bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐term effects of crop rotation and fertilization on soil organic matter composition
Authors: Kaiser M. , Ellerbrock R. H. , Gerke H. H.
Published: September 2007

Long‐term effects of crop rotation and fertilization are mostly observed with respect to the amount of soil organic matter (SOM) and measured in terms of soil organic carbon (SOC). In this paper, we analyze the SOM composition of samples from long‐term agricultural field experiments at sandy and clayey sites that include complex crop rotations and farm‐yard manure applications. The organic matter (OM) composition of the soil samples, OM(Soil), and that of sequentially extracted water, OM(W), and sodium pyrophosphate, OM(PY), soluble fractions was analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The fraction OM(PY) represented between 13 and 34% of SOC, about 10 times that of OM(W). Site specific differences in OM(Soil) composition were larger than those between crop rotations and fertilizer applications. The smaller C=O group content in FTIR spectra of OM(W) compared with OM(PY) suggests that analysis of the more stable OM(PY) fraction is preferable over OM(W) or OM(Soil) for identifying long‐term effects, the OM(Soil) and OM(W) fractions and the content of CH groups being less indicative. Farm‐yard manure application leads to a more similar content of C=O groups in OM(PY) between crop rotations and fertilizer plots at both sites. Short‐term effects from soil tillage or potato harvesting on composition of OM require further studies.
Short‐term stress and mortality of juvenile school prawns, Metapenaeus macleayi, discarded from seines and trawls
Authors: BROADHURST M. K. , UHLMANN S. S.
Published: September 2007

Abstract  Two experiments were carried out to assess the short‐term impacts to juvenile school prawns, Metapenaeus macleayi (Haswell) discarded from commercial seining and trawling in New South Wales, Australia, and the potential utility of modifications to operational and/or onboard handling practices designed to improve survival. For both gears, discards were handled according to two general categories of treatment (termed mild and extreme) chosen to represent the plausible limits of severity during existing commercial operations. A total of 600 trawled and 480 seined school prawns (from both treatments), along with appropriate numbers of controls (previously collected and housed in acclimation tanks), were placed into cages (in groups of 10). Subsets of each of these groups were then destructively sampled over periods of up to 5 days and examined for their mortality and physiological response (measured as levels of l‐lactate in the haemolymph). In both experiments, the temporal mortalities in the treatment groups ranged between 0% and 15% and, for the most part, were not significantly different to controls. Prawns in the treatment groups had similar, significantly elevated levels of l‐lactate approximately 40 min after being caught, but these returned to levels approaching baseline estimates within 48 h. Under the conditions examined, juvenile school prawns appear capable of withstanding a range of stressors associated with being discarded from active gears, and their fate is not greatly influenced by the duration of gear deployment and subsequent air exposure. However, further work is required to quantify other sources of unaccounted fishing mortality and, ultimately, the impacts that discarding has on stocks.
Support of benthic invertebrates by detrital resources and current autochthonous primary production: results from a whole‐lake 13C addition
Authors: SOLOMON CHRISTOPHER T. , CARPENTER STEPHEN R. , COLE JONATHAN J. , PACE MICHAEL L.
Published: September 2007

1. Secondary production of benthic invertebrates in lakes is supported by current autochthonous primary production, and by detritus derived from a combination of terrestrial inputs and old autochthonous production from prior seasons. We quantified the importance of these two resources for the dominant benthic insects in Crampton Lake, a 26 ha, clear‐water system.

2. Daily additions of NaH13CO3 to the lake caused an increase in the stable carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) of the current primary production of phytoplankton and periphyton. We measured the response of four insect groups (taxon‐depth combinations) to this manipulation, quantifying their current autochthony (% reliance on current autochthonous primary production) by fitting dynamic mixing models to time series of insect δ13C.

3. The δ13C of all four groups increased in response to the manipulation, although the magnitude of response differed by taxon and by depth, indicating differences in current autochthony. Odonate larvae (Libellulidae and Corduliidae) collected at 1.5 m depth derived 75% of their C from current autochthonous primary production. Chironomid larvae collected at 1.5, 3.5 and 10 m depths derived, respectively, 43%, 39% and 17% of their C from current autochthonous primary production.

4. Both taxon‐specific diet preferences and depth‐specific differences in resource availability may contribute to differences in current autochthony. Our results demonstrate significant but incomplete support of insect production by current autochthony, and indicate that allochthonous inputs and old autochthonous detritus support a substantial fraction (25–83%) of insect production.
Fatty acid profiles of algae mark the development and composition of harpacticoid copepods
Authors: CARAMUJO MARIA‐JOSÉ , BOSCHKER HENRICUS T. S. , ADMIRAAL WIM
Published: September 2007

1. The value of algal fatty acids (FA) as diet biomarkers for benthic harpacticoid copepods was investigated. A high proportion of 18:1ω9 and 18:2ω6 FA was observed in the lipid reserve fraction of copepods fed with cyanobacteria. In contrast, a high proportion of 16:1ω7 and ω3 FA (including eicosapentaenoic) was present in the lipid reserve fraction of copepods grown on diatoms.

