bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of efficacy and safety of finasteride 1 mg in 3177 Japanese men with androgenetic alopecia
Authors: SATO Akio , TAKEDA Akira
Published: October 2011

Before now, there has been no study of finasteride use exceeding 1 year in Japanese men with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) except the study subsequently conducted from the development phase. Since the launch of finasteride, no study in a larger population had been reported. Ethnic variation of the onset age, progressive nature and degree of hair loss of androgenetic alopecia are known. The therapeutic effect of oral finasteride (Propecia) was examined on androgenetic alopecia of Japanese men. The efficacy and safety of finasteride (1 mg tablet) was evaluated in Japanese men with AGA in the long term. The study enrolled 3177 men given finasteride 1 mg/day from January 2006 to June 2009 at our clinic. Efficacy was evaluated in 2561 men by the modified global photographic assessment; the photographs were assessed using the standardized 7‐point rating scale. Safety data were assessed by interviews and laboratory tests in all men enrolled in the study. The overall effect of hair growth was seen in 2230 of 2561 men (87.1%), in whom hair greatly (11.1%), moderately (36.5%) and slightly (39.5%) increased. The response rate improved with increasing duration of treatment. Adverse reactions occurred in 0.7% (23/3177) of men; seven men discontinued treatment based on risk–benefit considerations. No specific safety problems associated with long‐term use were observed. This study represents data collected at a single institution. Many patients did not receive follow‐up examination. In Japanese men with AGA, oral finasteride used in the long‐term study maintained progressive hair regrowth without recognized side‐effect.
Design considerations for legalizing cannabis: lessons inspired by analysis of California's Proposition 19
Authors: Caulkins Jonathan P. , Kilmer Beau , MacCoun Robert J. , Pacula Rosalie Liccardo , Reuter Peter
Published: October 2011

Aims  No modern jurisdiction has ever legalized commercial production, distribution and possession of cannabis for recreational purposes. This paper presents insights about the effect of legalization on production costs and consumption and highlights important design choices.

Methods  Insights were uncovered through our analysis of recent legalization proposals in California. The effect on the cost of producing cannabis is largely based on existing estimates of current wholesale prices, current costs of producing cannabis and other legal agricultural goods, and the type(s) of production that will be permitted. The effect on consumption is based on production costs, regulatory regime, tax rate, price elasticity of demand, shape of the demand curve and non‐price effects (e.g. change in stigma).

Results  Removing prohibitions on producing and distributing cannabis will dramatically reduce wholesale prices. The effect on consumption and tax revenues will depend on many design choices, including: the tax level, whether there is an incentive for a continued black market, whether to tax and/or regulate cannabinoid levels, whether there are allowances for home cultivation, whether advertising is restricted, and how the regulatory system is designed and adjusted.

Conclusions  The legal production costs of cannabis will be dramatically below current wholesale prices, enough so that taxes and regulation will be insufficient to raise retail price to prohibition levels. We expect legalization will increase consumption substantially, but the size of the increase is uncertain since it depends on design choices and the unknown shape of the cannabis demand curve.
In vitro effect of anti-human immunodeficiency virus CCR5 antagonist maraviroc on chemotactic activity of monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells
Authors: Rossi R , Lichtner M , De Rosa A , Sauzullo I , Mengoni F , Massetti A P , Mastroianni C M , Vullo V
Published: October 2011

Compounds targeting the chemokine receptor CCR5 have recently been approved for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Given the central role of CCR5 in inflammation and recruitment of antigen-presenting cells (APC), it is important to investigate the immunological consequences of pharmacological inhibition of CCR5. We evaluated the in vitro effect of different concentrations of CCR5 antagonist maraviroc (MVC) on cell migration of monocytes, macrophages (MO) and monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDC) towards peptide formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) and chemokines regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and CCL4/macrophage inflammatory protein-1 (MIP-1β) and CCL2/monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). Results of flow cytometric analysis showed that monocytes treated in vitro with MVC exhibited a significant dose-dependent reduction of chemotaxis towards MIP-1β and MCP-1. fMLP-induced chemotactic activity decreased only at higher concentration (1 µM and 10 µM of MVC). In addition, all concentrations of MVC (0·1, 1 and 10 µM) induced in vitro a significant inhibition of chemotaxis of MO and MDC in response to all tested chemoattractants. No change in phenotype (CD1a and CD14) and CCR1, CCR4, CCR5 and formyl peptide receptor (FPR) expression was seen after in vitro treatment with MVC. These findings suggest that CCR5 antagonist MVC may have the in vitro ability of inhibiting the migration of innate immune cells by mechanism which could be independent from the pure anti-HIV effect. The drug might have a potential role in the down-regulation of HIV-associated chronic inflammation by blocking the recirculation and trafficking of MO and MDC.
River drying lowers the diversity and alters the composition of an assemblage of desert riparian arthropods
Authors: McCLUNEY KEVIN E. , SABO JOHN L.
Published: October 2011

Summary 1. Many studies have shown negative effects of river drying on in‐stream animals. However, the influence of river drying on riparian animals remains poorly studied. We examined ground‐dwelling riparian arthropod assemblages along a drying section of the semi‐arid San Pedro River in southeastern Arizona, U.S.A.

