bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning‐induced modulation of SK channels‐mediated effect on synaptic transmission
Authors: Brosh Inbar , Rosenblum Kobi , Barkai Edi
Published: November 2007

Although small conductance (SK)‐mediated calcium‐dependent potassium currents are usually mostly thought to modulate neuronal adaptation by suppressing repetitive spike firing, recent evidence suggests that these channels also modulate synaptic transmission. SK2 channels were shown to be activated in dendritic spines following calcium entry via N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Such activation of potassium currents terminates the NMDA‐dependent postsynaptic potential (PSP).

Synaptic potentials in pyramidal neurons in the piriform cortex from olfactory‐discrimination‐trained rats have enhanced rise time 3 days after learning, and their dendritic spines are significantly smaller at this time. In the present study we examined whether the SK channel‐mediated effect on PSPs is modified after learning.

The SK channels inhibitor, apamin, that selectively blocks the SK channels‐mediated potassium currents enhanced the width of the PSP in neurons from trained rats only. This effect is abolished in the presence of the NMDA‐channel blocker, APV. The learning‐induced reduction in paired‐pulse facilitation was not affected by apamin. Although the effect of the SK channels is increased after learning, the protein expression level of the SK2 channels, the type located in dendritic spines, was decreased after learning. The protein expression level of the SK3 channel, suggested to be located mainly in axon terminals, was not modified by learning.

We suggest that the enhanced effect of the SK channels on NMDA‐mediated synaptic transmission is the result of the reduction in the spine volume after learning. Moreover, these data indicate that spines are more excitable after learning, and are thus more predisposed to activity‐dependent modifications.
Long‐term exposure to histamine induces the expression of an embryonic‐like motor pattern in an adult nervous system
Authors: Sullivan Jeremy M. , Faumont Serge , Ducret Eric , Le Feuvre Yves , Fénelon Valérie S. , Meyrand Pierre
Published: November 2007

Neuromodulatory inputs play important roles in shaping the outputs of neural networks. While the actions of neuromodulatory substances over the short term (seconds, minutes) have been examined in detail, far less is known about the possible longer‐term (hours) effects of these substances. To investigate this issue, we used the stomatogastric nervous system (STNS) of the lobster to examine the short‐ and long‐term effects of histamine on rhythmic network activity. The application of histamine to the entire STNS had strong inhibitory effects on all three of the STNS networks, observable within minutes. In contrast, longer‐term (> 1 h) application of histamine induced the expression of a single, unified rhythm involving neurons from all three networks. Selective application of histamine to different regions of the STNS demonstrated that a unified rhythm arises following the long‐term application of histamine to the commissural ganglia (CoGs; modulatory centres), but not the stomatogastric ganglion (site of neural networks). Strikingly, the single rhythm observed following the long‐term application of histamine to the CoGs exhibits many similarities with the single rhythm expressed by the embryonic STNS. Together, these results demonstrate that histamine has markedly different short‐ and long‐term effects on network activity; short‐term effects arising through direct actions on the networks and long‐term effects mediated by actions on modulatory neurons. Furthermore, they indicate that histamine is able to induce the expression of an embryonic‐like rhythm in an adult system, suggesting that long‐term actions of histamine may play key roles in the development of the STNS networks.
The demise of the instant/unprepared contrast enema in large bowel obstruction
Authors: Jacob S. E. , Lee S. H. , Hill J.
Published: November 2007

Objective  Imaging the colon in suspected acute large bowel obstruction (LBO) is traditionally carried out with a supine abdominal X‐ray (AXR) and erect chest X‐ray. If there is no clinical or radiological evidence to suggest a perforation, then an unprepared barium or water‐soluble contrast enema (CE) can be performed to confirm the presence of and demonstrate the site of obstruction. The advent of modern, fast multidetector CT (MDCT) scanners has changed management strategies for acute abdominal conditions including suspected LBO in all groups of patients especially the elderly, infirm and those on ITU/HDU.

Method  A retrospective case note analysis was carried over a 7‐year period in a single centre. The study criteria involved investigation of suspected LBO with CE, CT and MDCT.

Results  It showed a reduction in the number of contrast enemas performed.

Conclusion  MDCT was shown to be more accurate in the diagnosis of LBO, is usually available on a 24‐h basis, and in many institutions has replaced the urgent CE in this group of patients. This also has the advantage of excluding incidental findings and in staging malignant disease.
Analysis of renal cell carcinoma with subdiaphragmatic macroscopic venous invasion (T3b)
Authors: Klaver Sjoerd , Joniau Steven , Suy Raphael , Oyen Raymond , Van Poppel Hein
Published: November 2007

OBJECTIVE

To review our institutional experience of surgery for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with subdiaphragmatic macroscopic venous invasion (T3b) and to assess variables associated with cancer‐specific survival (CSS), as the stratification of RCC with venous involvement (T3b and T3c) is subject to debate.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the hospital records of patients who underwent a radical nephrectomy with resection of subdiaphragmatic tumour thrombus (T T) between October 1990 and May 2006. The log‐rank and Cox uni‐ and multivariate regression analysis were used to evaluate predictive factors for CSS.

