bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal Patterning of Saccadic Eye Movement Signals
Authors: Kimmel Daniel L. , Moore Tirin
Published: July 2007

Electrical microstimulation is used widely in experimental neurophysiology to examine causal links between specific brain areas and their behavioral functions and is used clinically to treat neurological and psychiatric disorders in patients. Typically, microstimulation is applied to local brain regions as a train of equally spaced current pulses. We were interested in the sensitivity of a neural circuit to a train of variably spaced pulses, as is observed in physiological spike trains. We compared the effect of fixed, decelerating, accelerating, and randomly varying microstimulation patterns on the likelihood and metrics of eye movements evoked from the frontal eye field of monkeys, while holding the mean interpulse interval constant. Our results demonstrate that the pattern of microstimulation pulses strongly influences the probability of evoking a saccade, as well as the metrics of the saccades themselves. Specifically, the pattern most closely resembling physiological spike trains (accelerating pattern) was most effective at evoking a saccade, three times more so than the least effective decelerating pattern. A saccade-triggered average of effective random trains confirmed the positive relationship between accelerating rate and efficacy. These results have important implications for the use of electrical microstimulation in both experimental and clinical settings and suggest a means to study the role of temporal pattern in the encoding of behavioral and cognitive functions.
Mitochondrial Superoxide Production and Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 Activation in p75 Neurotrophin Receptor-Induced Motor Neuron Apoptosis
Authors: Pehar Mariana , Vargas Marcelo R. , Robinson Kristine M. , Cassina Patricia , Díaz-Amarilla Pablo J. , Hagen Tory M. , Radi Rafael , Barbeito Luis , Beckman Joseph S.
Published: July 2007

Nerve growth factor (NGF) can induce apoptosis by signaling through the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) in several nerve cell populations. Cultured embryonic motor neurons expressing p75NTRare not vulnerable to NGF unless they are exposed to an exogenous flux of nitric oxide (•NO). In the present study, we show that p75NTR-mediated apoptosis in motor neurons involved neutral sphingomyelinase activation, increased mitochondrial superoxide production, and cytochromecrelease to the cytosol. The mitochondria-targeted antioxidants mitoQ and mitoCP prevented neuronal loss, further evidencing the role of mitochondria in NGF-induced apoptosis. In motor neurons overexpressing the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-linked superoxide dismutase 1G93A(SOD1G93A) mutation, NGF induced apoptosis even in the absence of an external source of•NO. The increased susceptibility of SOD1G93Amotor neurons to NGF was associated to decreased nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression and downregulation of the enzymes involved in glutathione biosynthesis. In agreement, depletion of glutathione in nontransgenic motor neurons reproduced the effect of SOD1G93Aexpression, increasing their sensitivity to NGF. In contrast, rising antioxidant defenses by Nrf2 activation prevented NGF-induced apoptosis. Together, our data indicate that p75NTR-mediated motor neuron apoptosis involves ceramide-dependent increased mitochondrial superoxide production. This apoptotic pathway is facilitated by the expression of ALS-linked SOD1 mutations and critically modulated by Nrf2 activity.
D1Dopamine Receptor dDA1 Is Required in the Mushroom Body Neurons for Aversive and Appetitive Learning inDrosophila
Authors: Kim Young-Cho , Lee Hyun-Gwan , Han Kyung-An
Published: July 2007

Drosophilahas robust behavioral plasticity to avoid or prefer the odor that predicts punishment or food reward, respectively. Both types of plasticity are mediated by the mushroom body (MB) neurons in the brain, in which various signaling molecules play crucial roles. However, important yet unresolved molecules are the receptors that initiate aversive or appetitive learning cascades in the MB. We have shown previously that D1dopamine receptor dDA1 is highly enriched in the MB neuropil. Here, we demonstrate that dDA1 is a key receptor that mediates both aversive and appetitive learning in pavlovian olfactory conditioning. We identified two mutants,dumb1anddumb2, with abnormal dDA1 expression. When trained with the same conditioned stimuli, bothdumballeles showed negligible learning in electric shock-mediated conditioning while they exhibited moderately impaired learning in sugar-mediated conditioning. These phenotypes were not attributable to anomalous sensory modalities ofdumbmutants because their olfactory acuity, shock reactivity, and sugar preference were comparable to those of control lines. Remarkably, thedumbmutant's impaired performance in both paradigms was fully rescued by reinstating dDA1 expression in the same subset of MB neurons, indicating the critical roles of the MB dDA1 in aversive as well as appetitive learning. Previous studies using dopamine receptor antagonists implicate the involvement of D1/D5receptors in various pavlovian conditioning tasks in mammals; however, these have not been supported by the studies of D1- or D5-deficient animals. The findings described here unambiguously clarify the critical roles of D1dopamine receptor in aversive and appetitive pavlovian conditioning.
Proteolipid Protein Is Required for Transport of Sirtuin 2 into CNS Myelin
Authors: Werner Hauke B. , Kuhlmann Katja , Shen Siming , Uecker Marina , Schardt Anke , Dimova Kalina , Orfaniotou Foteini , Dhaunchak Ajit , Brinkmann Bastian G. , Möbius Wiebke , Guarente Lenny , Casaccia-Bonnefil Patrizia , Jahn Olaf , Nave Klaus-Armin
Published: July 2007

