bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary function in adolescents with ataxia telangiectasia
Authors: McGrath‐Morrow Sharon , Lefton‐Greif Maureen , Rosquist Karen , Crawford Thomas , Kelly Amber , Zeitlin Pamela , Carson Kathryn A. , Lederman Howard M.
Published: November 2007

Introduction

Pulmonary complications are common in adolescents with ataxia telangiectasia (A‐T), however objective measurements of lung function may be difficult to obtain because of underlying bulbar weakness, tremors, and difficulty coordinating voluntary respiratory maneuvers. To increase the reliability of pulmonary testing, minor adjustments were made to stabilize the head and to minimize leaks in the system. Fifteen A‐T adolescents completed lung volume measurements by helium dilution. To assess for reproducibility of spirometry testing, 10 A‐T adolescents performed spirometry on three separate occasions.

Results

Total lung capacity (TLC) was normal or just mildly decreased in 12/15 adolescents tested. TLC correlated positively with functional residual capacity (FRC), a measurement independent of patient effort (R2 = 0.71). The majority of individuals had residual volumes (RV) greater than 120% predicted (10/15) and slow vital capacities (VC) less than 70% predicted (9/15). By spirometry, force vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) values were reproducible in the 10 individuals who underwent testing on three separate occasions (R = 0.97 and 0.96 respectively). Seven of the 10 adolescents had FEV1/FVC ratios >90%.

Conclusion

Lung volume measurements from A‐T adolescents revealed near normal TLC values with increased RV and decreased VC values. These findings indicate a decreased ability to expire to residual volume rather then a restrictive defect. Spirometry was also found to be reproducible in A‐T adolescents suggesting that spirometry testing may be useful for tracking changes in pulmonary function over time in this population. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:59–66. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Looking on the bright side: The role of identity status and gender on positive orientations during emerging adulthood
Authors: Padilla‐Walker Laura M. , Barry Carolyn McNamara , Carroll Jason S. , Madsen Stephanie D. , Nelson Larry J.
Published: November 2007

Emerging adulthood has been characterized as an age of possibilities that involves heightened identity exploration and risk‐taking. Although some scholars have investigated the relation between identity status and risk behaviors in emerging adulthood, less attention has been paid to the relation between identity status and prosocial orientations. Thus, the current study examined how emerging adults’ engagement in positive behaviors (i.e., prosocial tendencies, internalization of values, religiosity) varied as a function of identity status and gender. Results indicated that emerging adults who were in identity diffusion reported fewer prosocial tendencies, lower scores on internalization of values and lower religiosity, but emerging adults who were experiencing moratorium reported prosocial tendencies and levels of religiosity as frequently as emerging adults who had reached identity achievement. Also, young women reported higher levels of emotional and altruistic prosocial tendencies, higher levels of internalization of values, and higher levels of religiosity than did young men. The discussion focuses on emerging adulthood as a period of possibilities and exploration for not only risk behaviors, but prosocial behaviors as well.
Treatment of aggression with topiramate in male borderline patients, part II: 18-month follow-up
Authors: Nickel Marius K. , Loew Thomas H.
Published: November 2007

Objective

We previously tested topiramate, an anticonvulsant, in the treatment of aggression in men with borderline personality disorder (BPD) (Nickel M, Nickel C, Kaplan P, Lahmann C, Mühlbacher M, Tritt K, et al. Treatment of aggression with topiramate in male borderline patients: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Biol Psychiatry 2005;57:495–9), and found significant changes on most scales of the state–trait anger expression inventory (STAXI) and significant weight loss eight weeks later. The aim of this trial was to assess topiramate's efficacy in the long-term therapy for aggression in men with BPD.

Methods

This 18-month follow-up observation, in which the previous patients (topiramate group: n = 22; former placebo group: n = 22) were examined bianually, was carried out.

Results

According to the intent-to-treat principle, significant changes on all scales of the STAXI were observed in the subjects treated with topiramate. Additional significant weight loss was observed. All subjects tolerated topiramate relatively well.

Conclusions

Topiramate appears to be an effective, relatively safe agent in the long-term treatment of patients with BPD. Mild, non-transient weight loss can be expected.
Metabolic adaptations through the PGC‐1α and SIRT1 pathways
Authors: Rodgers Joseph T. , Lerin Carles , Gerhart-Hines Zachary , Puigserver Pere
Published: November 2007

Energy homeostasis in mammals is achieved through tight regulation of tissue‐specific metabolic pathways that become dysregulated in metabolic diseases including diabetes and obesity. At the molecular level, main nutrient and hormonal signaling pathways impinge on expression of genes encoding for metabolic enzymes. Among the major components of this transcriptional circuitry are the PGC‐1α transcriptional complexes. An important regulatory mechanism of this complex is through acetylation and SIRT1‐mediated lysine de‐acetylation under low nutrient conditions. Activation of SIRT1 can mimic several metabolic aspects of calorie restriction that target selective nutrient utilization and mitochondrial oxidative function to regulate energy balance. Thus, understanding the PGC‐1α and SIRT1 pathways might have important implications for comprehending metabolic and age‐associated diseases.
Heparin enhances the furin cleavage of HIV‐1 gp160 peptides
Authors: Pasquato A. , Dettin M. , Basak A. , Gambaretto R. , Tonin L. , Seidah N.G. , Di Bello C.
Published: November 2007

