bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Separate brain regions code for salience vs. valence during reward prediction in humans
Authors: Jensen Jimmy , Smith Andrew J. , Willeit Matthäus , Crawley Adrian P. , Mikulis David J. , Vitcu Irina , Kapur Shitij
Published: June 2006

Predicting rewards and avoiding aversive conditions is essential for survival. Recent studies using computational models of reward prediction implicate the ventral striatum in appetitive rewards. Whether the same system mediates an organism's response to aversive conditions is unclear. We examined the question using fMRI blood oxygen level‐dependent measurements while healthy volunteers were conditioned using appetitive and aversive stimuli. The temporal difference learning algorithm was used to estimate reward prediction error. Activations in the ventral striatum were robustly correlated with prediction error, regardless of the valence of the stimuli, suggesting that the ventral striatum processes salience prediction error. In contrast, the orbitofrontal cortex and anterior insula coded for the differential valence of appetitive/aversive stimuli. Given its location at the interface of limbic and motor regions, the ventral striatum may be critical in learning about motivationally salient stimuli, regardless of valence, and using that information to bias selection of actions. Inc. Hum Brain Mapp, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cell mimetic monolayer supported chitosan‐haemocompatibility studies
Authors: Mathews Smitha , Kaladhar K. , Sharma Chandra P.
Published: June 2006

Chitosan is a natural polymer, widely explored for biomedical and tissue engineering applications. However the thrombogenic nature limits their application in blood contacting devices and implants. Here, we have attempted to understand the haemocompatibility of chitosan by immobilizing a monolayer of cell mimetic lipid compositions. The phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol/galactocerebroside lipid composition (PC/Chol/GalC, 1:0.35:0.125) was deposited onto the chitosan films. Characterization of the modified surface was done by sessile drop contact angle measurement. The contact angle of the chitosan film reduced from 80.65 ± 1.4 to 23.5 ± 1.9 after the surface modification. Swelling nature of chitosan seemed to influence the orientation and packing of the lipid monolayer. In vitro calcification studies with metastable salt solution indicated increased calcification on the modified surface. This may be due to formation of nuclei for calcification on the expanding monolayer. The preliminary haemocompatibility studies with washed platelets, leukocytes and erythrocytes showed overall reduction in blood cell adhesion to the modified surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy was used for morphological characterization of platelet adhesion and activation on the surfaces. On the bare chitosan surface, fully spread platelets with extending pseudopodia indicated platelet activation. The smooth surface of the modified film did not activate platelets. These studies showed that, though the lipid monolayer on chitosan film is able to reduce the over all blood cell adhesion and platelet activation it is prone to calcification. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
Evaluation of pegylated lipid nanocapsules versus complement system activation and macrophage uptake
Authors: Vonarbourg A. , Passirani C. , Saulnier P. , Simard P. , Leroux J.C. , Benoit J.P.
Published: June 2006

This work consisted in defining the in vitro behavior of pegylated lipid nanocapsules (LNC) toward the immune system. LNC were composed of an oily core surrounded by a shell of lecithin and polyethylene glycol (PEG) known to decrease the recognition of nanoparticles by the immune system. The “stealth” properties were evaluated by measuring complement activation (CH50 technique and crossed‐immunoelectrophoresis (C3 cleavage)) and macrophage uptake. These experiments were performed on 20‐, 50‐, and 100‐nm LNC before and after dialysis. A high density of PEG at the surface led to very low complement activation by LNC with a slight effect of size. This size effect, associated to a dialysis effect in macrophage uptake, was due to differences in density and flexibility of PEG chains related to LNC curvature radius. Thanks to a high density, 660‐Da PEG provided LNC a steric stabilization and a protective effect versus complement protein opsonization, but this protection decreased with the increase of LNC size, especially versus macrophage uptake. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
Respiratory chain deficiency slows down cell‐cycle progression via reduced ROS generation and is associated with a reduction of p21CIP1/WAF1
Authors: Schauen Matthias , Spitkovsky Dimitry , Schubert Jens , Fischer Jürgen H. , Hayashi Jun‐Ichi , Wiesner Rudolf J.
Published: June 2006

We have used HeLa cells without mitochondrial DNA (ρ0‐cells) and transient ρ0‐phenocopies, obtained from wild‐type cells by short‐term treatment with ethidium bromide, to analyze how the absence of a functional mitochondrial respiratory chain slows down proliferation. We ruled out an energetic problem (ATP/ADP content) as well as defective synthesis of pyrimidine, iron‐sulfur clusters or heme as important causes for the proliferative defect. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that reactive oxygen species were reduced in ρ0‐cells and in ρ0‐phenocopies, and that, quite unusually, all stages of the cell cycle were slowed down. Specific quenching of mitochondrial ROS with the ubiquinone analog MitoQ also resulted in slower growth. Some important cell‐cycle regulators were reduced in ρ0‐cells: cyclin D3, cdk6, p18INK4C, p27KIP1, and p21CIP1/WAF1. In the ρ0‐phenocopies, the expression pattern did not fully duplicate the complex response observed in ρ0‐cells, and mainly p21CIP1/WAF1 was downregulated. Activities of the growth regulatory PKB/Akt and MAPK/ERK‐signaling pathways did not correlate with proliferation rates of ρ0‐cells and ρ0‐phenocopies. Our study demonstrates that loss of a functional mitochondrial electron transport chain inhibits cell‐cycle progression, and we postulate that this occurs through the decreased concentration of reactive oxygen species, leading to downregulation of p21CIP1/WAF1. J. Cell. Physiol. 209: 103–112, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms in patients with nontraumatic femoral head osteonecrosis
Authors: Koo Kyung‐Hoi , Lee Jong Seok , Lee Yun Jong , Kim Ki‐Jeong , Yoo Jeong Joon , Kim Hee Joong
Published: June 2006

As endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) has beneficial effects on skeletal, vascular, and thrombotic systems, the association between nontraumatic femoral head osteonecrosis (FHON) and eNOS gene polymorphisms was investigated in Korean patients with FHON. Genomic DNA from 103 patients with nontraumatic FHON (idiopathic in 50, steroid‐induced in 29, and alcohol abuse in 24) and 103 control subjects matched for gender and age (3‐year range) was analyzed for the 27‐bp repeat polymorphism in intron 4 and Glu298Asp polymorphism in exon 7. The frequencies of alleles and genotypes were compared between patients and control subjects. The frequency of 4a allele was significantly higher in total patients than control subjects [6.8% vs. 2.4%, p = 0.0345, odds ratio (OR) 2.931]. In subgroup analysis, the 4a allele significantly increased in patients with idiopathic FHON versus control subjects (9.0% vs. 2.4%, p = 0.0297, OR 3.976). The frequency of the 4a/b genotype in total patients (13.6% vs. 4.9%, p = 0.0302, OR 3.083) as well as patients with idiopathic FHON (18.0% vs. 4.9%, p = 0.0246, OR 4.302) was higher than control subjects. The distribution of Glu298Asp polymorphisms was not significantly different between patients and control subjects. Microstellate polymorphism in intron 4 of eNOS polymorphism was significantly associated with idiopathic FHON in Korean patients. Because 4a allele is associated with lower synthesis of eNOS, these results suggest that carrier state of 4a allele in intron 4 might be a genetic risk factor of FHON and could provide insight into the protective role of nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of FHON. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 24:1722–1728, 2006
Test of AMS 14C dating of pollen concentrates using tephrochronology
Authors: Newnham Rewi M. , Vandergoes Marcus J. , Garnett Mark H. , Lowe David J. , Prior Christine , Almond Peter C.
Published: June 2006

Previous attempts to radiocarbon date sediments >10 kyr from the high rainfall region of Westland, New Zealand, a critical location for investigation of interhemispheric patterns of climate change, have been problematic. This study, building on recent work by Vandergoes and Prior (2003), shows that AMS 14C dating of pollen concentrates has potential to provide more reliable ages than other sediment constituents, including plant macrofossils. The method was applied to sediments from three sites containing the 22.6k 14C yr Kawakawa Tephra, which provided an independent test of the 14C ages. Although some minor laboratory contamination was detected in tests on background standards, the modelled relationship between sample mass and measured 14C content permitted an appropriate correction to be determined. Improved pollen concentrations derived by density separation between 1.4 and 1.2 specific gravity and sieving in the range 10–50 μm provided either older ages than other fractions of the same sample or, where in situ contamination was not evident, equivalent ages. Differences in degree of in situ contamination between depositional environments indicated that, in Westland, lake sites may be less susceptible to contamination by younger carbon than peat sites, where this process may be facilitated by root penetration into underlying sediments. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measurement of carbohydrates in grain, feed and food
Authors: McCleary Barry V , Charnock Simon J , Rossiter Patricia C , O'Shea Michelle F , Power Aisling M , Lloyd Ruth M
Published: June 2006

Procedures for the measurement of starch, starch damage (gelatinised starch), resistant starch and the amylose/amylopectin content of starch, β‐glucan, fructan, glucomannan and galactosyl‐sucrose oligosaccharides (raffinose, stachyose and verbascose) in plant material, animal feeds and foods are described. Most of these methods have been successfully subjected to interlaboratory evaluation. All methods are based on the use of enzymes either purified by conventional chromatography or produced using molecular biology techniques. Such methods allow specific, accurate and reliable quantification of a particular component. Problems in calculating the actual weight of galactosyl‐sucrose oligosaccharides in test samples are discussed in detail. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Failure to detect seasonal changes in the song system nuclei of the black‐capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)
Authors: Smulders T. V. , Lisi M. D. , Tricomi E. , Otter K. A. , Chruszcz B. , Ratcliffe L. M. , DeVoogd T. J.
Published: June 2006

Most temperate songbird species sing seasonally, and the brain areas involved in producing song (the song system) vary in size alongside the changes in behavior. Black‐capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) also sing seasonally, and we find that there are changes in the stereotypy and the length of the fee‐bee song from the nonbreeding to the breeding season. Yet despite these changes, we fail to find any evidence of seasonal changes in the song system. The song system of males is larger than that of females, as is typical in songbirds, but the ratio between the sexes is small compared to other species. We suggest three hypotheses to explain our failure to find seasonal variation in the chickadee song system. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2006
Automated analysis of behavior: A computer‐controlled system for drug screening and the investigation of learning
Authors: Hicks Caitlin , Sorocco Debra , Levin Michael
Published: June 2006

