bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The sea ice in Young Sound: Implications for carbon cycling
Authors: Glud Ronnie N. , Rysgaard Søren , Kühl Michael , Hansen Jens W.
Published: January 2024

Most of the year, Young Sound is covered by c. 160 cm thick sea ice overlain by a 20-100 cm thick snow cover. During the last 50 years the sea-ice-free period has varied between 63 and 131 days, but during the last 10–15 years there has been a tendency towards an increase in the sea-ice-free period, and 7 of the longest sea-ice-free periods observed in 50 years were recorded after 1990.

The snow and sea-ice cover regulates the activity of the light-limited marine ecosystem of Young Sound. As the snow cover melts during late May and June, the irradiance reflectance decreases, especially for red and near infrared light. Differences in snow cover thickness and patchy distribution of dry snow, wet snow and melting ponds on the sea-ice surface result in a very heterogeneous

light environment at the underside of the ice. In areas with sufficient light, sea-ice algae begin to flourish on the available nutrients. The sea-ice algal community adapts efficiently to the local light environment, and in areas with natural (or man-made) holes and cracks sea-ice algae bloom.

However, despite ample nutrients, the overall phototrophic biomass in Young Sound remains very low, with maximum values of c. 15–30 μg Chl a l-1 sea ice at the underside of the ice and with maximum area integrated values of c. 3 mg Chl a m-2. We speculate that the extreme dynamics in sea-ice appearance, structure and brine percolation, which is driven primarily by large but variable

freshwater inputs during snow melt and the breaking of frozen rivers, transforms the sea-ice matrix into a hostile environment for sea-ice algae. An annual estimate of sea-ice-related gross primary production for the entire outer Young Sound (Region 1 c. 76 km2) amounted to only 2.7 t C. The primary production measurements were performed in 1999 and 2002, and we cannot exclude large

inter annual variations. However, we have not experienced massive blooming of sea-ice algae in Young Sound during the last decade.

Detailed in situ and laboratory-based microsensor investigations documented that O2 concentrations at the underside of the ice and within the sea-ice matrix were extremely dynamic and strongly regulated by physical processes related to freezing and thawing of sea water rather than biological activity. Enclosure experiments on sea-ice samples performed in June 2002 revealed a high heterotrophic potential causing the sea-ice environment to become anoxic within 8 days despite concurrent photosynthetic activity. The sea ice was thus net heterotrophic, at least intermittently, and the sea ice hosted a bacterial community of denitrifiers. These findings change our conceptual and quantitative understanding of sea-ice-related microbial activity - at least in settings similar to Young Sound.
Cell type-specific connectome predicts distributed working memory activity in the mouse brain
Authors: Ding Xingyu , Froudist-Walsh Sean , Jaramillo Jorge , Jiang Junjie , Wang Xiao-Jing
Published: January 2024

Recent advances in connectomics and neurophysiology make it possible to probe whole-brain mechanisms of cognition and behavior. We developed a large-scale model of the multiregional mouse brain for a cardinal cognitive function called working memory, the brain’s ability to internally hold and process information without sensory input. The model is built on mesoscopic connectome data for interareal cortical connections and endowed with a macroscopic gradient of measured parvalbumin-expressing interneuron density. We found that working memory coding is distributed yet exhibits modularity; the spatial pattern of mnemonic representation is determined by long-range cell type-specific targeting and density of cell classes. Cell type-specific graph measures predict the activity patterns and a core subnetwork for memory maintenance. The model shows numerous attractor states, which are self-sustained internal states (each engaging a distinct subset of areas). This work provides a framework to interpret large-scale recordings of brain activity during cognition, while highlighting the need for cell type-specific connectomics.
Ticagrelor alleviates pyroptosis of myocardial ischemia reperfusion-induced acute lung injury in rats: a preliminary study
Authors: Dai Yi-Ning , Wang Li-Tao , Zhang Ye-Shen , Xue Ling , He Peng-Cheng , Tan Ning , Liu Yuan-Hui
Published: January 2024

