bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary: biology and molecular traits of a cosmopolitan pathogen
Authors: BOLTON MELVIN D. , THOMMA BART P. H. J. , NELSON BERLIN D.
Published: November 2005

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary is a necrotrophic fungal pathogen causing disease in a wide range of plants. This review summarizes current knowledge of mechanisms employed by the fungus to parasitize its host with emphasis on biology, physiology and molecular aspects of pathogenicity. In addition, current tools for research and strategies to combat S. sclerotiorum are discussed.

Taxonomy: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary: kingdom Fungi, phylum Ascomycota, class Discomycetes, order Helotiales, family Sclerotiniaceae, genus Sclerotinia.

Identification: Hyphae are hyaline, septate, branched and multinucleate. Mycelium may appear white to tan in culture and in planta. No asexual conidia are produced. Long‐term survival is mediated through the sclerotium; a pigmented, multi‐hyphal structure that can remain viable over long periods of time under unfavourable conditions for growth. Sclerotia can germinate to produce mycelia or apothecia depending on environmental conditions. Apothecia produce ascospores, which are the primary means of infection in most host plants.

Host range: S. sclerotiorum is capable of colonizing over 400 plant species found worldwide. The majority of these species are dicotyledonous, although a number of agriculturally significant monocotyledonous plants are also hosts.

Disease symptoms: Leaves usually have water‐soaked lesions that expand rapidly and move down the petiole into the stem. Infected stems of some species will first develop dark lesions whereas the initial indication in other hosts is the appearance of water‐soaked stem lesions. Lesions usually develop into necrotic tissues that subsequently develop patches of fluffy white mycelium, often with sclerotia, which is the most obvious sign of plants infected with S. sclerotiorum.

Useful websites: http://www.whitemoldresearch.com; http://www.broad.mit.edu/annotation/fungi/sclerotinia_sclerotiorum
The presence of IFNG 3/3 genotype in the recipient associates with increased risk for Epstein–Barr virus reactivation after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Bogunia‐Kubik Katarzyna , Mlynarczewska Anna , Jaskula Emilia , Lange Andrzej
Published: November 2005

Recent studies have shown that interferon‐γ gene (IFNG) polymorphism constitutes a risk factor for acute and chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD) after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Patients with IFNG 3/3 have been found to be more prone to GvHD. This rather puzzling result, as 3/3 genotype is associated with a decreased IFN‐γ production, was investigated in the present study in the context of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) reactivation. Microsatellite polymorphism (CA)n within the first intron of IFNG gene was assessed in 83 HSCT recipients and related to EBV load. Quantification of EBV copies was performed by a real‐time polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood cells taken from the patients 2–3 months after HSCT. It was found, that patients having IFNG 3/3 genotype presented with a high number of EBV copies (over 10/105 blood cells) when compared with the recipients with other IFNG genotypes (10/14 vs. 17/69, P < 0·001). This association was independent of recipient's age, underlying disease, conditioning regimen, type of donor, source of stem cells or pretransplant donor and recipient EBV serological status. Thus IFNG 3/3 genotype, known to be associated with a decreased IFN‐γ production, appeared as a factor significantly contributing to the risk of EBV reactivation after allogeneic HSCT.
Deeply divergent lineages of the widespread New Zealand amphipod Paracalliope fluviatilis revealed using allozyme and mitochondrial DNA analyses
Authors: HOGG IAN D. , STEVENS MARK I. , SCHNABEL KAREEN E. , ANN CHAPMAN M.
Published: November 2005

1. We evaluated the population genetic structure of the common New Zealand amphipod Paracalliope fluviatilis using eight allozyme loci, and the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI) gene locus. Morphological analyses were also conducted to evaluate any phenotypic differences. Individuals belonging to P. fluviatilis were collected from a total of 14 freshwater fluvial habitats on the North and South Islands, New Zealand.

2. We found evidence for strong genetic differentiation among locations (Wright's FST > 0.25), and fixed differences (non‐shared alleles) at two of the eight allozyme loci indicating the possibility of previously unknown species. Analysis of a 545‐bp fragment of the COI locus was mostly congruent with the allozyme data and revealed the same deeply divergent lineages (sequence divergences up to 26%).

3. Clear genetic breaks were identified between North Island and South Island populations. North Island populations separated by <100 km also showed genetic differences between east and west draining watersheds (sequence divergence >12%). Accordingly, present‐day dispersal among hydrologically isolated habitats appears minimal for this taxon.

4. Although population differences were clearly shown by allozyme and mtDNA analyses, individuals were morphologically indistinguishable. This suggests that, as in North American and European taxa (e.g. Hyalella and Gammarus), morphological conservatism may be prevalent among New Zealand's freshwater amphipods. We conclude that molecular techniques, particularly the COI gene locus, may be powerful tools for resolving species that show no distinctive morphological differences.
National audit of continence care: laying the foundation
Authors: Mian Sarah , Wagg Adrian , Irwin Penny , Lowe Derek , Potter Jonathan , Pearson Michael
Published: November 2005

Introduction  National audit provides a basis for establishing performance against national standards, benchmarking against other service providers and improving standards of care. For effective audit, clinical indicators are required that are valid, feasible to apply and reliable. This study describes the methods used to develop clinical indicators of continence care in preparation for a national audit.

