bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SHARING THE CARING: A SWEDISH APPROACH TO SHORT‐TERM CARE OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN
Authors: EVANS ROSEMARY , FYHR GURLI
Published: May 2006

Summary The setting up of a short‐stay home, which offers temporary care for mentally handicapped children living with their parents in the Swedish county of Ostergötland, is described. It illustrates an approach which parents, care staff and the supervising psychologist have all found satisfactory in contrast to the provision previously available in hospital units.
THE CROYDON WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS OF PRE‐SCHOOL MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN
Authors: ATTWOOD TONY
Published: May 2006

SummaryA multidisciplinary team of professionals met the parents of 25 pre‐school handicapped children for a series of evening meetings to discuss how professionals and parents can help the development of the child. The workshop was exceptionally well‐attended by parents who received practical advice from both the professionals and other parents. Multidisciplinary parents workshops appear to be an effective community service for the parents of handicapped children.
USE OF PLAY MATERIALS IN TREATING A SEVERELY HANDICAPPED CHILD
Authors: SALOMON MARION KERNER , GARNER ANN M.
Published: May 2006

Summary A 4‐year‐old boy with a physical handicap severe enough to preclude his manipulating materials, participated in a play intervention designed to help him to deal with some of his limitations. His skill in communicating to the therapist and in utilizing vicarious experiences allowed him to participate fully and successfully in therapy, although several modifications had to be made in the usual play procedures. The basic techniques of play therapy may therefore be of use to other motorically handicapped children who are capable of verbalizing and fantasizing. During the course of the therapy, this child also evidenced some unusual perceptions of the world. The lack of opportunity to have the customary sensorimotor experiences had apparently delayed his development of object permanence. This finding is consistent with Piaget's theory, which emphasized early motoric behaviours as prerequisites to later intellectual operations.
E prostanoid 2 (EP2)/EP4‐mediated suppression of antigen‐specific human T‐cell responses by prostaglandin E2
Authors: Okano Mitsuhiro , Sugata Yuji , Fujiwara Tazuko , Matsumoto Rie , Nishibori Masahiro , Shimizu Kenji , Maeda Megumi , Kimura Yoshinobu , Kariya Shin , Hattori Hisashi , Yokoyama Minehiko , Kino Kosuke , Nishizaki Kazunori
Published: May 2006

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is a lipid mediator that displays important immunomodulatory properties, such as polarization of cytokine production by T cells. Recent investigations have revealed that the effect of PGE2 on cytokine production is greatly influenced by external stimuli; however, it is unclear whether PGE2 plays a significant role in major histocompatibility complex‐mediated antigen‐specific T‐cell responses via binding to one of four subtypes of E prostanoid (EP) receptor alone or in combination. In the present study, we sought to determine the effect of PGE2 on antigen‐specific CD4+ T‐cell responses in humans, especially in terms of receptor specificity. We used purified protein derivative (PPD) and Cry j 1 as T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2‐inducing antigens, respectively. We generated several different Cry j 1‐ and PPD‐specific T‐cell lines (TCLs). PGE2 significantly and dose‐dependently inhibited the proliferation and subsequent production of interleukin‐4 by Cry j 1‐specific TCLs and of interferon‐γ by PPD‐specific TCLs upon antigen stimulation. Administration of EP2 receptor agonist and EP4 receptor agonist suppressed these responses in an adenylate cyclase‐dependent manner, while EP1 and EP3 receptor agonists did not. Messenger RNA for EP2, EP3 and EP4, but not EP1, receptors were detected in Cry j 1‐ and PPD‐specific TCLs, and no differences in EP receptor expression were observed between them. Furthermore, PGE2 and EP2 receptor agonist significantly inhibited interleukin‐5 and interferon‐γ production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to Cry j 1 and PPD stimulation, respectively. These results suggest that PGE2 suppresses both Th1‐ and Th2‐polarized antigen‐specific human T‐cell responses via a cAMP‐dependent EP2/EP4‐mediated pathway.
Mannan derivatives induce phenotypic and functional maturation of mouse dendritic cells
Authors: Sheng Kuo‐Ching , Pouniotis Dodie S. , Wright Mark D. , Tang Choon Kit , Lazoura Eliada , Pietersz Geoffrey A. , Apostolopoulos Vasso
Published: May 2006

Mannan, a polysaccharide isolated from yeast binds to C‐type lectins of the mannose receptor family, expressed by antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) including dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages. As these receptors mediate endocytosis, they have been targeted with ligands to deliver antigens into APCs to initiate immune responses. Immunization with tumour antigen MUC1 conjugated to oxidized mannan (OM) or reduced mannan (RM) induced differential immune responses in mice, and only mice immunized with OM‐MUC1 elicited strong MUC1‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses and protected mice from a MUC1 tumour challenge. In this study, the adjuvant effect of mannan and its derivatives including OM and RM, in comparison to lipopolysaccharide, on DCs were investigated. Mannan, OM and RM were capable of stimulating mouse bone marrow‐derived DC in vitro, eliciting enhanced allogeneic T‐cell proliferation and enhancing OTI/OTII peptide‐specific T‐cell responses. Injection of mice with mannan, OM and RM induced a mature phenotype of lymph node and splenic DCs. Analysis by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction indicated that Manna, OM and RM also stimulated up‐regulation of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin‐1β and tumour necrosis factor‐α, and differential T helper 1 (Th1)/Th2 cytokines. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that activation of DCs was Toll‐like receptor‐4‐dependent. The data presented here, together with evidence reported previously on OM and RM in induction of immune responses in vivo, suggest that OM and RM exert a dual capacity to target antigen to APCs as well as mature DCs.
TAP1–/– mice present oligoclonal BV‐BJ expansions following the rejection of grafts bearing self antigens
Authors: Marrero Idania , Huffman Donald , Kalil Jorge , Sercarz Eli E. , Coelho Verônica
Published: May 2006

