bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primary cutaneous Langerhans cell sarcoma without Birbeck granules: indeterminate cell sarcoma?
Authors: Deng April , Lee Wendy , Pfau Richard , Harrington Allan , DiGiovani John , Prickett Kyle A. , Dare David M. , Petrali John P.
Published: April 2008

An 88‐year‐old white male presented with a rapidly growing skin nodule on the scalp. Clinically, the nodule did not appear unusual for an ordinary cutaneous neoplasm on sun‐exposed skin of an elderly white male. Histopathological examination showed sheet‐like epithelioid tumor cell growth with a vaguely nested pattern and frank malignant features, resembling malignant melanoma. However, the tumor cells possessed irregularly convoluted nuclei with nuclear groves, frequent multinucleation and fine vesicular cytoplasm, features highly suggestive of histiocytes. Immunohistochemistry studies showed that the tumor cells were diffusely positive for S‐100 protein and CD1a and negative for HMB‐45, Melan‐A, cytokeratin and CD30. The provisional diagnosis of Langerhans cell sarcoma was thus favored. To confirm this diagnosis, electron microscopic examination was performed. Although classic features of histiocytes were readily identifiable, no Birbeck granules could be found upon a thorough search on repeated sections. These results are indicative of the indeterminate cell nature of the tumor. We propose a diagnosis of primary cutaneous indeterminate cell sarcoma for this unusual histiocytic neoplasm. Current classification of histiocytic neoplasms and differential diagnosis are reviewed.
The LX—M relation of clusters of galaxies
Authors: Rykoff E. S. , Evrard A. E. , McKay T. A. , Becker M. R. , Johnston D. E. , Koester B. P. , Nord B. , Rozo E. , Sheldon E. S. , Stanek R. , Wechsler R. H.
Published: April 2008

We present a new measurement of the scaling relation between X-ray luminosity and total mass for 17 000 galaxy clusters in the maxBCG cluster sample. Stacking subsamples within fixed ranges of optical richness, N200, we measure the mean 0.1–2.4 keV X-ray luminosity, 〈LX〉 , from the ROSAT All-Sky Survey. The mean mass, 〈M200〉, is measured from weak gravitational lensing of SDSS background galaxies. For 9 ⩽ N200 < 200, the data are well fitted by a power law, 〈LX〉/1042h−2 erg s−1=[12.6+1.4−1.3 (stat) ± 1.6 (sys)](〈M200〉/1014h−1 M⊙)1.65±0.13. The slope agrees to within 10 per cent with previous estimates based on X-ray selected catalogues, implying that the covariance in LX and N200 at a fixed halo mass is not large. The luminosity intercept is 30 per cent, or 2σ, lower than that determined from the X-ray flux-limited sample of Reiprich & Böhringer, assuming hydrostatic equilibrium. This slight difference could arise from a combination of Malmquist bias and/or systematic error in hydrostatic mass estimates, both of which are expected. The intercept agrees with that derived by Stanek et al. using a model for the statistical correspondence between clusters and haloes in a WMAP3 cosmology with power spectrum normalization s8= 0.85. Similar exercises applied to future data sets will allow constraints on the covariance among optical and hot gas properties of clusters at a fixed mass.
THERMAL INACTIVATION OF YERSINIA ENTEROCOLITICA IN LIQUID EGG PRODUCTS*
Authors: FAVIER GABRIELA ISABEL , ESCUDERO MARÍA ESTHER , DE GUZMÁN ANA MARÍA STEFANINI
Published: April 2008

Decimal reduction times (D values) and zD values for a three‐strain cocktail of Yersinia enterocolitica O:9 in three heat‐treated liquid egg products (whole eggs, egg yolks and egg whites) were determined. Products were inoculated at a final concentration of 2 × 107 cfu/mL and heated in capillary tubes to temperatures ranging from 51C to 64C for various time intervals. D values ranged from 0.06 (64C) to 11.30 min (55C) for liquid yolk, 0.058 (64C) to 11.29 min (55C) for liquid whole eggs and 0.39 (57C) to 9.88 min (51C) for liquid white. Thermal inactivation curves yielded zD values of 4.20C (whole eggs), 4.51C (egg whites) and 4.53C (egg yolks). D‐processes corresponding to the Y. enterocolitica inactivation during 3.5 min at temperatures required for egg pasteurization were estimated in 7D and 6.8D at 61C in liquid whole eggs and egg yolks respectively, and 8.9D at 57C in egg whites. The Y. enterocolitica risk should be considered in egg safety regulations.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Even though the prevalence of potentially pathogenic Y. enterocolitica on eggshell has been estimated to be 2.3% in our region, there is possible risk of penetration and proliferation of this microorganism into eggs during storage. In the present study, thermal inactivation techniques usually applied to eliminate Salmonella from liquid eggs were assayed on Y. enterocolitica‐contaminated liquid egg products. D and zD values calculated for this microorganism allowed to estimate the bactericidal effect produced by heating on these products. Knowledge related to the thermal inactivation of Y. enterocolitica from liquid egg products might contribute to food safety.
Pharyngolaryngectomy using a free jejunal graft: a new anastomosis technique
Authors: Babar‐Craig H. , Clarke P.M. , Wood S.H.
Published: April 2008

Keypoints

We describe a technique of staple anastomosis for pharyngolaryngeal reconstruction using a free jejunal graft.