Efforts to understand cognition will be greatly facilitated by computerized systems that enable the automated analysis of animal behavior. A number of controversies in the invertebrate learning field have resulted from difficulties inherent in manual experiments. Driven by the necessity to overcome these problems during investigation of neural function in planarian flatworms and frog larvae, we designed and developed a prototype for an inexpensive, flexible system that enables automated control and analysis of behavior and learning. Applicable to a variety of small animals such as flatworms and zebrafish, this system allows automated analysis of innate behavior, as well as of learning and memory in a plethora of conditioning paradigms. We present here the schematics of a basic prototype, which overcomes experimenter effects and operator tedium, enabling a large number of animals to be analyzed with transparent on‐line access to primary data. A scaled‐up version of this technology represents an efficient methodology to screen pharmacological and genetic libraries for novel neuroactive reagents of basic and biomedical relevance. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2006
Experiences of siblings of patients with Fanconi anemia
Authors: Hutson Sadie P. , Alter Blanche P.
Published: June 2006

Background

Clinical management of families with autosomal recessive genetic disorders focuses almost exclusively on the affected family members. However, clinically unaffected members of such families may also be severely troubled by the serious illness in a family member. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of healthy siblings of patients with a chronic genetic disease, Fanconi Anemia (FA).

Procedure

We used a qualitative, descriptive design, which consisted of in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews. A convenience sample of nine siblings of patients with FA was recruited from a National Cancer Institute clinical research protocol, which targets families with inherited bone marrow failure syndromes. NVivo 2.0 software facilitated qualitative content analysis of the data.

Results

Siblings' rich descriptions provided novel insights into the intricate hardships of living within a family in which a rare, life‐threatening, chronic genetic illness in one member is the focus of daily life. Four major themes of the sibling experience emerged from the interview data: (1) containment, (2) invisibility, (3) worry, and (4) despair.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that unrecognized psychosocial issues exist for the apparently healthy siblings of patients with FA. This study explores the psychosocial consequences of living in a family with FA and one of only a few studies to explore the sibling experience of chronic illness using a contemporaneous approach. These findings support the need for an increased awareness among health care providers; future hypothesis driven investigation, and improved assessment of problems with potential psychological morbidity. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;48:72–79. Published 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Factors associated with health‐related quality of life in pediatric cancer survivors
Authors: Meeske Kathleen A. , Patel Sunita K. , Palmer Stephanie N. , Nelson Mary B. , Parow Aimee M.
Published: June 2006

Background

Childhood cancer survivors are at risk for late effects of disease and treatment that may be attributed to multiple causes. This study describes health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in childhood cancer survivors and identifies factors related to poor quality of life outcomes.

Procedure

Patients age 8–18 years, who attended the long‐term information, follow‐up, and evaluation (LIFE) clinic at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles during a 1‐year time‐period were eligible for the study. Eighty‐six survivors (mean time off‐treatment = 7.8 years) completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scales, a LIFE Clinic Intake Questionnaire and rated their fatigue using a 10‐point scale. Oncology nurses independently rated subjects' late effects using a 3‐point severity scale. Linear regression procedures were used to evaluate the association between demographic and medical factors and HRQOL.

Results

Fatigue and more severe late effects were associated with poorer physical functioning (fatigue, P < 0.02; late effects, P < 0.01). Fatigue, ethnic minority status, and a brain tumor diagnosis were associated with poorer psychosocial functioning (fatigue, P < 0.0001; minority status, P < 0.04; brain tumor, P < 0.01). Fatigue was the only factor related to both poor physical and psychosocial HRQOL.

Conclusions

Long‐term follow‐up clinics for childhood cancer survivors are in a unique position to monitor HRQOL over time. Factors associated with poorer HRQOL include fatigue, ethnic minority status, a brain tumor diagnosis, and more severe late effects. Future studies need to clarify relationships between ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), and HRQOL in cancer survivors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:298–305. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of end groups on complexation kinetics between cyclodextrins and guest polymers
Authors: Xue Jie , Chen Liang , Zhou Li , Jia Zhifeng , Wang Yanping , Zhu Xinyuan , Yan Deyue
Published: June 2006

α‐Cyclodextrin (α‐CD) has been complexed with various poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) derivatives in aqueous solution. It has been found that the end groups of PEG derivatives affect the complexation kinetics greatly, but have only a little influence on the thermodynamic behavior. By increasing the hydrophobicity of end groups, the complexation speeds up rapidly. On the other hand, the bulky end groups slow down the threading of polymeric guests into the cavity of CD. By changing the hydrophobicity and the size of end groups, the complexation rate can be adjusted in the range of several orders of magnitudes, which should be quite useful in the design of new supramolecular systems. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 2050–2057, 2006
Viscoelastic characteristics of UV polymerized poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate networks with varying extents of crosslinking
Authors: Kalakkunnath Sumod , Kalika Douglass S. , Lin Haiqing , Freeman Benny D.
Published: June 2006

