss during the periconceptional period in fetuses exposed to PCUN. Exposure to PCUN resulted in a higher expression of IGF1 in the fetal kidney in singleton and twin pregnancies. Being a twin resulted in higher intrarenal expression of IGF-1 and IGF-2, GR, angiotensinogen, AT1R, and AT2R mRNA at 55 days gestation. Renal 11β-HSD-2 mRNA expression was higher in PCUN singletons, but not PCUN twins, compared with controls. Thus, there may be an adaptive response in the kidney to the early environment of a twin pregnancy, which precedes the fetal growth restriction that occurs later in pregnancy. The kidney of the twin fetus exposed to periconceptional undernutrition may also be less protected from the consequences of glucocorticoid exposure.
Marginal and Mixed-Effects Models in the Analysis of Human Papillomavirus Natural History Data
Authors: Xue Xiaonan , Gange Stephen J. , Zhong Ye , Burk Robert D. , Minkoff Howard , Massad L. Stewart , Watts D. Heather , Kuniholm Mark H. , Anastos Kathryn , Levine Alexandra M. , Fazzari Melissa , D'Souza Gypsyamber , Plankey Michael , Palefsky Joel M. , Strickler Howard D.
Published: January 2010

Human papillomavirus (HPV) natural history has several characteristics that, at least from a statistical perspective, are not often encountered elsewhere in infectious disease and cancer research. There are, for example, multiple HPV types, and infection by each HPV type may be considered separate events. Although concurrent infections are common, the prevalence, incidence, and duration/persistence of each individual HPV can be separately measured. However, repeated measures involving the same subject tend to be correlated. The probability of detecting any given HPV type, for example, is greater among individuals who are currently positive for at least one other HPV type. Serial testing for HPV over time represents a second form of repeated measures. Statistical inferences that fail to take these correlations into account would be invalid. However, methods that do not use all the data would be inefficient. Marginal and mixed-effects models can address these issues but are not frequently used in HPV research. The current study provides an overview of these methods and then uses HPV data from a cohort of HIV-positive women to illustrate how they may be applied, and compare their results. The findings show the greater efficiency of these models compared with standard logistic regression and Cox models. Because mixed-effects models estimate subject-specific associations, they sometimes gave much higher effect estimates than marginal models, which estimate population-averaged associations. Overall, the results show that marginal and mixed-effects models are efficient for studying HPV natural history, but also highlight the importance of understanding how these models differ. Cancer Epidemiol Biomakers Prev; 19(1); 159–69
Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Adult Survivors of Pediatric Cancer—A Report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study
Authors: Meacham Lillian R. , Chow Eric J. , Ness Kirsten K. , Kamdar Kala Y. , Chen Yan , Yasui Yutaka , Oeffinger Kevin C. , Sklar Charles A. , Robison Leslie L. , Mertens Ann C.
Published: January 2010

Background: Childhood cancer survivors are at higher risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease compared with the general population.

Methods: Eight thousand five hundred ninety-nine survivors (52% male) and 2,936 siblings (46% male) from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, a retrospectively ascertained, prospectively followed study of persons who survived 5 years after childhood cancer diagnosed from 1970 to 1986, were evaluated for body mass index of ≥30 kg/m2 based on self-reported heights and weights and self-reported use of medications for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and impaired glucose metabolism. The presence of three or more of the above constituted Cardiovascular Risk Factor Cluster (CVRFC), a surrogate for Metabolic Syndrome.

Results: Survivors were more likely than siblings to take medications for hypertension [odds ratio (OR), 1.9; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.6-2.2], dyslipidemia (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.3-2.0) or diabetes (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.3). Among these young adults (mean age of 32 years for survivors and 33 years for siblings), survivors were not more likely than siblings to be obese or have CVRFC. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, factors associated with having CVRFC included older age at interview [≥40 versus <30 years of age (OR, 8.2; 95% CI, 3.5-19.9)], exposure to total body irradiation (OR, 5.5; 95% CI, 1.5-15.8) or radiation to the chest and abdomen (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2-2.4), and physical inactivity (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1-2.6).

Conclusions: Among adult survivors of pediatric cancer, older attained age, exposure to total body irradiation or abdominal plus chest radiation, and a sedentary life-style are associated with CVRFC. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(1); 170–81
A Rigorous and Comprehensive Validation: Common Genetic Variations and Lung Cancer
Authors: Yang Ping , Li Yafei , Jiang Ruoxiang , Cunningham Julie M. , Zhang Fang , de Andrade Mariza
Published: January 2010

Background: Multiple recent genome-wide studies of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) reported associations between candidate chromosome loci and lung cancer susceptibility. We evaluated five of the top candidate SNPs (rs402710, rs2736100, rs4324798, rs16969968, and rs8034191) for their effects on lung cancer risk and overall survival.