Our previous work showed that transporter associated with antigen processing 1 (TAP1)–/– (H‐2b) mice rejected grafts from H‐2b mice which display a normal density of class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules at the cell surface. Our results indicated that H‐2b molecules themselves may be a target in this kind of rejection and that CD4+ T cells play a major role in this autoreactive process. Our data also suggested that TAP1–/– mice, in addition to the well‐recognized phenotype of class I and CD8+ T‐cell deficiency, present a functional alteration in their autoreactive CD4+ T‐cell repertoires. In this model of inflammatory autoreactivity to modified self, we have analysed T‐cell receptor (TCR) V‐beta–J‐beta (BV‐BJ) usage by complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) length spectratyping in splenocytes from naïve TAP1–/– mice and transplanted TAP1–/– mice that rejected B6 heart grafts or responded to synthetic self H‐2Kb peptides. Importantly, oligoclonal T‐cell expansions shared by different animals were detected in the peripheral T‐cell repertoire of transplanted TAP1–/– mice. Such public expansions were also induced in vitro by H‐2Kb peptides, suggesting that dominant class I peptides can induce preferential expansions of restricted T‐cell populations during rejection. Some of these public T‐cell expansions were also detected in transplanted mice even before in vitro stimulation with peptides, indicating that post‐transplantation expansion of these populations had occurred in vivo. The functional activity of these T‐cell populations awaits elucidation, as do the underlying mechanisms involved in the inflammatory autoreactive process, in TAP1–/– mice.
Effect of antisense oligonucleotide against mouse dentine matrix protein 1 on mineralization ability and calcium ions metabolism in odontoblast‐like cell line MDPC‐23
Authors: Pang J. L. , Wu B. L. , He W. X. , Zhang Y. Q. , Zhao H. P. , Xie Z. H.
Published: May 2006

Aim  To study the mineralization ability and the dynamic changes of intracellular and extracellular concentrations of calcium ions in the odontoblast‐like cell line MDPC‐23 affected by antisense oligonucleotide (AS‐ODN) against mouse dentine matrix protein 1 (DMP1).

Methodology  The expression of DMP1 in MDPC‐23 cells was detected by an immunohistochemical method and its blocking outcome by the Western blot method. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, size and number of mineralized nodules, and the intracellular free ([Ca2+]if), total ([Ca2+]it) and the extracellular ([Ca2+]e) calcium ion concentrations in MDPC‐23 cells in the experimental group affected with AS‐ODN were compared with those in the control group (paired‐samples t‐test).

Results  Dentine matrix protein 1 was stably expressed in a stable way in MDPC‐23 cells; the expression was only just detectable at 12 h and became negative after 24 h affected by AS‐ODN. Compared with the control groups, ALP activity of MDPC‐23 cells in the AS‐ODN group was decreased (P < 0.05), and both the number and size of mineralized nodules were smaller than those in the control group. [Ca2+]if in the AS‐ODN group increased and then decreased after 24 h. [Ca2+]it dropped substantially to the lowest point at 24 h (P < 0.01). [Ca2+]e increased before treatment for 24 h and then dropped, however, it was still higher than that of the control group.

Conclusions  Antisense oligonucleotide against DMP1 could decrease mineralization ability and affect the intracellular and extracellular concentrations of calcium ions in MDPC‐23 cells. This would indicate that DMP1 regulates the metabolism and transportation of calcium ions in odontoblasts, and thus boosts dentine mineralization.
Nonsurgical treatment of extensive cyst‐like periapical lesion of endodontic origin
Authors: Soares J. , Santos S. , Silveira F. , Nunes E.
Published: May 2006

Aim  To report the repair of an extensive periapical lesion of endodontic origin, following nonsurgical treatment.

Summary  Clinical and radiographic examination revealed an extensive periapical lesion related to tooth 22, extending from the distal surface of tooth 21 to the mesial surface of 26. The patient reported a previous history of dental trauma involving this quadrant and had been under orthodontic treatment for a year. Intraoral examination revealed an asymptomatic bony hard swelling, mainly confined to the palate. During root canal exploration irregular walls associated with 3 mm of apical calcification were noted. After apical patency was obtained 1 mL of bloody serous exudate was drained. Intracanal aspiration provided a further 2 mL of yellow serous exudate. Following biomechanical preparation, a dressing of calcium hydroxide with anaesthetic solution was applied and replaced four times over a period of 12 months. The clinical–pathological picture demonstrated resolution of the lesion during this period of time. The 14‐month clinical and radiographic examinations revealed normal bony contour and a significant resolution of the maxillary radiolucency.

