bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Programmatic Factors Related to Smallpox Vaccine Uptake by Healthcare Workers and Others
Authors: Lindley Megan C. , Wortley Pascale M. , Winston Carla A. , Schwartz Benjamin
Published: October 2006

We surveyed program coordinators at 106 hospitals and health departments that participated in the National Smallpox Vaccination Program to ascertain how program-level factors affected the rate of smallpox vaccine uptake by staff. In a fully adjusted multivariate model, health departments achieved significantly higher vaccination rates than did hospitals, as did facilities that invited fewer employees to be vaccinated.
An Outbreak of Pneumococcal Pneumonia Among Residents of a Retirement Home in France During October 2003
Authors: Hansmann Y. , Doyle A. , Remy V. , Jaulhac B. , Christmann D. , Lesens O. , Perrocheau A.
Published: October 2006

We describe an outbreak of pneumonia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae in a French retirement home. Eleven residents developed pneumonia. Eight patients had positive results of urinary antigen tests. There were no further cases after the implementation of control measures, which involved isolation of and receipt of antibiotic therapy by symptomatic residents. No risk factors for transmission of S. pneumoniae were identified in this population.
A Cluster of Nosocomial Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Pneumonia in a Medical Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Mohan Sowjanya , Hamid Naveed S. , Cunha Burke A.
Published: October 2006

We report a cluster of 3 cases of nosocomial herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) pneumonia occurring in close temporal and physical proximity during a 1-week period, which suggested a common source. HSV-1 nosocomial pneumonia occurs in immunocompetent intubated patients and presents as otherwise unexplained profound and/or prolonged hypoxemia (decreased FIO2, increased Po2 and decreased A-a gradient) and “failure to wean”. The diagnosis of HSV-1 pneumonia is determined by demonstration of characteristic cytopathologic findings (Cowdry type A inclusion bodies) in distal respiratory epithelial cells from bronchoscopic specimens. Acyclovir therapy results in rapid improvement and ability to wean.
Pseudo-Outbreak of Hepatitis B Virus Infection Associated With Contamination of a Semiautomatic Cap Remover
Authors: Diederen Bram M. W. , Verhulst Carlo , Veen Annemarie van't , Keulen Peter H. J. van , Kluytmans Jan A. J. W.
Published: October 2006

A pseudo-outbreak of hepatitis B virus caused by cross-contamination from a semiautomatic cap remover for blood collection tubes is reported. The source of the outbreak was elucidated by using basic epidemiological methods. Laboratories should always be critical about their results in order to identify contamination problems.
Probing the cosmological singularity with a particle
Authors: Małkiewicz Przemysław , Piechocki Włodzimierz
Published: October 2006

We examine the transition of a particle across the singularity of the compactified Milne (CM) space. Quantization of the phase space of a particle and testing the quantum stability of its dynamics are consistent to one another. One type of transition of a quantum particle is described by a quantum state that is continuous at the singularity. It indicates the existence of a deterministic link between the propagation of a particle before and after crossing the singularity. Regularization of the CM space leads to the dynamics similar to the dynamics in the de Sitter space. The CM space is a promising model to describe the cosmological singularity deserving further investigation by making use of strings and membranes.
SNiPer-HD: improved genotype calling accuracy by an expectation-maximization algorithm for high-density SNP arrays
Authors: Hua Jianping , Craig David W. , Brun Marcel , Webster Jennifer , Zismann Victoria , Tembe Waibhav , Joshipura Keta , Huentelman Matthew J. , Dougherty Edward R. , Stephan Dietrich A.
Published: October 2006

Motivation: The technology to genotype single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at extremely high densities provides for hypothesis-free genome-wide scans for common polymorphisms associated with complex disease. However, we find that some errors introduced by commonly employed genotyping algorithms may lead to inflation of false associations between markers and phenotype.

Results: We have developed a novel SNP genotype calling program, SNiPer-High Density (SNiPer-HD), for highly accurate genotype calling across hundreds of thousands of SNPs. The program employs an expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm with parameters based on a training sample set. The algorithm choice allows for highly accurate genotyping for most SNPs. Also, we introduce a quality control metric for each assayed SNP, such that poor-behaving SNPs can be filtered using a metric correlating to genotype class separation in the calling algorithm. SNiPer-HD is superior to the standard dynamic modeling algorithm and is complementary and non-redundant to other algorithms, such as BRLMM. Implementing multiple algorithms together may provide highly accurate genotyping calls, without inflation of false positives due to systematically miss-called SNPs. A reliable and accurate set of SNP genotypes for increasingly dense panels will eliminate some false association signals and false negative signals, allowing for rapid identification of disease susceptibility loci for complex traits.

Availability: SNiPer-HD is available at TGen's website: .

