bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Financial Burden of Overweight and Obesity among Elderly Americans: The Dynamics of Weight, Longevity, and Health Care Cost
Authors: Yang Zhou , Hall Allyson G.
Published: October 2007

Objective. To investigate the financial burdens attributed to overweight and obesity on the U.S. health care system among elderly Americans.

Data Source. Longitudinal Cost and Use files of the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey from 1992 to 2001.

Study Design. We constructed a simultaneous equation system to model the dynamic relationship between changes in body weight, chronic diseases, functional status, longevity, and health care expenditures using maximum likelihood estimation. Based on the estimation, we conducted a simulation of one cohort with different baseline weights at age 65 and followed to death or up to age 100 of their health outcomes and lifetime health care expenditures.

Principal Findings. The elderly men who were overweight or obese at age 65 had 6–13 percent more lifetime health care expenditures than the same age cohort within normal weight range at age 65. Elderly women who were overweight or obese at age 65 spent 11–17 percent more than those in a normal weight range. Both elderly men and women who were overweight or obese at age 65 had worse health outcomes than the normal weight cohorts. The average body mass index among survivors decreased by age.

Conclusion. Overweight and obesity could place significant financial burdens on the U.S. health care system.
Nonprice Competition and Quality of Care in Managed Care: The New York SCHIP Market
Authors: Liu Hangsheng , Phelps Charles E.
Published: October 2007

Objective. To examine the effect of nonprice competition among managed care plans on the quality of care in the New York SCHIP market.

Data Sources. U.S. Census 2000; 2002 New York State Managed Care Plan Performance Report; and 2001 New York State Managed Care Annual Enrollment Report.

Study Design. Each market is defined as a county, and competition is measured as the number of plans in a market. Quality of care is measured in percentages using three Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Survey and three Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set scores. Two‐stage least squares is applied to address the endogeneity between competition and the quality of care, using population as an instrument.

Principle Findings. We find a negative association between competition and quality of care. An additional managed care plan is significantly associated with a decrease of 0.40–2.31 percentage points in four out of six quality measures. After adjusting for production cost, a positive correlation is observed between price and quality measures across different pricing regions.

Conclusions. It seems likely that pricing policy is a constraint on quality production, although it may not be interpreted as a causal relationship and further study is needed.
Live imaging of Smad2/3 signaling in mouse skin wound healing
Authors: Chong Alphonsus K.S. , Satterwhite Thomas , Pham Hung M. , Costa Melinda A. , Luo Jian , Longaker Michael T. , Wyss‐Coray Tony , Chang James
Published: October 2007

Biophotonics and real‐time imaging are novel technologies that can greatly enhance the study of complex biological processes. We applied this technology in a transgenic mouse with a luciferase reporter gene fused to a transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) responsive Smad2/3‐binding element to study bioluminescence after skin wounding. Two dorsal midline excisional skin wounds were made using a biopsy punch. One wound was randomized to suture closure and the other allowed to heal by secondary intention (n=8 each wound). Bioluminescence was measured at fixed time points following surgery. Phospho‐Smad2/3 immunohistochemistry was performed to localize expression in skin wound samples. In vivo bioluminescence increased following skin wounding. Peak activity occurred on day 17 and was fourfold that of baseline (p<0.05). Subgroup analysis of primary and secondary healing showed that primarily sutured wounds had peak activities earlier than those with secondary healing, although this did not reach statistical significance. Intense phospho‐Smad2/3 staining was found in the hair follicles. In vivo bioluminescence tracks Smad2/3‐dependent TGF‐β signaling in the in vivo wound healing process. Our findings suggest that signaling increases after wound healing, which contrasts with other studies that show raised TGF‐β signaling in the initial days following wounding.
Measurement of venous leg ulcers with a laser‐based three‐dimensional method: Comparison to computer planimetry with photography
Authors: Kecelj‐Leskovec Nada , Jezeršek Matija , Možina Janez , Pavlović Miloš D. , Lunder Tomaž
Published: October 2007

A lack of reproducible and practical methods to assess venous leg ulcer healing is a major problem encountered by investigators evaluating various treatments. We aimed to compare a new laser‐based three‐dimensional (3D) measuring device with computer planimetry with photography for the assessment of venous leg ulcers, and to estimate the reliability of measurements by the methods. Sixty measurements of perimeter and area of 15 venous leg ulcers, <10 cm in diameter (eight patients; six females; mean age 71 years; range 52–90 years), were made with both methods. Two independent investigators performed the measurements at the first visit and 2–4 weeks later. The precision and accuracy of the methods were determined and compared. The accuracies for computer planimetry with photography in comparison with the laser‐based 3D measuring method were 8.4% for perimeter and 16.0% for area measurements. The precisions of ulcer area and perimeter measurements did not differ significantly between the two methods (p=0.993 and 0.201, respectively). The main advantage of the laser‐based measuring method is the 3D ulcer measurement with a precision of 7.5%, which also takes into account distortions created by the limb convexity. The system is accurate, inexpensive, user‐friendly, and appropriate for everyday practice.
Methods Used to Eliminate Colic in Infants in the Eastern Parts of Turkey
Authors: Çiftçi Esra Karaca , Arikan Duygu
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACT
Objective: Infant colic is a common problem characterized by excessive crying and fussing. There is not a consistent treatment method used to eliminate colic. Mothers make use of various models together to eliminate colic in their infants. This study was carried out to delineate the methods used by mothers to eliminate colic in their infants and to determine the efficacy of the various methods.

