bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Floral MADS box genes and homeotic gender dimorphism in Thalictrum dioicum (Ranunculaceae) – a new model for the study of dioecy
Authors: Di Stilio Verónica S. , Kramer Elena M. , Baum David A.
Published: February 2005

In most dioecious angiosperm species, flowers are initially perfect but abort either stamens or carpels during their development, indicating that sex determination occurs after floral organ identity has been established. Dioecious members of the genus Thalictrum (meadow‐rue), however, produce flowers that lack aborted organs. Examination of early flower development of T. dioicum confirms that flowers are male or female from inception, raising the possibility that genetic mechanisms working at or above the level of organ identity promote sex determination through a homeotic‐like mechanism. In order to investigate this possibility, we identified homologs of the organ identity genes PISTILLATA (PI), APETALA3 (AP3) and AGAMOUS (AG) from T. dioicum and the hermaphroditic species T. thalictroides. A combination of early and late duplication events was uncovered in these gene lineages and expression analyses indicate that these events are generally associated with divergence in gene regulation. In light of these findings, we discuss the potential of T. dioicum as a new model for the study of sex determination in the basal eudicots.
Optimization of RT–PCR for the Detection of Bean leaf roll virus in Plant Hosts and Insect Vectors
Authors: Ortiz V. , Castro S. , Romero J.
Published: February 2005

The detection of luteoviruses by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) depends on the adequate quality and quantity of extracted viral nucleic acids. We have optimized the detection of Bean leaf roll virus (BLRV) using selective precipitation by LiCl of viral RNA from a small quantity of infected plant tissues and insect vectors. The optimal template for PCR was 15 μl of RT reaction mixture. BLRV was detected in different plant hosts and aphid vectors and Aphis fabae, previously considered to be a non‐vector of BLRV, was found to acquire the virus from infected plants.
Analysis of the Italian Dutch Elm Disease Fungal Population
Authors: Santini A. , Montaghi A. , Vendramin G. G. , Capretti P.
Published: February 2005

Sixty‐two Ophiostoma ulmi sensu lato strains have been collected from symptomatic trees in seven areas of Central Italy. Isolates were compared with 10 reference strains, belonging to the species O. ulmi and to the two subspecies of O. novo‐ulmi, in order to establish the genetic variability within the Italian population of this fungal pathogen. The structure of the population has been analysed by means of morpho‐physiological features and of the direct amplification of minisatellite‐region DNA polymerase chain reaction (DAMD‐PCR) by using the M13 core sequence. The DNA profiles have been compared with taxonomic parameters (growth rate, culture aspect and fertility barriers). Taxa could thus be well separated. None of the isolates collected was recognized as O. ulmi. Isolates assigned to the two subspecies of O. novo‐ulmi (novo ulmi and americana) by means of the fertility test, showed short genetic distances with the respective reference strains and they constituted subgroups according to their geographical origin. The high level of variation detected indicates a postepidemic situation in Italy. Some inconsistency was found within the subspecies clusters. Several isolates, assigned to subspecies americana using fertility test, were in the novo‐ulmi cluster and vice versa. A possible explanation is that these isolates are americana–novo‐ulmi hybrids.
Survival and Possible Spread of Erwinia amylovora and Related Plant‐Pathogenic Bacteria Exposed to Environmental Stress Conditions
Authors: Jock S. , Langlotz C. , Geider K.
Published: February 2005

The fire blight pathogen Erwinia amylovora was assayed for survival under unfavourable conditions such as on nitrocellulose filters, in non‐host plants as well as in inoculated mature apples and in infested apple stem sections. In a sterile dry environment, an E. amylovora EPS (exopolysaccharide) mutant, and to a lesser extent its parental wild‐type strain decreased within 3 weeks to a low titre. However, under moist conditions the decrease of viable cells occurred only partially for both strains. Very low cell titres were recovered after application of E. amylovora onto the surface of tobacco leaves, whereas infiltration into the leaves produced lesions (hypersensitive response, HR), in which the bacteria survived in significant amounts. A similar effect was found for the necrotic zones of HR in tobacco leaves caused by E. pyrifoliae, by Pseudomonas syringae pathovars and HR‐deficient E. amylovora mutants or mutants deficient in EPS synthesis and disease‐specific genes. During 7 years of storage, the viability of E. amylovora in wood sections from fire blight‐infested apple trees declined to a low titre. In tissue of mature apples, E. amylovora cells slowly dispersed and could still be recovered after several weeks of storage at room temperature. A minimal risk of accidental dissemination of E. amylovora apart from infested host plants can experimentally not be excluded, but other data confirm a very low incidence of any long distance distribution.
Macromolecules Released by a Plant Growth‐promoting Rhizobacterium as Elicitors of Systemic Resistance in Tomato to Bacterial and Fungal Pathogens
Authors: Romeiro R. S. , Filho Lanna , Vieira J. R. , Silva H. S. A. , Baracat‐Pereira M. C. , Carvalho M. G.
Published: February 2005