2. Copepods that were grown on cyanobacteria showed reduced survival and took 26% more time to develop from the first copepodid stage to adult than copepods that were grown on diatoms. Copepods feeding on the cyanobacteria showed reduced FA content when compared with animals fed with diatoms. This reduction in FA content was more pronounced in the apolar lipid fraction (mainly reserve lipids) than in the polar (mainly structural) lipid fraction.

3. The FA profiles of algae were used to calculate a function discriminating between diatoms and cyanobacteria. This function was applied to the FA profiles in the reserve lipid fraction of copepods and correctly classified copepod diet. 16:1ω7, 18:2ω6 and 20:5ω3 were the most important FA in the discriminant function. The suitability of this chemometric method to infer copepod diet was further tested by using algal class FA data from literature to derive the discriminant functions. The correct classification of the diet when the functions were applied to FA composition of the copepod reserve lipids suggests that this method may be employed in trophic web studies. 18:3ω3, 18:1ω9 and 16:1ω7 were the most important FA in the functions discriminating diatoms, cyanobacteria and green algae. The identification and quantification of the whole suit of 16:1ω7, 18:1ω9, 18:2ω6, 18:3ω3 and 20:5ω3 in trophic web studies is therefore of paramount importance to infer diet origin of aquatic herbivores.

4. The FA profile of copepod polar lipids did not reflect that of the diet. The presence of long chain polyunsaturated FAs in the polar lipid fraction of copepods feeding on the cyanobacterium suggests that C18 FAs from the diet may be elongated and desaturated by the copepod. The ability to elongate and desaturated FAs may reduce the importance of some FAs as diet biomarkers while it may turn the copepods into valuable trophic intermediaries in transferring organic matter from microorganisms to higher trophic levels.
Establishment of an MT4‐MMP‐deficient mouse strain representing an efficient tracking system for MT4‐MMP/MMP‐17 expression in vivo using β‐galactosidase
Authors: Rikimaru Akiko , Komori Kiyoshi , Sakamoto Takeharu , Ichise Hirotake , Yoshida Nobuaki , Yana Ikuo , Seiki Motoharu
Published: September 2007

The biological functions of membrane‐type 4 matrix metalloproteinase (MT4‐MMP/MMP‐17) are poorly understood because of the lack of a sensitive system for tracking its expression in vivo. We established a mutant mouse strain (Mt4‐mmp−/–) in which Mt4‐mmp was replaced with a reporter gene encoding β‐galactosidase (LacZ). Mt4‐mmp−/– mice had normal gestations, and no apparent defects in growth, life span and fertility. Using LacZ as a marker, we were able to monitor the expression and promoter activity of Mt4‐mmp for the first time in vivo. The tissue distribution of Mt4‐mmp mRNA correlated with LacZ expression, and we showed that Mt4‐mmp is expressed primarily in cerebrum, lung, spleen, intestine and uterus. We identified LacZ‐positive neurons in the cerebrum, smooth muscle cells in the intestine and uterus, and macrophages located in the lung alveolar or intraperitoneal space. Contrary to the reported role of MT4‐MMP as a tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) sheddase, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced release of TNF‐α from Mt4‐mmp−/–macrophages was similar to that in wild‐type cells, and expression of Mt4‐mmp mRNA was repressed following LPS stimulation. Thus, we have established a mutant mouse strain for analyzing the physiological functions of MT4‐MMP, which also serves as a sensitive system for monitoring and tracking the expression of MT4‐MMP in vivo.
Ground roll attenuation using the S and x‐f‐k transforms
Authors: Askari Roohollah , Siahkoohi Hamid R.
Published: September 2007

Ground roll, which is characterized by low frequency and high amplitude, is an old seismic data processing problem in land‐based seismic acquisition. Common techniques for ground roll attenuation are frequency filtering, f‐k or velocity filtering and a type of f‐k filtering based on the time‐offset windowed Fourier transform. These techniques assume that the seismic signal is stationary. In this study we utilized the S, x‐f‐k and t‐f‐k transforms as alternative methods to the Fourier transform. The S transform is a type of time‐frequency transform that provides frequency‐dependent resolution while maintaining a direct relationship with the Fourier spectrum. Application of a filter based on the S transform to land seismic shot records attenuates ground roll in a time‐frequency domain. The t‐f‐k and x‐f‐k transforms are approaches to localize the apparent velocity panel of a seismic record in time and offset domains, respectively. These transforms provide a convenient way to define offset or time‐varying reject zones on the separate f‐k panel at different offsets or times.
Arthroscopic synovectomy in haemophilia: indications, technique and results
Authors: VERMA N. , VALENTINO L. A. , CHAWLA A.
Published: September 2007