Key learning points  • Periapical lesions of endodontic origin may develop asymptomatically and become large.

• Proper biomechanical preparation followed by calcium hydroxide medication renewed periodically represents a nonsurgical approach to resolve extensive inflammatory periapical lesions.
Multi‐level support for physical activity and healthy eating
Authors: Bull Sheana , Eakin Elizabeth , Reeves Marina , Kimberly Riley
Published: May 2006

Aim.  This paper reports a study evaluating the relationship between social and community level supports and physical activity and dietary behaviours among a low‐income Latino population with multiple chronic conditions.

Background.  With consistently lower physical activity than whites and documented nutritional deficiencies, Latinos in the United States of America represent a disproportionate share of the population with chronic illness. This pattern of health disparities is seen across countries, where there is a struggle to raise the health status of low‐income, immigrant and aboriginal communities. Social‐ecological theories of health behaviour stress the importance of considering social and community support for health behaviour, and represent a useful framework for considering ways to improve physical activity and nutrition for immigrant and aboriginal groups.

Method.  We report here on data from a baseline assessment of 200 patients from a health clinic in the United States of America serving a low‐income, primarily Latino population. Participants were enrolled in Resources for Health, a randomized controlled trial to promote multi‐level support for chronic illness self‐management. Measures included self‐reported physical activity, dietary behaviour and multi‐level support for chronic illness management as well as demographic data. Baseline data reported on here were collected between February 2002 and September 2003.

Findings.  Use of multi‐level supports (e.g. family, individual and healthcare provider) was statistically significantly associated with meeting physical activity guidelines and better dietary behaviours. Being female and having multiple chronic conditions were also associated with better dietary behaviour. These variables explained 20% of the variance in dietary behaviour.

Conclusion.  Results support a social‐ecological approach for promoting healthy behaviour in this low‐income, primarily Latino sample with multiple chronic conditions. Addressing multiple levels of support for healthy behaviour is important in interventions to improve physical activity and diet, and nurses may be particularly well placed to address such issues for low‐income, aboriginal and immigrant patients with chronic conditions.
Dental anxiety – an epidemiological study on its clinical correlation and effects on oral health
Authors: EITNER S. , WICHMANN M. , PAULSEN A. , HOLST S.
Published: May 2006

summary  Pronounced dental anxiety could lead to avoidance strategies to evade dental visits. The aim of the present epidemiological study was to investigate the prevalence and related oral disease patterns of dental anxiety in young adult male soldiers. Therefore, the intensity and frequency of dental anxiety are presented and the correlation with oral clinical findings are evaluated. Three hundred seventy‐four soldiers who underwent a compulsory dental check‐up were randomly assigned to this study. Psychological parameters were collected based on a protocol integrating the Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) and the Gatchell Fear Scale (GaFS). Patient‐based measures included D3,4MF‐scores for dental status and the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Need (CPITN) for periodontal status. Thirty‐two individuals (8·6%) showed DAS‐scores of 13 or 14 (anxious), while 4·6% had a DAS‐score ≥ 15 (highly anxious/phobic). Highest DAS‐values were measured among patients’ aged 19–29 (n = 262). DMFS‐values of anxious and less anxious patients showed only minor differences. However, anxious patients had significantly more carious lesions (P < 0·001). CPITN periodontal values showed no significant differences between both groups. 89·2% of less anxious individuals and 79·6% of anxious patients went for regular dental check‐ups. Thus, every tenth patient was considered to have high dental anxiety. Anxiety results in avoidance behaviour, which can only be discovered upon compulsory examinations and which is associated with higher caries morbidity and need for oral rehabilitation. As anxiety has a direct influence on oral health, it should be detected and accounted for in a treatment concept integrating dental and cognitive‐behavioural therapeutic approaches.
Power for detecting genetic divergence: differences between statistical methods and marker loci
Authors: RYMAN NILS , PALM STEFAN , ANDRÉ CARL , CARVALHO GARY R. , DAHLGREN THOMAS G. , JORDE PER ERIK , LAIKRE LINDA , LARSSON LENA C. , PALMÉ ANNA , RUZZANTE DANIEL E.
Published: May 2006

Information on statistical power is critical when planning investigations and evaluating empirical data, but actual power estimates are rarely presented in population genetic studies. We used computer simulations to assess and evaluate power when testing for genetic differentiation at multiple loci through combining test statistics or P values obtained by four different statistical approaches, viz. Pearson's chi‐square, the log‐likelihood ratio G‐test, Fisher's exact test, and an FST‐based permutation test. Factors considered in the comparisons include the number of samples, their size, and the number and type of genetic marker loci. It is shown that power for detecting divergence may be substantial for frequently used sample sizes and sets of markers, also at quite low levels of differentiation. The choice of statistical method may be critical, though. For multi‐allelic loci such as microsatellites, combining exact P values using Fisher's method is robust and generally provides a high resolving power. In contrast, for few‐allele loci (e.g. allozymes and single nucleotide polymorphisms) and when making pairwise sample comparisons, this approach may yield a remarkably low power. In such situations chi‐square typically represents a better alternative. The G‐test without Williams's correction frequently tends to provide an unduly high proportion of false significances, and results from this test should be interpreted with great care. Our results are not confined to population genetic analyses but applicable to contingency testing in general.
Evidence for isolation by time in the European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.)
Authors: MAES GREGORY E. , PUJOLAR J. M. , HELLEMANS B. , VOLCKAERT FILIP A. M.
Published: May 2006

