bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How successful is the conservative management of pelvi‐ureteric junction obstruction in adults?
Authors: Gulur Dev M. , Young James G. , Painter Daniel J. , Keeley Francis X. , Timoney Anthony G.
Published: November 2008

OBJECTIVE

To assess the conservative management of pelvi‐ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO), according to severity, accepted in paediatric urology but rarely reported in adults.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A series of 23 patients (median age 58 years, 17 men and six women) with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic PUJO were managed conservatively. The patients’ age, preference and comorbidities were considered. The diagnosis of PUJO was based on intravenous urography and isotopic renography. After stringently reviewing the renograms based on relative renal function (RRF) and output efficiency (OE), 15 patients had an OE consistent with definitive PUJO. One patient had no further imaging due to associated comorbidities. Ten patients had right PUJO, three left and one with bilateral PUJO, with unilateral conservative management. The follow‐up included annual renography and clinical consultation. Laparoscopic pyeloplasty was considered for patients with a >10% loss of RRF and/or <40% RRF during the follow‐up.

RESULTS

Overall, 14 of 15 patients had renograms during the follow‐up. The mean RRF of the affected kidney at diagnosis was 48.6% which marginally decreased to 46.7% after a median (range) follow‐up of 44 (23–75) months. The RRF of 11 patients remained stable and in three decreased significantly (median 11% RRF), requiring pyeloplasty. None of the patients became symptomatic throughout the follow‐up.

CONCLUSION

In asymptomatic adults the conservative management of PUJO appears to be safe during a short‐ to medium‐term follow‐up. We recommend that patients are regularly followed with renography and seen promptly should they become symptomatic. A longer follow‐up is needed in a larger group to confirm these findings.
Integration of ERG gene mapping and gene‐expression profiling identifies distinct categories of human prostate cancer
Authors: Jhavar Sameer , Brewer Daniel , Edwards Sandra , Kote‐Jarai Zsofia , Attard Gerhardt , Clark Jeremy , Flohr Penny , Christmas Timothy , Thompson Alan , Parker Matthew , Shepherd Christopher , Stenman Ulf‐Hakan , Marchbank Tania , Playford Raymond J. , Woodhouse Christopher , Ogden Christopher , Fisher Cyril , Kovacs Gyula , Corbishley Cathy , Jameson Charles , Norman Andy , De‐Bono Johann , Bjartell Anders , Eeles Rosalind , Cooper Colin S.
Published: November 2008

OBJECTIVE

To integrate the mapping of ERG alterations with the collection of expression microarray (EMA) data, as previous EMA analyses have failed to consider the genetic heterogeneity and complex patterns of ERG alteration frequently found in cancerous prostates.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We determined genome‐wide expression levels with GeneChip Human Exon 1.0 ST arrays (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA, USA) using RNA prepared from 35 specimens of prostate cancer from 28 prostates.

RESULTS

The expression profiles showed clustering, in unsupervised hierarchical analyses, into two distinct prostate cancer categories, with one group strongly associated with indicators of poor clinical outcome. The two categories are not tightly linked to ERG status. By analysis of the data we identified a subgroup of cancers lacking ERG rearrangements that showed an outlier pattern of SPINK1 mRNA expression. There was a major distinction between ERG rearranged and non‐rearranged cancers that involves the levels of expression of genes linked to exposure to β‐oestradiol, and to retinoic acid.

CONCLUSIONS

Expression profiling of prostate cancer samples containing single patterns of ERG alterations can provide novel insights into the mechanism of prostate cancer development, and support the view that factors other than ERG status are the major determinants of poor clinical outcome.
Oncological control after radical prostatectomy in men with clinical T3 prostate cancer: a single‐centre experience
Authors: Xylinas Evanguelos , Drouin Sarah J. , Comperat Eva , Vaessen Christophe , Renard‐Penna Raphaële , Misrai Vincent , Bitker Marc‐Olivier , Chartier‐Kastler Emmanuel , Richard François , Cussenot Olivier , Roupret Morgan
Published: November 2008

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of cancer control afforded by radical prostatectomy (RP) in patients with clinical stage T3 prostate cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed data for patients treated by RP for clinical stage T3 prostate cancer between 1995 and 2005. The following case characteristics were analysed: patient age, clinical presentation, preoperative prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level, Gleason score, tumour stage (2002 Tumour‐Node‐Metastasis), surgical procedure, pathological data, margin and lymph node status, and recurrence. Biochemical recurrence was defined as an increase in PSA level of >0.2 ng/mL after surgery. Kaplan‐Meier survival curves were generated, and prognostic factors were evaluated.

