bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carrier‐dependent and Ca2+‐dependent 5‐HT and dopamine release induced by (+)‐amphetamine, 3,4‐methylendioxy‐methamphetamine, p‐chloroamphetamine and (+)‐fenfluramine
Authors: Crespi Daniela , Mennini Tiziana , Gobbi Marco
Published: August 2006

The mechanism underlying 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) and/or dopamine release induced by (+)‐amphetamine ((+)‐Amph), 3,4‐methylendioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), p‐chloroamphetamine (pCA) and (+)‐fenfluramine ((+)‐Fen) was investigated in rat brain superfused synaptosomes preloaded with the 3H neurotransmitters.

Their rank order of potency for [3H]‐5‐HT‐releasing activity was the same as for inhibition of 5‐HT uptake (pCAMDMA(+)‐Fen>>(+)‐Amph). Similarly, their rank order as [3H]‐dopamine releasers and dopamine uptake inhibitors was the same ((+)‐Amph>>pCA=MDMA>>(+)‐Fen). We also confirmed that the release induced by these compounds was prevented by selective transporter inhibitors (indalpine or nomifensine).

[3H]‐5‐HT and/or [3H]‐dopamine release induced by all these compounds was partially (31–80%), but significantly Ca2+‐dependent. Lack of extracellular Ca2+ did not alter uptake mechanisms nor did it modify the carrier‐dependent dopamine‐induced [3H]‐dopamine release. (+)‐Amph‐induced [3H]‐dopamine release and pCA‐ and MDMA‐induced [3H]‐5‐HT release were significantly inhibited by ω‐agatoxin‐IVA, a specific blocker of P‐type voltage‐operated Ca2+‐channels, similar to the previous results on (+)‐Fen‐induced [3H]‐5‐HT release.

Methiothepin inhibited the Ca2+‐dependent component of (+)‐Amph‐induced [3H]‐dopamine release with high potency (70 nM), as previously found with (+)‐Fen‐induced [3H]‐5‐HT release. The inhibitory effect of methiothepin was not due to its effects as a transporter inhibitor or Ca2+‐channel blocker and is unlikely to be due to its antagonist properties on 5‐HT1/2, dopamine or any other extracellular receptor.

These results indicate that the release induced by these compounds is both ‘carrier‐mediated’ and Ca2+‐dependent (possibly exocytotic‐like), with the specific carrier allowing the amphetamines to enter the synaptosome. The Ca2+‐dependent release is mediated by Ca2+‐influx (mainly through P‐type Ca2+‐channels), possibly triggered by the drug interacting with an unknown intracellular target, affected by methiothepin, common to both 5‐HT and dopamine synaptosomes.

British Journal of Pharmacology (1997) 121, 1735–1743; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0701325
ATP release and contraction mediated by different P2‐receptor subtypes in guinea‐pig ileal smooth muscle
Authors: Matsuo Katsuichi , Katsuragi Takeshi , Fujiki Sono , Sato Chiemi , Furukawa Tatsuo
Published: August 2006

The present study was addressed to clarify the subtypes of P2‐purinoceptor involved in ATP release and contraction evoked by α,β‐methylene ATP (α,β‐mATP) and other P2‐agonists in guinea‐pig ileum.

α,β‐mATP 100 μM produced a transient and steep contraction followed by ATP release from tissue segments. These maximum responses appeared with different time‐courses and their ED50 values were 5 and 25 μM, respectively. The maximum release of ATP by α,β‐mATP was markedly reduced by 250 μM suramin, 30 μM pyridoxal‐phosphate‐6‐azophenyl‐2′,5′‐disulphonic acid (PPADS) and 30 μM reactive blue 2 (RB‐2), P2‐receptor antagonists. However, the contractile response was inhibited by suramin, tetrodotoxin and atropine, but not by PPADS and RB‐2.

Although the contraction caused by α,β‐mATP was strongly diminished by Ca2+‐removal and nifedipine, and also by tetrodotoxin and atropine at 0.3 μM, the release of ATP was virtually unaffected by these procedures.

UTP, β,γ‐methylene ATP (β,γ‐mATP) and ADP at 100 μM elicited a moderate release of ATP. The release caused by UTP was virtually unaffected by RB‐2. However, these P2‐agonists failed to elicit a contraction of the segment.

The potency order of all the agonists tested for the release of ATP was α,β‐mATP>UTP>β,γ‐mATP>ADP.

In superfusion experiments with cultured smooth muscle cells from the ileum, α,β‐mATP (100 μM) enhanced the release of ATP 5 fold above the basal value. This evoked release was inhibited by RB‐2.

These findings suggest that ATP release and contraction induced by P2‐agonists such as α,β‐mATP in the guinea‐pig ileum result mainly from stimulation of different P2‐purinoceptors, P2Y‐like purinoceptors on the smooth muscles and, probably, P2X‐purinoceptors on cholinergic nerve terminals, respectively. However, the ATP release may also be mediated, in part, by P2U‐receptors, because UTP caused RB‐2‐insensitive ATP release.

British Journal of Pharmacology (1997) 121, 1744–1748; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0701329
Evidence for the involvement of P2‐purinoceptors in the cholinergic contraction of the guinea‐pig ileum
Authors: Barthó Loránd , Lénárd László , Maggi Carlo A.
Published: August 2006

In the isolated ileum of the guinea‐pig the P2‐purinoceptor antagonists PPADS and suramin: (a) strongly inhibited the cholinergic contractile effect of α,β‐methylene ATP, (b) did not influence contractions evoked by exogenous acetylcholine (ACh) but, (c) moderately (by about 30%) inhibited cholinergic contractions due to electrical field stimulation (EFS), in a non‐additive manner. These results suggest that an endogenous ligand that stimulates P2‐purinoceptors (possibly ATP) is involved in the contractile effect of EFS, as a positive modulator of ACh release.

