bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Performance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Core Health-Related Quality of Life Scale with Adolescents
Authors: Zullig Keith J. , Valois Robert F. , Huebner E. Scott , Drane J. Wanzer
Published: October 2004

Objective.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's core Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) scale using data from 5,520 public high school students.

Methods.

The 1997 South Carolina Youth Risk Behavior Survey was the source of data. Chi-square analysis was applied to assess scale construct validity. Adjusted multiple logistic regression with selected tobacco and substance use variables was used to assess known-groups validity of the scale's Healthy Days index (items regarding poor physical and mental health days during the past 30 days).

Results.

Construct validity was supported for the core HRQOL scale by the associations between self-perceived health and physical health, mental health, and activity limitation days. A greater number of poor physical health days, poor mental health days, or activity limitation days was associated with poorer self-perceived health ( p<0.0001); however, correlation coefficients for the associations between self-perceived health and physical health days ( r=0.24; p<0.001), self-perceived health and mental health days ( r=0.26; p<0.0001), and self-perceived health and activity limitation days ( r=0.23; p<0.0001), although significant, were low in magnitude. Logistic regression analyses conducted with the Healthy Days index revealed significant ( p<0.05) HRQOL differences between users and non-users of tobacco and other substance use variables. As hypothesized, as the usage of each substance increased, reported poor HRQOL days increased, supporting the known-groups validity of the scale.

Conclusions.

This study provides preliminary evidence that the HRQOL scale items are valid and potentially useful for adolescent surveillance. The results, however, are mixed regarding the inclusion of self-perceived health as a measure of HRQOL for adolescents, given the low correlation coefficients for the associations between self-perceived health and the other HRQOL scale items. These results suggest that adolescents may be rating two separate dimensions of health when rating their self-perceived health and HRQOL. Further research is needed to confirm these findings in different adolescent populations.
Conservation status and reproductive ecology of giant babax Babax waddelli (Aves, Timaliinae), endemic to the Tibet plateau
Authors: Lu Xin
Published: October 2004

The Lower Risk/near threatened giant babax Babax waddelli is endemic to southern Tibet. The babaxes, living in groups of 3–8 individuals year-round, favoured edge habitats in forest regions where the group encounter rate during the breeding period was 0.35 groups h−1 and population density 0.04 birds ha−1, and in scrub regions they depended on the patches covered with higher bushes in which the group encounter rate and population density were 0.32 groups h−1 and 0.03 birds ha−1 respectively. The global population of the babaxes was estimated to be 120,000 birds. Reproductive and behavioural data were collected from scrub environments in a valley. Egg laying occurred between early May and early June, and clutch size ranged from 2 to 4 eggs, 2.9 on average. Incubation and fledging lasted 16–18 days respectively. Nesting success, measured as the proportion of clutches from which at least one young survives to fledging, was 75%. Some of the babax's nests were cooperatively attended by group members and the others only by both parents. The most preferable nesting areas were in dense bushes more than 1.8 m in height (mainly Rosa sericea, Berberis hemleyana, Cotoneaster divaricatus, Sibiraca angustata and Salix sclerophylla). Such strong dependence on high bushes leaves babaxes more susceptible to vegetation degradation. As a result, the increasing clearance of scrub habitats for firewood is a major current threat to the birds around the mid-Yalong Zangbo River, a region with the densest human population and most rapidly developing economy in Tibet. Their naturally low population density and strongly social grouping behaviour present extra risk factors that have to be taken into account. The importance of vegetation protection for long-term survival of this endemic species is highlighted.
Low mammal and hornbill abundance in the forests of Barito Ulu, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: McConkey Kim R. , Chivers David J.
Published: October 2004

Faunal surveys in Kalimantan have been biased towards primates in protected forests close to the coast. Relatively little has been documented on other animal species, particularly in the vast interior forests. The results of a 1996–97 census of nine large mammal and eight hornbill species in tropical lowland forest in Barito Ulu, Central Kalimantan are reported here. Pigs Sus barbatus had the highest biomass, but this was due to large numbers migrating through the study area over 4 months and the resident population is probably low. Langurs Presbytis rubicunda and hybrid gibbons Hylobates mulleri × agilis had the highest biomass of all resident species. Orang-utans Pongo pygmaeus were absent from the area during the study period and pig-tailed macaques Macaca nemestrina were rarely seen. The resident hornbill species (Anthracoceros malayanus, Anorrhinus galeritus, Buceros vigil and B. rhinoceros) had high densities compared to that reported from lowland areas, but overall hornbill density was low due to the absence of the nomadic Aceros corrugatus and A. undulatus, except during peak fruit abundance. Sun bears Helarctos malayanus, long-tailed macaques M. fascicularis, muntjacs Muntiacus spp. and mouse deer Tragulus spp. were at low densities. Density of two large squirrel species, Ratufa affinis and Sundasciurus hippiurus, was lower than has been reported in Sarawak, but the density of Prevost's squirrel Callosciurus prevostii was higher. We discuss hunting pressure, isolation, low abundance of large fruit trees, poor soils, and specific habitat preferences as possible explanations for the low mammal and hornbill density at Barito Ulu.
Evaluation of a potential reintroduction site for the white-winged guan Penelope albipennis (Aves, Cracidae) in northern Peru
Authors: Angulo Fernando , Barrio Javier
Published: October 2004

