bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lamivudine in late pregnancy to prevent perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus infection: a multicentre, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Xu W.‐M. , Cui Y.‐T. , Wang L. , Yang H. , Liang Z.‐Q. , Li X.‐M. , Zhang S.‐L. , Qiao F.‐Y. , Campbell F. , Chang C.‐N. , Gardner S. , Atkins M.
Published: October 2008

Summary.  This randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study evaluated whether lamivudine given during late pregnancy can reduce hepatitis B virus (HBV) perinatal transmission in highly viraemic mothers. Mothers were randomized to either lamivudine 100 mg or placebo from week 32 of gestation to week 4 postpartum. At birth, infants received recombinant HBV vaccine with or without HBIg and were followed until week 52. One hundred and fifty mothers, with a gestational age of 26–30 weeks and serum HBV DNA >1000 MEq/mL (bDNA assay), were treated. A total of 141 infants received immunoprophylaxis at birth. In lamivudine‐treated mothers, 56 infants received vaccine + HBIg (lamivudine + vaccine + HBIg) and 26 infants received vaccine (lamivudine + vaccine). In placebo‐treated mothers, 59 infants received vaccine + HBIg (placebo + vaccine + HBIg). At week 52, in the primary analyses where missing data was counted as failures, infants in the lamivudine + vaccine + HBIg group had a significant decrease in incidence of HBsAg seropositivity (10/56, 18%vs 23/59, 39%; P = 0.014) and in detectable HBV DNA (11/56, 20%vs 27/59, 46%; P = 0.003) compared to infants in the placebo + vaccine + HBIg group. Sensitivity analyses to evaluate the impact of missing data at week 52 resulting from a high dropout rate (13% in the lamivudine + vaccine + HBIg group and 31% in the placebo + vaccine + HBIg group) remained consistent with the primary analysis in that lower transmission rates were still observed in the infants of lamivudine‐treated mothers, but the differences were not statistically significant. No safety concerns were noted in the lamivudine‐treated mothers or their infants. Results of this study suggest that lamivudine reduced HBV transmission from highly viraemic mothers to their infants who received passive/active immunization.
Altered antibody responses in mannose‐binding lectin‐A deficient mice do not affect Trichuris muris or Schistosoma mansoni infections
Authors: LAWRENCE R. A. , CARTER T. , BELL L. V. , ELSE K. J. , SUMMERFIELD J. , BICKLE Q.
Published: October 2008

Parasitic helminths possess surface glycoconjugates that are recognized by the serum collectin molecule, mannose‐binding lectin (MBL). Once bound, MBL triggers the lectin pathway of complement. Mice have two MBL, MBL‐A and MBL‐C. We previously showed that MBL‐A deficient (MBL‐A−/–) mice have enhanced survival of Brugia malayi microfilariae and abrogated microfilariae‐specific IgM responses. In this study we show that MBL‐A deficiency does not alter immunity to either Trichuris muris or Schistosoma mansoni. However, anti‐nematode IgM levels were significantly lower in T. muris infected MBL‐A−/– than wild‐type mice. Interestingly nematode‐specific IgG1 and IgG2a levels were higher in MBL‐A−/– mice. Although, larval schistosomes are surrounded by a complement‐sensitive membranous tegument, neither adult worm development, egg output, egg granuloma size nor cellular composition was affected in MBL‐A−/– mice. In contrast to anti‐nematode IgM responses, anti‐schistosome IgM (and also IgG1 and IgG2b) responses were unaltered from wild‐type mice. Anti‐schistosome IgG2a was elevated, while IgG3 was significantly lowered, in MBL‐A−/– mice. These results suggest that MBL‐A is not a necessary component for immunity to either T. muris or S. mansoni helminths, however, MBL‐A appears to be necessary for the development of specific IgM responses to nematode antigens.
Immunomodulatory effect of Hypoderma lineatum antigens: in vitro effect on bovine lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production
Authors: PANADERO R. , DACAL V. , LÓPEZ C. , VÁZQUEZ L. , CIENFUEGOS S. , DÍAZ P. , MORRONDO P. , DÍEZ‐BAÑOS P.
Published: October 2008

This study examines the immunomodulatory effect of a crude larval extract (CLE), obtained from first stage larvae (L1) of H. lineatum, and the purified fractions hypodermin A (HyA), HyB and HyC. Proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from uninfested and previously infested cattle and the production of the cytokines IL‐10, IL‐4 and IFN‐γ, in response to concanavalin A (Con A), were determined. The stimulation index of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from uninfested cattle was significantly lower than that from infested animals with the different antigens assayed. The HyA was the antigen that most inhibited the proliferative response, followed by the HyB, the HyC and the CLE. This hypodermin provoked an increase of IFN‐γ and a suppression of IL‐10 production that would support a Th1‐like cytokine response. The HyB reduced the production of IL‐10 stimulated by the Con A in cultures from infested animals. The HyC did not modulate the production of cytokines. Finally, the CLE induced a marked suppression in the production of the different cytokines in cultures from naïve and previously sensitized animals. Our results indicate that Hypoderma larval secretions are comprised of different components (hypodermins) that individually induce distinct but partially overlapping modulatory responses.
CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS OF CENTRALLY ADMINISTERED ARACHIDONIC ACID IN HAEMORRHAGE‐INDUCED HYPOTENSIVE RATS: INVESTIGATION OF A PERIPHERAL MECHANISM
Authors: Yalcin Murat , Aydin Cenk
Published: October 2008

The aims of the present study were to determine the cardiovascular effects of arachidonic acid (AA) and to investigate the peripheral mechanisms mediating these effects in haemorrhage‐induced hypotensive rats.