RESULTS

Overall, 100 patients were included; only 79% of them had pT3 disease based on the pathological specimen. The median follow‐up after RP was 69 months. The RP was open in 77 and laparoscopic in 23, with no significant difference between these approaches (P = 0.38). The 5‐year PSA‐free survival after surgery was 45%, and 5‐year cancer‐specific survival was 90%. On univariable analysis, Gleason score >7 (P = 0.01), pathological stage (pT2‐T3a vs T3b) (P < 0.001), positive lymph node (P < 0.001), and positive margin (P < 0.001) were associated with recurrence. On multivariable analysis, lymph node, margin status and Gleason score were also significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

RP can be recommended as an alternative primary treatment that results in acceptable cancer control for clinical stage T3 prostate cancer in selected cases. However, the patient should be warned that surgery alone might not be sufficient to control the cancer, and that adjuvant therapy might be needed during the course of the disease.
Urinary insulin‐like growth factor 2 identifies the presence of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder
Authors: Watson Jenny A. , Burling Keith , Fitzpatrick Patricia , Kay Elaine , Kelly John , Fitzpatrick John M. , Dervan Peter A. , McCann Amanda
Published: November 2008

OBJECTIVE

To examine urinary insulin‐like growth factor 2 (IGF‐2) levels in patient urine samples and determine the potential of IGF‐2 as a marker for the presence of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The current gold standard for diagnosis of UCB is cystoscopy and cytological analysis. The identification of an accurate urine marker for UCB with the potential to replace unnecessary cystoscopy would benefit patients with UCB and others investigated after detecting haematuria. In the present study, we analysed 65 urine samples, and optimized an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay‐based approach to measure urinary levels of IGF‐2.

RESULTS

Based on a threshold of 5.4 ng/mL, patients with UCB have significantly elevated levels of urinary IGF‐2 (P = 0.009) and this difference remained significant after adjustment for age and sex (P = 0.04). Sensitivity and specificity values of 80% and 52%, respectively, were determined for urinary IGF‐2 alone and when combined with nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP22; an approved biomarker for detection of UCB). There was a positive correlation between urinary IGF‐2 levels and NMP22 levels in patient urine samples and the combined assay improved the detection of UCB (sensitivity 85% and specificity 52%).

CONCLUSION

Substantiated evidence has identified IGF‐2 as a valuable marker for UCB. In addition, the novel observations of the present study have shown that aberrant levels of IGF‐2 occurring in the presence of UCB, can now be determined through a simple and inexpensive urine assay.
Impact of clinical variables on predicting disease‐free survival of patients with surgically resected renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Brookman‐Amissah Sabine , Kendel Friederike , Spivak Inna , Pflanz Sandra , Roigas Jan , Klotz Theodor , May Matthias
Published: November 2008

OBJECTIVE To determine the value of particular clinical variables for the preoperative prognostic Cindolo formula (PPCF) to predict disease‐free survival (DFS) of patients with surgically treated renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS In all, 771 consecutive patients (T1‐4NxM0) who had radical or partial nephrectomy were reviewed retrospectively. For each patient with RCC, PPCF was constructed according to clinical size and clinical presentation. On the basis of PPCF, patients were divided into Cindolo good prognosis (CGP) and Cindolo poor prognosis (CPP) groups. We also analysed further clinical variables (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, body mass index, hepatic dysfunction, night sweat, fever, value of blood platelets, leukocytes, haemoglobin level, gender, age and location). DFS was estimated using the Kaplan‐Meier method. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models were fitted to determine associations between the PPCF, measured clinical features, and DFS.

RESULTS Four of the variables emerged as statistically significant for DFS from the univariable analysis (P < 0.001), i.e. clinical presentation, clinical tumour size, haemoglobin level and blood platelet count. In the multivariable analysis, only clinical tumour size and blood platelet count remained significant for DFS. By contrast, clinical presentation, used in the PPCF, had no significant influence. According to the PPCF we developed the preoperative Amissah Prognosis Score (PAPS) calculated as (0.19 × clinical size) + (0.492 × platelet count (≤400/nL = 0, >400/nL = 1) with a threshold between the two resulting prognosis groups at 1.76. The multivariable hazard ratio (95% confidence interval, CI) for the PAPS was 2.98 (2.15–4.12) (P < 0.001) compared to a hazard ratio for the PPCF of 1.36 (0.99–1.87) (P = 0.061). Furthermore, the predictive ability was greater when using the PAPS (area under the curve 0.721; 95% CI, 0.680–0.763; P ≤ 0.001) than the PPCF (0.690; 0.647–0.734; P ≤ 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS Using preoperative prognostic models is reasonable to provide patients with pertinent information about their prognosis, and for tailoring the treatment to each patient’s needs. Applying the PPCF allows a prediction of the outcome of patients with surgically treated RCC on the basis of preoperatively available variables. However, clinical presentation, included in this model, had no significant influence on DFS in the present patients. By contrast, using the PAPS resulted in an improvement in the predictive value and in a greater discrimination between patients subdivided into a good and a poor prognosis group and hence is suitable for preoperative risk assignment.
Human activities alter biogeographical patterns of reptiles on Mediterranean islands
Authors: Ficetola Gentile Francesco , Padoa‐Schioppa Emilio
Published: November 2008

Aim The theory of island biogeography predicts species richness based on geographical factors that influence the extinction–colonization balance, such as area and isolation. However, human influence is the major cause of present biotic changes, and may therefore modify biogeographical patterns by increasing extinctions and colonizations. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of human activities on the species richness of reptiles on islands.