Pulmonary infection is highly prevalent in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. However, the potential mechanism is not well characterized. Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) induces acute lung injury (ALI) related to pulmonary infection and inflammation. Recent studies have shown that pyroptosis mediates ALI in several human respiratory diseases. It is not known whether MIRI induces pyroptosis in the lungs. Furthermore, ticagrelor is a clinically approved anti-platelet drug that reduces ALI and inhibits the expression levels of several pyroptosis-associated proteins, but the effects of ticagrelor on MIRI-induced ALI have not been reported. Therefore, we investigated whether ticagrelor alleviated ALI in the rat MIRI model, and its effects on pyroptosis in the lungs. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, MIRI, MIRI plus low ticagrelor (30 mg/kg), and MIRI plus high ticagrelor (100 mg/kg). Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining was performed on the lung sections, and the HE scores were calculated to determine the extent of lung pathology. The wet-to-dry ratio of the lung tissues were also determined. The expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins such as NLRP3, ASC, and Cleaved caspase-1 were estimated in the lung tissues using the western blot. ELISA was used to estimate the IL-1β levels in the lungs. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the levels of MPO-positive neutrophils as well as the total NLRP3-positive and Cleaved caspase-1-positive areas in the lung tissues. The lung tissues from the MIRI group rats showed significantly higher HE score, wet-to-dry ratio, and the MPO-positive area compared to the control group, but these effects were attenuated by pre-treatment with ticagrelor. Furthermore, lung tissues of the MIRI group rats showed significantly higher expression levels of pyroptosis-associated proteins, including NLRP3 (2.1-fold, P < 0.05), ASC (3.0-fold, P < 0.01), and Cleaved caspase-1 (9.0-fold, P < 0.01). Pre-treatment with the high-dose of ticagrelor suppressed MIRI-induced upregulation of NLRP3 (0.46-fold, P < 0.05), ASC (0.64-fold, P < 0.01), and Cleaved caspase-1 (0.80-fold, P < 0.01). Immunohistochemistry results also confirmed that pre-treatment with ticagrelor suppressed MIRI-induced upregulation of pyroptosis in the lungs. In summary, our data demonstrated that MIRI induced ALI and upregulated pyroptosis in the rat lung tissues. Pre-treatment with ticagrelor attenuated these effects.
Lineamientos para el depósito de publicaciones y datos de investigación
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Published: January 2024

La Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile dispone de plataformas digitales para el depósito de publicaciones, así como datos de investigación en acceso abierto. En este contexto se presentan los lineamientos para el depósito de publicaciones y datos.
Lineamientos para las políticas de interoperabilidad entre sistemas y proyectos
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Published: January 2024

El objetivo es elaborar un conjunto de recomendaciones y directrices para los servicios de administración electrónica relacionados a la ciencia abierta, de forma que las personas puedan interactuar con esos recursos libremente.
Cardiopulmonary Involvement in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Prasad Akhila J , Krishnan Jijith , Bijilesh U
Published: January 2024

Introduction: One of the most challenging aspects of systemic sclerosis is the potential involvement of the cardiopulmonary system, which can lead to significant morbidity and mortality if not detected and managed promptly. Aim: To assess the clinical characteristics and prevalence of specific cardiopulmonary involvement and to investigate its association with disease duration in patients with systemic sclerosis from South India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, observational study was conducted at the Department of General Medicine, Government Medical College, Thrissur, India, between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020. Forty patients with systemic sclerosis were included according to the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) and the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria. Skin thickening was evaluated using the modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS). Investigations such as chest X-ray, echocardiogram, and antibody profiling were conducted to evaluate cardiopulmonary involvement. The data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0, and the Chi-square test was used to compare qualitative variables between groups. Results: Sixteen patients (40%) had an mRSS score between 11 and 20, followed by 14 patients (35%) with mRSS scores between 21 and 30. The prevalence of Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) was 50%. The echocardiogram findings showed mitral regurgitation and moderate Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) in 30% (n=12) and 25% (n=10) of patients, respectively. High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) and pulmonary function tests were normal in 10 patients (25%). The duration of the disease was three to eight years in 14 patients and eight to 12 years in 12 patients. Both ILD and PAH were significantly associated with the duration of the disease (p<0.05). Antiscleroderma-70 and anti-centromere were the most common antibodies present in patients with ILD and PAH, respectively. Conclusion: The study indicated a high prevalence of PAH and ILD in patients with systemic sclerosis. Moreover, both ILD and PAH were significantly associated with the duration of the underlying disease, with longer disease duration being associated with a higher likelihood of these conditions.
Effects of Photofunctionalisation on Osseointegration and Stability of Dental Implants: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lalsare Samiksha , Wankhade Sattyam , Khalikar Arun , Deogade Suryakant , Taneja Sukrit , Uchale Pooja
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Dental implant osseointegration is crucial for the long term success of implant-supported restorations. Photofunctionalisation (PF), a novel surface modification technique, has been proposed as a means to enhance implant osseointegration. Aim: To evaluate the current evidence regarding the effects of PF on dental implant osseointegration. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in electronic databases, including PubMed, Directory of Open Access Journals, and Google Scholar, for studies published up until August 2022. The search strategy combined keywords related to dental implants, PF, and osseointegration. Two independent reviewers screened the titles, abstracts, and full texts of the identified studies, following predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data extraction and quality assessment using the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for randomised clinical trials, the ROBINS-I tool for non randomised studies, and the The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for observational studies were performed. Results: A total of five studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. The outcomes assessed included implant stability, osseointegration, and survival rates. The findings of the included studies suggested that PF of dental implants may promote osseointegration by enhancing early bone formation, increasing implant stability, and improving Bone-To-Implant (BIC) contact. Conclusion: The available evidence suggests that PF of dental implants may have a positive impact on osseointegration. However, due to the limited number of studies, further research is needed to provide more definitive conclusions regarding the clinical benefits of photofunctionalised dental implants in pathologically compromised bone sites.
Evaluation of Articular Manifestations in Hepatitis C Virus Infected Patients and its Association with Liver Fibrosis: A Cross-sectional Study from Rural Indian State of Manipur
Authors: Hajong Satyajit , Devi Thingbaijam Shanti , Singh Thangjam Gautam , Reema Ningthoukhongjam , Rongmei Lungan , Nongtdu Nitajan , Marak Chatnera B , Mukesh Shagolshem
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is the main culprit for liver diseases worldwide. In Manipur its incidence is increasing, mainly due to blood borne transmission through intravenous drugs users. Among the extrahepatic manifestations of HCV infection-arthropathy (joint pain, swelling and stiffness) is most common. Exact mechanism of arthropathy are not well elucidated but are probably connected with the participation of the immune system and due to the replicating virus in the affected tissues, organ systems. Aim: To determine the articular manifestations in HCV infected patients and to study the association between articular manifestations and liver fibrosis. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 100 hepatitis C infected patients above 18 years of age who attended Medicine OPD, gastroenterology and liver clinic or admitted in the General Medicine wards, Regional institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, Manipur, India. Blood samples were collected for Complete Blood Count, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, C Reactive Protein, Liver function test, Renal function test, HCV, Rheumatoid Factor (RF), Antinuclear Antibody (ANA), anti-ds DNA. Ultrasound (USG) whole abdomen and X-rays of involved joints were done when indicated. Markers for liver stiffness/fibrosis, {Aspartate Aminotransferases (AST) to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI)} score, The fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score and AST/Alanine Transaminase (ALT) ratio were calculated and compared. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences(SPSS) (IBM) version 21.0 was used for statistical analysis. Chi-square and Fischer’s-exact test were used. Results: A total of 100 hepatitis C infected patients were enrolled in the present study. Majority of the study subjects were males (63%) under 40 years of age (69%). Eighty-four (84%) patients were intravenous drug users. Joint pain, swelling and stiffness was present in 37 (37%), 31 (31%) and 24 (24%), respectively. Around 36 (36%), 45 (45%) and 29 (29%) of the participants had significant fibrosis with respect to FIB 4 score, APRI and USG finding, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of joint pain was 37% in this study. Females and younger age group were more associated with articular manifestation. The present study concluded that patient with articular manifestation were seen to have significant fibrosis with respect to FIB 4 score, APRI and USG finding, AST/ALT.
Adaptogenic Botanicals with Emphasis on Rhodiola rosea and Withania somnifera
Authors: Machín Rubén P. , Florido Miguel , Chirino-Godoy Ricardo , López-Rios Laura
Published: January 2024

