bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of peptides applicable as vaccines for HLA‐A26‐positive cancer patients
Authors: Niu Yamei , Terasaki Yasunobu , Komatsu Nobukazu , Noguchi Masanori , Shichijo Shigeki , Itoh Kyogo
Published: July 2009

One‐fifth of the Japanese population is positive for HLA‐A26, but few peptides are available as potential cancer vaccines for HLA‐A26‐positive cancer patients. The objective of this study was to identify peptide vaccine candidates for HLA‐A26‐positive cancer patients. The HLA‐A*2601‐crossbinding activity of 24 peptides currently under clinical trial as vaccines for HLA‐A2, ‐A24, or HLA‐A3 supertype–positive cancer patients was evaluated by stabilization assay. Three peptides with HLA‐A2‐binding activity could bind the HLA‐A*2601 molecule. These three peptides induced HLA‐A26‐restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes from HLA‐A*2601‐, ‐A*2602‐, or ‐A*2603‐positive prostate cancer patients against HLA‐A*2601‐ and HLA‐A*2603‐positive cancer cells in CD8‐dependent and peptide‐specific manners. In addition, one peptide with HLA‐A24‐binding activity could bind to HLA‐A*2601 and induced HLA‐A26‐restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes from HLA‐A*2601‐, ‐A*2602‐, or ‐A*2603‐positive prostate cancer patients against HLA‐A*2603‐positive cancer cells. These results may provide novel information for the development of a peptide‐based cancer vaccine for HLA‐A26‐positive patients.
An observational study of children with sickle cell disease in Kilifi, Kenya
Authors: Sadarangani Manish , Makani Julie , Komba Albert N. , Ajala‐Agbo Tolu , Newton Charles R. , Marsh Kevin , Williams Thomas N.
Published: July 2009

Globally, sickle cell disease (SCD) has its highest prevalence and worst prognosis in sub‐Saharan Africa. Nevertheless, relatively few studies describe the clinical characteristics of children with SCD in this region. We conducted a prospective observational study of children with SCD attending a specialist out‐patient clinic in Kilifi, Kenya. A total of 124 children (median age 6·3 years) were included in the study. Splenomegaly was present in 41 (33%) subjects and hepatomegaly in 25 (20%), both being common in all age groups. A positive malaria slide was found at 6% of clinic visits. The mean haemoglobin concentration was 73 g/l, compared to 107 g/l in non‐SCD controls (P < 0·001). Liver function tests were elevated; plasma bilirubin concentrations were 46 μmol/l and aspartate aminotransferase was 124 iu/l. Forty‐eight (39%) children were admitted to hospital and two died. Children with SCD in Kilifi have a similar degree of anaemia and liver function derangement to patients living in developed countries, but splenomegaly persists into later childhood. The prevalence of malaria was lower than expected given the prevalence in the local community. This study provides valuable data regarding the clinical characteristics of children living with SCD in a rural setting in East Africa.
A randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trial of the effectiveness of thyroxine and triiodothyronine and short‐term exposure to bright light in prevention of decrements in cognitive performance and mood during prolonged Antarctic residence
Authors: Palinkas Lawrence A. , Reedy Kathleen R. , Shepanek Marc , Reeves Dennis , Samuel Case H. , Van Do Nhan , Lester Reed H.
Published: July 2009

Objective  We examined the effects of a combined levothyroxine/liothyronine supplement and exposure to bright (10,000 lux) light in euthyroid men and women who spent the austral summer (n = 43) and/or winter (n = 42) in Antarctica.

Methods  Subjects were randomized to receive 64 nmol of levothyroxine and 16 nmol of liothyronine supplement or a placebo capsule for 93·2 ± 3·0 days in summer and/or 149·5 ± 2·2 days in winter. Subjects were further randomized to receive 10,000 lux bright white light or 50 lux dim red light for 14 days at the end of summer and/or winter. Cognitive performance and mood were assessed using the Automatic Neuropsychological Assessment Metric – Isolated and Confined Environments.

Results  In winter, bright light exposure was associated with a significantly greater reduction in TSH and anger (P < 0·05), a significantly greater increase in fT3 (P < 0·05), and a significantly smaller increase in depressive symptoms (P < 0·001), when compared with dim light. The T4/T3 supplement also led to a significantly greater reduction in TSH (P < 0·05), but a greater reduction in cognitive task efficiency (P < 0·05) as well, when compared with placebo.

Conclusion  Administration of bright light leads to a significant reduction in serum TSH and prevents increases in anger and depressive symptoms in winter. However, these associations were not observed in summer, suggesting a seasonal influence of photoperiod over temperature upon this intervention in the polar environment.
Bone mineral density analysis in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 after total parathyroidectomy
Authors: Coutinho Flavia L. , Lourenço Jr Delmar M. , Toledo Rodrigo A. , Montenegro Fabio L. M. , Correia‐Deur Joya E. M. , Toledo Sergio P. A.
Published: July 2009

Objective  Limited data have been reported on the effect of parathyroidectomy (PTx) on bone mineral density (BMD) in the setting of patients with hyperparathyroidism (HPT) associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1). This study investigates the impact of total PTx on BMD in patients with HPT/MEN1.

Design and patients  A case series study was performed in a tertiary academic hospital. A total of 16 HPT/MEN1 patients from six families harbouring MEN1 germline mutations were subjected to total PTx followed by parathyroid auto‐implant in the forearm.

Measurements  Bone mineral density values were assessed using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry.

