bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction and digital mapping of soil carbon storage in the Lower Namoi Valley
Authors: Minasny Budiman , McBratney Alex. B. , Mendonça-Santos M. L. , Odeh I. O. A. , Guyon Brice
Published: May 2006

Estimation and mapping carbon storage in the soil is currently an important topic; thus, the knowledge of the distribution of carbon content with depth is essential. This paper examines the use of a negative exponential profile depth function to describe the soil carbon data at different depths, and its integral to represent the carbon storage. A novel method is then proposed for mapping the soil carbon storage in the Lower Namoi Valley, NSW. This involves deriving pedotransfer functions to predict soil organic carbon and bulk density, fitting the exponential depth function to the carbon profile data, deriving a neural network model to predict parameters of the exponential function from environmental data, and mapping the organic carbon storage. The exponential depth function is shown to fit the soil carbon data adequately, and the parameters also reflect the influence of soil order. The parameters of the exponential depth function were predicted from land use, radiometric K, and terrain attributes. Using the estimated parameters we map the carbon storage of the area from surface to a depth of 1 m. The organic carbon storage map shows the high influence of land use on the predicted storage. Values of 15–22 kg/m2 were predicted for the forested area and 2–6 kg/m2 in the cultivated area in the plains.
Farm-scale evaluation of the impacts of transgenic cotton on biodiversity, pesticide use, and yield
Authors: Cattaneo Manda G. , Yafuso Christine , Schmidt Chris , Huang Cho-ying , Rahman Magfurar , Olson Carl , Ellers-Kirk Christa , Orr Barron J. , Marsh Stuart E. , Antilla Larry , Dutilleul Pierre , Carrière Yves
Published: May 2006

Higher yields and reduced pesticide impacts are needed to mitigate the effects of agricultural intensification. A 2-year farm-scale evaluation of 81 commercial fields in Arizona show that use of transgenic
Bacillus thuringiensis
(Bt) cotton reduced insecticide use, whereas transgenic cotton with Bt protein and herbicide resistance (BtHr) did not affect herbicide use. Transgenic cotton had higher yield than nontransgenic cotton for any given number of insecticide applications. However, nontransgenic, Bt and BtHr cotton had similar yields overall, largely because higher insecticide use with nontransgenic cotton improved control of key pests. Unlike Bt and BtHr cotton, insecticides reduced the diversity of nontarget insects. Several other agronomic and ecological factors also affected biodiversity. Nevertheless, pairwise comparisons of diversity of nontarget insects in cotton fields with diversity in adjacent noncultivated sites revealed similar effects of cultivation of transgenic and nontransgenic cotton on biodiversity. The results indicate that impacts of agricultural intensification can be reduced when replacement of broad-spectrum insecticides by narrow-spectrum Bt crops does not reduce control of pests not affected by Bt crops.
Perinatal care in Portugal: Effects of 15 years of a regionalized system
Authors: Neto Maria Teresa
Published: May 2006

Aim: To share information on the organization of perinatal care in Portugal. Methods: Data were derived from the Programme of the National Committee for Mother and Child Health 1989, National Institute for Statistics, and Eurostat. Results: In 1989, perinatal care in Portugal was reformed: the closure was proposed of maternity units with less than 1500 deliveries per year; hospitals were classified as level I (no deliveries), II (low‐risk deliveries, intermediate care units) or III (high‐risk deliveries, intensive care units), and functional coordinating units responsible for liaison between local health centres and hospitals were established. A nationwide system of neonatal transport began in 1987, and in 1990 postgraduate courses on neonatology were initiated. With this reform, in‐hospital deliveries increased from 74% before the reform to 99% after. Maternal death rate decreased from 9.2/100 000 deliveries in 1989 to 5.3 in 2003 and, in the same period, the perinatal mortality rate decreased from 16.4 to 6.6/1000 (live births + stillborn with ≥22 wk gestational age), the neonatal mortality rate decreased from 8.1 to 2.7/1000 live births, and the infant mortality rate from 12.2/1000 live births to 4/1000.

Conclusion: Regionalization of perinatal care and neonatal transport are key factors for a successful perinatal health system.
Results of staged palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome: A complete population‐based series
Authors: NILSSON BORIS , MELLANDER MATS , SÜDOW GÖRAN , BERGGREN HÅKAN
Published: May 2006

Aim: To study the outcome of staged palliation for classic hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Methods: Retrospective chart review. Risk factors for mortality were analysed using Cox's proportional hazard regression modelling. Results: From 1993 to 2004, 55 infants underwent Norwood stage I procedure at a median age of 8 d (range 1–19 d). Hospital survival was 39/55 (71%), and there were six late deaths (before stage II). Birthweight, circulatory arrest time and cardiopulmonary bypass time were independent risk factors for stage I hospital mortality (p=0.029, p=0.001 and p=0.003, respectively). Poor right ventricular function prior to stage I was a significant predictor for interstage mortality (p=0.02). Thirty‐two patients underwent bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis, at a median age of 6.5 mo (range 2.0–9.5 mo), with seven late deaths. Two patients had a heart transplant after stage II. Total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) was performed in 13 patients, at a median age of 33 mo (range 21–45 mo), without mortality. Kaplan‐Meier survival was 58%, 52% and 45% at 6, 12 and 48 mo, respectively.

