bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pathological findings in a patient with ventilatory failure and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Authors: Kimber Thomas E. , Orrell Richard W. , King Rosalind H. M. , Ginsberg Lionel
Published: October 2010

AbstractChronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) may cause significant disability, but severe respiratory complications are uncommon. We describe the case of a 49‐year‐old man with clinical features of CIDP for 5 years who died of respiratory failure. Post‐mortem findings of denervation in diaphragm muscle and axonal loss in phrenic nerve are presented. Severe ventilatory failure may occur in CIDP when neuropathy affects the respiratory muscles. Attention to early clinical features of respiratory insufficiency may facilitate the prevention of more severe features of respiratory failure.
MAST YAG Thomson scattering upgrade alignment system
Authors: Figueiredo J. , Naylor G. , Walsh M. , Dunstan M. , Scannell R. , Serra F.
Published: October 2010

The recent upgrade to the MAST YAG Thomson scattering while enhancing the diagnostic capabilities increased the complexity of the system. There are eight YAG lasers now operational, doubling the number from the previous setup. This means alignment between each laser individually and reference points is essential to guarantee data quality and diagnostic reliability. To address this issue an alignment system was recently installed. It mimics the beams alignment in MAST by sampling 1% of the laser beam that is sent into a telescope which demagnifies by a factor of 8. The demagnified beam is viewed with a CCD camera. By scanning the camera the profile and position of the beams in the scattering zone and in a range of several meters inside MAST can be determined. Therefore alignment is checked along the beam path without having to sample it inside the vessel. The experimental apparatus and test procedures are described.
Magnetodielectric response in the charge ordered oxyborate Fe2OBO3
Authors: Yáñez-Vilar S. , Sánchez-Andújar M. , Mira J. , Castro-García S. , Rivas J. , Señarís-Rodríguez M. A.
Published: October 2010

We present a detailed investigation on the magnetodielectric properties of Fe2OBO3, where we have found a magnetodielectric effect around 150% at room temperature and ν=2 kHz, that cannot solely arise from magnetoresistive extrinsic contributions. In addition, we find a crossover of the magnetodielectric response around TN, that we attribute to changes in the electronic microstructure of this compound that take place at that temperature. For T<TN the dielectric constant experiences a jump at a temperature dependent critical field that we relate to a partial melting of the charge ordering state.
Extended and localized surface plasmons in annealed Au films on glass substrates
Authors: Serrano A. , Rodríguez de la Fuente O. , García M. A.
Published: October 2010

We present here a study on the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in Au films deposited onto glass substrates and annealed in air at different temperatures. The initial Au films exhibit the resonant absorption of extended surface plasmons which depends on the film thickness. Thermal treatments promote the modification of the continuous films toward the formation of Au isolated islands. The morphological features of the islands depend on the film initial thickness and annealing temperature. The optical properties of the films are qualitatively modified as a consequence of the morphological changes. For films with initial thickness below 30 nm, the islands exhibit localized SPR while thicker films lead to islands large enough to hold extended SPR.
Charge disproportionation in TlGaSe2 crystals detected by dielectric spectroscopy
Authors: Seyidov MirHasan Yu , Suleymanov Rauf A. , Bakis Yakub , Salehli Ferid
Published: October 2010

The electrical properties of TlGaSe2 ferroelectric-semiconductor with layer crystalline structure in the direction parallel to the layers plane is studied by impedance spectroscopy in the frequency range 30 Hz–15 MHz. The impedance spectra were analyzed together with earlier results for perpendicular direction. Low frequency dispersion due to the interfacial polarization from Maxwell–Wagner type space charge effect has been observed. It was established that anomalous rise of relaxation time in the 145–190 K temperature range far from the known phase transitions temperatures is characteristic only for the polarization perpendicular to the layers plane. The model of a specific phase transition taking place in 145–190 K temperature region assuming carriers accumulation was proposed. Charge disproportination is the main characteristic feature of this phase transition which leads to the charge density modulation in one crystallographic direction perpendicular to the layers plane of the crystal.
Nanometric multiscale rough Zn–ZnO superhydrophobic thin films: Self-diffusion of zinc and effect of UV irradiation
Authors: Barshilia Harish C. , Tej K. R. Sai , Devi L. Mayura , Rajam K. S.
Published: October 2010

Zn–ZnO superhydrophobic thin films have been prepared by thermal oxidation of sputtered Zn. The superhydrophobicity observed in these coatings is attributed to multiscale roughness in the nanometric range only. The higher scale roughness was due to the combination of nanoclusters (solid regions) and air gaps while the lower scale roughness was due to the textured surface created by the fusion of individual ZnO nanocrystals to form the nanoclusters. The superhydrophobicity in these coatings has been observed only for an optimum combination of solid regions (i.e., nanoclusters) and air pockets. Experimental evidences have been provided to demonstrate that an additional micron-scale roughness on the substrate does not affect the wettability of the coating. It has been observed that the wettability of the Zn–ZnO coatings changes from hydrophobic to superhydrophobic during the initial 24 h after deposition. This occurs due to the outward self-diffusion of Zn to the surface and its subsequent oxidation under ambient conditions. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to demonstrate the morphological changes while micro-Raman spectroscopy was used to record the chemical changes on the coating surface as a result of the outward diffusion and subsequent oxidation of Zn. Studies have also been carried out to determine the effect of UV irradiation on the Zn–ZnO coatings. The UV irradiation transformed the Zn–ZnO surface from superhydrophobic to hydrophilic. Our studies based on FESEM, AFM, micro-Raman spectroscopy, and roughness profilometry show that this transformation was mainly due to the morphological changes that occur in addition to the chemical changes taking place on the ZnO surface under the influence of UV irradiation. The UV irradiation disturbs the optimum density of air pockets, leading to the loss of superhydrophobicity.
Complex pulsed field magnetization behavior and Walker breakdown in a NiFe thin-film
Authors: Burn David M. , Atkinson Del
Published: October 2010