One of 500 rhizobacteria isolated from soil, rhizosphere and rhizoplane of healthy tomato plants was previously selected in laboratory, greenhouse and field tests as a good inducer of systemic resistance. This plant growth‐promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) was identified as Bacillus cereus by fatty‐acid analysis. Bacillus cereus bacterial cells were removed from liquid culture by centrifugation and the supernatant repeatedly dialyzed (cut‐off = 12 000 daltons) against distilled water. Dialysates applied to roots protected tomato plants against leaf fungal and bacterial pathogens, evidence that macromolecules synthesized by the PGPR and released into the environment act as elicitors of systemic resistance.
Why do residents accept a demanding rule?: Fairness and social benefit as determinants of approval of a recycling system1,2
Authors: OHNUMA SUSUMU , HIROSE YUKIO , KARASAWA KAORI , YORIFUJI KAYO , SUGIURA JUNKICHI
Published: February 2005

Abstract: This study examined why people accepted a demanding rule in a recycling system that was newly introduced in Nagoya City. We focused on two social psychological topics: social dilemmas and fairness. While the new system succeeded in reducing waste, it imposed a burden on citizens without providing incentives and sanctions. In a research survey, 1442 responses from a sample of 3000 (48% response rate) were obtained using a stratified sampling method. The results showed that the new recycling system was approved despite the demands placed on citizens, with a preference for more strict rules such as penalties and surveillance for noncompliance. The main determinants of approval of the new recycling system were social benefit and procedural fairness, whereas the main determinant of preference for strict rules was outcome fairness. We argue that (a) social benefit should be emphasized to facilitate cooperative behavior in a social dilemma situation and (b) the government should ensure sufficient discussion with citizens and acknowledgment of their opinions.
Eliciting false memories on implicit and explicit memory tests after incidental learning
Authors: TAJIKA HIDETSUGU , NEUMANN EWALD , HAMAJIMA HIDEKI , IWAHARA AKIHIKO
Published: February 2005

Abstract:  In a false memory experiment, lists of semantic associates (e.g., newspaper, letter, book, etc.) were presented to three groups of participants to induce false memories for critical nonpresented (CN) words (e.g., read) in an incidental learning task. The control group simply estimated the frequency rate in everyday Japanese discourse of each word on a list. The imagery instruction group received an additional instruction to imagine a thematically related converging word from the target words on a list. Participants in the imagery plus writing group received the same instructions as those in the imagery instruction group, but were also required to write down the word they imagined for each list. The results from the implicit and explicit memory tests given after the incidental learning episode showed that the level of priming for CN words was equivalent to that for actually presented target words for all three groups on the implicit test, whereas explicit memory results showed that participants explicitly recognized more target words than CN words. The implications for implicit associative response and fuzzy‐trace theories of false memory, as well as implicit priming, are discussed.
Characterization and Properties of Cholesterol Desaturases from the Ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila
Authors: Nusblat Alejandro D. , Muñoz Luciana , Valcarce German A. , Nudel Clara B.
Published: February 2005

Abstract. Live Tetrahymena thermophila transforms exogenous cholesterol into 7,22‐bis, dehydrocholesterol (DHC) by desaturation at positions C7(8) and C22(23) of the cholesterol moiety. In this first report on expression, isolation, characterization, and reconstitution of Tetrahymena's cholesterol desaturases in cell‐free extracts, we describe conditions for increasing the expression of both desaturases based on the addition of specific sterols to the culture medium. Reactions performed in vitro, with isolated microsomes, yield only the mono‐unsaturated derivatives, 7‐DHC and/or 22‐DHC. However, selectivity towards one product can be improved with the addition of specific compounds: β‐mercaptoethanol inhibited C22(23) desaturase activity completely, while ethanol selectively increased this activity. Detergent‐solubilized microsomes showed no desaturase activity, but partial restoration could be achieved with addition of dilauroyl‐phosphatidylcholine liposomes (25%). Both cholesterol desaturases require molecular oxygen and cytochrome b5. NADH or NADPH can serve as reduced cofactors, albeit with different efficiency, delivered by reductases present in the microsomal fraction. Azide and cyanide, but not azole compounds, inhibited these desaturases, suggesting a key role for cytochrome b5 in these reactions.
Development and Molecular Characterisation of the Microsporidian Schroedera airthreyi n. sp. in a Freshwater Bryozoan Plumatella sp. (Bryozoa: Phylactolaemata)
Authors: Morris David J. , Terry Rebecca S. , Adams Alexandra
Published: February 2005

Abstract. The development of a new species of microsporidian, infecting a freshwater Plumatellid bryozoan, is described. The small‐subunit rDNA, internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), and partial large‐subunit rDNA genes were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the parasite clustered with Schroedera plumatellae. However, while there were morphological affinities with this species, significant differences were also observed. The infection initially appeared as a roughening of the peritoneum lining the metacoelom of the bryozoan. This roughening resolved into meront‐infected syncytia, composed of interconnected cells of the body wall that detached to float in the coleomic cavity. Spores were observed to develop within these syncytia. All stages of development were diplokaryotic in contrast to S. plumatellae, which has a distinct monokaryotic merogony preceding sporogony. The infection was pathogenic to the host. Direct bryozoan–bryozoan transmission was not observed. We propose to name the microsporidian Schroedera aithreyi n. sp.
The Giant Zooxanthellae‐Bearing Ciliate Maristentor dinoferus (Heterotrichea) is Closely Related to Folliculinidae
Authors: Miao Wei , Simpson Alastair G. B. , Fu Chengjie , Lobban Christopher S.
Published: February 2005