Aim  To describe the methods used to develop and test clinical indicators of continence care with regard to validity, feasibility and reliability.

Method  A multidisciplinary working group developed clinical indicators that measured the structure, process and outcome of care as well as case‐mix variables. Literature searching, consensus workshops and a Delphi process were used to develop the indicators. The indicators were tested in 15 secondary care sites, 15 primary care sites and 15 long‐term care settings.  

Results  The process of development produced indicators that received a high degree of consensus within the Delphi process. Testing of the indicators demonstrated an internal reliability of 0.7 and an external reliability of 0.6. Data collection required significant investment in terms of staff time and training.

Conclusion  The method used produced indicators that achieved a high degree of acceptance from health care professionals. The reliability of data collection was high for this audit and was similar to the level seen in other successful national audits. Data collection for the indicators was feasible to collect, however, issues of time and staffing were identified as limitations to such data collection. The study has described a systematic method for developing clinical indicators for national audit. The indicators proved robust and reliable in primary and secondary care as well as long‐term care settings.
Appraising the quality of randomized controlled trials: inter‐rater reliability for the OTseeker evidence database
Authors: Tooth Leigh , Sally Bennett BOccThy(Hons)  , McCluskey Annie , Hoffmann Tammy , McKenna Kryss , Lovarini Meryl
Published: November 2005

Rationale and aims  ‘OTseeker’ is an online database of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews relevant to occupational therapy. RCTs are critically appraised and rated for quality using the ‘PEDro’ scale. We aimed to investigate the inter‐rater reliability of the PEDro scale before and after revising rating guidelines.

Methods  In study 1, five raters scored 100 RCTs using the original PEDro scale guidelines. In study 2, two raters scored 40 different RCTs using revised guidelines. All RCTs were randomly selected from the OTseeker database. Reliability was calculated using Kappa and intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC (model 2,1)].

Results  Inter‐rater reliability was ‘good to excellent’ in the first study (Kappas ≥  0.53; ICCs ≥  0.71). After revising the rating guidelines, the reliability levels were equivalent or higher to those previously obtained (Kappas ≥  0.53; ICCs ≥  0.89), except for the item, ‘groups similar at baseline’, which still had moderate reliability (Kappa = 0.53). In study 2, two PEDro scale items, which had their definitions revised, ‘less than 15% dropout’ and ‘point measures and variability’, showed higher reliability. In both studies,  the  PEDro  items  with  the  lowest  reliability  were  ‘groups similar at baseline’ (Kappas = 0.53), ‘less than 15% dropout’ (Kappas ≤  0.68) and ‘point measures and variability data’ (Kappas ≤  0.68).

Conclusion  The PEDro scale is a reliable instrument for rating the quality of RCTs. Revised rating guidelines are provided for scale items that are difficult to rate, and helped to improve inter‐rater reliability.
Diabetic patients with prior specialist care have better glycaemic control than those with prior primary care
Authors: Shah Baiju R. , Hux Janet E. , Laupacis Andreas , Mdcm Bernard Zinman , Austin Peter C. , Van Walraven Carl
Published: November 2005

Objective  To compare glycaemic control, as reflected in the A1c level, of diabetic  patients  with  primary  care  vs.  with  specialist  care.

Methods  The study used administrative data from eastern Ontario, Canada, and a database containing the results of all A1c tests from this region between 1 September 1999 and 1 September 2000. To avoid referral bias, diabetic patients with an index specialist visit were selected and separated into those with exclusively primary care previously (n = 974) and those with prior specialist care (n = 3533). We compared A1c levels measured within 30 days of the index visit and hence attributable to the prior care. To control for confounding between the groups, both multiple linear regression and propensity score‐based matching were used.

Results  After controlling for confounders, patients with prior specialist care had significantly lower A1c levels (P < 0.0001). Other predictors of lower A1c included older age, shorter diabetes duration, rural residence and higher neighbourhood income. In propensity score‐matched cohorts, the A1c level was 8.3 ± 2.0% with prior primary care vs. 7.9 ± 1.6% with prior specialist care (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions  Specialist care prior to the index visit was associated with a lower A1c level than prior primary care. This difference would result in reductions in diabetes complications for patients with ongoing specialist care.
Benefit assessment of preventive medical check‐ups in patients suffering from chronic granulomatous disease (CGD)
Authors: Roesler Joachim , Koch Anne , Pörksen Gönke , Von Bernuth Horst , Brenner Sebastian , Hahn Gabriele , Fischer Rainer , Lorenz Norbert , Gahr Manfred , Rösen‐Wolff Angela
Published: November 2005

Background  Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) patients are susceptible to recurrent opportunistic infections and to recurrent or chronic inflammations of presumably non‐infectious origin. Both types of manifestations are often accompanied by granuloma formation. Both can remain unnoticed until they deteriorate considerably and can become life‐threatening if not treated in time.

Objective  To evaluate the effectiveness of regular follow‐up  visits  in  CGD  patients. 

Methods  Findings of imaging (ultrasound, radiographs, computer‐tomography, magnetic resonance imaging), lung function tests, histopathological and microbiological assessments of biopsies  have  been  reviewed. 