Methods: Over 1,700 cases and 2,200 controls were included in this study. Seven independent, complementary case-control data sets were tested for risk assessment encompassing cigarette smokers and never smokers, using unrelated controls and unaffected full-sibling controls. Five patient groups were tested for survival prediction stratified by smoking status, histology subtype, and treatment.

Results: After considering a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a risk factor altering lung cancer risk and comparing to sibling controls, none of the five SNPs remained significant. However, the variant rs4324798 was significant in predicting overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.30-0.73; P = 0.001) in small cell lung cancer.

Conclusions: None of the five candidate SNPs in lung cancer risk can be confirmed in our study. The previously reported association could be explained by disparity in tobacco smoke exposure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease history between cases and controls. Instead, we found rs4324798 to be an independent predictor in small cell lung cancer survival, warranting further elucidation of the underlying mechanisms.Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(1); 240–4
Coffee, Tea, Caffeine Intake, and Risk of Adult Glioma in Three Prospective Cohort Studies
Authors: Holick Crystal N. , Smith Scott G. , Giovannucci Edward , Michaud Dominique S.
Published: January 2010

Current data suggest that caffeinated beverages may be associated with lower risk of glioma. Caffeine has different effects on the brain, some of which could play a role in brain carcinogenesis, and coffee has been consistently associated with reduced risk of liver cancer, thus suggesting a potential anticarcinogenic effect. A total of 335 incident cases of gliomas (men, 133; women, 202) were available from three independent cohort studies. Dietary intake was assessed by food frequency questionnaires obtained at baseline and during follow-up. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate incidence rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) between consumption of coffee, tea, carbonated beverages, caffeine, and glioma risk adjusting for age and total caloric intake. Estimates from each cohort were pooled using a random-effects model. Consumption of five or more cups of coffee and tea daily compared with no consumption was associated with a decrease risk of glioma (RR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.41-0.87; Ptrend = 0.04). Inverse, although weaker, associations were also observed between coffee, caffeinated coffee, tea, and carbonated beverages and glioma risk. No association was observed between decaffeinated coffee and glioma risk. Among men, a statistically significant inverse association was observed between caffeine consumption and risk of glioma (RR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.26-0.81; Ptrend = 0.03); the association was weaker among women. Our findings suggest that consumption of caffeinated beverages, including coffee and tea, may reduce the risk of adult glioma, but further research is warranted to confirm these findings in other populations. Cancer Epidemiol Biomakers Prev; 19(1);39–47
Soy Consumption and Colorectal Cancer Risk in Humans: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yan Lin , Spitznagel Edward L. , Bosland Maarten C.
Published: January 2010

The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between soy consumption and colorectal cancer risk in humans by conducting a meta-analysis of available epidemiologic studies. We systematically reviewed publications obtained through a Medline literature search and identified four cohort and seven case-control studies on soy and colorectal cancer risk that met the inclusion criteria. We extracted the risk estimate (hazard ratio, relative risk, or odds ratio) of the highest and the lowest reported categories of intake from each study and conducted this analysis using a random-effects model. Our analysis did not find that soy consumption was associated with colorectal cancer risk [combined risk estimate, 0.90; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.79-1.03] nor did the separate analyses on colon cancer (combined risk estimate, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.74-1.06) and rectal cancer (combined risk estimate, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.67-1.14). However, when separately analyzed on the basis of gender, we found that soy was associated with an approximately 21% reduction in colorectal cancer risk in women (combined risk estimate, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.65-0.97; P = 0.026), but not in men (combined risk estimate, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.90-1.33). Thus, consumption of soy foods may be associated with a reduction in colorectal cancer risk in women, but not in men. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(1); 148–58
A Highly Conserved Pericentromeric Domain in Human and Gorilla Chromosomes
Authors: Pita M. , Gosálvez J. , Gosálvez A. , Nieddu M. , López-Fernández C. , Mezzanotte R.
Published: January 2010