Results  Before PTx, reduced BMD (Z‐score <−2·0) was highly prevalent in the proximal one‐third of the distal radius (1/3 DR) (50%), lumbar spine (LS) (43·7%), ultradistal radius (UDR) (43·7%), femoral neck (FN) (25%) and total femur (TF) (18·7%) in the patients. Fifteen months after PTx, we observed a BMD improvement in the LS (from 0·843 to 0·909 g/cm2; +8·4%, P = 0·001), FN (from 0·745 to 0·798 g/cm2; +7·7%, P = 0·0001) and TF (from 0·818 to 0·874 g/cm2; +6·9%, P < 0·0001). No significant change was noticed in the 1/3 DR and UDR after PTx.

Conclusions  This data confirmed BMD recovery in the LS and FN after PTx in HPT/MEN1 patients. We also documented a significant BMD increase in the TF and no change in both the 1/3 DR and UDR BMD after PTx. Our data suggest that LS and proximal femur are the most informative sites to evaluate the short‐term BMD outcome after PTx in HPT/MEN1 subjects.
Dynamics of Nampt/visfatin and high molecular weight adiponectin in response to oral glucose load in obese and lean women
Authors: Ünlütürk Uğur , Harmancı Ayla , Yıldız Bülent Okan , Bayraktar Miyase
Published: July 2009

Background  High molecular weight adiponectin (HMWA) is the active circulating form of adiponectin. Nampt/visfatin is the enzyme secreted from adipocytes in an active form and is one of the putative regulators of insulin secretion.

Objective  To investigate the dynamics of total adiponectin (TA), HMWA and Nampt/visfatin in obese and lean women during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Methods  We studied normal glucose‐tolerant (NGT), age‐matched, 30 obese and 30 lean women. All subjects underwent a standard 75 g, 2‐h OGTT, and area under the curve (AUC) during OGTT for glucose, insulin, Nampt/visfatin, TA and HMWA was calculated. Body fat mass was assessed by bioimpedance analysis.

Results  Obese women had significantly higher basal and AUC values for insulin and Nampt/visfatin, whereas basal and AUC‐HMWA were significantly lower in this group. Alternatively, obese and lean groups had similar basal and AUC values for glucose and TA. Basal insulin levels were negatively correlated with HMWA levels, but not with basal Nampt/visfatin. AUC‐insulin was correlated positively with AUC‐visfatin, and negatively with AUC‐HMWA. Total and truncal body fat mass showed positive correlation with basal and AUC‐visfatin, and negative correlation with basal and AUC‐HMWA.

Conclusion  In the NGT state, obese women have higher Nampt/visfatin and lower HMWA levels, both basally and in response to oral glucose challenge. The dynamics of Nampt/visfatin and HMWA during OGTT appear to be linked with insulin and adiposity. Counter‐regulatory adaptations in HMWA and Nampt/visfatin might have an impact on suggested adipoinsular axis, contributing to maintenance of normal glucose tolerance.
Behaviour of green beans during the immersion chilling and freezing
Authors: Chourot Jean‐Marc , Lauwers Jessy , Massoji Nina , Lucas Tiphaine
Published: July 2009

Summary This paper focuses on the comparison of the behaviour of green beans during immersion freezing (IF) in brine at ‐17.5 °C, and conventional air‐blast freezing (‐30 °C, 3m s–1). The criteria used to evaluate the influence of the process were the thermal behaviour, the salt uptake and sensory evaluation. The main results were that the IF‐treated beans were frozen up to four times faster than for air‐blast freezing, the overall salt uptake was < 0.56% and sensory panellists preferred IF beans because of their texture.
Self‐directed learning readiness, Internet self‐efficacy and preferences towards constructivist Internet‐based learning environments among higher‐aged adults
Authors: Chu R. J‐C. , Tsai C‐C.
Published: July 2009

This article examines several research questions to establish a theory model for explaining factors that influence adult learners' preferences for constructivist Internet‐based learning environments (CILE). Data were gathered from 541 individual participants enrolled in adult education institutes in Taiwan for structural equation modelling (SEM) analyses. The research results established a 10‐scale instrument for assessing adult learners' preferences for CILE. Among the scales of CILE, adult students placed the highest value on relevance to life and reflective thinking, and scored the lowest for critical judgement, ease of use and student negotiation. The SEM analyses revealed that compared to Internet self‐efficacy (ISE), self‐directed learning readiness plays a major role in predicting adults' preferences for their learning environment, especially for the higher level of intellectual challenge. ISE plays a mediating role in the relationships between Internet usage and the participants' preferences. This result suggests that more time spent on Internet practice may increase adult learners' ISE, which may strengthen their preferences for Internet‐based learning environments.
Fine root inputs to soil reduce growth of a neighbouring plant via distinct mechanisms dependent on root carbon chemistry
Authors: Meier Courtney L. , Keyserling Kaleb , Bowman William D.
Published: July 2009

1.  Plant carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) inputs to soil interact with microbes and abiotic factors like climate and pH to influence soil fertility and plant productivity. Although root exudates and root litter are important factors affecting the cycling of nutrients critical to plant growth, many studies remain focused on effects of above‐ground litter inputs.

2.
 Using two species that co‐dominate alpine moist meadows as a model system (the phenolic‐rich forb Geum rossii, and the fast‐growing grass Deschampsia caespitosa), we asked whether C from G. rossii fine roots could reduce D. caespitosa growth. We hypothesized that root C would indirectly reduce D. caespitosa growth by stimulating soil microbes, thus restricting plant N supplies. We predicted that this effect could be overcome by fertilization with N. We also hypothesized that G. rossii root phenolics could allelopathically inhibit D. caespitosa growth, and we predicted that direct, allelopathic inhibition would not be reversible with N additions.