Contact:  dstephan@tgen.org
Validated age, growth, and mortality estimates of the ocean quahog (Arctica islandica) in the western Atlantic
Authors: Kilada Raouf W. , Campana Steven E. , Roddick Dale
Published: October 2006

Kilada, R. W., Campana S. E., and Roddick, D. 2007. Validated age, growth, and mortality estimates of the ocean quahog (Arctica islandica) in the western Atlantic. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 31–38. The age structure of offshore (Sable Bank) and inshore (St Mary's Bay) populations of eastern Canadian ocean quahogs (Arctica islandica), and of a northwestern Iceland population, is investigated. Age estimates for eastern Canadian ocean quahogs were validated through analysis of bomb-produced 14C in quahog shell growth increments deposited before, during, and after the atmospheric atomic bomb testing periods of the 1950s and 1960s. Delta 14C from shells with presumed birthdates between the late 1950s and 1970s clearly reflects the sharp increase in oceanic radiocarbon attributable to nuclear testing. The results validate our age interpretations of Sable Bank quahogs to an age of 45 y, and support longevity estimates of more than 200 y for the same population. Longevity calculations for the other populations exceeded 60 y. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters were estimated for the three populations; the growth rate of all three was relatively rapid for the first 20–30 y of life, but thereafter was very slow. The instantaneous rate of natural mortality (M), calculated using the age–frequency distribution of the unexploited populations, was estimated to be 0.03 and 0.10 for the Sable Bank and St Mary's Bay populations, respectively.
Prey selection by North Sea herring (Clupea harengus), with special reference to fish eggs
Authors: Segers F. H. I. D. , Dickey-Collas M. , Rijnsdorp A. D.
Published: October 2006

Segers, F. H. I. D, Dickey-Collas, M., and Rijnsdorp, A. D. 2007. Prey selection by North Sea herring (Clupea harengus), with special reference to fish eggs. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 60–68. he herring stock in the North Sea in recent years has recovered to a relatively high biomass, and here we investigate prey selection of individual North Sea herring when population numbers are high. The diet composition, and specifically pelagic fish eggs, was investigated in February 2004. Samples of herring from the International Bottom Trawl Survey were used for stomach analysis, and ichthyoplankton samples from the southern North Sea were used to investigate selection. Crustaceans were the main diet component. The average diameter of the fish eggs recovered from the stomachs was significantly larger than that of the eggs collected in the field. In addition, the frequency at which the latest developmental stages occurred in the herring stomachs was significantly different from the frequency at which these stages were found in the field. This shows selective foraging. There was a relationship between the amount of food and the number of eggs in a herring stomach: the fullest stomachs tended to contain fewer fish eggs. This suggests that herring forage on eggs when other prey are not available. Hence, it is likely that the dynamics of multiple trophic levels influence the ecological impact of a large herring stock on the North Sea ecosystem.
In search of the origin of mass
Authors: Shears T.G , Heinemann B , Waters D
Published: October 2006

Particle physics explores the structure of matter by studying the behaviour of its most fundamental constituents. Despite the remarkable success of our theories, there remains much that is fundamental but unexplained. One of our most pressing questions concerns the origin of mass. Our favoured theoretical explanation for the existence of mass also predicts the existence of a particle that has never been seen—the Higgs boson. In this review, we survey our knowledge of the Higgs boson and explain why, if the theory is correct, we should expect to make our first observation of the elusive Higgs in the next few years, when a major new particle physics facility starts operating. This will be the most powerful particle accelerator in the world. Although searching for the Higgs boson will be challenging in this environment, we hope that our experimental results will allow us to finally understand the origin of mass and extend our knowledge of the Universe yet further.
ELASTIC BEHAVIOR AND CREEP OF REFRACTORY BRICK UNDER TENSILE AND COMPRESSIVE LOADS*
Authors: Mong Lewis E.
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Specimens cut from 9‐in, brick of nine brands of firebrick, including two high‐alumina, four fire‐clay, two siliceous fire‐clay, and one silica, were subjected to tensile and compressive creep tests at eleven temperatures from 25° to 950°C., inclusive. The duration of each test was approximately 240 days. Small length changes, independent of stress direction (that is, compressive or tensile), occurred at the lower temperatures. The lowest temperatures at which creep was significant were (a) high‐alumina brick, 700° to 850°C.; (b) fire‐clay brick, 600° to 700°C.; and (c) siliceous and silica brick, 950°C. Creep results under compressive stress could not be correlated with results under tensile stress. Specimens of different brands, at 950° C. showed greatly different capacities to carry load. Repeated heatings caused growth of silica brick of approximately 0.27%. Moduli of elasticity at room temperature were determined before and after the various heat‐treatments and resultant changes were recorded. The changes in moduli were 15% or greater for silica and siliceous brick and 4% or less for the fire‐clay brick. The moduli of elasticity at room temperature were approximately 2.7–4.3 × 106 for high‐alumina brick, 0.6–1.9 × 106 for fire‐clay brick, 0.3–1.7 × 106 for siliceous fire‐clay brick, and 0.4 × 106 for silica brick.
DISINTEGRATING EFFECT OF REPEATED FREEZING AND THAWING ON BUILDING BRICK*
Authors: McMohan J. F. , Amberg C. R.
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Laboratory freezing and thawing tests (A.S.T.M. test No. C47–44 and modifications thereof) were correlated with results of outdoor‐exposure tests. This correlation was based on saturation coefficient, absorption, rate of absorption, strength, and method of manufacture. New York building brick of the soft‐mud and stiff‐mud types were investigated. The results show that those brick within a specific absorption range and with the greatest strength and the smallest saturation coefficient will have lower loss in the freezing‐thawing tests.
Eating disorders and substance abuse in Canadian women: a national study
Authors: Piran Niva , Gadalla Tahany
Published: October 2006

Aims  This study aimed to examine the comorbidity between eating disorders and substance use in a large nationally representative sample of Canadian adult women. Recent as well as life‐time measures of substance use were used.