Significant similarity between human and gorilla genomes has been found in all chromosome arms, but not in centromeres, using whole-comparative genomic hybridization (W-CGH). In human chromosomes, centromeric regions, generally containing highly repetitive DNAs, are characterized by the presence of specific human DNA sequences and an absence of homology with gorilla DNA sequences. The only exception is the pericentromeric area of human chromosome 9, which, in addition to a large block of human DNA, also contains a region of homology with gorilla DNA sequences; the localization of these sequences coincides with that of human satellite III. Since highly repetitive DNAs are known for their high mutation frequency, we hypothesized that the chromosome 9 pericentromeric DNA conserved in human chromosomes and deriving from the gorilla genome may thus play some important functional role.
Prolonged PEG-IFN and RBV Is Effective in Patients with HCV Genotype 1 and High Viral Load Who Achieved Virological Response Later than 24 Weeks
Authors: Ueda Taisuke , Chung Hobyung , Kudo Masatoshi , Ishikawa Emi , Hayaishi Sousuke , Tatsumi Chie , Inoue Tatsuo , Yada Norihisa , Hagiwara Satoru , Minami Yasunori , Ueshima Kazuomi
Published: January 2010

Objective: The extension of treatment duration has been proposed in late virological responders with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 and high viral load. However, the effectiveness of extended treatment in patients whose serum HCV RNA become undetectable later than 24 weeks of treatment (ultra-late virological responder; ULVR) has not yet been determined. Methods: A total of 130 patients infected with HCV genotype 1 and who had high viral load were treated with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) combination therapy. We retrospectively analyzed 10 ULVR who received extended combination treatment beyond 48 weeks. Results: The duration of the combination treatment for ULVR ranged between 59 and 119 weeks, and the mean duration was 80 weeks. Although the majority of ULVR were older female patients (≧60 years) with factors related to poor therapeutic response, 8 patients (80%) achieved sustained virological response (SVR). The SVR rate correlated well with the duration of the treatment. Five ULVR achieved SVR when treatment was continued until serum HCV RNA remained undetectable for longer than 48 weeks. Conclusion: The extended duration of PEG-IFN and RBV combination treatment is a possible strategy to improve treatment response in HCV genotype 1 infection, even for ULVR.
Sensitivity and Specificity of Simple Erythrocyte Osmotic Fragility Test for Screening of Alpha-Thalassemia-1 and Beta-Thalassemia Trait in Pregnant Women
Authors: Tongprasert Fuanglada , Sirichotiyakul Supatra , Piyamongkol Wirawit , Tongsong Theera
Published: January 2010

Aims: To evaluate the validity of new simple qualitative osmotic fragility test (simple OF) as a screening test in predicting thalassemia trait (alpha-thalassemia-1 and beta-thalassemia). Methods: This diagnostic test study was conducted on non-anemic pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, during September 2007, and June 2008. Blood samples were collected from 477 singleton pregnancies with no obvious medical complication such as iron deficiency anemia. Simple OF was performed in the same day, using 0.45% glycerin saline solution instead of saline solution. Quantitative HbA2 test and PCR (SEA type) were performed as gold standard to confirm the diagnosis of beta-thalassemia trait and alpha-thalassemia-1 trait, respectively. The main outcome measures included sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of simple OF. Results: The simple OF test had very high sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 73%, positive and negative predictive value of 35, and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: The new simple OF test (using 0.45% glycerin) has high sensitivity in detection of alpha-thalassemia-1 trait or beta-thalassemia trait and due to its simplicity, rapidity, availability and very low cost it may, therefore, be considered as a screening test in a large-scale population.
How to Assess Active Contact Coordinates in Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery? Comparison of Three Methods for Determining the Position of the Active Contact
Authors: Serra Carlo , Picozzi Piero , Franzin Alberto , Vimercati Alberto , Volontè Maria Antonietta , Leocani Letizia , Falini Andrea , Mortini Pietro
Published: January 2010

To date there is still no agreement in the literature on postoperative active contact coordinate (ACc) acquisition. The aim of the study is to test if the use of three methods commonly adopted in the literature for ACc acquisition (stereotactic X-rays (RXc), postoperative MRI (MRIc) and calculation of the expected ACc) for the same active contact (ACo) lead to significant differences. In our series of 176 ACo, mean euclidean distances were 1.2 ± 0.3, 2.1 ± 1.3, and 2.5 ± 1.6 mm between MRIc and RXc, RXc and EXc, and MRIc and EXc, respectively. Statistically significant differences along the three axes were found. Our results indicate that final ACc depends on the method adopted to acquire them. MRI and X-rays lead to a similar ACc acquisition. The difference between the EXc and the direct visualization methods (X-rays and MRI) is significantly higher.
The Complexities of Porin Genetic Regulation
Authors: De la Cruz Miguel Ángel , Calva Edmundo
Published: January 2010