Summary.  Recurrent spontaneous haemarthrosis are commonly seen in patients affected by haemophilia. The knee and the elbow are most commonly affected and both are amenable to arthroscopic treatment. Arthroscopic synovectomy is indicated after failure of appropriate medical management with recurrent bleeding. Many patients also demonstrate motion loss and functional deterioration. The benefits of arthroscopic synovectomy include the ability to perform adequate synovial debridement, but also concomitant lysis of adhesion and capsular release to regain range of motion. Results of arthroscopic synovectomy demonstrate a significant decrease in episodes of haemarthrosis, and significant improvement in pain, range of motion and function. The primary predictor of outcome is degree of pre‐existing degenerative changes within the joint. In more severe cases, the results of arthroscopic synovectomy are unpredictable and serious consideration should be given to primary arthroplasty.
Total joint arthroplasty: the final solution for knee and hip when synovitis could not be controlled
Authors: RODRIGUEZ‐MERCHAN E. C.
Published: September 2007

Summary.  In severely affected haemophilic patients knee and hip arthropathy is a common problem, which can leads to considerable pain and functional deficit. Surgical management, including total knee and hip arthroplasty, can be undertaken if conservative management fails. This paper reviews the functional outcome of arthroplasty in the knee and hip, the postoperative and long‐term complications, and the impact of HIV. Although complications are commonly described and the surgery is technically demanding, the results of the author of this paper and the review of the literature suggest that arthroplasty of the hip and knee can be a valuable option in the management of severe haemophilic arthropathy.
Quantifying search effort of moving animals at several spatial scales using first‐passage time analysis: effect of the structure of environment and tracking systems
Authors: Pinaud David
Published: September 2007

How and at what spatial scale(s) animals change their movements in relation to their environment is central to several topics in ecology and conservation, including foraging ecology, habitat selection and dispersal. A method (first‐passage time analysis, FPT) has recently been proposed to measure changes in movements through the landscape, as an index of search effort at the pertinent spatial scales. This method seems largely applicable to an increasing number of studies using satellite, radio‐tracking or global positioning system (GPS), but its limits have not yet been assessed.

Here I used several movement simulations to examine the ability of FPT analysis to detect area‐restricted search (ARS) according to different changes in movements, different patch structures and tracking accuracy.

FPT analysis was able to detect changes in movements when both speed and sinuosity changed, or when the animal reacted to patch boundaries. It was also able to detect ARS within the same path at several spatial scales in patches (nested or not) of different sizes.

Tracking accuracy affected the detection of ARS by FPT analysis. With the widely used Argos system, a minimum of 13 locations in effective ARS was necessary to detect this behaviour; seven when velocity filtering was applied. Similarly, spatial error in location affected the estimation of the ARS scale value, but the application of velocity filtering reduced this effect.

Comparisons between a real GPS track and pathways simulating the Argos error showed that the time‐sampling rate of locations (due to satellite‐pass frequency) decreased the probability of detecting ARS at small scales (<10 km), while the spatial error decreased this probability by >50% across the whole range of scales. A velocity filter enabled significant reductions in this effect.

Synthesis and application. Within limits, FPT analysis is highly suitable for animal movement analysis, either to quantify habitat use, or to determine the scale most relevant for describing an ecological system or factors affecting movement decisions. In anticipation of increasing applications of FPT analysis in applied ecology, I provide recommendations for the use of the technique with several tracking methods.
In search of forage: predicting dynamic habitats of Mongolian gazelles using satellite‐based estimates of vegetation productivity
Authors: Mueller Thomas , Olson Kirk A. , Fuller Todd K. , Schaller George B. , Murray Martyn G. , Leimgruber Peter
Published: September 2007

Temporal variability in habitat suitability has important conservation and ecological implications. In grasslands, changes in resource availability can occur at broad spatial scales and enlarge area requirements of ungulate populations, which increases their vulnerability to habitat loss and fragmentation. Understanding and predicting these dynamics, although critical, has received little attention so far.

We investigated habitat dynamics for Mongolian gazelles (Procapra gutturosaPallas) in the eastern steppes of Mongolia. We quantified the distribution of gazelles at four different time periods and tracked primary productivity using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data from satellite imagery.

A second‐order logistic model showed that NDVI was an efficient predictor of gazelle presence. We tested the predictive power of the model with independent data from a gazelle telemetry study: 85% of all relocations were found within the predicted area.

Gazelles preferred an intermediate range of vegetation productivity, presumably facing quality quantity trade‐offs where areas with low NDVI are limited by low ingestion rates, and areas with high NDVI are limited by the low digestibility of mature forage.

Spatiotemporal variation of gazelle habitat areas was high. Only 15% of the study area was consistently gazelle habitat throughout all survey periods, indicating that gazelles need to range over vast areas in search of food. Only 1% of the gazelle habitats were consistently located inside protected areas.

 Synthesis and applications.Habitat variability in grasslands often leads to area requirements of ungulates that prevent effective conservation within single protected areas. They require landscape‐level management plans, but dynamic habitat predictions to inform such plans are difficult to implement and are often unavailable. We showed that satellite estimates of vegetation productivity can be used successfully to generate dynamic habitat models in landscapes with highly variable resources, and demonstrated that intermediate NDVI values were critical to predict occurrence of Mongolian gazelles.
Evaluation of a culturally adapted German version of the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC 5A) questionnaire in a sample of osteoarthritis patients
Authors: Rosemann Thomas , Laux Gunter , Droesemeyer Sabine , Gensichen Jochen , Szecsenyi Joachim
Published: September 2007

Objective  The chronic care model and the 5A approach have achieved widespread acceptance and reflect the core elements of patient‐centred care in chronic diseases, including arthritis. Appropriate assessment tools are indispensable to assess whether provided care is in alignment with these evidence‐based conceptual frameworks of care. The aim of this study was to examine the validity of a translated and culturally adapted version of the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC 5A) questionnaire among osteoarthritis (OA) patients.