Mice lacking the expression of proteolipid protein (PLP)/DM20 in oligodendrocytes provide a genuine model for spastic paraplegia (SPG-2). Their axons are well myelinated but exhibit impaired axonal transport and progressive degeneration, which is difficult to attribute to the absence of a single myelin protein. We hypothesized that secondary molecular changes in PLPnullmyelin contribute to the loss of PLP/DM20-dependent neuroprotection and provide more insight into glia-axonal interactions in this disease model. By gel-based proteome analysis, we identified >160 proteins in purified myelin membranes, which allowed us to systematically monitor the CNS myelin proteome of adult PLPnullmice, before the onset of disease. We identified three proteins of the septin family to be reduced in abundance, but the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent deacetylase sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) was virtually absent. SIRT2 is expressed throughout the oligodendrocyte lineage, and immunoelectron microscopy revealed its association with myelin. Loss of SIRT2 in PLPnullwas posttranscriptional, suggesting that PLP/DM20 is required for its transport into the myelin compartment. Because normal SIRT2 activity is controlled by the NAD+/NADH ratio, its function may be coupled to the axo-glial metabolism and the long-term support of axons by oligodendrocytes.
Can Left-Handedness be Switched? Insights from an Early Switch of Handwriting
Authors: Klöppel Stefan , Vongerichten Anna , Eimeren Thilo van , Frackowiak Richard S. J. , Siebner Hartwig R.
Published: July 2007

“Converted” left-handers are innately left-handed individuals forced as children to write with the right nondominant hand. We asked how a left-to-right handwriting switch shapes cortical sensorimotor representations of finger movements. In 16 adult converted left-handers and age-matched groups of 16 consistent right-handers and 16 left-handers, we studied movement-related neuronal activity with functional magnetic resonance imaging while participants performed simple unimanual and bimanual movements with right and left index fingers. In converted left-handers, movement-related activity in the primary sensorimotor hand area (SM1) and caudal dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) of the nondominant left hemisphere correlated with the left-to-right shift in handedness. The more right-handed converted left-handers had become, the greater the sensorimotor activation in these areas. Between-group comparisons showed that the switch from left to right hand also reinforced movement representations in the dominant right hemisphere. In converted left-handers, the right inferior parietal cortex and lateral PMd were more active relative to consistent right or left-handers in all motor tasks. These results suggest two distinct neuronal correlates of handedness in human sensorimotor cortex. Although those in executive sensorimotor cortex (i.e., SM1 and adjacent PMd) depend on the hand used throughout life, those in higher-order sensorimotor areas (i.e., inferior parietal cortex and rostrolateral PMd) are invariant and thus cannot be switched to the nondominant hemisphere by educational training.
Presynaptic Ryanodine Receptor-Activated Calmodulin Kinase II Increases Vesicle Mobility and Potentiates Neuropeptide Release
Authors: Shakiryanova Dinara , Klose Markus K. , Zhou Yi , Gu Tingting , Deitcher David L. , Atwood Harold L. , Hewes Randall S. , Levitan Edwin S.
Published: July 2007

Although it has been postulated that vesicle mobility is increased to enhance release of transmitters and neuropeptides, the mechanism responsible for increasing vesicle motion in nerve terminals and the effect of perturbing this mobilization on synaptic plasticity are unknown. Here, green fluorescent protein-tagged dense-core vesicles (DCVs) are imaged inDrosophilamotor neuron terminals, where DCV mobility is increased for minutes after seconds of activity. Ca2+-induced Ca2+release from presynaptic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is shown to be necessary and sufficient for sustained DCV mobilization. However, this ryanodine receptor (RyR)-mediated effect is short-lived and only initiates signaling. Calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII), which is not activated directly by external Ca2+influx, then acts as a downstream effector of released ER Ca2+. RyR and CaMKII are essential for post-tetanic potentiation of neuropeptide secretion. Therefore, the presynaptic signaling pathway for increasing DCV mobility is identified and shown to be required for synaptic plasticity.
cAMP Response Element-Binding Protein Deficiency Allows for Increased Neurogenesis and a Rapid Onset of Antidepressant Response
Authors: Gur Tamar L. , Conti Alana C. , Holden Jessica , Bechtholt Anita J. , Hill Tiffany E. , Lucki Irwin , Malberg Jessica E. , Blendy Julie A.
Published: July 2007

cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) has been implicated in the molecular and cellular mechanisms of chronic antidepressant (AD) treatment, although its role in the behavioral response is unclear. CREB-deficient (CREBαΔmutant) mice demonstrate an antidepressant phenotype in the tail suspension test (TST) and forced-swim test. Here, we show that, at baseline, CREBαΔmutant mice exhibited increased hippocampal cell proliferation and neurogenesis compared with wild-type (WT) controls, effects similar to those observed in WT mice after chronic desipramine (DMI) administration. Neurogenesis was not further augmented by chronic DMI treatment in CREBαΔmutant mice. Serotonin depletion decreased neurogenesis in CREBαΔmutant mice to WT levels, which correlated with a reversal of the antidepressant phenotype in the TST. This effect was specific for the reversal of the antidepressant phenotype in these mice, because serotonin depletion did not alter a baseline anxiety-like behavior in CREBαΔmutant mice. The response to chronic AD treatment in the novelty-induced hypophagia (NIH) test may rely on neurogenesis. Therefore, we used this paradigm to evaluate chronic AD treatment in CREBαΔmutant mice to determine whether the increased neurogenesis in these mice alters their response in the NIH paradigm. Whereas both WT and CREBαΔmutant mice responded to chronic AD treatment in the NIH paradigm, only CREBαΔmutant mice responded to acute AD treatment. However, in the elevated zero maze, DMI did not reverse anxiety behavior in mutant mice. Together, these data show that increased hippocampal neurogenesis allows for an antidepressant phenotype as well as a rapid onset of behavioral responses to AD treatment.
The Membrane Attack Complex of the Complement System Is Essential for Rapid Wallerian Degeneration
Authors: Ramaglia Valeria , King Rosalind Helen Mary , Nourallah Michelle , Wolterman Ruud , de Jonge Rosalein , Ramkema Marja , Vigar Miriam Ann , van der Wetering Sandra , Morgan Brian Paul , Troost Dirk , Baas Frank
Published: July 2007

The complement (C) system plays an important role in myelin breakdown during Wallerian degeneration (WD). The pathway and mechanism involved are, however, not clear. In a crush injury model of the sciatic nerve, we show that C6, necessary for the assembly of the membrane attack complex (MAC), is essential for rapid WD. At 3 d after injury, pronounced WD occurred in wild-type animals, whereas the axons and myelin of C6-deficient animals appeared intact. Macrophage recruitment and activation was inhibited in C6-deficient rats. However, 7 d after injury, the distal part of the C6-deficient nerves appeared degraded. As a consequence of a delayed WD, more myelin breakdown products were present than in wild-type nerves. Reconstitution of the C6-deficient animals with C6 restored the wild-type phenotype. Treatment with rhC1INH (recombinant human complement 1 inhibitor) blocked deposition of activated C-cleaved products after injury. These experiments demonstrate that the classical pathway of the complement system is activated after acute nerve trauma and that the entire complement cascade, including MAC deposition, is essential for rapid WD and efficient clearance of myelin after acute peripheral nerve trauma.
Type 2 diabetes in children in the Netherlands: the need for diagnostic protocols
Authors: Rotteveel Joost , Belksma Eline J , Renders Carry M , Hirasing Remy A , Delemarre-Van de Waal Henriette A
Published: July 2007

Objective: The worldwide trend towards obesity in childhood is also observed in the Netherlands and one of the consequences may be type 2 diabetes. In this study, we assessed the number of children with type 2 diabetes, diagnosed by paediatricians, in the Netherlands.

Methods: In 2003 and 2004 the Dutch Paediatric Surveillance Unit, a nationwide paediatric register, was used to assess new cases of diabetes mellitus. Data on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were collected by means of a questionnaire. A second questionnaire was sent to the reporting paediatrician if the diagnosis was inconclusive or if the diagnosis was type 1 diabetes in combination with overweight or obesity, according to international criteria.

Results: During the 24 months of registration, the paediatricians reported 1142 new cases of diabetes, 943 of which were eligible for analysis. Initially, 14 patients (1.5%) were reported with type 2 diabetes. Only seven of these patients were classified as type 2 diabetes according to the ADA criteria, as information on C-peptides or antibodies was often missing. Based on clinical characteristics, the other seven patients were very likely to have type 2 diabetes. After the second questionnaire, six more patients met the ADA criteria and two were very likely to have type 2 diabetes. Most of the patients were female (95%), 14% were of Turkish and 18% of Moroccan origin.

Conclusion: This study shows a discrepancy between the number of patients with type 2 diabetes diagnosed by paediatricians in daily practice and diagnosed according to the ADA criteria. Moreover, a considerable amount of reported patients were misclassified. Finally, 2.4% patients were classified as (very likely) type 2 diabetes. The development of programmes and protocols for prevention, diagnosis and classification applicable in daily practice is warranted.
Growth modes of 2-Ga microfossils
Authors: Bennett Steven , Boal David , Ruotsalainen Hanna
Published: July 2007

By digitally imaging colonies with more than a hundred cells, the distributions of cell size and shape are determined for four examples of 2-Ga microfossils: bacillus-shaped Eosynechococcus moorei and three dyads or diplococci (Sphaerophycus parvum and two forms of Eoentophysalis belcherensis). By assuming that each colony obeys steady-state growth, the measured distributions can be inverted to infer the time evolution of the individual cell shape. The time evolution can also be predicted analytically from rate-based models of cell growth, permitting the data to distinguish among different postulates for the physical principles governing growth. The cell cycles are found to be best described by the exponential growth of cell volume, although linear volume growth is not ruled out. However, the measured dyad cycles are inconsistent with several growth models based on surface area or the behavior of the septum at the division plane. Where they have been measured, modern bacilli obey exponential growth whereas eukaryotics obey linear growth, which implies that these 2-Ga microfossils are likely prokaryotic.
Environmental determinants of marine benthic biodiversity dynamics through Triassic-Jurassic time
Authors: Kiessling Wolfgang , Aberhan Martin
Published: July 2007

Ecology is thought to be of crucial importance in determining taxonomic turnover at geological time scales, yet general links between ecology and biodiversity dynamics are still poorly explored in deep time. Here we analyze the relationships between the environmental affinities of Triassic–Jurassic marine benthic genera and their biodiversity dynamics, using a large, taxonomically vetted data set of Triassic–Jurassic taxonomic occurrences.

