bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demystifying word stress
Authors: Taylor David S.
Published: October 2008

An account of syllabic stress in English words which emphasizes the regularity of many patterns of word stress
Learning the world language: today and tomorrow
Authors: Gethin Amorey
Published: October 2008

A consideration of whether the teaching and learning of English as a foreign language is getting better or worse
The broadcast voice
Authors: Herbert John
Published: October 2008

How English-language broadcasting has evolved throughout the century, especially in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia
Signs of International English
Authors: Ross Nigel J.
Published: October 2008

A discussion of the fashionable concept ‘International English’ and its signs in so many non-Anglophone cities
Double negation
Authors: Duffy Michael
Published: October 2008

MICHAEL DUFFY looks at the double negative in English and parallel constructions in some East Asian languages
Reduplication in Indian Pidgin English
Authors: Mehrotra Raja Ram
Published: October 2008

A report on a distinguishing feature of the disputed but nonetheless vigorous Pidgin English of India
Cataloguing the Caribbean
Authors: Allsopp Richard
Published: October 2008

RICHARD ALLSOPP describes how his Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage (Oxford University Press) developed from ten shoeboxes in 1963 to a ground-breaking lexicographical triumph in 1996
English in European Spanish
Authors: Smith Ross
Published: October 2008

Reflections on why English words are becoming increasingly widespread in Spain
Is the end of the hyphen in sight?
Authors: Connell Tim
Published: October 2008

A report on the ways in which hyphenation habits have been changing in recent years
The -ic and -ical pickle
Authors: Ross Nigel J.
Published: October 2008

English – like all languages – has a predilection for ‘rules’, as grammatical patterns are often called. Generally the patterns are fairly straight-forward, though sometimes they become rather complex, perhaps with numerous exceptions or irregular features. To further obscure the picture, language patterns do not stay still, variations occurring in place and time. At first sight, English word-building elements – such as prefixes and suffixes – would appear to be fairly regular, presenting clear morphological patterns with few exceptions. But first appearances can be deceptive.
Isaac Pitman: the linguistic legacy
Authors: Crystal David
Published: October 2008

A survey ranging from the revolutionary work of Isaac Pitman in the nineteenth century through spelling reform and global English to the contemporary issue of the world's endangered languages
How many words in YOUR dictionary?
Authors: Jackson Howard
Published: October 2008

HOWARD JACKSON considers how hard it is to figure out just what is on offer in an average general dictionary
The straw hippopotamus
Authors: Honey John
Published: October 2008

A controversial author considers the reception that his recent book ‘Language is power’ has been receiving from some fellow scholars of language
Celebrating variation: Harold Orton and dialectology, 1898–1998
Authors: Wales Katie , Upton Clive
Published: October 2008

A centenary discussion of the work and the on-going influence of a pioneering English dialectologist
Redefining Kachru's ‘Outer Circle’ of English
Authors: Tripathi Prayag D.
Published: October 2008

A re-examination of a widely-established view of how English works in the world
International English in the global village
Authors: Modiano Marko
Published: October 2008

A novel view of how English might or should be modelled at the turn of the millennium – followed by some solicited comments
There ain't no grammaticality here
Authors: Bulley Michael
Published: October 2008

MICHAEL BULLEY provides a postscript to the Universal Grammar debate
The apostrophe: use and misuse
Authors: Hook Donald
Published: October 2008

Taxi's stop here says a sign – Bus' across the street says another. – Joes hamburger's says a third: a descriptive/prescriptive look at a troublesome symbol
The dominance of English among Liberian children
Authors: Ngovo Bernard L.
Published: October 2008

An inquiry into the language in primary use among children of Liberian parents in Liberia and the United States
Paul Christophersen: a largeness of vision
Authors: Christophersen David
Published: October 2008

DAVID CHRISTOPHERSEN writes about the remarkable life of his father, whose death on 30th December 1999 at 88, peacefully at home in Cambridge, England, brought to an end one of the last living links to the tradition of analytical grammar and philosophy associated with the great Danish Anglicist Otto Jespersen.
Impact of reduced numbers of isolates phage-typed on the detection of Salmonella outbreaks
Authors: KAFATOS G. , ANDREWS N. , GILLESPIE I. A. , CHARLETT A. , ADAK G. K. , De PINNA E. , THRELFALL E. J.
Published: October 2008