Infectious HIV‐1 requires gp160 cleavage by furin at the REKR511↓ motif (site1) into the gp120/gp41 complex, whereas the KAKR503 (site2) sequence remains uncleaved. We synthesized 41mer and 51mer peptides, comprising site1 and site2, to study their conformation and in vitro furin processing. We found that, while the previously reported 19mer and 13mer analogues represent excellent in vitro furin substrates, the present extended sequences require heparin for optimal processing. Our data support the hypothesis of a direct binding of heparin with site1 and site2, allowing selective exposure/accessibility of the REKR sequence, which is only then optimally cleaved by furin.
Linking routines to operations capabilities: A new perspective
Authors: Peng David Xiaosong , Schroeder Roger G. , Shah Rachna
Published: November 2007

A typical approach to studying capabilities in the operations management literature is to assess the intended or realized competitive operational performance and their contribution to business and organizational objectives. While it is crucial to identify the operational performance that helps create competitive advantage, it is equally important to understand the means for delivering the needed performance at the operational level. Drawing on the resource‐based view (RBV), we argue that routines are a critical source of operations capabilities and subsequently investigate operations capabilities by means of their underlying routines. Because a common problem to studying capabilities is the ambiguous and confusing definitions, we conduct an extensive literature review to address the semantic confusion among various definitions of capabilities and delineate it from other related terms. We identify improvement and innovation as two critical plant level capabilities, each consisting of a bundle of interrelated yet distinct routines. We then empirically measure the two capabilities as second‐order latent variables and estimate their effects on a set of operational performance measures. The results suggest that routines form internally consistent bundles which are significantly related to operational performance. This supports our notion of “capabilities as routine bundles” that are difficult to imitate and thus a source of competitive advantage.
High energy single session radiofrequency tongue treatment in obstructive sleep apnea surgery
Authors: Nelson Lionel M. , Barrera Jose E.
Published: November 2007

Objective

To evaluate the safety and outcomes of a high‐energy single session treatment as an alternative to a cumulative energy multiple staged approach when using temperature‐controlled radiofrequency tissue ablation (TCRFTA) for tongue base obstruction in sleep apnea surgery.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Retrospective study of 176 consecutive Fujita II (tongue and palate level obstruction) patients undergoing single session palate, tonsil, and nasal surgery, and concurrent tongue base TCRFTA by the application of 10,500 J of energy.

RESULTS

Median follow‐up was 156.5 days. There were no serious complications. There were five (2.8%) superficial tongue ulcers, and three (1.7%) persistent taste disturbances after treatment; 174 patients were on sustainable oral intake and adequate oral pain control within 24 hours of surgery; 98 had comparable post operative sleep studies. Apnea‐hypopnea indexes decreased from 35.3 ± 23.9 to 22.6 ± 21.5 (P < 0.0001). Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores improved from 11.2 ± 4.9 to 5.9 ± 4.6 (P < 0.000001).

CONCLUSION

High energy single session tongue base TCRFTA is a safe procedure with low morbidity.
Obituaries
Authors: Hattersley-Smith Geoffrey
Published: November 2007

Sir Wally Herbert, (Fig. 1), who died on 12 June 2007, aged 72, was a polar traveller of renown: a romantic adventurer in the British tradition who had the misfortune to be born 50 years too late. Sadly, his hard won achievements brought him only transitory fame.
Absolutely continuous invariant measures for some piecewise hyperbolic affine maps
Authors: PERSSON TOMAS
Published: November 2007

A class of piecewise affine hyperbolic maps on a bounded subset of the plane is considered. It is shown that if a map from this class is sufficiently area-expanding then almost surely this map has an absolutely continuous invariant measure.
Nondetection of Titan lightning radio emissions with Cassini/RPWS after 35 close Titan flybys
Authors: Fischer G. , Gurnett D. A. , Kurth W. S. , Farrell W. M. , Kaiser M. L. , Zarka P.
Published: November 2007

We report on the nondetection of radio emissions associated with possible lightning flashes in Titan's atmosphere by the Cassini/RPWS (Radio and Plasma Wave Science) instrument. A valid proof for Titan lightning would be the detection of a number of bursty radio signals above Titan's ionospheric cutoff frequency, and they should be grouped near the closest approach of Cassini to Titan with an approximately quadratic fall off of signal intensity with spacecraft distance. Such a clear signature has not been detected by the RPWS instrument during the first 35 close flybys of Titan.
STUDIES ON CYTOPHILIC ANTIBODIES
Authors: Nelson DS
Published: November 2007

Serum obtained seven days after immunization of Swiss mice with sheep erythrocytes in Freund's adjuvant contains a factor, with fast α1‐globulin mobility, detectable by its ability to induce the attachment of sheep erythrocytes to normal mouse macophages. The receptor on macrophages is trypsin‐sensitive. The factor has a large degree of, though not complete, immunological specificity. It appears to be unrelated to conventional immunoglobulins. non‐agglutinating and non‐complement‐fixing. Subsidiary evidence consistent with the existence of an α‐globulin “antibody” and a consideration of its possible immunological significance are presented.
STUDIES ON βTRACE PROTEIN
Authors: Penny R , Osserman EF
Published: November 2007

A urinary protein, ultimately identified as βtrace protein, was observed in apparently increased quantities in the urine of a patient with a plasma cell dyscrasia. Tissue extract examinations revealed βprotein in normal kidney, brain, fimbriae of fallopian tubes, testis, leucoeytes (both normal and leukaemic), pancreas and ovary. This protein was also demonstrated in concentrated normal serum in Cohn Fractions IV‐4 and IV‐5, 6.