British Journal of Pharmacology (1997) 121, 1507–1508; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0701350
Indicators and Strategy Monitoring: The Case of the English Regions
Authors: Baker Mark , Wong Cecilia
Published: August 2006

The recent pursuit of regional planning agendas in England has coincided with a strong push from the government towards an evidence-based, information-intensive approach to policymaking, with the increased use of statistical indicators to inform and evaluate emerging regional policies. In this paper we aim to examine the monitoring arrangements, and the way indicators are used, in the development and monitoring of key regional strategies (Regional Planning Guidance, Regional Economic Strategies). The idea is to examine indicator usage and monitoring arrangements from a political–managerial perspective through an exploration of the realm of rational–technocratic activities of monitoring within the institutional environment of Regional Planning Bodies and Regional Development Agencies. Following a review of academic literature, we explore the regional intelligence management and the monitoring arrangements of the two key regional strategies in each of the English regions. The analysis is based on documentary and web-based reviews as well as in-depth interviews conducted with key regional actors.
The Network Analysis of Urban Streets: A Primal Approach
Authors: Porta Sergio , Crucitti Paolo , Latora Vito
Published: August 2006

The network metaphor in the analysis of urban and territorial cases has a long tradition, especially in transportation or land-use planning and economic geography. More recently, urban design has brought its contribution by means of the ‘space syntax’ methodology. All these approaches-though under different terms like ‘accessibility’, ‘proximity’, ‘integration’ ‘connectivity’, ‘cost’, or ‘effort’-focus on the idea that some places (or streets) are more important than others because they are more central. The study of centrality in complex systems, however, originated in other scientific areas, namely in structural sociology, well before its use in urban studies; moreover, as a structural property of the system, centrality has never been extensively investigated metrically in geographic networks as it has been topologically in a wide range of other relational networks such as social, biological, or technological ones. After a previous work on some structural properties of the primal graph representation of urban street networks, in this paper we provide an in-depth investigation of centrality in the primal approach as compared with the dual one. We introduce multiple centrality assessment (MCA), a methodology for geographic network analysis, which is defined and implemented on four 1-square-mile urban street systems. MCA provides a different perspective from space syntax in that: (1) it is based on primal, rather than dual, street graphs; (2) it works within a metric, rather than topological, framework; (3) it investigates a plurality of peer centrality indices rather than a single index. We show that, in the MCA primal approach, much more than in the dual approach, some centrality indices nicely capture the ‘skeleton’ of the urban structure that impacts so much on spatial cognition and collective behaviours. Moreover, the distributions of centrality in self-organized cities are different from those in planned cities.
Mobile Landscapes: Using Location Data from Cell Phones for Urban Analysis
Authors: Ratti Carlo , Frenchman Dennis , Pulselli Riccardo Maria , Williams Sarah
Published: August 2006

The technology for determining the geographic location of cell phones and other handheld devices is becoming increasingly available. It is opening the way to a wide range of applications, collectively referred to as location-based services (LBS), that are primarily aimed at individual users. However, if deployed to retrieve aggregated data in cities, LBS could become a powerful tool for urban analysis. In this paper we aim to review and introduce the potential of this technology to the urban planning community. In addition, we present the ‘Mobile Landscapes' project: an application in the metropolitan area of Milan, Italy, based on the geographical mapping of cell phone usage at different times of the day. The results enable a graphic representation of the intensity of urban activities and their evolution through space and time. Finally, a number of future applications are discussed and their potential for urban studies and planning is assessed.
Deconstructing the Divide: Extending Broadband xDSL Services to the Periphery
Authors: Grubesic Tony H , Horner Mark W
Published: August 2006

One of the major challenges to providing full-rate digital subscriber line (xDSL) access to residential customers in rural or remote locations is the use of existing copper infrastructure. First, copper is not particularly good for moving high frequencies over extended distances. Second, much of the existing copper in the United States is of diminished quality. Third, digital loop carriers, bridge taps, load coils, and ambient interference negatively impact data transmission. Because of these problems, the geographic reach of xDSL services is limited. To combat this limitation, providers are installing remote digital subscriber line access multiplexers (RDSLAMs). RDSLAMs seek to maximise the amount of demand covered for a peripheral neighborhood and aggregate this data traffic onto a fiber optic connection for transport back to the central office (CO) for switching. Although this is more feasible than constructing a new CO, acquiring the rights of way and installing fiber is expensive. The purpose of this paper is to examine the complexities associated with locating RDSLAMs in a competitive telecommunications market through the use of an integer programming model—the remote access hierarchical assignment problem—and a geographic information system. Pertinent policy and technology related issues in residential broadband deployment and their impacts on high-speed services such as xDSL are highlighted.
A Model of Exurban Land-Use Change and Wildfire Mitigation
Authors: Platt Rutherford V
Published: August 2006