Abstract. The small subunit rDNA sequence of Maristentor dinoferus (Lobban, Schefter, Simpson, Pochon, Pawlowski, and Foissner, 2002) was determined and compared with sequences from other Heterotrichea and Karyorelictea. Maristentor resembles Stentor in basic morphology and had been provisionally assigned to Stentoridae. However, our phylogenetic analyses show that Maristentor is more closely related to Folliculinidae. Our results support the creation of a separate family for Maristentor, Maristentoridae n. fam., and also confirm the phylogenetic grouping of Folliculindae, Stentoridae, Blepharismidae, and Maristentoridae, which we informally call ‘stentorids’. Maristentor, rather than Stentor itself, appears to be most significant in understanding the origins of folliculinids from their aloricate ancestors. Our analyses suggest continued uncertainty in the exact placement of the root of heterotrichs with this phylogenetic marker.
The advantages of occupational therapy in oral hygiene measures for institutionalised elderly adults
Authors: Bellomo Fleurange , Preux Frédérique de , Chung Jean‐Pierre , Julien Noëlle , Budtz‐Jørgensen Ejvind , Müller Frauke
Published: February 2005

Objective:  To investigate a new method in teaching and supervising tooth and denture brushing activities by employing occupational therapy techniques.

Materials and methods:  Sixty‐one residents, 44 women and 17 men, with an average age of 85.7 ± 6.6 years (range 72–97 years) living in a Long‐Term Care home (LTC) in Geneva were enrolled in a randomised controlled trial. They were divided at random into experimental (EG) and control groups (CG) with matched age and sex distribution. Two subjects passed away during the 3‐month experimental period. Following medical history, plaque scores and tooth brushing habits were evaluated within the context of a comprehensive clinical assessment. Furthermore, a Mini Mental State and a vision test were taken. Based on the results of these health assessments both the EG and the CG were divided into an ‘assisted’ (IA) and an ‘independent‘ (II) subgroup. In the EG, tooth brushing was initially taught and in the IA monitored and re‐educated once a week by an occupational therapist. In contrast, the CG‐IA group received a weekly placebo activity such as manicure by the same person.

Results:  From the individual movements taught and monitored by the occupational therapist, opening a tube of toothpaste (n.s.) and denture brushing (p < 0.05) were performed more independently after 3 months. Both the occupational therapy and the placebo activity led to a significant improvement in oral (p < 0.01 and 0.05) and in denture hygiene (p < 0.001 and 0.05). From all participants, the EG‐IA subgroup presented the most significant amelioration in plaque (p < 0.01) and denture hygiene scores (p < 0.001). This group consisted mostly of subjects with an impaired cognitive state.

Conclusions:  Despite the marked placebo effect, the results indicate that occupational therapy is particularly useful to improve the oral and denture hygiene in dependent and cognitively impaired LTC residents and may promote their autonomy in the execution of activities of daily life such as denture brushing.
Oral health‐related well‐being of the long‐term hospitalised elderly
Authors: Peltola Petteri , Vehkalahti Miira M. , Simoila Riitta
Published: February 2005

Objective:  To investigate oral health‐related well‐being of the long‐term hospitalised elderly as reported by their primary nurses in relation to subject's oral health assessed either by primary nurses or by a clinical dental examination.

Background data:  Little is known about oral health‐related well‐being of the medically compromised, long‐term hospitalised elderly, most of whom are unable to express their feelings and opinions.

Materials and methods:  A cross‐sectional study using a questionnaire for primary nurses about oral health and oral health‐related well‐being regarding functional, pain/discomfort‐related, and psychosocial limitations of the subjects (n = 255) and assessment of oral health by clinical examination. The total number of limitations and the number of limitations in each category was calculated.

Results:  Most (77%) of our subjects were unable to eat normal food. Functional limitations dominated followed by psychosocial and pain/discomfort‐related limitations. Overall assessment by each subject's primary nurse ranked oral health of as good for 9% of subjects, as moderate for 44%, and as poor for 47%. Clinical examination‐based assessment ranked oral health as good for 19%, as moderate for 33%, and as poor for 48% of our subjects, with good oral health being ranked as good for more men than women (26% vs. 16%; p = 0.045). Fewer limitations were recorded for those with better oral health assessed both by primary nurse and by clinical examination.

Conclusion:  More efforts are called for to maintain the oral health of the long‐term hospitalised elderly so as to improve their well‐being.
BIOLOGY OF CHROMATIN DYNAMICS
Authors: Hsieh Tzung-Fu , Fischer Robert L.
Published: February 2005

During the development of a multicellular organism, cell differentiation involves activation and repression of transcription programs that must be stably maintained during subsequent cell divisions. Chromatin remodeling plays a crucial role in regulating chromatin states that conserve transcription programs and provide a mechanism for chromatin states to be maintained as cells proliferate, a process referred to as epigenetic inheritance inheritance of a gene activity state that is not specified by DNA sequence . A large number of factors and protein complexes are now known to be involved in regulating the dynamic states of chromatin structure. Their biological functions and molecular mechanisms are beginning to be revealed.
SHOOT BRANCHING
Authors: McSteen Paula , Leyser Ottoline
Published: February 2005