Methods  Of 300 administered questionnaires, 236 (78.6%) were returned. Established statistical approaches were used in order to assess psychometric properties. Test–retest reliability was tested in 75 randomly selected patients who received the questionnaire a second time after 2 weeks. The EUROPEP questionnaire was used in order to address external validity.

Results  Scale internal consistency was confirmed with values ranging from 0.52 to 0.97 for Pearson’s r. Internal consistency reliability was satisfying: Cronbach’s alpha was 0.78 or higher for all scales. Test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient) exceeded 0.77. Correlations with the EUROPEP, which is not organized according to a conceptual approach to care, were only strong in corresponding scales.

Conclusions  The PACIC 5A is a reliable and valid instrument to assess the congruency of care to the chronic care model of OA patients. Its use is encouraged in quality improvement projects but also in further research.
Does a new steam meal catering system meet patient requirements in hospital?
Authors: Hickson M. , Fearnley L. , Thomas J. , Evans S.
Published: September 2007

Background  It has been consistently observed that a significant proportion of hospital inpatients are malnourished and many actually develop malnutrition in hospital. The NHS provides over 300 million meals each year at a cost of £500 million, yet there is relatively little research evaluating how well different catering systems provide for the needs of hospital inpatients.

Aim  The aim of the study was to: (i) evaluate whether a new steam meal catering system (Steamplicity) enables patients in theory to meet their energy requirements in hospital and (ii) compare energy and protein intake using Steamplicity with a traditional bulk cook‐chill system.

Methods  Patients not at nutritional risk had their food intake at one lunchtime assessed. Energy intake was compared with the patients’ energy requirements and energy and protein intake were compared with previous data from a bulk system.

Results  Fifty‐seven patients had a median daily energy requirement of 7648 kJ (1821 kcal) [inter‐quartile range (IQR): 6854–9164 kJ]. Assuming 30% [2293 kJ (546 kcal)] should be supplied by the lunch meal the average intake of 1369 kJ (326 kcal) fell short by 40%. Patients served meals from Steamplicity ate less energy [1369 kJ versus 1562 kJ (326 kcal versus 372 kcal) P = 0.04] but similar protein (18 g versus 19 g P = 0.34) to the bulk system. The largest difference was the energy provided by the dessert since the bulk system served more hot high‐calorie desserts.

Conclusions  Patient intakes did not meet their estimated requirements. The patients in this study were eating well and not at nutritional risk, thus patients with a poor appetite will be even less likely to meet their nutritional requirements. Steamplicity meals result in a lower energy intake than meals from a bulk cook‐chill system, but similar protein intakes.
A protective role of a cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene variant towards ischaemic stroke in Sardinians
Authors: Quarta G. , Stanzione R. , Evangelista A. , Zanda B. , Sciarretta S. , Di Angelantonio E. , Marchitti S. , Di Murro D. , Volpe M. , Rubattu S.
Published: September 2007

Objectives.  Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) plays a key role in the metabolism of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), a strong, inverse, independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

We sought to investigate the relationship between a common variant of CETP gene, the Taq1 B polymorphism, that has been previously associated with CETP blood concentrations, and the risk of ischaemic stroke in a genetically homogenous population from the Sardinia island, Italy. This population has been previously shown to be a highly conservative sample.

Design.  A total of 215 cases of ischaemic stroke and 236 controls were selected and characterized for the CETP Taq1 B polymorphism. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared amongst cases and controls.

Results.  Age, hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia were independent risk factors for stroke in this cohort. We found that presence of the CETP Taq1 B2 allele was associated with a significantly decreased risk of ischaemic stroke when assuming a recessive mode of inheritance (OR 0.55, 95% CI = 0.34–0.90, P = 0.017). This result was confirmed by multivariate analysis, after adjustment for age, presence of hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia (OR 0.53, 95% CI = 0.32–0.88, P = 0.014). By performing separate analysis for gender we found that the effect was present in females but not in males, with a significant sex‐CETP gene variant interaction for both recessive (P = 0.005) and additive (P = 0.029) modes of inheritance.