Results  A total of 32 CGD patients have been evaluated within 15 years. Of these eight patients have been checked regularly for more than 5 years. Early detection prior to specific clinical signs and consecutive treatment of six lung manifestations and one liver manifestation such as interstitial pneumonia with formation of small granulomas, formation of large granulomas, fibrosis, Aspergillus infections, and abscesses could presumably prevent considerable aggravation in seemingly healthy or mildly symptomatic patients. In contrast, patients without surveillance who presented with severe symptoms (seven manifestations)  often  had  irreversible  organ  damage  or  even  died.

Conclusions  Regular follow‐up visits can help prevent or mitigate clinical manifestations, improve life quality and expectancy and weigh indication for bone marrow transplantation in CGD patients.
Assessing the impact of clinical information‐retrieval technology in a family practice residency
Authors: Grad Roland M. , Pluye Pierre , Meng Yuejing , Segal Bernard , Tamblyn Robyn
Published: November 2005

Rationale and objective  Evidence‐based sources of information do not integrate self‐assessment tools to assess the impact of a users’ search for clinical information. We present a method to evaluate evidence‐based sources of information, by systematically assessing the impact of searches for  clinical  information  in  everyday  practice. 

Methods  We integrated an information management tool (InfoRetriever 2003) with an educational intervention in a cohort of 26 family medicine residents. An electronic impact assessment scale was used by these doctors to report the perceived impact of each item of information (each hit) retrieved on hand‐held computer. We compared the types of impact associated with hits in two distinct categories: clinical decision support systems (CDSS) vs. clinical information‐retrieval technology (CIRT). Information hits in CDSS were defined  as any hit in the following InfoRetriever databases: Clinical Prediction Rules, History and Physical Exam diagnostic calculator and Diagnostic Test calculator. CIRT information hits were defined as any hit in: Abstracts of Cochrane Reviews, InfoPOEMs, evidence‐based practice guideline summaries and  the  Griffith's  5  Minute  Clinical  Consult.

Results  The impact assessment questionnaire was linked to 5160 information hits. 4946 impact assessment questionnaires were answered (95.9%), and 2495 contained reports of impact (48.4%). Reports of positive impact on doctors were most frequently in the areas of learning and practice improvement. In comparison to CDSS, CIRT hits were more frequently associated with learning and recall. CDSS hits were more frequently associated with reports of practice improvement.

Conclusions  Our new method permits systematic and comparative assessment of impact associated with distinct categories of information.
Intracolony variation of bacterial gut microbiota among castes and ages in the fungus‐growing termite Macrotermes gilvus
Authors: HONGOH Y. , EKPORNPRASIT L. , INOUE T. , MORIYA S. , TRAKULNALEAMSAI S. , OHKUMA M. , NOPARATNARAPORN N. , KUDO T.
Published: November 2005

The fungus‐growing termites Macrotermes cultivate the obligate ectosymbiontic fungi, Termitomyces. While their relationship has been extesively studied, little is known about the gut bacterial symbionts, which also presumably play a crucial role for the nutrition of the termite host. In this study, we investigated the bacterial gut microbiota in two colonies of Macrotermes gilvus, and compared the diversity and community structure of bacteria among nine termite morphotypes, differing in caste and/or age, using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) and clonal analysis of 16S rRNA. The obtained molecular community profiles clustered by termite morphotype rather than by colony, and the clustering pattern was clearly more related to a difference in age than to caste. Thus, we suggest that the bacterial gut microbiota change in relation to the food of the termite, which comprises fallen leaves and the fungus nodules of Termitomyces in young workers, and leaves degraded by the fungi, in old workers. Despite these intracolony variations in bacterial gut microbiota, their T‐RFLP profiles formed a distinct cluster against those of the fungus garden, adjacent soil and guts of sympatric wood‐feeding termites, implying a consistency and uniqueness of gut microbiota in M. gilvus. Since many bacterial phylotypes from M. gilvus formed monophyletic clusters with those from distantly related termite species, we suggest that gut bacteria have co‐evolved with the termite host and form a microbiota specific to a termite taxonomic and/or feeding group, and furthermore, to caste and age within a termite species.
The Elongator subunit Elp3 contains a Fe4S4 cluster and binds S‐adenosylmethionine
Authors: Paraskevopoulou Christina , Fairhurst Shirley A. , Lowe David J. , Brick Peter , Onesti Silvia
Published: November 2005

The Elp3 subunit of the Elongator complex is highly conserved from archaea to humans and contains a well‐characterized C‐terminal histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain. The central region of Elp3 shares significant sequence homology to the Radical SAM superfamily. Members of this large family of bacterial proteins contain a FeS cluster and use S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM) to catalyse a variety of radical reactions. To biochemically characterize this domain we have expressed and purified the corresponding fragment of the Methanocaldococcus jannaschii Elp3 protein. The presence of a Fe4S4 cluster has been confirmed by UV‐visible spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and the Fe content determined by both a colorimetric assay and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The cysteine residues involved in cluster formation have been identified by site‐directed mutagenesis. The protein binds SAM and the binding alters the EPR spectrum of the FeS cluster. Our results provide biochemical support to the hypothesis that Elp3 does indeed contain the Fe4S4 cluster which characterizes the Radical SAM superfamily and binds SAM, suggesting that Elp3, in addition to its HAT activity, has a second as yet uncharacterized catalytic function. We also present preliminary data to show that the protein cleaves SAM.
Translation initiation with GUC codon in the archaeon Halobacterium salinarum: implications for translation of leaderless mRNA and strict correlation between translation initiation and presence of mRNA
Authors: Srinivasan Gayathri , Krebs Mark P. , RajBhandary Uttam L.
Published: November 2005