Acute haemorrhage was induced by withdrawing a total volume of 2.2 mL blood/100 g bodyweight over a period of 10 min. Rats were then injected with 75–300 µg, i.c.v., AA and cardiovascular changes were monitored over the next 60 min. Plasma catecholamine and vasopressin levels, as well as plasma renin activity (PRA), were measured 10 min after injection of 150 µg AA in haemorrhage‐induced hypotensive awake rats. In addition, rats were pretreated with saline (1 mL/kg, i.v.), the vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist [β‐mercapto‐β,β‐cyclopentamethylenepropionyl1,O‐Me‐Tyr2,Arg8]‐vasopressin (10 µg/kg, i.v.), the α1‐adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin (500 µg/kg, i.v.), the non‐specific angiotensin II receptor antagonist saralasin (250 µg/kg, i.v.) or a combination of these three antagonists 5 min before injection of AA (150 µg, i.c.v.). The effects of these antagonists on responses to AA were determined.

Arachidonic acid caused dose‐ and time‐dependent increases in mean arterial pressure and heart rate and reversed hypotension in haemorrhaged rats. Haemorrhage itself produced an increase in plasma catecholamine and vasopressin levels, as well as PRA; injection of AA produced further increases in these parameters, ranging from 39–123%, under hypotensive conditions. Under hypotensive conditions, pretreatment of rats with all three receptor antagonists produced similar partial blockade of the pressor response to AA, but not the increase in heart rate. Moreover, combined administration of all three receptor antagonists prior to the i.c.v. injection of 150 µg AA completely abolished the pressor response to AA in haemorrhage‐induced hypotensive rats.

These results indicate that centrally administered AA reverses hypotension by increasing blood pressure and heart rate in the hypotensive setting. The observed increases in plasma catecholamine and vasopressin levels, as well as PRA, mediate the pressor response to AA in haemorrhage‐induced hypotensive rats.
Know thy enemy: Behavioural response of a native mammal (Rattus lutreolus velutinus) to predators of different coexistence histories
Authors: MCEVOY JOANNE , SINN DAVID L. , WAPSTRA ERIK
Published: October 2008

Abstract  Predation is recognized as a major selective pressure influencing population dynamics and evolutionary processes. Prey species have developed a variety of predator avoidance strategies, not least of which is olfactory recognition. However, within Australia, European settlement has brought with it a number of introduced predators, perhaps most notably the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and domestic cat (Felis catus), which native prey species may be unable to recognize and thus avoid due to a lack of coexistence history. This study examined the response of native Tasmanian swamp rats (Rattus lutreolus velutinus) to predators of different coexistence history (native predator‐ spotted‐tail quoll (Dasyurus maculatus), domestic cats and the recently introduced red fox). We used an aggregate behavioural response of R. l. velutinus to predator integumental odour in order to assess an overall behavioural response to predation risk. Rattus lutreolus velutinus recognized the integumental odour of the native quoll (compared with control odours) but did not respond to either cat or fox scent (compared with control odur). In contrast, analyses of singular behaviours resulted in the conclusion that rats did not respond differentially to either native or introduced predators, as other studies have concluded. Therefore, measuring risk assessment behaviours at the level of overall aggregate response may be more beneficial in understanding and analysing complex behavioural patterns such as predator detection and recognition. These results suggest that fox and cat introductions (and their interactive effects) may have detrimental impacts upon small native Tasmanian mammals due to lack of recognition and thus appropriate responses.
NERVE GRAFTING AT THE TIME OF RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY: SHOULD WE BE DOING IT?
Authors: Mancuso Pascal , Rashid Prem
Published: October 2008

Background:  With increasing numbers of younger men being diagnosed with prostate cancer and subsequently undergoing radical prostatectomy, there is an increasing focus on quality of life postoperatively, especially potency. In patients with locally advanced disease, it has been suggested that use of nerve grafts at the time of radical prostatectomy may improve potency. The technique was first described in 1999 and several papers have been published about its utility. However, there is still controversy over its use because of the lack of any large, blinded trials, the anatomy of the cavernous nerves and the necessity of excising the neurovascular bundles (especially bilaterally). In addition, the results achieved with nerve grafting, a procedure not without significant morbidity and mortality, do not exceed those produced by surgeons carrying out nerve‐sparing procedures.

Results:  In the published work reviewed, erections sufficient to produce vaginal penetration following unilateral nerve grafting (with contralateral nerve sparing) were evident in 41.7–63.6% of patients. This is similar to the rates of 23–64% with unilateral nerve sparing alone. The rates of erectile function sufficient to produce vaginal penetration following bilateral nerve grafting were 34–72%, whereas it is widely accepted that very few men without nerve grafting would have any degree of potency.

