bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distance of the Motor Cortex from the Coronal Suture as a Function of Age
Authors: Rivet Dennis J. , O’Brien Donncha F. , Park T.S. , Ojemann Jeffrey G.
Published: May 2005

Objective: This study was performed to investigate whether the distance from the motor cortex to the coronal suture changes with age. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of the charts of pediatric patients who had undergone frontoparietal implantation of subdural grids for long-term video-EEG monitoring during an evaluation for seizure surgery from 1995 to 2001. Cortical mapping was performed in 17 patients to localize the motor cortex. On postimplantation lateral skull radiographs, the coronal suture was identified at its medial aspect, and the anterior-posterior distance was measured to the electrodes overlying motor cortex. Results: Ages ranged from 10 months to 14.6 years with a mean of 8.6 years. The mean distance from the coronal suture to the motor cortex was 31.5 mm (±7 mm). The location of the motor cortex correlated significantly with age (rs = 0.84, p < 0.0005) and increased at a rate of 1.5 mm per year. All patients aged <6 years had distances of <3 cm from the coronal suture to the motor cortex. Conclusions: The distance from the coronal suture to the motor cortex increases with patient age. This variability has implications for determining the location of eloquent structures based on this anatomical landmark.
Intracranial Ectopic Recurrence of Craniopharyngioma after Ommaya Reservoir Implantation
Authors: Ishii Keisuke , Sugita Kenji , Kobayashi Hidenori , Kamida Tohru , Fujiki Minoru , Izumi Tatsuro , Mori Teruaki
Published: May 2005

We present a very rare case of a craniopharyngioma showing intracranial ectopic recurrence after the total removal of recurrent craniopharyngioma arising at the primary site accompanied by Ommaya reservoir implantation. A 2-year-old boy underwent a bifrontal craniotomy and total removal of the adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma via the interhemispheric translamina terminalis approach. Four months later, he underwent total removal of recurrent craniopharyngioma and implantation of an Ommaya reservoir via the same approach. Ten months later, total removal of the ectopic recurrent craniopharyngioma following the placement of the Ommaya reservoir cannula, which was placed within the surgical route, was performed via the same craniotomy.
Cerebral Venous Congestion following Closed Head Injury in a Child
Authors: Matsushige Toshinori , Kiya Katsuzo , Satoh Hideki , Mizoue Tatsuya , Kagawa Kota , Araki Hayato
Published: May 2005

In pediatric patients with head injury, progressive hemispheric low density (HLD) on CT is a specific phenomenon although the underlying mechanism remains controversial. We used CT, MRI, diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), and perfusion weighted imaging (PWI) studies to identify pathophysiological patterns in a child. A 6-year-old boy sustained a left temporal head injury in a car accident. Although the initial CT was normal, serial CT demonstrated progressive left HLD; an extensive heterogeneous high-intensity lesion was noted on fluid-attenuated imaging recovery (FLAIR) and DWI studies. On PWI, the regional cerebral blood volume was increased and the mean transit time was markedly prolonged. After the conservative treatment, despite the widespread abnormal imaging on CT and DWI, the final brain damage located in isolated left temporal cortical brain damage. The lesion coincided with the area on PWI where increased rCBV and MTT prolongation were noted. Based on these findings, we posit that the extensive but reversible brain changes seen on neuroimaging studies were the result of venous congestion. Our result stresses the importance of functional neuroimaging such as DWI and PWI in order to elucidate the pathophysiology of HLD.
Hypothalamic Hamartoma with Precocious Puberty
Authors: Shenoy S.N. , Raja A.
Published: May 2005

Hypothalamic hamartoma is a rare congenital nonneoplastic heterotopia consisting of neurons, glial cells and fiber bundles. Clinically, most patients with hypothalamic hamartomas present with precocious puberty and/or gelastic epilepsy. We report an interesting case of hypothalamic hamartoma causing precocious puberty in a young male. The lesion was excised totally through frontotemporal craniotomy and transSylvian approach without any added morbidity.
A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Crossover Study on the Use of 5% Citrate Lock versus 10% Citrate Lock in Permanent Hemodialysis Catheters
Authors: Meeus Gert , Kuypers Dirk R.J. , Claes Kathleen , Evenepoel Pieter , Maes Bart , Vanrenterghem Yves
Published: May 2005

Central venous catheters are used as permanent vascular access for chronic hemodialysis when construction of an arteriovenous fistula is not possible or contraindicated. We prospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of a 5% citrate versus 10% citrate catheter lock for permanent single-lumen dialysis catheters in a double-blind, crossover study of 28 patients during 1,876 dialysis sessions. There was a slightly higher number of dialysis sessions with clot formation in the 5% citrate group; entirely attributable to the formation of small clots. There was no statistically significant difference in the formation of large clots, complete obstruction of the catheter or the need for urokinase between the 2 study groups. In view of the ongoing debate on the safety of high-concentration citrate catheter locks, we conclude that a 5% citrate lock is equally efficient in preventing catheter dysfunction compared with a 10% citrate lock and is therefore the preferred citrate catheter-locking solution.
The Influence of Urea Treatment on Skin Susceptibility to Surfactant-Induced Irritation: A Placebo-Controlled and Randomized Study
Authors: Lodén Marie , Bárány Ebba , Mandahl Per , Wessman Carl
Published: May 2005

