bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid diagnosis of drug intoxication using novel NAGINATA™ gas chromatography/mass spectrometry software
Authors: Ishida Tomomi , Kudo Keiko , Naka Satoko , Toubou Kenichi , Noguchi Toshimichi , Ikeda Noriaki
Published: August 2007

In Japan, not only the classical stimulant, methamphetamine, but also a wide variety of illicit drugs and designer drugs are abused by juveniles. It is, however, difficult to screen these drugs in human urine due to the poor availability of high‐quality standards. Therefore, it is important to develop a screening method that does not require the use of standard compounds. Furthermore, if we can obtain approximate drug concentrations in biological fluids by the first screening procedure, the subsequent treatment of the patient and forensic diagnosis can be carried out more rapidly and exact quantitative analysis performed more efficiently. We have devised a rapid screening method for the simultaneous semi‐quantitative analysis of 30 abused drugs using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with a retention time locking technique. Based on this method, an ‘abused drugs database’ was constructed including retention time (RT), qualifier ion/target ion (QT) percentage and calibration curve (values of slope and intercept) using the novel GC/MS software, NAGINATA™. We compared the analytical results obtained by this method using the constructed database with those from conventional methods in six forensic cases. The number of confirmed drugs and concentrations obtained by the established method was comparable with that obtained by conventional methods. We found a significant improvement in the time for data analysis, and qualitative and quantitative information about each drug was obtained without using standards. Therefore, this new screening procedure using NAGINATA™ has potential for the rapid identification of poisoning and should be useful in clinical and forensic toxicological analyses. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of probe electrospray using a solid needle
Authors: Hiraoka Kenzo , Nishidate Kentaro , Mori Kunihiko , Asakawa Daiki , Suzuki Shigeo
Published: August 2007

Electrospray using a solid needle probe for the analysis of liquid samples was developed. The needle was moved up and down a vertical axis by a motor‐driven system. At the lowest position of the needle, the tip of the needle touched the surface of the liquid sample and a small amount of liquid was picked up by the needle. At the highest position, a high voltage of ∼3 kV was applied to the needle and the sample loaded on the tip of the needle was electrosprayed. The ions formed were measured by an orthogonal time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer. A single sample loading by the needle gave reasonably strong ion signals for amino acids, peptides, proteins and polyethylene glycol (PEG) in aqueous solution. The addition of salts or acids to aqueous solution led to dramatic enhancement of the ion signals. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sample size determination for assessing equivalence based on proportion ratio under a randomized trial with non‐compliance and missing outcomes
Authors: Lui Kung‐Jong , Chang Kuang‐Chao
Published: August 2007

When a generic drug is developed, it is important to assess the equivalence of therapeutic efficacy between the new and the standard drugs. Although the number of publications on testing equivalence and its relevant sample size determination is numerous, the discussion on sample size determination for a desired power of detecting equivalence under a randomized clinical trial (RCT) with non‐compliance and missing outcomes is limited. In this paper, we derive under the compound exclusion restriction model the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) for the ratio of probabilities of response among compliers between two treatments in a RCT with both non‐compliance and missing outcomes. Using the MLE with the logarithmic transformation, we develop an asymptotic test procedure for assessing equivalence and find that this test procedure can perform well with respect to type I error based on Monte Carlo simulation. We further develop a sample size calculation formula for a desired power of detecting equivalence at a nominal α‐level. To evaluate the accuracy of the sample size calculation formula, we apply Monte Carlo simulation again to calculate the simulated power of the proposed test procedure corresponding to the resulting sample size for a desired power of 80 per cent at 0.05 level in a variety of situations. We also include a discussion on determining the optimal ratio of sample size allocation subject to a desired power to minimize a linear cost function and provide a sensitivity analysis of the sample size formula developed here under an alterative model with missing at random. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cell Apoptosis Control Using BMP4 and Noggin Embedded in a Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Film
Authors: Nadiri Amal , Kuchler‐Bopp Sabine , Mjahed Hajare , Hu Bing , Haikel Youssef , Schaaf Pierre , Voegel Jean‐Claude , Benkirane‐Jessel Nadia
Published: August 2007

Programmed cell death (apoptosis) is a genetically regulated process of cell elimination essential during development. During development, programmed cell death is involved in the specific shaping of organs, in the elimination of cells having achieved their program, and in regulating the number of cells to differentiate. Tooth development includes these three aspects and was used here as a model to study the control of apoptosis. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are currently considered as playing a major role in signaling apoptosis. This apoptosis could be stopped by treatments with a BMP antagonist (“Noggin”). We selected a model system made by a layer‐by‐layer approach using poly‐L‐glutamic acid (PlGA) and poly‐L‐lysine (PlL) films into which BMP4 and/or Noggin have been embedded. Our results indicate that in situ control of apoptosis during tooth differentiation mediated by both BMP4 and Noggin embedded in a polyelectrolyte multilayer film is possible. We show here for the first time that in the presence of BMP4 and Noggin embedded in a multilayered film, we can induce or inhibit cell death in tooth differentiation, and conserve their biological effects.
Why Semiconducting Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes are Separated from their Metallic Counterparts
Authors: Lu Jing , Lai Lin , Luo Guangfu , Zhou Jing , Qin Rui , Wang Dan , Wang Lu , Mei Wai Ning , Li Guangping , Gao Zhengxiang , Nagase Shigeru , Maeda Yutaka , Akasaka Takeshi , Yu Dapeng
Published: August 2007