The white-winged guan Penelope albipennis (Aves, Cracidae) is a Critically Endangered bird endemic to northern Peru. We surveyed a protected area suitable for its reintroduction north of the species' current range. Following IUCN guidelines, four factors were evaluated: diversity and quantity of plant species that are part of the white-winged guan's diet, year-round water sources, resting and roosting cover, and extent of undisturbed forest. Several suitable small valleys or quebradas were inspected, but our evaluation focused on three. We identified all shrub and tree species to compare with habitat currently used by the guan. Cover for nesting places was assessed visually. We found species composition and microhabitat types to be similar to habitat presently used by wild guans. Thus, all habitat components are favourable for reintroduction. The high degree of protection of the area makes it particularly suitable as a reintroduction site. We recommend experimental extension of the species current range to mitigate the risk of extinction posed by catastrophic events.
Free will and the problem of evil
Authors: CAIN JAMES
Published: October 2004

According to the free-will defence, the exercise of free will by creatures is of such value that God is willing to allow the existence of evil which comes from the misuse of free will. A well-known objection holds that the exercise of free will is compatible with determinism and thus, if God exists, God could have predetermined exactly how the will would be exercised; God could even have predetermined that free will would be exercised sinlessly. Thus, it is held, the free-will defence cannot be used as a partial account of why God should have allowed evil to exist. I investigate this objection using Kripke's apparatus for treating modalities and natural kinds to explore the nature of the incompatibilism required by the free-will defence. I show why the objection fails even if the standard arguments for compatibilism are acceptable. This is because the modality involved in the incompatibilism needed by the free-will defence differs from the modality involved in the compatibilism that is supported by standard compatibilist arguments. Finally, an argument is sketched for a variety of incompatibilism of the kind needed by the free-will defence.
FUNCTIONAL PEARL Concurrent distinct choices
Authors: ANTOY SERGIO , HANUS MICHAEL
Published: October 2004

An injective finite mapping is an abstraction common to many programs. We describe the design of an injective finite mapping and its implementation in Curry, a functional logic language. Curry supports the concurrent asynchronous execution of distinct portions of a program. This condition prevents passing from one portion to another a structure containing a partially constructed mapping to ensure that a new choice does not violate the injectivity condition. We present some motivating problems and we show fragments of programs that solve these problems using our design and implementation.
FUNCTIONAL PEARL Linear lambda calculus and PTIME-completeness
Authors: MAIRSON HARRY G.
Published: October 2004

We give transparent proofs of the PTIME-completeness of two decision problems for terms in the λ-calculus. The first is a reproof of the theorem that type inference for the simply-typed λ-calculus is PTIME-complete. Our proof is interesting because it uses no more than the standard combinators Church knew of some 70 years ago, in which the terms are linear affine – each bound variable occurs at most once. We then derive a modification of Church's coding of Booleans that is linear, where each bound variable occurs exactly once. A consequence of this construction is that any interpreter for linear λ-calculus requires polynomial time. The logical interpretation of this consequence is that the problem of normalizing proofnets for multiplicative linear logic (MLL) is also PTIME-complete.
FUNCTIONAL PEARL Parsing permutation phrases
Authors: BAARS ARTHUR I. , LÖH ANDRES , SWIERSTRA S. DOAITSE
Published: October 2004

A permutation phrase is a sequence of elements (possibly of different types) in which each element occurs exactly once and the order is irrelevant. Some of the permutable elements may be optional. We show how to extend a parser combinator library with support for parsing such free-order constructs. A user of the library can easily write parsers for permutation phrases and does not need to care about checking and reordering the recognized elements. Applications include the generation of parsers for attributes of XML tags and Haskell's record syntax.
FUNCTIONAL PEARL Calculating the Sieve of Eratosthenes
Authors: MEERTENS LAMBERT
Published: October 2004

The Sieve of Eratosthenes is an efficient algorithm for computing the successive primes. Rendered informally, it is as follows:

1. Write down the successive “plurals”: 2, 3, 4, …

2. Repeat:

(a) Take the first number that is not circled or crossed out.

(b) Circle it.

(c) Cross out its proper multiples.

3. What is left (i.e. the circled numbers) are the successive prime numbers.
Downregulation of uPA, uPAR and MMP-9 using small, interfering, hairpin RNA (siRNA) inhibits glioma cell invasion, angiogenesis and tumor growth
Authors: GONDI CHRISTOPHER S. , LAKKA SAJANI S. , DINH DZUNG H. , OLIVERO WILLIAM C. , GUJRATI MEENA , RAO JASTI S.
Published: October 2004

