bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Potential Role for Substance P and Interleukin‐6 in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Schmidt M.J. , Roth J. , Ondreka N. , Kramer M. , Rummel C.
Published: April 2013

Background

Neuropathic pain can be a clinical sign in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) with syringomyelia. The pathophysiology of this pain is not fully understood.

Hypothesis

Neuropathic pain in CKCS is a result of a neuroinflammatory process.

Animals

Twenty‐six client‐owned dogs: 15 dogs with clinical signs of cervical hyperesthesia (group 1), and 11 dogs without of clinical signs (group 2).

Methods

Dogs were examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Interleukin‐6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and substance P were measured in CSF and compared with morphological findings on MRI and clinical pain scores.

Results

All dogs without clinical signs had symmetrical syringomyelia, whereas in the group with pain, 6 dogs had symmetrical and 9 dogs had asymmetrical syringomyelia. Pain and syringomyelia asymmetry were correlated, and a strong association between pain and dorsal horn involvement of syringomyelia was observed. There was no significant difference between the mean width of the syringomyelia in dogs with or without pain. The concentrations of interleukin‐6 and substance P were significantly higher in dogs with neuropathic pain. Tumor necrosis factor alpha was not detected in either group.

Concentrations of substance P were significantly higher in dogs with asymmetrical syringomyelia or dorsal horn involvement, whereas interleukin‐6 concentrations were not significantly different between groups.

Conclusion

Release of interleukin‐6 and substance P may initiate proinflammatory effects leading to development of persistent pain in CKCSs with syringomyelia.
The influence of environmental factors on biological soil crust: from a community perspective to a species level approach
Authors: Concostrina‐Zubiri Laura , Martínez Isabel , Rabasa Sonia G. , Escudero Adrián
Published: April 2013

Questions

Environmental factors have been identified as strong modulators of plant community distribution and diversity, especially in arid and semi‐arid ecosystems. Despite recent advances in the ecology of biological soil crusts (BSC) from a community perspective, much remains unknown at the species level. Do environmental factors at different scales influence species richness, diversity and composition of BSC communities? At the species level, what are the main predictors for species occurrence and frequency?

Location

A geographic gradient from southeast to central Spain.

Methods

In a geographic gradient, we characterized BSC communities based on species richness and diversity, species composition and species frequency. Using generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) and multivariate analyses we evaluated the effect of precipitation, type of soil substrate, presence of shrubs and presence of Stipa tenacissima on community attributes.

Results

Precipitation positively influenced species richness and diversity, but had little effect on BSC occurrence at the species level. Type of substrate was a strong predictor for species composition, occurrence and frequency, gypsiferous soils being those with higher species richness and diversity. At the local scale, S. tenacissima had more effect on species occurrence and frequency, while shrub presence was a poor predictor of community attributes.

Conclusions

Environmental factors influence BSC diversity predominantly at a large scale, while local‐scale factors influence both community diversity and species distribution.
Puny males punch above their weight to preserve genetic diversity in a declining Atlantic salmon population
Authors: Moore J.‐S. , Fraser D. J.
Published: April 2013

Many salmonid fish populations have anadromous (i.e. migratory) and nonanadromous individuals co‐existing in sympatry. The nonanadromous individuals, frequently males, mature at a much smaller size in freshwater without undergoing marine migrations and often successfully fertilize many eggs laid by anadromous females. Because these small males do not recruit to fisheries, they are often not regarded in high esteem by fishers. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Johnstone et al. () demonstrate that by substantially contributing to reproduction, such males help maintain genetic diversity in a declining population of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Their results show that estimates of effective population size (Ne), obtained by counting the number of anadromous adults returning from sea and correcting for unequal sex ratios, are lower than estimates generated from genetic markers. Many mechanisms are expected to reduce Ne below the adult census population size (N); the opposite pattern of Ne > N observed by Johnstone et al. () is difficult to explain unless the reproductive effort of nonanadromous males is accounted for. The results have important implications for the conservation of small populations and highlight the challenges of relating Ne to N in organisms with complex life histories.
Recombination in the threespine stickleback genome—patterns and consequences
Authors: Roesti Marius , Moser Dario , Berner Daniel
Published: April 2013

Heterogeneity in recombination rate may strongly influence genome evolution and entail methodological challenges to genomic investigation. Nevertheless, a solid understanding of these issues awaits detailed information across a broad range of taxa. Based on 282 F2 individuals and 1872 single nucleotide polymorphisms, we characterize recombination in the threespine stickleback fish genome. We find an average genome‐wide recombination rate of 3.11 cm/Mb. Crossover frequencies are dramatically elevated in the chromosome peripheries as compared to the centres, and are consistent with one obligate crossover per chromosome (but not chromosome arm). Along the sex chromosome, we show that recombination is restricted to a small pseudoautosomal domain of c. 2 Mb, spanning only 10% of that chromosome. Comparing female to male RAD sequence coverage allows us to identify two discrete levels of degeneration on the Y chromosome, one of these ‘evolutionary strata’ coinciding with a previously inferred inverted region. Using polymorphism data from two young (<10 000 years old) ecologically diverged lake‐stream population pairs, we demonstrate that recombination rate correlates with both the magnitude of allele frequency shifts between populations and levels of genetic diversity within populations. These associations reflect genome‐wide heterogeneity in the influence of selection on linked sites. We further find a strong relationship between recombination rate and GC content, possibly driven by GC‐biased gene conversion. Overall, we highlight that heterogeneity in recombination rate has profound consequences on genome evolution and deserves wider recognition in marker‐based genomic analyses.
High resolution synchrotron imaging of wheat root hairs growing in soil and image based modelling of phosphate uptake
Authors: Keyes Samuel D. , Daly Keith R. , Gostling Neil J. , Jones Davey L. , Talboys Peter , Pinzer Bernd R. , Boardman Richard , Sinclair Ian , Marchant Alan , Roose Tiina
Published: April 2013