3.
 Both cellulose and phenolic‐rich root C additions inhibited D. caespitosa growth in field microcosms, relative to controls. N additions reversed the negative effects of cellulose on plant growth but did not reverse the inhibitory effects of phenolic‐rich C additions. A companion soil incubation experiment showed that both types of C addition reduced N availability relative to controls, and there was a strong negative correlation between N availability and substrate‐induced soil respiration.

4.
 Our results indicate that root C inputs to soil can have substantial, negative effects on plant growth. Reduced plant growth was likely to be caused by (i) indirect interactions between root C and soil microbes lowering plant N supply; and (ii) a mechanism independent of N supply, possibly involving allelopathic effects of G. rossii phenolic compounds on D. caespitosa root growth.

5.
 Synthesis. Fine root inputs to soil (i.e. phenolic‐rich C and cellulose C) reduced a neighbouring plant’s growth and the chemical composition of the root C influenced whether growth inhibition could be overcome by increased plant N supply. Negative effects of phenolic‐rich root inputs on plant growth could be an under‐appreciated factor structuring plant communities, particularly in N‐limited systems dominated by phenolic‐rich species.
Adaptive force control in grasping as a function of level of developmental disability
Authors: Sprague R. L. , Deutsch K. M. , Newell K. M.
Published: July 2009

Background  The adaptation to the task demands of grasping (grip mode and object mass) was investigated as a function of level of developmental disability.

Methods  Subjects grasped objects of different grip widths and masses that were instrumented to record grip forces.

Results  Proportionally, fewer participants from the profound compared with moderate and severe disability groups were able to complete the prehensile tasks. Nevertheless, all participants who completed the task showed adaptive grasping behaviour in terms of level and variability of force produced. There was higher absolute and relative force variability in low mass tasks that was enhanced with greater level of developmental disability.

Conclusions  The findings show task relevant adaptive grasping control with inhibition of force output at very‐low‐force conditions being the primary performance deficit of the profound disability group as a function of level of developmental disability.
Protein mislocalization in plant cells using a GFP‐binding chromobody
Authors: Schornack Sebastian , Fuchs Rene , Huitema Edgar , Rothbauer Ulrich , Lipka Volker , Kamoun Sophien
Published: July 2009

A key challenge in cell biology is to directly link protein localization to function. The green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐binding protein, GBP, is a 13‐kDa soluble protein derived from a llama heavy chain antibody that binds with high affinity to GFP as well as to some GFP variants such as yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). A GBP fusion to the red fluorescent protein (RFP), a molecule termed a chromobody, was previously used to trace in vivo the localization of various animal antigens. In this study, we extend the use of chromobody technology to plant cells and develop several applications for the in vivo study of GFP‐tagged plant proteins. We took advantage of Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐mediated transient expression assays (agroinfiltration) and virus expression vectors (agroinfection) to express functional GBP:RFP fusion (chromobody) in the model plant Nicotiana benthamiana. We showed that the chromobody is effective in binding GFP‐ and YFP‐tagged proteins in planta. Most interestingly, GBP:RFP can be applied to interfere with the function of GFP fusion protein and to mislocalize (trap) GFP fusions to the plant cytoplasm in order to alter the phenotype mediated by the targeted proteins. Chromobody technology, therefore, represents a new alternative technique for protein interference that can directly link localization of plant proteins to in vivo function.
IMAGING STUDY: Prefrontal cortex morphometry in abstinent adolescent marijuana users: subtle gender effects
Authors: Medina Krista Lisdahl , McQueeny Tim , Nagel Bonnie J. , Hanson Karen L. , Yang Tony T. , Tapert Susan F.
Published: July 2009

Adult human studies suggest frontal dysfunction associated with chronic marijuana (MJ) use, but due to continued neuromaturation, adult studies may not generalize to adolescents. This study characterized prefrontal cortex (PFC) morphometry in chronic MJ‐using adolescents following 1 month of monitored abstinence. Data were collected from MJ users (n = 16) and controls (n = 16) aged 16–18. Extensive exclusionary criteria included co‐morbid psychiatric and neurologic disorders. Substance use and anatomical measures were collected after 28 days of monitored abstinence. PFC volumes were ascertained from manual tracing by reliable raters on high‐resolution magnetic resonance images. After controlling for lifetime alcohol use, gender and intracranial volume, MJ users did not differ from controls in PFC volume. However, marginal group‐by‐gender interactions were observed (P < 0.09): female MJ users demonstrated comparatively larger PFC volumes while male MJ users had smaller volumes compared with same‐gender controls. Further, group status and total PFC volume interacted in predicting executive functioning (P < 0.05). Among MJ users, smaller PFC total volume was associated with better executive functioning while the opposite pattern was seen among the controls. These preliminary results indicate that gender may moderate the relationship between MJ use and PFC morphometry. Given the relationship between larger PFC total volumes and poorer executive functioning among MJ users, female MJ users may be at increased risk for neurocognitive consequences. Future research will measure PFC gray and white matter separately and follow boys and girls over adolescence to examine the influence of MJ use on neurodevelopment.
IMAGING STUDY: Exposure to smoking cues during an emotion recognition task can modulate limbic fMRI activation in cigarette smokers
Authors: Artiges Eric , Ricalens Emmanuel , Berthoz Sylvie , Krebs Marie‐Odile , Penttilä Jani , Trichard Christian , Martinot Jean‐Luc
Published: July 2009