2. We found strong differences in assemblage composition, taxon diversity and the abundance of key taxa between dry and flowing sites, with higher diversity and abundance of most taxa at flowing sites.

3. Changes in assemblage composition, taxon diversity and abundance of representative taxa were associated with a combined measure of water availability that included distance to water and type of water. Other environmental variables showed a weaker association with changes in these arthropod assemblages.

4. Thus, we found evidence that desert riparian arthropods are sensitive to river drying and to reduction in water resources. Increases in drying along this river may reduce the diversity and the abundance of many groups of ground‐dwelling arthropods, leading to marked shifts in community composition.
Unravelling complex associations between testosterone and parasite infection in the wild
Authors: Ezenwa Vanessa O. , Stefan Ekernas L. , Creel Scott
Published: October 2011

1. Testosterone has emerged as an important mechanism linking variation in male reproductive behaviour to parasite infection in vertebrates, and there are numerous pathways by which testosterone can influence infection risk, particularly in free‐living animals.

2. The immunocompetence handicap hypothesis posits that the positive effects of testosterone on sexual signalling and behaviour are traded off with negative effects on immune function. While this obligate trade‐off may sometimes explain the association between testosterone and parasite infection, testosterone–parasite relationships may also be mediated by correlated changes in stress, condition and exposure to parasites.

3. In this study, we explored associations between testosterone and reproductive behaviour, immune function and parasitism in free‐living Grant’s gazelle (Nanger granti). In particular, we examined how stress (glucocorticoids), behaviour and condition might mediate associations between testosterone, immunity and parasitism.

4. We found that variation in endogenous testosterone in male gazelle was correlated with mating behaviour in terms of sexual signal intensity (horn size) and resource‐holding potential (territoriality). We also showed that these same levels of testosterone were associated with immunity and parasite infection, but associations between testosterone, immunity and parasitism were complex. Testosterone was negatively associated with adaptive immunity, but positively associated with innate immunity. Relationships between testosterone and parasitism varied for different parasites.

5. Our results suggest that the effects of testosterone on male immunity are not universally suppressive and that immunoenhancement may also occur. In addition, testosterone–parasite relationships vary depending on the parasite, most likely due to the opposing effects of testosterone on different aspects of immunity and indirect effects on parasite exposure mediated by changes in behaviour.
Failure to migrate: lack of tree range expansion in response to climate change
Authors: Zhu Kai , Woodall Christopher W. , Clark James S.
Published: October 2011

Tree species are expected to track warming climate by shifting their ranges to higher latitudes or elevations, but current evidence of latitudinal range shifts for suites of species is largely indirect. In response to global warming, offspring of trees are predicted to have ranges extend beyond adults at leading edges and the opposite relationship at trailing edges. Large‐scale forest inventory data provide an opportunity to compare present latitudes of seedlings and adult trees at their range limits. Using theUSDAForest Service's Forest Inventory and Analysis data, we directly compared seedling and tree 5th and 95th percentile latitudes for 92 species in 30 longitudinal bands for 43 334 plots across the eastern United States. We further compared these latitudes with 20th century temperature and precipitation change and functional traits, including seed size and seed spread rate. Results suggest that 58.7% of the tree species examined show the pattern expected for a population undergoing range contraction, rather than expansion, at both northern and southern boundaries. Fewer species show a pattern consistent with a northward shift (20.7%) and fewer still with a southward shift (16.3%). Only 4.3% are consistent with expansion at both range limits. When compared with the 20th century climate changes that have occurred at the range boundaries themselves, there is no consistent evidence that population spread is greatest in areas where climate has changed most; nor are patterns related to seed size or dispersal characteristics. The fact that the majority of seedling extreme latitudes are less than those for adult trees may emphasize the lack of evidence for climate‐mediated migration, and should increase concerns for the risks posed by climate change.
Tree species traits cause divergence in soil acidification during four decades of postagricultural forest development
Authors: de Schrijver An , de Frenne Pieter , Staelens Jeroen , Verstraeten Gorik , Muys Bart , Vesterdal Lars , Wuyts Karen , van Nevel Lotte , Schelfhout Stephanie , de Neve Stefaan , Verheyen Kris
Published: October 2011

A change in land use from agriculture to forest generally increases soil acidity. However, it remains unclear to what extent plant traits can enhance or mitigate soil acidification caused by atmospheric deposition. Soil acidification is detrimental for the survival of many species. An in‐depth understanding of tree species‐specific effects on soil acidification is therefore crucial, particularly in view of the predicted global increases in acidifying nitrogen (N) deposition. Here, we report soil acidification rates in a chronosequence of broadleaved deciduous forests planted on former arable land in Belgium. This region receives one of the highest loads of potentially acidifying atmospheric deposition in Europe, which allowed us to study a ‘worst case scenario’. We show that less than four decades of forest development caused significant soil acidification. Atmospheric deposition undoubtedly and unequivocally drives postagricultural forests towards more acidic conditions, but the rate of soil acidification is also determined by the tree species‐specific leaf litter quality and litter decomposition rates. We propose that the intrinsic differences in leaf litter quality among tree species create fundamentally different nutrient cycles within the ecosystem, both directly through the chemical composition of the litter and indirectly through its effects on the size and composition of earthworm communities. Poor leaf litter quality contributes to the absence of a burrowing earthworm community, which retards leaf litter decomposition and, consequently, results in forest‐floor build‐up and soil acidification. Also nutrient uptake andN2fixation are causing soil acidification, but were found to be less important. Our results highlight the fact that tree species‐specific traits significantly influence the magnitude of human pollution‐induced soil acidification.
Controls on carbon consumption during Alaskan wildland fires
Authors: Kasischke Eric S. , Hoy Elizabeth E.
Published: October 2011

