bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Halothane on Regional Cerebral Blood Flow and Cerebral Metabolic Oxygen Consumption in the Fetal Lamb In Utero
Authors: Cheek D. B. C. , Hughes S. C. , Dailey P. A. , Field D. R. , Pytka S. , Rosen M. A. , Parer J. T. , Shnider S. M.
Published: September 2006

The effects of halothane on maternal and fetal hemodynamics, distribution of fetal cardiac output, regional cerebral blood flow, and fetal cerebral oxygen consumption were studied in the ewe (N = 9) using radionuclide-labeled microspheres. An adjustable uterine artery occluder was used to produce a controlled state of fetal asphyxia. Measurements were taken during three periods of study: 1) control, 2) asphyxia, and 3) asphyxia plus 15 min of 1% maternal halothane. The fetal cardiovascular response to asphyxia was acidosis, hypoxia, hypertension, bradycardia, and preservation of vital organ blood flows. There was a significant drop in maternal blood pressure when halothane was administered but uterine blood flow was maintained, 308 ml ± min−1 during asphyxia versus 275 ml ± min−1 with halothane. Fetal blood pressure during asphyxia plus halothane (54 mmHg) was significantly lower than that during asphyxia alone (59 mmHg), while heart rate was significantly higher: 172 beats per minute (bpm) versus 125 bpm (P < 0.05). Despite these changes, the administration of halothane during asphyxia did not produce a reduction in vital organ flows. Cerebral blood flow was maintained: 357 ± 37 ml ± 100 g−1 • min−1 during asphyxia alone and 344 ± 26 ml ± 100 g−1 min−1 after halothane administration (P = NS, mean ± SEM). Cerebral oxygen delivery also was maintained: 8.3 ± 0.8 ml ± 100 g−1 during asphyxia alone versus 9.7 ± 1.5 ml ± 100 g−1 • min−1 after halothane, compared with 11.2 ± 1.1 ml ± 100 g−1 • min−1 during the control period. Cerebral oxidative metabolism (CMRO2) decreased significantly from 4.1 ± 0.6 ml ± 100 g−1 • min−1 during control to 2.8 ± 0.4 ml ± 100 g−1 • min−1 during asphyxia alone, but no further significant change occured after halothane (2.0 ± 0.3 ml ± 100 g−1 • min−1). Fetal myocardial blood flow was maintained: 625 ± 93 ml ± 100 g−1 ml−1 during asphyxia alone versus 529 ± 79 ml ± 100 g−1 • min−1 after halothane administration. The authors conclude that the addition of 1% maternal halothane in the briefly asphyxiated fetal lamb does not abolish the protective reflexes of increased coronary and cerebral blood flow and decreased CMRO2.
Evaluation and Comparison of the Distributions of Gastric pH and Hydrogen Ion Concentration
Authors: Colliver Jerry A. , Manchikanti Laxmaiah , Markwell Stephen J.
Published: September 2006

The shapes of the distributions of gastric pH and hydrogen ion concentration [H+] were determined for each of 68 groups of patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia. The 68 groups comprised a total of 1,326 patients who had served as subjects in 13 of the authors' previously published studies. In general, the results showed that neither pH nor H+ was normally distributed; most of the pH distributions (47 of 68 = 69%) and most of the H+ distributions (53 of 68 = 78%) showed significant departure from the normal distribution. Moreover, the shapes of the distributions varied, depending upon the conditions under which gastric acidity was assessed. Groups receiving no medication for gastric acidity had positively skewed pH distributions (nonsymmetrical distribution with tail pointing to right and majority of cases in lower range), and groups receiving medications for the reduction of acidity had negatively skewed pH distributions (nonsymmetrical with tail pointing to left and majority of cases in upper range). The medications produced an inverse relationship between mean pH and skewness such that the skewness of the groups decreased from positive to negative as mean pH increased. For H+, all groups had positively skewed distributions, but the distributions were more positively skewed for groups receiving medications for gastric acidity. Again, the medication conditions produced an inverse relationship between mean acidity and skewness such that the groups became more positively skewed as the mean H+ decreased. Thus, a blanket recommendation of either of the two measures of gastric acidity based on the assumption that the measure has an underlying normal distribution is not warranted by the findings of this study. Based on the argument that pH measures the chemical potential of the hydrogen ion and, thus, is directly related to chemical reactions and biological activity, gastric pH is recommended as the measure of choice for gastric acidity.
Association of putative concave protein‐binding sites with the fluctuation behavior of residues
Authors: Ertekin Asli , Nussinov Ruth , Haliloglu Turkan
Published: September 2006

Here, we propose a binding site prediction method based on the high frequency end of the spectrum in the native state of the protein structural dynamics. The spectrum is obtained using an elastic network model (GNM). High frequency vibrating (HFV) residues are determined from the fastest modes dynamics. HFV residue clusters and the associated surface patch residues are tested for their likelihood to locate at the binding interfaces using two different data sets, the Benchmark Set of mainly enzymes and antigen/antibodies and the Cluster Set of more diverse structures. The binding interface is identified to be within 7.5 Å of the HFV residue clusters in the Benchmark Set and Cluster Set, for 77% and 70% of the structures, respectively. The success rate increases to 88% and 84%, respectively, by using the surface patches. The results suggest that concave binding interfaces, typically those of enzyme‐binding sites, are enriched by the HFV residues. Thus, we expect that the association of HFV residues with the interfaces is mostly for enzymes. If, however, a binding region has invaginations and cavities, as in some of the antigen/antibodies and in cases in the Cluster data set, we expect it would be detected there too. This implies that binding sites possess several (inter‐related) properties such as cavities, high packing density, conservation, and disposition for hotspots at binding surfaces. It further suggests that the high frequency vibrating residue‐based approach is a potential tool for identification of regions likely to serve as protein‐binding sites. The software is available at http://www.prc.boun.edu.tr/PRC/software.html.
Molecular dynamics and in vitro analysis of Connexin43: A new 14‐3‐3 mode‐1 interacting protein
Authors: Park Darren J. , Freitas Tracey A. , Wallick Christopher J. , Guyette Carrie V. , Warn‐Cramer Bonnie J.
Published: September 2006