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of reductions in the number of isolates tested by phage-typing on the recognition of outbreaks of salmonellosis. Five outbreaks (categorized as ‘small’, ‘medium’ or ‘large’) which occurred in England in 2005 were used as examples. The outbreaks were caused by serotypes which were subdivided by phage-typing. Results indicated that reducing the number of isolates phage-typed would have an impact on the surveillance system, with one outbreak likely to have been missed altogether. However, this does not have a great effect on the ‘time-to-detection’ for the other outbreaks. Assuming no testing for phage-typing was undertaken it is likely that two out of five outbreaks would not have been detected. Assessing the value of phage-type information is important not only in deciding on the efficiency of the current surveillance system but also in providing a basis upon which to assess more detailed typing methodologies such as an antibiogram of molecular profile.
Exogenous hyalin and sea urchin gastrulation. Part III: Biological activity of hyalin isolated fromLytechinus pictusembryos
Authors: Contreras Azalia , Vitale John , Hutchins-Carroll Virginia , Carroll Edward J. , Oppenheimer Steven B.
Published: October 2008

Hyalin is a large glycoprotein, consisting of the hyalin repeat domain and non-repeated regions, and is the major component of the hyaline layer in the early sea urchin embryo ofStrongylocentrotus purpuratus. The hyalin repeat domain has been identified in proteins from organisms as diverse as bacteria, sea urchins, worms, flies, mice and humans. While the specific function of hyalin and the hyalin repeat domain is incompletely understood, many studies suggest that it has a functional role in adhesive interactions. In part I of this series, we showed that hyalin isolated from the sea urchinS. purpuratusblocked archenteron elongation and attachment to the blastocoel roof occurring during gastrulation inS. purpuratusembryos, (Raziniaet al., 2007). The cellular interactions that occur in the sea urchin, recognized by the U.S. National Institutes of Health as a model system, may provide insights into adhesive interactions that occur in human health and disease. In part II of this series, we showed thatS. purpuratushyalin heterospecifically blocked archenteron–ectoderm interaction inLytechinus pictusembryos (Alvarezet al., 2007). In the current study, we have isolated hyalin from the sea urchinL. pictusand demonstrated thatL. pictushyalin homospecifically blocks archenteron–ectoderm interaction, suggesting a general role for this glycoprotein in mediating a specific set of adhesive interactions. We also found one major difference in hyalin activity in the two sea urchin species involving hyalin influence on gastrulation invagination.
Traditional property rights, common property, and mobility in semi-arid African pastoralist systems
Authors: GOODHUE RACHAEL E. , McCARTHY NANCY
Published: October 2008

Traditional pastoralist land management institutions in sub-Saharan Africa have been stressed by an increasing human population and related forces, including private enclosure of grazing land; government-sponsored privatization; and the increasing prevalence of violent conflicts and livestock theft. We model the incompleteness and flexibility of traditional grazing rights using fuzzy set theory. We compare individual and social welfare under the traditional system to individual and social welfare under a private property system and a common property system. Whether the traditional system is preferred to private property depends on whether the value of mobility, as defined by the traditional system, is more valuable than the right of exclusion inherent in private property. We find that under some conditions the imprecision which characterizes traditional rights can result in higher social returns than a common property regime characterized by complete symmetric rights across all members of the user group and complete exclusion of non-members.
The value of water connections in Central American cities: a revealed preference study
Authors: NAUGES CÉLINE , STRAND JON , WALKER IAN
Published: October 2008

We estimate annualized values of access to home tap water in three cities in El Salvador, and marginal ‘barrios’ in four Guatemalan cities, using a hedonic price method for studying changes in capitalized home values from obtaining a water connection. A tap water connection is found to add from 10 per cent to 52 per cent to sales values of homes in our sample. The estimated mean values of gaining tap water access represent 1–5 per cent of real household income, differing by city and with generally higher values in El Salvador. On average this gain eliminates between 1 per cent and 3 per cent of the initial difference in real incomes between the groups of connected and unconnected households. We also find large differences in the value of a tap connection depending on the main source of non-tap water, with lowest values when the source is a private well in El Salvador.
No thinning of the lithosphere beneath northern part of the Cook‐Austral volcanic chains
Authors: Adam C. , Bonneville A.
Published: October 2008

