bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variation in susceptibility of six pine species and hybrids to pitch canker caused by Fusarium circinatum
Authors: Kim Y.‐S. , Woo K.‐S. , Koo Y.‐B. , Yeo J.‐K.
Published: May 2008

Six pine species or hybrids were tested for susceptibility to pitch canker caused by Fusarium  circinatum. Pinus  densiflora, Pinus  thunbergii, Pinus  x rigitaeda (Pinus  rigida × Pinus  taeda), P. rigida × P. x rigitaeda, Pinus  echinata and Pinus  virginiana were inoculated with three spore loads (50, 500 and 5000 per tree) of F. circinatum. External symptoms, lesion length, and the frequency of reisolation of the fungus were investigated. External symptoms were greatest in P. echinata, followed by P. virginiana, however, P. densiflora was not susceptible to F. circinatum. Based on mean lesion lengths, the six pine species or hybrids differed significantly (p < 0.01) in susceptibility to pitch canker. Pinus  echinata sustained the longest lesions, whereas P. densiflora sustained the shortest lesions. The effect of inoculum density was not significant among three spore treatments within species (p = 0.17), although lesion length was slightly greater at higher spore loads over all pine species. The fungus was reisolated from inoculated stems of all pine species tested, even on trees showing little or no damage from the disease. Additional studies are needed to further explore the basis for resistance to pitch canker.
Selection proposal of cultivars of spring barley in the years from 2001 to 2004, using Joint Regression Analysis
Authors: Pereira D. G. , Mexia J. T.
Published: May 2008

Joint Regression Analysis is a widely used technique in the analysis of series of experiments for cultivar comparison. We show how this technique may be used in the selection of recommended cultivars. We apply this technique to a series of experiments on spring barley cultivars carried out from 2001 to 2004. The data in these designs were kindly made available by the Central Institute for Supervising and Testing in Agriculture in Brno, Czech Republic.
Inflammatory markers in exhaled breath condensate from patients with asthma
Authors: UENO Tomoe , KATAOKA Mikio , HIRANO Atsushi , IIO Kouji , TANIMOTO Yasushi , KANEHIRO Arihiko , OKADA Chiharu , SODA Ryo , TAKAHASHI Kiyoshi , TANIMOTO Mitsune
Published: May 2008

Background and objective:  Evaluation of airway inflammation is important for the diagnosis and treatment of asthma. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a minimally invasive method for assessing inflammation and may be useful for monitoring airway inflammation in asthma. The aims of this study were to establish an EBC collection method, to assess biomarkers reflecting asthmatic airway inflammation, and to determine the relationship of these biomarkers with asthma severity and lung function.

Methods:  Fifty‐eight non‐smoking healthy subjects, seven asymptomatic smokers, nine subjects with common cold and 55 asthmatics with disease severity ranging from mild intermittent to severe persistent were studied. The efficacy of a pipette method was compared with that of a commercial collecting device. pH, CRP, albumin, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitrite/nitrate levels were measured in EBC.

Results:  Except for the quantity of EBC collected and albumin levels, there were no differences between the commercial method and the pipette method in levels of biomarkers measured. Levels of CRP, H2O2 and nitrite/nitrate were significantly higher in the asthma group than that in the control group. In terms of asthma severity, pH and levels of CRP, H2O2 and nitrate were significantly higher in the mild persistent group than that in the other groups. In addition, H2O2 levels in EBC correlated significantly with the level of nitrite/nitrate. FEV1 and PEF showed significant negative correlations with H2O2 and nitrite/nitrate levels.

Conclusion:  Measurement of EBC biomarkers is a non‐invasive and useful way to evaluate airway inflammation in patients with asthma.
Increasing incidence of Kawasaki disease in Japan: Nationwide survey
Authors: Nakamura Yosikazu , Yashiro Mayumi , Uehara Ritei , Oki Izumi , Kayaba Kazunori , Yanagawa Hiroshi
Published: May 2008

Background: The last nationwide survey of Kawasaki disease in Japan was conducted in 2003; the epidemiologic features of the disease in Japan since then are unknown.

Methods: All the hospitals with a pediatric department and a bed capacity of ≥100, or hospitals having a bed capacity of <100 but specializing in pediatrics in Japan were asked to report (by mail) all patients with Kawasaki disease who visited the hospital due to the disease in 2003 and 2004.

Results: Of the 2335 hospitals asked to participate, 1058 reported 19 138 patients with Kawasaki disease during the 2 year period 2003–2004. The annual incidence in 2004 reached 174.0 per 100 000 children under 5 years of age. The yearly number of patients and annual incidence increased significantly after the last nationwide epidemic of the disease in 1986. The number of patients was largest in January and lowest in October. The age‐specific incidence was highest for those aged 9–11 months, and 88.9% of the patients were under 5 years of age. Of the reported patients, 2595 (13.6%) had cardiac lesions in the acute phase of the disease and 844 (4.4%) had cardiac sequelae 1 month after the onset of the disease.

Conclusion: The number of patients and the incidence of Kawasaki disease in Japan has increased year by year in the last two decades.
Questionnaire survey on the understanding of epilepsy among non‐medical persons
Authors: Okumura Akihisa , Watanabe Kazuyoshi
Published: May 2008

Background: A questionnaire survey was conducted on the understanding of epilepsy and febrile seizures in preschool teachers, public health nurses, and parents or caregivers of children with epilepsy.