We have investigated whether anticodon sequence mutant of an archaeal initiator tRNA can initiate protein synthesis using reporter genes carrying mutations in the initiation codon. Halobacterium salinarum was used as the model organism and the bacterio‐opsin gene (bop), which encodes the precursor of the protein component of the purple membrane protein bacterio‐opsin (Bop), was chosen as the reporter. We demonstrate that a CAU to GAC anticodon sequence mutant of Haloferax volcanii initiator tRNA can initiate Bop protein synthesis using GUC as the initiation codon in H. salinarum. We generated four mutant bop genes, each carrying the AUG to GUC initiation codon mutation, with or without a compensatory mutation to maintain a predicted stem‐loop structure at the 5′‐end of the bop mRNA, and with or without mutations to test translation initiation at a site corresponding to the amino terminus of mature bacterio‐opsin. H. salinarum chromosomal recombinants containing these mutant genes were phenotypically Pum– (purple membrane negative). Upon transformation with a plasmid carrying the mutant initiator tRNA gene, only strains designed to maintain the bop mRNA stem‐loop structure produced Bop and were phenotypically Pum+ as indicated by purple colony colour, and immunoblotting and spectral analysis of cell extracts. Thus GUC can serve as an initiation codon in archaea and the stem‐loop structure in the bop mRNA is important for translation. Interestingly, for the same mutant mRNA, only transformants that produce Bop protein contain bop mRNA. These results suggest either a strong coupling between translation and mRNA stability or strong transcriptional polarity in H. salinarum.
Diversity of Plum pox virus isolates in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Matic S. , Al‐Rwahnih M. , Myrta A.
Published: November 2005

Sixteen Plum pox virus (PPV) isolates from several stone fruit cultivars, host species, orchards and geographical areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina were selected for typing, using serotype‐specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and PCR–RFLP, targeting the 3′ terminal region of the coat protein (CP) and P3‐6K1 with restriction enzymes RsaI and DdeI. Four PPV isolates were identified as PPV‐M by serology and PCR; eight isolates were identified as PPV‐D based on PCR–RFLP on both genomic regions, but were not recognized by the D‐specific MAb4DG5. Four isolates from plum were identified as natural D/M recombinants (PPV‐Rec), based on conflicting results of CP and P3‐6K1 typing. To investigate the genetic diversity of Bosnian PPV isolates in more detail, five isolates (three PPV‐Rec, one PPV‐M and one PPV‐D) were partially sequenced in the region spanning the 3′ terminal part of the NIb gene and the 5′‐terminal part of the CP gene, corresponding to nucleotides 8056–8884. Nucleotide sequence alignment of recombinant isolates showed that they were closely related at the molecular level to previously characterized recombinants from other European countries, and shared the same recombination break point in the 3′ terminal part of the NIb gene. This is the first report of naturally infected Prunus trees with PPV‐M, PPV‐D and PPV‐Rec in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The high variability of the Bosnian PPV isolates fits with the presence of this virus in the country over a long period.
Pustular calicivirus dermatitis on the abdomen of two cats following routine ovariectomy
Authors: DECLERCQ J.
Published: November 2005

Abstract An unusual form of calicivirus dermatitis is described in two cats. Two fully vaccinated cats were re‐admitted for anorexia and depression following routine ovariectomy. Signs of upper respiratory disease were not present. One cat subsequently showed painful necrosis of the incision wound, the other one developed dyspnoea with pleural effusion and discrete tongue ulcers. Intact pustular lesions confined to the surgically prepared abdomen appeared in both cats, respectively, on days 11 and 9. The histopathological diagnosis was panepidermal pustulosis and necrotizing dermatitis. Positive immunohistochemical staining consistent with feline calicivirus antigen was detected in epithelial cells within pustular lesions. The cats were treated with antibiotics and ketoprofen. The cat with progressive dyspnoea was euthanized. The clinical signs in the other cat rapidly and completely resolved following glucocorticoid therapy. It is hypothesized that the reported cases may represent a distinct calicivirus‐induced pustular dermatitis following ovariectomy.
Generalized calcinosis cutis associated with probable leptospirosis in a dog
Authors: MUNDAY JOHN S. , BERGEN DAVID J. , ROE WENDI D.
Published: November 2005

Abstract A 6.5‐year‐old male German Shepherd acutely developed renal and hepatic disease. Serology revealed high concentrations of antibodies againstLeptospira copenhageni, and a presumptive diagnosis of leptospirosis was made. The dog was successfully treated with antibiotics and supportive care over a 12‐day period. Sixty‐two days after the initial presentation, alopecia predominantly involving the dorsum and perineal areas developed. The skin lesions expanded over a 20‐day period. Histology revealed generalized calcinosis cutis with follicular atrophy. An injection of 0.01 mg kg−1dexamethasone suppressed serum cortisol concentrations. No treatment was given and lesions resolved over the following 30 days. This is the third case of generalized calcinosis cutis that has developed in an adult dog after severe systemic disease. Both previous cases developed calcinosis cutis in association with blastomycosis. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of generalized calcinosis cutis in an adult dog in association with a presumptive bacterial infection.
Two cases of FeLV‐associated dermatoses
Authors: FAVROT C. , WILHELM S. , GREST P. , MELI M. L. , HOFMANN‐LEHMANN R. , KIPAR A.
Published: November 2005

