bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A microbial world within us
Authors: Zoetendal Erwin G. , Vaughan Elaine E. , De Vos Willem M.
Published: February 2006

The microbial world within us includes a vast array of gastrointestinal (GI) tract communities that play an important role in health and disease. Significant progress has been made in recent years in describing the intestinal microbial composition based on the application of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA)‐based approaches. These were not only instrumental in providing a phylogenetic framework of the more than 1000 different intestinal species but also illustrated the temporal and spatial diversity of the microbial GI tract composition that is host‐specific and affected by the genotype. However, our knowledge of the molecular and cellular bases of host–microbe interactions in the GI tract is still very limited. Here an overview is presented of the most recent developments and applications of novel culture‐independent approaches that promise to unravel the mechanisms of GI tract functionality and subsequent possibilities to exploit specifically these mechanisms in order to improve gut health.
The Exeter Family Study of Childhood Health (EFSOCH): study protocol and methodology
Authors: Knight Bridget , Shields Beverley M. , Hattersley Andrew T.
Published: February 2006

The Exeter Family Study of Childhood Health is a prospective study, set up to test the fetal insulin hypothesis, and to identify genetic polymorphisms that play a role in determining birthweight and early postnatal growth. We recruited 1017 families from a postcode‐defined area in central Exeter. Specific inclusion criteria were established to obtain a homogeneous, non‐diabetic, UK Caucasian cohort. Detailed anthropometric measurements were taken from both parents at 28 weeks’ gestation, and from their children at birth, 12 weeks, 1 year and 2 years of age. Insulin and other biochemical analysis were measured in fasting parental samples and an umbilical cord blood sample taken at delivery. Parental and offspring DNA were extracted to allow molecular genetic analysis of candidate genes implicated in fetal growth. This comprehensive data set is available on a disease‐free cohort, and detailed preparatory work has ensured high levels of quality control. The study would welcome collaboration within strict confidentiality rules.
Early life predictors of childhood intelligence: findings from the Mater‐University study of pregnancy and its outcomes
Authors: Lawlor Debbie A. , Najman Jake M. , Batty G. David , O'Callaghan Michael J. , Williams Gail M. , Bor William
Published: February 2006

Lawlor DA, Najman JM, Batty GD, O’Callaghan MJ, Williams GM, Bor W. Early life predictors of childhood intelligence: findings from the Mater‐University study of pregnancy and its outcomes. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2006; 20: 148–162.

Growing evidence linking childhood intelligence with adult health outcomes suggests a need to identify predictors of this psychological characteristic. In this study, we have examined the early life determinants of childhood intelligence in a population‐based birth cohort of individuals born in Brisbane, Australia between 1981 and 1984. In univariable analyses, family income in the year of birth, maternal and paternal education, maternal age at birth, maternal ethnicity, maternal smoking during pregnancy, duration of labour, birthweight, breast feeding and childhood height, and body mass index were all associated with intelligence at age 14. In multivariable analyses, the strongest and most robust predictors of intelligence were family income, parental education and breast feeding, with these three variables explaining 7.5% of the variation in intelligence at age 14. Addition of other variables added little further explanatory power. Our results demonstrate the importance of indicators of socio‐economic position as predictors of intelligence, and illustrate the need to consider the role of such factors in generating the association of childhood intelligence with adult disease risk.
The influence of maternal cigarette smoking, snuff use and passive smoking on pregnancy outcomes: the Birth To Ten Study
Authors: Steyn Krisela , De Wet Thea , Saloojee Yussuf , Nel Hannelie , Yach Derek
Published: February 2006

Steyn K, de Wet T, Saloojee Y, Nel H, Yach D. The influence of maternal cigarette smoking, snuff use and passive smoking on pregnancy outcomes: the Birth To Ten Study. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2006; 20: 90–99.

This article describes the patterns and effects of maternal snuff use, cigarette smoking and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke during pregnancy on birthweight and gestational age, in women living in Johannesburg and Soweto in 1990. A cohort of 1593 women with singleton live births provided information about their own and household members’ usage of tobacco products during pregnancy. The women completed a questionnaire while attending antenatal services. Data on gestational age and birthweight were obtained from birth records. Women who smoked cigarettes or used snuff during pregnancy accounted for 6.1% and 7.5% of the study population respectively.

The mean birthweight of non‐tobacco users was 3148 g [95% CI 3123, 3173] and that of the smokers 2982 g [95% CI 2875, 3090], resulting in a significantly lower mean birthweight of 165 g for babies of smoking mothers (P = 0.005). In contrast, women using snuff gave birth to infants with a mean birthweight of 3118 g [95% CI 3043, 3192], which is a non‐significant (P = 0.52) decrease (29.4 g) in their infants’ birthweights compared with those not using tobacco. A linear regression analysis identified short gestational age, female infant, a mother without hypertension during pregnancy, coloured (mixed racial ancestry), and Asian infants compared with black infants, lower parity, less than 12 years of education and smoking cigarettes as significant predictors of low birthweight, while the use of snuff during pregnancy was not associated with low birthweight. The snuff users, however, had a significant shorter gestational age than the other two groups of women. The birthweight reduction adjusted for possible confounders was 137 g [95% CI 26.6, 247.3 (P = 0.015)] for cigarette smokers and 17.1 g [95% CI −69.5, −102.7, P = 0.69] for snuff users respectively, compared with the birthweight of non‐tobacco users. Among women who did not smoke cigarettes or use snuff, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke did not result in significant effects on the birthweight of their infants.

