bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparison of thirteen d‐factors as potential biological control agents of Ophiostoma novo‐ulmi
Authors: SUTHERLAND M. L. , BRASIER C. M.
Published: December 2004

Thirteen d‐factors varied in their ability to reduce the conidial viability of healthy EAN or NAN race isolates of the Dutch elm disease fungus Ophiostoma novo‐ulmi in vitro, causing mild (c. 7–30%), moderate (c. 60–75%) or severe (c. 80–90%) reductions. The influence of the same d‐factors on the persistence of O. novo‐ulmi isolates in the natural infection court, and on xylem infection of the susceptible Ulmus procera, was investigated under field conditions in artificial feeding grooves. Both persistence and xylem infection levels were consistently reduced. The effects again varied considerably with different d‐factors, which could be ranked within a continuum, ranging from a minimal effect exerted by d1 anda mild effect by d4; to those with a moderate effect, d5, d6, d7, d8, d10, d11, d12 and d13; and those with a severe effect, d2, d3 and d9. On the moderately resistant U. × hollandica cv. ‘Commelin’, the severe d‐factors d2 and d9 again markedly reduced persistence of O. novo‐ulmi in the feeding groove and increased the spore threshold for xylem infection from c. 5000 with a healthy isolate to c. 50 000–500 000 spores. When healthy EAN isolate P114 was infected with a range of different d‐factors, xylem infection frequency following inoculation of U. procera with 10 000 spores was positively correlated with both the level of conidial viability and germ tube vigour in vitro, and hence was negatively correlated with the severity of the d‐factors involved. The potential of d‐factors for the biological control of Dutch elm disease is discussed.
Geographical cline of DNA variation within the F intersterility group of Heterobasidion annosum in Italy
Authors: LA PORTA N. , CAPRETTI P. , KAMMIOVIRTA K. , KARJALAINEN R. , KORHONEN K.
Published: December 2004

Eighty‐six Heterobasidion annosum isolates, mainly belonging to the F intersterility group and obtained from 32 different geographical localities in Italy, were subjected to genetic analysis by the Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The similarity between F and S groups was higher than that between F and P. In UPGMA Cluster Analysis, the F isolates originating from the same locality usually grouped in the same cluster. The isolates also showed a tendency to group at the level of larger geographical areas. Within the F group, isolates from the south of the Italian peninsula showed the highest genetic variation and northern isolates from the Alpine regions showed the lowest. This indicates a gradual cline along the peninsula. The genetic variability in the Italian F group is discussed in relation to the past and present distribution of the host species in Italy and Europe.
Variation in the response of melon genotypes to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis race 1 determined by inoculation tests and molecular markers
Authors: Burger Y. , Katzir N. , Tzuri G. , Portnoy V. , Saar U. , Shriber S. , Perl‐Treves R. , Cohen R.
Published: December 2004

Screening of genotypes of melon (Cucumis melo) for resistance to wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis is often characterized by wide variability in their responses to inoculation, even under carefully controlled conditions. The variability at the seedling stage of 17 genotypes susceptible to race 1 was examined in growth‐chamber experiments. Disease incidence varied from 0 to 100% in a genotype‐dependent manner. Using four combinations of light (60 and 90 µE m−2 s−1) and temperatures of (27 and 31°C), only light intensity showed a statistically significant effect. Marker‐assisted selection for fusarium resistance breeding using cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) and sequence‐characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers were compared using a single set of genotypes that included 24 melon accessions and breeding lines whose genotype regarding the Fom‐2 gene was well characterized. The practical value of the markers for discriminating a range of genotypes and clarifying the scoring of phenotypes was also tested using a segregating breeding population which showed codominant SCAR markers to be useful in marker‐assisted selection.
Vascular colonization patterns in susceptible and resistant tomato cultivars inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici races 0 and 1
Authors: Rodríguez‐Molina M. C. , Medina I. , Torres‐Vila L. M. , Cuartero J.
Published: December 2004

The vascular colonization pattern of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici races 0 and 1 in tomato was studied in five susceptible and five resistant cultivar–fungus combinations during a 26‐day period after inoculation by root immersion. Propagules spread discontinuously along the stems in all five cultivars 1 day after inoculation, irrespective of cultivar resistance. Five days later the fungus was limited to the stem bases in all cultivars. Between the fifth and 12th days, stem colonization by the fungus stopped in all cultivar–race combinations. Thereafter, the situation remained stable in resistant combinations, with inoculum distributed discontinuously, and no disease symptoms were apparent. By contrast, in the susceptible combinations a gradual upward colonization of the stems was seen such that fungal distribution was no longer discontinuous and disease symptoms appeared. These results suggest that a fungal ‘incubation’ period in the base of the vascular system is required before a secondary invasion of tissues occurs in susceptible genotypes. The slope of the regression line fitted between the height reached by the fungus up the stem (y) and the time after inoculation (x) provides a measure of the horizontal (polygenic) resistance in tomato cultivars
Comparison of Crinipellis perniciosa isolates from Brazil by ERIC repetitive element sequence‐based PCR genomic fingerprinting
Authors: De Arruda M. C. C. , Miller R. N. G. , Ferreira M. A. S. V. , Felipe M. S. S.
Published: December 2004