Conclusions:  Currently, there does not appear to be a widespread role for nerve grafting at the time of radical prostatectomy.
IN‐HOSPITAL OUTCOMES AND HOSPITAL RESOURCE UTILIZATION OF HIP REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES
Authors: Urquhart Donna M. , Hanna Fahad , Graves Stephen , Wang Yuanyuan , Cameron Peter , Hannaford Andrew , Cicuttini Flavia M.
Published: October 2008

Background:  Although the incidence of hip replacement surgery is rapidly increasing, there are few data describing the hospital resource utilization associated with these procedures. We aimed to examine the in‐hospital outcomes and resource utilization of primary and revision hip replacement.

Methods:  We analysed data from the 2005/2006 Victorian Admitted Episodes Database that included one or more of the International Classification of Diseases procedure codes for hip replacement. Demographic parameters and in‐hospital outcomes, including length of stay, duration of intensive/coronary care and discharge destination, were examined.

Results:  A total of, 7724 separations had a hip replacement. Primary procedures accounted for 86.8% of all separations. Of these, 79.3% were total hip replacements and the remainder were partial hip replacements. Most partial hips were managed (81.6%) and funded (60.0%) within the public system, whereas revisions were largely managed privately (59.0%). Revisions had less satisfactory outcomes than primary total hips, with 22.9% more revisions remaining in hospital for more than a week (P < 0.0001), 14.6% more requiring intensive care (P < 0.0001) and 10.9% less being discharged to a private residence (P < 0.001) (adjusting for confounders). Although primary partial and revision replacements accounted for only 16.8 and 13.2% of all hip replacements, they utilised up to 27.5 and 34.6% of hospital resources, respectively.

Conclusion:  Partial and revision hip replacements are resource intensive for the public and private health‐care systems, respectively. It is imperative that strategies to reduce the incidence of these procedures are implemented, as failure to do so will have important implications for the allocation of health‐care funding.
RESULTS OF AN AGGRESSIVE SURGICAL APPROACH IN THE MANAGEMENT OF POSTOPERATIVE PERITONITIS
Authors: Khamphommala Litavan , Parc Yann , Bennis Malika , Ollivier Jean‐Marie , Dehni Nidal , Tiret Emmanuel , Parc Rolland
Published: October 2008

Background:  Treatment of postoperative peritonitis (POP) necessitates adequate control of the source of peritoneal contamination. For most patients, a surgical approach to this requires reoperation to restore intestinal continuity. The aim of this study was to audit our results for the surgical treatment of POP.

Methods:  Medical records of patients treated for POP using a standardized surgical protocol in a dedicated intensive care unit at the Saint‐Antoine Hospital between 1995 and 2003 were reviewed. The aim of the study was to consider the effectiveness of our surgical protocol in the eradication of all sources of peritoneal contamination in patients presenting with POP.

Results:  There were 87 patients (34 women, mean age of 58.4 ± 14.7) with a mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score of 17.2 ± 4.7 (median 16.5, range 9–28). Eight patients died and there were complications in 60 patients. Nine patients of the 79 survivors either did not require or could not have an operation to restore intestinal continuity. Intestinal continuity was re‐established through a parastomal incision for 26 patients, whereas 44 patients required a further laparotomy. Two patients of the latter group died and 11 patients had a complication. It was not possible to restore intestinal continuity at laparotomy for one patient.

Conclusion:  An aggressive surgical approach, as reported in this series, including stoma formation whenever possible, diversion or intubation, provides effective control of the source of peritoneal contamination. Restoration of intestinal continuity is possible in most patients. The overall mortality rate for this treatment is 11.5%.
PREPERITONEAL GROIN HERNIA REPAIR WITH KUGEL PATCH THROUGH AN ANTERIOR APPROACH
Authors: Li Junsheng , Zhang Yanan , Hu Haolin , Tang Whenhao
Published: October 2008

Kugel hernia repair is classically carried out through the posterior approach; in this study we investigated the effectiveness and invasiveness of a Modified Kugel (Bard‐Davol Inc., RI, USA) hernia repair procedure carried out through an anterior approach. A prospective series covering a 2‐year period, including 122 patients (142 hernias) were carried out using the anterior approach. Patient comfort, complications and recurrence were evaluated. A total of 142 inguinal hernias were repaired, median age was 67 years, the mean operation time was 51 ± 23 min and the average incision was 4.5 cm. There was one case recurrence 5 months after repair. Other complications were few and not severe, only slight groin discomfort was observed in two patients during follow up. This Modified Kugel hernia through anterior approach is effective, mini‐invasive and easy to learn with fewer complications.
LAPAROSCOPIC VERSUS OPEN VENTRAL HERNIA REPAIR: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Authors: Pring Chris M. , Tran Viet , O’Rourke Nick , Martin Ian J.
Published: October 2008

Laparoscopic and open techniques are both recognized treatment options for ventral hernias. We conducted a prospective randomized trial of both methods, to assess hernia recurrence, postoperative recovery and complications. Fifty‐eight patients with ventral hernias were enrolled into the trial between August 2003 and December 2005. Of these, 31 underwent laparoscopic repair and 27 underwent open repair. Clinical parameters were documented on all patients during a median follow‐up period of 27.5 months. The demographics of the two groups were similar. There was one recurrence in each of the laparoscopic and open groups. There was an equivalent rate of operative time, length of stay, postoperative pain scores, return to normal activities, wound infection and seroma formation between the two groups. Laparoscopic and open ventral hernia repair are comparable and offer low recurrence rates.
MYOTOMY FOR ACHALASIA: TO WRAP OR NOT TO WRAP?*
Authors: Cade Richard J.
Published: October 2008