Root hairs are known to be highly important for uptake of sparingly soluble nutrients, particularly in nutrient deficient soils. Development of increasingly sophisticated mathematical models has allowed uptake characteristics to be quantified. However, modelling has been constrained by a lack of methods for imaging live root hairs growing in real soils.

We developed a plant growth protocol and used Synchrotron Radiation X‐ray Tomographic Microscopy (SRXTM) to uncover the three‐dimensional (3D) interactions of root hairs in real soil. We developed a model of phosphate uptake by root hairs based directly on the geometry of hairs and associated soil pores as revealed by imaging.

Previous modelling studies found that root hairs dominate phosphate uptake. By contrast, our study suggests that hairs and roots contribute equally. We show that uptake by hairs is more localized than by roots and strongly dependent on root hair and aggregate orientation.

The ability to image hair–soil interactions enables a step change in modelling approaches, allowing a more realistic treatment of processes at the scale of individual root hairs in soil pores.
Validation method training: nurses' experiences and ratings of work climate
Authors: Söderlund Mona , Norberg Astrid , Hansebo Görel
Published: April 2013

Background

Training nursing staff in communication skills can impact on the quality of care for residents with dementia and contributes to nurses' job satisfaction. Changing attitudes and practices takes time and energy and can affect the entire nursing staff, not just the nurses directly involved in a training programme. Therefore, it seems important to study nurses' experiences of a training programme and any influence of the programme on work climate among the entire nursing staff.

Aims and objectives

To explore nurses' experiences of a 1‐year validation method training programme conducted in a nursing home for residents with dementia and to describe ratings of work climate before and after the programme.

Design

A mixed‐methods approach.

Methods

Twelve nurses participated in the training and were interviewed afterwards. These individual interviews were tape‐recorded and transcribed, then analysed using qualitative content analysis. The Creative Climate Questionnaire was administered before (n = 53) and after (n = 56) the programme to the entire nursing staff in the participating nursing home wards and analysed with descriptive statistics.

Results

Analysis of the interviews resulted in four categories: being under extra strain, sharing experiences, improving confidence in care situations and feeling uncertain about continuing the validation method. The results of the questionnaire on work climate showed higher mean values in the assessment after the programme had ended.

Conclusion

The training strengthened the participating nurses in caring for residents with dementia, but posed an extra strain on them. These nurses also described an extra strain on the entire nursing staff that was not reflected in the results from the questionnaire. The work climate at the nursing home wards might have made it easier to conduct this extensive training programme.

Implications for practice

Training in the validation method could develop nurses' communication skills and improve their handling of complex care situations.
Complete Atrioventricular Block after TAVI: When Is Pacemaker Implantation Safe?
Authors: SCHWERG MARIUS , BALDENHOFER GERD , DREGER HENRYK , BONDKE HANSJÜRGEN , STANGL KARL , LAULE MICHAEL , MELZER CHRISTOPH
Published: April 2013

Introduction

Atrioventricular (AV) block is a frequent complication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). TAVI is routinely performed under anticoagulation using heparin, which potentially may lead to an increased bleeding rate in patients who undergo permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation immediately after TAVI. As the number of TAVI procedures continues to rise, data on the optimal management of TAVI‐related AV block are needed. Therefore, the aim of our study was to analyze PPM implantation‐related complications after TAVI.

Methods

We retrospectively collected data on PPM implantations after TAVI in our center from January 2010 to December 2012. In total, we included 30 patients who received a PPM for TAVI‐related AV block. Twelve patients (group A) underwent PPM implantation on the day of TAVI. In 18 patients (group B), PPM implantation was performed at least 1 day after TAVI (3.8 ± 4.5 days). Since all patients undergoing TAVI receive dual antiplatelet therapy (DA‐therapy), we compared all implantations after TAVI with a historic patient cohort that underwent PPM implantation under DA‐therapy.

Results

Procedure times, fluid loss via drainage systems, and drainage times were neither significantly different between groups A and B nor between all PPM implantations after TAVI compared to the historic control group.