RESULTS

In all, 101 cases were identified. In the N0M0 group, univariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that ipsilateral adrenal gland invasion, Mayo Clinic level of T T, histological subtype and fat invasion were significantly associated with worse CSS. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, only Mayo Clinic level of T T was an independent predictor for CSS. In the subgroup with renal vein involvement only, the median CSS was not reached. In the subgroups with level I, II and III T T involvement, the median CSS was 69, 26 and 21 months, respectively. In the N+ and/or M+ group, only tumour size and type were independent predictors of CSS, while the level of T T was not. Radical nephrectomy yielded poor results with a median CSS of 13 months.

CONCLUSION

The Mayo Clinic level of T T is an independent prognostic predictor for CSS in non‐metastatic T3b RCC. We strongly support the need for re‐classification of the currently applied 2002 Tumour‐Node‐Metastasis staging system, which in its present form does not discriminate between levels of subdiaphragmatic venous invasion.
Model uncertainty in the ecosystem approach to fisheries
Authors: Hill Simeon L. , Watters George M. , Punt André E. , McAllister Murdoch K. , Quéré Corinne Le , Turner John
Published: November 2007

Fisheries scientists habitually consider uncertainty in parameter values, but often neglect uncertainty about model structure, an issue of increasing importance as ecosystem models are devised to support the move to an ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF). This paper sets out pragmatic approaches with which to account for uncertainties in model structure and we review current ways of dealing with this issue in fisheries and other disciplines. All involve considering a set of alternative models representing different structural assumptions, but differ in how those models are used. The models can be asked to identify bounds on possible outcomes, find management actions that will perform adequately irrespective of the true model, find management actions that best achieve one or more objectives given weights assigned to each model, or formalize hypotheses for evaluation through experimentation. Data availability is likely to limit the use of approaches that involve weighting alternative models in an ecosystem setting, and the cost of experimentation is likely to limit its use. Practical implementation of an EAF should therefore be based on management approaches that acknowledge the uncertainty inherent in model predictions and are robust to it. Model results must be presented in ways that represent the risks and trade‐offs associated with alternative actions and the degree of uncertainty in predictions. This presentation should not disguise the fact that, in many cases, estimates of model uncertainty may be based on subjective criteria. The problem of model uncertainty is far from unique to fisheries, and a dialogue among fisheries modellers and modellers from other scientific communities will therefore be helpful.
Monounsaturates in the diet
Authors: Lunn J.
Published: November 2007

Summary  Monounsaturates (MUFA) are not essential components of the diet as the body can synthesise all it needs to function properly. However, they are present in many foods, such as meat, dairy products and nuts, and contribute to approximately 15% of the total fatty acids in the UK diet. The most common MUFA is oleic acid, which accounts for 92% of dietary MUFA; 60–80% of this is derived from olive oil. There are no formal recommendations for MUFAs in the diet in the UK. However, a population average of 13% arises by difference when recommendations for saturates (SFA) and polyunsaturates are taken into account. Average population total fat intakes in the UK are around the recommended 35% of food energy; however, currently intake of SFAs is a little higher than recommended. Scope to address this problem exists by way of a shift from food sources of SFAs to those higher in MUFAs.

Detecting associations between diet and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer is not an easy task. However, there is accumulating evidence suggestive of a protective effect of a Mediterranean‐style diet (i.e. a diet low in SFAs and rich in MUFAs) against coronary heart disease, certain cancers and type 2 diabetes. The Mediterranean diet is a complex dietary exposure and intakes of fruits, vegetables and wholegrains are also higher. However, further investigation has identified MUFAs as having independent health benefits, protecting against coronary heart disease, diabetes and cancer as well as favourably affecting a number of risk factors for these diseases including hypertension, insulin sensitivity, plasma lipoprotein concentrations and factors related to blood clotting.

To address the current imbalance of fatty acids in the UK diet, sources of SFAs could be replaced by foods containing MUFAs. This will have a twofold benefit in chronic disease outcomes, reducing cardiovascular disease risk by replacing dietary SFAs, as well as affording a degree of protection against other diseases. The extent of dietary change required is not actually that great; the substitution of 12 g of SFA with 12 g of MUFA (possible by a modest, albeit significant change in dietary patterns) in a 2200 kcal diet will increase MUFA from 14% to 19% of energy (SFA will decrease from 13% to 8%). One approach to achieve an improvement in the fatty acid profile of the diet is to alter the nutrient composition of foods that are commonly consumed so that they are ‘healthier’. This way, people do not have to make radical changes to their lives and they can continue eating the foods that theyare used to. Such approaches include the use of oils with a high oleic acid content. These have been produced by conventional breeding methods and can be easily used in the food‐manufacturing industry.
Dimensions of Social Capital and Firm Competitiveness Improvement: The Mediating Role of Information Sharing
Authors: Wu Wei‐ping
Published: November 2007

abstract  This study investigates the mediating role of information sharing in the relationships between dimensions of social capital and firm competitiveness, thereby positing a possible explanation for the divergent empirical results of the social capital–performance relationship in the existing literature. The study uses a sample of 108 Hong Kong‐based Chinese family‐owned firms from the manufacturing sector. Largely supporting the theoretical predictions, the results from multiple regression and structural equation model tests show that information sharing plays a mediating role in the relationships between three dimensions of social capital (trust, network ties, and repeated transactions) and firm competitiveness improvement.
The Puzzle of Group Ranch Subdivision in Kenya's Maasailand
Authors: Mwangi Esther
Published: November 2007