Abstract Two cases of feline leukaemia virus (FeLV)‐associated dermatosis are described. The first cat was affected by an ulcerative dermatitis identified as a giant‐cell dermatosis. The second case was a cutaneous lymphoma. In both cases, FeLV antigens and FeLV genome were demonstrated in the affected skin immunologically and with polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The first case suggests that, like other retroviruses, at least some strains of FeLV can induce syncytium formation. As FeLV antigens and genome were demonstrated in a serologically negative cat, the second case suggests that focal skin FeLV replication may occur. FeLV‐associated dermatoses are rare skin conditions that may be under‐diagnosed.
Feline cutaneous and visceral necrotizing panniculitis and steatitis associated with a pancreatic tumour
Authors: FABBRINI FABRIZIO , ANFRAY PASCAL , VIACAVA PAOLO , GREGORI MICHELA , ABRAMO FRANCESCA
Published: November 2005

Abstract  The association of pancreatic disorders with fat necrosis in domestic animals is rare. This report concerns a case of cutaneous/subcutaneous necrotizing panniculitis and steatitis associated with a pancreatic adenocarcinoma in an 11‐year‐old male Siamese cat. Clinical investigation revealed variably sized nodules on the trunk, limbs and abdomen. Some of them were ulcerated; others showed a shiny yellow necrotic background featuring irregular sinus tracts. The cat was euthanized at the owner's request before a diagnosis could be made. At necropsy, abundant oily material resembling mustard replaced the subcutaneous tissue and small yellow nodules were disseminated in the omentum, mesentery and serosa of the abdomen. A multilobulated mass arising from the anterior pancreatic head was found along with liver and lymph node metastasis. Histopathology showed wide fistulous tracts draining necrotic fat from the subcutis toward the surface and multifocal areas of necrotic adipocytes replacing the panniculus. Duct‐like structures and tubules lined by neoplastic epithelial cells were observed in the primary pancreatic tumour and in the metastatic sites. The aetiology of the fat necrosis was possibly the result of systemic release of lipolytic pancreatic enzymes.
Alterations of epidermal proliferation and cytokeratin expression in skin biopsies from heavy draught horses with chronic pastern dermatitis
Authors: GEBUREK FLORIAN , OHNESORGE BERNHARD , DEEGEN ECKEHARD , DOELEKE RENATE , HEWICKER‐TRAUTWEIN MARION
Published: November 2005

Abstract  We report the historical, clinical and histopathological characteristics of skin lesions in biopsies from 37 heavy draught horses with chronic pastern dermatitis. The skin lesions were divided into four macroscopic groups: scaling (group I, n = 5), hyperkeratotic and hyperplastic plaque‐like lesions (group II, n = 14), nodular skin masses (group III, n = 16) and verrucous skin lesions (group IV, n = 2). The principal histological findings were hyperkeratosis and epidermal hyperplasia. There was a gradual increase in epidermal hyperplasia from groups I to IV, suggesting that the lesions represent different stages of disease. In all cases, there was perivascular dermatitis dominated by T lymphocytes with an increase in MHC class II‐positive dendritic‐like cells. Immunohistochemical labelling for cytokeratins CK5/6(4), CK10 and CK14 indicated a change in their expression pattern. This correlated with the degree of epidermal hyperplasia, indicating abnormal differentiation of keratinocytes. There was a statistically significant correlation between the severity of skin lesions and several other factors including increasing age, increasing cannon circumference, prominence of anatomical structures such as fetlock tufts of hairs, ergots and chestnuts, and bulges in the fetlock region.
Congenital follicular dysplasia in five related coatimundis (Nasua nasua)
Authors: NICOLIER A. , WELLE M. , WALZER C. , ROBERT N.
Published: November 2005

Abstract  We report a congenital follicular dysplasia in five coatis from four different litters of the same parents born between 1996 and 2001. These coatis were born apparently alopecic with the entire body covered by very short dark hairs, with secondary lichenification of the skin, crusting and scaling. The main histopathological feature consisted of premature cornification of the cortical cells of the hair shaft. Cells were already fully cornified below the Adamson's fringe, leading to a disorganized, fragmented and constricted hair shaft. Based on the history of the animals and the nature of the lesions, a genetic defect in hair shaft keratinization was suspected.
Adherence of Staphylococcus intermedius to corneocytes of healthy and atopic dogs: effect of pyoderma, pruritus score, treatment and gender
Authors: SIMOU CHRISI , THODAY KEITH L. , FORSYTHE PETER J. , HILL PETER B.
Published: November 2005

Abstract  Staphylococcal pyoderma occurs commonly in atopic dogs. Some studies have suggested that adherence of staphylococci to corneocytes of atopic dogs and humans is higher than to corneocytes of healthy individuals. This hypothesis and possible differences resulting from the presence or absence of pyoderma, the severity of pruritus or the effect of treatment or gender, were studied. Adherent bacteria (Staphylococcus intermedius) were quantified by computerized image analysis on corneocytes collected from healthy or atopic dogs using double‐sided adhesive tape. The adherence of S. intermedius to the corneocytes of atopic dogs was significantly greater than to those of healthy dogs (P = 0.005). Furthermore, adherence was significantly greater in dogs with high levels of pruritus compared to those with low scores. No significant differences were found between atopic dogs with no history of pyoderma, atopic dogs with a history of pyoderma and atopic dogs with pyoderma at the time of sampling (P = 0.068), suggesting that factors other than adherence are necessary for clinical pyoderma to develop. Treatment did not generally influence the adherence of S. intermedius to corneocytes of atopic dogs and there was no gender difference in adherence in either healthy or atopic dogs.
Water Use Efficiency, Carbon Isotope Discrimination and Biomass Production of Two Sugar Beet Varieties Under Well‐Watered and Dry Conditions
Authors: Rytter R.‐M.
Published: November 2005