All plant shoots can be described as a series of developmental modules termed phytomers, which are produced from shoot apical meristems. A phytomer generally consists of a leaf, a stem segment, and a secondary shoot meristem. The fate and activity adopted by these secondary, axillary shoot meristems is the major source of evolutionary and environmental diversity in shoot system architecture. Axillary meristem fate and activity are regulated by the interplay of genetic programs with the environment. Recent results show that these inputs are channeled through interacting hormonal and transcription factor regulatory networks. Comparison of the factors involved in regulating the function of diverse axillary meristem types both within and between species is gradually revealing a pattern in which a common basic program has been modified to produce a range of axillary meristem types.
The following is the abstract of the article discussed in the subsequent letter:
Authors: Verdant Colin L. , De Backer Daniel , Creteur Jacques , Vincent Jean-Louis
Published: February 2005

Sublingual and intestinal mucosal blood flow and Pco2 were studied in a canine model of endotoxin-induced circulatory shock and resuscitation. Sublingual Pco2 (Ps[Formula: see text]) was measured by using a novel fluorescent optrode-based technique and compared with lingual measurements obtained by using a Stowe-Severinghaus electrode [lingual Pco2 (Pl[Formula: see text])]. Endotoxin caused parallel changes in cardiac output, and in portal, intestinal mucosal, and sublingual blood flow (Q̇s). Different blood flow patterns were observed during resuscitation: intestinal mucosal blood flow returned to near baseline levels postfluid resuscitation and decreased by 21% after vasopressor resuscitation, whereas Q̇s rose to twice that of the preshock level and was maintained throughout the resuscitation period. Electrochemical and fluorescent Pco2 measurements showed similar changes throughout the experiments. The shock-induced increases in Ps[Formula: see text] and Pl[Formula: see text] were nearly reversed after fluid resuscitation, despite persistent systemic arterial hypotension. Vasopressor administration induced a rebound of Ps[Formula: see text] and Pl[Formula: see text] to shock levels, despite higher cardiac output and Q̇s, possibly due to blood flow redistribution and shunting. Changes in Pl[Formula: see text] and Ps[Formula: see text] paralleled gastric and intestinal Pco2 changes during shock but not during resuscitation. We found that the lingual, splanchnic, and systemic circulations follow a similar pattern of blood flow variations in response to endotoxin shock, although discrepancies were observed during resuscitation. Restoration of systemic, splanchnic, and lingual perfusion can be accompanied by persistent tissue hypercarbia, mainly lingual and intestinal, more so when a vasopressor agent is used to normalize systemic hemodynamic variables.
The Interaction of Social and Emotional Processes in the Brain
Authors: Norris Catherine J. , Chen E. Elinor , Zhu David C. , Small Steven L. , Cacioppo John T.
Published: February 2005

Social stimuli function as emotional barometers for the immediate environment are the catalysts for many emotional reactions, and have inherent value for relationships and survival independent of their current emotional content. We, therefore, propose that the neural mechanisms underlying social and emotional information processing may be interconnected. In the current study, we examined the independent and interactive effects of social and emotional processes on brain activation. Whole-brain images were acquired while participants viewed and categorized affective pictures that varied on two dimensions: emotional content (i.e., neutral, emotional) and social content (i.e., faces/people, objects/scenes). Patterns of activation were consistent with past findings demonstrating that the amygdala and part of the visual cortex were more active to emotionally evocative pictures than to neutral pictures and that the superior temporal sulcus was more active to social than to nonsocial pictures. Furthermore, activation of the superior temporal sulcus and middle occipito-temporal cortex showed evidence of the interactive processing of emotional and social information, whereas activation of the amygdala showed evidence of additive effects. These results indicate that interactive effects occur early in the stream of processing, suggesting that social and emotional information garner greater attentional resources and that the conjunction of social and emotional cues results in synergistic early processing, whereas the amygdala appears to be primarily implicated in processing biologically or personally relevant stimuli, regardless of the nature of the relevance (i.e., social, emotional, or both).
Dominance Attributions Following Damage to the Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex
Authors: Karafin Matthew S. , Tranel Daniel , Adolphs Ralph
Published: February 2005

Damage to the human ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VM) can result in dramatic and maladaptive changes in social behavior despite preservation of most other cognitive abilities. One important aspect of social cognition is the ability to detect social dominance, a process of attributing from particular social signals another person's relative standing in the social world. To test the role of the VM in making attributions of social dominance, we designed two experiments: one requiring dominance judgments from static pictures of faces, the second requiring dominance judgments from film clips. We tested three demographically matched groups of subjects: subjects with focal lesions in the VM (n = 15), brain-damaged comparison subjects with lesions excluding the VM (n = 11), and a reference group of normal individuals with no history of neurological disease (n = 32). Contrary to our expectation, we found that subjects with VM lesions gave dominance judgments on both tasks that did not differ significantly from those given by the other groups. Despite their grossly normal performance, however, subjects with VM lesions showed more subtle impairments specifically when judging static faces: They were less discriminative in their dominance judgments, and did not appear to make normal use of gender and age of the faces in forming their judgments. The findings suggest that, in the laboratory tasks we used, damage to the VM does not necessarily impair judgments of social dominance, although it appears to result in alterations in strategy that might translate into behavioral impairments in real life.
Recognition Memory for Emotional and Neutral Faces: An Event-Related Potential Study
Authors: Johansson Mikael , Mecklinger Axel , Treese Anne-Cécile
Published: February 2005