This article explores the motivations underlying Maasai pastoralists' support for the subdivision and parcellization of their collectively held group ranches, an outcome that is inconsistent with theoretical expectation. Examining four group ranches that formed part of the wave of subdivisions that occurred in the 1980s, it finds that Maasai herders were inclined to support subdivision in order to capture gains in a new property assignment or to reduce distributional disadvantages within the status quo. Importantly, however, subdivision also emerged as a critical defensive strategy against internal and external threats to Maasai land claims. Incorporating this defensive strategy (aimed at securing individual claims) within the individual's calculus for seeking exclusive rights provides insights into why a theoretically unexpected property rights transformation took place.
It's the Inside that Counts? An Explorative Analysis of Finnish Parties’ Opinions Concerning the Importance and Use of Their Websites, and Website Contents, in Relation to Party Characteristics
Authors: Strandberg Kim
Published: November 2007

According to one theoretical point of view, the character of a political party, especially its general goals, would be reflected in the contents of its website. In this article, the plausibility of this view, which is called an ‘actor‐constructivist’ view in the article, is explored by means of a twofold analysis. The Finnish parties’ opinions concerning the importance and use of their websites, and the contents of their websites, are both analysed for potential linkages to four party traits: party goals, party organisation, party size and type of voters. The data consists of a questionnaire sent to the Finnish parties’ leading information officials. Additionally, a quantitative content analysis of the party websites found in January 2006 was conducted. Two separate automatic cluster algorithms were run in order to identify groups of parties based on the questionnaire and the content analysis. These groups were then explored for potential connections to the party traits. The main findings of the study are that the Finnish parties’ internal ‘view’ of their websites does not appear traceable to any of the party traits; the view varies from party to party and can hardly be used for generalisations concerning parties in general. However, the contents of the party websites appeared related to party size inasmuch as the websites of all parliamentary parties were significantly richer on information and more sophisticated in presentation than those of the parties outside parliament. The article also serves to demonstrate the difficulty of applying the ‘actor‐contructivist’ view in empirical research.
Inversion revisited:dai halne– a Himalayan inversion of hierarchy and trust
Authors: Daryn Gil
Published: November 2007

This article critically re‐examines and challenges the major anthropological approaches to the analysis of behaviour or events that constitute an inversion to everyday norms and values. It was generally thought that the presentation or enactment of a minor antithesis (inversion) against the backdrop of a major thesis (ordinary life) necessarily consolidates the latter. Consequently, it was assumed that inversion is conservative in nature and scholarly attention was diverted from the possibility that inversion may deal with deep indigenous concerns other than normative social order. The analysis of a multi‐faceted inversion from central Nepal offers a different approach, demonstrating that inversion is more complex and divergent than previously thought. It is argued that inversion should be regarded as a cultural mechanism or mode of social behaviour whose meaning and content are not inherently embedded in its structure, but determined by its specific cultural and social contexts. A focus on local perceptions of self and the other provides an additional, unique insight into Hindu social perceptions and fluid notions of personhood and trust.

L'auteur examine et remet en question d'un point de vue critique les approches anthropologiques majeures du comportement ou des événements constituant une inversion des normes et valeurs quotidiennes. Il est généralement admis que la présentation ou la réalisation d'une antithèse mineure (inversion) dans le contexte d'une thèse majeure (vie ordinaire) consolide nécessairement cette dernière. On pensait en conséquence que l'inversion était par nature conservatrice, et l'attention des chercheurs a été détournée de la possibilité que l'inversion renvoie à des préoccupations indigènes profondes ayant trait à autre chose qu'à l'ordre social normatif. L'analyse d'une inversion à multiples facettes dans le centre du Népal offre une approche différente, démontrant que l'inversion est plus complexe et divergente qu'on ne le pensait jusqu'à présent. L'auteur affirme que l'inversion devrait être considérée comme un mécanisme culturel ou un mode de comportement social dont la signification et le contenu ne sont pas inhérents à sa structure, mais déterminés par son contexte culturel et social spécifique. L'étude de la perception de soi et de l'autre au niveau local donne un aperçu supplémentaire et unique des perceptions sociales hindoues et des notions mouvantes de personnalité et de confiance.
Anthropomorphism or sub‐anthropomorphism? An anthropological approach to gods and robots
Authors: Vidal Denis
Published: November 2007

Since the 1980s, a new area of research entitled HRI (Human‐Robot Interaction) has been emerging in the field of robotic studies. It focuses on the empirical study of the relationship between robots and human beings. This article aims to contrast the findings of roboticists concerning the interaction between humans and robots with anthropological studies which focus on the ritual interaction between gods and humans in specific religious contexts. This idea may seem provocative, but it is argued here that such a comparison can yield valuable insights both at a theoretical level and at an empirical one. This will be demonstrated with reference to ritual interactions between humans and gods in the Western Himalayas.