Conclusion

PPM implantation immediately after TAVI is safe and can be performed without increased rate of complications.
Accelerating adoption of genetically modified crops in Africa through a trade liability regime
Authors: Smyth Stuart J. , Kerr William A. , Phillips Peter W. B.
Published: April 2013

Given the apparently unbridgeable divide that has developed between the 25 odd countries that grow and trade GM crops and the evolving EU regulatory hurdles, it may be time to consider alternative strategies for realizing a global market for agricultural products. Africa is one area of the world where the battle over GM agriculture is being played out, yet it is the continent where GM could have the greatest positive impact. Numerous African nations, given their long‐standing trade connections to European nations, fear that allowing the commercialization of GM crops could lead to comingling of GM and conventional products and, hence, the loss of export opportunities to the EU. These are legitimate concerns. One potential solution that warrants serious consideration would be to establish a pool of funds that could be accessed by African agricultural commodity exporters in instances where exports to Europe are rejected. A production levy could be imposed in leading industrial adopting nations (i.e., Australia, Canada and the United States). The revenue raised would provide an endowment fund that could be used to offset the costs arising from import refusals. African‐sourced shipments rejected by the EU will most certainly have alternate markets, but could receive a reduced price or incur higher costs associated with serving alternate markets. The intent of the fund would be to compensate for the real difference between the net returns contracted with European importers and the final market price received. This article examines the feasibility of establishing such a fund and discusses the funding options.
Induction of toxin‐specific neutralizing immunity by molecularly uniform rice‐based oral cholera toxin B subunit vaccine without plant‐associated sugar modification
Authors: Yuki Yoshikazu , Mejima Mio , Kurokawa Shiho , Hiroiwa Tomoko , Takahashi Yuko , Tokuhara Daisuke , Nochi Tomonori , Katakai Yuko , Kuroda Masaharu , Takeyama Natsumi , Kashima Koji , Abe Michiyo , Chen Yingju , Nakanishi Ushio , Masumura Takehiro , Takeuchi Yoji , Kozuka‐Hata Hiroko , Shibata Hiroaki , Oyama Masaaki , Tanaka Kunisuke , Kiyono Hiroshi
Published: April 2013

Plants have been used as expression systems for a number of vaccines. However, the expression of vaccines in plants sometimes results in unexpected modification of the vaccines by N‐terminal blocking and sugar‐chain attachment. Although MucoRice‐CTB was thought to be the first cold‐chain‐free and unpurified oral vaccine, the molecular heterogeneity of MucoRice‐CTB, together with plant‐based sugar modifications of the CTB protein, has made it difficult to assess immunological activity of vaccine and yield from rice seed. Using a T‐DNA vector driven by a prolamin promoter and a signal peptide added to an overexpression vaccine cassette, we established MucoRice‐CTB/Q as a new generation oral cholera vaccine for humans use. We confirmed that MucoRice‐CTB/Q produces a single CTB monomer with an Asn to Gln substitution at the 4th glycosylation position. The complete amino acid sequence of MucoRice‐CTB/Q was determined by MS/MS analysis and the exact amount of expressed CTB was determined by SDS‐PAGE densitometric analysis to be an average of 2.35 mg of CTB/g of seed. To compare the immunogenicity of MucoRice‐CTB/Q, which has no plant‐based glycosylation modifications, with that of the original MucoRice‐CTB/N, which is modified with a plant N‐glycan, we orally immunized mice and macaques with the two preparations. Similar levels of CTB‐specific systemic IgG and mucosal IgA antibodies with toxin‐neutralizing activity were induced in mice and macaques orally immunized with MucoRice‐CTB/Q or MucoRice‐CTB/N. These results show that the molecular uniformed MucoRice‐CTB/Q vaccine without plant N‐glycan has potential as a safe and efficacious oral vaccine candidate for human use.
Cutaneous Verrucous Xanthoma in a Bone Marrow Transplant Recipient with Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa
Authors: Boyd Alan S. , Roffwarg David
Published: April 2013

Verrucous xanthomas (VXs) typically arise on the oral mucosa but have been reported on glabrous skin in patients with graft‐versus‐host disease or recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). The inciting cause of these tumors is unclear but may result from cutaneous inflammation and trauma. We describe a patient with RDEB who had previously undergone a bone marrow transplant for her condition and subsequently developed an VX on her neck.
Pricing and Capacity Rationing with Customer Disappointment Aversion
Authors: Liu Qian , Shum Stephen
Published: April 2013

Customers are averse to disappointment that arises when economic outcomes fall short of expectations. In this study, we study a two‐period model in which the firm may create rationing in either period. In the anticipation of possible disappointment due to stock‐outs, strategic customers decide when to purchase and the firm determines the prices and rationing levels in each period. We explore the impact of disappointment aversion on customers' strategic purchasing behavior and the firm's pricing and rationing decisions. Without disappointment aversion, it is optimal for the firm to adopt a uniform pricing policy without rationing. However, when strategic customers are averse to disappointment, a firm may be able to increase profits with an appropriate level of rationing. We analyze both the mark‐up and mark‐down policies. We show that, in a mark‐down scenario, the firm always benefits from disappointment aversion behavior by using an appropriate level of rationing in a low‐price period. However, in a mark‐up scenario, whether it is beneficial for the firm to induce disappointment aversion behavior depends on how customers frame payoffs in different periods when forming utilities. Particularly, when customers compartmentalize payoffs in different periods to form utilities, the firm should not induce disappointment aversion behavior.
Environmental Taxes and the Choice of Green Technology
Authors: Krass Dmitry , Nedorezov Timur , Ovchinnikov Anton
Published: April 2013