As exurban development spreads throughout fire-prone areas of the western United States, the threat of wildfire to life and property grows. To address this threat, wildfire mitigation, such as mechanical thinning, often takes place in areas close to exurban development. This study demonstrates the utility of spatially explicit dynamic models to understand better where the wildland–urban interface is, how it might change in the future, and how this might affect which land would be prioritized for mechanical thinning. Specifically, a model (WHAMED) is presented that forecasts the prioritized locations for future mechanical thinning as a function of projected exurban development in the montane zone of Boulder County, CO. To predict exurban development, WHAMED uses a cellular automata model with rules derived from statistical models of historical exurban development. The study tests two general sets of criteria for prioritizing mechanical thinning, that of the Community Protection Zone and the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003. The study shows that under any forecast of exurban development, and under either set of criteria, prioritized land for mechanical thinning is set to expand primarily on US Forest Service land. Methodologically, the study illustrates the importance of making variability transparent and of providing multiple methods of model validation.
Review of the systematics of Scrophulariaceae s.l. and their current disposition
Authors: Tank David C. , Beardsley Paul M. , Kelchner Scot A. , Olmstead Richard G.
Published: August 2006

Recent molecular phylogenetic studies in Lamiales have shown that the large group traditionally recognised as Scrophulariaceae is not monophyletic. Efforts to reconstruct the phylogeny of this large clade and to revise its classification to reflect that phylogeny have resulted in seven monophyletic groups, comprised mostly of members of Scrophulariaceae s.l., recognised as families in recent angiosperm classifications. These are Scrophulariaceae s.s., Orobanchaceae, Veronicaceae (cf. Plantaginaceae), Phrymaceae, Calceolariaceae, Linderniaceae, and Stilbaceae. Sampling completeness at the genus level varies from group to group, but is quite good for many. A few individual genera formerly assigned to Scrophulariaceae do not fit into any existing clade recognised at family rank and are left, at present, unassigned to family. In addition to the recognition of several clades comprised primarily of former members of Scrophulariaceae s.l., several groups previously recognised as families are now included within some of these clades. For example, Scrophulariaceae s.s. includes Buddlejaceae and Myoporaceae, and Veronicaceae includes Callitrichaceae, Globulariaceae, Hippuridaceae, and Plantaginaceae. The clades now recognised as families often are not easily diagnosed, but in many cases are more consistent with certain functional traits and geographical patterns. Examples include Orobanchaceae, which comprises all of the parasitic plants (hemiparasites and holoparasites) and Scrophulariaceae s.s., which is predominantly a southern hemisphere group.
Bipinnate acacias (Acacia subg. Phyllodineae sect. Botrycephalae) of eastern Australia are polyphyletic based on DNA sequence data
Authors: Brown Gillian K. , Ariati Siti R. , Murphy Daniel J. , Miller Joseph T. H. , Ladiges Pauline Y.
Published: August 2006

A phylogenetic analysis of Acacia subg. Phyllodineae sect. Botrycephalae, endemic to eastern Australia, is presented based on a combined dataset of ITS and ETS sequences of nrDNA. A smaller set of species was sequenced also for the cpDNA trnK region. A limited number of morphological characters was also combined with the ITS+ETS dataset for most taxa. Thirty-eight of 41 Botrycephalae species were sequenced, together with a sample of ten uninerved phyllodinous species (sect. Phyllodineae). Although these DNA regions showed limited sequence divergence, bootstrap supported nodes of the consensus ITS+ETS tree indicate that Botrycephalae as currently defined is polyphyletic. Eight bipinnate species fell outside the main clade of Botrycephalae species while seven phyllodinous species were nested within it, near the base. The few derived but homoplasious morphological characters that were discovered included: presence of appressed unicellular hairs, presence of jugary and interjugary glands, number of pinnae > 7 and the funicle half–fully encircling the seed. Section Botrycephalae requires redefinition.
Nosocomial Infection With Cephalosporin-ResistantKlebsiella pneumoniaeIs Not Associated With Increased Mortality
Authors: Gomes Cristiana C. , Vormittag Evangelina , Santos Cleide R. , Levin Anna S.
Published: August 2006

Objective.

To evaluate whether resistance to third-generation cephalosporins and/or aztreonam was associated with a higher mortality rate among patients with nosocomialKlebsiella pneumoniaeinfections.

Design.

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting.

Tertiary care university hospital.

Methods.

A total of 143 patients with nosocomial infections due toK. pneumoniaewere evaluated. Death within 21 days after diagnosis of infection was the outcome. Demographic data, invasive procedures, presence and severity of underlying conditions, infection diagnosis, anatomic site of isolation, and treatment of infection, as well as resistance to third-generation cephalosporins and/or aztreonam, were evaluated for association with the outcome.

Results.

The mortality associated with nosocomialK. pneumoniaeinfections was 22% in our study. Drug resistance was found in isolates from 48% of case patients. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the severity of the patient's underlying condition (odds ratio, 12.50;P<.01) and isolation of the microorganism from the blood or from another usually sterile site (odds ratio, 2.94;P= .03) were associated with death. On the other hand, the presence of resistance to cephalosporins and/or aztreonam did not affect mortality, and the use of inadequate treatment was not significantly associated with increased mortality. When only the severe cases of infection were analyzed, the results were unchanged.

Conclusions.

Resistance to cephalosporins and/or aztreonam did not affect mortality, and the use of inadequate treatment was not significantly associated with increased mortality. The reasons for this are not clear. It is possible that the severity of the underlying disease and the patient's condition have a larger role than theK. pneumoniaeinfection in determining the outcome, and initially inadequate treatment may not have an impact sufficient to cause irreversible damage, allowing treatment to be changed to an effective drug.
Antibiotic Resistance in Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals The Perfect Storm
Authors: Gould Carolyn V. , Rothenberg Richard , Steinberg James P.
Published: August 2006

Objective.