Design  The research was based on secondary analyses of data collected, using multi‐stage stratified probability sampling, by Statistics Canada in the Mental Health and Well‐being cycle 1.2 of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS).

Measurements  The Eating Attitude Test (EAT‐26) was used to measure risk of eating disorders. Alcohol use, dependence and interference, and illicit drug use, dependence and interference were measured using relevant modules from the short form of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI‐SF).

Participants  Data on a nationally representative sample of Canadian adult women, grouped into three age groups, were used for this research.

Findings  Alcohol dependence and alcohol interference were associated significantly with the risk for an eating disorder in the three adult age groups. Significant associations were also found in the three age groups between risk for an eating disorder and the life‐time abuse of and dependence on illicit drugs. Significant associations were found in the 15–24 and 25–44‐year age groups when the 12‐month time‐frame was used.

Conclusions  The study findings support the call for the development of short screening instruments for adult women with eating disorders and substance abuse, as well as for the development of treatment strategies that address the co‐occurrence of eating disorders and substance use.
Could the CARE–SHAKTI intervention for injecting drug users be maintaining the low HIV prevalence in Dhaka, Bangladesh?
Authors: Foss Anna M. , Watts Charlotte H. , Vickerman Peter , Azim Tasnim , Guinness Lorna , Ahmed Munir , Rodericks Andrea , Jana Smarajit
Published: October 2006

Aims  To explore whether the low HIV prevalence observed in Bangladesh results from prevention activities, this study uses mathematical modelling to estimate the impact of a needle/syringe exchange intervention for injecting drug users (IDUs) in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Design  Epidemiological, behavioural and intervention monitoring data were used to parameterize a dynamic mathematical model, and fit it to National HIV Sero‐surveillance data among IDUs (2000–02). The model was used to estimate the impact of the intervention on HIV transmission among IDUs and their sexual partners.

Setting  Dhaka, Bangladesh, where the HIV prevalence has remained low despite high‐risk sexual and injecting behaviours, and growing HIV epidemics in neighbouring countries.

Findings  The model predicts that the intervention may have reduced the incidence of HIV among IDUs by 90% (95% CI 74–94%), resulting in an IDU HIV prevalence of 10% (95% CI 4–19%) after 8 years of intervention activity instead of 42% (95% CI 30–47%) if the intervention had not occurred.

Conclusions  The analysis highlights the potential for rapid HIV spread among IDUs in Dhaka, and suggests that the intervention may have substantially reduced IDU HIV transmission. However, there is no room for complacency. Sustained and expanded funding for interventions in Dhaka and other regions of Bangladesh are crucial to maintaining the low HIV prevalence.
t(8;21) acute myeloid leukaemia cells are dependent on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGF receptor type2 pathway and phosphorylation of Akt
Authors: Imai Norikazu , Shikami Masato , Miwa Hiroshi , Suganuma Kazuto , Hiramatsu Akihito , Watarai Masaya , Satoh Atsushi , Itoh Masato , Imamura Akira , Mihara Hidetsugu , Nitta Masakazu
Published: October 2006

Several anti‐angiogenic drugs have recently been clinically tested for haematological malignancies. To improve the efficacy of molecular target therapy against angiogenic molecules in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), we examined the dependency of AML cells on the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGF receptor type2 (VEGFR2) system by using VEGFR2 kinase inhibitor. Nineteen patient AML samples were cultured with or without VEGFR2 kinase inhibitor. All four t(8;21) viable AML cells showed significant reductions when treated with VEGFR2 kinase inhibitor, although VEGFR2 kinase inhibitor did not affect the cell proliferation of five t(15;17) AML samples. Other AML cases showed variable responses. VEGFR2 kinase inhibitor greatly suppressed the growth of Kasumi‐1, a t(8;21) cell line in a dose‐dependent manner through induction of apoptosis, but did not show any significant influence on NB4, a t(15;17) cell line. In addition, VEGFR2 kinase inhibitor potentiated the growth inhibitory effect of cytarabine in Kasumi‐1. Finally, it was shown that the Akt phosphorylation was augmented by VEGF165 in Kasumi‐1, which was abrogated by VEGFR2 kinase inhibitor. NB4 showed undetectable Akt phosphorylation even with VEGF165. These data demonstrated that t(8;21) AML cells are dependent on VEGF through VEGFR2, resulting in the phosphorylation of Akt.
Modelling potential spawning habitat of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) in the Bay of Biscay
Authors: PLANQUE BENJAMIN , BELLIER EDWIGE , LAZURE PASCAL
Published: October 2006

