bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
$G$-STRUCTURES ON SPHERES
Authors: ČADEK MARTIN , CRABB MICHAEL
Published: October 2006

A generalization of classical theorems on the existence of sections of real, complex and quaternionic Stiefel manifolds over spheres is proved. We obtain a complete list of Lie group homomorphisms $\rho : G \to G_n$, where $G_n$ is one of the groups $SO(n)$, $SU(n)$ or $Sp(n)$ and $G$ is one of the groups $SO(k)$, $SU(k)$ or $Sp(k)$, which reduce the structure group $G_n$ in the fibre bundle $G_n \to G_{n + 1} \to G_{n + 1} / G_n$.
Anatomy and echocardiography of the normal and abnormal mitral valve
Authors: Asante-Korang Alfred , O'Leary Patrick W. , Anderson Robert H.
Published: October 2006

Unlike the tricuspid valve, the mitral valve has frequently received the attention of anatomists. Indeed, the drawings made by Leonardo da Vinci still retain their currency,1whilst it was no less a personage than Andreas Vesalius who, as far as we know, first likened the bifoliate appearance of the valve to the Episcopal mitre. It was also Vesalius who recommended that the two leaflets be described as aortic and mural, reflecting their respective relationships to the aortic valve and the parietal atrioventricular junction. It was Roberts and Perloff,2however, who emphasized the necessity, for clinical purposes, of analyzing not only the valvar leaflets, but also the overall valvar complex. As we will demonstrate in our review, this approach to analysis also proves its worth for the echocardiographic recognition of the congenitally malformed valve.
The nomenclature, definition and classification of discordant atrioventricular connections
Authors: Jacobs Jeffrey P. , Franklin Rodney C.G. , Wilkinson James L. , Cochrane Andrew D. , Karl Tom R. , Aiello Vera D. , Béland Marie J. , Colan Steven D. , Elliott Martin J. , Gaynor J. William , Krogmann Otto N. , Kurosawa Hiromi , Maruszewski Bohdan , Stellin Giovanni , Tchervenkov Christo I. , Weinberg Paul M.
Published: October 2006

Congenitally corrected transposition is a complex cardiac lesion that is often associated with ventricular septal defect, obstruction of the outflow tract of the morphologically left ventricle, and abnormalities of the morphologically tricuspid valve.1,2Nomenclature for this lesion has been variable and confusing.1In this review, we define, and hopefully clarify this terminology. The lesion is a combination of discordant union of the atrial chambers with the ventricles, and the ventricles with the arterial trunks.1,2In rare circumstances, discordant atrioventricular connections can be associated with concordant ventriculo-arterial connections. This malformation has been called “isolated ventricular inversion”. The term is less than precise, and the descriptive approach using the phrase “discordant atrioventricular connections with concordant ventriculo-arterial connections” is preferred, as discussed below.
Current management of ventricular septal defect
Authors: Sondheimer Henry M. , Rahimi-Alangi Kristy
Published: October 2006

At this time, the current practice for treatment of patients with isolated ventricular septal defect is infrequently studied. With this in mind, it was our intent to assess the current management of ventricular septal defect at a single center, The Children's Hospital, Denver. We reviewed the practice at this institution to determine if there is an evidence base for when or if a patient with an isolated ventricular septal defect requires surgical repair. With approval from the Colorado Multiple Institutional Review Board (protocol # 06-0097), we reviewed the data on patients with isolated ventricular septal defect seen during the calendar years of 2004 and 2005, determining the state of the patients, and the level of intervention through December 31, 2005.
Collective nouns and language change
Authors: LEVIN MAGNUS
Published: October 2006

This study concerns the changing and variable agreement patterns with twenty-one low-frequency collective nouns (e.g. trio) in British English. The data come from the 1990 and 2000 CD-ROM editions of The Independent. The token frequencies of nouns do not appear to affect the preference for singular verb agreement. There are, however, clear differences between noun types, as is typical for lexical diffusion. Most nouns have developed a strong preference for singular verb agreement, some remain variable, and some prefer the plural. Many of the agreement patterns for individual nouns can be motivated with reference to the characteristics of the nouns rather than to the semantics of the verbs. This investigation found no evidence that singular verb agreement, which is argued in this study to be the unmarked alternative, is generally on the increase. Rather it seems that nouns which prefer plural verbs continue to move towards plural agreement.
Galbraith and the Management of Specific Demand: evidence from the tobacco industry
Authors: ANDERSON STACEY J. , DUNN STEPHEN P.
Published: October 2006

In The New Industrial State John Kenneth Galbraith famously argued large corporations would seek to manage the demand for their products. Although attracting a degree of attention and notoriety around the time of publication, Galbraith's thesis of the direct manipulation of the consumer has slipped somewhat from view in favor of a view of advertising as information provision. We reconsider Galbraith's theory of the Management of Specific Demand and illuminate its salience in the context of the US tobacco industry. We conclude that the US experience is congruent with many of the claims that Galbraith made regarding the manipulation of the consumer by large corporations and thus warrants rehabilitation of the Galbraithian view.
Sociological imperialism in three theories of the market
Authors: ROJAS FABIO
Published: October 2006