Stapled anastomosis can be applied to both the upper and lower pharyngeal and oesophageal repair. Our series of 37 stapled anastomosis developed no post operative leaks.

This technique allows an easier method for inferior anastomosis low down in the upper mediastinum where access is often difficult.

Swallowing was established in all patients.

Primary puncture into oesophagus below the anastomosis, gives good results with a low stricture rate of 11% all of which resolved with a single subsequent dilatation.
Infant hearing screening: effects of timeline
Authors: Tsui P.W.Y. , McPherson B. , Wong E.C.M. , Ng I.H.‐Y.
Published: April 2008

Objectives:  Universal infant hearing screening using otoacoustic emission and auditory brain‐stem response audiometry is widely administered to attain the goals of early identification of, and intervention for hearing impairment. Concerns regarding screening specificity have, however, been raised. False positives may result from vernix occlusion in the ear canal or transient middle ear effusion, and can result in substantial costs to health care systems. The current study investigates the effects of age and time interval between tests on hearing assessment results.

Setting & participants:  Three hundred and seventeen positive screens from a 2‐stage distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) screening programme in Hong Kong, who subsequently received diagnostic auditory brainstem response (ABR) assessment and monitoring, were investigated.

Main outcome measures:  Differences in diagnostic ABR results were compared among infants of different ages at tests, and with different time lapses after DPOAE screening. The proportion of those having persistent hearing impairment, conductive loss and impairment of moderate degree or above, were also compared.

Results:  A significantly higher rate of normal ABR thresholds (60%versus 24%) was noted in infants assessed after age 50 days, and in infants diagnostically assessed with a time lapse of over 20 days post‐DPOAE screening (65%versus 42%).

Conclusions:  Delaying diagnostic ABR assessment may reveal a higher percentage of normal thresholds, and hence probably higher specificity. Time delay may allow for spontaneous resolution of transient outer and middle ear conditions. However, the goals of early identification and intervention, as well as possible parental anxiety with delayed assessment, should also be considered when reviewing infant hearing screening schedules.
Detection of oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid from German Shepherd dogs with degenerative myelopathy by isoelectric focusing and immunofixation
Authors: Kamishina Hiroaki , Oji Takashi , Cheeseman Jennifer A. , Clemmons Roger M.
Published: April 2008

Background: Detection of intrathecal IgG synthesis is important in evaluating inflammatory diseases in the central nervous system. Isoelectric focusing (IEF) is currently the most sensitive method to demonstrate intrathecal IgG synthesis and may have diagnostic value for German Shepherd degenerative myelopathy (GSDM).

Objective: The objective of this study was to adapt a modified IEF and immunofixation method for the detection of oligoclonal bands in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from dogs with GSDM.

Methods: Serum and lumbar CSF samples were collected from 6 German Shepherd dogs clinically diagnosed with GSDM. Samples were also collected from 6 clinically healthy dogs for comparison. The concentration of IgG was measured by quantitative ELISA and the concentration of total protein was measured by the Bradford protein assay. The presence of oligoclonal bands was evaluated by use of modified IEF followed by immunofixation.

Results: The concentrations of total protein and IgG, and the IgG/total protein ratio in CSF samples, were not significantly different between GSDM patients and control dogs. Four GSDM patients had oligoclonal bands in their CSF based on IEF–immunofixation. No oligoclonal bands were found in CSF from control dogs.

Conclusion: The results suggest that the detection of oligoclonal bands by IEF–immunofixation may have diagnostic value for GSDM, and support the idea that humoral immune responses may play a role in the pathogenesis of GSDM.
Monitoring changes in membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate in living cells using a domain from the transcription factor tubby
Authors: Quinn Kathryn V. , Behe Philippe , Tinker Andrew
Published: April 2008

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2) is a key component in signal transduction, being a precursor to other signalling molecules and itself associated with roles in signal transduction and cell biology. Tubby is a membrane bound transcription factor whose dysfunction results in obesity in mice. It contains a domain that selectively binds PtdIns(4,5)P2. We have investigated the use of a fluorescently tagged version of this domain to monitor changes in PtdIns(4,5)P2 concentration in living cells and compared it to the pleckstrin homology domain of PLCδ1. Our results show that selected mutants of this domain report receptor‐mediated changes in cellular PtdIns(4,5)P2. In contrast to the pleckstrin homology domain of PLCδ1 it does not have a significant affinity for inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3). Using a selected mutant, we examine the regulation of ATP‐sensitive K+ channels via a Gq/11‐coupled receptor. These experiments reveal a correlation between reporter translocation and the onset of current inhibition whilst the recovery of current after agonist removal is delayed when compared to the reporter. Furthermore our studies reveal the importance of Ca2+ in determining the overall activity of phospholipase C in living cells. This probe may be valuable in examining changes in PtdIns(4,5)P2 distinct from those of IP3 in intact cells in a variety of physiological settings.
Seasonal Speedup Along the Western Flank of the Greenland Ice Sheet
Authors: Joughin Ian , Das Sarah B. , King Matt A. , Smith Ben E. , Howat Ian M. , Moon Twila
Published: April 2008