The magnetization behavior of a Permalloy thin-film (nominally Ni81Fe19) was investigated as a function of combined quasistatic and pulsed magnetic fields measured using magneto-optic Kerr effect magnetometry. We observed complex field dependent switching behavior that depends on the relative contributions to the total field of the quasistatic and pulsed fields. As the pulsed field amplitude was increased, complex switching behavior occurs for total fields in excess of the coercive field. A simple phenomenological domain wall propagation model suggests a qualitative understanding of this complex behavior based on Walker breakdown of the domain wall motion occurring in the Permalloy thin-film.
Electrical power free, low dead volume, pressure-driven pumping for microfluidic applications
Authors: Moscovici Mario , Chien Wei-Yin , Abdelgawad Mohamed , Sun Yu
Published: October 2010

This paper presents a simple-to-construct, low dead volume pump capable of generating a wide range of positive and negative pressures for microfluidic applications. The pump generates pressure or vacuum by changing the volume of air confined inside a syringe and is able to generate pressures between −95 and +300 kPa with a resolution as high as 1 Pa. Different from syringe pumps and electrokinetic pumping, which are capable of controlling flow rates only, our pump can be used to generate constant flow rates or constant pressures, which are required for certain applications such as the aspiration of biological cells for biophysical characterization. Compared to syringe pumps, the new pump has almost zero dead volume and does not exhibit pulsatile flows. Additionally, the system does not require electrical power and is cost effective (∼$100). To demonstrate the capabilities of the pump, we used it to aspirate osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1 cells) and to determine Young’s modulus of the cells, to generate a concentration gradient, and to produce variable-sized droplets in microchannels using hydrodynamic focusing.
Estimation of proton distribution by means of three-dimensional reconstruction of prompt gamma rays
Authors: Park Min-Seok , Lee Wonho , Kim Jung-Min
Published: October 2010

In proton therapy, the dose distribution of proton beams in the human body needs to be measured accurately. The distribution of prompt gamma rays emitted from patients during irradiation is strongly associated with the dose distribution of the proton beam. The (three-dimensional) 3D distribution of the prompt gamma rays detected by a single photon emission computed tomography was simulated using a Monte Carlo method. The 3D distribution of the prompt gamma rays was well matched with the dose distribution of the proton beam and was superior to the (two-dimensional) distribution of the prompt gamma rays detected using a conventional gamma camera.
Analysis of localization sites for an excess electron in neutral methanol clusters using approximate pseudopotential quantum-mechanical calculations
Authors: Mones Letif , Rossky Peter J. , Turi László
Published: October 2010

We have used a recently developed electron-methanol molecule pseudopotential in approximate quantum mechanical calculations to evaluate and statistically analyze the physical properties of an excess electron in the field of equilibrated neutral methanol clusters ((CH3OH)n, n=50–500). The methanol clusters were generated in classical molecular dynamics simulations at nominal 100 and 200 K temperatures. Topological analysis of the neutral clusters indicates that methyl groups cover the surface of the clusters almost exclusively, while the associated hydroxyl groups point inside. Since the initial neutral clusters are lacking polarity on the surface and compact inside, the excess electron can barely attach to these structures. Nevertheless, most of the investigated cluster configurations do support weakly stabilized cluster anion states. We find that similarly to water clusters, the pre-existing instantaneous dipole moment of the neutral clusters binds the electron. The localizing electrons occupy diffuse, weakly bound surface states that largely engulf the cluster although their centers are located outside the cluster molecular frame. The initial localization of the excess electron is reflected in its larger radius compared to water due to the lack of free OH hydrogens on the cluster surface. The stabilization of the excess electron increases, while the radius decreases monotonically as the clusters grow in size. Stable, interior bound states of the excess electron are not observed to form neither in finite size methanol clusters nor in the equilibrium bulk.
Investigation of an amoxicillin oxidative degradation product formed under controlled environmental conditions
Authors: Gozlan Igal , Rotstein Adi , Avisar Dror
Published: October 2010