Certain ingredients in moisturizing creams may influence the skin susceptibility to irritants. One agent of particular interest is the well-known humectant urea. The present placebo-controlled study on 28 subjects was designed to evaluate the effects of urea treatment on three types of sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) exposures: (1) repeated exposure to SLS for 15 days with concurrent cream treatment, (2) the skin susceptibility to SLS following prophylactic treatment with urea and (3) SLS exposure after recovery of the surfactant-damaged skin by urea treatment. Parameters measured were transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin blood flow. Repeated exposure to SLS induced a slight but significant barrier damage, measured as TEWL, and the difference between the treatments was almost significant (p = 0.06). Treatment of normal skin reduced TEWL in the urea-treated area, and the irritant reaction to SLS was significantly decreased. Treatment of surfactant-damaged skin promoted barrier recovery, and the second exposure to SLS induced a less pronounced reaction in the urea-treated area compared to the placebo-treated site. In conclusion, urea promotes barrier recovery in SLS-damaged skin and makes both normal and irritated skin less susceptible to irritation. The findings may be of clinical relevance in attempts to reduce contact dermatitis due to irritant stimuli.
Differential Efficacy of Treatment with Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors in Patients with Mild and Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease over a 6-Month Period
Authors: López-Pousa S. , Turon-Estrada A. , Garre-Olmo J. , Pericot-Nierga I. , Lozano-Gallego M. , Vilalta-Franch M. , Hernández-Ferràndiz M. , Morante-Muñoz V. , Isern-Vila A. , Gelada-Batlle E. , Majó-Llopart J.
Published: May 2005

There are various anticholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) for the symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD). All AChEIs have shown greater efficacy than placebo in randomized, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trials. No differential studies have yet been made of the efficacy between all AChEIs. The study aims to determine the differential efficacy of the AChEIs with respect to a historical sample of patients with AD that were not treated with AChEIs. An open-label, prospective, observational study with a retrospective control group was undertaken to examine the evolution of the cognitive function over a 6-month period. The patients were assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at study entry and at 6 months. A general linear model was applied for repeated measurements with the MMSE score as the dependent variable, treatment type as an independent variable and the severity of the deterioration, age and the MMSE baseline score as covariables. Of the sample of 147 patients, 40 initiated treatment with donepezil, 32 with galantamine, 30 with rivastigmine and 45 were part of a historical sample of the memory clinic patients between 1991 and 1996 that had not been treated with AChEIs. The average age was 73.7 years (SD = 6.9; range = 52–86), 67.3% were women, 78.2% of the cases were mild and the MMSE baseline score was 18.1 points (range = 11–27). No significant intergroup differences were observed in these variables. The average doses of donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine were 5.87 mg/day (SD = 1.92), 14.81 mg/day (SD = 6.25) and 6.41 mg/day (SD = 1.82), respectively. At 6 months, the difference in the MMSE score with respect to the untreated group was 1.6 points for donepezil (95% CI 0.79–2.37; p < 0.001), 0.99 points for galantamine (95% CI 0.14–1.85; p = 0.01) and 0.90 points for rivastigmine (95% CI 0.05–1.74; p = 0.03). No significant differences were observed in the efficacy among the groups treated with AChEIs (p > 0.05). Treatment with AChEIs significantly delays the global cognitive impairment associated with AD for at least 6 months. Our study found no significant differences in efficacy between donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine. Further studies in the context of daily clinical practice will determine the clinical significance of the changes observed. An important variability of the response to the treatment was observed in treated patients.
Blood Cells Cholinesterase Activity in Early Stage Alzheimer’s Disease and Vascular Dementia
Authors: von Bernhardi Rommy , Alarcón Rodrigo , Mezzano Diego , Fuentes Patricio , Inestrosa Nibaldo C.
Published: May 2005

Blood acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activities have been studied as markers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but their usefulness as a disease marker is controversial. To determine cholinesterase (ChE) activity during AD progression and whether ChE changes associate to other dementias, ChE activity was measured in lymphocytes, erythrocytes and platelets. Subjects underwent extensive medical and neuropsychological examination. Both early-AD and AD patients had lower AChE activity in lymphocytes compared to control subjects (p < 0.0001). In contrast, erythrocyte AChE activity was higher in patients with vascular dementia (p = 0.004). Low ChE activity in lymphocytes was the best discriminator for AD. Because it was already low at very early stages of AD, ChE could be helpful as an early biomarker of differential diagnosis for the follow-up of patients during their early stages of cognitive impairment before a clinical dementia is established.
Association between Global Brain Volume and the Rate of Cognitive Change in Elderly Humans without Dementia
Authors: Hensel A. , Wolf H. , Busse A. , Arendt T. , Gertz H.J.
Published: May 2005