Life history traits of highly vagile marine species, such as adult reproductive success and larval dispersal, are strongly determined by oceanographic and climatic forces. Nevertheless, marine organisms may show restricted dispersal in time and space. Patterns of isolation by distance (IBD) have been repeatedly observed in marine species. If spawning time is a function of geographical location, temporal and spatial isolation, can easily be confounded or misinterpreted. In this study, we aimed at discriminating between various forces shaping the genetic composition of recruiting juveniles of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.). By controlling for geographical variation, we assessed temporal variation and tested for possible isolation by time (IBT) between recruitment waves within and between years. Using 12 polymorphic allozyme and six variable microsatellite loci, we show that genetic differentiation was low (FST = 0.01–0.002) and significant between temporal samples. Regression analysis between genetic and temporal distance, was consistent with a subtle interannual pattern of IBT. Our data suggest that the population dynamics of the European eel may be governed by a double pattern of temporal variance in genetic composition: (i) a broad‐scale IBT of spawning cohorts, possibly as a consequence of the large migration loop in anguillids and strong variance in annual adult reproductive contribution; and (ii) a smaller‐scale variance in reproductive success (genetic patchiness) within cohorts among seasonally separated spawning groups, most likely originating from fluctuating oceanic and climatic forces. The consistency of both mechanisms remains to be verified with fine‐scale analyses of both spawning/migrating aged adults and their offspring to confirm the stochastic/deterministic nature of the IBT pattern in eel.
Recency, range expansion, and unsorted lineages: implications for interpreting neutral genetic variation in the sharp‐tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus)
Authors: SPAULDING A. W. , MOCK K. E. , SCHROEDER M. A. , WARHEIT K. I.
Published: May 2006

Both current and historical patterns of variation are relevant to understanding and managing ecological diversity. Recently derived species present a challenge to the reconstruction of historical patterns because neutral molecular data for these taxa are more likely to exhibit effects of recent and ongoing demographic processes. We studied geographical patterns of neutral molecular variation in a species thought to be of relatively recent origin,Tympanuchus phasianellus (sharp‐tailed grouse), using mitochondrial control region sequences (CR‐I), amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP), and microsatellites. For historical context, we also analysed CR‐I in all species ofTympanuchus. WithinT. phasianellus, we found evidence for restricted gene flow between eastern and western portions of the species range, generally corresponding with the range boundary ofT. p. columbianusandT. p. jamesi. The mismatch distribution and molecular clock estimates from the CR‐I data suggested that allTympanuchusunderwent a range expansion prior to sorting of mitotypes among the species, and that sorting may have been delayed as a result of mutation‐drift disequilibrium. This study illustrates the challenge of using genetic data to detect historical divergence in groups that are of relatively recent origin, or that have a history dominated by nonequilibrium conditions. We suggest that in such cases, morphological, ecological, and behavioural data may be particularly important adjuncts to molecular data for the recognition of historically or adaptively divergent groups.
Origin and genetic structure of feral rye in the western United States
Authors: BURGER JUTTA C. , LEE SKY , ELLSTRAND NORMAN C.
Published: May 2006

Feral rye (Secale cereale) is a serious, introduced weed of dry land agricultural regions of the western United States. It closely resembles cultivated cereal rye (Secale cereale cereale L.) with the exception of having a shattering seed head. Feral rye may have originated from hybridization of cultivated rye with mountain rye, Secale strictum, as past studies of northern Californian populations suggest, or directly from volunteer cultivated rye. We characterized the genetic structure of feral rye populations across a broad geographical range and reexamined evidence for hybrid origin versus direct evolution from domesticated cultivars. Eighteen feral populations were examined from three climatically distinct regions in the western United States. Seven cultivars, four mountain rye accessions, and one wild annual relative (Secale cereale ancestrale) were included in our analysis as possible progenitors of feral rye. Individual plants were scored for 14 allozyme and three microsatellite loci. Estimates of genetic diversity in feral populations were relatively high compared to those of the possible progenitors, suggesting that the weed had not undergone a genetic bottleneck. Weed populations had no geographical structure at either a broad or a local scale, suggesting idiosyncratic colonization and gene‐flow histories at each site. Feral rye populations were no more closely related to mountain rye than cultivars were. They were, however, weakly clustered as a distinct lineage relative to cultivars. Our results do not support an interspecific hybrid origin for feral rye, but do suggest that the sampled populations of feral rye share a common ancestry that may explain its weedy nature.
Using nutritional indices to study LOX3‐dependent insect resistance
Authors: RAYAPURAM CBGOWDA , BALDWIN IAN T.
Published: May 2006