The Cook‐Austral volcanic chains are situated in the South Pacific. They are composed of several volcanic chains and isolated volcanoes corresponding to distinct events from 55 Ma to present time. The tectonic history of the volcanoes emplacement is quite complex. It involves the activity of at least three hot spots, and sometimes several volcanic stages coexist on the same volcano. The purpose of this study is to bring new information on the loading history of the northern part of the Austral chain by studying the variation of the elastic thickness of the lithosphere. We have used the high‐quality data acquired during the ZEPOLYF2 cruise which conducted in July 1999, a multibeam survey of this area, and we got several new ages on seamounts. In this region where several volcanic stages overlap, the simple elastic model applied on the present‐day bathymetry is not appropriate. We then reconstructed the loading history of each volcano or group of volcanoes using information provided by the radiometric ages and chemical signature of the volcanic stages or the volcanoes morphology. We show that the lithosphere is characterized by normal elastic thickness if one correctly isolates the different volcanic stages occurring on this area. The abnormally low values of the effective elastic thickness obtained previously over this area may be explained either by not taking into account the overlapping volcanism or by poor quality of the geophysical data used for the determination.
Numerical simulations of a dust devil and the electric field in it
Authors: Huang Ning , Yue Gaowei , Zheng Xiaojing
Published: October 2008

Dust devils are very common meteorological phenomena on the Earth as well as on Mars. They are an abbreviated wind‐sand conveyance system. The moving particles in dust devils may become electrically charged, to the point of arcing to spacesuit or vehicle, and creating electromagnetic interference. In this paper a numerical model, which takes into consideration the effect of thermal flux from the surface to the atmospheric boundary layer, is employed to simulate a dust devil and to obtain its fine structure and its development. Then, on the basis of Coulomb's law, the electric field and its distribution in a dust devil are numerically simulated in this paper. The numerical results are consistent with theoretical models for dust devils. That is, the formation mechanisms of a dust devil can be explained with the theory of thermal convection. The numerical results also show that at the beginning stage of the evolution of a dust devil the electric field strengthens with time, but after 80 s the electric field changes little and the electric field has trended to a dynamic stabilization. The electric field in a dust devil has a maximum value at a certain height; the electric field will be increscent below this height and decrescent above this height at the interior of a dust devil.
Blm10 binds to pre‐activated proteasome core particles with open gate conformation
Authors: Lehmann Andrea , Jechow Katharina , Enenkel Cordula
Published: October 2008

Blm10, a crucial protease of eukaryotic cells, is bound to yeast proteasome core particles (CPs). Two gates, at both ends of the CP, control the access of protein substrates to the catalytic cavity of the CP. Normally, substrate access is auto‐inhibited by a closed gate conformation unless regulatory complexes are bound to the CP and translocate protein substrates in an ATP‐dependent manner. Here, we provide evidence that Blm10 recognizes pre‐activated open gate CPs, which are assumed to exist in an equilibrium with inactive closed gate CP. Consequently, single‐capped Blm10‐CP shows peptide hydrolysis activity. Under conditions of disturbed CP assembly, as well as in open gate mutants, pre‐activated CP or constitutively active CP, respectively, prevail. Then, Blm10 sequesters disordered and open gate CP by forming double‐capped Blm102‐CP in which peptide hydrolysis activity is repressed. We conclude that Blm10 distinguishes between gate conformations and regulates the activation of CP.
Ligation of tumour-produced mucins to CD22 dramatically impairs splenic marginal zone B-cells
Authors: Toda Munetoyo , Hisano Risa , Yurugi Hajime , Akita Kaoru , Maruyama Kouji , Inoue Mizue , Adachi Takahiro , Tsubata Takeshi , Nakada Hiroshi
Published: October 2008

CD22 [Siglec-2 (sialic acid-binding, immunoglobulin-like lectin-2)], a negative regulator of B-cell signalling, binds to α2,6- sialic acid-linked glycoconjugates, including a sialyl-Tn antigen that is one of the typical tumour-associated carbohydrate antigens expressed on various mucins. Many epithelial tumours secrete mucins into tissues and/or the bloodstream. Mouse mammary adenocarcinoma cells, TA3-Ha, produce a mucin named epiglycanin, but a subline of them, TA3-St, does not. Epiglycanin binds to CD22 and inhibits B-cell signalling in vitro. The in vivo effect of mucins in the tumour-bearing state was investigated using these cell lines. It should be noted that splenic MZ (marginal zone) B-cells were dramatically reduced in the mice bearing TA3-Ha cells but not in those bearing TA3-St cells, this being consistent with the finding that the thymus-independent response was reduced in these mice. When the mucins were administered to normal mice, a portion of them was detected in the splenic MZ associated with the MZ B-cells. Furthermore, administration of mucins to normal mice clearly reduced the splenic MZ B-cells, similar to tumour-bearing mice. These results indicate that mucins in the bloodstream interacted with CD22, which led to impairment of the splenic MZ B-cells in the tumour-bearing state.
Primate cathelicidin orthologues display different structures and membrane interactions
Authors: Morgera Francesca , Vaccari Lisa , Antcheva Nikolinka , Scaini Denis , Pacor Sabrina , Tossi Alessandro
Published: October 2008