Large amplitude variations in recruitment of small pelagic fish result from interactions between a fluctuating environment and population dynamics processes such as spawning. The spatial extent and location of spawning, which is critical to the fate of eggs and larvae, can vary strongly from year to year, as a result of changing population structure and environmental conditions. Spawning habitat can be divided into ‘potential spawning habitat’, defined as habitat where the hydrographic conditions are suitable for spawning, ‘realized spawning habitat’, defined as habitat where spawning actually occurs, and ‘successful spawning habitat’, defined as habitat from where successful recruitment has resulted. Using biological data collected during the period 2000–2004, as well as hydrographic data, we investigate the role of environmental parameters in controlling the potential spawning habitat of anchovy and sardine in the Bay of Biscay. Anchovy potential spawning habitat appears to be primarily related to bottom temperature followed by surface temperature and mixed‐layer depth, whilst surface and bottom salinity appear to play a lesser role. The possible influence of hydrographic factors on the spawning habitat of sardine seems less clear than for anchovy. Modelled relationships between anchovy and sardine spawning are used to predict potential spawning habitat from hydrodynamical simulations. The results show that the seasonal patterns in spawning are well reproduced by the model, indicating that hydrographic changes may explain a large fraction of spawning spatial dynamics. Such models may prove useful in the context of forecasting potential impacts of future environmental changes on sardine and anchovy reproductive strategy in the north‐east Atlantic.
Predicting the vertical profiles of anchovy (Engraulis mordax) and sardine (Sardinops sagax) eggs in the California Current System
Authors: ALEXANDRA CURTIS K. , CHECKLEY DAVID M. , PEPIN PIERRE
Published: October 2006

Several published models exist for simulating vertical profiles of pelagic fish eggs, but no one has rigorously assessed their capacity to explain observed variability. In this study, we applied a steady‐state model, with four different formulations for vertical diffusivity, to northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) and Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) eggs in the California Current region. Vertical mixing profiles, based on wind speed and hydrography, were combined with estimated terminal ascent velocities of the eggs based on measurements of egg buoyancy and size, to simulate the vertical profiles of the eggs. We evaluated model performance with two data sets: (1) vertically stratified tows for both species and (2) paired samples for sardine eggs from 3‐m depth and in vertically integrated tows. We used two criteria: whether the model predicted individual observed vertical profiles (1) as well as the observed mean and (2) better than the observed mean. Model predictions made with the formulation producing the most gradual profile of vertical diffusivity provided the best match to observations from both data sets and for both species. Addition of a random error term to the terminal ascent velocity further improved prediction for anchovy eggs, but not sardine. For the paired data, model prediction of integrated abundance from abundance at 3‐m depth had significantly lower mean square error than prediction based on a linear regression of 3 m on integrated abundance. Our results support the feasibility of using data from the Continuous Underway Fish Egg Sampler quantitatively as well as qualitatively in stock assessments.
Potential carbon release from permafrost soils of Northeastern Siberia
Authors: DUTTA KOUSHIK , SCHUUR E. A. G. , NEFF J. C. , ZIMOV S. A.
Published: October 2006

Permafrost soils are an important reservoir of carbon (C) in boreal and arctic ecosystems. Rising global temperature is expected to enhance decomposition of organic matter frozen in permafrost, and may cause positive feedback to warming as CO2 is released to the atmosphere. Significant amounts of organic matter remain frozen in thick mineral soil (loess) deposits in northeastern Siberia, but the quantity and lability of this deep organic C is poorly known. Soils from four tundra and boreal forest locations in northeastern Siberia that have been continuously frozen since the Pleistocene were incubated at controlled temperatures (5, 10 and 15°C) to determine their potential to release C to the atmosphere when thawed. Across all sites, CO2 with radiocarbon (14C) ages ranging between∼21 and 24 ka bp was respired when these permafrost soils were thawed. The amount of C released in the first several months was strongly correlated to C concentration in the bulk soil in the different sites, and this correlation remained the same for fluxes up to 1 year later. Fluxes were initially strongly related to temperature with a mean Q10 value of 1.9±0.3 across all sites, and later were unrelated to temperature but still correlated with bulk soil C concentration. Modeled inversions of Δ14CO2 values in respiration CO2 and soil C components revealed mean contribution of 70% and 26% from dissolved organic C to respiration CO2 in case of two permafrost soils, while organic matter fragments dominated respiration (mean 68%) from a surface mineral soil that served as modern reference sample. Our results suggest that if 10% of the total Siberian permafrost C pool was thawed to a temperature of 5°C, about 1 Pg C will be initially released from labile C pools, followed by respiration of∼40 Pg C to the atmosphere over a period of four decades.
Fifteen years of climate change manipulations alter soil microbial communities in a subarctic heath ecosystem
Authors: RINNAN RIIKKA , MICHELSEN ANDERS , BÅÅTH ERLAND , JONASSON SVEN
Published: October 2006

