bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of the inflammatory immune response by the cytokine/chemokine network in amoebiasis
Authors: GARCÍA‐ZEPEDA E. A. , ROJAS‐LÓPEZ A. , ESQUIVEL‐VELÁZQUEZ M. , OSTOA‐SALOMA P.
Published: December 2007

Amoebiasis is caused by the protozoa Entamoeba histolytica and persists as one of the leading parasitic diseases affecting millions worldwide. This parasite invades the intestinal mucosa, causing amoebic colitis and ulcers. It may also spread to other organs, mainly the liver, causing amoebic liver abscess (ALA). Current research efforts have focused on the development of specific diagnostic tests and animal models searching for a better understanding of the complex physiopathology of this disease. Analysis of the inflammatory immune response during intestinal amoebiasis in both human disease and animal murine models has revealed an important regulatory role for chemokines and cytokines. Recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells can also be modulated by specific protease‐mediated cleavage of cytokines and by secreted amoebic factors such as amoebapores and monocyte locomotion inhibitory factor (MLIF). Unlike intestinal amoebiasis, analysis of the immune response in ALA has mainly been done in the hamster model. This has limited our information regarding the immune response during this phase of the disease. However, even with these limitations, several Th1/2 cytokines, such as IL‐6 and IL‐4, and regulatory cytokines, like IL‐10 and TGFβ, have been associated to the development of this disease.
Dermatitis in a horse associated with the poultry mite (Dermanyssus gallinae)
Authors: Mignon Bernard , Losson Bertrand
Published: December 2007

This is the first documented case report of dermatitis associated with the poultry mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) in a horse. It occurred in a 16‐year‐old horse that was in contact with domestic hens. Clinical signs consisted of severe pruritus, with self‐induced hair loss mainly on the head. Despite the multiple skin scrapings performed during both day‐ and nighttime, mites were only isolated from the in‐contact poultry and from the horse's environment, and not the horse. The animal was treated using a 2% permethrin solution, sprayed on the entire body once a week for 4 weeks, and by decontamination of the horse's immediate environment. Although eradication of the mites and elimination of further contact between the horse and the poultry were not achievable, recurrence of dermatitis was prevented by regular applications of permethrin on the horse and biannual decontamination of the horse's stable.
The central role of the chemokine receptor, CXCR4, in haemopoietic stem cell transplantation: will CXCR4 antagonists contribute to the treatment of blood disorders?
Authors: Watt S. M. , Forde S. P.
Published: December 2007

Recent clinical trials have used CXCR4 antagonists for the rapid mobilization of CD34+ haemopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSC/HPC) from the bone marrow to the blood in patients refractory to granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF). These antagonists not only mobilize non‐cycling cells with a higher proportion of repopulating cells, but also enhance CD34+ cell mobilization when used in combination with G‐CSF. Here, we review the importance of CXCR4 and its ligand CXCL12 in haemopoiesis, and the potential roles of CXCR4 antagonists in the clinical HSC transplant setting.
Postharvest Infiltration of BTH Reduces Infection of Mango Fruits (Mangifera indica L. cv. Tainong) by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Enhances Resistance Inducing Compounds
Authors: Zhu X. , Cao J. , Wang Q. , Jiang W.
Published: December 2007

Mango fruits (Mangifera indica L.) were treated by vacuum infiltration of 1.0 mm benzo‐(1,2,3)‐thiadiazole‐7‐carbothioic acid s‐methyl ester (BTH) after harvest. Seventy‐two hours after the treatment with BTH, the fruit were inoculated with 15 μl of conidial suspension of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (1 × 105 conidia/ml) and incubated at 13°C, 85–90% RH for disease development. Disease incidence and lesion diameter in mango fruit after the inoculation were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced by the BTH treatment during the incubation. Peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase, phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase, chitinase and β‐1,3‐glucanase activities and total phenolic compounds content in the fruits were all enhanced by the BTH treatment during the incubation. The catalase activity in the fruit was inhibited, whereas the level of hydrogen peroxide was increased by the BTH treatment during the infection. These responses may be involved in the induced resistance against the pathogen infection in mango fruit by BTH treatment. Application of BTH in fruit possesses promising results in the control of postharvest diseases as an alternative to traditional methods.
New Japanese pediatric guidelines for the treatment and management of bronchial asthma
Authors: MORIKAWA AKIHIRO , NISHIMA SANKEI ,   THE JAPANESE SOCIETY OF PEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
Published: December 2007

There have been a number of guidelines for asthma treatment published throughout the world. However, childhood asthma guidelines must be developed in consideration of the background of the individual countries. The second version of the Japanese Pediatric Guideline for the Treatment and Management of Bronchial Asthma 2002 (JPGL 2002) was published by the Japanese Society of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JSPACI) in November 2002, and was popular among Japanese physicians. After the publication of the JPGL, the incidence of pediatric asthma deaths decreased in Japan. In JPGL 2005 the recommendations were re‐edited based on Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) and the JPGL 2002. In comparison to the GINA guidelines, the JPGL 2005 include a classification system of asthma severity, recommendations for long‐term management organized by age, a special mention of infantile asthma, and an emphasis on prevention and early intervention.
Effect of posture on creatinine clearance in late pregnancy and after pregnancy
Authors: Lohsiriwat Supatra , Imrittha Nathi
Published: December 2007

Aim:  To assess creatinine clearance that indicates glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and to demonstrate the effect of posture on creatinine clearance in late pregnancy compared to the non‐pregnant state.