Conclusions.  Our data suggest that the Taq1 B2 allelic variant of the CETP gene may be associated, as a protective factor, with occurrence of ischaemic stroke. Further studies are needed to further elucidate the clinical implications of our finding.
A novel approach to simulate segregation at the centreline of continuously cast steel using laser‐scanning confocal microscopy
Authors: AMINORROAYA SIMA , DIPPENAAR RIAN
Published: September 2007

A concentric solidification technique was employed to simulate the segregation of alloying elements that occur during solidification at the centreline of continuously cast steel. Microstructural development of low carbon steel upon solidification has been observed in situ in a laser‐scanning confocal microscope. Sulphide precipitates that formed in the last remaining liquid were identified, and evidence is provided that segregation occurring at the centreline of steel slabs can reasonably be simulated by the use of the concentric solidification technique.
Surface structure of size exclusion chromatography stationary phase
Authors: KALE A. , CHERYAN M. , ROBINSON S. , MACLAREN S.
Published: September 2007

Chromatography is a widely used separation unit operation for separating nanomaterials such as proteins and enzymes, quantum dots and carbon nanotubes. An understanding of the chromatographic stationary phase on a nanoscale would be extremely helpful in improving the process and developing efficient and new materials. This study is an attempt to characterize the stationary phase in its swollen wet state using environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Observation of the wet beads using ESEM is limited to a micron‐range resolution. However, AFM can be used in wet mode to characterize the stationary phase in both wet and dry states with nanometric resolution. In the swollen state, microscale cracks were observed on the surface and this may explain the high mass transfer rate and lower back pressures of the stationary phase. The structures on the surface of the stationary phase depict that the micron‐sized beads may be composed of nanometric beads.
Facing change: forms and foundations of contemporary adaptation to biotic invasions
Authors: CARROLL SCOTT P.
Published: September 2007

Ongoing adaptation in native populations to anthropogenic change both facilitates and challenges ecologically appropriate and sustainable management. Human disturbance promotes adaptive responses at the genomic, individual and population levels. Traits vary widely in whether adaptation occurs through plasticity or evolution, and these modes interact within and among traits. For example, plasticity in one trait may be adaptive because it permits homeostasis and lessens the intensity of selection in another. Both opportunity and catastrophe generate adaptive responses. Recently evolved adaptations characterize the responses of many native species to biotic invasions. Several well‐known examples involve native phytophagous insects colonizing introduced plants. For example, our studies of North American and Australian soapberry bugs on nonindigenous plants demonstrate both diversifying and homogenizing contemporary evolution. Modes of adaptation differ among traits and populations and as a function of the host on which they develop. The genetic architecture of the evolving adaptations involves a substantial degree of nonadditive genetic variation. One important consequence of contemporary adaptation may be an enhanced capacity of native communities to provide adaptive biological control of invasive species. Conservation scientists may manipulate adaptation to achieve conservation goals, but must also decide how deeply they wish to attempt to control the phenotypes and genotypes of other species.
The RovA regulons of Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pestis are distinct: evidence that many RovA‐regulated genes were acquired more recently than the core genome
Authors: Cathelyn Jason S. , Ellison Damon W. , Hinchliffe Stewart J. , Wren Brendan W. , Miller Virginia L.
Published: September 2007

RovA is a transcriptional activator of Yersinia invasin, an outer membrane protein involved in bacterial attachment and invasion across the intestinal epithelium. In Y. enterocolitica, a rovA mutant is attenuated for virulence compared with either wild‐type or inv mutant strains, indicating that RovA may regulate additional virulence factors. Here, we used microarray analysis to define the RovA regulon. Curiously, there was little overlap between the RovA regulons of Y. enterocolitica and Y. pestis despite the fact that RovA itself is highly conserved between the two species. Some of these differences are explained by the observation that a number of RovA‐regulated loci in Y. enterocolitica do not have orthologues in Y. pestis and vice versa, suggesting that RovA established regulatory control over genetic material acquired after the divergence of the species. Electromobility shift assays demonstrated that 15 of these RovA‐regulated loci directly interact with RovA, and 11 of these promoters had similar affinity as observed for the inv promoter. H‐NS and YmoA are believed to form a transcriptional repression complex on the inv promoter, and several studies indicate that RovA and H‐NS have overlapping DNA binding sites. H‐NS and YmoA regulated a subset of the RovA‐regulated loci. Furthermore, H‐NS directly bound to 14 of the 15 promoters bound by RovA. From these data, we hypothesize that RovA generally behaves as an anti‐H‐NS factor to alleviate transcriptional repression in Y. enterocolitica. A number of recent studies have presented data and a model suggesting that H‐NS functions as a transcriptional silencer of horizontally acquired genes. This repression can be selectively relieved by regulators such as RovA, and the observation that nearly all RovA‐activated genes are repressed by H‐NS is consistent with this model.
Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms are not associated with alopecia areata
Authors: Akar Ahmet , Orkunoglu Funda E. , Tunca Mustafa , Taştan Halis B. , Kurumlu Zafer
Published: September 2007

Background  It has been demonstrated that the vitamin D receptor (VDR) is strongly expressed in key structures of hair follicles, and a lack of VDR leads to alopecia. We investigated whether there was any association between VDR gene polymorphisms (BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI) and alopecia areata (AA).