This study examined emotional influences on the hypothesized event-related potential (ERP) correlates of familiarity and recollection (Experiment 1) and the states of awareness (Experiment 2) accompanying recognition memory for faces differing in facial affect. Participants made gender judgments to positive, negative, and neutral faces at study and were in the test phase instructed to discriminate between studied and nonstudied faces. Whereas old–new discrimination was unaffected by facial expression, negative faces were recollected to a greater extent than both positive and neutral faces as reflected in the parietal ERP old–new effect and in the proportion of remember judgments. Moreover, emotion-specific modulations were observed in frontally recorded ERPs elicited by correctly rejected new faces that concurred with a more liberal response criterion for emotional as compared to neutral faces. Taken together, the results are consistent with the view that processes promoting recollection are facilitated for negative events and that emotion may affect recognition performance by influencing criterion setting mediated by the prefrontal cortex.
A Barotropic Envelope Rossby Soliton Model for Block–Eddy Interaction. Part I: Effect of Topography
Authors: Luo Dehai
Published: February 2005

A new forced envelope Rossby soliton model in an equivalent barotropic beta-plane channel is proposed to describe the interaction between an incipient block (planetary scale) and short synoptic-scale eddies. This model is based on two assumptions, motivated by observations that (i) there exists a zonal scale separation between the planetary-scale and synoptic-scale waves and (ii) that the range of synoptic-scale zonal wavenumber is comparable to the planetary-scale zonal wavenumber. These assumptions allow an analytical treatment. The evolution of the planetary-scale block under the influence of synoptic-scale eddies is described by a forced nonlinear Schrödinger equation that is solved numerically, while the feedback of block development on the preexisting synoptic-scale eddies is derived analytically. It is shown that the planetary-scale projection of the nonlinear interaction between synoptic-scale eddies is the most important contributor to the amplification and decay of the planetary-scale blocking dipole or anticyclone, while the synoptic–planetary-scale interaction contributes significantly to the downstream development of preexisting synoptic-scale eddies. Large-scale topography plays a secondary role compared to the synoptic-scale eddies in exciting the block. However, it plays a role in inducing a standing planetary-scale ridge prior to block onset, which fixes the geographical location of the block and induces meridional asymmetry in the flow. In particular, the topographically induced planetary-scale ridge that is almost in phase with a dipole component of blocking flow is found to be a controlling factor for the northward deflection of storm tracks associated with blocking anticyclones.
Observed Cyclone–Anticyclone Tropopause Vortex Asymmetries
Authors: Hakim Gregory J. , Canavan Amelia K.
Published: February 2005

Relatively little is known about coherent vortices near the extratropical tropopause, even with regard to basic facts about their frequency of occurrence, longevity, and structure. This study addresses these issues through an objective census of observed tropopause vortices. The authors test a hypothesis regarding vortex-merger asymmetry where cyclone pairs are repelled and anticyclone pairs are attracted by divergent flow due to frontogenesis. Emphasis is placed on arctic vortices, where jet stream influences are weaker, in order to facilitate comparisons with earlier idealized numerical simulations.

Results show that arctic cyclones are more numerous, persistent, and stronger than arctic anticyclones. An average of 15 cyclonic vortices and 11 anticyclonic vortices are observed per month, with maximum frequency of occurrence for cyclones (anticyclones) during winter (summer). There are are about 47% more cyclones than anticyclones that survive at least 4 days, and for longer lifetimes, 1-day survival probabilities are nearly constant at 65% for cyclones, and 55% for anticyclones. Mean tropopause potential-temperature amplitude is 13 K for cyclones and 11 K for anticyclones, with cyclones exhibiting a greater tail toward larger values.

An analysis of close-proximity vortex pairs reveals divergence between cyclones and convergence between anticyclones. This result agrees qualitatively with previous idealized numerical simulations, although it is unclear to what extent the divergent circulations regulate vortex asymmetries.
Oxymorphone Extended Release Does Not Affect CYP2C9 or CYP3A4 Metabolic Pathways
Authors: Adams Michael , Pieniaszek Henry J. , Gammaitoni Arnold R. , Ahdieh Harry
Published: February 2005