The viscoelastic relaxation characteristics of ultraviolet crosslinked networks based on poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate [PEGDA] have been investigated by dynamic mechanical methods. Effective crosslink density in the networks was varied via the use of PEGDA prepolymers of different molecular weight, or by the introduction of controlled amounts of water in the reaction mixture. In all cases examined, fully amorphous networks were obtained. Time–temperature superposition was applied to obtain master curves of storage modulus versus frequency across the glass transition, and these could be satisfactorily described using the Kohlrausch–Williams–Watts relaxation function. The glass transition temperature (Tg), relaxation breadth, and fragility of the segmental relaxation were correlated with the effective crosslink density obtained in the networks. Gas permeation measurements on the PEGDA/water networks indicated only a very modest variation in gas transport properties, despite the sizeable variation in apparent crosslink density achieved in these materials. This result suggests that the controlling structural factor for gas transport in the networks is not simply crosslink density, and that attempts to correlate gas transport to network structure must necessarily consider the broader relationships between crosslink density, segmental mobility, and fractional free volume. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 2058–2070, 2006
Reactor pressure relief of fluids containing suspended solids
Authors: Waldram Simon , McIntosh Roderick , Etchells Janet
Published: June 2006

Some effects of addition of inert suspended solids (fine glass particles) to both reacting (water and acetic anhydride) and nonreacting systems (pure water or water/glycerol mixtures) are described. Depressurization profiles from experiments with solids present were compared with analogous profiles without solids. Experimentation was on scales of one and ten liters. Computer control meant that highly reproducible experimental sequences were followed. Mean nozzle to particle diameter ratios of between 6 and 500 were used. The particles were narrow size‐range cuts of nearly spherical glass beads with a density of 2500 kg m−3. Hollow glass beads with a density of 600 kg m−3 were also used. Glass particle concentrations were up to 16% v/v and relief set pressures were between 3 and 5 bara.

Many variables affect the pressure vs. time profile during blowdown, and thus experimental (factorial) design techniques were used for efficient planning of experiments and interpretation of results. In general the glass had little statistically significant effect. There was limited evidence that the hollow glass particles could slightly increase depressurization rates. Tests with runaway reactions highlighted some inherent difficulties when comparing systems with and without glass particles present. In all cases, the vented fluids were less concentrated in glass than those in the reactor. The consistency of the amounts of liquid carryover during blowdown was poor in smaller‐scale tests; this may have important ramifications for small‐scale tests that are used to establish the flow regime during venting, as advocated in the DIERS methodology. © 2006 Health and Safety Executive. Crown Copyright. Process Saf Prog, 2006
Effects of marketing‐manufacturing integration on new product development time and competitive advantage
Authors: Swink Morgan , Song Michael
Published: June 2006

There is a need to better understand the advantages and disadvantages of marketing‐manufacturing integration (MMI) in new product development. In this paper we examine the influences of MMI in each of four stages of new product development (NPD) on new product time and success. A path analysis of data collected from 467 completed NPD projects indicates that increased MMI in each stage of product development is respectively associated with greater product competitive advantage, which in turn is associated with higher project return on investment (ROI). Greater MMI is also significantly associated with longer product commercialisation (PC) stages of new product development, but the data indicate little significant relationship between NPD project time and project return on investment. Hence, increased MMI may require added NPD time, but this drawback appears to be outweighed by the added benefits accrued to greater product competitive advantage.
Does Slow‐Release 5‐Fluorouracil and Triamcinolone Reduce Subglottic Stenosis?
Authors: Ingrams Duncan R. , Sukin Steven W. , Ashton Paul , Valtonen Hannu J. , Pankratov Michail M. , Shapshay Stanley M.
Published: June 2006

The surgical management of subglottic stenosis may be complicated by reformation of strictures. A slow‐release combination of 5‐fluorouracil, which has an antiproliferative effect on fibroblasts, and the corticosteroid triamcinolone acetonide has been used experimentally to control scar production in ophthalmic operations. This study was performed to determine if this material also can be used to reduce formation of subglottic stenosis. Subglottic stenosis was induced in rabbits by means of injury to the subglottic mucosa and submucosa. A suspension of the compound at a concentration of 2.5 mg/ml or 12.5 mg/ml was injected into the adjacent soft tissues. A control group of rabbits received the same volume of the suspension fluid but no compound. Two rabbits from each group were killed 1,2, and 12 weeks postoperatively. No stenosis was seen at 1 or 2 weeks, but at 12 weeks the rate of formation of subglottic stenosis was decreased to a mean of 15.20% in the experimental groups compared with 47.37% in the control group. There were no indications of local or systemic toxicity. The promising results from this preliminary study suggest that use of this compound may reduce restenosis among patients treated surgically for subglottic stenosis. Further studies are being conducted.
Relation between CT Scan Findings and Human Sense of Smell
Authors: Hong Seok‐Chan , Leopold Donald A. , Oliverio Patrick J. , Benson Mark L. , Mellits David , Quaskey Shirley A. , Zinreich S. James
Published: June 2006