Methods: The survey was performed in three different sites at different dates. The participants were 16 preschool teachers, 25 public health nurses, and 34 parents or caregivers of children with epilepsy.

Results: Seventy‐seven percent of the participants thought that epilepsy was not always untreatable. Sixty‐seven percent of the participants thought that epilepsy was not a hereditary disease. Sixty‐one percent of the participants considered that repetitive seizures cause brain damage, and 93% of them thought that patients with epilepsy must be treated. Seventy‐six percent of the participants thought that febrile seizures evolve into epilepsy if left untreated. Seventy‐seven percent of the participants considered that vaccination can be performed in patients with epilepsy or febrile seizures, and 89% of them thought that swimming should not be forbidden in patients with epilepsy or febrile seizures. There was no significant difference in the answers with regard to the positions of the participants except in one question.

Conclusions: The present questionnaire survey provided some information on the understanding of epilepsy among non‐medical persons. A nationwide public survey is needed to clarify the problems in the public understanding of epilepsy.
Developmental dysplasia of the hip: Risk markers, clinical screening and outcome
Authors: Stein‐Zamir Chen , Volovik Irina , Rishpon Shmuel , Sabi Roger
Published: May 2008

Background: Early detection, diagnosis and treatment of developmental dysplasia/dislocation of hip (DDH) are essential in preventing further disability and quality of life impairment in children. DDH risk markers and association between the age of clinical screening and outcome, were evaluated.

Methods: Clinical screening at ages birth, 6 and 13 weeks was performed in 8145 infants by pediatricians. Infants suspected for DDH were referred to the community hospital clinic for clinical evaluation by a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, imaging procedures and follow up. Demographic and perinatal characteristics of the children with suspected (n= 77) and diagnosed DDH (n= 51) were compared to matched controls (n= 154).

Results: The rate of suspected DDH was 0.95% and that of diagnosed DDH was 0.63%. Female gender, firstborn child and breech presentation were significantly more frequent among cases versus controls (odds ratio [OR]: 4.3, 2.7, and 6 respectively; P < 0.05). The highest positive predictive value (95.5%) in physical evaluation was any evidence of a dislocatable hip. The proportion of DDH among infants referred from the newborn department was significantly higher (OR, 4.4). DDH diagnosis after 6 weeks of age was associated with a higher likelihood of subsequent surgery and motor disability. Untoward outcome was significantly associated with increasing age of referral both at ages of 6 and 13 weeks (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Children with DDH have certain specific demographic and perinatal risk markers. Clinical screening targeted towards early diagnosis may lessen the need for surgical intervention and the risk of disability or motor handicap.
Fluid and electrolyte balance in extremely preterm infants <24 weeks of gestation in the first week of life
Authors: Wada Masaki , Kusuda Satoshi , Takahashi Naoto , Nishida Hiroshi
Published: May 2008

Background:Extremely preterm infants, especially those <24 weeks of gestation, displayed extremes in changes of fluid/electrolyte balance. The purpose of the present study was to retrospectively investigate abnormalities in fluid/electrolyte balance during the first postnatal week.

Methods:Of 32 subjects admitted during 20 years, 17 infants with no severe complications were examined, and 72 appropriate‐for‐dates infants at 24–28 weeks of gestation were taken as controls. The subjects were managed in closed incubators in a highly humidified environment and fluid/electrolyte balances were monitored in retrospect.

Results:The subjects had higher urine contents, while the insensible water loss was higher than in controls. As for weight loss, no remarkable changes were noted between the two groups. On day 4 and thereafter, serum Na+levels were high, indicating a high complication rate of hypernatremia without differences in hyperkalemia. The decrease in blood base excess was rapid, requiring supplementation of sodium bicarbonate up to postnatal day 5 in all preterm infants.

Conclusion:Due to the relatively higher urine output and insensible water loss in extremely preterm infants during postnatal week 1, higher water intake was required. As such, metabolic acidosis was bound to have occurred.
SMN2 and NAIP gene dosages in Vietnamese patients with spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Tran Van Khanh , Sasongko Teguh Haryo , Hong Dang Diem , Hoan Nguyen Thi , Dung Vu Chi , Lee Myeong Jin , Gunadi  , Takeshima Yasuhiro , Matsuo Masafumi , Nishio Hisahide
Published: May 2008

Background: The SMN1 gene is now recognized as a spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)‐causing gene, while SMN2 and NAIP have been characterized as a modifying factor of the clinical severity of SMA. Gene dosage of SMN2 is associated with clinical severity of SMA. But the relationship between gene dosage of NAIP and clinical severity of SMA remains to be clarified, although complete deletion of NAIP is frequent in type I patients.

Methods: To evaluate the contribution of the SMN2 and NAIP gene dosages to SMA, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was used to measure copy numbers of SMN2 and NAIP in 34 Vietnamese SMA patients lacking SMN1 (13 type I, 11 type II and 10 type III patients).