The human cathelicidin LL-37 displays both direct antibacterial activities and the capacity to modulate host-cell activities. These depend on structural characteristics that are subject to positive selection for variation, as observed in a previous analysis of the CAMP gene (encoding LL-37) in primates. The altered balance between cationic and anionic residues in different primate orthologues affects intramolecular salt-bridging and influences the stability of the helical conformation and tendency to aggregate in solution of the peptide. In the present study, we have analysed the effects of these structural variations on membrane interactions for human LL-37, rhesus RL-37 and orang-utan LL-37, using several complementary biophysical and biochemical methods. CD and ATR (attenuated total reflection)-FTIR (Fourier-transform IR) spectroscopy on model membranes indicate that RL-37, which is monomeric and unstructured in bulk solution [F-form (free form)], and human LL-37, which is partly structured and probably aggregated [A-form (aggregated form)], bind biological membranes in different manners. RL-37 may insert more deeply into the lipid bilayer than LL-37, which remains aggregated. AFM (atomic force microscopy) performed on the same supported bilayer as used for ATR-FTIR measurements suggests a carpet-like mode of permeabilization for RL37 and formation of more defined worm-holes for LL-37. Comparison of data from the biological activity on bacterial cells with permeabilization of model membranes indicates that the structure/aggregation state also affects the trajectory of the peptides from bulk solution through the outer cell-wall layers to the membrane. The results of the present study suggest that F-form cathelicidin orthologues may have evolved to have primarily a direct antimicrobial defensive capacity, whereas the A-forms have somewhat sacrificed this to gain host-cell modulating functions.
Fast dynamics in coarse-grained polymer models: The effect of the hydrogen bonds
Authors: Karimi-Varzaneh Hossein Ali , Carbone Paola , Müller-Plathe Florian
Published: October 2008

Based on a mesoscale model developed recently for polyamide-66, here we present a simple algorithm for reinserting the atomistic details neglected in the coarse-grained (CG) description. The resulting CG and detailed models are tested successfully against several structural properties including the number of hydrogen bonds (HBs). From a quantitative analysis of the HB dynamics and thermodynamics it turns out that the CG model is characterized by a weaker HB network than the corresponding atomic model. We show that the relaxation of the HB network and the diffusion of the polymer chains are coupled. Moreover, we find that the temperature-dependent scaling factor accounting for the fast dynamics of the CG model is strongly linked to the relaxation time of the HB at each temperature.
Magnetic properties and microstructure of FePt/Au multilayers with high perpendicular magnetocrystalline anisotropy
Authors: Feng Chun , Zhan Qian , Li Baohe , Teng Jiao , Li Minghua , Jiang Yong , Yu Guanghua
Published: October 2008

FePt/Au multilayers were deposited on preheated 100 °C MgO (001) single crystal substrates by magnetron sputtering. Magnetic properties and microstructure of the films were studied. Results show that the film possesses high coercivity HC, excellent perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA), and weak interparticle exchange coupling (IEC) after annealing. FePt and Au can grow epitaxially on MgO substrates along the [001] direction, leading to excellent PMA. Au atoms partly diffuse to the boundaries of FePt phases and function as grain refiners and particle isolators, which markedly decrease the FePt grain size and IEC. Moreover, the additional FePt/Au interface energy, the stress energy due to the mismatch between FePt and Au lattices, and the diffusion of Au atoms all promote the ordering process of FePt film. This leads to the decrease in ordering temperature by 150 °C and a considerable increase in HC.
Direct evidence of Al diffusion into tris-(8-hydroquinoline) aluminum layer: medium energy ion scattering analysis
Authors: Lee Jung Han , Yi Yeonjin , Moon Dae Won
Published: October 2008

