bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of nutritional status on early outcomes of elderly patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Hirakawa Yoshihisa , Masuda Yuichiro , Kuzuya Masafumi , Iguchi Akihisa , Kimata Takaya , Uemura Kazumasa
Published: November 2006

Background:  The impact of malnutrition on early outcomes has not been studied widely in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aimed at determining the effect of malnutrition on in‐hospital mortality or duration of hospital stay in the elderly AMI patient.

Method:  Data from the Tokai Acute Myocardial Infarction Study II were used. This was a prospective study of all patients admitted to 15 hospitals with AMI. We abstracted the baseline and procedural characteristics, serum albumin level, and in‐hospital mortality from detailed chart reviews. Patients aged 65 and over were stratified into two groups according to serum albumin concentration.

Results:  The present analysis included a subsample of 629 patients with serum albumin concentration <35 g/L (undernutrition group) and 962 patients with serum albumin concentration ≥35 g/L (normal nutrition group). Patients in the undernutition group were older, more likely to be dependent in activities of daily living, and have a lower systolic blood pressure or a lower body mass index score, a history of renal failure, and signs of heart failure on presentation. Also, patients in this group frequently had a reduced left ventricular function and multivessel coronary disease. They were more likely to receive vasopressors, intra‐aortic balloon pump, or mechanical ventilation, and were less likely to receive percutaneous coronary intervention. Although undernutrition group patients had a significantly higher mortality rate or a longer duration of stay than normal nutrition group patients, the differences disappeared after multivariable adjustment.

Conclusions:  Malnutrition of elderly AMI patients was not associated with poor early outcomes.
Association between insulin resistance and cognitive function in elderly diabetic patients
Authors: Suzuki Mari , Umegaki Hiroyuki , Uno Tomoko , Oyun Ookhor , Mogi Nanaka , Maeno Hitoshi , Yamanouchi Kunio , Iguchi Akihisa , Sato Yuzo
Published: November 2006

Background:  Recently, cognitive impairment in elder diabetic subjects has sparked considerable interest. Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the central pathologies in diabetes mellitus, and several studies have shown that IR is associated with cognitive impairment in non‐diabetic elderly subjects. However, the involvement of IR in cognitive dysfunction in the diabetic elderly has remained to be elucidated.

Methods:  In the current study we measured IR with the euglycemic insulin clamp technique, and assessed cognitive function in 13 elderly diabetic patients (mean age, 69.1 ± 4.4). Several tests to assess cognitive function including Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) were performed, and clinical indices were evaluated. IR was evaluated by metabolic clearance rates (MCR).

Results:  The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient between MCR and MMSE scores was 0.587 (P = 0.035). When subjects were divided into two groups at the median MCR (5.0 mL/kg/min), the lower MCR (high IR) group (n = 5) had significantly lower MMSE scores than the higher group (n = 8). The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was –0.641 (P = 0.018) between hs‐CRP and MMSE scores. When subjects were divided into two groups at the median of high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) (594.0 µg/dL), the higher hs‐CRP group (n = 6) had significantly lower MMSE scores than the lower group (n = 7).

Conclusion:  The current study shows that higher IR measured with the euglycemic insulin clamp technique and higher hs‐CRP is associated with lower MMSE scores in non‐demented diabetic elderly patients.
Comparison of methods for deploying female gypsy moths to evaluate mating disruption treatments
Authors: Thorpe Kevin W. , Hickman Andrea D. , Tcheslavskaia Ksenia S. , Leonard Donna S. , Roberts E. Anderson
Published: November 2006

1 Mating disruption is the primary tactic used to reduce rates of gypsy moth population spread in the United States Department of Agriculture’s Slow‐the‐Spread of the gypsy moth programme (STS). Because STS targets very low‐density gypsy moth populations within which it is extremely difficult to collect females or egg masses, mating success in native populations cannot be determined. Therefore, the evaluation of mating disruption treatments in field experiments such as those designed to test new formulations and application methods requires deploying and recovering laboratory‐reared female moths to determine mating success.

2 Five methods of deploying females were evaluated for cost, rates of female and egg mass recovery, and female mating success. The deployment methods tested were: modified delta trap, square barrier, single and double trunk bands, and tethered females.

3 Deployment of tethered females had the highest cost and mating success rate, but it did not yield the highest rates of female and egg mass recovery. Deployment of females in delta traps produced the lowest cost and mating success rate, but yielded the highest recovery rate. Neither of these deployment methods is recommended because of unacceptably high cost (tethered female) or low mating success (delta trap).

