bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Different Sized Transurethral Catheters on Pressure-Flow Studies in Women with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
Authors: Scaldazza Carlo Vecchioli , Morosetti Carolina
Published: July 2005

Introduction: The study evaluates the impact of three different sized (4.5-, 6- and 7-Fr) catheters on pressure-flow studies in women undergoing urodynamic evaluation for lower urinary tract symptoms. Material and Methods: 60 women referred for the evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms were enrolled in this randomized controlled study. Patients were divided into two groups (A and B) of 30 women each. The patients underwent non-invasive free-flow uroflowmetry with determination of post-void residual urine volume (PVR) and two consecutive pressure-flow studies using two different transurethral catheters. In group A the two consecutive pressure-flow studies were performed using a 4.5-Fr catheter once and a 6-Fr catheter once; in group B the two consecutive pressure-flow studies were performed using a 4.5-Fr catheter once and a 7-Fr catheter once. Patients were also randomized for the consecutive order in which the two different transurethral catheters were used. Results: The pressure-flow parameters were significantly different from the equivalent free-flow findings. The maximum and average flow rate in all pressure-flow studies performed were significantly lower than the equivalent free-flow parameters and the flow time was significantly longer for all pressure-flow versus free-flow studies. Furthermore, there was a significantly larger PVR for pressure-flow than for free-flow measurements. There was no significant difference in maximum flow rate, average flow rate and flow time between 4.5- and 6-Fr pressure-flow studies (group A). However, there was a statistically significant difference between 4.5- and 7-Fr pressure-flow studies (group B) in those uroflowmetry parameters. Detrusor pressure at maximum flow (Pdet.Qmax) and maximum detrusor pressure (Pdet. max) in group A did not show statistically significant differences between 4.5- and 6-Fr pressure-flow studies whereas in group B Pdet.Qmax and Pdet. max  were significantly different between 4.5- and 7-Fr pressure-flow studies. Conclusions: A 4.5-, 6- or 7-Fr transurethral catheter may obstruct micturition changing uroflowmetry parameters. A statistically significant difference was found in all but PVR parameters particularly in all detrusor parameters between 4.5- vs. 7-Fr whereas no statistically significant difference was found in all but PVR parameters between 4.5- vs. 6-Fr. We can thus state that pressure-flow findings may be influenced by different sized transurethral catheters. A misinterpretation of pressure-flow findings may have clinical implications on establishing an accurate diagnosis.
Prospective Study of Estramustine Phosphate for Hormone Refractory Prostate Cancer Patients following Androgen Deprivation Therapy
Authors: Hirano Daisaku , Minei Sadatsugu , Kishimoto Yuichi , Yamaguchi Kenya , Hachiya Takahiko , Yoshida Toshio , Yoshikawa Tetsuo , Endoh Makoto , Yamanaka Yataroh , Yamamoto Tadao , Satoh Yasuo , Ishida Hajime , Okada Kiyoki , Takimoto Yukie
Published: July 2005

Introduction: Estramustine phosphate (EMP) in combination with other cytotoxic agents has been widely used in clinical trials as an anti-tumor agent for the treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). However, few prospective studies have considered the efficacy of EMP monotherapy for HRPC patients following androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT), given the availability of methods to measure prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in the serum. We therefore initiated a prospective study to determine whether EMP is efficient for HRPC following ADT using changes in PSA levels as the major endpoint. Methods: After a diagnosis of anti-androgen withdrawal syndrome had been excluded, 34 patients with HRPC who showed an elevated serum PSA level in 3 or more sequential tests following ADT were treated orally with 560 mg/day of EMP. The clinical stage and the median PSA value for inclusion in the study were D2 and 25.9 (range 6.5–540.8) ng/ml, respectively. Treatment was continued until evidence of disease progression reappeared or until severe adverse effects appeared. Results: Of the 34 patients enrolled, 29 were evaluated, while the other 5 (15%) patients were discontinued due to severe gastrointestinal side effects. Seven of the 29 patients (24%) showed a decrease of 50% or greater in serum PSA levels from the initially elevated values, with the median duration of PSA response being 8.0 (range 2.2–18.8) months. Baseline PSA, hemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, performance status, and length of time of initial hormonal treatment did not correlate with the PSA response. With a median follow-up time of 20.0 (range 3.2–45.6) months, the cancer-specific survival rate at 2 years was 83% in the PSA responders and 44% in the non-responders. The PSA response was correlated with cancer-specific survival (p = 0.029). Conclusions: Following ADT one quarter of HRPC patients responded to EMP, with more than 50% of patients showing a decrease in PSA levels and an enhanced survival rate.
Plasma Chromogranin A in Patients with Prostate Cancer Improves the Diagnostic Efficacy of Free/Total Prostate-Specific Antigen Determination
Authors: Fracalanza S. , Prayer-Galetti T. , Pinto F. , Navaglia F. , Sacco E. , Ciaccia M. , Plebani M. , Pagano F. , Basso D.
Published: July 2005

