bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Inhibitor of Tumor Necrosis Factor‐α and Oxatomide on Immune Mediated Otitis Media
Authors: Park Yong‐Soo , Auo Hyeon‐Jin , Jeon Eun‐ju , Chang Ki‐Hong , Lee Seung Kyun , Lee Dong‐Hee 
Published: September 2006

AbstractObjective: Inflammatory mediators (IMs) play a major role in the production of middle ear effusion (MEE). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and leukotrienes (LTs) appear to be important in the pathogenesis of otitis media with effusion (OME). The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of TNF‐α and LT antagonist on the outcome of experimental immune‐mediated OME.Study Design: Prospective.Methods: Otitis media was induced in rats by injecting keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) transtympanically 7 days after systemic immunization. Experimental groups were treated with soluble TNF receptor type I (sTNF RI) or oxatomide simultaneously. Seventy‐two hours after transtympanic injection, MEE was aspirated, and temporal bone was taken. Vascular permeability (VP) of the middle ear mucosa was measured using the Evans blue dye technique. Hematoxylin‐eosin stain and immunohistochemical stain for leukocyte common antigen was performed.Results: In KLH, sTNF RI, and oxatomide groups, MEE was developed in 83%, 0%, and 66% of the ears, respectively. The sTNF RI group showed significant decrease in effusion production, inflammation, mucosal thickening, and VP compared with the KLH group. These parameters were less significant in the oxatomide group than in the sTNF RI group.Conclusion: Transtympanic administration of sTNF RI and oxatomide appears to suppress the development of immune‐mediated MEE.
Posterior Cranial Fossa Tumors in Young Adults
Authors: Chen Chien‐Cheng , Cheng Po‐Wen , Tseng Ham‐Min , Young Yi‐Ho 
Published: September 2006

AbstractObjective/Hypothesis: This retrospective study presents our experience on the posterior cranial fossa tumors in young adults during the past 15 years.Methods. From 1991 to 2005, 16 (0.8%) of 2,091 young adults (range, 16‐29 years) with dizziness/vertigo, hearing loss, or tinnitus were diagnosed with posterior fossa tumor. Each patient underwent a battery of audiovestibular tests and image study.Results: Audiometry revealed sensorineural hearing loss in 12 patients (75%). Spontaneous nystagmus was disclosed in eight patients (50%), consisting of bilateral gaze nystagmus in five, unilateral gaze nystagmus in two, and downbeat nystagmus in one. Electronystagmographic examination displayed abnormal eye tracking test in 75% and abnormal optokinetic nystagmus test in 81% of cases. Magnetic resonance imaging scan demonstrated space‐occupying lesions at the cerebellopontine angle in 11, cerebellum in two, brainstem in two, and jugular fossa in one. Diagnoses consisted of vestibular schwannoma and neurofibromatosis II in eight patients (50%), glial neoplasm (including astrocytoma, ependymoma, glioma) in four patients (25%), epidermoid cyst in three patients, and glomus jugulare tumor in one patient. At study close, excluding one lost patient, three patients died as a result of recurrent or residual tumor at the primary site. Restated, 12 of 15 (80%) patients were alive.Conclusions: Unlike predominant medulloblastoma in children, the most frequent posterior fossa tumor in young adults is vestibular schwannoma and neurofibroma. However, the second most frequent one in young adults is glial neoplasm as opposed to meningioma in adults.