Depuis les années 1980, un nouveau domaine d'étude appelé HRI (Human‐Robot Interaction) est apparu dans la recherche en robotique. Il s'agit d'une étude empirique des relations entre robots et êtres humains. Le présent article met en regard les observations de roboticiens sur les interactions entre humains et robots et les études anthropologiques consacrées à l'interaction entre dieux et humains dans des contextes religieux spécifiques. Pour provocatrice qu'elle puisse paraître, cette comparaison peut constituer une approche intéressante, du point de vue théorique aussi bien qu'empirique. L'auteur le démontre en référence à des interactions rituelles entre hommes et dieux dans les massifs occidentaux de l'Himalaya.
Being and place: movement, ancestors, and personhood in East Java, Indonesia
Authors: Retsikas Konstantinos
Published: November 2007

This article is about the transformation of the frontier character of East Java and the impact that such a transformation and the migrations that precipitated it have on forms of personhood in a specific locality. Within this context, it enquires into the capacities of human subjects to create place and the capacity of place to create persons. In particular, it looks at the ways in which memories, kinship, and ritual practices are spatialized and the manner in which such practices, once solidified and coagulated into topographies that map social relations, give rise to particular conceptions of place and personhood as mutually constituting and equally fluid and alterable.

L'auteur traite de la transformation du caractère de frontière de l'est de Java et de l'impact de cette transformation et des migrations qui l'ont suscitée sur la notion de personne dans une localité spécifique. Dans ce contexte, il étudie la capacité des êtres humains à créer des lieux et la capacité des lieux à créer des personnes. Il examine en particulier la manière dont les souvenirs, la parenté et les pratiques rituelles sont spatialisés et dont ces pratiques, une fois agglomérées dans des topographies représentant les relations sociales, suscitent des conceptions particulières du lieu et de la personne comme constitutifs l'un de l'autre et tout aussi mouvants et changeant l'un que l'autre.
Shadow Employment and Labor Productivity Dynamics
Authors: Bovi Maurizio
Published: November 2007

Abstract.  This paper offers theoretical and empirical insights on the anecdotal ‘buffer hypothesis’, i.e. the view that the shadow employment functions as an improper tool for increasing the labor market flexibility. Official data for Italy support the premise. Although the contemporaneous correlation between Hodrick–Prescott‐detrended shadow labor and output is positive and significant, as time passes their association looses momentum. The opposite is found for the regular employees. Because of their lower productivity level, the cyclical response of the hidden workers affects the short‐term profile of the overall labor productivity. It adds new hints on the still puzzling 1990s productivity dynamics.
Hidden Unemployment in Disability Insurance
Authors: Koning Pierre , Van Vuuren Daniel
Published: November 2007

Abstract.  We estimate the fraction of hidden unemployment in the disability insurance (DI) inflow rate on the basis of a longitudinal administrative data set of Dutch employers for the period 1994–2003. This fraction can be identified by imposing so‐called exclusion restrictions on variables that are thought to impact the layoff rate but not disability risk. We find that the fraction of hidden unemployment in DI inflow amounts to 11 per cent. This implies that 2.6 per cent of all layoffs took place via the DI scheme. In addition, we find that this share has declined substantially over time, suggesting that various policy measures taken have been effective.
OBSERVABLE MANAGERIAL INCENTIVES AND SPATIAL COMPETITION
Authors: Scalera Domenico , Zazzaro Alberto
Published: November 2007

In this paper we investigate the relationship between product market competition and managerial incentives within a circular city model with observable agency contracts. With respect to the case of unobservability studied by Raith (2003), we find that optimal managerial contracts provide lower incentives, and that equilibrium expected prices and profits are higher. Changes in competition fundamentals have ambiguous effects, but observable contracts alleviate their impact on incentives. Finally, observability involves three major implications: managerial incentives are higher under price regulation than under competition; prices may increase with the number of firms; consumer welfare may diminish when competition increases.
LONG‐RUN RISING SUPPLY PRICE AND THE NUMÉRAIRE
Authors: Opocher Arrigo , Steedman Ian
Published: November 2007

When a set of industries is kept in long‐run equilibrium, it is never possible to change just one price at a time. But when various (or all) prices are changing, the direction of change of any one price can depend on the numéraire adopted. What does it mean, then, to say that a long‐run supply curve is upward (or downward) sloping? Can this qualitative property be independent of the numéraire in terms of which the product price is being measured? In general, it cannot.
ARE INTENTIONS REASONS?
Authors: BRUNERO JOHN
Published: November 2007

Abstract:  This paper presents an objection to the view that intentions provide reasons and shows how this objection is also inherited by the more commonly accepted Tie‐Breaker view, according to which intentions provide reasons only in tie‐break situations. The paper also considers and rejects T. M. Scanlon's argument for the Tie‐Breaker view and argues that philosophers might be drawn to accept the problematic Tie‐Breaker view by confusing it with a very similar, unproblematic view about the relation between intentions and reasons in tie‐break situations.
A (SELLARSIAN) KANTIAN CRITIQUE OF HUME'S THEORY OF CONCEPTS
Authors: LANDY DAVID
Published: November 2007