Soil microbial biomass in arctic heaths has been shown to be largely unaffected by treatments simulating climate change with temperature, nutrient and light manipulations. Here, we demonstrate that more than 10 years is needed for development of significant responses, and that changes in microbial biomass are accompanied with strong alterations in microbial community composition. In contrast to slight or nonsignificant responses after 5, 6 and 10 treatment years, 15 years of inorganic NPK fertilizer addition to a subarctic heath had strong effects on the microbial community and, as observed for the first time, warming and shading also led to significant responses, often in opposite direction to the fertilization responses. The effects were clearer in the top 5 cm soil than at the 5–10 cm depth. Fertilization increased microbial biomass C and more than doubled microbial biomass P compared to the non‐fertilized plots. However, it only increased microbial biomass N at the 5–10 cm depth. Fertilization increased fungal biomass and the relative abundance of phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) markers of gram‐positive bacteria. Warming and shading decreased the relative abundance of fungal PLFAs, and shading also altered the composition of the bacterial community. The long time lag in responses may be associated with indirect effects of the gradual changes in the plant biomass and community composition. The contrasting responses to warming and fertilization treatments show that results from fertilizer addition may not be similar to the effects of increased nutrient mineralization and availability following climatic warming.
Establishment and persistence of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) in disturbed soil as a function of an urban–rural macro‐environment
Authors: ZISKA L. H. , GEORGE K. , FRENZ D. A.
Published: October 2006

No data are available on whether rising carbon dioxide concentration [CO2] or increased air temperature can alter the establishment and persistence of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) within a plant community following soil disturbance. To determine ragweed longevity, we exposed disturbed soil with a common seed bank population to an in situ temperature and [CO2] gradient along an urban–rural transect beginning in early 2002. No other consistent differences in meteorological variables (e.g. wind speed, humidity, PAR, tropospheric ozone) as a function of urbanization were documented over the course of the study (2002–2005). Above‐ground measurements of biomass over this period demonstrated that ragweed along the transect responded to urban induced increases in [CO2]/temperature with peak biomass being observed at this location by the end of 2003. However, by the Fall of 2004, and continuing through 2005, urban ragweed populations had dwindled to a few plants. The temporal decline in ragweed populations was not associated with increased disease, herbivory or auto‐allelopathy, but was part of a demographic reduction in the total number of annual plant species observed for the urban location. In a separate experiment, we showed that such a demographic shift is consistent with CO2/temperature induced increases in biomass and litter accumulation, with a subsequent reduction in germination/survival of annual plant species. Overall, these data indicate that [CO2]/temperature differences associated with urbanization may increase initial ragweed productivity and pollen production, but suggest that long‐term, multi‐year persistence of ragweed in the urban macro‐environment may be dependent on other factors.
Lagged effects of North Atlantic Oscillation on spittlebug Philaenus spumarius (Homoptera) abundance and survival
Authors: HALKKA ANTTI , HALKKA LIISA , HALKKA OLLI , ROUKKA KAISA , POKKI JUSSI
Published: October 2006

The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is a large‐scale pattern of climate variability that has been shown to have important ecological effects on a wide spectrum of taxa. Studies on terrestrial invertebrates are, however, lacking. We studied climate‐connected causes of changes in population sizes in island populations of the spittlebug Philaenus spumarius (L.) (Homoptera). Three populations living in meadows on small Baltic Sea islands were investigated during the years 1970–2005 in Tvärminne archipelago, southern Finland. A separate analysis was done on the effects of NAO and local climate variables on spittlebug survival in 1969–1978, for which survival data existed for two islands. We studied survival at two stages of the life cycle: growth rate from females to next year's instars (probably mostly related to overwintering egg survival), and survival from third instar stage to adult. The latter is connected to mortality caused by desiccation of plants and spittle masses.

Higher winter NAO values were consistently associated with smaller population sizes on all three islands. Local climate variables entering the most parsimonious autoregressive models of population abundance were April and May mean temperature, May precipitation, an index of May humidity, and mean temperature of the coldest month of the previous winter. High winter NAO values had a clear negative effect on late instar survival in 1969–1978. Even May–June humidity and mean temperature of the coldest month were associated with late instar survival. The climate variables studied (including NAO) had no effect on the growth rate from females to next year's instars.

NAO probably affected the populations primarily in late spring. Cold and snowy winters contribute to later snow melt and greater spring humidity in the meadows. We show that winter NAO has a considerable lagged effect on April and May temperature; even this second lagged effect contributes to differences in humidity. The lagged effect of the winter NAO to spring temperatures covers a large area in northern Europe and has been relatively stationary for 100 years at least in the Baltic area.
FEIBA prophylaxis for patients with haemophilia and inhibitors
Authors: VALENTINO L. A.
Published: October 2006

Summary.  Prophylaxis with clotting factor concentrates has been shown to prevent bleeding episodes and improve quality of life in patients with severe haemophilia A or B. The benefits of long‐term prophylaxis may also extend to patients with high‐titre factor VIII or IX inhibitors who have failed or are not candidates for immune tolerance. Because the presence of an alloantibody makes it difficult to achieve haemostasis during a bleeding event, inhibitor patients are at increased risk for life‐threatening haemorrhage and the development of arthropathy. Accumulating evidence suggests that prophylactic therapy with the bypassing agent FEIBA reduces bleeding episodes, including haemarthrosis, and maintains normal joints, although it does not halt established joint disease. Infections associated with central venous access devices are a frequent complication of prophylaxis in young children with haemophilia.
The management of acquired haemophilia
Authors: GREEN D.
Published: October 2006