We study several important aspects of using environmental taxes to motivate the choice of innovative and “green" emissions‐reducing technologies as well as the role of fixed cost subsidies and consumer rebates in this process. In our model, a profit‐maximizing monopolistic firm facing price‐dependent demand selects emissions control technology, production quantity, and price in response to the tax, subsidy, and rebate levels set by the regulator. The available technologies vary in environmental efficiency as well as in the fixed and variable costs. Both the optimal policy for the firm and the social‐welfare maximizing policy for the regulator are analyzed. We find that the firm's reaction to an increase in taxes may be non‐monotone: while an initial increase in taxes may motivate a switch to a greener technology, further tax increases may motivate a reverse switch. For the regulator, we compare the social welfare achievable in the centralized system (which serves as an upper bound) to the highest level achievable under different classes of environmental policies. If the regulator is limited to a tax‐only policy, then when the regulator is moderately concerned with environmental impacts, the tax level that maximizes social welfare simultaneously motivates the choice of clean technology and closes the gap to the upper bound; however, both low and high levels of societal environmental concerns may lead to the choice of dirty technology and significant welfare losses as compared to the centralized case. Supplementing the environmental taxation with fixed cost subsidies and consumer rebates can eliminate this effect, expanding the range of parameters over which the green technology is chosen and often closing the welfare gap to the centralized solution.
Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship Programs Among Dialysis Centers
Authors: D'Agata Erika M.C.
Published: April 2013

Antimicrobial exposure contributes to the emergence and spread of multidrug‐resistant organisms. As rates of colonization and infection with these organisms are among the highest in the population of chronic hemodialysis patients and antimicrobial exposure among this patient population is extensive, it is imperative to prescribe antimicrobials judiciously. Thirty to forty percent of chronic hemodialysis patients receive at least one dose of antimicrobials in outpatient centers over a one‐year period. Up to 30% of these antimicrobials are prescribed inappropriately, as per national guidelines. The predominant reasons include (i) failure to de‐escalate to a more narrow‐spectrum antimicrobial, (ii) criteria for infection, especially skin and soft tissue infections, are not met, and (iii) indications and duration for surgical prophylaxis for minor vascular‐access‐related procedures do not follow recommended guidelines. Vancomycin, third‐ or fourth‐generation cephalosporins and cefazolin are the most common antimicrobials or antimicrobial classes prescribed inappropriately. Antimicrobial stewardship programs reduce both inappropriate antimicrobial exposure and associated costs. Effective strategies include (i) education, (ii) guidelines and clinical pathways, (iii) antimicrobial order forms, (iv) de‐escalation therapy, and (v) prospective audit and feedback. Dialysis centers need to identify a team of individuals that will lead the antimicrobial stewardship program. Administrative and financial support for this team is essential. After implementation of the program, regular monitoring for compliance with strategies, and identifying factors that are preventing compliance are necessary. The efficacy of the program should also be evaluated at regular intervals through process and outcome measures.
Relationship between neovascularization and clinical severity in Achilles tendinopathy in 556 paired measurements
Authors: De Jonge S. , Warnaars J. L. F. , De Vos R. J. , Weir A. , van Schie H. T. M. , Bierma‐Zeinstra S. M. A. , Verhaar J. A. N. , Tol J. L.
Published: April 2013

Neovascularization is frequently observed in tendinopathy. Previous studies have focused on the role of neovascularization in Achilles tendinopathy, but have been conducted in small series. It is still unclear whether the degree of neovascularization is related to severity of symptoms. The purpose was to study the relationship between ultrasonographic neovascularization and clinical severity in patients with Achilles tendinopathy. In this prospective cohort study, data on 127 patients (141 tendons) were assembled from databases of three clinical trials. All patients followed an eccentric exercise program. The Öhberg neovascularization score (0–4+) and Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment‐Achilles (VISA‐A) score (split into domains: pain, function and activity) were collected during baseline and follow‐up. The relationship between neovascularization and VISA‐A score was calculated. At baseline, 107 tendons (76%) showed some degree of neovascularization. In 556 coupled measurements, neovascularization was weakly related to the VISA‐A score [Exp (B) 1.017, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.007–1.026]. No significant relationship was found between neovascularization and the pain domain (P = 0.277) and the activity domain (P = 0.283), but there was between neovascularization and the function domain of the VISA‐A score [Exp (B) = 1.067, 95% CI 1.018–1.119]. In conclusion, neovascularization in Achilles tendinopathy is weakly related to clinical severity, mainly based on the function domain of the VISA‐A score.
Iranian ultrapotassic volcanism at ~11 Ma signifies the initiation of post‐collisional magmatism in the Arabia–Eurasia collision zone
Authors: Pang Kwan‐Nang , Chung Sun‐Lin , Zarrinkoub Mohammad Hossein , Lin Yu‐Chin , Lee Hao‐Yang , Lo Ching‐Hua , Khatib Mohammad Mahdi
Published: April 2013