This review addresses the issue of plant adaptogens, botanical products with remarkable anti-stress effects. These actions result from its ability to increase the non-specific organism's resistance process against multiple stressors (physical, chemical or biological). They are capable of exerting a normalizing effect on the human body, being both non-toxic effects and not influencing normal organic functions. Several plants with a complex phytochemical profile meet the criteria for being adaptogens. Many of them have been used in traditional medicine as tonic-vitalizing agents for centuries to treat various health conditions. This review briefly explains the organism's stress responses against stressors and the evolution of the adaptogenic concept from a historic perspective. A rational classification of adaptogens plants is formulated although it does not cover the full variability of botanical adaptogens. Nevertheless, summarizing data from two of the most important plant adaptogens, golden root (Rhodiola rosea) and Indian ginseng (Withania somnifera), are described. This includes their most deserving ethnomedicinal properties, the various families of compounds that constitute their complex phytochemical profiles, pharmacological activities along with putative mechanism of action responsible for some of their multifaceted biological actions, and the multi-therapeutic and health-promoting activities obtained from the most relevant clinical trials performed to date. Additionally, several relevant and current issues regarding the safety and toxicity of both widely used adaptogens are detailed. These include potential negative drugs interactions, putative contraindications and warnings in specific physiological statuses or health conditions.  Finally, despite the overlapping activities against stress and stress-related health conditions some superior therapeutic benefits are tentatively assigned both to Withania somnifera and Rhodiola rosea taking into account the overall evidence of efficacy from pharmacological and clinical studies.
The Pattern of Respiratory Diseases among Children Admitted in the Children Emergency Ward, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Nneka Gabriel-Job , Chidiebere Chukwuma A.
Published: January 2024

Aim: Respiratory diseases are common causes of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Variations in the pattern of respiratory diseases exist globally, due to environmental conditions, poverty, hygiene and so on. This study sought to determine the pattern of respiratory diseases among children admitted into the emergency ward of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.

Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Setting and Duration of Study: Children Emergency Ward of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, between January 2019 and January 2021.

Methodology: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Data were collected from case notes of 3,851 children, aged two months to 18 years, admitted to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, over three years.

Results: Respiratory diseases accounted for 500 (13%) of the total admissions, and was more common among males than females (M: F = 1.3:1). The mean age of children with respiratory illnesses was 2.27±4.6 years. Infectious causes {443 (88.6%)} were significantly higher than non-infectious causes {57 (11.4%)}, p<0.001. Bronchopneumonia, bronchial asthma and bronchiolitis were the commonest morbidities seen, accounting for 394 (78.8%), 34 (6.8%) and 22 (4.4%) of cases respectively.