To examine bacterial antibiotic resistance and antibiotic use patterns in long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) and to evaluate effects of antibiotic use and other hospital-level variables on the prevalence of antibiotic resistance.

Design.

Multihospital ecologic study.

Methods.

Antibiograms, antibiotic purchasing data, and demographic variables from 2002 and 2003 were obtained from 45 LTACHs. Multivariable regression models were constructed, controlling for other hospital-level variables, to evaluate the effects of antibiotic use on resistance for selected pathogens. Results of active surveillance in 2003 at one LTACH were available.

Results.

Among LTACHs, median prevalences of resistance for several antimicrobial-organism pairs were greater than the 90th percentile value for National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance system (NNIS) medical intensive care units (ICUs). The median prevalence of methicillin resistance amongStaphylococcus aureusisolates was 84%. More than 60% of patients in one LTACH were infected or colonized with methicillin-resistantS. aureusand/or vancomycin-resistantEnterococcusat the time of admission. Antibiotic consumption in LTACHs was comparable to consumption in NNIS medical ICUs. In multivariable logistic regression modeling, the only significant association between antibiotic use and the prevalence of antibiotic resistance was for carbapenems and imipenem resistance amongPseudomonas aeruginosaisolates (odds ratio, 11.88 [95% confidence interval, 1.42-99.13];P= .02).

Conclusions.

The prevalence of antibiotic resistance among bacteria recovered from patients in LTACHs is extremely high. Although antibiotic use in LTACHs likely contributes to resistance prevalence for some antimicrobial-organism pairs, for the majority of such pairs, other variables, such as prior colonization with and horizontal transmission of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, may be more important determinants. Further research on antibiotic resistance in LTACHs is needed, particularly with respect to determining optimal infection control practices in this environment.
Survival of Cephalosporin-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae on Fingers
Authors: Gunale Anuradha , von Baum Heike , Wendt Constanze
Published: August 2006

Five strains ofEnterobacterspecies (n= 4) andPantoeaspecies (n= 1) resistant to third-generation cephalosporins and isolated from clusters of 3-25 premature infants and small children and 5 strains (4Enterobacterstrains and 1Pantoeastrain) with the same resistance pattern that were isolated from 1 premature infant or small child each were inoculated on the fingertips of 10 volunteer study participants to test whether survival on fingertips is correlated with horizontal transmission. Although there was no significant difference in survival between the groups of transmitted and sporadic strains, there were significant differences in bacterial survival between the participants.
Short‐term suppression of elevated growth hormone concentrations following insulin‐like growth factor 1 administration in young adults with type 1 diabetes does not alter glomerular filtration or albumin excretion rates
Authors: Williams Rachel M. , Yuen Kevin , White Debbie , Mallard Beth , Dalton R. Neil , Acerini Carlo L. , Dunger David B.
Published: August 2006

Objective  Young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) have increased glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which may mediate progressive renal disease and microalbuminuria. This may be secondary to low concentrations of insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐I and GH hypersecretion. We tested the hypothesis that restoration of circulating IGF‐I concentrations in young adults with T1DM might suppress GH secretion, GFR and urinary albumin excretion.

Design  In a randomized double blind crossover study six young adults with T1DM (three men, 19–24 years) received 7 days treatment with rhIGF‐I/insulin‐like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)‐3 complex (SomatoKine®) 0·4 mg/kg/day and placebo. Subjects underwent overnight insulin infusion for euglycaemia, followed by determination of GFR and albumin excretion rate.

Results  Following IGF‐I/IGFBP‐3 complex, overnight insulin requirements (0·15 vs placebo 0·21 mU/kg/min, P < 0·04), plasma insulin (77 vs placebo 152 pmol/l, P < 0·01) and mean overnight GH (2·6 vs placebo 4·8 mU/l, P < 0·04) fell. IGF‐I (492 vs placebo 218 ng/ml, P < 0·01) and IGFBP‐3 (4·5 vs placebo 3·9 µg/ml, P < 0·05) increased. GFR did not change (145·5 (23·9) ml/min/1·73 m2 post–IGF‐I/IGFBP‐3 complex vs 152·2 (19·8) post placebo). Albumin excretion rate did not change 9·5 (5·5–16·6)mg/24 h pre‐ vs 11·5 (9·9–20·2) post–IGF‐I/IGFBP‐3 complex and 10·7 (8·1–21·2) pre‐ vs 11·5 (8·7–29·9) post placebo. Plasma creatinine levels were lower following IGF‐I/IGFBP‐3 complex (mean ± SD, 56·2 ± 16·8 µmol/l) vs placebo (61·5, 45·0, P < 0·02).

Conclusions  Seven days treatment with IGF‐I/IGFBP‐3 complex enhanced overnight insulin sensitivity and reduced GH levels, but there was no effect on glomerular hyperfiltration or albumin excretion rates.
Functional characterization of calcium sensing receptor polymorphisms and absence of association with indices of calcium homeostasis and bone mineral density
Authors: Harding Brian , Curley Alan J. , Hannan Fadil M. , Christie Paul T. , Bowl Michael R. , Turner Jeremy J. O. , Barber Mathew , Gillham‐Nasenya Irina , Hampson Geeta , Spector Tim D. , Thakker Rajesh V.
Published: August 2006

Objectives  Associations between calcium‐sensing receptor (CaSR) polymorphisms and serum calcium, PTH and bone mineral density (BMD) have been reported by six studies. However, three other studies have failed to detect such associations. We therefore further investigated three CaSR coding region polymorphisms (Ala986Ser, Arg990Gly and Gln1011Glu) for associations with indices of calcium homeostasis and BMD and for alterations in receptor function.