Design: Descriptive study.

Methods: The study was performed by visiting the homes of 186 babies (1–3 months of age) whose mothers had previously registered at a health center in Eastern Turkey between January 1 and February 28, 2005. Questionnaires and Wessel's criteria were used to obtain the data. The methods used by mothers to eliminate colic were classified as behavioral, natural, and drug treatments and were examined accordingly.

Results: According to mothers' statements, 75.8% of the babies had colic, while according to the Wessel criteria, 51.1% had colic symptoms. One hundred percent of the mothers used behavioral treatments, 66% used drug therapies, and 64.5% used natural treatment methods to eliminate colic.

Conclusions: Mothers indicated that they achieved the most benefit from behavioral interventions, followed by natural therapies, and the least from drug treatments.
Predictors of Health Services Utilization by Hypertensive Patients in South Korea
Authors: Ham Ok Kyung , Lee Chung Yul
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACT
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the factors that influence making contact with health care services after a diagnosis of hypertension and the volume of health services utilization by the hypertensive patients.

Methods: A secondary data analysis with 3 data sets, including health screening, health survey, and national health insurance reimbursement data. Data on 841,630 public servants aged between 21 and 65 years who underwent health screenings in 2000 and 2002 were provided by the National Health Insurance Cooperation.

Results: Of the 841,630 screened participants, 204,099 (24.25%) were hypertensives and 9,057 (1.08%) were newly diagnosed as having hypertension. Age, sex, systolic blood pressure, comorbidity, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use were significantly associated with making contact with health care services, while age, sex, place of residence, occupation, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, comorbidity, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use were significantly associated with the volume of health services utilized by the hypertensive patients.

Conclusions: Health professionals should devise strategies to encourage nonusers and inappropriate users of health services to obtain timely health services while considering the factors that influence making contact with health care services and the volume of health services utilization.
Preliminary Tests of an Ecological Model of Hispanic Farmworker Health
Authors: Ward Louise S.
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACT
Objective: The purpose of this study was to propose and test an ecological model to structure research and practice concerning farmworker health in the United States. The research question was, “What is the relationship of selected social, cultural, and economic indicators to the health of adult Hispanic migrant farmworkers?”

Design: A model of biogenetic, social, cultural, economic, individual response, and access factors affecting health was derived from the literature and nursing practice. Data from the 1998 National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS), conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor, were used in a secondary analysis to perform preliminary tests of the relationships proposed in the model.

Sample: The NAWS conducts interviews with a nationally representative sample of farmworkers employed in the United States. Because of the importance of theorized cultural factors, the sample for this study was limited to farmworkers who identified themselves as Hispanic, resulting in 1,864 subjects.

Measurements: Variables were used directly from the data or constructed from the available data, and proposed relationships were tested statistically.

Results: Analysis of the data supported the relationships proposed in the model.

Conclusions: The proposed model is a useful tool for organizing variables and giving direction to farmworker health research. Suggestions for future research are made.
Non‐Pulmonary Vein Epicardial Foci of Atrial Fibrillation Identified in the Left Atrium after Pulmonary Vein Isolation
Authors: YAMADA TAKUMI , MURAKAMI YOSHIMASA , OKADA TARO , YOSHIDA NAOKI , NINOMIYA YUICHI , TOYAMA JUNJI , YOSHIDA YUKIHIKO , TSUBOI NAOYA , INDEN YASUYA , HIRAI MAKOTO , MUROHARA TOYOAKI , McELDERRY HUGH T. , EPSTEIN ANDREW E. , PLUMB VANCE J. , NEAL KAY G.
Published: October 2007

Background:

Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) has been demonstrated to be an effective technique for curing atrial fibrillation (AF). AF foci that cannot be isolated by PVI (non‐PV foci) can become the cause of AF recurrence. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of non‐PV AF foci.

Methods and Results:

Two hundred consecutive patients with symptomatic AF underwent electrophysiologic studies. In all patients, successful ostial or antral PVI was achieved with a multielectrode basket catheter (MBC). In 45 patients, spontaneous AF was induced even after PVI. In 23 of those patients, 30 AF foci were found in the left atrium (LA) (12 in the PV antrum, and 18 in the LA wall). Twenty‐six of those foci were eliminated by focal ablation guided by an MBC. Five of those foci (four in the PV antrum and one in the LA posterior wall) were speculated to be located epicardially because a small potential preceding the LA potential was recorded from the MBC electrodes during AF initiation at the successful ablation site where single large potentials were recorded during sinus rhythm and a longer duration of radiofrequency energy delivery was needed to eliminate them.

Conclusions:

MBC mapping with induction of spontaneous AF may be useful for identifying non‐PV AF foci in the LA after PVI. In some of those non‐PV foci, mainly around the PVI lesions, a few electrophysiologic findings suggesting an epicardial location were observed. This may be a rationale for the efficacy of extensive PV ablation
Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate Enhances the Ability of Intravenous Ibutilide to Successfully Convert Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter
Authors: TERCIUS ALIX J. , KLUGER JEFFREY , COLEMAN CRAIG I. , MICHAEL WHITE C.
Published: October 2007

Background:

A previous randomized trial found that adjunctive use of intravenous magnesium (a total of 4 grams) can attenuate the corrected QT interval (QTc) prolongation associated with ibutilide, but its impact on ibutilide efficacy has not been elucidated.