This essay reviews three prominent sociological studies of firms and markets: Neil Fligstein's The Architecture of Markets, Glenn Carroll and Michael Hannan's The Demography of Corporations, and Harrison C. White's Markets from Networks. The review essay discusses how economic sociology focuses on processes ignored by economists. However, research findings and theoretical developments are rarely reconciled or integrated with economic research. The conclusion discusses possible links between the varying schools of economic sociology and heterodox economic traditions such as contemporary institutional economics.
Deformation, stirring and material transport in thermochemical plumes
Authors: Lin Shu‐Chuan , van Keken Peter E.
Published: October 2006

The deformation, stirring processes and transport structures for a series of numerical models of plume formation in axisymmetric spherical shell are examined to better understand the development of lateral heterogeneity in mantle plumes. In our models we find that under a wide range of conditions the surrounding material is heated and entrained. This indicates that plume sampling the ambient mantle material on its way to the base of the lithosphere cannot be ruled out. The deformation and convective stirring can be significantly enhanced in the thermochemical plumes and the dispersion of compositional heterogeneity can be much more effective than that in the purely thermal plumes. For models with episodic pulsations or with small‐scale convection due to the interplay between the thermal and compositional buoyancy forces, material in the plume and the source region can undergo strong stretching and folding resulting in structures such as filaments, streaks, tendrils and well‐mixed regions. Islands can be surrounded by highly deformed regions which may contribute to structures such as the coexistence of the compositional heterogeneity and relatively homogeneous matrix in Ocean Island Basalts (OIBs). These results may have implications for the interpretation of the lateral heterogeneities of the OIBs.
Application of Support Vector Machine to the classification of volcanic tremor at Etna, Italy
Authors: Masotti M. , Falsaperla S. , Langer H. , Spampinato S. , Campanini R.
Published: October 2006

We applied an automatic pattern recognition technique, known as Support Vector Machine (SVM), to classify volcanic tremor data recorded during different states of activity at Etna volcano, Italy. The seismic signal was recorded at a station deployed 6 km southeast of the summit craters from 1 July to 15 August, 2001, a time span encompassing episodes of lava fountains and a 23 day‐long effusive activity. Trained by a supervised learning algorithm, the classifier learned to recognize patterns belonging to four classes, i.e., pre‐eruptive, lava fountains, eruptive, and post‐eruptive. Training and test of the classifier were carried out using 425 spectrogram‐based feature vectors. Following cross‐validation with a random subsampling strategy, SVM correctly classified 94.7 ± 2.4% of the data. The performance was confirmed by a leave‐one‐out strategy, with 401 matches out of 425 patterns. Misclassifications highlighted intrinsic fuzziness of class memberships of the signals, particularly during transitional phases.
Magnetic flux and particle transport in the plasma sheet
Authors: Kaufmann Richard L. , Paterson William R.
Published: October 2006

Sets of 12 long‐term averaged three‐dimensional (3‐D) data‐based models were created to show how the structure of the plasma sheet depends upon particle transport rates and upon magnetic flux transport rates. The volume V and content N of unit flux tubes and the entropy parameters PV5/3 and TV2/3 were evaluated for each model. It was found that V and PV5/3 depend only weakly on the transport rates. In contrast, N was much smaller and TV2/3 was much larger when the transport rates were large. Most parameters depended strongly upon x. The long‐term averaged x dependence of PV5/3 was closely associated with the x dependence of N. Earthward and tailward transport nearly cancelled during periods of slow and moderate flow. The transport and spatial dependence of the measured variables therefore were attributed primarily to the confined, intermittent, high‐temperature, low‐density, fast or bursty bulk flows. Several mechanisms were described that can contribute to the observed earthward decreases of N and of PV5/3 or to the pressure balance inconsistency. A sequence of events involving reconnection was shown to be one mechanism that is capable of producing the observed spatial variations.
Dimerization of ubiquilin is dependent upon the central region of the protein: evidence that the monomer, but not the dimer, is involved in binding presenilins
Authors: Ford Diana L. , Monteiro Mervyn J.
Published: October 2006

Ubiquilin proteins have been shown to interact with a wide variety of other cellular proteins, often regulating the stability and degradation of the interacting protein. Ubiquilin contains a UBL (ubiquitin-like) domain at the N-terminus and a UBA (ubiquitin-associated) domain at the C-terminus, separated by a central region containing Sti1-like repeats. Little is known about regulation of the interaction of ubiquilin with other proteins. In the present study, we show that ubiquilin is capable of forming dimers, and that dimerization requires the central region of ubiquilin, but not its UBL or the UBA domains. Furthermore, we provide evidence suggesting that monomeric ubiquilin is likely to be the active form that is involved in binding presenilin proteins. Our results provide new insight into the regulatory mechanism underlying the interaction of ubiquilin with presenilins.
A reassessment of copper(II) binding in the full-length prion protein
Authors: Wells Mark A. , Jackson Graham S. , Jones Samantha , Hosszu Laszlo L. P. , Craven C. Jeremy , Clarke Anthony R. , Collinge John , Waltho Jonathan P.
Published: October 2006