Conclusion: The prevalence of respiratory diseases is high. Infectious causes are still prevalent with cases presenting more during the dry season. Measures to reduce environmental pollution and enhance immunization can greatly reduce respiratory diseases among children.
Enhancing Awareness of Diclofenac as an Over-the-Counter Analgesic in the Northern Border Region of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alshammari Seham Zaid
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Diclofenac was identified by the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee of the European Medicines Agency as a high-risk NSAID in terms of its effects on the heart and circulation when administered systemically, i.e. capsules, tablets or injections.

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge and awareness about over the counter analgesic medication (Diclofenac) among people living in northern border region – Saudi Arabia.

Methodology: Self-administered cross-sectional study conducted during a period of two months (October and November 2023) on random sample of 430 Saudi people living in the Northern Border Region. The data was analyzed by Microsoft excel program by means of Descriptive statistics.

Results: Toothache and headache were the most worried pain among participants (32%) and (31%) respectively, majority (72%) of participants buy OTC medication for pain from community pharmacy on the advice of pharmacist. Small percentage (20%) thought that medications containing diclofenac have very few side effects, 76% didn’t know any side effect of diclofenac, 47% didn’t know that diclofenac in high dose has adverse effects on kidney, 71% didn’t know that diclofenac cause gastrointestinal adverse effects. About one fifth of participants (21%) didn’t know the maximum dose of diclofenac when they use it, tablet is the preferred dosage form of diclofenac (27%) followed by granules (16%), dosage of 100 mg is the most frequently used (36%) followed by 50 mg (16%). 

Conclusion:  Saudi people’s knowledge about diclofenac as one member of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was insufficient. Knowledge about related adverse effects of diclofenac was lacked which exposes to misusage that may carry accidents and severe side effects especially among high-risk population.
Bacteriological Evaluation of Indoor Air Quality in Some Selected Units at the University of Cape Coast Hospital in Ghana
Authors: Botchway Geoffrey Saah , Nyarko Hubert Danquah , Amoah Juliana , Birikorang Emmanuel
Published: January 2024

A hospital is an environment solely for diagnosing and treating patients. Contemporary research, however, reveals the possibility of users contracting diseases due to many factors, such as poor air quality. This research, therefore, delves into the critical indoor air quality assessment domain, focusing on selected units within the University of Cape Coast Hospital, Ghana. The study’s primary objective was to conduct a comprehensive microbial assessment of indoor air quality in eight different units (emergency room, operating theater, out-patient department, consulting rooms, laboratory, male ward, female ward, and ear, nose, and throat unit) of the hospital, shedding light on potential airborne bacteria present. Indoor and outdoor air were sampled using Koch’s sedimentation method. Colony forming units per cubic meter of air (cfu/m3) were determined with the Omeliansky formula. The bacteriological load within the units revealed that the out-patient department had the highest bacterial concentration (139.2±60.32×102 cfu/m3), immediately followed by Outdoor (135.1±43.63×102 cfu/m3), whereas ear, nose, and throat unit recorded the least concentration (0.4±0.57×102 cfu/m3). The remaining units range between 135.1±43.63×102 cfu/m3 and 0.4±0.57×102 cfu/m3. The morphological characteristics of the seven observed bacterial isolates (GSB 1-7) showed the presence of two cocci and five rods. Isolates 1 and 4 had a rhizoid form, isolates 2,3, and 5 had a circular form, while isolates 6 and 7 had filamentous forms. All isolates showed positive gram tests, and endospores were detected in isolates 1, 4, and 6. Bacterial isolates were identified as Bacillus mycoides, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus circulans, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Bacillus subtilis, and Micrococcus sp. These outcomes indicate bacterial contaminations in the indoor environment, likely to pose a significant risk to patients, workers, and visitor’s safety. Therefore, rigorous monitoring and mitigation strategies are essential to ensure a safer environment in healthcare settings.
Interactional Styles Used by Raymond Chin in the Close the Door podcast Miskin Bukan Privilege
Authors: Andy Andy , Gunawan Samuel
Published: January 2024

Interactional styles not only reflect on the gender of the speaker but also the “dominant attitudes” that they produce. In this study, the writer focuses on analyzing a podcast video on a social media platform, which is Raymond Chin in the Close the Door podcast Miskin Bukan Privilege (Being Poor is not a Privilege) on YouTube. This study is done by the writer to find the features of interactional styles used by Raymond Chin as a guest in the Close the Door podcast Miskin Bukan Privilege on YouTube. Additionally, the writer identifies the usage of interactional style that Raymond utilizes in the podcast regarding the bogus investments. In managing this study, the writer uses the theory of interactional styles by Holmes (2006). Moreover, this study uses a qualitative approach. As a result, this study shows that Raymond uses both feminine and masculine interactional styles in the Close the Door podcast Miskin Bukan Privilege. In short, Raymond Chin dominantly uses a feminine interactional style because he is trying to cover up what really happened regarding bogus investments. Besides that, Raymond Chin uses masculine when the host of the podcast succeeds in provoking him to answer the questions regarding the bogus investments.
INCOMPLETE: A Screenplay Raising Awareness Towards Postpartum Depression
Authors: Susanto Eunike Patricia , Basuki Ribut
Published: January 2024