It has been widely hypothesized that a warmer climate in Greenland would increase the volume of lubricating surface meltwater reaching the ice-bedrock interface, accelerating ice flow and increasing mass loss. We have assembled a data set that provides a synoptic-scale view, spanning ice-sheet to outlet-glacier flow, with which to evaluate this hypothesis. On the ice sheet, these data reveal summer speedups (50 to 100%) consistent with, but somewhat larger than, earlier observations. The relative speedup of outlet glaciers, however, is far smaller (<15%). Furthermore, the dominant seasonal influence on Jakobshavn Isbrae's flow is the calving front's annual advance and retreat. With other effects producing outlet-glacier speedups an order of magnitude larger, seasonal melt's influence on ice flow is likely confined to those regions dominated by ice-sheet flow.
Importance of checking anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody status in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-positive vasculitis
Authors: Gallagher J L , Sinha S , Reeve R , Kalra P A
Published: April 2008

The case is reported of a 68-year-old man with perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (pANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis who developed antibodies to glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) resulting in end stage renal failure. His pANCA titre on admission was 1:1024 IgG and he was anti-myeloperoxidase positive. A renal biopsy showed advanced sclerosing necrotising glomerulonephritis consistent with a pauci-immune ANCA-positive glomerulonephritis. He was treated with steroids and cyclophosphamide. His serum creatinine profile improved. He had a relapse of disease 16 months later, which was successfully treated. After a further 16 months, he presented with acute renal failure (creatinine 1060 μmol/l). His pANCA titre on admission was 1:64 IgG. This was treated as a further relapse of ANCA-positive vasculitis. He became oliguric and his haemoglobin concentration fell. Eight days after admission, he was found to be strongly positive for anti-GBM (138 U/ml). Despite receiving cyclophosphamide, steroids and plasma exchange, he remained dialysis-dependent.
Pollen viability and germination in some neotropical aroids
Authors: Barabé Denis , Lavallée Karine , Gibernau Marc
Published: April 2008

Pollen viability and germination were observed in six species of neotropical Araceae. In Anaphyllopsis americana (Engl.) A. Hay, 50% of pollen grains remain viable after 70 h following dehiscence, and it takes over 210 h for total loss of viability to occur. In Montrichardia arborescens (L.) Schott, approximately 50% of pollen grains are not viable after 24 h, and no germination occurs after 36 h. Monstera adansonii Schott and Philodendron pedatum (Hook.) Kunth have the lowest initial pollen viability (40%–55%) and lose half of this viability after approximately 30 h. Pollen grains of Monstera adansonii remain viable for at least 60 h and that of P. pedatum for approximately 40 h, and constitute another group with a similar viability pattern. In Philodendron melinonii Brongn. ex Regel and Philodendron solimoesense A.C. Sm., pollen loses 50% of its viability after 24 h, but remains viable for at least 48 h. The percentage of viability decreases in a pattern from species having a long flowering cycle and small pollen grains (A. americana) to species with a short flowering cycle and large pollen grains (M. arborescens).
DECOMPOSITION OF SU(2) CONNECTION AND KNOT STRUCTURE IN SKYRME–FADDEEV MODEL
Authors: REN JI-RONG , LI RAN , DUAN YI-SHI
Published: April 2008

In this paper, spinor and vector decomposition of SU(2) gauge potential are presented and their equivalence is constructed using a simple proposal. We also obtain the action of Skyrme–Faddeev model from the SU(2) massive gauge field theory which is proposed according to the gauge invariant principle. Then, the knot structure in Skyrme–Faddeev model is discussed in terms of the so-called ϕ-mapping topological current theory. The topological charge of the knot is characterized by the Hopf indices and the Brouwer degrees of ϕ-mapping, naturally. At last, we briefly discussed the topological invariant–Hopf invariant which describes the topology of these knots. It is shown that Hopf invariant is the total number of all the linking numbers and self-linking numbers of these knots.
Achieving a Healthy Weight Gain During Pregnancy
Authors: Olson Christine M.
Published: April 2008

This review uses the 1990 U.S. Institute of Medicine (IOM) gestational weight gain recommendations to examine the question, what is a healthy pregnancy weight gain? The relationship of gestational weight gain to infant size at birth; pregnancy, labor, and delivery complications; neonatal, infant, and child outcomes; and maternal weight and health outcomes in U.S. and European populations are discussed. Pregnancy weight gains within the IOM recommendations are associated with better outcomes. The possible exception is very obese women, who may benefit from weight gains less than the 7 kg (15 pounds) recommended. Only about 33% to 40% of U.S. women gain within IOM recommendations. Excessive gestational weight gain is more prevalent than inadequate gain. Women's gestational weight gains tend to follow the recommendations of health care providers. Current interventions demonstrate efficacy in influencing gestational weight gain in low-income women with normal and overweight body mass index in the United States and obese women in Scandinavia.
Living in two Worlds: The Plant and Insect Lifestyles ofXylella fastidiosa
Authors: Chatterjee Subhadeep , Almeida Rodrigo P. P , Lindow Steven
Published: April 2008