Summary.  Acquired haemophilia is a rare but life‐threatening bleeding diathesis that usually is caused by autoantibodies to factor VIII (FVIII). The disorder generally affects older persons, often is linked to other autoimmune diseases or cancer, may develop in the postpartum period, and is associated with a distinct bleeding pattern. In contrast to the haemarthroses that typify congenital haemophilia, acquired haemophilia bleeds are characterized by haemorrhage into soft tissue and muscle and the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. A prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time, coupled with a normal prothrombin time, is highly indicative of a circulating anticoagulant; the inhibitor is then quantified with the modified Bethesda assay. Effective control of bleeding is the first step in management and often requires the use of the bypassing agents, either activated prothrombin complex concentrate or recombinant activated factor VII. Elimination of the FVIII antibody is the second goal of therapy. Corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab may eradicate autoantibodies and restore normal haemostasis.
Complete spontaneous regression of congenital epulis in a baby by 8 months of age
Authors: SAKAI VIVIEN T. , OLIVEIRA THAIS M. , SILVA THIAGO C. , MORETTI ANA BEATRIZ S. , SANTOS CARLOS F. , MACHADO MARIA APARECIDA A. M.
Published: October 2006

Background.  This paper describes the case of a 7‐day‐old girl who was referred to a paediatric dentistry clinic because of the presence of a pedunculated mass protruding from the front of her mouth.

Case report.  The mass was attached to the maxillary alveolus to the right of the midline, and was clinically diagnosed as a congenital epulis. The baby had no airway obstruction and was able to feed well. A conservative treatment was proposed, with monthly follow‐up appointments to monitor the lesion.

Conclusion.  After 8 months, the lesion had completely regressed, meaning that the girl did not have to be exposed to unnecessary surgical procedures in her first few days of life. The eruption of the upper anterior teeth was not affected.
A tale of two flatties: different responses of two terrestrial flatworms to past environmental climatic fluctuations at Tallaganda in montane southeastern Australia
Authors: SUNNUCKS PAUL , BLACKET MARK J. , TAYLOR JODY M. , SANDS CHESTER J. , CIAVAGLIA SHERRYN A. , GARRICK RYAN C. , TAIT NOEL N. , ROWELL DAVID M. , PAVLOVA ALEXANDRA
Published: October 2006

Comparative phylogeographic studies of animals with low mobility and/or high habitat specificity remain rare, yet such organisms may hold fine‐grained palaeoecological signal. Comparisons of multiple, codistributed species can elucidate major historical events. As part of a multitaxon programme, mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) variation was analysed in two species of terrestrial flatworm,Artioposthia lucasiandCaenoplana coerulea. We applied coalescent demographic estimators and nested clade analysis to examine responses to past, landscape‐scale, cooling‐drying events in a model system of montane forest (Tallaganda). Correspondence of haplotype groups in both species to previously proposed microbiogeographic regions indicates at least four refuges from cool, dry conditions. The region predicted to hold the highest quality refuges (the Eastern Slopes Region), is indicated to have been a long‐term refuge in both species, but so are several other regions. Coalescent analyses suggest that populations ofA. lucasiare declining, whileC. coeruleais expanding, although stronger population substructure in the former could yield similar patterns in the data. The differences in spatial and temporal genetic variation in the two species could be explained by differences in ecological attributes:A. lucasiis predicted to have lower dispersal ability but may be better able to withstand cold conditions. Thus, different contemporary population dynamics may reflect different responses to recent (Holocene) climate warming. The two species show highly congruent patterns of catchment‐based local genetic endemism with one another and with previously studied slime‐mould grazing Collembola.
Speciation and rapid phenotypic differentiation in the yellow‐rumped warblerDendroica coronatacomplex
Authors: MILÁ BORJA , SMITH THOMAS B. , WAYNE ROBERT K.
Published: October 2006

The relative importance of the Pleistocene glacial cycles in driving avian speciation remains controversial, partly because species limits in many groups remain poorly understood, and because current taxonomic designations are often based on phenotypic characteristics of uncertain phylogenetic significance. We use mtDNA sequence data to examine patterns of genetic variation, sequence divergence and phylogenetic relationships between phenotypically distinct groups of the yellow‐rumped warbler complex. Currently classified as a single species, the complex is composed of two North American migratory forms (myrtle warblerDendroica coronata coronataand Audubon's warblerDendroica coronata auduboni), and two largely sedentary forms:Dendroica coronata nigrifronsof Mexico, andDendroica coronata goldmaniof Guatemala. The latter are typically considered to be races of the Audubon's warbler based on plumage characteristics. However, mtDNA sequence data reveal that sedentary Mesoamerican forms are reciprocally monophyletic to each other and to migratory forms, from which they show a long history of isolation. In contrast, migratory myrtle and Audubon's warblers form a single cluster due to high levels of shared ancestral polymorphism as evidenced by widespread sharing of mtDNA haplotypes despite marked phenotypic differentiation. Sedentary and migratory forms diverged in the early Pleistocene, whereas phenotypic differentiation between the two migratory forms has occurred in the Holocene and is likely the result of geographical isolation and subsequent range expansion since the last glaciation. Our results underscore the importance of Quaternary climatic events in driving songbird speciation and indicate that plumage traits can evolve remarkably fast, thus rendering them potentially misleading for inferring systematic relationships.
Dynamic localization and interaction with other Bacillus subtilis actin‐like proteins are important for the function of MreB
Authors: Defeu Soufo Hervé Joël , Graumann Peter L.
Published: October 2006