Gel filtration experiments indieate a molecular size for βtace protein of the same order of magnitude as immunoglobulin light chains; bowever, these two proteins, though similar in electrophoretic behaviour, are unrelated antigenically. Electrophoretic mobility of βtrace protein is altered on removal of sialic acid by neuraminidase treatment; difference in mobility with origin of sample may be attributable to different amounts of carbohydrate in the molecule. Attempts to identify βtrace protein as a common enzyme were unsuccessful.
THE MECHANISM OF SECRETION OF INERT GASES INTO THE FISH SWIMBLADDER
Authors: Abernethy JD
Published: November 2007

Gases which are customarily viewed as biologically inert may nevertheless be secreted into the swimbladder at high pressure just like their biologically active counterparts, O2 and CO2. The late Werner Kuhn proposed that the mechanism for all gases was countercurrent multiplication of small changes in partial pressure initiated by secretions of the gas gland situated near the bend of the multiplier loop. Hitherto this hypothesis has been confirmed only for O2 and CO2: an analysis of swimbladder data on argon/nitrogen ratios presented here gives the required confirmation in the inert gas case. A second part of this paper deals with the nature of the secretory agent relevant to inert gas. Kuhn postulated the secretion of an electrolyte to salt out dissolved gas in addition to lactic acid secretion known to be operative in the release of O2 and CO2. This postulate may be redundant: lactic acid is shown to release N2 from fish red cells perhaps by a pH‐related change in haemoglobin polar groups. Countercurrent multiplication of all gases would thus be under the control of a single agent. Interspecies variations in swimbladder gas content would not be inconsistent with this unitary theory since these may merely reflect interspecies variations in the development of the multiplier apparatus and probable variations in the pH‐effect also.
CONTRACTION OF THE SHEEP'S SPLEEN
Authors: Dooley PC , Hecker JF , Webster MED
Published: November 2007

Changes in the thickness of the spleen and associated alterations in the haemoglobin concentration in jugular venous blood were studied in undisturbed and excited conscious sheep.

Decreases in spleen thickness were induced by single injections of adrenaline (1·4 to 35·5 μg/kg), and by disturbance. The increase in jugular vein haemoglobin concentration following splenic contraction returned to control levels after spleen thickness resumed its control value. However, the responses of these two variables differed markedly among sheep both to a given dose of adrenaline and to progressively higher adrenaline dosage.

Respiratory events, feeding, changes in rumen pressure and in posture each induced characteristic variations in spleen thickness.

No changes in spleen thickness were observed in conscious undisturbed sheep. Neither disturbance nor adrenaline injections altered the jugular haemoglobin concentration in splenectomized sheep.
ACIDOSIS INDUCED BY CATECHOLAMINES AND REDUCTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR RESPONSES TO CATECHOLAMINES IN ACIDOSIS
Authors: Atkinson Judith M , Dusting GJ , Rand MJ
Published: November 2007

Infusions of the catecholamines noradrenaline, adrenaline and isoprenaline in anaesthetized rats under artificial ventilation caused a fall in arterial blood pH and a slight rise in PCO2. The order of potency of the catecholamines in producing metabolic acidosis was isoprenaline > adrenaline > noradrenaline. This effect of isoprenaline was abolished by propranolol but was not changed by phenoxybenzamine. The effect of noradrenaline was abolished by phenoxybenzamine and was potentiated by propranolol. The decrease in cardiovascular responses to catecholamines that follows an infusion may be partly due to the resultant acidosis, since acidosis produced by infusions of hydrochloric acid resulted in decreases of the responses of the heart and blood pressure to noradrenaline and isoprenaline. The decreased cardiovascular responses caused by catecholamine infusions were partly restored when the blood pH was returned to normal levels by administration of Tris buffer.
THE EFFECTS OF A NEW CORONARY VASODILATOR (BAY‐A‐1040, NIFEDIPINE) ON THE CORONARY AND SYSTEMIC HAEMODYNAMICS IN THE ANAESTHETIZED DOG
Authors: Maxwell GM , Rencis V
Published: November 2007

Nifedipine, a dihydropyridine derivative, was administered to Intact anaesthetized dogs. In a dose of 40 μg/kg intravenously the drug increased heart‐rate, cardiac‐ output and coronary flow. Peripheral, pulmonary and coronary vascular resistances decreased. Cardiac oxygen consumption was unchanged; cardiac efficiency was increased. The drug had no effect upon blood glucose levels, but decreased non‐esterified fatty acid values.
A REVIEW OF ARTHROPOD‐BORNE VIRUS INFECTIONS AFFECTING MAN AND ANIMALS IN AUSTRALIA
Authors: French EL
Published: November 2007

The arthropod‐borne virus diseases affecting man and animals in Australia are reviewed. Australian biologists and pathologists have made outstanding contributions to the understanding of the natural history of several of these diseases. There is a need for continuing studies on the ecological factors affecting the vector‐reservoir host and definitive host in some of these diseases.
THE EFFECT OF CORTICOSTEROID ON ABSORPTION AND ENDOGENOUS PRODUCTION OF IMMUNOGLOBULINS IN CALVES
Authors: Husband AJ , Brandon MR , Lascelles AK
Published: November 2007

An attempt was made to determine the effect of corticosteroid on intestinal absorption and subsequent endogenous synthesis of immunoglobulins by the newborn calf. This was carried out by measuring changes in the serum concentration of IgG1, IgG2, IgM and IgA at intervals after birth in a total of 14 calves 11 of which were born of corticosteroid‐treated cows and the remainder from untreated cows. Calves were each fed 2 1 of a large volume of mixed colostrum in the first 6 hours after birth.