The interaction of cellular proteins with the gap junction protein Connexin43 (Cx43) is thought to form a dynamic scaffolding complex that functions as a platform for the assembly of signaling, structural, and cytoskeletal proteins. A high stringency Scansite search of rat Cx43 identified the motif containing Ser373 (S373) as a 14‐3‐3 binding site. The S373 motif and the second best mode‐1 motif, containing Ser244 (S244), are conserved in rat, mouse, human, chicken, and bovine, but not in Xenopus or zebrafish Cx43. Docking studies of a mouse/rat 14‐3‐3θ homology model with the modeled phosphorylated S373 or S244 peptide ligands or their serine‐to‐alanine mutants, S373A or S244A, revealed that the pS373 motif facilitated a greater number of intermolecular contacts than the pS244 motif, thus supporting a stronger 14‐3‐3 binding interaction with the pS373 motif. The alanine substitution also reduced more than half the number of intermolecular contacts between 14‐3‐3θ and the S373 motif, emphasizing the phosphorylation dependence of this interaction. Furthermore, the ability of the wild‐type or the S244A GST‐Cx43 C‐terminal fusion protein, but not the S373A fusion protein, to interact with either 14‐3‐3θ or 14‐3‐3ζ in GST pull‐down experiments clearly demonstrated that the S373 motif mediates the direct interaction between Cx43 and 14‐3‐3 proteins. Blocking growth factor–induced Akt activation and presumably any Akt‐mediated phosphorylation of the S373 motif in ROSE 199 cells did not prevent the down‐regulation of Cx43‐mediated cell–cell communication, suggesting that an Akt‐mediated interaction with 14‐3‐3 was not involved in the disruption of Cx43 function.
Variants of DsRed fluorescent protein: Development of a copper sensor
Authors: Eli Pharhad , Chakrabartty Avijit
Published: September 2006

The fluorescence quenching of drFP583 (DsRed) protein by metal ions was investigated. CuSO4 reversibly and pH dependently quenched the red emission at 583 nm of drFP583. The copper binding constant was 15 mM. Following random mutagenesis, blue‐ and red‐shifted mutants of drFP583 were generated, and their metal sensing properties were examined. Mutant gRF possessed properties similar to green fluorescent protein and had a 18 mM copper binding constant. Mutant Rmu162 had an extraordinary red‐shifted emission peak at 620 nm. A third mutant, Rmu13, had dual emission peaks at 500 nm and 583 nm and possessed the properties of a copper sensor with a binding constant of 11 mM.
Characterization of the five novel Ly‐6 superfamily members encoded in the MHC, and detection of cells expressing their potential ligands
Authors: Mallya Meera , Campbell R. Duncan , Aguado Begoña
Published: September 2006

Lymphocyte Antigen 6 (Ly‐6) superfamily members are cysteine‐rich, generally GPI‐anchored cell surface proteins, which have definite or putative immune related roles. There are 27 members of this family described so far in the human genome and 37 in the mouse. Five of them are clustered in the class III region of the human and mouse MHCs. Following computational analyses, we functionally characterized the encoded proteins by creating epitope‐tagged fusion constructs to determine molecular weight, complex formation, subcellular localization, post‐translational modifications and ligand binding. We found that all human and mouse proteins were glycosylated, and most could form part of larger complexes. Human and mouse Ly6G6c and Ly6G6d, and mouse Ly6g6e were found to be GPI‐anchored cell surface proteins, highly expressed at the leading edges of cells, on filopodia, which are normally involved in cell adhesion and migration. However, analysis of Ly6G5c and Ly6G5b indicated that they are potentially secreted proteins. Our results indicate that there are two subclusters of related Ly‐6 proteins in this region of the MHC, with Ly6G6c, Ly6G6d, and Ly6G6e forming one and Ly6G5c and Ly6G5b forming another. In addition, by FACS analysis we have found that the potential ligands for human LY6G6C, LY6G6D, and LY6G5C are expressed on K562 cells, an undifferentiated megakaryocyte cell line, indicating a potential role in hematopoietic cell differentiation. This characterization of the five MHC class III region Ly‐6 family members is of great relevance, as they represent 18% of the human Ly‐6 protein family and 50% of the secreted ones.
Three‐dimensional structure and ligand interactions of the low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase from Campylobacter jejuni
Authors: Tolkatchev Dmitri , Shaykhutdinov Rustem , Xu Ping , Plamondon Josée , Watson David C. , Young N. Martin , Ni Feng
Published: September 2006

