bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elongation rates and endogenous indoleacetic acid levels in roots of pea mutants differing in internode length
Authors: Silva Thomas , Davies Peter J.
Published: February 2007

Growth of the primary root of 12 genotypes of peas (Pisum sativum) differing in their stem height was recorded for 14 days. The growth rate of roots of wild‐type tall, gibberellin (GA)‐deficient le dwarf or slender mutants (with la crys) was similar (3 cm day−1); that of severely GA‐deficient nana (na‐1) plants was 50% of wild‐type but elongation ceased after 8 days; moderately severe dwarf GA‐deficient lines ls‐1 and lh‐1 had a 15% reduction in elongation rate but displayed no time‐dependent slowing of the growth rate and brassinosteroid‐insensitive and ‐deficient dwarfs lka and lkb showed slightly decreased root elongation. GA (levels reported in Yaxley et al. 2001) is not substantially limiting to root growth until it is severely deficient. The terminal 3 cm of roots of tall plants contained about 25 or 35 ng g−1 fresh weight indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA), depending on the genetic background, and le‐1 dwarfs were similar. Nana (na‐1) had less than 50% the level of IAA of tall, all the moderately severe dwarfs had reductions of about 30% and the slender plants had about 40% more IAA than the corresponding wild‐type. With the exception of slender plants, IAA level in the root tips correlated with root elongation. Root growth seems to be promoted by IAA within the range of the internal concentrations detected. Nana plants had a reduced amount of IAA and a lower root‐growth rate. Whereas external application of IAA always inhibits root growth, even at very low concentrations, root growth is not similarly inhibited by internal IAA as slender plants had the highest IAA level and growth rate similar to wild‐type, regardless of the shoot GA content.
The post‐operative analgesic effects of a combination of gabapentin and paracetamol in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Durmus M. , Kadir But A. , Saricicek V. , Ilksen Toprak H. , Ozcan Ersoy M.
Published: January 2007

Background:  The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of a combination of gabapentin and paracetamol with gabapentin alone and placebo on post‐operative pain and morphine consumption.

Methods:  Seventy‐five ASA I–II patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy were included in the study and randomly divided into three groups. Placebo capsules (Group I, n= 25), 1200 mg of gabapentin (Group II, n= 25), or 1200 mg of gabapentin and 20 mg/kg paracetamol in combination (Group III, n= 25) were administered 1 h prior to surgery. Anaesthesia was standardized for all patients. Non‐invasive arterial pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, morphine consumption, nausea and vomiting, visual analogue scale‐pain intensity scores (VAS‐PI) and sedation scores were recorded at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 24 h following the operation.

Results:  Morphine consumption at 24 h was 66.60 ± 11.49 mg, 42.74 ± 12.33 mg and 30.50 ± 11.55 mg, respectively, in groups I, II and III (P < 0.05). Post‐operative VAS‐PI scores at movement and at rest were decreased with gabapentin and even more with a combination of gabapentin and paracetamol. Post‐operative sedation scores were higher in groups II and III during the initial 4 h while these scores were higher in group I at 24 h.

Conclusions:  The single dose of gabapentin as well as a combination of gabapentin and paracetamol decreased the opioid requirement and increased the patients’ satisfaction post‐operatively.
Parapharyngeal abscess by Aspergillus flavus in a neutropenic patient with myelogenous leukaemia
Authors: Evison John , Blaser Beat , Stauffer Edouard , Mühlemann Kathrin
Published: February 2007

This is the first description of an Aspergillus infection of the parapharyngeal space. A high degree of clinical suspicion may be needed due to the non‐specific signs and symptoms and repeated tissue biopsies for microbiological and histopathological work up may be warranted.
Enhanced resistance to Phoma tracheiphila and Botrytis cinerea in transgenic lemon plants expressing a Trichoderma harzianum chitinase gene
Authors: Gentile A. , Deng Z. , La Malfa S. , Distefano G. , Domina F. , Vitale A. , Polizzi G. , Lorito M. , Tribulato E.
Published: February 2007

Antifungal genes from micro‐organisms were inserted into the genome of a number of plant species, representing a promising strategy for conferring genetic disease resistance against a broad range of plant pathogenic fungi. In the present study, the chit42 gene from Trichoderma harzianum (codifying the antifungal protein endochitinase) was introduced into the ‘Femminello siracusano’ lemon by Agrobacterium tumefaciens, in order to regenerate transgenic plants resistant to fungal disease. Three polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐positive clones were obtained. Southern blot confirmed the integration of the transgene in the lemon genome and revealed that one or two copies had been inserted. Reverse transcriptase‐PCR, Northern blot and Western analysis were performed and the results confirmed the expression of the inserted gene. The transgenic clones were tested in vitro and in vivo for disease resistance. Conidia germination and fungal growth of Phoma tracheiphila were strongly inhibited in vitro by the transgenic foliar proteins, while no effects were observed with the controls. Disease resistance assays were performed in vivo with Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of grey mould in fruit. Transgenic lemon plants, inoculated with lemon petals infected by a single‐conidial isolate of B. cinerea, showed significantly less lesion development than the controls. On the whole, the results indicate that the transformation with the antifungal endochitinase gene may represent a strategy for disease control in citrus crops.
Effects of Hordeum chilense cytoplasm on agronomic traits in common wheat
Authors: Atienza S. G. , Martín A. C. , Ramírez M. C. , Martín A. , Ballesteros J.
Published: February 2007