Fifty isolates of Crinipellis perniciosa originating from Theobroma cacao, Heteropterys acutifolia and Solanum lycocarpum, from six states within Brazil, were characterized through ERIC‐PCR, representing the first application of this method for molecular characterization within C. perniciosa. Phenetic analysis of banding patterns revealed a separation of isolates on the basis of host of origin, with T. cacao‐derived isolates showing only a 0·2 similarity level to a cluster comprising the isolates from H. acutifolia and S. lycocarpum. Considerable intraspecific variability was observed within C. perniciosa isolates from T. cacao, with distinct groups observed correlating with geographical origin. Given that a number of isolates from T. cacao from the Amazon region grouped with isolates from Bahia state, this work discusses the possibility that current C. perniciosa populations pathogenic on T. cacao in Bahia originated from the Amazon region, rather than from alternative host plants.
PCR‐based specific and sensitive detection ofPectobacterium carotovorumssp.carotovorumby primers generated from a URP‐PCR fingerprinting‐derived polymorphic band
Authors: Kang H. W. , Kwon S. W. , Go S. J.
Published: December 2004

A 24‐mer primer pair was generated by sequencing a URP‐PCR fingerprinting‐derived polymorphic band that is uniquely shared inPectobacterium carotovorumssp. carotovorumstrains (Pcc). The primer set (EXPCCF/EXPCCR) amplified a single band of expected size (0·55 kb) from genomic DNA obtained from 29 Pcc strains and threePectobacterium carotovorumssp.wasabiae(Pcw) strains, but not from otherP. carotovorumsubspeciesatrosepticum,betavasculorumorodoriferum, or from otherErwiniaspp. or bacterial genera. TheRsaI digestion profile of the amplified bands divided Pcc strains into five groups with a unique profile from Pcw strains. First‐round PCR detected between 5 × 102and 1 × 103colony forming units (CFU) mL−1and detection sensitivity was increased to as few as 2–4 CFU mL−1after second‐round (nested) PCR. This PCR protocol was used directly to detect Pcc strains in infected plant tissues.
Extremes of Markov Chains with Tail Switching Potential
Authors: Bortot Paola , Coles Stuart
Published: December 2004

A recent advance in the utility of extreme value techniques has been the characterization of the extremal behaviour of Markov chains. This has enabled the application of extreme value models to series whose temporal dependence is Markovian, subject to a limitation that prevents switching between extremely high and extremely low levels. For many applications this is sufficient, but for others, most notably in the field of finance, it is common to find series in which successive values switch between high and low levels. We term such series Markov chains with tail switching potential, and the scope of this paper is to generalize the previous theory to enable the characterization of the extremal properties of series displaying this type of behaviour. In addition to theoretical developments, a modelling procedure is proposed. A simulation study is made to assess the utility of the model in inferring the extremal dependence structure of autoregressive conditional heteroscedastic processes, which fall within the tail switching Markov family, and generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedastic processes which do not, being non-Markov in general. Finally, the procedure is applied to model extremal aspects of a financial index extracted from the New York Stock Exchange compendium.
Free-Knot Polynomial Splines with Confidence Intervals
Authors: Mao Wenxin , Zhao Linda H.
Published: December 2004

We construct approximate confidence intervals for a nonparametric regression function, using polynomial splines with free-knot locations. The number of knots is determined by generalized cross-validation. The estimates of knot locations and coefficients are obtained through a non-linear least squares solution that corresponds to the maximum likelihood estimate. Confidence intervals are then constructed based on the asymptotic distribution of the maximum likelihood estimator. Average coverage probabilities and the accuracy of the estimate are examined via simulation. This includes comparisons between our method and some existing methods such as smoothing spline and variable knots selection as well as a Bayesian version of the variable knots method. Simulation results indicate that our method works well for smooth underlying functions and also reasonably well for discontinuous functions. It also performs well for fairly small sample sizes.
Cytokines evaluation in nasal lavage of allergic children after Bacillus clausii administration: A pilot study
Authors: Ciprandi Giorgio , Tosca Maria Angela , Milanese Manlio , Caligo Giacomo , Ricca Vittorio
Published: December 2004

Respiratory infections are very frequent in children. Bacillus clausii has been demonstrated to exert some immunomodulatory activities and to be safe. We conducted a study to investigate whether B. clausii administration in allergic children with recurrent respiratory infections might modulate cytokine pattern. Ten children (mean age 4.4 yr) attending the nursery school were enrolled at the end of school year (i.e. in the summer). Bacillus clausii spores (Enterogermina®: 2 billion spores per vial) were administered at the dosage schedule of two vials a day for 4 wk. A panel of cytokines, including interleukin (IL)‐1, IL‐3, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐12, interferon (IFN)‐γ, transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, was measured by immunoassay in the fluid recovered from nasal lavage, performed before and after the treatment. Bacillus clausii treatment induced a significant decrease of IL‐4 levels (p < 0.01) and a significant increase of IFN‐γ (p < 0.05), IL‐12 (p < 0.001), TGF‐β (p < 0.05), and IL‐10 (p < 0.05) levels. Other cytokines were not significantly modified. In conclusion, this study shows that the B. clausii may exert immunomodulating activity by affecting cytokine pattern at nasal level in allergic children with recurrent respiratory infections.
Biliary complications of living related pediatric liver transplant patients
Authors: Kling K. , Lau H. , Colombani P.
Published: December 2004