Smoking cues (SCs) refer to smoking‐associated environmental stimuli that may trigger craving and withdrawal symptoms, and predispose to relapse in smokers. Although previous brain imaging studies have explored neural responses to SCs, no study has characterized the effects of SCs on cerebral activity in smokers engaged in an attention‐demanding cognitive task that is unrelated to smoking. Thirteen tobacco smokers and a demographically matched group of 13 healthy non‐smokers participated in a fast event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study that involved a visual task integrating SCs and neutral cues (NCs) during emotion recognition trials requiring a high level of attention. No significant SC‐induced alterations were detected in smokers' behavioural performance. fMRI results show that non‐smokers exhibited no difference between SC and NC trials; in contrast, smokers showed SC‐induced widespread deactivations in a limbic, paralimbic and striatal network classically involved in addiction, and activation in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. In addition, a correlation between deactivation of the right insula and the severity of smoking dependence (Fagerström test) was detected in smokers. These results suggest that the neural reactivity of smokers to SCs can be modified in the context of a cognitive challenge. This could reflect smokers' ability to inhibit cue‐induced craving and may help in smoking cessation.
Is the test of senior friendly/child resistant packaging ethical?
Authors: Bix Laura , De La Fuente Javier , Pimple Kenneth D. , Kou Eric
Published: July 2009

Research has documented the drastic reduction of unintentional poisonings of children since the introduction of child resistant (CR) packaging. However, studies also indicate that consumers report difficulty using CR packages, in part because tests which determine the ‘senior friendliness’ of CR designs that are used throughout the world disallow people with ‘overt or obvious’ disabilities from being test subjects. Our review of drug package usability suggests that the current tests of CR packaging can and should be revised to correct this problem. We use US legislation, regulation and data to exemplify these points, but the conclusions are applicable to all protocols that include the exclusionary provision.
Regional anticoagulation and antiaggregation for CVVH in critically ill patients: a prospective, randomized, controlled pilot study
Authors: FABBRI L. P. , NUCERA M. , AL MALYAN M. , BECCHI C.
Published: July 2009

Background: The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and clinical safety of regional anticoagulation (heparin pre‐filter plus post‐filter protamine) plus antiaggregation (pre‐filter prostacyclin) [Group 1 (G1)] vs. only systemic heparin anticoagulation without antiaggregation [Group 2 (G2)] in critically ill patients with acute renal failure undergoing continuous veno‐venous haemofiltration (CVVH).

Methods: One hundred and ten patients were randomized in a prospective, controlled pilot study. G1 patients received 1000 U/h pre‐filter heparin, 10 mg/h post‐filter protamine sulphate and 4 ng/kg/min pre‐filter prostacyclin, while G2 patients received 1000 U/h pre‐filter heparin. The haemofilter transmembrane pressure (TMP) and lifespan, as well as the platelet count were observed 1 h before, and at 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36 h from the beginning of CVVH.

Results: Haemofilter TMP remained unchanged in G1 while it increased up to three times in G2 (P=0.0002). The median filter lifespan was 68 h in G1 and 19 h in G2. The rate of spontaneous circuit failure was 24% in G1 and 93% in G2 (P=0.0001). The platelet count was stable over the treatment period in G1 while in G2 it decreased progressively (P=0.0073).

Conclusion: In critically ill patients suffering from acute renal failure, regional anticoagulation with pre‐filter heparin and post‐filter protamine plus antiaggregation during CVVH is a simple and safe procedure that prevents increases in filter TMP and increases circuit life time compared with systemic anticoagulation with pre‐filter heparin only.
Adding sufentanil to levobupivacaine or ropivacaine intrathecal anaesthesia affects the minimum local anaesthetic dose required
Authors: PARPAGLIONI R. , BALDASSINI B. , BARBATI G. , CELLENO D.
Published: July 2009

Background: We carried out this prospective, randomized, double‐blind study in order to evaluate whether the intrathecal addition of sufentanil 3.3 mcg affects both the minimum local anaesthetic dose (MLAD) of spinal levobupivacaine and ropivacaine for a caesarean section and enhances the spinal block characteristics.

Methods: One hundred and eighty women were randomly allocated into four groups: levobupivacaine (Group L), levobupivacaine plus sufentanil (Group L+S), ropivacaine (Group R) and ropivacaine plus sufentanil (Group R+S). Each received 3 ml of the study solution intrathecally as part of a combined spinal/epidural technique. The initial dose was 12 mg for Groups L and L+S, and 15 mg for Groups R and R+S. The test solution was required to achieve a visual analogue pain score (VAPS) of 30 mm or less to be considered effective at skin incision, uterine incision, birth, peritoneal closure and at the conclusion of surgery. Effective or ineffective responses determined a 0.5 mg decrease or increase of the same drug, respectively, for the next patient in the same group, using an up–down sequential allocation.

Results: Using the Dixon and Massey formula, the MLAD was 10.65 mg [confidence interval (CI) 95%: 10.14–11.56] in Group L, 4.73 mg (CI 95%: 4.39–5.07) in Group L+S, 14.12 mg (CI 95%: 13.50–14.60) in Group R and 6.44 mg (CI 95%: 5.86–7.02) in Group R+S.