Bacterial actin‐like proteins play a key role in cell morphology and in chromosome segregation. Many bacteria, like Bacillus subtilis, contain three genes encoding actin‐like proteins, called mreB, mbl and mreBH in B. subtilis. We show that MreB and Mbl colocalize extensively within live cells, and that all three B. subtilis actin paralogues interact with each other underneath the cell membrane. A mutation in the phosphate 2 motif of MreB had a dominant negative effect on cell morphology and on chromosome segregation. Expression of this mutant allele of MreB interfered with the dynamic localization of Mbl. These experiments show that the interaction between MreB and Mbl has physiological significance. An mreB deletion strain can grow under special media conditions, however, depletion of Mbl in this mutant background abolished growth, indicating that actin paralogues can partially complement each other. The membrane protein MreC was found to interact with Mbl, but not with MreB, revealing a clear distinction between the function of the two paralogues. The phosphate 2 mutant MreB protein allowed for filament formation of mutant or wild‐type MreB, but abolished the dynamic reorganization of the filaments. The latter mutation led to a strong reduction, but not complete loss, of function of MreB, both in terms of chromosome segregation and of cell morphology. Our work shows that that the dynamic localization of MreB is essential for the proper activity of the actin‐like protein and that the interactions between MreB paralogues have important physiological significance.
Pregnancy before and after the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases: Retrospective case–control study
Authors: Bortoli Aurora , Saibeni Simone , Tatarella Maria , Prada Alberto , Beretta Luigi , Rivolta Roberta , Politi Patrizia , Ravelli Paolo , Imperiali Gianni , Colombo Enrico , Pera Angelo , Daperno Marco , Carnovali Marino , De Franchis Roberto , Vecchi Maurizio ,   the Study Group for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (GSMII)
Published: October 2006

Background and Aim:  Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) commonly affect women during the reproductive years. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reproductive histories of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) considering pregnancies occurring before and after the diagnosis.

Method:  Case–control study evaluating IBD patients, interviewed by questionnaire about outcome of pregnancy and course of disease.

Results:  A total of 502 pregnancies from 199 patients in the prediagnosis group and 121 pregnancies from 90 patients in the post‐diagnosis group were respectively compared with 996 and 204 pregnancies recorded in a control population. In prediagnosis pregnancies, CD was associated with increased risk of preterm delivery (odds ratio [OR] 4.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.77–7.73; P < 0.001 vs controls and OR 3.52, 95% CI 1.75–7.07; P < 0.001 vs UC) and lower birthweight (P < 0.001 vs UC and controls). In post‐diagnosis pregnancies, the rate of live births was lower, but not statistically significant in IBD (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.04–1.25; P = 0.08) and the birthweight was significantly lower in CD than in UC (P < 0.03) and in controls (P < 0.02). In post‐diagnosis pregnancies, a higher incidence of congenital abnormalities was found in IBD patients (5.5% vs 0.0%). The spontaneous abortion rate and therapeutic abortions were significantly higher in post than in prediagnosis pregnancies. Neither disease activity at conception nor treatment appeared to influence the outcome of pregnancy.

Conclusions:  CD in the preclinical phase has some influence on pregnancy. In patients with IBD our data suggest that conception should not be discouraged. However, because of a modest increase in mild congenital abnormalities and abortions rates, pregnancy in IBD patients should be closely monitored.
Fungal hydroquinones contribute to brown rot of wood
Authors: Suzuki Melissa R. , Hunt Christopher G. , Houtman Carl J. , Dalebroux Zachary D. , Hammel Kenneth E.
Published: October 2006

The fungi that cause brown rot of wood initiate lignocellulose breakdown with an extracellular Fenton system in which Fe2+ and H2O2 react to produce hydroxyl radicals (·OH), which then oxidize and cleave the wood holocellulose. One such fungus, Gloeophyllum trabeum, drives Fenton chemistry on defined media by reducing Fe3+ and O2 with two extracellular hydroquinones, 2,5‐dimethoxyhydroquinone (2,5‐DMHQ) and 4,5‐dimethoxycatechol (4,5‐DMC). However, it has never been shown that the hydroquinones contribute to brown rot of wood. We grew G. trabeum on spruce blocks and found that 2,5‐DMHQ and 4,5‐DMC were each present in the aqueous phase at concentrations near 20 μM after 1 week. We determined rate constants for the reactions of 2,5‐DMHQ and 4,5‐DMC with the Fe3+‐oxalate complexes that predominate in wood undergoing brown rot, finding them to be 43 l mol−1 s−1 and 65 l mol−1 s−1 respectively. Using these values, we estimated that the average amount of hydroquinone‐driven ·OH production during the first week of decay was 11.5 μmol g−1 dry weight of wood. Viscometry of the degraded wood holocellulose coupled with computer modelling showed that a number of the same general magnitude, 41.2 μmol oxidations per gram, was required to account for the depolymerization that occurred in the first week. Moreover, the decrease in holocellulose viscosity was correlated with the measured concentrations of hydroquinones. Therefore, hydroquinone‐driven Fenton chemistry is one component of the biodegradative arsenal that G. trabeum expresses on wood.
Marine cyanophages and light
Authors: Clokie Martha R. J. , Mann Nicholas H.
Published: October 2006