Late‐Onset Medullary Carcinoma of the Thyroid: Need for Genetic Testing and Prophylactic Thyroidectomy in Adult Family Members
Authors: Shaha Ashok R. , Cohen Tzeela , Ghossein Ronald , Tuttle R Michael 
Published: September 2006

AbstractObjective: Sporadic late‐onset medullary carcinoma of the thyroid is quite rare. Usually, the patient presents with a thyroid mass or neck node metastasis along with high levels of calcitonin and preoperative fine needle aspiration biopsy suggestive of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. The role of genetic testing in such individuals, along with testing of other family members, remains somewhat unclear at this stage, especially in patients presenting with familial medullary thyroid carcinoma. Genetic testing with RET proto‐oncogene mutational studies is very popular in familial medullary thyroid carcinoma, especially in children, with routine prophylactic thyroidectomy. However, its indications in adults remain unclear at this time.Case Study: Recently, a 69‐year‐old woman presented with a thyroid mass and underwent total thyroidectomy and central compartment dissection. She was found to have medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. The patient had four children, three of whom were found to have a RET mutation similar to their mother's, V804M. In view of the RET mutation, the three children were offered prophylactic thyroidectomy at ages 42, 45, and 47. The patient's son was noted to have extensive C‐cell hyperplasia in both lobes of the thyroid. The other two individuals had benign pathology with no evidence of C‐cell hyperplasia.Conclusions: There is no definite consensus of opinion about the need for prophylactic total thyroidectomy in adults with RET mutation. The rarely reported 804 mutation is, however, a predictor of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. One individual in this group had extensive C‐cell hyperplasia, suggesting that he would have developed medullary carcinoma of the thyroid in the future. Prophylactic thyroidectomy should be recommended in patients with RET mutation and a family history of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid; however, its role in adult family members needs to be evaluated with larger registry of prophylactic thyroidectomy. Whether these adults with rare 804‐mutation could be observed and followed with serial calcitonin, ultrasound, or calcitonin stimulation tests remains to be studied.
Cervical Metastasis From Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Maxillary Alveolus and Hard Palate
Authors: Simental Alfred A. , Johnson Jonas T. , Myers Eugene N. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractObjectives: Squamous cell carcinoma has a predilection for regional lymphatic metastasis. The occurrence of occult cervical metastases from squamous cell carcinoma of the hard palate and maxillary alveolar ridge has not been studied systematically. We have observed many patients who have returned after resection of a primary cancer in these sites with a delayed cervical metastasis. Some of these patients have died of regional or distant metastasis despite control of their primary cancer.Methods: We have studied 26 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary alveolar ridge and hard palate to define incidence of cervical metastasis.Results: Overall incidence of cervical metastasis was: clinical 2 of 26 (7.6%) and occult 7 of 26 (27%) for a total of 9 of 26 (34.6%). The 5‐year disease‐specific survival was 13 of 22 (59%). Surgery for regional failure was successful in 66% (6 of 9). Radiation was administered after surgery in eight of nine patients.Conclusion: Cervical metastasis from cancer of the palate and alveolar ridge is significant. Regional surgery for recurrent disease usually requires radical or modified radical neck dissection. Selective elective neck dissection should be offered to patients with cancer of the hard palate and alveolar ridge. It affords the patient and the treatment team valuable histologic information, which may help to guide therapy and reduce the potential need for future hospitalization, chemoradiation, and more radical surgery.
Preservation of the Marginal Mandibular Branch of the Facial Nerve Using a Plexus Block Nerve Stimulator
Authors: Sadoughi Babak , Hans Stéphane , de Monès Erwan , Brasnu Daniel F. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractPreserving the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve is essential in submandibular neck dissection to avert disfiguring complications. Despite the high incidence of postoperative palsy, old‐fashioned techniques of nerve identification remain widespread. The use of disposable plexus block nerve stimulators as a safe and accurate method to localize the nerve intraoperatively is suggested herein. Such devices are significantly more affordable and user‐friendly than larger facial nerve monitoring devices, which are rather favored for those procedures more extensively jeopardizing the branches of the facial nerve. In this report, disposable stimulators led to successful identification of the nerve in 100% of 25 patients between 2003 and 2005, with no postoperative paralysis. In addition, stimulation devices are constantly gaining in reliability and safety, and the number of surgical fields supporting their use is expanding. Therefore, their routine use for surgery on the submandibular area is recommended by the authors.