Conclusions: The addition of sufentanil reduced the MLAD of both the local anaesthetics. It did not affect their potency ratio significantly and resulted in enhanced spinal anaesthesia.
Intrathecal sufentanil decreases the median effective dose (ED50) of intrathecal hyperbaric ropivacaine for caesarean delivery
Authors: CHEN X. , QIAN X. , FU F. , LU H. , BEIN B.
Published: July 2009

Background: The addition of opioid to local anaesthetics has become a well‐accepted practice of spinal anaesthesia for caesarean delivery. Successful caesarean delivery anaesthesia has been reported with the use of a low dose of intrathecal hyperbaric ropivacaine coadministered with sufentanil. This prospective, double‐blinded study determined the median effective dose (ED50) of intrathecal hyperbaric ropivacaine with and without sufentanil for caesarean delivery, to quantify the sparing effect of sufentanil on the ED50 of intrathecal hyperbaric ropivacaine.

Methods: Sixty‐four parturients undergoing elective caesarean delivery with combined spinal–epidural anaesthesia were randomized into two groups: Group R (ropivacaine) and Group RS (ropivacaine plus sufentanil 5 μg). The initial dose of ropivacaine was 13 mg in Group R and 10 mg in Group RS. The effective dose was defined as a T6 level attained within 10 min and no supplemental epidural anaesthetic required during surgery. Effective or ineffective responses determined, respectively, a 0.3 mg decrease or increase of the dose of ropivacaine for the next patient using an up–down sequential allocation.

Results: The ED50 of intrathecal ropivacaine was 11.2 mg [confidence interval (CI) 95%: 11.0–11.6] in Group R vs. 8.1 mg (CI 95%: 7.8–8.3) in Group RS. Motor block was markedly more intense in Group R than in Group RS, and the incidence of shivering was lower in Group RS than in Group R. There were no differences in the onset time of sensory block or motor block, in the incidence of hypotension, nausea and vomiting.

Conclusion: Intrathecal sufentanil 5 μg produced a 28% reduction of ED50 of intrathecal hyperbaric ropivacaine for caesarean delivery.
Infusion requirements and reversibility of rocuronium at the corrugator supercilii and adductor pollicis muscles
Authors: SUZUKI T. , MIZUTANI H. , MIYAKE E. , FUKANO N. , SAEKI S. , OGAWA S.
Published: July 2009

Background: The aim of this study is to compare the infusion rates required to maintain a constant neuromuscular block and the reversibility of rocuronium at the corrugator supercilii muscle (CSM) and the adductor pollicis muscle (APM).

Methods: We randomly allocated 30 female patients into two groups of 15 patients each to monitor neuromuscular block at either the CSM or the APM. After induction of anaesthesia and laryngeal mask insertion, contraction of the CSM to the facial nerve stimulation or that of the APM to the ulnar nerve stimulation was quantified using an acceleromyograph during 1.0–1.5% end‐tidal sevoflurane anaesthesia. All the patients received a bolus of 1 mg/kg rocuronium. When the first twitch (T1) of train‐of‐four (TOF) recovered to 10% of the control, rocuronium infusion was commenced and maintained at T1 of 10% of the control at the CSM or APM for 120 min. Immediately after rocuronium infusion was discontinued, the time required for 0.04 mg/kg neostigmine‐facilitated recovery to a TOF ratio of 0.9 was recorded.

Results: Rocuronium infusion dose after a lapse of 120 min was significantly larger in the CSM than in the APM [7.1 (2.3) vs. 4.7 (2.6) μg/kg/min; P=0.001]. The time for facilitated recovery was shorter in the CSM than in the APM [11.4 (3.8) vs. 16.2 (6.0) min; P=0.016].

Conclusion: A larger rocuronium infusion dose was required to maintain a constant neuromuscular block at the CSM. Neostigmine‐mediated reversal was faster at the CSM.
Differential ozone sensitivity of rice cultivars as indicated by visible injury and grain yield
Authors: Sawada H. , Kohno Y.
Published: July 2009

Surface ozone pollution may cause reductions in rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield. Ozone sensitivity in rice cultivars is often evaluated based on visible leaf injury at an early growth stage. However, it is not clear whether reduction in grain yield is related to visible injury. Therefore, visible damage and grain yield reduction were examined in Japanese and Asian rice cultivars exposed to ozone. In experiment 1, 3‐week‐old rice seedlings were exposed to ozone (min.: 20 nl·l−1, max.:120 nl·l−1) for 12 h in open‐top chambers (OTCs). Visible leaf injury was quantified according to a leaf bronzing score. In experiment 2, rice plants were exposed to ozone in OTCs throughout the cropping season until grain harvest. Daily mean ozone concentrations were maintained at 2, 23, 28, 42, and 57 nl·l−1 with a regular diurnal pattern of exposure. After harvest, grain yield was determined. Based on visible injury to the uppermost fully expanded leaf, the indica cultivar ‘Kasalath’ was most tolerant, and the japonica cultivar ‘Kirara 397’ was most sensitive to ozone. However, grain yields for both ‘Kasalath’ and ‘Kirara 397’ were significantly decreased after ozone exposure. The indica cultivar ‘Jothi’ suffered severe injury after ozone exposure but had no reduction in grain yield. Therefore, ozone sensitivity of rice cultivars evaluated by visible injury did not coincide with that evaluated by the reductions in grain yield. These results suggest that mechanisms that induce acute leaf injury do not relate to chronic ozone toxicity that reduces yield.
Testcross performance of doubled‐haploid lines developed from European flint maize landraces
Authors: Wilde K. , Burger H. , Prigge V. , Presterl T. , Schmidt W. , Ouzunova M. , Geiger H. H.
Published: July 2009