The genome of bread wheat, AABBDD, was substituted into the cytoplasm of Hordeum chilense by repeated backcrossing to produce alloplasmic lines. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of H. chilense cytoplasm on agronomic traits in common wheat. Three cytolines were developed. The alloplasmic nature of these lines was confirmed using chloroplast simple‐sequence repeat markers. Each cytoline was compared with its respective euplasmic control for agronomic performance during 2 years of field trials. The interaction between H. chilense cytoplasm and common wheat genome greatly affected most of the traits evaluated. Among them, alloplasmic lines showed delayed anthesis date, lower yield and lower plant height. These effects are similar to those caused by Aegilops cytoplasm. The main conclusion of this work is that H. chilense cytoplasm is of limited value for wheat breeding.
Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis with a compound heterozygote mutation and severe polyneuropathy
Authors: Wang Zhaoxia , Yuan Yun , Zhang Wei , Zhang Ying , Feng Liqun
Published: January 2007

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is a rare autosomal recessively inherited lipid storage disorder with multiple system involvement and has been reported worldwide. Here we report a Chinese family with CTX and present the pathological findings within peripheral nerves and CYP27A1 gene mutation analysis. We also review the published literature to discuss the clinical presentation and classification of neuropathy in this disease.
Vertical stratification of feeding guilds and body size in beetle assemblages from an Australian tropical rainforest
Authors: GRIMBACHER PETER S. , STORK NIGEL E.
Published: February 2007

Abstract The vertical stratification of insect species assemblages inhabiting tropical rainforests is well established but few have examined whether these patterns are reflected in vertical stratification of body size or feeding guilds. We used Malaise and Flight Interception Traps to sample beetle assemblages from five locations, at both canopy and ground zones of a tropical lowland rainforest site near Cape Tribulation, Australia. Beetles from 4 years of sampling were sorted to Family and morphospecies, and allocated to one of five feeding guilds. Within feeding guilds the number of species and individuals, from canopy‐ and ground‐caught traps were compared. The body lengths of species were measure and compared within feeding guilds and families. Herbivores was the dominant guild but was not the majority of all species or individuals. Most beetle species (69%) were less than 5 mm in length and the mean size of canopy‐caught species was greater than that for ground‐caught species. This was probably due to slightly more species of plant feeders (herbivores and xylophages) present in the canopy, which were significantly larger than saprophages, fungivores and predators. Among feeding guilds, there were few overall canopy–ground differences. These results contrast with species composition results presented elsewhere where strong differences between the canopy and the ground were evident. We suggest that our guild groupings may have been too coarse to detect fine‐scale differences and that resource partitioning may have also masked faunal stratification. We propose that fine‐scale differences in resources between the canopy and the ground, together with strong microclimate gradients, are likely to be important in structuring the vertical stratification of insect assemblages at the level of species, but not with respect to functional groups.
Flowering and fruiting phenology of Normanbya normanbyi (W. Hill) L. H. Bailey (Arecaceae), a palm endemic to the lowland tropical rainforest of north‐eastern Australia
Authors: INKROT DANIELA , SATTLER DIETMAR , GEYER CHRISTIAN , MORAWETZ WILFRIED
Published: February 2007

Abstract  Normanbya normanbyi (W. Hill) L. H. Bailey (Arecaceae) is a monoecious, arborescent palm with a very small distribution area within the Daintree rainforest in north‐eastern Australia. Our 2‐year study was focused on the reproductive phenology at the individual and population level. At the population level flowering peaked in the dry season, whereas fruiting was confined to the wet season. Each palm can bear up to three inflorescences/infructescences at the same time. Flowering of each inflorescence is separated from each other by a couple of weeks. A single inflorescence consists of about 1900 staminate and 800 pistillate flowers. The flowering of N. normanbyi is protandrous with a staminate phase lasting 40 days and a pistillate phase of approximately 2 weeks. Between both phases is a non‐flowering phase of about 9 days. Fruit ripening takes 21 weeks, with an average of about 280 ripe fruit per tree. Comparison of three study plots revealed a moderate synchrony of flowering and fruiting initiation in this species of palm. The male phase of flowering shows a higher degree of synchrony than the female phase at the population level. Seasonal regularity of flowering and fruiting peaks appears to be predictable. The general flowering and fruiting phenology of N. normanbyi follows a subannual pattern with a strong tendency towards a continual pattern.
Species richness and wood production: a positive association in Mediterranean forests
Authors: Vilà Montserrat , Vayreda Jordi , Comas Lluís , Ibáñez Joan Josep , Mata Teresa , Obón Berta
Published: February 2007