Characterization of a Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Gene from Cucumber Required for Trichoderma-Conferred Plant Resistance
Authors: Shoresh Michal , Gal-On Amit , Leibman Diana , Chet Ilan 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe fungal biocontrol agent Trichoderma asperellum has been recently shown to induce systemic resistance in plants through a mechanism that employs jasmonic acid and ethylene signal transduction pathways. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) proteins have been implicated in the signal transduction of a wide variety of plant stress responses. Here we report the identification and characterization of a Trichoderma-induced MAPK (TIPK) gene function in cucumber (Cucumis sativus). Similar to its homologs, wound-induced protein kinase, MPK3, and MPK3a, TIPK is also induced by wounding. Normally, preinoculation of roots with Trichoderma activates plant defense mechanisms, which result in resistance to the leaf pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv lachrymans. We used a unique attenuated virus vector, Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV-AGII), to overexpress TIPK protein and antisense (AS) RNA. Plants overexpressing TIPK were more resistant to pathogenic bacterial attack than control plants, even in the absence of Trichoderma preinoculation. On the other hand, plants expressing TIPK-AS revealed increased sensitivity to pathogen attack. Moreover, Trichoderma preinoculation could not protect these AS plants against subsequent pathogen attack. We therefore demonstrate that Trichoderma exerts its protective effect on plants through activation of the TIPK gene, a MAPK that is involved in signal transduction pathways of defense responses.
Glutamate:Glyoxylate Aminotransferase Modulates Amino Acid Content during Photorespiration
Authors: Igarashi Daisuke , Tsuchida Hiroko , Miyao Mitsue , Ohsumi Chieko 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
In photorespiration, peroxisomal glutamate:glyoxylate aminotransferase (GGAT) catalyzes the reaction of glutamate and glyoxylate to produce 2-oxoglutarate and glycine. Previous studies demonstrated that alanine aminotransferase-like protein functions as a photorespiratory GGAT. Photorespiratory transamination to glyoxylate, which is mediated by GGAT and serine glyoxylate aminotransferase (SGAT), is believed to play an important role in the biosynthesis and metabolism of major amino acids. To better understand its role in the regulation of amino acid levels, we produced 42 GGAT1 overexpression lines that express different levels of GGAT1 mRNA. The levels of free serine, glycine, and citrulline increased markedly in GGAT1 overexpression lines compared with levels in the wild type, and levels of these amino acids were strongly correlated with levels of GGAT1 mRNA and GGAT activity in the leaves. This accumulation began soon after exposure to light and was repressed under high levels of CO2. Light and nutrient conditions both affected the amino acid profiles; supplementation with NH4NO3 increased the levels of some amino acids compared with the controls. The results suggest that the photorespiratory aminotransferase reactions catalyzed by GGAT and SGAT are both important regulators of amino acid content.
The Cellulose Synthase Gene Superfamily and Biochemical Functions of Xylem-Specific Cellulose Synthase-Like Genes inPopulus trichocarpa
Authors: Suzuki Shiro , Li Laigeng , Sun Ying-Hsuan , Chiang Vincent L. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractWood from forest trees modified for more cellulose or hemicelluloses could be a major feedstock for fuel ethanol. Xylan and glucomannan are the two major hemicelluloses in wood of angiosperms. However, little is known about the genes and gene products involved in the synthesis of these wood polysaccharides. Using Populus trichocarpa as a model angiosperm tree, we report here a systematic analysis in various tissues of the absolute transcript copy numbers of cellulose synthase superfamily genes, the cellulose synthase (CesA) and the hemicellulose-related cellulose synthase-like (Csl) genes. Candidate Csl genes were characterized for biochemical functions in Drosophila Schneider 2 (S2) cells. Of the 48 identified members, 37 were found expressed in various tissues. Seven CesA genes are xylem specific, suggesting gene networks for the synthesis of wood cellulose. Four Csl genes are xylem specific, three of which belong to the CslA subfamily. The more xylem-specific CslA subfamily is represented by three types of members: PtCslA1, PtCslA3, and PtCslA5. They share high sequence homology, but their recombinant proteins produced by the S2 cells exhibited distinct substrate specificity. PtCslA5 had no catalytic activity with the substrates for xylan or glucomannan. PtCslA1 and PtCslA3 encoded mannan synthases, but PtCslA1 further encoded a glucomannan synthase for the synthesis of (1→4)-β-d-glucomannan. The expression of PtCslA1 is most highly xylem specific, suggesting a key role for it in the synthesis of wood glucomannan. The results may help guide further studies to learn about the regulation of cellulose and hemicellulose synthesis in wood.