Abstract:  Patients who undergo living related left lateral segment liver transplants have been reported to have a high incidence of biliary complications and some studies suggest that most patients will ultimately need operative revision. We reviewed our experience with living related transplantation in pediatric recipients to examine the occurrence of biliary complications and the utility of percutaneous biliary procedures in their management. Over a 10‐yr period, 48 living donor transplants were performed in 47 patients. Sixteen patients (33%) had biliary complications. Complications included 10 leaks (20%) and eight strictures (17%). Although leaks were treated predominantly with operation, other biliary complications were treated almost exclusively non‐operatively. Self limited leaks that lead to biloma accumulation were most often treated via percutaneous catheter drainage and all strictures were treated using percutaneous transhepatic biliary cholangioplasty and stenting. Sixty‐seven percent of biliary complications underwent non‐operative biliary intervention. Most strictures were focal anastomotic strictures and were successfully treated with cholangioplasty although multiple interventions were necessary and patients required stenting for an average of 13 months. Three of eight strictures were diffuse in nature and these included the only patient who required retransplantation. Graft survival with respect to biliary complications was 94%; 1 yr, 5 yr and overall patient survival for those with biliary complications was 88, 88 and 81%, and for the entire living related group was 84, 81 and 77%, respectively. Although biliary complications are frequent in pediatric living related transplantation, they are not associated with decreased patient survival. Excepting significant bile leaks, the majority can be treated non‐operatively via biliary cholangioplasty and stenting. Strictures are especially amenable to this technique which, in our experience, has been successful at decreasing or postponing the need for retransplantation.
Safety and pharmacokinetics of ascending single doses of sirolimus (Rapamune®, rapamycin) in pediatric patients with stable chronic renal failure undergoing dialysis1
Authors: Tejani Amir , Alexander Steven , Ettenger Robert , Lerner Gary , Zimmerman James , Kohaut Edward , Briscoe David M.
Published: December 2004

Abstract:  Sirolimus (Rapamune®, rapamycin) has been shown to be an effective and safe immunosuppressive drug in adult kidney transplant patients when administered concomitantly with cyclosporine (CsA) and steroids. This study reports on a phase 1 assessment of the drug's tolerance, safety, and pharmacokinetic parameters in pediatric patients. The safety and pharmacokinetic profiles of ascending single doses of sirolimus oral solution were investigated in 32 clinically stable pediatric patients on chronic hemodialysis (n = 26) or peritoneal dialysis (n = 6). Patients were divided into two age groups (5–11 and 12–18 yr), and each patient received either a single dose of sirolimus (1, 3, 9, or 15 mg/m2) or placebo. Whole blood and plasma samples were collected from each patient for the determination of sirolimus pharmacokinetic parameters. Safety assessments were based on reports of adverse events and results of scheduled physical examinations, vital sign measurements and clinical laboratory tests. The younger patients (5–11 yr) showed statistically significant increases in whole blood sirolimus tmax (p ≤ 0.05) and weight‐normalized CL/F (p<0.05) when compared with older patients (12–18 yr). There were no differences in terminal t1/2, Vss/F, dose‐normalized peak concentration (Cmax) and AUC, or the B/P. The whole blood sirolimus mean tmax and weight‐normalized CL/F in younger patients were increased by approximately 41.5% and 30%, respectively. Whole blood sirolimus concentrations exhibited less than proportional increases with ascending doses, which may have been caused by the large inter‐subject variability in CL/F, small number of subjects, and a potentially inherent decrease in sirolimus bioavailability in younger pediatric patients. Adverse events occurred in all dose and age groups, with headache and stomach pain being the most frequently observed events. No deaths or serious adverse events were reported, and no patient withdrew from the study because of an adverse event. Based on an inter‐study analysis, weight‐normalized CL/F in the current population of younger pediatric dialysis patients (5–11 yr, 544 ± 463 mL/h/kg, n = 7) was increased by 90% (p ≤ 0.05) compared with healthy adults (19–36 yr, 287 ± 111 mL/h/kg, n = 25). These results suggest that younger pediatric patients might require an increased maintenance dose of sirolimus to achieve whole blood exposures similar to those in healthy adults. Sirolimus is well tolerated as a single dose of 1, 3, 9, or 15 mg/m2.
Hyperhomocysteinemia in pediatric and young adult renal transplant recipients
Authors: Belson Amir , Sanchez Jaime , Alexander Steven R. , Salvatierra Oscar , Dar Mor H. , Reif Shimon , Yorgin Peter D.
Published: December 2004