Symptom questionnaires were obtained from 106 patients immediately before nasal and sinus computed tomography scans at the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center. Their scans were analyzed by two otolaryngologists and three neuroradiologists by using a semiob‐jective rating system of the size and opacity of 36 anatomic areas. Patients estimated their own left and right sense of smell as excellent, diminished, or absent. Results of the data are as follows: (1) There is no correlation between smell ability and size of the nasal and sinus structures. This indicates that there is no gross effect of the bulging of sinuses into the nasal airway; (2) As a rule, opacity of only left‐sided anatomic structures was correlated with both left and right sense of smell (p < 0.01). This suggests that our subjects were using their left smell receptors preferentially, to the exclusion of and in place of the right smell receptors; and (3) Total, not partial, opacity of the left olfactory cleft, frontal recess, or ethmoidal infundibulum was correlated with decreased sense of smell. This suggests that these anterior structures in the region of the olfactory cleft do affect airflow, but complete obstruction of these spaces is needed. Possible explanations for the effect of opacified sinuses on the sense of smell include (1) The presence of fluid or thickened mucosa in the sinuses may interfere with perceived olfactory ability by changing nasal airflow patterns or odorant access to receptors; (2) There may be olfactory receptors inside the sinuses; and (3) There may be a relation between the trigeminal receptors in the sinuses and the olfactory system.
Lateral Thigh Flap Reconstruction in the Head and Neck
Authors: Truelson John M. , Leach Joseph L.
Published: June 2006

The lateral thigh free flap is a fasciocutaneous flap based on the cutaneous perforators of the deep femoral vessels. Although originally described in 1983, it has had very few reports in the literature. This article describes the flap and reports our findings and outcomes in nine cadavers (18 thighs) and 33 clinical cases. The position of the vascular pedicle may vary in each case but has always been found to be present. Successful transfer occurred in 30 of 33 cases. Flap loss was attributable to infection, fistula, and hematoma in three of four cases. The flap was especially useful in large defects, most commonly total and base‐of‐tongue defects. We have found this flap to be reliable and to result in minimal morbidity.
Dumon Silicone Stents in Obstructive Tracheobronchial Lesions: The Hong Kong Experience
Authors: Abdullah Victor , Yim Anthony P. C. , Wormald P. J. , Hasselt C. A. van
Published: June 2006

The insertion of intraluminal stents is an effective method of relieving the distressing symptom of asphyxia in patients with obstructive lesions in the trachea and main‐stem bronchi. We report our experience in the use of the studded Dumon silicone stent (Endoxane prosthesis' Axion, Aubagne, France). Between February 1994 and August 1996, 42 stents were placed in 30 patients. Of the 27 patients with a malignant stricture, 10 had carcinoma of the bronchus, 13 carcinoma of the esophagus, and 4 metastatic carcinoma involving the tracheobronchial tree. The benign lesions were made up of two tuberculous strictures and one suprastomal stenosis after tracheostomy. Stents were placed through a rigid bronchoscope with patients under general anesthesia. Postplacement assessment was performed with a 10‐point, symptom‐based visual analog scale. In eight less urgent cases, forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity were determined before and after surgery. The mean symptomatic improvement on the 10‐point scale was 6.1 points, whereas the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (in the eight patients tested) improved by 75%, and the forced vital capacity improved by 54%. The median survival was 2 months for patients with carcinoma of the bronchus and 3 months for patients with carcinoma of the esophagus. Two patients with metastatic carcinoma and all of the patients with the benign lesions were alive and well after 12 months of follow‐up. Insertion of the Dumon stent is a simple, safe, and effective method of countering the distressing symptoms arising from obstructive tracheobronchial lesions.
Prognostic Significance of Postoperative Wound Infection on Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Rodrigo Juan P. , Suárez Carlos
Published: June 2006

The prognostic significance of wound infections after surgery for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is controversial. We retrospectively studied the relationship between wound infection, tumor recurrence, and survival rates in 158 patients operated on for supraglottic cancer. All patients had 3‐year follow‐up. Wound infection developed in 14 patients (8.8%). The overall recurrence rate was 29.7%. For those in whom a wound infection developed the recurrence rate was 57%, compared with 27% for those in whom no such infection developed (p = 0.041). Disease‐free survival was also adversely affected in the group of patients with infections, although because of the limited number of patients the differences did not reach statistical significance. We conclude that postoperative wound infection may have an adverse effect on prognosis in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.
Organic and siliceous protistan scales in north-east Atlantic abyssal sediments
Authors: Gooday Andrew J. , Esteban Genoveva F. , Clarke Ken J.
Published: June 2006