The separation of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) according to their electronic structure has attracted much recent attention. In many cases, metallic SWNTs are separated from semiconducting SWNTs and enriched in the supernatant due to stronger interaction between metallic SWNTs and adsorbates. However, the inverse separation of semiconducting from metallic SWNTs is often observed. In this computational study, the underlying mechanism is elucidated by density functional theory. We show that the shape of an aromatic molecule, the degree of hybridization between a molecule and a SWNT, and the oxidative state of SWNTs can affect the type of enriched SWNTs. In principle, one can control the type of enriched SWNTs by selecting a structurally compatible aromatic molecule or changing the hole concentration of the SWNTs.
Dielectrophoretic Manipulation and Real‐Time Electrical Detection of Single‐Nanowire Bridges in Aqueous Saline Solutions
Authors: Marcus Matthew S. , Shang Lu , Li Bo , Streifer Jeremy A. , Beck Joseph D. , Perkins Edward , Eriksson Mark A. , Hamers Robert J.
Published: August 2007

Dielectrophoretic manipulation of nanoscale materials is typically performed in nonionic, highly insulating solvents. However, biomolecular recognition processes, such as DNA hybridization and protein binding, typically operate in highly conducting, aqueous saline solutions. Here, we report investigations of the manipulation and real‐time detection of individual nanowires bridging microelectrode gaps in saline solutions. Measurements of the electrode impedance versus frequency show a crossover in behavior at a critical frequency that is dependent on the ionic strength. We demonstrate that by operating above this critical frequency, it is possible to use dielectrophoresis to manipulate nanowires across electrode gaps in saline solutions. By using electrical ground planes and nulling schemes to reduce the background currents, we further demonstrate the ability to electrically detect bridging and unbridging events of individual nanowires in saline solutions. The ability to both manipulate and detect bridging events with electrical signals provides a pathway toward automated assembly of nanoscale devices that incorporate biomolecular recognition elements.
Nanorod Heterostructures Showing Photoinduced Charge Separation
Authors: Kumar Sandeep , Jones Marcus , Lo Shun S. , Scholes Gregory D.
Published: August 2007

Size‐ and shape‐dependent property modifications of semiconductor nanocrystals have been a subject of intense interest because of their potential for future engineering devices. The bandgap and related optical‐property tuning of these materials are mainly governed by the nature of their band edges. In addition, fusing one type of nanocrystal over another enables further control of material properties that are dependent on the relative alignments of their energy levels. On a molecular scale, the synthesis of supramolecular compounds has inspired advances in theories for photoinduced charge transfer. Heterostructured nanocrystals potentially provide a nanoscale analog of such systems. A method for preparing heterostructured nanocrystals of complex morphologies showing photoinduced charge separation is presented. It is shown that the energy and lifetime of the charge‐transfer photoluminescence band can be tuned by changing the relative alignment of band edges in CdSe/CdTe heterostructure nanorods. The long‐lived charge transfer states in these type II semiconductors may make them attractive for photovoltaic applications.
Modifying risk factors for gynaecological cancer
Authors: Rai Nima , Fiander Alison N.
Published: August 2007

Lifestyle factors that affect a woman's risk of gynaecological cancer include diet, obesity, physical activity, the oral contraceptive pill, childbearing and smoking. The authors examine the available evidence indicating whether modification of these factors reduces the risk. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Interface Ltd.
5. Management of the infertile couple in tertiary care, part 2
Authors: McClure N.
Published: August 2007

The main assisted reproductive technologies provided in tertiary care are in vitro fertilisation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Professor McClure explains what is involved for the infertile couple undergoing these procedures and discusses current debate about transfer of embryos, embryo freezing and the fate of surplus embryos. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Interface Ltd.
Diagnosis and management of prostatitis: a urological challenge
Authors: Attar K.H. , Hamid R. , Peters J.L.
Published: August 2007

Prostatitis is the most common urological diagnosis in men less than 50 years of age, and has a significant impact on the patient's quality of life. The authors outline the causes, clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of the four distinct clinical types of prostatitis. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Interface Ltd.
Management of urinary tract infections in the elderly
Authors: Cove‐Smith A. , Almond M.K.
Published: August 2007

Urinary tract infection is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in patients over 70 years of age. The prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infection in this group of patients require an understanding of the different epidemiology and pathophysiology involved. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Interface Ltd.
Effects of anthropogenic food resources on yellow‐legged gull colony size on Mediterranean islands
Authors: Duhem Céline , Roche Philip , Vidal Eric , Tatoni Thierry
Published: August 2007