A putative low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase (LMW‐PTP) was identified in the genome sequence of the bacterial pathogen, Campylobacter jejuni. This novel gene, cj1258, has sequence homology with a distinctive class of phosphatases widely distributed among prokaryotes and eukaryotes. We report here the solution structure of Cj1258 established by high‐resolution NMR spectroscopy using NOE‐derived distance restraints, hydrogen bond data, and torsion angle restraints. The three‐dimensional structure consists of a central four‐stranded parallel β‐sheet flanked by five α‐helices, revealing an overall structural topology similar to those of the eukaryotic LMW‐PTPs, such as human HCPTP‐A, bovine BPTP, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae LTP1, and to those of the bacterial LMW‐PTPs MPtpA from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and YwlE from Bacillus subtilis. The active site of the enzyme is flexible in solution and readily adapts to the binding of ligands, such as the phosphate ion. An NMR‐based screen was carried out against a number of potential inhibitors and activators, including phosphonomethylphenylalanine, derivatives of the cinnamic acid, 2‐hydroxy‐5‐nitrobenzaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, adenine, and hypoxanthine. Despite its bacterial origin, both the three‐dimensional structure and ligand‐binding properties of Cj1258 suggest that this novel phosphatase may have functional roles close to those of eukaryotic and mammalian tyrosine phosphatases. The three‐dimensional structure along with mapping of small‐molecule binding will be discussed in the context of developing high‐affinity inhibitors of this novel LMW‐PTP.
A novel Indian β‐thalassemia mutation in the CACCC box of the promoter region
Authors: Agarwal Sarita , Arya Vandana , Stolle Catherine A. , Pradhan Mandakini
Published: September 2006

Abstract:  This is the first report of a previously undescribed mutation in Indian subjects of the CACCC box of promoter region for β‐globin, which in combination with a common mutation produces thalassemia major in the offspring of the family.
Four‐year evaluation of myocardial and liver iron assessed prospectively with serial MRI scans in young patients with β‐thalassaemia major: comparison between different chelation regimens
Authors: Christoforidis Athanasios , Haritandi Afroditi , Tsatra Ioanna , Tsitourides Ioannis , Karyda Stavroula , Athanassiou‐Metaxa Miranda
Published: September 2006

This study was conducted in order to assess myocardial and liver iron concentrations (LICs) using serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans in patients with β‐thalassaemia major, over a 4‐yr period, and consequently to compare the effectiveness of different chelation regimens. Fifty children and young adults with β‐thalassaemia major (27 boys and 23 girls) were recruited (mean age: 14.74 ± 3.67 yr). All patients underwent detailed clinical examination, electrocardiography, echocardiography, myocardial and liver MRI at the beginning of the study, 2 and 4 yr after. Additionally, serum ferritin levels were regularly measured and data regarding LICs assessed by percutaneous liver biopsy were available in 26 patients. Both myocardial and liver MRI values showed a moderate inverse correlation with age (r = −0.379, P < 0.001 and r = −0.376, P < 0.001, respectively). Liver MRI was better correlated with serum ferritin concentrations (r = −0.342, P < 0.001) than myocardial MRI (r = −0.186, P = 0.011). Liver MRI values were highly correlated with LICs derived from percutaneous liver biopsy (r = −0.863, P < 0.001), whereas myocardial MRI values did not correlate at all with measurements derived from echocardiography. Regarding iron chelation treatment, patients receiving combined therapy with deferiprone and deferoxamine (DFO) significantly reduced myocardial iron overload during the 4‐yr study period, whilst patients in monotherapy with DFO showed a significant increase in LIC.
Rapid immune reconstitution after a reduced‐intensity conditioning regimen and a CD3‐depleted haploidentical stem cell graft for paediatric refractory haematological malignancies
Authors: Chen Xiaohua , Hale Gregory A. , Barfield Raymond , Benaim Ely , Leung Wing H. , Knowles James , Horwitz Edwin M. , Woodard Paul , Kasow Kimberly , Yusuf Usman , Behm Frederick G. , Hayden Randall T. , Shurtleff Sheila A. , Turner Victoria , Srivastava Deo Kumar , Handgretinger Rupert
Published: September 2006

The main obstacles to successful haploidentical haematopoietic stem cell transplantation from a mismatched family member donor are delayed immune reconstitution, vulnerability to infections and severe graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD). We designed a reduced‐intensity conditioning regimen that excluded total body irradiation and anti‐thymocyte globulin in order to expedite immune reconstitution after a CD3‐depleted haploidentical stem cell transplant. This protocol was used to treat 22 paediatric patients with refractory haematological malignancies. After transplantation, 91% of the patients achieved full donor chimaerism. They also showed rapid recovery of CD3+ T‐cells, T‐cell receptor (TCR) excision circle counts, TCRβ repertoire diversity and natural killer (NK)‐cells during the first 4 months post‐transplantation, compared with those results from a group of patients treated with a myeloablative conditioning regimen. The incidence and extent of viremia were limited and no lethal infection was seen. Only 9% of patients had grade 3 acute GvHD, while 27% patients had grade 1 and another 27% had grade 2 acute GvHD. This well‐tolerated regimen appears to accelerate immune recovery and shorten the duration of early post‐transplant immunodeficiency, thereby reducing susceptibility to viral infections. Rapid T‐cell reconstitution, retention of NK‐cells in the graft and induction of low grade GvHD may also enhance the potential anti‐cancer immune effect.
Prospective study of body size and risk for stroke amongst women below age 60
Authors: LU M. , YE W. , ADAMI H.‐O. , WEIDERPASS E.
Published: September 2006