The diffusion of Al into tris-(8-hydroquinoline) aluminum (Alq3) was studied using in situ medium energy ion scattering (MEIS) spectroscopy. Al was thermally deposited on an Alq3 thin film in a stepwise manner, with MEIS performed after each deposition step. At the initial stage of interface formation, Al diffuses deep into the Alq3 layer and reaches the bottom of the Alq3 layer of thickness 20 nm. Some Al is stacked at the surface of Alq3 and starts to form an Al layer. The deep diffusion of Al is diminished when sufficient Al aggregates at the surface. After this stage, Al is stacked only at the surface, but does not diffuse into the Alq3 film.
The Perception of Facial Expressions from Two-Frame Apparent Motion
Authors: Matsuzaki Naoyuki , Sato Takao
Published: October 2008

We examined the contribution of motion information in perceiving facial expressions using point-light displays of faces. First, we established the minimum number of feature points necessary for the perception of facial expression from a single image. Next, we examined the effects of motion with a stimulus using an insufficient number of dots. We used two conditions. In the motion condition, the apparent motion was induced by a preceding neutral face image followed by an emotional face image. In the repetition condition, the same emotional face image was presented twice. The performance was higher in the motion condition than in the repetition condition. This advantage was reduced by inserting a white blank field between the neutral and emotional faces thus confirming that the improvement was due to the motion.
Components of Haptic Information: Skin Rivals Kinaesthesis
Authors: Symmons Mark A , Richardson Barry L , Wuillemin Dianne B
Published: October 2008

Four components of the haptic system were investigated, in isolation and in various combinations, during passive-guided exploration of raised-line drawings. The components were kinaesthesis, cutaneous input from the presence of a raised line, shear forces from relative movement between the skin and a textured surface, and attenuated distortions at the fingertip resulting from relative movement between the fingertip and a surface. Although the presence of kinaesthetic information was found to be positively correlated with performance in a task of identifying raised-line letters, conditions involving touch alone yielded performance equivalent to that when kinaesthesis was involved. Together, these results suggest that tactile information could be as effective as kinaesthetic information. The results are discussed in terms of applications to the design of human – machine interfaces.
Reading-Related Habitual Eye Movements Produce a Directional Anisotropy in the Perception of Speed and Animacy
Authors: Szego Paul A , Rutherford M D
Published: October 2008

Judgments of speed and animacy from monolingual English readers were compared with those of bilingual readers of both English and a language read from right to left. Participants viewed a pair of dots moving horizontally across a screen at the same speed. Using a two-alternative forced-choice task, participants judged which dot in a pair moved faster (a direct measure of speed perception) or appeared to be alive (an indirect and correlated judgment of speed perception). In two experiments monolingual participants judged dots moving left to right to be faster and alive more often than dots moving right to left. In contrast, bilingual participants exhibited no directional bias for speed or animacy. These results suggest that the highly practiced eye movements involved in reading are associated with the presence or absence of a directional anisotropy for speed and animacy.
Managing light polarization via plasmon–molecule interactions within an asymmetric metal nanoparticle trimer
Authors: Shegai Timur , Li Zhipeng , Dadosh Tali , Zhang Zhenyu , Xu Hongxing , Haran Gilad
Published: October 2008

The interaction of light with metal nanoparticles leads to novel phenomena mediated by surface plasmon excitations. In this article we use single molecules to characterize the interaction of surface plasmons with light, and show that such interaction can strongly modulate the polarization of the emitted light. The simplest nanostructures that enable such polarization modulation are asymmetric silver nanocrystal trimers, where individual Raman scattering molecules are located in the gap between two of the nanoparticles. The third particle breaks the dipolar symmetry of the two-particle junction, generating a wavelength-dependent polarization pattern. Indeed, the scattered light becomes elliptically polarized and its intensity pattern is rotated in the presence of the third particle. We use a combination of spectroscopic observations on single molecules, scanning electron microscope imaging, and generalized Mie theory calculations to provide a full picture of the effect of particles on the polarization of the emitted light. Furthermore, our theoretical analysis allows us to show that the observed phenomenon is very sensitive to the size of the trimer particles and their relative position, suggesting future means for precise control of light polarization on the nanoscale.
Description of dermal denticles from the caudal region of Raja clavata and their use for the estimation of age and growth
Authors: Serra-Pereira B. , Figueiredo I. , Farias I. , Moura T. , Gordo L. S.
Published: October 2008