Yellow‐legged gull Larus michahellis populations have been studied on three archipelagos consisting of 20 islands distributed along 80 km of the French Mediterranean coastline. Population changes were analyzed between 1920 and 2006. In the first decades following their settlement on these islands, the yellow‐legged gull populations showed a continuous exponential growth in the three archipelagos, in agreement with an annual geometric growth rate λ above 1. The population growth ceased to fit this model during the 1980s for the older colonies (Riou and Hyères Islands archipelagos). Thus, we focused on population changes occurring during the period 1982–2000, a pivotal period for which we have both precise census and anthropogenic food resource data, in order to determine environmental factors influencing these population changes using multiple linear regression models. An average annual growth rate of colony size was 1.02 for the last two decades. The changes in landfill availability, the gull density in 1982, and the nesting area in 1982 explained 84.4% of variation in colony size changes between 1982 and 2000. The yellow‐legged gull changes on the islands in the last two decades increased as availability in anthropogenic food resources increased near the colony (positive ΔK). As a consequence, given no reduction in landfill activity or in accessibility for gulls, we expect this region to sustain continuous species expansion in the future.
Application of Fatty Acids for Chemotaxonomy of Reef‐Building Corals
Authors: Imbs Andrey B. , Demidkova Darja A. , Latypov Yurii Y. , Pham Long Q.
Published: August 2007

Sixteen scleractinian species of six coral families (Acroporidae, Pocilloporidae, Poritidae, Faviidae, Pectiniidae, and Fungiidae) from Vietnam were analyzed for fatty acid (FA) composition. Except for the Poritidae species, total lipids of the corals had the same set of FAs, about 50% of them being unsaturated acids. Some coral families had high levels of characteristic FAs: 20:3(n‐6), 20:4(n‐3), and 22:6(n‐3) in Pocilloporidae; 18:1(n‐9) and 22:6(n‐3) in Poritidae; and 18:3(n‐6) and 22:5(n‐3) in Faviidae. For the first time in hexacorals, unsaturated C24 FAs (24:1(n‐9), 24:2(n‐6), 24:2(5,9), 24:3(5,9,17), and 24:4(n‐3)) were discovered in the Poritidae species. The highest level of 18:1(n‐7), odd‐chain and branched FAs (7.5% in total) was detected in Sandalolitha robusta. The data obtained on the contents of ten principal C18–C22 polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) for the 16 specimens were combined with data on the 19 reef‐building coral specimens investigated previously and subjected to multidimensional scale analysis (MSA). The representative coral families (Acroporidae, Pocilloporidae, Poritidae, Faviidae, Dendrophylliidae, and Milleporidae) were separated by MSA according to the composition of their principal PUFAs. Therefore, PUFAs may serve as chemotaxonomic markers for reef‐building corals at the family level. Family‐specific compositions of coral zooxanthellae characterized by different PUFA profiles, which affect the PUFA content of whole coral colonies, were supposed to be the probable cause of the discovered chemotaxonomic distinctions between reef‐building corals.
Reduction of gangliosides, phospholipids and cholesterol content in cerebral cortex of rats caused by chronic hypermethioninemia
Authors: Stefanello Francieli M. , Kreutz Fernando , Scherer Emilene B.S. , Breier Ana C. , Vianna Luciene P. , Trindade Vera M.T. , Wyse Angela T.S.
Published: August 2007

Neurological dysfunction is observed in patients with severe hypermethioninemia, whose physiopathology is still poorly understood. In the current study we investigated the effect of chronic administration of methionine on the content and species of gangliosides and phospholipids, as well as on the concentration of cholesterol in rat cerebral cortex. Wistar rats received subcutaneous injections of methionine (1.34–2.68 μmol/g of body weight), twice a day, from the 6th to the 28th day of age and controls received saline. Animals were killed 12 h after the last injection. Results showed that methionine administration significantly decreased the total content of lipids in cerebral cortex of rats. We also observed that this amino acid significantly reduced the absolute quantity of the major brain gangliosides (GM1, GD1a, GD1b and GT1b) and phospholipids (sphingomyelin, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine). We also showed that Na+,K+‐ATPase activity and TBARS were changed in cerebral cortex of rats subjected to hypermethioninemia. If confirmed in human beings, these data could suggest that the alteration in lipid composition, Na+,K+‐ATPase activity and TBARS caused by methionine might contribute to the neurophysiopathology observed in hypermethioninemic patients.
Theoretical perspectives on the coordination of supply chains
Authors: Holweg Matthias , Pil Frits K.
Published: August 2007