Patients and design  One hundred and ten adult, Caucasian, female, dizygotic twin pairs were investigated for associations between the three CaSR polymorphisms and serum calcium, albumin, PTH, 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3), 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3[1,25(OH)2D3], urinary calcium excretion and BMD. Each polymorphic CaSR was also transfected into HEK293 cells and functionally evaluated.

Results  There was a lack of association between each of these three CaSR polymorphisms and serum calcium corrected for albumin, PTH, 25OHD3, 1,25(OH)2D3, urinary calcium excretion or BMD at the hip, forearm and lumbar spine. These findings were supported by a lack of functional differences in the dose–response curves of the CaSR variants, with the EC50 values (mean ± SEM) of the wild‐type (Ala986/Arg990/Gln1011), Ser986, Gly990 and Glu1011 CaSR variants being 2·74 ± 0·29 mm, 3·09 ± 0·34 mm (P > 0·4), 2·99 ± 0·23 mm (P > 0·4) and 2·96 ± 0·30 mm (P > 0·5), respectively.

Conclusions  Our study, which was sufficiently powered to detect effects that would explain up to 5%, but not less than 1%, of the variance has revealed that the three CaSR polymorphisms of the coding region have no major influence on indices of calcium homeostasis in this female population, and that they do not alter receptor function.
Factors predicting final height in early treated congenital hypothyroid patients
Authors: Delvecchio Maurizio , Salerno Mariacarolina , Acquafredda Angelo , Zecchino Clara , Fico Francesca , Manca Fabio , Faienza Maria Felicia , Cavallo Luciano
Published: August 2006

Objective  To evaluate pubertal development and final height (FH) in early treated patients with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and to identify the main factors predicting FH.

Design  Retrospective.

Patients  Eighty‐five patients with early diagnosed and treated CH.

Measurements  Evaluation of length/height at diagnosis (mean age 26·6 days), at onset of puberty, and at the end of linear growth.

Results  Mean FH was 161·7 cm in females and 173·8 cm in males, within ± 0·9 cm of the 50th percentile of Italian growth charts, 5 cm higher than the mean target height (TH). Linear growth did not differ according to thyroid imaging findings. In males, height at onset of puberty was 0·16 standard deviation score (SDS), not statistically different from FH (−0·09 SDS). In females, height both at onset of puberty (0·39 SDS) and at menarche (0·57 SDS) was significantly higher (P < 0·001) than FH (−0·10 SDS). Puberty started at a mean chronological age of 10·2 and 11·6 years in females and males, respectively, with a corresponding bone age. FH correlated with TH and height at diagnosis, at onset of puberty, and at menarche. Multiple regression analysis showed that height at onset of puberty and TH are the most important factors explaining FH variability, although height at onset of puberty is slightly more important.

Conclusions  Our results, obtained in the largest reported available group of congenital hypothyroid patients, show that final height is higher than target height in both sexes and that height at onset of puberty is the main factor affecting final height.
Effect of thyroxine replacement on serum IGF‐I, IGFBP‐3 and the acid‐labile subunit in patients with hypothyroidism and hypopituitarism
Authors: Schmid Christoph , Zwimpfer Cornelia , Brändle Michael , Krayenbühl Pierre‐Alexandre , Zapf Jürgen , Wiesli Peter
Published: August 2006

Objective  To describe the effect of T4 replacement in patients with primary and central hypothyroidism on components of the IGF binding protein complex: IGF‐I, the acid‐labile subunit (ALS) and IGFBP‐3.

Patients and methods  We determined IGF‐I, ALS and IGFBP‐3 (by 125I‐IGF‐II ligand blots and immunoblots) in serum of 19 patients with primary and 11 patients with central hypothyroidism.

Results  Mean (± SD) free T4 (fT4) increased from 4·4 ± 2·4 pmol/l at baseline to 18·6 ± 5·2 pmol/l following T4 therapy. In patients with primary hypothyroidism, IGF‐I concentrations increased from 101 ± 57 to 158 ± 60 µg/l (P < 0·001) and ALS from 12·6 ± 4·7 to 15·6 ± 5·2 mg/l (P = 0·001). IGFBP‐3 levels (in arbitrary units, AU), assessed by 125I‐IGF‐II ligand blot and by Western blot (the intensity of the 45/42‐kDa doublet following T4 replacement defined as 1 AU) increased from 0·74 ± 0·47 to 1 (P = 0·029) and from 0·76 ± 0·42 to 1 (P = 0·018), respectively. In patients with hypopituitarism, IGF‐I and ALS concentrations increased on T4 therapy from 49 ± 23 to 97 ± 36 µg/l (P < 0·001) and from 7·8 ± 4·1 to 11·0 ± 2·7 mg/l (P = 0·010), respectively. IGFBP‐3 remained unchanged during T4 replacement.

Conclusions  T4 replacement increases the serum levels of IGF‐I and ALS in patients with primary as well as central hypothyroidism. IGFBP‐3 levels increase in response to T4 replacement in patients with primary hypothyroidism but not in those with central hypothyroidism, suggesting that thyroid hormones increase IGF‐I and ALS but not IGFBP‐3 in patients with GH deficiency.
Determinants of life expectancy in medullary thyroid cancer: age does not matter
Authors: De Groot Jan Willem B. , Plukker John T. M. , Wolffenbuttel Bruce H. R. , Wiggers Theo , Sluiter Willem J. , Links Thera P.
Published: August 2006

Objective  In medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) age is considered an important prognostic factor but survival has never been properly adjusted for baseline mortality in the general population. We aimed to identify prognostic factors by analysing patients with MTC regarding life expectancy.