Methods:  Twenty‐six healthy pregnant women aged 19–30 years were studied for two sessions, first in their third trimester of pregnancy and then in a non‐pregnant state at 6–12 weeks after delivery. In both sessions, creatinine clearance was assessed at three periods: the 24‐h baseline, and at the end of 2‐h sitting and 2‐h lying (in left lateral decubitus position) periods. Urine and blood samples were collected for creatinine clearance measurement.

Results:  The results showed that the 24‐h creatinine clearance in late pregnancy was 28.3% higher than that in the non‐pregnant state (122.6 ± 26.2 vs 95.3 ± 15.1 mL/min per 1.73 m2, P < 0.001). In late pregnancy, after 2‐h sitting, creatinine clearance decreased significantly (10%) compared to the 24‐h baseline (122.6 ± 26.2 vs 110.4 ± 28.6 mL/min per 1.73 m2, P < 0.001). Creatinine clearance rose back to the high baseline level after the pregnant woman laid in left lateral decubitus for 2 h. The decrease in creatinine clearance during prolonged sitting was not seen in the non‐pregnant state. At any posture, the creatinine clearance was always higher in the pregnant state than in the non‐pregnant.

Conclusions:  This study showed that creatinine clearance in late pregnancy was much higher than in the non‐pregnant state, and was affected by sitting for up to 2 h. It might be wise for women to lay down in the left lateral decubitus position for a while after many hours of sitting when pregnancy is approaching its term.
Reproduction of the long‐tongued nectar bat Macroglossus minimus (Pteropodidae) in Brunei, Borneo
Authors: Kofron Christopher P.
Published: December 2007

The long‐tongued nectar bat Macroglossus minimus lagochilus (Megachiroptera, Pteropodidae) is a small fruit bat inhabiting South‐east Asia. Its reproduction was studied in Brunei, Borneo, where individuals were usually captured in rainforest (Ulu Temburong). Adult females (n = 23) had body masses of 13.0–19.0 g, with forelimbs 3.83–4.33 cm in length. All adult females were pregnant, with pregnancies observed during every month except May, September and November when no adult females were captured. Female M. minimus in Brunei have a reproductive cycle that is consistent with a pattern of seasonal bimodal polyoestry. Most births appear to occur from November to May, during which time females experience two births: the first centred around November and December, and the second centred around April and May. These two birth seasons appear correlated to the two seasons of greater rainfall in Brunei: October to December, and April to July. Oestrous and mating apparently occur soon after each birth; however, there appears to be a 2‐ to 3‐month period of delayed embryonic development following the births centred around April and May. The data are consistent with embryonic development commencing around July and August (after a delay) for the births centred around November and December, and around December and January for the births centred around April and May. The data suggest that all adult females participate in each breeding season. Adult males (n = 20) had body masses of 12.5–18.0 g, with forelimbs 3.91–4.26 cm in length.
Internal Knowledge Development and External Knowledge Access in Venture Capital Investment Performance
Authors: De Clercq Dirk , Dimov Dimo
Published: December 2007

abstract We examine the performance effects of two knowledge‐driven strategies – internal knowledge development and external knowledge access through inter‐firm relationships – in the context of venture capital investing. Using longitudinal data on the investments, syndication, and performance of 200 US‐based venture capital firms, we find that investing in industries in which a firm has more knowledge and investing with more or familiar external partners enhances investment performance. In addition, we reveal important interactions between the two strategies, such that access to external knowledge is particularly beneficial when the investment exposes gaps in the firm's own expertise. Thus, access to external knowledge is more effective when an incongruity exists between what the firm knows and what it intends to do. We discuss the study's implications for organizational knowledge and learning, strategic alliance, and venture capital literature.
Cerebral activity modulation by extradural motor cortex stimulation in Parkinson's disease: a perfusion SPECT study
Authors: Cilia R. , Marotta G. , Landi A. , Isaias I. U. , Vergani F. , Benti R. , Sganzerla E. , Gerundini P. , Pezzoli G. , Antonini A.
Published: December 2007

Extradural motor cortex stimulation (EMCS) has been proposed as alternative to deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Its mechanisms of action are still unclear. Neuroimaging evidenced motor cortical dysfunction in PD that can be reversed by therapy. We performed left hemisphere EMCS surgery in six advanced PD patients fulfilling CAPSIT criteria for DBS with the exception of age >70 years. After 6 months, we measured regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) at rest with SPECT and Tc‐99m cysteinate dimer bicisate off‐medication with stimulator off and on. Clinical assessment included Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part II and III, Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale and mean dopaminergic medication dosage. We used statistical parametric mapping for imaging data analysis. Clinically we observed no mean changes in motor scales, although blinded evaluation revealed some benefit in individual patients. We found significant rCBF decrements in the pre‐central gyrus, pre‐motor cortex and caudate nucleus bilaterally, left prefrontal areas and right thalamus. Perfusion increments were found in cerebellum bilaterally. EMCS determined significant modulation of neuronal activity within the cortico‐basal ganglia‐thalamo‐cortical motor loop in our cohort of advanced PD patients. However, these effects were paralleled by mild and variable clinical efficacy.
Spontaneous intracranial hypotension after labor without spinal intervention
Authors: Albayram S. , Tuzgen S. , Gündüz A. , Kılıç F. , Baş A.
Published: December 2007