A major debate in the study of biodiversity concerns its influence on ecosystem functioning. We compared whether wood production in forests was associated with tree functional group identity (i.e. deciduous, conifer or sclerophylous), tree species richness (1–≥ 5) and tree functional group richness (1–3) by comparing more than 5000 permanent plots distributed across Catalonia (NE Spain). Deciduous forests were more productive than coniferous and sclerophylous forests. Wood production increased with tree species richness. However, functional group richness increased wood production only in sclerophylous forests. When other forest structure, environmental variables and management practices were included in the analysis, tree functional group identity and species richness still remained significant, while functional species richness did not. Our survey indicates that across a regional scale, and across a broad range of environmental conditions, a significant positive association exists between local tree species richness and wood production at least in typical early successional Mediterranean‐type forests.
Dipeptidyl peptidase‐IV inhibitors: a major new class of oral antidiabetic drug
Authors: Idris Iskandar , Donnelly Richard
Published: February 2007

Exploiting the incretin effect to develop new glucose‐lowering treatments has become the focus of intense research. One successful approach has been the development of oral inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase‐IV (DPP‐IV). These drugs reversibly block DPP‐IV‐mediated inactivation of incretin hormones, for example, glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1) and also other peptides that have alanine or proline as the penultimate N‐terminal amino acid. DPP‐IV inhibitors, therefore, increase circulating levels and prolong the biological activity of endogenous GLP‐1, but whether this is sufficient to fully explain the substantial reduction in haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and associated metabolic profile remains open to further investigation. DPP‐IV inhibitors such as vildagliptin and sitagliptin have been shown to be highly effective antihyperglycaemic agents that augment insulin secretion and reduce glucagon secretion via glucose‐dependent mechanisms. This review summarizes the major clinical trials with DPP‐IV inhibitors as monotherapy and as add‐on therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes. The magnitude of HbA1c reduction with DPP‐IV inhibitors depends upon the pretreatment HbA1c values, but there seems to be no change in body weight, and very low rates of hypoglycaemia and gastrointestinal disturbance with these agents. DPP‐IV inhibitors represent a major new class of oral antidiabetic drug and their metabolic profile offers a number of unique clinical advantages for the management of type 2 diabetes.
Regulation and the Macroeconomy
Authors: Dawson John W.
Published: January 2007

This article uses the number of pages in the Code of Federal Regulations to investigate the empirical relationship between federal regulation and macroeconomic performance in the U.S. The analysis uses an aggregate production framework to study the co‐movement of output and the factors of production that results from regulation. The use of cointegration methodology overcomes some shortcomings of traditional techniques. The results suggest that regulation generally is negatively related to aggregate economic performance in both the short run and the long run. Some specific areas of regulation are also found to have important long‐run effects, some positive and some negative.
Time Use of the Self‐Employed
Authors: Hyytinen Ari , Ruuskanen Olli‐Pekka
Published: January 2007

It is a well‐documented empirical regularity that it is more satisfying to be self‐employed than to work as an employee for an organization. A large part of this difference in job satisfaction is attributed in the literature to the strong perception of independence by the self‐employed. In this paper we study people's time use as a source of entrepreneurial independence. By making use of disaggregated sequential microdata on people's time use, we are able to document that the self‐employed work longer effective hours, as well as more in the evenings and weekends, than those employed by an organization. Even though being able to decide when to do one's work may be a sign of flexibility in time use, the self‐employed have less pure leisure and are less frequently absent from work in general and when sick on weekdays in particular. Moreover, we document that the self‐employed who have small children are more likely to work after 5 p.m., when the com‐munal day‐care centres close. Based on these findings it is not surprising that the self‐employed perceive that they are more often under time pressure and in a hurry than those employed by an organization.
Growth and metabolism in sugarcane are altered by the creation of a new hexose‐phosphate sink
Authors: Chong Barrie Fong , Bonnett Graham D. , Glassop Donna , O'Shea Michael G. , Brumbley Stevens M.
Published: January 2007

An efficient in planta sugarcane‐based production system may be realized by coupling the synthesis of alternative products to the metabolic intermediates of sucrose metabolism, thus taking advantage of the sucrose‐producing capability of the plant. This was evaluated by synthesizing sorbitol in sugarcane (Saccharum hybrids) using the Malus domestica sorbitol‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase gene (mds6pdh). Mature transgenic sugarcane plants were compared with untransformed sugarcane variety Q117 by evaluation of the growth, metabolite levels and extractable activity of relevant enzymes. The average amounts of sorbitol detected in the most productive line were 120 mg/g dry weight (equivalent to 61% of the soluble sugars) in the leaf lamina and 10 mg/g dry weight in the stalk pith. The levels of enzymes involved in sucrose synthesis and cleavage were elevated in the leaves of plants accumulating sorbitol, but this did not affect sucrose accumulation in the culm. The activity of oxidative reactions in the pentose phosphate pathway and the non‐reversible glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase reaction were elevated to replenish the reducing power consumed by sorbitol synthesis. Sorbitol‐producing sugarcane generated 30%−40% less aerial biomass and was 10%−30% shorter than control lines. Leaves developed necrosis in a pattern characteristic of early senescence, and the severity was related to the relative quantity of sorbitol accumulated. When the Zymomonas mobilis glucokinase (zmglk) gene was co‐expressed with mds6pdh to increase the production of glucose‐6‐phosphate, the plants were again smaller, indicating that glucose‐6‐phosphate deficiency was not responsible for the reduced growth. In summary, sorbitol hyperaccumulation affected sugarcane growth and metabolism, but the outcome was not lethal for the plant. This work also demonstrated that impressive yields of alternative products can be generated from the intermediates of sucrose metabolism in Saccharum spp.
Looking compensates for the distance between mother and infant chimpanzee
Authors: Okamoto‐Barth Sanae , Tanaka Masayuki , Kawai Nobuyuki , Tomonaga Masaki
Published: February 2007