Design  We described a retrospective cohort study with a median follow‐up of 8 years (range 1–35 years).

Patients  We included 120 consecutive patients of whom 66 (55%) had sporadic MTC. Male/female ratio was 1 : 1; median age was 45 years (range 3–83 years).

Measurements  Measurements were overall and disease‐specific survival and life expectancy expressed as survival adjusted for baseline mortality rate in the general population.

Results  Overall and disease‐specific 10‐year survival was 65% and 73%, respectively. After 10 years, 29% of patients were biochemically and 63% clinically cured. Median overall life expectancy was 0·58 (95%CI 0·37–0·80). Detectable recurrence occurred in 60 patients after a median of 36 months (range 5–518 months). On multivariate regression analysis only stage of disease and extrathyroidal extension predicted recurrence‐free life expectancy. Extrathyroidal extension was the only independent predictor of overall life expectancy. Persistent biochemical MTC did not independently affect life expectancy but calcitonin doubling time of less than one year indicated worse prognosis. Patients without detectable recurrences after initial treatment had a life expectancy similar to the general population.

Conclusions  In MTC patients, extrathyroidal extension and stage at diagnosis are the only independent predictors of (recurrence‐free) life expectancy. Patients diagnosed in an early stage of disease and patients without detectable recurrence have favourable life expectancy independently of biochemical cure.
Sustained cell proliferation of renal epithelial cells in mice with inv mutation
Authors: Sugiyama Noriyuki , Yokoyama Takahiko
Published: August 2006

A tubule system is an important component of the nephron, which is the structural and functional unit of the kidney. Expansion of renal tubules results in renal cysts. Hereditary forms of renal cystic diseases suggest that tubular size is determined genetically. The inv was discovered as a mutant with renal cysts and situs inversus. Inv/inv, invΔC::GFP (invΔC) mouse was created by the introduction of the inv gene lacking the C‐terminus (invΔC) into inv/inv mice. The mouse develops multiple renal cysts without situs abnormality, giving us an opportunity to study inv function in renal tubular structure maintenance. In the present study, we showed that inv suppresses cyst progression in a dose‐dependent manner and that the invΔC cystic kidneys showed increased cell proliferation and apoptosis. Cell cycle regulators for G1‐S progression were activated in the cystic kidney. Furthermore, cDNA microarray and semiquantitative RT‐PCR analysis showed that growth‐related genes maintained a high level of expression in the cystic kidney at 4 weeks of age whereas they were decreased in control kidneys, suggesting that cells in invΔC kidney are still active in the cell cycle. One of the inv protein functions may provide a stop signal for renal epithelial cell proliferation.
Human gastrointestinal nematode infections: are new control methods required?
Authors: Stepek Gillian , Buttle David J. , Duce Ian R. , Behnke Jerzy M.
Published: August 2006

Gastrointestinal (GI) nematode infections affect 50% of the human population worldwide, and cause great morbidity as well as hundreds of thousands of deaths. Despite modern medical practices, the proportion of the population infected with GI nematodes is not falling. This is due to a number of factors, the most important being the lack of good healthcare, sanitation and health education in many developing countries. A relatively new problem is the development of resistance to the small number of drugs available to treat GI nematode infections. Here we review the most important parasitic GI nematodes and the methods available to control them. In addition, we discuss the current status of new anthelmintic treatments, particularly the plant cysteine proteinases from various sources of latex‐bearing plants and fruits.
FUNGISTATIC PROPERTIES OF THE FATTY ACIDS AND POSSIBLE BIOCHEMICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Authors: HOFFMAN CHARLES , SCHWEITZER T. ROBERT , DALBY GASTON
Published: August 2006

The fungistatic properties of the normal saturated fatty acids containing from one to 14 carbon atoms have been studied over a pH range of from pH 2 to pH 8. Many of these acids exhibit remarkable effectiveness in the inhibition of mold growth. This effectiveness varies according to the chain length, the concentration of the acid, and the pH of the media. A branched chain acid, in general, is less effective fungistatically than the corresponding straight chain acid. Unsaturation tends to increase the fungistatic effectiveness of an acid.

At neutrality, the acids containing eight to 12 carbon atoms are the most effective for the inhibition of mold growth. This biochemical fact suggested that the nutritional value of these fatty acids be studied in relationship to certain types of disease. The hypothesis has been advanced that the shorter chain fatty acids may be important in the human dietary.
CLOSTRIDIUM PASTEURIANUM ASSOCIATED WITH SPOILAGE OF AN ACID CANNED FRUIT 1
Authors: SPIEGELBERG C. H.
Published: August 2006

Morphological and physiological characteristics are presented for saccharolytic butyric anaerobes isolated from bursting swells of canned pineapple. The two types studied are regarded as smooth and rough strains of one species, Clostridium pasteurianum Winogradsky.