Diseases caused by Xylella fastidiosa have attained great importance worldwide as the pathogen and its insect vectors have been disseminated. Since this is the first plant pathogenic bacterium for which a complete genome sequence was determined, much progress has been made in understanding the process by which it spreads within the xylem vessels of susceptible plants as well as the traits that contribute to its acquisition and transmission by sharpshooter vectors. Athough this pathogen shares many similarities with Xanthomonas species, such as its use of a small fatty acid signal molecule to coordinate virulence gene expression, the traits that it utilizes to cause disease and the manner in which they are regulated differ substantially from those of related plant pathogens. Its complex lifestyle as both a plant and insect colonist involves traits that are in conflict with these stages, thus apparently necessitating the use of a gene regulatory scheme that allows cells expressing different traits to co-occur in the plant.
Breaking the Barriers: Microbial Effector Molecules Subvert Plant Immunity
Authors: Göhre Vera , Robatzek Silke
Published: April 2008

Adaptation to specialized environments allows microorganisms to inhabit an enormous variety of ecological niches. Growth inside plant tissues is a niche offering a constant nutrient supply, but to access this niche, plant defense mechanisms ranging from passive barriers to induced defense reactions have to be overcome. Pathogens have to break several, if not all, of these barriers. For this purpose, they secrete effector molecules into plant cells to interfere with individual defense responses. Plant defense is organized in multiple layers, and therefore the action of effectors likely follows this same order, leading to a hierarchy in effector orchestration. In this review we summarize the latest findings regarding the level at which effectors manipulate plant immunity. Particular attention is given to those effectors whose mechanism of action is known. Additionally, we compare methods to identify and characterize effector molecules.
Physical activity and bone development during childhood: insights from animal models
Authors: Forwood Mark R.
Published: April 2008

Animal studies illustrate greater structural and material adaptations of growing bone to exercise than in adult bones but do not define effective training regimes to optimize bone strength in children. Controlled loading studies in turkey, rat, or mouse bones have revealed mechanisms of mechanotransduction and loading characteristics that optimize the modeling response to applied strains. Insights from these models reveal that static loads do not play a role in mechanotransduction and that bone formation is threshold driven and dependent on strain rate, amplitude, and partitioning of the load. That is, only a few cycles of loading are required at any time to elicit an adaptive response, and distributed bouts of loading, incorporating rest periods, are more osteogenic than single sessions of long duration. These parameters of loading have been translated into feasible public health interventions that exploit the insights gained from animal experiments to achieve adaptive responses in children and adolescents. Studies manipulating estrogen receptors (ER) in mice also demonstrate that skeletal sensitivity to loading during the peripubertal period is due to a direct regulation of mechanotransduction pathways by ER, and not just a simple enhancement of cell activity already marshaled by the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Unfortunately, because the rate and timing of growth in small animals are completely different from those in humans, these models can be poor tools to elucidate periods during growth in youths, during which the skeleton is more sensitive to loading. However, there are insights from studies of human growth that can improve the interpretation of data from such studies of growth and development in animals.
Postnatal changes in the expression of serotonin 2A receptors in various brain stem nuclei of the rat
Authors: Liu Qiuli , Wong-Riley Margaret T. T.
Published: April 2008

Previously, we reported a critical period [around postnatal day (P) 12– 13 in the rat] in respiratory network development when distinct neurochemical, metabolic, and physiological changes occur. Since serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptors play an important role in respiratory modulation, we hypothesized that they may undergo developmental adjustments during the critical period. Semi-quantitative immunohistochemical analyses were conducted in labeled neurons in a number of brain stem nuclei with or without known respiratory functions from P2 to P21 in rats. Our data indicate that the expressions of 5-HT2A receptors in neurons of the pre-Bötzinger complex, the nucleus ambiguus, and the hypoglossal nucleus were maintained within a relatively narrow range between P2 and P21, with a dip at P3–P4 and a significant reduction only at P12. This change was not observed in the nonrespiratory cuneate nucleus. These results suggest that reduced expressions of 5-HT2A receptors at P12 contributes to neurochemical imbalance within brain stem respiratory nuclei at that time and may be involved in decreased hypoxic ventilatory response at this critical period of development.
Rat Models of Autoimmune Uveitis
Authors: Wildner Gerhild , Diedrichs-Möhring Maria , Thurau Stephan R.
Published: April 2008

Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) in Lewis rats is a well-established model for human uveitis. During the last years we used this model to demonstrate extraocular induction of uveitis by antigenic mimicry of environmental antigens with retinal autoantigen and investigated the migration and intraocular reactivation of autoreactive green fluorescent protein (GFP)+ T cells. We could also elaborate several differences between EAU induced with S-antigen peptide PDSAg or R14, a peptide derived from interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein, suggesting two differently regulated diseases in the same rat strain. R14-mediated EAU in Lewis rats has been shown to relapse, thus we have a new model to test therapeutic approaches in an ongoing immune response instead of just preventing disease. Finally, we show antigenic mimicry of PDSAg and an HLA-B peptide for oral tolerance induction. After the successful first therapeutic trial this approach will now proceed with international multicenter clinical trials.
Photoreceptor Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress in Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis
Authors: Saraswathy Sindhu , Rao Narsing A.
Published: April 2008

In experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), the macrophages infiltrate the retina during the late phase, 10–14 days after immunization with uveitogenic antigen, causing photoreceptor damage. However, prior to inflammatory cell infiltration, during the early phase (5–7 days after immunization), increased generation of reactive oxygen and nitric oxide species was observed in the photoreceptor mitochondria indicating oxidative stress. The oxidative-stress-induced nitration of photoreceptor mitochondrial proteins and peroxidation of membrane lipids led to activation and migration of microglia toward the photoreceptors. These observations suggest oxidative stress could be an initial pathologic event leading to amplification of inflammation inducing photoreceptor damage, thereby causing clinical and histologic expression of uveitis in the form of inflammatory cell infiltration.
Fasting Insulin Levels and Cognitive Decline in Older Women without Diabetes
Authors: van Oijen Marieke , Okereke Olivia I. , Kang Jae Hee , Pollak Michael N. , Hu Frank B. , Hankinson Susan E. , Grodstein Francine
Published: April 2008

Background: Type 2 diabetes has been associated with an increased risk of dementia. To assess possible independent effects of insulin, we investigated the relation of insulin levels to cognitive decline in nondiabetic women. Methods: Fasting plasma insulin levels were measured in mid-life in 1,416 nondiabetic Nurses’ Health Study participants, who also completed cognitive testing that began 10 years later (current age: 70–75 years). Over 4 years, 3 assessments of general cognition, verbal memory, category fluency and attention were administered. Primary outcomes were the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS) performance, the global score (average of all tests) and verbal memory (average of verbal recall tests). Linear mixed-effects models were used to calculate the association between insulin and cognitive decline. Results: Higher insulin levels were associated with a faster decline on the TICS and verbal memory. For analysis, batch-specific quartiles of insulin levels were constructed. Compared to the lowest quartile, adjusted differences in the annual rates of decline (with 95% CI values in parentheses) for the second, third and fourth quartiles were: TICS, –0.06 (–0.16, 0.03), –0.14 (–0.24, –0.04), and –0.09 (–0.19, 0.01) points (p trend = 0.04); verbal memory, –0.01 (–0.04, 0.02), –0.05 (–0.08, –0.02), and –0.02 (–0.05, 0.01) units (p trend = 0.02). These associations remained after multivariable adjustment. Conclusions: Our study provides evidence for a potential role of higher fasting insulin levels in cognitive decline, possibly independent of diabetes.
Role of Smooth Muscle cGMP/cGKI Signaling in Murine Vascular Restenosis
Authors: Lukowski Robert , Weinmeister Pascal , Bernhard Dominik , Feil Susanne , Gotthardt Michael , Herz Joachim , Massberg Steffen , Zernecke Alma , Weber Christian , Hofmann Franz , Feil Robert
Published: April 2008

Background—

Nitric oxide (NO) is of crucial importance for smooth muscle cell (SMC) function and exerts numerous, and sometimes opposing, effects on vascular restenosis. Although cGMP-dependent protein kinase type I (cGKI) is a principal effector of NO, the molecular pathway of vascular NO signaling in restenosis is unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the functional role of the smooth muscle cGMP/cGKI signaling cascade in restenosis of vessels.

Methods and Results—

Tissue-specific mouse mutants were generated in which the cGKI protein was ablated in SMCs. We investigated whether the absence of cGKI in SMCs would affect vascular remodeling after carotid ligation or removal of the endothelium. No differences were detected between the tissue-specific cGKI mutants and control mice at different time points after vascular injury on a normolipidemic or apoE-deficient background. In line with these results, chronic drug treatment of injured control mice with the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor sildenafil elevated cGMP levels but had no influence on the ligation-induced remodeling.

Conclusions—

The genetic and pharmacological manipulation of the cGMP/cGKI signaling indicates that this pathway is not involved in the protective effects of NO, suggesting that NO affects vascular remodeling during restenosis via alternative mechanisms.
Durability of Endovascular Therapy for Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerosis
Authors: Mazighi Mikael , Yadav Jay S. , Abou-Chebl Alex
Published: April 2008

Background and Purpose—

Intracranial angioplasty and stenting are therapeutic options for patients with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenoses intractable to medical therapy. However, the long-term safety and clinical efficacy of these techniques are unknown. We sought to assess the long-term outcome and efficacy of these techniques.

Methods—

Procedural data and 30-day outcomes were collected from patients treated with coronary balloons and stents for ≥70% atherostenoses. Clinical and radiographic follow-up data were obtained at 30 days, 6 months, 12 months, and yearly thereafter.

Results—

Fifty-three patients (median age, 67 years; interquartile range [IQR], 58.75 to 75 years) with 69 arterial lesions were treated during a 7-year period. The technical success rate was 98.6% (68/69), with a reduction of the median percent stenosis from 85% (IQR, 70% to 95%) to 0% (IQR, 0% to 26%). In 76.8% (53/69) of the procedures, a stent was implanted. The 30-day death/stroke rate was 10.1% (7/69) with 1 death, and within a median follow-up of 24 months (IQR, 10.25 to 36.5 months), the transient ischemic attack or stroke rate reached 5.8% (4/69). Restenosis rate at 1 year was 15.9% (11/69) and was symptomatic in 18.2% (2/11). The restenosis rate was 50% for angioplasty (8/16) and 7.5% (4/53) for stenting (hazard ratio=5.02; 95% CI, 1.22 to 20.68). Factors associated with restenosis were vessel size <2.5 mm (hazard ratio=4.78; 95% CI, 1.35 to 16.93) and interventions performed in the setting of an acute stroke (hazard ratio=6.36; 95% CI, 1.78 to 22.56).

