bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased serum anandamide level at ruptured plaque site in patients with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Maeda Naotaka , Osanai Tomohiro , Kushibiki Motoi , Fujiwara Takayuki , Tamura Yujin , Oowada Shingen , Higuma Takumi , Sasaki Shingo , Yokoyama Jin , Yoshimachi Fuminobu , Matsunaga Toshiro , Hanada Hiroyuki , Okumura Ken
Published: June 2009

Inflammation caused by activated macrophages and T lymphocytes may trigger plaque rapture in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Anandamide and 2‐arachidonylglycerol (2‐AG) are macrophage‐derived signal lipids and may be involved in the pathogenesis of ACS, but no clinical relevant data have been reported. In 43 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients (66 ± 2 years), blood samples were obtained from the aortic root and the infarct‐related coronary artery (IRA) using a PercuSurge system during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In six patients with stable effort angina (SEA) (56 ± 6 years), blood samples were obtained from the site of stenosis during elective PCI. In 25 of the 43 AMI patients, anandamide was detected in the serum. Serum anandamide level was 35 ± 20 pmol/mL in the aorta and was significantly increased to 401 ± 134 pmol/mL in the IRA (P < 0.01). 2‐AG was undetectable in most of the patients. In patients with SEA, neither anandamide nor 2‐AG was detected in the serum at the plaque site. In AMI patients with anandamide detected, left ventricular ejection fraction at 2 weeks after PCI was increased by 3.7 ± 2.1% compared with that at the acute phase, while it was decreased by 3.0 ± 1.8% in those without anandamide detected (P < 0.05). The serum anandamide level at the culprit lesion was elevated compared with the systemic level in a significant number of AMI patients, indicating the synthesis of anandamide at the IRA. Anandamide was suggested to be derived from ruptured plaque and may exert beneficial effects in humans.
Emerging trends of nanomedicine – an overview
Authors: Sandhiya Selvarajan , Dkhar Steven Aibor , Surendiran A.
Published: June 2009

Nanotechnology is an emerging branch of science for designing tools and devices of size 1 to 100 nm with unique function at the cellular, atomic and molecular levels. The concept of using nanotechnology in medical research and clinical practice is known as nanomedicine. Nanoparticles possess some novel properties not seen with the macro molecules and they can be manipulated by attaching therapeutic components to help in diagnosis and treatment. They can also be used to probe cellular movements and molecular changes associated with pathological states. Nanodevices like carbon nanotubes to locate and deliver anticancer drugs at the specific tumour site are under research. Nanotechnology promises construction of artificial cells, enzymes and genes. This will help in the replacement therapy of many disorders which are due to deficiency of enzymes, mutation of genes or any repair in the synthesis of proteins. Currently nanodevices like respirocytes, microbivores and probes encapsulated by biologically localized embedding have a greater application in treatment of anaemia and infections. Thus in the present scenario, nanotechnology is spreading its wings to address the key problems in the field of medicine. Hence this review discusses in detail the applications of nanotechnology in medicine with more emphasis on drug delivery and therapy.
The chronic oral administration of arginine aspartate decreases secretion of IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐3 in healthy volunteers
Authors: Blazejewski Sylvie , Georges Agnès , Forest Karelle , Corcuff Jean‐Benoît , Abouelfath Abdelilah , Girodet Pierre‐Olivier , Kamagate Mamadou , Jacquet Alain , Pillet Odile , Bordenave Laurence , Moore Nicholas
Published: June 2009

To investigate the effect of chronic oral arginine aspartate on the growth hormone (GH), GH‐releasing hormone (GHRH), insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) and IGF‐binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3) secretions in healthy volunteers. Twenty‐three healthy non‐athlete volunteer males were administered arginine aspartate (30 g) orally once daily at 21:00 h for 21 consecutive days. Subjects were hospitalized on days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 21 of treatment. At each hospitalization, concentrations of GHRH, GH, IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐3 were measured over 4 h after arginine aspartate intake. GH, IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐3 concentrations were also determined over 12 h at days 0, 1 and 21. Compared with day 1, 4 h GH levels dropped at day 5 and subsequently rose to levels not significantly different from initial ones. The latter was substantiated by 12 h GH levels that did not significantly change from days 1 to 21. GHRH levels were not statistically different, although there was a trend in median values that seemed to inversely mirror those of GH. This dynamic over the course of the study for GH and GHRH was accompanied by a general decrease in IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐3. In healthy volunteers, a chronic oral treatment with 30 g/day arginine aspartate is followed by a decrease in IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐3 secretions.
Beneficial effects of spraying low mineral content thermal spring water after fractional photothermolysis in patients with dermal melasma
Authors: Barolet D , Lussier I , Mery S , Merial‐Kieny C
Published: June 2009

Introduction  Melasma is a common dermatological skin disease that can now be treated by fractional photothermolysis (fractional resurfacing). Past studies have shown that thermal spring water (TSW) spray can reduce local inflammatory symptoms after dermatological surgery, laser surgery or chemical peelings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of spraying TSW post‐fractional resurfacing treatment in patients with dermal melasma.