The writer is greatly indebted to Dr. Elizabeth McCoy for kindly advice on all phases of the problem and especially for help in interpretation of results on serological reactions. Acknowledgment is gratefully made to Dr. Newell O. Sjolander for results on nitrogen fixation and for much of the work on products of fermentation.
PROPERTIES OF THE OXIDIZING ENZYMES OF CERTAIN VINIFERA GRAPES 1
Authors: HUSSEIN A. A. , CRUESS W. V.
Published: August 2006

White grapes darken during drying and subsequent storage of the resulting raisins; the freshly expressed, unheated juice becomes brown on standing; and white wines slowly darken during aging. Since it appears that oxidizing enzymes are involved, at least to a considerable extent, in these changes, the investigation reported in this paper was undertaken upon some of the properties of the oxidizing enzymes occurring in certain Vinifera grapes, particularly of the Sultanina (Thompson seedless) variety.
THE ACTION OF TOMATO AND AVOCADO POLYGALACTURONASE a
Authors: McCREADY R. M. , McCOMB E. A. , JANSEN E. F.
Published: August 2006

The action of tomato and avocado enzyme preparations on polygalacturonic acids was compared with that of fungal polygalacturonase (PG). Fungal, tomato, and avocado preparations hydrolyzed polygalacturonic acid and also tri‐and digalacturonic acid to galacturonic acids. The preparations also hydrolyzed methyl digalacturonic acid to galacturonic and methyl galacturonic acid. Their specificities seem to be qualitatively the same and their apparent differences lie mainly in their relative rates of hydrolysis of oligouronic acids, such as digalacturonic as compared with polygalacturonic acid. The rate of hydrolysis of digalacturonic acid is much lower with the fruit enzymes than with a preparation of fungal origin.
Changes in Amino Nitrogen, Total Soluble Nitrogen and TCA‐ Soluble Nitrogen Content of Beef as Influenced by Pre‐irradiation Heating, Irradiation Level and Storage at 34° Fa,b
Authors: BAUTISTA FLORDELIZA R. , THOMPSON ROBERT H. , CAIN R. F.
Published: August 2006

Slices of beef were heated to 130°, 150° and 195° F, irradiated at 0.1 and 5.0 megarads and stored at 34° F. The effect of these variables on free amino nitrogen, total soluble nitrogen and TCA‐soluble nitrogen was determined at 15‐day intervals during the 60‐day storage period. Increases in heating temperature reduced the rate of release of TSN and TCA‐soluble fractions. Amino nitrogen was reduced only at highest temperature employed. Irradiation increased the rate of release of these fractions. The release of amino nitrogen began immediately upon storage of raw beef. Major amounts of TSN were not released until after 15 days storage and TCA‐soluble nitrogen not until after 45 days storage. This suggests successive fragmentation of the initially bound protein.
Proximate Composition of Nine Species of Rockfisha
Authors: THURSTON CLAUDE E.
Published: August 2006

The many species of rockfish found in Pacific Coast waters represent an abundant source of seafood, which is available during all seasons of the year. The edible portion is processed as fillets either fresh or frozen. Composition of these fillets for the more important commercial species have been found to be high in protein and low in both oil and sodium. The values remain quite uniform for the different species regardless of the size of the fish, the season of its capture, or the manner in which it is stored and processed. The nonedible parts provide a valuable source of animal food since they are high in protein, oil, and ash. Thus the entire fish can be utilized in an economical manner.
Determination of the Relative Concentrations of the Major Aldehydes in Lemon, Orange and Grapefruit Oils by Gas Chromatography a,b
Authors: STANLEY WILLIAM L. , IKEDA ROBERT M. , VANNIER SADIE H. , ROLLE LAURENCE A.
Published: August 2006

The Girard‐T reagent was used to recover the aldehydes from cold‐pressed lemon, orange and grapefruit oils for subsequent quantitative gas chromatographic analysis. Optimum conditions for analysis were worked out with a known mixture of citral and the saturated aliphatic aldehydes which occur in major concentration in lemon oil. Isopropanol was used in the preparative step to eliminate acetal formation and isopentane in the final extractions to reduce losses of the lower‐molecular‐weight aldehydes during vacuum concentration of the sample for gas chromatographic analysis. Typical analyses are given for samples of domestic cold‐pressed citrus oils.
Carotenoid Pigments of Pineapple Fruit. II. Influence of Fruit Ripeness, Handling and Processing on Pigment Isomerizationa
Authors: GORTNER WILLIS A. , SINGLETON V. L.
Published: August 2006

The acid‐catalyzed isomerization of pineapple fruit carotenoid pigments is influenced by any condition leading to loss of integrity of the cells of the fruit tissue. The swollen lower half of fully ripe, yellow, translucent fruit often will contain an appreciable fraction of isomerized pigment. Any post‐harvest handling of the fruit that causes bruising of the tissue will lead to pigment isomerization in the damaged areas. Canning completely isomerizes the carotenoid pigments. Frozen fruit contains a high proportion of isomerized carotenoids; after thawing, further change takes place until the spectrum is that of the isomerized or “canned” type pigment.
Composition of Honey. VI. The Effect of Storage on Carbohydrates, Acidity and Diastase Content
Authors: WHITE JONATHAN W. , RIETHOF MARY L. , KUSHNIR IRENE
Published: August 2006

Quantitative examinations have been made of the changes that occur in honey while stored at room temperature. Though honey is a relatively stable commodity, it has been found to change in composition and biochemical activity even when stored at 26±3° C. During two years of such storage about 9% of the monosaccharides are converted per year into more complex disaccharides and higher sugars. The ratio of fructose to glucose increases markedly as the free glucose content declines more rapidly than the free fructose content. All samples examined showed such changes. Significant increases were noted in acidity during storage, but some samples showed no change. Evidence for the enzymic nature of the change is given. Diastase values of unheated honey decline in storage at room temperature (23–28° C), with diastase showing a half‐life of 17 months under these conditions of storage. Cool or cold storage and expeditious handling are recommended for preservation of diastase in honey for export to Europe.
The Complementary Effects of Thermal Energy and Ionizing Energy on Peroxidase Activity in Green Beansa,b
Authors: BAKER ROGER W. , GOLDBLITH SAMUEL A.
Published: August 2006