Supply‐chain coordination relies on the availability of prompt and accurate information that is visible to all actors in the supply chain. However, new demands on the supply‐chain system require changes to information flow and exchange. We undertake a case study of three automotive supply chains that face such new demands resulting from the introduction of an order‐driven supply‐chain strategy. We use our case study findings to evaluate the applicability of three different theoretical lenses on the multi‐faceted interactions between information, physical flow, and the complex rationales driving supply‐chain evolution: the resource‐based view (RBV), the concept of complex adaptive systems (CAS), and adaptive structuration theory (AST). We find that each theory has a separate realm of applicability and while complimentary in nature, provides distinct insight on the structural shift in the supply‐chain system. More specifically, we find that AST, a theory prominent in the social sciences, provides novel insights to supply‐chain research at the firm level, particularly with respect to the difficulties in using IT systems to drive systemic change. It complements both the system‐level perspective offered by the complex adaptive systems theory, as well as the concept of dynamic capabilities originating in the resourced‐based view. The paper concludes with wider implications for future research in supply and value chain management.
The apoptosis linked gene ALG‐2 is dysregulated in tumors of various origin and contributes to cancer cell viability
Authors: la Cour Jonas M. , Høj Berit R. , Mollerup Jens , Simon Ronald , Sauter Guido , Berchtold Martin W.
Published: August 2007

The apoptosis linked gene‐2 (ALG‐2), discovered as a proapoptotic calcium binding protein, has recently been found upregulated in lung cancer tissue indicating that this protein may play a role in the pathology of cancer cells and/or may be a tumor marker. Using immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays we analysed the expression of ALG‐2 in 7371 tumor tissue samples of various origin as well as in 749 normal tissue samples. Most notably, ALG‐2 was upregulated in mesenchymal tumors. No correlation was found between ALG‐2 staining intensity and survival of patients with lung, breast or colon cancer. siRNA mediated ALG‐2 downregulation led to a significant reduction in viability of HeLa cells indicating that ALG‐2 may contribute to tumor development and expansion.
Tactile agnosia and tactile apraxia: Cross talk between the action and perception streams in the anterior intraparietal area
Authors: Binkofski Ferdinand , Reetz Kathrin , Blangero Annabelle
Published: August 2007

In the haptic domain, a double dissociation can be proposed on the basis of neurological deficits between tactile information for action, represented by tactile apraxia, and tactile information for perception, represented by tactile agnosia. We suggest that this dissociation comes from different networks, both involving the anterior intraparietal area of the posterior parietal cortex.
Divide et impera? Towards integrated multisensory perception and action
Authors: Brozzoli Claudio , Farnè Alessandro , Rossetti Yves
Published: August 2007

A visual analogue, two-route model of somatosensory processing is advanced in this commentary. Touch for perception is seen as separate from, although interconnected with, touch for action. Separate modules are additionally proposed for internal (body) and external (object-related) somatosensation. Here we ask whether dissociation (divide) guarantees better efficiency (impera) in terms of the heuristic model within the somatosensory modality and across modalities.
Early development of body representations
Authors: Christie Tamara , Slaughter Virginia
Published: August 2007

The dissociations among body representations that Dijkerman & de Haan (D&dH) describe are also supported by developmental evidence. Developmental dissociations among different types of body-related representations suggest distinct functional systems from the start, rather than progressive differentiation.
Disentangling functional from structural descriptions, and the coordinating role of attention
Authors: Drewing Knut , Schneider Werner X.
Published: August 2007

The target article fails to disentangle the functional description from the structural description of the two somatosensory streams. Additional evidence and thorough reconsideration of the evidence cited argue for a functional distinction between thehowprocessing and thewhatprocessing of somatosensory information, while questioning the validity and usefulness of the equation of these two types of processing with structural streams. We propose going one step further: to investigate how the distinct functional streams are coordinated via attention.
Considering general organizational principles for dorsal-ventral systems within an action framework
Authors: Franz Elizabeth A.
Published: August 2007

Support for the proposed dorsal-ventral distinction for the somatosensory system is not yet convincing, nor is the anatomical segregation of its pathways as clearly defined as the visual pathways. Consideration of alternative organizational principles might reveal critical differences across sensory processing systems. The role of attention and manipulations that modulate functional systems might also be worth considering.
Revisiting parallel and serial processing in the somatosensory system
Authors: Garraghty Preston E.
Published: August 2007

The issue of whether information is processed in parallel or in series in the somatosensory system is complicated by a number of factors. Included among these is the failure on the part of the scientific community to reach a consensus as to what actually constitutes the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) in higher primates. A second, related issue is the marked difference in the organization of the cortical areas subserving somatosensation across species.
Coming to grips with vision and touch
Authors: Goodale Melvyn A. , Cant Jonathan S.
Published: August 2007

Dijkerman & de Haan (D&dH) propose a convincing model of somatosensory organization that is inspired by earlier perception-action models of the visual system. In this commentary, we suggest that the dorsal and ventral visual streams both contribute to the control of action, but in different ways. Using the example of grip and load force calibration, we show how the ventral stream can invoke stored information about the material properties of objects originally derived from the somatosensory system.
Close coordination between recognition and action: Really two separate streams?
Authors: Graf Markus
Published: August 2007