Two sugar beet (Beta vulgaris sp.) varieties, which were supposed to differ in drought tolerance, were exposed to drought stress in a growth chamber and a container experiment in field. The aim was to test for (i) differences between the varieties in water use efficiency (WUE), biomass production and distribution and (ii) the relationship between WUE and carbon isotope discrimination (Δ), and between biomass production and Δ. Significant differences in WUE were detected between plants of well‐watered and drought treatments in both experiments, but not between the varieties. Production losses due to drought were large for both varieties in both experiments. Losses in the growth chamber were up to 50 % of plant dry weight and the corresponding value in the field was 24 %, when plants were given 60 and 30 %, respectively, of the full‐watered treatments. Significant negative correlations between WUE and Δ were found, but not between biomass production and Δ, when both varieties were included. Negative correlations between WUE and Δ were also found for each variety separately. The results suggest that Δ estimates from leaf tissue of sugar beet may provide a useful tool for genetic selection of drought‐tolerant sugar beet varieties.
Water Stress‐induced Injury to Reproductive Phase in Chickpea: Evaluation of Stress Sensitivity in Wild and Cultivated Species in Relation to Abscisic Acid and Polyamines
Authors: Nayyar H. , Kaur S. , Smita  , Singh K. J. , Dhir K. K. , Bains T.
Published: November 2005

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is more sensitive to water stress during its reproductive growth and consequently experiences substantial yield loss. Wild species being relatively tolerant to abiotic stresses offer a potential gene source for incorporation of drought tolerance in cultivated species. In the present study, the differential stress sensitivity of wild (Cicer reticulatum Ladiz.) and cultivated species (C. arietinum) was evaluated by subjecting the plants of both the species to water stress for 14 days during the reproductive phase and examined for stress injury, endogenous status of polyamines (PA) and abscisic acid (ABA). Comparatively, the cultivated species experienced higher stress injury (assessed as electrolyte leakage, 2,3,5‐triphenyl tetrazolium chloride reduction ability, chlorophyll loss) as well as decreased leaf water potential (Ψw; −2.48 MPa) than the wild species (−1.98 MPa). The stressed plants of cultivated species lost more number of flowers (62 %) and pods (65 %) when compared with the unstressed ones while those of wild species showed 30 % and 44 % loss, respectively. The number of infertile pods was significantly more in stressed plants of cultivated species than in those of wild species. The endogenous status of PA revealed that putrescine (PUT), spermidine (SPD) and spermine (SPM) levels accumulated to a higher extent in the cultivated species relative to the wild species until the eighth day of stress, and thereafter, the wild species had significantly higher levels of PA. In contrast, ABA levels increased to a higher extent in the wild species until the eighth day of stress and declined subsequently to a greater degree than the cultivated species. The injury to reproductive growth appeared to accentuate with reduction in leaf Ψw that was coupled with depletion of PA in both the species, especially in the cultivated one. Exogenous application of 10 mm PUT partially alleviated the damage to reproductive growth by increasing the leaf water status and chlorophyll content while decreasing the ABA content, which resulted in improvement of retention of flowers and pods, particularly in the cultivated species.
Aetiological agents of tinea capitis in Tehran (Iran)
Authors: Bassiri Jahromi Sh. , Khaksar A. A.
Published: November 2005

A total of 1568 patients with suspected tinea capitis were examined for causative fungal agents between 1994 and 2001. Laboratory examination confirmed tinea capitis in 209 patients. Males were affected more frequently (67.5%) than females (32.5%) and in both sexes, those who were 3–11 years old, were more infected. Trichophyton violaceum was the most common aetiological agent (37.3%) followed by Trichophyton schoenleinii (21.5%), Microsporum canis (18.6%), Trichophyton verrocosum (14.8%), Trichophyton tonsurans (5.3%), Trichophyton rubrum (1%), Microsporum gypseum (1%) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (0.5%). A higher incidence of the disease was found to be correlated with larger family and class size. The findings are discussed in relation to different socioeconomic and hygienic backgrounds of the children.
Candida endocarditis in neonates: report of five cases and review of the literature
Authors: Levy Itzhak , Shalit Itamar , Birk Einat , Sirota Lea , Ashkenazi Shai , German Baruch , Linder Nehama
Published: November 2005