The results indicate that corticosteroid treatment of cows induced early parturition and inhibited intestinal absorption of immunoglobulin. For the treated calves the efficiency of absorption for each immunoglobulin was half that for the untreated calves (P < 0.01). The time of onset of endogenous production of IgG1, IgG2 and IgM was similar in treated and untreated calves, but the increase in serum IgA concentrations was delayed in treated calves.

The practical implications of these findings are discussed.
STUDIES ON GLUCOSE‐6‐PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE, GLUTATHIONE REDUCTASE AND REGENERATION OF REDUCED GLUTATHIONE IN THE RED BLOOD CELLS OF VARIOUS MAMMALIAN SPECIES
Authors: Agar NS , Gruca Margaret , Harley JD
Published: November 2007

A study has been made of the levels of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase activity and the rates of regeneration of reduced glutathione (GSH) in red blood cells from various mammalian species, including man and the kangaroo. The most significant finding was the demonstration of a direct relationship between the enzyme activity and the GSH regeneration rate in the red blood cells of ruminants as against an inverse relationship observed in human red blood cells. The experimental results suggest that the GSH regeneration test should be used with caution in studies aimed to evaluate the overall activity of the hexose monophosphate pathway of the red blood cells of man and animals.
TRYPSIN EXTRACTABLE PRECIPITATING ANTIGENS OF LEPTOSPIRA INTERROGANS (SEROTYPE BIFLEXA)
Authors: Graves S , Faine S
Published: November 2007

Extraction of Leptospira interrogans (serotype, bifexa) with 0·2% trypsin yielded three precipitating antigens (‘axial filament’; antigen ‘d’; antigen ‘e’) as detected by immunodiffusion against rabbit antileptospiral serum.

In contrast to ‘axial filament’ antigen, antigens ‘d’ and ‘e’ could be detected only in stationary phase leptospires. Protein antigen ‘d’ was purified and gave rise to monoprecipitin sera in rabbits. Monoprecipitin sera against both antigen ‘d’ and ‘e’ were also produced by immunizing rabbits with specific immune, precipitates in agar.

Rabbit anti‐‘d’ and anti‐’ e’ immunoglobulins were initially of the 19S type but subsequently became solely 7S.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE RECIRCULATION OF LYMPHOCYTES AND PROTEIN CONCENTRATION OF LYMPH IN SHEEP
Authors: Quin JW , Lascelles AK
Published: November 2007

The concentration and output of lymphocytes in lymph from the popliteal node in sheep were varied by antigenic stimulation of the lymph node and by intravenous administration of bovine anti‐lynipbocyte serum (ALS). The 4–5‐fold increase in output and concentration of lymphocytes in lymph following antigenic stimulation of the node was accompanied by a 25–35% increase in the concentration of total protein and albumin. The above changes were not observed in afferent lymph draining the site of antigen injection. There was a 75–80% decrease in concentration of lymphocytes in lymph from the unstimulated popliteal lymph node following the administration of ALS and this was accompanied by decreases of 10–35% in the concentration of albumin and immunoglobulin. Essentially the same changes were observed when ALS was administered 6 days after antigenic stimulation of the node.

Administration of ALS to sheep with cannulated intestinal lymphatic ducts was followed by a 75–80% reduction in lymphocyte concentration and in decreases ranging from 12–50% in the concentration of albumin, IgM and IgG2.

It is suggested that a significant loss of plasma protein is associated with the migration of lymphocytes between the endothelial cells of the post‐capillary venules in lymph nodes.
THE SURFACE MORPHOLOGY AND THE CELL CYCLE OF MASTOCYTOMA TARGET CELLS: NO APPARENT EFFECT ON CELL‐MEDIATED KILLING
Authors: Ching LM , Gavin JB , Marbrook J , Skinner M
Published: November 2007

Mastocytoma cells (P‐185) have been separated by velocity sedimentation into fractions which were highly enriched for cells at discrete stages of the cell cycle. By scanning electron microscopy it was shown that the surface morphology of the majority of cells in each fraction was characteristic of that fraction. No difference could be detected between isolated fractions and unfractionated cells in their ability to be lysed by cytotoxic lymphocytes.
MURRAY VALLEY ENCEPHALITIS VIRUS INFECTION IN MOSQUITOES AND DOMESTIC FOWLS IN QUEENSLAND, 1974
Authors: Doherty RL , Carley JG , Kay BH , Filippich C , Marks EN
Published: November 2007

Field studies during an epidemic of Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) led to the isolation of MVE virus from a pool of mosquitoes (Culex annulirostris) and a sentinel chicken from Charleville, south‐west Queensland. A high proportion of domestic fowls at Charleville had antibody to MVE virus at the beginning of February 1974, in advance of the first case recognized in Queensland and allowing early warning from health authorities. A survey of antibody in domestic fowls in mid‐1974 suggested widespread activity of MVE virus in western and east‐central. Queensland. Virus isolation and serological studies showed activity in south‐west Queensland of three other viruses known to infect man, Ross River, Sindbis and Kunjin viruses.
THE EFFECTS OF 2‐PHENYLALANINE 8‐LYSINE VASOPRESSIN (OCTAPRESSIN) ON BLOOD VESSELS IN THE RAT TAIL
Authors: Frost BR , Gerke DC , Frewin DB
Published: November 2007