Environmental context.Although amoxicillin is a widely used antibiotic, it is yet to be detected in the aquatic environment. This study traces the production of the amoxicillin-S-oxide degradation product, and shows that it is consistently obtained only under sunlight irradiation. This is the first study to demonstrate the formation, under controlled environmental conditions, of this chemically stable product of amoxicillin.
Abstract.Amoxicillin (AMX) is a widely used penicillin-type antibiotic, and its presence in the environment has been widely investigated. The formation and structure of an oxidised degradation product (DP) of AMX are described in the present work. The experiments were carried out in buffer solution (pH 7.5) containing AMX at a concentration of 100 μg mL–1, with and without acid and in field secondary effluent. The DP, AMX-S-oxide (sulfoxide), was consistently obtained only under sunlight irradiation and was significantly augmented by the addition of humic acid (5 mg L–1) and mainly in field secondary effluent, which acts as a natural photo-sensitiser. The structure of the AMX-S-oxide DP was determined by an LC-MS technique using a mobile phase of deuterated and non-deuterated solvents. A 1H NMR spectrum was obtained for the pure compound isolated by preparative HPLC. Further confirmation of the AMX-S-oxide structure was achieved by comparison of its UV spectrum with those of the two oxidation products, AMX-S-oxide and hydroxylated AMX, obtained by the ozonolysis of AMX.
Salinity-induced acidification in a wetland sediment through the displacement of clay-bound iron(II)
Authors: Klein Annaleise R. , Baldwin Darren S. , Singh Balwant , Silvester Ewen J.
Published: October 2010

Environmental context Acidification of inland waterways is an emerging issue worldwide, mostly because it disturbs the balance of reduced sulfur species in soils, sediments and mine tailings. We describe a pathway for wetland acidification through salt displacement and oxidation of Fe2+ from clay minerals. This alternative pathway for acidification raises environmental concerns because an increasing number of inland waterways are affected by increasing salinity. Abstract A wetland near the Murray River (south-eastern Australia) was found to have significant levels of exchangeable reduced iron (Fe2+) in the sediment clay-zone, and the potential for acidification under high salinity and oxidising conditions. Cation exchange experiments using purified clay from this site show relative affinities consistent with the lyotrophic series: Fe2+>Ca2+>Mg2+>H+>K+>Na+. This relative affinity is confirmed in Fe2+ displacement experiments using natural sediment clay. Proton production during oxidation of salt-treated sediments corresponds to that expected for the oxidation and hydrolysis of Fe2+ displaced from clay interlayers, taking into account the buffering properties of the sediment matrix. This work shows that wetland acidification can occur in low sulfur-containing wetlands and is not exclusively a problem associated with sulfidic sediments.
Required Volunteers: Community Volunteerism among Students in College Classes
Authors: Beehr Terry A. , LeGro Kimberly , Porter Kimberly , Bowling Nathan A. , Swader William M.
Published: October 2010

Volunteering implies free choice, but people in some situations can feel compelled to volunteer. Hypotheses about students' volunteer work focused on self-determination and sufficiency of justification for their behavior. We examined required versus nonrequired volunteerism, internal and external motivation for volunteering, and attitudes of student volunteers toward their university. The sample was 273 college student nonvolunteers, required volunteers, and nonrequired volunteers. Nonrequired volunteers reported stronger commitment to and satisfaction with their university as well as stronger internal and weaker external motivation to volunteer than did required volunteers. Nonrequired volunteers experienced greater time demands than nonvolunteers did. It might be important to manage service learning programs to enhance students' experience of freedom in their choice to volunteer.
Competitive Ability and Fitness of Alternaria alternata Isolates Resistant to QoI Fungicides
Authors: Karaoglanidis G. S. , Luo Y. , Michailides T. J.
Published: October 2010

Fungicides that act as quinone outside inhibitors (QoIs) constitute a fungicide group extensively used against Alternaria late blight of pistachio caused by Alternaria spp. However, developement of resistance to this fungicide class constitutes an important threat for the succesful control of the disease. This study was conducted to determine whether development of resistance to QoIs is associated with a fitness cost, by measuring several biological and epidemiological parameters and estimating the competitive ability in four QoI-resistant and four QoI-sensitive Alternaria alternata isolates. Fitness parameters measured were mycelial growth and spore production in vitro, disease latent period, aggressiveness, and spore production on detached pistachio leaves. The competitive ability of resistant isolates was assessed in coinoculation experiments with sensitive isolates on detached pistachio leaves, using a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay technique. Fitness parameters between grouped QoI-resistant and QoI-sensitive isolates were not significantly different (P = 0.13, 0.21, 0.31, and 0.27 for sporulation in vitro, mycelial growth, incubation period, and sporulation in vivo, respectively), while resistant isolates, as a group, showed a higher aggressiveness (P = 0.01) compared with the sensitive isolates. The data indicate that the resistant strains did not account for a fitness cost compared with the sensitive ones under the conditions of testing. The outcome of the competition experiments was isolate dependent. In two pairs, the resistance frequencies increased whereas, in the remaining two pairs of isolates, resistance frequency decreased, suggesting that the resistant isolates were competitive similarly to the sensitive isolates.
Strigolactone Deficiency Confers Resistance in Tomato Line SL-ORT1 to the Parasitic Weeds Phelipanche and Orobanche spp.
Authors: Dor Evgenia , Yoneyama Koichi , Wininger Smadar , Kapulnik Yoram , Yoneyama Kaori , Koltai Hinanit , Xie Xiaonan , Hershenhorn Joseph
Published: October 2010