It has been shown previously that the unfolded N-terminal domain of the prion protein can bind up to six Cu2+ ions in vitro. This domain contains four tandem repeats of the octapeptide sequence PHGGGWGQ, which, alongside the two histidine residues at positions 96 and 111, contribute to its Cu2+ binding properties. At the maximum metal-ion occupancy each Cu2+ is co-ordinated by a single imidazole and deprotonated backbone amide groups. However two recent studies of peptides representing the octapeptide repeat region of the protein have shown, that at low Cu2+ availability, an alternative mode of co-ordination occurs where the metal ion is bound by multiple histidine imidazole groups. Both modes of binding are readily populated at pH 7.4, while mild acidification to pH 5.5 selects in favour of the low occupancy, multiple imidazole binding mode. We have used NMR to resolve how Cu2+ binds to the full-length prion protein under mildly acidic conditions where multiple histidine co-ordination is dominant. We show that at pH 5.5 the protein binds two Cu2+ ions, and that all six histidine residues of the unfolded N-terminal domain and the N-terminal amine act as ligands. These two sites are of sufficient affinity to be maintained in the presence of millimolar concentrations of competing exogenous histidine. A previously unknown interaction between the N-terminal domain and a site on the C-terminal domain becomes apparent when the protein is loaded with Cu2+. Furthermore, the data reveal that sub-stoichiometric quantities of Cu2+ will cause self-association of the prion protein in vitro, suggesting that Cu2+ may play a role in controlling oligomerization in vivo.
Inhibition of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 binding to endocytosis receptors of the low-density-lipoprotein receptor family by a peptide isolated from a phage display library
Authors: Jensen Jan K. , Malmendal Anders , Schiøtt Birgit , Skeldal Sune , Pedersen Katrine E. , Celik Leyla , Nielsen Niels Chr. , Andreasen Peter A. , Wind Troels
Published: October 2006

The functions of the serpin PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) are based on molecular interactions with its target proteases uPA and tPA (urokinase-type and tissue-type plasminogen activator respectively), with vitronectin and with endocytosis receptors of the low-density-lipoprotein family. Understanding the significance of these interactions would be facilitated by the ability to block them individually. Using phage display, we have identified the disulfide-constrained peptide motif CFGWC with affinity for natural human PAI-1. The three-dimensional structure of a peptide containing this motif (DVPCFGWCQDA) was determined by liquid-state NMR spectroscopy. A binding site in the so-called flexible joint region of PAI-1 was suggested by molecular modelling and validated through binding studies with various competitors and site-directed mutagenesis of PAI-1. The peptide with an N-terminal biotin inhibited the binding of the uPA–PAI-1 complex to the endocytosis receptors low-density-lipoprotein-receptor-related protein 1A (LRP-1A) and very-low-density-lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) in vitro and inhibited endocytosis of the uPA–PAI-1 complex in U937 cells. We conclude that the isolated peptide represents a novel approach to pharmacological interference with the functions of PAI-1 based on inhibition of one specific molecular interaction.
Isolation and characterization of recombinant Drosophila Copia aspartic proteinase
Authors: Athauda Senarath B. P. , Yoshioka Katsuji , Shiba Tadayoshi , Takahashi Kenji
Published: October 2006

The wild type Copia Gag precursor protein of Drosophila melanogaster expressed in Escherichia coli was shown to be processed autocatalytically to generate two daughter proteins with molecular masses of 33 and 23 kDa on SDS/PAGE. The active-site motif of aspartic proteinases, Asp-Ser-Gly, was present in the 23 kDa protein corresponding to the C-terminal half of the precursor protein. The coding region of this daughter protein (152 residues) in the copia gag gene was expressed in E. coli to produce the recombinant enzyme protein as inclusion bodies, which was then purified and refolded to create the active enzyme. Using the peptide substrate His-Gly-Ile-Ala-Phe-Met-Val-Lys-Glu-Val-Asn (cleavage site: Phe–Met) designed on the basis of the sequence of the cleavage-site region of the precursor protein, the enzymatic properties of the proteinase were investigated. The optimum pH and temperature of the proteinase toward the synthetic peptide were 4.0 and 70 °C respectively. The proteolytic activity was increased with increasing NaCl concentration in the reaction mixture, the optimum concentration being 2 M. Pepstatin A strongly inhibited the enzyme, with a Ki value of 15 nM at pH 4.0. On the other hand, the active-site residue mutant, in which the putative catalytic aspartic acid residue was mutated to an alanine residue, had no activity. These results show that the Copia proteinase belongs to the family of aspartic proteinases including HIV proteinase. The B-chain of oxidized bovine insulin was hydrolysed at the Leu15−–Tyr16 bond fairly selectively. Thus the recombinant Copia proteinase partially resembles HIV proteinase, but is significantly different from it in certain aspects.
Fatal Intratumoral Hemorrhage Immediately after Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Brain Metastases: Case Report
Authors: Izawa M. , Chernov M. , Hayashi M. , Kubota Y. , Kasuya H. , Hori T.
Published: October 2006