Abstract:  In A Treatise of Human Nature, Hume attempts to explain all human cognition in terms of impressions, ideas, and their qualities, behaviors, and relations. This explanation includes a complicated attempted reduction of beliefs, or judgments, to single ideas. This paper attempts to demonstrate one of the inadequacies of this approach, and any of its kind (any attempted reduction of judgments to their constituent parts, single or multiple) via an argument concerning the logical forms of judgment found implicitly in Kant's Critique of Pure Reason, and more explicitly in the works of Wilfrid Sellars.
School Absenteeism and the Implementation of Truancy‐Related Penalty Notices
Authors: ZHANG MING
Published: November 2007

This paper derives from the author's recent research into disadvantaged children's access to compulsory education in England. Examining the national attendance strategies and practice, the author interrogates the current trend towards a more punitive approach to addressing the problem of school absenteeism while debating the issue of irresponsible parents in terms of parental responsibility. Using the data collected from 150 Local Education Authorities and a survey among Education Welfare managers, the research study reported in this paper measures the association between authorities' readiness to issue penalty notices and the change made in pupils' absence rates between 2004 and 2006. Presenting the findings of the research study, the author argues that truancy is a complex social and historical issue and that poor parenting is itself a symptom of several underlying social problems and the circle of disadvantage. Therefore, the findings of the study call for more efforts and measures to address the underlying social problems and to break the circle of disadvantage of the families that most truanting children come from.
Acute subcortical stroke and early serotonergic modification: a IDAP study
Authors: Rocco A. , Afra J. , Toscano M. , Sirimarco G. , Di Clemente L. , Altieri M. , Lenzi G. L. , Di Piero V.
Published: November 2007

The intensity dependence of the auditory‐evoked potentials (IDAP) is inversely related to serotonergic tone. Depression is frequently observed after stroke, associated with cognitive impairment and increased mortality. Aim of this study was to investigate the serotonergic tone in acute stroke patients by IDAP. Consecutive patients with an acute stroke admitted in our stroke unit were evaluated using clinical and instrumental examinations and compared with healthy controls. The IDAP was calculated as the linear amplitude/stimulus intensity function (ASF) slope, by measuring the peak‐to‐peak amplitude of Nl‐P2 on four blocks of different stimulus intensities. Twenty patients were enrolled; 11 had a right brain infarction; nine had depressive symptoms (DS). The ASF slope of the auditory‐evoked potentials was markedly increased in stroke patients compared with controls (P = 0.021). Stroke patients with DS had a significant steeper ASF slope than controls (P = 0.017). There was no statistical difference in ASF slope between stroke patients without DS and controls. Post‐stroke depression pathophysiology is still debated. Our study suggests that in acute stroke patients with DS, there is a direct involvement of the serotonergic system, regardless the degree of disability and the site of the lesion.
Imbalances in circulating lymphocyte subsets in Hu antibody associated paraneoplastic neurological syndromes
Authors: De Beukelaar J. W. , Smitt P. A. Sillevis , Hop W. C. , Kraan J. , Hooijkaas H. , Verjans G. M. G. M. , Gratama J. W.
Published: November 2007

In paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) associated with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and Hu antibodies, neuron‐specific Hu antigens expressed by the tumour hypothetically trigger an immune response that cross‐reacts with Hu antigens in the nervous system, resulting in tumour suppression and neuronal damage. To gain more insight into the hypothesized cell‐mediated immune pathogenesis of these syndromes, we analysed the circulating lymphocyte subsets in untreated patients with SCLC, PNS and Hu antibodies (n = 18), SCLC without PNS (n = 19) and controls (n = 29) using flow cytometry. SCLC patients with PNS had a variety of imbalances within their circulating lymphocyte subsets as compared with SCLC patients without PNS and healthy controls: (i) a lymphopenia of the major subsets (i.e. B, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes); (ii) increased proportions of activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells; (iii) reduced numbers of terminally differentiated effector CD8+ T cells and cells with a cytotoxic T‐cell phenotype (CD56+ and CD57+). Although indirect, our data provide further support for the involvement of T cells in the pathogenesis of Hu antibody associated PNS.
Acute symptomatic seizures in CNS infection
Authors: Kim M. A. , Park K. M. , Kim S. E. , Oh M. K.
Published: November 2007