A method was developed to estimate carbon consumed during wildland fires in interior Alaska based on medium‐spatial scale data (60 m cell size) generated on a daily basis. Carbon consumption estimates were developed for 41 fire events in the large fire year of 2004 and 34 fire events from the small fire years of 2006–2008. Total carbon consumed during the large fire year (2.72 × 106 ha burned) was 64.7 Tg C, and the average carbon consumption during the small fire years (0.09 × 106 ha burned) was 1.3 Tg C. Uncertainties for the annual carbon emissions ranged from 13% to 21%. Carbon consumed from burning of black spruce forests represented 76% of the total during large fire years and 57% during small fire years. This was the result of the widespread distribution of black spruce forests across the landscape and the deep burning of the surface organic layers common to these ecosystems. Average carbon consumed was 3.01 kg m−2 during the large fire year and 1.69 kg m−2 during the small fire years. Most of the carbon consumption was from burning of ground layer fuels (85% in the large fire year and 78% in small fire years). Most of the difference in average carbon consumption between large and small fire years was in the consumption of ground layer fuels (2.60 vs. 1.31 kg m−2 during large and small fire years, respectively). There was great variation in average fuel consumption between individual fire events (0.56–5.06 kg m−2) controlled by variations in fuel types and topography, timing of the fires during the fire season, and variations in fuel moisture at the time of burning.
Changes of nitrogen and phosphorus loads to European seas
Authors: Grizzetti Bruna , Bouraoui Fayçal , Aloe Alberto
Published: October 2011

During the last decades human activity has altered the natural cycle of nitrogen and phosphorus on a global scale, producing significant emissions to waters. In Europe, the amount of nutrients discharged from rivers to coastal waters as well as the effects of mitigation measures in place are known only partially, with no consistent temporal and spatial cover. In this study, we quantify the loads and concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus discharged in the European seas over the period 1985–2005, and we discuss their impact on coastal ecosystems. To support our analysis, a catchment database covering the whole of Europe was developed together with data layers of nutrients diffuse and point sources, and the statistical model green was used to estimate the annual loads of nitrogen and phosphorus discharged in all European seas. The results of this study show that during the last 20 years, Europe has discharged 4.1–4.8 Tg yr−1 of nitrogen and 0.2–0.3 Tg yr−1 of phosphorus to its coastal waters. We show that beside the North Sea and part of the Baltic Sea, annual nutrient exports have not changed significantly, in spite of the implementation of measures to reduce nutrient sources, and that the N : P ratio has increased steadily, especially in the North, Mediterranean and Atlantic seas. The response of river basins to changes in inputs was not linear, but influenced by climatic variations and nutrients previously accumulated in soils and aquifers. An analysis of the effects of European environmental policies shows that measures to reduce phosphorus were more successful that those tackling nitrogen and that policies aimed at point sources were more effective or more effectively implemented than those controlling pollution from diffuse sources. The increase of the N : P ratio could fuel eutrophication in N‐limited coastal ecosystems, reducing biodiversity and the ecosystem's resilience to future additional anthropogenic stress, such as climate change.
Using a Montessori method to increase eating ability for institutionalised residents with dementia: a crossover design
Authors: Lin Li‐Chan , Huang Ya‐Ju , Watson Roger , Wu Shiao‐Chi , Lee Yue‐Chune
Published: October 2011

Aims.  To investigate the efficacy of applying a Montessori intervention to improve the eating ability and nutritional status of residents with dementia in long‐term care facilities.

Background.  An early intervention for eating difficulties in patients with dementia can give them a better chance of maintaining independence and reduce the risk of malnutrition.

Methods.  An experimental crossover design was employed. Twenty‐nine residents were chosen from two dementia special care units in metropolitan Taipei. To avoid contamination between participants in units using both Montessori and control interventions, two dementia special care units were randomly assigned into Montessori intervention (I1) and routine activities (I2) sequence groups. A two‐period crossover design was used, with 15 residents assigned to Montessori intervention sequence I (I1, I2) and 14 residents assigned to Montessori intervention sequence II (I2, I1). On each intervention day, residents were given their assigned intervention. Montessori intervention was provided in 30‐min sessions once every day, three days per week, for eight weeks. There was a two‐week washout period between each intervention.

Results.  There was a significant reduction in the Edinburgh Feeding Evaluation in Dementia score for the Montessori intervention period but not for the routine activities period, while the mean differences for the Eating Behavior Scale score, self‐feeding frequency and self‐feeding time were significantly higher than those of the routine activities period. Except for the Mini‐Nutritional Assessment score post‐test being significantly less than the pre‐test for the routine activities period, no significant differences for any other variables were found for the routine activities period.

