bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case studies on eradicating the Asiatic cyprinid Pseudorasbora parva from fishing lakes in England to prevent their riverine dispersal
Authors: Britton J. R. , Brazier M. , Davies G. D. , Chare S. I.
Published: March 2008

The topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva has proved to be a highly invasive pest fish species in mainland Europe following introduction from Asia, and was first recorded in the wild in the UK in 1996. Distribution has increased markedly since 2002, with recordings now from 32 sites, the majority being lakes.

In infested UK lakes, populations establish rapidly and become dominant in the fish community (often >97% by number); densities to over 60 m−2 have been recorded, with the majority of individuals <70 mm. The species also hosts a novel pathogen not previously recorded in the UK. It has, therefore, been identified as a significant concern to native fish communities and deserving of an appropriate response by regulatory authorities.

Where populations have been detected in lakes with connection to river catchments, actions have been taken to prevent riverine dispersal. Control measures are put in place, and eradication programmes designed and initiated. This paper details case studies on three completed eradication operations, two that utilized the piscicide rotenone, the other, de‐watering and disinfection.

Each case study has, so far, been successful in eradicating the topmouth gudgeon population and has resulted in approximately 280 km of river length being protected from their dispersal. Application of rotenone was the most cost‐effective eradication method at approximately £2 per m2 of water area treated.

These case studies demonstrate that riverine dispersal of invasive fish from infested connected lakes can be prevented by eradication. Outputs can be used to develop a strategy to manage the increasing distribution of topmouth gudgeon—and other invasive, pest fish—in the UK.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Invasive tilapia juveniles are associated with degraded river habitats
Authors: Linde Ana R. , Izquierdo Jorge I. , Moreira Josino Costa , Garcia‐Vazquez Eva
Published: March 2008

Invasions are a main concern for conservationists. Identification of causes that raise or promote an invader's success is one of the first steps for preventing and/or fighting against invasions.

In the Brazilian River Paraiba do Sul, juveniles of invasive tilapia Oreochromis niloticus were detected associated with degraded habitats (mainly pollution from various sources). The relative abundance of juveniles of the competitor native species pearl cichlid Geophagus brasiliensis, morphologically and ecologically very similar, was negatively associated with habitat degradation.

A species‐specific molecular marker was employed to permit unambiguous identification of these small juveniles (2–3 cm long), which represent the most vulnerable life stage of both species.

It is suggested that adaptation to degraded habitats is one of the characteristics of invasive species, and consequently habitat conservation and restoration may help to prevent fish invasions.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Harvest, trade and conservation of the Asian arowana Scleropages formosus in Cambodia
Authors: Rowley Jodi J. L. , Emmett David A. , Voen Seila
Published: March 2008

The worldwide trade in aquarium fish is a multi‐billion dollar industry. One of the most popular and expensive species traded is the Asian arowana Scleropages formosus. As a result of over‐harvesting for the aquarium fish trade, S. formosus is now endangered and commercial international trade in the species is prohibited under CITES. Despite this, very little is known about S. formosus in the wild.

Interviews were conducted with 62 local villagers at four sites in Koh Kong province, south‐west Cambodia, to obtain information on the reproduction, historical and current harvest and trade, and population trends of S. formosus.

The spawning season of S. formosus in Cambodia begins towards the end of the dry season (March–April) and is approximately 3 months in duration. Each male mouth‐broods an average of 30 juveniles. Harvesters target S. formosus fry and juveniles, and typically kill or frighten brooding males into releasing their offspring in order to harvest them.

The prices obtained by harvesters for S. formosus has been increasing since collection began, and currently averages $US11–13 per juvenile. After collection, fish are transported through a series of larger towns, most ultimately bound for Thailand. The current number of S. formosus harvested from the wild in Cambodia is almost certainly highly unsustainable, with all respondents indicating that local S. formosus population abundance had declined dramatically in recent years. It is also likely that a number of populations have already become locally extinct.

Strengthening legislation to protect the species within Cambodia, increasing enforcement of cross‐border trade, and an investigation into alternative low‐impact income generation opportunities for local communities is vital. There is also an urgent need to gather detailed information on the distribution, population abundance and threats facing S. formosus in Cambodia, and in other countries throughout its range.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Congruence between riverine fish species richness and endemism at the biogeographical scale: the role of history
Authors: Reyjol Yorick , Hugueny Bernard , Bianco Pier Giorgio , Pont Didier
Published: March 2008

This study aims to illustrate, on a European scale, how the congruence between riverine fish species richness and endemism is strongly related to biogeographical history.

A positive curvilinear relationship between species richness and endemism was found for Ponto‐Caspian Europe and peri‐Mediterranea, both spared by the last glacial maximum.

These results have important implications for European riverine fish biodiversity conservation, notably with regard to peri‐Mediterranea, which is expected to suffer from major climatic changes during the 21st century.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A spatial assessment of the risk to a mobile marine mammal from bycatch
Authors: Grech A. , Marsh H. , Coles R.
Published: March 2008

Several species of marine mammals are at risk of extinction from being captured as bycatch in commercial fisheries. Various approaches have been developed and implemented to address this bycatch problem, including devices and gear changes, time and area closures and fisheries moratoria. Most of these solutions are difficult to implement effectively, especially for artisanal fisheries in developing countries and remote regions.