4 There were no significant differences in cost or mating success among the other three deployment methods.

5 The differences among the square barrier, single trunk band, and double trunk band methods in cost, female and egg mass recovery, and mating success are too small to recommend any one over the others.
Population structure and recombination in environmental isolates of Legionella pneumophila
Authors: Coscollá Mireia , González‐Candelas Fernando
Published: November 2006

Legionella pneumophila is a water‐borne bacteria responsible for most cases of legionellosis, an emerging disease with an increasing incidence in industrialized countries. Although early analysis based on multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) described the population structure of this species as clonal, more recent reports have suggested that recombination also contributes to shaping variation across its genome. We report here the results of analysing the nucleotide sequences of 19 loci in 31 environmental samples of L. pneumophila from a small Spanish region (near Alcoi, province of Alicante) where legionellosis has become almost endemic. We analysed the six loci currently incorporated to the sequence‐based typing scheme developed by European Working Group for Legionella Infections (EWGLI) for L. pneumophila and 13 intergenic regions, for which we developed primers anchored in flanking, conserved genes. Our results show that recombination among natural isolates of this species is a common phenomenon, as 20 of the 31 isolates contained at least one locus in which recombination was revealed by at least three different methods. The mapping of the recombination events on the maximum likelihood tree of the concatenate sequence of the 19 loci indicated that at least nine independent recombination events might explain the observed distribution of recombinant loci among isolates. In consequence, we have shown that recombination in L. pneumophila is much more frequent than previously considered and that it does not seem to be restricted to already described pathogenicity islands or other genome constituents which provide it with a high plasticity.
Trends in colorectal cancer survival in northern Denmark: 1985–2004
Authors: Iversen L. H. , Nørgaard M. , Jepsen P. , Jacobsen J. , Christensen M. M. , Gandrup P. , Madsen M. R. , Laurberg S. , Wogelius P. , Sørensen H. T. ,   On behalf of the Northern Danish Cancer Quality Assessment Group
Published: November 2006

Objective  The prognosis for colorectal cancer (CRC) is less favourable in Denmark than in neighbouring countries. To improve cancer treatment in Denmark, a National Cancer Plan was proposed in 2000. We conducted this population‐based study to monitor recent trends in CRC survival and mortality in four Danish counties.

Method  We used hospital discharge registry data for the period January 1985–March 2004 in the counties of north Jutland, Ringkjøbing, Viborg and Aarhus. We computed crude survival and used Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to compare mortality over time, adjusted for age and gender. A total of 19 515 CRC patients were identified and linked with the Central Office of Civil Registration to ascertain survival through January 2005.

Results  From 1985 to 2004, 1‐year and 5‐year survival improved both for patients with colon and rectal cancer. From 1995–1999 to 2000–2004, overall 1‐year survival of 65% for colon cancer did not improve, and some age groups experienced a decreasing 1‐year survival probability. For rectal cancer, overall 1‐year survival increased from 71% in 1995–1999 to 74% in 2000–2004. Using 1985–1989 as reference period, 30‐day mortality did not decrease after implementation of the National Cancer Plan in 2000, neither for patients with colon nor rectal cancer. However, 1‐year mortality for patients with rectal cancer did decline after its implementation.

Conclusion  Survival and mortality from colon and rectal cancer improved before the National Cancer Plan was proposed; after its implementation, however, improvement has been observed for rectal cancer only.
Cause and place of death in patients dying with colorectal cancer
Authors: Jones O. M. , John S. K. P. , Horseman N. , Lawrance R. J. , Fozard J. B. J.
Published: November 2006

Objective  Few studies on colorectal cancer look at the one‐third of patients for whom treatment fails and who need a management strategy for death. This paper has examined the mode and place of death in patients with colorectal cancer.

Method  This study was a review of 209 deaths, analysed between January 2001 and September 2004 by retrospective review of a prospectively collected database.

Results  A total of 118 patients (group 1) had undergone resection of their primary colorectal cancer, 20 (group 2) had had a defunctioning stoma or bypass surgery and the remaining 71 patients (group 3) had either had no surgery, an open and close laparotomy or had a colonic stent. One hundred and fifty‐six (75%) patients died of colorectal cancer with the remainder dying of other causes. The number of admissions to hospital and the number of days spent in hospital from diagnosis to death were greatest in group 1. Overall, only 34 patients (22%) dying from colorectal cancer died at home. Forty (26%) died in hospital and 70 (45%) died in a palliative care unit.

Conclusions  Patients dying from colorectal cancer who undergo surgical resection of their primary tumour spend more time between diagnosis and death in hospital. They are also more likely to die in hospital than patients treated by surgical palliation or nonsurgically. Patients who are treated palliatively from the outset (group 3) are most likely to die at home. If hospital is accepted as an appropriate place for death from colorectal cancer, then greater provision for this should be made.
Rectogesic® (glyceryl trinitrate 0.2%) ointment relieves symptoms of haemorrhoids associated with high resting anal canal pressures
Authors: Tjandra J. J. , Tan J. J. Y. , Lim J. F. , Murray‐Green C. , Kennedy M. L. , Lubowski D. Z.
Published: November 2006

Objective  Some haemorrhoids are associated with high resting anal canal pressures. The aim of this study was to assess if Rectogesic®, a topical glyceryl trinitrate 0.2% ointment was effective in relieving symptoms of early grade haemorrhoids associated with high resting anal canal pressures.