Conclusion.  This study confirms the efficacy of a Montessori intervention protocol on eating ability of residents with dementia. Adopting Montessori intervention protocols to maintain residents’ self‐feeding ability in clinical practice is recommended.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Montessori‐based activities could provide caregivers with an evidence‐based nursing strategy to deal with eating difficulties of people with dementia.
Joint consequences of dispersal and niche overlap on local diversity and resource use
Authors: Gilbert Benjamin
Published: October 2011

1. Several ecological theories predict that species coexist by exploiting different resource niches, and therefore, more diverse communities should have greater resource uptake. Supporting evidence, however, is equivocal. Species with similar competitive abilities are predicted to coexist with little niche differentiation, suggesting that communities containing more functionally redundant species may be more diverse but with little impact on resource use. Likewise, high rates of seed dispersal often increase diversity, but the effect of this diversity on resource uptake is unknown.

2. I incorporate resource competition into a metacommunity model where communities differ in regional diversity and also in the dispersal and niche overlap (functional redundancy) of their constituent species. In this model, each species within the metacommunity is the optimal competitor in one or more patches, and the patches are linked by dispersal.

3. The model predicts that niche overlap and dispersal have similar and synergistic effects on local diversity, but opposite effects on resource use. Increasing niche overlap and dispersal causes an increase in local diversity to a critical point, after which local diversity crashes. However, increasing dispersal invariably decreases resource use, whereas increasing niche overlap increases resource use. Increasing the regional species pool causes the only consistently positive relationship between local diversity and function but becomes saturated at a local species richness of 2–3 species.

4. Synthesis. The distinct mechanisms that drive diversity in local communities can have different and even opposing effects on resource use. Understanding how dispersal and niche overlap structure diversity is critical to predicting the relationship between diversity and resource use. Distinguishing between these mechanisms should be a priority when attempting to understand the causes and consequences of diversity.
Sequential quantitative X‐ray elemental imaging of frozen‐hydrated and freeze‐dried biological bulk samples in the SEM
Authors: MARSHALL ALAN T. , GOODYEAR MELINDA J. , CREWTHER SHEILA G.
Published: October 2011

Planed frozen‐hydrated (FH) bulk biological samples of chicken retina were analysed by X‐ray elemental imaging in a scanning electron microscope and reanalysed after freeze‐drying in the microscope column. Sequential elemental imaging of the same bulk sample in this way provides improved information on element distributions. There was no evidence of element redistribution during the freeze‐drying process. Quantitative elemental images were obtained and interpreted to deduce relative and absolute element concentrations in different regions of the retina. Water concentrations were determined from the difference in oxygen concentrations at 15 kV and 5 kV in FH and freeze‐dried (FD) samples, respectively. Two accelerating voltages were used to maintain similar X‐ray excitation volumes. Water concentrations were also estimated by relating measured oxygen concentration in FH samples to the concentration of oxygen in solutions of a generalized protein in water and by comparing concentrations of phosphorous or sulphur in the FH and FD states.
Trophozoite stage infected erythrocyte contents analysis by use of spectral imaging LED microscope
Authors: ZOUEU J.T. , ZAN S.G.T.
Published: October 2011

This paper describes an application of both multispectral imaging system and multivariate analysis for the discrimination between healthy and prior malaria‐infected human erythrocytes contents. The multispectral microscope is based on LEDs illumination sources ranging from 375 nm to 940 nm and running with three geometries. Principal component and hierarchical clustering analysis have been applied effectively to differentiate the cells constituents. The trophozoite stage of plasmodium falciparum and its food vacuole, as well as ‘haem’ derivatives have been mapped. Our results reveal the potential of this technique, for malaria drug‐target study, and earlier marker‐free blood smear diagnosis.
Oxytocin Revisited: Its Role in Cardiovascular Regulation
Authors: Gutkowska J. , Jankowski M.
Published: October 2011

Traditionally associated with female reproduction, oxytocin (OT) was revisited recently and was revealed to have several new roles in the cardiovascular system. Functional OT receptors have been discovered in the rat and human heart, as well as in vascular beds. The cardiovascular activities of OT include: (i) lowering blood pressure; (ii) negative cardiac inotropy and chronotropy; (iii) parasympathetic neuromodulation; (iv) vasodilatation; (v) anti‐inflammatory; (vi) antioxidative; and (vii) metabolic effects. These outcomes are mediated, at least in part, by stimulating cardioprotective mediators, such as nitric oxide and atrial natriuretic peptide. OT and its extended form OT‐Gly‐Lys‐Arg have been shown to be abundant in the foetal mouse heart. OT has the capacity to generate cardiomyocytes from various types of stem cells, including the cardiac side population. Mesenchymal cells transfected with OT‐Gly‐Lys‐Arg, or preconditioned with OT, are resistant to apoptosis and express endothelial cell markers. OT increases glucose uptake in cultured cardiomyocytes from newborn and adult rats, in normal, hypoxic and even insulin resistance conditions. In rats with experimentally‐induced myocardial infarction, continuous in vivo OT delivery improves the cardiac healing process, as well as cardiac work, reduces inflammation and stimulates angiogenesis. Therefore, in pathological conditions, OT exerts anti‐inflammatory and cardioprotective properties, and improves vascular and metabolic functions. Thus, OT has potential for therapeutic use.
Phylogeography and bindin evolution in Arbacia, a sea urchin genus with an unusual distribution
Authors: LESSIOS H. A. , LOCKHART S. , COLLIN R. , SOTIL G. , SANCHEZ‐JEREZ P. , ZIGLER K. S. , PEREZ A. F. , GARRIDO M. J. , GEYER L. B. , BERNARDI G. , VACQUIER V. D. , HAROUN R. , KESSING B. D.
Published: October 2011