Introduction: We ascertained whether plasma chromogranin A enhances the power of serology assessing prostate cancer (PC). Materials andMethods: We studied 56 PC and 83 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients. In the sera we measured total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) and free PSA (fPSA) and calculated the ratio between fPSA and tPSA (f/tPSA). In plasma samples the levels of chromogranin A (CgA) were also assayed. Results: PC patients had higher CgA (p < 0.005) and tPSA (p < 0.05) levels, and a lower f/tPSA ratio (p < 0.001), than BPH patients. When f/tPSA and CgA were combined, the diagnostic sensitivity was enhanced (57–73%), while the specificity had only an 8% reduction (from 89 to 80%). CgA was only correlated to the Gleason PC score (p < 0.05). Conclusions: CgA determination in PC may enhance the diagnostic accuracy of the f/tPSA assay and provides useful information on the tumor grade.
Phase II Study of an ‘All-Oral’ Regimen of Capecitabine, Idarubicin and Cyclophosphamide for Metastatic Breast Cancer – Safety, Efficacy and Quality of Life
Authors: Tong Daniel K.H. , Cheng Carter W.N. , Ching Chan See , Ngor Wong Lai , Chow Louis W.C.
Published: July 2005

Objective: Patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) generally have a poor prognosis. Many of these patients have a good performance status. A new all-oral regimen (XIC) was evaluated in a phase II trial. The impact of the regimen on the safety and efficacy of the drug, as well as quality of life (QOL) of the patients was assessed. Patients andMethods:From September 2000 to September 2001, informed consent was obtained from 20 heavily pretreated women with MBC. They were placed on a 6-week cycle regimen comprising capecitabine (X; 2,000 mg/m2/day in two divided doses for 2 weeks then 1 week rest), idarubicin (I; 10 mg/m2/day, days 1, 3 and 5) and cyclophosphamide (C; 100 mg/m2/day for 2 weeks then 1 week rest). Results: Toxicities were generally tolerable. One patient had grade III neutropenia, which was reversible on cessation of treatment. One patient (5%) had a complete response and 4 patients (20%) achieved partial responses, yielding an overall response rate of 25%. Eight patients (40%) had stable disease. Median time to disease progression and median survival time were 13.4 and 23.7 months, respectively. Global and physical EORTC QLQ-30 scores showed no significant decrease in QOL. Conclusion: This is a small-scale study. XIC was generally well tolerated and favoured by the patients. This moderately active and convenient ‘all-oral’ regimen deserves clinical trials at a wider scale.
Melatonin and the Aging Brain
Authors: Ng T.B. , Liu F. , Xia L.X. , Wang H.X. , Ye X.Y.
Published: July 2005

Melatonin is a well-known potent antioxidant synthesized in the pineal gland. It affects functions of many organs including those of the immune system, the reproductive tract, the thyroid and the adrenals. This review collates evidence from many research laboratories that by virtue of its antioxidant activity melatonin counteracts brain function deterioration induced by senescence.
Chronic Mild Stress (CMS) Revisited: Consistency and Behavioural-Neurobiological Concordance in the Effects of CMS
Authors: Willner Paul
Published: July 2005

The chronic mild stress (CMS) model of depression has high validity but has in the past been criticized for being difficult to replicate. However, a large number of recent publications have confirmed that CMS causes behavioural changes in rodents that parallel symptoms of depression. This review summarizes studies from over sixty independent research groups that have reported decreases in reactivity to rewards, and a variety of other depression-like behaviours, in rats or mice, following exposure to CMS. Together, these changes are referred to as a ‘depressive’ behavioural profile. Almost every study that has examined the effects of chronic antidepressant treatment in these procedures has reported that antidepressants were effective in reversing or preventing these ‘depressive’ behavioural changes. (The single exception is a study in which the duration of treatment was too brief to constitute an adequate trial.) There are also a handful of reports of CMS causing significant effects in the opposite direction, termed here an ‘anomalous’ behavioural profile. There are six neurobiological parameters that have been studied in both ‘anhedonic’ and ‘anomalous’ animals: psychostimulant and place-conditioning effects of dopamine agonists; dopamine D2 receptor number and message; inhibition of dopamine turnover by quinpirole, and beta-adrenergic receptor binding. On all six measures, CMS caused opposite effects in animals displaying ‘depressive’ and ‘anomalous’ profiles. Thus, there is overwhelming evidence that under appropriate experimental conditions, CMS can cause antidepressant-reversible depressive-like effects in rodents; however, the ‘anomalous’ profile that is occasionally reported appears to be a genuine phenomenon, and these two sets of behavioural effects appear to be associated with opposite patterns of neurobiological changes.
Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase 1 Adenoviral Gene Therapy Alone Is Equally Effective in Reducing Restenosis as Combination Gene Therapy in a Rabbit Restenosis Model
Authors: Puhakka Hanna L. , Turunen Päivi , Rutanen Juha , Hiltunen Mikko O. , Turunen Mikko P. , Ylä-Herttuala Seppo
Published: July 2005