We present a 29‐year‐old woman admitted with severe postural headache after spontaneous term labor. Lactation ceased for the duration of headache. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed dural thickening that is suggestive of spontaneous intracranial hypotension. CT‐cisternography disclosed cervicodorsal dural leak. She was treated with a high‐volume epidural blood patch (EBP) and her symptoms were relieved. Lactation returned to normal after EBP. She had normal findings on follow‐up MRI examination at 6 months.
An observational study of first‐line valproate monotherapy in focal epilepsy
Authors: Jędrzejczak J. , Kunčíková M. , Magureanu S. ,   on behalf of the VIPe Study Group
Published: December 2007

The objective of this multinational open‐label, prospective study was to collect, under naturalistic conditions, data on the effectiveness and tolerability of first‐line monotherapy with valproate in subjects newly or recently diagnosed with focal onset epilepsy. Patients were treated with sustained release sodium valproate. Seizure control and occurrence of adverse events were assessed after 6 months. Around 1192 adults and 792 children were included. The mean daily valproate dose was 683 mg in children and 987 mg in adults. The retention rate at 6 months was 90.0%. At this time, 77% of subjects were seizure free (83.7% of children and 72.7% of adults). Adverse events possibly related to treatment were observed in 10.2% of subjects, leading to treatment modification for 1.7%. The most common adverse events were weight gain, gastro‐intestinal, neurological and skin disorders. Sustained release sodium valproate is effective and shows acceptable tolerability as first‐line monotherapy in focal onset epilepsy.
Prevalence and incidence of multiple sclerosis in Salerno (southern Italy) and its province
Authors: Iuliano G. , Napoletano R.
Published: December 2007

Many multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence studies in Italian northern and central areas, since 1980, have put Italy in a high risk zone; none concerns southern Italy. The MS registry of Salerno Center was reviewed, including the city and 16 towns at different distances (9–149 km) better connected to our Center. Population screened: 259 681 persons (Salerno = 136 678; province = 123 003). Prevalence day was December 31, 2005. Data on 186 patients were collected of which 55 were males, 131 females; crude total prevalence = 71.6263 (62.03–82.303, ranging from 50.1128 (Oliveto Citra) to 431.499 (Controne). Salerno prevalence rate is 70.9697 (57.41–86.583); standardized = 72.02. Incidence rate ranges from 2.38585 (1.6–3.39) (1991–95) to 4.31997 (3.24–5.6) (2001–05). Our data can be underestimated because some patients could have skipped the local center. This emphasizes that the results, except for Sardinia, are comparable to Italian literature data. They confirm that this territory is a high risk area for MS. There is also an indirect indication against a latitude gradient for MS.
Neuronal nitric oxide synthase C276T polymorphism increases the risk for frontotemporal lobar degeneration
Authors: Venturelli E. , Villa C. , Scarpini E. , Fenoglio C. , Guidi I. , Lovati C. , Marcone A. , Cortini F. , Scalabrini D. , Clerici F. , Bresolin N. , Mariani C. , Cappa S. , Galimberti D.
Published: December 2007

The neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is abundantly expressed in the brain and its transcripts have been found in the frontal cerebral cortex. Eighty‐nine patients with different neurodegenerative tau‐related disorders, including 71 patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), 12 with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and 6 with corticobasal degeneration (CBD), were genotyped for the C276T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in exon 29 of the nNOS gene and compared with 190 age‐matched controls (CON). A significantly increased allelic frequency of the T allele was observed in patients compared with CON (40.4% vs. 29.7%, P = 0.014, OR: 1.94, CI: 1.15–3.27). Considering each disorder separately, significance was reached for FTLD only (39.4%, P = 0.0248 versus controls, OR: 1.96, CI: 1.11–3.47). However, the frequency of the T allele was elevated also in patients with PSP (45.8%) and CBD (41.7%). No differences were observed stratifying according to gender or apolipoprotein E status. The C276T SNP acts as risk factor for sporadic FTLD, possibly influencing NOS1 transcription. Studies in larger populations are needed to confirm its role in PSP and CBD.
Do mating strategies determine genital allometry in African mole rats (Bathyergidae)?
Authors: Kinahan A. A. , Bennett N. C. , Belton L. E. , Bateman P. W.
Published: December 2007