Radiosurgical treatment of brain tumors is sometimes considered to be free from significant acute complications or adverse effects. A rare case of fatal intratumoral hemorrhage immediately after gamma knife radiosurgery (GKR) for brain metastasis is reported. A 46-year-old woman with lung cancer complicated by systemic dissemination experienced an acute episode of headache, speech disturbances, and right-side hemiparesis. She had no history of arterial hypertension or coagulation disorders. CT and MRI disclosed multiple brain metastases. The largest tumor, which was located in the left frontal lobe and caused a significant mass effect, was removed microsurgically without any complications. GKR for nine residual metastases was done on the fourth postoperative day. The marginal dose, which corresponded to the 50% prescription isodose line, constituted 20 Gy. No complications were noticed during frame fixation, treatment itself, or frame removal. Fifteen minutes after the end of the GKR session the patient acutely fell into a deep coma. Urgent CT disclosed a massive hemorrhage in the left cerebellar hemisphere in the vicinity of the radiosurgically treated lesion. The patient died 4 days later and autopsy confirmed the presence of intratumoral hemorrhage. In conclusion, GKR for metastatic brain tumors should not be considered as a risk-free procedure and, while extremely rare, even fatal complications can occur after treatment.
Spatial distribution measurement of atomic radiation with an astigmatism-corrected Czerny-Turner-type spectrometer in the Large Helical Device
Authors: Goto Motoshi , Morita Shigeru
Published: October 2006

Emission lines in the visible/UV wavelength ranges are observed with 80 lines of sight which cover an entire poloidal cross section of the plasma in the Large Helical Device. The emitted light is received with optical fibers having 100μm diameter and is guided into a 1.33m Czerny-Turner-type spectrometer based on spherical mirrors for collimating and focusing. A charge-coupled device having 13.3×13.3mm2 area size is used as the detector and the spectra from all the lines of sight are recorded perpendicularly to the wavelength dispersion. The spectrometer is equipped with optics located in front of the entrance slit to correct the difference between the meridional and sagittal focal points, and thus the astigmatism, which otherwise causes severe cross talk between adjacent optical fiber images on the detector, is corrected. Consequently, simultaneous spectral measurement with 80 lines of sight is realized. The Zeeman splitting of a neutral helium line, λ667.8nm (2P1-3D1), which is caused by the magnetic field for plasma confinement, is measured with the spectrometer. Though the obtained line profile is in general a superposition of several components on the same line of sight, they can be separated according to their different splitting widths. The two-dimensional poloidal distribution of the helium line intensity is obtained with the help of a tomographic technique.
Automorphisms and a cartography of the solution space for vacuum Bianchi cosmologies: The Type III case
Authors: Christodoulakis T. , Terzis Petros A.
Published: October 2006

The theory of symmetries of systems of coupled, ordinary differential equations (ODEs) is used to develop a concise algorithm for cartographing the space of solutions to vacuum Bianchi Einstein’s Field Equations (EFE). The symmetries used are the well known automorphisms of the Lie algebra for the corresponding isometry group of each Bianchi Type, as well as the scaling and the time reparametrization symmetry. The application of the method to Type III results in (a) the recovery of all known solutions without a prior assumption of any extra symmetry; (b) the enclosure of the entire unknown part of the solution space into a single, second order ODE in terms of one dependent variable; and (c) a partial solution to this ODE. It is also worth mentioning that the solution space is seen to be naturally partitioned into three distinct, disconnected pieces: one consisting of the known Siklos (pp-wave) solution, another occupied by the Type III member of the known Ellis-MacCallum family and the third described by the aforementioned ODE in which a one parameter subfamily of the known Kinnersley geometries resides. Lastly, preliminary results reported show that the unknown part of the solution space for other Bianchi Types is described by a strikingly similar ODE, pointing to a natural operational unification as far as the problem of solving the cosmological EFE’s is concerned.
Deletion mapping of genetic regions associated with apomixis inHieracium
Authors: Catanach Andrew S. , Erasmuson Sylvia K. , Podivinsky Ellen , Jordan Brian R. , Bicknell Ross
Published: October 2006

Although apomixis has been quoted as a technology with the potential to deliver benefits similar in scale to those achieved with the Green Revolution, very little is currently known of the genetic mechanisms that control this trait in plants. To address this issue, we developedHieracium, a genus of daisies native to Eurasia and North America, as a genetic model to study apomixis. In a molecular mapping study, we defined the number of genetic loci involved in apomixis, and we explored dominance and linkage relationships between these loci. To avoid difficulties often encountered with inheritance studies of apomicts, we based our mapping effort on the use of deletion mutagenesis, coupled with amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) as a genomic fingerprinting tool. The results indicate that apomixis inHieracium caespitosumis controlled at two principal loci, one of which regulates events associated with the avoidance of meiosis (apomeiosis) and the other, an unlinked locus that controls events associated with the avoidance of fertilization (parthenogenesis). AFLP bands identified as central to both loci were isolated, sequenced, and used to develop sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers. The validity of the AFLP markers was verified by using a segregating population generated by hybridization. The validity of the SCAR markers was verified by their pattern of presence/absence in specific mutants. The mutants, markers, and genetic data derived from this work are now being used to isolate genes controlling apomixis in this system.
Electrical Properties and Excitation-Contraction Coupling in Skeletal Muscle Treated with Ethylene Glycol
Authors: Sevcik Carlos , Narahashi Toshio
Published: October 2006