Neointimal formation is a common feature after angioplasty, bypass grafting and stenting. Angioplasty damages endothelium, causing pathological changes in arteries which lead to smooth muscle cell proliferation, synthesis of extracellular matrix components and eventually restenosis formation. Adenoviruses offer an efficient transgene expression in the vascular system. In this study, we compared the effects of different gene combinations. We wanted to find out whether adenoviral catheter-mediated delivery of an additive combination of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A with VEGF-C is more effective than the combination of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) alone or with VEGF-C in a rabbit balloon denudation model. Additionally, we wanted to clarify whether the combination therapy prolongs the treatment effect. It was found that TIMP-1 alone prevents restenosis and that the combination of VEGF-A and VEGF-C has a similar effect at the 2-week time point. However, the combination of VEGF-A and VEGF-C lost the treatment effect at the 4-week time point due to the catch-up growth of neointima. On the other hand, TIMP-1 and the combination of TIMP-1 with VEGF-C still had an extended treatment effect at the 4-week time point. When considering the gene combination used in this study, it is concluded that gene therapy with adenoviral TIMP-1 alone is sufficient in reducing restenosis and that combination gene therapy does not bring any significant advantages.
Effects of Fexofenadine Hydrochloride in a Guinea Pig Model of Antigen-Induced Rhinitis
Authors: Sakairi Takashi , Suzuki Katsuhisa , Makita Shigeki , Wajima Teruaki , Shakuto Shuji , Yoshida Yasushi , Yaguchi Masafumi
Published: July 2005

Allergic rhinitis is an inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa, induced by histamine, leukotrienes, and other substances released from mast cells. Fexofenadine hydrochloride, the active metabolite of terfenadine, is a novel, nonsedating antiallergic drug having H1 receptor antagonistic activity. Fexofenadine is effective for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. However, its mechanism of action in attenuating nasal congestion has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, we first examined the effects of fexofenadine on a guinea pig model of antigen-induced rhinitis. We also evaluated the effects of mepyramine, zafirlukast and ramatroban in this model; these drugs are an H1 receptor antagonist, a selective leukotriene antagonist and a selective thromboxane antagonist, respectively. Rhinitis was induced by ovalbumin (OVA) instillation into the nasal cavity of animals that had been sensitized by two earlier OVA injections (s.c. and i.p.). The nasal airway resistance was measured for 45 min after the challenge. Fexofenadine hydrochloride (20 mg/kg) and terfenadine (20 mg/kg) administered orally 70 min prior to the challenge significantly inhibited (fexofenadine, p < 0.001, terfenadine, p < 0.05) the increase in nasal airway resistance. Ramatroban (30 mg/kg) administered orally 60 min prior to the challenge also significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) the increase in nasal airway resistance. In contrast, mepyramine (3 mg/kg i.v.) and zafirlukast (3 mg/kg p.o.) failed to reduce the increase in nasal airway resistance. These results suggest that thromboxane may be involved in the increase in the nasal airway resistance in this model. Accordingly, fexofenadine may reduce the increase in nasal airway resistance by inhibiting the release of chemical mediators, including thromboxane, that are involved in the increase in nasal airway resistance in this model.
Laparoscopic Surgery for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Casillas Sergio , Delaney Conor P.
Published: July 2005

Laparoscopic surgery has recently been gaining acceptance as an alternative approach for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. There is increasing evidence demonstrating the multiple potential benefits of laparoscopy including faster recovery, reduced costs, and lower morbidity. For patients with acute colitis, a laparoscopic subtotal colectomy and end ileostomy have been shown to be feasible and safe in experienced hands. When indicated, many of these patients may be able to safely undergo a subsequent laparoscopic approach for construction of an ileo-anal pouch. Although still controversial, an elective laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy with ileo-anal pouch anastomosis has also been shown to be feasible with functional outcomes at least similar to those obtained with an open approach. However, larger randomized series of patients are needed with longer follow-up in order to draw definite conclusions. For Crohn’s disease, a laparoscopic approach is ideal for stoma creation. In addition, laparoscopic ileo-colectomy is arguably the preferred approach for patients with terminal ileal disease. Some experienced laparoscopic groups have also applied laparoscopic techniques for more complicated cases with recurrent disease or disease-related complications, such as fistulous disease. Other short-term benefits of a laparoscopic approach may include a decreased incidence of ventral hernias, decreased incidence of small bowel obstruction, and faster recovery. These benefits may also have significant economic impact. In contrast to earlier reports, there is reliable evidence that conversion is not associated with a poorer outcome. A policy of starting most suitable cases laparoscopically may offer patients the potential benefits of a laparoscopic approach without increasing morbidity.
Oxidative Stress Promotes Endothelial Cell Apoptosis and Loss of Microvessels in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Kobayashi Nobuhiko , DeLano Frank A. , Schmid-Schönbein Geert W.
Published: July 2005

Objective—

Endothelial cell apoptosis caused by oxidative stress may lead to the loss of microvessels (rarefaction) in hypertension. We examine here the effects of antioxidants on cell apoptosis and rarefaction.

Methods and Results—

The juvenile spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were treated with superoxide scavengers, Tempol or Tiron, during growth. After the treatment, oxidative stress status, endothelial cell apoptosis rate, and microvessel length density in skeletal muscle and mesentery were evaluated in comparison with age-matched controls. Untreated 16-week-old SHR had higher oxidative stress (
P
<0.01) and cell apoptosis rate (
P
<0.05) and lower microvessel length density (371±17 mm/mm
3
[
P
<0.01]) compared with age-matched WKY rats (435±15 mm/mm
3
). In the SHR, but not in WKY rats, systemically applied antioxidants attenuated oxidative stress and cell apoptosis rate (
P
<0.05 versus untreated controls) and prevented the loss of microvessels (411±15 mm/mm
3
for Tempol [
P
<0.01 versus untreated control] and 399±17 mm/mm
3
for Tiron [
P
<0.05]).