Re‐zoning of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA) in 2004 closed 33% of the region to extractive activities, including commercial fishing. However, the impact of re‐zoning and the associated industry restructuring on a threatened marine mammal, the dugong (Dugong dugon), is difficult to quantify. Accurate information on dugong bycatch in commercial nets is unavailable because of the large geographic extent of the GBRWHA, the remoteness of the region adjacent to the Cape York Peninsula where most dugongs occur and the artisanal nature of the fishery.

In the face of this uncertainty, a spatial risk‐assessment approach was used to evaluate the re‐zoning and associated industry restructuring for their ability to reduce the risk of dugong bycatch from commercial fisheries netting.

The new zoning arrangements appreciably reduced the risk of dugong bycatch by reducing the total area where commercial netting is permitted. Netting is currently not permitted in 67% of dugong habitats of high conservation value, a 56% improvement over the former arrangements. Re‐zoning and industry restructuring also contributed to a 22% decline in the spatial extent of conducted netting.

Spatial risk assessment approaches that evaluate the risk of mobile marine mammals from bycatch are applicable to other situations where there is limited information on the location and intensity of bycatch, including remote regions and developing countries where resources are limited.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alteration of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Proteins Immunoreactivity in Astrocytes of the Spinal Cord Diabetic Rats
Authors: Afsari Zainab H. , Renno Waleed M. , Abd‐el‐basset E.
Published: March 2008

Diabetes affects retinal and nervous glial cells, especially the astrocytes. A key indicator of this response is the alteration in the level of intermediate filament glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and number of GFAP‐immunoreactive astrocytes. To date, no study has investigated the effect of diabetes on the distribution of GFAP‐immunoreactive astrocytes in the spinal cord. Therefore, the present study investigated the effect of diabetes on the number of GFAP‐immunoreactive astrocytes in the gray matter of the spinal cord of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic Wistar rats. Animals were divided into six groups (n = 7); 6 weeks and 12 weeks diabetic duration groups and their respective age‐matched normal control and sham control groups. Our results demonstrated a significant (P < 0.001) decrease in the number of GFAP‐immunoreactive astrocytes in different areas of the spinal cord sections of the 6 weeks and 12 weeks long diabetic rats when compared with the spinal cord of normal and sham control groups of comparable age. The mean percentage in total number of GFAP‐immunoreactive astrocytes in the whole gray matter areas of the spinal cord of the 6 and 12 weeks diabetic groups were approximately 28% and 41% less than control groups. Furthermore, the 12 weeks diabetic group showed a significant (P < 0.001) reduction in the number of GFAP‐immunoreactive astrocytes when compared with the 6 weeks diabetic animals. These results suggest that the induction of diabetes is associated with a reduction in GFAP‐positive astrocytes in the spinal cord, which may affect the functional support and role of astrocytic cells in the nervous tissue. This in turn may contribute to the pathological changes associated with diabetic state in the central nervous system. Anat Rec, 291:390–399, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prognostic value of ST‐segment resolution after rescue percutaneous coronary intervention. Data from the RICO survey
Authors: Lorgis Luc , Zeller Marianne , Dentan Gilles , Laurent Yves , Taam Jamal Abou , L'Huillier Isabelle , Vincent‐Martin Michel , Makki Hamid , Cottin Yves
Published: March 2008

Objectives:

The goal of the present study was to test the impact of ST segment resolution (STR) after rescue percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on the short‐term prognosis.

Background:

The prognostic value of STR after rescue PCI for acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains undetermined.

Methods:

From the French regional database, we analyzed 168 consecutive patients with STEMI and failed lysis, defined by <50 percent STR, who underwent rescue PCI. Patients were classified into two groups according to the degree of STR from the maximal ST‐elevation measured on the single worst ECG lead before lysis and after rescue PCI: the without STR group (<50% STR) vs. the with STR group (≥50%).

Results:

After rescue PCI, 26 (15%) patients did not have STR and 142 (85%) patients did. No difference was observed between the two groups regarding baseline characteristics, risk factors, and median time delay either from symptom onset to thrombolysis or from failed lysis to rescue PCI. We observed a lower proportion of patients with TIMI 2/3 flow post PCI in the without STR group (respectively 61% vs. 97%, P < 0.001) but an increased use of intra‐aortic balloon counterpulsation (34% vs. 8%, P < 0.001) in this group. Thirty‐day mortality was markedly higher in the without STR group than in the with STR group (27% vs. 9% respectively, P = 0.025). Moreover, multivariate analysis showed that absence of STR (OR: 5.65; 95% CI: 1.24–25.67), was an independent prognostic factor for mortality.

Conclusions:

We showed for the first time that analysis of ST‐segment resolution may be a simple reliable tool to identify patients at high risk after rescue PCI, and may provide useful information for the elaboration of therapeutic strategies. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Percutaneous coronary intervention utilizing a new endothelial progenitor cells antibody‐coated stent: A prospective single‐center registry in high‐risk patients
Authors: Miglionico Marco , Patti Giuseppe , D'Ambrosio Andrea , Di Sciascio Germano
Published: March 2008

Objective:

To prospectively evaluate the outcome with circulating endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) capture stent implantation in a cohort of consecutive patients with high‐risk angiographic and/or clinical features.