To determine the frequency and aetiology of acute symptomatic seizures in central nervous system (CNS) infections and to assess the clinical factors predicting the occurrence of the seizures, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with CNS infections from 2000 to 2005. One hundred and forty‐seven patients were included in the study. The clinical variables between those with and without acute symptomatic seizures were compared. Of the 147 patients, 23% (34/147) had acute symptomatic seizures. A significant relation between clinical variables and the occurrence of acute symptomatic seizures was found: encephalitis as the aetiology of the CNS infection, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ≤12, and neurological deficits. By multiple logistic regression analysis, age of onset >42 years, encephalitis, and GCS ≤12 were found to be independently significant clinical variables for predicting the occurrence of acute symptomatic seizures. Encephalitis and GCS ≤12 are significant clinical variables for predicting the occurrence of acute symptomatic seizures in CNS infection, suggesting that patients with a greater extent of parenchymal damage are more vulnerable to acute symptomatic seizures.
Ethics of studies involving human volunteers I. Historical background
Authors: Carson P. A. , Holt J.
Published: November 2007

The evaluation of personal products using panels of human volunteers is crucial to the continued development of the industry. Nowadays, however, it is increasingly important to ensure that such studies are both safe for the participants and are ethical. As a means of defining general rules for judging and justifying the ethics of human testing, historical milestones in the development of human experimentation are given. While most experience originates from biomedical research, findings help establish standards of ethical review of non‐therapeutic human testing used in the cosmetics industry.
Hair breakage during combing. II. Impact loading and hair breakage
Authors: Robbins C.
Published: November 2007

During combing of hair, short fiber fragmentation (<2.5 cm) and longer segment breaks occur by different pathways. Longer fiber breaks most likely occur principally by impact loading. Impact loading causes hair breakage at lower loads than tensile loading, with essentially no increase in strain vs. normal tensile testing, which produces large strain increases. Strain rates in impact loading are more similar to combing rates than rates of extension in tensile loading, and the looped and crossed hair formations in snags fit impact‐load breakage better than simple extension of straight/non‐crossed hairs in tensile testing. Extension or impacting hair fibers with flaws or damaged hair sections such as damaged wrapped ends produces short fiber fragmentation, while longer segment breaks may be produced in fibers with natural flaws such as fiber twists, cracks, or badly abraded or chemically weakened hair or even knots.
Equilibrium water sorption characteristics of the human nail
Authors: Gunt Hemali B. , Kasting Gerald B.
Published: November 2007

The physical and transport properties of keratinized tissues are closely related to their water content. This report presents water uptake and desorption isotherms for the human nail and compares them with those of wool, horn, hair, and stratum corneum. Nail absorbed a maximum of ~0.3 gH2O/g dry tissue, with the shape and magnitude of the isotherm most closely resembling horn. Hysteresis between uptake and desorption was observed, similar to that of other keratins. The shape of the isotherms was adequately described by both the D’Arcy‐Watt and Guggenheim‐Anderson‐deBoer (GAB) models; however, small positive deviations from both models were found in the relative humidity range, 30–60%. Directionally better fits to the data were found with the D’Arcy‐Watt model. This analysis suggests that most of the water in the tissue was in a strongly bound state, consistent with observations made by other techniques.
Global and systematic demonstration for the practical usage of a direct in vivo measurement system to evaluate wrinkles
Authors: Fujimura T. , Haketa K. , Hotta M. , Kitahara T.
Published: November 2007

Synopsis

The global and systematic demonstration for the practical usage of a direct three‐dimensional in vivo measurement system (PRIMOS) to evaluate wrinkles was investigated. Ten repetitive measurements of the corner of the eye of a subject showed that the coefficient of variation (CV)% value was 7.0% in a typical line‐length roughness parameter Ra (the arithmetic mean of roughness), and that the CV% value in a typical surface area roughness parameter Sa was 2.4%. The relationships between the roughness values obtained from the corners of the eye and the age or wrinkle scores of Japanese women aged 10–70 years was examined. The values of several roughness parameters within the evaluation line length or surface area increased with age and showed a good correlation coefficient (r > 0.743). Similar relationships between the wrinkle scores and the values of roughness parameters were observed (r > 0.699). The roughness values were widely distributed even in the same wrinkle score because the measurement areas were limited and the values of skin roughness, including the microreliefs and/or small warts, were included in the calculation. However, changes in roughness values are considerable following treatment with potent active ingredients such as retinoic acid, so that this in vivo evaluation method is sufficient to objectively evaluate wrinkles. We conclude that the direct three‐dimensional analysis of wrinkles in vivo should become a popular method to objectively evaluate wrinkles in clinical tests of wrinkle‐smoothing ingredients or following cosmetic surgery to provide evidence of quantitative results.
In vitro assessment of water resistance of sun care products: a reproducible and optimized in vitro test method
Authors: Pissavini M. , Alard V. , Heinrich U. , Jenni K. , Perier V. , Tournier V. , Lutz D. , Meloni M. , Kockott D. , Ferrero L. , Gonzalez B. , Zastrow L. , Tronnier H.
Published: November 2007