One of the potential consequences of carrying out a Heller’s myotomy for achalasia is gastro‐oesophageal reflux. Whether it is frequent or severe enough to warrant the routine addition of a fundoplication to the operation is debated. In this prospective series of all patients undergoing a myotomy using a minimally invasive method the incidence of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease is examined. It was found that in 124 patients who had been followed for at least 6 months, whereas mild heartburn was common (51 patients; 41%), in only 10 patients (8.2%) was a proton pump inhibitor required and there were no patients whose reflux was not controlled using standard medical treatment. Peptic oesophagitis was an infrequent endoscopic finding with only 3 of 40 patients with no or mild heartburn having mild oesophagitis and no patient on a proton pump inhibitor having active peptic oesophagitis. These findings suggest that the addition of a fundoplication to a Heller’s myotomy to prevent gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease is not essential.
Multifunctional fibre optic sensors monitoring strain and ultrasound
Authors: THURSBY G. , CULSHAW B. , BETZ D. C.
Published: October 2008

Knowledge of the size and location of a defect together with the load history of the appropriate part of a structure can provide valuable data from which the lifetime of that structure can be predicted. In this paper, a sensor that can be configured to fulfil both of these functions is described. The use of fibre Bragg gratings (FBG) to measure static strain and the very small, high‐frequency in‐plane strains that are associated with the propagation of an ultrasound wave are described. Investigation of their directional characteristics is also carried out and it is demonstrated that by configuring three or more of these sensors into a rosette, static strain mapping and the calculation of the direction of an incident acoustic wave can be achieved. Extending this technique by using two or more rosettes allows the source of an acoustic wave to be determined and thereby the location of a hole, which can be considered to be a passive source.
Understanding movement data and movement processes: current and emerging directions
Authors: Schick Robert S. , Loarie Scott R. , Colchero Fernando , Best Benjamin D. , Boustany Andre , Conde Dalia A. , Halpin Patrick N. , Joppa Lucas N. , McClellan Catherine M. , Clark James S.
Published: October 2008

Animal movement has been the focus on much theoretical and empirical work in ecology over the last 25 years. By studying the causes and consequences of individual movement, ecologists have gained greater insight into the behavior of individuals and the spatial dynamics of populations at increasingly higher levels of organization. In particular, ecologists have focused on the interaction between individuals and their environment in an effort to understand future impacts from habitat loss and climate change. Tools to examine this interaction have included: fractal analysis, first passage time, Lévy flights, multi‐behavioral analysis, hidden markov models, and state‐space models. Concurrent with the development of movement models has been an increase in the sophistication and availability of hierarchical bayesian models. In this review we bring these two threads together by using hierarchical structures as a framework for reviewing individual models. We synthesize emerging themes in movement ecology, and propose a new hierarchical model for animal movement that builds on these emerging themes. This model moves away from traditional random walks, and instead focuses inference on how moving animals with complex behavior interact with their landscape and make choices about its suitability.
Organic versus conventional management in an apple orchard: effects of fertilization and tree‐row management on ground‐dwelling predaceous arthropods
Authors: Miñarro M. , Espadaler X. , Melero V. X. , Suárez‐Álvarez V.
Published: October 2008

1 Organic and conventional management of apple orchards may have a different effect on arthropod communities.

2 We conducted a 3‐year study to assess the effect of two strategies of fertilizer treatment (organic versus chemical) and three tree‐row management systems (straw mulching, tillage and herbicide) on activity‐density and biodiversity of epigeic predators. Ground beetles (Carabidae), rove beetles (Staphylinidae), ants (Formicidae) and spiders (Araneae) were sampled monthly with pitfall traps in the same apple orchard during 2003, 2004 and 2005.

3 A total of 4978 individuals were collected. Carabids (56.8% of the total catches) were the most abundant taxonomic group, followed by spiders (20.7%), ants (14.8%) and rove beetles (7.7%). Tree‐row management had a greater influence on predator catches than fertilizer treatment. Total predator catches were lower under the mulch. Mulching also reduced carabid abundance, but increased staphylinid catches.

4 Tree row management also had a significant effect on biodiversity parameters. Species richness did not significantly differ among treatments for ants, spiders or the total catches, but was higher on herbicide‐treated plots for carabids and on mulched plots for staphylinids. Shannon–Wiener’s diversity index was significantly greater in the mulched and herbicide treated plots for total predators and carabids. For staphylinids, this index was significantly greater on the mulched plots. Fertilizer application strategy only influenced the species richness of rove beetles, which was greater in the chemically‐treated plots.