Background:

Genous R‐stent™ is a stainless steel coronary stent covered with antibodies specific to EPC's surface antigens, designed to promote the formation of a confluent functional endothelial layer over the device; conceivably, this may prevent both stent thrombosis and restenosis.

Methods:

From November 2005 to March 2007, 80 patients received 93 EPC capture stents at Campus Bio‐Medico, University of Rome. Patients had two or more of the following high‐risk features: diabetes mellitus (33%), unstable coronary syndromes (73%), left ventricular dysfunction (8%), multivessel intervention (9%), B2/C lesions (56%).

Results:

Acute success was achieved in 79/80 patients (98%), without Q‐wave myocardial infarction (MI), in‐hospital death or emergency bypass surgery; no patient had acute or subacute stent thrombosis. Follow‐up was available in 78 patients (mean 14 ± 4 months): noncardiac death occurred in one patient, acute MI in one patient; no patient required bypass surgery; 10 patients (13%) underwent percutaneous target lesion revascularization (TLR); three patients (4%) had reintervention on a nontarget vessel. Kaplan–Meyer life‐table analysis showed event‐free survival of 86% and TLR‐free survival of 90% at one and a half year follow‐up.

Conclusions:

The cell capture stent is safe and effective, with satisfactory immediate results and mid‐term outcome, without evidence of stent thrombosis. Whether those devices represent a viable alternative to currently available drug‐eluting or bare metal stents will need to be evaluated in larger randomized studies. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Device closure of large atrial septal defects requiring devices ≥20 mm in small children weighing <20 kg
Authors: Dalvi Bharat , Pinto Robin , Gupta Anuja
Published: March 2008

Objective:

To report our experience of transcatheter closure of large atrial septal defects (ASDs) in small children.

Background:

Although transcatheter closure of small and medium sized ASDs is well established, large ASDs are still mostly treated surgically. There is little data available on the transcatheter closure of large ASDs in children.

Methods:

This was a retrospective study comprising 32 children weighing less than 20 kg, diagnosed with isolated large ASDs (requiring devices ≥20 mm in diameter). All of them underwent transcatheter closure using the amplatzer septal occluder (ASO). They were assessed by clinical examination by ECG and echocardiography before the procedure and also 1 day, 6 weeks, 6 months, and yearly thereafter.

Results:

Age and weight of the patients were 4.5 ± 1.8 years and 14.6 ± 3.5 kg, respectively. The mean ASD diameter was 16.6 ± 2.1 mm and balloon‐stretched diameter was 22.7 ± 2.6 mm. The mean Qp/Qs was 2.7 ± 0.4. The median device size used was 24 mm (range 20–32 mm). The device was successfully placed in 31 patients. One patient had malpositioning of the device requiring surgical removal. Another patient developed transient atrioventricular block which recovered within 48 hr. During a mean follow‐up of 26.8 ± 21.8 months, no major complication such as cerebrovascular accident, cardiac perforation, systemic thromboembolism, atrioventricular valve regurgitation, obstruction to systemic or pulmonary veins or rhythm disturbances.

Conclusions:

Transcatheter closure of large ASDs in small children using the ASO is feasible and is not associated with a greater risk of significant complications. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Safety and efficacy of drug‐eluting balloons in percutaneous treatment of bifurcation lesions the DEBIUT (drug‐eluting balloon in bifurcaton utrecht) registry
Authors: Fanggiday James C. , Stella Pieter R. , Guyomi Siyrous Hoseyni , Doevendans Pieter A.
Published: March 2008

Objectives:

To evaluate outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with a drug‐eluting balloon catheter (paclitaxel‐coated) in patients with coronary artery bifurcation lesions.

Background:

The current practice of provisional stenting of the main branch (MB) is reasonable; however, long‐term results of side‐branch (SB) treatment are suboptimal. The use of drug‐eluting stents has not improved these results, regardless of the implantation technique, and could potentially lead to a significant increase in (late) thrombotic events. To evaluate short‐term safety and efficacy of a drug‐eluting balloon (DEB) in patients with bifurcation lesions followed by provisional stenting of the main branch, we set up the DEBIUT Registry.

Methods:

This registry enrolled 20 eligible patients with coronary artery bifurcation lesions. Patients received a PCI with a paclitaxel‐coated balloon catheter, followed by provisional stenting of the MB with a bare‐metal stent. Acute angiographic and clinical follow‐up were performed after 1 and 4 months.

Results:

The procedure was successful in all patients. The use of sequential predilatation with DEB was safe and well tolerated. No acute or subacute closure of side branches occurred after treating with DEB. All patients were treated according to the provisional stenting technique; no stents were placed in the SB. At 4‐month follow‐up no major acute coronary events and no subacute vessel closure were reported.