Methods  Twenty patients with bilateral dermal melasma were included in this split‐face comparative study. Patients were treated by fractional resurfacing laser and then TSW was sprayed generously unilaterally. For the next 48 h, patients were instructed to spray thermal water at least six times a day on one side. Patient’s self‐assessment conducted 10 min and 2 days after TSW spraying (stinging, pain, skin dryness, swelling, and redness) and investigator’s 48‐h post‐treatment evaluation (purpura, skin dryness, erythema, swelling, scars, hyper‐ or hypopigmentation) were recorded for the treated and control sides using visual analogue scales.

Results  Pain, dryness, and redness were significantly lower 10 min after spraying on the TSW‐treated side in comparison with the untreated side, as assessed by the patients (P < 0.05). Two days after fractional resurfacing, dryness and redness were still improved on the TSW‐treated side. The investigator’s evaluation revealed that erythema, the only perceivable sign following irradiation, was significantly reduced by TSW spraying (P < 0.01).

Conclusion  This split‐face comparative study conducted in patients with dermal melasma showed that spraying TSW after fractional laser resurfacing significantly reduced short‐term adverse effects associated with the procedure.
Safe botulinum toxin type A injection in patients with history of eyelid ptosis
Authors: Ghalamkarpour Fariba , Aghazadeh Yassaman , Odabaei Golaun
Published: June 2009

Background  Ptosis is an important side effect of frown correction by botulinum toxin type A (BTX‐A). The most likely reason of eyelid ptosis is the diffusion of the toxin to levator palpebrae superioris muscle through orbital septum while the toxin is injected into the corrugator muscle.

Objectives  In this pilot study, to prevent ptosis, we evaluated the efficacy of BTX‐A injection at superior middle aspect of the corrugator muscle instead of the common injection site located above the medial eyebrow head.

Methods  Fifteen patients were selected from those referred to our clinic with history of eyelid ptosis due to previous BTX‐A (dysport; Ipsen) injection. They received three injections of BTX‐A; 10 U into the procerus muscle and 20 U into the superior middle aspect of each corrugator muscle, instead of injecting into the belly of the corrugator muscles.

Results  We observed excellent, good and moderate responses in 66.66%, 13.33% and 20% of our patients 2 weeks post‐injection respectively. The outcomes were improved to excellent in the latter two groups by injecting 5 U of BTX‐A (dysport; Ipsen) into the contractible corrugator in patients with good and 5 U in each corrugator (total of 10 U) in patients with moderate responses.

Conclusion  Employing this method a very satisfactory outcome was obtained while no ptosis was observed. Therefore, we recommend this safe technique for treating patients with a history of eyelid ptosis.
Accumulation of lipid peroxide in the content of comedones may be involved in the progression of comedogenesis and inflammatory changes in comedones
Authors: Tochio Takumi , Tanaka Hiroshi , Nakata Satoru , Ikeno Hiroshi
Published: June 2009

Background  Previous studies reported that lipid peroxide (LPO) caused by oxidation of sebum is associated with the progression of acne vulgaris, and that therapy with antioxidative ingredients is efficacious for treatment. In this study, we hypothesized that lipid accumulation in comedones induces progression of comedogenesis and inflammatory changes in comedones, and investigated the possible role of accumulated LPO in comedogenesis and its inflammatory changes.

Methods  We first sampled comedones and the stratum corneum from patients with acne vulgaris. The quantities of LPO, interleukin‐1‐alpha (IL‐1α), and NF‐kappa‐B (NF‐κB) in comedones and in the stratum corneum from each patient were measured for comparison. Next, comedones were sampled again from the same patients and classified into five groups: microcomedo (MC), noninflammatory open comedo (NIOC), noninflammatory closed comedo (NICC), inflammatory open comedo (IOC), and inflammatory closed comedo (ICC). We measured quantities of LPO in each group.

Results  The quantities of LPO, IL‐1α, and NF‐κB were significantly higher in the content of comedones than those in the stratum corneum. The quantities of LPO in the content of IOC and ICC were significantly higher than those of MC, NIOC, and NICC; however, there were no significant differences in quantities of LPO between the content of MC, NIOC, and NICC.

Conclusions  We conclude that the accumulation of a certain amount of LPO in the content of comedones may play an important role in the progression of comedogenesis and the excessive accumulation of LPO may be involved in inflammatory changes in comedones.
Effects of a Brazilian herbal compound as a cosmetic eyecare for periorbital hyperchromia (“dark circles”)
Authors: Eberlin Samara , Del Carmen Velazquez Pereda Maria , De Campos Dieamant Gustavo , Nogueira Cecília , Werka Rejane Maria , De Souza Queiroz Mary Luci
Published: June 2009

Background Evidence suggests that periorbital hyperchromia (dark circles) occurs mainly as a consequence of postinflammatory hemodynamic congestion producing a typical bruising aspect on the lower eyelids.

Aims To evaluate the clinical effects ofPfaffia paniculata/Ptychopetalum olacoidesB./Lilium candidumL.‐associated compound (PPLAC) on periorbital hyperchromia and to studyin vitroits underlying anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms.