We report the occurrence of a high diversity of minute (∼1 μm diameter) organic and siliceous protistan scales in small samples (total volume ∼35 μl) of superficial sediment from the Porcupine Abyssal Plain (PAP), north-east Atlantic (4850 m water depth). Many exhibit characters by which they can be identified to species. The organic scales belong to the haptophyte genera Chrysochromulina (8–9 species), Chrysocampanula and Dolichomastix (1 species each). The siliceous scales belong to the chrysophytes Paraphysomonas vestita and Meringosphaera sp. and to the heterotrophic flagellate genus Thaumatomastix (T. dybsoeana, T. formosa, Thaumatomastix sp.). As far as we are aware, this is the first time that non-calcareous protistan scales have been observed in deep-sea sediments (although siliceous skeletal plates and cysts are reported). All scales probably originated from the upper water column and were delivered to the deep-sea floor on rapidly sinking detrital aggregates. However, naked heterotrophic flagellates are known to thrive in abyssal sediment habitats and so the possibility that some scale-bearing protists also live in benthic deep-sea environments cannot be eliminated. Many species identified at the PAP site are common in coastal marine waters around Europe; some occur as far afield as Tasmania and New Zealand. Five Chrysochromulina species are known from central oceanic areas, including parts of the North Atlantic, while another species, C. pringsheimii, is reported from a British freshwater lake. We retrieved ∼15% of the 55 named Chrysochromulina species (∼8% of the estimated total number of species in this diverse group) in the ∼35 μl of abyssal sediment. Because the scales can persist and be identified after cell death, they may provide useful time- and space-averaged information about the distribution of protist species in marine habitats. The long-term fate of the scales on the sea-floor is unknown. It is possible that at least some of the organic scales are preserved as microfossils in deep-sea sediments.
Distribution patterns and biodiversity in polychaete communities of the Weddell Sea and Antarctic Peninsula area (Southern Ocean)
Authors: Hilbig B. , Gerdes D. , Montiel A.
Published: June 2006

During the expedition EASIZ II with RV ‘POLARSTERN’ in 1998 a multibox corer yielded 151 quantitative samples from 26 stations between 120 and 2415 m water depth for benthic community analysis. From this material a total of 235 polychaete species out of 37 families was determined. Forty-seven species are new to science. The polychaete fraction contributed 41.9% to total benthic abundance and 6.5% to total benthic biomass at these stations. Overall mean polychaete abundance (ind m−2) and biomass (g wet weight m−2) at the stations were 1617 and 49, respectively.

Multidimensional scaling procedure clearly grouped the stations into south-eastern Weddell Sea shelf stations, deep-water stations, and stations mostly around the Antarctic Peninsula. Differences between these groups existed in terms of polychaete abundance and biomass as well as species composition, diversity, and evenness.
Statolith identification of Mediterranean Octopodidae, Sepiidae, Loliginidae, Ommastrephidae and Enoploteuthidae based on warp analyses
Authors: Lombarte Antoni , Rufino Marta M. , Sánchez Pilar
Published: June 2006

The statoliths of 14 species (193 right statoliths from subadult to adult individuals), belonging to five Cephalopoda families (Sepiidae, Loliginidae, Enoploteuthidae, Ommastrephidae and Octopodidae) were analysed using morphometric methods based on landmarks (geometric morphometry). The aim of the current study is to determine the discriminating power of statolith shape analysis in species identification of Mediterranean cephalopods. Discriminant analyses of the partial warps were able to fully identify (100% discrimination) the species of all families, except Octopodidae which showed some misclassification (correctly classified about 68–90%). These results were also shown by relative warp analysis. Octopodidae statoliths were studied for the first time using geometric landmark-based methods. Greatest differences in statolith shape between Octopodidae species, were in the area that unites the statolith dome with the flat wing. Landmark analysis applied to statoliths can be a useful taxonomic tool in the identification of closely related species.
Ultrastructure of the podia of Amphiura chiajei and Amphiura filiformis and their role in feeding
Authors: Keogh John K. , Keegan Brendan F.
Published: June 2006

Morphological study of the podia of the suspension feeding Amphiura filiformis and the deposit feeding Amphiura chiajei revealed sensory–secretory complexes in the podial epidermis, consisting of four cells, two secretory and two sensory. Large mucus cells were found in association, but not exclusively, with the sensory–secretory complexes. In A. filiformis, mucus cells stained positively for both acid and neutral mucopolysaccharides, while, in A. chiajei, these cells stained only for acid mucopolysaccharides. The surfaces of the arm podia in A. chiajei were relatively smooth, while the arm podia of A. filiformis bear papillae. The sensory–secretory complexes open through numerous paired pores, with each pair having an intervening cilium. Pores were restricted to the podial tip in A. chiajei, while in A. filiformis they are concentrated on the podial tip and on the papillae. Amphiura chiajei shows very little differentiation of the podia along the length of the arm. In A. filiformis, the distal podia have papillae throughout their entire length, with pores being found on the head region and the papillar tips. Here, the papillae are oriented in such a way (i.e. facing inward towards the ventral arm plate) as to increase the area of the filtering surface of the podium, serviced by the sticky secretions from the sensory–secretory complexes. The proximal podia are relatively simple in structure and are thought to function more in the transportation of mucus wrapped particles to the mouth rather than in their capture. The difference in structure of the podia and chemical composition of podial secretory cells are taken to reflect the difference in feeding styles of the two species.
Biological aspects of deep-water sharks Centroscymnus coelolepis and Centrophorus squamosus in Galician waters (north-western Spain)
Authors: Bañón R. , Piñeiro C. , Casas M.
Published: June 2006

Biological observations on two deep-water shark species, Portuguese dogfish Centroscymnus coelolepis and leafscale gulper shark Centrophorus squamosus, were made for specimens caught by bottom trawl and longline between 500 and 1300 m depth off the continental slope of Galicia and Galician Bank (north-east Atlantic) in the years 1996–1998. This includes data on their bathymetric range, length distribution, size at first maturity, ovarian fecundity, uterine fecundity and the size at birth.
Assemblages of fish associated with coastal marinas in north-western Italy
Authors: Clynick Brianna G.
Published: June 2006