Conclusion:

The use of a drug‐eluting balloon in patients with bifurcation lesions was effective and safe up to 4 months following PCI in patients with coronary artery bifurcation lesions. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treatment of a ruptured saphenous vein graft pseudoaneurysm using a vascular plug
Authors: Tonelli Adriano R. , Desai Aashish K. , Anderson R. David
Published: March 2008

Saphenous vein graft pseudoaneurysm is an uncommon complication of coronary bypass grafting. Hemoptysis associated with diffuse bleeding into the lung tissue may be the initial manifestation of this condition. We report a case of a saphenous vein graft pseudoaneurysm that presented with hemoptysis and was successfully treated with a proximal vascular plug. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Does gadolinium‐based angiography protect against contrast‐induced nephropathy?: A systematic review of the literature
Authors: Boyden Thomas F. , Gurm Hitinder S.
Published: March 2008

We evaluated the incidence of contrast‐induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients exposed to gadolinium for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

Background:

CIN with iodinated contrast agents is a leading cause of acute renal failure. Gadolinium is often used as an alternative to iodinated contrast in patients at increased risk of CIN. The safety of gadolinium in patients at increased risk of CIN has not been established.

Methods and Results:

The authors performed a systematic review by searching MEDLINE, ISI Web of Knowledge, Current Contents, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify relevant studies evaluating gadolinium and its associated incidence of CIN. They identified 17 studies that reported both favorable and negative results with regard to the association of gadolinium and CIN. The differences in the results appeared to be dose related. When gadolinium was used in doses of 0.4 mmol/kg or higher, there appeared to be an increased incidence of ARF particularly in patients with preexisting renal insufficiency.

Conclusions:

Although the evidence base is limited, gadolinium does not appear to be safer than iodinated contrast in patients at risk of CIN. Given the lack of randomized data to support its safety, gadolinium in lieu of iso‐osmolar iodinated contrast cannot be advocated in patients at high risk of contrast nephropathy. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Does IVUS guidance of coronary interventions affect outcome? a prime example of the failure of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Gerber Robert , Colombo Antonio
Published: March 2008

There has been a decline in the role of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guiding stenting. IVUS has lost favor with interventional cardiologists largely due to the emergence of drug eluting stents (DES). The advent of DES has lowered the need to maximize the final result due to the known low late‐loss. This phenomenon has contributed to reduced interest in optimizing results with IVUS guidance. However, current concerns regarding stent thrombosis in relation to DES and its associated significant morbidity and mortality has once more focused attention on optimal stent deployment. Prior to DES, the evidence base was rather ambiguous, as some randomized and observational studies supported IVUS guided bare metal stent insertion in terms of reducing rates of restenosis and clinically driven target lesion revascularisation whereas others demonstrated no such benefit. As there is an additional cost and learning curve with IVUS, it has become difficult to justify its routine use. We present here a oontemporary argument for the resurgence of IVUS optimized stent insertion. We also highlight deficiencies in previously adopted IVUS optimization criteria, which were based on distal and proximal lumen sizes. The new criteria proposed are based on vessel size at different segments of the stented area and therefore take advantage of vessel remodeling. The availability of high pressure, non‐compliant balloons have made attainment of these new optimization targets possible without increasing the risk of complications. We hope to demonstrate this statement with the completion of the angiographically versus IVUS optimization (AVIO) study that soon will be initiated. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Establishment, characterization and drug sensitivity testing in primary cultures of human thymoma and thymic carcinoma
Authors: Ehemann Volker , Kern Michael A. , Breinig Marco , Schnabel Philipp A. , Gunawan Bastian , Schulten Hans‐Jörg , Schlaeger Christoph , Radlwimmer Bernhard , Steger Christina M. , Dienemann Hendrik , Lichter Peter , Schirmacher Peter , Rieker Ralf J.
Published: March 2008

Thymomas and thymic carcinomas are peculiar epithelial tumors of the anterior mediastinum. They may show aggressive clinical behavior and are a paradigm for the interaction between the tumor and the immune system. So far, adequate functional studies enabling a better understanding of this malignancy have not been performed, since human thymoma/thymic carcinoma cell lines have not been available. Here, the authors describe the establishment, characterization and functional analyses of epithelial cell lines from a Type B1‐thymoma and a poorly differentiated thymic carcinoma. By Fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) analyses, both cell lines were aneuploid. The aneuploid cell fraction of the thymic carcinoma cell line was characterized by a high proliferation index of 55.9%, in contrast to a lower proliferation rate of the aneuploid cell fraction of the thymoma (19.7%). Array‐based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and conventional cytogenetic analysis of the thymoma revealed only minor imbalances whereas the thymic carcinoma was characterized by a complex karyotype in the hyperdiploid range that was readily defined with multicolor FISH (mFISH). Application of a selective COX‐2 inhibitor reduced cell viability in both cell lines in a dose‐dependent manner. In conclusion, these first cell lines of a thymoma and a CD5‐positive thymic carcinoma are useful tools for further in vitro studies of cellular, molecular and genetic aspects of the disease and for functional tests to evaluate new therapeutic targets. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Eradication of established renal cell carcinoma by a combination of 5‐fluorouracil and anti‐4‐1BB monoclonal antibody in mice
Authors: Ju Seong‐A , Cheon Sang‐Hyeon , Park Sang‐Min , Tam Nyuen Quang , Kim Young Min , An Won G. , Kim Byung‐Sam
Published: March 2008