On the basis of binomial probabilities of proportional occurrence counts, we identify environmental affinities of genera for (1) carbonate versus siliciclastic substrates, (2) onshore versus offshore depositional environments, (3) reefs versus level-bottom communities, and (4) tropical versus non-tropical latitudinal zones. Genera with affinities for carbonates, onshore environments, and reefs have higher turnover rates than genera with affinities for siliciclastic, offshore, and level-bottom settings. Differences in faunal turnover are largely due to differences in origination rates. Whereas previous studies have highlighted the direct influence of physical and biological factors in exploring environmental controls on evolutionary rates, our analyses show that the patterns can largely be explained by the partitioning of higher taxa with different evolutionary tempos among environments. The relatively slowly evolving bivalves are concentrated in siliciclastic rocks and in level-bottom communities. Furthermore, separate analyses on bivalves did not produce significant differences in turnover rates between environmental settings. The relationship between biodiversity dynamics and environments in our data set is thus governed by the partitioning of higher taxa within environmental categories and not directly due to greater chances of origination in particular settings. As this partitioning probably has ecological reasons rather than being a simple sampling artifact, we propose an indirect environmental control on evolutionary rates.

Affinities for latitudinal zones are not linked to systematically different turnover rates, possibly because of paleoclimatic fluctuations and latitudinal migrations of taxa. However, the strong extinction spike of tropical genera in the Rhaetian calls for an important paleoclimatic component in the end-Triassic mass extinction.
Gas permeability of GCLs: effect of poor distribution of needle-punched fibres
Authors: Bouazza A. , Vangpaisal T.
Published: July 2007

Manufacturing defects in a needle-punched geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) may include variation of mass per unit area of the bentonite, uneven thickness of the GCL, poor bonding of the composite components (geotextile/bentonite/geotextile) and, in some cases, a poor distribution of needle-punched fibres. This last case can result in unreinforced patches in the GCL, which can be detrimental to its hydraulic or gas barrier performance and also its internal strength. This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation into the effect of the distribution of needle-punched fibres on the gas permeability of a GCL. It is shown that, at high gravimetric moisture content, a poor distribution of needle-punched fibres can result in gas permeability up to three orders of magnitude higher than in a sample with uniform distribution, whereas the difference was found to be small at low gravimetric moisture content.
ANTHROPOGENIC ENRICHMENT AND NUTRIENTS IN SOME TROPICAL LAGOONS OF GHANA, WEST AFRICA
Authors: Nixon Scott W. , Buckley Betty A. , Granger S. L. , Entsua-Mensah M. , Ansa-Asare O. , White M. J. , McKinney Richard A. , Mensah E.
Published: July 2007

As part of a larger study of demographic change in coastal Ghana, we measured the concentrations of major plant nutrients and phytoplankton chlorophyll in eight coastal lagoons with different land use and human population density. The purpose of our study was to relate human activities to water quality in coastal receiving waters. We also carried out preliminary measurements of stable nitrogen isotopes to quantify the contribution of sewage and fertilizer to fish production in the lagoons. Annual mean concentrations of ammonia, nitrite plus nitrate, dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP), and water column chlorophyll a varied by factors of over 1400, 15, 315, and 125, respectively, among the eight small coastal lagoons in the Central and Greater Accra Regions of Ghana. Concentrations of ammonia (mean of ∼1 mmol/L) and phosphate (mean of ∼60 μmol/L) in Korle lagoon, near the capital city of Accra, may be the highest yet reported for an estuarine system. In most of the lagoons, nutrient concentrations throughout the study period were much lower than previously reported, perhaps due to analytical problems in earlier measurements. Dissolved inorganic nutrients varied markedly over the year but showed no evidence of a regular seasonal cycle such as commonly observed in temperate coastal systems. Nutrient concentrations did increase sharply and briefly in many lagoons during the wet season. Water column chlorophyll increased greatly during August and September. Since water column inorganic nutrients were very low during July, it is possible that the apparent bloom was stimulated by nutrients brought into the lagoons during coastal upwelling or that the elevated chlorophyll was itself brought into the lagoons from offshore. Human population densities in the watersheds of the lagoons were high and varied widely, from ∼150 individuals/km2 to almost 3300 individuals/km2. Ratios of watershed area to open lagoon area ranged from ∼30 to almost 2500, much higher than is common in most well‐studied estuaries and lagoons in the United States. We found a strong correlation between human population density and mean annual dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations among the wide range of systems studied. Mean annual DIN concentrations in the Ghana lagoons were higher than found in a number of temperate lagoons with similar population density. The relationship between population density and DIP and chlorophyll was weak. The latter may be due to toxic effects in Korle lagoon and abundant filter feeders in another lagoon. Stable nitrogen isotope ratios in two species of fish, a shrimp, and a crab varied consistently among the lagoons, with higher δ15N values indicative of human sewage in lagoons downstream of more densely populated watersheds.
Pathogenic Mechanisms Underlying the Clinical Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Wang De-Yun , Clement Peter
Published: July 2007