Methods Twenty‐one volunteers presenting with periorbital hyperchromia received a serum sample containing 5.0% PPLAC, which was applied topically in the periorbital area twice a day for 28 days. Skin color was measured using variations in the individual typological angle (ΔITA0) and skin luminance (ΔL*) calculated in the area around the eyes and in the adjacent area. Colorimetric readings were taken at the onset and end of the 28‐day treatment. Volunteers were also asked to fill out a questionnaire concerning the improvement in “dark circles.” The anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects of PPLAC were measured by quantification of prostaglandin E2, leukotriene B4, histamine, and superoxide dismutase levels using anin vitromodel of human skin culture.

Results Topical application of PPLAC led to a significant improvement in skin luminance and tone in the periorbital area, which was demonstrated by increased values of ITA0andL* in about 90% of volunteers. In addition, subjects reported reduced intensity and improved appearance of “dark circles.” A dose‐dependent decreased production of inflammatory mediators, concomitant to increased antioxidant enzyme levels, was observed in ourin vitrostudies, under basal and lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated conditions.

Conclusions Although the precise mechanisms related to PPLAC remain to be clarified, our results indicate that the reduction in the inflammatory process as well as the antioxidant protection against deleterious elements may be considered as an integral approach to preserve the integrity of vascular endothelium, preventing the hemodynamic congestion that culminates in the formation of “dark circles” around the eyes.
Androgenetic alopecia in males: a histopathological and ultrastructural study
Authors: El‐Domyati Moetaz , Attia Sameh , Saleh Fatma , Abdel‐Wahab Hossam
Published: June 2009

Background  Androgenetic alopecia is a common cosmetic hair disorder, resulting from interplay of genetic, endocrine, and aging factors leading to a patterned follicular miniaturization. Microinflammation seems to be a potential active player in this process.

Aims  To study the histopathological and ultrastructural changes occurring in male androgenetic alopecia (AGA).

Patients/methods  Fifty‐five subjects were included in this study (40 with AGA and 15 as normal age‐matched controls). Skin biopsies from frontal bald area and occipital hairy area were subjected to histopathological examination, immunohistochemical staining for collagen I and ultrastructural study.

Results  The frontal bald area of patients showed highly significant increase in telogen hairs and decrease in anagen/telogen ratio and terminal/vellus hair ratio (P < 0.001). Perifollicular inflammation was almost a constant feature in early cases and showed a significant inverse correlation with perifollicular fibrosis (P = 0.048), which was more marked with thickening of the follicular sheath in advanced cases.

Conclusion  Follicular microinflammation plays an integral role in the pathogenesis of AGA in early cases. Over time, thickening of perifollicular sheath takes place due to increased deposition of collagen, resulting in marked perifollicular fibrosis, and sometimes ends by complete destruction of the affected follicles in advanced cases.
Effects of lipid nanocarriers on the performance of topical vehicles in vivo
Authors: Moddaresi Mojgan , Tamburic Slobodanka , Williams Stefanie , Jones Stuart A , Zhao Yanjun , Brown Marc B
Published: June 2009

Background/aims  Nanocarrier systems have been extensively studied for their suitability in personal care formulations. Theoretically, they could enhance skin delivery of active compounds, thereby improving in vivo efficacy of the products. As such the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a lipid nanocarrier (LNC) system loaded with tocopheryl acetate (TA) on the hydration, biomechanical properties, and antioxidant capacity of human skin, when used in two different vehicles, and compare it with a non‐LNC formulation.

Methods  TA‐loaded lipid nanocarriers (TA‐LNCs) were produced by the phase inversion method, using physiological lipids and purified by ultra‐centrifugation. They were incorporated into a hydrophilic gel and foam, and their performance compared with a saturated TA solution in silicon oil. Skin hydration and biomechanical properties were measured by means of a corneometer and a cutometer, respectively, while a high‐resolution spectrophotometer was used to assess skin redness after stimulation by methyl nicotinate in a micro‐inflammatory test. Both short‐term (3 h) and long‐term trials (4 weeks) were performed.

Results  The results confirmed that the LNCs enhanced skin hydration in both studies, while skin viscoelastic parameters remained practically unchanged during the 4‐week study. The antioxidant assessment failed to show significant difference between the test sites.

Conclusions  TA‐loaded LNCs exhibited the ability to enhance skin hydration, while their effect on skin biomechanical properties and on antioxidant efficacy could not be statistically proved.
Micro‐island damage with a nonablative 1540‐nm Er:Glass fractional laser device in human skin
Authors: Farkas Jordan P , Richardson James A , Hoopman John , Brown Spencer A , Kenkel Jeffrey M
Published: June 2009

Background and objectives  Fractional photothermolysis produces micro‐islands of thermal injury to the skin while preserving areas among treated tissue sites in order to promote wound healing. Histological changes associated with single and multiple passes of the 1540‐nm Er:Glass fractional laser were examined using in vivo human skin.

Methods and materials  Panni of five abdominoplasty patients were treated intraoperatively with a Fractional Lux1540 erbium glass laser system at various laser parameters, with single and multiple passes. Biopsies were removed and examined using standard histological stains.