Conclusions—

Intracranial stenting may reduce the rate of recurrent ischemia in patients in whom medical therapy is unsuccessful and is probably more durable than angioplasty alone.
Stroke in Rural Areas and Small Communities
Authors: Joubert Jacques , Prentice Louise F. , Moulin Thierry , Liaw Siaw-Teng , Joubert Lynette B. , Preux Pierre-Marie , Ware Dallas , Medeiros de Bustos Elizabeth , McLean Allan
Published: April 2008

The management of stroke in rural and regional areas is variable in both the developed and developing world. Informed by best-practice guidelines and recommendations for systems of stroke care, adaptable models of care that are appropriate for local needs should be devised for rural and regional settings. This review addresses the issue of the provision of appropriate services in rural and regional settings, with particular attention to the barriers involved, according to the classification of Low Human Development Country (LHDC), Medium Human Development Country (MHDC) and High Human Development Country (HHDC). We discuss the need and feasibility of developing implementing stroke care in rural settings according to best-practice recommendations, within models of care adapted to local conditions.
Local Intraarterial Fibrinolysis Administered in Aliquots for the Treatment of Central Retinal Artery Occlusion
Authors: Aldrich Eric M. , Lee Andrew W. , Chen Celia S. , Gottesman Rebecca F. , Bahouth Mona N. , Gailloud Phillipe , Murphy Kieran , Wityk Robert , Miller Neil R.
Published: April 2008

Background and Purpose—

Central retinal artery occlusion results in acute visual loss with poor spontaneous recovery. Current standard therapies do not alter the natural history of disease. Several open-label clinical studies using continuous infusion of thrombolytic agents have suggested that local intraarterial fibrinolysis (LIF) is efficacious in the treatment of central retinal artery occlusion. The aim is to compare the visual outcome in patients with acute central retinal artery occlusion of presumed thromboembolic etiology treated with LIF administered in aliquots with that of patients treated with standard therapy.

Methods—

We conducted a single-center, nonrandomized interventional study of consecutive patients with acute central retinal artery occlusion from July 1999 to July 2006.

Results—

Twenty-one patients received LIF and 21 received standard therapy. Seventy-six percent of subjects in the LIF group had a visual acuity improvement of one line or more compared with 33% in the standard therapy group (
P
=0.012, Fisher exact). Multivariate logistic regression controlling for gender, history of prior stroke/transient ischemic attack, and history of hypercholesterolemia showed that patients who received tissue plasminogen activator were 36 times more likely to have improvement in visual acuity (
P
=0.0001) after adjusting for these covariates. Post hoc analysis showed that patients who received tissue plasminogen activator were 13 times more likely to have improvement in visual acuity of 3 lines or more (
P
=0.03) and 4.9 times more likely to have a final visual acuity of 20/200 or better (
P
=0.04). Two groin hematomas were documented in the LIF group. No ischemic strokes, retinal or intracerebral hemorrhages were documented.

Conclusions—

LIF administered in aliquots is associated with an improvement in visual acuity compared with standard therapy and has few side effects.
Issues of Transparency and Disclosure in the Saudi
Authors: Baamir Abdulrahman Y.
Published: April 2008

The stock market crash in Saudi Arabia at the beginning of 2006 not only highlighted the issues of transparency and disclosure but also questioned the ability of the Capital Market Authority to regulate and supervise the market. The Capital Market Authority has been blamed (CMA) for being responsible for a transparency problem; however, after comparing the current listing and disclosure rules with the old ones and with the similar rules of the London Stock Exchange and their enforcement mechanism, the disclosure rules of the CMA proved to be efficient and in compliance with international standards, and the enforcement mechanism also proved to be reasonably effective. This article argues that the problem in the Saudi stock market is a problem of investors’ knowledge and the way of attaining and using information. The author stresses the importance of investor education and stricter disciplinary actions against market manipulators who are taking advantage of small investors’ lack of experience. The author proposes some reforms in the legislation, such as stricter disciplinary actions against market abuse, tighter supervision, and some changes in the disclosure rules. He concludes that regulating foreign institutional investors will be the real challenge for Saudi legislators in the foreseeable future.
Proactive Obligations: A Panacea for All Forms of Discrimination? Universal and Domestic Approaches to Equality, with Special Reference to Minority-Related Grounds of Discrimination
Authors: Meijknecht Anna
Published: April 2008

These two books deal with two different problems concerning the principles of discrimination and equality. Vandenhole, after analysis of all United Nations (UN) committees' decisions on non-discrimination and equality, sheds a sharp light on the problem of divergence in interpretation of these principles. Craig argues that the traditional complaint-based anti-discrimination laws are inherently inadequate to combat systemic ethnic discrimination in employment and examines an alternative regime: the imposition of proactive obligations on employers to promote equality at the workplace. An intriguing question raised by reading both books is whether imposing proactive obligations could be a panacea to other forms of discrimination as well, as described in Vandenhole's book.
Of Hernias and Wine-Jugs: Catalepton 12
Authors: Watson Lindsay
Published: April 2008