Allometry describes the relationship of components of an organism with change in overall body size and has become the focus of numerous studies on the evolution of genitalia. Typically, negative allometry is observed in insects and is explained by stabilizing selection whereas the very few studies on mammals have shown a positive allometric relationship of genitalia in the body size, thought to have arisen as a result of sexual selection. However, all mammal species studied to date are thought to use mainly post‐copulatory mating strategies. Across mammals, however, both pre‐and post‐copulatory strategies occur (although the two are not mutually exclusive). We propose that where pre‐copulatory strategies are mainly used, no reproductive benefits would result from evolving positively allometric genitalia. As such, mammal genitalia are not typically positively allometric but rather allometry will, to a certain degree, be determined by mating strategy. We tested this prediction using four species of African mole rats (Bathyergidae) exhibiting variation in their life histories and mating strategies. Although generally supported, in that positive allometry did not occur in species that we assumed use mainly pre‐mating strategies, positive allometry did not occur in either of the promiscuous species thought to use post‐copulatory strategies. We suggest, therefore, that while mating strategies may tentatively determine genital allometry, whether positively allometric genitalia occur also depends on a number of complex interacting factors. In addition, this study provides further evidence and empirical support for the co‐evolution of male and female genitalia in mammals.
A cross‐cultural comparison of consumer vanity in the People's Republic of China, South Korea and Thailand: an exploratory study
Authors: Watchravesringkan Kittichai (Tu)
Published: December 2007

In response to calls regarding the applicability of marketing scales in other cultures, the current study re‐examined the psychometric properties and measurement equivalence of the consumer vanity scale. The sample consisted of 723 undergraduate participants from China, South Korea and Thailand. Results revealed that the 21‐item, four‐factor (physical concern, physical view, achievement concern and achievement view) model of consumer vanity exhibited a satisfactory condition of psychometric properties across three samples. Multigroup analysis also revealed that the consumer vanity scales have partial factorial invariance. More specifically, the results as related to latent means comparison revealed that there are differences and similarities between the four dimensions of consumer vanity among Chinese, South Korean and Thai participants. Implications and future research directions are discussed.
Consumers' perceptions and awareness of safe food preparation practices at homes in Trinidad, West Indies
Authors: Boodhu Ambika , Badrie Neela , Sookdhan Judy
Published: December 2007

The objectives were to evaluate consumer perception and awareness of safe food preparation practices at homes. A questionnaire was self‐administered to 124 consumers who were primarily responsible for preparation of foods and owned a refrigerator at home. Data were analysed by frequencies and chi‐square. Most (97.6%) consumers considered safe food practices as ‘very important’. Few (8.9%) related Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point to safe food preparation practices. Microbiological hazard was ranked as a most serious threat to food safety (80.5%).Salmonellawas most well known (79.8%). Diarrhoea (23.7%) was a common symptom of food‐borne illness. More than 50% would ‘always’ check for expiry dates on labels, seals and would never purchase swollen cans. Only 48.4% consumers used separate cutting boards for meats and vegetables ‘always’. Some (6.5%) felt it was appropriate to give unfit food to someone else. The study identified critical points in safe food preparation practices for effective public health education.
Moving towards consumer involvement in maternity services in the north‐east of Ireland
Authors: Kennedy Patricia
Published: December 2007

This article uses a case‐study approach to focus on developments in maternity services in the north‐east of Ireland where there is occurring a planned move towards active consumer involvement. In a country with a poor record of consumer involvement, this is a very welcome and innovative development. The Health Service in Ireland is in crisis, characterized by a very prolonged and difficult restructuring, extreme difficulties in recruiting and retraining staff, lack of resources, long waiting times in accident and emergency units with the media reporting daily counts of those left lying on trolleys for extended periods. The north‐east of the country has been affected by the closure of two maternity units in Monaghan and Dundalk. The region has been rocked in recent years by a major health scandal with a long‐serving obstetrician being struck off the medical register for carrying out an excessive number of caesarean hysterectomies. Out of this, there is emerging an innovative woman‐centred maternity service in the north‐east of the country. This article evaluates these developments with a particular focus on consumer involvement.
Japanese consumers' use of extrinsic and intrinsic cues to mitigate risky food choices
Authors: Kim Renee
Published: December 2007

The stated preference data were used to simulate and examine consumers' valuation of important extrinsic and intrinsic cues that are associated with risky foods. This analysis generates information on how consumers assess trade‐offs between price and selected intrinsic and extrinsic cues to determine their choice among alternative products. From this, optimum level of product quality attributes (i.e. intrinsic cues) and optimum price level for import products can be derived. Also, most effective sources of communicating food safety and risk management can be identified. The results show that the country origin cue is a key factor in understanding consumers' choice behaviour for food product that entails potential risk, which may suggest that consumers are using this information as a risk‐reduction strategy.
Women, men and organic food: differences in their attitudes and willingness to pay. A Spanish case study
Authors: Ureña Félix , Bernabéu Rodolfo , Olmeda Miguel
Published: December 2007

The main purpose of this work consists of displaying the different attitudes of men and women towards organic food, and their willingness to pay for it, in three different consumer intensities: usual, occasional and potential consumers. Several surveys have been carried out to obtain a representative sample of regular food purchasers living in Castilla‐La Mancha (Spain). Statistic analysis previously detecting significant differences with regard to gender and type of consumer has been conducted by univariate analysis to describe attitudes, and multivariate analysis, through ‘logit’ models, to calculate maximum willingness to pay. Results show that women have a more favourable attitude (directly related to their lifestyle) to the purchase and consumption of organic food than men, whereas men are inclined to pay a higher price for organic food than women. In general, men are disposed to pay a higher increase in price than women.
Ghanaian attitudes towards money in consumer culture
Authors: Bonsu Samuel K.
Published: December 2007