Serra-Pereira, B., Figueiredo, I., Farias, I., Moura, T., and Gordo, L. S. 2008. Description of dermal denticles from the caudal region of Raja clavata and their use for the estimation of age and growth. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1701–1709. This work is a response to a lack of knowledge of the biology of Raja clavata in southern European waters, particularly in terms of age and growth. Two structures were analysed: dermal denticles and vertebral centra. Six types of dermal denticle were identified in the tail. Among those, small thorns were the most suitable for age determination owing to their fixed position, persistence throughout their lifespan, and defined growth-band pattern. Caudal thorns were more accurate than vertebral centra for age determination and were therefore selected as the most appropriate structure for ageing R. clavata. Based on edge analysis, annual band deposition was verified. The birthdate was established as 1 June based on the prevalence of hyaline edges in age-0 class specimens: prevalence peaked in May and June. Both von Bertalanffy and Gompertz growth models were fitted to age-at-length data, but the former was considered more appropriate based on similarity between the estimated L∞ and the maximum size recorded for the species. No significant differences in growth parameters were observed between sexes. The estimated growth parameters were L∞ = 1280 mm, k = 0.117 year−1, and t0 = −0.617 years. The maximum age estimated for R. clavata was 10 years, for a female of length 835 mm.
Probiotics in Allergy Management
Authors: Vanderhoof Jon A
Published: October 2008

The gut contains a diverse bacterial flora that is acquired at birth and has a number of physiological functions. Administration of prebiotics or probiotics may favourably alter this gut microflora. Prebiotics are poorly digested oligosaccharides that promote the growth of desirable bacteria and may have other beneficial gastrointestinal and systemic effects. Probiotics are “helpful” human bacteria that provide a variety of health benefits when administered exogenously. Probiotics produce beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of traveller's diarrhoea, viral diarrhoea, and diarrhoea in day care centres. Moreover, probiotics have been shown to reduce relapses associated with Clostridium difficile, and Lactobacilli are effective in the prevention of antibiotic‐associated diarrhoea. Probiotics may also be efficacious in the treatment of gastroenteritis. Clinical studies of probiotics in inflammatory bowel disease have proved disappointing, but beneficial effects in adults with irritable bowel syndrome have been reported with Bifidobacterium infantis 35624. Lactobacilli GG reduces the incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms and gut permeability in patients with atopic dermatitis, and administration of probiotics reduces the frequency and severity of atopic eczema when administered to pregnant women and then to newborn infants. In conclusion, probiotics are effective in the treatment and/or prevention of a number of conditions, including diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome and atopic dermatitis, and the product used should be selected based on the particular indication.
Postoperative Malignant Hyperthermia
Authors: Litman Ronald S. , Flood Christopher D. , Kaplan Richard F. , Kim Yung Ly , Tobin Joseph R.
Published: October 2008

Background

The initial presentation of malignant hyperthermia (MH) may begin in the postoperative period. However, the maximal latency period between the end of anesthesia care and the onset of postoperative MH is unknown. The authors hypothesized that this latency period is short and is not manifested by hyperthermia as the initial presenting sign. The authors sought to test this hypothesis and to describe the clinical characteristics of postoperative MH by analysis of suspected cases in the North American Malignant Hyperthermia Registry.

Methods

Of 528 possible or suspected cases of MH in the North American Malignant Hyperthermia Registry, the authors identified 64 possible reports of postoperative MH. The records were reviewed in detail by the authors, each of whom assigned a qualitative score of "likely," "not likely," "not enough information available," or "not applicable" (where MH was not the final definitive diagnosis). Postoperative MH was confirmed after a consensus meeting of the three senior authors who reviewed in detail all possible "likely" cases.

Results

The authors identified postoperative MH in 10 subjects. All received volatile agents and 5 also received succinylcholine. All demonstrated signs characteristic of acute MH, including generalized rigidity, hypercapnia and/or tachypnea, tachycardia, and hyperthermia. No subject demonstrated hyperthermia as the presenting sign. The latency period between the anesthesia finish time and the onset of a sign indicative of acute MH ranged from 0 to 40 min.