Isolated perfused segments of the ventral rat tail artery have been used in this study to investigate the effects of octapressin on vascular smooth muscle and its interaction with other vasoconstrictor agents. It was found that repeated octapressin administration was associated with tachyphylaxis and that the onset and rate of development of this phenomenon could he modified by cocaine. The constrictor action of catecholamines, electrical stimulation and serotonin on the rat tail artery as potentiated by octapressin. Mechanisms which may be involved in octapressin tachyphylaxis are discussed.
ORD RIVER ARBOVIRUSES — THE STUDY SITE AND MOSQUITOES
Authors: Liehne PFS , Stanley NF , Alpers MP , Liehne CG
Published: November 2007

The Ord Valley of tropical Western Australia has been studied for arbovirus activity following the development of a man‐made lake of considerable size, a diversion dam and an irrigation scheme. Kununurra, the largest town in the valley, is the focus for very large populations of birds and mosquitoes. The irrigation areas have not been important as mosquito breeding areas because of the excessive use of insecticides. Lake Argyle does not support high mosquito or bird populations at present. However, this may change as the ecosystem stabilizes. The mosquito fauna of the Ord Valley is dominated by Culex annulirostris.
DEATH OF CELLS BY APOPTOSIS FOLLOWING ATTACHMENT OF SPECIFICALLY ALLERGIZED LYMPHOCYTES IN VITRO
Authors: Don MM , Ablett G , Bishop CJ , Bundesen PG , Donald KJ , Searle J , Kerr JFR
Published: November 2007

A low rate of spontaneous cell death by apoptosis was found in a DBA/2 mouse mastocytoma growing in culture. It was not significantly altered by addition of splenic lymphocytes from normal C57BL mice, but was massively enhanced by lymphocytes from mice previously immunized against the tumour, Cells showing ultrastruclural changes of early apoptosis in the latter experiments had lymphocytes firmly attached to their surfaces, suggesting that cellular immune attack induces apoptosis directly, the cell budding to produce membrane‐bounded fragments with well preserved organelles characteristic of the later stages of the process was associated with Iymphocytic detachment These cell fragments or apoptotic bodies were not phagocytosed by viable cells as they are when apoptosis takes place in tissues, and underwent secondary degeneration with ballooning of organelles and rapture of membranes while still suspended in the medium.

The major wave of lymphocyte‐induced apoptosis occurred within the first 3 h of incubation. The number of well preserved apoptotic bodies reached a peak at 11/2h and thereafter declined, whereas ceil debris increased progressively. The maximum rate of release of absorbed 51Cr from tumour cells coincided In time with the wave of apoptosis, but difficulty in assessing the relativerates of formation and secondary degeneration of apoptotic bodies made impossible to determine whether the release was particularly associated with one or other of these processes.

That cellular immune attack should induce a type of cell death known to occur in normal tissues has implications for the hypothesis that the, immune system continuously monitors cells and eliminates those that undergo significant antigenic change.
ISOLATION OF SINDBIS (ALPHAVIRUS) AND LEANYER VIRUSES FROM MOSQUITOES COLLECTED IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA, 1974
Authors: Doherty RL , Carley JG , Filippich Cheryl , Kay BH , Gorman BM , Rajapaksa N
Published: November 2007

Mosquitoes collected near Darwin, Northern Territory, in 1974 yielded two virus strains. One was identified as Sindbis virus, not previously isolated from the Northern Territory. The other is antigenically distinct from viruses previously isolated from arthropods in Australia, and the name “Leanyer” is proposed for it. Its properties suggest that it may be a togavirus serologically unrelated to available alphaviruses and flaviviruses.
THE INFLUENCE OF DIETARY PROTEIN INSUFFICIENCY ON THE MURINE THYMUS. EVIDENCE FOR AN INTRATHYMIC POOL OF PROGENITOR CELLS CAPABLE OF THYMUS REGENERATION AFTER SEVERE ATROPHY
Authors: Bell RG , Hazell Lee A
Published: November 2007

Low protein diets initiated at weaning in Balb/c mice cause a rapid and profound reduction in thymus weight and cellularity. Thymus weight falls to less than that of the involuted thymus of adult mice and remains depressed for as long as diets are fed. Although most peripheral T cell functions do not appear to be depressed, suppressor cell activity was not as vigorous in deprived animals despite the presence of functional suppressor populations. Thymus growth was reinitiated promptly when high protein diets were fed to deprived animals.