Methods  Thirty‐two patients with AA and 27 healthy control subjects were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

Results  In the patient group, the B and b allele frequencies were 53.1% and 46.9%, A and a allele frequencies were 70.3% and 29.7%, and T and t allele frequencies were 62.5% and 37.5%, respectively. In the control group, the corresponding values were 51.9% and 48.1%, 63.0% and 37.0%, and 77.8% and 22.2%, respectively. In the patient group, the BB, Bb, and bb genotype frequencies were 25.0%, 56.2%, and 18.8%, AA, Aa, and aa genotype frequencies were 43.8%, 53.1%, and 3.1%, and TT, Tt, and tt genotype frequencies were 37.5%, 50.0%, and 12.5%, respectively. In the control group, the corresponding values were 11.1%, 81.5%, and 7.4%, 29.6%, 66.7%, and 3.7%, and 63.0%, 29.6%, and 7.4%, respectively. None of the allele or genotype frequencies showed statistically significant differences between the patient and control groups.

Conclusion  These findings suggest that there is no relationship between VDR gene polymorphisms and AA.
Recovery of renal function after 90 d on dialysis: implications for transplantation in patients with potentially reversible causes of renal failure
Authors: Siddiqui Samira , Norbury Michael , Robertson Sue , Almond Alison , Isles Chris
Published: September 2007

Abstract:  Background:  Late recovery of renal function in patients requiring dialysis is a well recognized but uncommon phenomenon. Moves to increase the number of live donor transplants and the recognition that early transplantation is associated with better graft survival means it is possible that patients who are going to recover renal function may be transplanted unnecessarily.

Design:  Prospective survey of patients receiving dialysis for more than 90 d in south west Scotland from 1 January 1994 to 31 December 2005.

Methods:  Routine measurement of residual renal function by combined urea and creatinine clearance allowed us to detect late recovery whenever this occurred.

Results:  Eight of 202 (4%) patients recovered sufficient renal function to stop dialysing after 90‐d treatment. The likely cause of the renal failure in five of these patients was atheroembolism. One with atherosclerotic renovascular disease had been stented and would have received a live related renal transplant had his sister not had second thoughts about the procedure.

Conclusion:  It may be sensible to postpone transplantation in patients with certain types of renal failure, perhaps particularly patients with renovascular disease who have recently undergone a failed revascularization procedure.
Genotypic and phenotypic analysis of Streptococcus mutans from different oral cavity sites of caries‐free and caries‐active children
Authors: Lembo F. L. , Longo P. L. , Ota‐Tsuzuki C. , Rodrigues C. R. M. D. , Mayer M. P. A.
Published: September 2007

Introduction:  Streptococcus mutans exhibits extensive genotypic diversity, but the role of this variation is poorly understood. This study aimed to determine the number and distribution of genotypes of S. mutans isolated from caries‐active and caries‐free children and to evaluate some of their phenotypic traits.

Methods:  Stimulated saliva, tongue surface and biofilms over sound and carious teeth surfaces were sampled from 10 caries‐free and 11 caries‐active children aged 5–8 years. A total of 339 isolates of S. mutans were genotyped by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction using OPA2 primer. One isolate from each genotype was tested for its acid susceptibility and its ability to form a biofilm.

Results:  Fifty‐one distinct genotypes were determined, one to three genotypes in each oral sample. A single genotype was detected in seven children, whereas the remaining 14 children exhibited two to seven genotypes. There were no significant differences in the number of genotypes detected in caries‐free and caries‐active children. No correlation was observed between the number of genotypes and the mutans streptococci salivary levels. Five of the six high biofilm‐forming genotypes were obtained from caries‐active children, although the differences in biofilm formation between isolates from caries‐free and caries‐active children were not statistically significant. Genotypes with low susceptibility to acid challenge were statistically more frequent among isolates from caries‐active children than among those from caries‐free children.

Conclusion:  The present data suggested that there were differences in the distribution of genotypes of S. mutans according to the oral site and that S. mutans populations differ in their acid susceptibility and ability to form biofilms, factors allowing their colonization of sucrose‐rich environments.
The influence of the quality and quantity of social support in the promotion of community participation following stroke
Authors: Beckley Margaret Newsham
Published: September 2007

Background:  Community participation for a client who has sustained a stroke often requires the client to make adjustments, adaptations, and compensations for residual impairments or disability following stroke rehabilitation. The ability to make these needed adjustments, adaptations, and compensations often require a client‐centred assistance from an occupational therapist (

Rogers, 2006

). Assessment of environmental factors, such as social support, is one avenue an occupational therapist may consider in the provision of client‐centred assistance. As such, the purpose of this study was to examine the impact of social support on community participation after stroke.

Methods:  Ninety‐five stroke survivors were interviewed at home 3 to 6 months postdischarge from a rehabilitation hospital. Multivariate analysis was used to determine the effects of social support on community participation, as measured by the Reintegration to Normal Living Index, following stroke rehabilitation. Quality and quantity of social support were measured using the Social Support Inventory for People with Acquired Disabilities.

Results:  The quality of social support did not have a greater relationship to community participation than the quantity of social support, as hypothesised. As main effects, both quality (P = 0.03) and quantity (P = 0.004) of social support were found to be significant. Quality and quantity of social support explained 31% and 35% of the variance, respectively, with regard to community participation, indicating moderately strong relationships to the dependent variable. However, the results of bivariate analyses indicate that for people who had sustained a stroke, community participation was more related to their functional limitation (P = 0.001), rather than to the support that was available to them.