Among shallow water sea urchin genera, Arbacia is the only genus that contains species found in both high and low latitudes. In order to determine the geographical origin of the genus and its history of speciation events, we constructed phylogenies based on cytochrome oxidase I and sperm bindin from all its species. Both the mitochondrial and the nuclear gene genealogies show that Arbacia originated in the temperate zone of the Southern Hemisphere and gave rise to three species in the eastern Pacific, which were then isolated from the Atlantic by the Isthmus of Panama. The mid‐Atlantic barrier separated two additional species. The bindin data suggest that selection against hybridization is not important in the evolution of this molecule in this genus. Metz et al. in a previous publication found no evidence of selection on bindin of Arbacia and suggested that this might be due to allopatry between species, which obviated the need for species recognition. This suggestion formed the basis of the conclusion, widely spread in the literature, that the source of selection on sea urchin bindin (where it does occur) was reinforcement. However, the range of Arbacia spatuligera overlaps with that of two other species of Arbacia, and our data show that it is hybridizing with one of them. We found that even in the species that overlap geographically, there are no deviations from selective neutrality in the evolution of bindin.
Enzymes involved in the anaerobic degradation of meta‐substituted halobenzoates
Authors: Kuntze Kevin , Kiefer Patrick , Baumann Sven , Seifert Jana , von Bergen Martin , Vorholt Julia A. , Boll Matthias
Published: October 2011

Organohalides are environmentally relevant compounds that can be degraded by aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. The denitrifying Thauera chlorobenzoica is capable of degrading halobenzoates as sole carbon and energy source under anaerobic conditions. LC‐MS/MS‐based coenzyme A (CoA) thioester analysis revealed that 3‐chloro‐ or 3‐bromobenzoate were preferentially metabolized via non‐halogenated CoA‐ester intermediates of the benzoyl‐CoA degradation pathway. In contrast, 3‐fluorobenzoate, which does not support growth, was converted to dearomatized fluorinated CoA ester dead‐end products. Extracts from cells grown on 3‐chloro‐/3‐bromobenzoate catalysed the Ti(III)‐citrate‐ and ATP‐dependent reductive dehalogenation of 3‐chloro/3‐bromobenzoyl‐CoA to benzoyl‐CoA, whereas 3‐fluorobenzoyl‐CoA was converted to a fluorinated cyclic dienoyl‐CoA compound. The reductive dehalogenation reactions were identified as previously unknown activities of ATP‐dependent class I benzoyl‐CoA reductases (BCR) present in all facultatively anaerobic, aromatic compound degrading bacteria. A two‐step dearomatization/H‐halide elimination mechanism is proposed. A halobenzoate‐specific carboxylic acid CoA ligase was characterized in T. chlorobenzoica; however, no such enzyme is present in Thauera aromatica, which cannot grow on halobenzoates. In conclusion, it appears that the presence of a halobenzoate‐specific carboxylic acid CoA ligase rather than a specific reductive dehalogenase governs whether an aromatic compound degrading anaerobe is capable of metabolizing halobenzoates.
Involvement of mast cells in inflammation induced by Trichomonas vaginalis via crosstalk with vaginal epithelial cells
Authors: HAN I. H. , PARK S. J. , AHN M. H. , RYU J. S.
Published: October 2011

Vaginal epithelial cells (VECs) are thought to function as immune‐responsive cells in trichomoniasis, and mast cells have been detected in vaginal smears and the vaginal wall in trichomoniasis. It therefore seemed possible that the VEC‐trichomonad reaction might affect the activity of mast cells present in the lamina propria of the vaginal mucosa. In this study, we tested whether culture supernatants of VEC incubated with Trichomonas vaginalis (TCM) could stimulate mast cells. When VECs (MS74) were incubated with live trichomonads, IL‐8, IL‐6 and MCP‐1 expressions increased in the TCM, and mast cells (HMC‐1) and human neutrophils migrated more actively towards the TCM. Also, when the TCM was added to mast cells, β‐hexosaminidase and cytokines (IL‐8 and TNF‐α) expressions were increased. Moreover, the culture supernatant of mast cells incubated with TCM (M‐TCM) had more increased chemotactic activity for neutrophils than that of TCM. We conclude that inflammatory mediators made by VECs in response to activation by T. vaginalis activate and attract mast cells and then stimulate them to induce neutrophil migration. Our results indicate, for the first time, that VECs play a role in the infiltration of mast cells and neutrophils early in T. vaginalis infection.
Impact of high‐dose inotropic donor support on early myocardial necrosis and outcomes in cardiac transplantation
Authors: Nixon Jennifer L. , Kfoury Abdallah G. , Brunisholz Kim , Horne Benjamin D. , Myrick Craig , Miller Dylan V. , Budge Deborah , Bader Feras , Everitt Melanie , Saidi Abdulfattah , Stehlik Josef , Schmidt Tracy C. , Alharethi Rami
Published: October 2011

Nixon JL, Kfoury AG, Brunisholz K, Horne BD, Myrick C, Miller DV, Budge D, Bader F, Everitt M, Saidi A, Stehlik J, Schmidt TC, Alharethi R. Impact of high‐dose inotropic donor support on early myocardial necrosis and outcomes in cardiac transplantation.  Clin Transplant 2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2011.01504.x.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Background:  Cardiac donors routinely require vasoactive agents for circulatory stability after brain death. Nevertheless, inotropes have been associated with direct cardiac toxicity. Our study evaluated whether the use of high‐dose inotropic support in potential donors was associated with increased early myocardial necrosis (MN) and worse clinical outcomes after cardiac transplantation.