The work herein presented demonstrates clearly that ionizing energy, in relatively large amounts, has a measurable effect on peroxidase “in situ.” However, even a relatively small amount of heat can accomplish the same degree of destruction. There appears to be no advantage to be gained in the order of application of the two types of energy. Thus, for any practical purposes, insofar as enzymes are concerned, there appears to be no practical advantage to be gained by the application of ionizing energy to plant materials which are to be heat‐blanched. Conversely, if plant materials are to be sterilized by radiation treatment, a heat blanch is still required, the degree of which is not markedly affected by sterilizing doses of ionizing radiations.
Effect of Storage Conditions on Some Physicochemical Properties in Experimental Sausage Prepared from Fibrilsa
Authors: FUKAZAWA TOSHIYUKI , HASHIMOTO YOSHIO , YASUI TSUTOMU
Published: August 2006

Intact fibrils (a), actin‐ and tropomyosin‐poor fibrils (b), and synthetic fibrils (c) were prepared from beef M. semitendinosus within 2 hr. of slaughter. Myosin A was prepared from rabbit muscle. The three kinds of fibrils were incubated at 35°C with a trace of toluene. Then the binding quality of sausage prepared from these materials at regular intervals was examined by estimation of elasticity in connection with other physicochemical properties. In (a) and (b), the changes in the binding were in fair agreement with those characteristic of whole muscle sausage made immediately after death. On the other hand, the changes in binding in (c) resembled in many ways those of whole muscle used after storage at 4°C for 7 days after death. Hence, actin and tropomyosin do not greatly influence the binding quality of sausage. It could not be shown that the amount nitrogen soluble in Weber‐Edsall solution of 0.6M NaCl, or that pH value or water‐holding capacity directly influenced the binding quality of the finished products. The course of inactivation of ATPase observed when fibrils were incubated was very similar to that of typical myosin R (in which denaturation takes place in two fairly distinct stages), resembling especially the first stage of the denaturation reaction. From the observation that the first stage of the denaturation of myosin B‐ATPase was due to the denaturation of myosin A contained in the preparation, it was concluded that the myosin A present in fibrils is an important substance exerting great influence on the binding quality of sausage.
Changes in Soybean Lipids During Tempeh Fermentationa,b
Authors: WAGENKNECHT A. C. , MATTICK L. R. , LEWIN L. M. , HAND D. B. , STEINKRAUS K. H.
Published: August 2006

Changes in the lipids of soybeans brought about by Rhizopus orysae during the production of tempeh were studied. The mold possesses strong lipase activity and caused the hydrolysis of over one‐third of the neutral fat of the soybean during the three‐day fermentation. The fatty acid composition of soybean tempeh was compared with that of cooked soybeans by vapor‐phase chromatography of the methylesters. The neutral fat was composed of palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids, with linoleic acid predominating. These acids were liberated during fermentation in roughly the same proportions found in soybeans after heating 90 min at 100°C. During the most active mold growth, proportionately higher levels of palmitic acid were found, and the level of linoleic acid was somewhat lower. Except for the depletion of some 40% of the linolenic acid in the later stages of the fermentation, there apparently was no preferential utilization of any fatty acid.
Dependency of Almond Preference on Consumer Category and Type of Experimenta
Authors: BAKER G. A. , AMERINE M. A. , KESTER D. E.
Published: August 2006

Three almond selections with distinct tastes and other characteristics were compared by male and female tasters in different types of experiments. The tasters differed in preferences and in distributions of recorded degrees of liking. Interactions between sex, almond selection, and type of experiment were present and important.
Anthocyanin Pigment in Passion Fruit Rind
Authors: PRUTHI J. S. , SUSHEELA R. , LAL GIRDHARI
Published: August 2006

Detailed studies were reported on isolation and identification of the pigments naturally occurring in passion fruit rind (Passiflora edulis Sim.) From color tests, distribution number, paper chromatography, sugar residue, and absorption spectra, pelargonidin 3‐diglucoside reported in passion fruit rind is about 1.4 mg of the pigment per 100 g of the fresh material.
Citrus Flavor. Volatile Constituents of the Essential Oil of the Orange (Citrus sinensis)a,b
Authors: BERNHARD RICHARD A.
Published: August 2006

Analysis by gas‐liquid chromatography (GLC) of the essential oil from California Valencia oranges revealed over 50 components. A preliminary separation of the intact oil into two major fractions, the terpenes and terpenoids, was made by liquid‐solid chromatographic techniques. Examination of the terpene fraction by GLC revealed 15 constituents, of which a number were tentatively identified. The terpenoid fraction contained some 37 constituents, many of which were tentatively identified. These techniques increased resolution and permitted tentative identification of some 14 compounds not hitherto reported in Valencia orange oil. These compounds arc: 3‐hepten‐l‐ 01; n‐octyl acetate; n‐undecanal; hornyl acetate; isopulegol; n‐decyl acetate; borneol; citronellol; neral; geranyl acetate; α ‐pinene; α ‐phellandrene; γ‐terpinene; and p‐cymene.

The constituents were tentatively identified by calculating relative corrected retention volumes and comparing these with values for known compounds. Two stationary liquid phases used yielded data that lend credence to the tentative assignment of identities of the constituents isolated. In addition, infrared examination of some collected fractions made possible partial identification of the compounds.