5 The results showed that a change from conventional to organic fertilizer treatment of apple trees may be performed without differential effects on predator activity‐density or biodiversity. However, a change from herbicide treatment to mulching or mechanical weed control may be significant, depending on the taxonomic group.
A Neurogenetic Approach to Impulsivity
Authors: Congdon Eliza , Canli Turhan
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACT
Impulsivity is a complex and multidimensional trait that is of interest to both personality psychologists and to clinicians. For investigators seeking the biological basis of personality traits, the use of neuroimaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) revolutionized personality psychology in less than a decade. Now, another revolution is under way, and it originates from molecular biology. Specifically, new findings in molecular genetics, the detailed mapping and the study of the function of genes, have shown that individual differences in personality traits can be related to individual differences within specific genes. In this article, we will review the current state of the field with respect to the neural and genetic basis of trait impulsivity.
The making of a minor saint in Drogo of Saint‐Winnoc's Historia translationis s. Lewinnae
Authors: Defries David
Published: October 2008

In 1058, the Flemish abbey of Saint‐Winnoc stole St Lewinna's relics from a minster in southern England. The community worked to establish her cult in Flanders. Although scholars have focused on the material gain Saint‐Winnoc probably hoped the cult would bring, this article argues that the development of the abbey's communal identity figured more prominently in its motives. The community saw Lewinna primarily as a means to help bolster its bid for independence from its mother house.
Rethinking the Pseudo‐Eligius sermon collection
Authors: McCune James
Published: October 2008

St Eligius of Noyon (d. 660) has been credited with the authorship of a collection of sixteen sermons since their publication in the sixteenth century. However, this article demonstrates through a detailed analysis of the sources used in these sermons that the collection cannot have been composed before the end of the ninth century. The sermons were written to be preached by a bishop in the vernacular to a mixed audience of clergy and laity. This article also shows how the sermons for Maundy Thursday can shed light on the theory and practice of public penance in the late Carolingian church.
Parental Psychopathology and Migraine Headaches among Adolescent Girls
Authors: Marmorstein NR , Iacono WG , Markey CN
Published: October 2008

Migraine headaches and depression often co-occur within individuals, and both syndromes run in families. However, knowledge about how these disorders relate across generations, as well as how migraine relates to other forms of psychopathology, is sparse. This study examined risk for migraine among female adolescent offspring of parents with different types of psychopathology. The sample was drawn from the Minnesota Twin Family Study, a community-based study of adolescents and their families ( n = 674, 17-year-old female adolescents and their biological parents). Diagnoses of maternal, paternal and offspring major depression, antisocial behaviour, alcohol dependence and drug dependence were based on structured interviews. Migraine headaches in each family member were assessed via interviews with the mother. Parental depression, antisocial behaviour and drug dependence were associated with offspring migraine. These associations mostly remained significant even when parental migraine and the corresponding type of psychopathology in offspring were adjusted for. In contrast, there were no significant associations between parental psychopathology and offspring stomach problems, indicating that these associations did not extend to all offspring somatic symptoms. These results emphasize the need to look at antisocial behaviour and substance-related problems when examining associations between migraine and psychopathology, and indicate that more research on inter-generational links between migraine and psychopathology is needed.
Investor Sentiment and Corporate Disclosure
Authors: BERGMAN NITTAI K. , ROYCHOWDHURY SUGATA
Published: October 2008

This paper investigates how firms react strategically to investor sentiment via their disclosure policies in an attempt to influence the sentiment‐induced biases in expectations. Proxying for sentiment using the Michigan Consumer Confidence Index, we show that during low‐sentiment periods, managers increase forecasts to “walk up” current estimates of future earnings over long horizons. In contrast, during periods of high sentiment, managers reduce their long‐horizon forecasting activity. Further, while there is an association between sentiment and the biases in analysts' estimates of future earnings, management disclosures vary with sentiment even after controlling for analyst pessimism, indicating that managers attempt to communicate with investors at large, and not just analysts. Our study provides evidence that firms' long‐horizon disclosure choices reflect managers' desire to maintain optimistic earnings valuations.
Paroxysmal Hemicrania With Visual Aura in a 17‐Year‐Old Boy
Authors: Seidel Stefan , Wöber Christian
Published: October 2008

We report the case of a 17‐year‐old boy presenting with a history of recurrent episodes of isolated visual aura later followed infrequently by indomethacin‐responsive headache attacks resembling paroxysmal hemicrania.
CRYPTIC DIVERSITY AND PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THEMASTOCARPUS PAPILLATUSSPECIES COMPLEX (RHODOPHYTA, PHYLLOPHORACEAE)1
Authors: Lindstrom Sandra C.
Published: October 2008

Mastocarpus papillatus(C. Agardh) Kütz. is a common intertidal red alga occurring along the west coast of North America from Baja California to Alaska. Sequencing of both the chloroplast‐encodedrbcL gene and the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of ∼200 specimens from California to Alaska revealed thatM. papillatusis actually a complex of at least five species. All five species have high bootstrap support in phylogenetic analyses of both genetic regions, and in the case of the ITS marker, the species also have distinctive patterns of indels. Three of the species are localized in the mid‐ to upper intertidal, whereas two of the species occur in the low intertidal. The species also have different geographic ranges that overlap in the Vancouver Island area of British Columbia. No distinctive, reliable morphological differences were observed among the species. Although a variety of names are available for species in the complex, it is not yet clear which name goes with which species. As part of the survey, I also sequenced other species ofMastocarpusin the northeast Pacific region, and I provide new distribution records forM. jardinii( J. Agardh) J. A. West and for a nonpapillate and probably undescribed species ofMastocarpus.
Factors Associated with Antimicrobial Use in Nursing Homes: A Multilevel Model
Authors: Benoit Stephen R. , Nsa Wato , Richards Chesley L. , Bratzler Dale W. , Shefer Abigail M. , Steele Lynn M. , Jernigan John A.
Published: October 2008

OBJECTIVES: To describe antimicrobial prescribing patterns in nursing homes.