Method  This was a prospective, two‐centre, open label study of 58 patients with persistent haemorrhoidal symptoms. Patients with first or second degree haemorrhoids and a maximum resting anal canal pressure >70 mmHg were included. Rectogesic® was applied three times a day for 14 days. Anorectal manometry was performed 30 min after the first application of Rectogesic®. A 28‐day diary was completed during 14 days of therapy and for 14 days after cessation of treatment. This recorded the incidence of rectal bleeding, and visual analogue scales for anal pain, throbbing, pruritis, irritation and difficulty in bowel movement.

Results  Maximum resting anal canal pressures were reduced after application of Rectogesic® (115.0 ± 40.4 mmHg vs 94.7 ± 34.1 mmHg, P < 0.001). In the study period and at 14 days after cessation of Rectogesic®, there was significant reduction in rectal bleeding (P = 0.0002), and significant improvement of anal pain (P = 0.0024), throbbing (P = 0.0355), pruritis (P = 0.0043), irritation (P = 0.0000) and difficulty in bowel movement (P = 0.001). The main adverse event was headache in 43.1% of patients.

Conclusion  Rectogesic® is a safe and feasible treatment for patients with early grade haemorrhoids associated with high resting anal canal pressures.
The Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction study: focus on treatment satisfaction of patients and partners
Authors: Brock Gerald , Chan John , Carrier Serge , Chan Melanie , Salgado Luis , Klein Alexander H. , Lang Clement , Horner Richard , Gutkin Stephen , Dickson Ruth
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVE

To assess patient and partner preferences for, and satisfaction with, tadalafil or sildenafil (phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors) in routine clinical practice for treating erectile dysfunction (ED), as these are important outcomes that might influence treatment adherence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a multicentre, prospective observational trial in Canada, patients with ED were eligible if they planned to change treatment from tadalafil to sildenafil or vice versa. Data were collected at baseline and 4–12 weeks later (endpoint). Satisfaction was assessed using patient and partner versions of the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) questionnaire. EDITS index scores range from 0 (extremely low treatment satisfaction) to 100 (extremely high treatment satisfaction).

RESULTS

Of 2425 patients, approximately 98% completed the study and 295 partners participated. When patients changed from sildenafil to tadalafil (1722 men) the mean EDITS index scores increased significantly for both patients (from 61.6 to 78.3) and partners (from 65.0 to 82.6; both P < 0.001). When patients changed from tadalafil to sildenafil (703 men), the mean EDITS index scores increased slightly but significantly for patients (from 68.8 to 70.2; P = 0.007) but not partners (from 76.8 to 68.9; P = 0.066). For the individual EDITS questions, mean scores increased significantly from baseline to endpoint on all questions for patients (all 11 questions; P < 0.001) and partners (all five questions; P < 0.001) in the sildenafil‐to‐tadalafil group, and in the tadalafil‐to‐sildenafil group, mean scores for patients decreased on nine of 11 questions (seven of nine significantly; P < 0.041) and mean scores for partners decreased on all five (two significantly; P < 0.049). For treatment preference, regardless of the change in treatment (i.e. sildenafil‐tadalafil or tadalafil‐sildenafil), a significantly higher percentage of patients and partners preferred tadalafil to sildenafil.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that patients with ED (and their partners) who changed from sildenafil to tadalafil treatment or vice versa in a routine clinical practice setting had higher treatment satisfaction when taking tadalafil than sildenafil, as assessed by most measures of EDITS. The higher treatment satisfaction with tadalafil might help to explain the greater preference for tadalafil compared with sildenafil in both patients and partners in this observational study.
Achieving continence with antimuscarinic therapy for overactive bladder: effects of baseline incontinence severity and bladder diary duration
Authors: Wein Alan J. , Khullar Vik , Wang Joseph T. , Guan Zhonghong
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVE

To examine the continence (‘dryness’) rate as an outcome measure of the efficacy of antimuscarinic treatment, and to explore how changes in bladder diary duration, baseline severity of urinary incontinence (UI), and study population characteristics affected this outcome.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Urgency UI is a symptom of overactive bladder (OAB) and antimuscarinic agents are a first‐line treatment for OAB symptoms; several studies have used dryness rate as an efficacy endpoint, calculated as the percentage of patients who record no UI episodes in a diary period. We performed a post hoc analysis of data from a 12‐week, multicentre, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of tolterodine extended‐release (ER) in patients with symptoms of urinary frequency (≥8 voids/24 h) and urgency UI (≥5 episodes/week). Patients with stress UI were excluded. Diary entries from the 3‐, 5‐, and 7‐day periods immediately preceding the baseline and the week 12 visit were used to assess the relationships between the percentage of patients reporting total dryness at week 12, diary duration (3, 5, or 7 days), baseline number of weekly UI episodes (1–6, 7–13, 14–20, ≥ 21), and population analysed (intent‐to‐treat, ITT, or per protocol, PP). The mean changes in weekly UI episodes from baseline to week 12 are also reported by diary duration and baseline frequency of UI for patients treated with tolterodine‐ER.