Induced resistance to biotic attackers is thought to be mediated by responses elicited by jasmonic acid (JA), a subset of which are lipoxygenase 3 (LOX3) dependent. To understand the importance of LOX3‐mediated insect resistance, we analysed the performance of Manduca sexta larvae on wild‐type (WT) and on isogenic Nicotiana attenuata plants silenced in NaLOX3 expression and JA signalling, and we used Waldbauer nutritional indices to measure the pre‐ and post‐ingestive effects. LOX3‐mediated defenses reduced larval growth, consumption and frass production. These defenses reduced how efficiently late‐instar larvae converted digested food to body mass (ECD). In contrast, LOX3‐mediated defenses decreased approximate digestibility (AD) in early instar larvae without affecting the ECD and total food consumption. Larvae of all instars feeding on defended WT plants behaviourally compensate for their reduced body mass by consuming more food per unit of body mass gain. We suggest that larvae feeding on plants silenced in NaLOX3 expression (as‐lox) initially increase their AD, which in turn enables them to consume more food in the later stages and consequently, to increase their ECD and efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI). We conclude that N. attenuata’s oxylipin‐mediated defenses are important for resisting attack from M. sexta larvae, and that Waldbauer nutritional assays reveal behavioural and physiological counter responses of insects to these plant defenses.
Switches in the minimum compressive stress direction induced by overpressure beneath a low‐permeability fault zone
Authors: Collettini C. , De Paola N. , Goulty N. R.
Published: May 2006

The Zuccale fault is a gently east‐dipping normal fault exposed on Elba. Its displacement of 7–8 km occurred from the mid‐Miocene to the Early Pliocene and the fault has been exhumed from a depth of 3–6 km. A complex hydrofracture system exposed in the footwall block consists of three orthogonal vein sets: two vertical sets trending N–S and E–W and one sub‐horizontal. The veins show a crack‐and‐seal texture and mutually cross‐cut each other. Throughout the period when the Zuccale fault was active, the regional stress field was extensional with the minimum principal stress oriented E–W, consistent only with the N–S trending set of vertical hydrofractures. We attribute the three sets of orthogonal fractures beneath the low‐permeability phyllosilicate‐rich fault core to switches in the minimum compressive stress direction induced by cyclic build‐up and release of overpressure.
Association of lipoprotein lipase S447X, apolipoprotein E exon 4, and apoC3 −455T>C polymorphisms on the susceptibility to diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Ng MCY , Baum L , So W‐Y , Lam VKL , Wang Y , Poon E , Tomlinson B , Cheng S , Lindpaintner K , Chan JCN
Published: May 2006

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end‐stage renal disease. In DN patients, triglyceride (TG) level is elevated and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, which hydrolyzes TG, is decreased. The LPL S447X and apolipoprotein E (APOE) exon 4 polymorphisms affect TG levels, and the APOC3−455T>C polymorphism affects LPL activity. Our aim was to examine the association of these polymorphisms with nephropathy in type 2 diabetes. We examined these polymorphisms in a case‐control study of type 2 diabetic patients including 374 with DN and 392 without DN. LPL 447X‐containing genotypes (447X+) were significantly decreased in DN patients [18.6 vs 25.6%, odds ratio (OR) = 0.66, p = 0.02], as were APOEɛ3/ɛ3 genotypes (64.8 vs 73.1%, OR = 0.68, p = 0.01). In addition, combinations of genotypes [APOEɛ3/ɛ3 and LPL 447X+ (OR = 0.56), APOC3 CC and LPL 447X+ (OR = 0.31), APOEɛ3/ɛ3 and APOC3 CC (OR = 0.61] were protective for DN compared with the most common combination of the respective polymorphisms. Our findings suggest the importance of interactions among lipid genes in modulating the risk of DN.
Management of infants and young children with combined heart and kidney failure
Authors: Sahney Shobha , Chinnock Richard
Published: May 2006

Abstract:  Most infants and children referred for cardiac transplantation have low cardiac output with concurrent renal hypoperfusion leading to renal insufficiency and failure. This article is a review of the literature of and a single center's experience with combined heart and kidney failure in infants and children less than 10 yr of age. While 39 infants less than 10 yr of age were dialyzed pre‐ or peri‐operatively, none required dialysis support at the time of discharge or in 5–10 yr follow‐up. Based on our experience we recommend heart transplant alone in infants and young children with primary heart disease even though they have renal dysfunction.
Renal transplantation: Literature review 2004–2005
Authors: Filler Guido
Published: May 2006

Abstract:  The practicing clinician faces challenges to stay up to date with the medical literature because of the rapid expansion of the volume of peer‐reviewed publications in recent years. Pediatric Transplantation recently started a series of reviews to provide succinct summaries of recent medical literature in the field of pediatric transplantation. In this review, we summarize important articles on pediatric renal transplantation over the past 2 yr. The review is intended to be comprehensive but not exhaustive.
C4d in pediatric renal allograft biopsies: A marker for negative outcome in steroid‐resistant rejection
Authors: Vargha Regina , Mueller Thomas , Arbeiter Klaus , Regele Heinz , Exner Markus , Csaicsich Dagmar , Aufricht Christoph
Published: May 2006

