bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory Effect of Tributyltin on Expression of Steroidogenic Enzymes in Mouse Testis
Authors: Kim Suel-Kee , Kim Jong-Hoon , Han Jung Ho , Yoon Yong-Dal
Published: April 2008

Tributyltin (TBT) is known to disrupt the development of reproductive organs, thereby reducing fertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity of TBT on the testicular development and steroid hormone production. Immature (3-week-old) male mice were given a single administration of 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg of TBT by oral gavage. Lumen formation in seminiferous tubule was remarkably delayed, and the number of apoptotic germ cells found inside the tubules was increased in the TBT-exposed animals, whereas no apoptotic signal was observed in interstitial Leydig cells. Reduced serum testosterone concentration and down-regulated expressions of the mRNAs for cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), 17α-hydroxylase/C17–20 lyase (P45017α), 3β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), and 17β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) were also observed after TBT exposure. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that exposure to TBT is associated with induced apoptosis of testicular germ cells and inhibition of steroidogenesis by reduction in the expression of steroidogenic enzymes in interstitial Leydig cells. These adverse effects of TBT would cause serious defects in testicular development and function.
What’s So Special about the Developing Immune System?
Authors: Burns-Naas Leigh Ann , Hastings Kenneth L. , Ladics Gregory S. , Makris Susan L. , Parker George A. , Holsapple Michael P.
Published: April 2008

The evolution of the subdiscipline of developmental immunotoxicology (DIT) as it exists today has been shaped by significant regulatory pressures as well as key scientific advances. This review considers the role played by legislation to protect children’s health, and on the emergence of immunotoxcity and developmental immunotoxicity guidelines, as well as providing some context to the need for special attention on DIT by considering the evidence that the developing immune system may have unique susceptibilities when compared to the adult immune system. Understanding the full extent of this potential has been complicated by a paucity of data detailing the development of the immune system during critical life stages as well as by the complexities of comparisons across species. Notably, there are differences between humans and nonhuman species used in toxicity testing that include specific differences relative to the timing of the development of the immune system as well as more general anatomic differences, and these differences must be factored into the interpretation of DIT studies. Likewise, understanding how the timing of the immune development impacts on various immune parameters is critical to the design of DIT studies, parameters most extensively characterized to date in young adult animals. Other factors important to DIT, which are considered in this review, are the recognition that effects other than suppression (e.g., allergy and autoimmunity) are important; the need to improve our understanding of how to assess the potential for DIT in humans; and the role that pathology has played in DIT studies in test animals. The latter point receives special emphasis in this review because pathology evaluations have been a major component of standard nonclinical toxicology studies, and could serve an important role in studies to evaluate DIT. This possibility is very consistent with recommendations to incorporate a DIT evaluation into standard developmental and reproductive toxicology (DART) protocols. The overall objective of this review is to provide a ‘snapshot’ of the current state-of-the-science of DIT. Despite significant progress, DIT is still evolving and it is our hope that this review will advance the science.
Classical two-phase Stefan problem for spheres
Authors: McCue Scott W , Wu Bisheng , Hill James M
Published: April 2008

The classical Stefan problem for freezing (or melting) a sphere is usually treated by assuming that the sphere is initially at the fusion temperature, so that heat flows in one phase only. Even in this idealized case there is no (known) exact solution, and the only way to obtain meaningful results is through numerical or approximate means. In this study, the full two-phase problem is considered, and in particular, attention is given to the large Stefan number limit. By applying the method of matched asymptotic expansions, the temperature in both the phases is shown to depend algebraically on the inverse Stefan number on the first time scale, but at later times the two phases essentially decouple, with the inner core contributing only exponentially small terms to the location of the solid–melt interface. This analysis is complemented by applying a small-time perturbation scheme and by presenting numerical results calculated using an enthalpy method. The limits of zero Stefan number and slow diffusion in the inner core are also noted.
Understanding strategic bidding in multi‐unit auctions: a case study of the Texas electricity spot market
Authors: Hortaçsu Ali , Puller Steven L.
Published: April 2008

We examine the bidding behavior of firms in the Texas electricity spot market, where bidders submit hourly supply schedules to sell power. We characterize an equilibrium model of bidding and use detailed firm‐level data on bids and marginal costs to compare actual bidding behavior to theoretical benchmarks. Firms with large stakes in the market performed close to the theoretical benchmark of static profit maximization. However, smaller firms utilized excessively steep bid schedules significantly deviating from this benchmark. Further analysis suggests that payoff scale has an important effect on firms' willingness and ability to participate in complex, strategic market environments.
Market forces meet behavioral biases: cost misallocation and irrational pricing
Authors: Al‐Najjar Nabil , Baliga Sandeep , Besanko David
Published: April 2008

Psychological and experimental evidence, as well as a wealth of anecdotal examples, suggests that firms may confound fixed, sunk, and variable costs, leading to distorted pricing decisions. This article investigates the extent to which market forces and learning eventually eliminate these distortions. We envision firms that experiment with cost methodologies that are consistent with real‐world accounting practices, including ones that confuse the relevance of variable, fixed, and sunk costs to pricing decisions. Firms follow “naive” adaptive learning to adjust prices and reinforcement learning to modify their costing methodologies. Costing and pricing practices that increase profits are reinforced. In some market structures, but not in others, this process of reinforcement causes pricing practices of all firms to systematically depart from standard equilibrium predictions.
Intra‐operative awareness in children and post‐traumatic stress disorder*
Authors: Lopez U. , Habre W. , Van der Linden M. , Iselin‐Chaves I. A.
Published: April 2008