Somewhat in contrast to their proposal of two separate somatosensory streams, Dijkerman & de Haan (D&dH) propose that tactile recognition involves active manual exploration, and therefore involves parietal cortex. I argue that interactions from perception for action to object recognition can be found also in vision. Furthermore, there is evidence that perception for action and perception for recognition rely on similar processing principles.
Dissociating body image and body schema with rubber hands
Authors: Holmes Nicholas Paul , Spence Charles
Published: August 2007

Dijkerman & de Haan (D&dH) argue that body image and body schema form parts of different and dissociable somatosensory streams. We agree in general, but believe that more emphasis should be placed on interactions between these two streams. We illustrate this point with evidence from the rubber-hand illusion (RHI) – an illusion of body image, which depends critically upon body schema.
Do intention and exploration modulate the pathways to haptic object identification?
Authors: Klatzky Roberta L. , Lederman Susan J.
Published: August 2007

Our model of haptic object recognition points to the importance of material, as well as geometric properties of objects. Collectively, these can elicit a recognition response after an initial contact, without sequential exploration. This model suggests a revision of the authors' proposals, which takes into account an individual's intention – whether it is for perception or action – and the extent of exploratory movement.
Taking a conscious look at the body schema
Authors: Maxwell Jonathan P. , Masters Richard S. W. , van der Kamp John
Published: August 2007

Dijkerman & de Haan (D&dH) propose a somatosensory perceptual pathway that informs a consciously accessible body image, and an action pathway that provides information to a body schema, which is not consciously accessible. We argue that the body schema may become accessible to consciousness in some circumstances, possibly resulting from cross talk, but that this may be detrimental to skilled movement production.
Pathways of tactile-visual crossmodal interaction for perception
Authors: Sadato Norihiro , Nakashita Satoru , Saito Daisuke N.
Published: August 2007

There is a task-specificity in the visual-tactile interaction for perception: The polymodal posterior parietal cortex is related to the comparison of the shapes coded by different sensory modalities, whereas the lateral occipital complex is the part of the network for multimodal shape identification. These interactions may be mediated by some latent pathways potentiated by sensory deprivation or learning.
Multifaceted functional specialization of somatosensory information processing
Authors: Sathian K. , Lacey Simon , Gibson Gregory , Stilla Randall
Published: August 2007

We review evidence for multifaceted functional specialization of somatosensory information processing, both within and outside classical somatosensory cortex. We argue that the nature of such specialization has not yet been clarified adequately to regard the proposed action/perception dichotomy as being established. However, we believe this is a good working hypothesis that can motivate further work.
Haptic perception is a dynamic system of cutaneous, proprioceptive, and motor components
Authors: Travieso David , Aivar M. Pilar , Gomila Antoni
Published: August 2007

A general shortcoming of the localist, decompositional, approach to neuroscientific explanation that the target article exemplifies, is that it is incomplete unless supplemented with an account of how the hypothesized subsystems integrate in the normal case. Besides, a number of studies that show that object recognition is proprioception dependent and that cutaneous information affects motor performance make the existence of the proposed subsystems doubtful.
Biological, behavioral, and relational levels of resilience in the context of risk for early childhood behavior problems
Authors: Calkins Susan D. , Blandon Alysia Y. , Williford Amanda P. , Keane Susan P.
Published: August 2007

Longitudinal growth patterns of internalizing and externalizing behavior problems were examined in a community sample of 441 children across the ages of 2 to 5 using hierarchical linear modeling. Contextual risk was measured using five indicators (socioeconomic status, marital status, number of siblings, parent stress, parent psychopathology), and three levels of child resilience (biological, behavioral, and relational) were also assessed. Results indicate that a general pattern of decline in both types of behavior problems was observed for the entire sample across time, although considerable individual variability in this pattern was observed. Children's externalizing and internalizing behavior at age 5 was predicted by the level of risk at age 2. All three child resilience factors were also predictive of externalizing and internalizing behaviors at age 5. In the prediction of the slope of problem behavior over time, risk status interacted with both temperamental fearlessness and a mutually responsive orientation with the mother to predict the decline in externalizing and internalizing problem behavior. Results underscore the complex interactions of risk and multiple levels of resilience that are implicated in the maintenance of problem behavior over time. They highlight the importance of considering whether expected resilience factors operate similarly across different levels of risk.
Behavioral inhibition and anxiety disorders: Multiple levels of a resilience process
Authors: Degnan Kathryn Amey , Fox Nathan A.
Published: August 2007