The development of visual interaction between mother and infant has received much attention in developmental psychology, not only in humans, but also in non‐human primates. Recently, comparative developmental approaches have investigated whether the mechanisms that underlie these behaviors are common in primates. In the present study, we focused on the question of whether chimpanzee mother and infant replace physical contact with visual contact. To test this hypothesis, we measured non‐synchronous looking (‘looking’) between mother and infant. A unique setting, in which the mother chimpanzee stayed in one location and the infant chimpanzee moved freely, allowed us to analyze the relation between the visual interaction and the distance of a mother–infant pair during the first year of life. Our results showed that ‘looking’ increased when body contact decreased or when the distance between mother and infant increased. We also show a behavioral sequence of typical ‘secure base’ behavior, a behavior characterized by the infant regularly returning to its mother when exploring the environment. These findings imply that attachment between mother and infant chimpanzee appears to develop in a similar fashion as in humans.
Constructing adequate non‐speech analogues: what is special about speech anyway?
Authors: Rosen Stuart , Iverson Paul
Published: February 2007

Vouloumanos and Werker (2007) claim that human neonates have a (possibly innate) bias to listen to speech based on a preference for natural speech utterances over sine‐wave analogues. We argue that this bias more likely arises from the strikingly different saliency of voice melody in the two kinds of sounds, a bias that has already been shown to be learned pre‐natally. Possible avenues of research to address this crucial issue are proposed, based on a consideration of the distinctive acoustic properties of speech.
Asian social psychology: Looking in and looking out
Authors: Ward Colleen
Published: February 2007

The present paper examines the role, status and development of Asian social psychology from four perspectives: (i) looking back; (ii) looking in; (iii) looking out; and (iv) looking forward. Looking back elaborates early attempts to ‘add Asians’ to social psychology and replicate classic social psychological research in Asian contexts. Looking in describes more sophisticated developments in Asian social psychology including the indigenization of theory, methods and measurements. Looking out critically examines the position of Asian social psychology in the international arena and discusses its impact on the discipline more broadly. Finally, looking forward makes some cautious predictions about the future of Asian social psychology in both regional and international spheres.
Aviation with fraternal twin wings over the Asian context: Using nomothetic epistemic and narrative design paradigms in social psychology
Authors: Atsumi Tomohide
Published: February 2007

The present study proposes the future trends of Asian social psychology by taking into account its possible contribution to broad cultural and historical contexts of Asia. First, I locate social psychology in a two (nomothetic vs narrative) by two (epistemic vs design) paradigm of sciences. Second, I propose that different research perspectives in social psychology (i.e. so‐called mainstream and narrative‐design social psychology) may be considered as fraternal twins of the same mother, classic social psychology, and describe where each of the twins is heading. Third, I introduce two modes of research activities, Mode I and Mode II, based on previous research, and examine each twin in both modes of research. Finally, I focus on the broad context of Asia and propose that we should expand two wings, especially, the second wing over the context of the region.
A COMPARISON OF MIXED MODEL SPLINES FOR CURVE FITTING
Authors: Welham Sue J. , Cullis Brian R. , Kenward Michael G. , Thompson Robin
Published: February 2007

Three types of polynomial mixed model splines have been proposed: smoothing splines, P‐splines and penalized splines using a truncated power function basis. The close connections between these models are demonstrated, showing that the default cubic form of the splines differs only in the penalty used. A general definition of the mixed model spline is given that includes general constraints and can be used to produce natural or periodic splines. The impact of different penalties is demonstrated by evaluation across a set of functions with specific features, and shows that the best penalty in terms of mean squared error of prediction depends on both the form of the underlying function and the signal:noise ratio.
Research Subsidies, Population Control Policies, and Growth
Authors: Alexandrakis Constantine
Published: February 2007

Several R&D‐based growth models without scale effects claim that subsidies to R&D are not conductive for economic growth while a faster growing population is. Yet, in an effort to maintain high growth rates, most OECD countries continue to subsidize R&D, while several developing countries are trying to control the size of their population. Are these countries misguided? This study introduces an R&D‐based growth model that is characterized by complementarities between technology and human capital. The model is free of scale effects and consistent with the above‐mentioned policies. By applying the model to US data the study uncovers a possible explanation for the productivity slowdown.
Numerical modeling of the origin of calcite mineralization in the Refugio‐Carneros fault, Santa Barbara Basin, California
Authors: APPOLD M. S. , GARVEN G. , BOLES J. R. , EICHHUBL P.
Published: January 2007