Synopsis

The aim of the study was to develop a simple reproducible and reliable in vitro water resistance (WR) method to assess the sun care products. This paper is the result of a scientific collaboration between seven different international industrial laboratories and testing institutes. The same group has already achieved an in vitro protocol for the sun protection factor (SPF) determination [1]. The in vitro WR of sunscreens was tested by applying the same principle as in vivo, which determines the percentage of retention of sunscreen products by assessing the SPF before and after water immersion. Special care was taken to study the parameters influencing the WR and the possibility to follow the kinetics of sunscreen retention during water immersion. The influence of different water qualities has been tested, and osmosed water (1–3 μS cm–1) was chosen for the main ring study. Measurement was carried out after 5, 20 and 40 min of immersion. Histograms of selected products demonstrate the percentage of WR at all measuring times and centres, and the regression coefficient to the in vivo determination was shown and statistical calculations clearly demonstrate the reproducibility of the results between the different evaluation centres. The presented method is a practical, convenient and relevant tool for WR screening of sun care and skin care products. It even has the potential to be the starting point for the replacement of the in vivo method in future.
Incompetence of Internal Jugular Valve in Patients with Primary Exertional Headache: A Risk Factor?
Authors: Doepp F , Valdueza JM , Schreiber SJ
Published: November 2007

The pathophysiology of primary exertional headache (EH) is unknown. Physical exertion is associated with Valsalva-like manoeuvres (VM). VM leads to increased intrathoracic pressure and reduces cerebral venous drainage. Internal jugular vein valve incompetence (IJVVI) leads to retrograde venous flow during VM with transient increase of intracranial pressure. We analysed the prevalence of IJVVI in EH patients using duplex ultrasound. Bilateral measurements were performed at rest and during VM in 20 patients and 40 controls. Incompetence was concluded if retrograde venous flow could be seen in the jugular Doppler spectrum during repeated VM. Seventy percent of EH patients and 20% of controls demonstrated IJVVI, yielding a significant difference ( P = 0.0004). IJVVI was always observed on the dominant venous drainage side. Our study suggests that intracranial venous congestion caused by retrograde jugular venous flow might play a role in the pathophysiology of EH with IJVVI as a risk factor.
Efficacy and safety of cryotherapy vs. trichloroacetic acid in the treatment of solar lentigo
Authors: Raziee M , Balighi K , Shabanzadeh‐Dehkordi H , Robati RM
Published: November 2007

Background  Solar lentigines are common sun‐induced benign melanocytic proliferation that presents a significant cosmetic worrying for many middle‐aged and elderly patients. Although the newer photoselective lasers have become the mainstay of treatment, cryotherapy and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) solution are inexpensive alternatives in the treatment of solar lentigines. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of cryotherapy compared with TCA 33% on solar lentigines of the back of the hands (SLBH) in patients presenting to dermatologic clinic of our hospital.

Methods  Each hand of 25 women with SLBH was treated randomly with either cryotherapy or TCA 33% solution. Photographs of the hands were taken prior to and 2 months following the treatment. The response and side‐ effect rate were compared.

Results  Cryotherapy was more likely to produce substantial lightening of the solar lentigines than TCA 33% solution (P = 0.025) but more painful and took more time to heal. Post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) was almost equal in two types of treatment (P > 0.05). Statistically, the better results were seen in fairer Fitzpatrick's skin types (P = 0.00).

Conclusion  Cryotherapy shows better results than TCA 33% solution in the treatment of SLBH particularly in lower Fitzpatrick skin types. PIH is the major complication of each type of treatments particularly in darker Fitzpatrick skin types. Generally, the major criterion for treatment of SLBH with cryotherapy or TCA is Fitzpatrick's skin type of patients.
Dual‐specificity tyrosine(Y)‐phosphorylation regulated kinase 1A‐mediated phosphorylation of amyloid precursor protein: evidence for a functional link between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Ryoo Soo‐Ryoon , Cho Hyun‐Jeong , Lee Hye‐Won , Jeong Hey Kyeong , Radnaabazar Chinzorig , Kim Yeun‐Soo , Kim Min‐Jeong , Son Mi‐Young , Seo Hyemyung , Chung Sul‐Hee , Song Woo‐Joo
Published: November 2007

Most individuals with Down Syndrome (DS) show an early‐onset of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which potentially results from the presence of an extra copy of a segment of chromosome 21. Located on chromosome 21 are the genes that encode β‐amyloid (Aβ) precursor protein (APP ), a key protein involved in the pathogenesis of AD, and dual‐specificity tyrosine(Y)‐phosphorylation regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A ), a proline‐directed protein kinase that plays a critical role in neurodevelopment. Here, we describe a potential mechanism for the regulation of AD pathology in DS brains by DYRK1A‐mediated phosphorylation of APP. We show that APP is phosphorylated at Thr668 by DYRK1A in vitro and in mammalian cells. The amounts of phospho‐APP and Aβ are increased in the brains of transgenic mice that over‐express the human DYRK1A protein. Furthermore, we show that the amounts of phospho‐APP as well as those of APP and DYRK1A are elevated in human DS brains. Taken together, these results reveal a potential regulatory link between APP and DYRK1A in DS brains, and suggest that the over‐expression of DYRK1A in DS may play a role in accelerating AD pathogenesis through phosphorylation of APP.
Modulation of hSlo BK current inactivation by fatty acid esters of CoA
Authors: Sun Xiaolu , Yao Hang , Zhou Dan , Gu Xiang , Haddad Gabriel G.
Published: November 2007