Ultrapotassic rocks are a common, but volumetrically minor, hallmark of post‐collisional magmatism along the Alpine–Himalayan orogenic belt. Here, we document the occurrence of ultrapotassic volcanic rocks from the Eslamy peninsula, NW Iran in the Arabia–Eurasia collision zone. Our results indicate that magma genesis involved melting of phlogopite‐ and apatite‐bearing peridotites in the sub‐continental lithospheric mantle at ~11 Ma. These peridotites likely formed by metasomatism involving components derived from subducted sediments during Neotethyan subduction. The ~11 Ma ultrapotassic volcanism was preceded by a magmatic gap of ~11 Ma after the cessation of arc magmatism in NW Iran and Armenia, thus likely representing the initiation of post‐collisional magmatism. The age coincides with the onset of collision‐related magmatic activity and topographic uplift in the Caucasus–Iran–Anatolia region, and also with other regional geological events including the closure of the eastern Tethys gateway, the end of Arabian underthrusting and the start of escape tectonics in Anatolia.
Cytosolic monoterpene biosynthesis is supported by plastid‐generated geranyl diphosphate substrate in transgenic tomato fruits
Authors: Gutensohn Michael , Orlova Irina , Nguyen Thuong T. H. , Davidovich‐Rikanati Rachel , Ferruzzi Mario G. , Sitrit Yaron , Lewinsohn Efraim , Pichersky Eran , Dudareva Natalia
Published: April 2013

Geranyl diphosphate (GPP), the precursor of most monoterpenes, is synthesized in plastids from dimethylallyl diphosphate and isopentenyl diphosphate by GPP synthases (GPPSs). In heterodimeric GPPSs, a non‐catalytic small subunit (GPPS‐SSU) interacts with a catalytic large subunit, such as geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, and determines its product specificity. Here, snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) GPPS‐SSU was over‐expressed in tomato fruits under the control of the fruit ripening‐specific polygalacturonase promoter to divert the metabolic flux from carotenoid formation towards GPP and monoterpene biosynthesis. Transgenic tomato fruits produced monoterpenes, including geraniol, geranial, neral, citronellol and citronellal, while exhibiting reduced carotenoid content. Co‐expression of the Ocimum basilicum geraniol synthase (GES) gene with snapdragon GPPS‐SSU led to a more than threefold increase in monoterpene formation in tomato fruits relative to the parental GES line, indicating that the produced GPP can be used by plastidic monoterpene synthases. Co‐expression of snapdragon GPPS‐SSU with the O. basilicum α–zingiberene synthase (ZIS) gene encoding a cytosolic terpene synthase that has been shown to possess both sesqui‐ and monoterpene synthase activities resulted in increased levels of ZIS‐derived monoterpene products compared to fruits expressing ZIS alone. These results suggest that re‐direction of the metabolic flux towards GPP in plastids also increases the cytosolic pool of GPP available for monoterpene synthesis in this compartment via GPP export from plastids.
Targeted transcriptomic and metabolic profiling reveals temporal bottlenecks in the maize carotenoid pathway that may be addressed by multigene engineering
Authors: Farré Gemma , Maiam Rivera Sol , Alves Rui , Vilaprinyo Ester , Sorribas Albert , Canela Ramon , Naqvi Shaista , Sandmann Gerhard , Capell Teresa , Zhu Changfu , Christou Paul
Published: April 2013

Carotenoids are a diverse group of tetraterpenoid pigments found in plants, fungi, bacteria and some animals. They play vital roles in plants and provide important health benefits to mammals, including humans. We previously reported the creation of a diverse population of transgenic maize plants expressing various carotenogenic gene combinations and exhibiting distinct metabolic phenotypes. Here we performed an in‐depth targeted mRNA and metabolomic analysis of the pathway to characterize the specific impact of five carotenogenic transgenes and their interactions with 12 endogenous genes in four transgenic lines representing distinct genotypes and phenotypes. We reconstructed the temporal profile of the carotenoid pathway during endosperm development at the mRNA and metabolic levels (for total and individual carotenoids), and investigated the impact of transgene expression on the endogenous pathway. These studies enabled us to investigate the extent of any interactions between the introduced transgenic and native partial carotenoid pathways during maize endosperm development. Importantly, we developed a theoretical model that explains these interactions, and our results suggest genetic intervention points that may allow the maize endosperm carotenoid pathway to be engineered in a more effective and predictable manner.
Proliferative, lymphocytic, infundibular mural folliculitis and dermatitis with prominent follicular apoptosis and parakeratotic casts in four Labrador retrievers: preliminary description and response to therapy
Authors: Hargis Ann M. , Myers Sherry , Gortel Kinga , Duclos David , Randolph‐Habecker Julie
Published: April 2013

Objectives

To describe the clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical lesions and the response to therapy of a novel skin disease in four dogs, and to compare the lesions with those of other similar conditions.