The parasitic flowering plants of the genera Orobanche and Phelipanche (broomrape species) are obligatory chlorophyll-lacking root-parasitic weeds that infect dicotyledonous plants and cause heavy economic losses in a wide variety of plant species in warm-temperate and subtropical regions. One of the most effective strategies for broomrape control is crop breeding for broomrape resistance. Previous efforts to find natural broomrape-resistant tomato (Solanum lycopersicon) genotypes were unsuccessful, and no broomrape resistance was found in any wild tomato species. Recently, however, the fast-neutron-mutagenized tomato mutant SL-ORT1 was found to be highly resistant to various Phelipanche and Orobanche spp. Nevertheless, SL-ORT1 plants were parasitized by Phelipanche aegyptiaca if grown in pots together with the susceptible tomato cv. M-82. In the present study, no toxic activity or inhibition of Phelipanche seed germination could be detected in the SL-ORT1 root extracts. SL-ORT1 roots did not induce Phelipanche seed germination in pots but they were parasitized, at the same level as M-82, after application of the synthetic germination stimulant GR24 to the rhizosphere. Whereas liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry analysis of root exudates of M-82 revealed the presence of the strigolactones orobanchol, solanacol, and didehydro-orobanchol isomer, these compounds were not found in the exudates of SL-ORT1. It can be concluded that SL-ORT1 resistance results from its inability to produce and secrete natural germination stimulants to the rhizosphere.
A quarter of a world away: female humpback whale moves 10 000 km between breeding areas
Authors: Stevick Peter T. , Neves Mariana C. , Johansen Freddy , Engel Marcia H. , Allen Judith , Marcondes Milton C. C. , Carlson Carole
Published: October 2010

Fidelity of individual animals to breeding sites is a primary determinant of population structure. The degree and scale of philopatry in a population reflect the fitness effects of social facilitation, ecological adaptation and optimal inbreeding. Patterns of breeding-site movement and fidelity are functions of social structure and are frequently sex biased. We report on a female humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) first identified by natural markings off Brazil that subsequently was photographed off Madagascar. The minimum travel distance between these locations is greater than 9800 km, approximately 4000 km longer than any previously reported movement between breeding grounds, more than twice the species' typical seasonal migratory distance and the longest documented movement by a mammal. It is unexpected to find this exceptional long-distance movement between breeding groups by a female, as models of philopatry suggest that male mammals move more frequently or over longer distances in search of mating opportunities. While such movement may be advantageous, especially in changeable or unpredictable circumstances, it is not possible to unambiguously ascribe causality to this rare observation. This finding illustrates the behavioural flexibility in movement patterns that may be demonstrated within a typically philopatric species.
Reflecting nature: chemistry and comprehensibility in Gabriel Lippmann's ‘physical’ method of photographing colours
Authors: Mitchell Daniel Jon
Published: October 2010

The origins of colour photography are typically traced to mid-nineteenth-century ‘three-colour’ processes based on a mixture of three primary colours. At the time, however, images produced by these means were pejoratively labelled ‘photographs in colours’ and not ‘colour photographs’ because they did not result solely from the direct action of light. In 1891, the French physicist Gabriel Lippmann claimed to have developed a direct, ‘physical’ method of colour photography, which the French industrialists Auguste and Louis Lumière subsequently improved. This article charts the rise and fall of so-called ‘interferometric’ colour photography and evaluates Lippmann's suppression of the chemical aspects of his work, in the context of his award of the 1908 Nobel Prize in Physics.
How within-group behavioural variation and task efficiency enhance fitness in a social group
Authors: Pruitt Jonathan N. , Riechert Susan E.
Published: October 2010

How task specialization, individual task performance and within-group behavioural variation affects fitness is a longstanding and unresolved problem in our understanding of animal societies. In the temperate social spider,
Anelosimus studiosus
, colony members exhibit a behavioural polymorphism; females either exhibit an aggressive ‘asocial’ or docile ‘social’ phenotype. We assessed individual prey-capture success for both phenotypes, and the role of phenotypic composition on group-level prey-capture success for three prey size classes. We then estimated the effect of group phenotypic composition on fitness in a common garden, as inferred from individual egg-case masses. On average, asocial females were more successful than social females at capturing large prey, and colony-level prey-capture success was positively associated with the frequency of the asocial phenotype. Asocial colony members were also more likely to engage in prey-capture behaviour in group-foraging situations. Interestingly, our fitness estimates indicate females of both phenotypes experience increased fitness when occupying colonies containing unlike individuals. These results imply a reciprocal fitness benefit of within-colony behavioural variation, and perhaps division of labour in a spider society.
An Effector-Targeted Protease Contributes to Defense against Phytophthora infestans and Is under Diversifying Selection in Natural Hosts
Authors: Kaschani Farnusch , Shabab Mohammed , Bozkurt Tolga , Shindo Takayuki , Schornack Sebastian , Gu Christian , Ilyas Muhammad , Win Joe , Kamoun Sophien , van der Hoorn Renier A.L.
Published: October 2010