Methods:  The UTAH Cardiac Transplant Program (UCTP) and Intermountain Donor Services databases were queried for records between 1996 and 2009. The high‐dose donor inotropic support (HDIS) group was defined as patients on dopamine >10 μg/kg/min. The incidence of early MN, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, length of ventilator support, and mortality was evaluated.

Results:  Two hundred and forty‐four recipients undergoing transplant met study criteria. The average donor age was 27 yr. The incidence of MN in the HDIS (n = 29) and non‐HDIS (n = 204) groups was 14.8% and 6.7%, respectively, OR 2.67. Total ischemic time, ventilator support time, ICU stay, and actuarial survival were similar between both groups.

Conclusion:  The use of high‐dose inotropic support to maintain donor stability appears to have a higher trend for early post‐transplant MN without an impact on clinical outcomes. With the current growing shortage of organ donors, it appears reasonable to use donors on high‐dose inotropic support.
Staged abdominal closure after small bowel or multivisceral transplantation
Authors: Sheth J. , Sharif K. , Lloyd C. , Gupte G. , Kelly D. , de Ville de Goyet J. , Millar A. J. , Mirza D. F. , Chardot C.
Published: October 2011

Sheth J, Sharif K, Lloyd C, Gupte G, Kelly D, de Ville de Goyet J, Millar AJ, Mirza DF, Chardot C. Staged abdominal closure after small bowel or multivisceral transplantation.  Pediatr Transplantation 2012: 16: 36–40. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Following paediatric SBMT, size discrepancy between the recipient’s abdomen and the graft may lead to ACS, graft dysfunction, and death. We report our experience with SAC in these patients. Between 04/1993 and 03/2009, 57 children underwent 62 SBMTs. When abdominal wall tension seemed excessive for safe PAC, SAC was performed, using a Silastic® sheet and a vacuum occlusive dressing. Transplantations with SAC (23 combined liver and small bowel [CLB]) were compared with those with PAC [14 ISB and 25 CLB]. Indications for transplantation, preoperative status (after stratification for ISB/CLB transplants), age at transplantation, donor‐to‐recipient weight ratio, reduction in bowel and/or liver, and incidence of wound complications were not different in both groups. Post‐operative intubation, stay in intensive care unit, and hospital stay were prolonged after SAC. Two deaths were related to ACS after PAC, none after SAC. Since 2000, one‐yr patient survival is 73% after ISB transplantation and 57% vs. 75% after CLB transplantation with PAC vs. SAC, respectively (NS). SAC safely reduces severe ACS after paediatric SBMT and can be combined with graft reduction for transplantation of small recipients.
Yellow fever vaccination in organ transplanted patients: is it safe? A multicenter study
Authors: Azevedo L.S. , Lasmar E.P. , Contieri F.L.C. , Boin I. , Percegona L. , Saber L.T.S. , Selistre L.S. , Netto M.V.P. , Moreira M.C.V. , Carvalho R.M. , Bruno R.M. , Ferreira T.C.A. , David‐Neto E.
Published: October 2011

Background

Yellow fever (YF) may be very serious, with mortality reaching 50%. Live attenuated virus YF vaccine (YFV) is effective, but may present, although rare, life‐threatening side effects and is contraindicated in immunocompromised patients. However, some transplant patients may inadvertently receive the vaccine.

Methods

A questionnaire was sent to all associated doctors to the Brazilian Organ Transplantation Association through its website, calling for reports of organ transplanted patients who have been vaccinated against YF.

Results

Twelve doctors reported 19 cases. None had important side effects. Only one had slight reaction at the site of YFV injection. Eleven patients were male. Organs received were 14 kidneys, 3 hearts, and 2 livers. Twelve patients received organs from deceased donors. Mean age at YFV was 45.6 ± 13.6 years old (range 11–69); creatinine: 1.46 ± 0.62 mg/dL (range 0.8–3.4); post‐transplant time: 65 ± 83.9 months (range 3–340); and time from YFV at the time of survey: 45 ± 51 months (range 3–241). Immunosuppression varied widely with different drug combinations: azathioprine (7 patients), cyclosporine (8), deflazacort (1), mycophenolate (10), prednisone (11), sirolimus (3), and tacrolimus (4).