In conclusion, infants of cigarette smokers had significantly lower birthweights than those of non‐tobacco users or snuff users who are exposed to nicotine during pregnancy. Passive smoking did not affect birthweight significantly in this population.
Immunopathologic study of erythema dyschromicum perstans (ashy dermatosis)
Authors: Luz A. Vásquez‐Ochoa , Diana M. Isaza‐Guzmán , Orozco‐Mora Beatriz , Restrepo‐Molina Rodrigo , Trujillo‐Perez Judith , Félix J. Tapia
Published: February 2006

Erythema dyschromicum perstans (EDP) is a pigmentary disease of unknown etiology in which damage to basal cells is thought to be mediated by adhesion molecules. The aim of this study was to characterize the histopathology and immunopathology of EDP. Forty‐three patients from Medellín, Colombia, with the diagnosis of EDP were evaluated. Skin biopsy specimens were obtained for histopathology and immunohistochemistry, using monoclonal antibodies directed against the following markers: CD4, CD8, CD56, CD1a, CD68, CLA, HLA–DR, ICAM‐1 and LFA‐1α.

A dermal lymphocytic infiltrate was observed in all cases, with a perivascular location in 86%. Other histologic features included melanophages in all specimens, vacuolization of the basement membrane zone (BMZ) 58% and exocytosis of lymphocytes (53.5%). The mean number of total leukocytes was 1510 cells mm−2 of tissue. There was a predominance of CD8+ T lymphocytes in the dermis and HLA–DR+, ICAM‐1+ keratinocytes in the epidermis. Exocytosis of cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA) + cells was observed in areas of BMZ damage, suggesting that response to antigenic stimulation may play a role in the development of EDP.
Discoid lupus erythematosus presenting as acneiform pitting scars
Authors: Chang Yu‐Hao , Wang Shu‐Hui , Chi Ching‐Chi
Published: February 2006

A 32‐year‐old man presented with conspicuous acneiform pitting scars on the right nasolabial fold of 3 years’ duration (Fig. 1). He stated that the scars were preceded by erythematous plaques. Physical examination also revealed perilesional erythematous infiltration and telangiectasia. Tracing back the history, there was no malar erythema, oral ulcer, or arthralgia. A skin biopsy showed irregular acanthosis, follicular plugging, vacuolar degeneration of the basal cell layer with marked melanin incontinence, and heavy periadnexal mononuclear cell infiltration (Fig. 2a,b). Direct immunofluorescence studies displayed continuous granular deposition of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and C3 along the dermo‐epidermal junction. The hemogram, antinuclear antibody (ANA) test, complement, and urinalysis were within normal limits. Based on the histopathologic findings and a positive lupus band test, a diagnosis of discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) was made.

An atrophic plaque composed of conspicuous acneiform pitting scars with surrounding erythema and telangiectasia on the right nasolabial fold

image

(a) Marked follicular plugging and perivascular and periadnexal mononuclear cell infiltrates (hematoxylin and eosin, ×40). (b) Vacuolar degeneration of the basal layer with melanin incontinence (hematoxylin and eosin, ×400)

image
Cutaneous Plasmacytoma in Three Golden Hamsters (Mesocrietus auratus)
Authors: Kondo H. , Takada M. , Shibuya H. , Shirai W. , Matsuo K. , Sato T.
Published: February 2006

Spontaneously occurring cutaneous tumours in three golden hamsters were characterized using histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural methods. Histologically, the tumours were composed of sheets of round to oval plasmacytoid cells with eccentrically placed nuclei. Tissue sections were weakly positive for anti‐B lymphocyte antigen (BLA) staining. Ultrastructurally, large amounts of rough endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm were observed. BLA positivity and characteristics of ultrastructure showed the plasma cell origin.
A case of peritonitis caused by Rhizopus microsporus
Authors: Monecke Stefan , Hochauf Kristina , Gottschlich Birgit , Ehricht Ralf
Published: February 2006

We report a case of a 62‐year‐old female patient who developed peritonitis after receiving a renal transplant. Candida glabrata was detected and treated with voriconazole. As the patient did not improve under therapy, laparotomy was performed. Mould‐like plaques were found on the peritoneum. Using culture as well as pan‐fungal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by DNA microarray hybridisation of the amplicon, the causative agent was identified as Rhizopus microsporus. Despite aggressive surgical treatment, intravenous therapy with amphotericin B and topical administration of Lavasept (polyhexamethylenbiguanide), the patient died.
Chronic pyoderma vegetans triggered by Trichophyton mentagrophytes
Authors: Skořepová M. , Stuchlík D.
Published: February 2006