Abstract:  Recently, deposition of C4d, reflecting complement activation via the classical pathway, has been established as marker of antibody‐mediated rejection. As C4d can be detected in paraffin sections, it allows for retrospective analysis in populations with low case loads, such as in pediatric transplantation. In this study we re‐evaluated consecutive renal transplant biopsies obtained since 1990 in 36 children (18 boys, 18 girls) who had received their allograft (nine living, 27 cadaveric) at an age of 10.12±4.4 yr. Clinical indications for biopsy were 16 acute steroid resistant rejections (ASRs), 11 chronic rejections and nine other diagnoses. Overall, C4d deposition was found in nine cases (25%), eight of them with diagnosed ASR. Six out of these eight allografts were lost during 36 months of clinical follow‐up, a significantly higher rate than in C4d‐negative biopsies (p<0.05). C4d status therefore turned out to be an excellent predictor for inferior graft survival following ASR. None of the other histopathologic markers were sensitive for humoral rejections. In conclusion, the high prevalence of C4d‐positive staining in ASR demonstrates the importance of the humoral part of the immune system in pediatric transplantation. The worse outcome of C4d‐positive rejections despite massive immunosuppressive therapy clearly indicates the need for innovative therapies in this high‐risk population.
Relative number of generations of hosts and parasites does not influence parasite local adaptation in coevolving populations of bacteria and phages
Authors: Morgan A. D. , Buckling A.
Published: May 2006

A potential consequence of host–parasite coevolution in spatially structured populations is parasite local adaptation: local parasites perform better than foreign parasites on their local host populations. It has been suggested that the generally shorter generation times of parasites compared with their hosts contributes to parasites, rather than hosts, being locally adapted. We tested the hypothesis that relative generation times of hosts and parasites affect local adaptation of hosts and parasites, using the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens and a lytic phage as host and parasite, respectively. Generation times were not directly manipulated, but instead one of the coevolving partners was regularly removed and replaced with a population from an earlier time point. Thus, one partner underwent more generations than the other. Manipulations were carried out at both early and later periods of coevolutionary interactions. At early stages of coevolution, host and parasites that underwent relatively more generations displayed higher levels of resistance and infectivity, respectively. However, the relative number of generations that bacteria and phages underwent did not change the level of local adaptation relative to control populations. This is likely because generalist hosts and parasites are favoured during early stages of coevolution, preventing local adaptation. By contrast, at later stages manipulations had no effect on either average levels of resistance or infectivity, or alter the level of local adaptation relative to the controls, possibly because traits other than resistance and infectivity were under strong selection. Taken together, these data suggest that the relative generation times of hosts and parasites may not be an important determinant of local adaptation in this system.
Physiological Analysis of Growth, Yield Development and Grain Quality of Some Deep‐water Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivars
Authors: Baruah K. K. , Rajkhowa S. C. , Das K.
Published: May 2006

A field experiment was conducted with 10 deep‐water rice varieties (nine traditional and one improved), viz. Amona, Maguri, Rangoli, Kakua, Panikakua, Deoribao, Moimonsingia, Duatkalam, Dalbao and PJNB‐96‐10, to study their physiological performance, grain‐quality characters and yield. Among the cultivars, significant variations were recorded in plant height, root length, number of internode, tiller number, number of ear‐bearing tillers, panicle length, panicle weight, number of spikelets per panicle and filled grain percentage. The highest number of spikelets per panicle (199), filled grain percentage (95 %) and grain yield (4.32 t ha−1) were recorded in Maguribao. The highest grain length was recorded in PNJB‐96‐10 (9.5 mm), whereas highest grain thickness was observed in Duatkalam (2.8 mm). Glutelin was the most dominant fraction of protein in all the tested cultivars. Maguribao showed the highest glutelin content (26.7 mg g−1 dry weight), whereas Panikakua showed the highest amylose (24.45 %) and crude fat (4.64 %) content. Differences were also recorded among cultivars in fibre, ash and iron content in grain. Maguribao was found to have superior physiological traits for growth and hence may be considered for inclusion in deep‐water rice breeding programmes.
Levels of encapsulation and melanization in two larval instars of Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée (Lep., Pyralidae) during simulation of parasitization by Macrocentrus cingulum Brischke (Hym., Braconidae)
Authors: Lu J.‐F. , Hu J. , Fu W.‐J.
Published: May 2006

Abstract:  The hymenopteran Macrocentrus cingulum is a polyembryonic endoparasitoid that uses larvae of the lepidopteran Ostrinia furnacalis as one of its host insects. Previous studies indicated that although this parasitoid does not transmit polydnaviruses when it lays its eggs, a layer of fibrous tissue on the surface of the eggs helps them to avoid being encapsulated by the immune system of the host insect. However, as eggs of M. cingulum that are laid into late instar larvae of O. furnacalis often do not survive, there is a tendency for the adults to lay their eggs in earlier instar larvae. We studied the amounts of encapsulation and melanization around beads of DEAE‐Sephadex A‐25 injected into the haemoceol of fourth and fifth larval instars of O. furnacalis. The beads were injected to simulate the presence of eggs of the parasitoid M. cingulum. We found that the levels of encapsulation and melanization around the beads increased with the age of the O. furnacalis larvae. Likewise, the total counts of the haemocytes circulating within the haemolymph increased with the age of the O. furnacalis larvae and were correlated negatively with the percentage of larvae parasitized by M. cingulum. It appears that young O. furnacalis possess a weak cellular defence, and as a result are more susceptible to being parasitized. Hence, the correlation between the levels of encapsulation and the age of the host insect appears simply to reflect passive evasion.
Effects of pesticides on the functional response of predatory thrips,Scolothrips takahashiitoTetranychus viennensis
Authors: Li D.‐X. , Tian J. , Shen Z.‐R.
Published: May 2006