Since the leaf apoplast is a primary habitat for many plant pathogens, apoplastic proteins are potent, ancient targets for apoplastic effectors secreted by plant pathogens. So far, however, only a few apoplastic effector targets have been identified and characterized. Here, we discovered that the papain-like cysteine protease C14 is a new common target of EPIC1 and EPIC2B, two apoplastic, cystatin-like proteins secreted by the potato (Solanum tuberosum) late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans. C14 is a secreted protease of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and potato typified by a carboxyl-terminal granulin domain. The EPIC-C14 interaction occurs at a wide pH range and is stronger than the previously described interactions of EPICs with tomato defense proteases PIP1 and RCR3. The selectivity of the EPICs is also different when compared with the AVR2 effector of the fungal tomato pathogen Cladosporium fulvum, which targets PIP1 and RCR3, and only at apoplastic pH. Importantly, silencing of C14 increased susceptibility to P. infestans, demonstrating that this protease plays a role in pathogen defense. Although C14 is under conservative selection in tomato, it is under diversifying selection in wild potato species (Solanum demissum, Solanum verrucosum, and Solanum stoliniferum) that are the natural hosts of P. infestans. These data reveal a novel effector target in the apoplast that contributes to immunity and is under diversifying selection, but only in the natural host of the pathogen.
mEosFP-Based Green-to-Red Photoconvertible Subcellular Probes for Plants
Authors: Mathur Jaideep , Radhamony Resmi , Sinclair Alison M. , Donoso Ana , Dunn Natalie , Roach Elyse , Radford Devon , S. Mohammad Mohaghegh P. , Logan David C. , Kokolic Ksenija , Mathur Neeta
Published: October 2010

Photoconvertible fluorescent proteins (FPs) are recent additions to the biologists’ toolbox for understanding the living cell. Like green fluorescent protein (GFP), monomeric EosFP is bright green in color but is efficiently photoconverted into a red fluorescent form using a mild violet-blue excitation. Here, we report mEosFP-based probes that localize to the cytosol, plasma membrane invaginations, endosomes, prevacuolar vesicles, vacuoles, the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi bodies, mitochondria, peroxisomes, and the two major cytoskeletal elements, filamentous actin and cortical microtubules. The mEosFP fusion proteins are smaller than GFP/red fluorescent protein-based probes and, as demonstrated here, provide several significant advantages for imaging of living plant cells. These include an ability to differentially color label a single cell or a group of cells in a developing organ, selectively highlight a region of a cell or a subpopulation of organelles and vesicles within a cell for tracking them, and understanding spatiotemporal aspects of interactions between similar as well as different organelles. In addition, mEosFP probes introduce a milder alternative to fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, whereby instead of photobleaching, photoconversion followed by recovery of green fluorescence can be used for estimating subcellular dynamics. Most importantly, the two fluorescent forms of mEosFP furnish bright internal controls during imaging experiments and are fully compatible with cyan fluorescent protein, GFP, yellow fluorescent protein, and red fluorescent protein fluorochromes for use in simultaneous, multicolor labeling schemes. Photoconvertible mEosFP-based subcellular probes promise to usher in a much higher degree of precision to live imaging of plant cells than has been possible so far using single-colored FPs.
The evolution of mutualism
Authors: LEIGH Jr E. G.
Published: October 2010

Like altruism, mutualism, cooperation between species, evolves only by enhancing all participants’ inclusive fitness. Mutualism evolves most readily between members of different kingdoms, which pool complementary abilities for mutual benefit: some of these mutualisms represent major evolutionary innovations. Mutualism cannot persist if cheating annihilates its benefits. In long‐term mutualisms, symbioses, at least one party associates with the other nearly all its life. Usually, a larger host harbours smaller symbionts. Cheating is restrained by vertical transmission, as inBuchnera; partner fidelity, as among bull‐thorn acacias and protective ants; test‐based choice of symbionts, as bobtail squid choose bioluminescent bacteria; or sanctioning nonperforming symbionts, as legumes punish nonperforming nitrogen‐fixing bacteria. Mutualisms involving brief exchanges, as among plants and seed‐dispersers, however, persist despite abundant cheating. Both symbioses and brief‐exchange mutualisms have transformed whole ecosystems. These mutualisms may be steps towards ecosystems which, like Adam Smith’s ideal economy, serve their members’ common good.
Testing for mating isolation between ecotypes: laboratory experiments with lake, stream and hybrid stickleback
Authors: RAEYMAEKERS J. A. M. , BOISJOLY M. , DELAIRE L. , BERNER D. , RÄSÄNEN K. , HENDRY A. P.
Published: October 2010

Mating isolation is a frequent contributor to ecological speciation – but how consistently does it evolve as a result of divergent selection? We tested for genetically based mating isolation between lake and stream threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus L.) from the Misty watershed, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. We combined several design elements that are uncommon in the studies of stickleback mate choice: (i) we used second‐generation laboratory‐reared fish (to reduce environmental and maternal effects), (ii) we allowed for male–male competitive interactions (instead of the typical no‐choice trials) and (iii) we included hybrids along with pure types. Males of different types (Lake, Inlet, hybrid) were paired in aquaria, allowed to build nests and then exposed sequentially to females of all three types. We found that Lake and Inlet males differed in behaviours thought to influence stickleback mate choice (inter‐ and intra‐sexual aggression, display and nest activities), whereas hybrids were either intermediate or apparently ‘inferior’ in these behaviours. Despite these differences, Lake and Inlet fish did not mate assortatively and hybrid males did not have a mating disadvantage. Our study reinforces the noninevitability of mating isolation evolving in response to ecological differences and highlights the need to further investigate the factors promoting and constraining progress towards ecological speciation.
Effect of HSPC016 gene expression on the aggregative growth of dermal papillae cells
Authors: Song Zhiqiang , Zhou Chunli , Wang Jiwen , Yang Weibin , Hao Fei
Published: October 2010