Methods:

This was a cohort evaluation of 229 consecutive patients who received ibutilide in the presence or absence of intravenous magnesium. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the impact of magnesium on ibutilide efficacy as well as the impact of magnesium dosing intensity on ibutilide efficacy.

Results:

The overall chemical conversion rate with ibutilide in the presence or absence of magnesium was 59.8%. The concurrent administration of magnesium (n = 141) was associated with a 78% increased odds of successful chemical conversion (adjusted odds ratio, AOR; 1.78 [95% confidence intervals,CI 1.02–3.09]) compared to those who did not receive magnesium (n = 88). Magnesium dosing intensity appeared to be an important determinant of ibutilide efficacy, with the 4 grams dose associated with a threefold increase in the odds of successful chemical conversion (AOR; 2.98 [95% CI 1.46–6.11). The 1 to 3 grams subgroup was associated with only a trend toward an improvement. There was only one case of Torsade de Pointes (TdP) which occurred in the no adjunctive magnesium group.

Conclusions:

Concurrent use of magnesium enhanced the ability of ibutilide to successfully convert atrial fibrillation (AF) or flutter (AFl). The 4 grams magnesium dose appeared to provide the greatest benefit.
The Impact of Age and Gender on Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Outcome
Authors: ZARDKOOHI OMEED , NANDIGAM VEENA , MURRAY LORNE , KEVIN HEIST E. , MELA THEOFANIE , ORENCOLE MARY , RUSKIN JEREMY N. , SINGH JAGMEET P.
Published: October 2007

Background:

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) outcome varies significantly among patients. We aimed to determine the impact of age, gender, and heart failure etiology on the long‐term outcome of patients receiving CRT.

Methods:

A total of 117 patients with drug‐refractory heart failure, New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or IV, and a wide QRS complex, who received CRT, were followed for one year. Long‐term outcome was measured as a combined end point of hospitalization for heart failure and/or all cause mortality. Efficacy of CRT was compared between men and women, between older and younger patients, and between patients with ischemic and nonischemic heart disease. Time to the primary end point was estimated by the Kaplan‐Meier method and comparisons were made using the Breslow‐Wilcoxon test.

Results:

Baseline clinical characteristics were comparable between gender, age, and heart failure etiology subgroups. There was no significant difference in the combined end point between older versus younger (age >70, (n = 71), versus age < 70, (n = 46), P = 0.52); both genders (men, n = 91 vs women, n = 26, P = 0.46) and etiology of the cardiomyopathy (ischemic (n = 79) vs nonischemic (n = 38), P = 0.12). Substratification of the genders by the etiology of the cardiomyopathy, showed that women with ischemic cardiomyopathy (IW, n = 10) had a trend to a worse outcome compared to the other groups i.e., nonischemic women (NIW, n = 16), ischemic men (IM, n = 69), and nonischemic men (NIM, n = 22), P = 0.04. After adjusting for potential covariates, a Cox regression analysis showed no significant difference between the groups (P = 0.61).

Conclusions:

CRT outcome appears independent of age, gender, and heart failure etiology in this single institution study.
Atrial Fibrillation in End‐Stage Renal Disease
Authors: KORANTZOPOULOS PANAGIOTIS , KOKKORIS STELIOS , LIU TONG , PROTOPSALTIS IOANNIS , LI GUANGPING , GOUDEVENOS JOHN A.
Published: October 2007

End‐stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recent studies indicate that atrial fibrillation (AF) is prevalent among ESRD patients while it adversely affects the clinical outcome. Despite these considerations, AF management in this population is problematic. Notably, most ESRD patients with AF are deprived of the benefits of anticoagulation therapy because of the fear of hemorrhagic complications. This article provides a concise and critical overview of the complex pathophysiology, epidemiology, and discusses the clinical issues regarding the emerging association between ESRD and AF.
A Patient with Congenital Heart Disease and Ventricular Tachycardia:
Authors: KANTER RONALD J. , DARDEN WILLIAM B. , RENÉ HERLONG J. , BARKER PIERS C. , JAGGERS JAMES
Published: October 2007

A 16‐year‐old boy with Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve developed exercise‐induced rapid ventricular tachycardia. He had previously undergone tricuspid valvuloplasty and bidirectional cavopulmonary anastamosis due to progressive symptoms. A single‐chamber implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator was implanted, utilizing a novel transvenous approach to the right ventricle. Technical considerations, risks, and benefits of this approach are discussed.
Public and Private Policy Change: Pension Reform in Four Countries
Authors: Béland Daniel , Shinkawa Toshimitsu
Published: October 2007