Many faults in active and exhumed hydrocarbon‐generating basins are characterized by thick deposits of carbonate fault cement of limited vertical and horizontal extent. Based on fluid inclusion and stable isotope characteristics, these deposits have been attributed to upward flow of formation water and hydrocarbons. The present study sought to test this hypothesis by using numerical reactive transport modeling to investigate the origin of calcite cements in the Refugio‐Carneros fault located on the northern flank of the Santa Barbara Basin of southern California. Previous research has shown this calcite to have low δ13C values of about −40 to −30‰PDB, suggesting that methane‐rich fluids ascended the fault and contributed carbon for the mineralization. Fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures of 80–125°C in the calcite indicate that the fluids also transported significant quantities of heat. Fluid inclusion salinities ranging from fresh water to seawater values and the proximity of the Refugio‐Carneros fault to a zone of groundwater recharge in the Santa Ynez Mountains suggest that calcite precipitation in the fault may have been induced by the oxidation of methane‐rich basinal fluids by infiltrating meteoric fluids descending steeply dipping sedimentary layers on the northern basin flank. This oxidation could have occurred via at least two different mixing scenarios. In the first, overpressures in the central part of the basin may have driven methane‐rich formation waters derived from the Monterey Formation northward toward the basin flanks where they mixed with meteoric water descending from the Santa Ynez Mountains and diverted upward through the Refugio‐Carneros fault. In the second scenario, methane‐rich fluids sourced from deeper Paleogene sediments would have been driven upward by overpressures generated in the fault zones because of deformation, pressure solution, and flow, and released during fault rupture, ultimately mixing with meteoric water at shallow depth. The models in the present study were designed to test this second scenario, and show that in order for the observed fluid inclusion temperatures to be reached within 200 m of the surface, moderate overpressures and high permeabilities were required in the fault zone. Sudden release of overpressure may have been triggered by earthquakes and led to transient pulses of accelerated fluid flow and heat transport along faults, most likely on the order of tens to hundreds of years in duration. While the models also showed that methane‐rich fluids ascending the Refugio‐Carneros fault could be oxidized by meteoric water traversing the Vaqueros Sandstone to form calcite, they raised doubts about whether the length of time and the number of fault pulses needed for mineralization by the fault overpressuring mechanism were too high given existing geologic constraints.
Poor uterine contractility in obese women
Authors: Zhang J , Bricker L , Wray S , Quenby S
Published: January 2007

Objective  The aim of the study was to elucidate the reason for the high rate of caesarean section in obese women. We examined the following hypotheses: (1) obese women have a high incidence of complications related to poor uterine contractility—caesarean section for dysfunctional labour and postpartum haemorrhage. 2) The myometrium from obese women has less ability to contract in vitro.

Design  First, a clinical retrospective analysis of data from 3913 completed singleton pregnancies was performed. Secondly, in a prospective study the force, frequency and intracellular [Ca2+] flux of spontaneously contracting myometrium were related to the maternal body mass index.

Setting  Liverpool Women’s Hospital and University of Liverpool.

Population  The clinical study involved all women who delivered in one hospital in 2002. The in vitro study myometrial biopsies were obtained from 73 women who had elective caesarean section at term.

Results  Maternal obesity carried significant risk of caesarean section in labour that was highest for delay in the first stage of labour (OR 3.54). The increased risk of caesarean section in obese women largely occurred in women with normal‐ and not with high‐birthweight infants. Obese women delivering vaginally had increased risk of prolonged first stage of labour and excessive blood loss. Myometrium from obese women contracted with less force and frequency and had less [Ca2+] flux than that from normal‐weight women.

Conclusions  We suggest that these findings indicate that obesity may impair the ability of the uterus to contract in labour.
Internal iliac artery ligation for arresting postpartum haemorrhage
Authors: Joshi VM , Otiv SR , Majumder R , Nikam YA , Shrivastava M
Published: January 2007

Objective  To study the role of internal iliac artery ligation (IIAL) in arresting and preventing postpartum haemorrhage (PPH).

Design  Retrospective chart review of women undergoing therapeutic IIAL for PPH or prophylactic IIAL for risk of PPH.

Setting  Tertiary care hospital in Pune, India.

Sample  Women admitted to King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, Pune, India, who underwent IIAL to control or prevent PPH.

Methods  Bilateral IIAL was performed in all women.

Main outcome measures  Need for re‐laparotomy or hysterectomy to control haemorrhage, complications of the procedure.

Results  Out of 110 women who underwent IIAL, 88 had therapeutic IIAL for PPH from atony (36), genital tract injury (23), placenta praevia (21), placental abruption (4), uterine inversion (3) or coagulopathy (1). Hysterectomy was performed after IIAL failed to arrest haemorrhage in 33 (39.3%) of 84 women (excluding 4 with vaginal lacerations). Hysterectomy was more likely with uterine rupture (79%) than with nontraumatic PPH (up to 27%). Failure to control haemorrhage by IIAL was evident immediately, and bleeding arrested by IIAL did not recur to require later laparotomy in any woman. Out of 22 women at high risk for PPH undergoing prophylactic IIAL at caesarean section, none had subsequent haemorrhage. One woman had an iliac vein injury that was repaired with no further morbidity. There were no ischaemic complications either during inpatient stay or up to 6 weeks.