The diffuse, extensive infiltration of malignant gliomas into the surrounding normal brain is believed to rely on modification of the proteolysis of extracellular matrix components. Our previous results clearly demonstrate that uPA, uPAR and MMP-9 concentrations increase significantly during tumor progression and that tumor growth can be inhibited with antisense stable clones of these molecules. Because antisense-mediated gene silencing does not completely inhibit the translation of target mRNA and high concentrations of antisense molecules are required to achieve gene silencing, we used the RNAi approach to silence uPA, uPAR and MMP-9 in this study. We examined a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter-driven DNA-template approach to induce hairpin RNA (hpRNA)-triggered RNAi to inhibit uPA, uPAR and MMP-9 gene expression with a single construct. uPAR protein levels and enzymatic activity of uPA and MMP-9 were found to significantly decrease in cells transfected with a plasmid expressing hairpin siRNA for uPAR, uPA and MMP-9. pU2M-transfected SNB19 cells significantly decreased uPA, uPAR and MMP-9 expression compared to mock and EV/SV-transfected cells, determined by immunohistochemical analysis. Furthermore, the effect of the single constructs for these molecules was a specific inhibition of their respective protein levels, as demonstrated by immunohistochemical analysis. After transfection with a plasmid vector expressing dsRNA for uPA, uPAR and MMP-9, glioma-cell invasion was retarded compared with mock and EV/SV-treated groups, demonstrated by Matrigel-invasion assay and spheroid-invasion assay. Downregulation of uPA, uPAR and MMP-9 using RNAi inhibited angiogenesis in an in vitro (co-culture) model. Direct intratumoral injections of plasmid DNA expressing hpRNA for uPA, uPAR and MMP-9 significantly regressed pre-established intracranial tumors in nude mice. In addition, cells treated with RNAi for uPAR, uPA and MMP-9 showed reduced pERK levels compared with parental and EV/SV-treated SNB19 cells. Our results support the therapeutic potential of RNAi as a method for gene therapy in treating gliomas.
Transcriptional profiling in an MPNST-derived cell line and normal human Schwann cells
Authors: LEE PHILIP R. , COHEN JONATHAN E. , TENDI ELISABETTA A. , FARRER ROBERT , DE VRIES GEORGE H. , BECKER KEVIN G. , FIELDS R. DOUGLAS
Published: October 2004

cDNA microarrays were utilized to identify abnormally expressed genes in a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST)-derived cell line, T265, by comparing the mRNA abundance profiles with that of normal human Schwann cells (nhSCs). The findings characterize the molecular phenotype of this important cell-line model of MPNSTs, and elucidate the contribution of Schwann cells in MPNSTs. In total, 4608 cDNA sequences were screened and hybridizations replicated on custom cDNA microarrays. In order to verify the microarray data, a large selection of differentially expressed mRNA transcripts were subjected to semi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR (LightCycler). Western blotting was performed to investigate a selection of genes and signal transduction pathways, as a further validation of the microarray data. The data generated from multiple microarray screens, semi-quantitative RT–PCR and Western blotting are in broad agreement. This study represents a comprehensive gene-expression analysis of an MPNST-derived cell line and the first comprehensive global mRNA profile of nhSCs in culture. This study has identified ∼900 genes that are expressed abnormally in the T265 cell line and detected many genes not previously reported to be expressed in nhSCs. The results provide crucial information on the T265 cells that is essential for investigation using this cell line in experimental studies in neurofibromatosis type I (NF1), and important information on normal human Schwann cells that is applicable to a wide range of studies on Schwann cells in cell culture.
Impact of new land boundary conditions from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data on the climatology of land surface variables
Authors: Tian Y. , Dickinson R. E. , Zhou L. , Shaikh M.
Published: October 2004

This paper uses the Community Land Model (CLM2) to investigate the improvements of a new land surface data set, created from multiple high‐quality collection 4 Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer data of leaf area index (LAI), plant functional type, and vegetation continuous fields, for modeled land surface variables. The previous land surface data in CLM2 underestimate LAI and overestimate the percent cover of grass/crop over most of the global area. For snow‐covered regions with abundant solar energy the increased LAI and percent cover of tree/shrub in the new data set decreases the percent cover of surface snow and increases net radiation and thus increases ground and surface (2‐m) air temperature, which reduces most of the model cold bias. For snow‐free regions the increased LAI and changes in the percent cover from grass/crop to tree or shrub decrease ground and surface air temperature by converting most of the increased net radiation to latent heat flux, which decreases the model warm bias. Furthermore, the new data set greatly decreases ground evaporation and increases canopy evapotranspiration over tropical forests, especially during the wet season, owing to the higher LAI and more trees in the new data set. It makes the simulated ground evaporation and canopy evapotranspiration closer to reality and also reduces the warm biases over tropical regions.
A formulation for decoupling components in reactive transport problems
Authors: Molins Sergi , Carrera Jesús , Ayora Carlos , Saaltink Maarten W.
Published: October 2004

Reactive transport equations may become cumbersome to solve when a large number of species are coupled through fast (equilibrium) and slow (kinetic) reactions. Solution is further encumbered when both mobile (solutes) and immobile (minerals) species are involved. In these cases, sequential iteration approaches (SIA) may become extremely slow to converge. Direct substitution approaches (DSA), which solve all transport equations together, may become extremely large. Here we propose a formulation for optimally decoupling the reactive transport equations. The procedure is described sequentially using a paradigm system. We start by a tank paradigm in which all species are mobile and undergo equilibrium reactions. In this case, all components are fully decoupled. If some of the reactions are kinetic (canal paradigm), then we can still decouple components corresponding to equilibrium reactions. The same can be said regarding a system in which immobile species only react kinetically (river). The number of components can be reduced in the case that both types of reactions and species are present (aquifer). In short, the number of coupled equations that need to be solved simultaneously is, at most, equal to the number of kinetic reactions. This benefits both SIA and DSA solution methods. SIA should improve convergence because most components are linear and effectively decoupled, thus reducing nonlinearity to kinetic terms only in transport equations for kinetic components. DSA systems become reduced as the number of components that need to be solved together is, at most, equal to the number of independent kinetic reactions.
Derivation of polarization from Odin/OSIRIS limb spectra
Authors: McLinden Chris A. , Haley Craig S. , Llewellyn Edward J.
Published: October 2004