Conclusions

Postoperative MH is uncommon, occurring in 10 of 528 suspected MH cases (1.9%) reported to the North American Malignant Hyperthermia Registry. Postoperative MH began shortly after completion of the anesthetic care. Hyperthermia was not a presenting sign of MH.
Intrathecal Injection of the ς1Receptor Antagonist BD1047 Blocks Both Mechanical Allodynia and Increases in Spinal NR1 Expression during the Induction Phase of Rodent Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Roh Dae-Hyun , Kim Hyun-Woo , Yoon Seo-Yeon , Seo Hyoung-Sig , Kwon Young-Bae , Kim Kee-Won , Han Ho-Jae , Beitz Alvin J. , Na Heung-Sik , Lee Jang-Hern
Published: October 2008

Background

Selective blockade of spinal sigma(1) receptors (Sig-1R) suppresses nociceptive behaviors in the mouse formalin test. The current study was designed to verify whether intrathecal Sig-1R antagonists can also suppress chronic neuropathic pain.

Methods

Neuropathic pain was produced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the right sciatic nerve in rats. The Sig-1R antagonist BD1047 was administered intrathecally twice daily from postoperative days 0 to 5 (induction phase of neuropathic pain) or from days 15 to 20 (maintenance phase). Western blot and immunohistochemistry were performed to determine changes in Sig-1R expression and to examine the effect of BD1047 on N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 1 expression and phosphorylation in spinal cord dorsal horn from neuropathic rats.

Results

BD1047 administered on postoperative days 0-5 significantly attenuated CCI-induced mechanical allodynia, but not thermal hyperalgesia, and this suppression was blocked by intrathecal administration of the Sig-1R agonist PRE084. In contrast, BD1047 treatment during the maintenance phase of neuropathic pain had no effect on mechanical allodynia. Sig-1R expression significantly increased in the ipsilateral spinal cord dorsal horn from days 1 to 3 after CCI. Importantly, BD1047 (30 nmol) administered intrathecally during the induction, but not the maintenance phase, blocked the CCI-induced increase in N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 1 expression and phosphorylation.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that spinal Sig-1Rs play a critical role in both the induction of mechanical allodynia and the activation of spinal N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors in CCI rats and suggest a potential therapeutic role for the use of Sig-1R antagonists in the clinical management of neuropathic pain.
Perioperative Hemostatic Management of Patients Treated with Vitamin K Antagonists
Authors: Levy Jerrold H. , Tanaka Kenichi A. , Dietrich Wulf
Published: October 2008

Clinicians, including anesthesiologists, surgeons, and intensivists, are frequently called on to correct coagulopathy in patients receiving oral anticoagulation therapy. Before elective surgery, anticoagulation reversal may be undertaken over several days by discontinuing warfarin or vitamin K treatment, but rapid correction is required in an emergency. European and American guidelines recommend prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) for anticoagulation reversal in patients with life-threatening bleeding and an increased international normalized ratio. Compared with human fresh frozen plasma, PCCs provide quicker correction of the international normalized ratio and improved bleeding control. Although there are historic concerns regarding potential infectious and thrombotic risks with PCCs, current PCC formulations are much improved. Recombinant activated factor VII is a potential alternative to PCCs, but preclinical comparisons suggest that PCCs are more effective in correcting coagulopathy. Although many patients who require rapid reversal of warfarin are currently treated with fresh frozen plasma, PCCs should be considered as an alternative therapy.
Sevoflurane Anesthesia Alters Exploratory and Anxiety-like Behavior in Mice Lacking the β2Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subunit
Authors: Wiklund Andreas , Granon Sylvie , Cloëz-Tayarani Isabelle , Faure Philippe , le Sourd Anne-Marie , Sundman Eva , Changeux Jean-Pierre , Eriksson Lars I.
Published: October 2008

Background

Preexisting cognitive impairment and advanced age are factors that increase the risk of developing postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Because anesthetic agents interfere with cholinergic transmission and as impairment of cholinergic function is associated with cognitive decline, the authors studied how the volatile anesthetic sevoflurane affects exploratory and anxiety-like behavior in young and aged animals with a genetically modified cholinergic system.

Methods

Young and aged wild-type and mutant mice lacking the beta2 subunit of the nicotinic cholinergic receptor (beta2KO) were anesthetized for 2 h with 2.6% sevoflurane in oxygen and compared with nonanesthetized controls. Locomotor activity and organization of movement in the open field model were assessed before and 24 h after anesthesia. Locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze were assessed 24 h after anesthesia. High- and low-affinity nicotinic receptor and cholinergic uptake site densities were evaluated in the hippocampus, amygdala, and forebrain regions using receptor autoradiography.