The relation between obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, and risk of stroke amongst women remains unclear. In 1991–1992, a prospective study was initiated in Sweden amongst women who returned a self‐administered questionnaire. Through linkage with nation‐wide registries, 45 449 women, free of stroke at entry, were followed up until diagnosis of first incident stroke, death, or the end of follow‐up in 2002. We estimated multivariate relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from Cox proportional hazards regression models. A total of 170 incident stroke cases occurred during an average of 11 years of follow‐up. The RR of stroke amongst women in the highest compared with the lowest quintile was 2.4 (95% CI 1.3–4.2;Pfor trend 0.04) for waist‐to‐hip ratio, 2.5 (95% CI 1.5–4.3;Pfor trend 0.01) for waist‐to‐height ratio and 2.3 (95% CI 1.2–4.3;Pfor trend 0.02) for waist circumference. Adjustment for hypertension and diabetes attenuated these risk estimates. In contrast, birth weight, body mass index (BMI) at age 18, BMI at entry, weight change in adulthood and adult height were not significantly associated with risk of stroke. This study provides evidence that, in contrast to BMI, several different measures of abdominal obesity are strong predictors of stroke in women.
Zoonotic viral diseases and the frontier of early diagnosis, control and prevention
Authors: HEENEY J. L.
Published: September 2006

Public awareness of the human health risks of zoonotic infections has grown in recent years. Currently, concern of H5N1 flu transmission from migratory bird populations has increased with foci of fatal human cases. This comes on the heels of other major zoonotic viral epidemics in the last decade. These include other acute emerging or re‐emerging viral diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), West‐Nile virus, Ebola virus, monkeypox, as well as the more inapparent insidious slow viral and prion diseases. Virus infections with zoonotic potential can become serious killers once they are able to establish the necessary adaptations for efficient human‐to‐human transmission under circumstances sufficient to reach epidemic proportions. The monitoring and early diagnosis of these potential risks are overlapping frontiers of human and veterinary medicine. Here, current viral zoonotics and evolving threats are reviewed.
Prevalence of Yersinia enterocolitica in Goat Herds from Northern Germany
Authors: Arnold T. , Neubauer H. , Ganter M. , Nikolaou K. , Roesler U. , Truyen U. , Hensel A.
Published: September 2006

The prevalence of human pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica isolates in livestock farming is of paramount interest. Raw goat milk has been proposed as a source of human yersiniosis; however, no data on the prevalence of human strains of Y. enterocolitica in goat herds are available. Therefore, fecal samples (n = 575) were collected from 24 goat herds from Lower Saxony, northern Germany. Pre‐enrichment in peptone, sorbitol and bile salts broth was followed by plating on cefsuloidin irgasan novobiocin agar. Yersinia enterocolitica was isolated from 17 (3%) samples of five (21%) goat herds. All isolates were biovar 1A, but represented various serovars. PCR assays targeting Yersinia adhesin (yad) gene and the yopT gene, both associated with pathogenicity, produced no amplification products. Therefore, the isolates can be regarded as opportunistic apathogenic bacteria. Consequently, milk, cheese or meat from goats should not be considered as an important source for human yersiniosis.
Establishment of A Competitive ELISA (cELISA) System for the Detection of Influenza A Virus Nucleoprotein Antibodies and its Application to Field Sera from Different Species
Authors: Starick E. , Werner O. , Schirrmeier H. , Köllner B. , Riebe R. , Mundt E.
Published: September 2006

A recombinant baculovirus (RBV) encoding the nucleoprotein (NP) of avian influenza virus (AIV) was generated and the appropriate protein was expressed in Sf9 cells. Purified recombinant NP and the NP‐specific monoclonal antibody HB65 were used to establish a competitive ELISA (cELISA) system for the detection of NP‐specific antibodies in sera of ducks, geese and wild birds. Tests to evaluate this method were carried out using sera of ducks experimentally infected with AIV, pre‐immune duck and chicken sera, and poultry field sera, which tested negative in the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay, and field sera of several poultry species experimentally infected with other viruses. The evaluation of the test demonstrated a high sensitivity and specificity of this method. Tests carried out using field sera of duck and goose flocks revealed widely corresponding results obtained by HI assay and cELISA indicating that this test is applicable for flock diagnosis. Differing results were obtained for individual samples. It can be assumed that for the most part this was because of a better recognition of the conserved NP antigen by serum antibodies, although some results remained unclear.
Irritable bowel syndrome in the 21st century: Perspectives from Asia or South‐east Asia
Authors: Chang Full‐Young , Lu Ching‐Liang
Published: September 2006

Asian irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) studies not only confirm the truth of this functional disorder but also describe the current disease situation of this continent, with its variable socioeconomic backgrounds. Most Asian community IBS prevalence is within 5–10%, regardless of gender or ethnic character. As well as meeting the main Rome II criteria, Asian IBS subjects also have many minor symptoms. Thus this recommendation remains useful to diagnose Asian IBS. Also, female patients commonly express constipation‐predominant (C‐) symptoms. Extra‐colonic symptoms are common in Asia, for example dyspepsia, insomnia and irritable urinary bladder. Asian IBS subjects do experience psychological disturbances including anxiety, depression, agoraphobia and neuroticism. Accordingly, their quality of life is poor and there is absenteeism leading to excessive physician visits. Abnormal gut motor and sensory functions have been indicated among the Asian IBS subjects. Now, there is evidence of altered colonic neuroimmune function leading to gut hypersensitivity and dysmotility. An Asia–Pacific trial also confirmed tegaserod efficacy on female C‐IBS subjects. More than 90% of nurses have very limited IBS knowledge, and are unable even to explain it clearly. In conclusion, Western recommended criteria clearly diagnose Asian IBS and many factors are mutual leading to IBS. Current IBS treatments remain useful but additional reeducation for medical professionals appears to be needed.
Changes of soluble CD26 and CD30 levels correlate with response to interferon plus ribavirin therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Yang Sheng‐Shun , Fu Lin‐Shien , Chang Chi‐Sen , Yeh Hong‐Zen , Chen Gran‐Hum , Kao Jia‐Horng
Published: September 2006