Behavioral inhibition is reported to be one of the most stable temperamental characteristics in childhood. However, there is also evidence for discontinuity of this trait, with infants and toddlers who were extremely inhibited displaying less withdrawn social behavior as school-age children or adolescents. There are many possible explanations for the discontinuity in this temperament over time. They include the development of adaptive attention and regulatory skills, the influence of particular styles of parenting or caregiving contexts, and individual characteristics of the child such as their level of approach–withdrawal motivation or their gender. These discontinuous trajectories of behaviorally inhibited children and the factors that form them are discussed as examples of the resilience process.
Risk factors and resilience in the developing world: One of many lessons to learn
Authors: Grigorenko Elena L. , Jarvin Linda , Kaani Bestern , Kapungulya Paula Pule , Kwiatkowski Jonna , Sternberg Robert J.
Published: August 2007

This article summarizes the results of an intervention study with approximately 4,000 Zambian children, in which risk of helminth infection and related health problems were ameliorated with medication and micronutrient and vitamin supplementation. The results of this intervention were tracked with a newly developed cognitive assessment battery for Zambian school children in Grades 3–7. The quantification of cognitive functioning manifested after the intervention indicated treatment-related improvements in the cognitive skill of following instructions. This skill is fundamental to success in school. It constitutes an important indicator of resilience in overcoming difficulties related to growing up and being educated under the pressure of the multiple risk factors characteristic of the developing world.
Genotype and neuropsychological response inhibition as resilience promoters for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder under conditions of psychosocial adversity
Authors: Nigg Joel , Nikolas Molly , Friderici Karen , Park Leeyoung , Zucker Robert A.
Published: August 2007

Whereas child personality, IQ, and family factors have been identified as enabling a resilient response to psychosocial adversity, more direct biological resilience factors have been less well delineated. This is particularly so for child attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which has received less attention from a resilience perspective than have associated externalizing disorders. Children from two independent samples were classified as resilient if they avoided developing ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), or conduct disorder (CD) in the face of family adversity. Two protective factors were examined for their potential relevance to prefrontal brain development: neuropsychological response inhibition, as assessed by the Stop task, and a composite catecholamine genotype risk score. Resilient children were characterized in both samples by more effective response inhibition, although the effect in the second sample was very small. Genotype was measured in Sample 1, and a composite high risk genotype index was developed by summing presence of risk across markers on three genes expressed in prefrontal cortex: dopamine transporter, dopamine D4 receptor, and noradrenergic alpha-2 receptor. Genotype was a reliable resilience indicator against development of ADHD and CD, but not ODD, in the face of psychosocial adversity. Results illustrate potential neurobiological protective factors related to development of prefrontal cortex that may enable children to avoid developing ADHD and CD in the presence of psychosocial adversity.
Personality, adrenal steroid hormones, and resilience in maltreated children: A multilevel perspective
Authors: Cicchetti Dante , Rogosch Fred A.
Published: August 2007

In this multilevel investigation, resilience in adaptive functioning among maltreated and nonmaltreated low-income children (N = 677) was examined in relation to the regulation of two stress-responsive adrenal steroid hormones, cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), as well as the personality constructs of ego resiliency and ego control. Maltreatment status was not related to differences in average levels of morning or afternoon cortisol or DHEA. However, lower morning cortisol was related to higher resilient functioning, but only in nonmaltreated children. In contrast, among physically abused children, high morning cortisol was related to higher resilient functioning. Morning and afternoon DHEA was negatively related to resilient functioning. Although diurnal change in cortisol was not related to resilience, for DHEA, maltreated children with high resilience showed an atypical rise in DHEA from morning to afternoon. Morning and afternoon cortisol/DHEA ratios were positively related to resilient functioning, but did not interact with maltreatment status. Ego resiliency and ego control strongly differentiated maltreated and nonmaltreated children, and the personality variables were substantially predictive of resilience. When considered together, demonstrated effects of personality, cortisol, and DHEA maintained independent contributions in predicting resilience among high-risk youth.
Emotion and resilience: A multilevel investigation of hemispheric electroencephalogram asymmetry and emotion regulation in maltreated and nonmaltreated children
Authors: Curtis W. John , Cicchetti Dante
Published: August 2007

The current study was a multilevel investigation of resilience, emotion regulation, and hemispheric electroencephalogram (EEG) asymmetry in a sample of maltreated and nonmaltreated school age children. It was predicted that the positive emotionality and increased emotion regulatory ability associated with resilient functioning would be associated with relatively greater left frontal EEG activity. The study also investigated differences in pathways to resilience between maltreated and nonmaltreated children. The findings indicated that EEG asymmetry across central cortical regions distinguished between resilient and nonresilient children, with greater left hemisphere activity characterizing those who were resilient. In addition, nonmaltreated children showed greater left hemisphere EEG activity across parietal cortical regions. There was also a significant interaction between resilience, maltreatment status, and gender for asymmetry at anterior frontal electrodes, where nonmaltreated resilient females had greater relative left frontal activity compared to more right frontal activity exhibited by resilient maltreated females. An observational measure of emotion regulation significantly contributed to the prediction of resilience in the maltreated and nonmaltreated children, but EEG asymmetry in central cortical regions independently predicted resilience only in the maltreated group. The findings are discussed in terms of their meaning for the development of resilient functioning.
Resilience among children and adolescents at risk for depression: Mediation and moderation across social and neurobiological contexts
Authors: Silk Jennifer S. , Vanderbilt-Adriance Ella , Shaw Daniel S. , Forbes Erika E. , Whalen Diana J. , Ryan Neal D. , Dahl Ronald E.
Published: August 2007