Thymus regeneration appeared to he due to both a resident population of stem cells which persisted in the thymus through the period of deprivation and a second, probably bone‐marrow derived, population of stem cells. It is suggested that in normal mice the synchronized growth of the first population produces the characteristic innate growth pattern of the thymus. This is superimposed on the growth of the second population which continuously seeds the thymus and is constantly replaced. Protein deprivation severely restricts the growth of the first and second population, but both maintain their capacity for growth during long periods of protein restriction.
SUBSTANCE P: ITS PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ROLES
Authors: Bury RW , Mashford ML
Published: November 2007

The recent identification and synthesis of the endecapeptide substance P has renewed interest in this naturally occurring compound. The original substance P of Euler and Gaddum was a mixture of biologically active substances, some of which were peptides. The peptide component was responsible for gut‐contracting, hypotensive and sialogogic properties attributed to substance P. For almost 40 years following its discovery, substance P resisted isolation and purification. Even the most highly active preparations were heterogeneous and there was a divergence of results from experiments using preparations which were partially purified by different techniques. Nevertheless, much of the early work on the distribution and pharmacology of crude substance P has been confirmed using the synthetic endecapeptide and has stimulated research towards the elucidation of a possible functional role for substance P. Most proposed functions have been highly speculative but, at present, evidence is accumulating in support of a physiological role for substance P as a neurotransmitter in sensory pathways.
ARTHROPOD‐BORNE VIRUSES IN AUSTRALIA, 1973‐1976
Authors: Doherty RL
Published: November 2007

The period 1973‐76 saw additions to knowledge of Australian arboviruses in several directions. A large epidemic of Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) allowed evaluation of serological diagnostic techniques not available in previous major outbreaks, and also added to knowledge of clinical features and epidemiology. Its wide geographical distribution, with cases recognized for the first time in central Australia, suburhan Adelaide and east central Queensland, possibly associated with what has been described as “the most extraordinary set of weather conditions to affect Australia in this century”, triggered new consideration of epidemic prediction and vector control. The recognition of regular summer‐autumn occurrence of epidemic polyarthritis in southern Australia suggested the possibility of year‐round survival of Ross River virus, and perhaps of other togaviruses, in that area. Further evidence was obtained for previous suggestions that Kunjin virus might cause febrile disease of man. Bovine ephemeral fever was repeatedly epizootic and its epidemiology became a major focus of investigation, with accent on possibilities of control by vaccination. Important progress was made in Japan and then in Australia in linking Akabane virus with a disease of domestic animals.

The continuation of field programmes in Queensland and Western Australia, and the commencement of new ones in Northern Territory, the Murray Valley of Victoria and elsewhere, led to the discovery of “new” viruses and extended the known host and geographic range of other viruses, adding complexity to the Australian arbovirus pattern. An ambitious programme of serological surveillance of virus infection in sentinel cattle herds covered a wide area of Australia and New Guinea and produced important results which could well be supplemented in other hosts.

Progress in this period does not contradict the previous suggestion that complete elucidation of the epidemiology of arboviruses in Australia is a distant goal within the limits of current techniques, but it does suggest that collaboration between units and between disciplines can provide steady and useful progress.
PROTECTION OF MICE AGAINST PLASMODIUM AND BABESIA INFECTIONS: ATTEMPTS TO RAISE HOST‐PROTECTIVE SERA
Authors: Mitchell GF , Handman E , Howard RJ
Published: November 2007

In an attempt to generate large numbers of mice resistant to Plasmodium berghei and Babesia rodhaini to be used as donors of antibody‐secreting cells for hybridoma production, various methods of inducing resistance to repeated challenge with infected blood cells have been explored. Although, results of independent experiments varied markedly, prior injection of CBA/H mice with BCG. and prior infection of BALB/c mice with Plasmodium yoelii, were found to be manipulations capable of inducing resistance to P. berghei. A single dose of serum, harvested from resistant mice challenged several times with P. berghei, could transfer resistance against P. berghei to a proportion of naive CBA/H recipients. Although resistance to multiple B. rodhaini challenge could be induced in mice, in no situation was a host protective effect of a single high dose of serum demonstrated in naive recipients.
CYTOTOXICITY STUDIES OF HUMAN MELANOMA CELLS AND FIBROBLASTS
Authors: Parsons PG , Brown SG
Published: November 2007

In seven human melanoma cell lines and one human fibroblast strain some correlation of resistance to cell killing was found with two bifunctional alkylating agents (melphalan, chlorambucil) and three monofuctional agents (4(5)‐(3.3‐dimelhyl‐1‐triazeno) imidazole‐5(4)‐carboxamide (DTIC), methylmethane sulphonate (MMS) and N‐methyl‐N1nitro‐N‐nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), but little cross‐resistance was found between these two groups of agents or with cytosine arabinoside (ara‐C). In contrast to previous studies with rodent tumours, potentially synergistic (chloroquine, arginine) or antagonistic (ascorbic acid, leucine) compounds did not affect the toxicity of melphalan in a human melanoma cell line. In two melanoma lines DTIC induced patterns of DNA damage (inhibition of semi‐conservative synthesis) and repair (strand breaks and repair synthesis) similar to, but not identical with, those induced by the methylating agent MNNG. These results suggest that a methylating species is derived from DTIC but has a different reactivity toward DNA compared with MNNG.
ANTIBODIES TO LEISHMANIA TROPICA PROMASTIGOTES DURING INFECTION IN MICE OF VARIOUS GENOTYPES
Authors: Olobo Joseph O , Handma'N Emanuela , Curtis Joan M , Mitchell Graham F
Published: November 2007