With 1 figure and 6 tables

In maize (Zea mays L.), as in other cross‐pollinated crops, a high mutational load of deleterious recessive alleles hampers the use of landraces in hybrid breeding. The in vivo doubled haploid (DH) technology meanwhile offers great promise in purging such alleles. This approach was employed to three European flint type landraces. Eighty DH lines were evaluated for testcross performance under three farming conditions. Mean testcross performance of DH lines was similar to that of their parental landraces but 22–26% lower than that of present elite flint lines. Highly significant genetic variance existed in each of the three DH‐line groups. Coefficients of genetic variation ranged from 6.7 to 7.4. DH‐lines derived from ‘Lucq de Béarn’ displayed specific adaptation to N deficiency. The 10% (out of 80) best DH lines surpassed the first‐cycle lines by 11% in testcross grain yield and remained only 13% below the elite lines. Altogether, the DH approach proved to be a highly effective tool for gaining access to the hitherto hardly tapped broad genetic diversity of landraces in research and breeding.
Role of Fatty Acids in Energy Provision During Oocyte Maturation and Early Embryo Development
Authors: Sturmey RG , Reis A , Leese HJ , McEvoy TG
Published: July 2009

Contents

While much is known about the metabolism of exogenous nutrients such as glucose, lactate, pyruvate, amino acids by oocytes and pre‐implantation mammalian embryos, the role of endogenous stores, particularly lipid, has been largely overlooked. The presence of lipid within oocytes and early embryos has been long known, and comparisons between species indicate that the amounts and types of lipid present vary considerably. Large amounts of intracellular lipid can compromise the success of cryopreservation and the removal of such lipid has been the subject of considerable effort. In this review, we present evidence that strongly suggests a metabolic role for lipid, specifically with regard to energy provision, in the late‐stage oocyte and the pre‐implantation embryo. We focus initially on oxygen consumption as a global indicator of metabolic activity, before reviewing different approaches that either have been designed to investigate directly, or have revealed indirectly the role of endogenous lipid in energy generation. These fall under five headings: (i) fatty acid oxidation; (ii) inhibition of triglyceride oxidation; (iii) culture in the absence of exogenous substrates; (iv) cytoplasmic organization; and (v) delipidation. On the basis of the data derived from these studies, we conclude that there is strong evidence for the utilization of endogenous lipid as an energy substrate by oocytes and early embryos.
From Zygote to Implantation: Morphological and Molecular Dynamics during Embryo Development in the Pig
Authors: Oestrup O , Hall V , Petkov SG , Wolf XA , Hyldig S , Hyttel P
Published: July 2009

Content

The increasing focus on the pig as a biomedical model calls for studies which investigate morphological and molecular mechanisms during initial embryonic development in this species. In the pig, the paternal genome is actively demethylated in the zygote, whereas the maternal genome remains methylated. The major genome activation occurs at the four‐cell stage, when prominent ribosome‐synthesizing nucleoli develop in the blastomeres, allowing for trophectoderm and inner cell mass (ICM) differentiation. Unlike in mice, the pluripotency gene OCT4 is initially expressed in both compartments. The ICM differentiates into epiblast and hypoblast approximately at the time of hatching from the zona pellucida, and subsequently the loss of the Rauber’s layer results in an uncovered epiblast establishing the embryonic disc again in contrast to mice. This particular and protracted ICM/epiblast biology may contribute to the lack of success in culturing porcine embryonic stem cells. The embryonic disc subsequently becomes polarized by a posterior thickening, which includes ingression of the first extra‐embryonic mesoderm. Thereafter, the primitive streak forms and gastrulation results in formation of the somatic germ layers and germline, i.e. the primordial germ cells. The latter remain pluripotent for a period and may be isolated and cultured as embryonic germ cells in vitro.
Molecular regulation of skeletal muscle mass
Authors: Russell Aaron P
Published: July 2009

1. The maintenance of skeletal muscle mass is determined by a fine balance between protein synthesis and protein degradation. Skeletal mass is increased when there is a net gain in protein synthesis, which can occur following progressive exercise training. In contrast, skeletal muscle mass is lost when degradation occurs more rapidly than synthesis and is observed in numerous conditions, including neuromuscular disease, chronic disease, ageing, as well as following limb immobilization or prolonged bed rest due to injury or trauma.

2. Understanding the molecular pathways that regulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis and degradation is vital for identifying potential therapeutic targets that can attenuate muscle atrophy during disease and disuse.

3. The regulation of skeletal mass is complex and involves the precise coordination of several intracellular signalling pathways. The present review focuses on the role and regulation of pathways involving Akt, atrogin‐1 and muscle ring finger‐1 (MuRF1; atrogenes), peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ coactivator‐1α (PGC‐1α) and striated activator of Rho signalling (STARS), with exercise and disease.
Potential roles of high salt intake and maternal malnutrition in the development of hypertension in disadvantaged populations
Authors: Thrift Amanda G , Srikanth Velandai , Fitzgerald Sharyn M , Kalyanram Kartik , Kartik Kamakshi , Hoppe Chantal C , Walker Karen Z , Evans Roger G
Published: July 2009

1. It has been argued that all major risk factors for cardiovascular disease have been identified. Yet, epidemiological studies undertaken to identify risk factors have largely focused on populations in developed nations or on the urban or relatively affluent rural populations of developing countries. Poor rural populations are seldom studied.

2. Somewhat different risk factors may operate in poor rural populations. Evidence for this is provided by the finding that, in disadvantaged rural India, the prevalence of hypertension is greater than would be expected based on established risk factors in these populations. One risk factor to be considered is a poor intrauterine environment.