Two 14‐day, randomized, open‐label, parallel‐group studies examined the effects of extended‐release (ER) oxymorphone on CYP2C9 or CYP3A4 metabolic activities in healthy subjects. On days −1, 7, and 14, subjects received either a CYP2C9 probe (tolbutamide 500 mg) or CYP3A4 probes (midazolam and [14C N‐methyl]‐erythromycin for the erythromycin breath test). Subjects were randomized to 5 groups: high‐dose oxymorphone ER (3 × 20 mg q12h) + naltrexone (50 mg q24h); low‐dose oxymorphone ER (10–20 mg q12h); rifampin (2 × 300 mg q24h), an inducer of CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 activities; naltrexone (50 mg q24h); or CYP probes alone (controls). Probe metabolism was significantly altered by rifampin on days 7 and 14 (P < .05), whereas probe metabolism was not significantly affected by low‐dose oxymorphone ER or by high‐dose oxymorphone ER plus naltrexone. Oxymorphone ER exhibits a minimal potential for causing metabolic drug‐drug interactions mediated by CYP2C9 or CYP3A4.
Abacavir Pharmacokinetics in Human Immunodeficiency Virus‐Infected Children Ranging in Age From 1 Month to 16 Years: A Population Analysis
Authors: Jullien Vincent , Urien Saïk , Chappuy Hélène , Dimet Jérǒme , Rey Elisabeth , Pons Gérard , Blanche Stéphane , MD Jean‐Marc Tréluyer
Published: February 2005

Abacavir pharmacokinetics was studied in 105 children by a population approach performed with NONMEM. A 1‐compartment open model with linear absorption and elimination adequately described the data. Typical population estimates (percent interindividual variability) of absorption rate constant, apparent distribution volume, and apparent plasma clearance were 1.79 h−1 (58%), 42.9 L (53%), and 24.3 L/h (30%), respectively. Apparent plasma clearance was positively related to body weight. Individual Bayesian estimates of apparent plasma clearance were used to calculate individual abacavir area under the concentration curve (AUC). For the current weight‐based regimen, abacavir exposure was found to be constant throughout the age range of the study, with an overall mean AUC value of 8.5 ± 2.5mg•h/L, which is slightly greater than the mean AUC value reported in adults. This study confirms the relevance of the current weight‐based abacavir dosage regimen in pediatric patients.
Differential Toxicity of Reactive Metabolites of Clindamycin and Sulfonamides in HIV‐Infected Cells: Influence of HIV Infection on Clindamycin Toxicity In Vitro
Authors: Wijsman John A. , Dekaban Gregory A. , Rieder Michael J.
Published: February 2005

Hypersensitivity adverse drug reactions are much more common among patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) than in the general population. High rates of hypersensitivity reactions to clindamycin have been noted. To investigate the role of reactive metabolites in these reactions, the authors studied toxicity of clindamycin and sulphamethoxazole (SMX) and their metabolites in uninfected and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected MOLT3 cells. Infected and uninfected cells were incubated with clindamycin or sulphamethoxazole hydroxylamine in increasing concentrations; reactive metabolites were generated by coincubation of cells and drug with murine microsomes and a microsomal activating system. Over a concentration range of 0 to 400 μM SMX‐HA, there was a significant concentration‐dependent increase in cell death in HIV‐infected compared to uninfected cells (28% ± 3% vs 8% ± 5% at 400 μM, P < .05). In contrast, coincubation of cells with clindamycin, microsomes, and a microsomal activating system, as well as combinations of primaquine or pyrimethamine, was not associated with an increase in cell death among infected compared to uninfected cells. No concentration‐toxicity was demonstrated. These data support the role of reactive metabolites in adverse drug reactions to sulfonamides during HIV infection, whereas alternate mechanism(s) may be responsible for increased rates of adverse drug reactions to clindamycin among patients with AIDS.
Stress Distribution in the Superior Labrum during Throwing Motion
Authors: Yeh Ming-Long , Lintner David , Luo Zong-Ping
Published: February 2005

Background

Superior labrum anterior posterior lesions are common among athletes participating in overhead throwing sports. One described mechanism of injury is application of high local stress via repetitive loading of the long head of the biceps tendon attached to the superior labrum; however, the stress environment within the labrum has not been investigated to date.

Hypothesis

Biceps origin locations and throwing phases determine the stress distributions causing lesions of the superior labrum within the labrum itself

Study Design

Descriptive laboratory study

Methods

Three-dimensional finite element models of the labrum glenoid complex with anterior, central, and posterior biceps origins were developed at 4 orientations to simulate the phases of pitching: early cocking, late cocking, acceleration, and deceleration.

Results

The stress magnitudes at the labrum glenoid interface for the deceleration phase were highest for all biceps origins. Anatomical variations of the biceps insertion affected the stress only during the deceleration phase. Both the biceps origin and throwing phase influenced the location of high stress.

Conclusion

Deceleration could be the throwing phase that causes tearing at the superior labrum. This finding provides further understanding for localizing the possible initiation of superior labrum anterior posterior lesions.
Rehabilitation after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Comparison of Programs Administered over 2 Different Time Intervals
Authors: Beynnon Bruce D. , Uh Benjamin S. , Johnson Robert J. , Abate Joseph A. , Nichols Claude E. , Fleming Braden C. , Poole A. Robin , Roos Harald
Published: February 2005

Background

There are adverse effects associated with immobilization of the knee after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, yet very little is known about how much activity will promote adequate rehabilitation without permanently elongating the graft, producing graft failure, or creating damage to articular cartilage.

Hypothesis

Rehabilitation with either an accelerated or nonaccelerated program produces no difference in anterior-posterior knee laxity, clinical assessment, patient satisfaction, functional performance, and the synovial fluid biomarkers of articular cartilage metabolism.