After intradermal injection of 107 promastigotes of a particular isolate of the intramacrophage protozoan parasite, Leishmania tropica, the development of disease (cutaneous lesions) is much more severe in BALB/c than in three other mouse strains, C57BL/6, C3H/He and CBA/H. Using fixed promastigotes and 125I‐labelled protein A in a solid‐phase radioimmunoassay (RIA), titres of antibody were shown to increase up to about day 50 of infection. However, titres were not markedly different in BALB/c mice compared with the other three resistant strains, although antibody levels were highest in sera from the diseased BALB/c mice at late time points. Using isotype‐specific antisera in the RIA, and sera from the day 50 time point, the isotype distribution of anti‐promastigote antibodies was not noticeably different in sera from mice of the four genotypes with IgG1 and IgG2a (IgG2b) antibodies predominating. It is concluded that differences in susceptibility to disease in this murine model of cutaneous leishmaniasis do not correlate with any decrease or increase in any particular antibody response to the promastigote.
THE CAROTID SINUS‐BLOOD PRESSURE REFLEX IN CONSCIOUS RABBITS: THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF CHANGES IN CARDIAC OUTPUT AND PERIPHERAL RESISTANCE
Authors: Faris IB , Jamieson GG , Ludbrook J
Published: November 2007

This paper reports experiments to determine the relative roles of changes in cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance in determining the blood pressure response to intermittent step‐changes and continuous sinusoidal changes in carotid sinus transmural pressure. Conscious rabbits with a variable‐pressure capsule implanted around an innervated carotid sinus were used. After step‐change in capsule pressure the approximate proportions of the changes in blood pressure attributable to changes in cardiac output were, during the pressor response, 7% after 2.5 s, 22% after 10 s and 27% at plateau, and during the depressor response 100%, 8% and 17%, respectively. During sinusoidal change in capsule pressure a mean 7% of the change in blood pressure over the full cycle was attributable to change in cardiac output.
CHANGES IN HUMAN MILK COMPOSITION DURING THE INITIATION OF LACTATION
Authors: Kulski JK , Hartmann PE
Published: November 2007

Studies were undertaken to determine the progressive changes and relationships between the major constituents in the mammary secretion of breast feeding and non‐breast feeding women during the initiation of lactation. The concentration of metabolites (lactose, glucose and urea), electrolytes and proteins (total protein, α‐lactalbumin, lactoferrin, albumin. IgA, IgG and IgM) were measured in small samples of mammary secretion (0·5‐5·0 ml).

Colostrum during late pregnancy contained higher concentrations of proteins and lower concentrations of metabolites than milk in established lactation. Of the electrolytes, the concentrations of sodium, chloride and magnesium were higher, whereas potassium and calcium were lower in colostrum than in milk. The osmolality of the secretion remained relatively constant over the pre‐partum and post‐partum period. These findings showed that the initiation of lactation developed in two phases, first a limited secretion of milk constituents in late pregnancy and then true induction of lactation (lactogenesis) 32‐40 h after delivery.

The changes in the mammary secretion of non‐breast feeding women during the first 3 days post‐partum were similar to those observed in breast feeding women but reversed abruptly during the next 6 days, indicating the onset of mammary involution. This finding demonstrated that breast feeding is not a major factor for the initiation of lactation but is essential for the continuation of full lactation.
In What Way is the World Really Flat? Debates over Geographies of the Moment
Authors: Dodgshon Robert A
Published: November 2007

This paper highlights the role played by the specious present or moment, what some call the present of the now, in geographical discussions of social change. Its most explicit treatment as a temporal framing for such change has been in performative approaches, with their stress on the capacity of immersive body practices to produce difference through the ongoing repetition of such practices, a difference that plays on what is habitually or instinctively accessed through each specious present. However, we can also find debates focused on large-scale social practices that have combined various forms of structural or institutional contingency (ie customary practices, past investment cycles, etc) with becoming and which see becoming as rooted in the everyday reiteration of such practices, an interpretation that also privileges the moment as the point when becoming is actualised. Brought together, these different approaches provide the basis for a more broadly based interpretation of change focused on the specious present. This paper explores the case for this broader interpretation. It is divided into four sections. The first reviews those philosophical discussions of the specious present that have attracted most attention from human geographers. The second reviews the ways in which the geographical debate has used the specious present as a framing for change. The third examines how these different geographical treatments fill or extend the specious present, whilst the fourth and final section considers the implications of such thinking for how we interpret change.
Small molecule obatoclax (GX15-070) antagonizes MCL-1 and overcomes MCL-1-mediated resistance to apoptosis
Authors: Nguyen Mai , Marcellus Richard C. , Roulston Anne , Watson Mark , Serfass Lucile , Murthy Madiraju S. R. , Goulet Daniel , Viallet Jean , Bélec Laurent , Billot Xavier , Acoca Stephane , Purisima Enrico , Wiegmans Adrian , Cluse Leonie , Johnstone Ricky W. , Beauparlant Pierre , Shore Gordon C.
Published: November 2007

Elevated expression of members of the BCL-2 pro-survival family of proteins can confer resistance to apoptosis in cancer cells. Small molecule obatoclax (GX15-070), which is predicted to occupy a hydrophobic pocket within the BH3 binding groove of BCL-2, antagonizes these members and induces apoptosis, dependent on BAX and BAK. Reconstitution in yeast confirmed that obatoclax acts on the pathway and overcomes BCL-2-, BCL-XL-, BCL-w-, and MCL-1-mediated resistance to BAX or BAK. The compound potently interfered with the direct interaction between MCL-1 and BAK in intact mitochondrial outer membrane and inhibited the association between MCL-1 and BAK in intact cells. MCL-1 has been shown to confer resistance to the BCL-2/BCL-XL/BCL-w-selective antagonist ABT-737 and to the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. In both cases, this resistance was overcome by obatoclax. These findings support a rational clinical development opportunity for the compound in cancer indications or treatments where MCL-1 contributes to resistance to cell killing.
Encysted spermatic cord hydroceles: a report of three cases in adults and a review of the literature
Authors: Busigó J. P. , Eftekhari F.
Published: November 2007