Patients with mild cognitive deficits experience different types of evolution. They are at increased risk of developing dementia, but they have also a chance of remaining stable in cognition or of improving. We investigated whether global brain volume, callosal size and hippocampal size are associated with the rate of cognitive change in elderly without dementia. Volumetric MR images were recorded from 39 controls and 35 patients with questionable dementia who were followed up longitudinally for a mean of 2.3 years. The outcome measure was the annual change in the test score in the Structured Interview for the Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Dementia and Multi-Infarct Dementia, which includes all items of the Mini-Mental State Examination. Global brain volume, grey matter volume and white matter volume were the only significant independent predictors of the rate of cognitive change.
Body Composition in Diabetic Subjects with Chronic Kidney Disease: Interest of Bio-Impedance Analysis, and Anthropometry
Authors: Rigalleau V. , Lasseur C. , Chauveau P. , Barthes N. , Raffaitin C. , Combe C. , Perlemoine C. , Baillet-Blanco L. , Gin H.
Published: May 2005

Background/Aims: Lean body mass (LBM) is reduced in uremia, but this has not been reported in diabetic nephropathy. Subjects and Methods: We compared predicted % LBM to DEXA measurements in 10 non-diabetic uremic, 10 non-uremic diabetic and 10 uremic diabetic subjects matched for age, gender and BMI. We also measured % LBM by anthropometry, bio-impedance analysis (BIA) and compared them with DEXA in 49 diabetic subjects with a wide range of renal failure. The results were compared and a Bland & Altman procedure was performed. Associations between glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and % LBM were tested. Results: In matched groups, predicted % LBM values were overestimated in non-diabetic uremic subjects, and underestimated in non-uremic diabetic subjects. In uremic diabetic subjects, the error was intermediary. As compared to DEXA (% LBM: 69.0 ± 7.1%), measurement of % LBM by anthropometry (71.4 ± 8.0%, p < 0.05) and BIA (67.2 ± 7.6%, p < 0.05) were biased in the 49 diabetic subjects. The mean of anthropometric and BIA (Ant+BIA) were similar to DEXA results (69.3 ± 6.8%, p = 0.64), with best correlation coefficients and Bland & Altman plots. GFR was correlated to % LBM assessed by DEXA, BIA and Ant+BIA. Conclusion: In diabetic subjects with chronic kidney disease, LBM should be measured, rather than predicted. A good evaluation is possible, even without DEXA.
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements Use in German Children and Adolescents between 1986 and 2003: Results of the DONALD Study
Authors: Sichert-Hellert Wolfgang , Kersting Mathilde
Published: May 2005

Background/Aims: Dietary supplements may contribute to a considerable proportion to micronutrient intake. However, little is known about the consumption of supplements in children and adolescents, especially in Germany. We therefore examined patterns and time trends in supplement consumption in healthy children and adolescents. Methods: A total of 5,990 3-day records from 931 subjects 2–18 years of age from the DONALD Study between 1986 and 2003 were examined. Results: (a) Supplement type: A total of 166 different supplements were reported: 49% vitamin-mineral combinations, 31% vitamin, 13% mineral, 7% fluorine supplements. 12% (vitamin) and 13% (mineral) were single nutrient supplements. Vitamin C (72%), B1 (57%), B2 (54%), calcium (44%), magnesium (31%) and phosphorus (20%) were the most frequent added nutrients. (b) Users: In 25.8% (males 13.2%, females 12.6%) of the records, supplement usage was documented. Fluorine supplements were by far the most often consumed items (18.1%) followed by vitamins (4.5%), vitamin-mineral combinations (3.6%), minerals (2.4%), and multiple usage (2.6%). (c) Time trend: We found a marked time trend in supplement consumption in the past 18 years with a peak between 1994 and 1996 and lower usage before and after that time (independent of age and gender). (d) Associated factors: Supplement usage was influenced by age, year of study, season, smoking and number of persons in families, education level and employment of mothers, whereas gender or the number of children per family failed to have any effect. Conclusion: Supplement usage is a common behaviour in German children and adolescents and changing with time. Type and frequency of supplement usage is age dependent. Those nutrients found mostly in supplements are not the critical ones. In evaluations of children’s diet it is mandatory to separate fluorine from other supplements.
Estrogen and Ovariectomy Regulate mRNA and Protein of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylases and Cation-Chloride Cotransporters in the Adult Rat Hippocampus
Authors: Nakamura Nozomu H. , Rosell Daniel R. , Akama Keith T. , McEwen Bruce S.
Published: May 2005

17β-Estradiol spatiotemporally regulates the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABAergic) tone in the adult hippocampus. However, the complex estrogenic effect on the GABAergic system is still unclear. In adult central nervous system (CNS) neurons, GABA can induce both inhibitory and excitatory actions, which are predominantly controlled by the cation-chloride cotransporters NKCC1 and KCC2. We therefore studied the estrogenic regulation of two glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) isoforms, GAD65 and GAD67, as well as NKCC1 and KCC2 in the adult female rat hippocampus by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. First, we focused on the duration after ovariectomy (OVX) and its effects on GAD65 protein levels. The basal number of GAD65-immunoreactive cells decreased after long-term (10 days) OVX compared to short-term (3 days) OVX. We found that, only after long-term OVX but not after short-term OVX, estradiol increased the number of GAD65-immunoreactive cells in the CA1 pyramidal cell layer. Furthermore, estradiol did not alter the GAD65-immunoreactive cell population in any other CA1 subregion. Second, we therefore focused on long-term OVX and the estrogenic regulation of GAD and cation-chloride cotransporter mRNA levels. In the pyramidal cell layer, estradiol affected GAD65, GAD67 and NKCC1 mRNA levels, but not KCC2 mRNA levels. Both GAD65 and NKCC1 mRNA levels increased within 24 h after estradiol treatment, followed by a subsequent increase in GAD67 mRNA levels. These findings suggest that basal levels of estrogen might contribute to a balance between the excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission onto CA1 pyramidal cells by regulating perisomatic GAD and NKCC1 expression in the adult hippocampus.
Nesiritide Usage in Decompensated Heart Failure: Cost Effectiveness and Clinical Effectiveness
Authors: Lenz Thomas L. , Hilleman Daniel E.
Published: May 2005