Results  Deep coagulated columns of collagen separated by regions of unaffected tissue were observed at variable fluence parameters. A direct correlation between the depth of penetration of the coagulated microcolumns and increasing energies was observed. Micro‐islands of coagulation were ∼250 μm in diameter and separated by ∼800 μm of unaffected tissue. With multiple passes, significantly more disruption of the dermal–epidermal junction (DEJ) occurred at higher fluences. In contrast to the controlled fractional columns observed with single‐pass treatments, nonuniform coagulated columns were distributed randomly throughout the tissue when instituting multiple passes over the same treatment region.

Conclusion  Micro‐islands of thermal damage were observed at variable energy parameters. Pathological changes within the skin were clearly dependent on amount of energy and number of passes of the laser treatment. Significantly more superficial damage, accompanied by disruption of the DEJ was observed with multiple passes when compared with single pass at similar fluences. However, with multiple passes, depth of thermal injury did not increase with increasing energies but did disrupt the micro‐island array observed with single‐pass fractional treatments.
Amyloid β‐peptide 31–35‐induced neuronal apoptosis is mediated by caspase‐dependent pathways via cAMP‐dependent protein kinase A activation
Authors: Zhao Li , Qian Zhong‐Ming , Zhang Ce , Wing Ho Yung , Du Fang , Ya Ke
Published: June 2009

This study aims to investigate the roles of the protein kinase A (PKA)‐ and caspase‐dependent pathways in amyloid β‐peptide 31–35 (Aβ[31–35])‐induced apoptosis, and the mechanisms of neuroprotection by group III metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) activation against apoptosis induced by Aβ[31–35] in cortical neurons. We demonstrated that Aβ[31–35] induces neuronal apoptosis as well as a significant increase in caspase‐3, ‐8 and ‐9. Activation of group III mGluRs byl‐serine‐O‐phosphate and (R,S)‐4‐phosphonophenylglycine (two group III mGluR agonists), which attenuate the effects of Aβ[31–35], provides neuroprotection to the cortical neurons subjected to Aβ[31–35]. We also showed that Rp‐cAMP, an inhibitor of cAMP‐dependent PKA, has the ability to protect neurons from Aβ[31–35]‐induced apoptosis and to reverse almost completely the effects of Aβ[31–35] on the activities of caspase‐3. Further, we found that Sp‐cAMP, an activator of cAMP‐dependent PKA, can significantly abolish thel‐serine‐O‐phosphate‐ and (R,S)‐4‐phosphonophenylglycine‐induced neuroprotection against apoptosis, and decrease caspase‐3, ‐8 and ‐9 in the Aβ[31–35]‐treated neurons. Our findings suggest that neuronal apoptosis induced by Aβ[31–35] is mediated by the PKA‐dependent pathway as well as the caspase‐dependent intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. Activation of group III mGluRs protects neurons from Aβ[31–35]‐induced apoptosis by blocking the caspase‐dependent pathways. Inhibition of the PKA‐dependent pathway might also protect neurons from Aβ[31–35]‐induced apoptosis by blocking the caspase‐dependent pathways. Taken together, our observations suggest that Aβ[31–35] might have the ability to activate PKA, which in turn activates the caspase‐dependent intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways, inducing apoptosis in the cortical neurons.
Black tea polyphenols mimic insulin/insulin‐like growth factor‐1 signalling to the longevity factor FOXO1a
Authors: Cameron Amy R. , Anton Siobhan , Melville Laura , Houston Nicola P. , Dayal Saurabh , McDougall Gordon J. , Stewart Derek , Rena Graham
Published: June 2009

In vertebrates and invertebrates, relationships between diet and health are controlled by a conserved signalling pathway responsive to insulin‐like ligands. In invertebrate models for example, forkhead transcription factor family O (FOXO) transcription factors in this pathway regulate the rate of aging in response to dietary cues, and in vertebrates, obesity and age‐induced deficits in the same pathway are thought to contribute to dysregulation of hepatic gluconeogenesis through genes such as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK). Recently, we have begun to screen for dietary constituents capable of regulating this pathway in our cell culture model. Here, we identify three black tea theaflavins, theaflavin 3‐O‐gallate, theaflavin 3′‐O‐gallate, theaflavin 3,3′di‐O‐gallate and thearubigins as novel mimics of insulin/IGF‐1 action on mammalian FOXO1a, PEPCK and moreover we provide evidence that the effects on this pathway of the green tea constituent (‐)‐epigallocatechin gallate depend on its ability to be converted into these larger structures. With the exception of water, tea is the most popular drink globally, but despite this, little is known about the biological availability of black tea polyphenols in vivo or the molecular target(s) mediating the effects presented here. Further investigation in these two areas might provide insight into how age‐related metabolic disease may be deferred.
Delayed kinetics of DNA double‐strand break processing in normal and pathological aging
Authors: Sedelnikova Olga A. , Horikawa Izumi , Redon Christophe , Nakamura Asako , Zimonjic Drazen B. , Popescu Nicholas C. , Bonner William M.
Published: June 2009