Conclusions:  Assessment and development of social support as a component of occupational therapy intervention may improve the degree of community participation for people with stroke.
Accuracy of MRI diagnosis of internal derangement of the knee in a non‐specialized tertiary level referral teaching hospital
Authors: Challen J , Tang YM , Hazratwala K , Stuckey S
Published: September 2007

This study was designed to assess the accuracy of knee MRI examinations carried out in a general tertiary referral hospital without a musculoskeletal fellowship trained radiologist. The study included all patients who had undergone a knee arthroscopy carried out within a 2‐year period and who had had a prior MRI knee examination, where both were carried out at this institution. The accuracy of the MRI knee examination was determined by correlation to the arthroscopy report. The accuracy for diagnosis of meniscal and cartilage injuries, in this setting, was found to be similar to a published meta‐analysis of previous studies correlating knee MRI and arthroscopy. The overall accuracy of this study was better than the previous similar study. However, the accuracy for diagnosing ACL injuries was lower than in the meta‐analysis. The potential reasons for this and other sources of error are discussed.
Preoperative embolization of hypervascular head and neck tumours
Authors: Gupta AK , Purkayastha S , Bodhey NK , Kapilamoorthy TR , Kesavadas C
Published: September 2007

The embolization of vascular tumours of the head and neck has become an important adjunct to the surgical treatment of these tumours. A vascular tumour in the head and neck region in a surgically treatable patient may be a candidate for embolization. Palliative embolization may be the sole treatment for high risk patients. Reducing intraoperative bleeding may shorten surgery time thus decreasing morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of embolization as an adjunct to surgery or as a curative measure in the management of hypervascular head and neck tumours. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 46 consecutive patients (27 men and 16 women; mean age, 37.8 years) with 48 hypervascular head and neck tumours that had undergone preoperative transarterial, direct puncture or combined mode of embolization. Diagnosis of tumours was made on the basis of findings of imaging studies. The 46 patients underwent embolization either through transarterial route, by direct puncture technique or both direct puncture and arterial route. The devascularization reached 90–95% with the use of NBCA. The amount of devascularization reached by transarterial particle embolization is a little lesser. One patient (carotid body tumour) developed mild unilateral seventh, ninth and 10th cranial nerve palsy after transarterial embolization, transient hemiparesis was seen in another patient (nasopharyngeal angiofibroma). Both patients improved completely with steroids and had no deficit on follow up. One patient developed delayed glue migration into the middle cerebral artery territory 6 h after the procedure with no reported increase in size of the lesion in the following 5 years. Preoperative embolization of hypervascular tumour of head and neck region appears to be safe and improves the chance of complete removal during surgery with minimal blood loss.
Elevation of pentylenetetrazole‐induced seizure threshold in cholestatic mice: Interaction between opioid and cannabinoid systems
Authors: Shafaroodi Hamed , Ghasemi Mehdi , Dehpour Ahmad R
Published: September 2007

Background and Aim: Several studies have reported that endogenous opioid and cannabinoid systems may be involved in some pathophysiological changes occurring in cholestatic liver disease. It is well known that endogenous opioids and cannabinoids alter the susceptibility of experimental animals to different models of seizure.

Methods: The alterations in pentylenetetrazole‐induced clonic seizure thresholds were evaluated from 1 to 6 days after bile duct ligation in mice. Whether the pretreatment of cholestatic mice with different doses of opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone or cannabinoid CB1receptor antagonist AM251 (AM251) would have changed the clonic seizure threshold was also examined.

Results: Although the clonic seizure threshold was similar between sham‐operated and unoperated mice, there was a time‐dependent increase in the threshold in cholestatic mice, reaching a peak on day 3 after bile duct ligation and declining partially after day 4. Chronic pretreatment with naltrexone (2, 5, and 10 mg/kg) reversed the increased threshold in cholestatic mice on day 3 after operation in a dose‐dependent manner with the highest doses used restoring the threshold to that of the control animals. A similar reversal of the increased threshold was observed after acute (0.5, 0.75, and 1 mg/kg) or chronic (0.5 mg/kg for 4 days) pretreatment with AM251. Moreover, concurrent administration of doses of AM251 and naltrexone that each separately induced a partial reversal of increased seizure threshold in cholestasis caused a complete restoring of the threshold to the control level.

Conclusions: Both opioid and cannabinoid CB1receptors may be involved in the dramatic increase in pentylenetetrazole‐induced seizure threshold in cholestasis.
Reduction of fibrosis in a rat model of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis by human HGF gene transfection using electroporation
Authors: Kiyama Shigeru , Yamada Takuya , Iwata Hisashi , Sekino Takafumi , Matsuo Hiroshi , Yoshida Naomasa , Miyahara Toshiyuki , Umeda Yukio , Matsuno Yukihiro , Kimura Masaki , Matsumoto Kunio , Nakamura Toshikazu , Takemura Hirofumi
Published: September 2007

Background and Aim:  To study the histological changes caused by transfection of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene using electroporation (EP) in a non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) cirrhotic liver model.