Location Islands in the Mediterranean Sea and Macaronesia.

Methods Using a large data set (n = 212 islands) compiled from the literature, we built spatial regression models to compare the effect of geographical (area, isolation, topography) and human (population, airports) factors on native and alien species. We also used piecewise regression to evaluate whether human activities cause deviation of the species–area relationship from the linear (on log–log axes) pattern, and path analysis to reveal the relationships among multiple potential predictors.

Results The richness of both native and alien species was best explained by models combining geographical and human factors. The richness of native species was negatively related to human influence, while that of alien species was positively related, with the overall balance being negative. In models that did not take into account human factors, the relationship between island area and species richness was not linear. Large islands hosted fewer native species than expected from a linear (on log–log axes) species–area relationship, because they were more strongly affected by human influence than were small islands. Path analysis showed that island size has a direct positive effect on reptile richness. However, area also had a positive relationship with human impact, which in turn mediated a negative effect on richness.

Main conclusion Anthropogenic factors can strongly modify the biogeographical pattern of islands, probably because they are major drivers of present‐day extinctions and colonizations and can displace island biodiversity from the equilibrium points expected by theory on the basis of geographical features.
Rethinking attentional development: reflexive and volitional orienting in children and adults
Authors: Ristic Jelena , Kingstone Alan
Published: November 2008

It is thought that a child takes the first 8 years of life to develop an adult‐like volitional attention system. The data that support this belief, however, are based on studies that inadvertently measured a combination of volitional and reflexive attention, rather than volitional attention alone. What is immature then in children that are younger than 8 years of age? The volitional attention system or the manner that volitional and reflexive attention systems combine? We investigated this issue, with preschool and adult populations, by first isolating and then combining volitional and reflexive attention systems. Our results indicate that both volitional attention, and the way it combines with reflexive orienting, are immature in preschool children. We suggest that when volitional attention becomes adult‐like its combination with reflexive attention will also become mature.
Electrophysiological indices of memory for temporal order in early childhood: implications for the development of recollection
Authors: Riggins Tracy , Miller Neely C. , Bauer Patricia J. , Georgieff Michael K. , Nelson Charles A.
Published: November 2008

The ability to recall contextual details associated with an event begins to develop in the first year of life, yet adult levels of recall are not reached until early adolescence. Dual‐process models of memory suggest that the distinct retrieval process that supports the recall of such contextual information is recollection. In the present investigation, we used both behavioral and electrophysiological measures to assess the development of memory for contextual details, as indexed by memory for temporal order, in early childhood. Results revealed age‐related improvements in memory for temporal order despite similar levels of memory for the individual items themselves. Furthermore, this pattern of recall was associated with specific components in the electrophysiological response. Consistent with electrophysiological research in adults, distributed, positive‐going activity late in the waveform was associated with increases in recall of contextual details and the development of recollective processes.
Anticipatory concern: a study in autism
Authors: Hobson Jessica A. , Harris Ruth , García‐Pérez Rosa , Hobson R. Peter
Published: November 2008

There has been substantial research on children's empathic responsiveness towards distressed people, and on the limited responsiveness of children with autism. To date, however, there have not been experimental studies to test how far children show concern towards someone who might beexpectedto feel badly, when that person hasnot(yet) expressed any negative feelings. We tested matched groups of children with autism and learning disability, and typically developing children of similar verbal mental age (approximately 6 years), with a novel procedure in which participants witnessed one person (E1) tearing the drawing of another (E2). In a comparison condition, a blank card was torn. In the torn‐drawing condition, as predicted, fewer participants with autism orientated towards E2 with an immediate look, and as a group, they were rated as showing less concern for, and fewer concerned looks towards, E2. We discuss possible implications for theoretical perspectives on the early development of empathy in typically as well as atypically developing children.
Explaining Interest Rate Spreads in Ghana*
Authors: Aboagye Anthony Q.Q. , Akoena S.K. , Antwi‐Asare T.O. , Gockel A.F.
Published: November 2008