DESIGN: Retrospective, observational study.

SETTING: Total of 73 nursing homes in four U.S. states; study period was from September 1, 2001, through February 28, 2002.

PARTICIPANTS: Four thousand seven hundred eighty nursing home residents.

MEASUREMENTS: Number and type of antimicrobials, indication for their use, and resident and facility factors associated with antimicrobial use in nursing homes.

RESULTS: Of 4,780 residents, 2,017 (42%) received one or more antibiotic courses. Overall, residents received a mean of 4.8 courses/1,000 resident‐days (mean facility range 0.4–23.5). In multivariable analysis, higher probability of nursing home discharge and of being categorized in the rehabilitation, extensive services, special care, or clinically complex Resource Utilization Groups were associated with higher rates of antimicrobial usage. Three drug classes accounted for nearly 60% of antimicrobial courses—fluoroquinolones (38%), first‐generation cephalosporins (11%), and macrolides (10%). The most common conditions for which antimicrobials were prescribed were respiratory tract (33%) and urinary tract (32%) infections.

CONCLUSION: Antibiotic use is variable in nursing homes. Targeting educational and other antimicrobial use interventions to the treatment of certain clinical diagnoses and conditions may be an appropriate strategy for optimizing antimicrobial use in this setting.
Clinical Significance of Positive Isovolumetric Relaxation Velocity of Pulsed‐Wave Tissue Doppler Imaging
Authors: Sürücü Hüseyin , Tatlı Ersan , Değirmenci Ali , Okudan Selnur , Aktoz Meryem , Boz Hakkı
Published: October 2008

Objective: Among the pulsed‐wave tissue Doppler imaging (pw‐TDI) parameters, there are two different pw‐TDI velocities (IVRa and IVRb) after systolic velocity, but before Ea velocity. In our study, we investigated the clinical importance of these two velocities in left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDDF) evaluation. Methods: One hundred and eighty cases without exclusion criteria were included in the study. Cases with a transmitral E to A flow (E/A) ratio below 1 were assigned to group 2. In cases with an E/A ratio between 1 and 2, the pw‐TDI parameters were taken into consideration. Cases with an Ea/Aa ratio above 1 were assigned to group 1 and cases with an Ea/Aa ratio 1 or below than 1 were assigned to group 3. Group 1 (n: 68) represented normal diastolic left ventricular (LV) inflow while group 2 (n = 87) represented impaired relaxation and group 3 (n = 25) represented pseudonormal LV inflow. Results: In our study, we found that IVRa velocity was lower in group 1 compared to group 2 and group 3 (P < 0.001 and P = 0.038, respectively). Similarly, this velocity was significantly different in group 3 and group 2 such as it was higher in group 2 compared to group 3 (P = 0.022). There was no difference in IVRb velocity and IVRa/IVRb ratio among the groups. A negative correlation was found between IVRa velocity and Ea velocity (r = 44%, P < 0.001). Positive correlation was found between IVRa velocity and isovolumetric relaxation time (r = 18%, P = 0.014) and also between IVRa velocity and Aa velocity (r = 19%; P = 0.010). Conclusion: Based on the results of our study, we concluded that IVRa velocity is an important pw‐TDI parameter in the evaluation of LVDDF, especially in differentiating pseudonormal LVDDF type from normal LV inflow.
The Role of Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography to Assess the Origin of a Mass in Right Cardiac Cavities
Authors: Rallidis Loukianos S. , Papadopoulos Costas C. , Kelekis Nikolaos L. , Kremastinos Dimitrios Th.
Published: October 2008

We report the case of a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma who was admitted to our hospital with fatigue and edema of lower extremities. Transthoracic echocardiographic examination revealed a mobile echogenic cavoatrial mass that infiltrated the inferior vena cava and extended along the vessel protruding into the right cardiac cavities. The differential diagnosis included a tumor mass originating from the liver and subsequently infiltrating the inferior vena cava and extending into the right cardiac cavities or a large thrombus formed on the tumor mass that infiltrated the inferior vena cava.
Computer‐simulated bi‐directional alveolar distraction osteogenesis
Authors: Kanno Takahiro , Mitsugi Masaharu , Sukegawa Shintaro , Hosoe Michi , Furuki Yoshihiko
Published: October 2008

Objectives: Computer‐based surgical planning allows surgeons to evaluate bone morphology in three dimensions and to perform accurate virtual surgery preoperatively. This study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of using preoperative surgical simulation to enhance the clinical outcome in patients undergoing bi‐directional alveolar distraction osteogenesis.

Material and methods: Nine patients (mean age, 49 years; range, 20–61 years) with maxillary segmental alveolar defects following post‐traumatic atrophy or disuse atrophy after periodontal tooth loss were enrolled in the study. All patients were scheduled for implant placement. Three‐dimensional (3‐D) morphological evaluation and virtual bi‐directional distraction were performed with SimPlant CMF/OMS surgical simulation software (Materialise). In addition, use of an extraosseous bi‐directional distraction device (V2‐Alveolar Distraction System; Medartis AG) was evaluated during the 3‐D alveolar regeneration simulation and resulting augmentation.