Background: Approximately 5 million Americans have heart failure, with 550,000 new cases diagnosed each year. In the United States, approximately 500 million USD is spent annually on drug treatment for heart failure alone. Cost-effective treatment that prevents hospitalization is of high priority when treating patients with heart failure. Nesiritide, a human B-type natriuretic peptide, is indicated for the treatment of patients with acutely decompensated heart failure. Objective: The purpose of this manuscript is to provide an overview of the clinical effectiveness of nesiritide as well as the pharmacoeconomics associated with its use. Methods: Recently published articles and abstracts were identified from Pubmed, Medline and IPA using the search terms ‘nesiritide’, ‘heart failure’, ‘pharmacoeconomic’ and ‘clinical effectiveness’. Results: Randomized, multicenter trials examining the efficacy of nesiritide in patients hospitalized with decompensated heart failure have shown nesiritide to be significantly more effective than placebo and nitroglycerin at lowering pulmonary capillary wedge pressure in patients with decompensated heart failure. Nesiritide has also shown safety and efficacy when used in an outpatient setting. Additionally, four studies have examined the pharmacoeconomics associated with the use of nesiritide. All four studies showed a decreased length of stay in either intensive care and critical care units or total hospital stay, and three of the four studies performed a cost analysis which demonstrated cost savings. Conclusion: In several studies, nesiritide has been shown to be similar or significantly more effective than standard therapy at improving the status of patients with decompensated heart failure while demonstrating cost savings and decreasing length of stay.
Co-Transplantation of Schwann Cells Promotes the Survival and Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells Transplanted into the Injured Spinal Cord
Authors: Zeng Yuan-Shan , Ding Ying , Wu Li-Zhi , Guo Jia-Song , Li Hai-Biao , Wong Wai-Man , Wu Wu-Tian
Published: May 2005

The present study investigates whether Schwann cells (SCs) could promote the survival and differentiation of neural stem cells in the injured spinal cord. Neural stem cells were dissociated and cloned from the hippocampal tissue of newborn rats. SCs were also dissociated and purified simultaneously from the sciatic nerves of 4-day-old rats. The results showed that the number of surviving neural stem cells and differentiated neuron-like cells was significantly increased in the co-grafted (SCs and neural stem cells) group compared with the control group (neural stem cells only). Neuron-like cells that developed axon-like processes were observed more commonly in the co-grafted group. These results demonstrate that SCs can promote the survival and differentiation of transplanted neural stem cells in the injured spinal cord.
Inhibition of Glial Maturation byBone Morphogenetic Protein 2 in a Neural Crest-Derived Cell Line
Authors: Dore Justin J. , Crotty Kate L. , Birren Susan J.
Published: May 2005

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) regulate developmental decisions in many neural and nonneural lineages. BMPs influence both CNS neuronal and glial development and promote neuronal differentiation in neural crest derivatives. We investigated the actions of BMP2 on glial differentiation in the peripheral nervous system using NCM1 cells, a neural crest-derived cell line with the properties of peripheral glial precursor cells. BMP2 prevented the acquisition of a mature Schwann cell-like morphology, blocking the expression of mature genes and maintaining expression of several early glial markers. We provide evidence that BMP2 activates the GFAP promoter and define signaling pathways underlying this regulation. Our results demonstrate a novel role for BMPs as inhibitors of glial differentiation in the peripheral nervous system and suggest that BMPs may regulate the developmental timing of glial maturation.
Hydrocephalus as the Initial Presentationof a Spinal Cord Astrocytoma Associa ted with Leptomeningeal Spread
Authors: Vassilyadi M. , Michaud J.
Published: May 2005

A 3-year-old boy presented with headaches, vomiting, lethargy and papilledema. Communicating hydrocephalus along with transependymal fluid absorption and meningeal contrast enhancement was identified on CT. The enhancement was initially thought to be the result of a partially treated meningitis (child was previously on oral antibiotics for a presumed mycoplasma pneumonia). A right ventricular-peritoneal shunt was placed. CSF studies procured during the procedure were all normal. In contrast, CSF from a lumbar puncture contained a high protein, and cytology was highly suspicious for malignancy. Spine MRI showed diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement and a 1.5-cm intramedullary lesion at T12–L1 associated with minimal edema. The lesion was subtotally resected (70%) and diagnosed as an astrocytoma (mostly Kernohan grade 2 but with areas of grade 3). Chemotherapy was administered and follow-up spine MRI at 2 months did not reveal any residual tumor, however, the leptomeningeal enhancement persisted. Sixteen months later, at the completion of the chemotherapy and radiation therapy, the spine MRI remained unchanged. Neurological examination has always been normal. This case illustrates how a spinal cord astrocytoma can metastasize via spinocranial dispersion and present early with hydrocephalus rather than myelopathy.
Ascorbate in the Rat Lens: Dependence on Dietary Intake
Authors: Mody Jr. Vino C. , Kakar Manoj , Elfving Åse , Söderberg Per G. , Löfgren Stefan
Published: May 2005