Assemblages of fish associated with exposed and sheltered sides of breakwaters and adjacent rocky reefs were sampled at coastal marinas on the north-west coast of Italy. Contrary to expectations, assemblages associated with the exposed side of artificial breakwaters did not differ from those at adjacent natural rocky reefs. Assemblages of fish associated with the sheltered side of breakwaters did, however, differ from adjacent rocky reefs and, to a lesser extent from the exposed side of the breakwaters. The internal sheltered side of marinas supported fewer species than did the external breakwaters and adjacent reefs and lacked common reef-associated species, such as Chromis chromis and Oblada melanura. In contrast, they supported greater numbers of new recruits of the sparid, Diplodus vulgaris.
Feeding ecology of black anglerfish Lophius budegassa: seasonal, bathymetric and ontogenetic shifts
Authors: Preciado Izaskun , Velasco Francisco , Olaso Ignacio , Landa Jorge
Published: June 2006

The diet of black anglerfish Lophius budegassa is described for the Cantabrian Sea (North Atlantic coast of Spain) from seasonal samples obtained onboard commercial vessels from January 1993 to December 1994. The stomach contents of fish caught on the continental shelf were examined, and differences in the diet in relation to age-class, season and depth were studied. The age-classes were grouped according to a cluster analysis of diet composition. As a result, three groups were obtained: the first two corresponded to juveniles between 2 and 7 years old, and the third one corresponded to adults between 8 and 15 years old. Although Micromesistius poutassou was an important prey for all ages, the youngest black anglerfish fed mainly on small benthic fish. In contrast, large prey species such as Phycis blennoides and Merluccius merluccius were eaten almost exclusively by adults. The diet composition changed during the year. The changes in the diet of black anglerfish older than 3 years were more related to seasonal differences than to between-size differences. These seasonal shifts were mainly marked by the varying importance of Trachurus trachurus and M. merluccius in their diet. Feeding intensity also showed seasonal variations, with a significant decrease in autumn. An indirect effect of depth on the feeding ecology of black anglerfish was also found, since both age and diet composition changed with depth.
Language Lite? Learning French Vocabulary in School
Authors: MILTON JAMES
Published: June 2006

We know very little about the French vocabulary that is learned in school and this paper reports a study which measures learners' vocabulary size and progress in secondary school. The methodology for estimating vocabulary size in French is comparable with vocabulary size testing in other foreign languages, and this makes comparison with vocabulary learning in French and other languages possible. Results suggest that learners learn about 170 words per year up to GCSE and about 530 words per year in ‘A’ level study and are influenced by word frequency. On average, learners take GCSE with under 1000 words of French vocabulary and ‘A’ level with about 2000 words. These results appear modest compared with historical data and when compared with other language exams pitched at the same CEF levels as GCSE and ‘A’ level. Vocabulary size predicts ‘A’ level grade particularly impressively. There is a worrying period where progress, even of the best learners, appears to halt for several years.
Thromboseprophylaktischer Effekt intermittierend komprimierender, pneumatischer Strümpfe (IPC): Eine systematische Literaturanalyse
Authors: Rohrer Ottilia , Eicher Manuela
Published: June 2006

Tiefe Beinvenenthrombosen stellen aufgrund der demografischen Entwicklung sowie der kürzeren Hospitalisationsdauer in verschiedenen klinischen Bereichen ein zunehmendes Problem dar, welches mit Folgerisiken behaftet ist. Gegenwärtige Behandlungsrichtlinien basieren in erster Linie auf prophylaktischen Maßnahmen. Neben medikamentösen Prophylaxen stehen physikalische Maßnahmen durch die Pflege im Vordergrund, deren Wirksamkeit im Alltag kontrovers diskutiert wird. Basierend auf 25 in den Datenbanken MEDLINE und Cochrane Library gefundenen Studien identifiziert diese systematische Literaturanalyse die Wirkung von intermittierend komprimierenden, pneumatischen Strümpfen (IPC). In nahezu allen klinischen Bereichen erreichen IPC eine signifikante Reduktion der Thromboseentstehung. Sie haben wenige schädigende Nebenwirkungen und sind möglicherweise auch kosteneffizient. Entscheidend für die Wirksamkeit von IPCs sind deren korrekte Anwendung und die Compliance der Patienten. Im Behandlungsteam muss das Bewusstsein für Thromboserisiko und -prophylaxe gezielt verstärkt werden. Daher sollten Richtlinien entwickelt werden, die den Einsatz von IPC als Maßnahme der Thromboseprophylaxe festlegen.
The “calm before the storm” in CIR/magnetosphere interactions: Occurrence statistics, solar wind statistics, and magnetospheric preconditioning
Authors: Borovsky Joseph E. , Steinberg John T.
Published: June 2006