Results: The SMN2 copy number in type I patients was significantly lower than that in type II–III patients, which was compatible with the previous reports. In contrast, 25 out of 34 patients had only zero or one copy of NAIP, while 50 out of 52 controls had two or more copies. For NAIP (+) genotype, six out of 13 type I patients, eight out of 11 type II patients and six out of 10 type III patients carried one NAIP copy.

Conclusions: The SMN2 copy number was related to the clinical severity of SMA among Vietnamese patients. The presence of one NAIP copy, that is, heterozygous NAIP deletion, was common in Vietnamese SMA, regardless of clinical phenotype.
Early diagnosis of maple syrup urine disease using polymerase chain reaction‐based mutation detection
Authors: Silao Catherine Lynn T. , Padilla Carmencita D. , Matsuo Masafumi
Published: May 2008

Background: Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by defective activity of the branched‐chain α‐ketoacid dehydrogenase enzyme complex. Early diagnosis and management of MSUD are imperative for preventing permanent neurological impairments. In the Philippines, a 4.7 kb deletion in the dihydrolipoamide branched‐chain transacylase E2 (DBT) gene has been commonly identified in MSUD patients. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a junction fragment between intron 10 and exon 11 has been used to detect this deletion. The purpose of the present paper was to use PCR‐based mutation detection of the deletion mutation to diagnose MSUD in neonates in order to provide proper diagnosis and effective treatment.

Methods: A region encompassing exon 11 and the junction fragment of the E2 (DBT) gene was PCR amplified from genomic DNA prepared from two neonates at risk for MSUD.

Results: PCR amplification of both exon 11 and the junction fragment from one of the neonates demonstrated that this case was a heterozygous carrier of the deletion. Thus, normal feeding was started. For the other neonate, PCR amplification of the junction fragment was successful, whereas the region encompassing exon 11 was not amplified. This neonate was genotyped as homozygous for the deletion, and treatment for MSUD was provided immediately.

Conclusion: Examination of the deletion mutation in the E2 (DBT) gene facilitated early MSUD diagnosis and was beneficial for the determination of the proper course of treatment.
MAGNIFYING ENDOSCOPY WITH NARROW BAND IMAGING FOR EARLY DIFFERENTIATED GASTRIC ADENOCARCINOMA
Authors: Yagi Kazuyoshi , Nakamura Atsuo , Sekine Atsuo , Umezu Hajime
Published: May 2008

We have been using magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging (NBI) to study early differentiated gastric adenocarcinomas and to assess the relationship between microvessel pattern, pit pattern and histological pattern. The magnified view of the cancerous area showed three types of pattern: (i) a mesh pattern, consisting of mesh‐like connected microvessels; (ii) a loop pattern, consisting of loop‐like microvessels that were not connected and had tubule‐like or villus‐like mucosal structures along them; and (iii) an interrupted pattern, consisting of interrupted thick or thin vessels without mucosal structures. The mesh type of microvascular pattern showed a round pit pattern in 88.9% of cases (32/36) and the loop type of microvascular pattern showed a non‐round pit pattern in 100% of cases. Among lesions that showed a mesh pattern or a loop pattern, 94.9% (56/59) were mucosal cancer and 5.1% (3/59) were submucosal cancer. However, 92.3% (12/13) of lesions that showed an interrupted pattern were submucosal differentiated adenocarcinoma and 7.7% (1/13) were mucosal differentiated adenocarcinoma. The present findings provide basic data on the characteristics of mucosal differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma revealed by magnifying endoscopy with NBI, as well as invasive changes such as submucosal invasion.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF SMALL BOWEL DISEASES WITH A NEWLY DEVELOPED SINGLE BALLOON ENDOSCOPE
Authors: Ohtsuka Kazuo , Kashida Hiroshi , Kodama Kenta , Mizuno Kenichi , Inoue Haruhiro , Kudo Shin‐ei
Published: May 2008

Background:  Recent advances in capsule endoscopy (CE) and double balloon endoscopy (DBE) have enabled an endoscopic approach to small bowel diseases. However, CE is simply a diagnostic tool and DBE is fairly complicated to handle.

Methods:  We developed a single balloon endoscopy (SBE) in cooperation with Olympus Medical Systems. The single balloon enteroscope consists of an endoscope and a splinting tube. In this system, a balloon is attached to the splinting tube, but not to the scope itself. The single‐person insertion method was effective for SBE cases, but two persons were needed for DBE. The patients we examined had undergone upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy and were suspected of having small intestinal diseases. We examined a total of 30 cases (nine women, 21 men; range 19–78 years), and carried out a total of 48 examinations.

Results:  In fifteen cases, the cause of bleeding was diagnosed as either ulcer, angiodysplasia, Crohn's disease, inflammatory polyp, or metastatic cancer, but in eight cases, the cause was not identified. Four obstruction cases comprised ulcers, adhesion, and jejunal volvulus. For treatment, clippings were performed for bleeding in three patients, polypectomy for two, reversal of volvulus for one, and balloon dilation for ilial stenosis in one. The entire small intestine was observed in 71% of patients when the intention was to examine the whole bowel. No complications were encountered.