Purpose: To establish a method for sample preparation to measure ascorbate in whole lenses and to investigate whether lens ascorbate concentration is dependent on dietary ascorbate intake. Methods: Four groups of 3 young Sprague-Dawley rats each were fed chow containing L-ascorbate, either 0.0, 5.7, 57.0 or 114.0 mmol/kg for a duration of 4 weeks. Thereafter, each rat was sacrificed. The lens was extracted, photographed, and lens wet weight was measured. The lens was homogenized in 1.0 ml of 0.25% metaphosphoric acid, the homogenate was centrifuged and the supernatant ultrafiltered. The filtrate was injected into an ion exchange, reversed-phase Polypore H HPLC column equipped with a 254-nm ultraviolet detector. Samples were calibrated against an L-ascorbate standard. Polynomial regression analysis was performed on the data. Results: All lenses were devoid of cataract. A 95% confidence interval for baseline content of ascorbate without any dietary intake was estimated to be 0.16 ± 0.01 µmol/g wet weight of lens. The lens ascorbate concentration increased linearly with dietary ascorbate intake with an increased rate, estimated as a 95% confidence interval of 0.33 ± 0.18 (µmol ascorbate) (g lens)–1 (mol ascorbate)–1 (kg chow) with r2 = 0.62. Conclusion: Lens ascorbate concentration linearly increases with dietary ascorbate intake without cataract development in the rat. The currently presented method for sample preparation to measure the whole-lens content of ascorbate is applicable.
Novel Measurement of Rapid Treatment Success with ReQuestTM: First and Sustained Symptom Relief as Outcome Parameters in Patients with Endoscopy-Negative GERD Receiving 20 mg Pantoprazole or 20 mg Esomeprazole
Authors: Mönnikes Hubert , Pfaffenberger Bernd , Gatz Gudrun , Hein Jasper , Bardhan Karna Dev
Published: May 2005

Background/Aims: A prime concern for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients is fast symptom control. Sparse valid information is available on the rapidity of the effect of proton pump inhibitors in provid ing symptom relief. The new reflux questionnaire Re QuestTM is validated for daily assessment of changes in GERD symptoms. Therefore, this study investigated the efficacy of 20 mg pantoprazole and 20 mg esomeprazole with regard to the time to symptom relief in patients with endoscopy-negative GERD (enGERD) using ReQuestTM. Methods: 529 patients were treated with pantoprazole or esomeprazole over 4 weeks. ReQuestTM symptom scores were assessed daily. The mean and median times to first and sustained symptom relief were determined. Results: Median time to first symptom relief was 2 days for both drugs (intention-to-treat population). The median time to sustained symptom relief was 3 days shorter with pantoprazole (10.0 vs. 13.0 days). The Hodges-Lehmann estimator for the difference in time to reach first and sustained symptom relief between both groups was 0.00 days. For both variables the one-sided 95% CI (Moses) was [0.00; ∞[, documenting no significant differences between the treatment groups. Conclusions: The rapidity of symptom control can be evaluated by clinically significant parameters using ReQuest™. Pantoprazole and esomeprazole are equally effective in the time to first and sustained symptom relief.
Axillary Cavernous Lymphangioma in Pregnancy and Puerperium
Authors: Quack Loetscher Katharina C. , Jandali Abdul-Raham , Garzoli Elisabeth , Pok Judit , Beinder Ernst
Published: May 2005

Background: Cavernous lymphangioma is a form of benign congenital abnormality grouped under lymphatic malformations, which can clinically manifest as a cystic tumor. Common areas are the neck and axillary region. Most cases are diagnosed in children under the age of 2, and occasionally the diagnosis is made in utero. Case: We present the case of a 29-year-old primigravid woman with an axillary cavernous lymphangioma which rapidly increased in size during pregnancy, and describe the treatment plan in this unusual situation. Conclusion: The treatment of a large lymphangioma during pregnancy has to be well planned, considering the welfare of the mother and baby. Most of the current therapies have never been tested in pregnant or lactating women. We discuss the possible pathomechanisms for the growth of lymphangioma during pregnancy with the overproduction of cytokines such as vascular endothelial growth factor.
Influence of Intracerebroventricular Administration of Histaminergic Drugs on Morphine State-Dependent Memory in the Step-Down Passive Avoidance Test
Authors: Zarrindast Mohammad R. , Khalilzadeh Azita , Rezayat S. Mehdi , Sahebgharani Mousa , Djahanguiri Bijan
Published: May 2005