Conclusions  IIAL is useful in the treatment and prevention of PPH from any cause. Early resort to IIAL effectively prevents hysterectomy in women with atonic PPH. In traumatic PPH, IIAL facilitates hysterectomy or repair as indicated and prevents reactionary haemorrhage.
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Wuchang bream (Megalobrama amblycephala)
Authors: LI W. T. , LIAO X. L. , YU X. M. , WANG D. , TONG J.
Published: February 2007

Wuchang bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) is an economically important fish in China. From a (GT)13‐enriched genomic library, 20 microsatellites were developed. Nine of these 20 loci were polymorphic in a test population with allele numbers ranging from two to four, and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.2609 to 0.7826 and from 0.3739 to 0.7546, respectively. In the cross‐species amplifications, six of these nine loci were also polymorphic in white amur bream (Parabramis pekinensis). These polymorphic microsatellite loci are potentially useful for population genetics of Wuchang bream and its closely related species.
The texts of Thomas More's Richard III
Authors: Hanham Alison
Published: February 2007

Sir Thomas More's history of Richard III never became more than a work in progress, which he returned to at intervals to revise and improve. Of his version in Latin, three drafts survive. A fourth was published in Louvain in 1565. It will be argued here that this represents the text as More first wrote it, and not, as Daniel Kinney has maintained, a corrupt copy of the work, further garbled by its early editors. Of the two extant English versions, one was printed by Richard Grafton in 1543. More's nephew, William Rastell, then published what he claimed was the only authentic version. His belief has been generally accepted by scholars. It is proposed that, in fact, he had unwittingly obtained a defective draft of the History, which More had discarded after making the revisions that appear in Grafton's text. These reassessments will lead, it is hoped, to a better appreciation of More as a literary craftsman.
Explicit and Implicit Evaluation of Physician Adherence to Hypertension Guidelines
Authors: Ardery Gail , Carter Barry L. , Milchak Jessica L. , Bergus George R. , Dawson Jeffrey D. , James Paul A. , Franciscus Carrie , Kim Yoonsang
Published: February 2007

This study evaluated physician adherence to the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) hypertension guidelines in 6 community‐based clinics. Explicit review of retrospective medical record data for patients with uncontrolled hypertension measured guideline adherence using 22 criteria. Mean overall guideline adherence was 53.5% and did not improve significantly over time. Random‐effects models demonstrated significant associations between guideline adherence and various demographic and medical predictors, including age, minority status, comorbid conditions, and number of medications. A subsequent implicit review evaluated the degree to which nonadherence was justifiable and identified factors that might have affected adherence. Nonadherence was rated as justifiable for only 6.6% of the failed explicit criteria. In general, adherence to the JNC 7 guidelines was modest even when barriers that might have affected adherence were taken into consideration.
Pharmacologic and Therapeutic Considerations in Hypertension Therapy With Calcium Channel Blockers: Focus on Verapamil
Authors: Sica Domenic A. , Prisant L. Michael
Published: February 2007

In the past 2 decades, calcium channel blockers have emerged as important and useful agents for treating hypertension. The safety of this drug class has been vigorously debated for some time, and it has only been in the past few years that such debate has been quieted by favorable outcomes data with these compounds. Calcium channel blockers are a heterogeneous group of compounds as alike as they are dissimilar. Calcium channel blockers can be separated into dihydropyridine and nondihydropyridine subclasses, with representatives of the latter being verapamil and diltiazem. A lengthy treatment experience exists for verapamil, a compound that has progressed from an immediate‐release to a sustained‐release and, more recently, a delayed/sustained‐release formulation designated for administration at bedtime. This latter formulation synchronizes drug delivery with the early morning rise in blood pressure, which is a particularly attractive feature when viewed in the context of the distinctive pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features of verapamil.
Aberrant Central Nervous System Responses to the Valsalva Maneuver in Heart Failure
Authors: Woo Mary A. , Macey Paul M. , Keens Peter T. , Kumar Rajesh , Fonarow Gregg C. , Hamilton Michele A. , Harper Ronald M.
Published: February 2007

Heart failure (HF) is associated with aberrant autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity, with altered responses to blood pressure and breathing challenges that appear to reflect abnormal central nervous system function. The authors used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to determine whether the Valsalva maneuver, an ANS challenge, would show abnormal responses in ANS regulatory areas of the brain in HF. Brain fMRI signal changes in 5 HF patients (left ventricular ejection fraction, 0.15±0.08; age, 50±10 years) and 14 controls (age, 47±11 years) were assessed during 3 successive Valsalva maneuvers. The hypothalamus, hippocampus, putamen, amygdala, mid‐cingulate, right insula, and cerebellar cortex showed exaggerated and phase‐shifted fMRI responses in HF; other areas showed inverted signals from those found in controls. Central ANS control areas have altered phase, extent, and direction of responses to Valsalva maneuvers in a small sample of HF patients. These findings suggest that therapeutics that address neuroprotective aspects may be useful interventions for the condition.
Tolerability, Safety, and Efficacy of β‐Blockade in Black Patients With Heart Failure in the Community Setting: Insights From a Large Prospective β‐Blocker Registry
Authors: Abraham William T. , Massie Barry M. , Lukas Mary Ann , Lottes Sandra R. , Nelson Jeanenne J. , Fowler Michael B. , Greenberg Barry , Gilbert Edward M. , Franciosa Joseph A.
Published: February 2007