Conclusions:  The newly developed SBE is useful for diagnosis and treatment of small bowel diseases.
AUTOIMMUNE PANCREATITIS ASSOCIATED WITH ULCERATIVE COLITIS
Authors: Imaeda Hirotsugu , Andoh Akira , Hata Kazunori , Tsujikawa Tomoyuki , Sasaki Masaya , Saito Yasuharu , Fujiyama Yoshihide
Published: May 2008

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is frequently associated with inflammatory bowel disease in Western countries, but such cases are rare in Japan. Here, we report a Japanese case of AIP with ulcerative colitis. A 34‐year‐old Japanese man was admitted to the Hospital of Shiga University of Medical Science with severe back pain. He received total colectomy due to a severe attack of ulcerative colitis 16 months before. Laboratory studies on admission indicated elevation of serum amylase and lipase levels. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgG4 levels were within normal range, and antinuclear antibody and rheumatoid factor were negative. Ultrasonography and contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed a diffuse swelling of the pancreas with main pancreatic duct dilatation. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography demonstrated segmental narrowing of the main pancreatic duct in the pancreatic head with distal dilatation. Aspiration and brushing cytology revealed no malignancy. No abnormal finding was observed in the common bile duct. He was diagnosed with AIP and treated with 30 mg predonisolone daily. After predonisolone therapy, back pain rapidly disappeared, and serum elevation of pancreatic enzymes returned to normal range. This case is an unusual type of AIP in Japan.
CLINICIANS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS MANAGEMENT OF METASTATIC COLORECTAL ADENOCARCINOMA
Authors: Wong Rachel , Wiley Malcolm , Christophi Christopher , Tebbutt Niall
Published: May 2008

Background:  Despite being a common problem, the optimal management of in situ primary colorectal carcinomas in patients presenting with unresectable synchronous metastases remains unknown. To date, no prospective randomized studies have been conducted to evaluate the outcomes of different approaches to management. We studied the attitudes of clinicians involved in the management of this group of patients with a view to determine their treatment preferences and assess the feasibility of conducting a randomized study addressing the role of resection of primary colorectal carcinomas in patients presenting with unresectable synchronous metastases.

Methods:  A survey of Australian colorectal surgeons, Australian medical oncologists and Victorian rural general surgeons was conducted.

Results:  The results indicated that with regard to preferred treatment (i) for patients with asymptomatic sigmoid or caecal primary tumours, surgeons preferred surgery followed by chemotherapy, whereas oncologists preferred chemotherapy alone; (ii) for patients with symptomatic sigmoid or caecal primary tumours, both surgeons and oncologists preferred surgery followed by chemotherapy; and (iii) for patients with metastatic rectal carcinoma, whether asymptomatic or symptomatic, both surgeons and oncologists preferred a multimodality approach to treatment. Clinicians were accepting a broad range of treatment options for patients with both asymptomatic and symptomatic primary colorectal tumours.

Conclusion:  There is a high level of acceptability among Australian clinicians for both surgical and non‐surgical approaches to management of the in situ primary colorectal tumour in patients with unresectable synchronous metastases. Further research is warranted to determine the management strategy that will yield the best outcome for these patients.
LAPAROSCOPIC PARTIAL NEPHRECTOMY: INTEGRATION OF AN ADVANCED LAPAROSCOPIC TECHNIQUE
Authors: Rashid Prem , Goad Jeremy , Aron Monish , Gianduzzo Troy , Gill Inderbir S.
Published: May 2008

Background:  Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy and open partial nephrectomy are now established methods of treatment for appropriate renal lesions suspicious for malignancy, Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy has undergone progressive evolution. The aim of this paper is to; (i) evaluate the current status of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, and (ii) to place it in the Australian and New Zealand context by evaluating the necessary skill acquisition for advanced laparoscopic urology.

Methods:  The National Library of Medicine database (PubMed) was used to specifically search the available literature on laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, renal failure and nephrectomy, modular surgical training and laparoscopic training. Of the articles identified, selection was based on their contribution to the development of techniques, progressive clinical outcomes, as well as comparisons with current management.

Results:  The technique and outcomes of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy are now secure enough to treat anatomically complex tumours in laparoscopically experienced hands. For the appropriate patient with a small renal mass, the impact of radical nephrectomy and long‐term renal dysfunction needs to be considered, even in the presence of a normal contra‐lateral kidney. Robotic assisted laparoscopic surgery is expensive and may impair the acquisition of advanced iaparoscopic skills.

Conclusion:  Over the past 5 years, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy has developed to the stage where, with the necessary laparoscopic skill, it is now a standard of care at tertiary referral institutions. Widespread dissemination of advanced laparoscopic skills remains the next challenge.
CHOLEDOCHOLITHIASIS: OVERDIAGNOSED ENDOSCOPICALLY AND UNDERTREATED LAPAROSCOPICALLY
Authors: O’Neill Christine J. , Gillies Donna M. , Gani Jon S.
Published: May 2008

Background:  Two recent meta‐analyses suggest that operative common bile duct (CBD) exploration (laparoscopic or open) may be superior to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for the management of choledocholithiasis when the gall bladder is in situ. Much of the published work regarding laparoscopic exploration comes from enthusiasts of the technique and may not be transferable to other institutions. In our institution, both hepatobiliary and general surgeons carry out cholecystectomy, with differing levels of expertise in laparoscopic bile duct exploration. ERCP and laparoscopic antegrade transampullary endobiliary stents are available. We reviewed the management of choledocholithiasis in this setting.