Conclusions—

Antioxidant treatment with cell-permeable superoxide scavengers inhibits endothelial cell apoptosis and prevents microvessel rarefaction in the SHR during growth.
Differences in Ischemic Lesion Evolution in Different Rat Strains Using Diffusion and Perfusion Imaging
Authors: Bardutzky Juergen , Shen Qiang , Henninger Nils , Bouley James , Duong Timothy Q. , Fisher Marc
Published: July 2005

Background and Purpose—

Interstrain differences in the temporal evolution of ischemia after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats may considerably influence the results of experimental stroke research. We investigated, in 2 commonly used rat strains (Sprague-Dawley [SD] and Wistar-Kyoto [WK]), the spatiotemporal evolution of ischemia after permanent suture MCAO using diffusion and perfusion imaging.

Methods—

Serial measurements of quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were performed up to 210 min after MCAO. Lesion volumes were calculated by using previously established viability thresholds and correlated with infarct volume defined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining 24 hours after MCAO.

Results—

While the ADC-derived lesion volume increased rapidly during the first 120 min after MCAO and essentially stopped growing after 3 hours in SD rats, ADC lesion in WK rats increased progressively during the entire 210-min period and was significantly smaller at all time points (
P
<0.05). The abnormal perfusion volume correlated highly with the TTC-defined infarct size in both groups. In WK rats, the abnormal perfusion volume was significantly larger than the abnormal diffusion volume up to 90 min after MCAO (
P
<0.001), whereas the diffusion/perfusion mismatch was significant (
P
<0.001) only at 45 min in SD rats. ADC–CBF scatterplots analysis revealed a slower and less robust ADC decline over time in WK rats in pixels with severe (<20% of normal) and moderate (21 to 40% of normal) CBF reduction.

Conclusions—

This study demonstrated substantial differences in acute ischemic lesion evolution between SD and WK rats. These interstrain variations must be taken into account when assessing new therapeutic approaches on ischemic lesion evolution in the rat MCAO model.
Assessment of Temperature, Proximity, and Course of the Esophagus During Radiofrequency Ablation Within the Left Atrium
Authors: Cummings Jennifer E. , Schweikert Robert A. , Saliba Walid I. , Burkhardt J. David , Brachmann Johannes , Gunther Jens , Schibgilla Volker , Verma Atul , Dery MarkAlain , Drago John L. , Kilicaslan Fethi , Natale Andrea
Published: July 2005

Background—

Left atrioesophageal fistula is a devastating complication of atrial fibrillation ablation. There is no standard approach for avoiding this complication, which is caused by thermal injury during ablation. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the course of the esophagus and the temperature within the esophagus during pulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVAI) and correlate these data with esophagus tissue damage.

Methods and Results—

Eight-one patients presenting for PVAI underwent esophagus evaluation that included temperature probe placement. Esophagus course was obtained with computed tomography, 3D imaging (NAVX), or intracardiac echocardiography. For each lesion, the power, catheter and esophagus temperature, location, and presence of microbubbles were recorded. Lesion location and esophagus course were defined with 6 predetermined left atrial anatomic segments. Endoscopy evaluated tissue changes during and after PVAI. Of 81 patients, the esophagus coursed near the right pulmonary veins in 23 (28.4%), left pulmonary veins in 31 (38.3%), and mid-posterior wall in 27 (33%). Esophagus temperature was significantly higher during left atrial lesions along its course than with lesions elsewhere (38.9±1.4°C, 36.8±0.5°C,
P
<0.01). Lesions that generated microbubbles had higher esophagus temperatures than those without (39.3±1.5°C, 38.5±0.9°C,
P
<0.01). Power was not predictive of esophagus temperatures. Distance between the esophagus and left atrium was 4.4±1.2 mm.

Conclusions—

Lesions near the course of the esophagus that generated microbubbles significantly increased esophagus temperature compared with lesions that did not. Power did not correlate with esophagus temperatures. Esophagus variability makes the avoidance of lesions along its course difficult. Rather than avoiding posterior lesions, emphasis could be placed on better esophagus monitoring for creation of safer lesions.
Getting to the Meaning of the Regular Past Tense: Evidence from Neuropsychology
Authors: Longworth C. E. , Marslen-Wilson W. D. , Randall B. , Tyler L. K.
Published: July 2005