RESULTS

The total dryness rates decreased with increasing diary duration and greater frequency of UI at baseline. Analysis of the ITT population also showed lower dryness rates than the PP population. However, the mean reductions in weekly UI episodes for the ITT and PP populations were consistent across diary duration for each level of baseline UI frequency.

CONCLUSION

‘Dryness’ varies with diary duration, baseline frequency of UI, and the population analysed. Comparisons of dryness rates between studies might lead to erroneous conclusions when these factors are not considered.
Impact of positive surgical margins in patients undergoing partial nephrectomy for renal cortical tumours
Authors: Kwon Eric O. , Carver Brett S. , Snyder Mark E. , Russo Paul
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical outcome of patients undergoing partial nephrectomy (PN) for renal cortical tumours who had a positive surgical margin (SM), as recent studies have shown that a minimal SM is required to achieve equivalent disease‐free survival (DFS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 1989 and 2005, 777 PNs were performed at the authors’ institution. Clinical and pathology data were obtained from our prospective surgical database after obtaining institutional review board approval. Variables were analysed in a logistic regression model to determine predictors of positive SMs. The clinical outcome was reported for local recurrence and distant metastasis and analysed using the log‐rank test.

RESULTS

Of the 777 PNs, the SM status was documented in 770; the SMs were positive in 57 of 770 (7%). Positive SMs occurred in 33 of 423 (8%) patients with tumours of high malignant potential, and in 24 of 347 (7%) patients with tumours of low malignant potential. On multivariate analysis, an imperative indication for a PN was a significant predictor for a positive SM (P = 0.003). With a median follow‐up for survivors of 22 months, there was a local recurrence in two of 57 (4%) patients with a positive SM and four of 713 (0.5%) with a negative SM. No patients with a tumour of low malignant potential had a recurrence, despite having a positive SM.

CONCLUSIONS

Although local recurrence after PN for renal cortical tumours is rare, our data suggest that patients with a tumour of high malignant potential and a positive SM might have a higher incidence of local recurrence.
S‐allylcysteine, a water‐soluble garlic derivative, suppresses the growth of a human androgen‐independent prostate cancer xenograft, CWR22R, under in vivo conditions
Authors: Chu Qingjun , Lee Davy T.W. , Tsao Sai Wah , Wang Xianghong , Wong Yong Chuan
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of S‐allylcysteine (SAC) on CWR22R, a human androgen‐independent (AI) prostate cancer xenograft, in nude mice. Despite extensive research worldwide there is no effective way to control the growth of prostate cancer, and we previously reported that SAC and S‐allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC), two water‐soluble derivatives of garlic, inhibit cancer cell invasion through restoration of E‐cadherin expression in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effects of SAC on tumour cell proliferation markers such as Ki‐67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and apoptotic regulators including Bcl‐2 and cleaved caspase‐3, were assessed by immunohistochemical staining. The inhibitory effects of SAC on prostate cancer invasion was examined by immunoreactivity of E‐cadherin and its binding proteins α, β and γ‐catenins. The serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level at three different times (initiation, middle and end of treatment) and toxicity of SAC on several organs after treatment were assessed.

RESULTS

Treatment with SAC resulted in inhibition of the growth of CWR22R, with no detectable toxic effect on nude mice. The SAC‐induced growth reduction was correlated with a concurrent reduction in serum PSA level and proliferation rate of xenografts, together with an inhibition of invasion through the restoration of E‐cadherin and γ‐catenin expression. Furthermore, the apoptotic rate of SAC‐treated tumours increased together with a decrease in Bcl‐2 and increase in cleaved caspase‐3.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that this garlic‐derived compound might be a potential therapeutic agent for suppressing AI prostate cancer.
Previous bladder outlet surgery does not affect medium‐term outcomes after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
Authors: Eden Christopher G. , Richards Andrew J. , Ooi Jason , Moon Daniel A. , Laczko Istvan
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of previous bladder outlet surgery (BOS) on the peri‐operative variables of patients having laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP), as reported evidence as to whether BOS affects the outcome of RP is contradictory.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Of 600 consecutive patients attending for LRP from March 2000 to January 2006, 558 had had no surgery (NS) and 42 (7.0%) had a history of BOS (transurethral prostatectomy in 35, 5.8%; bladder neck incision in seven, 1.2%). All patients had clinical stage ≤ T3aN0M0 prostate cancer and had their procedure performed or supervised by the same surgeon.

RESULTS

Patients with previous BOS had a significantly greater age (mean 64.6 vs 61.8 years, P = 0.008), duration of catheterization (mean 13.7 vs 10.5 days, P = 0.003), proportion of pT3a tumours (16.7% vs 4.5%, P = 0.009) and potency rates at ≥ 24 months (P < 0.001). Patients with previous BOS had a significantly lower body weight (mean 79.7 vs 83.0 kg, P = 0.05) and prostate weight (mean 46.7 vs 58.6 g, P = 0.01). Although patients with previous BOS had poorer continence at 3 months (61% vs 91%, P < 0.001), continence rates were similar in the two groups after this.