Methods:  A retrospective review of all patients undergoing cholecystectomy during 2004 and 2005 at John Hunter and Belmont Hospitals (Newcastle, Australia) was conducted.

Results:  The overall incidence of choledocholithiasis was 10.3% (70 of 681). Fifty patients underwent preoperative ERCP, with choledocholithiasis confirmed in only 24 patients (therapeutic rate 30%). Thirty‐one patients underwent CBD exploration with 100% clearance through an open approach (12 patients) and 58% clearance through a laparoscopic approach (11 of 19 patients). Hepatobiliary surgeons carried out 22 of 31 CBD explorations (clearance rate 82%) and placed 13 transampullary antegrade endobiliary stents. In comparison, general surgeons carried out nine CBD explorations (clearance rate 56%) and placed only four antegrade stents.

Conclusion:  This series suggests that preoperative ERCP is significantly overutilized, laparoscopic CBD exploration is less successful than open CBD exploration and that antegrade transampullary intraoperative endobiliary stenting is underutilized by non‐hepatobiliary surgeons.
CHOLEDOCHODUODENOSTOMY: REAPPRAISAL IN THE LAPAROSCOPIC ERA
Authors: Khalid Kamran , Shafi Mohammad , Dar Haroon M. , Durrani Khalid M.
Published: May 2008

Background:  With the advent of interventional endoscopic procedures and with growing experience of laparoscopic surgery, the indications for open biliary procedures have become limited. This prospective study reviews the indications of open choledochoduodenostomy for benign biliary diseases and presents the short‐term and long‐term outcomes of this procedure in the present minimally invasive surgical era.

Methods:  Side‐to‐side choledochoduodenostomy was carried out for various benign obstructive pathologies of the biliary tract. The various parameters recorded were the demographic data, indications for surgery, early and late complications and the long‐term outcome of the procedure.

Results:  Results of choledochoduodenostomy on 54 consecutive patients over a 9‐year period are presented. The mean age was 49.7 years with a male to female ratio of 1:2.6. Thirty (55.5%) patients presented with obstructive jaundice and 42.6% had cholangitis. Overall hospital morbidity was 13% with zero mortality. After a mean follow up of 7.8 years, 96.3% patients had ‘good’ or ‘fair’ and 3.7% experienced ‘poor’ results. No recurrent disease or biliary malignancy was observed.

Conclusion:  Open biliary drainage procedures may still be indicated in select patients where the facility or expertise for minimally invasive biliary procedures is not available. Choledochoduodenostomy remains an effective biliary drainage procedure with acceptable morbidity and mortality, especially in the high‐risk and elderly population. The procedure should be regarded as an essential in the general surgical knowledge and training.
Ultrastructure of spermatozoa of lizards in the genus Mabuya from Central Brazil
Authors: De Sá Mandel S. M. , Cunha L. D. , Brandão J. C. , Colli G. R. , Báo S. N.
Published: May 2008

This is the first description of spermatozoal ultrastructure of Mabuya skinks. The spermatozoa of the species studied are filiform, consisting of a head region, a midpiece and a tail. The head is characterized by the following features: a depressed acrosome anteriorly, an acrosome vesicle divided into cortex and medulla, paracrystalline subacrosomal material, a pointed tip perforatorium, a circular perforatorium base plate inside the subacrosomal cone, an epinuclear lucent zone separated from the subacrosomal cone by a membrane, a large nuclear rostrum, and round nuclear shoulders. The midpiece presents a bilateral stratified laminar structure, a distal centriole, peripheral fibres 3 and 8 grossly enlarged, columnar mitochondria with linear cristae, dense body rings and a triangular annulus. Finally, the tail is composed of a principal piece and an end piece. An axoneme and a fibrous sheath characterize the principal piece, and the end piece is formed only by an axoneme, which loses its pattern in the last portion. Comparisons with members of Teiidae revealed differences in the numbers of dense rings. A well‐developed epinuclear lucent zone in Mabuya is less prominent among teiids. In the spermatozoa of Mabuya, the first ring of dense bodies is very large, uniquely resembling the condition present in snakes.
Phillips and Eternal Life: A Response to Mikel Burley
Authors: Haldane John
Published: May 2008

Mikel Burley challenges that my essay, “Philosophy, Death and Immortality,” in which I discussed the views of Dewi Phillips, fails to establish the case for a realist treatment of claims about the resurrection of Jesus and the general resurrection of human beings. I respond to these criticisms by again distinguishing between the analysis of the sense of religious claims and the determination of whether they purport to make reference beyond human language and practices. I consider particular texts drawn from Christian scripture and argue that they are best understood in realist terms. I conclude by pointing out that a Wittgensteinean about meaning need not be a linguistic idealist.
VALUE FOR MONEY IN PFI PROPOSALS: A COMMENTARY ON THE UK TREASURY GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC SECTOR COMPARATORS
Authors: COULSON ANDREW
Published: May 2008