Abstract:  Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) has been recently identified as an important and reversible cardiovascular risk factor in adult and pediatric renal transplant recipients. A retrospective cross‐sectional analysis of 70 pediatric and young adult renal transplant recipients was performed to determine the prevalence, and important clinical and laboratory correlates of HHcy. Total homocysteine concentration, free and protein bound, was determined by fluorescence polarization immunoassay using an IMX analyzer. Hyperhomocysteinemia was defined as a serum homocysteine (Hcy) level above the 95th percentile for age. Fifty‐four of 70 patients (77%) had HHcy. Comparison of patients with HHcy with patients without HHcy demonstrated no statistical difference in age (p = 0.35), gender (p = 0.76) or donor type (p = 0.20). Patients with HHcy had significantly lower calculated creatinine clearance values (Ccr) (p = 0.02), 67.3 ± 21.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. 90.7 ± 32.3 mL/min/1.73 m2 for patients without HHcy. Immunosuppression did not correlate with the diagnosis of HHcy. Stepwise logistic regression identified patient age (0.18, p = 0.013) and Ccr (−0.04, p = 0.011) as significant variables. In conclusion, HHcy is more common than expected in pediatric renal transplant recipients. Patients with Ccr <80 mL/min/1.73 m2 were statistically more likely to have a diagnosis of HHcy. We recommend that Hcy levels should be evaluated in this high risk population.
Susceptibility of oat cultivars to groat discoloration: causes and remedies
Authors: Newton A. C. , Lees A. K. , Hilton A. J. , Thomas W. T. B.
Published: December 2004

Fungal isolations and fungicide efficacy trials were carried out to determine the possible causes of discoloration in oat groats and potential control measures. Alternaria species and Microdochium nivale were isolated from field samples, and Fusarium poae was found in glasshouse tests. Symptoms could be induced reliably in the field through the use of a mist irrigation system. The cultivar ‘Gerald’ was most resistant followed by ‘Jalna’. Cultivar ‘Image’ was most severely affected by discoloration and ‘Millennium’ was of intermediate susceptibility. None of the 28 fungicide‐timing combinations used in the field trials affected the occurrence of discoloured groats. It was concluded that the best strategy for minimizing risk of discoloured groats would be screening new cultivars or breeding material in mist‐irrigated field trials for genetically based resistance.
Broad‐few‐leaflets and outwardly curved wings: two new mutants of chickpea
Authors: Gaur P. M. , Gour V. K.
Published: December 2004

This study was aimed at the induction of morphological mutations for increasing genetic variability and making available additional genetic markers for linkage studies in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). A wilt‐resistant, well‐adapted chickpea cultivar of central India,‘JG 315’(Jawahar gram 315), was used for the induction of mutations. Seeds presoaked in distilled water for 2 h were treated with ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) using six different concentrations (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6%) and two different durations (6 and 8 h). Several morphological mutants were identified in M2. One of the mutants, isolated from a treatment of 0.3% EMS for 8 h, had five to nine large leaflets per leaf in comparison with 11‐17 normal‐sized leaflets per leaf observed in the parental cultivar ‘JG 315′. The mutant was designated broad‐few‐leaflets. Many leaves of this mutant showed a cluster of three to five overlapping leaflets at the terminal end. The other mutant, designated outwardly curved wings, was isolated from the 0.5% EMS treatment for 6 h. In this mutant, the wings were curved outwards, exposing the keel petal, while the wings in typical chickpea flowers are incurved and enclose the keel. The lines developed from the broad‐few‐leaflets and outwardly curved wings mutants were named JGM 4 (Jawahar gram mutant 4) and JGM 5, respectively. Inheritance studies indicated that each of these mutant traits is governed by a single recessive gene. The gene for broad‐few‐leaflets was designated bfl and the gene for outwardly curved wings was designated ocw. The locus bfl was found to be linked with the locus lg (light green foliage) with a map distance of 18.7 ± 6.3 cM.
Inheritance of resistance to Pythium dieback in the medicinal plant periwinkle
Authors: Kulkarni R. N. , Baskaran K.
Published: December 2004

Inheritance of resistance to dieback, caused by Pythium aphanider‐matum, in periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) was studied using a dieback‐resistant dwarf mutant, Dw, with a green stem, and a susceptible accession, OR, with a purple stem. Plants of parental F1, F2 and backcross generations were evaluated for resistance to dieback in a randomized complete block design with four replications, in a field plot that had been continuously planted with periwinkle in previous years and where dieback severity was high. Resistance to dieback was evaluated on two dates, i.e. when distinct differences between plants of the parental strains were noticed. From both quantitative and qualitative analyses of data, resistance to dieback appeared to be governed by a single gene (with a broad‐sense heritability of 0.85 and 0.79, depending on the date of evaluation), and was inherited independently of genes governing dwarfness and stem pigmentation.
Resistance to melon vine decline derived fromCucumis melossp.agrestis:genetic analysis of root structure and root response
Authors: Dias R. de C. S. , Picó B. , Espinos A. , Nuez F.
Published: December 2004

Melon vine decline is a major soilborne disease that causes severe economic losses around the world. The fungal pathogensMonosporascus cannonballusPollack et Uecker andAcremonium cucurbitacearumAlfaro‐García, W. Gams et J. García‐Jiménez have been reported as the main causal agents of this disease. A relatively high level of resistance has been reported inCucumis meloL. ssp.agrestis(Naud.) Pangalo in the Asiatic accession Pat 81. Although specific resistance mechanisms controlling pathogen‐induced root lesions have been characterized in Pat 81, the development of a vigorous and branched root system can also appreciably increase its tolerance to vine collapse. The genetics of root traits related to root vigour and structure were studied in the progeny derived from a cross between Pat 81 and the highly susceptible cultivar ‘Piñonet’ market class ‘Piel de Sapo’(C. meloL. ssp.melo).The inheritance of specific resistance to soilborne fungi was also studied by analysing root response to inoculation employing naturally infested soil. Estimates of the broad‐(H) and narrow‐sense (h2) heritabilities indicated that the majority of the variation for lesion resistance in lateral and fine roots, in the root weight, root length, and the root surface area could be explained by additive effects, whereas dominance is important in plant biomass and resistance to lesions in hypocotyls. Selection for improved root systems conferring resistance and tolerance to vine decline was successfully conducted in BC1progeny derived from a Pat 81 ×‘Piñonet’ mating. Moderate values of heritabilities (0.03–0.76) suggest that breeding strategies that combine family and individual selection could enhance genetic progress. As some of the traits analysed exhibited heterosis, breeding methods directed towards recovering hybrid vigour may increase gain from selection.
Hyperactivated Motility in Sperm
Authors: Suarez SS , Ho H‐C
Published: December 2004