Lipid metabolism influences membrane proteins, including ion channels, in health and disease. Fatty acid esters of CoA are important intermediates in fatty acid metabolism and lipid biosynthesis. In the present study, we examined the effect of acyl‐CoAs on hSlo BK currents. Arachidonoyl‐CoA (C20‐CoA) induced β2‐dependent inhibition of hSlo‐α current when applied intracellularly but not extracellularly. This action was also mimicked by other long‐chain acyl‐CoAs such as oleoyl‐CoA (C18‐CoA) and palmitoyl‐CoA (C16‐CoA), but not acetyl‐CoA (C2‐CoA, shorter chain), suggesting that the length of acyl chains, rather than CoA headgroups, is critical. When hSlo‐α inactivation was induced by a free synthetic cationic β2 NH2‐terminus inactivation ball peptide, long‐chain acyl‐CoAs inhibited hSlo‐α current and facilitated inactivation. The precursor fatty acids also facilitated the ball peptide‐induced inactivation in a chain length‐dependent manner, whereas sphingosine (positively charged) slowed this inactivation. When the β2‐induced inactivation was compared with that of the ball peptide, there was a negative shift in the steady state inactivation, slower recovery, and a reduced voltage‐dependence of inactivation onset. These data suggest that electrostatic interactions with the cytosolic inactivation domain of β2 mediate acyl‐CoA modulation of BK currents. BK channel inactivation may be a specific target for lipid modulation in physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
Stereoselective renal tubular secretion of levocetirizine and dextrocetirizine, the two enantiomers of the H1‐antihistamine cetirizine
Authors: Strolin Benedetti M. , Whomsley R. , Mathy F.‐X. , Jacques P. , Espie P. , Canning M.
Published: November 2007

Competition for uptake and/or efflux transporters can be responsible for drug interactions. Cetirizine is mainly eliminated unchanged in urine through both glomerular filtration and tubular secretion. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the eutomer, levocetirizine, and the distomer, dextrocetirizine, have a similar tubular secretion. The renal clearance associated with tubular secretion was calculated from the renal clearance of levocetirizine and dextrocetirizine obtained in a study in healthy volunteers. The values of the unbound fraction in plasma were obtained in an in vitro study of the binding of 14C‐cetirizine and 14C‐levocetirizine to human plasma proteins using equilibrium dialysis and chiral high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with on‐line liquid scintillation counting. The unbound fraction was 0.074 for levocetirizine and 0.141 for dextrocetirizine. The tubular secretion of dextrocetirizine (44.5 mL/min) is higher than that of levocetirizine (23.1 mL/min), which may have consequences for drug interactions at the renal level. The higher tubular secretion for dextrocetirizine may be due to the higher free fraction available for secretion or to a higher affinity for (a) renal transporter(s) mediating the secretion pathway.
Haemodynamic changes after spinal cord transection are anaesthetic agent dependent
Authors: Leal P. R. , Lima R. C. , Lopes A. C. , Da Graça J. R. V. , Santos A. A , Rola F. H. , Gondim F. de A. A.
Published: November 2007

1 To evaluate the effect of high spinal cord transection (SCT), between T4 and T5, on the mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate in animals anaesthetized with different anaesthetic agents: ether (n = 12), 20% urethane, 1.2 g kg−1 (n = 12), 2% tri‐bromide‐ethanol, 200 mg kg−1 (n = 12); chloral hydrate and urethane, 75 and 525 mg kg−1 respectively (n = 12).

2 In the animals anaesthetized with ether or urethane, SCT caused an immediate major drop in MAP, with hypotension and bradycardia throughout the next 10 min. In the animals anaesthetized with urethane + chloralose or tri‐bromide‐ethanol, SCT transiently increased MAP with subsequent hypotension and bradycardia.

3 In summary, the haemodynamic changes after complete, high SCT are anaesthetic agent dependent. Further research about the exact mechanisms responsible for these diverse autonomic changes is warranted.
Computer‐assisted calculation of myocardial infarct size shortens the evaluation time of contrast‐enhanced cardiac MRI
Authors: Rosendahl Lene , Blomstrand Peter , Heiberg Einar , Ohlsson Jan , Björklund Per‐Gunnar , Ahlander Britt‐Marie , Engvall Jan
Published: November 2007

Background:  Delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging depicts scar in the left ventricle which can be quantitatively measured. Manual segmentation and scar determination is time consuming. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a software for infarct quantification, to compare with manual scar determination, and to measure the time saved.

Methods:  Delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 40 patients where myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography imaging showed irreversible uptake reduction suggesting a myocardial scar. After segmentation, the semi‐automatic software was applied. A scar area was displayed, which could be corrected and compared with manual delineation. The different time steps were recorded with both methods.

Results:  The software shortened the average evaluation time by 12·4 min per cardiac exam, compared with manual delineation. There was good correlation of myocardial volume, infarct volume and infarct percentage (%) between the two methods, r = 0·95, r = 0·92 and r = 0·91 respectively.

Conclusion:  A computer software for myocardial volume and infarct size determination cut the evaluation time by more than 50% compared with manual assessment, with maintained clinical accuracy.