The Private Finance Initiative (PFI), introduced to Britain in 1992, has become a major means of procuring public sector infrastructure. It involves long‐term contracts whereby private sector suppliers construct and own capital assets and provide services for which they are paid on the basis of availability or use. This paper focuses on the early stages of a PFI procurement, the decision to use the PFI rather than any other form of procurement. In 2004 and 2006, the UK Treasury issued new Guidance as to how this should be done. There are two stages to this Guidance: qualitative and quantitative assessments. This paper comments on some of the key issues in the quantitative assessments: the treatment of risk, of residual and life‐time costs, of tax, of rates of return and of the appropriate use of discounted flow techniques when finance is a constraint for an investing agency.
CHANGING NATIONAL RULES: THEORY AND EVIDENCE FROM THE NETHERLANDS (1960–2004)
Authors: VAN WITTELOOSTUIJN ARJEN , DE JONG GJALT
Published: May 2008

This paper will empirically analyse the evolution of national rule changes for the domain of post‐war Dutch higher education. We focus on rule changes because in the life cycle of rules – births, changes and repeals – change is the most common event. Our theoretical framework is mainly based on the organizational ecology and top management demography literatures. We will be integrating these perspectives, adapting them to our research context. In so doing, we focus on rule density, a minister’s demographic characteristics (such as age and tenure) and cabinet features (for example, power and turnover) as deteminants of rule changes. The empirical results provide significant support for the majority of our theoretical predictions. Overall, the results suggest that the ecological processes are the most robust, followed by the characteristics of ministers and the features of cabinets.
The Legacy of the Maastricht‐Urteil and the Pluralist Movement
Authors: Baquero Cruz Julio
Published: May 2008

Abstract:  The Maastricht‐Urteil of the German Constitutional Court of October 1993 has left a deep mark on EU law. Although some may consider it as part of legal history, the decision has never been overruled, and the ideas behind it are very much alive. This article tries to examine the legacy of that decision. From a practical point of view, the article focuses on the following issues: the current situation in Germany; the influence on other constitutional or supreme courts and on constitutional reforms in some Member States; the influence on the European Court of Justice and on the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. Regarding theory, three sections of the article discuss a number of widespread ‘idées reçues’ contained in the Maastricht‐Urteil on notions such as the state, constituent power (pouvoir constituant), and democracy. The next section presents the movement of legal pluralism as an attempt to come to terms with the Maastricht‐Urteil and its legacy. It criticises the radical versions of legal pluralism in view of the damage they may cause to essential dimensions of the rule of law. The final section reflects on the real motives behind the Maastricht‐Urteil and its legacy, and on possible future developments.
Energy Security and the Division of Competences between the European Community and its Member States
Authors: Haghighi Sanam S.
Published: May 2008

Abstract:  Securing energy supply for Europe has been for decades at the forefront of the energy policies of individual European Community member countries. However, dealing with energy issues in general and securing energy supply in particular is a new phenomenon within the EU's regulatory framework. One important issue which has not yet been discussed by legal scholars and which has been questioned repeatedly by energy experts, is the question who is actually responsible to guarantee security of energy supply in Europe? Is it the European Community alone? Is it the Member States alone? Or is it both? This question cannot be answered without a detailed legal analysis of the EU law in general, and EU law on division of competences between the Community and the Member States in particular. This article seeks to highlight the complications of this area of law within the EU and expand it to cover the energy sector in order to determine who and under what circumstances is responsible for guaranteeing security of energy supply for the consumers within the EU borders.
Trade unions, collective bargaining and macroeconomic performance: a review
Authors: Aidt Toke S. , Tzannatos Zafiris
Published: May 2008

Coordination through collective bargaining is recognised as an influential determinant of labour market outcomes and macroeconomic performance. This article provides a systematic review of the empirical literature on the subject. What emerges from the review is that it is different types and coverage of bargaining coordination, rather than cross‐country variation in trade union density, that matter for economic performance. High levels of bargaining coverage tend to be associated with relatively poor economic performance, but this adverse relationship can be at least mitigated by high levels of bargaining coordination. In the absence of formal bargaining arrangements, economies often develop informal bargaining mechanisms whose effects are similar to those arising from formal bargaining provided they both operate at similar levels of coordination. The consequences of labour market coordination or absence thereof depend on the monetary policy regime as non‐accommodating monetary policy can eliminate some of the adverse unemployment consequences otherwise associated with industry‐level collective bargaining. Finally, bargaining coordination seems to matter most in times of rapid economic change rather than under more stable conditions. Overall, we conclude that it is the total ‘package’ of (formal and informal) labour market institutions that matters for the performance of the economy rather than unionisation as such or individual aspects of unionism.
Electrocortical and electrodermal responses covary as a function of emotional arousal: A single‐trial analysis
Authors: Keil Andreas , Smith J. Carson , Wangelin Bethany C. , Sabatinelli Dean , Bradley Margaret M. , Lang Peter J.
Published: May 2008