Conclusion: Low birthweight, long time on circulatory arrest and cardiopulmonary bypass were risk factors for stage I mortality. Poor right ventricular function was detrimental to intermediate outcome.
Comparison of the phospholipid classes in human milk in Japanese mothers of term and preterm infants
Authors: Shoji Hiromichi , Shimizu Toshiaki , Kaneko Noritsugu , Shinohara Koichi , Shiga Seigo , Saito Masami , Oshida Kyoichi , Shimizu Takashi , Takase Mitsunori , Yamashiro Yuichiro
Published: May 2006

Background: Phospholipids (PLs) play an essential role in the growth and brain development of infants. Aim: To investigate PL composition in human milk (HM), including lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine (PC) and sphingomyelin (SM), from healthy Japanese mothers. Analyses were performed on colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk from mothers of preterm and term infants. Methods: HM samples were collected from mothers of 15 term infants (term group) and of 19 preterm infants (preterm group). PL composition was determined by two‐dimensional thin‐layer chromatography in conjunction with phosphorus analysis. Results: In both groups, the PL content (% of total lipid) of mature milk was significantly lower than in colostrum. SM and PC were the main PLs in HM, but in the preterm group, the percentage of SM in mature milk was significantly higher and PC in mature milk was significantly lower than in the term group.

Conclusion: The transition from colostrum to mature milk leads to an increase in SM and a decrease in PC in the HM of preterm infants, along with a decrease in PL content. This is the first report to demonstrate the differences in PL composition in HM between mothers of preterm and term infants.
Measuring developmental deficit in children born at gestational age less than 26 weeks using a parent‐completed developmental questionnaire
Authors: Plomgaard Anne Mette , Hansen Bo Moelholm , Greisen Gorm
Published: May 2006

Aim: To assess developmental deficit in children born at gestational age (GA) < 26 wk using a parental questionnaire and to use regression analysis to study a cohort born in 1999–2003. Patients and Methods: Three groups were studied: group 1, GA < 26 wk; group 2, GA 26–27 wk; group 3, children born at term. The Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) was used. The parents of each child were mailed an age‐specific questionnaire between November 2004 and April 2005. The term children were used as a reference to calculate a standard deviation score (ASQ‐SDS) for each child in the two preterm groups. Results: Seventy‐five per cent of the questionnaires were returned (group 1: n=61; group 2: n=57; group 3: n=72). The age at scoring ranged from 12 to 60 mo (mean 32.8 mo). After correction for parental education, 22% of the children born at GA < 26 wk and 13% of those at GA 26–27 wk had an ASQ‐SDS below −2. Chronic lung disease of prematurity was associated with developmental deficit (mean difference −1.1 ASQ‐SDS, p=0.004).

Conclusion: The ASQ identified a significant developmental deficit in the children born extremely preterm. The rate of 22%, however, in children born at GA < 26 wk is reassuring.
Dynamics of hepatic enzyme activity following birth asphyxia
Authors: Karlsson Mathias , Blennow Mats , Nemeth Antal , Winbladh Birger
Published: May 2006

Aim: To investigate: 1) the occurrence of hypoxic hepatitis in full‐term infants after birth asphyxia, 2) the temporal enzyme pattern in asphyxiated newborn infants, and 3) whether the degree of hypoxic hepatitis, as reflected by the rise in aminotransferase, correlates with the severity of the asphyxia and CNS symptomatology. Methods: Serum aminotransferases, lactate dehydrogenase, gamma‐glutamyl transferase, total and conjugated bilirubin, cholinesterase activity, albumin, international normalized ratio (INR), and nucleated red blood cell count were prospectively measured in full‐term asphyxiated newborn infants (n=26). Samples were collected three times during the first 72 h and once between days 6 and 12 after birth. Samples from healthy newborns (n=56), collected 24–172 h after birth, served as controls. Results: In 12 of the 26 asphyxiated infants, a serum alanine aminotransferase (S‐ALAT) pattern compatible with hypoxic hepatitis was found. Five infants showed increased S‐ALAT activity but with a different pattern. Similar patterns were seen in serum aspartate aminotransferase (S‐ASAT). S‐ALAT and ‐ASAT concentrations 0–72 h after birth correlated significantly with severity of hypoxic‐ischaemic encephalopathy.

Conclusion: Birth asphyxia can induce an enzyme pattern in serum compatible to hypoxic hepatitis. There seems to be a correlation between aminotransferases in serum and the extent of CNS injury.
Type 2 diabetes in China: partnerships in education and research to evaluate new antidiabetic treatments
Authors: Donnelly Richard , Wang Binhui , Qu Xianqin
Published: May 2006

There are 40 million people with diabetes in China, and the projected increase in the rates of obesity and premature cardiovascular disease is alarming. Most patients prefer to combine traditional Chinese medicine with Western medicine, but there is little or no information about the risks and benefits of this approach. Traditional Chinese medicine identifies three patterns of ‘depletion–thirst’ syndrome and therapy is aimed at reversing the deficiency in yin and qi, using a combination of products tailored to the symptoms and clinical features of individual patients. In Western medicine a number of new oral and injectable antidiabetic therapies are likely to enter routine clinical practice over the next 5 years, for example long‐acting GLP‐1 analogues, DPP‐IV inhibitors and dual PPAR‐α, PPAR‐γ agonists. To make best use of these agents in China and to promote diabetes education and health service development, there is a need for improved communication and collaboration between universities and hospitals both inside and outside China; and Western pharmacologists and clinicians need a better understanding of traditional Chinese medicine. There are several examples of institutional cooperation that should further diabetes research in China, for example the Beijing Chaoyang Diabetes Hospital linked with Imperial College, London, and the University of Nottingham, which has a new campus in Ningbo, south of Shanghai.
Rapid development of polyclonal antisera against infectious salmon anaemia virus and its optimization and application as a diagnostic tool
Authors: McBeath S J , Ellis L M , Cook P F , Wilson L , Urquhart K L , Bricknell I R
Published: May 2006