A new technique for deriving the degree of linear polarization from limb‐scattered sunlight radiance measurements is presented and applied to Odin/OSIRIS. In this technique, the measured OSIRIS grating efficiency spectrum is fit to OSIRIS limb spectra using the differential optical absorption spectroscopy technique and the resultant fitting constant is shown to represent the difference in linear polarization between two tangent heights. The validity of this technique is confirmed using simulations from a vector limb radiative transfer model. OSIRIS scans of the difference in linear polarization from October 2003 are shown to be very sensitive to stratospheric and upper tropospheric aerosols, including background sulphates, clouds, and polar stratospheric clouds.
How strong is carbon cycle‐climate feedback under global warming?
Authors: Zeng Ning , Qian Haifeng , Munoz Ernesto , Iacono Roberto
Published: October 2004

The behavior of the coupled carbon cycle and physical climate system in a global warming scenario is studied using an Earth system model including the atmosphere, land, ocean, and the carbon cycle embedded in these components. A fully coupled carbon‐climate simulation and several sensitivity runs were conducted for the period of 1860–2100 with prescribed IPCC‐SRES‐A1B emission scenario. Results indicate a positive feedback to global warming from the interactive carbon cycle, with an additional increase of 90 ppmv in the atmospheric CO2, and 0.6 degree additional warming, thus confirming recent results from the Hadley Centre and IPSL. However, the changes in various carbon pools are more modest, largely due to the multiple limiting factors constraining terrestrial productivity and carbon loss. The large differences among the three models are manifestations of some of the poorly constrained processes such as the global strength of the CO2 fertilization effect and the turnover time and rates of soil decomposition.
Protons with kinetic energy E > 70 MeV trapped in the Earth's radiation belts
Authors: Fiandrini E. , Esposito G. , Bertucci B. , Alpat B. , Ambrosi G. , Battiston R. , Burger W. J. , Caraffini D. , Di Masso L. , Dinu N. , Ionica M. , Ionica R. , Pauluzzi M. , Menichelli M. , Zuccon P.
Published: October 2004

Accurate measurements of under cutoff proton fluxes in the energy range 0.07–9.1 GeV have been performed with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) at altitudes of 370–390 km in the geographic latitude interval ±51.7°. A clear transition from a Stably Trapped population typical of the Inner Van Allen belts, in the region of the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA), to a Quasi‐Trapped population in the regions underneath the Van Allen belts outside the SAA is observed. The flux maps as a function of the canonical adiabatic variables L, αo, and energy E are presented and discussed.
Volcanic rilles, streamlined islands, and the origin of outflow channels on Mars
Authors: Leverington David W.
Published: October 2004

The widely accepted view that catastrophic flow of liquid water was the dominant process involved in formation of outflow channels on Mars has as part of its foundation the assumption that the flow of lava could not have formed Martian features such as streamlined islands and anastamosing channels. However, lunar and Venusian channels, believed to have formed through volcanic processes in the absence of water, are indeed associated with such features. Additionally, many lunar and Venusian rilles head at topographic depressions, a common characteristic of Martian outflow channels. Lunar rilles typically lack positive relief accumulations of volcanic deposits at their mouths, suggesting that contrary to previous assertions, absence of such accumulations at the mouths of Martian outflow channels is not incompatible with a common mode of formation. Consistent with an igneous origin for outflow channels and certain valley systems on Mars, volcanic processes can produce a wide range of landforms that are similar to those normally associated with the flow of water, including channel terraces and complex channel networks. The simplest interpretation of Martian channels that extend from volcanic source regions onto volcanic plains is as conduits formed by the flow of lava. Channel formation hypotheses requiring major changes in Martian atmospheric properties or repeated catastrophic flow of water from volcanic features appear needlessly exotic alongside the igneous hypothesis for channel formation. In light of these points, future investigations of Martian outflow channels should more actively consider volcanic processes as candidate mechanisms for channel formation.
Seasonal changes in polyamine content of vegetative and reproductive olive organs in relation to floral initiation, anthesis, and fruit development
Authors: Pritsa T. S. , Voyiatzis D. G.
Published: October 2004