3. In animals, maternal macro‐ and micronutrient malnutrition can lead to reduced nephron endowment. Nephron deficiency, in turn, can render blood pressure salt sensitive. The combination of nephron deficiency and excessive salt intake will predispose to hypertension.

4. Human malnutrition may have similar effects, particularly in regions of the world where malnutrition is endemic and where women are disadvantaged by existing social practices. 5. Moreover, high salt intake is endemic in many parts of Asia, including India. Therefore, we propose that maternal malnutrition (leading to reduced nephron endowment), when combined with excessive salt intake postnatally, will account, at least in part, for the unexpectedly high prevalence of hypertension in disadvantaged rural communities in India and elsewhere.
How frequent is adenoid obstruction? Impact on the diagnostic approach
Authors: Bitar Mohamed A. , Birjawi Ghina , Youssef Marwan , Fuleihan Nabil
Published: July 2009

Background:  The rate of adenoidectomy has increased over the past years. The initial assessment methods are sometimes overused. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the use of these methods, estimate the incidence of obstructive adenoid and refine the approach to this problem.

Methods:  This is a prospective observational study. All children referred for chronic nasal obstruction had anterior rhinoscopy and a routine physical examination. The palatal airway was assessed on lateral nasopharyngeal roentgenograms when these were requested. The degree of obstruction was measured on endoscopy when performed. The efficacy of each method was evaluated, as well as its necessity. The incidence of obstructive adenoid was calculated.

Results:  A total of 213 patients aged 6 months–13 years (mean 5.1 years, median 4 years) were enrolled. One hundred patients had radiological evaluation while 65 had endoscopy during their initial assessment. Endoscopy was the most efficacious in reaching a proper diagnosis (100%) followed by clinical assessment (84.2%), and radiology (75%). The necessity of endoscopy, however, was 63.1% and that of radiology 63% within their respective groups. The incidence of obstructive adenoid was 57.7% (1.6% choanal). Clinical assessment, therefore, could have been sufficient in 41.8%, radiology in 44.1%; and endoscopy in 12.2% of the studied population to reach a proper diagnosis.

Conclusions:  Clinical assessment is crucial to evaluate chronic nasal obstruction. The lateral nasopharyngeal roentgenogram provides objective evaluation of the adenoid but its limitations should be considered. Nasal endoscopy may substitute for radiology but should be reserved for unusual cases.
Hemodynamic effects of dobutamine and dopexamine after cardiopulmonary bypass in pediatric cardiac surgery*
Authors: KWAPISZ MYRON M. , NEUHÄUSER CHRISTOPH , SCHOLZ STEPHAN , WELTERS INGEBORG D. , LÖHR TOBIAS , KOCH TILLO , VALESKE KLAUS , AKINTÜRK HAKAN , THUL JOSEF , MÜLLER MATTHIAS
Published: July 2009

Background:  After surgical repair of congenital heart disease, inotropic support is sometimes necessary to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass. In pediatric cardiac surgery, dobutamine and dopamine are often used as inotropic support. Dopexamine is a synthetic catecholamine, which has positive inotropic and vasodilating properties. Because the hemodynamic effects of catecholamines are modified after cardiopulmonary bypass, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dobutamine and dopexamine on cardiac index and systemic vascular resistance index after cardiopulmonary bypass in pediatric cardiac surgery.

Methods:  The study was performed in a prospective, randomized, and double‐blinded cross‐over design. The investigation included 11 children for elective, noncomplex congenital heart surgery. After weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass and a 20‐min period of steady state, children received either 2.5 μg·kg−1·min−1 dobutamine or 1 μg·kg−1·min−1 dopexamine for 20 min. Cardiac index (transpulmonary thermodilution), mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, stroke volume, systemic vascular resistance, and central venous oxygen saturation were determined. The primary outcome variable was cardiac index.

Results:  No difference in cardiac index was observed between the two groups (P = 0.594). Both drugs increased cardiac index, dopexamine from 3.9 ± 0.6 to 4.7 ± 0.8 l·min−1·m−2 (P = 0.003) and dobutamine from 4.1 ± 0.7 to 4.8 ± 0.7 l·min−1·m−2 (P = 0.004). During treatment with dobutamine, children presented with significantly higher mean arterial pressure (P = 0.003) and systemic vascular resistance index (P = 0.026).

Conclusions:  This trial demonstrates that low‐dose dobutamine and dopexamine both increase cardiac index during pediatric cardiac surgery but with different hemodynamic effects.
Ultrasound‐guided perineural catheter and local anesthetic infusion in the perioperative management of pediatric limb salvage: a case report
Authors: LOLAND VANESSA J. , ILFELD BRIAN M. , ABRAMS REID A. , MARIANO EDWARD R.
Published: July 2009

Local anesthetic perineural infusion has emerged as an effective analgesic technique in pediatric patients, but it can also complement surgical perioperative management in complex cases that require optimal tissue perfusion such as limb salvage. We report the successful use of brachial plexus perineural infusion in the care of a child following near‐amputation of her dominant hand. An ultrasound‐guided infraclavicular brachial plexus catheter was placed in the recovery room after complex reconstructive surgery and a continuous infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine maintained for 24 days. The resultant sympathectomy was integral to providing distal limb perfusion despite partial restenosis of the surgical revascularization.
Insulin detemir causes increased symptom awareness during hypoglycaemia compared to human insulin
Authors: Tschritter O. , Schäfer S. A. , Klett J. , Pfäfflin A. , Häring H.‐U. , Hennige A. M. , Fritsche A.
Published: July 2009

Aim: The long‐acting insulin analogue detemir (Levemir®) has structural and physicochemical properties which differ from human insulin. The aim of the present study was to test whether this leads to altered hormone and symptom response during hypoglycaemia.