Background: Clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is attributed to host cellular immune responses, in which T helper cells play a critical role. The purpose of the present paper was therefore to study the serial changes of serum soluble markers released from T helper 1 (Th1) and 2 (Th2) and their correlations with treatment responses in chronic hepatitis C patients receiving interferon‐α plus ribavirin for 24 weeks.

Methods: Serum markers (soluble CD26 and CD30 levels) of T helper cells were quantified before and 6 months after combination therapy in 33 chronic hepatitis C patients and in 20 healthy controls.

Results: Compared to healthy controls, chronic hepatitis C patients had significantly lower serum soluble CD26 levels before (140.4 ± 63.9 ng/mLvs200.6 ± 60.3 ng/mL,P < 0.0001) and after (115.9 ± 32.9 ng/mLvs200.6 ± 60.3 ng/mL,P < 0.0001) combination therapy. The level was even lower in those with non‐sustained virologic response (non‐SVR; 139.0 ± 50.9 ng/mLvs117.7 ± 40.3 ng/mL,P = 0.039). In contrast, soluble CD30 levels at 6 months after combination therapy were significantly lower in patients with SVR than those with non‐SVR (6.4 ± 3.5 U/mLvs10.4 ± 5.4 U/mL,P = 0.021).

Conclusion: Chronic hepatitis C patients have a weak Th1 response as reflected by lower soluble CD26 levels and the levels are even lower in non‐sustained responders. In sharp contrast, downregulation of Th2 response with serial changes of soluble CD30 level is associated with successful treatment of HCV infection.
Tumor necrosis factor‐α haplotype is strongly associated with bone mineral density in patients with Crohn's disease
Authors: Lee Naomi , Fowler Elizabeth , Mason Susan , Lincoln Douglas , Taaffe Dennis R , Radford‐Smith Graham
Published: September 2006

Background and Aim:  There is limited consensus on the major variables that determine bone integrity and bone loss in patients with Crohn's disease. Twin and family studies in the general population indicate that up to 85% of variance in bone mineral density is inherited. The aim was to determine the prevalence of bone loss and both molecular and clinical risk factors for bone loss in a large Crohn's disease population.

Methods:  This was a cross‐sectional study of 304 patients with Crohn's disease attending the Inflammatory Bowel Disease unit at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Queensland. The results of bone density testing were ascertained directly and by a mailed questionnaire. Bone mineral density data were combined with clinical information and correlated with single nucleotide polymorphisms within the tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐10, and NOD2/CARD15 genes.

Results:  Of 304 Crohn's disease patients, 101 had undergone previous bone density testing. Forty‐five patients (45%) had been diagnosed with osteopenia and 18 (18%) were osteoporotic. After multivariate analysis, both the TNF‐α GT haplotype and the −857 CC genotype showed strong associations with bone mineral density overall (P = 0.003 and P = 0.002, respectively). Body mass index (P = 0.01) and previous bowel resection in female patients (P = 0.03) were predictive of a higher spine bone density, while body mass index (P = 0.003) and the effect of years since first bowel resection (P = 0.02) remained independent predictors of proximal femur bone mineral density. There were no other significant associations observed.

Conclusions:  This study has identified a novel protective association between a TNF‐α haplotype and bone mineral density in Crohn's disease. It confirms the important influence of body mass index and intestinal resection on bone loss in this population.
INFLUENCE OF TRAINING ON THE FAMILY
Authors: Miller Francis J. , Miller Cheryl A. , Fox Adrian M. , Craig Giles L. , Watters David A. K.
Published: September 2006

Background:  There is currently a shortage of surgeons working in rural Australia. This may be due to partner dissatisfaction with rural placements during training.

Methods:  A questionnaire encompassing logistic, financial and emotional aspects of peripheral placements was distributed to trainees and their partners. A similar questionnaire was also distributed to 25 rural surgical consultants.

Results:  Seventy‐four per cent of trainees were either married or in long‐term relationships. A further 24% had children. The average number of residential moves per year of training was 0.74. Respondents reported difficulties that included accommodation suitability, general practitioner availability, financial burden and finding amenities such as school and crèches. Many (66%) partners had experienced high levels of isolation or loneliness, whereas some reported the development of a stress‐related disorder, depression or anxiety. Most respondents indicated that their partner would influence their decision to work in a given location. Furthermore, 20% of consultant surgeons had either moved town or had seriously considered moving town because of their spouse or children’s dissatisfaction.