Contents

Hyperactivation is a movement pattern seen in sperm at the site and time of fertilization in mammals. It may be critical to the success of fertilization, because it enhances the ability of sperm to detach from the wall of the oviduct, to move around in the labyrinthine lumen of the oviduct, to penetrate mucous substances and, finally, to penetrate the zona pellucida of the oocyte. The movement of hyperactivated sperm appears different under different physical conditions and in different species, but basically it involves an increase in flagellar bend amplitude and, usually, beat asymmetry. Presumably, a signal or signals exist in the oviduct to initiate hyperactivation at the appropriate time; however, none has yet been identified with certainty. While the signal transduction cascade regulating hyperactivation remains to be completely described, it is clear that calcium ions interact with the axoneme of the flagellum to switch on hyperactivation. Although hyperactivation often occurs during the process of capacitation, the two events are regulated by somewhat different pathways.
On the Species Specificity of Sperm Binding and Sperm Penetration of the Zona Pellucida
Authors: Sinowatz F , Wessa E , Neumüller C , Palma G
Published: December 2004

Contents

Sperm binding and sperm penetration of the zona pellucida (zp) are regarded as species‐specific. In this investigation, the interactions between bovine oocytes and porcine, respectively, equine spermatozoa have been studied under in vitro conditions and compared with the normal in vitro fertilization of bovine oocytes by bovine sperm. Surprisingly, many of the heterologous spermatozoa adhered firmly to the bovine oocytes and could not be removed by intense washing. On average, more than 100 boar or equine spermatozoa were bound to the zp of bovine oocytes. Electron microscopic studies clearly demonstrated that porcine sperm attached to the zona and underwent the acrosome reaction. Equine spermatozoa displayed a similar binding affinity, but unlike the porcine spermatozoa even penetrated the zp and were taken up into the oocyte after a longer period of co‐incubation. Considering these new results the dogma of a strict species specificity of sperm zona interactions under in vitro conditions has to be reconsidered.
Application of Techniques for Sperm Selection in Fresh and Frozen‐Thawed Stallion Semen
Authors: Sieme H , Martinsson G , Rauterberg H , Walter K , Aurich C , Petzoldt R , Klug E
Published: December 2004

Contents

The objective of this research was to improve the techniques in processing chilled and frozen‐thawed horse semen. In a preliminary experiment (Exp. I), different techniques for sperm selection and preparation [Swim‐up, Glass wool (GW) filtration, Glass wool Sephadex (GWS) filtration; Percoll] were tested for their suitability for equine spermatozoa and results were compared with the routine procedure by dilution (Exp. I). In the main experiment (Exp. II), two sperm preparation techniques (GWS, Leucosorb®) refering to the results of Exp. I and a previous study of our group (Pferdcheilkunde 1996 12, 773) were selected for processing complete ejaculates either for cooled‐storage or cryopreservation. In a third experiment (Exp. III), pregnancy rates from inseminations with semen processed according to the techniques tested in Exp. II were compared with those obtained with semen processed according to routine procedures. In Exp. I (six stallions, six ejaculates/stallion), between 48 and 92% of spermatozoa were lost following the different sperm selection procedures (p < 0.05). Preparation of sperm increased percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa (pms) [Swim‐up, GW, GWS vs dilution, Percoll (p < 0.05)] and decreased percentage of sperm head abnormalities [Swim‐up, GW, GWS vs dilution, Percoll (p < 0.05)] probably by not improving the quality of individual cells, but by elimination of spermatozoa of inferior quality. In Exp. II (eight stallions, three ejaculates/stallion) Leucosorb® and GWS procedures allowed the filtration of large volumes (extended ejaculates) for routine laboratory practice. GWS and Leucosorb® filtration resulted in increased motility, membrane integrity and sperm viability after storage of spermatozoa until 48 h at +5°C when compared with control (diluted) and centrifuged semen (p < 0.05). Significantly more spermatozoa were recovered after centrifugation (87.8 ± 15.4%) compared with GWS (63.5 ± 18.6%) and Leucosorb® filtration (53.6 ± 22.3%). GWS or Leucosorb® procedure resulted in successful cryopreservation of stallion semen without centrifugation for removal of seminal plasma. The per cycle conception rate of inseminated mares using 200 × 106 pms transferred within 8 h after collection of semen was not affected by GWS filtration or Leucosorb® separation when compared with centrifugation (n.s.; Exp. III). In conclusion, GWS and Leucosorb® filtration results in the improvement of semen quality and should be considered as a method for stallion semen processing. Additional studies are needed for the evaluation of potentially higher fertilizing ability of stallion spermatozoa separated by techniques for sperm selection.
Cumulus–Oocyte Communications in the Horse: Role of the Breeding Season and of the Maturation Medium
Authors: Colleoni S , Luciano AM , Gandolfi F
Published: December 2004