Infectious salmon anaemia is an important disease of Atlantic salmon. One of the current methods of diagnosis is the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), using a monoclonal antibody specific to the haemagglutinin of the virus. The conformationally dependent nature of this antibody could be a drawback in its usefulness in other tests. This study describes the development and optimization of a polyclonal antiserum against infectious salmon anaemia virus, including a method of separating virus from cell culture components within culture supernatant. The antiserum was subsequently optimized for use in a variety of immunological diagnostic tests, including IFAT and an alkaline phosphatase‐based immunoassay, and Western blot.
The proteasome‐dependent degradation of CKB4 is regulated by the Arabidopsis biological clock
Authors: Perales Mariano , Portolés Sergi , Más Paloma
Published: May 2006

Most organisms have evolved an internal timing mechanism, the circadian clock, that is able to generate and maintain 24 h rhythmic oscillation in molecular, biochemical and metabolic activities. In Arabidopsis, the clock‐dependent synchronization of physiology with the environment is essential for successful growth and development. The mechanisms of the Arabidopsis clockwork have been described as transcriptional feedback loops at the core of the oscillator. However, an increasing body of evidence points towards a key role of post‐translational regulation of clock components as an essential mechanism of circadian function. Here, we identify CKB4, a CK2 regulatory subunit, as a component of the Arabidopsis circadian system. We demonstrate that the nuclear‐localized CKB4 protein exists in vivo as different isoforms, resulting from phosphorylation on serine residues. Our findings show that the phosphorylated isoforms are the preferred substrate for ubiquitination and degradation by the proteasome pathway. We provide evidence of the involvement of the biological clock in the circadian regulation of CKB4 protein abundance, which itself is important for an accurate control of circadian period by the clock. Overexpression of CKB4 results in elevated CK2 overall activity and period‐shortening of clock‐controlled genes peaking at different phase angles. Restriction of CKB4 protein phosphorylation and/or degradation to specific phases within the circadian cycle might provide the cell with a fine‐tuning mechanism to selectively regulate the CK2 phosphorylation activity on specific substrates.
The Arabidopsis metal tolerance protein AtMTP3 maintains metal homeostasis by mediating Zn exclusion from the shoot under Fe deficiency and Zn oversupply
Authors: Arrivault Stéphanie , Senger Toralf , Krämer Ute
Published: May 2006

Zinc ions are required to maintain the biological activity of numerous proteins. However, when mislocalized or accumulated in excess, Zn2+ ions are toxic because of adventitious binding to proteins and displacement of other metal ions, among them Fe2+, from their binding sites. Heterologous expression of a previously uncharacterized Arabidopsis thaliana metal tolerance protein, MTP3, in the zrc1 cot1 mutant of budding yeast restores tolerance to, and cellular accumulation of, zinc and cobalt. An MTP3–GFP fusion protein localizes to the vacuolar membrane when expressed in Arabidopsis. Ectopic over‐expression of MTP3 increases Zn accumulation in both roots and rosette leaves of A. thaliana, and enhances Zn tolerance. Exposure of wild‐type plants to high but non‐toxic concentrations of Zn or Co, or Fe deficiency, strongly induce MTP3 expression specifically in epidermal and cortex cells of the root hair zone. Silencing of MTP3 by RNA interference causes Zn hypersensitivity and enhances Zn accumulation in above‐ground organs of soil‐grown plants and of seedlings exposed to excess Zn or to Fe deficiency. Our data indicate that, in wild‐type A. thaliana, the AtMTP3 protein contributes to basic cellular Zn tolerance and controls Zn partitioning, particularly under conditions of high rates of Zn influx into the root symplasm.
The diagnosis of asthma using a self‐questionnaire in those suffering from allergic rhinitis: a pharmaco‐epidemiological survey in everyday practice in France
Authors: Demoly P. , Bozonnat M.‐C. , Dacosta P. , Daures J.‐P.
Published: May 2006

Background:  All recent guidelines recommend a search for asthma utilizing both specific interrogation and pulmonary function tests in patients suffering from allergic rhinitis. Although the mandatory place of spirometry has not been confirmed, a self‐questionnaire containing nine specific questions on asthma symptoms in different daily life situations was found to be capable of discriminating asthmatics from nonasthmatics in a rhinitic population.

Objective:  We addressed the questions of prevalence of asthma using a validated self‐questionnaire and what might be the risk factors of being asthmatic according to that specific self‐questionnaire.

Methods:  Between April 2003 and September 2004, nearly 12 000 rhinitis patients were enrolled by more than 2300 physicians (78% general practitioners, 22% ear nose and throat specialists). Patients were consulting for an exacerbation of chronic rhinitis and did not have a previous diagnosis of asthma. Both doctors and patients filled out a specific questionnaire on rhinitis and asthma.