Chronic vegetating pyoderma is usually associated with staphylococci and streptococci. A case that started as a therapeutically resistant tinea of the hand caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes is described. The vegetating skin lesion was associated with low immunoglobulin levels and impaired phagocytosis. It healed after long‐term low‐dose doxycycline, topical steroids and immunotherapy. An analogy between chronic vegetating pyoderma and recalcitrant tinea is discussed.
The major allergen of Alternaria alternata (Alt a 1) is expressed in other members of the Pleosporaceae family
Authors: Sáenz‐de‐Santamaría M. , Postigo I. , Gutierrez‐Rodríguez A. , Cardona G. , Guisantes J. A. , Asturias J. , Martínez J.
Published: February 2006

There is general consensus regarding the scarce cross‐reactivity existing between Alternaria alternata and other allergenic moulds such as Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium notatum or Cladosporium herbarum. However, A. alternata has been shown to have a very significant level of allergenic cross‐reactivity with other fungi belonging to the Pleosporaceae family. To date, no biological identity or homologies with other proteins have been described for Alt a 1, and it remains unclear whether the major allergen Alt a 1 contributes to the cross‐reactivity shown for these moulds. Specific quantification of Alt a 1 in culture filtrates of Stemphylium botryosum, Ulocladium botrytis, Curvularia lunata, Alternaria tenuissima, C. herbarum, Penicillium chrysogenum and Asp. fumigatus, and immunoblotting using culture filtrate extracts from the above‐mentioned moulds and rabbit serum anti‐recombinant Alt a 1 have shown significant amounts of Alt a 1 in culture filtrates as well as antigenic components ranging from 14 to 20 kDa that strongly react with the specific serum for all taxonomically related species (Pleosporaceae family). No reactions were revealed in culture filtrates of Cladosporium, Penicillium and Aspergillus. These results restrict the cross‐reactivity phenomenon due to Alt a 1 to the scope of the taxonomical term of family.
Deoxycholate amphotericin B and amphotericin B lipid complex exert additive antifungal activity in combination with pulmonary alveolar macrophages against Fusarium solani
Authors: Roilides Emmanuel , Lyman Caron A. , Armstrong Derek , Stergiopoulou Theodouli , Petraitiene Ruta , Walsh Thomas J.
Published: February 2006

Fusarium spp. have emerged as important causes of invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. Rabbit pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMs) exhibited fungicidal activity against conidia of Fusarium solani and achieved a time‐dependent increase in killing. Neither deoxycholate amphotericin B (DAMB) nor amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC) exerted a suppressive effect on PAMs by decreasing their conidiocidal activity against F. solani. On the contrary, at a concentration of 0.125 μg ml−1, ABLC and, to a lesser degree, DAMB additively augmented the fungicidal activity of pulmonary alveolar macrophages against conidia of Fusarium solani.
Identification of differentially expressed genes in Tetrahymena thermophila in response to dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) by suppression subtractive hybridization
Authors: Miao Wei , Yu Ting , Orias Eduardo , Wan Mingliang , Fu Chenjie
Published: February 2006

The insecticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is persistent in the environment, and continues to cause health problems. Tetrahymena has potential as a model organism for assaying low levels of DDT and for analysing the mechanisms of its toxicity. We constructed the suppression subtractive hybridization library of T. thermophila exposed to DDT, and screened out 90 Expressed Sequence Tags whose expressions were significantly up‐ or downregulated with DDT treatment. From this, a series of important genes related to the DDT metabolism and detoxification were discovered, such as P450 gene, glutathione S‐transferase gene and sterol carrier protein 2 gene. Furthermore, their expressions under different concentrations of DDT treatment were detected by real‐time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The results show that Tetrahymena is a relevant and useful model organism for detecting DDT in the environment and for discovering biomarkers that can be used to develop specific bio‐reporters at the molecular and genomic levels.
Molecular characterization of thermostable direct haemolysin‐related haemolysin (TRH)‐positive Vibrio parahaemolyticus from oysters in Mangalore, India
Authors: Parvathi Ammini , Kumar H. Sanath , Bhanumathi Amarbahadur , Ishibashi Masanori , Nishibuchi Mitsuaki , Karunasagar Indrani , Karunasagar Iddya
Published: February 2006

Pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains producing either or both of a thermostable direct haemolysin (TDH) and a TDH‐related haemolysin (TRH) encoded by tdh and trh genes, respectively, are isolated at a low rate from the environment. However, recently we observed that a considerable percentage of APW (alkaline peptone water) enrichment broths of oysters collected off Mangalore India, were trh+, rather than tdh+ by PCR. In order to further investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of trh bearing V. parahaemolyticus in our coast, we attempted to isolate and characterize trh+V. parahaemolyticus from oysters. A total of 27 trh+ strains were isolated during the period between March 2002 and February 2004, of which nine were also tdh+. All the trh+ isolates were positive for urease phenotype. The isolates belonged to diverse phenotypes. In order to explore the possible presence of heterogeneity in the trh gene region among trh+V. parahaemolyticus, a 1.5 kb region around trh gene was PCR amplified and restriction digested using selected restriction enzymes. The whole genome comparison of strains was performed by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA PCR (RAPD PCR). The PCR‐RFLP results revealed fairly well conserved nature of the trh gene region studied in different serotypes. Though 11 strains were positive by PCR for a genomic fragment that has been reported to be amplified in pandemic strains, all strains were negative by group‐specific PCR (GS‐PCR), orf8 PCR and showed a different RAPD pattern compared with pandemic strains. The results suggest that genetically diverse V. parahaemolyticus carrying virulence genes are associated with the aquatic environment in this region.
Effects of management regime and plant species on the enzyme activity and genetic structure of N‐fixing, denitrifying and nitrifying bacterial communities in grassland soils
Authors: Patra Ashok K. , Abbadie Luc , Clays‐Josserand Annie , Degrange Valérie , Grayston Susan J. , Guillaumaud Nadine , Loiseau Pierre , Louault Frédérique , Mahmood Shahid , Nazaret Sylvie , Philippot Laurent , Poly Franck , Prosser James I. , Roux Xavier Le
Published: February 2006