In contrast to the phages of heterotrophic hosts, light can play a key role in all aspects of the life cycle of phages infecting ecologically important marine unicellular cyanobacteria of the genera Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus. Phage adsorption, replication, modulation of the host cell metabolism, and survival in the environment following lysis, all exhibit light‐dependent components. The analysis of cyanophage genomes has revealed the acquisition of key photosynthetic genes during the course of evolution, such as those encoding central components of the light harvesting apparatus. These discoveries are beginning to reveal novel features of the interactions between parasite and host that shape the biology of both.
A Reduced Rank Regression Approach to Coincident and Leading Indexes Building*
Authors: Cubadda Gianluca
Published: October 2006

This paper proposes a reduced rank regression framework for constructing a coincident index (CI) and a leading index (LI). Based on a formal definition that requires that the first differences of the LI are the best linear predictor of the first differences of the CI, it is shown that the notion of polynomial serial correlation common features can be used to build these composite variables. Concepts and methods are illustrated by an empirical investigation of the US business cycle indicators.
Prevention of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism following stroke: a systematic review of published articles
Authors: André C. , De Freitas G. R. , Fukujima M. M.
Published: October 2006

We performed a systematic review of the literature on venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis following cerebral infarct (CI) and haemorrhagic stroke. MEDLINE, Cochrane, LILACS and SciELO databases were scanned, and the Abstracts from Brazilian, American and European Neurology and Stroke Congresses were scrutinized for clinical trials. Moreover, the reference lists of articles and reviews were searched. A pooled analysis of two large studies with aspirin was made. Both unfractionated heparin and low molecular weight heparins/heparinoids (LMWH) are partially effective for VTE prophylaxis after CI, and should be routinely used in patients with motor deficit and reduced mobility and no contraindications. Reduction of deep venous thrombosis is better established than the effect over pulmonary embolism or mortality. Some evidence points to a greater efficacy of LMWH. The available evidence does not support the use of mechanical methods or dextran. Aspirin may have a mild protective effect. Low‐dose Warfarin might be useful in the rehabilitation setting. Strict recommendations cannot be made in patients with haemorrhagic stroke but intermittent pneumatic compression merits further study. There are important limitations of current VTE preventive strategies following stroke. Additional studies on the combination of methods after CI and of low doses of anticoagulants following cerebral haemorrhage are urgently needed.
Distribution, levels and phosphorylation of Raf‐1 in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Mei Matthew , Su Bo , Harrison Kristen , Chao Mark , Siedlak Sandra L. , Previll Laura A. , Jackson LaMia , Cai Dan X. , Zhu Xiongwei
Published: October 2006

Extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), a member of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway, has been increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease due to its critical role in brain function. While we previously demonstrated that ERK is activated in Alzheimer's disease, the upstream cascade leading to its activation had not been fully examined. In this study, we focused on Raf‐1, one of the physiological activators of the ERK pathway. Raf‐1 is activated by phosphorylation at Ser338 and Tyr340/341 and inhibited by phosphorylation at Ser259. Interestingly, phosphorylation at all three sites on Raf‐1 was increased as evidenced by both immunocytochemistry and immunoblot analysis in Alzheimer's disease brains compared to age‐matched controls. Both phospho‐Raf‐1 (Ser259) and phospho‐Raf‐1 (Ser338) were localized to intracytoplasmic granular structures, whereas phospho‐Raf‐1 (Tyr340/341) was localized to neurofibrillary tangles and granules in pyramidal neurons in Alzheimer's disease hippocampus. There is extensive overlap between phospho‐Raf‐1 (Ser338) and phospho‐Mek1/2, the downstream effector of Raf‐1, suggestive of a mechanistic link. Additionally, increased levels of Raf‐1 are associated with Ras and MEK1 in Alzheimer's disease as evidenced by its coimmunoprecipitation with Ras and Mek1, respectively. Based on these findings, we speculate that Raf‐1 is activated to effectively mediate Ras‐dependent signals in Alzheimer's disease.
Twelve novel microsatellite markers for the Great Plains toad, Bufo cognatus
Authors: CHAN L. M.
Published: October 2006

Here I report on 12 microsatellite loci designed for populations of the Great Plains toad (Bufo cognatus) in the deserts of the southwestern USA. Diversity at these loci measured for 134 individuals from four breeding aggregations was relatively high with seven to 34 alleles per locus (mean = 17.8). Observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.444 to 0.949 and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.597 to 0.951. These markers will be useful for studies of population genetic structure, parentage and relatedness in this explosively breeding amphibian.