CONCLUSION

Previous BOS does not affect the medium‐term outcomes after LRP.
The effect of male circumcision on sexuality
Authors: Kim DaiSik , Pang Myung‐Geol
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively study, using a questionnaire, the sexuality of men circumcised as adults compared to uncircumcised men, and to compare their sex lives before and after circumcision.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The study included 373 sexually active men, of whom 255 were circumcised and 118 were not. Of the 255 circumcised men, 138 had been sexually active before circumcision, and all were circumcised at >20 years of age. As the Brief Male Sexual Function Inventory does not specifically address the quality of sex life, questions were added to compare sexual and masturbatory pleasure before and after circumcision.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in sexual drive, erection, ejaculation, and ejaculation latency time between circumcised and uncircumcised men. Masturbatory pleasure decreased after circumcision in 48% of the respondents, while 8% reported increased pleasure. Masturbatory difficulty increased after circumcision in 63% of the respondents but was easier in 37%. About 6% answered that their sex lives improved, while 20% reported a worse sex life after circumcision.

CONCLUSION

There was a decrease in masturbatory pleasure and sexual enjoyment after circumcision, indicating that adult circumcision adversely affects sexual function in many men, possibly because of complications of the surgery and a loss of nerve endings.
An abnormal digital rectal examination is an independent predictor of Gleason ≥7 prostate cancer in men undergoing initial prostate biopsy: a prospective study of 790 men
Authors: Borden Lester S. , Wright Jonathan L. , Kim Jason , Latchamsetty Kalyan , Porter Christopher R.
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate our experience with a referral population of 790 patients undergoing initial prostate biopsy in the prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) era, to assess the role of a digital rectal examination (DRE) in predicting the outcome of prostate needle biopsy (PNB) and to evaluate if DRE findings were associated with cancer grade.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analysed 790 consecutive men who had an initial PNB from September 1999 to July 2005 by one urologist (C.P.). All data were collected in a prospective database. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between an abnormal DRE and the presence of cancer and cancer grade on PNB.

RESULTS

An abnormal DRE was an independent predictor for prostate cancer on multivariate analysis (odds ratio 2.18, 95% confidence interval 1.53–3.10, P < 0.001). In all patients biopsied, an abnormal DRE was associated with a Gleason sum of ≥ 7 on multivariate analysis (odds ratio 3.39, 2.07–5.53, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

A DRE is a useful and important tool to use when assessing patients for a PNB. An abnormal DRE independently predicted high‐grade disease in these men. These results might have important implications in the prediction of men with other than indolent prostate cancer.
Liver metastases in prostate carcinoma: clinical characteristics and outcome
Authors: Pouessel Damien , Gallet Blandine , Bibeau Frédéric , Avancès Christophe , Iborra François , Sénesse Pierre , Culine Stéphane
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVE

To assess the clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with liver metastases in prostate carcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 1995 to December 2005, 345 patients with metastatic prostate cancer were prospectively recorded in the database of the Montpellier Cancer Centre, France. The clinical characteristics and outcome of 28 patients who developed liver metastases during the course of the disease were analysed.

RESULTS

Six patients had liver metastases as the first site of metastatic disease, and for one of them, liver was the only metastatic site. All but one patient had hormone‐refractory disease. Serum measurement of neuroendocrine markers showed increased levels of chromogranin A and neurone‐specific enolase in 84% and 44% of patients, respectively. Six patients had a pathological analysis; there were two different histological patterns in liver biopsies, i.e. four were adenocarcinomas with a moderate (one patient) or poor (three) differentiation and two were neuroendocrine carcinomas. Three patients had no treatment because of a poor performance status. One patient had hormone therapy for synchronous liver metastases at diagnosis as the first‐line treatment; other patients were treated with chemotherapy. The median (range) overall survival was 6 (1–27) months; the median survival of patients for whom liver was part of the initial metastatic pattern was 14 months.

CONCLUSION

Liver metastases are not very rare but appear to be a rather late event in the course of the disease. They are frequently associated with neuroendocrine characteristics.
Generation and characterization of soybean and marker‐free tobacco plastid transformants over‐expressing a bacterial 4‐hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase which provides strong herbicide tolerance
Authors: Dufourmantel Nathalie , Dubald Manuel , Matringe Michel , Canard Hélène , Garcon Frédéric , Job Claudette , Kay Elisabeth , Wisniewski Jean‐Pierre , Ferullo Jean‐Marc , Pelissier Bernard , Sailland Alain , Tissot Ghislaine
Published: November 2006