Results:  Almost 30% of the patients had at least three positive answers to the self‐questionnaire and could possibly be considered as asthmatics. We found five independent clinical risk factors for having ≥3 positive answers to the self‐questionnaire. Severity of rhinitis (moderate‐severe vs mild, OR = 1.84; 95% CI = 1.68–2.00), diagnosis of allergy (yes vs no) (OR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.68–2.00), body mass index (≤18.5 vs >30) (OR = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.39–0.66), type of rhinitis (persistent vs intermittent) (OR = 1.25; 95% CI = 1.15–1.37), and patient age (≤25 vs >47) (OR = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.65–0.80).

Conclusion:  Asthma symptoms are frequent in rhinitics without a prior history of asthma. Several variables were shown to be predictive of asthma in these patients.
Rhinitis symptoms and IgE sensitization as risk factors for development of later allergic rhinitis in adults
Authors: Bodtger U. , Poulsen L. K. , Linneberg A.
Published: May 2006

Background:  Rhinitis symptoms and IgE‐sensitization often mismatch. Asymptomatic sensitization is an established risk factor for later rhinitis, whereas it is not clear whether rhinitis is a risk factor for later development of IgE‐sensitization.

Objective:  To investigate whether nonallergic rhinitis is a risk factor for later development of IgE‐sensitization in adults during an 8‐year follow‐up period, and whether asymptomatic sensitization is a risk factor for later development of rhinitis.

Methods:  In a population‐based study of 15–69 years olds in 1990, 734 subjects were re‐examined in 1998. On both occasions questionnaires on rhinitis symptoms were completed and serum IgE (against birch, grass, mugwort, cat, dog, and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) were determined (positive if ≥0.35 kUA/l). Asymptomatic sensitization: positive IgE levels without any rhinitis symptoms. Nonallergic rhinitis: rhinitis symptoms and no sensitization.

Results:  Asymptomatic sensitization to pollens, pets, or house dust mite was significantly associated with onset of rhinitis symptoms, also when changing baseline cut‐off for sensitization to ≥0.1 or ≥0.7 kUA/l. The 8‐year incidence of pollen‐related rhinitis was 15.1% and 2.6% in subjects sensitized and nonsensitized to pollens, respectively (odds ratio 6.1, 95% CI 2.3–16.0). Persistent or intermittent nonallergic rhinitis was not significantly associated with later sensitization, yet a positive trend for development was observed in nonallergic pollen‐related rhinitis.

Conclusion:  Asymptomatic sensitization but not nonallergic rhinitis was a significant risk factor for later development of allergic rhinitis.
Genetic modification of cassava for enhanced starch production
Authors: Ihemere Uzoma , Arias‐Garzon Diana , Lawrence Susan , Sayre Richard
Published: May 2006

To date, transgenic approaches to biofortify subsistence crops have been rather limited. This is particularly true for the starchy root crop cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). Cassava has one of the highest rates of CO2 fixation and sucrose synthesis for any C3 plant, but rarely reaches its yield potentials in the field. It was our hypothesis that starch production in cassava tuberous roots could be increased substantially by increasing the sink strength for carbohydrate. To test this hypothesis, we generated transgenic plants with enhanced tuberous root ADP‐glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) activity. This was achieved by expressing a modified form of the bacterial glgC gene under the control of a Class I patatin promoter. AGPase catalyses the rate‐limiting step in starch biosynthesis, and therefore the expression of a more active bacterial form of the enzyme was expected to lead to increased starch production. To facilitate maximal AGPase activity, we modified the Escherichia coli glgC gene (encoding AGPase) by site‐directed mutagenesis (G336D) to reduce allosteric feedback regulation by fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphate. Transgenic plants (three) expressing the glgC gene had up to 70% higher AGPase activity than control plants when assayed under conditions optimal for plant and not bacterial AGPase activity. Plants having the highest AGPase activities had up to a 2.6‐fold increase in total tuberous root biomass when grown under glasshouse conditions. In addition, plants with the highest tuberous root AGPase activity had significant increases in above‐ground biomass, consistent with a possible reduction in feedback inhibition on photosynthetic carbon fixation. These results demonstrate that targeted modification of enzymes regulating source–sink relationships in crop plants having high carbohydrate source strengths is an effective strategy for increasing carbohydrate yields in sink tissues.
Myiasis as a risk factor for prion diseases in humans
Authors: Lupi O
Published: May 2006

Prion diseases are transmissible spongiform encephalopathies of humans and animals. The oral route is clearly associated with some prion diseases, according to the dissemination of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or mad cow disease) in cattle and kuru in humans. However, other prion diseases such as scrapie (in sheep) and chronic wasting disease (CWD) (in cervids) cannot be explained in this way and are probably more associated with a pattern of horizontal transmission in both domestic and wild animals. The skin and mucous membranes are a potential target for prion infections because keratinocytes and lymphocytes are susceptible to the abnormal infective isoform of the prion protein. Iatrogenic transmission of Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) was also recognized after corneal transplants in humans and scrapie was successfully transmitted to mice after ocular instillation of infected brain tissue, confirming that these new routes could also be important in prion infections. Some ectoparasites have been proven to harbour prion rods in laboratory experiments. Prion rods were identified in both fly larvae and pupae; adult flies are also able to express prion proteins. The most common causes of myiasis in cattle and sheep, closely related animals with previous prion infections, are Hypoderma bovis and Oestrus ovis, respectively. Both species of flies present a life cycle very different from human myiasis, as they have a long contact with neurological structures, such as spinal canal and epidural fat, which are potentially rich in prion rods. Ophthalmomyiases in humans is commonly caused by both species of fly larvae worldwide, providing almost direct contact with the central nervous system (CNS). The high expression of the prion protein on the skin and mucosa and the severity of the inflammatory response to the larvae could readily increase the efficiency of transmission of prions in both animals and humans.
Obtaining Data on Patient Race, Ethnicity, and Primary Language in Health Care Organizations: Current Challenges and Proposed Solutions
Authors: Hasnain‐Wynia Romana , Baker David W.
Published: May 2006