Abstract:  The question of the optimal spread between bank lending rates and rates that banks pay on deposits, which is fair to bankers, depositors and borrowers, has dogged economies for some time. In Ghana, there is widespread perception that the spread is too wide. Bankers, on the other hand justify the spread on the basis of economic variables that affect them. This paper contributes to the literature by identifying, in the case of Ghana, the short‐run response of the net interest margin of banks to changes in bank‐specific, industry‐specific and macroeconomic variables within the broad framework of Ho and Saunders (1981). We find that increases in the following factors significantly increase net interest margin — bank market power (or concentration), bank size, staff costs, administrative costs, extent of bank risk aversion and the rate of inflation. On the other hand, increases in the following variables decrease net interest margin significantly — bank excess cash reserves, the central bank lending rate, management efficiency and the passage of time. To help reduce interest rate margins, we recommend that banks should not get too big, the central bank should consider lowering the capital adequacy ratio and banks should be required to pass on to borrowers the full extent of reductions or increases in the central bank lending rate. Continued efforts at keeping inflation at bay will also help.
Political Transition in DRC: How Did Kinshasa Households Fare?*
Authors: De Herdt Tom , Marivoet Wim , Marysse Stefaan
Published: November 2008

Abstract:  Officially announced on 24 April 1990, the political transition in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) would eventually culminate in presidential elections. By comparing the results of two household surveys, conducted in 1986 and 2004 respectively, we are able to trace the economic reflection of this process in the standard of living of the Kinois (the inhabitants of Congo's capital, Kinshasa). Although the exercise is fraught with methodological problems, it nevertheless generates some salient outcomes. First and foremost, the available evidence unanimously points to a slight increase in the general standard of living, thereby contradicting the official macro‐data. Further, given an increase in inequality, it is well possible that the period of transition was experienced increasingly unequally by different population groups. Third, one of the most significant changes observed is that Kinshasa has become more closely connected with world (food) markets. Meanwhile, the level of education of the principal income earner remains one of the main predictors of the level of household consumption, even in a thoroughly informalized economy.
Productivity Change of Nigerian Insurance Companies: 1994–2005
Authors: Barros Carlos Pestana , Ibiwoye Ade , Managi Shunsuke
Published: November 2008

Abstract:  The aim of this paper is to estimate the productivity change of Nigerian insurance companies and to rank the companies analysed in the sample according to their productivity score. This benchmark exercise provides the companies analysed with a view of how their relative productivity can be upgraded. For this purpose, the non‐parametric Luenberger productivity model is used. For comparative purposes, the non‐parametric Luenberger–Hicks–Moorsteen productivity indicator is also used. The companies are ranked according to their total productivity for the period 1994–2005, using both models, which produce variations in the respective results. Economic implications arising from the study are derived.
Computer‐mediated discussion, self‐efficacy and gender
Authors: Lin ShinYi , Overbaugh Richard C.
Published: November 2008

In the context of hybrid instruction, this study was designed to explore whether gender has an influence on learners' preferences for synchronous or asynchronous modes of computer‐mediated communication, and whether this decision impacts learners' self‐efficacy (SE) towards knowledge acquisition. The participants were 180 teacher‐education students (151 females and 29 males) enrolled in a hybrid (blend of traditional classroom instruction and online learning activities) foundations course at a United States research university with a proportionally high percentage of full‐time commuters and/or distance enrolees. The findings showed that, regardless of gender, two‐thirds of the participants preferred asynchronous modes over synchronous ones. In addition, gender was weakly related to the participants' SE in both modes. Linear regression indicated that SE, in turn, was weakly related to academic performance. The implications of these findings for instructional practice are discussed.
Design of blended training for transfer into the workplace
Authors: Lee Jieun
Published: November 2008

Blended learning, mixing online and face‐to‐face learning modes, has been increasingly adopted in training with the expectation that it will help solve transfer problems and will lend other educational benefits. While there is a set of knowledge about design for facilitating transfer, it has not been investigated in a blended environment context. In response, this study investigated training design related factors that facilitated and hindered transfer in a blended‐training context. The case program was a 6‐week management leadership development program offered by a corporate university in Korea. Both facilitating and hindering design factors at each learning node were investigated by conducting a literature review, document analyses, focus group interviews, one‐on‐one interviews and an online survey. In addition to descriptive analysis, a smaller number of factors were drawn as salient design factors having predictability for transfer by using stepwise multiple regression. For the online module, the facilitating factors in ‘demonstration’ and ‘activation’ were best predictors for transfer. As a predictor among the hindering factors in the online module, the factors in ‘demonstration’ were yielded. For the off‐line module, the factors in ‘application’ were drawn as predictor factors. However, no single hindering variable resulted from the multiple regressions related to this module. By integrating the descriptive and predictive statistical analysis with qualitative data analysis, specific design guidelines for blended training to ensure transfer were presented.
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Whorf? Crosslinguistic Differences in Temporal Language and Thought
Authors: Casasanto Daniel
Published: November 2008