Electrophysiological studies of human visual perception typically involve averaging across trials distributed over time during an experimental session. Using an oscillatory presentation, in which affective or neutral pictures were presented for 6 s, flickering on and off at a rate of 10 Hz, the present study examined single trials of steady‐state visual evoked potentials. Moving window averaging and subsequent Fourier analysis at the stimulation frequency yielded spectral amplitude measures of electrocortical activity. Cronbach's alpha reached values >.79, across electrodes. Single‐trial electrocortical activation was significantly related to the size of the skin conductance response recorded during affective picture viewing. These results suggest that individual trials of steady‐state potentials may yield reliable indices of electrocortical activity in visual cortex and that amplitude modulation of these indices varies with emotional engagement.
Compromised sensitivity to monetary reward in current cocaine users: An ERP study
Authors: Goldstein Rita Z. , Parvaz Muhammad A. , Maloney Thomas , Alia‐Klein Nelly , Woicik Patricia A. , Telang Frank , Wang Gene‐Jack , Volkow Nora D.
Published: May 2008

We studied modulation of the P300 by monetary reward expected to be received on a sustained attention task in 18 individuals with current cocaine use disorders (CUD) and 18 control subjects. Results in the controls revealed sensitivity to money as measured with P300 amplitude and speed of behavioral response and their intercorrelations. In contrast, despite generally faster P300 waveforms and higher self‐reported interest in the task, individuals with CUD did not display these responses to money versus nonreward; at the behavioral level, this impairment correlated with frequency of recent cocaine use. These preliminary results suggest a compromised sensitivity to a secondary reinforcer in CUD. This deficit, which needs to be replicated in larger samples of people with currently active versus abstaining CUD, may underlie the compromised ability to advantageously modify behavior in response to changing inner motivations and environmental contingencies.
Shifting global supply networks and fast fashion: made in Turkey for Marks & Spencer
Authors: TOKATLI NEBAHAT , WRIGLEY NEIL , KIZILGÜN ÖMÜR
Published: May 2008

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, it was noted that retailers in Britain had started providing increased variety and fashionability to their customers, had added mid‐season purchasing to their previous two‐season calendars, and that a high fashion and low price ‘throwaway market’ had appeared on the retail scene. Since then mid‐season purchasing has evolved into purchasing throughout the year; and the ‘throwaway market’ (now called fast fashion) has become almost the norm. Here we revisit one of those British retailers (Marks & Spencer) together with its Turkish suppliers and observe a trend towards the diffusion of design capabilities to suppliers that is more widespread than is suggested in the literature. We also consider the question of how most appropriately to conceptualize the nature of these retailer‐ supplier relations in today's circumstances. We especially look into the manner in which these relations are reflected in price negotiations, the eventual distribution of the value‐added, and the nature of everyday interactions such as accreditation and reclamation practices. We conclude that even though Turkish suppliers seem to be successfully upgrading into design–a high value‐added activity–the question of whether or not this development has entailed a renegotiation of power between retailer and supplier remains a complicated one.
Global networks and the reorganization of production in the clothing industry of post‐socialist Ukraine
Authors: KALANTARIDIS CHRISTOS , SLAVA SVITLANA , VASSILEV IVAYLO
Published: May 2008

In this article we examine how processes of globalization and the nature of emerging inter‐firm relationships influence the organization of production in a post‐socialist region, using the case of the clothing industry in Transcarpathia, Western Ukraine. We combine insights from two perspectives, the global commodity chain approach and the new regionalism. The focus on both institutional setting and interfirm relationships is essential in regions undergoing rapid change. In the article we also use Burt's concept of structural holes and the idea of a competence‐difficulty gap to examine the nature of relationships within networks of firms, arguing that global integration can be viewed as a bridging process. The evidence comes from surveys and fieldwork conducted between 1997 and 2004, providing a longitudinal analysis of the same firms. Among other findings, we show that the difficulty of doing business locally may make relationships more stable. With respect to industrial structure, international subcontracting and joint‐venture arrangements enable technological modernization in assembly and parts of preassembly, but also result in the demise of high‐value added competences.
Family divided: the class formation of Honduran transnational families
Authors: SCHMALZBAUER LEAH
Published: May 2008

Although there is a growing literature on transnational families, we know little about the class formation of such families and even less about how transnational migration and generation interact in this process. In this article I draw from ethnographic research with Honduran immigrant parents in the USA and transnational youths in Honduras to theorize the class formation of transnational families. Based on Bryceson and Vuorela's concepts of frontiering and relativizing, I show how economic remittances bolster the expectations and improve the lifestyles of transnational youths to the detriment of their parents' welfare in the USA. That parents often relativize their communication, choosing not to tell children about their struggles, can contribute to increased inequalities within families. Finally, my data suggest that it will be difficult for transnational youths to meet their newfound expectations and maintain their lifestyles without a permanent flow of remittances and thus the ongoing separation of family.
Patterns of life‐history traits in open‐nesting palearctic passerines as a function of the climatic variation of their ranges
Authors: VÁCLAV RADOVAN , SÁNCHEZ SARA
Published: May 2008