This article offers a comparative, qualitative analysis of the changing nature of—and relationship between—public and private old age pensions in the United States, Canada, Britain, and Japan. Stressing the impact of institutional legacies on policy change, the article explains why these countries have taken contrasting paths toward the restructuring of public and private pension policies. The study finds that the four countries fall into two distinct clusters. On the one hand are Canada and the United States, which have essentially witnessed policy drift toward a greater reliance on private savings. On the other hand are Britain and Japan, which have reshaped their pension systems largely through legislative revision. The last section explains the differences between and within these two country clusters. The article concludes that institutional forces explain the distinctive policy patterns between the two country clusters but that it is necessary to bring in other factors (i.e., demographic aging, union density, and the role of ideas) to account for differences within each of these clusters.
Constitutional Blemishes: American Alcohol Prohibition and Repeal as Policy Punctuation
Authors: Schrad Mark Lawrence
Published: October 2007

Historical explanations for the American “noble experiment” with alcohol prohibition based on individual conspiracies, cultural changes, social movements, or self‐interested bureaucracies are partial and unsatisfying. Recent advances in punctuated equilibrium theory shine new light on this historical enigma, providing a more persuasive account of the dramatic episodes associated with both constitutional prohibition and its repeal. Through longitudinal analysis of a unique data set reflective of early twentieth century public alcohol control sentiments, this article suggests that, as but one of a range of potential alcohol policy options, national alcohol prohibition was hardly a foregone conclusion. The ultimate adoption of prohibition over competing alcohol control alternatives, as well as its eventual repeal, can best be understood with reference to particular feedback processes inherent in the institutional structure of American policymaking, which readily account for both the mad dash for prohibition and the widespread clamor for repeal, which have traditionally eluded historical explanation.
Minimum Hellinger Distance Estimation for k‐Component Poisson Mixture with Random Effects
Authors: Xiang Liming , Yau Kelvin K. W. , Van Hui Yer , Lee Andy H.
Published: October 2007

SummaryThe k‐component Poisson regression mixture with random effects is an effective model in describing the heterogeneity for clustered count data arising from several latent subpopulations. However, the residual maximum likelihood estimation (REML) of regression coefficients and variance component parameters tend to be unstable and may result in misleading inferences in the presence of outliers or extreme contamination. In the literature, the minimum Hellinger distance (MHD) estimation has been investigated to obtain robust estimation for finite Poisson mixtures. This article aims to develop a robust MHD estimation approach for k‐component Poisson mixtures with normally distributed random effects. By applying the Gaussian quadrature technique to approximate the integrals involved in the marginal distribution, the marginal probability function of the k‐component Poisson mixture with random effects can be approximated by the summation of a set of finite Poisson mixtures. Simulation study shows that the MHD estimates perform satisfactorily for data without outlying observation(s), and outperform the REML estimates when data are contaminated. Application to a data set of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) with random institution effects demonstrates the practical use of the robust MHD estimation method.
Relationship between the Mesoporous Intermediate Layer Structure and the Gas Permeation Property of an Amorphous Silica Membrane Synthesized by Counter Diffusion Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Nagano Takayuki , Fujisaki Shinji , Sato Koji , Hataya Koji , Iwamoto Yuji , Nomura Mikihiro , Nakao Shin‐Ichi
Published: October 2007

An amorphous silica membrane with an excellent hydrogen/nitrogen (H2/N2) permselectivity of >10 000 and a He/H2 permselectivity of 11 was successfully synthesized on a γ‐alumina (γ‐Al2O3)‐coated α‐alumina (α‐Al2O3) porous support by counter diffusion chemical vapor deposition using tetramethylorthosilicate and oxygen at 873 K. An amorphous silica membrane possessed a high H2 permeance of >1.0 × 10−7 mol·(m2·s·Pa)−1 at ≥773 K. The dominant permeation mechanism for He and H2 at 373–873 K was activated diffusion. On the other hand, that for CO2, Ar, and N2 at 373–673 K was a viscous flow. At ≥673 K, that for CO2, Ar, and N2 was activated diffusion. H2 permselectivity was markedly affected by the permeation temperature, thickness, and pore size of a γ‐Al2O3 mesoporous intermediate layer.
Structural Influences on Energy Production in South and East Asia, 1971–20021
Authors: York Richard
Published: October 2007

To address questions about the environmental consequences of globalization and modernization, I estimate the effects of a variety of structural factors on energy production in 14 nations of South and East Asia, which contain more than half the world’s population, using panel data covering the period 1971–2002. My results suggest that energy production is significantly influenced by a variety of structural factors, including economic development, urbanization, export intensity, and debt service. Consistent with the arguments of theorists of the political economy of the world‐system, I find compelling evidence that modernization and integration into the global economy contribute to natural resource exploitation.
Shareholder Value and the Transformation of the U.S. Economy, 1984–20001
Authors: Fligstein Neil , Shin Taekjin
Published: October 2007

Using data from 62 U.S. industries for 1984–2000, this article explores the connections between shareholder value strategies, such as mergers and layoffs, and related industry‐level changes, such as de‐unionization, computer technology, and profitability. In line with shareholder value arguments, mergers occurred in industries with low profits, and industries where mergers were active subsequently saw an increase in layoffs. Industries with a high level of mergers increased investment in computer technology. This technology displaced workers through layoffs and was focused on reducing unionized workforces. Contrary to shareholder value arguments, there is no evidence that mergers or layoffs returned industries to profitability.
Acute bacterial conjunctivitis
Authors: Høvding Gunnar
Published: October 2007