Results: Alveolar height regeneration and labial‐buccal augmentation were planned preoperatively using surgical simulation software. New bone formation with sufficient vertical augmentation of 5.8 mm was observed. As we encountered strong palatal inclination, the angulation required for labial‐buccal augmentation during active distraction was the maximum angulation of 40°, even greater than that required in the preoperative simulation of 23.9°. Furthermore, the labial‐buccal augmented angulation was gradually decreased to 11.2° at the time of implant placement. In all cases, implantation was successful at the well‐augmented sites, with sufficient primary stability after a 3‐month consolidation period.

Conclusions: Preoperative 3‐D simulation is a potentially valuable tool for treatment of the morphologically complicated oral‐maxillofacial region. More realistic surgical simulations are anticipated with ongoing effort to collect and integrate clinical data into next‐generation software.
AML transformation in 56 patients with Ph− MPD in two well defined populations
Authors: Abdulkarim Khadija , Girodon François , Johansson Peter , Maynadié Marc , Kutti Jack , Carli Paule‐Marie , Bovet Emeline , Andréasson Björn
Published: October 2008

The Philadelphia chromosome‐negative (Ph−) chronic myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) have an inherent tendency for transformation into acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML). The long‐term rate of leukaemic transformation in unselected MPD patients was studied in well‐defined MPD populations in Gothenburg, Sweden and the Côte d′Or area, Burgundy, France, respectively. Over a median observation time of 15 yr, 56 subjects (7%) out of a total of 795 patients with Ph− MPD transformed to AML. The yearly incidence of AML transformation was 0.38% in polycythaemia vera (PV), 0.37% in essential thrombocythaemia (ET) and 1.09% in idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF). The incidence of AML development was significantly higher in IMF as compared with both PV and ET (P = 0.002 and P = 0.02, respectively). Six of the patients who developed AML had never been treated with cytoreductive agents and two had only been exposed to interferon. In IMF, the average time from diagnosis to AML transformation was 42 ± 33 months, which was significantly shorter than for both PV and ET (88 ± 56 and 76 ± 57 months; P = 0.0075 and P = 0.027, respectively). The time from diagnosis to AML transformation appears to be a continuous event as regards all three MPD entities. It was shown that 17 out of the 18 patients with PV who developed AML were females; this was true despite the fact that the male/female ratio for the whole PV group was 146/171 (0.85). As regards ET and IMF patients who transformed to AML, the gender ratio showed slight male predominance (1.33 and 1.13, respectively). The average survival time for the 56 MPD patients who developed AML was 4.6 ± 5.5 (range 0–28) months and did not differ with respect to the three subtypes of pre‐AML MPD.
ARAP1 Regulates Endocytosis of EGFR
Authors: Yoon Hye‐Young , Lee Ju‐Seog , Randazzo Paul A.
Published: October 2008

Signaling through the EGF receptor is regulated by endocytosis. ARAP1 is a protein with Arf guanosine triphosphatase‐activating protein (GAP) and Rho GAP domains. We investigated the role of ARAP1 in EGF receptor endocytic trafficking. Following EGF treatment of cells, ARAP1 rapidly and transiently associated with the edge of the cell and punctate structures containing Rab5, rabaptin 5 and EGFR but not early embryonic antigen 1 (EEA1). EGF associated with the ARAP1‐positive punctate structures prior to EEA1‐positive early endosomes. Recruitment of ARAP1 to the punctate structures required active Rab5 and an additional signal from EGFR. Decreasing ARAP1 levels with small interfering RNA accelerated association of EGF with EEA1 endosomes and degradation of EGFR. Phosphorylation of extracellular‐signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and c‐Jun‐amino‐terminal kinase (JNK) was diminished and more transient in cells with reduced levels of ARAP1 than in controls. Based on these findings, we propose that ARAP1 regulates the endocytic traffic of EGFR and, consequently, the rate of EGFR signal attenuation.
The G/G genotype of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF‐β1) single nucleotide (+915G/C) polymorphism coincident with other host and environmental factors is associated with irreversible bronchoconstriction in asthmatics
Authors: Liebhart Jerzy , Polak Malgorzata , Dabrowski Andrzej , Dobek Rafal , Liebhart Ewa , Dor‐Wojnarowska Anna , Barg Wojciech , Kulczak Aleksandra , Medrala Wojciech , Gladysz Urszula , Lange Andrzej
Published: October 2008

Irreversible airflow obstruction may develop in some cases of asthma even in absence of known risk factors such as smoking and environmental insults and despite implementing apparently appropriate therapy. This implies that genetic factors may significantly contribute to determining the severity in the course of the disease. The published reports on genetic predisposition to irreversible bronchoconstriction in asthma, however, are relatively scarce, and disregard its potential association with transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 gene polymorphism despite established role that TGF‐β1 plays in airway remodelling. We tested TGF‐β1 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at position +869 of codon 10 (leucine or proline) and position +915 of codon 25 (arginine or proline) for association with irreversible bronchoconstriction in a case–control study involving 110 patients with asthma and 109 controls. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that genotype G/G at codon 25 was significantly associated with irreversible bronchoconstriction in asthmatics (odds ratio = 4.44; 95% confidence interval: 1.00–19.61; P = 0.05), but only after adjustment for gender, disease duration and smoking index. The influence of SNPs at codon 10 on irreversible airway obstruction was not significant. Our results suggest that presence of SNP (+915G/G) at codon 25 in TGF‐β1 gene may predispose to the development of irreversible bronchoconstriction in asthmatic patients, but only when coincident with the male gender, habitual smoking and relevant duration of the disease.
Unusual amplification pattern by SSP HLA‐B typing led to discovery of a novel HLA‐C allele
Authors: Miao K. R. , Pan Q. Q. , Wu H. X. , Zhou X. Y. , Pan M. , Xue M. , Fan S. , Wang X. Y. , Zhao X. , Tang R. C. , Wang C. Y.
Published: October 2008