The contractility of the frog sartorius muscle was suppressed after treatment with a Ringer solution added with ethylene glycol (EGR). No contraction was elicited by nerve stimulation when the muscle was brought back to normal Ringer solution after having been soaked in 876 mM EGR for 4 hr or in 1095 mM EGR for 2 hr. However, the action potential of normal amplitude was generated and followed by a depolarizing afterpotential. The resting membrane potential was slightly decreased from the mean normal value of –91.1 mv to –78.8 mv when 1095 mM EGR was used, and to –82.3 mv when 876 mM EGR was used, but remained almost constant for as long as 2 hr. The afterpotential that follows a train of impulses and a slow change in membrane potential produced by a step hyperpolarizing current (so-called "creep") were suppressed after treatment with ethylene glycol. The specific membrane capacity decreased to about 50% of the control values while the specific membrane resistance increased to about twice the control values Therefore, the membrane time constant remained essentially unchanged. The water content of the muscle decreased by about 30% during a 2 hr immersion in 1095 mM EGR, and increased by about 30% beyond the original control level after bringing the muscle back to normal Ringer. The intracellular potassium content did not change significantly during these procedures. Some differences between the present results and those obtained with glycerol are discussed.
Erratum to “Real bounds, ergodicity and negative Schwarzian for multimodal maps”
Authors: van Strien Sebastian , Vargas Edson
Published: October 2006

A technical assumption in Part 1 of Theorem C of the authors’ article Real bounds, ergodicity and negative Schwarzian for multimodal maps, J. Amer. Math. Soc. 17 (2004), 749–782, was, by mistake, omitted. Here we explain that the conclusion of the theorem holds if the interval we pullback is “nice”.
Errata to “Classification of three-dimensional flips”
Authors: Mori Shigefumi
Published: October 2006

This erratum makes two corrections to J. Kollár and S. Mori, Classification of three-dimensional flips, J. Amer. Math. Soc. 5 (1992), 533–703.
Long‐term prognosis in Crohn's disease: an epidemiological study of patients diagnosed more than 20 years ago in Cardiff
Authors: CANAVAN C. , ABRAMS K. R. , HAWTHORNE B. , MAYBERRY J. F.
Published: October 2006

Aim

To investigate the incidence of death in patients diagnosed with Crohn's disease in Cardiff over 20 years ago.

Methods

The Cardiff database of patients with Crohn's disease contains data on all patients diagnosed there since 1934. Patients (394) diagnosed before 1 January 1985 were traced and their mortality status on 31 December 2004 was established.

Results

The overall standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was 1.29 (95% CI 1.12–1.45) and it has not significantly changed since the 1970s. SMR decreases with age, from 16.95 (95% CI 14.99–18.91) for patients aged 10–19 years (although only one death) to 0.92 (95% CI 0.65–1.19) in those over 75 years. Kaplan–Meier analysis of age at death shows that patients diagnosed aged 10–26 years have median age at death of 58 years, those aged 27–52 years of 66 years, those aged 53–58 years of 74 years, and those over 59 years of 79 years.

Conclusions

It shows a significantly raised SMR, not statistically changed since the 1970s and similar to other chronic conditions. Patients diagnosed younger have worse prognosis than those diagnosed later in life and a reduced life expectancy compared with the general population.
Percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: BALDAN A. , MARINO D. , DE GIORGIO M. , ANGONESE C. , CILLO U. , D'ALESSANDRO A. , MASOTTO A. , MASSANI M. , MAZZUCCO M. , MIOLA E. , NERI D. , PACCAGNELLA D. , PIVETTA G. , STELLATO A. , TOMMASI L. , TREMOLADA F. , TUFANO A. , ZANUS G. , FARINATI F. ,   ON BEHALF OF GENE – GRUPPO EPATOCARCINOMA NORD‐EST
Published: October 2006

Background

Radiofrequency thermal ablation is the first therapeutic option in percutaneous treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma but data on its long‐term efficacy and safety are not conclusive.

Aim

This study reports a prospective survey on radiofrequency thermal ablation in north‐east Italy.

Methods

Data were collected on 401 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (males 301, mean age: 68 years) treated by radiofrequency thermal ablation in 13 centres. Indication to treatment was: single nodule not eligible for surgery in 77% of patients, 2–3 nodes in 18% and multiple lesions in 5%. Mean size was 3 cm (1–8 cm). Treatment response was assessed at 1 month by spiral computerized tomography and then with ultrasound examination and new spiral computerized tomography.

Results

Complete response was obtained in 67% of patients and in 27% response was 75–99%. Complete response raised to 77% in lesions smaller than 3 cm. The morbidity rate was 34%; the mortality was 0.5%, seeding was observed in four patients. Ten patients presented an unexpected rapid disease progression.