Adults who experience intra‐operative awareness can develop disturbing long‐lasting after‐effects, such as daytime anxiety, sleep disturbances, nightmares, flashbacks and, in the worst case, a post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is unknown whether intra‐operative awareness has a similar psychological impact in children. We designed the present study in order to evaluate the incidence of psychological symptoms in children who had either confirmed or possible intra‐operative awareness. Attempts were made to locate 11 children who had been identified in a previous study, approximately 1 year following their experience. A PTSD questionnaire was administered to the children and their parents in order to detect any long‐term or short‐term psychological symptoms (the 1‐month postoperative data were evaluated retrospectively). Factors believed to be associated with PTSD, such as intra‐operative perceptions, the children’s temperament and cognitive strategies, and the parents’ coping strategies, were also analysed. Seven children were successfully located and interviewed and no short or long‐term psychological symptoms were identified. None of them offered negative appraisals of the traumatic event and none had displayed dysfunctional behaviour or cognitive strategies. Thus, none of them had developed a PTSD syndrome. In contrast with what has been reported in adults, these children claimed not to have experienced major pain, terror or helplessness during their surgery. Despite the small sample size, the results of the present study suggest that children suffer less psychological sequelae than adults following intra‐operative awareness. This may be due to the fact that the children reported less frightening intra‐operative sensations as compared with the adults, and had less understanding of the anaesthesia procedure, and this may have influenced their appraisal of their awareness and protected them from the full impact of this potentially traumatic experience.
An equine chromosome 3 inversion is associated with the tobiano spotting pattern in German horse breeds
Authors: Haase B. , Jude R. , Brooks S. A. , Leeb T.
Published: April 2008

The tobiano white‐spotting pattern is one of several known depigmentation phenotypes in horses and is desired by many horse breeders and owners. The tobiano spotting phenotype is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Horses that are heterozygous or homozygous for the tobiano allele (To) are phenotypically indistinguishable. A SNP associated with To had previously been identified in intron 13 of the equine KIT gene and was used for an indirect gene test. The test was useful in several horse breeds. However, genotyping this sequence variant in the Lewitzer horse breed revealed that 14% of horses with the tobiano pattern did not show the polymorphism in intron 13 and consequently the test was not useful to identify putative homozygotes for To within this breed. Speculations were raised that an independent mutation might cause the tobiano spotting pattern in this breed. Recently, the putative causative mutation for To was described as a large chromosomal inversion on equine chromosome 3. One of the inversion breakpoints is approximately 70 kb downstream of the KIT gene and probably disrupts a regulatory element of the KIT gene. We obtained genotypes for the intron 13 SNP and the chromosomal inversion for 204 tobiano spotted horses and 24 control animals of several breeds. The genotyping data confirmed that the chromosomal inversion was perfectly associated with the To allele in all investigated horses. Therefore, the new test is suitable to discriminate heterozygous To/+ and homozygous To/To horses in the investigated breeds.
Genetic variation in the pro‐melanin‐concentrating hormone gene affects carcass traits in Bos taurus cattle
Authors: Helgeson S. C. , Schmutz S. M.
Published: April 2008

Mammalian pro‐melanin‐concentrating hormone (PMCH) has previously been shown to affect feed intake in rodent species. The objectives of this study were to sequence the Bos taurus PMCH gene in order to identify any existing genetic variants and to evaluate whether these affected carcass traits. An A‐to‐T SNP was identified at position −134 relative to the ATG start codon (g.‐134A>T). The alleles at this SNP were significantly associated with average fat and grade fat in two crossbred populations of Bos taurus cattle. The g.‐134T allele may introduce a binding site for the transcriptional repressor, adenovirus E4 promoter binding protein, which may contribute to this effect. The g.‐134A allele occurred in 67% of cattle examined and was associated with higher fat levels.
Brain histamine H1receptor occupancy of orally administered antihistamines, bepotastine and diphenhydramine, measured by PET with11C‐doxepin
Authors: Tashiro Manabu , Duan Xudong , Kato Motohisa , Miyake Masayasu , Watanuki Shoichi , Ishikawa Yoichi , Funaki Yoshihito , Iwata Ren , Itoh Masatoshi , Yanai Kazuhiko
Published: April 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• ‘Bepotastine besilate’ is a novel second‐generation antihistamine developed in Japan and its antiallergic effects have already been demonstrated by various studies.

• However, only a few clinical studies regarding its sedative property are available.

• In addition, histamine H1receptor occupancy (H1RO) of this new antihistamine has never been measured by positron emission tomography (PET).

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• This paper provides the first measurement result of cerebral H1RO of bepotastine besilate (approximately 15%) as determined by PET.

• This result is in accordance with the clinical classification of bepotastine as a second‐generation antihistamine.

• In addition, the relationship between subjective sleepiness and cerebral H1RO of this second‐generation antihistamine is demonstrated for the first time using a placebo‐controlled crossover study design.