Study Design

Randomized controlled clinical trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods

Twenty-five patients who tore their anterior cruciate ligament were enrolled and underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Patients were randomized to accelerated rehabilitation or nonaccelerated rehabilitation. At the time of surgery and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months later, measurements of anterior-posterior knee laxity, clinical assessment, patient satisfaction, functional performance, and cartilage metabolism were completed.

Results

At the 2-year follow-up, there was no difference in the increase of anterior knee laxity relative to the baseline values that were obtained immediately after surgery between the 2 groups (2.2-mm vs 1.8-mm increase relative to the normal knee). The groups were similar in terms of clinical assessment, patient satisfaction, activity level, function, and response of the bio-markers. After 1 year of healing, synthesis of collagen and turnover of aggrecan remained elevated in both groups.

Conclusion

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with a bone-patellar tendon-bone graft followed by either accelerated or nonaccelerated rehabilitation produces the same increase of anterior knee laxity. Both programs had the same effect in terms of clinical assessment, patient satisfaction, functional performance, and the biomarkers of articular cartilage metabolism. There is concern that the cartilage biomarkers remained elevated for an extended period.
Athletes with Unilateral Spondylolysis are at Risk of Stress Fracture at the Contralateral Pedicle and Pars Interarticularis: A Clinical and Biomechanical Study
Authors: Sairyo Koichi , Katoh Shinsuke , Sasa Takahiro , Yasui Natsuo , Goel Vijay K. , Vadapalli Sasidhar , Masuda Akiyoshi , Biyani Ashok , Ebraheim Nabil
Published: February 2005

Background

Unilateral spondylolysis is common in youths; its clinical and biomechanical features, especially effects on the contralateral side, are not fully understood.

Hypothesis

Unilateral spondylolysis predisposes the contralateral side to stress fracture, especially in athletes actively engaged in sporting activities involving torsion of the trunk.

Study Design

Case series and descriptive laboratory study.

Methods

Thirteen athletes younger than age 20 with unilateral spondylolysis were included. The contralateral pedicle and pars of spondylolytic vertebrae were examined using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Using a finite element model of the intact ligamentous L3-S1 segment, stress distributions were analyzed in response to 400-N axial compression and 10.6-N.m moment in flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. Unilateral spondylolysis was created in the model at L5. The stress results from the unilateral defect model were compared to the intact model predictions and correlated to the contralateral defects seen in patients.

Results

Among 13 patients, there were 6 early-, 2 progressive-, and 5 terminal-stage defects. Three (23.1%) showed contralateral stress fracture. Among them, 2 belonged to the progressive-stage and 1 to the terminal-stage spondylolysis group. The remaining 4 patients in the terminal defect group showed stress reactions, such as sclerosis at the contralateral pedicle. In the finite element analysis model with an L5 left spondylolysis, the stresses at the contralateral and pars interarticularis were found to increase in all loading modes, with increases as high as 12.6-fold compared to the intact spine.

Conclusions

Unilateral spondylolysis could lead to stress fracture or sclerosis at the contralateral side due to an increase in stresses in the region.

Clinical Relevance

Surgeons should be aware of possibility of contralateral stress fractures in cases in which patients, especially athletes engaged in active sports, show unilateral spondylolysis and persistent low back pain complaints.
Prospective Trial of a Treatment Algorithm for the Management of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Injured Knee
Authors: Fithian Donald C. , Paxton Elizabeth W. , Stone Mary Lou , Luetzow William F. , Csintalan Rick P. , Phelan Daniel , Daniel Dale M.
Published: February 2005

Background

Specific guidelines for operative versus nonoperative management of anterior cruciate ligament injuries do not yet exist.

Hypothesis

Surgical risk factors can be used to indicate whether reconstruction or conservative management is best for an individual patient.

Study Design

Prospective nonrandomized controlled clinical trial; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods

Patients were classified as high, moderate, or low risk using preinjury sports participation and knee laxity measurements. Early anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (within 3 months of injury) was recommended to high-risk patients and conservative care to low-risk patients. It was recommended that moderate-risk patients have either early reconstruction or conservative care, according to the day of presentation. Assessment of subjective outcomes, activity, physical measurements, and radiographs was performed at mean follow-up of 6.6 years.

Results

Early phase conservative management resulted in more late phase meniscus surgery than did early phase reconstruction at all risk levels (high risk, 25% vs 6.5%; moderate risk, 37% vs 7.7%, P =. 01; low risk, 16% vs 0%). Early- and late-reconstruction patients’ Tegner scores increased from presurgery to follow-up (P <. 001) but did not return to preinjury levels. Early-reconstruction patients had higher rates of degenerative change on radiographs than did nonreconstruction patients (P <. 05).

Conclusions

Early phase reconstruction reduced late phase knee laxity, risk of symptomatic instability, and the risk of late meniscus tear and surgery. Moderate- and high-risk patients had similar rates of late phase injury and surgery. Reconstruction did not prevent the appearance of late degenerative changes on radiographs. Relationship between bone contusion on initial magnetic resonance images and the finding of degenerative changes on follow-up radiographs were not detected. The treatment algorithm used in this study was effective in predicting risk of late phase knee surgery.
Percutaneous Drilling of Symptomatic Accessory Navicular in Young Athletes
Authors: Nakayama Shoichiro , Sugimoto Kazuya , Takakura Yoshinori , Tanaka Yasuhito , Kasanami Ryoji
Published: February 2005

Background

Results of percutaneous drilling for symptomatic type II accessory tarsal navicular bone are not determined.