Neuropsychological impairments of English past tense processing inform a key debate in cognitive neuroscience concerning the nature of mental mechanisms. Dual-route accounts claim that regular past tense comprehension deficits reflect a specific impairment of morphological decomposition (e.g., jump + ed), disrupting the automatic comprehension of word meaning accessed via the verb stem (e.g., jump). Single-mechanism accounts claim that the deficits reflect a general phonological impairment that affects perception of regular past tense offsets but which might preserve normal activation of verb semantics. We tested four patients with regular past tense deficits and matched controls, using a paired auditory semantic priming/lexical decision task with three conditions: uninflected verbs (hope/wish), regular past tense primes (blamed/accuse), and irregular past tense primes (shook/tremble). Both groups showed significant priming for verbs with simple morphophonology (uninflected verbs and irregular past tenses) but the patients showed no priming for verbs with complex morphophonology (regular past tenses) in contrast to controls. The findings suggest that the patients are delayed in activating the meaning of verbs if a regular past tense affix is appended, consistent with a dual-route account of their deficit.
Working Memory Maintenance Contributes to Long-term Memory Formation: Neural and Behavioral Evidence
Authors: Ranganath Charan , Cohen Michael X. , Brozinsky Craig J.
Published: July 2005

Theories of human memory have led to conflicting views regarding the relationship between working memory (WM) maintenance and episodic long-term memory (LTM) formation. Here, we tested the prediction that WM maintenance operates in two stages, and that processing during the initial stage of WM maintenance promotes successful LTM formation. Results from a functional magnetic resonance imaging study showed that activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and hippocampus during the initial stage of WM maintenance was predictive of subsequent LTM performance. In a behavioral experiment, we demonstrated that interfering with processing during the initial stage of WM maintenance impaired LTM formation. These results demonstrate that processing during the initial stage of WM maintenance directly contributes to successful LTM formation, and that this effect is mediated by a network that includes the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus.
The Role of Anterior Cingulate Cortex in Working Memory is Shaped by Functional Connectivity
Authors: Lenartowicz Agatha , McIntosh Anthony R.
Published: July 2005

The anterior cingulate (AC) cortex seems to be similarly engaged by attentional and memory processes. We tested the hypothesis that this common activation is best explained by changes in the regions interacting (functionally connected) with AC. Subjects were tested on two variants of a 2-back working memory task: a standard version with strong attentional demands, and a cued version that more strongly promoted memory retrieval. AC activation, measured with functional MRI, was found in both tasks, although more sustained in the standard condition. The regions functionally connected to the AC, and the relation of these activity patterns to memory performance, were completely different across tasks. In the standard task, the pattern related to a speed-accuracy tradeoff, whereas the connectivity pattern unique to the cued task related only to better accuracy. By virtue of these changing patterns of functional connectivity, the contribution of AC to attention-and memory-driven performance was similarly changed.
Catechol O-Methyltransferase Val158Met Polymorphism is Associated with Cognitive Performance in Nondemented Adults
Authors: Frias Cindy M. de , Annerbrink Kristina , Westberg Lars , Eriksson Elias , Adolfsson Rolf , Nilsson Lars-Göran
Published: July 2005

The catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene is essential in the metabolic degradation of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex. In the present study, we examined the effect of a Val158Met polymorphism in the COMT gene on individual differences and changes in cognition (executive functions and visuospatial ability) in adulthood and old age. The participants were 292 nondemented men (initially aged 35-85 years) from a random sample of the population (i.e., the Betula study) tested at two occasions with a 5-year interval. Confirmatory factor analyses were used to test the underlying structure of three indicators of executive functions (verbal fluency, working memory, and Tower of Hanoi). Associations between COMT, age, executive functioning, and visuospatial (block design) tasks were examined using repeated-measures analyses of variance. Carriers of the Val allele (with higher enzyme activity) compared with carriers of the Met/Met genotype (with low enzyme activity) performed worse on executive functioning and visuo-spatial tasks. Individuals with the Val/Val genotype declined in executive functioning over the 5-year period, whereas carriers of the Met allele remained stable in performance. An Age COMT interaction for visuospatial ability located the effect for middle-aged men only. This COMT polymorphism is a plausible candidate gene for executive functioning and fluid intelligence in nondemented middle-aged and older adults.
Detailed Exploration of Face-related Processing in Congenital Prosopagnosia: 2. Functional Neuroimaging Findings
Authors: Avidan Galia , Hasson Uri , Malach Rafael , Behrmann Marlene
Published: July 2005

Specific regions of the human occipito-temporal cortex are consistently activated in functional imaging studies of face processing. To understand the contribution of these regions to face processing, we examined the pattern of fMRI activation in four congenital prosopagnosic (CP) individuals who are markedly impaired at face processing despite normal vision and intelligence, and with no evidence of brain damage. These individuals evinced a normal pattern of fMRI activation in the fusiform gyrus (FFA) and in other ventral occipito-temporal areas, in response to faces, buildings, and other objects, shown both as line drawings in detection and discrimination tasks and under more naturalistic testing conditions when no task was required. CP individuals also showed normal adaptation levels in a block-design adaptation experiment and, like control subjects, exhibited evidence of global face representation in the FFA. The absence of a BOLD-behavioral correlation (profound behavioral deficit, normal face-related activation in the ventral occipito-temporal cortex) challenges existing accounts of face representation, and suggests that activation in these cortical regions per se is not sufficient to ensure intact face processing.
Detailed Exploration of Face-related Processing in Congenital Prosopagnosia: 1. Behavioral Findings
Authors: Behrmann Marlene , Avidan Galia , Marotta Jonathan J. , Kimchi Rutie
Published: July 2005