Objectives. To provide an overview of why health care organizations (HCOs) should collect race, ethnicity, and language data, review current practices, discuss the rationale for collecting this information directly from patients, and describe barriers and solutions.

Principal Findings. Hospitals and HCOs with data from their own institutions may be more likely to look at disparities in care, design targeted programs to improve quality of care, and provide patient‐centered care. Yet data collection is fragmented and incomplete within and across organizations. A major factor affecting the quality of data is the lack of understanding about how best to collect this information from patients.

Conclusions. If HCOs make a commitment to systematically collect race/ethnicity and language data from patients, it would be a major step in enhancing the ability of HCOs to monitor health care processes and outcomes for different population groups, target quality initiatives more efficiently and effectively, and provide patient‐centered care.
The Politics of Punishment and the Siege of Sarajevo: Toward a Conflict Theory of Perceived International (In)Justice
Authors: Ivković Sanja Kutnjak , Hagan John
Published: May 2006

Liberal legalism noncontroversially advocates procedural fairness and due process in institutions such as the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). The visible conflicts come with the ebb and flow of international jurisdictional claims, suspicions of racial/ethnic and cultural biases in deliberations and decisions, prioritization of purposes in sentencing decisions, and the intrusion of institutional and international political debates into the liberal legal agenda. These conflicts threaten to create a legitimacy deficit in diffuse support for the ICTY. We examine these conflicts within the context of two surveys about the ICTY conducted in Sarajevo in 2000 and 2003. The results indicate that the citizens of Sarajevo increasingly believe that the ICTY is politically influenced by internationally appointed judges, peaking with the sentencing of Stanislav Galic for the siege of Sarajevo. This conflict focuses on issues of substantive rather than procedural justice and is increasingly articulated as a rejection of international political intervention that subverts the need for a local sense of justice. This may be a sequence of political conflict and disillusionment that is as inevitable as it is unavoidable.
High Success Rate with Cryomapping and Cryoablation of Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrytachycardia
Authors: JENSEN‐URSTAD MATS , TABRIZI FARIBORZ , KENNEBÄCK GÖRAN , WREDLERT CHRISTER , KLANG CAROLINE , INSULANDER PER
Published: May 2006

Introduction: Cryoablation is a new alternative to radiofrequency (RF) ablation for treatment of atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardias (AVNRT). Mapping with reversible effect on the arrhythmia substrate or the AV node can be done before irreversible ablation is performed. This study evaluates an approach with systematic cryomapping, ablating only in areas with prompt effect on the arrhythmia substrate and evaluates whether the success rates and procedure times are similar to RF ablation.

Methods and Results: Seventy‐five consecutive patients with typical slow‐fast AVNRT were studied. Cryomapping at−30°C was performed before ablation with a goal temperature of−70°C for 240 seconds. The ablation procedure was successful in 74 of the 75 patients, giving an acute success rate of 99%. During a mean follow‐up of 338 days, 70 of the 74 primarily successfully ablated patients were free from the treated arrhythmia, giving a recurrence rate of 5% and a total success rate of 93%. Total procedure time including a 30‐minute test after successful ablation was 126 ± 55 minutes. Fluoroscopy time was 18.5 ± 14.9 minutes.

Conclusion: Cryoablation of AVNRT appears to be as effective as RF ablation both acute and in long term with minimal risks for unwanted injuries on the conduction system. The procedure can be done with reasonable procedure and fluoroscopy times.
Endocardial Visualization of Esophageal‐Left Atrial Anatomic Relationship by Three‐Dimensional Multidetector Computed Tomography “Navigator Imaging”
Authors: WANG SI‐LUN , OOI CLARA G.C. , SIU CHUNG‐WAH , YIU MICHAEL W.C. , PANG CBY , LAU CHU‐PAK , TSE HUNG‐FAT
Published: May 2006

Background: The close proximity of left atrium (LA) and esophagus during radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) predisposes to thermal injury resulting in atrio‐esophageal fistula. This work proposes to study the anatomic relationship between the esophagus and the LA wall using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) three‐dimensional (3D) “Navigator” reconstruction technique.

Methods: Forty‐five consecutive patients (37 men, mean age 52.7 ± 14.1 years) with preradiofrequency ablation MDCT scans of the thorax for AF were recruited. Length and type (continuous or interrupted) of fat pad between esophagus and LA were evaluated. The position, width, and length of the esophagus in contact (without fat pad) with the LA were determined by using “Navigator” software on the endocardial view of LA.