This thesis focuses on the possibility of postpartum depression (PPD) among new moms, as well as the importance of family support in the recovery process. The study explores the physical and emotional aspects that contribute to PPD, such as exhaustion and a lack of husband support. The screenplay dives into the path of the main character, a mother who has just given birth and is experiencing postpartum depression due to fatigue and lack of support from her husband and family. She continues to struggle to make her life better through treatment, a support group, and support from her family and she begins to share her stories through social media to raise awareness.
Teacher’s Roles Implemented by an American Lecturer and an Indonesian Lecturer in Teaching Reading Classes
Authors: Herlina Elsa Septia , Wijaya Henny Putri Saking
Published: January 2024

This thesis is a qualitative study on teacher's roles implemented by an American lecturer (AL) and an Indonesian lecturer (IL) in the English Department, Petra Christian University when they taught Reading classes. The objectives of this study are to find out the teacher's roles of both lecturers and their differences and similarities. This study used Harmer's theory on teacher's roles (2015). The data were collected twice for each lecturer. The findings show that the lecturers applied the teacher's roles: controller, monitor, prompter, editor, resource, and organizer. There were roles of evidence gatherer, tutor, and facilitator that were not implemented by both lecturers. This study also found multiple roles in one utterance. For the difference, only AL played the role of prompter when teaching. In conclusion, the topic of reading passages might affect the teacher’s roles implemented by AL and IL.
Photoelectrochemical Proton Reduction with Coated Zinc Tetraphenylporphin Dispersed into Poly(4-vinylpyridine)
Authors: ABE TOSHIYUKI , IMAYA HIROSHI , TOKITA SUMIO , WöHRLE DIETER , KANEKO MASAO
Published: August 2002

Photoelectrochemical proton reduction for H 2 production was found with zinc tetraphenylporphin ( ZnTPP ) dispersed into a poly(4-vinylpyridine) ( PVP ) membrane coated on a platinum electrode ( Pt / PVP [ ZnTPP ]) and dipped in an aqueous solution. The photocurrent in the Pt / PVP [ ZnTPP ] system was generated in the potential region below −0.40 V (vs. Ag / AgCl ). The action spectrum of the photocurrent showed that the photoelectrochemical event is induced by the excitation of ZnTPP . The singlet lifetime of the PVP [ ZnTPP ] system under the applied potential of −0.45 V (vs. Ag / AgCl ) is shorter than that without the applied potentials, showing that the singlet ZnTPP * species is quenched reductively to ZnTPP − by electron injection from the platinum electrode. The proton is catalytically reduced to H 2 by ZnTPP − supposedly on the platinum surface.
Cohabitation, marriage, and murder: Woman‐killing by male romantic partners
Authors: Shackelford Todd K.
Published: August 2002

Using a national‐level US homicide database that includes more than 400,000 homicides committed from 1976‐1994, I calculated rates of uxoricide (the murder of a woman by her romantic partner) by type of relationship (cohabiting or marital), ages of the partners, and age difference between partners. Women in cohabiting relationships are about nine times more likely to be killed by their partner than are women in marital relationships. Within marital relationships, the risk of uxoricide decreases with a woman’s age. Within cohabiting relationships, in contrast, middle‐aged women are at greatest risk of uxoricide. Paralleling the uxoricide victimization rates, uxoricide perpetration rates are highest for young married men and for middle‐aged cohabiting men. Uxoricide risk generally increases with greater age difference between partners. These findings provide the first national‐level replication of uxoricide risk patterns reported for a national‐level Canadian sample. Discussion highlights future research directions, including identifying why women in cohabiting relationships incur greater risk of uxoricide than do women in marital relationships. Aggr. Behav. 27:284–291, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Recency and duration neglect in subjective assessment of television picture quality
Authors: Hands David S. , Avons S. E.
Published: August 2002

Digitally coded television pictures exhibit transient picture impairments that can vary in intensity and duration. It is an important practical question to determine the extent to which these transient impairments affect the overall quality of a television sequence, as a function of their location within the sequence, their duration and their magnitude. Five experiments are reported. It is shown that retrospective quality ratings are poorer when the worst‐quality video occurs at the end compared to the beginning of a 30 s video sequence. This recency effect was eliminated when subjects were asked to continuously evaluate picture quality. The duration of an impairment was found to have little impact on quality ratings. A regression analysis found that quality ratings were best predicted by the peak impairment intensity. The results were interpreted in terms of Hogarth and Einhorn's (1992) belief‐adjustment model. The implications for television picture quality evaluation are discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recurrent thromboembolic disease following splenectomy for pyruvate kinase deficiency
Authors: Chou Roger , DeLoughery Thomas G.
Published: August 2002