Accumulation of DNA damage may play an essential role in both cellular senescence and organismal aging. The ability of cells to sense and repair DNA damage declines with age. However, the underlying molecular mechanism for this age‐dependent decline is still elusive. To understand quantitative and qualitative changes in the DNA damage response during human aging, DNA damage‐induced foci of phosphorylated histone H2AX (γ‐H2AX), which occurs specifically at sites of DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs) and eroded telomeres, were examined in human young and senescing fibroblasts, and in lymphocytes of peripheral blood. Here, we show that the incidence of endogenous γ‐H2AX foci increases with age. Fibroblasts taken from patients with Werner syndrome, a disorder associated with premature aging, genomic instability and increased incidence of cancer, exhibited considerably higher incidence of γ‐H2AX foci than those taken from normal donors of comparable age. Further increases in γ‐H2AX focal incidence occurred in culture as both normal and Werner syndrome fibroblasts progressed toward senescence. The rates of recruitment of DSB repair proteins to γ‐H2AX foci correlated inversely with age for both normal and Werner syndrome donors, perhaps due in part to the slower growth of γ‐H2AX foci in older donors. Because genomic stability may depend on the efficient processing of DSBs, and hence the rapid formation of γ‐H2AX foci and the rapid accumulation of DSB repair proteins on these foci at sites of nascent DSBs, our findings suggest that decreasing efficiency in these processes may contribute to genome instability associated with normal and pathological aging.
Oestradiol or genistein rescues neurons from amyloid beta‐induced cell death by inhibiting activation of p38
Authors: Vallés Soraya L. , Borrás Consuelo , Gambini Juan , Furriol Jessica , Ortega Angel , Sastre Juan , Pallardó Federico V. , Viña Jose
Published: June 2009

Oestrogenic compounds have been postulated as neuroprotective agents. This prompted us to investigate their mechanism action in neurons in primary culture. Cells were pretreated with physiological concentrations of 17‐β estradiol (0.2 nm) or with nutritionally relevant concentrations of genistein (0.5 µm), and 48 h later treated with 5 µm of amyloid beta (Aβ) for 24 h. We found that Aβ increased oxidative stress, measured as peroxide levels or oxidized glutathione/reduced glutathione ratio, which in turn, caused phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase. Amyloid beta subsequently induced neuronal death. Inhibiting the MAP kinase pathway prevented cell death, confirming the role of p38 in the toxic effect of Aβ. All these effects were prevented when cells were pretreated for 48 h with oestradiol or genistein. Therefore, oestrogenic compounds rescue neurons from Aβ‐induced cell death by preventing oxidative stress, which in turn inhibits the activation of p38, protecting neurons from cell death. Because hormone replacement therapy with oestradiol could cause serious setbacks, the potential therapeutic effect of phyto‐oestrogens for the prevention of Aβ‐associated neurodegenerative disorders should be more carefully studied in clinical research.
Dynamic regulation of PGC‐1α localization and turnover implicates mitochondrial adaptation in calorie restriction and the stress response
Authors: Anderson Rozalyn M. , Barger Jamie L. , Edwards Michael G. , Braun Kristina H. , O’Connor Clare E. , Prolla Tomas A. , Weindruch Richard
Published: June 2009

There is increasing evidence that longevity and stress resistance are connected, but the mechanism is unclear. We report that mitochondria are regulated in response to oxidative stress and calorie restriction through a shared mechanism involving peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ co‐activator 1α (PGC‐1α). We demonstrate that PGC‐1α subcellular distribution is regulated, and its transcriptional activity is promoted through SIRT1‐dependent nuclear accumulation. In addition, the duration of PGC‐1α activity is regulated by glycogen synthase kinase beta (GSK3β), which targets PGC‐1α for intranuclear proteasomal degradation. This mechanism of regulation permits the rapidity and persistence of PGC‐1α activation to be independently controlled. We provide evidence that this pathway of PGC‐1α regulation occurs in vivo in mice, both in the oxidative stress response and with calorie restriction. Our data show how mitochondrial function may be adapted in response to external stimuli, and support the concept that such adaptation is critically involved in cellular survival and in lifespan extension by calorie restriction.
Separating Stresses Thermoelastically in a Central Circularly Perforated Plate Using an Airy Stress Function
Authors: Lin S.‐J. , Matthys D. R. , Rowlands R. E.
Published: June 2009

Abstract:  Thermoelastic stress analysis (TSA) is a contemporary full‐field, non‐contacting method of experimental stress analysis. In a cyclically loaded structure which experiences adiabatic and reversible conditions, the measured local change in temperature is proportional to the change in stress. Under isotropy, the technique measures information on the sum of the principal stresses. As engineering analyses often necessitate knowing the individual components of stress, additional experimental methods or information are frequently required to ‘separate the stresses’. The ability to evaluate individual stresses reliably in a uniaxially loaded finite plate with a central circular hole from TSA‐recorded information without supplementary experimental data is demonstrated here. Measured temperature data are combined with an Airy stress function and some limited traction‐free conditions. The present inverse technique does not presuppose knowledge of the external geometry or boundary conditions, overcomes the traditional difficulties of unreliable edge data, and reduces the number of coefficients needed by satisfying the traction‐free conditions analytically on the edge of the hole. Particular attention is paid to determining a realistic value for the needed number of Airy coefficients.
Pressurised pastoralism in South Gobi, Mongolia: what is the role of drought?
Authors: Sternberg Troy , Middleton Nicholas , Thomas David
Published: June 2009