This paper reviews our previous studies on an objective evaluation of nasal symptoms, a quantitative determination of biochemical mediators, and inflammatory cells in nasal secretions of atopic patients after nasal allergen challenge (NAC) and during natural allergen exposure. The use of the micro-suction technique has proved to be a useful and reliable nasal sampling method permitting quantitative analysis of important mediators in nasal secretions. This has provided accurate data on the activity of some important inflammatory cells such as mast cells, basophils, and eosinophils in allergic rhinitis. Our studies demonstrate that a significant increase in the concentrations of histamine, tryptase, and LTC4 in nasal secretions occurs within seconds or minutes after NAC, and this is accompanied by itching, sneezing, rhinorrhea, and nasal obstruction. The infiltration and activation of eosinophils are found to be the predominant condition during the late-phase reaction (LPR), which is mainly characterized by unilateral and/or bilateral nasal obstruction with little sneezing and rhinorrhea. The latter condition is found to be very much similar to the pathophysiology of patients with ongoing allergic rhinitis. In conclusion, our studies demonstrate that patients with ongoing allergic rhinitis seem to be in a continuous late phase state of eosinophil and increased mediator release, a condition that can explain priming and nonspecific hyperreactivity of the nasal mucous membrane.
Revisiting the Roles of Mast Cells in Allergic Rhinitis and its Relation to Local IgE Synthesis
Authors: Pawankar Ruby , Yamagishi S. , Yagi T.
Published: July 2007

Mast cells are important effector cells in the immediate-phase allergic reaction. However, in recent years much evidence has accumulated on the versatile role of mast cells in allergic inflammation. The present article is an overview of the roles of mast cells in allergic inflammation, especially in light of the local production of IgE and the IgE-IgE receptor network. Although both nasal mast cells (NMC) and T cells in allergic rhinitics are important sources of Th2-type cytokines like IL-4 and IL-J3, and can induce IgE synthesis, we report here that antigen-activated NMC can secrete greater levels of IL-4/IL-13 and induce increased levels of IgE synthesis than antigen-activated nasal T cells. Furthermore, IgE production can occur locally in the nasal mucosa (target organ) and IgE itself can enhance the Fc∊RI expression and subsequent mediator release from NMC, thus contributing to the perpetuation of on-going allergic inflammation. Again, mast cells can contribute to the late-phase allergic reaction not only via the upregulation of adhesion molecules like VCAM-1, but also through the interactions of NMC with the extracellular matrix proteins, and interaction of NMC with nasal epithelial cells (NEC). Thus, it is increasingly evident that mast cells are not only important for the genesis of the allergic reaction, but also contribute to the late-phase allergic reaction and on-going allergic inflammation.
Nonsteroidal Antiallergic Treatments in Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Canonica Giorgio Walter , Ciprandi Giorgio , Passalacqua Giovanni
Published: July 2007

Allergic rhinitis is characterized by an inflammatory reaction consequent to an initial IgE-dependent mast cell activation. The conventional treatment is mainly based on antihistamine and topical corticosteroid prescriptions. In this article the authors consider the antiallergic-antiinflammatory activity exerted by some nonsteroidal drugs or immunologic treatments. Clinical and experimental evidence demonstrates that these treatments are able to control allergic inflammation in patients with allergic rhinitis. In conclusion, treatment of allergic rhinitis may also be based on the prescription of nonsteroidal drugs with antiallergic activity.
Safety and Efficacy of Endoscopic Repair of CSF leaks and Encephaloceles: A Survey of the Members of the American Rhinologic Society
Authors: Senior Brent A. , Jafri Kamran , Benninger Michael
Published: July 2007

The purpose of this article is to review the endoscopic management of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Leaks and encephaloceles, with particular emphasis on safety and efficacy, by retrospective assessment utilizing the results of a mailed questionnaire. Surveys were mailed to members of the American Rhinologic Society with practices in both academic centers and/or private settings. Survey results were then assessed and tabulated. There were 635 mailings, with 197 responses (31%). Seventy-two (36% of respondents) indicated that they performed endoscopic management of CSF leaks and encephaloceles, while 125 (64% of respondents) did not. Respondents reported ∼522 cases of CSF leaks and ∼128 cases of encephaloceles managed by endoscopy. Success rates after a single procedure were estimated at 90% for CSF leaks and 93% for encephaloceles. Success rates after a secondary procedure were estimated at 86% and 97%, respectively; 29% of respondents have, at some point, made a referral to neurosurgery. A total of 13 complications related to endoscopic repairs were reported (2.5%). For CSF leak repair, complications included seizures, 0.2%; meningitis, 1.1%; and one reported case each of cavernous sinus thrombosis, temporary visual problems, sinusitis, and intracranial hypertension/bleed. There was only one reported death in the ∼522 cases. Eleven complications following encephalocele repairs (8.5%) included seizures, 3.1%; meningitis, 2.3%; and one reported case each of brain abscess, sinusitis, false aneurysm of middle cerebral artery, and mild dizziness. No deaths following encephalocele repair were reported. The endoscopic management of CSF Leaks and encephaloceles has become increasingly popular and has proven to have low morbidity and mortality with high success. Overall, our results confirm that in the hands of the skilled endoscopist, endoscopic management of CSF leaks and encephaloceles is highly efficacious and has a very low incidence of significant complication.
Efficacy of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in the Management of Patients with Asthma and Chronic Sinusitis
Authors: Palmer James N. , Conley David B. , Dong Ronald G. , Ditto Anne M. , Yarnold Paul R. , Kern Robert C.
Published: July 2007