In previous studies, HSPC016 was identified as a differentially expressed gene in dermal papilla cells (DPC) with aggregative behaviour. To clarify its role in the regulation of DPC, the recombinant HSPC016 protein was expressed using the Pichia pastoris expression system, and three small interfering ribonucleic acid duplexes (siRNA) were designed and transfected into DPC. Results showed that DPC with the HSPC016 gene inhibited, exhibit non‐aggregative behaviour and grow much slower than normal DPC, and that the recombinant HSPC016 protein could promote the proliferation of high‐passage DPC and induce its aggregative behaviour.
Narrowband UVB phototherapy in children: A New Zealand experience
Authors: Tan Eugene , Lim David , Rademaker Marius
Published: October 2010

Background:  Phototherapy is effective for many dermatoses in adults, but there is a paucity of data for its use in children.

Objectives:  To review the efficacy and tolerability of narrowband UVB phototherapy in children at a tertiary centre in New Zealand, and determine if there were any factors that differentiated responders from non‐responders.

Methods:  A prospective analysis of children (<16 years old) who had undergone phototherapy over a 15‐year period.

Results:  116 children received phototherapy with a total of 144 courses. Mean age was 11.0 years with the majority being European and having skin phototype II. Atopic dermatitis was the most common indication for treatment followed by psoriasis, pityriasis lichenoides, nodular prurigo, morphea, vitiligo, urticaria pigmentosa and erythropoietic porphyria. Treatment was effective in the majority of children (72%). Most received only one course. For responders, the mean number of treatments was 32.4. The mean dose per treatment to achieve clearance was 886 mJ/cm2 and the mean maximum treatment dose per treatment was 1328 mJ/cm2. All children tolerated treatment well with 36% developing brief, minimally symptomatic, erythema. Only two children experienced exacerbations of their underlying dermatoses.

Conclusions:  This study shows that phototherapy is an effective and well‐tolerated treatment modality in children.
Radical prostatectomy improves progression‐free and cancer‐specific survival in men with lymph node positive prostate cancer in the prostate‐specific antigen era: a confirmatory study
Authors: Steuber Thomas , Budäus Lars , Walz Jochen , Zorn Kevin C. , Schlomm Thorsten , Chun Felix , Ahyai Sascha , Fisch Margit , Sauter Guido , Huland Hartwig , Graefen Markus , Haese Alexander
Published: October 2010

Study Type – Therapy (outcomes research) Level of Evidence 2b

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Historically, surgeons were reluctant to perform radical prostatectomy (RP) in LN positive disease. Nowadays, a shift towards multimodal treatment strategies in such patients, comprising RP with extended lymph node dissection followed by radiation and/or hormonal therapy can be detected. However, this change of paradigm is not supported by evidence derived from treatment guidelines. Retrospective studies on this topic, comprising small numbers of patients from the pre‐PSA era in the US suggest a survival advantage, if RP is performed.

Our analyses of cancer control rates between patients with discontinued vs. completed prostatectomy revealed a superior clinical progression free‐ and cancer specific‐survival rate in those patients with completed prostatectomy. These results add knowledge on treatment outcome of a current patient population since previous retrospective studies include patients from the pre‐PSA era.

OBJECTIVE

• To assess the prognostic role of radical prostatectomy (RP) in lymph node (LN) positive patients with prostate cancer (PCa) in a contemporary RP cohort.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• Between 1992 and 2004, 158 consecutive patients with clinically localized PCa and regional LN metastasis were identified. Fifty patients underwent LN dissection and discontinued RP, combined with early hormonal therapy (HT) (RP−), whereas, in 108 patients, RP was completed followed by adjunctive HT (RP+).

• Clinical progression‐free‐ (CPFS) and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) were studied using Kaplan–Meier analysis.

• Disease characteristics and the impact of RP on CPFS and CSS were further assessed using Cox proportional hazard models.

• A matched pair analysis between RP− and RP+ patients was performed based on clinical and pathological factors.

RESULTS

• Median follow‐up was 98 months (interquartile range, 88–113). Five‐ and 10‐year CPFS was 77% and 61% for RP+ patients vs 61% and 31%, for RP− patients (P= 0.005), respectively.

• A similar trend was observed for CSS (84% and 76% for RP+ vs 81% and 46% for RP−; P= 0.001).

• Type of treatment (RP− vs RP+) and number of positive LN were multivariate predictors of CPFS and CSS (all P≤ 0.05).

• In the matched pair analyses, RP+ patients showed superior CPFS and CSS (P < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

• RP had a beneficial impact, resulting in the superior survival of patients with LN positive PCa after controlling for LN tumour burden in a contemporary RP series.