Acute bacterial conjunctivitis is the eye disease most commonly seen by general practitioners, and is estimated to represent approximately 1% of all consultations in primary care. This article gives a review of the epidemiology, aetiology, clinical picture, complications, differential diagnoses, in vitro examinations and therapy of acute bacterial conjunctivitis. Until now, topical antibacterial therapy has generally been preferred by both physicians and patients because this will usually shorten the course of the disease slightly and allow the early readmittance of children to their kindergarten or school. Recently, several reports from primary care have confirmed the well‐known clinical experience that the disorder has an excellent prognosis with a high frequency of spontaneous remission. In accordance, an expectant attitude or delayed prescription policy are now frequently strongly recommended. However, these reports also emphasize the difficulty in making a correct clinical distinction between bacterial and viral conjunctivitis. The effect of a general non‐prescription attitude on transmission rates of pathogens also remains to be clarified. This must be born in mind when deciding how these patients should be handled. The socioeconomic and medical pros and cons of different treatment policies are discussed, and a highly personal view on the optimal handling strategy for these patients is also presented.
Oxidative stress impairs oocyte quality and melatonin protects oocytes from free radical damage and improves fertilization rate
Authors: Tamura Hiroshi , Takasaki Akihisa , Miwa Ichiro , Taniguchi Ken , Maekawa Ryo , Asada Hiromi , Taketani Toshiaki , Matsuoka Aki , Yamagata Yoshiaki , Shimamura Katsunori , Morioka Hitoshi , Ishikawa Hitoshi , Reiter Russel J. , Sugino Norihiro
Published: October 2007

Abstract:  We investigated the relationship between oxidative stress and poor oocyte quality and whether the antioxidant melatonin improves oocyte quality. Follicular fluid was sampled at oocyte retrieval during in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF‐ET). Intrafollicular concentrations of 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) in women with high rates of degenerate oocytes were significantly higher than those with low rates of degenerate oocytes. As there was a negative correlation between intrafollicular concentrations of 8‐OHdG and melatonin, 18 patients undergoing IVF‐ET were given melatonin (3 mg/day), vitamin E (600 mg/day) or both melatonin and vitamin E. Intrafollicular concentrations of 8‐OHdG and hexanoyl‐lysine adduct were significantly reduced by these antioxidant treatments. One hundred and fifteen patients who failed to become pregnant with a low fertilization rate (50%) in the previous IVF‐ET cycle were divided into two groups during the next IVF‐ET procedure; 56 patients with melatonin treatment (3 mg/day) and 59 patients without melatonin treatment. The fertilization rate was improved by melatonin treatment compared to the previous IVF‐ET cycle. However, the fertilization rate was not significantly changed without melatonin treatment. Oocytes recovered from preovulatory follicles in mice were incubated with H2O2 for 12 hr. The percentage of mature oocytes with a first polar body was significantly reduced by addition of H2O2 (300 μm). The inhibitory effect of H2O2 was significantly blocked by simultaneous addition of melatonin. In conclusion, oxidative stress causes toxic effects on oocyte maturation and melatonin protects oocytes from oxidative stress. Melatonin is likely to improve oocyte quality and fertilization rates.
Effect of mandibular distraction osteogenesis on developing molars
Authors: Kleine‐Hakala M , Hukki J , Hurmerinta K
Published: October 2007

Structured Abstract

Authors –  Kleine‐Hakala M, Hukki J, Hurmerinta K

Objective –  To observe the effect of mandibular distraction osteogenesis (DO) on developing molars.

Design –  Descriptive clinical study.

Setting –  University hospital setting. Seventeen children (mean age 7.6 years) with various syndromes (hemifacial/craniofacial microsomia, Goldenhar syndrome, Treacher Collins syndrome, Nager syndrome and Pyle–Bakwin–Krida syndrome) participated.

Experimental variable –  Severely retrognathic lower jaws were distracted (mean 30 days) with an extraoral bicortically fixed DO device.

Outcome measure –  Consecutive panoramic tomograms were analysed after a mean follow‐up period of 3.6 years, range 1–6.9 years.

Results –  The mandibular molars were affected by DO in 13 of the 17 patients which included 18 of 63 mandibular molars studied. Structural changes included root malformations, hindered tooth development and the destruction of tooth follicles. Positional changes such as shifted and tilted teeth were also found. Three injured teeth failed to erupt. These changes were because of splitting of the tooth follicle during the osteotomy (22%), piercing of the tooth follicle by the pin (39%) or migration of tooth germ towards the newly created bone (39%). Fifteen per cent of first molars, 43% of second molars and 31% of third molars were affected during the distraction process. Of all dental injuries, 44% were noticed while the appliance was in place. A further 17% of injuries were noted between 3 months and 1 year postoperatively and 33% during the second postoperative year.