Management by combined grazing and mowing events is commonly used in grasslands, which influences the activity and composition of soil bacterial communities. Whether observed effects are mediated by management‐induced disturbances, or indirectly by changes in the identity of major plant species, is still unknown. To address this issue, we quantified substrate‐induced respiration (SIR), and the nitrification, denitrification and free‐living N2‐fixation enzyme activities below grass tufts of three major plant species (Holcus lanatus, Arrhenatherum elatius and Dactylis glomerata) in extensively or intensively managed grasslands. The genetic structures of eubacterial, ammonia oxidizing, nitrate reducing, and free‐living N2‐fixing communities were also characterized by ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) or restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) targeting group‐specific genes. SIR was not influenced by management and plant species, whereas denitrification enzyme activity was influenced only by plant species, and management–plant species interactions were observed for fixation and nitrification enzyme activities. Changes in nitrification enzyme activity were likely largely explained by the observed changes in ammonium concentration, whereas N availability was not a major factor explaining changes in denitrification and fixation enzyme activities. The structures of eubacterial and free‐living N2‐fixing communities were essentially controlled by management, whereas the diversity of nitrate reducers and ammonia oxidizers depended on both management and plant species. For each functional group, changes in enzyme activity were not correlated or were weakly correlated to overall changes in genetic structure, but around 60% of activity variance was correlated to changes in five RFLP or DGGE bands. Although our conclusions should be tested for other ecosystems and seasons, these results show that predicting microbial changes induced by management in grasslands requires consideration of management–plant species interactions.
The role of quorum sensing mediated developmental traits in the resistance of Serratia marcescens biofilms against protozoan grazing
Authors: Queck Shu‐Yeong , Weitere Markus , Moreno Ana María , Rice Scott A. , Kjelleberg Staffan
Published: February 2006

Resistance against protozoan grazers is a crucial factor that is important for the survival of many bacteria in their natural environment. However, the basis of resistance to protozoans and how resistance factors are regulated is poorly understood. In part, resistance may be due to biofilm formation, which is known to protect bacteria from environmental stress conditions. The ubiquitous organism Serratia marcescens uses quorum sensing (QS) control to regulate virulence factor expression and biofilm formation. We hypothesized that the QS system of S. marcescens also regulates mechanisms that protect biofilms against protozoan grazing. To investigate this hypothesis, we compared the interactions of wild‐type and QS mutant strains of S. marcescens biofilms with two protozoans having different feeding types under batch and flow conditions. Under batch conditions, S. marcescens forms microcolony biofilms, and filamentous biofilms are formed under flow conditions. The microcolony‐type biofilms were protected from grazing by the suspension feeder, flagellate Bodo saltans, but were not protected from the surface feeder, Acanthamoeba polyphaga. In contrast, the filamentous biofilm provided protection against A. polyphaga. The main findings presented in this study suggest that (i) the QS system is not involved in grazing resistance of S. marcescens microcolony‐type biofilms; (ii) QS in S. marcescens regulates antiprotozoan factor(s) that do not interfere with the grazing efficiency of the protozoans; and (iii) QS‐controlled, biofilm‐specific differentiation of filaments and cell chains in biofilms of S. marcescens provides an efficient mechanism against protozoan grazing.
Measurement of liver fat by magnetic resonance imaging: relationships with body fat distribution, insulin sensitivity and plasma lipids in healthy men
Authors: Chan D. C. , Watts G. F. , Ng T. W. K. , Hua J. , Song S. , Barrett P. H. R.
Published: February 2006

Aim:  We compared the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a test for liver fat content (LFAT) with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and investigated its relationship with body fat distribution, insulin sensitivity, plasma lipids and lipoproteins.

Methods:  LFAT was quantified by MRI and MRS in 17 free‐living, healthy men with a wide range of body mass indexes. Fasting adiponectin was measured by immunoassay and insulin resistance by homeostasis assessment (HOMA) score. Intraperitoneal, retroperitoneal, anterior subcutaneous and posterior subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue masses (ATMs) were determined by MRI.