• The findings obtained in the present study support the role of RP as an important component of multimodal strategies of LN positive PCa.
Preparation and properties of probiotic cheese high in conjugated linoleic acid content
Authors: ABD EL‐SALAM M H , HIPPEN A R , ASSEM FAIZA M , EL‐SHAFEI KAWTHER , TAWFIK N F , EL‐AASSAR M
Published: October 2010

The development of probiotic Ras cheese rich in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) was investigated using probiotic Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus acidophilus starters. The cheeses were assessed for composition, proteolysis, fatty acids and fat stability, and microbiology during 3 months of ripening. The cheese made with Lb. casei and Lb. acidophilus retained high counts of the probiotic strains (∼log 8) throughout storage. Ripening changes followed the normal pattern of this type of cheese during ripening. Ras cheese made with Lb. casei and Lb. acidophilus contained the highest CLA content (0.84% after 3 months) as compared to control and cheese fat had acceptable oxidative stability.
Use of nonhuman primate models to investigate mechanisms of infection‐associated preterm birth
Authors: Adams Waldorf KM , Rubens CE , Gravett MG
Published: October 2010

Please cite this paper as: Adams Waldorf K, Rubens C, Gravett M. Use of nonhuman primate models to investigate mechanisms of infection‐associated preterm birth. BJOG 2011;118:136–144.

Preterm birth is the most important direct cause of neonatal mortality and remains a major challenge for obstetrics and global health. Intrauterine infection causes approximately 50% of early preterm births. Animal models using pregnant mice, rabbits or sheep demonstrate the key link between infection and premature birth, but differ in the mechanisms of parturition and placental structure from humans. The nonhuman primate (NHP) is a powerful model which emulates many features of human placentation and parturition. The contributions of the NHP model to preterm birth research are reviewed, emphasising the role of infections and the potential development of preventative and therapeutic strategies.
Maternal vitamin D status in pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes in a group at high risk for pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Shand AW , Nassar N , Von Dadelszen P , Innis SM , Green TJ
Published: October 2010

Please cite this paper as:Shand A, Nassar N, Von Dadelszen P, Innis S, Green T. Maternal vitamin D status in pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes in a group at high risk for pre‐eclampsia. BJOG 2010;117:1593–1598.

Objective To determine in a group of pregnant women if vitamin D status, based on serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentration, was associated with a subsequent risk of pre‐eclampsia or adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Design Prospective cohort study.

Setting Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (49°N).

Population Women attending a specialist antenatal clinic because of clinical or biochemical risk factors for pre‐eclampsia (n = 221).

Methods Serum 25OHD concentration measured between 10 and 20 weeks of gestation.

Main outcome measures Pre‐eclampsia and composite adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Results Of the women, 78% were vitamin D insufficient (25OHD <75 nmol/l) and 53% were vitamin D deficient (25OHD <50 nmol/l). There was no difference in the rates of pre‐eclampsia, gestational hypertension, preterm birth or composite adverse pregnancy outcomes by 25OHD concentration.

Conclusions Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were common in a group of women at high risk of pre‐eclampsia; however, it was not associated with subsequent risk of an adverse pregnancy outcome.
Critical role of the STAT3 pathway in the cardioprotective efficacy of zoniporide in a model of myocardial preservation – the rat isolated working heart
Authors: Gao L , Tsun J , Sun L , Kwan J , Watson A , Macdonald PS , Hicks M
Published: October 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Ischemia‐reperfusion injury plays an important role in the development of primary allograft failure after heart transplantation. Inhibition of the Na+/H+ exchanger is one of the most promising therapeutic strategies for treating ischemia‐reperfusion injury. Here we have characterized the cardioprotective efficacy of zoniporide and the underlying mechanisms in a model of myocardial preservation using rat isolated working hearts.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Rat isolated hearts subjected to 6 h hypothermic (1–4°C) storage followed by 45 min reperfusion at 37°C were treated with zoniporide at different concentrations and timing. Recovery of cardiac function, levels of total and phosphorylated protein kinase B, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2, glycogen synthase kinase‐3β and STAT3 as well as cleaved caspase 3 were measured at the end of reperfusion. Lactate dehydrogenase release into coronary effluent before and post‐storage was also measured.

KEY RESULTS

Zoniporide concentration‐dependently improved recovery of cardiac function after reperfusion. The functional recovery induced by zoniporide was accompanied by up‐regulation of p‐extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 and p‐STAT3, and by reduction in lactate dehydrogenase release and cleaved caspase 3. There were no significant differences in any of the above indices when zoniporide was administered before, during or after ischemia. The STAT3 inhibitor, stattic, abolished zoniporide‐induced improvements in functional recovery and up‐regulation of p‐STAT3 after reperfusion.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Zoniporide is a potent cardioprotective agent and activation of STAT3 plays a critical role in the cardioprotective action of zoniporide. This agent shows promise as a supplement to storage solutions to improve preservation of donor hearts.
Explant Culture: An Efficient Method to Isolate Adipose‐Derived Stromal Cells for Tissue Engineering
Authors: Jing Wei , Xiao Jingang , Xiong Zhonghua , Yang Xingmei , Huang Yuanding , Zhou Min , Chen Sixiu , Lin Yunfeng , Tian Weidong
Published: October 2010