Methods

Clinical lesions, the histopathological findings in skin biopsy samples, immunohistochemistry for CD3 and cleaved caspase‐3 and the response to therapy were evaluated.

Results

Clinical lesions included multifocal, coalescing, verrucous, crusted papules and plaques with erythematous borders and comedones or follicular casts. Lesions were in haired skin; they occurred at the edges of paw pads and claw beds in one dog. Histopathological lesions included ortho‐ and more prominent parakeratotic hyperkeratosis involving follicular infundibular epithelium, with cast formation and a papillary epidermal surface. Lymphocytic exocytosis affected all strata of follicular infundibular epithelium and epidermis. Variable numbers of acidophilic shrunken keratinocytes, often bordered by lymphocytes (satellitosis), occupied the more superficial strata of the follicular infundibular epithelium and epidermis. Immunohistochemistry revealed numerous CD3+ T lymphocytes and fewer cleaved caspase‐3‐positive apoptotic keratinocytes in the infundibular hair follicle epithelium and epidermis, with numerous CD3+ T lymphocytes and cleaved caspase‐3‐positive cells in the dermis. Two dogs responded completely to therapy with ciclosporin and remained lesion free off therapy; one dog responded to therapy with prednisone, azathioprine and ciclosporin, but relapsed; and one dog was not treated.

Conclusions and clinical importance

The cause of the lesions is unknown; the presence of intraepithelial CD3+ lymphocytes and cleaved caspase‐3‐positive apoptotic keratinocytes and the positive response to immunosuppressive therapy suggest an immune response directed towards unidentified antigens expressed on the surface of keratinocytes.
Postpartum patient with congenital patent ductus arteriosus mimicking acute pulmonary embolism
Authors: Yeh Tung-Chen , Liu Chun-Peng , Tseng Ching-Jiunn , Liou Jau-Cheng
Published: April 2013

A 25-year-old woman presented with severe dyspnoea at an emergency care unit on her postpartum day 7. Her O2saturation level was low. Blood tests showed a high blood D-dimer level; echocardiography showed a high pulmonary artery pressure. Initially, heparin was administered for suspicion of pulmonary embolism. After transfer to the intensive care unit, she suffered respiratory failure. A three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction CT angiography then revealed a giant patent ductus arteriosus. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was performed owing to low O2saturation after ventilator use. After 1 month, she died of multiple organ failure. In postpartum patients with congenital heart disease, a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism should be immediately confirmed by 3D reconstruction CT angiography to rule out patent ductus arteriosus.
Re-endovascular recanalization for acute middle cerebral artery reocclusion after surgical embolectomy
Authors: Jeon Jin Sue , Sheen Seung Hun , Kim Heung Cheol
Published: April 2013

A 62-year-old woman with atrial fibrillation underwent burr hole trephination for a chronic subdural hematoma. Two days later the patient suddenly presented with motor dysphasia and slightly decreased motor power. Time of flight MR angiography revealed distal M1 occlusion without diffusion restriction. Stent-assisted mechanical thrombectomy was attempted but failed. Post-procedure MRI illustrated a small area of diffusion restriction within the peri-insular and parietal areas. Immediate surgical embolectomy was performed but reocclusion of M1 was documented in the postoperative angiography. Stent-assisted revascularization with a Solitaire stent was conducted and immediate restoration of blood flow was observed. The patient's motor weakness and motor dysphasia recovered fully. Re-endovascular intervention can be beneficial in selected patients for acute middle cerebral artery reocclusion after surgical embolectomy when endovascular thrombectomy fails.
Leaflet repair and valve sparing (inclusion technique) aortic root repair: reference to the latest principles
Authors: Tucker Adam , Parissis Harry
Published: April 2013

Up to 150 words summarising the case presentation and outcome (this will be freely available online). A Marfan case with dilated aortic root and prolapsed leaflets underwent aortic repair. The non-coronary leaflet-measured effective height was 7 mm (prolapsing) and was lifted up to 10 mm with a centrally placed plicating sutures. The right coronary leaflet had a geometric height of 17 mm (restricted) and was enlarged up to 21 mm with an autologous pericardial patch. The enlarged root was repaired with an inclusion technique. The final result showed a competent valve. This report outlines the feasibility of aortic repair provided  one adheres to the principles of aortic valve repair.
Multidrug resistant citrobacter: an unusual cause of liver abscess
Authors: Kumar Prabhat , Ghosh Soumik , Rath Deepak , Gadpayle A K
Published: April 2013

Liver abscesses are infectious, space occupying lesions in the liver, the two most common abscesses being pyogenic and amoebic. A pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is a rare condition with a reported incidence of 20 per 100 000 hospital admissions in the western population. The right lobe of the liver is the most common site in both types of liver abscess. Clinical presentation is elusive with complaints of fever, right upper quadrant pain in the abdomen and hepatomegaly with or without jaundice. The aetiology of PLA has changed in the past few decades and may be of biliary, portal, arterial or traumatic origin, but many cases are still cryptogenic. The most common organisms causing PLA are Gram-negative aerobes, especiallyEscherichia coliandKlebsiella pneumoniae. Studies have shown a high degree of antimicrobial susceptibility of isolated organism resulting in an overall lower mortality in PLA. Here, we present a case of PLA caused by multidrug-resistantCitrobacter freundii, which is an unusual organism to be isolated.
Successful treatment of flail chest with chondrosternal disruption and traumatic parasternal lung hernia with titanium rib bridges
Authors: Lozano-Corona Rodrigo , Loyola-Garcia Ulises , Camacho Partida Iris , Rodriguez-Ortega Fernando
Published: April 2013