Anthropogenic influences on population sizes, age and growth of naturalized rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, in Kenya
Authors: Ngugi Charles C. , Green John M. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractRiverine fishery in Kenya has witnessed profound changes since the 1950s, especially after independence (in 1963) when watersheds on the south‐eastern slopes of Mt Kenya were opened up for settlement. In particular, rainbow trout populations have declined essentially resulting from anthropogenic changes through over‐exploitation and/or degraded habitats. While there still are self‐sustaining rainbow trout populations in this stream among others they are in decline an indication that changes that have occurred on the watershed have altered their sizes, age and growth. The study was carried out in the Sagana, a third‐order stream, which rises at about 4000 m altitude on the south‐eastern slope of Mt Kenya, to obtain and document information on population sizes, age and growth of rainbow trout populations and to relate them with those recorded in the 1950s when trout streams were pristine (with little human influence). Stations were fished bi‐monthly from 1996 to 1998 and later for 6 months in 2002. Information on age and growth was obtained by use of annual marks, tagging fish of known age, and by validating their age using captive fish of known age. The minimum mean back‐calculated length at age for age one rainbow trout was 13.09 cm in upstream station and 15.10 cm for downstream stations. However, there was no significant difference in mean back‐calculated lengths at age for all years between fish in upstream and downstream stations (t‐test, t = −0.01, P = 0.99). Although female fish showed higher mean annual back‐calculated length increments than males, there was no significant difference in mean back‐calculated lengths at age between sexes (t‐test, t = −0.27, P = 0.80). The rate of growth in length was rapid for 1‐year‐old fish and declined in the second and third years. This study observed that most of the fish were small with only a few reaching more than 2 years of age because of overfishing. There are good reasons for optimism about the future of trout populations in this stream but concerted efforts are required to rehabilitate them. If trout populations are to increase, a management strategy is required to reduce fishing pressure and to maintain stream fishery against competing needs for resources in the catchments.
Mitochondrial DNA sequence diversity in extant Irish horse populations and in ancient horses
Authors: McGahern A. M. , Edwards C. J. , Bower M. A. , Heffernan A. , Park S. D. E. , Brophy P. O. , Bradley D. G. , MacHugh D. E. , Hill E. W. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryEquine mitochondrial DNA sequence variation was investigated in three indigenous Irish horse populations (Irish Draught Horse, Kerry Bog Pony and Connemara Pony) and, for context, in 69 other horse populations. There was no evidence of Irish Draught Horse or Connemara Pony sequence clustering, although the majority of Irish Draught Horse sequences (47%) were assigned to haplogroup D. Conversely, 31% of the Kerry Bog Pony sequences were assigned to the rare haplogroup E. In addition to the extant population analyses, ancient DNA sequences were generated from three out of four Irish archaeological specimens, all of which were assigned to haplogroup A.
Genetic signatures of occasional sex in parthenogenetic subpopulations of the freshwater planarian Schmidtea polychroa
Authors: D'SOUZA THOMAS G. , MICHIELS NICO K. 
Published: September 2006

Summary1. Occasional sex in organisms that otherwise propagate clonally combines the advantages of both reproductive modes. Although theory predicts that this is a winning combination, evidence for its long‐term importance in natural populations is scarce.2. We studied the sperm‐dependent parthenogenetic form of the freshwater planarian Schmidtea (formerly Dugesia) polychroa in which occasional sex is known to occur. By comparing subpopulations within the same lake, we showed that occasional sex does indeed leave telltale signatures in the population genetic structure of this species.3. Using microsatellites, we found differences in genotypic diversity and evenness between six local subpopulations. Moreover, some locations showed temporal fluctuations in genotype and/or allele frequencies, while stability was observed in others. The results indicate that although some subpopulations show all the traits of clonal reproduction, others clearly have characteristics typical of sexual recombination, including the particular subpopulation for which we previously demonstrated the occurrence of occasional sex.4. We show that within the same metapopulation, neighbouring localities can differ in the degree of occasional sex, as demonstrated by genetic signatures of clonality versus (occasional) genetic recombination. This makes S. polychroa particularly suitable to test the role of occasional sex to explain the persistence of parthenogenesis.