We show that five individuals with congenital prosopagnosia (CP) are impaired at face recognition and discrimination and do not exhibit the normal superiority for upright over inverted faces despite intact visual acuity, low-level vision and intelligence, and in the absence of any obvious neural concomitant. Interestingly, the deficit is not limited to faces: The CP individuals were also impaired at discriminating common objects and novel objects although to a lesser extent than discriminating faces. The perceptual deficit may be attributable to a more fundamental visual processing disorder; the CP individuals exhibited difficulty in deriving global configurations from simple visual stimuli, even with extended exposure duration and considerable perceptual support in the image. Deriving a global configuration from local components is more critical for faces than for other objects, perhaps accounting for the exaggerated deficit in face processing. These findings elucidate the psychological mechanisms underlying CP and support the link between configural and face processing.
Facts, Events, and Inflection: When Language and Memory Dissociate
Authors: Miozzo Michele , Gordon Peter
Published: July 2005

We report on two brain-damaged patients who show contrasting patterns of deficits in memory and language functioning. One patient (AW) suffers from a lexical retrieval deficit and failed to produce many irregularly inflected words such as spun, forgotten, andmice, but demonstrated intact production of regularly inflected words such aswalked andrats. She also had preserved declarative memory for facts and events. The other patient (VP) presented with a severe declarative memory deficit but showed no signs of impairment in producing either regular or irregular inflections. These patterns of deficits reveal that the retrieval of irregular inflections proceeds relatively autonomously with respect to declarative memory. We interpret these deficits with reference to three current theories of lexical structure: (a) Pinker's “words and rules” account, which assumes distinct mechanisms for processing regular and irregular inflections and proposes that lexical and semantic processing are subserved by distinct but interacting cognitive systems; (b) Ullman's “declarative/procedural” model, which assumes that mechanisms for the retrieval of irregular inflections are part of declarative memory; (c) Joanisse and Seidenberg's connectionist model, in which semantic information is critical for the retrieval of irregular inflections.
Selective Attention and Multisensory Integration: Multiple Phases of Effects on the Evoked Brain Activity
Authors: Talsma Durk , Woldorff Marty G.
Published: July 2005

We used event-related potentials (ERPs) to evaluate the role of attention in the integration of visual and auditory features of multisensory objects. This was done by contrasting the ERPs to multisensory stimuli (AV) to the sum of the ERPs to the corresponding auditory-only (A) and visual-only (V) stimuli [i.e., AV vs. (A + V)]. V, A, and VA stimuli were presented in random order to the left and right hemispaces. Subjects attended to a designated side to detect infrequent target stimuli in either modality there. The focus of this report is on the ERPs to the standard (i.e., nontarget) stimuli. We used rapid variable stimulus onset asynchronies (350-650 msec) to mitigate anticipatory activity and included “no-stim” trials to estimate and remove ERP overlap from residual anticipatory processes and from adjacent stimuli in the sequence. Spatial attention effects on the processing of the unisensory stimuli consisted of a modulation of visual P1 and N1 components (at 90-130 msec and 160-200 msec, respectively) and of the auditory N1 and processing negativity (100-200 msec). Attended versus unattended multisensory ERPs elicited a combination of these effects. Multisensory integration effects consisted of an initial frontal positivity around 100 msec that was larger for attended stimuli. This was followed by three phases of centro-medially distributed effects of integration and/or attention beginning at around 160 msec, and peaking at 190 (scalp positivity), 250 (negativity), and 300-500 msec (positivity) after stimulus onset. These integration effects were larger in amplitude for attended than for unattended stimuli, providing neural evidence that attention can modulate multisensory-integration processes at multiple stages.
Portraits or People? Distinct Representations of Face Identity in the Human Visual Cortex
Authors: Pourtois Gilles , Schwartz Sophie , Seghier Mohamed L. , Lazeyras François , Vuilleumier Patrik
Published: July 2005

Humans can identify individual faces under different viewpoints, even after a single encounter. We determined brain regions responsible for processing face identity across view changes after variable delays with several intervening stimuli, using event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging during a long-term repetition priming paradigm. Unfamiliar faces were presented sequentially either in a frontal or three-quarter view. Each face identity was repeated once after an unpredictable lag, with either the same or another viewpoint. Behavioral data showed significant priming in response time, irrespective of view changes. Brain imaging results revealed a reduced response in the lateral occipital and fusiform cortex with face repetition. Bilateral face-selective fusiform areas showed view-sensitive repetition effects, generalizing only from three-quarter to front-views. More medial regions in the left (but not in the right) fusiform showed repetition effects across all types of viewpoint changes. These results reveal that distinct regions within the fusiform cortex hold view-sensitive or view-invariant traces of novel faces, and that face identity is represented in a view-sensitive manner in the functionally defined face-selective areas of both hemispheres. In addition, our finding of a better generalization after exposure to a 3/4-view than to a front-view demonstrates for the first time a neural substrate in the fusiform cortex for the common recognition advantage of three-quarter faces. This pattern provides new insights into the nature of face representation in the human visual system.
A Model of Prefrontal Cortical Mechanisms for Goal-directed Behavior
Authors: Hasselmo Michael E.
Published: July 2005