Conclusions –  Although dental injuries are a minor disadvantage compared with the vast benefits offered by DO, focusing on these drawbacks might lead to re‐consideration of the type of the device as well as the timing of DO.
Comparative study on yield and chemical composition of maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor Moench) using different levels of manure application
Authors: LUBIS Ahmad Darobin , KUMAGAI Hajime
Published: October 2007

The effects of three levels of manure application (0, 4 and 8 ton/10 a) with basic fertilizer (N : P : K = 10:10:10 kg/10 a) on the yield and chemical composition of maize (Pioneer 32K61) and sorghum (FS501) forages were examined in 2 successive years, 2001–2002. Maize was harvested at yellow ripe stage, while sorghum at dough stage. Dry matter yield (DMY) of sorghum was significantly higher than that of maize in both 2001 and 2002. Although, DMY of both sorghum and maize were not significantly affected by manure levels in 2001, they increased with the level of manure in 2002. Maize had higher levels of crude protein (CP) and lower crude fiber concentration than those of sorghum in both 2001 and 2002. Manure application had no effect on chemical compositions of both maize and sorghum except for CP in both years and organic a fraction (Oa) concentration in 2002. The higher manure application might have greater effects on sorghum and maize production because of higher DMY in the second year without any increase in fiber fraction.
Comparison of heat production and plasma lipid metabolites between meat‐ and egg‐types of Nagoya breed chicken during embryonic development
Authors: SATO Momoka , NODA Kenji , KINO Katsutoshi , NAKAMURA Akihiro , FURUSE Mitsuhiro
Published: October 2007

We compared heat production (HP) and plasma lipid metabolites between meat‐ and egg‐types of Nagoya breed chickens during embryonic development. To investigate HP and respiratory quotient, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production were measured using an open‐circuit calorimeter system. HP was significantly lower in meat‐ than in egg‐type chickens during embryonic development, and HP gradually decreased with developmental stage in both types. The respiratory quotient was constant at approximately 0.68 at every embryonic stage investigated, and the value was similar in both types. Plasma concentrations of triacylglycerol, nonesterified fatty acid, glycerol and D‐3‐hydroxybutyrate, which are associated with lipid metabolism, were similar in both types during embryonic development. These results demonstrate that chicken embryos selected for rapid growth of Nagoya breed have characteristic lower HP, and that when selecting chickens for rapid growth, HP is an important parameter during embryonic stages.
Number and density of retinal photoreceptor cells with emphasis on oil droplet distribution in the Mallard Duck (Anas platyrhynchos var. domesticus)
Authors: RAHMAN Mohammad Lutfur , AOYAMA Masato , SUGITA Shoei
Published: October 2007

This study was intended to determine the number and regional distribution of photoreceptor cells and different colored oil droplets in the retina of the Mallard Duck (Anas platyrhynchos var. domesticus). To estimate the number and density of photoreceptor cells, adult ducks were killed and both eyes were enucleated under deep anesthesia to prepare Nissl‐stained retinal whole‐mount samples. Different colored oil droplets were counted from color microphotographs of the freshly prepared retina. The mean number of retinal photoreceptors was approximately 6 308 828 ± 521 927, with a peak density of 33 573/mm2 in the central retina. The density was similar in the nasal, temporal, ventral and dorsal areas of the retina. Five types of oil droplets were identified on the basis of color: red, orange, greenish‐yellow, yellow and clear. The mean density of oil droplets was highest in the central retina (17 639/mm2) and gradually declined towards the nasal, temporal, ventral and dorsal areas. The size of oil droplets gradually increased with retinal eccentricity and varied even within an area. The greenish‐yellow oil droplets were most abundant across the retina. Taken together, these results demonstrate the differential retinal distribution of photoreceptor cells and oil droplets in duck retina. We conclude that the area of high photoreceptor cell density, which is matched by high neuron densities of the ganglion cell layer, corresponds to the site of acute vision in duck retina.
Microbiota of ‘airag’, ‘tarag’ and other kinds of fermented dairy products from nomad in Mongolia
Authors: UCHIDA Kenji , HIRATA Masahiro , MOTOSHIMA Hidemasa , URASHIMA Tadasu , ARAI Ikichi
Published: October 2007

The traditional fermented dairy products were collected from three nomadic families in Donto‐Govi prefecture in Mongolia (central Mongolia), and those microbiota were analyzed. These samples consist three of ‘airag’, two of ‘tarag’, two of ‘isgelen tarag’ and ‘qoormog’, and some cheeses. In airag, Lactobacillus (L.) helveticus, L. kefiri, and Saccharomyces (S.) dairensis were common, and L. paracasei, L. plantarum, L. farciminis, S. cerevisiae, Issachenkia (I.) orientalis, Kluyveromyces (K.) wickerhamii were also found. In tarag, isgelen tarag and qoormog, L. helveticus, L. kefiri, L. fermentum, L. paracasei and L. acetotolerance were found. L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus was also found in one tarag and one qoormog samples. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis showed that there were diversity in each L. helveticus family and products, and there were common strains found in airag and tarag in the same family.
Comparative study of the characteristics of the carcass and the meat of the Chato Murciano pig and its cross with Iberian pig, reared indoors
Authors: GALIÁN Miguel , PEINADO Begoña , MARTÍNEZ Carmen , PERIAGO María J. , ROS Gaspar , POTO Angel
Published: October 2007

The Chato Murciano pig is a breed catalogued as a Special Protection breed in danger of extinction. At present it is commonly reared in an intensive system. We have studied the mineral composition and other characteristics of its carcass and meat. Samples from the Musculus longissimus lumborum were taken from a total number of 43 animals, divided into two groups, Chato Murciano and Chato Murciano crossed with Iberian, reared in a conventional indoor system. The resulting meat of the Chato Murciano pig and its cross with Iberian was especially rich in iron and copper, rich in phosphorus, and marginally poor in calcium and sodium. The evolution of the pH of the carcass was that of pigs which do not produce PSE (pale, soft and exudative) meat. Some relevant positive correlation coefficients between minerals (P ≤ 0.05) have been found.
Preserving boiled eggs with a sterilization system employing microbial laccase and wood vinegar
Authors: SAKAGUCHI Hiromichi , UYAMA Naoto , UYAMA Hiroshi
Published: October 2007