This article offers a multilevel perspective on resilience to depression, with a focus on interactions among social and neurobehavioral systems involved in emotional reactivity and regulation. We discuss models of cross-contextual mediation and moderation by which the social context influences or modifies the effects of resilience processes at the biological level, or the biological context influences or modifies the effects of resilience processes at the social level. We highlight the socialization of emotion regulation as a candidate process contributing to resilience against depression at the social context level. We discuss several factors and their interactions across levels—including genetic factors, stress reactivity, positive affect, neural systems of reward, and sleep—as candidate processes contributing to resilience against depression at the neurobehavioral level. We then present some preliminary supportive findings from two studies of children and adolescents at high risk for depression. Study 1 shows that elevated neighborhood level adversity has the potential to constrain or limit the benefits of protective factors at other levels. Study 2 indicates that ease and quickness in falling asleep and a greater amount of time in deep Stage 4 sleep may be protective against the development of depressive disorders for children. The paper concludes with a discussion of clinical implications of this approach.
Do cognitive, physiological, and psychosocial risk and promotive factors predict desistance from delinquency in males?
Authors: Loeber Rolf , Pardini Dustin A. , Stouthamer-Loeber Magda , Raine Adrian
Published: August 2007

Relatively few studies have examined cognitive, physiological, and psychosocial promotive and risk factors that can be linked to desistance from delinquency in community samples. This paper reports on a sample of boys first studied at age 7 and then followed up yearly to age 20. Around age 16, most of the boys received a range of cognitive tests; at that time, information regarding their resting heart rate and skin conductance activity in response to aversive stimuli was also collected. Several psychosocial and two cognitive measures distinguished delinquents from nondelinquents around age 16. Among the promotive factors associated with low delinquency were good housing quality, low community crime (parent and youth report), verbal IQ, delayed verbal memory, and sustained attention. Predictive analyses discriminating between desisters and persisters in delinquency between ages 17 and 20 showed that all of the significant predictors were either child or peer risk factors. None of the cognitive, physiological, parenting, or community factors significantly predicted desistance from delinquency. In addition, no promotive factors were significantly related to desistance. The final set of analyses compared persisters, desisters, and nondelinquents in terms of their adult adjustment. Desisters were similar to persisters in that desisters continued to display serious problems in anxiety, failure to graduate from high school, no post high school education, being a nonstudent and unemployed, daily cigarette use, and weekly marijuana use. Desisters scored low on depression and weekly heavy drinking and in these respects were indistinguishable from nondelinquents and better off than persisters.
Rubinstein–Taybi syndrome: clinical and molecular overview
Authors: Roelfsema Jeroen H. , Peters Dorien J.M.
Published: August 2007

Rubinstein–Taybi syndrome is characterised by mental retardation, growth retardation and a particular dysmorphology. The syndrome is rare, with a frequency of approximately one affected individual in 100 000 newborns. Mutations in two genes –CREBBPandEP300– have been identified to cause the syndrome. These two genes show strong homology and encode histone acetyltransferases (HATs), which are transcriptional co-activators involved in many signalling pathways. Loss of HAT activity is sufficient to account for the phenomena seen in Rubinstein–Taybi patients. Although some mutations found inCREBBPare translocations, inversions and large deletions, most are point mutations or small deletions and insertions. Mutations inEP300are comparatively rare. Extensive screening of patients has revealed mutations inCREBBPandEP300in around 50% of cases. The cause of the syndrome in the remaining patients remains to be identified, but other genes could also be involved. Here, we describe the clinical presentation of Rubinstein–Taybi syndrome, review the mutation spectrum and discuss the current understanding of causative molecular mechanisms.
Peripheral arterial occlusive disease
Authors: Minar
Published: August 2007

This article updates the diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients with peripheral arterial disease.
Therapeutic angiogenesis for peripheral artery disease: Gene therapy
Authors: Nikol
Published: August 2007

Peripheral artery disease is a highly prevalent disease which is characterised by a high unmet medical need particularly in the more advanced stages of disease. Recent advances in the knowledge of the complex regulation of angiogenesis and arteriogenesis and ways to its induction offer hope for a novel strategy that is based on the generation of such new vessels. This strategy termed "therapeutic angiogenesis" is a concept based on the use of angiogenic factors or stem cells or their combination to promote neovascularisation for the treatment of ischaemic tissues. This article reviews both regulation of angiogenesis and the development of therapeutic strategies based on this knowledge using gene therapy. This includes knowledge from animal experiments as well as from phase I and phase II clinical trials. This information may be particularly important at a time when angiogenesis gene therapy enters the stage of phase III clinical testing hopefully leading to the first time approval of this completely new class of drug in the near future. Following articles of this series will review therapeutic angiogenesis approaches based on cytokine therapy and stem cell therapy.
Treatment of visceral artery aneurysms: Retrospective study of 35 cases
Authors: Popov  , Boskovic  , Sagic  , Radevic  , Ilijevski  , Nenezic  , Tasic  , Davidovic  , Radak
Published: August 2007