The idea that language shapes the way we think, often associated with Benjamin Whorf, has long been decried as not only wrong but also fundamentally wrong‐headed. Yet, experimental evidence has reopened debate about the extent to which language influences nonlinguistic cognition, particularly in the domain of time. In this article, I will first analyze an influential argument against the Whorfian hypothesis and show that its anti‐Whorfian conclusion is in part an artifact of conflating two distinct questions:Do we think in language? andDoes language shape thought? Next, I will discuss crosslinguistic differences in spatial metaphors for time and describe experiments that demonstrate corresponding differences in nonlinguistic mental representations. Finally, I will sketch a simple learning mechanism by which some linguistic relativity effects appear to arise. Although people may not think in language, speakers of different languages develop distinctive conceptual repertoires as a consequence of ordinary and presumably universal neural and cognitive processes.
The Perception of Time: Basic Research and Some Potential Links to the Study of Language
Authors: Wearden J. H.
Published: November 2008

The article first discusses some recent work in time perception—in particular the distinction among prospective timing, retrospective timing, and passage of time judgments. The history and application of an “internal clock” model as an explanation of prospective timing performance is reviewed and contrasted with the different mechanisms needed for the other two types of time judgments. The article then discusses two areas suggesting relations between time perception research and language. The first is the idea that disturbances in the perception of duration, usually of very brief auditory stimuli, are associated with some language disorders. Another is the common use of metaphors for time, and the article relates these to the issue of whether a genuine “time sense” exists.
Model Selection for Nested and Overlapping Nonlinear, Dynamic and Possibly Mis‐specified Models*
Authors: Marcellino Massimiliano , Rossi Barbara
Published: November 2008

The literature on model comparison often requires the assumption that the true conditional distribution corresponds to that of one of the competing models. This strong assumption has been extended by the notion of encompassing and in likelihood based model comparisons. This paper takes the latter approach and develops tests for the comparison of competing nonlinear dynamic models, focusing on the nested and overlaping cases. The null hypothesis is that the models are equally close to the data generating process (DGP), according to a certain measure of closeness. The alternative is that one model is closer to the DGP. The models can be correctly specified or not. Their parameters can be estimated by a variety of methods, including (pseudo) maximum likelihood and ordinary least squares. The tests are symmetric and directional. Their asymptotic distribution under the null is either normal or a weighted sum of chi‐squared distributions, depending on the nesting characteristics of the competing models. The comparison of nested AR models, and of nested ARMA models with GARCH errors and exogenous forcing variables (ARMAX‐GARCH) are discussed as examples.
The Effects of Screening and Monitoring on Credit Rationing of SMEs
Authors: Agostino Mariarosaria , Silipo Damiano B. , Trivieri Francesco
Published: November 2008

In this paper, we seek to empirically assess which determinants of the capability and incentives of banks to screen and monitor firms are significant in explaining credit rationing to Italian SMEs. After testing for the presence of non‐random selection bias and the potential endogeneity of some determinants of interest, the probit model results we obtain suggest that the average banking size and the multiple banking relationship phenomenon are statistically significant factors affecting credit rationing, presumably through their impact on the aforementioned banks' capability and incentives. Other potential determinants of banks' incentives to monitor and screen, such as local banking competition and firm' capacity to collateralize, are never significant. However, when we split the sample according to the level of competition in credit markets, we find that the estimated marginal effects of all significant determinants of interest are larger in absolute value than those obtained when using the whole sample.
The Power of the Euro–Sterling Rates in Explaining Asset Market Rates: A High‐frequency Analysis
Authors: Laganà Gianluca
Published: November 2008

This article makes use of high‐frequency asset market data to explain unexpected changes in interest rates using the methodology proposed by Cochrane and Piazzesi (2002). This work departs from the existing literature because it uses UK market expectations to capture unexpected movements in the base rate, and explores its effect on a large number of asset market variables. Results indicate that the relation between asset market data and unexpected base rate changes is stronger and more consistent than the relation between asset market data and raw base rate changes. Results appear to be robust to extreme value changes.
The beneficial effect of statins treatment by stroke subtype
Authors: Martínez‐Sánchez P. , Rivera‐Ordóñez C. , Fuentes B. , Ortega‐Casarrubios M. A. , Idrovo L. , Díez‐Tejedor E.
Published: November 2008

Background and purpose:  Statins have shown some protective effect after ischaemic stroke in observational studies. However, this effect has never been assessed by etiological subtypes.

Methods:  Observational study using data from the Stroke Unit Data Bank from consecutive patients with cerebral infarction. Variables analyzed: demographic data, cardiovascular risk factors, treatment with statins at stroke onset, stroke severity, stroke subtype, in‐hospital complications, length of stay, and functional status at discharge (modified Rankin Scale).

Results:  A total of 2742 patients were included, 1539 were men. Mean age was 69.17 years (SD 12.19). Of these, 281 patients (10.2%) were receiving statins when admitted. The logistic regression analyses showed that previous treatment with statins was an independent predictor for better outcome at discharge among all strokes (OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.39 to 3.1) as well as for the atherothrombotic (OR, 2.79; 95% CI, 1.33 to 5.84) and lacunar strokes (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.15 to 4.52) after adjustment for demographic data, risk factors, previous treatments, stroke subtypes, stroke severity, in‐hospital complications and length of stay. This benefit was not observed either in cardioembolic or in other etiology strokes.