The concentrations of free and non-free spermidine and spermine in vegetative (leaves, shoot apices) and reproductive (lateral buds, ovaries, fruit tissues) olive organs were determined. The aim was to investigate whether the seasonal fluctuations of these polyamines in different organs correlated to developmental processes such as floral differentiation, shoot growth, anthesis, fertilisation, and fruit growth. Samples were taken from trees of the large-fruited cultivar Chondrolia Chalkidikis and the small-fruited Koroneiki. High levels of both polyamines were determined in buds and shoot apices during the cold period, especially in Ch. Chalkidikis, possibly connected to cold-hardiness exhibited by this cultivar. Two peaks of total spermine in buds, the first occurring in January–February and the second in mid April, coincided with the morphological differentiation of flowers and the inflorescence emergence, respectively. Polyamine levels in ovaries dropped after ovule fertilisation and remained low during the subsequent growth of fruit tissues. Spermidine accumulation, especially in the non-free form, was recorded around the middle of August during a period of intense physiological activity in olive connected to embryo and fruit growth, endocarp hardening, and preceding the second flush of growth in early September. The data showed a direct relationship, in terms of time, of polyamine fluctuations with developmental processes in olive. Whether polyamines act, in this respect, as nitrogen providers or assume a more active regulatory role remains to be elucidated.
Revision of the estimates of glutenin gene effects at the Glu-B1 locus from southern Australian wheat breeding programs
Authors: Eagles H. A. , Eastwood R. F. , Hollamby G. J. , Martin E. M. , Cornish G. B.
Published: October 2004

Glutenins are the major determinant of dough characteristics in wheat. These proteins are determined by genes at 6 loci, with multiple alleles present in southern Australian breeding programs. Previously, we estimated the effects of these genes on maximum dough resistance (Rmax), dough extensibility and dough development time. Subsequently, the allele previously classified as Glu-B1b was found to consist of 2 alleles, with one, now considered to be Glu-B1al, producing an overexpression of the Bx7 glutenin subunit. Therefore, there is a potential bias in our previous estimates.
An extended dataset was analysed with the 2 alleles now separated. These analyses identified negligible biases in our previous estimates, probably due to a low frequency of Glu-B1al before 1999. However, Glu-B1al produced significantly higher Rmax, dough extensibility, and dough development time values than all other alleles at the Glu-B1 locus. Therefore, at intermediate allele frequencies, substantial bias in estimates of the effects of the Glu-B1 alleles can be expected without correct identification of Glu-B1al.
Coccidioidomycosis Causing Massive Cervical Lymphadenopathy
Authors: Biller Jason A. , Scheuller Michael C. , Eisele David W.
Published: October 2004

Coccidioidomycosis involving the head and neck is uncommon. We present a case of a patient with disseminated coccidioidomycosis and massive submandibular cystic lymphadenopathy unresponsive to systemic antifungal treatment. It is our impression that significant clinical improvement resulted from concomitant needle aspiration of the cystic nodes to decrease fungal load and modification of systemic medication. Although reduction of fungal burden may provide an improved response to antifungal therapy, disseminated coccidioidomycosis is a systemic disease that requires appropriate systemic therapy.
Viability of a 12‐Ring Complete Tracheal Segment Transferred in the Form of a Compound Flap: An Experimental Study in Dogs
Authors: Cibantos Filho Jubert Sanches , de Mello Filho Francisco Veríssimo , Campos Antonio Dorival , Ellinguer Fred
Published: October 2004

Introduction: There is a lack of an ideal substitute for the injured tracheal tissues. Autologous or homologous grafts and prostheses are inadequate because of their unreliable and nonviable nature for the reconstruction of a complete tracheal segment (CTS).

Objective: We studied the viability of a 12‐ring CTS transferred in the form of a compound flap from the sternohyoid muscle (SM) for tracheal reconstruction.

Methods: Sixteen mongrel dogs of both sexes were divided into two groups of eight dogs each. In group I (control), a 12‐ring CTS was removed and then reimplanted as an autograft. In group II, an SM flap was used to envelop four rings of the CTS to produce a compound CTS flap neovascularized by the SM (CTSNV). After 21 days, a 12‐ring CTSNV, consisting of the four rings previously covered with SM, four rings above, and four rings below (without muscle covering), was sectioned and completely separated from the trachea. The CTS was then reimplanted at its original site, with the SM being the only vascular supply pedicle for the flap.

Results: The results were evaluated clinically and by macroscopic and microscopic examination of the surgical specimens. All the animals in group I (control) died or were killed by the first or second week because of necrosis and stenosis of the CTS graft. In group II, all animals were killed after 77 days of follow‐up without showing any alteration in the CTSNV.

Conclusions: We conclude that a compound 12‐ring CTSNV flap remains viable and can be mobilized from the trachea without the risk of necrosis or stenosis.
Influence of Amphotericin B on the Ciliary Beat Frequency of Nasal Mucosa
Authors: Hofer Edmund , Neher Andreas , Schrott‐Fischer Anneliese , Nagl Markus
Published: October 2004

Objective: A new therapeutic approach in eosinophilic fungal rhinosinusitis is topical application of antifungals such as amphotericin B. The tolerability of a recently applied concentration of this drug by human nasal mucosa was tested in vitro.

Methods: Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) was measured by a photometric technique, combining a light microscope, a photometer, a photograph‐multiplier, and a computed analyzing unit.

Results: Treatment for 20 minutes with amphotericin B finally diluted in saline to 0.1 mg/mL caused no decrease in CBF. By contrast, both amphotericin B diluted in distilled water and distilled water without additives lowered CBF about 50%. This decrease was not reversible after reincubation for 20 minute in saline.