A hydrocele of the spermatic cord, which results from aberrant closure of the processus vaginalis, is an asymptomatic entity detected incidentally on computed tomography (CT) scans performed for other clinical indications. There are two variations of a spermatic cord hydrocele: the “encysted” variety that does not communicate with the peritoneal cavity, and the “funicular” variety that does communicate with the peritoneal cavity. The encysted type can be confused with an inguinal mass (lymphadenopathy, hernias), and also primary tumors of the cord. We reviewed CT scans for all three adults and ultrasound images for one patient. Confirmation of spermatic cord hydrocele was made by surgery in one case, and CT and follow-up CT in two cases. Our findings indicate that a mass of the spermatic cord, showing fluid attenuation by CT and an avascular, anechoic appearance with sound transmission by ultrasound in an otherwise asymptomatic patient or even in those with an underlying malignancy, should prompt the radiologist to consider the diagnosis of spermatic cord hydrocele. This may eliminate the need for unnecessary, highly invasive procedures such as biopsy or surgical exploration.
The effect of overfishing on the life-history strategies of Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus(L.) in the Nyanza Gulf of Lake Victoria, Kenya
Authors: Ojuok J. E , Njiru M. , Ntiba M. J. , Mavuti K. M.
Published: November 2007

Studies were conducted on reproductive characteristics of Oreochromis niloticus from 1998 to 2000. The results were combined with published work on growth parameters of O. niloticus from 1985 to 1999 in order to establish the current survival strategies exhibited by O. niloticus in the Nyanza Gulf of Lake Victoria. The study revealed that size at maturity had decreased concurrently with increasing fishing mortality. Observations on reproductive effort point to a fish species under stress. It is observed that the behavioural change in O. niloticus is not due to size selective predation but due to size selective exploitation. Indications that O. niloticus in the Nyanza Gulf of Lake Victoria allocates more energy for reproduction than for somatic growth (i.e. increased turnover rate) are multiple. It is concluded that O. niloticus in the Nyanza Gulf exhibits an ‘r’-selected life history strategy in order to survive stressful conditions.
JAM-A regulates permeability and inflammation in the intestine in vivo
Authors: Laukoetter Mike G. , Nava Porfirio , Lee Winston Y. , Severson Eric A. , Capaldo Christopher T. , Babbin Brian A. , Williams Ifor R. , Koval Michael , Peatman Eric , Campbell Jacquelyn A. , Dermody Terence S. , Nusrat Asma , Parkos Charles A.
Published: November 2007

Recent evidence has linked intestinal permeability to mucosal inflammation, but molecular studies are lacking. Candidate regulatory molecules localized within the tight junction (TJ) include Junctional Adhesion Molecule (JAM-A), which has been implicated in the regulation of barrier function and leukocyte migration. Thus, we analyzed the intestinal mucosa of JAM-A–deficient (JAM-A−/−) mice for evidence of enhanced permeability and inflammation. Colonic mucosa from JAM-A−/− mice had normal epithelial architecture but increased polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration and large lymphoid aggregates not seen in wild-type controls. Barrier function experiments revealed increased mucosal permeability, as indicated by enhanced dextran flux, and decreased transepithelial electrical resistance in JAM-A−/− mice. The in vivo observations were epithelial specific, because monolayers of JAM-A−/− epithelial cells also demonstrated increased permeability. Analyses of other TJ components revealed increased expression of claudin-10 and -15 in the colonic mucosa of JAM-A−/− mice and in JAM-A small interfering RNA–treated epithelial cells. Given the observed increase in colonic inflammation and permeability, we assessed the susceptibility of JAM-A−/− mice to the induction of colitis with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Although DSS-treated JAM-A−/− animals had increased clinical disease compared with controls, colonic mucosa showed less injury and increased epithelial proliferation. These findings demonstrate a complex role of JAM-A in intestinal homeostasis by regulating epithelial permeability, inflammation, and proliferation.
Comparison of lepidopteran larval communities among tree species in a temperate deciduous forest, Japan
Authors: MURAKAMI MASASHI , HIRAO TOSHIHIDE , ICHIE TOMOAKI
Published: November 2007

Abstract 1. The enormous diversity of phytophagous insects in forest canopies is hypothesised to be supported by the number of herbivorous species per host tree species or host specificity. It is therefore necessary to examine the effect of host plant species on compositional changes in the herbivore communities.

2. The lepidopteran larval communities were examined in the canopies of 10 tree species in a temperate deciduous forest of Japan. The phylogeny and leaf flush phenology of host plant species were taken into account as factors affecting the herbivore community assembly.

3. Examination of seasonal changes in the larval community structures on each tree species showed that larval species richness, abundance, and evenness decreased significantly from spring to summer. Larval species richness and abundance were characterised by family‐level phylogenetic differences among tree species, whereas evenness was determined at a higher taxonomic level.

4. Compositional changes in the larval communities among tree species showed a remarkable pattern, with a phylogenetic effect at a high taxonomic level in spring, similar to evenness, but a phenological effect in summer. This suggests that host specificity could support the lepidopteran larval diversity in spring.

5. These results suggest that the differences in host utilisation of the herbivore, which reflects the phylogenetic effect of the host plants, can be important as a factor affecting the diversity of lepidopteran larval communities in temperate forests.