Results:  Measurements of LFAT by MRI and MRS were highly correlated (r = 0.851, p < 0.001). In univariate regression analysis, LFAT by MRI was also significantly correlated with plasma triglycerides (TGs), insulin, HOMA score, carbohydrate intake and the masses of all abdominal adipose tissue compartments (p < 0.05). LFAT was inversely correlated with plasma adiponectin (r = −0.505, p < 0.05). In multivariate linear regression analysis including plasma adiponectin and age, intraperitoneal ATM was an independent predictor of LFAT (β‐coefficient = 0.587, p = 0.024). Moreover, intraperitoneal ATM was also an independent predictor of HOMA score after adjusting for LFAT, plasma adiponectin and age (β‐coefficient = 0.810, p = 0.010). Conversely, LFAT was a significant predictor of plasma TG concentration after adjusting for adiponectin, intraperitoneal ATM, HOMA and age (β‐coefficient = 0.751, p = 0.007). Similar findings applied with LFAT measured by MRS.

Conclusions:  These data suggest that MRI is as good as MRS to quantify liver fat content. Our data also suggest that liver fat content could link intraabdominal fat with insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia.
Justifying Affirmative Action: Perception and Reality
Authors: McHarg Aileen , Nicolson Donald
Published: February 2006

This article surveys developments in United Kingdom law and policy which require, permit or are more accommodating towards, the use of affirmative action. It then considers the various justifications that can be used in support of affirmative action and their philosophical and political strengths and weaknesses. Finally, it advocates a strategic approach to the justification and use of affirmative action, taking account of relevant political, contextual, pragmatic, and practical considerations.
Positive Action for Women in Employment: Time to Align with Europe?
Authors: Burrows Noreen , Robison Muriel
Published: February 2006

In recent years positive action to improve women's position in the labour market has risen up the political agenda, with measures ranging from quotas to special training. The legal framework has been slower to change. Initially seeking to eliminate all forms of discrimination, it now reflects a more sophisticated approach, attempting to achieve substantive equality. This may encompass measures which appear to disadvantage men but are aimed at rectifying women's structural, economic or historical disadvantage. We investigate the limits imposed on EU member states' ability to take positive action under Community law, and examine the much narrower provisions of the Sex Discrimination Act. We argue that the time is now ripe, with the ongoing review of equality law, to reappraise domestic law and to use the freedom provided under Community law to expand the scope of positive action under the Sex Discrimination Act.
Affirmative Action in Women's Employment: Lessons from Canada
Authors: Busby Nicole
Published: February 2006

The use of affirmative action to increase women's representation in employment is recognized under European Community law. The European Court of Justice has identified affirmative action permissible under EC law and what constitutes reverse discrimination, deemed incompatible with the equal treatment principle. Despite these developments, gendered occupational segregation — vertical and horizontal — persists in all member states as evidenced by enduring pay gaps. It is widely argued that we now need national measures which take advantage of the appropriate framework and requisite political will which exists at the European level. Faced with a similar challenge, the Canadian government passed the Employment Equity Act 1986 which places an obligation on federal employers to implement employment equity (affirmative action) by proactive means. Although subject to some criticism, there have been some improvements in women's representation since its introduction. This article assesses what lessons might be learned from Canada's experience.
Widening Participation and Higher Education
Authors: Bibbings Lois S.
Published: February 2006

This article considers higher education ‘widening participation’ policy and practice, focusing upon attempts to widen access in relation to applicants from under‐represented socio‐economic groups and educational backgrounds. Some key United Kingdom approaches are described and discussed in the light of the concept of affirmative action. The article also examines the legal support for widening participation.
Is There a Duty to Legislate for Linguistic Minorities?
Authors: Dunbar Robert
Published: February 2006

In April 2005, the Scottish Parliament passed the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, requiring certain public bodies in Scotland to provide some services through the medium of Gaelic. This Act was modelled to a certain degree on similar legislation for Welsh, the Welsh Language Act 1993. Both Welsh and Gaelic, and to a lesser extent Irish in Northern Ireland, benefit from a range of other measures of legislative support. Many other languages are, however, spoken in the United Kingdom, and their speakers have needs and expectations. In this article, the extent to which a state is obliged to legislate for these is assessed. Fundamental principles such as the right to freedom from discrimination, equal protection of the law, substantive equality, and the protection and promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity may argue for legislative intervention and support, and the provision of such support to linguistic minorities must itself be non‐discriminatory.
Going for the Gold
Authors: Markus Hazel Rose , Uchida Yukiko , Omoregie Heather , Townsend Sarah S.M. , Kitayama Shinobu
Published: February 2006

Two studies examined how Olympic performance is explained in American and Japanese contexts. Study 1, an analysis of media coverage of the 2000 and 2002 Olympics, shows that in both Japanese and American contexts, performance is construed mainly in terms of the actions of persons. However, Japanese and American accounts differ in their explanations of the nature and source of intentional agency, that is, in their models of agency. In Japanese contexts, agency is construed as conjoint and simultaneously implicates athletes' personal attributes (both positive and negative), background, and social and emotional experience. In American contexts, agency is construed as disjoint, separate from athletes' background or social and emotional experience; performance is explained primarily through positive personal characteristics and features of the competition. Study 2, in which participants chose information to be included in an athlete's description, confirms these findings. Differences in the construction of agency are reflected in and fostered by common cultural products (e.g., television accounts).
Chinese Students in a UK Business School: Hearing the Student Voice in Reflective Teaching and Learning Practice
Authors: Turner Yvonne
Published: February 2006