The desert‐steppe region of southern Mongolia is susceptible to drought and extreme winter weather (dzud) that in combination form Mongolia’s worst natural hazard. Low precipitation and high climatic variability in this dryland environment impact the landscape and affect pastoralism, the dominant rural lifestyle. Using the Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI), this paper identifies drought occurrence in South Gobi Province, Mongolia. It then examines the relationship of drought with climate factors, interaction with vegetation (derived from Normalised Difference Vegetation Index ‐ NDVI ‐ data), and local human and livestock populations, and the dzuds of 1999–2001. Results show that drought is recurrent in the region, reaching extreme intensity most recently in 2005–2006. In contrast with the prevailing concept of drought impacting dzuds, the study did not find a connection between drought and dzud in South Gobi Province. Though repeated events, these natural hazards occur independently in the region. Climatic variables show increasing temperatures (>1°C), fluctuating precipitation patterns and a decline in vegetation cover. The principal long‐term correlation of drought is with human population rather than natural factors, dzud or livestock numbers.
A visceral approach: cooking ‘at home’ with migrant women in Hamilton, New Zealand
Authors: Longhurst Robyn , Johnston Lynda , Ho Elsie
Published: June 2009

People’s visceral experiences of food – the tastes, textures and aromas – can tell us a great deal about their emotional and affective relations with place. Questions of bodies and embodiment are increasingly becoming a focus for geographers and migration scholars. In this article we extend some of this work by examining how the visceral can shape (and be shaped by) a range of socio‐political relations. We concentrate on food and eating as a central political issue and illustrate how a visceral approach can push understandings of migrants’ experiences. We focus on a group of 11 migrant women from South Africa, Singapore, Korea, Iraq, Thailand, Hong Kong, Somalia, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico and India in their ‘new home’ in Hamilton, New Zealand. Each of the women prepared and cooked for us a dish that was significant to them in some way. These migrant women are comfortable in their domestic spaces and largely experience cooking not as a burden but as an important way of staying viscerally connected with their ‘old home’. Creating a domestic space where the body feels ‘at home’ can help resituate and reconstitute the diasporic subject. This kind of visceral approach is useful for informing the development of social policy.
Bringing It Home: A Study of the Incentives Surrounding the Repatriation of Foreign Earnings Under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004
Authors: BLOUIN JENNIFER , KRULL LINDA
Published: June 2009

The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the Act) creates a temporary tax holiday that effectively reduces the U.S. tax rate on repatriations from foreign subsidiaries from 35% to 5.25%. Firms receive the reduced tax rate by electing to take an 85% dividends received deduction on repatriations in 2004 or 2005. This paper investigates the characteristics of firms that repatriate under the Act and how they use the repatriated funds. We find that firms that repatriate under the Act have lower investment opportunities and higher free cash flows than nonrepatriating firms. Further, we find that repatriating firms increase share repurchases during 2005 by approximately $60 billion more than nonrepatriating firms, an amount that cannot be explained by differences in earnings between the two groups of firms. This increase represents about 20% of the $291.6 billion repatriated by our sample firms under the Act.
Use of Compliance Rewards in Agri‐environmental Schemes
Authors: Yano Yuki , Blandford David
Published: June 2009

Ensuring that farmers comply with the terms of agri‐environmental schemes is an important issue. This paper explores the use of a ‘compliance–reward’ approach under heterogeneous net compliance costs with respect to cost‐share working lands programmes such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in the United States. Specifically, we examine the use of a reward under asymmetric information and output price uncertainty. We examine two possible sources of financing under the assumption of budget neutrality: (i) funds obtained by reducing monitoring effort; and (ii) money saved by reducing the number of farmers enrolled. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each source of funding and analyse these numerically for both risk‐neutral and risk‐averse farmers. We also examine the trade‐off between increased expenditure on monitoring effort and compliance rewards when additional budgetary resources are available. We show that under certain conditions a compliance reward can increase compliance rates. For risk‐averse farmers, however, conditions that ensure a positive outcome become more restrictive.
Modelling Farmers’ Participation in an Agri‐environmental Scheme using Panel Data: An Application to the Rural Environment Protection Scheme in Ireland
Authors: Hynes Stephen , Garvey Eoghan
Published: June 2009

Previous studies that have attempted to model the participation decision of farmers in agri‐environmental schemes have used a static framework where it was not possible to examine changes in the participation decision of farmers over time. This is rectified in this paper by utilising an 11‐year panel that contains information on 300 farmers for each year. The structure of this dataset allows us to employ discrete time duration random effects panel data logit models to model the determinants of entering the Irish Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS). We introduce a dynamic element into a number of the models by using the random effects logit model estimator, with lagged dependent variables as additional explanatory variables. The results point to the fact that systems of farming that are more extensive and less environmentally degrading remain those most likely to participate in the REPS. In addition, the results highlight the fact that where no attempt is made to control for unobserved heterogeneity or path dependency the effects of the farm‐ and farmer‐specific characteristics may be overestimated.
Quality assessment for GPS‐supported bundle block adjustment based on aerial digital frame imagery
Authors: Yuan Xiuxiao
Published: June 2009