Conclusion

The above data show that by radiofrequency thermal ablation, complete response can be achieved only in about two‐third of the cases, clearly less than expected, and that, beyond seeding, unexpected progression can be observed.
Regulation of the human protein S gene promoter by liver enriched transcription factors
Authors: Hall Adrian J. , Peake Ian R. , Winship Peter R.
Published: October 2006

Protein S is expressed in a number of tissue types, one of the most physiologically relevant being the liver. However, transcriptional control of protein S gene expression is poorly understood. We have characterised a 638 bp area in the 5′ flanking region of the human protein S gene, spanning all 10 previously reported transcription initiation sites, which demonstrates promoter activity in the human liver‐derived cell line HepG2. More refined reporter gene analysis of this region enabled the identification of three transcription initiation sites whose absence is associated with significantly reduced promoter activity, together with a number of positively and negatively acting transcriptional regulatory elements. Consistent with these findings, DNaseI footprinting analysis identified eleven sites (I–XI) from within this 638 bp region that show evidence of binding nuclear proteins. We present evidence to show that the liver‐specific factors hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 (HNF1) and HNF4 bind regions of the protein S promoter, which lie within the identified protein binding sites V and VIII, respectively, and that HNF4 activates the protein S promoter. Reporter gene analysis suggests that members of the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) family of transcription factors are potent activators of protein S gene transcription in HepG2 cells.
Pamidronate infusion in patients with systemic sclerosis results in changes in blood mononuclear cell cytokine profiles
Authors: Carbone L D , Warrington K J , Barrow K D , Pugazhenthi M , Watsky M A , Somes G , Ingels J , Postlethwaite A E
Published: October 2006

A single infusion of pamidronate was given to patients with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma, SSc) to assess effects on cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and lymphocyte subsets. Eighteen patients with SSc received a single intravenous dose of 60 mg of pamidronate and were followed for 6 months. Assessment of cytokine production [interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-4] by PBMC and lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry was carried out before and after the pamidronate infusion. Unstimulated PBMC produced increased amounts of IFN-γ and TNF-α and reduced levels of TGF-β1 for up to 24 weeks after the infusion. γδ T cells from patients with SSc were activated in vitro and produced increased IFN-γ. The effects of pamidronate on modulation of cytokine profiles in patients with SSc may merit future study.
Refuge from cannibalism in complex‐structured habitats: implications for the accumulation of invertebrate predators
Authors: LANGELLOTTO GAIL A. , DENNO ROBERT F.
Published: October 2006

Abstract 1. Like many invertebrate predators, the wolf spider Pardosa littoralis Banks (Araneae: Lycosidae) accumulates in complex‐structured habitats replete with leaf litter (thatch). Here we test the hypothesis that P. littoralis accumulates in complex habitats to gain refuge from cannibalism.

2. A laboratory experiment examined the effects of habitat complexity (thatch present or absent) and size‐class pairing of conspecific spiders (large vs. small, small vs. small, and large vs. large) on the incidence of cannibalism. Spider survival was significantly higher (22%) in complex‐structured habitats with thatch than in simple‐structured habitats lacking thatch. Furthermore, cannibalism occurred more frequently in P. littoralis when the size of conspecifics was asymmetric (large vs. small spiders) than when spiders were of equal size. There was no interactive effect of habitat complexity and size‐class pairing on spider survival.

3. A field experiment examined the effects of habitat complexity, conspecific density, and access to alternative prey on the prevalence of cannibalism in P. littoralis. Access to alternative prey significantly increased the number of spiders recovered from field enclosures, as did the presence of leaf litter thatch. That fewer spiders were recovered when thatch and alternative prey were absent suggests that cannibalism was most prevalent under these conditions.

4. Overall, results suggest that habitat complexity reduces agonistic interactions and cannibalism among wolf spiders, providing encouragement to pest managers that the structure of agricultural habitats can be managed to maximise densities of generalist predators for enhanced pest suppression.
Lime and cow slurry application temporarily increases organic phosphorus mobility in an acid soil
Authors: Murphy P. N. C.
Published: October 2006

Phosphorus loss from agricultural soils to water is recognized as a major contributor to eutrophication of surface water bodies. There is much evidence to suggest that liming, a common agricultural practice, may decrease the risk of P loss by decreasing P solubility. An unsaturated leaching column experiment, with treatments of control and two lime rates, was carried out to investigate the effects of liming on P mobility in a low‐P acid Irish soil, which was sieved and then packed in columns. Phosphorus was applied at the soil surface in the form of KH2PO4 in solution or as cow slurry. Soil solution was sampled at time intervals over depth and analysed for P fractions. Organic P (OP) was the dominant form of P mobile in soil solution. Liming increased OP mobility, probably through increased dispersion of OP with increased pH. Slurry application also increased OP mobility. Results indicated the potential for OP loss following heavy (100 m–3 ha–1) cow slurry application, even from low‐P soils, and suggested that liming may increase this risk. Reactive P (RP) was sorbed strongly and rapidly by the soil and did not move substantially below 5 cm depth. As a result, Olsen‐P values in the top 2 cm were greatly increased, which indicates an increased risk of RP loss in overland flow. Lime showed little potential as a soil amendment to reduce the risk of P loss.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: The Greater Cape Floristic Region
Authors: Born J. , Linder H. P. , Desmet P.
Published: October 2006

Aim  The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) (Cape Floristic Kingdom) is currently narrowly delimited to include only the relatively mesic Cape fold mountains and adjacent intermontane valleys and coastal plains. We evaluate the floristic support for expanding the delimitation to include the whole winter‐rainfall area (arid and mesic climates) into a Greater CFR.