We report a case of recurrent thromboembolic disease and chronic pulmonary hypertension in an adult patient with pyruvate kinase deficiency who underwent splenectomy as a child. Thromboembolism has been reported as a complication following splenectomy for various hereditary chronic hemolytic anemias. To our knowledge, this association has not been described in patients specifically with pyruvate kinase deficiency. Our patient presented at age 37 with recurrent pulmonary emboli, 36 years after splenectomy for severe hemolytic anemia. Work‐up for other hypercoagulable states was negative. The mechanism for hypercoagulability in this condition is unclear but may involve a quantitative or qualitative change in disrupted thrombogenic red blood cell membranes that would normally be removed by the spleen. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for thrombotic events in these patients, as early diagnosis and treatment can reduce morbidity and mortality, and chronic anticoagulation may help prevent the sequelae of repeated thromboembolic events. Am. J. Hematol. 67:197–199, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Laboratory method to study mutational effects on human erythrocyte spectrin tetramerization
Authors: Ranganathan S. , Menhart N. , Topouzian N. , Fung L.W.‐M.
Published: August 2002

We have developed a laboratory method combining a random mutagenesis method and a yeast two‐hybrid system to study effects of mutation on human erythrocyte spectrin tetramerization. A PCR‐based procedure was used to generate random mutations in DNA fragments of the first 55 residues of α‐spectrin. Each of the DNA fragments from random mutagenesis was fused with a DNA fragment of native spectrin consisting of residues 56 to 368 to give a DNA fragment of the first 368 residues in α‐spectrin. The α‐spectrin DNA fragment and a DNA fragment containing the last 449 residues in β‐spectrin were introduced into the yeast two‐hybrid system for rapid screening of α‐ and β‐spectrin interaction. Yeast colonies with interacting α‐ and β‐peptides were blue, and those with non‐interacting α‐ and β‐peptides were white. Six single amino acid mutations (R27G, Y35N, F38S, L49H, Y53N, and Y53C) and a double amino acid mutation (K16M, I24N) were identified from 8 white colonies, but no mutations were found in the DNA fragments of 14 blue colonies. Thus this simple laboratory method allows us to study effects of mutation on interactions of α‐ and β‐spectrin at the tetramerization site. Am. J. Hematol. 67:247–251, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sequence and expression analyses of μ and δ transcripts in patients with waldenström's macroglobulinemia
Authors: Shiokawa Satoshi , Suehiro Youko , Uike Naokuni , Muta Koichiro , Nishimura Junji
Published: August 2002

Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) is a malignant lymphoplasmo‐proliferative disorder with monoclonal pentameric immunoglobulin (Ig)M production. The most consistent feature of clonal B cells in the bone marrow (BM) and/or lymph nodes of patients with WM is the presence of pleomorphic B‐lineage cells at different stages of maturation, such as small lymphocytes, lymphoplasmacytoid cells, and plasma cells. Monoclonal lymphocytes express μ chains with or without δ chains. A recent DNA analysis of WM tumor clones showed WM to be derived from B cells that have been selected by antigen at a relatively late stage of differentiation. To further clarify the origin of WM tumor cells, we analyzed the variable (V) domain sequences of tumor derived μ and δ transcripts. The expression of δ transcripts was also examined in peripheral blood (PB) and BM using the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) combined with a single‐strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. The sequences were identical among the μ and δ transcripts in each patient and the level of somatic mutation in the VH regions expressed by tumor cells was in the same range as that of IgM‐only B cells and IgM+IgD+ memory B cells. In our previous RT‐PCR‐SSCP analysis, a single dominant band of the μ isotype was observed in BM and PB in all patients. However, common dominant bands in BM and PB were detected in only one patient in a δ transcript analysis. In the rest of the patients, monoclonal δ transcripts were only detected in BM. Our results suggest that a normal counterpart of WM cells is somatically mutated IgM+IgD+ and/or IgM‐only B cells and the expression patterns of monoclonal μ and δ transcripts differ between BM and PB in some cases of WM. Am. J. Hematol. 68:139–143, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Results of an intervention to improve lead safety among painting contractors and their employees*
Authors: Materna Barbara L. , Harrington David , Scholz Peter , Payne Susan F. , Stubbs Harrison A. , Hipkins Karen , Merideth Emily , Kirsch Luz , Lomax Geoffrey , Coyle Patricia , Uratsu Connie
Published: August 2002

Background

Residential and commercial painters disturb lead paint on older buildings, exposing workers and potentially building occupants. An intervention strategy was evaluated for improving lead safety in these small businesses.

Methods

Twenty‐one painting contractors received 32 hr of training, technical assistance, and a safety manual; their employees attended an 8‐hr training session. Impact evaluation involved interviewing participants at baseline, immediately post‐intervention, and 1 year later, and conducting contractor focus groups post‐intervention.

Results

Employers met 15 of 27 target objectives and workers met 3 of 12; however, even in areas where objectives were not met, both groups made improvements.