AIMS

Antihistamines are frequently used for treating various allergic diseases, but often induce sedation. The degree of sedation can be evaluated by measuring histamine H1receptor occupancy (H1RO) in the brain using positron emission tomography (PET). The aim was to measure H1RO of bepotastine, a new second‐generation antihistamine, and to compare it with that of diphenhydramine.

METHODS

Eight healthy male volunteers (mean age ± SD 24.4 ± 3.3 years) were studied after single oral administration of bepotastine (10 mg), diphenhydramine (30 mg) or placebo, by PET imaging with11C‐doxepin in a crossover study design. Binding potential ratio and H1ROs were calculated using placebo data and were compared between bepotastine and diphenhydramine in the anterior and posterior cingulate gyri (ACG and PCG, respectively), superior and inferior frontal cortices (SFC and IFC, respectively), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), insular cortex (IC), lateral and medial temporal cortices (LTC and MTC, respectively), parietal cortex (PC), occipital cortex (OC) and sensorimotor cortex (SMC). Plasma concentration of each antihistamine was measured, and its correlation to H1RO was examined.

RESULTS

H1RO after bepotastine treatment was significantly lower than that after diphenhydramine treatment in all cortical regions (P < 0.001). Mean H1ROs of bepotastine and diphenhydramine were 14.7% and 56.4%, respectively. H1ROs of both bepotastine and diphenhydramine correlated to their respective drug plasma concentration (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Oral bepotastine (10 mg), with its relatively low H1RO and thus minimal sedation, has the potential for use as a mildly or slightly sedative antihistamine in the treatment of various allergic disorders.
Enriched enrolment: definition and effects of enrichment and dose in trials of pregabalin and gabapentin in neuropathic pain. A systematic review
Authors: Straube Sebastian , Derry Sheena , McQuay Henry J. , Moore R. Andrew
Published: April 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Enriched enrolment (the exclusion of non‐responders or specific inclusion of responders) is believed to add both to trial sensitivity and to the measured effect of an intervention.

• Enriched enrolment lacks specific definition, and the extent of any differences between results with non‐enriched recruitment and enriched enrolment is not known.

• Enriched enrolment is thought to have influenced neuropathic pain trials.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• The paper suggests definitions for complete and partial enriched enrolment, and applies those definitions to trials of pregabalin and gabapentin in neuropathic pain.

• The effect of enrichment was small, and especially in pregabalin trials with the best data, no difference was found between partial enrichment and no enrichment.

• The effects of complete enrichment are unknown.

AIMS

Enriched enrolment study designs have been suggested to be useful for proof of concept when only a proportion of the diseased population responds to a treatment intervention. We aim to investigate whether this really is the case in trials of pregabalin and gabapentin in neuropathic pain.

METHODS

We defined ‘complete’, ‘partial’ and ‘non‐enriched’ enrolment, and examined pregabalin and gabapentin trials for the extent of enrichment and for effects of enrichment on efficacy and adverse event outcomes.

RESULTS

There were no studies using complete enriched enrolment; seven trials used partial enriched enrolment and 14 non‐enriched enrolment. In pregabalin trials the maximum extent of enrichment was estimated at about 12%. Partial enriched enrolment did not change estimates of efficacy or harm. Over 150–600 mg maximum daily dose there was strong dose dependence for pregabalin.

CONCLUSIONS

A benefit of partial over non‐enriched enrolment could not be demonstrated because the degree of enrichment was rather small, and possibly because enrichment produced little enhancement of treatment effect. Whether a greater degree of enrichment would result in important differences is unknown. Researchers reporting clinical trials with any enrichment must describe both process and extent of enrichment. As things stand, the effects of enriched enrolment remain unknown for neuropathic pain trials.
Identification and characterization of four PAX8 rare sequence variants (p.T225M, p.L233L, p.G336S and p.A439A) in patients with congenital hypothyroidism and dysgenetic thyroid glands
Authors: Esperante Sebastián A. , Rivolta Carina M. , Miravalle Lucrecia , Herzovich Viviana , Iorcansky Sonia , Baralle Marco , Targovnik Héctor M.
Published: April 2008

Context  Thyroid dysgenesis may be associated with mutations in the paired box transcription factor 8 (PAX8) gene and is characterized by congenital hypothyroidism transmitted in an autosomal dominant mode.

Objectives  The aim of this study was to identify new mutations in the PAX8 gene. Sixty congenital hypothyroidism‐affected individuals with dysgenetic (agenesis, ectopia and hypoplasia) and eutopic thyroid glands were studied.

Methods  The 12 exons of the PAX8 gene along with their exon–intron boundaries were amplified from genomic DNA and a mutational screening was performed by single‐strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) followed by direct sequencing of samples with abnormal migration patterns. The PAX8 mutations were functionally characterized by transient transfection experiments.

Results  Molecular analysis of the PAX8 gene indicated that four affected individuals had four sequence differences: three novel variations [c.699C>T (p.L233L), c.1006G>A (p.G336S) and c.1317A>G (p.A439A)] and one recently reported [c.674C>T (p.T225M)], whereas the 56 remaining patients showed only wild‐type alleles of PAX8. p.T225M, p.L233L and p.G336S variants were not detected in 530 chromosomes from 265 subjects randomly selected from the general population, whereas the p.A439A variant was identified in only one of the 530 chromosomes analysed. Functional analysis of the nonsynonymous substitutions showed that the p.T225M and p.G336S proteins had not lost their ability to bind a specific DNA sequence and to activate the transcription of the thyroglobulin (TG) promoter in synergy with thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF1).