Accuracy and reliability are two popular indicators for assessment of the quality of aerial triangulation. This paper explores these quality indicators in relation to GPS‐supported bundle block adjustment based on aerial digital frame imagery with GPS navigation data. A set of aerial digital frame imagery, taken over hilly terrain using an SWDC‐4 area‐array digital camera made in China, was selected and used. These empirical images have superior resolution with a pixel size of 9 μm, with a ground sample distance of 10 cm and larger than traditional overlaps (80% longitudinal and 63% lateral). GPS‐supported bundle block adjustment was carried out with the WuCAPS high‐precision combined bundle block adjustment software package developed by the author. The achieved a posteriori standard deviation (rms errors of observation residuals) of the image coordinates is ±3·7 μm. The empirical accuracy of the photogrammetric point coordinates reaches ±7·1 cm for planimetry and ±4·8 cm for elevation on the ground, and the average redundancies (average components of the redundancy for one kind of observation) of the image coordinates and the camera station coordinates determined via GPS are more than 0·74 and 0·69, respectively. These results have shown that GPS‐supported aerial triangulation with aerial digital frame imagery provides higher precision and reliability; the practical height accuracy is close to its theoretical possibility; also, it avoids the use of the cross strips and lines of ground height control points on each side of the adjusted block. This not only changes the present situation, in which height accuracy is always lower than the planimetric accuracy in aerial triangulation of aerial film images, but also opens up a new prospect in which the orientation points for models for stereoplotting need not be determined by full field surveying for topographic mapping of reasonably flat terrain at medium and large scales. Therefore, this paper provides an operational basis for a broad range of applications for aerial digital imagery in national basic surveying and mapping, and the rapid production and updating of geographic information in general.
A strip adjustment procedure to mitigate the impact of inaccurate mounting parameters in parallel lidar strips
Authors: Habib Ayman F. , Kersting Ana Paula , Bang Ki‐In , Zhai Ruifang , Al‐Durgham Mohannad
Published: June 2009

Lidar (laser scanning) technology has been proven as a prominent technique for the acquisition of high‐density and accurate topographic information. Because of systematic errors in the lidar measurements (drifts in the position and orientation information and biases in the mirror angles and ranges) and/or in the parameters relating the system components (mounting parameters), adjacent lidar strips may exhibit discrepancies. Although position and orientation drifts can have a more significant impact, these errors and their impact do not come as a surprise if the quality of the GPS/INS integration process is carefully examined. Therefore, the mounting errors are singled out in this work. The ideal solution for improving the compatibility of neighbouring strips in the presence of errors in the mounting parameters is the implementation of a rigorous calibration procedure. However, such a calibration requires the original observations, which may not be usually available. In this paper, a strip adjustment procedure to improve the compatibility between parallel lidar strips with moderate flight dynamics (for example, acquired by a fixed‐wing aircraft) over an area with moderately varying elevation is proposed. The proposed method is similar to the photogrammetric block adjustment of independent models. Instead of point features, planar patches and linear features, which are represented by sets of non‐conjugate points, are used for the strip adjustment. The feasibility and the performance of the proposed procedure together with its impact on subsequent activities are illustrated using experimental results from real data.
Testing the stereoscopic precision of a large‐format digital camera
Authors: Arias Benjamín , Gómez‐Lahoz Javier
Published: June 2009

The use of large‐format digital cameras in aerial photogrammetry is leading to great improvements in photogrammetric production. Since they were first introduced about 10 years ago, the technological community has been testing and investigating the conditions under which this major change can be consolidated. But a certain (and understandable) bias may be noticed in the efforts that developers, researchers and clients are undertaking. Almost all of the efforts aim at checking the quality of automated measurements and very little attention has been directed to stereoscopic measurements by human operators, which, nevertheless, still represent an important task that needs to be carried out in the production chain. This paper presents the results from a number of tests (13 operators from a variety of enterprises) performed to check the stereoscopic precision of Vexcel UltraCamD camera images compared with Leica RC30 film images. The main conclusion to be drawn from the empirical data is that stereoscopic precision does not depend on the type of camera.
Unilateral Chronic Daily Headache in Children
Authors: Ji Teng , Mack Kenneth J.
Published: June 2009

Unilateral chronic daily headache occurs in approximately 2% of adult patients, and often represents a trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia. We now describe the characteristics of 23 children who presented with a persistently unilateral chronic daily headache. The clinical features of our patients' headaches were primarily migrainous; however, the diagnosis of a trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia or a secondary headache disorder was frequently made.
Post‐Traumatic Cluster Headache: From the Periphery to the Central Nervous System?
Authors: Lambru Giorgio , Castellini Paola , Manzoni Gian Camillo , Torelli Paola
Published: June 2009