The surgical principles for the treatment of flail chest have yet to be fully established. Furthermore, the relationship between flail chest and lung hernias is unclear. We report here a rare case of chondrosternal traumatic disruption and lung hernia that was treated with a novel technique using titanium rib bridges and clips, which successfully reduced the hernia defect and provided stability to the chest wall. This procedure was beneficial in minimising the patient's ventilation time and time away from work.
A case of pulmonary carcinoid tumour in a pregnant woman successfully treated with bronchoscopic (electrocautery) therapy
Authors: Binesh Fariba , Samet Mohammad , Bovanlu Taghi Roshan
Published: April 2013

We present an uncommon case of a carcinoid tumour of the bronchus that was diagnosed during pregnancy in a 28-year-old woman. The patient was admitted at the emergency department with massive haemoptysis. Owing to the patient's critical condition, she underwent urgent flexible bronchoscopy. Bleeding was controlled by local injection of 500 mg tranexamic acid and electrocautery. After the bleeding has stopped, multiple specimens were taken. Histological examination confirmed typical carcinoid tumour. Owing to repeated haemoptysis, she was treated with bronchoscopic (electrocautery) therapy, and, after delivery, she underwent pulmonary lobectomy. Only a few similar cases were found in the literature reporting bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumour during pregnancy and we could not find any similar case which was treated by electrocautery.
A not so benign atrial flutter: spontaneous 1:1 conduction of atrial flutter
Authors: Murthy Avinash M A , Jain Ankit , Tan Henry
Published: April 2013

A 1:1 conduction of atrial tachyarrhythmias, although not uncommon, usually is associated with the use of antiarrhythmic drugs; hyperthyroidism etc. Spontaneous 1:1 conduction of atrial flutter is indeed rare. We present a case of a spontaneous 1:1 conduction of a cavotricuspid isthmus-dependent atrial flutter.
Topical proparacaine abuse resulting in evisceration
Authors: Aksoy Adnan , Başkan Ahmet Metin , Aslan Lokman , Aslankurt Murat
Published: April 2013

A 72-year-old man was admitted to our clinic because of pain in the right eye. Corneal oedema, peripheral anterior synechiae formation and intraocular lens were determined in the right eye. The left eye was normal except for nuclear sclerosis. Intraocular pressure was 35 mm Hg in the right eye and 14 mm Hg in the left eye. The patient was diagnosed as having bullous keratopathy and glaucoma. He was treated with antiglaucoma drugs and artificial tears as an outpatient. Persistent keratopathy was observed at follow-up, despite adequate therapy. In the detailed anamnesis of the patient, we discovered that he had used a topical anaesthetic instead of the prescribed medicine owing to ocular pain. The patient was still using topical anaesthetic eye drops, despite warnings. Finally, evisceration was performed on his right eye because of corneal melting and perforation.
Fishing the line: catch and effort distribution around the seasonal haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) spawning closure on the Scotian Shelf
Authors: van der Lee A. , Gillis D.M. , Comeau P. , Hurley P.
Published: April 2013

Permanent and seasonal area closures are a common regulatory strategy in multispecies fisheries; however, few studies have closely examined seasonal closures. We examined the impact of the Browns Bank spawning closure on the spatial distribution of fishing effort and how the fleet utilized a “fishing the line” strategy. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine changes in effort distribution when the closure was and was not in effect. Effort displaced from the bank concentrated primarily within two areas up to 30 km from the closure boundary, one along the east boundary line and one along the west. Trends in catch rate (as value) with distance from the line were further examined using generalized additive models during the closed period, with results differing between regions. In the east, areas of greater catch rate could be identified and typically corresponded to areas of greater effort, while in the west region, no trends in catch rates were often observed, potentially indicating vessel distributions that correspond to the ideal free distribution. Implementation of a seasonal area closure on Browns Bank resulted in concentrations of vessels near the closure boundary, suggestive of a fishing the line strategy, with specific catch rate trends depending on vessel spatial distributions and target species.
Long-term impact of a leaf miner outbreak on the performance of quaking aspen
Authors: Wagner Diane , Doak Patricia
Published: April 2013