Conclusions

Motivated contractors and their employees can make moderate improvements in lead‐safe practices if provided with extensive training and technical assistance. Changes that are costly, unfamiliar, or perceived as a threat to work quality are more difficult to implement. Am. J. Ind. Med. 41:119–130, 2002. Published 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Non‐malignant asbestos‐related diseases in Brazilian asbestos‐cement workers
Authors: Algranti E. , Mendonça E.M.C. , DeCapitani E.M. , Freitas J.B.P. , Silva H.C. , Bussacos M.A.
Published: August 2002

Background

Production of asbestos‐cement products in Brazil started in the 1940s, peaked in the 60–70s and is still an active industry. This study was designed to assess the non‐malignant effects of asbestos exposure in the asbestos‐cement industry in Brazil.

Methods

A group of 828 former asbestos‐cement workers enrolled in a cross‐sectional and cohort study of respiratory morbidity, submitted to a detailed occupational history, respiratory symptoms questionnaire, spirometry, PA chest x‐ray, and high resolution computed chest tomography (HRCT). Asbestos exposure was assessed by years of exposure, cumulative exposure (a semi‐quantitative method), and latency time from first exposure. Asbestosis and pleural thickening were assessed according to HRCT criteria.

Results

Asbestosis was present in 74 (8.9%) and pleural thickening in 246 (29.7%). Using the HRCT as the “best available evidence”, it was shown that were more false negatives than false positives in the x‐ray readings for parenchymal (21.6% false negatives, 4.2% false positives) and pleural (26.0% false negatives, 14.4% false positives) diseases due to asbestos. Latency time from first exposure was the best predictor for both asbestosis and pleural thickening. Subjects in the higher exposure groups presented lower levels of lung function. Obstructive defects were significantly related to smoking, shortness of breath, body mass index, and age, whereas restrictive defects were related to asbestosis, shortness of breath, and latency time. Chronic bronchitis increased with latency time in the three smoking groups and was significantly related to pleural thickening (OR 1.56 (1.00–2.42)). Shortness of breath was significantly associated with body mass index and pleural thickening (OR 1.30 (1.24–2.09)).

Conclusions

Pleural thickening and asbestosis showed a significant association with latency time and exposure. FVC and FEV1 decreased across increasing profusion with an added effect of pleural thickening. There was a significant and independent effect of exposure on lower levels of FVC and FEV1. Obstructive defects were mainly related to smoking and restriction to asbestosis. Dust exposure and smoking were synergistic in increasing chronic bronchitis and shortness of breath report. Shortness of breath report was also related to pleural thickening and higher body mass index. Am. J. Ind. Med. 40:240–254, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Integrating occupational health services and occupational prevention services*
Authors: Rudolph Linda , Deitchman Scott , Dervin Kathy
Published: August 2002

Background

Despite the human and monetary costs of occupational injury and illness, occupational health care has focused more on treatment than prevention, and prevention is not part of many clinical occupational health practices. This represents a failure of occupational health care to meet the health care needs of the working patients.

Methods

MEDLINE searches were conducted for literature on occupational medical treatment and the prevention of occupational injury and illness were reviewed to for linkages between prevention and treatment. Policy discussions which identify examples of programs that integrated prevention and treatment were included.

Results

Although examples of the integration of clinical and preventive occupational health services exist, there are challenges and barriers to such integration. These include inaction by clinicians who do not recognize their potential role in prevention; the absence of a relationship between the clinician and an employer willing to participate in prevention; economic disincentives against prevention; and the absence of tools that evaluate clinicians on their performance in prevention.

Conclusions

Research is needed to improve and promote clinical occupational health preventive services. Am. J. Ind. Med. 40:307–318, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mutation analysis of the human NR4A2 gene, an essential gene for midbrain dopaminergic neurogenesis, in schizophrenic patients
Authors: Chen Yun‐Hsiang , Tsai Ming‐Ta , Shaw Cheng‐Kuang , Chen Chia‐Hsiang
Published: August 2002

Recent studies have revealed that an orphan receptor gene of the steroid/thyroid hormone nuclear receptor superfamily, the Nurr1 gene, is essential for the neurogenesis and differentiation of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain of mice. Transgenic mice lacking the Nurr1 gene soon die after birth and are devoid of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain. Heterozygous mice survive postnatally without obvious locomotor deficits; however, they have increased vulnerability to dopaminergic neurotoxin 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). In view of the importance of dopamine neurotransmission in brain function, we were interested to know if the human homologous gene of murine Nurr1, the NR4A2 gene, may play a role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. We systematically sequenced all the exons of the human NR4A2 gene to search for molecular variants in a cohort of Chinese schizophrenic patients from Taiwan. Two molecular variants were identified: a G‐insertion in intron 6 (designated IVS6 + 17∼ + 18insG), and a G‐deletion in the untranslated exon 1 (designated c.‐469delG). The IVS6 + 17∼ + 18insG is a polymorphic one; further case control study, however, did not reveal association of this polymorphism with schizophrenia. The c.‐469delG is a rare variant found in two unrelated patients among 177 schizophrenic patients, but not in 130 nonpsychotic controls. The result suggests that the c.‐469delG and possibly other variants of the NR4A2 gene may be of relevance to the complex factors involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Study of 250 children with idiopathic mental retardation reveals nine cryptic and diverse subtelomeric chromosome anomalies
Authors: Baker Elizabeth , Hinton Lyn , Callen David F. , Altree Meryl , Dobbie Angus , Eyre Helen J. , Sutherland Grant R. , Thompson Elizabeth , Thompson Peter , Woollatt Erica , Haan Eric
Published: August 2002