Latitude, a surrogate of climatic conditions, is commonly used in the examination of life‐history variation. However, the climatic mechanisms underlying latitudinal life‐history variation have only rarely been tested. Here, we test whether the number of climates to which species are subjected in their ranges predicts geographical life‐history variation. In particular, we examine whether eurytopic species, the range of which covers more climates, show different reproductive effort to stenotopic species, which are distributed over climatically more homogeneous environments. We examined female body mass, egg mass controlled for female body mass, clutch size and the number of breeding attempts per season for 34 sedentary and short‐distance migratory passerine species of the Western Palearctic. For each species, we assessed how many climate zones extend over the species’ wintering and breeding ranges. We found that avian body mass, and also clutch size, significantly increases with the number of climatic zones extended over the species’ wintering range. In turn, species whose breeding ranges span more climates show more breeding attempts per season. Whereas the mass of a single egg declines, clutch size increases with increasing climatic variation in breeding ranges. Our study suggests that the level of climatic variation over species’ ranges during and outside the breeding season might be responsible for variation in life‐history traits in open‐nesting Western Palearctic passerines.
Mechanistic hypotheses for nonsynaptic epileptiform activity induction and its transition from the interictal to ictal state—Computational simulation
Authors: De Almeida Antônio‐Carlos G. , Rodrigues Antônio M. , Scorza Fúlvio A. , Cavalheiro Esper A. , Teixeira Hewerson Z. , Duarte Mário A. , Silveira Gilcélio A. , Arruda Emerson Z.
Published: May 2008

Purpose:  The aim of this work is to study, by means of computational simulations, the induction and sustaining of nonsynaptic epileptiform activity.

Methods:  The computational model consists of a network of cellular bodies of neurons and glial cells connected to a three‐dimensional (3D) network of juxtaposed extracellular compartments. The extracellular electrodiffusion calculation was used to simulate the extracellular potential. Each cellular body was represented in terms of the transmembrane ionic transports (Na+/K+ pumps, ionic channels, and cotransport mechanisms), the intercellular electrodiffusion through gap‐junctions, and the neuronal interaction by electric field and the variation of cellular volume.

Results:  The computational model allows simulating the nonsynaptic epileptiform activity and the extracellular potential captured the main feature of the experimental measurements. The simulations of the concomitant ionic fluxes and concentrations can be used to propose the basic mechanisms involved in the induction and sustaining of the activities.

Discussion:  The simulations suggest: The bursting induction is mediated by the Cl− Nernst potential overcoming the transmembrane potential in response to the extracellular [K+] increase. The burst onset is characterized by a critical point defined by the instant when the Na+ influx through its permeable ionic channels overcomes the Na+/K+ pump electrogenic current. The burst finalization is defined by another critical point, when the electrogenic current of the Na+/K+ pump overcomes its influx through the channels.
Levetiracetam prevents kindling‐induced asymmetric accumulation of hippocampal 7S SNARE complexes
Authors: Matveeva Elena A. , Vanaman Thomas C. , Whiteheart Sidney W. , Slevin John T.
Published: May 2008

Purpose: Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying epilepsy is crucial to designing novel therapeutic regimens. This report focuses on alterations in the secretory machinery responsible for neurotransmitter (NT) release. Soluble N‐ethylmaleimide sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complexes mediate the fusion of synaptic vesicle and active zone membranes, thus mediating NT secretion. SNARE regulators control where and when SNARE complexes are formed. Previous studies showed an asymmetric accumulation of 7S SNARE complexes (7SC) in the ipsilateral hippocampus of kindled animals. The present studies probe the persistence of 7SC accumulation and the effect of the anticonvulsant, levetiracetam (LEV), on 7SC and SNARE regulators.

Method: Quantitative Western blotting was used to monitor levels of 7SC and SNARE regulators in hippocampal synaptosomes from kindled animals both before and after LEV treatment.

Results: The asymmetric accumulation of 7SC is present 1‐year postamygdalar kindling. The synaptic vesicle protein, synaptic vesicle protein 2 (SV2), a primary LEV‐binding protein, and the SNARE regulator Tomosyn increase, whereas NSF decreases in association with this accumulation. Treatment with LEV prevented kindling‐induced accumulation of SV2, but did not affect the transient increase of Tomosyn or the long‐term decrease NSF. LEV treatment retarded the electrical and behavioral concomitants of amygdalar kindling coincident with a decrease in accumulation of 7SC.

Conclusions: The ipsilateral hippocampal accumulation of SNARE complexes is an altered molecular process associated with kindling that appears permanent. Kindling epileptogenesis alters synaptosomal levels of the SNARE regulators: NSF, SV2, and Tomosyn. Concomitant treatment with LEV reverses the kindling‐induced 7SC accumulation and increase of SV2.
A Randomized Trial Assessing the Influence of Lying Still or Being Allowed to Move in the Observation Period Following Coronary Angiography Using the Femoral Approach
Authors: MAY OLE , SCHLOSSER HELLE , SKYTTE LENE
Published: May 2008

The aim of the study was to examine whether moving during a 2‐hour observation period in bed after coronary angiography was associated with a higher incidence of bleeding complications compared to a standard regimen, where the patients were told not to move. In both regimens a 4.5 kg sandbag 25 × 12 × 12 cm was placed over the puncture site along the inguinal ligament for the first hour. The sandbag prevented the patients from turning over, but did not prevent bending in the hip and knee. We consecutively included 1,000 patients scheduled for elective diagnostic coronary angiography using the femoral approach. The in‐hospital incidence of hematoma ≥5 cm was 7%. No statistical difference was detected between the two regimens regarding the incidence of bleeding or hematoma formation. The patients preferred the alternative regimen and fewer patients in the alternative regimen had back pain as well as pain from the puncture site. We conclude that patients should not be told to lie still during the observation period after coronary angiography.