An association between chronic sinusitis and asthma has been noted for many years, although the precise nature of the relationship is poorly understood. Earlier studies, using traditional surgical techniques, have demonstrated subjective improvement in asthmatic complaints. Reports demonstrating improvement following endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic sinusitis are rare. To report our experience with endoscopic sinus surgery and asthmatics, we reviewed the charts of 75 consecutive patients with asthma and chronic sinusitis who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery between 1994 and 1996. Study criteria included the following: chronic sinusitis, one year preoperative and one year postoperative follow-up from endoscopic sinus surgery, and asthma requiring inhaled steroids and oral prednisone for control. Many patients required prednisone bursts for control of asthma. Number of days and total dose of oral prednisone were used as objective measures of asthma control. Number of weeks of antibiotics was used as a relative measure of sinusitis. Fourteen of the 15 patients meeting study criteria decreased their postoperative prednisone requirement by total number of days (preoperative 84 versus postoperative 63 days [p < 0.0001]). Postoperatively, patients required an average of 1300 mg less oral prednisone (p < 0.033). Antibiotic use also decreased, with an average use of antibiotic nine weeks preoperatively versus seven weeks postoperatively (p < 0.045). This study provides corroborative objective evidence that, at least in the short term, endoscopic sinus surgery is efficacious in the management of patients with chronic sinusitis and asthma.
Meningiomas of the Paranasal Sinuses
Authors: Swain Ron E. , Kingdom Todd T. , DelGaudio John M. , Muller Susan , Grist William J.
Published: July 2007

Extracranial meningiomas are rare tumors, comprising ∼2% of all meningiomas. Previously reported sites include the orbit, parapharyngeal space, and rarely, the paranasal sinuses. A retrospective chart review of patients with meningiomas was performed over the last 25 years, and three patients were identified with meningiomas involving the paranasal sinuses. The locations included the frontal sinus, the ethmoid sinus, and the sphenoid sinus. Presenting symptoms included facial pain and nasal obstruction; two patients noted facial swelling. Diagnosis was established via endoscopic transnasal biopsy in two patients. Computed tomographic (CT) guided biopsy was utilized to confirm the diagnosis in the third patient. Surgical extirpation was successfully performed with tumors arising from the ethmoid and frontal sinuses. The patient with neoplasm in the sphenoid sinus underwent radiation therapy. Extracranial meningiomas of the paranasal sinuses are rare tumors that may present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. We present three cases and discuss the clinical presentation, radiographic findings, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment options.
Effects of Long-Term Induced Ostial Obstruction in the Rabbit Maxillary Sinus
Authors: Hassab Mohammed H. , Kennedy David W.
Published: July 2007

One of the widely proposed theories for mucocele formation is sinus ostial obstruction. Accordingly, this study was undertaken to investigate the long-term effects of ostial obstruction in the rabbit maxillary sinus and its potential role in the pathogenesis of mucoceles. Maxillary sinus ostial obstruction was induced on one side in eight Pasteurella-free White New Zealand rabbits using Histoacryl. The rabbits were housed in a Pasteurella-free zone for 24 weeks. At re-exploration, only three of the eight maxillary sinuses where ostial obstruction was induced showed pressure recording consistent with ostial obstruction. Mucociliary clearance activity was assessed using India ink. Swabs for culture were taken from the infected maxillary sinuses. Mucosal specimens for histopathological examination were harvested from one of the maxillary sinuses with obstructed ostium as well as from another sinus with nonobstructed ostium. The three maxillary sinuses with obstructed ostia showed gross evidence of infection and deranged mucociliary clearance, but no mucocele formation. Based on the findings of this study it is concluded that long-term ostial obstruction indeed plays a role in the pathogenesis of chronic sinusitis, but it did not induce mucocele formation in the rabbit maxillary sinus.
Coincidental Supraorbital Neuralgia and Sinusitis
Authors: Talmi Yoav P. , Finkelstein Yehuda , Wolf Michael , Ben-Shoshan Yosef , Kronenberg Jona
Published: July 2007

Headache interpreted as treatment failure may be encountered after FESS or pharmacological treatment for chronic sinusitis. This persistent symptom may lead, even in the presence of minimal sinus disease, to frequent office visits, medical treatment, primary surgery, and revision procedures. A prospective study of patients with a documented history and imaging-verified sinus disease with persistent atypical refractory headache were evaluated. Diagnostic measures included injection of local anesthetic and response to carbamazepine. Severe neuralgia of the supraorbital nerve was identified in 11 patients with chronic sinusitis, treated either medically or surgically before inclusion in the study. Eight of the patients underwent surgery for sinus disease, and five of them had revision surgery because of persisting complaints. All patients responded favorably to the local injection, and eight were treated with carbamazepine. In certain cases, headache in sinusitis patients may be caused or aggravated by supraorbital neuralgia. Sinus disease is possibly a causative factor but conceivably plays the role of a “red herring.” This readily diagnosed and treated coexistence may be more prevalent than recognized formerly.
Endoscopic Removal of an Intraorbital “Tumor”: A Vital Surprise
Authors: Braun Hannes , Koele Wolfgang , Stammberger Heinz , Ranner Gerhard , Gröll Reinhard
Published: July 2007