Location  Southern Africa, particularly the south‐western tip.

Methods  The initial divisive hierarchical classification analysis twinspan used the presence/absence of vascular plant genera to obtain major floristic groupings in southern Africa. For the more detailed analyses, we scored the flora as present/absent within a set of centres, among which the floristic relationships were investigated (agglomerative methods, upgma and minimum spanning trees). These analyses were conducted with species, genera and families separately. The centres were grouped into five regions. The species richness and endemism was calculated for the centres, regions and combination of regions. The dominant floristic components of each region were sought by calculating the percentage contribution of each family to the flora.

Results  The divisive method showed that the winter‐rainfall areas are floristically distinct from the rest of southern Africa. The species‐ and generic‐level analyses revealed five regions: CFR, Karoo Region, Hantam‐Tanqua‐Roggeveld Region, Namaqualand Region and Namib‐Desert Region. The CFR has the highest endemism and richness. However, the combination of the CFR, the Hantam‐Tanqua‐Roggeveld Region and the Namaqualand Region results in a higher total endemism. Combined, these three regions almost match the region delimited by the twinspan analysis, and together constitute the Greater CFR.

Main conclusions  The CFR constitutes a valid floristic region. This is evident from the endemism and the distinctive composition of the flora. However, the total endemism is higher for the whole winter‐rainfall area, and this supports the recognition of the larger unit. If floristic regions are to be delimited only on endemism, then the Greater CFR is to be preferred. If floristic regions are delimited on the composition of their floras at family level, then the support for such a grouping is weaker.
Biogeographical relationships among tropical forests in north‐eastern Brazil
Authors: Melo Santos André M. , Cavalcanti Deyvson Rodrigues , Silva José Maria Cardoso da , Tabarelli Marcelo
Published: October 2006

Aim To use parsimony analysis of endemicity and cladistic analysis of distributions and endemism to evaluate two hypotheses addressing biogeographical relationships among Amazonia, the Caatinga forest enclaves, Pernambuco Centre and the southern Atlantic Forest.

Location North‐eastern Brazil, South America.

Methods To find the most parsimonious areagram we analysed a matrix composed of the presence (1) or absence (0) of 745 taxa (i.e. 293 genera and 452 species of woody plants) within 16 localities belonging to the four large regions addressed in this study.

Results One most parsimonious areagram was found and it shows a basal separation between the southern Atlantic Forest and all other regions. This break is followed by a separation between all Caatinga forest enclaves (except Baturité) from a cluster composed of Baturité, the Pernambuco Centre and Amazonia. In this cluster, the most basal separation isolates Baturité from the cluster formed by localities from Amazonia and the Pernambuco Centre. The biogeographical relationships among sites could not be explained by either a random distribution of species among sites or by the geographical distance between sites.

Main conclusions We found strong cladistic signal within the raw distribution and phylogenetic data used in our analysis, indicating structured species assemblages in the surveyed localities. They have resulted from the fragmentation of an ancestral biota that was once widely distributed in the region. Our results also support the hypothesis that Atlantic Forest is not a biogeographically natural area, because the Pernambuco Centre is more closely related to Amazonia than to the southern Atlantic Forest. Finally, our data do not support the notion that Caatinga forest enclaves comprise a single biogeographical region, because one Caatinga forest enclave (Baturité) is much more closely related to the cluster formed by Amazonia and the Pernambuco Centre than to other sites. These relationships suggest the occurrence of forest connections between Amazonia and the Atlantic Forests across Caatinga during several periods of the Tertiary and Quaternary. However, palaeoecological data currently available for the Caatinga region are still scarce and do not have either the spatial or temporal resolution required to reconstruct the history of connections among the forests in north‐eastern Brazil.
In search of details of patient teaching in nursing documentation – an analysis of patient records in a medical ward in Sweden
Authors: Friberg Febe , Bergh Anne‐Louise , Lepp Margret
Published: October 2006

Aim.  The aim of this study was to identify terms and expressions indicating patients’ need for knowledge and understanding, as well as nurses’ teaching interventions, as documented in nursing records.

Background.  Previous international studies have shown that nursing documentation is often deficient in terms of recording patient teaching.

Methods.  Patient records (N = 35) were collected in a general medical ward in a hospital in Sweden. The data contain 206 days of nursing documentation. The records were analysed with regard to content and structure. Terms and expressions indicating patients’ need for knowledge and understanding and terms and expressions indicating nurses’ teaching activities were analysed.