Our understanding of porin regulation has revealed not only increasing complexity in the regulatory mechanisms, but also that the porin repertoire is more extensive than previously conceived. Initially, the OmpR response regulator was described as the master regulator of porin genes, but many more regulators are involved such as CpxR, PhoB, Lrp, Rob, MarA, SoxS, CadC, CRP, Fnr, ToxR, H-NS, StpA, IHF, HU and LeuO. In addition to MicF, the first small RNA (sRNA) that was proposed to regulate porin expression, porins are post-transcriptionally regulated by a variety of other sRNAs, namely, MicC, MicA, IpeX, RseX, InvR, CyaR and RybB. Future challenges include the full integration of all the regulatory circuitries. Whether quiescent porins are merely replacements of the major porins or are part of novel metabolic programs has yet to be elucidated. The comprehensive exploration of the environmental determinants that affect porin gene expression should yield valuable new information about the functions of these important proteins.
Characterization and Diagnostic Potential of Foreign Epitope-Presenting Ty1 Virus-Like Particles Expressed in Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris
Authors: Uhde-Holzem Kerstin , Fischer Rainer , Commandeur Ulrich
Published: January 2010

We expressed a truncated p1 protein (p1-379) from the Saccharomyces cerevisiae retrotransposon Ty1 in the cytosol of Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris, achieving maximum expression levels of 20 and 65 mg/l, respectively. Two well-characterized epitopes from beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) were used to evaluate the virus-like particles (VLPs) as a presentation system for synthetic antigens. The epitopes were placed near the externally located N-terminus and at the internally located C-terminus of the p1 protein. Electron microscopy showed all particles to be morphologically similar to wild-type Ty1-VLPs from S. cerevisiae. However, fewer VLPs were observed in P. pastoris, suggesting that posttranslational modifications might inhibit binding to the carbon-coated electron microscopy grids. BNYVV epitopes were detected with specific monoclonal antibodies by Western blot and ELISA, with a detection limit as low as 5 ng/ml. The VLPs are therefore promising candidates for diagnostic standards and future vaccine development.
Fibrous Dysplasia of the Face and Skull
Authors: Kinnman J.E.G. , Hong C.E. , Lee E.B. , Shin H.S.
Published: January 2010

Fibrous dysplasia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of tumors in the face and skull. The lesion is often present already in childhood and usually is most active during the general body and bone growth period. Microscopically the lesion consists of irregularly calcified and fibrous bone trabeculae. The rate of malignant degeneration is reported to be 0.4%. The main symptom is a unilateral swelling, and the disconfiguration may be remarkable without pain or other obvious symptoms. On roentgenograms the bone at the site of the lesion appears spongy with a homogeneous, fibrous-looking pattern and a thin egg-shell type of boundary. Sometimes, instead, a dissolution of the fibrous connective tissue occurs resulting in cystformations. The treatment is surgical removal of the diseased tissue; radical, mutilating operations are, however, not indicated. Twelve cases are reported. The lesion occurred in 7 males and 5 females, the maxilla was involved in 8 cases, the mandible in 2 cases, the frontal bone in 1 and the temporal bone in 1. The average duration of the illness was 8 years and the average age at onset around 17 years. Pronounced disconfiguration was seen in most cases, and extensive surgery was necessary in 8 of the patients. Malignant degeneration was not seen.
Bruxism and Hypertrophy of the Masseter Muscle
Authors: Ahlgren J. , Omnell K.-Å. , Sonesson B. , Toremalm N.G.
Published: January 2010

Three cases with swellings at the angulus mandibulae have been examined. From clinical, roentgenological, electromyographical, and microscopical findings it was shown that the swellings arose from masseter hypertrophy caused by hyperfunction in connection with bruxism.
Laryngeal Trauma Importance of Objective Laryngeal Function Tests
Authors: Werner-Kukuk Elvira , von Leden Hans
Published: January 2010

During the past 10 years many authors have reported a steady increase in the incidence of laryngeal injuries. There is general agreement that even minor laryngeal trauma may result in persistent symptoms. In the absence of visible pathologic changes, stroboscopic, cinematographic, acoustic and aerodynamic investigations are of great value in determining the cause and extent of the vocal impairment. Electronic stroboscopy supplies valuable information regarding laryngeal vibrations and serves as a useful screening procedure. The cinematographic approach provides an important diagnostic method for comparative studies of the complex movements during phonation. A sound-spectrogram of the voice reveals the presence of irregularities in the acoustic signal, and indicates the degree of hoarseness. Aerodynamic studies provide important data for an objective evaluation of laryngeal function during phonation. A correlation of the results represents an objective and reliable method for the determination of laryngeal function and vocal impairment after laryngeal trauma. Minor structural or functional changes in the larynx may effect the vocal quality for months or years, even after complete resolution of the clinical findings.
A Study of the Function of the Stria vascularis and Spiral Ligament in each Cochlear Turn
Authors: Nakai Y.
Published: January 2010