Readings of Catalepton 12 have typically focussed on two details: the assertion that Noctuinus, in marrying one daughter of Atilius, is getting the other as well (6-8), and that, in wedding Atilia, Noctuinus is 'wedding an hirnea'. Virtually all interpreters take hirnea in a transferred sense, referring either to an 'hernia', supposedly used by a visual analogy for the bride-to-be's pregnancy (whence the detail of the 'second daughter') or, more usually, to hirnea in the sense of 'wine-jug': this is then explained, as before, as a metaphor for the bride's pregnancy, or, in the most widely adopted view, as referring to Atilius' habitual insobriety, which is like a second daughter to him, and which Atilius is taking on by marrying Atilia. Following up some brief remarks of Bücheler, it is argued here that Catalepton 12 only makes sense in terms of content, literary background, and ancient medical opinion, if hirnea (a widely attested alternative spelling of hernia) is understood to refer literally to an hernia or rupture, which Atilius will suffer by having to meet the sexual demands of both daughters of Atilius.
Theological Renewal (1975-1983): Listening to an Editor's Agenda for Church and Academy
Authors: Cartledge Mark
Published: April 2008

This article explores the theological agenda set out by Thomas A. Smail during the Charismatic Renewal of the mid 1970s and early 1980s through his contribution to the journal Theological Renewal, which he edited (1975-1983). Smail expounds a theology of renewal that engages with church and academy by offering a trinitarian framework and a christological focus. These features are placed in dialogue with his own personal experience of renewal in the Holy Spirit, contemporary issues in the Charismatic Renewal, and his theological education in the Reformed and Barthian traditions. What emerges from a critical reflection is not only insight into the theological climate of the period in which an early renewalist theologian was engaged, but also resources for contemporary Pentecostal/Charismatic theological construction.
Is Africa Incurably Religious? III: A Reply To A Rhetorical Response
Authors: van Rinsum Henk , Platvoet Jan
Published: April 2008

We reply in this article to Kehinde Olabimtan's polemical response to our article, 'Is Africa Incurably Religious?: Confessing and Contesting an Invention' [of Tradition], both published in this journal in 2003. We first review the setting of this exchange: the theological character of the journal Exchange, and then point to Olabimtan's strategy of polemically presenting our analysis in the terms of the old 'war' between atheist and religious scholarship on religions. Having carefully summarised the 'weapons' he used in his 'counter-attack' on our analysis, we dispassionately respond to them by pointing out first that our analysis was not inspired by an atheist approach to religions, but by methodological agnosticism, and then reply to Olabimtan's other misrepresentations of us and of p'Bitek. We conclude by pointing to the 'bridges' between his and our approaches, which Olabimtan did not explode.
Porphyry's Attempted Demolition of Christian Allegory
Authors: Granger Cook John
Published: April 2008

Porphyry wrote the Contra Christianos during the time of the persecutions, and later several Christian rulers consigned it to the flames. In that work Porphyry included a penetrating critique of Christian allegory. Parts of his argument reappeared in the Protestant Reformers and subsequently in modern biblical research. Scholarship on Porphyry's text often is dominated by the historical problems that beset the fragment. Such problems can be temporarily put aside to carefully study the key terms in Porphyry's argument. The net gain of such an approach is to understand the power of the argument and its structure in a clearer light.
Objective Forecasting of Foehn Winds for a Subgrid-Scale Alpine Valley
Authors: Drechsel Susanne , Mayr Georg J.
Published: April 2008

Foehn winds often depend on topographical features of a scale that is not sufficiently resolved in numerical models. Consequently, a successful foehn forecast has crucially depended on the experience of bench forecasters. This study provides a method for an objective, probabilistic forecast of foehn occurrence and strength, based on an operational global model (ECMWF). Because model topography differs from real topography, forecasted wind is not a reliable indicator of a foehn. Instead, using the larger-scale fingerprint of foehn from cross-barrier pressure differences and the descent of isentropes is more successful. These foehn predictors were tested over a period of 3 yr for the subgrid-scale Wipp Valley in the central Alps, which is instrumented sufficiently for objectively diagnosing the occurrence and strength of a foehn. The joint probability from pressure differences and isentropic descent is better at diagnosing a foehn from model analyses than from the distributions of the individual parameters. The larger the pressure difference and the isentropic descent, the higher the foehn probability. As wind speed and pressure gradient are directly connected by the Bernoulli equation, the cross-barrier pressure difference in the model proved to be a suitable predictor for the strength of the foehn. Despite being a small-scale weather phenomenon, the skill of a objective foehn forecast out to 3 days degrades little compared to the analysis. Afterward, the predictability decreases progressively.
Forecast and Tracking the Evolution of Cloud Clusters (ForTraCC) Using Satellite Infrared Imagery: Methodology and Validation
Authors: Vila Daniel Alejandro , Machado Luiz Augusto Toledo , Laurent Henri , Velasco Inés
Published: April 2008