Conclusions: The results confirm the good tolerability of topical amphotericin B in the nasal and paranasal cavity. Because of the negative effect of distilled water, final dilution in physiologic solvents should be considered.
Case Report: Cochlear Implant Magnet Migration
Authors: Wilkinson Eric P. , Dogru Salim , Meyer Ted A. , Gantz Bruce J.
Published: October 2004

A 13‐month‐old cochlear implant recipient underwent routine device activation. Three months postoperatively, the patient sustained a fall with contact to the area of the implant without immediate complication. Ten months postoperatively, the position of the external coil appeared to have moved and the patient did not seem to be responding as well to sound. Audiological testing could not elicit normal device impedances. AP and lateral plain radiographs of the skull revealed migration of the internal magnet from its position within the internal coil to a position over the receiver/stimulator. This is the first known published case of cochlear implant magnet migration.
Methemoglobinemia: Early Intraoperative Detection by Clinical Observation
Authors: Henry Leonard R. , Pizzini Mark , Delarso Bruce , Ridge John A.
Published: October 2004

Objectives/Hypothesis: Head and neck surgery patients often receive topical anesthetics in the office for examination or in the operating room for nasotracheal intubation. Benzocaine (a component of many topical preparations) is frequently employed for this purpose. Acute methemoglobinemia is a rare but potentially lethal complication of benzocaine administration. Early recognition and treatment may prevent complications or death. We report a case of acute intraoperative methemoglobinemia, caused by benzocaine spray, which was diagnosed (and reversed) quickly after the clinical observation of “chocolate brown blood” in the surgical field.
SEEG‐guided RF Thermocoagulation of Epileptic Foci: Feasibility, Safety, and Preliminary Results
Authors: Guénot Marc , Isnard Jean , Ryvlin Philippe , Fischer Catherine , Mauguière François , Sindou Marc
Published: October 2004

Summary: Purpose: Depth electrodes recordings may be required in some cases of epilepsy surgery to delineate the best region for cortical resection. We usually implant depth electrodes according to Talairach's stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) method. By using these permanently implanted depth electrodes, we are able to perform radiofrequency (RF)‐thermolesions of the epileptic foci. We report the technical data required to perform such multiple cortical thermolesions, as well as preliminary results in terms of seizure outcome in a group of 20 patients.

Methods: Lesions were performed by using 100‐ to 110‐mA bipolar current (50 V), applied for 10 to 50 s. Each thermocoagulation produced a 5‐ to 7‐mm diameter cortical lesion. In total, two to 16 lesions were performed in each of the 20 patients. Lesions were placed without anesthesia. No general or neurologic complication occurred during the procedures. Two transient postprocedure side effects, consisting of paresthetic sensations in the mouth and mild apraxia of the hand, were observed.

Results: At a follow‐up time of 8 to 31 months (mean, 19 months), 15% of the patients became seizure free, 40% experienced a ≥80% reduction of their seizure frequency, and 45% were not significantly improved.

Conclusions: SEEG‐guided RF thermolesions is a safe technique. Our preliminary results indicate that such lesions can lead to a significant reduction of seizure frequency and could be proposed as a palliative procedure if no resective surgery is possible. A randomized controlled trial is needed to determine which patients are likely to respond to SEEG‐guided RF thermolesions.
Lasting Secondary Antiepileptogenesis Induced by Cingulate Kindling
Authors: Wada Juhn A. , Hirayasu Yoshio
Published: October 2004

Summary:  Purpose: To test the validity of a hypothesis that kindling‐induced enduring kindling inhibition of the homotopic secondary site is not a primate species‐specific effect but occurs also in feline species.

Methods: Five mature male cats were kindled at the anterior (AC) and posterior (PC) cingulate cortex followed by secondary‐site kindling and primary‐site retest.

Results: Kindling was characterized by a marked seizure‐stage instability and a progressive afterdischarge threshold elevation in all the animals. A protracted nonconvulsive seizure stage was followed by convulsive evolution and rapid generalization. At the secondary site, positive transfer effect was absent, and kindling did not occur. Primary‐site retest activated kindled seizure within three stimulations. Recurrent spontaneous seizures, identical to the primary‐site kindled seizure, occurred in two AC‐kindled animals. Subsequent to this, a markedly elevated afterdischarge threshold also was found at some distant cortical and subcortical sites, to which the afterdischarge propagated. Kindling of the amygdala ipsilateral to the kindled AC or PC was tardy, with no positive transfer effect. However, it was associated with afterdischage threshold reduction.

Conclusions: Cingulate kindling‐induced enduring kindling inhibition at a homotopic secondary site is not a primate species‐specific effect and occurs also in feline species. It is not limited to a homotopic site and represents a lasting secondary antiepileptogenesis, presumably due to enhanced intrinsic inhibitory mechanism(s) available to the mammalian brain. A selective afterdischarge threshold elevation concurrently observed is suspected to be a feline species‐specific effect.
Synergism between Topiramate and Budipine in Refractory Status Epilepticus in the Rat
Authors: Fisher Andrew , Wang Xiaolan , Cock Hannah R. , Thom Maria , Patsalos Philip N. , Walker Matthew C.
Published: October 2004

Summary:  Purpose: To evaluate the antiepileptic and neuroprotective properties of topiramate (TPM) alone and with coadministration of the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA)‐receptor antagonist budipine in a rat model of refractory status epilepticus.