Results.  The results showed that patients’ need for knowledge is implicitly indicated by conceptions and experiences as well as questions. Furthermore, nurses’ implicit teaching interventions consist of information, motivating conversations, explanations, instructions and setting expectations. However, the content and structure of the pedagogical activities in the patient records are fragmented and vague.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Efforts must be directed towards elaborating upon the above‐mentioned terms and expressions as indications of patients’ need for knowledge and nurses’ teaching interventions. Moreover, these terms and expressions must be recognized and acknowledged.
Truncated forms of IS911 transposase downregulate transposition
Authors: Gueguen Erwan , Rousseau Philippe , Duval‐Valentin Guy , Chandler Mick
Published: October 2006

IS911 naturally produces transposase (OrfAB) derivatives truncated at the C‐terminal end (OrfAB‐CTF) and devoid of the catalytic domain. A majority species, OrfAB*, was produced at higher levels at 42°C than at 30°C suggesting that it is at least partly responsible for the innate reduction in IS911 transposition activity at higher temperatures. An engineered equivalent of similar length, OrfAB[1–149], inhibited transposition activity in vivo or in vitro when produced along with full‐length transposase. We isolated several point mutants showing higher activity than the wild‐type IS911 at 42°C. These fall into two regions of the transposase. One, located in the N‐terminal segment of OrfAB, lies between or within two regions involved in protein multimerization. The other is located within the C‐terminal catalytic domain. The N‐terminal mutations resulted in reduced levels of OrfAB* while the C‐terminal mutation alone appeared not to affect OrfAB* levels. Combination of N‐ and C‐terminal mutations greatly reduced OrfAB* levels and transposition was concomitantly high even at 42°C. The mechanism by which truncated transposase species are generated and how they intervene to reduce transposition activity is discussed. While transposition activity of these multiply mutated derivatives in vivo was resistant to temperature, the purified OrfAB derivatives retained an inherent temperature‐sensitive phenotype in vitro. This clearly demonstrates that temperature sensitivity of IS911 transposition is a complex phenomenon with several mechanistic components. These results have important implications for the several other transposons and insertion sequences whose transposition has also been shown to be temperature‐sensitive.
Molecular basis for control of conjugation by bacterial pheromone and inhibitor peptides
Authors: Kozlowicz Briana K. , Shi Ke , Gu Zu‐Yi , Ohlendorf Douglas H. , Earhart Cathleen A. , Dunny Gary M.
Published: October 2006

In many bacteria expression of lateral gene transfer and of virulence factors is controlled by cell–cell signalling systems. Molecular interactions of microbial signal molecules with their cognate receptors are not well understood. For the Enterococcus faecalis conjugative plasmid pCF10, the PrgX protein serves as a molecular switch controlling expression of conjugation and virulence genes encoded by the plasmid. The induction state of a pCF10‐carrying donor cell is determined by the ratio of two signalling peptides, cCF10 pheromone and iCF10 inhibitor. Recent analysis of PrgX/cCF10 interactions suggests a mechanism for conversion to the induced state. However, the means by which iCF10 peptide antagonizes cCF10 activity is unclear, and it has been suggested that inhibitor peptides block import of pheromone peptides. We now show that both of these peptides interact with the same binding pocket of PrgX, but they differentially alter the conformation of the protein and its oligomerization state, resulting in opposing biological activities.
H4 acetylation does not replace H3 acetylation in chromatin remodelling and transcription activation of Adr1‐dependent genes
Authors: Agricola Eleonora , Verdone Loredana , Di Mauro Ernesto , Caserta Micaela
Published: October 2006

Histone acetylation regulates gene expression. Whether this is caused by a general increase in nucleosome fluidity due to charge neutralization or by a more specific code is still matter of debate. By using a set of glucose‐repressed Adr1‐dependent genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, whose transcription was previously shown to require both Gcn5 and Esa1, we asked how changes of histone acetylation patterns at the promoter nucleosomes regulate chromatin remodelling and activation. When the signal of glucose reduction reaches the cells, H4 acetylation is kept constant while an increase of H3 acetylation occurs, in an Adr1‐ and Gcn5‐dependent manner. In cells lacking Gcn5 activity, the H3 acetylation increase does not occur and an unexpected increase of histone H4 acetylation is observed. Nevertheless, chromatin remodelling and transcription activation are impaired, suggesting that acetylation of H3 and H4 histones plays different roles.
Cat‐scratch disease relapse in a kidney transplant recipient
Authors: Rheault Michelle N. , Van Burik Jo‐Anne , Mauer Michael , Ingulli Elizabeth , Ferrieri Patricia , Jessurun Jose , Chavers Blanche M.
Published: October 2006

Abstract:  Cat‐scratch disease, an infectious illness infrequently reported in kidney transplant patients, is caused by the organism Bartonella henselae and is transmitted through contact with cats or kittens. It is a self‐limited disorder in the general pediatric population. Here we present a case of unsuspected cat‐scratch disease in a pediatric kidney transplant patient who presented with fever and lymphadenopathy. Eight months after treatment with a short course of azithromycin, the patient developed a recurrence of cat‐scratch disease. We emphasize that the evaluation of a young immunocompromised kidney transplant patient presenting with fever and lymphadenopathy should include unusual infections such as cat‐scratch disease. We review the diagnosis and treatment of this uncommon infection in the organ transplant population.
Living donor small bowel transplantation: Literature review 2003–2006
Authors: Gangemi A. , Benedetti E.
Published: October 2006

Abstract:  The experience with living donors for intestinal transplantation is limited. However, Intestinal Registry data suggest that the outcomes of the procedure are comparable with those obtained with intestinal transplant from deceased donors. In selected cases, this strategy may have a role in the treatment of patients with irreversible intestinal failure suffering life‐threatening complications from total parenteral nutrition. The present review covers most of the published data on this topic between 2003 and 2006, with special reference to living donor intestinal transplantation of pediatric recipients.