Results: The fat pad was continuous in 4% (2 of 45) and interrupted in 96% (43 of 45) patients. The mean width and length of esophageal‐LA contact in 43 cases with interrupted fat pad was 24.0 ± 5.8 mm (range 10.5–35.3 mm) and 41.9 ± 11.6 mm (5.4–64 mm), respectively. There was an inverse relationship between the lengths of the esophageal‐LA contact and the upper fat pad (r = ‐0.50, P = 0.001). The esophagus was located to the left, right, and midline of the LA in 40, 2, and 1 patients, respectively, and the esophagus was in contact with and overrode the PV orifice in 22 and 4 patients, respectively.

Conclusion: Direct esophageal‐LA contact without the intervening fat pad was present in 96% of the cases, with 93% of esophagi lying to the left of the LA and 51% in contact with a PV orifice. Three‐dimensional Navigator imaging technique has enhanced the visualization of the anatomical information of the esophagus, LA wall, and PV orifices that may be used to avoid thermal injury to the esophagus during LA ablation procedure.
Indices of Electrical and Contractile Remodeling During Atrial Fibrillation in Man
Authors: HOLMQVIST FREDRIK , STRIDH MARTIN , WAKTARE JOHAN E.P. , SÖRNMO LEIF , ROIJER ANDERS , MEURLING CARL J.
Published: May 2006

Background: Atrial electrical and contractile remodeling have been demonstrated to coincide during atrial fibrillation (AF) in experimental studies. We explored whether electrical and contractile remodeling correlate in man and explored its clinical implications.

Methods: Forty‐nine patients with persistent AF were studied. Electrical remodeling was assessed noninvasively using spectral analysis to estimate the average fibrillatory rate (AFR). Atrial contractility was assessed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) measurement of left atrial appendage outflow velocity (LAAOV).

Results: The AFR was 403 ± 43 fibrillations per minute (fpm) and the LAAOV was 0.27 ± 0.14 m/s. A significant correlation was found between AFR and LAAOV (r =−0.47, P = 0.001). In patients with a LAAOV ≥0.25 m/s, the AFR was 387 ± 48 fpm compared to 419 ± 31 fpm among patients with LAAOV <0.25 m/s (P < 0.01).

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that indices of electrical and contractile remodeling are strongly correlated in persistent AF in man. The interindividual overlap, however, is too large to allow predictions of LAAOV based on fibrillatory frequency alone.
Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Reaching the Mainstream
Authors: FISHER JOHN D. , SPINELLI MICHAEL A. , MOOKHERJEE DISHA , KRUMERMAN ANDREW K. , PALMA EUGEN C.
Published: May 2006

Introduction and Aims: Ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has evolved rapidly in the decade since its inception. We aimed to review the results of this evolution as reflected in the published literature.

Methods: Publications through 2005 were reviewed, and data included if there was information on the technique used, and follow‐up of at least 6 months.

Results: More than 23,000 patients met criteria for inclusion. There has been a steady improvement in reported outcomes (P < 0.001). Variations on radiofrequency catheter ablation for pulmonary vein isolation result in apparent elimination (“cure”) or improvement of AF in 75%, and surgical techniques are even better.

Conclusions: Catheter ablation of AF is now a mainstream procedure. Continuing technical advances are needed to achieve better results with more uniformity and reduced procedure times.
Pilsicainide‐Induced Verapamil Sensitive Idiopathic Left Ventricular Tachycardia
Authors: NAGAI TAKAYUKI , SUYAMA KAZUHIRO , SHIMIZU WATARU , NODA TAKASHI , SATOMI KAZUHIRO , KURITA TAKASHI , AIHARA NAOHIKO , KAMAKURA SHIRO
Published: May 2006

A 20‐year‐old man was admitted to our hospital for treatment of verapamil sensitive idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia (ILVT). During the electrophysiologic study (EPS), no sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) could be induced both at baseline and after infusion of isoproterenol. However, sustained clinical VT could be easily induced with single ventricular extrastimulation following intravenous administration of pilsicainide, a class Ic sodium channel blocker. The arrhythmia was ablated with radiofrequency catheter ablation.
Treated incidence of first‐episode psychosis in the catchment area of EPPIC between 1997 and 2000
Authors: Amminger G. P. , Harris M. G. , Conus P. , Lambert M. , Elkins K. S. , Yuen H.‐P. , McGorry P. D.
Published: May 2006

Objective:  To identify the treated incidence of psychosis in catchment of the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC), Melbourne, Australia.

Method:  Cases were aged 15–29 years with a first episode of a psychotic disorder accepted into EPPIC between 1997 and 2000. Age‐ and sex‐specific incidence rates per 10 000 person‐years were calculated in 5 year age bands. Rate ratios were used for age group comparisons.

Results:  The age‐specific treated incidence of first‐episode psychosis in 15–29‐year old individuals was 16.7 per 10 000 person‐years in males, and 8.1 per 10 000 person‐years in females. The incidence was highest in 20–24‐year‐old males and in 15–19‐year‐old females. For both sexes, incidence rates were significantly lower in the 25–29‐year age group.