The globalization of American‐style consumer culture has invited transformations in attitudes towards money in many societies around the world, rich and poor. However, the majority of research in this area has focused on affluent countries. Towards redress, I report on a study that examined the psychometric properties of Yamauchi and Templer's (1982) money attitude scale (MAS) using a sample drawn from Ghana, West Africa. The findings suggest that although the MAS needs to be reconfigured for effective use in Ghana, Ghanaians have attitudes towards money that are similar in most respects to what has been observed in wealthier countries, which suggests the global reach of consumer culture. Limitations and future research are proposed.
From mornings to evenings: is there variation in shopping behaviour between different hours of the day?
Authors: Skogster Patrik , Uotila Varpu , Ojala Lauri
Published: December 2007

The consumer movement preferences data have traditionally been collected through more or less subjective methods, such as panel interviews, camera tracking and in‐store observation. Modern technology makes it possible also to use more objective methods. In this paper different data‐collecting methods were compared. One method, wireless local area network (WLAN) was tested and used in identification purposes. The empirical data were collected from a large Do‐It‐Yourself store. The most popular departments and sections of the store were explored from the standpoint of different times of a day. The WLAN technology proved to be useful, reliable and objective. The empirical test results show that consumer behaviour varies depending on the time of the day.
The influence of college students' shopping orientations and gender differences on online information searches and purchase behaviours
Authors: Seock Yoo‐Kyoung , Bailey Lauren R.
Published: December 2007

Using the data collected from a survey of 1277 US college students, this study investigated college students' shopping orientations, and examined the relationships between their shopping orientations and searches for information about and purchases of apparel products online and the differences between male and female students in their shopping orientations, online information searches and purchase experiences. Seven shopping orientation constructs were identified: shopping enjoyment, brand/fashion consciousness, price consciousness, shopping confidence, convenience/time consciousness, in‐home shopping tendency and brand/store loyalty. Results showed that participants' shopping orientations were significantly related to their searches for information about and purchases of apparel items online. In addition, male and female participants showed significant differences in their shopping orientations, online information searches and purchase experiences. This study provided suggestions for apparel e‐tailors to develop effective marketing strategies to reach their target market, for consumer educators and for educators in the retail merchandizing area to prepare their students for future careers.
Comparison of dogs with septic peritonitis: 1988–1993 versus 1999–2003
Authors: Bentley Adrienne M. , Otto Cynthia M. , Shofer Frances S.
Published: December 2007

Objective: To describe and compare the patient population, treatment, and outcome in dogs with septic peritonitis from 2 time periods at the same institution.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: The Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania.

Animals: Dogs treated surgically for septic peritonitis between 1988–1993 and 1999–2003.

Interventions: None.

Measurements: Preoperative physical and clinicopathologic data, surgical findings, anesthetic parameters, treatment, and outcome.

Main results: No significant difference in survival among dogs treated surgically for septic peritonitis between 1988 and 1993 (21/33 [64%]) and 1999–2003 (29/51 [57%]) was detected. The patient populations of the two time periods were similar. Changes in treatment between the study periods reflected availability of new antibiotics and synthetic colloids, as well as greater attention to pain management and ulcer prevention. Duration of hospitalization was not significantly different between the two time periods, but the daily cost adjusted to 2005 dollars was higher in 1999–2003. Potential prognostic indicators were compared between survivors and non‐survivors after combining the data from both time periods, and although several parameters reached statistical significance, of greatest clinical significance were the higher blood pressure and preoperative serum albumin in survivors.

Conclusions: Although new treatments were added to the supportive care of dogs with septic peritonitis, survival did not change sufficiently to detect a significant difference between the time periods evaluated. Identifying reliable prognostic indicators for septic peritonitis remains a challenge, but hypotension and decreased preoperative serum albumin were associated with non‐survival in this group of dogs.
Botulinum Toxin Type A in the Treatment of Chronic Migraine Without Medication Overuse
Authors: Freitag Frederick G. , Diamond Seymour , Diamond Merle , Urban George
Published: December 2007

Introduction.— Chronic migraine is a recent diagnostic term that has undergone evolution from its original description. Clinically it has been believed that medication overuse contributed to its development and would block attempts at prevention. Previous studies with Botulinum Toxin Type A have demonstrated that it is effective even in patients with medication overuse. This study undertakes to examine the effects of Botulinum Toxin Type A in the absence of medication overuse in patients with chronic migraine.

Study Design.— Double‐blind placebo‐controlled randomized trial of Botulinum Toxin Type A 100 units administered in a fixed dose and site paradigm.

Patients.— In total, 86 patients were enrolled. A total of 60 patients were randomized and 41 patients were treated with the study medication or placebo. Five patients failed to complete the study, which lasted 4 months after the study medication was injected.

Results.— Botulinum Toxin Type A was statistically superior to placebo for the primary endpoint of reduction in migraine headache episodes. Six patients on Botulinum Toxin Type A compared with 3 patients on Placebo had at least a 50% reduction in their migraine episodes. Active treatment was superior to placebo for the secondary endpoints of total headache days, headache index, and quality of life measures. It showed numerical superiority to placebo for acute medication use and Migraine Disability Assessment Scores. Adverse events were rare and similar in both treatment groups.