This paper presents the outcomes of a study carried out in 2001–2002 with nine postgraduate students from China, enrolled on taught master's programmes in a UK university business school. The aims of the research were to explore the development of the students’ orientations to learning during their year of study in the UK, and to explore how the researcher's interactions with the study group contributed to her professional reflections and influenced her academic practice. The main conclusions of the project were that participants’ underlying approaches to learning did not change substantially over the year, owing to the culturally implicit nature of UK academic conventions and that they experienced high levels of emotional isolation and loneliness, which affected their academic confidence.
Poor Relations?: Nursing and Medicine in the English Academy
Authors: Meerabeau Elizabeth
Published: February 2006

Department of Health policy currently espouses shared learning between the various health ‘tribes’. There are many cogent arguments for this; however, there may be unaddressed tensions because of status differences between the disciplines. This paper compares two of the main academic disciplines involved – nursing, a recent entrant to higher education, and its much longer established neighbour, medicine, with the emphasis in the paper being on nursing. The paper explores the differences in cultural capital between medicine and nursing, the vastly different research funding and the government intervention in curriculum issues in nursing, drawing on empirical data on the social class of entrants to medicine and nursing, the league table ranking of the universities in which they are based, and data from the Research Assessment Exercises.
Setting Standards in a Professional Higher Education Course: Defining the Concept of the Minimally Competent Student in Performance‐Based Assessment at the Level of Graduation from Medical School
Authors: Boursicot Katharine
Published: February 2006

In this era of audit and accountability, there is an imperative to demonstrate and document that appropriate standards have been set in professional education. In medicine, stakeholders want assurance that graduates have attained the required level of competence to be awarded a provisional licence to practise.

To investigate the results of a previous study, which revealed that different medical schools set significantly different pass marks for graduating examinations, we examined the descriptors for the minimally competent or ‘borderline’ students which the participants had produced. In this paper we analyse the differences in these descriptors.

There was good agreement in the areas of knowledge and clinical skills proficiencies but much less consistency in the use of descriptors covering the themes of communication skills, interpersonal skills and professionalism. It may be that clinicians are not used to thinking about the ‘borderline’ area of clinical competence and have difficulty in translating this nebulous concept into a numerical score.
Work‐Based Learning: Effectiveness in Information Systems Training and Development
Authors: Walters David
Published: February 2006

The ability to use methodologies is an essential ingredient in the teaching of Information System techniques and approaches. One method to achieve this is to use a practical approach where students undertake ‘live’ projects with local client organisations. They can then reflect on the approach adopted with the aim of producing a ‘reflective methodological practitioner’.

This paper focuses on the use of experiential learning in a modular course at the University of Central Lancashire to produce these ‘methodological practitioners’ and is based on the experiences of the authors in running this module. A model is presented which outlines three viewpoints of the project. This is in line with a ‘soft systems’ perspective in analysing the three views of the project or problem situation. It reports the results of investigations into one of those viewpoints [that of the students]. This is approached by a survey undertaken amongst students to obtain their views on the determinants of project success and failure.
Brainstem Dysfunction in Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood
Authors: Rinalduzzi S , Valeriani M , Vigevano F
Published: February 2006

Six patients with alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC) underwent motor evoked potentials (MEPs), somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and blink reflex recording. No SEP abnormality was found. As for MEP recording, central conduction time did not differ between patients studied during either interictal or ictal phase, and normal subjects, suggesting that the pyramidal system function is spared. In blink reflex recording, the latencies of both the ipsilateral (iR2) and contralateral (cR2) R2 components were significantly longer ( P < 0.01) in patients during the interictal phase than in normal subjects. Moreover, the iR2 and cR2 areas were significantly reduced ( P < 0.01) in patients during the interictal phase, compared with normal subjects. During the ictal phase, the ipsilateral R2 latency was significantly decreased after stimulation of the hemiplegic side, compared with the interictal phase ( P < 0.05). The blink reflex abnormalities suggest a brainstem dysfunction, which may be linked to the pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease.
Visual Cortical Inhibitory Function in Migraine is not Generally Impaired
Authors: Huang J , DeLano M , Cao Y
Published: February 2006

A robust, visual masking test that was developed to be feasible with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to examine the visual cortical inhibitory function in migraine patients with visual aura at both psychophysical and cortical levels. The study showed that the decreased visibility of a visual target was associated with a reduction in cortical activation in the primary visual cortex. The suppression of the transient on-response and after-discharge of neurons to the target was most likely to be responsible for reducing cortical activation, rendering the target less visible or invisible. The migraine patients were equally susceptible to visual masking and showed no difference in cortical activation when compared with age- and sex-matched non-headache controls, demonstrating that visual cortical inhibitory function was not impaired under the experimental conditions. Although these results are not in conflict with the general cortical hyperexcitability theory in migraine, they provide evidence to show the limitation to the theory.
Publishing trends in Chinese medicine and related subjects documented in WorldCat
Authors: Leung Shirley , Chan Kylie , Song Lisa
Published: February 2006

Background:  Chinese medicine (CM) has been the subject of increasing interest in the past 30 years, both as a discipline and in the larger context of alternative medicine. It has steadily been accepted by and integrated into the medical and health‐care fields in many countries.