The distribution of radioactive sodium (22Na) and phosphorus (32P) and oxygen consumption in the stria vascularis and spiral ligament of guinea pigs was studied. The concentration of 32P in the stria vascularis with spiral ligament in each turn 24 h after the injection decreased from the basal turn to the apical turn. The concentration of 32P in the stria vascularis was approximately similar to that in the spiral ligament. The concentration of the radioactive isotope 24 h following the injection of 22Na in the stria vascularis with spiral ligament in the middle turn appeared higher than that of the other turns. The concentration of 22Na in the stria vascularis was higher than that in the spiral ligament. The oxygen consumption in 0.2% glucose Krebs Ringer phosphate solution of the spiral ligament as well as the stria vascularis was high. A view of the function of the stria vascularis and spiral ligament and endolymph formation were discussed.
Pneumatic Registration of Vestibulospinal Reflexes
Authors: Spector M.
Published: January 2010

Vestibulospinal reflexes were studied by measuring the laterotorsion of the head spontaneously and after the bithermal caloric tests. Measurement was made in the supine position by comparing the pressure on two pneumatic balloons placed one on each side of the occiput. The variation in pressure was measured by a water manometer. Evaluation of the results measured by various parameters would indicate that pneumatic registration is not a reliable method.
Arterio-venöses Angiom der Ohrmuschel
Authors: Rolfs B. , Kessler L.
Published: January 2010

A case of arteriovenous angioma of the concha is reported. Within the space of ten years, a pulsing, fungoid swelling the size of a plum developed. The growth was excised after ligation of the external carotid artery. Histological examination revealed distensibel arterious and venous structures with defective vessel walls and patches of degeneration in the intima and media. Ten months after the operation, the patient is free from symptoms and has had no recurrence.
Die Rekonstruktion des Ösophagus mit deltopektoralen Hautlappen
Authors: Lämmli K. , Fisch U.
Published: January 2010

Reconstructive surgery of the esophagus with delto-pectoral flap. The use of the delto-pectoral flap in the reconstructive surgery of the esophagus is demonstrated. One flap was used for the one-stage reconstruction of the cervical esophagus. For large defects including the intrathoracal esophageal portion two flaps have been successfully employed. The delto-pectoral flap has shown an ideal vitality and reliability.
Traitement chirurgical de l’otospongiose et ses suites
Authors: Buchheim G.
Published: January 2010

The operation for an otosclerosis is generally well supported by the ear, concerning a stapedectomy, a transplatinary piston, stapedian mobilisation or a fenestration. However, one must count approximately 3/1,000 severe labyrinthisations. The invaded otosclerosis supply most of the failures. Secondary operations give less constant results and are much more dangerous for the internal ear. With the recession of years the results become less good. Certain auditive gains diminish and even disappear, some by slow labyrinthisation and others reconstituting a transmission deafness amendable of a new surgical intervention, stapedectomy or eventually fenestration. Reciprocally, certain old dry cavity fenestrations can be re-operated in the sense of a stapedectomy. Owing to this slow degradation of results, one must not be rushed to operate both ears in young cases. One must not intervene with the second ear until later on, so as to thus prolong the time for good hearing.
A propos du phénomène de Tullio et des interactions cochléo-vestibulaires
Authors: Hadj-Djilani A.
Published: January 2010

In 5 patients presenting the Tullio phenomenon, out of a casuistry of 6,000 patients, auditive and vestibularis functions are studied, in particular the electronystagmo- graphic pattern. This is in the hope of eventually finding a common pattern of these rare cases where the auditives stimuli affect on the posterior labyrinth could be objected. The results are not incompatible with the hypothesis drawn from the histopathologic work of McCABE and Lawrence [1958] and the neurophysiologic work of Burgeat etal. [1966]; the peripheral lesions would, in fact, be limited to a single sacculus, where as the central level of the vestibularis pathways of the cerebellum would be electively stimulated. This same etiopathogeny could render the destroying effect of noises on the posterior labyrinth without the Tullio phenomenon. A clinical example of this is mentioned.
Acute Otitis Media
Authors: Herberts G. , Jeppsson P.-H. , Nylén O. , Branefors-Helander P.
Published: January 2010