We report here the unique sequence of a novel human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐C allele resulted in amplification of a product with a primer pair used in sequence‐specific primer (SSP) HLA‐B typing, which led subsequently to identification of a new allele of Cw*0339 by sequence‐based typing method. This new allele is closely related to Cw*031101 with only two nucleotide changes from T to G at position 97, and T to C at position 105 in the exon 2 region of HLA‐C locus. The first nucleotide substitution causes an amino acid alteration from tyrosine to aspartic acid at amino acid residue 9 (Y to D), while the second one keeps alanine at residue 11 unchanged. Most interestingly, the nucleotide change from T to G at position 97 makes it identical to the 3′ end sequence of one SSP of the commercial HLA‐B SSP typing kit we were using. In this specific case, it resulted in amplification of a product of HLA‐C gene instead of B gene.
Modeling Variability and Trends in Pesticide Concentrations in Streams1
Authors: Vecchia A.V. , Martin J.D. , Gilliom R.J.
Published: October 2008

Abstract:  A parametric regression model was developed for assessing the variability and long‐term trends in pesticide concentrations in streams. The dependent variable is the logarithm of pesticide concentration and the explanatory variables are a seasonal wave, which represents the seasonal variability of concentration in response to seasonal application rates; a streamflow anomaly, which is the deviation of concurrent daily streamflow from average conditions for the previous 30 days; and a trend, which represents long‐term (inter‐annual) changes in concentration. Application of the model to selected herbicides and insecticides in four diverse streams indicated the model is robust with respect to pesticide type, stream location, and the degree of censoring (proportion of nondetections). An automatic model fitting and selection procedure for the seasonal wave and trend components was found to perform well for the datasets analyzed. Artificial censoring scenarios were used in a Monte Carlo simulation analysis to show that the fitted trends were unbiased and the approximate p‐values were accurate for as few as 10 uncensored concentrations during a three‐year period, assuming a sampling frequency of 15 samples per year. Trend estimates for the full model were compared with a model without the streamflow anomaly and a model in which the seasonality was modeled using standard trigonometric functions, rather than seasonal application rates. Exclusion of the streamflow anomaly resulted in substantial increases in the mean‐squared error and decreases in power for detecting trends. Incorrectly modeling the seasonal structure of the concentration data resulted in substantial estimation bias and moderate increases in mean‐squared error and decreases in power.
Enhanced GRK2 Expression and Desensitization of βAR Vasodilatation in Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Izzo Raffaele , Cipolletta Ersilia , Ciccarelli Michele , Campanile Alfonso , Santulli Gaetano , Palumbo Gianluigi , Vasta Antonio , Formisano Salvatore , Trimarco Bruno , Iaccarino Guido
Published: October 2008

Increased levels of G protein coupled receptor kinase GRK2 appear to participate in hypertension presumably through the desensitization of β adrenergic receptors (βARs) that mediate vasodilatation. There are contrasting data on the occurrence of βAR desensitization in the vasculature, we therefore investigated βAR vasodilatation and desensitization in normotensives and in hypertensive humans. In blood lymphocytes, we assessed βAR signaling and GRK2 expression and found βAR signaling alterations and, consistent with desensitization, ncreased GRK2 levels in hypertensives. We studiedin vivovasodilatation to the βAR agonist isoproterenol (ISO) injected in the brachia artery in control conditions and during the concomitant infusion of heparin, a knownin vitrononspecific GRK inhibitor. ISO induced a dose‐dependent vasorelaxation that was attenuated in hypertensives indicating a loss of βAR signaling. Intra‐arterial infusion of heparin nhibited lymphocyte GRK2 activity and prevented desensitization of βAR vasodilatation in normotensives. In hypertensives, heparin restored vasodilatation to ISO, to levels observed in normotensives. Our results suggest that βAR desensitization does indeed occur at the vascular levelsin vivo, and that heparin by acting as a GRK inhibitor prevents this in normotensives and restores impaired βAR vasodilation in hypertensives. We conclude that desensitization participates to impaired βAR vasodilation in hypertension.
Induction of Antitumor Immunity by Semi‐Allogeneic and Fully Allogeneic Electrofusion Products of Tumor Cells and Dendritic Cells
Authors: Siders William M. , Garron Carrie , Shields Jacqueline , Kaplan Johanne M.
Published: October 2008

Immunization with the electrofusion product of tumor cells and dendritic cells (DCs) is a promising approach to cancer immunotherapy. Production of electrofusion vaccines currently requires the acquisition of tumor material and must be tailored to each individual. Alternative vaccine configurations were explored in this study. Results indicated that fusion vaccines with fully syngeneic, semi‐allogeneic or fully allogeneic components, were all effective in inducing specific, long‐lasting antitumor immunity. This previously undescribed activity of a fully allogeneic fusion product introduces the possibility of using defined allogeneic tumor and DC lines to simplify vaccine manufacturing.