Methods:  NASH cirrhotic livers were prepared by administering a choline‐deficient diet to 5‐week‐old male Wister rats for 12 weeks. Three groups of rats were used: rats in the G(+) group were transfected with the GFP gene using EP, rats in the H(+) group were transfected with the HGF gene using EP, and rats in the H(–) group were only injected with the HGF gene. Rats were sacrificed 2 days after gene transfection, and the Azan positive rate (APR) and Sudan positive rate (SPR) were calculated to evaluate fibrosis and fatty changes.

Results:  The APR of the NASH cirrhotic livers was significantly higher than that in the normal livers. The APR did not decrease in the G(+) group and the H(–) group, but decreased significantly in the nonelectroporated as well as electroporated areas of the H(+) group. For SPR, there were no significant differences between the G(+), H(–), and H(+) groups.

Conclusion:  The improvement of fibrosis was not significant when a direct injection of the HGF gene was used alone, but it was enhanced by the concomitant use of EP. However, no efficacy was observed in fat components. These findings suggest that transfection of the HGF gene by EP may lead to an improvement of irreversible cirrhotic livers to reversible fatty livers.
Survival analysis of 904 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in a hepatitis B virus–endemic area
Authors: Park Kyung Woo , Park Joong‐Won , Choi Jun Il , Kim Tae Hyun , Kim Seong Hoon , Park Hong Suk , Lee Woo Jin , Park Sang Jae , Hong Eun Kyung , Kim Chang‐Min
Published: September 2007

Background and Aim:  To investigate the clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of a large cohort of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated at a single institute in a hepatitis B virus (HBV)–endemic area.

Methods:  Between 2000 and 2003, 904 patients with HCC treated at our institute were enrolled, and followed until 2005.

Results:  The mean age of the patients was 56 years and 76.3% were HBV‐positive. The 1‐, 2‐, 3‐, and 4‐year survival rates were 53.8%, 40.0%, 31.4%, and 25.7%, respectively. The 4‐year survival rates for Child–Pugh class A patients treated by resection or transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) were 77.3% and 63.2% for those with modified International Union Against Cancer (UICC) stage I or II disease (P = 0.043), and 58.6% and 19.2% for those with modified UICC stage III disease (P < 0.001). In patients with Child–Pugh class A and stage IVa, the median survival times differed between TACE and chemotherapy treatments (6.9 vs 4.0 months, P = 0.003), whereas in patients with stage IVb there was no difference between treatments (8.5 vs 6.1 months, P = 0.173) Serum α‐fetoprotein level, presence of portal vein tumor thrombosis, Child–Pugh class, tumor, node, and metastasis stage, and the number and type of HCC were all related to prognosis. Significant differences in survival curves were observed among the Japanese Integrated Staging scores.

Conclusions:  The results of this study will be helpful in determining the survival outcomes and treatment strategies for HCC patients in HBV‐endemic areas.
Vasopressin response and shunting modulation in cirrhotic rats by chronic nitric oxide inhibition
Authors: Huang Hui‐Chun , Wang Sun‐Sang , Lee Fa‐Yauh , Chang Ching‐Chih , Chang Full‐Young , Lin Han‐Chieh , Hou Ming‐Chih , Lee Shou‐Dong
Published: September 2007

Background and Aim: Nitric oxide (NO) plays a significant role in the vascular hyposensitivity to vasoconstrictors in cirrhosis. Chronic NO inhibition improves the portal‐systemic collateral responsiveness to arginine8‐vasopressin (AVP) and ameliorates shunting degree in rats with prehepatic portal hypertension. This study investigated whether long‐term NO inhibition by NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) enhances the collateral vascular responsiveness to AVP and alleviates the severity of shunting in cirrhotic rats.

Methods: Bile duct‐ligated (BDL) rats received L‐NAME in tap water (25 mg/kg/day) or tap water only (control) for 1 week from the 36th day after BDL. On the 43rd day, the mean arterial pressure and portal pressure were measured. With anin situperfusion model of portal‐systemic collateral vasculature, different concentrations of AVP (10−10−10−7 mol/L) with a constant flow rate (12 mL/min) were applied to assess the perfusion pressure changes of collaterals. In addition, flow pressure curves were obtained with different flow rates (6–18 mL/min): the slopes serve as indices of collateral vascular resistance and the higher resistance indicates less collateral.

Results: The mean arterial pressure was significantly increased after L‐NAME treatment (P < 0.05), whereas the heart rate and portal pressure were not significantly modified. As compared with the controls, the L‐NAME group exerted significantly higher perfusion pressure changes to AVP at the concentrations of 3 × 10−8, 10−7and 3 × 10−7 mol/L. In addition, chronic L‐NAME administration induced collateral vascular resistance elevation, suggesting the attenuation of portal‐systemic shunting.

Conclusion: Chronic NO inhibition improves the collateral vascular responsiveness to AVP and ameliorates portal‐systemic shunting in BDL cirrhotic rats.