Methods: Male Sprague–Dawley rats had electrodes implanted into the perforant path and dentate granule cell layer of the hippocampus under halothane anesthesia. Approximately 1 week after surgery, the perforant path of each animal was electrically stimulated for 2 h to induce self‐sustaining status epilepticus. Successfully stimulated rats were given intraperitoneally vehicle (n = 6), TPM (20–320 mg/kg; n = 28), budipine (10 mg/kg; n = 5), or budipine (10 mg/kg) and TPM (80 mg/kg; n = 6) 10 min after the end of the stimulation and monitored behaviorally and electroencephalographically for a further 3 h. The animals were killed 14 days later, and histopathology was assessed.

Results: Neither budipine alone nor TPM at any dose terminated status epilepticus. Despite this, TPM resulted in various degrees of neuroprotection at doses between 40 and 320 mg/kg. Coadministration of budipine with TPM terminated the status epilepticus in all rats. This combination also significantly improved the behavioral profile and prevented status‐induced cell death compared with control.

Conclusions: Budipine and TPM are an effective drug combination in stopping self‐sustained status epilepticus, and TPM alone was neuroprotective, despite the continuation of seizure activity.
Electrolyte Therapy for Refractory Seizures in Familial Dysautonomia
Authors: Ochoa Juan G.
Published: October 2004

Summary:  Purpose: Video‐EEG in a family of three patients with slow development and familial dysautonomia demonstrated absence seizures associated with 3‐Hz generalized spike‐and‐wave discharges. The seizures were refractory to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).

Methods: Treatment was given with rice‐based cereal electrolyte oral solution.

Results: Treatment induced seizure freedom and normalization of EEG in all three patients. Repeated video‐EEG monitoring with discontinuation of AEDs and maintenance of the oral hydration therapy was associated with recurrence of epileptic activity. All three patients have remained seizure free (∼1 year) with a combination of topiramate and electrolytic therapy.

Conclusions: Rice‐based oral electrolyte hydration therapy may play a role in prevention and control of seizures in patients with familial dysautonomia.
Interictal Temporal Delta Activity in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: Correlations with Pathology and Outcome
Authors: Koutroumanidis Michael , Martin‐Miguel Carmen , Hennessy Michael J. , Akanuma Nozomi , Valentin Antonio , Alarcón Gonzalo , Jarosz Jozef M. , Polkey Charles E.
Published: October 2004

Summary:  Purpose: To determine the characteristics and the clinical significance of focal slow activity and its association with focal epileptogenesis in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

Methods: We analyzed the interictal EEGs of 141 patients who had temporal lobe resections for intractable focal seizures and correlated the findings with pathologic changes and outcome. The pathologic changes were categorized into medial temporal sclerosis, tumors, and nonspecific changes.

Results: Lateralized slow activity was found in 66% of the patients, and it was mainly temporal, of delta frequency and irregular morphology. None of its characteristics, including quantity and reactivity to eye opening, was substrate specific. It was highly concordant with temporal spiking (60%), without any difference across the three groups, but provided additional information in 19 (15%) patients who had no lateralizing spikes. The effect of sleep also was similar in all three groups and included transition of slow waves into spikes. Lateralized slow activity to the side of the operation was significantly associated with favorable outcome only in the group with nonspecific pathology (p = 0.008), regardless of the presence, laterality, or topography of spikes.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that in patients with TLE whose brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is either normal or suggestive of medial temporal sclerosis, interictal temporal slow activity has a lateralizing value similar to that of temporal spiking. Its association with a favorable outcome in patients with nonspecific pathology also suggests that candidates with lateralizing temporal delta and normal MRI should not be barred from further preoperative assessment.
Inadequacy of Standard Screen Resolution for Localization of Seizures Recorded from Intracranial Electrodes
Authors: Schevon Catherine A. , Thompson Tommy , Hirsch Lawrence J. , Emerson Ronald G.
Published: October 2004

Summary:  Seizures recorded during long‐term monitoring with implanted intracranial electrodes are typically interpreted by visual inspection alone by using digital display systems. When high‐frequency activity is digitized and displayed on a typical monitor, it is altered in ways that are not always appreciated and that may have an impact on the intracranial EEG (ICEEG) interpretation. We describe a case of a neocortical‐onset seizure in which false localization occurred with a 12‐s per screen display. Because frequencies in excess of 100 Hz are not uncommon in neocortical seizures, at most 4 to 5 s of EEG, depending on the screen resolution, data‐sampling rate, and other factors, should be displayed at one time during visual interpretation to localize the seizure onset. Alternatively, spectral analysis should be performed on recordings of neocortical seizures to detect high‐frequency activity that may be missed on visual inspection.
BIOMECHANICS AND ALGINIC ACID COMPOSITION DURING HYDRODYNAMIC ADAPTATION BYEGREGIA MENZIESII(PHAEOPHYTA) JUVENILES1
Authors: Kraemer George P. , Chapman David J.
Published: October 2004