Conclusions  We report the occurrence of two nonsynonymous substitutions, one recently reported (p.T225M) and one novel (p.G336S), and two novel synonymous substitutions (p.L233L and p.A439A) in the PAX8 gene. p.T225M and p.G336S are rare sequence variants or may act by inhibiting an unknown particular function. Our study also confirms the very low prevalence of PAX8 mutations in thyroid dysgenesis.
Reduced postprandial proinsulinaemia and 32–33 split proinsulinaemia after a mixed meal in type 2 diabetic patients following sensitization to insulin with pioglitazone
Authors: Cooper Michael B. , Al Majali Khulood , Bailey Clifford J. , Betteridge D. John
Published: April 2008

Objective  Reduced insulin sensitivity associated with fasting hyperproinsulinaemia is common in type 2 diabetes. Proinsulinaemia is an established independent cardiovascular risk factor. The objective was to investigate fasting and postprandial release of insulin, proinsulin (PI) and 32–33 split proinsulin (SPI) before and after sensitization to insulin with pioglitazone compared to a group treated with glibenclamide.

Design and patients  A randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial. Twenty‐two type 2 diabetic patients were recruited along with 10 normal subjects. After 4 weeks washout, patients received a mixed meal and were assigned to receive pioglitazone or glibenclamide for 20 weeks, after which patients received another identical test meal. The treatment regimes were designed to maintain glycaemic control (HbA1c) at pretreatment levels so that β‐cells received an equivalent glycaemic stimulus for both test meals.

Measurements  Plasma insulin, PI, SPI and glucose concentrations were measured over an 8‐h postprandial period. The output of PI and SPI was measured as the integrated postprandial response (area under the curve, AUC).

Results  Pioglitazone treatment resulted in a significant reduction in fasting levels of PI and SPI compared to those of the controls. Postprandially, pioglitazone treatment had no effect on the insulin AUC response to the meal but significantly reduced the PI and SPI AUCs. Glibenclamide increased fasting insulin and the postprandial insulin AUC but had no effect on the PI and SPI AUCs.

Conclusions  Sensitization to insulin with pioglitazone reduces the amount of insulin precursor species present in fasting and postprandially and may reduce cardiovascular risk.
Insulin resistance and body composition in preterm born children during prepubertal ages
Authors: Darendeliler Feyza , Bas Firdevs , Bundak Ruveyde , Coban Asuman , Sancakli Ozlem , Eryilmaz Sema Kabatas , Kucukemre Banu , Disci Rian , Gokcay Gulbin , Aki Semih , Ince Zeynep , Eskiyurt Nurten
Published: April 2008

Background  Premature born children may show insulin resistance in childhood which may be due to intrauterine or postnatal adverse environmental factors.

Objective  Aim of this study was to evaluate insulin resistance and body composition in preterm born children born appropriate for gestational age (AGA) or small for gestational age (SGA) and relations with IGF‐I, IGFBP‐3 axis.

Methods  Ninety‐three preterm born children grouped as premature SGA (n = 30) and premature AGA (n = 63) were evaluated at age 4·6 ± 0·2 years and 4·7 ± 0·1 years with respect to their glucose, insulin, IGF‐I, IGFBP‐3, IGFBP‐1, leptin levels and body composition by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Their data were compared to that of body mass index (BMI) matched term SGA (n = 42) and term AGA (n = 44) children of age 4·5 ± 0·2 and 3·8 ± 0·1 years. All children had height appropriate for their target height. Insulin resistance was evaluated by basal insulin and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR).

Results  Basal insulin level was similar in preterm AGA (4·3 ± 1·4 pmol/l) and term AGA (7·9 ± 6·4 pmol/l) children at similar and normal BMI levels. Preterm SGA children had insulin levels (5·0 ± 3·6 pmol/l) similar to preterm AGA children but significantly lower than that in term SGA children (23·7 ± 20·8 pmol/l) (P = 0·001). Similar results were obtained for HOMA‐IR. Term SGA children had also significantly lower IGFBP‐1 levels. Body composition, leptin and IGFBP‐3 did not differ between the respective groups. IGF‐I was lower in preterm AGA (5·0 ± 0·6 nmol/l) than in term AGA (8·3 ± 1·2 nmol/l) (P < 0·001) children.

Conclusions  Premature born AGA and SGA children do not have insulin resistance when compared to term children if they have made a catch‐up growth appropriate for their target height and have normal BMI. The similar insulin levels in preterm SGA and preterm AGA children together with increased insulin levels in term SGA children points to the fact that it is the intrauterine restriction in the third trimester that has an adverse effect on future adverse metabolic outcome.
Non‐insulinoma persistent hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia caused by an activating glucokinase mutation: hypoglycaemia unawareness and attacks
Authors: Christesen H. B. T. , Brusgaard K. , Beck Nielsen H. , Brock Jacobsen B.
Published: April 2008

Objective  Adult‐onset non‐insulinoma persistent hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia (NI‐PHH) and the variant NI‐pancreatogenous hypoglycaemia syndrome (NIPHS) are genetically unexplained diseases, without reports of hypoglycaemia unawareness or familial inheritance.