Heart failure (HF) clinical trials suggest different responses of blacks and whites to β‐blockers. Differences between clinical trial and community settings may also have an impact. The Carvedilol Heart Failure Registry (COHERE) observed experience with carvedilol in 4280 patients with HF in a community setting. This analysis compares characteristics, outcomes, and carvedilol dosing of blacks and whites in COHERE. Compared with whites (n=3433), blacks (n=523) had more severe HF symptoms despite similar systolic function. At similar carvedilol maintenance doses, symptoms improved in 33% of blacks vs 28% of whites, while worsening in 10% and 11%, respectively (both nonsignificant), and HF hospitalization rates were reduced comparably in both groups (–58% vs –56%, respectively; both P<.001). Incidence and hazard ratios of death were similar in blacks and whites (6.9% vs 7.5%, hazard ratio 1.2 vs 1.0, P=.276). Thus carvedilol was similarly effective in blacks and whites with HF in the community setting, consistent with carvedilol clinical trials.
The Combined Effect of Visual Impairment and Cognitive Impairment on Disability in Older People
Authors: Whitson Heather E. , Cousins Scott W. , Burchett Bruce M. , Hybels Celia F. , Pieper Carl F. , Cohen Harvey J.
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVES: To determine the risk of disability in individuals with coexisting visual and cognitive impairment and to compare the magnitude of risk associated with visual impairment, cognitive impairment, or the multimorbidity.

DESIGN: Prospective cohort.

SETTING: North Carolina.

PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand eight hundred seventy‐eight participants in the North Carolina Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly with nonmissing visual status, cognitive status, and disability status data at baseline

MEASUREMENTS: Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (cognitive impairment defined as≥4 errors), self reported visual acuity (visual impairment defined as inability to see well enough to recognize a friend across the street or to read newspaper print), demographic and health‐related variables, disability status (activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), mobility), death, and time to nursing home placement.

RESULTS: Participants with coexisting visual and cognitive impairment were at greater risk of IADL disability (odds ratio (OR)=6.50, 95% confidence interval (CI)=4.34–9.75), mobility disability (OR=4.04, 95% CI=2.49–6.54), ADL disability (OR=2.84, 95% CI=1.87–4.32), and incident ADL disability (OR=3.66, 95%, CI=2.36–5.65). In each case, the estimated OR associated with the multimorbidity was greater than the estimated OR associated with visual or cognitive impairment alone, a pattern that was not observed for other adverse outcomes assessed. No significant interactions were observed between cognitive impairment and visual impairment as predictors of disability status.

CONCLUSION: Individuals with coexisting visual impairment and cognitive impairment are at high risk of disability, with each condition contributing additively to disability risk. Further study is needed to improve functional trajectories in patients with this prevalent multimorbidity. When visual or cognitive impairment is present, efforts to maximize the other function may be beneficial.
Inability to start hemodialysis after a smooth temporary hemodialysis catheter insertion procedure
Authors: TANG Sydney C.W. , LEE Raymand , TSE Kai C. , LAI Andrew S.H. , LAI Kar N.
Published: January 2007

Cannulation of the central vein for placement of the temporary dual‐lumen catheter for hemodialysis can usually be safely and reliably performed under ultrasonographic guidance. Here, we report a case of aberrant catheter entry into the internal thoracic vein during an apparently smooth procedure. The value of sonographic guidance, together with fluoroscopy with or without venography, will be discussed.
The extrathymic T‐cell differentiation in the murine gut
Authors: Rocha Benedita
Published: February 2007

Summary:  The gut epithelial border is in continuous contact with exogenous antigens and harbors a distinctive and very abundant CD8αα intraepithelial T‐lymphocyte effector population. We describe here the characteristics of these cells that distinguish them from all other T‐cell types in the body as well as their functions in local protection. We also describe how these cells differentiate from local precursors present in the gut cryptopatches (CPs) following a pathway of T‐cell differentiation unique to the gut wall. Finally, we describe the origin of the precursors of CD8αα T cells, which come from the bone marrow in athymic mice but are first imprinted in the thymus in euthymic mice. Indeed, CD3−CD4−CD8− T‐cell‐committed precursors can leave the thymus before T‐cell receptor rearrangements and then colonize the gut CPs, proceeding with their differentiation within the gut wall.
Development and selection of γδ T cells
Authors: Xiong Na , Raulet David H.
Published: February 2007