Conclusions

YFV showed no important side effects in this cohort of solid organ transplanted patients. However, owing to the small number of studied patients, it is not possible to extend these findings to the rest of the transplanted population, assuring safety. Therefore, these data are not strong enough to safely recommend YFV in organ transplanted recipients, as severe, even life‐threatening side effects may occur.
Telomeres and telomerase in Candida albicans
Authors: Yu Eun Young
Published: October 2011

Summary  Telomeres are the nucleoprotein structures at the ends of linear chromosomes and maintain the genomic integrity through multiple cell divisions. Telomeres protect the chromosome ends from degradation, end‐to‐end fusion and abnormal recombination and they also promote the end replication. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the most well‐studied model system with regard to telomere and telomerase regulation. Recently, the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans has emerged as an attractive model system for investigating telomere biology. Candida underwent rapid evolutionary divergence with respect to telomere sequences. Concomitant with the evolutionary divergence of telomere sequences, telomere repeat binding factors and telomerase components have also evolved, leading to differences in their functions and domain structures. Thus, the comparative analysis of the telomeres and telomerase‐related factors in the budding yeast has provided a better understanding on both conserved and variable aspects of telomere regulation. In this review, I will discuss telomeres and telomerase‐related factors and their functions in telomere and telomerase regulation in C. albicans.
Trends in zygomycosis in children
Authors: Prasad Priya A. , Vaughan Ana M. , Zaoutis Theoklis E.
Published: October 2011

Summary  Zygomycosis, or mucormycosis, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in both children and adults. Studies in adults have shown an increase in the incidence of zygomycosis, particularly among haemtopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients and patients with haematologic malignancies. There is a paucity of data on the epidemiology of zygomycosis in children. We performed a retrospective analysis to describe trends in zygomycosis between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2010. We used the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database to identify paediatric patients who were diagnosed with zygomycosis during the study period. Administrative data on diagnoses, demographics, underlying conditions and clinical experiences were collected. Summary statistics were calculated and tests for trend were conducted. We identified 156 unique patients with zygomycosis. The prevalence of zygomycosis did not significantly increase over time (P = 0.284). The most common underlying condition was malignancy (58%) and over half received intensive care. Voriconazole utilisation among all hospitalised children significantly increased during the period (P = 0.010). Our study demonstrates that the incidence of zygomycosis is not significantly increasing. During the time period there was a significant increase in the use of voriconazole among children.
Effect of fluvoxamine on the pharmokinetics of zolpidem: A two‐treatment period study in healthy volunteers
Authors: Vlase Laurian , Popa Adina , Neag Maria , Muntean Dana , Achim Marcela , Leucuţa Sorin Emilian
Published: October 2011

1. Our objective was to evaluate a possible pharmacokinetic interaction between zolpidem and fluvoxamine in healthy volunteers.

2. The study consisted of two periods: Period 1 (reference), when each volunteer received a single dose of 5 mg zolpidem; and Period 2 (test), when each volunteer received a single dose of 5 mg zolpidem and 100 mg fluvoxamine. Between the two periods, the subjects were treated for 6 days with a single daily dose of 100 mg fluvoxamine.

3. Pharmacokinetic parameters of zolpidem given in each treatment period were calculated using non‐compartmental analysis and the data from two periods were compared to determine statistically significant differences.

4. In the two periods of treatments, the mean peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) were 56.4 ± 25.6 ng/mL (zolpidem alone) and 67.3 ± 25.8 ng/mL (zolpidem after pretreatment with fluvoxamine). The tmax, times taken to reach Cmax, were 0.83 ± 0.44 and 1.26 ± 0.74 h, respectively, and the total areas under the curve (AUC0–∞) were 200.9 ± 116.8 and 512.0 ± 354.6 ng h/mL, respectively. The half‐life of zolpidem was 2.24 ± 0.81 h when given alone and 4.99 ± 2.92 h after pretreatment with fluvoxamine.

5. Fluvoxamine interacts with zolpidem in healthy volunteers and increases its exposure by approximately 150%. The experimental data showed the pharmacokinetic interaction between zolpidem and fluvoxamine, and suggest that the observed interaction might be clinically significant, but its relevance has to be confirmed.
Grazing on toxic cyanobacterial blooms by tadpoles of edible frog Rana grylio
Authors: Zhang Xiaoming , Song Lirong , Zhang Pengcheng , He Jiawan , Liu Yongding , Matsuura Hiroshi , Watanabe Makoto M.
Published: October 2011

Tadpoles of Rana grylio were raised as edible frogs in fishponds of Guanqiao in Wuhan City, Hubei, China, during cyanobacterial blooms from June to October. The dominant cyanobacterial species was Microcystis, which was found to be lethally toxic by intraperitoneal (i.p.) mouse bioassay. Little is known about the effect of tadpoles on toxic cyanobacterial blooms. To evaluate the potential of the tadpoles to graze on cyanobacterial blooms, the tadpoles were fed on Microcystis collected from the field in the laboratory. The Microcystis cells decreased from 1.19 × 107 cells mL−1 to 3.23 × 106 cells mL−1, with a sharp reduction of 73% of the initial Microcystis population observed in the first 24 h after introduction of the tadpoles. The ponds containing tadpoles had a markedly lower density of Microcystis than those lacking tadpoles. Tadpoles exposed to either cultured Microcystis aeruginosa (NIES–90, 2.768 µg microcystins mg–1 dw–1) cells or lysed M. aeruginosa cells grew well, however, indicating that they were unaffected by Microcystis toxins. We found a significant increase in tadpole body weight after feeding on either field Microcystis or cultured M. aeruginosa. The mean increase in individual body weight was 20 mg day−1 when fed on Microcystis from the pond, and 7 mg day−1 when fed on M. aeruginosa from culture. Our study strongly suggested that there is a direct trophic relationship between R. grylio tadpoles and toxic Microcystis blooms and they possess the potential to graze on toxic Microcystis. The results imply that R. grylio tadpoles may play an important ecological role in reducing toxic cyanobacterial blooms caused by Microcystis.
Growth behaviour of small surface fatigue cracks in AISI 304 stainless steel
Authors: SUH C.‐M. , SUH M.‐S. , HWANG N.‐S.
Published: October 2011