Abstract: It is of importance to integrate the biological control of hawthorn spider mite,Tetranychus viennensis, by predatory thrips in commercial orchards in north China. In this study, a leaf disc bioassay was employed to investigate the effects of two insecticides, i.e. abamectin and fenpropathrin, and two fungicides, i.e. mancozeb and carbendazim, on the functional response of an acarophagous thrips,Scolothrips takahashiiPriesner, to eggs of the mite at the conditions of 25 ± 1°C, 60 ± 10% relative humidity, and a 16 : 8 h (L : D) photoperiod. Results indicated that the type of functional response in predatory thrips differed depending on the types and doses of the pesticides exposed. Holling‐II type responses were exhibited by all predatory thrips but females that were exposed to labelled dose of abamectin and half‐labelled dose of fenpropathrin exhibited the Holling‐III type responses. Parameters of random predator equation for both exposed and unexposed predators were estimated and compared with an equation with indicator variables. Both doses of both fungicide treatments did not have any impact on the attack rates of the thrips. Handling time (Th) estimates for males exposed to both doses of both fungicides were similar to that of the control, but there seemed to be a trend towards prolonged handling times for females in these exposures with a significantly prolonged Thfound in labelled dose of mancozeb. Exposures of both doses of fenpropathrin and labelled dose of abamectin produced significantly lower attack rates and significantly prolonged handling times in both males and females, whereas an exposure of half‐labelled dose of abamectin had no obvious influence on the attack rates of the predator, but the handling time in females prolonged significantly. The theoretical maximum number of prey attacked by the thrips were 59.81 eggs per day per female and 23.21 eggs per day per male in the control, but it reduced by 57.03–71.41% and 6.03–36.75% for females and males in the insecticide exposures and 23.91–44.26% and −5.13–11.55% in the fungicide exposures, respectively. The finding implies that the natural control effects ofS. takahashiiwould be weakened by the application of the pesticides such as fenpropathrin, abamectin and mancozeb, which are often used to control insect pests and fungal diseases in apple orchards.
Frass sampling and baiting indicate European earwig (Forficula auricularia) foraging in orchards
Authors: Suckling D. M. , Burnip G. M. , Hackett J. , Daly J. C.
Published: May 2006

Abstract:  Earwigs are significant generalist predators of a range of orchard pests, but quantitative assessment of earwig density and beneficial impact is difficult. A sampling system was designed and tested, based on field placement of polycarbonate tubes in apple trees as scotophase arboreal refugia. Tubes containing artificial diet and provided with a black plastic sleeve had the highest earwig counts. Tubes with diet or the black sleeve alone were less preferred. Presence of distinctive frass was also evident in polycarbonate tubes containing artificial diet, and earwig frass was recorded at a higher frequency than earwig presence, indicating foraging and detection of the tubes at a higher rate than their use as shelters. At the tree level, there was a weak correlation between frass abundance and predation rates on leafroller egg batches placed as baits in the canopy, but not with earwig density measured by corrugated cardboard rolls or diet tubes. Diet tubes have the potential to offer new insights into earwig foraging behaviour in orchards.
Physiological effects of the natural products quassin, cinnamaldehyde and azadirachtin on Periplaneta americana (L.)
Authors: Hertel W. , Hertel W. , Müller P.‐J.
Published: May 2006

Abstract:  The action of the plant products quassin, cinnamaldehyde and azadirachtin was examined using pharmacological and electrophysiological methods. All three substances inhibited the beat rate of the antenna‐heart, with quassin causing a diastolic and cinnamaldehyde a systolic block. Quassin delayed and azadirachtin at first accelerated the frequency of action potentials in the heart muscle, but 5 × 10−3 m of the latter compound degraded the spike pattern and decreased the heart rate. A typical prolongation of the duration of the action potentials was observed. In recordings from a nerve of the frontal ganglion, quassin and cinnamaldehyde reduced the intervals between the spontaneous bursts, which turned into a continuous spike discharge with a decline in activity, while azadirachtin had no effect. Measurements in a single neurone of this ganglion revealed that quassin had a suppressive effect on the frequency and amplitude of the action potentials. These results suggest that the physiological effects demonstrated do not cause the primary insecticidal actions of these plant products.
Cover crop, rye residue and in‐furrow treatment effects on thrips
Authors: Olson D. M. , Davis R. F. , Brown S. L. , Roberts P. , Phatak S. C.
Published: May 2006