The aspen leaf miner, Phyllocnistis populiella Cham., has caused widespread and severe damage to aspen in the boreal forests of western North America for over a decade. We suppressed P. populiella on individual small aspen ramets using insecticide at two sites near Fairbanks, Alaska, annually for 7 years and compared plant performance with controls. Insecticide treatment successfully reduced leaf damage by P. populiella during most years and had little effect on herbivory by externally feeding invertebrates. By the end of the study, control ramets had suffered a reduction in height and girth relative to treated ramets and to the original, pretreatment size. Control ramets produced smaller leaves during some years and, after 7 years, produced fewer total shoots and leaves than ramets sprayed with insecticide. Treatment did not affect mortality, but at the warmer of the two sites, ramets sustaining ambient levels of leaf mining were significantly more likely to die back to basal sprouts than those treated with insecticide. We conclude that a decade of P. populiella outbreak has caused strongly negative effects on aspen development and the production of aboveground tissues.
Interstock effects on topgraft vitality and strobili production after topgrafting inPinus sylvestris
Authors: Almqvist Curt
Published: April 2013

Reducing generation turnover in breeding programs should increase the genetic gain per unit time. This could potentially be achieved by topgrafting, since it can be used to induce strobili production in young plant material. I therefore studied the effect of the interstock clone on the vitality and strobili production of topgrafts in Pinus sylvestris L. over 4 years. The experiment consisted of 20 interstock clones × 3 ramets per interstock × 10 topgrafts per ramet, giving a total of 600 topgrafts. There were large differences in topgraft survival rates among the different interstock clones, ranging from 60% to 93% in the spring of the experiment’s fourth year. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that both the interstock and the topgraft had significant effects on female and male topgraft strobili production. The effect of the ramet within the interstock was small on topgraft vitality but was large and significant on strobili production. The interaction between interstock and topgraft was not significant for topgraft vitality and male strobili production for any of the studied years, but it was significant two out of four years for female strobili production. No relationship was found between female strobili production on the interstocks and their capacity to induce female strobilis on topgrafts, but there was a weak relationship between strobili production on the interstocks and their capacity to induce male strobilis on topgrafts. Overall, the results indicate that topgrafting could, with appropriate interstock clones, effectively decrease the time to strobili production compared with conventional grafting using young rootstocks in P. sylvestris, but suitable interstock clones will have to be identified by screening tests.
Relative influence of weather and season on anuran calling activity
Authors: Steen David A. , McClure Christopher J.W. , Graham Sean P.
Published: April 2013

Drivers of anuran reproductive activity may include multiple and independent environmental variables. To determine the relative influence of season, temperature, and precipitation in initiating frog reproduction, we monitored a species-rich frog assemblage in south-central Alabama for 3 years and modeled calling activity of vocalizing males, who call to attract mates. We evaluated multiple hypotheses potentially explaining calling activity and we were able to identify significant influences of calling activity for all 11 anuran species considered in the analysis. Eight species were significantly influenced by month of survey and four of these were influenced by at least one additional environmental variable. In our study, precipitation was relatively unimportant in influencing calling activity, likely because breeding pools at the site are semipermanent and the species we sampled are not generally reliant on ephemeral wetlands. In general, our data suggest that different species within the same wetlands respond to different cues when initiating reproduction and calling activity is largely based on a combination of both environmental conditions and either seasonal changes or endogenous drivers.
Contact Problem for an Elastic Layer on an Elastic Half Plane Loaded by Means of Three Rigid Flat Punches
Authors: Ozsahin T. S. , Taskıner O.
Published: April 2013

The frictionless contact problem for an elastic layer resting on an elastic half plane is considered. The problem is solved by using the theory of elasticity and integral transformation technique. The compressive loadsPandQ(per unit thickness in direction) are applied to the layer through three rigid flat punches. The elastic layer is also subjected to uniform vertical body force due to effect of gravity. The contact along the interface between elastic layer and half plane is continuous, if the value of the load factor,λ, is less than a critical value, . In this case, initial separation loads, and initial separation points, are determined. Also the required distance between the punches to avoid any separation between the punches and the elastic layer is studied and the limit distance between punches that ends interaction of punches is investigated for various dimensionless quantities. However, if tensile tractions are not allowed on the interface, for the layer separates from the interface along a certain finite region. Numerical results for distance determining the separation area, vertical displacement in the separation zone, contact stress distribution along the interface between elastic layer and half plane are given for this discontinuous contact case.
Differential Evolution for Lifetime Maximization of Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Xu Yulong , Fang Jian’an , Zhu Wu , Cui Wenxia
Published: April 2013

Maximizing the lifetime of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is a hot and significant issue. However, using differential evolution (DE) to research this problem has not appeared so far. This paper proposes a DE-based approach that can maximize the lifetime of WSN through finding the largest number of disjoint sets of sensors, with every set being able to completely cover the target. Different from other methods in the literature, firstly we introduce a common method to generate test data set and then propose an algorithm using differential evolution to solve disjoint set covers (DEDSC) problems. The proposed algorithm includes a recombining operation, which performs after initialization and guarantees at least one critical target’s sensor is divided into different disjoint sets. Moreover, the fitness computation in DEDSC contains both the number of complete cover subsets and the coverage percent of incomplete cover subsets. Applications for sensing a number of target points, named point-coverage, have been used for evaluating the effectiveness of algorithm. Results show that the proposed algorithm DEDSC is promising and simple; its performance outperforms or is similar to other existing excellent approaches in both optimization speed and solution quality.