Many behavioral tasks require goal-directed actions to obtain delayed reward. The prefrontal cortex appears to mediate many aspects of goal-directed decision making. This article presents a model of prefrontal cortex function emphasizing the influence of goal-related activity on the choice of the next motor output. The model can be interpreted in terms of key elements of Reinforcement Learning Theory. Different neocortical minicolumns represent distinct sensory input states and distinct motor output actions. The dynamics of each minicolumn include separate phases of encoding and retrieval. During encoding, strengthening of excitatory connections forms forward and reverse associations between each state, the following action, and a subsequent state, which may include reward. During retrieval, activity spreads from reward states throughout the network. The interaction of this spreading activity with a specific input state directs selection of the next appropriate action. Simulations demonstrate how these mechanisms can guide performance in a range of goal-directed tasks, and provide a functional framework for some of the neuronal responses previously observed in the medial prefrontal cortex during performance of spatial memory tasks in rats.
Further Dissociating the Processes Involved in Recognition Memory: An fMRI Study
Authors: Henson Richard N. A. , Hornberger Michael , Rugg Michael D.
Published: July 2005

Based on an event-related potential study by Rugg et al. [Dissociation of the neural correlates of implicit and explicit memory. Nature, 392, 595-598, 1998], we attempted to isolate the hemodynamic correlates of recollection, familiarity, and implicit memory within a single verbal recognition memory task using event-related fMRI. Words were randomly cued for either deep or shallow processing, and then intermixed with new words for yes/no recognition. The number of studied words was such that, whereas most were recognized (“hits”), an appreciable number of shallow-studied words were not (“misses”). Comparison of deep hits versus shallow hits at test revealed activations in regions including the left inferior parietal gyrus. Comparison of shallow hits versus shallow misses revealed activations in regions including the bilateral intraparietal sulci, the left posterior middle frontal gyrus, and the left frontopolar cortex. Comparison of hits versus correct rejections revealed a relative deactivation in an anterior left medial-temporal region (most likely the perirhinal cortex). Comparison of shallow misses versus correct rejections did not reveal response decreases in any regions expected on the basis of previous imaging studies of priming. Given these and previous data, we associate the left inferior parietal activation with recollection, the left anterior medial-temporal deactivation with familiarity, and the intraparietal and prefrontal responses with target detection. The absence of differences between shallow misses and correct rejections means that the hemodynamic correlates of implicit memory remain unclear.
Neurophysiological Indexes of Speech Processing Deficits in Children with Specific Language Impairment
Authors: Shafer Valerie L. , Morr Mara L. , Datta Hia , Kurtzberg Diane , Schwartz Richard G.
Published: July 2005

We used neurophysiological and behavioral measures to examine whether children with specific language impairment (SLI) have deficits in automatic processing of brief, phonetically similar vowels, and whether attention plays a role in such deficits. The neurophysiological measure mismatch negativity (MMN) was used as an index of discrimination in two tasks; one in which children ignored the auditory stimuli and watched a silent video and a second in which they attended to the auditory modality. Children with SLI showed good behavioral discrimination, but significantly poorer behavioral identification of the brief vowels than the children with typical language development (TLD). For the TLD children, two neurophysiological measures (MMN and a later negativity, LN) indexed discrimination of the vowels in both tasks. In contrast, only the LN was elicited in either task for the SLI group. We did not see a direct correspondence between the absence of MMN and poor behavioral performance in the children with SLI. This pattern of findings indicates that children with SLI have speech perception deficiencies, although the underlying cause may vary.
Functional Specialization within the Medial Frontal Gyrus for Perceptual Go/No-Go Decisions Based on “What,” “When,” and “Where” Related Information: An fMRI Study
Authors: Talati Ardesheer , Hirsch Joy
Published: July 2005

Cortical systems engaged during executive and volitional functions receive and integrate input from multiple systems. However, these integration processes are not well understood. In particular, it is not known whether these input pathways converge or remain segregated at the executive levels of cortical information processing. If unilateral information streams are conserved within structures that serve high-level executive functions, then the functional organization within these structures would predictably be similarly organized. If, however, unilateral input information streams are integrated within executive-related structures, then activity patterns will not necessarily reflect lower organizations. In this study, subjects were imaged during the performance of a “perceptual go/nogo” task for which instructions were based on spatial (“where”), temporal (“when”), or object (“what”) stimulus features known to engage unilateral processing streams, and the expected hemispheric biases were observed for early processing areas. For example, activity within the inferior and middle occipital gyri, and the middle temporal gyrus, during the what and when tasks, was biased toward the left hemisphere, and toward the right hemisphere during the “where” task. We discover a similar lateralization within the medial frontal gyrus, a region associated with high-level executive functions and decision-related processes. This lateralization was observed regardless of whether the response was executed or imagined, and was demonstrated in multiple sensory modalities. Although active during the go/no-go task, the cingulate gyrus did not show a similar lateralization. These findings further differentiate the organizations and functions of the medial frontal and cingulate executive regions, and suggest that the executive mechanisms operative within the medial frontal gyrus preserve fundamental aspects of input processing streams.
Rhesus Monkeys Behave As If They Perceive the Duncker Illusion
Authors: Zivotofsky A. Z. , Goldberg M. E. , Powell K. D.
Published: July 2005