Hypothesis

Percutaneous drilling of accessory navicular synchondrosis will induce or accelerate bone union between the accessory and primary navicular bones. Bone union of the synchondrosis leads to symptomatic relief.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

Thirty-one feet of 29 patients with type II accessory tarsal navicular treated by percutaneous drilling were reviewed.

Results

Twenty-four feet (77.4%) were assessed as excellent, 6 (19.4%) as good, and 1 (3.2%) as fair. No feet were assessed as poor. Bone union was obtained in 16 (80%) of the 20 feet when the proximal phalanx of the great toe was immature and in 2 of the 11 feet when it was mature.

Conclusion

Percutaneous drilling of the synchondrosis was effective for a symptomatic type II accessory navicular, especially in patients with immature proximal phalanx of the great toe.
Ready-to-use simulation
Authors: Sumukadas Narendar , Fairfield-Sonn James W. , Morgan Sandra
Published: February 2005

Business students are typically introduced to the concept of process management in their introductory course on operations management. A very important learning outcome here is an appreciation that the management of processes is a key to the management of quality. Some of the related concepts are qualitative, such as strategic and behavioral issues, whereas others are quantitative, such as statistical process control (SPC). Students often fail to interlink the qualitative and quantitative concepts. SPC, in particular, tends to be one of the most challenging topics for students. This exercise allows students to intuitively experience the underpinnings of SPC, embedded within the broader context of managing processes for quality. Once students become familiar with terms such as process variability, process control, and process capability, they are less daunted by SPC and become more appreciative of the number crunching that SPC entails.
A simulated consulting project with a deregulating utility company
Authors: Bos Nathan D. , Gordon Michael D.
Published: February 2005

Business school students need experience working in large problem spaces with messy, realistic data. THE UTILITY COMPANY (TUC) simulates a gas and electric company preparing for deregulation, with deeply embedded problems related to customer service, information technology, human resources, and social justice issues in serving diverse clients. Students take various paths through TUC’s data, watching video interviews with employees and analyzing text and data documents to unravel these problems. The authors analyze how one class of 15 students used this simulation and show how students used higher order skills of analysis, synthesis, and critical thinking. Another strength of this simulation was that it allowed the instructor to give effective but minimally intrusive midstream direction to student groups when they missed important content areas. Students found the experience both challenging and rewarding, as indicated by course evaluations. Shortcomings and future directions for this type of consulting simulation are also discussed.
Leukocyte migration and graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Wysocki Christian A. , Panoskaltsis-Mortari Angela , Blazar Bruce R. , Serody Jonathan S.
Published: February 2005

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains a significant complication of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT). Acute GVHD is mediated by immunocompetent donor T cells, which migrate to lymphoid tissues soon after infusion, recognize host alloantigens, and become activated upon interaction with host antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Recent work from our group and others suggests that activated effector T cells exit lymphoid tissues and traffic to mucosal sites and parenchymal target organs such as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, liver, lung, and skin where they cause tissue damage. The molecular interactions necessary for effector cell migration during GVHD have become the focus of a growing body of research, as these interactions represent potential therapeutic targets. In this review we discuss chemokine and chemokine receptor interactions and adhesion molecules that have been shown to play roles in effector cell migration in experimental GVHD models, and we discuss a potential model for the role of chemokines during the activation phase of GVHD.
Differential regulation of granulopoiesis by the basic helix-loop-helix transcriptional inhibitors Id1 and Id2
Authors: Buitenhuis Miranda , van Deutekom Hanneke W. M. , Verhagen Liesbeth P. , Castor Anders , Jacobsen Sten Eirik W. , Lammers Jan-Willem J. , Koenderman Leo , Coffer Paul J.
Published: February 2005

Inhibitor of DNA binding (Id) proteins function as inhibitors of members of the basic helix-loop-helix family of transcription factors and have been demonstrated to play an important role in regulating lymphopoiesis. However, the role of these proteins in regulation of myelopoiesis is currently unclear. In this study, we have investigated the role of Id1 and Id2 in the regulation of granulopoiesis. Id1 expression was initially up-regulated during early granulopoiesis, which was then followed by a decrease in expression during final maturation. In contrast, Id2 expression was up-regulated in terminally differentiated granulocytes. In order to determine whether Id expression plays a critical role in regulating granulopoiesis, Id1 and Id2 were ectopically expressed in CD34+ cells by retroviral transduction. Our experiments demonstrate that constitutive expression of Id1 inhibits eosinophil development, whereas in contrast neutrophil differentiation was modestly enhanced. Constitutive Id2 expression accelerates final maturation of both eosinophils and neutrophils, whereas inhibition of Id2 expression blocks differentiation of both lineages. Transplantation of β2-microglobulin-/- nonobese diabetic severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice with CD34+ cells ectopically expressing Id1 resulted in enhanced neutrophil development, whereas ectopic expression of Id2 induced both eosinophil and neutrophil development. These data demonstrate that both Id1 and Id2 play a critical, although differential role in granulopoiesis.