Design and patients  In a prospective 8‐year follow‐up, a boy (i) with NI‐PHH since age 14 years, his mother (ii), the mother's brother (iii) and his daughter (iv) were studied.

Results  Patient (i) was characterized by especially postprandial hypoglycaemia down to 1·6 mmol/l and pronounced variability in diazoxide need with obesity; (ii) had asymptomatic blood glucose down to 2·9 mmol/l, but a severe hypoglycaemic postprandial attack after a slimming diet; (iii) had moderate hypoglycaemic symptoms since childhood and need of frequent eating; and (iv) was asymptomatic until a hypoglycaemic accident in the age of 24. After a slimming diet, symptomatic fasting, but especially postprandial hypoglycaemia occurred (blood glucose 1·9 mmol/l after 19 h fasting; 1·6 mmol/l 3·5 h after OGTT). By CT‐scan/endoscopic ultrasound in three of the individuals, insulinoma could not be detected. In all four individuals, an activating glucokinase (GCK) mutation A456V was found. No mutations were found in the ABCC8 or KCNJ11 genes. The patients responded to treatment with diazoxide or octreotide long acting release.

Conclusion  This is the first report to highlight a genetic cause to adult‐onset NI‐PHH/NIPHS. The activating GCK mutation was dominantly inherited, but only after year‐long follow‐up and investigations, other family members were diagnosed symptomatic. Hypoglycaemia unawareness seems to be a prominent feature, but hypoglycaemic attacks occur after slimming, especially postprandially. PHH‐GCK was medical responsive.
Geographical variation of genetic and phenotypic traits in the Mexican sailfin mollies, Poecilia velifera and P. petenensis
Authors: HANKISON S. J. , PTACEK M. B.
Published: April 2008

Comparing the patterns of population divergence using both neutral genetic and phenotypic traits provides an opportunity to examine the relative importance of evolutionary mechanisms in shaping population differences. We used microsatellite markers to examine population genetic structure in the Mexican sailfin mollies Poecilia velifera and P. petenensis. We compared patterns of genetic structure and divergence to that in two types of phenotypic traits: morphological characters and mating behaviours. Populations within each species were genetically distinct, and conformed to a model of isolation by distance, with populations within different geographical regions being more genetically similar to one another than were populations from different regions. Bayesian clustering and barrier analyses provided additional support for population separation, especially between geographical regions. In contrast, none of the phenotypic traits showed any type of geographical pattern, and population divergence in these traits was uncorrelated with that found in neutral markers. There was also a weaker pattern of regional differences among geographical regions compared to neutral genetic divergence. These results suggest that while divergence in neutral traits is likely a product of population history and genetic drift, phenotypic divergence is governed by different mechanisms, such as natural and sexual selection, and arises at spatial scales independent from those of neutral markers.
Pathogenesis of canine interdigital palmar and plantar comedones and follicular cysts, and their response to laser surgery
Authors: Duclos David D. , Hargis Ann M. , Hanley Patrick W.
Published: April 2008

This study documents the presence of comedones and follicular cysts of palmar and plantar interdigital skin as an underlying cause of recurrent dermatitis, and describes the use of a carbon dioxide laser to surgically remove lesions. The 28 dogs included in the study had: (i) recurrent lameness, pain, and nodules, or draining sinuses in the dorsal interdigital skin, (ii) failed to respond to antibiotic therapy, and (iii) were negative for Demodex mites and dermatophytes. All 28 had laser surgery; nine dogs had two surgical procedures and two dogs had three surgical procedures for lesion recurrence. Fifteen dogs had skin samples collected for histopathology. Clinical features in ventral interdigital skin included alopecia, callus‐like thickening, and comedones. Histological features included hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, comedones and follicular cysts, furunculosis, draining sinuses, and scarring. Surface trauma to the ventral interdigital skin appeared to contribute to lesion development. Laser surgery allowed removal of multiple layers of cysts and adjacent hair follicles and the tracking and removal of sinuses. One dog was euthanized for orthopaedic lameness 1 month after laser surgery, but post‐surgical follow‐up (1.0–8.0 years – mean 3 years) from the remaining 27 dogs revealed that laser therapy of affected skin and adjacent hair follicles resulted in resolution of interdigital lesions in 25. Two dogs continued to develop interdigital cysts.
Use of a formulation containing imidacloprid and moxidectin in the treatment of lice infestation in guinea pigs
Authors: Kim Sang‐Hun , Jun Hyung‐Kyou , Yoo Myung‐Jo , Kim Duck‐Hwan
Published: April 2008

Guinea pigs are susceptible to lice infestations. Ten guinea pigs infested with Gliricola porcelli were free of adult lice and eggs, and of adverse reactions, 30 days after treatment, with a single application of 0.05 mL of a solution containing 10% (w/v) imidacloprid and 1% (w/v) moxidectin indicating that this procedure is an effective treatment for lice infestations in guinea pigs.
Determination of CADESI‐03 thresholds for increasing severity levels of canine atopic dermatitis
Authors: Olivry Thierry , Mueller Ralf , Nuttall Tim , Favrot Claude , Prélaud Pascal ,   for the International Task Force on Canine Atopic Dermatitis
Published: April 2008