Contents

Horse is a seasonal breeder and information on oocyte quality outside the breeding season is very limited. Ovaries obtained at the slaughterhouse are a convenient but often limited source of oocytes in this species. As the low quantity of ovaries leads to an intensive use of all available material, it would be useful to know whether ovaries collected during the non‐breeding season are suitable forin vitromaturation (IVM). In an attempt to characterize the effect of season on oocyte quality, we investigated the permeability of the gap junctions (GJ) present between cumulus cells and oocytes because of their important role in oocyte growth and maturation. We also compared the effect of supplementing the maturation medium with bovine serum albumin (BSA) or oestrus mare serum (EMS). A total of 645 oocytes isolated from 158 and 154 ovaries collected during the breeding and the non‐breeding season, respectively, were used in this study. Oocytes were matured for 30 h in TCM 199 supplemented either with 10% EMS or with 4 mg/ml BSA. The presence of permeable GJs between cumulus cells and oocytes was investigated with the injection of a 3% solution of the fluorescent dye Lucifer yellow into the ooplasm. No differences in efficiency of oocyte retrieval or oocyte meiotic competence were detected between oocytes collected during the breeding and non‐breeding season. The vast majority (90%) of the oocytes collected during the breeding season had fully functional communications with their surrounding cumulus cells but such communications were completely interrupted in 55.3% of the oocytes collected during the non‐breeding season. During the non‐breeding season, the proportion of oocytes whose communications with cumulus cells were classified as closed or intermediate at the end of maturation was lower in the group matured with BSA than with EMS (71.4 vs 97.7, p < 0.05). The same trend, although not statistically significant, was observed during the breeding season also. The presence of BSA caused an incomplete cumulus expansion during both seasons. Our data indicate that oocytes collected during the non‐breeding season do not show any meiotic deficiency but lack active communication with the surrounding cumulus cells at the time of their isolation from the ovary. No data are available at present for determining the consequences on the developmental competence even if data from other species suggest that this is likely.
Neuropathological study of C57BL/6Akita mouse, type 2 diabetic model: Enhanced expression of αB‐crystallin in oligodendrocytes
Authors: Yaguchi Masamitsu , Nagashima Kazuaki , Izumi Tetsuro , Okamoto Koichi
Published: December 2004

The structure of the central and peripheral nervous systems was studied in the C57BL/6Akita (Akita) mouse, a non‐obese type 2 diabetes model characterized by early onset, autosomal dominant inheritance and a mutation of the insulin 2 gene. Usual neuropathological examinations showed no remarkable abnormalities in the brain, spinal cord or sciatic nerve of Akita mice up to 48 weeks of age. However, immunohistochemical examination revealed that expression of αB‐crystallin was enhanced in oligodendrocytes in the cerebral white matter, especially in the corpus callosum, after 32 weeks of age. The oligodendrocytes were not positive for ubiquitin and HSP25. It is suggested that long‐standing hyperglycemia might stress the CNS and thus enhance the expression of αB‐crystallin in oligodendrocytes.
Immunohistochemical study of the expression of cytokines and nitric oxide synthases in brains of patients with dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Katsuse Omi , Iseki Eizo , Kosaka Kenji
Published: December 2004

Regional expression of cytokines (IL‐1α, TNF‐α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and neuronal NOS (nNOS) was immunohistochemically investigated in the brains of patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), compared with those of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and non‐demented elderly persons. It has been reported that inflammatory responses by cytokines and oxygen free radicals such as nitric oxide (NO) are associated with damaged neurons, degenerative neurites or amyloid deposits in AD brains. In the present study, overexpression of IL‐1α, TNF‐α and iNOS was demonstrated in the amygdala, hippocampus, entorhinal and insular cortices of DLB brains, which are pathologically the most vulnerable regions in DLB brains as well as AD brains. In addition, some Lewy body (LB)‐bearing neurons were involved by the processes of IL‐1α‐ and TNF‐α‐positive microglia, and most extracellular LB were associated with the processes of TNF‐α‐ and iNOS‐positive astroglia. Glial involvement was also found around neuritic plaques and extracellular neurofibrillary tangles. In contrast, the expression of nNOS was reduced in the amygdala of DLB brains showing severe Lewy pathology. These findings suggest that cytokines and NO are significantly implicated in neuronal damage and death including LB formation in DLB brains.
Fundamentals of the morphometric approach in neuropathology
Authors: Oyanagi Kiyomitsu
Published: December 2004

The purposes of neuropathological examination are diagnosis and discovery of new findings. Quantitative examination closely relates to these aims. To fulfil these aims, neuropathologists should understand well the strengths and weaknesses of the power of observation. The power of observation in humans is quite strong in differentiation of shapes, but weak in counting numbers and measuring size, length and width. Quantitative examination is a help in observation, and the fruits of the examination are generalization, numerization and schematization of the neuropathological findings, and analogy of neuronal function.
CHILDHOOD POST‐STREPTOCOCCAL GLOMERULONEPHRITIS IS A DETERMINATE OF CHRONIC RENAL DISEASE IN LATER LIFE
Authors: A White , W Hoy , B Hayhurst , D. McCredie
Published: December 2004

Background: An epidemic of end‐stage renal disease is occurring in Aboriginal people. Post streptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN) associated with pyoderma, occurs frequently in Aboriginal children, although it is virtually eliminated in the rest of Australia. We examined the association between PSGN in childhood and the development of chronic renal disease in later life.