Enzymatic digestion, the commonly used method of adipose‐derived stromal cells isolation, is time consuming and expensive, especially when applied to large volumes of tissue. In the present study, the characteristics of the cells obtained by adipose tissue explant culture were studied. We found that adipose tissue fragments could adhere onto the growth surface of flasks in a very short time after plating and that fibroblast‐like cells migrated from the explants and reached confluence. Morphologic analysis and surface markers expression suggested the mesenchymal origin of the cells derived from adipose tissue explants. After in vitro expansion these cells were successfully induced into adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic lineages, which demonstrated their multipotency. The high growth rate and colony‐forming efficiency of explant‐derived cells were similar to those of cells obtained by digestion. Furthermore, explant culture gave higher yield of cells than digestion method after primary culture. The experiment of ectopic adipogenesis in nude mice suggested the prospects for tissue engineering of these cells. In conclusion, we obtained multipotent stromal cells from adipose tissue by explant culture, and this method was simple, time saving, and gave a high yield of cells. Therefore, explant culture can be used as an effective way to isolate adipose‐derived stromal cells for tissue engineering.
Evaluation of HL‐20 Roller Pump and Rotaflow Centrifugal Pump on Perfusion Quality and Gaseous Microemboli Delivery
Authors: Yee Stella , Qiu Feng , Su Xiaowei , Rider Alan , Kunselman Allen R. , Guan Yulong , Ündar Akif
Published: October 2010

The purpose of this study was to compare the HL‐20 roller pump (Jostra USA, Austin, TX, USA) and Rotaflow centrifugal pump (Jostra USA) on hemodynamic energy production and gaseous microemboli (GME) delivery in a simulated neonatal cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit under nonpulsatile perfusion. This study employed a simulated model of the pediatric CPB including a Jostra HL‐20 heart‐lung machine (or a Rotaflow centrifugal pump), a Capiox BabyRX05 oxygenator (Terumo Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), a Capiox pediatric arterial filter (Terumo Corporation), and ¼‐inch tubing. The total volume of the experimental system was 700 mL (500 mL for the circuit and 200 mL for the pseudo neonatal patient). The hematocrit was maintained at 30% using human blood. At the beginning of each trial, a 5 mL bolus of air was injected into the venous line. Both GME data and pressure values were recorded at postpump and postoxygenator sites. All the experiments were conducted under nonpulsatile perfusion at three flow rates (500, 750, and 1000 mL/min) and three blood temperatures (35, 30, and 25°C). As n = 6 for each setup, a total of 108 trials were done. The total number of GME increased as temperature decreased from 35°C to 25°C in the trials using the HL‐20 roller pump while the opposite effect occurred when using the Rotaflow centrifugal pump. At a given temperature, total GME counts increased with increasing flow rates for both pumps. Results indicated the Rotaflow centrifugal pump delivered significantly fewer microemboli compared to the HL‐20 roller pump, especially under high flow rates. Less than 10% of total microemboli were larger than 40 µm in size and the majority of GME were in the 0–20 µm class in all trials. Postpump total hemodynamic energy (THE) increased with increasing flow rates and decreasing temperatures in both circuits using these two pumps. The HL‐20 roller pump delivered more THE than the Rotaflow centrifugal pump at all tested flow rates and temperature conditions. Results suggest the HL‐20 roller pump delivers more GME than the Rotaflow centrifugal pump but produces more hemodynamic energy under nonpulsatile perfusion mode.
The Effects of Oral Contraceptives on Detection and Pain Thresholds As Well As Headache Intensity During Menstrual Cycle in Migraine
Authors: Teepker Michael , Peters Mira , Kundermann Bernd , Vedder Helmut , Schepelmann Karsten , Lautenbacher Stefan
Published: October 2010

(Headache 2011;51:92‐104)

Background.— Clinically, oral contraceptives (OC) can influence pain in both migraine headache and temporomandibular pain disorders. Estrogen as an ingredient of OC might be a responsible factor for these observations. We conducted the present study to test whether OC are able to alter the severity of headache attacks as well as the detection or pain thresholds over the course of the menstrual cycle in patients with migraine.

Methods.— Thirteen healthy and regularly menstruating women and 26 migraineurs (13 using OC and 13 not using OC) were studied on the days 1, 4, 14, and 22 of their menstrual cycle. In all participants, saliva was collected first for determination of estrogen on each study day. Then, detection thresholds (warmth, cold, electrical current) and pain thresholds (cold, heat, pressure, electrical current) were assessed. Migraineurs were asked for headache attacks occurring in a period of 24 hours before testing and to estimate pain intensity on a verbal rating scale.

Results.— On day 4 of the menstrual cycle, migraineurs using OC suffered significantly more from severe migraine attacks than migraineurs not taking OC. With respect to detection and pain thresholds, no effects of OC could be observed as concerning the differences between migraineurs with or without OC medication. On day 22, the severity of migraine headache was significantly related with the pain thresholds for pressure and electrical current, suggesting paradoxically more severe headache attacks in patients presenting with higher pain thresholds. Healthy volunteers disclosed higher salivary estrogen levels than migraineurs and migraineurs not using OC higher concentrations than migraineurs using OC throughout the menstrual cycle.

Conclusions.— In this study, the use of OC intensified migraine (however only at the end of menstruation) however had no influence on detection and pain thresholds in migraineurs. Possible reasons for this dissociation will be discussed.