Candidal endocarditis is an uncommon and serious complication of invasive Candida infection in neonates. The aim of this study was to further characterise candidal endocarditis in neonates. Between 1995 and 2000, 56 patients were diagnosed with Candida bloodstream infections (CBSI) in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel. Five of them (9%) developed mycetoma of the right atrium. None of the patients had congenital heart disease or a central venous catheter in the right heart at the time of diagnosis. All were treated with amphotericin B alone or in combination with other antifungals, without surgical intervention. One patient died of the disease and one died later of polymicrobial sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis. A review of the literature since 1980 yielded an additional 25 cases of candidal endocarditis. For the whole sample (n = 30) survival rate was 73.1%. Six of the 10 patients treated with antifungal agents and surgery survived (60%), compared with 13 of the 20 patients treated only medically (65%) (P = 1.0). Candida endocarditis in neonates differs from fungal endocarditis in adults in risk factors, clinical presentation and outcome. As the outcome of surgical and medical treatment are comparable, antifungal therapy alone may be a valid therapeutic option in high‐risk cases.
Comparison of diagnostic methods in the diagnosis of dermatomycoses and onychomycoses
Authors: Panasiti V. , Borroni R. G. , Devirgiliis V. , Rossi M. , Fabbrizio L. , Masciangelo R. , Bottoni U. , Calvieri S.
Published: November 2005

Direct microscopic examination of potassium hydroxide (KOH)‐prepared specimens is the simplest, cheapest method used for the diagnosis of mycotic infections of the skin. However, KOH preparations have been reported to have 5–15% of false‐negative results, possibly because of the low visibility of scant, scattered fungal material of the nail scrapings and because the detection of fungal elements depends on the skill of the observer [Arch Dermatol133 (1997) 1317; Clin Microbiol Rev8 (1995) 240]. We compared two different KOH‐based staining methods in order to obtain reliable results in shorter time than expected for cultures. A total of 124 patients with suspect diagnosis of dermatomycosis or onychomycosis were enrolled. Two scrapings from the same lesion of each patient were stained with KOH‐Chlorazole and KOH‐Acridine Orange (AO), respectively; cultural examination of the same specimen was considered as diagnostic gold standard. The two methods showed neither significantly different sensitivity nor specificity; however, for onychomycoses, we observed a slightly higher sensitivity for KOH‐Chlorazole and a higher specificity for KOH‐AO. We suggest the use of both techniques in order to improve detection of fungal infection, especially for onychomycoses.
Expression and phosphorylation of TOPK during spermatogenesis
Authors: Fujibuchi Taketsugu , Abe Yasuhito , Takeuchi Takashi , Ueda Norifumi , Shigemoto Kazuhiro , Yamamoto Haruyasu , Kito Katsumi
Published: November 2005

Among normal organs and tissues, the MAPKK‐like mitotic protein kinase TOPK is expressed exclusively in the testis. We analyzed the expression and phosphorylation of TOPK to address the functional role of this kinase during spermatogenesis. TOPK protein is expressed mainly in the cytosol of spermatocytes and spermatids, but not in spermatids and spermatogonia in situ. TOPK‐Thr‐9, a cdk1/cyclin B target residue, was specifically phosphorylated during mitotic and meiotic phases, while TOPK‐Thr‐198, a key amino acid for the ATP pocket, was constantly phosphorylated irrespective of the cell cycle. These data indicate that spermatogenic germ cells with vital proliferation activity express TOPK. As TOPK‐Thr‐9 was phosphorylated during both mitosis and meiosis, TOPK was indicted to play a role in cytokinesis and/or chromosomal segregation but not in DNA replication.
Further extension of mammalian GATA‐6
Authors: Maeda Masatomo , Ohashi Kazuaki , Ohashi‐Kobayashi Ayako
Published: November 2005

Mammalian GATA‐6, which has conserved tandem zinc fingers (CVNC‐X17‐CNAC)‐X29‐(CXNC‐X17‐CNAC), is essential for the development and specific gene regulation of the heart, gastrointestinal tract and other tissues. GATA‐6 recognizes the (A/T/C)GAT(A/T)(A) sequence, and interacts with other transcriptional regulators through its zinc‐finger region. The mRNA of GATA‐6 uses two Met codons in frame as translational initiation codons, and produces L‐ and S‐type GATA‐6 through leaky ribosome scanning. GATA‐6 is subjected to cAMP‐dependent proteolysis by a proteasome in a heterologous expression system. These protein‐based characteristics of GATA‐6 will be helpful for the identification of target genes, together with determination of the in vivo binding sites for GATA‐6 and understanding of the complex network of gene regulation mediated by GATA‐6.
Long‐term glycaemic efficacy and weight changes associated with thiazolidinediones when added at an advanced stage of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Bell D. S. H. , Ovalle F.
Published: November 2005

Objective:  To describe the outcome of 35 patients with type 2 diabetes prospectively followed for 6 years after the addition of a thiazolidinedione (TZD) to a failing regimen of a sulphonylurea and metformin – triple oral therapy.

Methods:  Study patients were assessed for the need for the addition of insulin to their regimen, and follow‐up clinical and laboratory findings were analysed.

Results:  At a mean follow‐up of 72 ± 1.5 months (range 53–80), 18 (51%) of patients remained well controlled on triple oral therapy with a mean glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) value of 6.9 ± 0.2% (upper limit of normal 6.2%). In 17 other patients, triple oral therapy failed and the use of insulin was necessary after a mean duration of 38 (range 18–68) months. The mean HbA1c in these patients was 8.0 ± 0.3%. The group that was maintained on triple oral therapy gained 15.2 ± 1.9 lbs over the 6‐year study which was significantly higher than the baseline weight. Alternatively, the group that failed and had insulin added to their therapy gained 20.2 ± 4.5 lbs over the same period which was also significantly different from baseline but not from the triple oral therapy group. Although after 3 years a trend towards weight loss occurred in the triple oral therapy group, the insulin‐added group continued to gain weight. Stimulated C‐peptide levels increased significantly in the triple therapy group from 3.6 ± 0.9 to 4.3 ± 1.2 ng/ml and had not increased or decreased non‐significantly from 3.7 ± 0.8 to 3.2 ± 0.6 ng/ml at the time of insulin initiation in the insulin‐requiring group.