To evaluate the extent and severity of skin lesions in clinical trials enrolling dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD), the International Task Force on Canine Atopic Dermatitis recently recommended the use of the third version of the CADESI. This version of the CADESI was found to exhibit acceptable content, construct, criterion, inter‐ and intraobserver reliability and sensitivity to change. The current study was aimed at determining optimal CADESI‐03 cut‐off points to separate AD severity categories for future clinical trials. One hundred and eight dogs with AD were selected based on current diagnosis standards. At one or more visits, clinicians subjectively rated the severity of AD as ‘in remission’, ‘mild’, ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’, and a CADESI‐03 score was then determined. In all, 158 CADESI‐03 values were recorded and divided among the four disease severity categories. Receiver‐operating characteristics (ROC) curves were generated at increasing cut‐off values to determine the benchmark that would offer optimal sensitivity and specificity between adjacent categories. Cut‐offs of 16, 60 and 120 are proposed at the interface of remission, mild, moderate and severe categories, respectively. Proposed intervals therefore are: remission: 0–15; mild AD: 16–59; moderate AD: 60–119; and severe AD: ≥ 120. This Task Force recommends that, whenever applicable and relevant, subgroup analyses of outcome measures, based on disease severity as determined with these cut‐off CADESI‐03 values, be preplanned for clinical trials enrolling dogs with AD. Such subgroup analyses could help determine whether specific interventions might be more effective in a particular subset of atopic dogs.
Efficacy of an essential fatty acid‐enriched diet in managing canine atopic dermatitis: a randomized, single‐blinded, cross‐over study
Authors: Bensignor Emmanuel , Morgan David M. , Nuttall Tim
Published: April 2008

Evidence suggests that high‐quality diets enriched with essential fatty acids (EFA) and other nutrients can ameliorate canine atopic dermatitis (AD). This study compared such a diet (Eukanuba Veterinary Diets Dermatosis FP) with a home‐cooked equivalent (fish and potato) in a randomised, single‐blinded, cross‐over trial. Twenty dogs with perennial AD were randomly assigned to receive either the test (group A) or the control diet (group B) for 1 month, followed by the contrasting diet for a further month. Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI version 2) and pruritus (visual analogue scale) scores were recorded at days 0, 30 and 60. Eight dogs in each group completed the study. CADESI scores significantly declined when dogs were fed the test diet (group AP < 0.01; group BP < 0.001), and increased (group AP < 0.05) or remained steady (group B) on the control diet. CADESI scores decreased in 15 of 16 dogs fed the test diet, but this was less than 50% in all cases. Pruritus scores also declined when dogs were fed the test diet compared to the control diet, but this was only significant for group A (P = 0.027). Pruritus was reduced in 11 of 16 dogs fed the test diet, but this was 50% or more in only two dogs. This trial provides evidence for the efficacy of Eukanuba Veterinary Diets Dermatosis FP in canine AD, although it is likely that most cases will require adjunct therapy. The mechanism is unclear, but may involve increased and balanced EFA levels.
The effect of cactus spines on light interception and Photosystem II for three sympatric species ofOpuntiafrom the Mojave Desert
Authors: Loik Michael E.
Published: April 2008

Cactus spines reduce herbivory, direct water toward roots and reduce the impacts of high‐ and low‐temperature extremes. Yet, shading of stems by spines reduces incident photosynthetic photon flux density (PFD), photosynthesis and growth. This study compared spinescence, PFD interception, stem temperature, Photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry and xanthophyll pigment composition for three species of cacti from the Mojave Desert, CA. The species vary in spinescence:Opuntia basilaris, which has no central or radial spines;Opuntia erinacea, which is densely covered with spines; andOpuntia phaeacantha, which has an intermediate coverage of spines. The role of spines was tested by removing spines from stems ofO. erinacea. PFD interception was similar for bothO. basilarisandO. phaeacantha, and about three times that for densely spinedO. erinacea; removal of spines increased incident PFD three‐fold. There were no effects of spines on stem temperatures. Steady‐state light‐response curves of chlorophyllafluorescence from PSII indicated that ΦPSII, photochemical quenching (qP) and electron flux within PSII were lower, and non‐photochemical quenching was higher, forO. erinaceain comparison to the other two species with less spines. After 2 months, qP was higher and electron flux lower, and xanthophyll pigment pool size was higher, for stems from which spines had been removed compared with intact stems. These three species allocate different amounts of biomass to spines, resulting in species‐specific PFD interception, PSII photochemistry and xanthophyll pigment pool size, which may help maintain rates of photosynthesis during the hot, dry Mojave Desert summer.
Comparative genomic and physiological analysis of nutrient response to , : and in barley seedlings
Authors: Lopes Marta S. , Araus José L.
Published: April 2008