Conclusions:  Previous treatment with statins is an independent factor associated with good outcomes in patients with ischaemic stroke. Atherothrombotic and small vessel strokes show the greatest benefit.
Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Receptor Inhibition Reduces Neuronal Activity Induced by Prolonged Increase in Nitric Oxide in the Rat Spinal Trigeminal Nucleus
Authors: Kulchitsky S , Fischer MJM , Messlinger K
Published: November 2008

Infusion of nitric oxide (NO) donors is known to induce delayed attacks of migraine and cluster headache or aggravate tension-type headaches in patients suffering from these primary headaches. Previously we have reported that infusion of NO donors in the rat causes delayed neuronal activity in the spinal trigeminal nucleus, which parallels the above clinical observations. Suggesting that endogenous NO production is involved in the generation of primary headaches, we used this animal model of meningeal nociception to determine whether a prolonged increase in NO levels causes an increase in neuronal activity. In anaesthetized rats spinal trigeminal neurons with afferent input from the exposed dura were recorded. Continuous intravenous infusion of the NO donors sodium nitroprusside (25 μg/kg/h) or glycerol trinitrate (250 μg/ kg/h) for 2h induced a persisting increase in neuronal activity but no change in systemic blood pressure. In this activated trigeminal system the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist BIBN4096BS (900 μg/ kg) was infused. Spinal trigeminal activity was significantly reduced within minutes and to a similar extent as previously reported in animals not treated with NO. Slow continuous NO infusion may be a model of the active headache phase, and inhibition of CGRP receptors can reverse the induced neuronal activity.
The experiences of children with learning disablilities, their carers and staff during a hospital admission
Authors: Brown Freddy Jackson , Guvenir Jane
Published: November 2008

Accessible summary

Disabled children and their carers were asked what it was like to stay in hospital.

They said they felt worried and the hospital was not always ready for them.

They also said it was helpful if the child’s carer could be there during a hospital stay and it is better when the child has their own room.

This research will help hospital make changes to make staying in hospital as positive as possible.

Government policy is that people with learning disabilities should have their healthcare needs met by mainstream services. This study interviewed the carers of 13 children with learning disabilities admitted to hospital for a period longer than 24 h. Nursing staff and two children were also interviewed. Five themes were identified as having a significant impact: (i) child, carer and staff anxiety, (ii) preparedness for the admission, (iii) difficulties managing the child’s behaviour, (iv) carer presence during the admission and (v) ward environment. This study presents edited responses from children, their carers and ward staff and identifies areas for service improvement. These include an emphasis on the value of emotional support, ensuring staff are prepared for hospital admission, agreeing strategies for supporting the child’s behaviour, clarifying carers and staff roles during an admission, ensuring the child has an individual room if required. Study limitations are discussed and directions for future research recommended.
Timbre‐independent extraction of pitch in newborn infants
Authors: Háden Gábor P. , Stefanics Gábor , Vestergaard Martin D. , Denham Susan L. , Sziller István , Winkler István
Published: November 2008

The ability to separate pitch from other spectral sound features, such as timbre, is an important prerequisite of veridical auditory perception underlying speech acquisition and music cognition. The current study investigated whether or not newborn infants generalize pitch across different timbres. Perceived resonator size is an aspect of timbre that informs the listener about the size of the sound source, a cue that may be important already at birth. Therefore, detection of infrequent pitch changes was tested by recording event‐related brain potentials in healthy newborn infants to frequent standard and infrequent pitch‐deviant sounds while the perceived resonator size of all sounds was randomly varied. The elicitation of an early negative and a later positive discriminative response by deviant sounds demonstrated that the neonate auditory system represents pitch separately from timbre, thus showing advanced pitch processing capabilities.
Attentional selectivity for emotional faces: Evidence from human electrophysiology
Authors: Holmes Amanda , Bradley Brendan P. , KRAGH Nielsen Maria , Mogg Karin
Published: November 2008

This study investigated the temporal course of attentional biases for threat‐related (angry) and positive (happy) facial expressions. Electrophysiological (event‐related potential) and behavioral (reaction time [RT]) data were recorded while participants viewed pairs of faces (e.g., angry face paired with neutral face) shown for 500 ms and followed by a probe. Behavioral results indicated that RTs were faster to probes replacing emotional versus neutral faces, consistent with an attentional bias for emotional information. Electrophysiological results revealed that attentional orienting to threatening faces emerged earlier (early N2pc time window; 180–250 ms) than orienting to positive faces (after 250 ms), and that attention was sustained toward emotional faces during the 250–500‐ms time window (late N2pc and SPCN components). These findings are consistent with models of attention and emotion that posit rapid attentional prioritization of threat.
Startle reflex potentiation during aversive picture viewing as an indicator of trait fear
Authors: Vaidyanathan Uma , Patrick Christopher J. , Bernat Edward M.
Published: November 2008