Conclusion:  When used late in the course of type 2 diabetes, TZDs result in improved and prolonged glycaemic control which persisted for a median time of 6 years. Weight gain with TZDs peaks and then plateaus (and even trends downwards) at 3 years, although the addition of insulin to a failing oral therapy regimen results in a further and continuing weight gain in spite of inferior glycaemic control. Continuing glycaemic control with triple oral therapy is dependent on preservation or augmentation of endogenous insulin production.
Attainment of glycaemic goals in type 2 diabetes with once‐, twice‐, or thrice‐daily dosing with biphasic insulin aspart 70/30 (The 1‐2‐3 study)
Authors: Garber A. J. , Wahlen J. , Wahl T. , Bressler P. , Braceras R. , Allen E. , Jain R.
Published: November 2005

Aim:  This observational study in patients with type 2 diabetes failing oral agent therapy with or without basal insulin was conducted to assess whether addition and self‐titration of biphasic insulin aspart 70/30 (BIAsp 30) could achieve American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)/International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and American Diabetes Association (ADA) glycemic targets (HbA1c≤6.5 and <7%).

Methods:  Enrolled patients (n = 100, HbA1c≥7.5 and ≤10%) were ≥18 years of age, had diabetes ≥12 months and had received a stable antidiabetic regimen for at least 3 months [minimum of two oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) or at least one OAD plus once‐daily basal insulin ≤60 U]. Patients discontinued prior basal insulin and added one injection of BIAsp 30 (12 U or 70–100% of prior basal insulin dose within 15 min of dinner initiation). Patients self‐titrated their BIAsp 30 dose with investigator guidance every 3 or 4 days to achieve pre‐breakfast fasting blood glucose (FBG) of 80–110 mg/dl. At 16 weeks, a pre‐breakfast injection of 6 U of BIAsp 30 was added if week 15 HbA1c exceeded 6.5%; the added dose was titrated to achieve pre‐dinner BG of 80–110 mg/dl. After an additional 16 weeks, 3 U of pre‐lunch BIAsp 30 was added if HbA1c exceeded 6.5%. This added dose was adjusted based on 2‐h post‐lunch BG to achieve postprandial glucose of 100–140 mg/dl. Subjects achieving an HbA1c≤6.5% at 15 and 31 weeks completed the study at weeks 16 and 32 respectively.

Results:  Addition of once‐daily BIAsp 30 before dinner enabled 21% of the patients to achieve AACE and IDF targets (HbA1c≤6.5%) and 41% to achieve ADA targets (HbA1c <7%). With two daily injections of BIAsp 30, these glycaemic goals were achieved by 52 and 70% of subjects. With three daily BIAsp 30 injections, 60% of patients achieved HbA1c≤6.5%, and 77% achieved HbA1c <7.0%.

Conclusions:  This clinical trial demonstrates that initiation of once‐daily BIAsp 30 to type 2 diabetes patients poorly controlled on various OAD regimens was an effective treatment approach for achieving glycaemic goals. Additional patients safely achieved these goals by increasing the number of BIAsp 30 injections from one to two, and then, if uncontrolled, from two to three doses per day. Eventually, most patients previously uncontrolled on OADs with or without basal insulin were controlled by the addition and vigorous titration of BIAsp 30 to oral agent therapy.
Filling a gap in the phylogeny of flatworms: relationships within the Rhabdocoela (Platyhelminthes), inferred from 18S ribosomal DNA sequences
Authors: Willems Wim R. , Wallberg Andreas , Jondelius Ulf , Littlewood David T. J. , Backeljau Thierry , Schockaert Ernest R. , Artois Tom J.
Published: November 2005

The phylogeny of the Rhabdocoela, a species‐rich taxon of free‐living flatworms, is reconstructed based on complete 18S rDNA sequences. The analysis includes 62 rhabdocoels and 102 representatives of all major flatworm taxa. In total, 46 new sequences are used, 41 of them from rhabdocoel species, five from proseriates. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference. Clade support was evaluated with parsimony jackknifing, Bremer support indices and Bayesian posterior probabilities. The resulting cladogram corroborates that the Rhabdocoela is monophyletic, but its sister group remains uncertain. The ‘Dalyellioida’ and the ‘Typhloplanoida’, both former rhabdocoel subtaxa, are polyphyletic. Within the Rhabdocoela the monophyletic Kalyptorhynchia, characterized by a muscular proboscis, forms the sister group of all other rhabdocoels. The Schizorhynchia is a monophyletic subtaxon of the Kalyptorhynchia, with the split proboscis as a synapomorphy. Except for the Dalyelliidae and the Typhloplanidae, both freshwater taxa, none of the ‘families’ previously included in the ‘Typhloplanoida’ and the ‘Dalyellioida’ appears to be monophyletic. As a result of this analysis, three existing and four new taxon names are formally defined following the rules of the Phylocode.