A combination of a microbial laccase and wood vinegar was used to treat the shell surface of boiled eggs. The laccase enhanced the sterilization effect of phenolic compounds contained in the wood vinegar and resulted in prevention of microbial infection of the boiled eggs after storage for 21 days at 40°C and 75% relative humidity. Significant phenoxy radicals, formed by the catalytic reaction of the laccase, could be detected in the shell of the boiled eggs.
Marker‐assisted selection for forelimb‐girdle muscular anomaly of Japanese Black cattle
Authors: MASOUDI Ali Akbar , UCHIDA Kazuyuki , YOKOUCHI Kou , MIYADERA Keiko , OGAWA Hiroyuki , SUGIMOTO Yoshikazu , KUNIEDA Tetsuo
Published: October 2007

Forelimb‐girdle muscular anomaly is a hereditary disorder of Japanese Black cattle characterized by tremors and astasia caused by hypoplasia of the forelimb‐girdle muscles. The locus responsible for this disorder has been mapped on a middle region of bovine chromosome 26. In this study, we applied marker‐assisted selection to identify the carriers of this disorder. Four microsatellite markers, DIK4440, BM4505, MOK2602 and IDVGA‐59, linked to the disorder locus were genotyped in 37 unaffected offspring of a carrier sire. Transmission of the mutant or wild‐type allele of the disorder locus of the sire to the 37 offspring was determined by examining the haplotypes of these markers. The results showed that nine and 18 of the 37 animals possessed the paternally transmitted mutant and wild‐type alleles, respectively, and therefore, the nine animals with the mutant allele were identified as carriers. We concluded that the marker‐assisted selection using these four markers can be applied for the identification of the carriers of forelimb‐girdle muscular anomaly of Japanese Black cattle.
Catherine of Siena's Teaching on Self‐Knowledge
Authors: McDermott Thomas
Published: October 2007

One of Catherine of Siena's principal teachings is self‐knowledge, i.e., knowledge of oneself and knowledge of God. Catherine adapted the Christian spiritual tradition on the subject and presented it anew using a number of ingenious images such as a well, a cell within a cell, a peaceful sea, a mirror. So important was self‐knowledge in her life and teaching that she came to regard it as virtually prayer itself.
Phenomenal Theology
Authors: Danaher James P.
Published: October 2007

We no longer believe that the mind is a blank slate that simply records sense‐data as given. Over the last two centuries, we have become increasingly aware of the fact that we bring something to what is given to us in experience. It is what we bring to our experience in the form of our conceptual perspective that molds and shapes our understanding or interpretation of the experience. This is especially true of religious experience. What is given in our God experiences is from God, but our interpretive understanding and reaction to our God experiences are uniquely our own. This paper considers several aspects of religious experience from such a phenomenal perspective.
Charity Begins at Home … an Ecclesiological Assessment of Pope Benedict's First Encyclical
Authors: Mannion Gerard
Published: October 2007

This article offers an ecclesiological assessment of Pope Benedict's first encyclical, Deus Caritas Est. It draws parallels with an earlier papal encyclical, also, on charity and suggests that the attention in the latter to the exercise of charity within the Catholic church is a much needed supplement to Benedict's attention to what the church might teach the ‘world’ad extra about charity. Indeed, the article suggests that the Catholic church must strive all the more to be truly a sacrament (both a sign and mediation) of that love that constitutes the very threefold being of God, both ad intra and ad extra. But, first and foremost, the church must learn to exercise such love within its own confines before it can hope to teach those in the wider human family anything about charity. The promise of applied trinitarian ecclesiology in serving such ends is highlighted.
Practice and Givenness: The Problem of ‘Reduction’ in the work of Jean‐Luc Marion
Authors: Rawnsley Andrew C.
Published: October 2007

Jean‐Luc Marion's work has received plenty of critical attention in recent years. This paper returns to the core of Marion's project in a rather different way from many of the previous critiques by focussing on two troubling aspects of his work. Firstly, the way in which Marion conceives the relationship between phenomenology and theology is explored in the hope that Marion's missteps might illuminate the ongoing problem of the relationship between philosophy and theology; secondly, the major methodological move which Marion makes, that of linking givenness to phenomenological reduction, is critically examined. This latter critique is the main purpose of the paper, since it is apparent that the role which reduction plays in Marion's phenomenology, when seen under the rubric of a philosophical practice, also indicates one possible route towards the clarification of the first problem, that of the relationship between philosophy and theology.
Function of conserved aromatic residues in the Gal/GalNAc‐glycosyltransferase motif of UDP‐GalNAc:polypeptide N‐acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 1
Authors: Tenno Mari , Saeki Aki , Elhammer Åke P. , Kurosaka Akira
Published: October 2007