Conclusions:  The incidence of psychosis in the catchment of EPPIC was higher than previously reported, especially in female teenagers. Peak rates in 15–24 year olds suggest a youth model approach to early psychosis may be indicated.
Contributions of Intracellular Compartments to Calcium Dynamics: Implicating an Acidic Store
Authors: Duman Joseph G. , Chen Liangyi , Palmer Amy E. , Hille Bertil
Published: May 2006

Many cells show a plateau of elevated cytosolic Ca2+ after a long depolarization, suggesting delayed Ca2+ release from intracellular compartments such as mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Mouse pancreatic β‐cells show a thapsigargin‐sensitive plateau (‘hump’) of Ca2+ after a 30 s depolarization but not after a 10 s depolarization. Surprisingly, this hump depends primarily on compartments other than the mitochondria or ER. It is reduced by only 22% upon blocking mitochondrial Na+–Ca2+ exchange and by only 18% upon blocking ryanodine or IP3 receptors together. Further, the time course of ER Ca2+ measured by a targeted cameleon does not depend on the duration of depolarizations. Instead, the hump is reduced 35% by treatments with the dipeptide glycylphenylalanine β‐napthylamide, a tool often used to lyse lysosomes. We show that this dipeptide does not disturb ER functions, but it lyses acidic compartments and releases Ca2+ into the cytosol. Moreover, it induces leaks in and possibly lyses insulin granules and stops mobilization of secretory granules to the readily releasable pool in β‐cells. We conclude that the dipeptide compromises dense‐core secretory granules and that these granules comprise an acidic calcium store in β‐cells whose loading and/or release is sensitive to thapsigargin and which releases Ca2+ after cytosolic Ca2+ elevation.
Imaging auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia
Authors: Tracy D. K. , Shergill S. S.
Published: May 2006

It is increasingly recognized that there are a heterogeneous range of symptoms within the syndrome of schizophrenia and that some of these also occur frequently within other psychiatric conditions. An approach similar to that in neuropsychology, where cases are grouped based on a discrete deficit, or in this case a discrete symptom, rather than a cause or diagnosis, may be useful in exploring the neural correlates of psychotic symptomatology. Functional neuroimaging provides an excellent tool for investigating thein vivocortical function of patients with schizophrenia. Auditory verbal hallucinations are one of the most commonly occurring psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia; and this paper examines the progress that has been made in utilizing neuroimaging techniques to investigate auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia and review potential implications for treatment and future directions for research.
Depression and pain: an overview
Authors: Williams Lana J. , Jacka Felice N. , Pasco Julie A. , Dodd Seetal , Berk Michael
Published: May 2006

Background:

Depression and pain are both burdensome ailments that affect a major proportion of the population. It is evident that depression and pain frequently coexist, with treatment and outcome implications.

Objective:

To review the literature on the nature, prevalence and co-morbidity of depression and pain, the biological and psychological mechanisms involved and treatment options, thus presenting a broad overview of the current information available.

Methods:

Relevant sources were identified from PubMed and Medline databases using a combination of keywords including depression, pain, prevalence, co-morbidity, biological and psychological mechanisms, serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, amygdala, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), antidepressant and psychological therapy.

Results:

It is evident from the research that depression and pain are common co-morbidities. Pain as a physical symptom of depression affects approximately 65% of patients, leading to less favourable outcomes and greater health care utilization. Moreover, depression is a common feature in chronic pain patients and can affect pain threshold and tolerance. Evidence from biological and psychological studies has revealed mechanisms that link chronic pain to depression. Several classes of anti-depressants and psychological interventions have been used successfully in the treatment of somatic symptoms of depression and for a variety of pain syndromes.

Conclusions:

Pain and depression are linked by overlapping phenomenology, neurobiology and therapy. They are mutually interacting, and the interaction has significant treatment and outcome implications.
Functional neuroimaging studies in mood disorders
Authors: Haldane Morgan , Frangou Sophia
Published: May 2006

Background:

Our understanding of the neural circuitry involved in mood disorders is rapidly expanding through the ever-increasing application of functional brain imaging techniques.

Objectives:

A selective review of functional neuroimaging studies in patients with primary mood disorders was undertaken in order to identify points of commonality and controversy in the existing literature.

Methods:

Articles published between 1980 and July 2005 were identified using a range of keywords from relevant on-line databases and key journals.

Results:

Increased activity within limbic regions has been consistently associated with depressive states and may also be present in manic states too. Dorsal and ventral prefrontal regions appear compromised as suggested by emerging evidence of cortical inefficiency within prefrontal regions or reductions in their connectivity with limbic areas. Most of the functional changes observed are at least partly reversible following clinical remission although deficits in prefrontal regions may be state-related.

Conclusions:

Despite the use of disparate functional imaging modalities, there is a convergence of findings, and the results described do not appear to differ between unipolar and bipolar depression. However, further data are required in order to fully determine the functional changes occurring during manic states. Future work will also need to elucidate the effects of medication, the utility of specific cognitive tasks, and blood oxygenation level-dependent interactions within these affective states.
Effects of oral functional training for nutritional improvement in Japanese older people requiring long‐term care
Authors: Kikutani Takeshi , Enomoto Reiko , Tamura Fumiyo , Oyaizu Kaoru , Suzuki Akira , Inaba Shigeru
Published: May 2006

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral functional training and nutrient supplements to improve the nutrition of malnourished elderly people in a nursing home.

Background:  Malnutrition is a frequent problem in the elderly requiring long‐tem care; however, it is not clear whether oral functional training can be effective to improve nutrition.