Conclusion:  Training in peripheral locations causes significant stress to the trainee and their families. These experiences dissuade trainees from working in rural locations as consultants.
EXTRALARYNGEAL BIFURCATION OF THE RECURRENT LARYNGEAL NERVE: A COMMON VARIATION
Authors: Beneragama Tilan , Serpell Jonathan W.
Published: September 2006

Extralaryngeal bifurcation and trifurcation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is not well described in anatomical texts. This significant anatomical variation is important because prevention of vocal cord paralysis requires preservation of all branches of the RLN. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of extralaryngeal bifurcation of the RLN seen during thyroid/parathyroid surgeries. All patients undergoing total thyroidectomy, hemithyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy (excluding all minimally invasive procedures) carried out by a single endocrine surgeon from November 2003 to December 2004 were included. Operative data obtained prospectively included the location of the nerve, number of branches and the distance in millimetres from the inferior border of the cricothyroid to the point of bifurcation. A total of 213 (right = 114, left = 99) RLN in 137 patients were studied. Seventy‐seven (36%) nerves bifurcated or trifurcated before entry into the larynx. Bifurcations were more common on the right (43%) than on the left (28%) (P = 0.05). Trifurcations were seen in eight nerves, seven on the right and one on the left (P = 0.05). Bilaterally branched RLN were observed in 14 (18%) of 77 patients undergoing a bilateral procedure. One non‐RLN was identified on the right. The median distance from the cricothyroid to the point of division was 18 mm on the right and 13 mm on the left. Extralaryngeal division of the RLN is a common anatomical variant occurring more frequently on the right. Unseen branches of the RLN are at risk of injury during surgery. Therefore, great care is required following presumed identification of the RLN to ensure that there are no other unidentified branches.
Influence of Processing Conditions on the Electrical Properties of CaCu3Ti4O12 Ceramics
Authors: Adams T.B. , Sinclair D.C. , West A.R.
Published: September 2006

The electrical properties of a series of CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramics prepared by the mixed oxide route and sintered at 1115°C in air for 1–24 h to produce different ceramic microstructures have been studied by Impedance Spectroscopy. As‐fired ceramics are electrically heterogeneous, consisting of semiconducting grains and insulating grain boundaries, and can be modelled to a first approximation on an equivalent circuit based on two parallel RC elements connected in series. The grain boundary resistance and capacitance values vary as a function of sintering time and correlate with the ceramic microstructure based on the brickwork layer model for electroceramics. The large range of apparent high permittivity values for CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramics is therefore attributed to variations in ceramic microstructure. The grain‐boundary resistance decreases by three to four orders of magnitude after heat treatment in N2 at 800°–1000°C but can be recovered to the original value by heat treatment in O2 at 1000°C. The bulk resistivity decreases from ∼80 to 30 Ω·cm with increasing sintering time but is independent of heat treatment in N2 or O2 at 800°–1000°C. The origin of the bulk semiconductivity is discussed and appears to be related to partial decomposition of CaCu3Ti4O12 at the high sintering temperatures required to form dense ceramics, and not to oxygen loss.
Multiferroic Properties of Single‐Phase Bi0.85La0.15FeO3 Lead‐Free Ceramics
Authors: Yuan G. L. , Baba‐Kishi K. Z. , Liu J. ‐M. , Wing Or Siu , Wang Y. P. , Liu Z. G.
Published: September 2006

Single‐phase and lead‐free Bi0.85La0.15FeO3 multiferroic ceramics were prepared by a rapid liquid sintering method to study their crystal structure and multiferroic behaviors. Rietveld refinement of X‐ray diffraction data showed a pseudo‐cubic structure plus a small triclinic distortion. The absence of Fe2+ ions suggested few oxygen vacancies. Large polarizations of 20.3 μC/cm2 together with a piezoelectric d33 coefficient of ∼27.7 pC/N were achieved. This ferroelectricity originates from the stereochemical activity of the A‐site Bi3+ lone electron pair. The remnant magnetizations of 0.0744–0.227 emu/g of Bi0.85La0.15FeO3 permitted by the canting angle of canted antiferromagnetic order was released as a result of the collapse of the space‐modulated spin structure of BiFeO3. The observed dielectric anomalies proved the magnetoelectric couplings between ferroelectric order and canted antiferromagnetic order.
Structural and Dielectric Characterization of Nanocrystalline (Ba, Pb)ZrO3 Developed by Reverse Micellar Synthesis
Authors: Ahmad Tokeer , Ganguli Ashok K.
Published: September 2006

Nanocrystalline zirconates of barium and lead have been synthesized using a modified reverse micellar route (avoiding alkoxides). The entire solid solution of Ba1−xPbxZrO3 (0≤x≤1) has been synthesized for the first time. Powder X‐ray diffraction studies show the monophasic nature of the powders after heating at 800°C except minor impurities of ZrO2 (2%–3%) at a higher lead content (x=0.50 and 0.75). The oxides crystallize in the cubic structure till x=0.25; for higher values, they crystallize in the orthorhombic structure. The particle size obtained from X‐ray line‐broadening studies and transmission electron microscopic studies is found to be in the range of 20–60 nm for all the oxides obtained after heating at 800oC. The grain size of the solid solution of Ba1−xPbxZrO3 (0≤x≤1) was found to increase with the lead content. The dielectric constant of the solids corresponding to Ba1−xPbxZrO3 (0≤x≤1) was found to be a maximum at x=0.50. Note that the cubic to orthorhombic transition is also observed between x=0.25 and 0.5. Dielectric properties with respect to variation in frequency and temperature are reported for these nanocrystalline oxides for the first time.
Dispersant‐Ethyl Cellulose Binder Interactions at the Ni Particle‐Dihydroterpineol Interface
Authors: Lee Sangkyu , Paik Ungyu , Yoon Seon‐Mi , Choi Jae‐Young
Published: September 2006