Plant 4‐hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) is part of the biosynthetic pathway leading to plastoquinone and vitamin E. This enzyme is also the molecular target of various new bleaching herbicides for which genetically engineered tolerant crops are being developed. We have expressed a sensitive bacterialhppdgene fromPseudomonas fluorescensin plastid transformants of tobacco and soybean and characterized in detail the recombinant lines. HPPD accumulates to approximately 5% of total soluble protein in transgenic chloroplasts of both species. As a result, the soybean and tobacco plastid transformants acquire a strong herbicide tolerance, performing better than nuclear transformants. In contrast, the over‐expression of HPPD has no significant impact on the vitamin E content of leaves or seeds, quantitatively or qualitatively. A new strategy is presented and exemplified in tobacco which allows the rapid generation of antibiotic marker‐free plastid transformants containing the herbicide tolerance gene only. This work reports, for the first time, the plastome engineering for herbicide tolerance in a major agronomic crop, and a technology leading to marker‐free lines for this trait.
Transcriptome analysis of senescence in the flag leaf of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Gregersen Per L. , Holm Preben Bach
Published: November 2006

The senescence process in wheat flag leaves was investigated over a time course from ear emergence until 50% yellowing of harvested leaf samples using an in‐house fabricated cDNA microarray based on a 9K wheat unigene set. The top 1000 ranked differentially expressed probes were subjected to a cluster analysis and, from these, we selected 140 up‐regulated genes with informative annotations. There was a considerable overlap between this list of genes and genes previously observed to be associated with senescence in other species, covering several functional categories involved in the degradation of macromolecules and nutrient remobilization, notably of nitrogen via the metabolism of carboxylic and amino acids. The up‐regulation of a number of genes in this metabolism was confirmed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction experiments. The data suggest a role for cytosolic/peroxisomal routes in the integration of the degradation of carbohydrates, fatty acids and proteins, leading to the remobilization of nitrogen. Illustrative examples of up‐regulated genes comprise cytoplasmic aconitate hydratase and peroxisomal citrate synthase. The data support a protective role of the mitochondria towards oxidative cell damage via the up‐regulation of the alternative oxidase, and possibly also involving the up‐regulated succinate dehydrogenase. A number of up‐regulated regulatory genes were also identified, notably NAC‐domain and WRKY transcription factors. These factors have previously been identified as being associated with senescence in other species. The data support the notion that a generic senescence programme exists across monocot and dicot plant species. However, notable differences can also be recognized. We thus found transcriptional up‐regulation of the biosynthetic pathway for benzoxazinoids, a group of graminaceous‐specific secondary metabolites.
Risk‐taking and the adolescent brain: who is at risk?
Authors: Galvan Adriana , Hare Todd , Voss Henning , Glover Gary , Casey B.J.
Published: November 2006

Relative to other ages, adolescence is described as a period of increased impulsive and risk‐taking behavior that can lead to fatal outcomes (suicide, substance abuse, HIV, accidents, etc.). This study was designed to examine neural correlates of risk‐taking behavior in adolescents, relative to children and adults, in order to predict who may be at greatest risk. Activity in reward‐related neural circuitry in anticipation of a large monetary reward was measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging, and anonymous self‐report ratings of risky behavior, anticipation of risk and impulsivity were acquired in individuals between the ages of 7 and 29 years. There was a positive association between accumbens activity and the likelihood of engaging in risky behavior across development. This activity also varied as a function of individuals’ ratings of anticipated positive or negative consequences of such behavior. Impulsivity ratings were not associated with accumbens activity, but rather with age. These findings suggest that during adolescence, some individuals may be especially prone to engage in risky behaviors due to developmental changes in concert with variability in a given individual's predisposition to engage in risky behavior, rather than to simple changes in impulsivity.
Personality as Risk and Resilience in Physical Health
Authors: Smith Timothy W.
Published: November 2006

Research on the association between personality characteristics and subsequent physical health has produced several consistent findings and identified other tentative relationships. Chronic anger/hostility and neuroticism/negative affectivity are the best established personality risk factors for poor health. Optimism, social dominance, and other traits also appear to influence risk. Several mechanisms have been identified as possibly underlying these effects, but few have been evaluated definitively. Future research may be well served by incorporation of concepts and methods from current personality research.
New Directions in Goal-Setting Theory
Authors: Locke Edwin A. , Latham Gary P.
Published: November 2006

Goal-setting theory is summarized regarding the effectiveness of specific, difficult goals; the relationship of goals to affect; the mediators of goal effects; the relation of goals to self-efficacy; the moderators of goal effects; and the generality of goal effects across people, tasks, countries, time spans, experimental designs, goal sources (i.e., self-set, set jointly with others, or assigned), and dependent variables. Recent studies concerned with goal choice and the factors that influence it, the function of learning goals, the effect of goal framing, goals and affect (well-being), group goal setting, goals and traits, macro-level goal setting, and conscious versus subconscious goals are described. Suggestions are given for future research.
Periocular involvement in cutaneous leishmaniasis
Authors: Durdu M , Gökçe S , Bagirova M , Yalaz M , Allahverdiyev AM , Uzun S
Published: November 2006

Objective  Although cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) occurs mostly in the facial area, periocular involvement accounts for 2–5% of the facial lesions. CL lesions localized in the periocular region can easily be confused with various other diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the frequency of periocular involvement in CL in the Çukurova region of Turkey, as well as the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and methods of treatment of this disease.