Methods: In a remote coastal community in the Northern Territory, we established a historical cohort of children who were aged 2‐15 years during epidemic PSGN in 1980 and 1987. History of PSGN during the epidemics was defined using clinical criteria from the original medical records. a) PSGN: haematuria/proteinuria plus oedema or hypertension n = 63 b) haematuria or proteinuria only n = 87, and c) controls: normal examination and urinalysis n = 89, or normal examination without urinalysis n = 135 or not seen n = 98. The main outcome measure, urine albumin to creatinine ratio ACR, was measured in these people at a mean time of 14 years after the epidemics and at a mean age of 20 yrs, range 8‐33.

Results: Proportions with albuminuria at follow‐up.

All n = 472

Controls n = 322

Haem/prot n = 87<

PSGN n = 63

ACR ≥ 3.4
22%
18%
31%
32%

ACR ≥ 34
6%
4%
8%
13%

The relative risk (RR) for overt albuminuria (ACR ≥ 34) in those with a remote episode of PSGN compared to controls is 4.2 (95% CI 1.9‐9), after adjustment for age and sex, and the population attributable risk (PAR) is 32% (90% CI 11‐49). The RR of microalbuminuria (ACR ≥ 3.4) is 2.1 (95% CI 1.4‐3.1) and the PAR 14% (90% CI 6‐22). There were no differences in blood pressure, creatinine or calculated GFR.

Conclusion: In this population, PSGN in childhood is a powerful risk factor for the development of albuminuria in early adult life.
ESTIMATING EFFECTS OF SYSTEMATIC TREATMENT ON RENAL FAILURE AND DEATH WITHOUT A PARALLEL PLACEBO CONTROL GROUP
Authors: We Hoy , P Baker , Z Wang , A Cass , Jd Mathews , P. Van Buynder
Published: December 2004

Background: Chronic disease programs are poorly developed in most Aboriginal communities. Much disease is unrecognised or inadequately treated, although appropriate interventions profoundly reduce morbidity and mortality in nonAboriginal populations. Programs of improved management must aspire to best practice for all, so that maintaining parallel untreated control groups is unethical. This poses challenges for evaluating effect.

Methods: We identified a large burden of chronic disease in a 1990‐1995 screening program in one community, and started a renal & cardiovascular‐protection program in Nov 1995. This centred around use of ACE inhibitors, rigorous BP control, better control of glycemia and lipids, & health education. By late 1999 about 275 people, or 30% of all adults had enrolled. The courses of BP, albuminuria and GFR was compared with those in the pre‐program era (ANZSN, 1999). Treatment effects on renal failure & natural death were estimated in 3 ways. 1) Comparison of these endpoints in the “intention to treat” group with those in persons potentially eligible for treatment on their 1990‐1995 screening results, ‘controls’. There was 50% overlap between the groups, & controls were younger and had less severe disease than the treatment group. 2.Community‐based trends in endpoints. 3. Comparison of these trends with those in other NT Top End communities.

Results: 1. Risk ratios of rates, Kaplan Meier survivals, and Cox hazard ratios all showed better survival of the treated group over controls, with estimates of 41%‐64% reductions in endpoints, after accounting for disease severity. 2. Dialysis starts in the entire community have fallen by at least 38% and natural deaths by 32%. 3. In contrast dialysis continue to increase at 11% per yr in other communities and deaths have not fallen. These results all suggest a marked benefit from the treatment program. Similar methods might be used where truly controlled observations are not feasible.
IS RESISTANT HYPERTENSION TRULY RESISTANT?
Authors: Brown Mark A , Buddle Megan L , Martin. Allison
Published: December 2004

Objectives (1) to compare the magnitude of the white‐coat effect in patients with mild and resistant hypertension and (2) to determine the prevalence of controlled BP in patients with ‘resistant’ hypertension.

Methods Referring doctors' BP was compared with awake and 24 hour ambulatory BP monitor (ABPM) BP in 922 hypertensive patients referred for ABPM by their general practitioners (42%) or specialists (58%). 432 were taking no antihypertensives at the time of their ABPM study (Group 0), 336 were taking 1‐2 antihypertensive drugs (Group 1) and 154 were taking ≥ 3 antihypertensive drugs (Group 2 ‐ resistant hypertension). Controlled BP was defined as awake ABPM BP < 135/85mmHg.

Results Patients with resistant hypertension were significantly older (60 ± 13 yrs) than group 0 (44 ± 15 yrs) and group 1 (55 ± 14 yrs) patients (p < 0.001) but were of similar weight, height and upper arm circumference. The difference between referral BP and awake ABPM BP, the white‐coat effect (WCE), increased significantly across the groups (15/9 vs 26/14 vs 29/15 mmHg, p < 0.005). 34% of group 0 patients had normal ABPM BP, ie. white‐coat hypertension, while 34% of group 1 and 26% of group 2 patients had controlled BP by ABPM criteria.