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), one of the most incurable malignancies, is highly resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Cytokine immunotherapy has been the standard approach, but the overall response rate is still very low. Administration of agonistic anti‐4‐1BB monoclonal antibody (mAb) has been shown to induce regression of several animal tumors but its effect on RCC is unknown. We show here that monotherapy with either anti‐4‐1BB mAb or the cytotoxic drug, 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU), has little effect on established RCC, Renca tumors, but combination therapy with anti‐4‐1BB mAb and 5‐FU eradicates the tumors in more than 70 % of mice. The regressing tumor tissues from mice receiving the combination therapy contained more apoptotic tumor cells and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes than tumor tissues from mice receiving 5‐FU or anti‐4‐1BB mAb monotherapy. The number of lymphocytes in the spleens and tumor‐ draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) of the combination therapy mice was greatly increased compared to that of control or 5‐FU monotherapy mice. Mice that had recovered due to the combination therapy rapidly rejected rechallenge with the tumor, pointing to the establishment of long‐lasting tumor‐specific memory. Our results indicate that targeting tumors with 5‐FU, and immune cells with 4‐1BB stimulation, could be a useful strategy for treating incurable RCC. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression pattern and circulating levels of endostatin in patients with pancreas cancer
Authors: Öhlund Daniel , Ardnor Bjarne , Öman Mikael , Naredi Peter , Sund Malin
Published: March 2008

Endostatin is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis that is cleaved from the basement membrane protein type XVIII collagen. Expression of endostatin has recently been shown by Western blot analysis of tissue lysates in normal pancreas and pancreas cancer tissue. We show here that the expression pattern of type XVIII collagen/endostatin is shifted from a general basement membrane staining and is mainly located in the vasculature during tumor progression. This shift in type XVIII collagen/endostatin expression pattern coincides with an up‐regulation of MMPs involved in endostatin processing in the tumor microenvironment, such as MMP‐3, MMP‐9 and MMP‐13. The circulating levels of endostatin was analyzed in patients with pancreas cancer and compared to that of healthy controls, as well as after surgical treatment or in a group of nonoperable patients after intraperitoneal fluorouracil (5‐FU) chemotherapy. The results show that patients with pancreas cancer have increased circulating levels of endostatin and that these levels are normalized after surgery or intraperitoneal chemotherapy. These findings indicate that endostatin could be used as a biomarker for pancreas cancer progression. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Arming parvoviruses with CpG motifs to improve their oncosuppressive capacity
Authors: Raykov Zahari , Grekova Svetlana , Leuchs Barbara , Aprahamian Marc , Rommelaere Jean
Published: March 2008

Oncolytic viruses represent novel tools for cancer treatment. Besides specifically killing cancer cells (oncolysis), these agents also provide danger signals, prompting the immune system to eliminate virus‐infected tumours. As a consequence of oncolytic events, the innate and adaptive immune systems gain access to tumour antigens, which result in cross‐priming and vaccination effects. Here the aim was to see whether we could enhance this adjuvant capacity by incorporating immunostimulatory CpG motifs into the single‐stranded genome of an oncolytic parvovirus (H‐1PV). We engineered 2 CpG‐enriched H‐1PV variants (JabCG1 and JabCG2), preserving both the replication competence and the oncolytic features of the parental virus. In keeping with their increased CpG content, the JabCG1 and JabCG2 genomes proved in vitro to be more potent triggers of TLR‐9‐mediated signalling than wild‐type H‐1PV DNA. Antitumour activity was evaluated in a rat model of MH3924A hepatoma lung metastases, where an infection with parental or modified viruses served as an ex vivo adjuvant to a subcutaneously administered autologous cell vaccine. In this setup, which excludes direct oncolytic effects on metastases, the JabCG2 vector displayed enhanced immunogenicity, inducing markers of cellular immunity (IFNγ) and dendritic cell activation (CD80, CD86) in mediastinal (tumour‐draining) lymph nodes. This led to a significantly reduced metastatic rate (50%) as compared to other vaccination schedules (H‐1PV‐, JabCG1‐, JabGC‐ or mock‐treated cells). The data provide proof of principle that increasing the number of immunostimulatory CpG motifs within oncolytic viruses makes it possible to improve their overall anticancer effect by inducing antitumour vaccination. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Short‐, mid‐, and long‐term effects of a polymer‐free tacrolimus‐eluting stent in a porcine coronary model
Authors: Prunotto M. , Vignolini C. , Lolli V. , Black A. , Gaggianesi S. , Santarelli A. , Galloni M.
Published: March 2008