We present the first case report of an endoscopic removal of a living worm, species Dirofilaria repens, from the orbital cavity. As of today, over 410 cases of Dirofilaria repens infections in man are recorded in world literature, six of which were localized in the orbital cavity. In Austria we know of four cases of an infection with this parasite, but none in the orbit. Dirofilaria repens is widespread only in the Old World, particularly in Southern and Eastern Europe, in Asia Minor, and in Central and Southern Asia. The highest prevalence of the disease is recorded in Italy (181 cases). In clinical practice, the infections have mostly been misdiagnosed as a neoplasia, usually benign but sometimes malignant. Under the assumption of an intraorbital tumor, the endoscopic transnasal revision of the orbital cavity was performed, as this approach promised to be least traumatic and best suited for the lesion, resulting in complete removal of the live worm. In unclear lesions in the head and neck, an infection with Dirofilaria repens should be considered as a differential diagnosis.
Mass Transfer
Authors: Chisti Yusuf
Published: July 2007

Mass transport phenomena influence all kinds of processes, often controlling the rate, the yield, the product spectrum, and product recovery. This article details the mass transfer considerations in production and processing of chemicals. Fundamentals of mass transfer are discussed for gas–liquid, liquid–liquid and solid–liquid systems. Methods for measurement of the overall gas–liquid volumetric mass transfer coefficient are noted. Mass transport behavior is discussed for various kinds of reactors: laboratory shake flasks, vortex aerated devices, stirred tanks, bubble columns, airlift reactors, fluidized beds, packed beds, and other systems. Prediction and estimation of the various mass transfer coefficients are emphasized. Mass transfer within particles is treated as being relevant to adsorption, ion exchange, chromatographic separations, and heterogeneous catalysis. Mass transport in membrane processing is outlined.
Sol–Gel Technology
Authors: Pierre A. C.
Published: July 2007

Many recent technical developments require materials fabricated by sol–gel technology. This article presents a short review of this huge field, with special accent on the various steps involved in the sol–gel processing technique and the applications of gels. The main definitions and historically scientific roots of sol–gel science are first briefly summarized. Then the specificity of the chemical process involved in the synthesis of a sol and a gel are examined with respect to the various classes of materials: silica, oxides other than silica, complex oxides, ceramics other than oxides and organic–inorganic hybrids. Drying a wet gel is a very critical step. The problems and techniques used to solve this are summarized, in particular the use of chemical additives and supercritical drying. Transformation of dry gels to dense ceramics by thermal treatment is briefly examined. Then the next major part of the article focuses on the interesting properties and applications of sol–gel derived materials, including dry aerogels, ceramic powders, fibers, coatings or monoliths, technical ceramics and materials for bioinorganic and medicinal applications. The last part gives a short account of the tremendous economical development, which the sol–gel technology presently experiences.
Wood
Authors: Kretschmann David , Winandy Jerry , Clausen Carol , Wiemann Mike , Bergman Richard , Rowell Roger , Zerbe John , Beecher James , White Robert , McKeever David , Howard James
Published: July 2007

Wood touches lives in many ways, from the paper we use to chemicals, eg, acetic acid and methanol. Wood is an amazing resource and is renewable as well. This article covers many characteristics of wood and its products. Wood is either hardwood or softwood (angiosperm or gymnosperm) and is made of firmly bonded cells. The anatomical structure affects all characteristics. Wood is made of lignin and carbohydrates, along with minor amounts of other organic chemicals and minerals. Wood is highly hygroscopic. The adsorption and desorption of moisture causes wood to swell and shrink, respectively. Wood has unique physical properties, eg, strength and stiffness, that are related to its density. Wood is subject to deterioration, caused by temperature, time, moisture, and/or organisms. Wood can be fire retardant treated to reduce the surface burning characteristics and the heat release rate. Organisms eg, fungi, bacteria, insects, and marine borers can attack wood. Various strategies control these attacks, including chemical treatment and preservatives, optimum conditions, and physical barriers. Wood is used to produce lumber, manufactured and composite products, pulp and paper, charcoal, chemical compounds, fuel, and much more. These products support many industries that together contribute greatly to the world economy.
Fish and Shellfish Products
Authors: Pigott George M.
Published: July 2007

It is known that humans have used rather advanced techniques for obtaining and processing seafood throughout history. It was not until the 19th Century that fish from the Great Lakes were frozen by using a combination of salt and ice. This led to the growth of commercial processes for freezing fish as a method of preservation. Today quality control must be practiced from harvest to the table. This article gives detailed information on the U.S. fishery landings. Static, towed or dragged, and encircling gear involved in the harvesting are discussed as are the fishing vessels themselves. Maintaining quality of the fish on board the vessel until the fish can be processed is detailed. Fish can be processed on the vessel and then go through various treatments such‐as heating, freezing, and then storage. U.S. Fishery product exports exceeded $4 × 10
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in 2006. Aquaculture provides nearly 50% of the annual fisheries production. Proper packaging of the product is necessary to maintain quality and safety. Concerns regarding mercury in fish and seafood are addressed. The National Shellfish Sanitation Program is designed to prevent harvesting of shellfish in polluted waters. Foodborne diseases and refrigeration have been studied and the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Principles (HACCP) approach is used.
Dendritic cell neoplasms: An overview
Authors: Kairouz Sebastien , Hashash Jana , Kabbara Wadih , Mchayleh Wassim , Tabbara Imad A.
Published: July 2007