The effects of histaminergic drugs on morphine state-dependent memory of a passive avoidance task were examined in mice. Pre-training administration of morphine (5 mg/kg) led to state-dependent learning with impaired memory recall on the test day which was reversed by pre-test administration of the same dose of the opioid. The pre-test intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of the H1 blocker (pyrilamine) prevented the restoration of memory by morphine. The H2 blocker (ranitidine) was ineffective in this regard and the H3 blocker (clobenpropit) potentiated the effect of morphine on memory recall. The pre-test i.c.v. administration of histamine alone (5, 10, and 20 µg/mouse) not only mimicked the effect of pre-test morphine treatment, but also increased this action of the opioid. The effect of histamine on memory recall was not changed by the pre-test administration of µ-opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone. In conclusion, the improvement of memory recall by morphine treatment, on the test day, seems to be, at least in part, through the release of histamine followed by the stimulation of H1 receptors. Histamine by itself, when administered on the test day, mimicked morphine-induced memory improvement by a mechanism independent of the µ-opioid receptors.
Neuropsychological Correlates of an Attention-Related Negative Component Elicited in an Auditory Oddball Paradigm in Schizophrenia
Authors: Higashima Masato , Nagasawa Tatsuya , Oka Takashi , Tsukada Takahiro , Okamoto Takeshi , Komai Yoko , Kawasaki Yasuhiro , Koshino Yoshifumi
Published: May 2005

An attention-related, negative component can be detected between the N100 peak and 200 ms after stimulus by subtracting event-related potentials (ERPs) elicited to background tones when subjects ignore tones, from ERPs elicited to background tones when subjects attend to tones to detect target tones in an oddball paradigm. To clarify the cognitive significance of this component in schizophrenia, we examined the correlations of 24 patients between the amplitude and latency of the negative component and results obtained using neuropsychological measurement methods, including the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, the Trail Making Test, the Verbal Fluency Test and some subtests from the Wechsler Memory Scale. The latency prolongation of the negative component correlated positively with the difference in performance time between parts A and B of the Trail Making Test, which estimates set shift, a frontal-lobe executive function, but not with any other neuropsychological measurements, while the amplitude showed no such correlation. These results suggest that the latency prolongation of the attention-related, negative component induced in an auditory oddball paradigm may serve as an index for frontal dysfunction in schizophrenia.
Information Processing Flow and Neural Activations in the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex in the Stroop Task in Schizophrenic Patients
Authors: Kawaguchi Shunsuke , Ukai Satoshi , Shinosaki Kazuhiro , Ishii Ryouhei , Yamamoto Masakiyo , Ogawa Asao , Mizuno-Matsumoto Yuko , Fujita Norihiko , Yoshimine Toshiki , Takeda Masatoshi
Published: May 2005

Using a spatially filtered magnetoencephalography analysis (synthetic aperture magnetometry), we estimated neural activations in the Stroop task in nearly real time for schizophrenic patients with/without auditory hallucinations and for normal control subjects. In addition, auditory hallucinations were examined through the information processing flow of the brain neural network, including the frontal regions. One hundred unaveraged magnetoencephalography signals during the incongruent stimulus responses were analyzed with a time window of 200 ms in steps of 50 ms. In the 25–60-Hz band, cortical regions that showed significant current source density changes were examined for each time window. The three groups showed significantly decreased current source density, corresponding to neural activation, with temporal overlap along the fundamental cognitive information processing flow: sensory input system, executive control system, motor output system. Transient neural activations in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortexwere bilateral with left-side dominancy for normal controls, left-lateralized for nonhallucinators and right-lateralized for hallucinators. Our results suggest that the dysfunction in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was related to auditory hallucinations, while the information processing flow was unaffected in the schizophrenic subjects in the Stroop task.
In vitro Activity of Daptomycin versus Linezolid and Vancomycin against Gram-Positive Uropathogens and Ampicillin against Enterococci, Causing Complicated Urinary Tract Infections
Authors: Wagenlehner Florian M.E. , Lehn Norbert , Witte Wolfgang , Naber Kurt G.
Published: May 2005

Objectives: The existing therapeutic options for complicated urinary tract infections (UTI) caused by gram-positive uropathogens are not always optimal. Therefore, newer antimicrobials have to be assessed. Methods: The antimicrobial activity of daptomycin was tested versus linezolid, vancomycin, and ampicillin (enterococci on ly), against pathogens from three different collections: (1) Uropathogens from hospitalized urological patients with complicated and/or hospital-acquired UTIs of the Urologic Clinic, Hospital St. Elisabeth, Straubing. (2) Uropathogens from a multicenter study comprising 37 urological centers throughout Germany. (3) Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates of patients and staff within the Hospital St. Elisabeth, Straubing. Genotyping of the latter isolates was performed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of daptomycin, linezolid, vancomycin, and ampicillin (only tested against enterococci) were determined by an agar dilution method using a multipointer with an inoculum of 104 CFU per point. Results: For all methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (n = 25), MRSA (n = 49), methicillin-susceptible coagulase-negative staphylococci (n = 129), methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (n = 33), for Enterococcus faecalis (n = 289), and for Enterococcus faecium (n = 4) the MICs ranged up to 2 mg/l (daptomycin, linezolid), up to 4 mg/l (vancomycin), and up to 8 mg/l (ampicillin, enterococci only) indicating that all strains were susceptible to the antibiotics tested. Conclusions: According to the in vitro activity daptomycin may be considered a promising antibacterial agent for the treatment of complicated UTI caused by gram-positive uropathogens. Thus, daptomycin should be evaluated in a clinical study
Transforming Growth Factor-β Is Activated by Plasmin and Inhibits Smooth Muscle Cell Death in Human Saphenous Vein
Authors: George Sarah J. , Johnson Jason L. , Smith Melanie A. , Angelini Gianni D. , Jackson Christopher L.
Published: May 2005