Conclusions.— The use of Botulinum Toxin Type A may be an effective treatment for chronic migraine when the patient does not have concomitant medication overuse. It was well tolerated in this trial.
“Some of My Best Friends Are …”: Interracial Friendships, Class, and Segregation in America†
Authors: De Souza Briggs Xavier
Published: December 2007

Ties among persons of different backgrounds, when such ties act as social bridges, play a vital role in diverse societies—expanding identities, opening insular communities of interest, containing intergroup conflicts, and reducing inequalities. Using a phone survey of 29 city–regions matched with census data, this study analyzes predictors of interracial friendships for Whites, Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics, with single– and multilevel path models. Results underscore the social significance of the workplace and of civic involvement. Those who report ties to other races tend to be “joiners,” in the broad sense: Involvement in nonreligious groups, socializing with coworkers, and having more friends are robust predictors for all racial groups. These are strongly associated with each other and with higher socioeconomic status, highlighting a powerful class dimension to accessing intergroup ties. But macro–level opportunity for contact (metro–level racial makeup) dominates the variation in friendship exposure patterns for Whites, whereas associations and other “substructures” are more predictive for minorities. Consistent with immigrant assimilation theory, among minorities, sharing neighborhoods with Whites remains an important—and apparently unique—social marker for the personal relationships of Blacks.
A Larger Aortic Annulus Causes Aortic Regurgitation and a Smaller Aortic Annulus Causes Aortic Stenosis in Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Authors: Sonoda Makoto , Takenaka Katsu , Uno Kansei , Ebihara Aya , Nagai Ryozo
Published: December 2007

A bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) often causes aortic stenosis (AS) or regurgitation (AR). In 54 patients with a BAV (48 ± 16 years), transthoracic and transesophageal echo were performed to measure aortic annulus diameter (AAD), to evaluate the severity of aortic valve disease (AVD) and to calculate the area eccentricity index (AEI) of a BAV defined as a ratio of the larger aortic cusp area to a smaller aortic cusp area. By multiple linear regression analysis, the severity of AR correlated significantly with the AAD (r = 0.38) and AEI (r = 0.35) (P < 0.05) and that of AS correlated significantly with the AAD (r =−0.40) and AEI (r = 0.34) (P < 0.05). Thirty‐six patients showed anteroposteriorly (A‐P) located BAVs and 18 patients showed right‐left (R‐L) located BAVs. The AAD was larger in A‐P type than in R‐L type (15 ± 3 vs 13 ± 2 mm/BSA, P < 0.05) and there was no difference in the age and AEI between the two groups. AR was more severe in A‐P type than in R‐L type while AS was more severe in R‐L type than in A‐P type (P < 0.05). Twenty‐nine patients showed raphes. The AEI was larger in raphe (+) type than in raphe (–) type (1.83 ± 0.53 vs 1.51 ± 0.47, P < 0.05) and there was no difference in the AAD and severity of AVD between the two groups. In conclusion, a BAV with larger aortic annulus or A‐P located will tend to cause AR while a BAV with smaller aortic annulus or R‐L located will tend to cause AS.
Has the Clinical Presentation and Clinician's Index of Suspicion of Cardiac Tamponade Changed Over the Past Decade?
Authors: Gandhi Sachin , Schneider Avi , Mohiuddin Syed , Han Hui , Patel Ayan R. , Pandian Natesa G. , Kuvin Jeffrey T.
Published: December 2007

It remains unclear whether advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology and improvements in cardiovascular imaging over the years have impacted the clinician's recognition of cardiac tamponade (CT). We sought to evaluate signs and symptoms of CT in a present‐day population and compare it to a similar group from a decade prior. We performed a retrospective analysis of two cohorts of patients presenting to a tertiary hospital with CT, all of whom underwent pericardial drainage (PD). Group 1 (Gp1) included subjects presenting from 1988 to 1991 and Group 2 (Gp2) included subjects from 2002 to 2005. Fifty‐five patients comprised each group, with an average age of 55 years. Seventy‐one percent of patients in Gp1 had identifiable cardiovascular symptoms 1 week prior to presentation, compared to 33% in Gp2. Dyspnea was the most common symptom in both groups, and was less frequent in Gp2. Compared with Gp1, chest pain, cough, and lethargy were also less frequent in Gp2. One day prior to PD, tachypnea and pulsus paradoxus were detected more frequently in Gp1 compared to Gp2. Large, circumferential pericardial effusions were the most frequent echocardiographic findings in both groups and the most common etiology of CT was malignancy in Gp1and postoperative bleeding in Gp2. Thus, the recognition of symptoms and physical signs in patients presenting with CT has changed over the past decade, as has etiology of pericardial effusions. However, the diagnosis of CT still remains delayed, and the present data emphasize the need for a heightened index of suspicion for recognizing this hemodynamically‐important process.
Repigmentation of pretibial vitiligo with calcineurin inhibitors under occlusion
Authors: Hartmann Anke , Bröcker Eva‐Bettina , Hamm Henning
Published: December 2007