Stent‐based delivery of tacrolimus has shown neointimal hyperplasia and restenosis reduction; FK506 is a water insoluble macrolide immunosuppressant. The purpose of this study was to evaluate acute and chronic tissue response to a polymer‐free FK506 drug‐eluting stent implantation in a porcine coronary artery model. Seventy‐eight nonatherosclerotic minipigs underwent successful placement of 134 stents (control n = 56; FK506 (1.5 μg/mm2) n = 44; FK506 (2.6 μg/mm2) n = 34) at 7, 15, 30, 90, or 180 days. Endothelialisation was almost complete at 7 days, complete at 15 days. At 30 and 90 days, mean neointimal thickness, neointimal area, and % stenosis was significantly less for drug‐eluting stents compared with controls. At 180 days, histomorphometric values were similar for eluting and control stents. The FK506‐eluting stent allows for a complete re‐endothelialisation at 15 days and favorably moderate neointimal hyperplasia at 30 and 90 days in the porcine coronary model. Because of a possible limited bioavailability of FK506, long‐term inhibition of neointimal formation was not sustained at the considered follow‐up. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Contact‐free determination of material characteristics using a newly developed pressure‐operated strain‐applying bioreactor
Authors: Schumann Stefan , Stahl Claudius A. , Möller Knut , Schneider Matthias , Metzke Robert , Wall Wolfgang A. , Priebe Hans‐Joachim , Guttmann Josef
Published: March 2008

Experimental mechanostimulation of biologic samples serves to understand fundamental processes in mechanobiology. Unfortunately, present techniques do not allow contact‐free investigation of material characteristics. We developed a mechanostimulator that functions under the assumption that the counterforce generated by a biologic sample placed on a carrier membrane (test‐on‐carrier) is extractable from the total signal. As material characteristics of biologic samples are poorly defined, we substituted them by polyurethane and latex membranes. Based on the knowledge of the previously measured carrier membrane's compliance, we calculated the test membrane's compliance from the pressure–volume relationship inside the bioreactor. We hypothesized that knowing the carrier membranes' compliance allows calculation of the sample's compliance. Compliances of latex membranes were larger than those of polyurethane ones (p < 0.05). The average differences between calculated and directly determined compliances were 3.9% ± 2.7% and 6.7% ± 4.8% (mean ± SD) under static and dynamic mechanostimulation, respectively (p > 0.05). The variability of compliance values was several fold larger (p < 0.01) for latex‐on‐polyurethane compared to polyurethane‐on‐latex combinations. There was high correlation between Young's modulus as determined from static compliance estimation and by uniaxial stretching in a tension‐testing machine (r2 = 0.987, p < 0.001). In conclusion, our mechanostimulator allowed reliable contact‐free determination of material characteristics and may thus be suitable for contact‐free assessment of biologic samples. The compliance of the carrier membrane should be at least two times larger than the compliance of the tested material. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Swelling characteristics and drug delivery properties of nifedipine‐loaded pH sensitive alginate–chitosan hydrogel beads
Authors: Dai Ya‐Ni , Li Ping , Zhang Jun‐Ping , Wang Ai‐Qin , Wei Qin
Published: March 2008

The aim of the present work was to investigate the swelling behavior and in vitro release of nifedipine from alginate–chitosan hydrogel beads. Structure and surface morphology of the hydrogel were characterized by FTIR and SEM, respectively. Alginate–chitosan mixed beads and alginate–chitosan coated beads were prepared by ionic gelation method. The swelling ability of the beads and in vitro release of nifedipine in simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.5) and different phosphate buffer solutions (pH 2.5, 5.0, 6.8, 7.4, and 8.0) were found to be dependent on the presence of the polyelectrolyte complex between chitosan and alginate. The amount of nifedipine released from the mixed beads at pH 1.5 was relatively low (42%), whereas this value approached to 99% at pH 6.8. In comparison with the mixed beads, the released nifedipine from the coated beads was minimal at pH 1.5 (18%), whereas ∼99% nifedipine was released at pH 6.8. The results suggested that the coated beads can hold drug better at low pH than the mixed beads and show excellent pH sensitivity. Therefore, the alginate–chitosan coated beads could be a suitable polymeric carrier for drug delivery in the intestinal tract. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Evaluation of monomer leaching from a dual cured resin cement
Authors: Altintas Subutay Han , Usumez Aslihan
Published: March 2008

Purpose: An increasing number of inlay cavities is restored with tooth‐colored materials, especially ceramics are cemented with resin cements. The comonomer TEGDMA and other monomers Bis‐GMA and UDMA have been identified as the main compounds released from polymerized resin cements into aqueous media. The present investigation was conducted to clarify the leaching behavior of the monomers of dual polymerized resin cement. Material and methods: Ten freshly extracted caries and restoration free molar teeth were used in this study. Standardized Class I preparations were prepared in all teeth. Lithium disilicate based (IPS Empress Esthetic) ceramic inlays were cemented with dual polymerized resin cement (Variolink II). After cementation, specimens were stored in 75% ethanol solution. High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to analyze the amounts of three monomers in the solution (after 10 min, 1 h, 24 h, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days). Two‐way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests were used to evaluate the results (p < 0.05). Results: There were statistically significant differences among the amounts of the monomers (p < 0.01) and also among time periods (p < 0.01). While the TEGDMA resulted in significantly higher amount than Bis‐GMA and UDMA, there were no statistically significant differences between amounts of Bis‐GMA, UDMA (p = 0.06). The cumulative amount of monomers was the highest after 21 days (p < 0.01). Conclusion: In the case of resin cement, leaching of TEGDMA was the highest and the cumulative amount of leaching monomers from resin cement was influenced by the time. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Modification of human papillomavirus‐like particle vaccine by insertion of the cross‐reactive L2‐epitopes
Authors: Kondo Kazunari , Ochi Hiroyuki , Matsumoto Tamae , Yoshikawa Hiroyuki , Kanda Tadahito
Published: March 2008