Background: The effect of activation of endogenous transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) on smooth muscle cell apoptosis was assessed in human saphenous vein. Methods: Segments of human saphenous vein, obtained at the time of bypass graft surgery, were cultured for 14 days. During this time, smooth muscle cells accumulated in the intima as a result of proliferation and migration, partly counterbalanced by apoptotic cell death. Results: Addition of exogenous TGF-β1 had no effect on smooth muscle cell proliferation or apoptosis. However, antibody neutralization of endogenous TGF-β1 caused significant increases in smooth muscle cell death in the media and intima without any change in proliferation. A plasmin inhibitor (α-N-acetyl-L-lysine methyl ester), a specific urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) inhibitor (amiloride) and an anti-catalytic anti-uPA antibody all caused decreases in the tissue content of active TGF-β and increases in smooth muscle cell death in the media and intima. Conclusions: These data suggest that the amount of TGF-β in human saphenous vein is sufficient, when in the active form, to protect smooth muscle cells against apoptosis. Adding exogenous TGF-β1 has no beneficial effect, but decreasing the amount of active TGF-β causes smooth muscle cells to undergo apoptosis. Plasmin, generated by uPA, appears to be an important activator of endogenous latent TGF-β.
Cultural change in the songs of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) from Tonga
Authors: Helweg David A. , Eriksen Nina , Tougaard Jakob , Miller Lee A.
Published: May 2005

Some humpback whales migrate annually from Antarctic feeding grounds to the seas around the Tongan Islands to give birth and mate. The Tongan humpbacks are considered part of Southern Hemisphere Group V that splits during migration, some swimming to Eastern Australia and others to various Polynesian Islands. During this time long complex songs are produced. The song is thought to be a male breeding display and may serve either as an intra-sexual or an inter-sexual signal or both. It is in a constant state of change that occurs every season. Since these changes are directional they cannot be described by drift, and singers incorporate changes as they occur, thus song must be shared through cultural transmission. This investigation describes the cultural changes that occurred in 158 songs recorded from Tongan humpbacks through the 1990s. The rate of change differed within years, some themes were retained for as much as five years and others were lost after only two years. The farther apart the years the less similar are the songs, as in the humpback songs of the Northern Hemisphere. The largest number of changes seems to have occurred in the early 1990s where all themes seemed to have been lost and new ones originated. What initiates these changes remains speculative, but we assess some hypotheses in relation to humpback whale behaviour and cultural transmission in avian song.
Predictors of the Likelihood of Delinquency
Authors: Ngai Ngan-Pun , Cheung Chau-Kiu
Published: May 2005

Different theories offer different factors, each of which partially explain delinquency in young people. An integrated framework incorporating these theories would provide a more complete explanation. Theories that need to be built into such a framework include social control, social learning, strain, and cognitive development theories. Data were collected from 229 marginal youth recruited through outreaching social work teams in Hong Kong. The results indicate that theories of cognitive development, social control, and social learning are important in predicting the likelihood of delinquency among marginal youth. They highlight the influences of the young people’s own theorizing about social problems, attachment to work, moral belief, and friends’ approval of delinquency. Moreover, their frustration and perceived social inequality were predictive of a lower likelihood of delinquency. The findings carry implications for the prevention of crime and delinquency.
Adolescent Peer Networks as a Context for Social and Emotional Support
Authors: Stanton-Salazar Ricardo D. , Spina Stephanie Urso
Published: May 2005

The findings reported here emerged from a larger study of the social support networks and help-seeking experiences of low-income, Mexican-origin adolescents in San Diego, California. This larger study used a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and included special attention to those instances in which participating adolescents found in their friends the support necessary to withstand emotionally challenging circumstances (e.g., school-related problems) and to cope in effective ways. The analyses presented in this article highlight such instances but also examine those instances in which peer relationships failed to provide the safety and consistent support adolescents sought. Among the key findings, we describe how platonic (non-romantic) relationships between adolescent males and females emerged as an important avenue for acquiring the multiple and positive benefits of mature adolescent friendship (e.g., emotional support), particularly for the males. Study participants who reported platonic friendships also tended to report ample and diversified peer networks.
It’s for the Rest of Your Life
Authors: Taylor Anthea
Published: May 2005

Although new understandings of career decision-making processes are emerging, the prevailing rhetoric points to careers imbued with new worker attributes—flexibility, job mobility, and constant upskilling. This discussion of the pragmatics of youth career decision making draws on a series of transition studies with Western Australian youths, many aspiring to enter the building trades. Here, career-related decisions were influenced by images of masculinity and aspirations for an on-the-job lifestyle of sociability and intersected with a confusing complex of impinging pragmatic decisions. In these trades, these youths sought challenge and fulfillment in their work and a degree of job security, at least during the training period. Their longer term career aspirations stood in stark contrast to contemporary conceptions and portrayals of the flexible, short-stay, new employee. The question as to how universally appropriate and even desirable might be the preparation of all to be new workers is considered.
Mixing and Phasing of Roles Among Volunteers, Staff, and Participants in Faith-Based Programs
Authors: Netting F. Ellen , O’Connor Mary Katherine , Thomas M. Lori , Yancey Gaynor
Published: May 2005