The purpose of this study is to develop and validate an algorithm for tracking and forecasting radiative and morphological characteristics of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) through their entire life cycles using geostationary satellite thermal channel information (10.8 μm). The main features of this system are the following: 1) a cloud cluster detection method based on a threshold temperature (235 K), 2) a tracking technique based on MCS overlapping areas in successive images, and 3) a forecast module based on the evolution of each particular MCS in previous steps. This feature is based on the MCS’s possible displacement (considering the center of the mass position of the cloud cluster in previous time steps) and its size evolution. Statistical information about MCS evolution during the Wet Season Atmospheric Mesoscale Campaign (WETAMC) of the Large-Scale Biosphere–Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia (LBA) was used to obtain area expansion mean rates for different MCSs according to their lifetime durations. This nowcasting tool was applied to evaluate the MCS displacement and size evolution over the Del Plata basin in South America up to 120 min with 30-min intervals. The Forecast and Tracking the Evolution of Cloud Clusters (ForTraCC) technique’s performance was evaluated based on the difference between the forecasted and observed images. This evaluation shows good agreement between the observed and forecast size and minimum temperature for shorter forecast lead times, but tends to underestimate MCS size (and overestimate the minimum temperature) for larger forecast lead times.
Unusual Soft Tissue Manifestations of Neisseria Meningitidis Infections
Authors: Gupta Ruchi , Levent Fatma , Healy C. Mary , Edwards Morven S.
Published: April 2008

Soft tissue involvement is an unusual presenting feature for children with meningococcal infection. We describe 2 children, 1 with conjunctivitis and another with a thyroglossal duct cyst abscess associated with Neisseria meningitidis, and review previous reports of these entities to emphasize the broad spectrum of meningococcal disease and pertinent aspects of treatment and of prophylaxis of contacts.
Ethnic Identity and Self-Esteem
Authors: Cislo Andrew M.
Published: April 2008

A growing literature suggests that stronger ethnic identity is associated with higher levels of self-esteem among Hispanic Americans. However, most studies employ a panethnic “Hispanic” category or focus on one ethnic group, leaving open the question of how different Hispanic groups compare in this association. In the framework of social identity theory, the author provides ordinary least squares (OLS) estimates of the relationship between ethnic identity and later self-esteem in a sample of Nicaraguan and Cuban young adults in South Florida ( N = 291). Results indicate that stronger ethnic identity is salutary for Cubans' self-esteem though detrimental for Nicaraguans'. Additionally, Nicaraguans report significantly weaker ethnic identification and lower self-esteem than do Cubans on average. Also, higher perceived ethnic discrimination is associated with stronger ethnic identity for Cubans.
Resilience Applied in School
Authors: Nickolite Amanda , Doll Beth
Published: April 2008

Despite the widespread acceptance of ecological models of child development, the tools and strategies underlying school psychological practice emphasize individual characteristics of children. This article describes ClassMaps Consultation, a consultation strategy that assesses the availability of protective factors and risk in school classrooms and supports interventions to strengthen these so that more students in the classroom are successful. Three underpinnings of ClassMaps Consultation are described: (a) a conceptual framework, (b) a strategy for describing and measuring the ecological characteristics of classrooms, and (c) intervention strategies that target the classroom in lieu of individual students. Then, a case example is provided to illustrate the use of ClassMaps Consultation in two classrooms. Finally, implications for school psychological practice that promotes children's resilience and psychological wellness are presented.
Family Caregivers' Strains
Authors: Kim Youngmee , Schulz Richard
Published: April 2008

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of cancer from family caregivers' perspective, based on a comparative analysis of caregiving burden and distress, among four types of caregivers. Methods: The sample included caregivers of persons with cancer, dementia, diabetes, or frail elderly from a nationally representative sample of 606 caregivers. Results: Although the four different types of caregivers were comparable in most sociodemographic characteristics, caregiving involvement and caregiving outcomes differed among the caregiving groups. Both cancer and dementia caregivers reported greater levels of physical burden and psychological distress than other caregivers, after controlling for sociodemographic and caregiving involvement (i.e., level of burden and caregiving duration) factors. Discussion: The comparative analysis provided a systematic review of cancer caregiving in the context of three other types of caregiving. Given the high levels of burden and distress, greater emphasis should be placed on developing social service policy and practice for cancer caregivers.
What happened at 1500—1000 cal. BP in Central Australia? Timing, impact and archaeological signatures
Authors: Smith M.A. , Ross J.
Published: April 2008

This paper reviews the late Holocene archaeology of Central Australia. The last 1500 years saw significant changes in the archaeological record in this part of the Australian arid zone, with shifts in settlement pattern, site histories, resource use, tool inventories and rock art. Much of the evidence points to regional population growth, beginning 1500—1000 cal. BP and coinciding with expansion of summer-rainfall grassland and more frequent palaeoflood events. Hunter-gatherer groups appear to have increased their use of marginal or outlying areas as these became seasonally accessible. Responses to the demographic changes, especially in the better-watered ranges, include more extended occupation of existing sites, more processing of acacia and grass seeds, and an increase in territoriality reflected in the greater differentiation of rock art complexes after 1500 cal. BP. The archaeological changes are not scaled commensurately with the modest environmental shifts at this time, indicating that human—environment interactions were not linear. A human—environment threshold may have been breached 1500—1000 years ago, with existing socio-economic or historical factors acting to amplify the effects of small environmental changes. However, it remains difficult to fully characterize the nature of these human—environment interactions, despite the fine-grained archaeological record now available. An unresolved problem for this emerging picture of climatic amelioration and population growth is that Aboriginal settlement in Central Australia was expanding at a time when ENSO-driven variability appears to have been at its highest.