A correlation between head trauma and cluster headache is believed to exist. We report a case of post‐traumatic episodic cluster headache that fulfills the criteria of the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd edition. The distinctive features of this case are: a close temporal relation between head trauma and headache onset; pain ipsilateral to the side of trauma; mild severity of trauma; episodic course well‐responsive to low doses of verapamil. Given the close temporal relation between the 2 events, multiple hypotheses can be advanced about a possible role of head trauma in the pathogenesis of cluster headache.
Obsessive‐Compulsive Disorder and Migraine With Medication‐Overuse Headache
Authors: Cupini Letizia Maria , De Murtas Marco , Costa Cinzia , Mancini Maria , Eusebi Paolo , Sarchielli Paola , Calabresi Paolo
Published: June 2009

Objective.— A strong association has been demonstrated between migraine, particularly in the chronic form and with medication overuse, and either major depression or various anxiety disorders. However, there has been less systematic research on the links between migraine with medication‐overuse headache (MOH) and obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD). A drug‐seeking behavior shares with OCD the compulsive quality of the behavior. We investigated the relationship between OCD and MOH in migraineurs.

Methods.— A structured questionnaire was administered to subjects with: episodic migraine (EM) (n = 30), chronic migraine (CM) (n = 24), and MOH with a previous history of EM (n = 33) and 29 control subjects. Psychiatric diagnoses were made by a senior psychiatrist blinded to the diagnosis of migraine. Psychiatric assessment of OCD illness was evaluated by means of The Yale‐Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y‐BOCS).

Results.— In the subgroup of patients with MOH, psychiatric comorbidity (anxiety and mood disorders) was prevalent compared with CM, EM, and controls (P < .0001). Subclinical OCD was significantly prevalent in MOH patients with respect to other groups (P < .0002). Higher scores in Y‐BOCS, as a measure of severity of obsessive‐compulsive symptoms, were found in both MOH and CM compared with controls and EM.

Conclusions.— The excess of psychiatric comorbidity in patients with MOH can be related either to medication overuse or to chronification of headache. Among anxiety disorders, we observed a high rate of subclinical OCD. However, a direct link between compulsive behavior and medication overuse cannot be established yet. OCD in MOH might be underdiagnosed and undertreated.
Distribution and conspicuity of intracranial abnormalities on MR imaging in adults with tuberous sclerosis complex: A comparison of sequences including ultrafast T2‐weighted images
Authors: Griffiths Paul D. , Hoggard Nigel
Published: June 2009

Purpose:  Tuberous sclerosis complex produces a wide range of intracranial pathologies, the most common being cortical tubers and subependymal nodules. This study evaluates which magnetic resonance (MR) sequences show the pathology best and to see if “ultrafast” sequences can show the pathology robustly.

Methods:  MR imaging was performed on 29 adults with tuberous sclerosis complex. Anatomically matched 5‐mm‐thick sections were taken in the axial plane using four different sequences, including single shot fast spin echo as the ultrafast method. The ability of those sequences to show cortical tubers and subependymal nodules was assessed by reporting each sequence independently and comparing with the reference standard report based on all of the sequences together.

Results:  A total of 219 cortical tubers were shown in the 29 people; three did not have cortical tubers. Cortical tubers were best delineated on fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images (false‐negative rate <0.5%) followed by the T2‐weighted images (false‐negative rate 21%). The single‐shot fast spin echo and gradient echo T2* sequences both failed to show more than 50% of cortical tubers. Subependymal nodules were shown in 24 of 29 people and the gradient echo T2* sequence showed that pathology best in all 24 cases.

Discussion:  Our study shows that single‐shot fast spin echo sequences do not sufficiently show the expected intracranial complications of tuberous sclerosis complex and should not be considered as an alternative to standard sequences in this group. Cortical tubers are shown exceptionally well on FLAIR images, whereas subependymal nodules (and calcified tubers) are best shown on gradient echo T2* images.
Evaluation of cognition, structural, and functional MRI in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
Authors: Roebling Robert , Scheerer Nico , Uttner Ingo , Gruber Oliver , Kraft Eduard , Lerche Holger
Published: June 2009

Purpose:  Previous studies using advanced imaging techniques have suggested subtle structural and functional changes in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), mainly associated with the frontal lobes. In addition, it has been reported that these patients show neuropsychological deficits, often summarized as frontal lobe dysfunction. The aim of this study was a comprehensive analysis of neuropsychological parameters, and functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in an independent cohort of patients with JME.

Methods:  We studied 19 JME patients and 20 age‐, sex‐, and education‐matched controls using a battery of standardized neuropsychological tests, optimized voxel‐based morphometry (VBM), and two domain‐specific working‐memory paradigms combined with functional MRI (fMRI).

Results:  Our investigations did not reveal statistically significant differences between the groups of JME patients and normal controls in either the VBM or the fMRI study of working memory. The neuropsychological examination showed a slightly worse performance for the JME patients across most tests used, reaching statistical significance for semantic and verbal fluency.

Conclusions:  In our cohort of JME patients, we could not reproduce the findings of frontal gray matter changes from previous studies, and we could not detect an fMRI correlate of previously reported differences in working memory in JME. The neuropsychological deficits may be attributed partially to antiepileptic medication. We conclude that structural and functional frontal lobe deficits in JME patients have to be interpreted with care. One reason for a variation between different cohorts may be the genetic heterogeneity of the disease.