A series of axial tensile fatigue tests (R = 0.1) was carried out to investigate the initiation and the growth behaviours of very small surface fatigue cracks under two different surface conditions (viz. smooth and pitted surfaces) of AISI 304 stainless steel at room temperature. This paper deals with both of the two approaches regarding the analysis of fatigue: the approach based on the concept of fracture mechanics and low cycle fatigue. In particular, both the initiation and growth of cracks and the coalescence of small cracks by fatigue in the specimen have been investigated by the methods of surface replicas and photomicrographs. Quantitative information such as the initiation period, growth and coalescence behaviours of small cracks, and crack growth properties were systematically obtained. The results show that the accurate determination of these parameters is critical for the application of fracture mechanics to fatigue life assessment.
Theta synchronization in the limbic system: the role of Gudden's tegmental nuclei
Authors: Kocsis Bernat , Di Prisco Gonzalo Viana , Vertes Robert P.
Published: October 2011

Theta rhythm is most prominent in the hippocampus but has also been recorded in other cortical and limbic structures and can play an important role in functional coupling of widely separated structures responsible for different components of the memory building process. Here we demonstrate in the rat that neuronal activity exhibiting strong state‐dependent synchrony with rhythmic hippocampal electroencephalogram is present also at the brainstem level, specifically in the relatively small tegmental nuclei of Gudden intimately connected with the limbic forebrain. We found that during theta states, either occurring spontaneously or triggered by sensory stimulation in the urethane anaesthetized rat, all neurons in the anterior and ventral tegmental nuclei exhibited a consistent switch from irregular discharges to rhythmic bursts. The switch between these patterns closely matched the analogous transformations in the hippocampal EEG, but the level of synchrony between the two signals varied depending on the level of theta activation. During sensory stimulation, when theta is faster and more regular, the rhythmic bursts in the tegmentum showed extremely high coherence (up to 0.96) with hippocampal field potentials. During spontaneous theta, the average coherence was lower but still highly significant (0.62). Gudden's nuclei are reciprocally connected to the mammillary body complex (MB) occupying a strategic position at the gateway of hippocampofugal connections organized in the Papez circuit. Thus, coupling between the MB‐Gudden circuit and the hippocampus and consequently the neuronal traffic through the Papez circuit and hence the assembly of limbic structures connected to the hippocampus may vary according to the activity in these specific brainstem nuclei.
Enterobactin is required for biofilm development in reduced‐genome Escherichia coli
Authors: May Thithiwat , Okabe Satoshi
Published: October 2011

A variety of bacterial cell surface structures and quorum signalling molecules play a role in biofilm development in Escherichia coli. However, here we show that an engineered reduced‐genome E. coli mutant that lacks 17.6% of the parental E. coli genome, including the genes involved in the synthesis of various cell surface structures, such as type 1 fimbriae, curli, exopolysaccharide polymers and the autoinducer‐2 signalling molecule, is able to develop mature biofilms. Using temporal gene expression profiling, we investigated phenotypic changes in reduced‐genome biofilms in relation with the genes encoding the synthesis of different amino acids that were differentially expressed during biofilm formation. We identified and characterized entB, marR, dosC, mcbR and yahK genes, as involved in biofilm formation by the reduced‐genome E. coli. Of these, for a first time, we demonstrated that overproduction of entB and yahK, which encode an enterobactin for iron transport and a hypothetical oxidoreductase protein, respectively, promoted biofilm development and maturation. Our results indicate that specific types of genes contribute to phenotypic changes in reduced‐genome E. coli biofilms. In addition, this work demonstrates that the functions of biofilm‐specific genes could be analysed through experiments using the reduced‐genome E. coli.
Polyphyly of non‐bioluminescent Vibrio fischeri sharing a lux‐locus deletion
Authors: Wollenberg M. S. , Preheim S. P. , Polz M. F. , Ruby E. G.
Published: October 2011

This study reports the first description and molecular characterization of naturally occurring, non‐bioluminescent strains of Vibrio fischeri. These ‘dark’V. fischeri strains remained non‐bioluminescent even after treatment with both autoinducer and aldehyde, substrate additions that typically maximize light production in dim strains of luminous bacteria. Surprisingly, the entire lux locus (eight genes) was absent in over 97% of these dark V. fischeri strains. Although these strains were all collected from a Massachusetts (USA) estuary in 2007, phylogenetic reconstructions allowed us to reject the hypothesis that these newly described non‐bioluminescent strains exhibit monophyly within the V. fischeri clade. These dark strains exhibited a competitive disadvantage against native bioluminescent strains when colonizing the light organ of the model V. fischeri host, the Hawaiian bobtail squid Euprymna scolopes. Significantly, we believe that the data collected in this study may suggest the first observation of a functional, parallel locus‐deletion event among independent lineages of a non‐pathogenic bacterial species.