Measures of fearfulness and measures of psychopathy show positive and negative associations, respectively, with startle reflex potentiation during unpleasant picture viewing. We tested the hypothesis that a common bipolar trait dimension underlies these differing associations. Blink responses to noise probes were recorded during pleasant, neutral, and unpleasant pictures in 88 undergraduates assessed with a battery of self‐report scales indexing fear and psychopathy/fearlessness. A significant positive association was found between an omnibus index of fear, consisting of scores on the first component from a principal components analysis of these various scales, and startle potentiation during aversive picture viewing. This association was most robust, across participants overall and within gender subgroups, for scenes that were most directly threatening. Implications for psychophysiological research on individual differences and psychopathology are discussed.
On the representation of words and nonwords in visual short‐term memory: Evidence from human electrophysiology
Authors: Predovan David , Prime David , Arguin Martin , Gosselin Frédéric , Dell'Acqua Roberto , Jolicœur Pierre
Published: November 2008

Electrophysiological measures were used to investigate the contribution of lexical status on the maintenance of letter strings in visual short‐term memory (VSTM). The sustained posterior contralateral negativity (SPCN), an electrophysiological marker of storage in VSTM, was measured for words and nonwords as well as scrambled letters. A smaller SPCN was found for words than for nonwords (independently of their pronounceability), indicating that lexical status influences storage in VSTM. One possibility is that words produce a smaller SPCN because they can be recoded to a form that does not require a low‐level representation in VSTM. For exploratory purpose, a comparison between the nonwords and the scrambled nonwords was also made. Based on previous research, the SPCN component should not be affected by the size of the region enclosing to‐be‐encoded objects. Surprisingly, significant differences between the SPCN for nonwords and scrambled letters conditions were found, suggesting that special encoding mechanisms may be recruited to encode word‐like letter strings.
Effects of Lactobacillus helveticus TUST005 fermented milk on bone parameters in rats
Authors: HUO JIAN‐XIN , LI XIANG , WEN XU‐JUAN , ZHAO ZHENG
Published: November 2008

The effects on bone parameters were investigated using ovariectomized rats and their control ones fed with water, skim milk, sour milk, Lactobacillus helveticus TUST005 fermented milk and whey filtrate of the L. helveticus TUST005 fermented milk for 10‐week interventions, respectively. Our results indicated that the ovariectomized rats are considered a suitable model for osteoporosis. The L. helveticus TUST005 fermented milk significantly increased bone mineral density, bone mineral content, the maximal load of bone and decreased bone loss compared to sour milk, and whey filtrate of the L. helveticus TUST005 fermented milk has a higher influence on bone than the fermented milk.
Patterns of alien plant distribution at multiple spatial scales in a large national park: implications for ecology, management and monitoring
Authors: Foxcroft Llewellyn C. , Richardson David M. , Rouget Mathieu , MacFadyen Sandra
Published: November 2008

Aim  Spatial scale is critical for understanding and managing biological invasions. In providing direction to managing alien plant invasions, much emphasis is placed on collecting spatially explicit data. However, insufficient thought is often given to how the data are to be used, frequently resulting in the incompatibility of the data for different uses. This paper explores the role of spatial scale in interpreting, managing and monitoring alien plant invasions in a large protected area.

Location  Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Methods  Using 27,000 spatially‐explicit records of invasive alien plants for the Kruger National Park (> 20,000 km2) we assessed alien plant species richness per cell at nine different scales of resolution.

Results  When assessing the patterns of alien plants at the various scales of resolution, almost identical results are obtained when working at scales of quarter‐degree grids and quaternary watersheds (the fourth level category in South Africa's river basin classification system). Likewise, insights gained from working at resolutions of 0.1–0.5 km and 1–5 km are similar. At a scale of 0.1 × 0.1 km cells, only 0.4% of the Kruger National Park is invaded, whereas > 90% of the park is invaded when mapped at the quarter‐degree cell resolution.