Infection with human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16), which is one of the 15 types of HPV causally associated with cervical cancer and accounts for 50% of the cases, can be prevented in a type‐specific manner by an HPV16 virus‐like particle (VLP) vaccine comprised of particles of the L1 protein alone. We attempted to modify the VLP vaccine by inserting the HPV16 L2‐peptides including cross‐neutralization epitopes into the L1 polypeptide. The chimeric L1 had, between L1 amino acids (aa) 430 and 433, the L2 sequence of aa 18–38, 56–75, or 96–115 (with the replacements of S at aa 101 and T at aa 112 with L and S, respectively). The three chimeric L1s were each expressed from the recombinant baculovirus in insect Sf9 cells, and the resultant VLPs were characterized. The chimeric VLPs were shown to present the L2‐peptides on their surface. By immunizing rabbits with the VLPs, it was shown that they retained capability to induce the antibody neutralizing HPV16 and acquired capability to elicit antibodies cross‐neutralizing the infectious HPV18, 31, 52, and 58 pseudovirions. Although the cross‐neutralizing titers were lower than the type‐specific neutralizing titer, the results suggest that the chimeric VLPs have potential to serve as a vaccine candidate for a broad spectrum of high‐risk HPVs. J. Med. Virol. 80:841–846, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genotype variability of human metapneumovirus, South Korea
Authors: Chung Ju‐Young , Han Tae Hee , Kim Sang Woo , Hwang Eung‐Soo
Published: March 2008

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV), a virus causing lower respiratory tract infections in children, is classified two major groups or genotypes of hMPV and recently existence of multiple lineages has been suggested. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent of genetic variation and circulation pattern of hMPV in Korea. Between January 2005 and April 2007, nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected from 1,214 children <16 years of age hospitalized with acute respiratory tract infection at Sanggyepaik Hospital. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were tested for common respiratory pathogens using immunofluorescence or multiplex RT‐PCR. RT‐PCR was used to detect hMPV. The PCR products were purified and subsequently sequenced directly on both strands. hMPV was detected in 8.4% (102/1,214) of nasopharyngeal aspirates from children with acute respiratory tract infection. The 102 hMPV strains detected in this study were classified into two distinct F lineages, 87 strains belonged to genogroup A2 (A2a in 42, A2b in 45) and 15 strains to genogroup B. All hMPV subtypes except A1 co‐circulated in Korean population. Although alternating predominance of hMPV subtypes from year to year could not be found, the changing predominance of sublineage A2a and A2b was demonstrated. J. Med. Virol. 80:902–905, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rapid viral response and treatment outcome in genotype 2 and 3 chronic hepatitis C: comparison between two HCV RNA quantitation methods
Authors: Carlsson Tony , Quist Anne , Weiland Ola
Published: March 2008

Fifty consecutive patients with genotype 2 or 3 chronic hepatitis C were treated with peg‐IFN alfa‐2a 135 µg weekly and ribavirin (11 mg/kg body weight) daily during 24 weeks. Rapid viral response treatment week 4, end‐of‐treatment response, and sustained viral response were analyzed by two different HCV RNA quantitation methods, the Cobas Amplicor Monitor test and the TaqMan test with a sensitivity of 600 and 15 IU/ml, respectively. The TaqMan test differentiated patients with rapid viral response finally achieving sustained viral response better. Hence, patients with and without rapid viral response as tested by the TaqMan test finally achieved sustained viral response in 97% (32/33) versus in 75% (12/16), P < 0.017. The corresponding figures for the Cobas Amplicor test was 91% (41/45) versus (80%) 4/5 a non‐significant difference. In conclusion, the more sensitive TaqMan test yielded a lower number of patients with rapid viral response than the less sensitive Amplicor Monitor test, but predicted sustained viral response in a higher percentage of patients with rapid viral response than the Amplicor Monitor test. A rapid viral response meaning HCV RNA levels <15 IU/ml predicted a sustained viral response in 97% of patients with genotype 2 or 3. J. Med. Virol. 80:803–807, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Acute hepatitis A virus infection in Turkey
Authors: Normann Andrea , Badur Selim , Önel Derya , Kilic Ayse , Sidal Müjgan , Larouzé Bernard , Massari Veronique , Müller Julia , Flehmig Bertram
Published: March 2008