Methods  Between December 1998 and December 2004, patients who were diagnosed with CL were evaluated prospectively with respect to periocular involvement.

Results  From the 2066 patients evaluated with CL, 2622 lesions were identified. In 59 (2.9%) of these patients, a total of 66 (2.5%) lesions were located in the periocular area. Thirty‐two (48.5%) of these lesions were of the papular type, 15 (22.7%) the nodulo‐ulcerative type, 10 (15.2%) the plaque type, and nine (13.6%) the nodular type. Dacryocystitis was identified in four patients with periocular involvement. Over the follow‐up period, no ocular or periocular deformities or complications developed in these patients.

Conclusion  Patients suspected of CL should be evaluated and treated early in the course of their disease to prevent any permanent ocular or periocular deformities.
Quality of life in mild to moderate acne: relationship to clinical severity and factors influencing change with treatment
Authors: Jones‐Caballero M , Chren MM , Soler B , Pedrosa E , Peñas PF
Published: November 2006

Background  Because of its effects on quality of life, acne vulgaris is more than a merely physiological or cosmetic entity.

Objectives  To describe the influence of mild to moderate acne on patients’ quality of life, measured using Skindex‐29, and to correlate changes in Skindex‐29 scores with changes in objective and subjective indices in clinical severity after treatment with topical 4% erythromycin 0.2% zinc. Also, to evaluate efficacy and side‐effects of the treatment.

Methods  Observational, prospective study of 1878 patients cared for by 252 clinicians in Spain. Data included epidemiological information and responses to Skindex‐29, a subjective change and objective severity index.

Results  Baseline Skindex scale scores were worse in women, older patients, and those with more severe clinical disease. Skindex was sensitive to changes in objective severity but changes in Skindex scale scores were also related to other factors. Patients who reported their skin condition to be ‘the same’ or ‘worse’ at the end of the study had significantly worse baseline scores on the ‘symptoms’ and ‘emotions’ scales but ‘functioning’ scores were not worse than for those who reported their condition had improved.

Conclusion  The effects of acne vulgaris on quality of life and changes in quality of life after treatment are not only explainable by objective severity of acne. Patients’ and clinicians’ judgements about acne severity are different.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the Pacific pleasure oyster, Crassostrea corteziensis, and their cross‐species amplification in four other oyster species
Authors: CRUZ P. , YÁÑEZ‐JACOME B. , IBARRA A. M. , RANGEL‐BECERRIL J.
Published: November 2006

Microsatellite loci were isolated in Crassostrea corteziensis using (GT)n, (CT)n and (CTGT)n‐enriched genomic libraries. Within each of 45 sequenced clones, an average of three microsatellite regions (156 total) were observed. Thirty‐three primers were designed, from which 11 microsatellite loci amplified. Ten of those were polymorphic, with a range of two to 30 alleles. Three loci were not in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and linkage disequilibrium was found for six pairs of loci. These microsatellite loci will be further tested for segregation distortions and null alleles to establish a set for population genetic studies of the species in the Northwest coasts of Mexico, and for optimization of aquaculture development. Seven of the microsatellite loci cross‐amplified in Crassostrea palmula, a sympatric species, and will be useful in further genetic studies.
Development and characterization of microsatellites in Vanda varieties
Authors: LIM A. , YUE G. H. , LIM‐HO C. L. , HONG Y.
Published: November 2006

The orchid genus Vanda includes more than 70 monopodial species and numerous hybrids. The aim of this study was to develop microsatellite markers for this horticultural valuable genus. Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated from the variety Vanda Miss Joaquim and were characterized in four Vanda species, 11 Vanda hybrids, and one Aranda intergenus hybrid. Populations from three species were also analysed. Number of alleles ranged from two to 19. For the V. sumatrana population, the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0 to 0.76 (mean 0.31) and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0 to 1 (mean 0.36). All the varieties tested were distinct from one another (similarity index < 0.8). These microsatellites could be used for studying genetic diversity and population structure of wild populations within the orchid genus Vanda, as well as for distinguishing cultured Vanda varieties.
High‐throughput species identification: from DNA isolation to bioinformatics
Authors: RICHARDSON DAVID E. , VANWYE JEFFREY D. , EXUM AMY M. , COWEN ROBERT K. , CRAWFORD DOUGLAS L.
Published: November 2006