Summary:  Two main lineages of T cells develop in the thymus: those that express the αβ T‐cell receptor (TCR) and those that express the γδ TCR. Whereas the development, selection, and peripheral localization of newly differentiated αβ T cells are understood in some detail, these processes are less well characterized in γδ T cells. This review describes research carried out in this laboratory and others, which addresses several key aspects of γδ T‐cell development, including the decision of precursor cells to differentiate into the γδ versus αβ lineage, the ordered differentiation over the course of ontogeny of functional γδ T‐cell subsets expressing distinct TCR structures, programming of ordered Vγ gene rearrangement in the thymus, including a molecular switch that ensures appropriate Vγ rearrangements at the appropriate stage of development, positive selection in the thymus of γδ T cells destined for the epidermis, and the acquisition by developing γδ T cells of cues that determine their correct localization in the periphery. This research suggests a coordination of molecularly programmed events and cellular selection, which enables specialization of the thymus for production of distinct T‐cell subsets at different stages of development.
Prevalence of antibody reaction with cercopithecine herpesvirus 1 antigen in Macaca cyclopis, Macaca fascicularis, and Papio anubis in Taiwan
Authors: Lee F. , Lin Y‐J. , Deng M‐C. , Lee T‐Y. , Huang C‐C.
Published: January 2007

Background and Methods  A total of 284 non‐human primate sera were collected between December 2004 and September 2005 and tested by a commercially available dot immunobinding assay for the antibodies to cercopithecine herpesvirus 1, an alphaherpesvirus with high mortality for infected humans.

Results  Seropositive rates were 58% among non‐human primates from animal shelters and 38% among those from zoos and academic institutes. Positive reactors were found in three species, the Formosan macaque (Macaca cyclopis; 57%), the cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis; 11%) and the olive baboon (Papio anubis; 68%).

Conclusions  Our results showed that natural infection by cercopithecine herpesvirus 1 in Formosan macaques was highly prevalent, and to a certain extent reflected the situation of the wild populations in Taiwan. The findings raised the issues of zoonotic public health and the occupational health of primate workers. High positive rate in olive baboons was also found, although, it cannot be ruled out that the positivity was due to cross‐reactivity between cercopithecine herpesvirus 1 and other herpesviruses.
The use of recombinant adeno‐associated virus for skeletal gene therapy
Authors: Dai Juan , Rabie A. Bakr M.
Published: February 2007

Structured Abstract

Authors –  Dai J, Rabie ABM

Objectives –  To provide a comprehensive literature review describing recent developments of the recombinant adeno‐associated virus (rAAV) vector and exploring the therapeutic application of rAAV for bone defects, cartilage lesions and rheumatoid arthritis.

Design –  Narrative review.

Result –  The review outlines the serotypes and genome of AAV, integration and life cycle of the rAAV vectors, the immune response and regulating system for AAV gene therapy. Furthermore, the advancements of rAAV gene therapy for bone growth together with cartilage repair are summarized.

Conclusion –  Recombinant adeno‐associated virus vector is perceived to be one of the most promising vector systems for bone and cartilage gene therapy approaches and further investigations need to be carried out for craniofacial research.
Marginal Bone Resorption at Different Treatment Concepts Using Brånemark Dental Implants in Anterior Mandibles
Authors: Petersson Arne , Rangert Bo , Randow Kjell , Ericsson Ingvar
Published: February 2007

Background: Different implant treatment modalities, one‐ and two‐step surgery, and one‐step surgery combined with early functional loading have successfully been used in the anterior mandible for rehabilitation of edentulism. However, the marginal bone remodeling has not been compared among the three different techniques.

Purpose: The purpose was to compare the marginal bone level in a short‐ and long‐term perspective study using Brånemark dental implants placed according to either a one‐ or a two‐step surgical procedure or a one‐step surgical procedure combined with early functional loading.

Materials and Methods: Seven patients were treated with a split‐mouth technique with a one‐step surgical technique on one side and a two‐step technique on the other side. In this latter group, the fixtures were submerged during a 3‐ to 4‐month healing period before abutment connection and loading. In 13 patients, following one‐step surgery, the permanent prosthetic suprastructure was connected within 20 days from implant surgery. All patients were operated on by the same surgeon. The level of the marginal bone was radiographically measured relative to the fixture‐abutment junction and was followed up to 5 years from fixture installation.

Results: After connection of the supraconstruction, the marginal bone resorption was significantly lower in the early functional loading group compared to the one‐ and two‐step surgical technique groups. However, after 18 months and after 5 years, the marginal bone was located approximately 1 mm apical to the fixture—abutment level in all three groups.

Conclusion: There was no difference in marginal bone resorption in a long‐term perspective between one‐ and two‐step surgical procedures and a one‐step surgical procedure with early functional loading of Brånemark dental implants.
RELATION of BACTERIAL DESTRUCTION to CHEMICAL MARKER FORMATION DURING PROCESSING BY THERMAL PULSES1
Authors: ROSS EDWARD W.
Published: February 2007

This paper presents a formulation in dimensionless terms of the equations pertaining to first‐order processes that follow Arrhenius kinetics, and applies them to problems in food thermoprocessing. the need for it arose from attempts to understand the relation between destruction of pathogenic microorganisms and formation of chemical markers in the food. During processing food is subjected to a thermal pulse that affects the markers and microorganisms. the dimensionless formulation makes it convenient to obtain equations expressing the relation between the decadic reduction in microbial population and the rise in marker concentration for temperature‐time profiles of forms hitherto not conveniently calculable. Measurements of chemical markers can be used with these formulas to predict destruction of microorganisms. Examples are given of calculations demonstrating the feasibility of this approach when a single marker is monitored.