Effects of stream restoration and wastewater treatment plant effluent on fish communities in urban streams
Authors: NORTHINGTON ROBERT M. , HERSHEY ANNE E. 
Published: September 2006

Summary1. Fish community characteristics, resource availability and resource use were assessed in three headwater urban streams in Piedmont North Carolina, U.S.A. Three site types were examined on each stream; two urban (restored and unrestored) and a forested site downstream of urbanisation, which was impacted by effluent from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Stream basal resources, aquatic macroinvertebrates, terrestrial macroinvertebrates and fish were collected at each site.2. The WWTPs affected isotope signatures in the biota. Basal resource, aquatic macroinvertebrate and fish δ15N showed significant enrichments in the downstream sites, although δ13C signatures were not greatly influenced by the WWTP. Fish were clearly deriving a significant part of their nutrition from sewage effluent‐derived sources. There was a trend towards lower richness and abundance of fish at sewage‐influenced sites compared with urban restored sites, although the difference was not significant.3. Restored stream sites had significantly higher fish richness and a trend towards greater abundance compared with unrestored sites. Although significant differences did not exist between urban restored and unrestored areas for aquatic and terrestrial macroinvertebrate abundances and biotic indices of stream health, there appeared to be a trend towards improvements in restored sites for these parameters. Additional surveys of these sites on a regular basis, along with maintenance of restored features are vital to understanding and maximising restoration effectiveness.4. A pattern of enriched δ13C in fish in restored and unrestored streams in conjunction with enriched δ13C of terrestrial invertebrates at these sites suggests that these terrestrial subsidies are important to the fish, a conclusion also supported by isotope cross plots. Furthermore, enriched δ13C observed for terrestrial invertebrates is consistent with some utilisation of the invasive C4 plants that occur in the urban riparian areas.
The evolving story of Mycobacterium tuberculosis clade members detected in fish
Authors: Kaattari I M , Rhodes M W , Kaattari S L , Shotts E B 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAdvances in molecular analyses have permitted documentation of an increasing spectrum of mycobacteria infecting fish. Although some of these mycobacteria are not closely related, several species belong to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis clade. One member of the clade, M. marinum, is well known as an agent of piscine mycobacteriosis. Three other clade species, M. shottsii, M. pseudoshottsii and M. ‘chesapeaki’, have recently been identified as predominant disease agents in a widespread, continuing epizootic in wild striped bass of the Chesapeake Bay. A fifth clade member, M. ulcerans, has recently been indirectly detected in wild, African cichlid fish. As M. ulcerans is the third most common human mycobacterial infection worldwide, even such indirect evidence of M. ulcerans in fish must be more thoroughly investigated. Complicating the differentiation of these clade members is the growing recognition of intraspecies and interspecies variation in phenotypes, genes and virulence. Thus, researchers must be aware of the variety of piscine isolates within the M. tuberculosis clade. This review summarizes the methods of detection and differentiation for this important group of mycobacteria.
Amoebic gill disease (AGD)‐affected Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., are resistant to subsequent AGD challenge
Authors: Vincent B N , Morrison R N , Nowak B F 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThere is inconsistent evidence of resistance of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., to amoebic gill disease (AGD). Here, evidence is presented that demonstrates that Atlantic salmon exposed and subsequently challenged with AGD are more resistant than naïve control fish. Seventy‐three per cent of Atlantic salmon previously exposed to AGD survived to day 35 post‐challenge compared with 26% exposed to Neoparamoeba sp. for the first time, yet the gill pathology of surviving naïve control or previously exposed fish was not significantly different. Development of resistance to AGD is associated with anti‐Neoparamoeba sp. antibodies that were detectable in serum of 50% of surviving Atlantic salmon previously exposed to AGD. However, anti‐Neoparamoeba sp. antibodies were not detectable in cutaneous mucus of resistant fish. Increased resistance of Atlantic salmon after secondary Neoparamoeba sp. infection and detection of specific serum antibodies provides support for the development of a vaccine for AGD.