Treatment of vitiligo is a challenge, especially in children. Recently, topical calcineurin inhibitors have been introduced in the management of vitiligo, but significant repigmentation is not achieved except on the face. Large pretibial lesions of a 15‐year‐old female with progressive vitiligo were treated twice daily over six months with 0.1% tacrolimus ointment on the right and 1% pimecrolimus cream on the left side without effect. Additional overnight occlusion with polyurethane and hydrocolloid foils during the following 18 months led to substantial repigmentation on both sides (tacrolimus‐treated side, 88% repigmented area; pimecrolimus‐treated side, 73%). Tacrolimus serum levels measured at four different time points did not exceed 1.8 ng/ml. This case report on a direct comparison of topical tacrolimus and pimecrolimus in vitiligo shows that on the shins considerable improvement could be induced with both agents only by additional long‐term occlusion and that tacrolimus was somewhat more effective than pimecrolimus.
A profile of the residues in the second extracellular loop that are critical for ligand recognition of human prostacyclin receptor
Authors: Ni Feng , So Shui‐Ping , Cervantes Vanessa , Ruan Ke‐He
Published: December 2007

The residues in the second extracellular loop (eLP2) of the prostanoid receptors, which are important for specific ligand recognition, were previously predicted in our earlier studies of the thromboxane A2 receptor (TP) using a combination of NMR spectroscopy and recombinant protein approaches. To further test this hypothesis, another prostanoid receptor, the prostacyclin receptor (IP), which has opposite biological characteristics to that of TP, was used as a model for these studies. A set of recombinant human IPs with site‐directed mutations at the nonconserved eLP2 residues were constructed using an Ala‐scanning approach, and then expressed in HEK293 and COS‐7 cells. The expression levels of the recombinant receptors were six‐fold higher in HEK293 cells than in COS‐7 cells. The residues important for ligand recognition and binding within the N‐terminal segment (G159, Q162, and C165) and the C‐terminal segment (L172, R173, M174, and P179) of IP eLP2 were identified by mutagenesis analyses. The molecular mechanisms for the specific ligand recognition of IP were further demonstrated by specific site‐directed mutagenesis using different amino acid residues with unique chemical properties for the key residues Q162, L172, R173, and M174. A comparison with the corresponding functional residues identified in TP eLP2 revealed that three (Q162, R173, and M174) of the four residues are nonconserved, and these are proposed to be involved in specific ligand recognition. We discuss the importance of G159 and P179 in ligand recognition through configuration of the loop conformation is discussed. These studies have further indicated that characterization of the residues in the eLP2 regions for all eight prostanoid receptors could be an effective approach for uncovering the molecular mechanisms of the ligand selectivities of the G‐protein‐coupled receptors.
Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Life Satisfaction Checklist as a Screening Tool for Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Moncada Ignacio , Micheltorena Cristina Fernández , Martínez-Sánchez Eva M. , Gutiérrez Javier Rejas
Published: December 2007

Introduction

There is a need for a more feasible and acceptable screening tool for erectile dysfunction (ED) in our health context. The Fugl-Meyer's Life Satisfaction Checklist (LISAT-8) has been shown to be a simple and good instrument for assessing the satisfaction of ED patients in different aspects of their lives and has also shown acceptable psychometric properties to be used in the Spanish population with ED. Furthermore, this checklist has been used as a screening tool in patients with and without ED, showing valid and reliable properties for detection of ED.

Aim

To evaluate the validity and feasibility of LISAT-8 checklist as a screening tool to detect ED.

Methods and Main Outcome Measures

A cross-sectional, multicenter, and observational study was conducted including 6,986 Spanish men aged over 18 years. Patients completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) and LISAT-8 checklists. Questions about the simplicity of SHIM and LISAT-8 and time to complete them were used for feasibility evaluation. We used logistic regression analysis to select the best predictors for ED among the different items of LISAT-8 and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to select the best cutoff value discriminating ED vs. non-ED subjects. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV), along with kappa agreement coefficient, were also estimated.

Results

A total of 6,986 patients were included. Among the patients, 71.2% preferred LISAT-8 to SHIM. Time to completion of checklist was 0.5 minute less with LISAT-8 than with SHIM (P <00001). Items 2 (sexual life), 5 (contacts with friends and acquaintances), and 3 (partner relationship) of LISAT–8 were selected as predictors for ED. ROC curve analysis showed a cutoff point ≥15 with a sensitivity of 81.7% (95% confidence intervals: 80.5–82.9), a specificity of 79.2% (77.5–80.8), and PPV of 88.7% (87.6–89.8%) and NPV of 72.0% (70.0–73.0%). Kappa agreement coefficients were 0.57 (LISAT-8 vs. SHIM) and 0.60 (LISAT-8 vs. IIEF).

Conclusions

LISAT-8 and its composite variable (formed by items 2+3+5) showed acceptable psychometric properties, and it could be a valid screening tool for ED in daily clinical practice.
Vaginal Vasomotion—Its Appearance, Measurement, and Usefulness in Assessing the Mechanisms of Vasodilatation
Authors: Levin Roy J. , Wylie Kevan
Published: December 2007

Introduction

In a number of tissue microcirculations, the phenomenon of vasomotion occurs where only a proportion of the total number of capillaries present are open at the same time; they normally open and close in a random or chaotic order, partly determined by the metabolic state of their surrounding cells.