Methods: 12 healthy subjects [6f/6m, age 32 ± 6 years (mean ± s.d.), body mass index (BMI) 24.2 ± 2.5 kg/m2] underwent a 200‐min stepwise hypoglycaemic clamp (45 min steps of 4.4, 3.7, 3.0 and 2.3 mmol/l) with either detemir or human insulin in random order. A bolus of detemir (660 mU/kg) or human insulin (60 mU/kg) was given before insulin was infused at a rate of 5 (detemir) or 2 (human insulin) mU/kg/min. Blood was drawn and a semi‐quantitative symptom questionnaire was administered before and after each plateau of the hypoglycaemic clamp. Cognitive function was assessed during each step.

Results: Blood glucose levels and glucose infusion rates were comparable with detemir and human insulin. The total symptom score was higher with detemir during the 3 and 2.3 mmol glucose step compared to human insulin (p = 0.048). Especially sweating was increased with detemir (p = 0.02) with an earlier and faster increase during the clamp (interaction insulin × time: p = 0.04). No significant differences between detemir and human insulin in cortisol, norepinephrine, epinephrine, glucagon, growth hormone, lactate or free fatty acid (FFA) levels during hypoglycaemia were observed, and there were no significant differences in cognitive function tests.

Conclusions: Insulin detemir increased symptom awareness during hypoglycaemia compared to human insulin in healthy individuals, whereas counter‐regulatory hormone response and cognitive function were unaltered.
Degeneration of germ line cells in amphibian ovary
Authors: Ogielska Maria , Rozenblut Beata , Augustyńska Renata , Kotusz Agnieszka
Published: July 2009

Ogielska, M., Rozenblut, B., Augustyńska, R., Kotusz, A. 2010. Degeneration of germ line cells in amphibian ovary. —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 91: 319–327

We studied the morphology of degenerating ovarian follicles in juvenile and adult frogs Rana temporaria, Rana lessonae and Rana ridibunda. Degeneration of primordial germ cells was never observed and was extremely rare in oogonia and early oocytes in a cyst phase in juveniles. Previtellogenic oocytes were rarely affected. Three main types of atresia were identified. In type I (subdivided into stages A–D), vitellogenic oocytes are digested by proliferating follicle cells that hypertrophy and become phagocytic. A – germinal vesicle shrinks, nucleoli fuse, oocyte envelope interrupts, and follicular cells hypertrophy; B – follicular cells multiply and invade the oocyte; C – entire vesicle is filled by phagocytic cells; D – degenerating phagocytes accumulate black pigment. Type II is rare and resembles breakdown of follicles and release of ooplasm. In type III, observed in previtellogenic and early vitellogenic oocytes, ooplasm and germinal vesicle shrink, follicle cells do not invade the vesicle, and condensed ooplasm becomes fragmented. The residual oogonia in adult ovaries (germ patches) multiply, but soon degenerate.
A UNIFYING VIEW ON MULTI‐STEP FORECASTING USING AN AUTOREGRESSION
Authors: Franses Philip Hans , Legerstee Rianne
Published: July 2009

AbstractThis paper unifies two methodologies for multi‐step forecasting from autoregressive time series models. The first is covered in most of the traditional time series literature and it uses short‐horizon forecasts to compute longer‐horizon forecasts, while the estimation method minimizes one‐step‐ahead forecast errors. The second methodology considers direct multi‐step estimation and forecasting. In this paper, we show that both approaches are special (boundary) cases of a technique called partial least squares (PLS) when this technique is applied to an autoregression. We outline this methodology and show how it unifies the other two. We also illustrate the practical relevance of the resultant PLS autoregression for 17 quarterly, seasonally adjusted, industrial production series. Our main findings are that both boundary models can be improved by including factors indicated from the PLS technique.
The first steps in word learning are easier when the shoes fit: comparing monolingual and bilingual infants
Authors: Mattock Karen , Polka Linda , Rvachew Susan , Krehm Madelaine
Published: July 2009

English, French, and bilingual English‐French 17‐month‐old infants were compared for their performance on a word learning task using the Switch task. Object names presented a /b/ vs. /g/ contrast that is phonemic in both English and French, and auditory strings comprised English and French pronunciations by an adult bilingual. Infants were habituated to two novel objects labeled ‘bowce’ or ‘gowce’ and were then presented with a switch trial where a familiar word and familiar object were paired in a novel combination, and a same trial with a familiar word–object pairing. Bilingual infants looked significantly longer to switch vs. same trials, but English and French monolinguals did not, suggesting that bilingual infants can learn word–object associations when the phonetic conditions favor their input. Monolingual infants likely failed because the bilingual mode of presentation increased phonetic variability and did not match their real‐world input. Experiment 2 tested this hypothesis by presenting monolingual infants with nonce word tokens restricted to native language pronunciations. Monolinguals succeeded in this case. Experiment 3 revealed that the presence of unfamiliar pronunciations in Experiment 2, rather than a reduction in overall phonetic variability was the key factor to success, as French infants failed when tested with English pronunciations of the nonce words. Thus phonetic variability impacts how infants perform in the switch task in ways that contribute to differences in monolingual and bilingual performance. Moreover, both monolinguals and bilinguals are developing adaptive speech processing skills that are specific to the language(s) they are learning.