Objective:  This study aims to gain an overview of how CM has been interpreted and presented to the world outside China and to identify emerging trends.

Methods:  This study is designed to analyse the publishing trends of CM and related subjects in all languages except Chinese, ranging from books and serials to audio‐visual and electronic resources found in WorldCat, the world's largest bibliographic database produced by OnLine Computer Library Center (OCLC).

Results:  The findings showed a flourishing growth of publications in CM and related subjects beginning in the 1970s with greater coverage on acupuncture. The materials in English language constitute the major portion of total output.

Conclusion:  We conclude that Chinese medicine has steadily gained recognition in the world based on the analysis of publication records. The translation of original works and analysis of journal literature and conference proceedings on Chinese medicine merit further study.
Zebrafish lacking Alzheimer presenilin enhancer 2 (Pen‐2) demonstrate excessive p53‐dependent apoptosis and neuronal loss
Authors: Campbell William A. , Yang Hongwei , Zetterberg Henrik , Baulac Stéphanie , Sears Jacqueline A. , Liu Tianming , Wong Stephen T. C. , Zhong Tao P. , Xia Weiming
Published: February 2006

γ‐Secretase cleavage, mediated by a complex of presenilin, presenilin enhancer (Pen‐2), nicastrin, and Aph‐1, is the final proteolytic step in generating amyloid β protein found in brains of Alzheimer's disease patients and Notch intracellular domain critical for proper neuronal development. Here, we employ the zebrafish model to study the role of Pen‐2 in neuronal survival. We found that (i) knockdown of Pen‐2 using antisense morpholino led to a reduction of islet‐1 positive neurons, (ii) Notch signaling was reduced in embryos lacking Pen‐2 or other γ‐secretase components, (iii) neuronal loss in Pen‐2 knockdown embryos is not as a result of a lack of neuronal precursor cells or cell proliferation, (iv) absence of Pen‐2 caused massive apoptosis in the whole animal, which could be suppressed by simultaneous knockdown of the tumor suppressor p53, (v) loss of islet‐1 or acetylated tubulin positive neurons in Pen‐2 knockdown embryos could be partially rescued by knockdown of p53. Our results demonstrate that knockdown of Pen‐2 directly induces a p53‐dependent apoptotic pathway that contributes to neuronal loss and suggest that Pen‐2 plays an important role in promoting neuronal cell survival and protecting from apoptosis in vivo.
Gastrointestinal perforation in five dogs associated with the administration of meloxicam
Authors: Enberg Trevor B. , Braun Laurence D. , Kuzma Alan B.
Published: February 2006

Objective: Five canine cases of gastrointestinal (GI) perforation and septic peritonitis associated with the routine use of meloxicam are reviewed.

Series summary: Selective cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are being used more extensively and routinely for acute and chronic pain as well as for perioperative management of pain. These medications are safe and effective but can be associated with known GI and renal side effects. The patients in this case series had no significant concurrent illness, were not on any concurrent medication known to potentiate the ulcerogenic effects of NSAIDs, and in most cases did not display clinical signs that were apparent to the owners until the time of perforation.

New or unique information provided: Despite the preferential selectivity for COX‐2, newer NSAIDs still carry the risk of GI performation. The incidence of GI perforation may be increased with inappropriate dosing regimens, with use of non‐veterinary products and in animals that are at high risk for toxicity. Early signs of toxicity may include alteration in appetite, and subtle signs of nausea during treatment. Warning owners to monitor their pet for vomiting, melena, and hematemesis may not be sufficient to avoid the potential disastrous consequences of GI ulceration.
The effect of storage on the P50 of feline blood
Authors: Wong Chris , Haskins Steve C.
Published: February 2006

Objective: To determine the effect of storage on the P50 of feline hemoglobin.

Design: Prospective, in vitro, laboratory study.

Subjects: Venous blood from 4 clinically healthy cats.

Measurements: Blood was collected into CPDA‐1 anticoagulant/preservative and maintained at 4°C for 5 weeks. Measurements were made on Days 0, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35. The blood samples were equilibrated in a tonometer to gas mixtures containing 2.5%, 4%, 5%, or 8% oxygen, with 5% carbon dioxide balance nitrogen; pH was adjusted to 7.4. Chloride, partial pressure of oxygen, and hemoglobin saturation were measured; P50 was calculated.

Results: Chloride decreased from 124.3±2.1 to 88.5±1.9 mEq/L immediately after dilution with CPDA‐1, and did not change for the 5 weeks thereafter. The P50 decreased from an average of 35.0±1.2 to between 31 and 32 mmHg after 7 days, and did not change further for 4 weeks thereafter.