Ichthyoplankton collections provide a valuable means to study fish life histories. However, these collections are greatly underutilized, as larval fishes are frequently not identified to species due to their small size and limited morphological development. Currently, there is an effort underway to make species identification more readily available across a broad range of taxa through the sequencing of a standard gene. This effort requires the development of new methodologies to both rapidly produce and analyse large numbers of sequences. The methodology presented in this paper addresses these issues with a focus on the larvae of large pelagic fish species. All steps of the methodology are targeted towards high‐throughput identification using small amounts of tissue. To accomplish this, DNA isolation was automated on a liquid‐handling robot using magnetic bead technologies. Polymerase chain reaction and a unidirectional sequencing reaction followed standard protocols with all template cleanup and transferring also automated. Manual pipetting was thus reduced to a minimum. A character‐based bioinformatics program was developed to handle the large sequence output. This program incorporates base‐call quality scores in two types of sample to voucher sequence comparisons and provides suggested identifications and sequence information in an easily interpreted spreadsheet format. This technique when applied to tuna and billfish larvae collected in the Straits of Florida had an 89% success rate. A single species (Thunnus atlanticus) was found to dominate the catch of tuna larvae, while billfish larvae were more evenly divided between two species (Makaira nigricans and Istiophorus platypterus).
Polymorphic microsatellite loci for population studies of the Japanese scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis
Authors: ZHAO YING‐YING , ZHU XIAO‐CHEN , SUN XIAO‐WEN , LIANG LI‐QUN
Published: November 2006

Fifteen microsatellite loci were developed to examine the population structure of Japanese scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis. These markers were tested in samples from two geographically distant populations: the Sakhalin Island (Russia) and Dalian City (China). The mean numbers of alleles, observed and expected heterozygosities between the two populations were summarized by locus, but none of them show significant divergence between the two populations. Most loci conformed to Hardy–Weinberg expectation with the exception of loci HLJX‐06, HLJX‐12, HLJX‐13 and HLJX‐28, which had heterozygote deficits.
Photosensitive Benign Myoclonic Epilepsy in Infancy
Authors: Capovilla Giuseppe , Beccaria Francesca , Gambardella Antonio , Montagnini Alessandra , Avantaggiato Paolo , Seri Stefano
Published: November 2006

Summary:  Purpose: To describe the electroclinical features of subjects who presented with a photosensitive benign myoclonic epilepsy in infancy (PBMEI).

Methods: The patients were selected from a group of epileptic subjects with seizure onset in infancy or early childhood. Inclusion criteria were the presence of photic‐induced myoclonic seizures and a favorable outcome. Cases with less than 24 month follow up were excluded from the analysis.

Results: Eight patients were identified (4 males, 4 females). Personal history was uneventful. All of them had familial antecedents of epilepsy. Psychomotor development was normal in 6 cases, both before and after seizure onset. One patient showed a mild mental retardation and a further patient showed some behavioral disturbances. Neuroradiological investigations, when performed (5 cases), gave normal results. The clinical manifestations were typical and could vary from upward movements of the eyes to myoclonic jerks of the head and shoulders, isolated or briefly repetitive, never causing a fall. Age of onset was between 11 months and 3 years and 2 months. Characteristically, the seizures were always triggered by photic stimulation. Non photo‐induced spontaneous myoclonic attacks were reported in 2 cases during the follow‐up. Other types of seizures were present at follow‐up in 2 cases. The outcome was favorable, even if, usually, seizure control required high AED plasma levels. Since the clinical symptoms were not recognized early, some patients were treated only many years after the onset of symptoms.

Conclusion: Among BMEI patients, our cases constitute a subgroup in which myoclonic jerks were always triggered by photostimulation, in particular at onset of their epilepsy.
Status Epilepticus after Stroke Is Associated with Increased Long‐term Case Fatality
Authors: Knake Susanne , Rochon Justine , Fleischer Sarah , Katsarou Niki , Back Tobias , Vescovi Mathias , Oertel Wolfgang H. , Reis Janine , Hamer Hajo M. , Rosenow Felix
Published: November 2006

Summary:  Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the long‐term case fatality of patients with a first episode of status epilepticus (SE group) of cerebrovascular etiology, as compared with that in acute stroke patients without SE (AS group).

Methods: Patients with SE who had been prospectively admitted to an epidemiologic study were retrospectively compared with a cohort of patients from the local stroke registry. The main outcome end point was overall survival. Survival curves were generated according to the Kaplan–Meier method and compared by using the log‐rank test. An extended Cox model was used to examine the impact of patient group on the risk of death. Covariates considered potential confounders included age at diagnosis, sex, type of stroke, affected hemisphere, and localization of lesions.

Results: Of 166 patients who entered the study, 93 patients were in the SE group, and 73 patients were in the AS group; 53 SE patients and 35 AS patients died during the study. Patient group (SE vs. AS) showed no significant impact on survival (p = 0.0832) in univariate analysis. In contrast, the results from a multivariable analysis suggest that after 6 months, patients with SE were at about twice the risk of death as were patients with AS [hazard ratio of 2.12 with 95% confidence interval, 1.04–4.32, p = 0.0392].

Conclusions: The occurrence of SE in patients with cerebrovascular disease indicates a high risk of death within 3 years. In contrast, the case fatality risk attributable to recurrent status or seizures is lower.