Intervals of extreme geomagnetic calm just prior to recurring high‐speed‐stream‐driven storms are noted and studied. These calm intervals may be important for preconditioning the magnetosphere for the ensuing storms. It is argued that this preconditioning causes (1) a decay of the number density of relativistic electrons in the outer radiation belt, (2) a mass loading of the convection of the middle magnetosphere during the early phase of the storms, (3) dumping of the outer electron radiation belt by the formation of a plasmaspheric drainage plume at the onset of the storm, and (4) a contribution to the inner plasma sheet and ring current by the convection of cool dense plasma into the dipole. Calm intervals tend to occur when uncompressed slow wind passes the Earth immediately prior to the CIR. Using 73 years of geomagnetic data, it is shown that the occurrence rate of calms before recurring storms is substantially greater than random occurrence probability would predict, even though the properties of the wind that drives calms before storms are statistically similar to the properties of the wind that drives quiet intervals during solar minimum. The recurrence of storms and calms are studied and it is found that both tend to recur with a 27‐day period (strongest during declining phase) and that the persistence of calm recurrence (∼3 solar rotations) is greater than the persistence of storm recurrence (∼2 solar rotations). An argument is given as to why there is a tendency for calms to occur just prior to high‐speed‐stream‐driven storms.
Imaging the colliding Indian and Asian lithospheric plates beneath Tibet
Authors: Kumar Prakash , Yuan Xiaohui , Kind Rainer , Ni James
Published: June 2006

A high‐resolution image of the base of the lithosphere from S‐to‐P converted seismic waves revealed the collision architecture of the Indian and Asian continental plates beneath the Tibetan Plateau. The base of the Indian lithosphere dips northward from a depth of 160 km beneath the Himalayas to a depth of 220 km just south of the Bangong suture. The base of the Asian lithosphere is nearly horizontal at the depth of 160–180 km from central to northern Tibet. There is a vertical gap of about 50 km between Indian and Asian lithospheres. Our observation of a well‐defined, thick lithosphere throughout the entire plateau is not consistent with models of wholesale convective instability of a thickened mantle lithosphere, which would predict a very thin Asian lithosphere. The hypothesized sequential southward subduction of Tibetan and Asian continental lithospheres leading to the growth of the Tibetan Plateau, if correct, cannot be occurring below ∼180 km depth. Our results, along with available geological and geophysical data, strongly support that the plateau is predominantly formed by a relatively coherent north dipping subducted Indian continental lithosphere in the south, which presently can be traced to the middle of the plateau, and a south dipping subducted Asian lithosphere in the north at a shallower depth.
Remagnetization in bituminous limestones of the Neoproterozoic Araras Group (Amazon craton): Hydrocarbon maturation, burial diagenesis, or both?
Authors: Font E. , Trindade R. I. F. , Nédélec A.
Published: June 2006

Neoproterozoic carbonates of the Araras Group exhibit two distinct magnetic components across the same carbonate succession in a cross‐section between the Amazon craton and the Paraguay fold belt. Pink dolostones of the Mirassol d'Oeste Formation carry a dual polarity, primary component, whereas black bituminous limestones of the Guia Formation yield a secondary postfolding component. Magnetic signatures of the Guia limestones, such as high anhysteretic remanence magnetization/saturation isothermal remanence magnetization ratios, high‐frequency‐dependent magnetic susceptibility and contradictory Lowrie‐Fuller and Cisowski tests, are typical of remagnetized carbonates. Unblocking temperatures suggest that the stable high‐temperature remanence is carried by both pyrrhotite and magnetite for which an authigenic origin is suggested by scanning electron microscope observations. The different magnetic properties noted between dolostones with or without bitumen and between dolostones and limestones in the same metamorphic conditions lead to the hypothesis that the amount of hydrocarbon as well as the lithology influence nucleation of authigenic magnetic minerals in these rocks. Presence of magnetite pseudoframboids and euhedral iron sulphide crystals occurring in fracture and voids are in favor of a chemical remanence (CRM). The presence of pyrrhotite as one of the main carriers of CRM in these rocks, and its association with bitumen in fractures is probably related to an epigenetic enrichment of sulfur due to hydrocarbon seepage. However, hydrocarbon maturation solely could not explain the differences of the magnetic mineralogy observed in the craton and the fold belt. Enhanced magnetite formation in the thrust and fold belt is interpreted to be the result of higher temperatures leading to stronger diagenesis of clay minerals.
An overlooked feature of tropical climate: Inter‐Pacific‐Atlantic variability
Authors: Wang Chunzai
Published: June 2006

Both the tropical Pacific and Atlantic host an equatorial mode of interannual variability called the Pacific El Niño and the Atlantic Niño, respectively. Although the Pacific El Niño does not correlate with the Atlantic Niño, anomalous warming or cooling of the two equatorial oceans can form an inter‐Pacific‐Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST) gradient variability that induces surface zonal wind anomalies over equatorial South America and over some regions of both ocean basins. The zonal wind anomalies act to bridge the interaction of the two ocean basins, reinforcing the inter‐Pacific‐Atlantic SST gradient through atmospheric Walker circulations and oceanic dynamics. Thus, a positive feedback seems to exist for climate variability of the tropical Pacific‐Atlantic Oceans and atmosphere system, in which the inter‐basin SST gradient is coupled to the overlying atmospheric wind. Rainfall responds to the inter‐Pacific‐Atlantic SST gradient by showing an anti‐symmetric configuration between the two equatorial oceans, suggesting that rainfall is sensitive to the equatorial inter‐basin SST gradient, regardless of which ocean is anomalously warm or cold.