Conclusions: The decrease in P50 of feline hemoglobin was minor compared with that of blood from species in which 2,3‐diphosphoglycerate (2,3‐DPG) is a major modifier of hemoglobin affinity for oxygen. The decrease in P50 in the present study was attributed to an initial decrease in chloride and a subsequent loss of modest quantities of red cell 2,3‐DPG.
Near infrared photography for craniofacial anthropometric landmark measurement
Authors: Chong Albert K. , Mathieu Renaud
Published: February 2006

Photogrammetry has been recognised as an essential tool for the capture of spatial data to populate a craniofacial spatial database. A craniofacial database aims to provide medical practitioners with accurate craniofacial measurements for medical applications such as craniofacial reconstruction. New technologies and improved techniques continue to be developed to capture accurate spatial data of normal craniofacial features as well as the abnormal (malformations and victims of disease, trauma and burns). Digital near infrared (NIR) cameras are becoming more widely available. The resulting images have a number of advantages over traditional colour photographs. In particular, NIR cameras operate well in low light environments because they provide their own NIR light source. Consequently, this research was carried out to determine the suitability of NIR photography for craniofacial spatial data capture.

The paper provides a discussion of the laboratory testing, data analysis and results of the use of NIR photography for automated and manual craniofacial spatial data capture in various lighting environments. The results show that the automated measurement accuracy is similar for both NIR and colour photographs. No specific signalised targets were needed for the camera calibration of NIR data‐sets. Also, the research found that NIR photographs provide higher contrast compared to colour photographs for manual stereodigitising of anthropometric landmarks when the photographs were taken in a faint‐lighting environment. Consequently, the research suggests that the NIR photographs could be used as an alternative to colour photographs for craniofacial spatial data capture.
Road extraction based on fuzzy logic and mathematical morphology from pan‐sharpened ikonos images
Authors: Mohammadzadeh Ali , Tavakoli Ahad , Valadan Zoej Mohammad J.
Published: February 2006

Automatic extraction of geospatial features has been the subject of extensive research in the past three decades. Here, an approach based on fuzzy logic and mathematical morphology is proposed, to extract main road centrelines from pan‐sharpened IKONOS images. In the IKONOS images, a standard deviation of 10 grey levels has been measured for the road classes. In the proposed fuzzy logic system, just one arbitrary pixel (up to a maximum of 3 pixels) provides an adequate initial value. Road identification requires neither the numbers of the classes nor the corresponding mean values; then, using advanced morphological concepts, the road centreline is extracted. The method is applied to pan‐sharpened IKONOS images of urban, suburban and rural areas around the Pyramids in Egypt, and Rasht City and Kish Island in Iran. The extracted road centrelines have an average error of 0·504 pixel and root mean square error of 0·036 pixel. The method is more accurate at road intersections and on curves than on straight sections of road. The extracted road is then used as a direct input to a geographical information system (GIS).
Non‐invasive diagnosis of large oesophageal varices with FibroTest in patients with cirrhosis: a preliminary retrospective study
Authors: Thabut Dominique , Trabut Jean‐Baptiste , Massard Julien , Rudler Marika , Muntenau Mona , Messous Djamila , Poynard Thierry
Published: February 2006

Abstract: Background and aims: Primary prevention of variceal bleeding with β‐blockers improves survival in patients with large oesophageal varices (LOV). Therefore, cirrhotic patients frequently undergo screening endoscopy. As portal hypertension is related to liver fibrosis, this study aimed to assess the predictive value of FibroTest, a non‐invasive marker of liver fibrosis, for the diagnosis of LOV in cirrhotic patients.

Methods: Ninety‐nine cirrhotic patients had clinical examination, blood sample (liver function tests, platelet count, FibroTest) and upper endoscopy. Measurements of endoscopic and biochemical parameters were made blindly. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves were assessed for FibroTest, platelet count and Child–Pugh score. The main endpoint was the presence of LOV.

Results: Platelet count, prothrombin time, ascites, FibroTest and Child–Pugh class were significantly different among patients with or without LOV. FibroTest had the highest discriminative power with an area under receiver operating characteristics curves of 0.77 (SE=0.06), compared with 0.64 (0.08) and 0.68 (0.08) for platelet count and Child–Pugh score, respectively (P=0.08). A cut‐off at 0.80 had a 86% negative predictive value for the diagnosis of LOV (Se=92%, Sp=21%).

Conclusion: FibroTest could aid in the diagnosis of LOV and may therefore reduce the indication of endoscopic screening in cirrhotic patients.
Simultaneous Spark Plasma Synthesis and Densification of TiC–TiB2 Composites
Authors: Locci Antonio M. , Orrù Roberto , Cao Giacomo , Munir Zuhair A.
Published: February 2006

The simultaneous synthesis and densification of dense TiC–TiB2 composite has been investigated starting from Ti, B4C, and C as reactants, and using the spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The optimal conditions for complete conversion of the reactants to the composite were determined for different applied DC current levels. A kinetic investigation performed allows us to conclude that solid‐state diffusion is the mechanism governing the synthesis process. It is seen that TiC is the first phase formed, while TiB2 formation occurs afterward. Two intermediate boride phases, i.e. TiB and Ti3B4, are also formed but, as the SPS holding time was augmented, they were gradually and completely converted to TiB2. Moreover, it is found that in order to reach relatively high dense products, an electric current needs to be applied for time intervals longer than those required for obtaining complete conversion. A pure dense product (relative density ∼98%) was obtained when an electric pulsed current of 1100 A and a mechanical pressure of 20 MPa were applied for about 4 min.