Dendritic cell neoplasms are rare tumors that are being recognized with increasing frequency. They were previously classified as lymphomas, sarcomas, or histiocytic neoplasms. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies dendritic cell neoplasms into five groups: Langerhans' cell histiocytosis, Langerhans' cell sarcoma, Interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma/tumor, Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma/tumor, and Dendritic cell sarcoma, not specified otherwise (Jaffe, World Health Organization classification of tumors 2001; 273–289). Recently, Pileri et al. provided a comprehensive immunohistochemical classification of histiocytic and dendritic cell tumors (Pileri et al., Histopathology 2002;59:161–167). In this article, a concise overview regarding the pathological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of follicular dendritic, interdigitating dendritic, and Langerhans' cell tumors is presented. Am. J. Hematol. 82:924–928, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The 1040C/T polymorphism influencing thermal stability and activity of thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor is associated with risk for oral cancer
Authors: Vairaktaris Eleftherios , Yapijakis Christos , Nkenke Emeka , Vassiliou Stavros , Vylliotis Antonis , Nixon Alexander Michael , Derka Spyridoula , Ragos Vasilis , Spyridonidou Sofia , Tsigris Christos , Neukam Friedrich W. , Patsouris Efstratios
Published: July 2007

No studies thus far have investigated the contribution of thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) to oral oncogenesis. We studied the activity‐related 1040C/T polymorphism in 150 patients with oral cancer and 138 healthy controls matched by age, gender, and ethnicity. The increased‐activity T allele frequency was significantly reduced in patients compared with controls (28.7% vs. 37.0%, P < 0.05). T/T homozygotes had about half the probability of developing oral cancer (O.R. 0.39, 95%C.I. 0.13–1.14), while no significant difference was observed in C/T heterozygotes. The observed prophylactic effect of increased TAFI activity might result from reduction of plasmin and inhibition of extracellular matrix dissolution. Am. J. Hematol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anemia in celiac disease is multifactorial in etiology
Authors: Harper Jason W. , Holleran Stephen F. , Ramakrishnan Rajasehkar , Bhagat Govind , Green Peter H.R.
Published: July 2007

Anemia in celiac disease (CD) has been attributed to nutritional deficiencies; however, the clinical manifestations of CD have changed with nongastrointestinal presentations predominating. We collected hematologic parameters from a cohort of patients seen at a tertiary care center for CD to assess the characteristics of anemia in this population. Hematological parameters measured ≤3 months of diagnosis and degree of villous atrophy from 405 patients diagnosed >1995 was analyzed. Ferritin levels were compared with population controls (NHANES III). Iron deficiency was common, occurring in 33% of men and 19% of women (P < 0.001). Folate deficiency was seen in ∼12% of the total sample and B12 deficiency in ∼5%. Anemia was present in ∼20% of the cohort. Among the anemic patients, ferritin was less than the 10th percentile in 45%, between the 10th and 50th percentile in 39% and greater than the 50th percentile in 13%. Ferritin > 50th percentile was more common in anemic men (24%) than in anemic women (9%; P > 0.20). Macrocytic anemia with concurrent B12 or folate deficiency was rare (3%). Elevated ESR was observed in patients with ferritin < 10th percentile and >50th. A gluten‐free diet resulted in increased serum ferritin in iron‐deficient patients, and decreased ferritin levels in those with high ferritin (r2 = 0.46, P < 0.001). Although anemia is still a common presentation of celiac disease, nutritional deficiencies alone do not explain this phenomenon in all cases; inflammation appears to contribute as evidenced by the presence of anemia of chronic disease in some individuals. Am. J. Hematol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The natural histories of bone dysplasias in adults—Vignettes, fables and just‐so stories
Authors: Pauli Richard M.
Published: July 2007

The bone dysplasias are a heterogeneous group of disorders arising from intrinsic abnormality of bone and cartilage growth and function. All are genetic. Most result in extreme small stature (dwarfism). Historically, emphasis was primarily on diagnostic identification of specific disorders in infants (including differentiating lethal and non‐lethal forms), and on the clinical history to be anticipated in infants and children with each of these specific processes. Even in children there is exceedingly limited information of quality and virtually no controlled studies of the effects of intervention. For the most part, information about affected adults is even less complete and even less rigorous. Presented here are a series of examples of medical and adaptive issues in adults affected by one or another of the genetic skeletal dysplasias. Topics discussed include: approach to adults with no specific diagnosis; medical issues that cross diagnostic boundaries (osteoarthritis in the “E” disorders, obstructive apnea, issues in pregnancy in women with dwarfing disorders, activities of daily living, and quality of life assessments); diagnosis‐specific problems of adulthood (spinal stenosis in achondroplasia, hearing loss in osteogenesis imperfecta, and malignancy risk in multiple exostoses); adult problems that must be addressed in childhood in order to be prevented (achondroplasia and kyphosis, and cervical spine abnormalities in Morquio syndrome); survival conundrums (why some live unexpectedly and others die unexpectedly). Emphasis is placed on the difficulties intrinsic to trying to learn about needs and expectations in generally rare genetic processes. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.