Conclusion Approximately 1 in 3 of this selected cohort exhibited white coat hypertension and 1 in 4 of those with apparent resistant hypertension had well controlled BP when assessed by 24 hour ABPM. ABPM appears an appropriate initial step in the investigation of both mild hypertension and apparent drug resistant hypertension, thereby reducing unnecessary drug treatment and investigations for secondary causes of hypertension in these patients.
Regional cerebral blood flow in delirium patients
Authors: Yokota Hiroyuki , Ogawa Sato , Kurokawa Akira , Yamamoto Yasuhiro
Published: December 2004

Abstract The purpose of the present paper was to determine the possible mechanism of delirium by using xenon‐enhanced computed tomography to measure the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) of the patients both during delirium and after improvement from delirium. The rCBF measurements of the frontal, temporal and occipital cortex during delirium ranged from 31.4 to 39.6 mL/100 g per min; the rCBF of the thalamus and basal ganglia ranged from 47.5 to 52.4 mL/100 g per min. After recovery from delirium the rCBF of both areas returned to normal. The findings that reduced rCBF during delirium becomes normal once delirium improves suggest that a possible cause of delirium may be the cerebral hypoperfusion.
Primary carcinoid tumor in a polycystic kidney
Authors: Shibata Rie , Okita Hajime , Shimoda Masayuki , Asakura Hirotaka , Murai Masaru , Sakamoto Michiie , Hata Jun‐ichi
Published: December 2004

A case of a primary carcinoid tumor within a polycystic kidney is reported. A 51‐year‐old woman with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) underwent a bilateral nephrectomy because of an infection in her polycystic kidneys. A tumor (1.5 cm in diameter) was incidentally found close to the hilum of the left kidney. Histologically, the tumor exhibited a predominantly trabecular pattern of cuboidal or columnar cells. Grimelius staining showed numerous silver‐stained neurosecretory granules in most of the tumor cells; the tumor cells were also positive for chromogranin, synaptophysin, prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) and neuron‐specific enolase (NSE). The tumor was diagnosed as a primary carcinoid tumor of the kidney. Primary renal carcinoid is a very rare neoplasm, and this is the first report of such a lesion arising in a polycystic kidney.
History of tobacco and health
Authors: MUSK Arthur William , DE KLERK Nicholas Hubert
Published: December 2004

Abstract:  Tobacco comes from plants that are native to the Americas around Peru and Ecuador, where it has been found since prehistoric times. It was brought back to Europe by early explorers where it was adopted by society and re‐exported to the rest of the world as European colonization took place. Smoking tobacco in pipes of one sort or other gave way to handmade and then manufactured cigarettes, especially during the First World War. Smoking rates increased dramatically during the 20th century in developed countries until recently and rates are still increasing in underdeveloped countries. An epidemic of smoking‐related diseases has followed the prevalence of smoking. Scientific knowledge of the harmful effects of active tobacco smoking has accumulated during the past 60 years since early descriptions of the increasing prevalence of lung cancer. The first epidemiological studies showing an association between smoking and lung cancer were published in 1950. In 1990 the US Surgeon General concluded that smoking was the most extensively documented cause of disease ever investigated but governments worldwide have been ambivalent and slow in taking action to reduce smoking. Tobacco smoking is now agreed to be a major cause of a vast number of diseases and other adverse effects. Since the 1980s passive smoking including exposure in utero has also been implicated as a significant cause of numerous diseases. In response, the tobacco industry has managed to forestall and prevent efforts to control this major health problem.
New desaturation index to evaluate neonatal apnea using polygraphy
Authors: Minowa Hideki , Uchida Yumiko , Ebisu Reiko , Yoshibayashi Muneo , Takahashi Yukihiro , Yoshioka Akira
Published: December 2004

Abstract
Background
: Polygraph recordings of neonatal apnea obtained using an Eden Trace II monitor were manually analyzed to devise a new desaturation index (DSI).

Methods
: Heart rate, thoracic respiratory movements, airflow, and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) of 25 neonates in intensive care were monitored using polygraphy. The DSI was defined as the number of SpO2 decreases per hour of valid monitoring time. Neonates were divided into three groups according to DSI85: group A, DSI85 less than one decrease per hour (n = 12); group B, DSI85 ranging from one to nine decreases per hour (n = 8); and group C, DSI85≥10 decreases per hour (n = 5). Clinical characteristics and type of apnea in each group were compared statistically. Group C neonates were treated with aminophylline, and the effects of treatment were evaluated.

Results
: Gestational age at birth, birthweight, age at monitoring and valid monitoring time did not differ significantly between the three groups, but mean SpO2, DSI70, the frequency of central apnea and periodic breathing did. Oxygen desaturation in group B and particularly group C was predominantly attributable to periodic breathing rather than central apnea. Aminophylline produced significant improvement in periodic breathing but exerted no significant effect on the other types of apnea. Both DSI85 and DSI70 were strongly correlated (r = 0.833).

Conclusions
: Polygraphic study of neonates at risk revealed marked arterial oxygen desaturation, even among those with periodic breathing. This novel DSI represents a useful tool for evaluating apnea and periodic breathing in neonates and for assessing treatment efficacy.