A study of the bacteriology is presented with special reference to the possibility of obtaining reliable bacteriologic diagnosis from nose samples only. Good correlation exists between ear samples and nose samples taken with a simple technic described in the article. There are no clear therapeutic differences between spontaneus rupture, myringotomy and no myringotomy. H. influenzae and pneumococci are the major pathogens in acute otitis media. H. influenzae is found in the same frequency in all ages.
Treatment of Acute Acoustic Trauma with Low Molecular Weight Dextran
Authors: Kellerhals B. , Hippert F. , Pfaltz C.R.
Published: January 2010

Ten workers struck by the same blast of an explosion were selected for a comparative study: 5 patients were treated with low molecular weight dextran, 5 patients were left without treatment. Recovery from the inner ear damage, measured by the restoration of hearing losses (bone conduction threshold), proved significantly better in the treated group. This result supports the concept that microcirculatory disturbances in the cochlea play an important role in the pathogenesis of permanent hearing loss after exposure to damaging noise intensities.
Intramyocardial Fibroblast Myocyte Communication
Authors: Kakkar Rahul , Lee Richard T.
Published: January 2010

Abstract
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Cardiac fibroblasts are emerging as key components of normal cardiac function, as well as the response to stressors and injury. These most numerous cells of the heart interact with myocytes via paracrine mechanisms, alterations in extracellular matrix homeostasis, and direct cell-cell interactions. It is possible that they are a contributor to the inability of adult myocytes to proliferate and may influence cardiac progenitor biology. Furthering our understanding of how cardiac fibroblasts and myocytes interact may provide an avenue to novel treatments for heart failure prevention. This review discusses the most recent concepts in cardiac fibroblast-myocyte communication and areas of potential future research.
Powerplay: Origins of the U.S. Alliance System in Asia
Authors: Cha Victor D.
Published: January 2010

In East Asia the United States cultivated a “hub and spokes” system of discrete, exclusive alliances with the Republic of Korea, the Republic of China, and Japan, a system that was distinct from the multilateral security alliances it preferred in Europe. Bilateralism emerged in East Asia as the dominant security structure because of the “powerplay” rationale behind U.S. postwar planning in the region. “Powerplay” refers to the construction of an asymmetric alliance designed to exert maximum control over the smaller ally's actions. The United States created a series of bilateral alliances in East Asia to contain the Soviet threat, but a congruent rationale was to constrain “rogue allies”—that is, rabidly anticommunist dictators who might start wars for reasons of domestic legitimacy and entrap the United States in an unwanted larger war. Underscoring the U.S. desire to avoid such an outcome was a belief in the domino theory, which held that the fall of one small country in Asia could trigger a chain of countries falling to communism. The administrations of Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower calculated that they could best restrain East Asia's pro-West dictators through tight bilateral alliances rather than through a regionwide multilateral mechanism. East Asia's security bilateralism today is therefore a historical artifact of this choice.
The Intracranial Aneurysm Susceptibility Genes HSPG2 and CSPG2 Are Not Associated With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Authors: Baas Annette F. , Medic Jelena , van 't Slot Ruben , de Vries Jean-Paul P. M. , van Sambeek Marc R. H. M. , Verhoeven Eric L. G. , Boll Bart P. , Grobbee Diederick E. , Wijmenga Cisca , Blankensteijn Jan D. , Ruigrok Ynte M.
Published: January 2010

Background: A genetic variant on chromosome 9p21 associates with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and intracranial aneurysm (IA), indicating that despite the differences in pathology there are shared genetic risk factors. We investigated whether the IA susceptibility genes heparan sulfate proteoglycan 2 (HSPG2) and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 2 (CSPG2) associate with AAA as well. Methods: Using tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), all common variants were analyzed in a Dutch AAA case-control population in a 2-stage genotyping approach. In stage 1, 12 tag SNPs in HSPG2 and 22 tag SNPs in CSPG2 were genotyped in 376 patients and 648 controls. Genotyping of significantly associated SNPs was replicated in a second independent cohort of 360 cases and 376 controls. Results: In stage 1, no HSPG2 SNPs and 1 CSPG2 SNP associated with AAA (rs2652106, P = .019). Association of this SNP was not replicated (P = .342). Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that, in contrast to IA, HSPG2 and CSPG2 do not associate with AAA.