Long‐term differences in photosynthesis, respiration and growth of plants receiving distinct nitrogen (N) sources imply that N metabolism generates signals that regulate metabolism and development. The molecular basis of these signals remains unclear. Here we studied the gene expression profiles of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Graphic) seedlings fertilized either with ammonium (), with ammonium and nitrate (:), or with nitrate () only. Our transcriptome analysis after 48 h of growth in these N sources showed major changes in the expression of genes involved in N metabolism (nitrate reductase), signalling (protein kinases and protein phosphatases), photosynthesis (chlorophyll a/b‐binding protein and a PsbQ domain), where increases in as compared with were observed. Moreover, assimilation induced genes participating in C and sugars metabolism (phosphoglycerate kinase, glucosyltranferase and galactokinase), respiration (cytochrome c oxidase), protein fate (heat shock proteins) and development (MTN3‐like protein). These changes in gene expression could well explain the long‐term growth depression observed in plants. Even if a few genes participating in protein fate (proteases) and development (OsNAC5) were upregulated in as compared with :, the general pattern of expression was quite similar between these two N sources. Taken together, these results indicated that other downstream mechanisms should be involved in the synergetic long‐term response of :.
The HD‐Zip IV gene GaHOX1 from cotton is a functional homologue of the Arabidopsis GLABRA2
Authors: Guan Xue‐Ying , Li Qian‐Jin , Shan Chun‐Min , Wang Shui , Mao Ying‐Bo , Wang Ling‐Jian , Chen Xiao‐Ya
Published: April 2008

Most of the plant homeodomain‐containing proteins play important roles in organ patterning and development, and Arabidopsis GLABRA2 (GL2), a member of the class IV homeodomain‐leucine zipper (HD‐ZIP) proteins, is a trichome and non‐root hair cell regulator. Here we report the analysis of two cotton homeodomain‐containing proteins, GaHOX1 and GaHOX2, isolated from the diploid cotton Gossypium arboreum. Both GaHOX1 and GaHOX2 belong to the class IV HD‐ZIP family. When expressed under the control of the GL2 promoter, GaHOX1 rescued trichome development of an Arabidopsis glabrous mutant of gl2‐2 (SALK_130213), whereas GaHOX2 did not. On the other hand, expression of GaHOX1 with a Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter in the wild‐type Arabidopsis plants suppressed the trichome development just as the GL2 ectopic expression. Expression analysis by Northern, RT‐PCR and in situ hybridization indicated that GaHOX1 is predominantly expressed in cotton fiber cells at early developmental stages, consistent with its putative role in regulating cotton fiber development, while GaHOX2 is expressed in both fiber and other ovular tissues, including outer and inner integuments. Our results suggest that GaHOX1 is a functional homolog of GL2 in plant trichome development.
Malignant non‐teratoid medulloepithelioma of ciliary body with retinoblastic differentiation: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Al‐Salam Suhail , Algawi Kais , Alashari Moueid
Published: April 2008

We present a 6‐year‐old child with intraocular and extraocular mass and high intraocular pressure. The tumor mass involved a disorganized anterior segment and extended through the medial cornea and sclera. A preliminary diagnosis of retinoblastoma with extraocular extension was made. An exenteration of the left globe and orbital tissue was performed. Histological examination showed that the lesion, which occupied the posterior chamber, involved the ciliary body, extending into the iris, sclera and cornea, projecting beyond the cornea anteriorly and extending to the retina posteriorly. The tumor cells were diffusely immunoreactive to vimentin, neuron specific enolase and CD 138. The medulloepithelioma cells were focally positive to cytokeratin (AE1/AE3), cytokeratin 18, CD56,CD57, S100, HMB‐45 and bcl2 while areas of retinoblastic differentiation showed diffuse immunoreactivity to synaptophysin, neurofilament and CD138 with focal immunoreactivity to calretinin. All tumor cells showed no immunoreactivity to cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 20, epithelial membrane antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen, desmin, GFAP, and chromogranin. Nuclear staining for P53 was seen in 80% of tumor cells. The ki‐67 index was 90%. The tumor was described as malignant intraocular non‐teratoid medulloepithelioma with retinoblastic differentiation arising from the ciliary body. Tumor satellites were seen in the adjacent periocular soft tissue. The treatment involved exenteration of the left globe and orbital tissue with secondary skin graft following chemotherapy. The patient is well and has no recurrence after 1 year of treatment. We report that medulloepithelioma can present as a case of infantile glaucoma, can show signs of intraocular calcifications and can show retinoblastic differentiation.
Poor interpretation of pulmonary function tests in patients with concomitant decreases in FEV1 and FVC
Authors: HONG Yoonki , RA Seung W. , SHIM Tae S. , LIM Chae‐Man , KOH Younsuck , LEE Sang D. , KIM Woo S. , KIM Dong‐Soon , KIM Won D. , OH Yeon‐Mok
Published: April 2008

Background and objective:  A new interpretative strategy for pulmonary function tests (PFT) has been proposed by the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) Task Force. To assess the accuracy of this strategy, clinical diagnosis was compared with the PFT interpretation in patients showing concomitant decreases in FEV1 and FVC.

Methods:  A retrospective study was conducted of 681 patients with normal FEV1/FVC and low FVC who underwent lung volume measurements and spirometry on the same date between July and November 2005 at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. Patients were clinically diagnosed by the consensus decision of two respiratory physicians, and the kappa coefficient was calculated to compare the clinical diagnosis with the PFT interpretation using the ATS/ERS strategy.