Cryptic subtelomeric chromosome anomalies have been recognized as a significant cause of dysmorphology and mental retardation. To determine whether the clinical cytogenetics laboratory should screen routinely for these aberrations, we have tested 250 patients with idiopathic mental retardation/developmental delay, either isolated (53) or associated with dysmorphic features and/or malformations in the absence of a recognizable syndrome (197). All had normal karyotypes at the 550–850 band level. Subtelomeric anomalies were found in 1/53 of the first group (1.9%) and 8/197 of the second group (4.1%). In one patient, two separate anomalies were present: a deletion (not inherited) and a duplication (inherited). It is possible that one of these 10 observed aberrations might represent a rare and previously unreported polymorphism and one a rare cross‐hybridization. Our study supports the proposition that cryptic subtelomeric rearrangements are a significant cause of idiopathic mental retardation/developmental delay, but both the diversity of the phenotypes of the positive cases and the wide diversity of their associated chromosome abnormalities emphasize the central problem for the clinical cytogenetics laboratory—that of choosing the most productive patient base for this useful diagnostic test. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Saethre‐Chotzen syndrome: Notable intrafamilial phenotypic variability in a large family with Q28X TWIST mutation
Authors: Dollfus Hélène , Biswas Partha , Kumaramanickavel Govindsamy , Stoetzel Corinne , Quillet Renaud , Biswas Jyotirmay , Lajeunie Elisabeth , Renier Dominique , Perrin‐Schmitt Fabienne
Published: August 2002

Saethre‐Chotzen syndrome is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by craniosynostosis, ptosis, and limb and external ear abnormalities. Variable expressivity is a well‐known phenomenon in this disorder. A large Indian family has been recently identified as carrying a nonsense TWIST mutation (Q28 X) in 17 members, of whom 16 were examined in detail. Only 4 (25%) of the patients showed patent craniostenosis, namely, oxycephaly. The penetrance of craniosynostosis in this family is lower than previously reported in the literature. Fifteen patients (93%) had moderate to severe ptosis. Minor limb and external ear abnormalities were present in most patients. Eyelid features were the hallmark of the disease for 12 members of the family, suggesting that mutations in TWIST may lead to a phenotype with mainly palpebral features and no craniostenosis. The clinical analysis of this large family clearly illustrates the significant variable expressivity, probably related to haploinsufficiency because of the TWIST mutation. This phenotypic variability remains unclear but could be the result of modifier genes and/or genetic background effect, as noticed previously in the transgenic twist‐null heterozygous mice. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tissue contributions to sex and race: Differences in tooth crown size of deciduous molars
Authors: Harris Edward F. , Hicks Joseph D. , Barcroft Betsy D.
Published: August 2002

This study describes size of constituent deciduous tooth crown components (enamel, dentine, and pulp) to address the manner in which males characteristically have larger teeth than females, and the observation that teeth of American blacks are larger than those of American whites. Measurements were collected (n = 333 individuals) from bitewing radiographs using computer‐aided image analysis. Tissue thicknesses (enamel, dentine, pulp) were measured at the crown's mesial and distal heights of contour. Deciduous mesiodistal molar crown length is composed of about 1/7 enamel, 1/3 dentine, and 1/2 pulp. Details differ by tooth type, but males typically have significantly larger dentine and pulp dimensions than females; there is no sexual dimorphism in marginal enamel thickness. Males scale isometrically with females for all variables tested here. Blacks significantly exceed whites in size of all tissues, but tissue types scale isometrically with blacks and whites with one exception: enamel thickness is disproportionately thick in blacks. While the absolute difference is small (5.56 mm of enamel in blacks summed over all four deciduous molar tooth types vs. 5.04 mm in whites), the statistical difference is considerable (P < 0.001). Aside from enamel, crown size in blacks is increased proportionately vis‐à‐vis whites. Principal components analysis confirmed these univariate relationships and emphasizes the statistical independence of crown component thicknesses, which is in keeping with the sequential growth and separate embryonic origins of the tissues contributing to a tooth crown. Results direct attention to the rates of enamel and dentine deposition (of which little is known), since the literature suggests that blacks (with larger crowns and thicker enamel) spend less time in tooth formation than whites. Am J Phys Anthropol 115:223–237, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The arsenic eaters of Styria: a different picture of people who were chronically exposed to arsenic
Authors: Przygoda Gudrun , Feldmann Jörg , Cullen William R.
Published: August 2002

We have reviewed the case of residents of Styria, Austria, who are reported to have consumed large quantities of arsenic oxide (300–400 mg per dose) and remained in good health.