To investigate the possible link between cell wall alginic acid composition and tissue mechanics, juveniles ofEgregia menziesii(Turn.) Aresch. were grown under controlled conditions in an outdoor flowing seawater system under three different force regimes. After 6–10 weeks of growth, tissue strength, breaking strain, modulus, toughness, work of fracture, and the percentage of polymannuronate, polyguluronate, and alternating sequences in the cell wall alginic acid were examined. The force regime had significant effects on all mechanical indices except toughness. Juveniles grown under high energy conditions (water velocity = 1.2 m · s−1) were about two times stronger, two times stiffer, and had a 1.5 times greater work of fracture than those from low energy conditions (<1 cm ·−1). Treatment effects on thallus strength and modulus were predicted from alginic acid composition data to test for the importance of this cell wall material in whole plant adaptation to hydrodynamic stress. However, the prediction that differences in alginic acid composition were responsible for differences in tissue mechanical properties was inconsistent with observations. Therefore, the hypothesis that alginates play a central role in structural adaptation could not be accepted.
AMMONIUM STIMULATION OF DARK CARBON FIXATION AS AN INDICATOR OF NITROGEN DEFICIENCY IN PHYTOPLANKTON: POTENTIAL ERRORS CAUSED BY AMMONIUM‐OXIDIZING BACTERIA1
Authors: Dodds Walter K. , Priscu John C.
Published: October 2004

Stimulation of dark fixation of carbon by NH4+ is often used as an indicator of phytoplankton N deficiency. This assay is based on the influence of available NH4+ on anaplerotic CO2 fixation by algae. However, carbon fixation by chemoautotrophic NH4+‐oxidizing bacteria may also be stimulated by NH4+ enrichment, a process that can mask the algal response in natural communities. NH4+ addition enhanced dark carbon fixation up to 300%, relative to unamended controls, in organisms collected on a 0.7‐μm retention filter in oligotrophic Flathead Lake, Montana, but the effect was not detectable in the presence of nitrapyrin, an inhibitor of NH4+‐oxidizing bacteria. Dark carbon fixation was enhanced with addition of NH4+ in organisms retained on 2‐μm filters (which should allow passage of most bacteria). NH4+ stimulated dark carbon fixation in N‐deficient axenic cultures of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Dang but not in N‐replete cultures in both the presence and absence of nitrapyrin. Application of nitrapyrin or size fractionation treatments, to separate the processes of dark carbon fixation by nitrifiers and phytoplankton, may improve the efficacy of assays using NH4+ stimulation of dark carbon fixation to specifically indicate N deficiency in natural algal communities.
IDENTIFICATION OF CYTOKININS IN SARGASSUM MUTICUM (PHAEOPHYTA) AND PORPHYRA PERFORATA (RHODOPHYTA)1
Authors: Zhang Wei , Chapman David J. , Phinney Bernard O. , Spray Clive R. , Yamane Hisakazu , Takahashi Nobutaka
Published: October 2004

Combined gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GCMS) was used to identify and quantify specific cytokinins from Porphyra perforate J. Ag. and Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensh. The level of isopentenyladenosine was estimated to be 0.6 μ·kg−1 fresh weight in Porphyra and 0.9 μ·kg−1 fresh weight in Sargassum. The level of cis‐zeatin riboside was estimated to be 0.2 μ·kg−1 fresh weight in Sargassum. This is the first definitive identification of a cytokinin from a red alga, and the second report from a brown alga.
CHARACTERIZATION OF PHOTOSYSTEM I‐ASSOCIATED POLYPEPTIDES FROM THE CHLOROPHYLLb‐RICH ALGATETRASELMISSPP. (PLEURASTROPHYCEAE) AND OTHER CHLOROPHYTE ALGAE1
Authors: Smith G. Jason , Alberts Randall S.
Published: October 2004

The phylogenetic distribution of photosystem I‐associated polypeptides was assessed by immunoblotting algal thylakoid membrane polypeptides with antisera generated against the P700‐chlorophyllaprotein (CC I) and a photosystem I light‐harvesting chlorophyll‐protein (LHC Ib). Polypeptides cross‐reacting with the CC I apoprotein were found in 20 species representing four classes of unicellular algae. Polypeptides sharing antigenicity with spinach LHC Ib were observed only in algal species containing chlorophyllb. Tetraselmisspp. (Pleurastrophyceae), rich in chlorophyllb(Chla:b1.2), exhibited marked heterogeneity in the composition of their CC I and LHC Ib cross‐reactive polypeptides. When immunoblotted with antisera against CC I, allTetraselmisclones examined exhibited a 25‐kD polypeptide in greater abundance than the 58‐kD CC I apoprotein characteristic of higher plants and other green algal thylakoids. ThreeTetraselmisclones (RG 6, RG 11, and RG 12) exhibited an 81‐kD polypeptide with strong antigenicity toward the LHC Ib antisera, in contrast to the 17‐ to 24‐kD cross‐reactive polypeptides found in spinach, green algae, and oneTetraselmisclone (RG 5).

Associated with the unique photosystem I polypeptide composition inTetraselmisspp., Chl: P700 ratios for the group are 2–5 times greater than those observed for higher plants or other green algae. The chlorophyllbenrichment, unusual composition of photosystem I cross‐reactive polypeptides, and heterogeneity of these polypeptides within isolates ofTetraselmismight make this genus useful for investigations of the functional organization of chlorophyllbin light‐harvesting systems. These features also support the view of an alternative phyletic origin for the Pleurastrophyceae.