Abstract:  Thrips and thrips damage to cotton and peanut plants were compared in plots with in‐furrow treatments of aldicarb, phorate and diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer under two tillage regimes with a winter cover of crimson clover and under different levels of rye residue ground cover. Adult and larval thrips numbers were significantly lower in cotton plots following winter crimson clover cultivation compared with no‐cover plots in all 3 years. Thrips numbers did not differ with respect to the in‐furrow treatments in the clover plots, but in the no‐cover plots, they were significantly higher in the untreated control and DAP treatments compared with the aldicarb treatment. Thrips damage was higher in the no‐cover than the clover plots except in the aldicarb treatments. Within the cover crop plots, thrips damage was highest in the control and phorate treatments and similar in the DAP and aldicarb treatments. There was an inverse relationship between the amount of rye residue ground cover and thrips density and thrips damage in cotton and peanuts. There was also an inverse relationship between the density of rye residue and damage to peanuts from Bunyaviridae tospovirus. Cotton yield was reduced in the cover crop plots and was not measured in the rye residue and peanut plots. These results suggest that ground cover alone decreases thrips numbers and thrips damage in both cotton and peanuts and that a winter crimson clover cover and an in‐furrow treatment of DAP enhanced plant protection from thrips in cotton.
Evolution of non‐operative management for blunt splenic trauma in children
Authors: Thompson Stephen R , Holland Andrew JA
Published: May 2006

Abstract:  Until the late 1960s, splenectomy was routinely performed in children who had sustained blunt splenic injury. There was based on the ability to perform splenectomy without obvious consequence; the cited 90–100% mortality for splenic trauma and the possibility of delayed rupture of the spleen. In contrast, contemporary findings in immunology and surgery demonstrated that non‐operative management was not only feasible but desirable in view of the potential for overwhelming post‐plenectomy infection. The history of universal splenectomy following blunt splenic trauma has been reviewed and we outline the findings that have resulted in the current standard of non‐operative management following blunt splenic trauma.
Capsule endoscopy: A new technology for investigating obscure gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Elliott Elizabeth J , Cameron Donald , Davidson Geoffrey
Published: May 2006

Abstract:  In Australia, Medicare rebate was approved in May 2005 for use of capsule endoscopy in children aged 10 years and over. Approval was granted for an interim period to allow investigation of obscure ongoing or recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding, for which no cause could be found after investigation, including conventional radiology and endoscopy. Strict eligibility criteria for Medicare rebate for the procedure have been developed. These criteria relate to patient selection, type of device, timing of the procedure, qualifications of providers and requirements for prospectively monitoring the use, uefulness, safety and cost‐effectiveness of the procedure in children.
Cost‐effectiveness of respiratory syncytial virus prophylaxis with palivizumab
Authors: Reeve Carole A , Whitehall John S , Buettner Petra G , Norton Robert , Reeve David M , Francis Fleur
Published: May 2006

Background:  A monoclonal antibody, palivizumab, directed against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been shown to decrease hospitalisation rates. Because of its expense, the cost‐effectiveness of this agent should be determined for high‐risk groups.

Aim:  To determine characteristics of RSV infection in Townsville and the economic feasibility of palivizumab immunoprophylaxis in high‐risk groups.

Methods:  Cases of RSV‐positive bronchiolitis were retrospectively identified. Cases were grouped according to recognised risk factors. The hypothetical costs of palivizumab immunoprophylaxis for infants at risk were calculated.

Results:  The rate of hospitalisation with RSV‐positive lower respiratory tract infection was 22 per 1000 live births but increased to 50 per 1000 among Indigenous babies born weighing <2500 g. The cost of preventing an admission in each of the identified high‐risk groups, based on drug costs alone, ranged from A$69 861 to A$88 547.

Conclusion:  Palivizumab was not cost‐effective in the prophylaxis of RSV in the high‐risk group of infants tested here.
Seizures, ataxia, developmental delay and the general paediatrician: Glucose transporter 1 deficiency syndrome
Authors: Coman David J , Sinclair KG , Burke CJ , Appleton DB , Pelekanos JT , O’Neil CM , Wallace GB , Bowling FG , Wang D , De Vivo DC , McGill JJ
Published: May 2006

Aim  Glucose transporter 1 deficiency syndrome (GLUT1‐DS) is an important condition for the general paediatrician’s differential armamentarium. We describe a case series of eight patients in order to raise awareness of this treatable neurometabolic condition. The diagnosis of GLUT1‐DS is suggested by a decreased absolute cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose value (<2.2 mmol/L) or lowered CSF: plasma glucose ratio (<0.4).

Methods  This is a review of eight Queensland patients with GLUT1‐DS. The clinical presentation, clinical course, laboratory investigations and treatment outcomes are discussed.

Results  The clinical features noted in our patient cohort include combinations of ataxia, developmental delay and a severe seizure disorder that is refractory to anticonvulsant medications. Seizures are the most common clinical manifestation and may be exacerbated by phenobarbitone. The paired CSF: plasma glucose results ranged from 0.2 to 0.39 (normal <0.6) with an average of 0.33. 3‐O‐Methyl‐D‐Glucose uptake and GLUT1 Genotyping analysis have been performed on five patients thus far. Rapid and impressive seizure control was observed in 100% of our patients once the ketogenic diet was instituted, with half of the cohort being able to wean completely from anticonvulsants.

Conclusion  Children presenting with a clinical phenotype consisting of a refractory seizure disorder, ataxia and developmental delay should prompt the consideration of Glucose transporter 1 deficiency syndrome. While the diagnostic test of lumbar puncture is an invasive manoeuvre, the diagnosis provides a viable treatment option, the ketogenic diet. GLUT1‐DS displays clinical heterogeneity, but the value of early diagnosis and treatment is demonstrated by our patient cohort.