UDP‐GalNAc:polypeptide N‐acetylgalactosaminyltransferases (GalNAc transferases), which initiate mucin‐type O‐glycan biosynthesis, have broad acceptor substrate specificities, and it is still unclear how they recognize peptides with different sequences. To increase our understanding of the catalytic mechanism of GalNAc‐T1, one of the most ubiquitous isozymes, we studied the effect of substituting six conserved aromatic residues in the highly conserved Gal/GalNAc‐glycosyltransferase motif with leucine on the catalytic properties of the enzyme. Our results indicate that substitutions of Trp302 and Phe325 have little impact on enzyme function and that substitutions of Phe303 and Tyr309 could be made with only limited impact on the interaction(s) with donor and/or acceptor substrates. By contrast, Trp328 and Trp316 are essential residues for enzyme functions, as substitution with leucine, at either site, led to complete inactivation of the enzymes. The roles of these tryptophan residues were further analyzed by evaluating the impact of substitutions with additional amino acids. All evaluated substitutions at Trp328 resulted in enzymes that were completely inactive, suggesting that the invariant Trp328 is essential for enzymatic activity. Trp316 mutant enzymes with nonaromatic replacements were again completely inactive, whereas two mutant enzymes containing a different aromatic amino acid, at position 316, showed low catalytic activity. Somewhat surprisingly, a kinetic analysis revealed that these two amino acid substitutions had a moderate impact on the enzyme's affinity for the donor substrate. By contrast, the drastically reduced affinity of the Trp316 mutant enzymes for the acceptor substrates suggests that Trp316 is important for this interaction.
Superoxide radical‐scavenging effects from polymorphonuclear leukocytes and toxicity in human cell lines of newly synthesized organic selenium compounds
Authors: Tsukagoshi Hiroyuki , Koketsu Mamoru , Kato Masahiko , Kurabayashi Masahiko , Nishina Atsuyoshi , Kimura Hirokazu
Published: October 2007

Synthetic organic selenium compounds such as 2‐phenyl‐1,2‐benzisoselenazol‐3(2H)‐one may show glutathione peroxidase‐like antioxidant activity. Recently, we synthesized new organic selenium compounds that are thought to be effective antioxidants. To study their possible applications as antioxidants, we evaluated two selenoureas, N,N‐dimethylselenourea and 1‐selenocarbamoylpyrrolidine, and two tertiary selenoamides, N‐(phenylselenocarbonyl)‐piperidine and N,N‐diethyl‐4‐chloroselenobenzamide, for their superoxide radical (O2–)‐scavenging effects and toxicity. We measured O2–‐scavenging effects in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) with a specific, sensitive and real‐time kinetic chemiluminescence method. Furthermore, the toxicity of these compounds was measured in some human cell lines and PMNs using the tetrazolium method. Hydrogen peroxide was measured by a scopoletin method. Finally, translocation of an NADPH oxidase component, p47 phagocyte oxidase, to the cell membrane was investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy. N,N‐Dimethylselenourea and 1‐selenocarbamoylpyrrolidine effectively scavenged O2– released from 4β‐phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate‐stimulated PMNs, and the 50% inhibitory concentrations were 6.8 ± 2.2 and 6.5 ± 2.5 µm, respectively. N‐(Phenylselenocarbonyl)‐piperidine and N,N‐diethyl‐4‐chloroselenobenzamide also effectively scavenged O2– from PMNs, and the 50% inhibitory concentrations were 11.3 ± 4.8 and 20.3 ± 6.4 µm, respectively. Selenoureas showed very low toxicity in human cell lines and PMNs, even at high concentrations, whereas tertiary selenoamides were cytotoxic. These compounds did not produce significant amounts of hydrogen peroxide from 4β‐phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate‐stimulated PMNs. None of the compounds significantly affected the translocation of p47 phagocyte oxidase. Selenoureas acted as effective antioxidants and showed low toxicity in some human cells. Thus, these compounds might be new candidates as antioxidative substances.
The first phospholipase inhibitor from the serum of Vipera ammodytes ammodytes
Authors: Šribar Jernej , Kovačič Lidija , Draškovič Petra , Faure Grazyna , Križaj Igor
Published: October 2007

Ammodytoxins are neurotoxic secretory phospholipase A2 molecules, some of the most toxic components of the long‐nosed viper (Vipera ammodytes ammodytes) venom. Envenomation by this and by closely related vipers is quite frequent in southern parts of Europe and serotherapy is used in the most severe cases. Because of occasional complications, alternative medical treatment of envenomation is needed. In the present study, ammodytoxin inhibitor was purified from the serum of V. a. ammodytes using two affinity procedures and a gel exclusion chromatography step. The ammodytoxin inhibitor from V. a. ammodytes serum consists of 23‐ and 25‐kDa glycoproteins that form an oligomer, probably a tetramer, of about 100 kDa. N‐terminal sequencing and immunological analysis revealed that both types of subunit are very similar to γ‐type secretory phospholipase A2 inhibitors. The ammodytoxin inhibitor from V. a. ammodytes serum is a potent inhibitor of phospholipase activity and hence probably also the neurotoxicity of ammodytoxins. Discovery of the novel natural inhibitor of these potent secretory phospholipase A2 toxins opens up prospects for the development of new types of small peptide inhibitors for use in regulating the physiological and pathological activities of secretory phospholipases A2.