Subjects and methods:  Fourteen subjects of 82 residents (mean age 85.7 ± 6.2 years) in a nursing home, who had a serum albumin level of ≤3.8 g/dl and understood the purpose of this study, were randomly divided into two groups of seven: one group served as the supplement group (mean age 87.0 ± 4.9 years) to which a high‐calorie and high‐protein diet was provided, and the other as the oral training plus supplement group (mean age 84.6 ± 10.1 years) to which oral functional training was given by a dental hygienist once a week as well as the above diet. Nutritional status was evaluated using serum biochemical values as indices at 4 months after the start of the intervention.

Results:  In the supplement group, serum albumin was 3.44 ± 0.36 g/dl at the start of the study (before intervention) and 3.24 ± 0.45 g/dl at 4 months after intervention. In the oral training plus supplement group, it was 3.56 ± 0.22 g/dl before intervention and significantly increased to 3.70 ± 0.33 g/dl after intervention (p < 0.05: Wilcoxon signed‐rank test).

Conclusion:  Nutritional supplements alone were not adequate, but with oral functional training to maintain and improve feeding function, nutritional improvement in the elderly could be observed.
Prevalence of periodontopathic bacteria on the tongue dorsum of elderly people
Authors: Tachibana Masayo , Yoshida Akihiro , Ansai Toshihiro , Takata Yutaka , Akifusa Sumio , Fukuhara Masayo , Hamasaki Tomoko , Okuda Katsuji , Takehara Tadamichi
Published: May 2006

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of oral bacteria on the dorsum of the tongue. In addition, the relationship between the number of teeth and the microflora present on the coating of the tongue in a population of 85‐year‐old people was assessed.

Subjects and methods:  Two hundred and five individuals (89 males, 116 females) from the same geographical area who were 85 years of age were examined. Five periodontopathic bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Treponema denticola) and one cariogenic bacterium (Streptococcus mutans) were analysed using a polymerase chain reaction assay of tongue samples from the population.

Results:  Periodontal bacteria‐positive individuals have more teeth than that of periodontal bacteria‐negative people. Between the periodontal bacteria‐positive and ‐negative individuals, there were significant differences in the mean number of teeth for P. gingivalis (p < 0.0001), T. denticola (p < 0.001), F. nucleatum (p = 0.002), and T. forsythia (p = 0.005), while there were no significant differences for A. actinomycetemcomitans (p = 0.998) or S. mutans (p = 0.147).

Conclusions:  A wide range of species, including anaerobes, was detected in 85‐year‐old subjects. It was found that the detection of periodontal bacteria on the tongue coating increased with the number of teeth. There was a positive relationship between the tooth number and periodontopathic bacteria, except for A. actinomycetemcomitans.These results suggest that tongue care is essential for preventing oral disease and needs to be part of any oral care programme in elderly people.
The stellar dynamics of spiral arms in barred spiral galaxies
Authors: Patsis P. A.
Published: May 2006

A dynamical mechanism is proposed that explains the spiral structure observed frequently as a continuation of the bars in barred spiral galaxies. It is argued that the part of the spirals attached to the bar is due to chaotic orbits. These are chaotic orbits that exhibit for long time intervals a 4:1-resonance orbital behaviour. They are of the same type of orbit as is responsible for the boxiness of the outer isophotes of the bar in cases like NGC 4314, as indicated by Patsis, Athanassoula & Quillen. The spirals formed this way are faint with respect to the bar, open as they wind out, and do not extend over an angle larger than π/2. A possible continuation of the spiral structure towards larger angles can be due to orbits trapped around stable periodic orbits at the corotation region. We present a family of stable, banana-like periodic orbits, precessing as EJ increases, that can play this role.
The plasma atrial natriuretic peptide response to arm and leg exercise in humans: effect of posture
Authors: Vogelsang T. W. , Yoshiga C. C. , Højgaard M. , Kjær A. , Warberg J. , Secher N. H. , Volianitis S.
Published: May 2006

During arm exercise (A), mean arterial pressure (MAP) is higher than during leg exercise (L). We evaluated the effect of central blood volume on the MAP response to exercise by determining plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) during moderate upright and supine A, L and combined arm and leg exercise (A + L) in 11 male subjects. In the upright position, MAP was higher during A than at rest (102 ± 6 versus 89 ± 6 mmHg; mean ±s.d.) and during L (95 ± 7 mmHg; P < 0.05), but similar to that during A + L (100 ± 6 mmHg). There was no significant change in plasma ANP during A, while plasma ANP was higher during L and A + L (42.7 ± 12.2 and 43.3 ± 17.1 pg ml−1, respectively) than at rest (34.6 ± 14.3 pg ml−1, P < 0.001). In the supine position, MAP was also higher during A than at rest (100 ± 7 versus 86 ± 5 mmHg) and during L (92 ± 5 mmHg; P < 0.01) but similar to that during A + L (102 ± 6 mmHg). During supine A, plasma ANP was higher than at rest and during L but lower than during A + L (73.1 ± 22.5 versus 47.2 ± 15.9, 67.4 ± 18.3 and 78.1 ± 25.0 pg ml−1, respectively; P < 0.05). Thus, upright A was the exercise mode that did not enhance plasma ANP, suggesting that central blood volume did not increase. The results suggest that the similar blood pressure response to A and to A + L may relate to the enhanced central blood volume following the addition of leg to arm exercise.