Aim

A pilot to examine by photoplethysmography whether the vaginal microcirculation shows evidence of vasomotion and the effect when sexual arousal is induced.

Methods

The vaginal microcirculation in 14 healthy, premenopausal women was monitored by intravaginal infrared photoplethysmography using the vaginal pulse amplitude (VPA) as the index of blood content in the basal condition and during sexual arousal induced by video and/or clitoral stimulation.

Main Outcome Measure

Analysis and interpretation of vaginal photoplethysmographic traces.

Results

The basal traces in all the sexually unaroused subjects (N=14) showed at least two populations of their VPAs: a high amplitude VPA (h-VPA) with rapid ascending phase (short duration of systolic infill) and descending phase (short duration of diastolic outflow) among which were pseudorandomly scattered, low amplitude VPAs (l-VPA) with less acute ascending and descending phases; the l-VPAs were usually half the amplitude of the h-VPAs. On sexual arousal, the l-VPAs were converted into h-VPAs so that the l-VPAs decreased and in some cases practically disappeared, and the h-VPAs usually showed an increase; with cessation of the vasodilatory stimulus (N=6), there was a slow recovery of the l-VPAs. The induction of orgasm did not appear to facilitate their recovery. Even during a short duration of sexual arousal (1 minute), the decrease in the l-VPAs (N=6) was a more sensitive index of the occurrence of genital arousal than relying solely on changes in the maximum amplitude of the VPA.

Conclusion

Because of vasomotion, the vaginal microcirculation can react to a vasodilatory stimulus with one of four theoretical photoplethysmographic responses, viz., Type 1 (full response), where there is a significant increase in the amplitude of the h-VPA signal and the number of l-VPAs are greatly reduced with a near corresponding increase in the h-VPAs; Type 2 (partial response), where the amplitude (and in some cases the number) of the h-VPAs increases but there is no decrease in the number of l-VPAs; Type 3 (partial response), where the amplitude of the h-VPAs changes little but the number of l-VPAs is reduced and the number of h-VPAs are correspondingly increased; and Type 4, where neither the amplitude of the h-VPAs (or their number) nor the number of the l-VPAs change significantly (a noneffective stimulus). This new analysis allows a more comprehensive and better discriminatory assessment of vaginal vasodilatation (genital arousal) and its return to the basal state in response to sexual arousal and now includes a new measure that is independent of an increase in the h-VPA maximum amplitude (Type 3 response).
Discovery of HLA‐B*480102 in Taiwanese
Authors: Chen M. J. , Chu C. C. , Shyr M. H. , Lin P. Y. , Yang K. L.
Published: December 2007

Human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐B48, an antigen within 7C CREG (cross‐reacting group) (Steiner et al., 2001) that cross‐reacts frequently with HLA‐B40 (i.e. HLA‐B60 and ‐B61) group of antibodies serologically, can be found in Alaskan Natives (Leffell et al., 2002), Amerindians (Martinez‐Naves et al., 1997), African Americans, Caucasians, and Oriental ethnicities (Mori et al., 1997; Schipper et al., 1997; Cao et al., 2001; Middleton et al., 2004; Hong et al., 2005; Itoh et al., 2005; Lee et al., 2005; Ogata et al., 2007). Sequencing investigations demonstrated that the common allele encoding the B48 antigen is B*4801 (Belich et al., 1992). To date, there are at least 16 WHO recognized B*48 alleles according to the most recent report from the WHO nomenclature committee (Marsh et al., 2005). Here we report a newly discovered allele B*480102, a variant of B*4801, detected in a 55‐year‐old Taiwanese patient of Minan origin (southern China).
States of Risk: Should Cosmopolitans Favor Their Compatriots?
Authors: Vernon Richard
Published: December 2007

Recent cosmopolitan thinking attempts to find a place for local (including national) attachment, but all of the proposals offered have been exposed to telling critique. There are objections to the claim that local obligations are only instances of cosmopolitan duty, and to the claim that we can give a moral justification to national societies as networks of mutual benefit. This article argues that it is not mutual benefit but mutual risk that grounds compatriot preference. While exposure to coercion as such does not track national boundaries, exposure to the risks of state abuse, political choice, and social conformity provide us with a reason to take our compatriots' interests seriously. The same argument, however, displays the limits of this reasoning, and also grounds a demanding obligation to aid other societies.
Treatment of a metallic foreign body in the cranial cervical region of a horse
Authors: Bell RJW , Dart AJ , Smith CL
Published: December 2007

Ingestion of foreign bodies is uncommon in horses when compared with indiscriminate grazers such as cattle. This case report describes the diagnosis and treatment of a cervical abscess in a Thoroughbred racehorse thought to be associated with ingestion of wire. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examination provided a diagnosis, and conservative treatment of the lesion with antimicrobials initially allowed the lesion to localise closer to the skin for safer surgical exploration. Intra‐operative ultrasonographic imaging facilitated surgical access, removal of the foreign body, and drainage. While surgical treatment is usually necessary to resolve an abscess, initially conservative therapy may help to improve the prognosis by simplifying surgical access and reducing the risk of surgical complications.