The interaction of a dispersant and a binder at the Ni particle surface is investigated to identify their influence on the dispersion stability of Ni particles in dihydroterpineol (DHT). Six different commercial dispersants are used to obtain a highly dispersed Ni suspension, and ethyl cellulose (EC) is used as a binder for the preparation of a Ni paste. The effectiveness of the dispersants on the dispersion stability of the Ni particles in DHT is evaluated by measuring the rheological behavior of the Ni suspension. Hypermer KD3 and RE610, among six different commercial dispersants, are found to be an effective dispersant for the Ni particles in DHT without EC. However, upon the addition of EC, different rheological behaviors of the Ni suspensions are shown according to the added dispersants. EC does not affect the rheological behavior of the RE610‐stabilized Ni suspension. On the other hand, the addition of EC increases the apparent and relative viscosities of the Hypermer KD3‐stabilized Ni suspension and causes a transition in rheological behavior from shear thinning behavior to shear thickening behavior. The adsorption results reveal that the deterioration in the stability of the Hypermer KD3‐stabilized Ni suspension with the addition of EC is due to the partial displacement of the preadsorbed Hypermer KD3 by the EC. The influence of the interactions between the dispersant and binder on the dispersion stability of the Ni pastes is also confirmed via observations of the variations in the agglomerated particle size with the addition of EC.
High‐Energy Density Ceramic Composition in the System Pb(Zr,Ti)O3–Pb[(Zn,Ni)1/3Nb2/3]O3
Authors: Islam Rashed Adnan , Priya Shashank
Published: September 2006

This study reports a high‐energy density piezoelectric polycrystalline ceramic composition in the system Pb(Zr1−xTix)O3–Pb[(Zn1−yNiy)1/3Nb2/3]O3 (PZT–PZNN). Two different Zr/Ti ratios in the PZT system were investigated: 52/48 corresponding to morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) and 56/44 corresponding to the tetragonal phase. The compositions investigated in this study are represented as: 0.9Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3–0.1Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 [0.9PZT (52:48)–0.1PZN]+y wt% MnCO3, where y varies from 0 to 0.9 wt% and 0.9Pb(Zr0.56Ti0.44)O3–0.1Pb[(Zn0.8Ni0.2)1/3Nb2/3]O3 [0.9PZT (56:44)–0.1PZNN] +y mol% MnO2, where y varies from 1 to 3 mol%. A high‐energy density material is characterized by the large magnitude of the product of the piezoelectric voltage constant (g) and the piezoelectric strain constant (d) given as (dg). The condition for obtaining large magnitude of dg was derived to be as |d|=ɛn, where ɛ is the permittivity of the material and n is a material constant having a lower limit of 0.5. The d33.g33 value of the samples having composition 0.9 PZT (56:44)–0.1 PZNN+2 mol% MnO2 (sintered in two steps at 1100°–1000°C) was found to be 18456.2 × 10−15 m2/N, which, to the knowledge of the authors, is the highest value reported for polycrystalline ceramics. This composition was also found to exhibit a high magnitude of g33 as 83.1 V·(m·N)−1, corresponding to the magnitude of n as 1.126.
Erosion‐Indicating Thermal Barrier Coatings Using Luminescent Sublayers
Authors: Eldridge Jeffrey I. , Singh Jogender , Wolfe Douglas E.
Published: September 2006

A successful approach to producing thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) that are self‐indicating for location and depth of erosion is presented. Erosion indication is demonstrated in electron‐beam physical vapor‐deposited (EB‐PVD) TBCs consisting of 7 wt% yttria‐stabilized zirconia (7YSZ) with europium‐doped and terbium‐doped sublayers. Multiple‐ingot deposition was utilized to deposit doped layers with sharp boundaries in dopant concentration without disrupting the columnar growth that gives EB‐PVD TBCs their desirable strain tolerance. TBC‐coated specimens were subjected to alumina‐particle‐jet erosion, and the erosion depth was indicated under ultraviolet illumination by the luminescence associated with the sublayers exposed by erosion. Sufficiently distinct luminescent sublayer boundaries were retained to maintain an effective erosion‐indicating capability even after annealing free‐standing TBCs at 1400°C for 100 h.
Freezing Dilute Ceramic/Camphene Slurry for Ultra‐High Porosity Ceramics with Completely Interconnected Pore Networks
Authors: Koh Young‐Hag , Song Ju‐Ha , Lee Eun‐Jung , Kim Hyoun‐Ee
Published: September 2006

Highly porous alumina ceramics with completely interconnected pore channels were fabricated by freezing dilute alumina/camphene slurries with solid loadings ranging from 5 to 20 vol%. This method fundamentally made full use of the three‐dimensional camphene dendritic network for producing interconnected pore channels and the concentrated alumina powder network for achieving dense alumina walls. Firstly, alumina/camphene slurries were prepared at 60°C using ball milling and then cast into molds at 20°C. After subliming the frozen camphene, the samples were sintered at 1400°C for 5 h. This method enabled us to freeze very dilute ceramic slurries with a low solid loading of ≤20 vol% without the collapse of the sample after sintering. As the initial solid loading decreased from 20 to 5 vol%, the porosity linearly increased from 66% to 90% with an increase in the pore size, while completely interconnected pore networks were obtained in all cases. In addition, the free surfaces of the alumina walls showed full densification after sintering even at a low temperature of 1400°C, while some pores were present in the inner regions of the alumina walls.
Oxidation of Zirconium Diboride–Silicon Carbide at 1500°C at a Low Partial Pressure of Oxygen
Authors: Rezaie Alireza , Fahrenholtz William G. , Hilmas Gregory E.
Published: September 2006