The visual system uses the pattern of motion on the retina to analyze the motion of objects in the world, and the motion of the observer him/herself. Distinguishing between retinal motion evoked by movement of the retina in space and retinal motion evoked by movement of objects in the environment is computationally difficult, and the human visual system frequently misinterprets the meaning of retinal motion. In this study, we demonstrate that the visual system of the Rhesus monkey also misinterprets retinal motion. We show that monkeys erroneously report the trajectories of pursuit targets or their own pursuit eye movements during an epoch of smooth pursuit across an orthogonally moving background. Furthermore, when they make saccades to the spatial location of stimuli that flashed early in an epoch of smooth pursuit or fixation, they make large errors that appear to take into account the erroneous smooth eye movement that they report in the first experiment, and not the eye movement that they actually make.
Gonad development and spawning behaviour of artificially-matured European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.)
Authors: van Ginneken Vincent , Vianen Gerjanne , Muusze Bie , Palstra Arjan , Verschoor Louise , Lugten Olivier , Onderwater Marjolijn , van Schie Sjoerd , Niemantsverdriet Patrick , van Heeswijk Richard , Eding EP , van den Thillart Guido
Published: July 2005

Gonadal development and spawning behaviour of artificially-matured European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) was studied. Treatment of males with Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG; 1 IU g/week) resulted in a Gonado-Somatic Index (GSI) of 10.88 ± 3.39 and spermiation. Treatment of females with carp Pituitary suspension (cPs) (20 mg cPs/kg body weight per week) resulted in oogenesis with a GSI of 20.0 ± 11.3 (n = 7), and the number of eggs per female was 1874 * 103 ± 1116 * 103; (n = 7). Ovulation of the females was induced with 17α, 20β dihydroxyprogesteron (DHP) at 2 μg/g bodyweight. Eggs of European eel were found to be non-sticky and typically pelagic. Maximum speed of eggs rising to the surface in a water column was 2.24 ± 0.33 metres (m) per hour (h). To study behaviour in a qualitative way, two females were used together with three groups of three males. During a 283 minute (min) observation of the two females, we observed female-female interaction: 'lethargic behaviour' (33.6%) vs. 'cruising together' (66.4%). In the period when males and females were together (188 min), we observed 'approaching the head region of the female' (57.7%), 'touching the operculum' (39.4%), or 'approaching the urogenital area' (2.9%) by the males (total 725 seconds (s)). Sperm release in the presence of a female took 115 s of the total approaching time of 725 s (15.9%), while in the case of male-male interaction this was only 15 s of the total period of 116 s (12.9%). Induced spawning behaviour of eels was collective and simultaneous, corresponding to spawning in a group. This is the first time group spawning behaviour has ever been observed and recorded in eels.
Functional association of bill morphology and foraging behaviour in calidrid sandpipers
Authors: Nebel  , Jackson  , Elner
Published: July 2005

Foraging behaviour in birds co-varies with bill morphology. Shorebirds exhibit pronounced inter- and intra-specific variation in bill length and shape as well as in foraging behaviour. Pecking, or feeding on epifaunal intertidal invertebrates, is associated with a straight bill, while probing, feeding on infaunal prey, is facilitated by bill curvature. Here, we used high resolution microscopy to study gross bill morphology of Western Sandpipers (Calidris mauri). We showed that bills of males and females differed with regard to length but not curvature or depth, despite clear differences in foraging behaviour between the sexes. Detection of infaunal prey can be facilitated by the presence of Herbst corpuscles. These mechano-receptors are located in 'sensory pits' under the keratin layer of the bill and are able to sense pressure gradients. They are postulated to be common among calidrid sandpipers, but comparative data are lacking. Using high resolution microscopy, we measured number and size of sensory pits in Western Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers (Calidris minutilla) and Dunlin (Calidris alpina). The implications of these findings to foraging adaptations and non-breeding site choice are discussed.
Effect of repetitive visual stimuli on behaviour and plasma corticosterone of European starlings
Authors: Smith  , Greenwood  , Goldsmith  , Cuthill
Published: July 2005

Flickering light can cause adverse effects in some humans, as can rhythmic spatial patterns of particular frequencies. We investigated whether birds react to the temporal frequency of standard 100 Hz fluorescent lamps and the spatial frequency of the visual surround in the manner predicted by the human literature, by examining their effects on the preferences, behaviour and plasma corticosterone of European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). We predicted that high frequency lighting (> 30 kHz) and a relatively low spatial frequency on the walls of their cages (0.1 cycle cm−1) would be less aversive than low frequency lighting (100 Hz) and a relatively high spatial frequency (2.5 cycle cm−1). Birds had strong preferences for both temporal and spatial frequencies. These preferences did not always fit with predictions, although there was evidence that 100 Hz was more stressful than 30 kHz lighting, as birds were less active and basal corticosterone levels were higher under 100 Hz lighting. Our chosen spatial frequencies had no overall significant effect on corticosterone levels. Although there are clearly effects of, and interactions between, the frequency of the light and the visual surround on the behaviour and physiology of birds, the pattern of results is not straightforward.