Background: Visceral artery aneurysms (VAA) represent a rare clinical entity with possible life-threatening complications. The presentation, diagnosis and management vary accordingly to the artery involved and the underlying pathology. Patients and methods: During a 25-year period (1980–2005), 35 patients (25 males + 10 females, age range 36–73 years-median 59.2 years) with VAA were treated at two tertiary vascular surgery centers in Belgrade. All data were retrospectively collected from the patient’s records. Results: On presentation, 19/35 patients were symptomatic, and 3/35 had ruptured VAA. Surgery was performed in 28 cases; most commonly involved arteries were splenic (11), hepatic (5), celiac trunk (5), superior mesenteric (3), inferior mesenteric (3) and gastroduodenal (1). Fatal rupture occurred in two patients. In 5 patients abdominal aortic aneurysm was associated with VAA, and in 4 patients multiple aneurysms of the involved artery were noted. Successful embolization was performed in 3 patients. Overall, four patients were treated medically. In the surgically treated patients, perioperative mortality and morbidity were 11% (3/28) and 40% (10/25) respectively. Of 25 patients included in the long-term follow up, six died. Conclusion: Since VAA have considerable tendency to rupture, an active approach is necessary. Based on our experience, surgical treatment could be recommended for any VAA patient with symptoms. In addition, we believe that the choice of the therapeutic procedure should be made on an individual basis.
Early experience shows rapid shrinking of abdominal aortic aneurysms after endovascular treatment with Anaconda® device
Authors: Stehr  , Schnitzbauer  , Steinbauer  , Töpel  , Pfister  , Schlitt  , Kasprzak
Published: August 2007

Background: The Anaconda® prosthesis is a new endovascular device for abdominal aortic aneurysms repair. Aim of the study was to evaluate successful access to the arterial site, safety and efficacy of stent placement and fixation, assessment of endoleaks, patency of the graft due to twists, kinks or obstruction within the first 30 days after the procedure. Secondary objectives were the assessment of clinical success after 6 months due to graft patency and aneurysm exclusion without endoleak as well as the continuing clinical success without showing aneurysm expansion or any graft failure. Patients and methods: Between 2003 and 2006 a total of 14 patients with infrarenal aortic aneurysm (median diameter prior to endovascular treatment: 56.7 mm (range: 50 to 70 mm)) were treated with the Anaconda® endovascular device. 8 of these patients were treated in accordance to a prospective Phase II clinical study protocol (Anaconda ANA 004). 6 more patients received the same endovascular device after CE-certification. Results: Primary and secondary objectives were achieved in 12 of 14 patients after 6 months. In one patient insertion of the graft system was impossible due to kinking and circular calcification of the iliac arteries. Iliac access utilizing an alternative stent graft system (Cook, Zenith) was also unsuccessful. This patient underwent a conversion to open surgery and died. Another patient died 6 months after treatment unrelated to the procedure. A significant reduction of the median aneurysm diameter from 56.7 to 49.0 mm (range: 45 to 54 mm) was achieved after 6 months (p = 0.05). No endoleak was seen in the follow up. Conclusions: Early results show that he Anaconda® endovascular device for aneurysm repair is a safe and effective device for patients with suitable abdominal aortic aneurysms and proper distal access vessels which results in significant aneurysm diameter decrease and a low complication rate after 6 months of follow-up.
Prevalence of Malingering in Inpatient Suicide Ideators and Attempters
Authors: Rissmiller David J , Wayslow Al , Madison Harry , Hogate Paul , Rissmiller Frances R , Steer Robert A
Published: August 2007

The purpose of the present study was to ascertain the prevalence of malingering by inpatients admitted to an urban hospital for suicidal ideation or attempt. Fifty-eight consecutively hospitalized suicidal patients were asked to participate, and of these 40 (70%) agreed to do so. Each patient was given an anonymous questionnaire asking whether they had lied or purposely exaggerated suicidal ideation to gain admission. A psychiatrist and masters-level psychologist, both blind to the patient responses, then rated each patient for suspicion of malingering. Each patient was also administered the MMPI-2 F, L, and K validity scales. Four patients (10%) indicated they had malingered and indicated that external incentives had motivated them to feign either suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt. None of the MMPI-2 validity scales correlated with self-reported malingering. The clinicians detected malingerers with 100% sensitivity, but the specificity rates were only 58% for the psychiatrist and 32% for the psychologist. The results indicate that some inpatients malinger about the extent of their suicidal intentions. The data demonstrate the difficulty inherent in detecting malingering by clinical interviewing and psychological testing.