The oxidation behavior of zirconium diboride containing 30 vol% silicon carbide particulates was investigated under reducing conditions. A gas mixture of CO and ∼350 ppm CO2 was used to produce an oxygen partial pressure of ∼10−10 Pa at 1500°C. The kinetics of the growth of the reaction layer were examined for reaction times of up to 8 h. Microstructures and chemistries of reaction layers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The kinetic measurements, the microstructure analysis, and a thermodynamic model indicate that oxidation in CO–CO2 produced a non‐protective oxide surface scale.
Pancreatic endocrine tumor with partial acinar cell differentiation
Authors: MINAKAWA KYOKO , OKA KUNIYUKI , NIHEI TAKESHI , SANDO NORIMASA , OIKAWA HARUNA , TODA JOE , HOSOKAWA YOSHINORI , MATSUMOTO TOSHIHARU , YANAGISAWA AKIO
Published: September 2006

We examined a 70‐year‐old woman in whom a pancreatic endocrine tumor with partial acinar cell differentiation had been diagnosed. She had neither endocrine nor exocrine symptoms. The tumor was located in the pancreatic tail and measured 12.5×9.5×8 cm. It had a capsule, was composed of multiple adhesion nodules, and was elastically soft, medullary, and yellowish white. The neoplastic cells had large, irregular, oval nuclei; prominent eosinophilic nucleoli; and abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm with many fine granules. The cells had proliferated in islet‐like solid medullary, trabecular, acinar, and papillary patterns. Most neoplastic cells were strongly positive for synaptophysin. 10 to 25% of the neoplastic cells were positive for α1‐antitrypsin. Neuroendocrine and zymogen granules were simultaneously observed in the cytoplasm of the same neoplastic cells at the ultrastructural level. The tumor may be considered an amphicrine tumor.
Combined treatment of pediatric high‐grade glioma with the oncolytic viral strain MTH‐68/H and oral valproic acid
Authors: WAGNER SABINE , CSATARY CHRISTINE M. , GOSZTONYI GEORG , KOCH HANS‐CHRISTIAN , HARTMANN CHRISTIAN , PETERS OVE , HERNÁIZ‐DRIEVER PABLO , THÉALLIER‐JANKO AGOTA , ZINTL FELIX , LÄNGLER ALFRED , WOLFF JOHANNES E. A. , CSATARY LASZLO K.
Published: September 2006

The case of a 12‐year‐old boy with anaplastic astrocytoma of the left thalamus is reported. Postoperative irradiation and chemotherapy could not repress tumor progression; therefore, treatment was undertaken with an oncolytic virus, MTH‐68/H, an attenuated strain of Newcastle disease virus (NDV), and valproic acid (VPA), an antiepileptic drug, which also has antineoplastic properties. This treatment resulted in a far‐reaching regression of the thalamic glioma, but 4 months later a new tumor manifestation, an extension of the thalamic tumor, appeared in the wall of the IVth ventricle, which required a second neurosurgical intervention. Under continuous MTH‐68/H – VPA administration the thalamic tumor remained under control, but the rhombencephalic one progressed relentlessly and led to the fatal outcome. In the final stage, a third tumor manifestation appeared in the left temporal lobe. The possible reasons for the antagonistic behavior of the three manifestations of the same type of glioma to the initially most successful therapy are discussed. The comparative histological study of the thalamic and rhombencephalic tumor manifestations revealed that MTH‐68/H treatment induces, similar to in vitro observations, a massive apoptotic tumor cell decline. In the rhombencephalic tumor, in and around the declining tumor cells, NDV antigen could be demonstrated immunohistochemically, and virus particles have been found in the cytoplasm of tumor cells at electron microscopic investigation. These findings document that the oncolytic effect of MTH‐68/H treatment is the direct consequence of virus presence and replication in the neoplastic cells. This is the first demonstration of NDV constituents in an MTH‐68/H ‐treated glioma.
A role for serglycin proteoglycan in granular retention and processing of mast cell secretory granule components
Authors: Henningsson Frida , Hergeth Sonja , Cortelius Robert , Åbrink Magnus , Pejler Gunnar
Published: September 2006

In the absence of serglycin proteoglycans, connective tissue‐type mast cells fail to assemble mature metachromatic secretory granules, and this is accompanied by a markedly reduced ability to store neutral proteases. However, the mechanisms behind these phenomena are not known. In this study, we addressed these issues by studying the functionality and morphology of secretory granules as well as the fate of the secretory granule proteases in bone marrow‐derived mast cells from serglycin+/+ and serglycin–/– mice. We show that functional secretory vesicles are formed in both the presence and absence of serglycin, but that dense core formation is defective in serglycin–/– mast cell granules. The low levels of mast cell proteases present in serglycin–/– cells had a granular location, as judged by immunohistochemistry, and were released following exposure to calcium ionophore, indicating that they were correctly targeted into secretory granules even in the absence of serglycin. In the absence of serglycin, the fates of the serglycin‐dependent proteases differed, including preferential degradation, exocytosis or defective intracellular processing. In contrast, β‐hexosaminidase storage and release was not dependent on serglycin. Together, these findings indicate that the reduced amounts of neutral proteases in the absence of serglycin is not caused by missorting into the constitutive pathway of secretion, but rather that serglycin may be involved in the retention of the proteases after their entry into secretory vesicles.