Main conclusions  Selecting the appropriate scale of resolution is crucial when evaluating the distribution and abundance of alien plant invasions, understanding ecological processes, and operationalizing management applications and monitoring strategies. Quarter‐degree grids and quaternary watersheds are most useful at a regional or national scale. Grid cells of 1 to 25 km2 are generally useful for establishing priorities for and planning management interventions. Fine‐scale data are useful for informing management in areas which are small in extent; they also provide the detail appropriate for assessing patterns and rates of invasion.
PINE RESINS AND POTTERY SEALING: ANALYSIS OF ABSORBED AND VISIBLE POTTERY RESIDUES FROM CENTRAL NEW YORK STATE*
Authors: REBER E. A. , HART J. P.
Published: November 2008

Analysis was performed on absorbed and visible residues from 21 New York State prehistoric pottery sherds dating from 2905 ± 35 bp (Intcal04) (1256–998 cal bc) to 425 ± 40 bp (Intcal04) (1417–1626 cal ad). The use of pine resin was detected in 10 of 12 absorbed residue samples and 11 of 17 sherds subjected to visible residue analysis. It seems likely that the pots were resin‐sealed to make them more impermeable, constituting the first chemical evidence of extensive resin‐sealing in North America. A comparison of the results of absorbed and visible residues from eight of the sherds indicates that the two kinds of residue provide complementary evidence of vessel use.
ARCHAEOMETRY AND MUSEUMS: FIFTY YEARS OF CURIOSITY AND WONDER*
Authors: GUERRA M. F.
Published: November 2008

Artefacts and works of art kept in museum collections originated in many cases from ancient private collections. In such cases, a partial or total absence of historical information may create additional problems concerning their authenticity. The study of museum collections and their preservation requires the use of analytical techniques but also combined examination techniques not commonly necessary for the study of archaeological objects. This paper gives an overview of the importance of museum items for the understanding of the past, the difficulties relating to their authentication and the significant advances brought about by science‐based techniques, in particular those cases discussed in Archaeometry during the past 50 years.
MATHEMATICS, STATISTICS AND ARCHAEOMETRY: THE PAST 50 YEARS OR SO*
Authors: BAXTER M. J.
Published: November 2008

This review of developments in the use of mathematics and statistics in archaeometry over the past 50 years is partial, personal and ‘broad‐brush’. The view is expressed that it is in the past 30 years or so that the major developments have taken place. The view is also expressed that, with the exception of methods for analysing radiocarbon dates and increased computational power, mathematical and statistical methods that are currently used, and found to be useful in widespread areas of application such as provenance studies, don't differ fundamentally from what was being done 30 years ago.
ARCHAEOMAGNETISM IN ARCHAEOMETRY— A SEMI‐CENTENNIAL REVIEW*
Authors: STERNBERG R. S.
Published: November 2008

The journal Archaeometry and its first co‐editor Martin Aitken played key roles in the development of archaeomagnetism. This paper briefly reviews all papers published in Archaeometry, and a few others, dealing with archaeomagnetic secular variation, archaeomagnetic dating, archaeointensity studies and related applications of magnetic studies to archaeology, to indicate some of the major developments over the past 50 years.
Weathering processes and Quaternary origin of an alpine blockfield in Arctic Sweden
Authors: GOODFELLOW BRADLEY W. , FREDIN OLA , DERRON MARC‐HENRI , STROEVEN ARJEN P.
Published: November 2008

The weathering and origin of an autochthonous blockfield in the northern Swedish mountains were investigated through an examination of fine matrix and clasts from two pits excavated across ridge‐top sorted circles; one on a summit, the other in a saddle. At the summit, fine matrix chemical weathering is limited to the production of poorly crystallized Al‐ and Fe‐oxyhydroxides, whereas some additional vermiculitization and gibbsite crystallization occurs in the saddle. In both locations, volumes of clay‐sized matrix are low, mass balance calculations indicate only minor elemental losses and no chemically etched grains are visible under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition, soil horizons are absent and chemical weathering intensity is uniformly low across both excavated sorted circles. Minor clast chemical weathering consists of Fe oxidation, which dominates in the matrix‐rich circle centres, and some rind development, which increases in frequency in the clast‐rich rings. The dominance of physical weathering processes and the presence of only minor chemical weathering, in both fine matrix and clasts, indicate that the blockfield is not a Neogene weathering remnant. Rather, the blockfield has a Quaternary origin, developing during interglacials, interstadials and the Holocene, primarily through subsurface weathering processes.
Rate of late Quaternary ice‐cap thinning on King George Island, South Shetland Islands, West Antarctica defined by cosmogenic 36Cl surface exposure dating
Authors: SEONG YEONG BAE , OWEN LEWIS A. , LIM HYOUN SOO , YOON HO IL , KIM YEADONG , LEE YONG IL , CAFFEE MARC W.
Published: November 2008

Glacial landforms on the Barton and Weaver peninsulas of King George Island in the South Shetland Islands, West Antarctica were mapped and dated using terrestrial cosmogenic 36Cl methods to provide the first quantitative terrestrial record for late Quaternary deglaciation in the South Shetland Islands. 36Cl ages on glacially eroded and striated bedrock surfaces range from 15.5±2.5 kyr to 1.0±0.7 kyr. The 36Cl ages are younger with decreasing altitude, indicating progressive downwasting of the southwestern part of the Collins Ice Cap at a rate of ∼12 mm yr−1 since 15.5±2.5 kyr ago, supporting the previously published marine records for the timing and estimate of the rate of deglaciation in this region.