Anti‐HAV IgM positive serum samples from acute phase hepatitis A patients from various areas in Turkey were tested for viral RNA by RT‐PCR (reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction), using primer pairs from two different regions of the HAV genome. The PCR products amplified from both genomic regions underwent phylogenetic analyses. A comparison of the regions showed the same genotyping results, and the RT‐PCR‐2 in the 5′NCR demonstrated greater sensitivity compared to RT‐PCR‐1 in the VP1‐P2A region. The majority of the isolates belonged to genotype IB and are related closely to each other; however, two isolates related even more strongly to the HAV HM175 strain. Two (n = 37) RT‐PCR positive sera were classified under genotype IA. A surprising finding emerged for the mean levels of serum transaminases AST and ALT: higher levels were found in patients under 10 years of age compared to older patients. Anti‐HAV IgM levels were determined quantitatively and, in addition, the HAV‐RNA genome equivalents were ascertained by real time RT‐PCR. No evidence was found for an association between viral load and the higher transaminase levels in the younger group. J. Med. Virol. 80:785–790, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence and risk factors for viral hepatitis in the Kosovarian population: implications for health policy
Authors: Quaglio Gianluca , Ramadani Naser , Pattaro Cristian , Cami Arben , Dentico Pietro , Volpe Anna , Pellizzer Giampiero , Berisha Ali , Smacchia Camillo , Figliomeni Mario , Schinaia Nicola , Rezza Giovanni , Putoto Giovanni
Published: March 2008

The prevalence of hepatitis infection among the Kosovarian population is largely unknown. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis A, B, C, and D (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV) infection among the general population and in a group of health care workers in the Kosovo region. Overall, 1,287 participants were recruited, 460 males (36%) and 827 females (64%). Health care workers accounted for 253 individuals (20%), 301 were blood donor candidates (23%), 334 were pregnant women (26%), and 399 (31%) were subjects who had been examined in two clinics for routine laboratory testing. The prevalence of total anti‐HAV was 88.6% (95% CI: 86.69–90.25). Prevalence of anti‐HAV among children up to 10 years was 40.5% (95% CI: 29.6–53.15), reaching 70% (95% CI: 62.25–77.10) in the 11–20 age group. Age, living in rural areas and unemployment were factors associated with higher risk of HAV infection. HBsAg was detected in 2.4% (95% CI: 1.57–3.38%) of the study sample, with a significant age trend (P‐value:0.0110). Positivity for total anti‐HBc was detected in 18.4% (95% CI = 16.27–20.59) of the subjects. Ninety‐three subjects (7.2%) were positive for anti‐HBs alone. An association between age, HSV‐2 positivity, working nurses and HBV infection has been observed. One patient was HDV positive. The prevalence for HCV was 0.5% (95% CI: 0.22–1.12%). HAV infection seems to be high‐intermediate, while HBV shows an intermediate endemicity. It is necessary to highlight the importance of an immunization strategy against HAV and HBV in reducing the incidence of the infection. The prevalence for HCV was very low. J. Med. Virol. 80:833–840, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sensitive and rapid detection of norovirus using duplex TaqMan reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Ishida Setsuko , Yoshizumi Shima , Ikeda Tetsuya , Miyoshi Masahiro , Okano Motohiko , Okui Toyo
Published: March 2008

Conventional reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) to detect norovirus (NV) is a complex of multi‐step procedure that requires gel electrophoresis as well as hybridization or sequencing to confirm the final diagnosis. A duplex TaqMan RT‐PCR was developed to detect and classify genogroup (G) I and GII of NV. The primers and TaqMan probes for this assay were selected from the region of open reading frame (ORF) 1‐ORF2 junction. A total of 796 stool specimens from 103 outbreaks of gastroenteritis, and a series of 46 stool specimens containing most NV genotypes was used for this study. For these specimens from 103 outbreaks, NV was detected and classified by the duplex TaqMan RT‐PCR in 536 of the 541 specimens tested previously to be positive using the conventional RT‐PCR. Two hundred fifty‐one of the 255 specimens that were negative by the conventional RT‐PCR were also negative by the TaqMan RT‐PCR. No false positive result was observed for other enteric RNA viruses such as rotavirus and sapovirus. This is the first report on the development of a duplex TaqMan RT‐PCR end‐point assay for detection and differentiation of GI and GII of NV strains simultaneously followed by genotyping. These results suggest the practical application of this duplex TaqMan RT‐PCR is useful for the detection of NV in clinical specimens. J. Med. Virol. 80:913–920, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of a virus derived from MDCK cells infected persistently with influenza A virus as a potential live‐attenuated vaccine candidate in the mouse model
Authors: Liu Beixing , Hossain Md. Jaber , Mori Isamu , Kimura Yoshinobu
Published: March 2008

A temperature‐sensitive mutant virus unable to replicate at 38°C was recovered from passage 189 (IVpi‐189) of Madin‐Darby canine kidney cells infected persistently with influenza A. Immunofluorescent staining of the IVpi‐189 virus‐infected cells revealed disrupted transport of the matrix (M) 1 protein into the nucleus at non‐permissive temperatures, resulting in retention of the nucleoprotein (NP) in the nucleus. Upon comparison with the parental influenza A E61‐24‐P15 strain used to establish persistent infection, amino acid exchanges were found in the M1 protein of IVpi‐189 virus; arginine to glutamine at position 72 and threonine to alanine at position 139. When mice were inoculated intranasally with IVpi‐189 virus, virus growth in the lungs was restrained and terminated rapidly. Prior intranasal inoculation with only a small dose of IVpi‐189 virus induced humoral and cellular immune responses and protected mice against subsequent virulent virus challenge. These results indicate that IVpi‐189 virus, an avirulent temperature‐sensitive mutant, is a promising candidate for use as a live‐attenuated vaccine. J. Med. Virol. 80:888–894, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.