Results:  The PFT interpretation showed an obstructive pattern in 205 patients and a restrictive pattern in 476. Of the 205 patients with an obstructive pattern on PFT, 44 were clinically diagnosed with obstructive, 97 with restrictive and 17 with mixed disease, whereas 47 patients had no disease. Of the 476 patients with a restrictive pattern on PFT, 11 were clinically diagnosed with obstructive, 369 with restrictive and 60 with mixed disease, whereas 36 patients had no disease. The kappa coefficient was 0.35 (95% confidence interval: 0.26–0.44; P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:  The weak agreement between the clinical diagnosis and the PFT interpretation in patients showing concomitant decreases in FEV1 and FVC suggests that other clinical findings should be assessed in addition to PFT.
Lung cancer in patients with chronic pyothorax
Authors: TAMURA Atsuhisa , HEBISAWA Akira , IUCHI Keiji , MAEDA Hajime , FUKAI Shimao , KOMATSU Hikotaro , KAWAHARA Masaaki
Published: April 2008

Background and objective:  The aim of this study was to describe the features of lung cancers associated with chronic tuberculous pyothorax.

Methods:  Clinicopathological data from patients with coexisting lung cancer and chronic latent pyothorax caused by tuberculosis (TB) were analysed, and cancer tissue samples were investigated for the presence of Epstein–Barr virus.

Results:  Twelve patients were identified, and all had a history of tuberculous pleuritis or surgical intervention for TB. The interval between the onset of TB and lung cancer was more than 30 years in nine patients and the most frequent symptom was chest pain (six patients). All cancers were in the ipsilateral lung to the pyothorax, and in nine of the 12 patients the cancers were located adjacent to the pyothorax. In situ hybridization analysis for Epstein–Barr virus‐encoded small RNA failed to show positive signals in any of the six cancer tissues examined.

Conclusions:  Lung cancer associated with chronic pyothorax always developed in the ipsilateral lung to the pyothorax, and there was no evidence for the presence of Epstein–Barr virus in the cancer tissues examined.
Resources at the landscape scale influence possum abundance
Authors: HARPER MICHAEL J. , McCARTHY MICHAEL A. , VAN DER REE RODNEY
Published: April 2008

Abstract  There is increasing realization that human perceptions of a ‘patchy’ environment do not necessarily relate to that of a particular organism and ecological characteristics of land adjacent to patches of natural vegetation (‘remnants’) may influence the ecological processes within. We investigated how the distribution and abundance of resources within and surrounding 39 small remnants located within the city of Melbourne, Australia, influenced the abundance of common brushtail possums Trichosurus vulpecula (Phalangeridae) and common ringtail possums Pseudocheirus peregrinus (Pseudocheiridae), two primarily folivorous marsupials. Bayesian modelling techniques were used to relate the abundance of both possum species to estimates of den and food availability both within the remnant and within a 100‐m buffer strip extending out into adjacent residential development. We found that both brushtail and ringtail possum abundance within remnants increased with the density of potential den sites within the remnant and food availability within the surrounding landscape. Ringtail possum density within the remnant further increased with den availability within the surrounding landscape. Our results lend support to the hypothesis that, in highly modified landscapes, processes originating outside a remnant vegetation patch may influence the abundance of species within.
Raw data graphing: an informative but under‐utilized tool for the analysis of multivariate abundances
Authors: WARTON DAVID I.
Published: April 2008

Abstract In exploring the relationship between multivariate abundance data and environmental variables, a rarely used approach is to graph raw data separately for each different taxon. It is proposed that such raw data graphs become part of the standard toolset for graphing and analysing multivariate abundances. The key advantage of this approach is that axis scales have quantitative interpretations, enabling quantitative interpretation of patterns in abundance. In contrast, ordinations only present qualitative information. Ordinations are useful for inferring overall, qualitative patterns and raw data graphing is a complementary tool of greater use for answering more specific questions, aimed at a deeper understanding the ecology of a community. It is demonstrated using some well‐known examples that our understanding of the nature of associations can be considerably improved by using raw data graphs, even when only plotting a subset of variables. One example describes how an often‐cited dataset has been misinterpreted in key methodological papers, because data were interpreted from ordinations alone, with no consideration of plots of the raw data.
Effects of diversity loss on ecosystem function across trophic levels and ecosystems: A test in a detritus‐based tropical food web
Authors: BASTIAN MIKIS , PEARSON RICHARD G. , BOYERO LUZ
Published: April 2008

Abstract  We investigated the effects of biodiversity loss across trophic levels and across ecosystems (terrestrial to aquatic) on ecosystem function, in a detritus‐based tropical food web. Diversities of consumers (stream shredders) and resources (leaf litter) were experimentally manipulated by varying the number of species from 3 to 1, using different species combinations, and the effects on leaf breakdown rates were examined. In single‐species shredder treatments, leaf diversity loss affected breakdown rates, but the effect depended on the identity of the leaves remaining in the system: they increased when the most preferred leaf species remained, but decreased when this species was lost (leaf preferences were the same for all shredders). In multi‐species shredder assemblages, breakdown rates were lower than expected from single‐species treatments, suggesting an important role of interspecific competition. This pattern was also evident when oneleaf species was available but not with higher leaf diversity, suggesting that lowered leaf diversity promotes competitive interactions among shredders. The influence of diversity and identity of species across trophic levels and ecosystems on stream functioning points to complex interactions that may well be reflected in other types of ecosystem.