In this grounded theory research project, face-to-face interviews were conducted with program participants, board members, administrators, coordinators, and collaborators in 15 faith-based programs. Findings concerning the roles played by participants, volunteers, and paid staff reveal the wearing of multiple hats, facilitated by a tendency toward cross-training, role diffusion, and doing what is needed. Boundaries created by roles appear to be less important than pragmatically responding to meet human needs. The moral imperative or faith-based nature of the work appears to be a recruiting tool for both paid staff and volunteers, as well as an expressed personal benefit for both. Challenges include turnover among paid staff and volunteers, heavy reliance on volunteers, and low pay. Psychological contracting with a faith-based community may be related to the ability to cope with fluid role expectations and associated ambiguities.
Personal Empowerment and Life Satisfaction among Self-Help Group Members in Hong Kong
Authors: Cheung Yuet W. , Mok Bong-Ho , Cheung Tak-Sing
Published: May 2005

This study examines the relationship between personal empowerment and life satisfaction among self-help group members in Hong Kong. Personal empowerment is viewed as a form of social capital derived from engagement in the social relations within the self-help group that allows members to obtain benefits such as increasing their life satisfaction. Sense of mastery and self-esteem are introduced as intervening variables between personal empowerment and life satisfaction. A path model is constructed to compare the direct effects and indirect effects of personal empowerment, sense of mastery, and self-esteem on life satisfaction. The same model is also tested across various sociodemographic subgroups. Findings support a significant and positive relationship between personal empowerment and life satisfaction and show that there are sociodemographic differences in the effect of the former on the latter. Implications of the findings for future research and services pertaining to personal empowerment and its outcomes in Hong Kong are discussed.
Dams and Salmon: A Northwest Choice
Authors: Tucker Michael , Tromley Cheryl L.
Published: May 2005

This article describes an experiential exercise in which participants assume the roles of various stakeholder groups in the controversy surrounding possible dam removal to revive northwestern U. S. salmon populations. The role-play (a) increases environmental awareness in the context of the competing interests various stakeholders have in our global commons, (b) helps students understand the conflict between striving for a competitive advantage and preserving the global commons, (c) demonstrates the complexity and cost of protecting the environment, and (d) explores different claims on environmental goods and services, regulations in place and regulatory inaction, and the pressure put on a dwindling salmon population. This exercise can be used in any course in which the instructor wants to add a section or module on the environment, regulation, or stakeholder issues.
Increasing Student Interest and Comprehension of Production Planning and Control and Operations Performance Measurement Concepts Using a Production Line Game
Authors: Cox James F. , Walker Edward D.
Published: May 2005

Production planning and control (PPC) systems and operations performance measures are topics that students generally find both boring and difficult to understand. In the article, the authors present a production line game that they have found to be an effective tool to increase student interest in the topics as well as student comprehension. The game demonstrates the interactions of four basic PPC systems with various operations performance measures. Evidence of increased student comprehension and interest is provided.
Altruism, Self-Interest, and the Reasonable Person Model of Environmentally Responsible Behavior
Authors: Corbett Julia B.
Published: May 2005

This study operationalized a new model of environmental behavior to test its utility in predicting the relatively difficult behavior of getting people out of their cars. The Reasonable Person Model of environmentally responsible behavior hypothesizes that a mix of self-interest, altruism, personal norms, desirable choices, and participatory problem solving are the best predictors of behavior. In a random sample telephone survey of drivers (N = 344) along the Wasatch Front, all independent variables were significantly correlated to behavior with the exception of one personal control measure. A multiple regression model found that 52 percent of the variance in environmentally responsible behavior was predicted by the independent variables (R2 = .52, p < .001). However, none of the measures of personal control contributed significantly to the model.
The Labor Market Effects of Indexing Unemployment Benefits to Previous Earnings
Authors: Heer Burkhard , Morgenstern Albrecht
Published: May 2005

In most Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries, unemployment benefits are tied to previous labor earnings. The authors study the progressivity of this indexation with regard to its effects on employment, output, and wages in three non-Walrasian equilibrium models of the labor market. In the cases of decentralized union wage bargaining and search unemployment and Nash wage bargaining, employment, output, and wages increase with the degree of indexation. The indexation of unemployment benefits to previous earnings, however, has no effect in the case of efficiency wages. The results also suggest that a more progressive indexation of unemployment benefits is welfare enhancing if wages are bargained.
Taxes and Corporate Giving to Charity
Authors: Carroll Robert , Joulfaian David
Published: May 2005

An extensive body of the literature has examined the determinants of individual giving to charity. Indeed, the role of the personal income tax continues to attract considerable attention. In contrast, very few have explored the effects of taxes on corporate giving. This article represents an attempt to fill this void. It employs a large sample of corporate tax returns and finds that taxes are an important consideration in corporate giving.