Results

Sevoflurane anesthesia significantly reduced locomotor activity, altered temporospatial organization of trajectories, and increased anxiety-like behavior in young beta2KO mice, whereas no such changes were observed in young wild-type mice. Aged wild-type and beta2KO mice displayed reactions that were similar, but not identical, to the reactions of young mice to sevoflurane anesthesia. However, behavioral changes were not associated with differences in nicotinic receptor or cholinergic uptake site densities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sevoflurane anesthesia altered exploratory and anxiety-like behavior in mice lacking the beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit.
Metoclopramide Does Not Attenuate Cricoid Pressure–induced Relaxation of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter in Awake Volunteers
Authors: Salem M Ramez , Bruninga Keith W. , Dodlapatii Jyothi , Joseph Ninos J.
Published: October 2008

Background

The authors examined the influence of metoclopramide on cricoid pressure-induced relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) in awake human volunteers.

Methods

With local institutional review board approval, measurements of LES and intragastric pressures were made in 10 consenting volunteers before cricoid pressure application, during 15 s of cricoid pressure application, and after release of cricoid pressure. The measurements were repeated after 0.15 mg/kg intravenous metoclopramide. Cricoid pressure was applied by one investigator trained to consistently apply a force of 44 N.

Results

Cricoid pressure resulted in immediate decrease in LES and barrier pressures from 14.1 +/- 2.9 mmHg to 3.2 +/- 3.7 mmHg and from 9.6 +/- 3.4 mmHg to -1.8 +/- 2.9 mmHg, respectively. These pressures promptly returned to baseline values after release of cricoid pressure. LES and barrier pressures increased after metoclopramide from 14.5 +/- 3.1 to 19.6 +/- 4.7 mmHg and from 10.2 +/- 3.6 to 14.1 +/- 5.5 mmHg, respectively. Cricoid pressure applied after metoclopramide resulted in immediate decreases in LES and barrier pressures to levels comparable to cricoid pressure before metoclopramide, but immediately returned to precricoid values after release of pressure.

Conclusions

The current investigation demonstrates that cricoid pressure reflexly decreases LES tone and barrier pressure in awake subjects. Although metoclopramide increased LES and barrier pressures, it did not attenuate cricoid pressure-induced relaxation of the LES and barrier pressures and thus seems to have no value in preventing gastroesophageal reflux during cricoid pressure. Metoclopramide may be useful in preventing reflux when there is need to release or discontinue cricoid pressure.
Continuous Invasive Blood Pressure and Cardiac Output Monitoring during Cesarean Delivery
Authors: Langesæter Eldrid , Rosseland Leiv Arne , Stubhaug Audun
Published: October 2008

Background

Prevention of hemodynamic instability during cesarean delivery during spinal anesthesia has been the aim of several studies. Noninvasive monitoring has been used in all previous studies. This is the first study in healthy pregnant women with continuous invasive recording of arterial blood pressure, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance. The aim of this randomized trial was to compare the effects of two different intrathecal doses of bupivacaine, with or without intravenous phenylephrine infusion, on cardiac output and systolic blood pressure.

Methods

In this double-blinded study, 80 healthy women scheduled to undergo elective cesarean delivery were randomly assigned to one of four different groups receiving 7 mg spinal bupivacaine with or without a concomitant low-dose infusion of phenylephrine (0.25 microg . kg(-1) . min(-1)) or 10 mg spinal bupivacaine with or without phenylephrine infusion. All patients had 4 microg sufentanil added to the spinal solution and had cohydration with 750 ml saline, 0.9%.

Results

The low-dose spinal bupivacaine group with intravenous phenylephrine infusion was the most stable group regarding all hemodynamic variables. The authors found significant differences between this group and the group that was given the high dose of bupivacaine with intravenous placebo infusion regarding cardiac output (P = 0.005), systemic vascular resistance (P < 0.0001), and systolic blood pressure (P = 0.012).

Conclusions

This study shows that low-dose bupivacaine (with sufentanil), combined with a low-dose infusion of phenylephrine and moderate cohydration, gives the best hemodynamic stability during spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery.
Analogies in the evolution of individual and social immunity
Authors: Cremer Sylvia , Sixt Michael
Published: October 2008

We compare anti-parasite defences at the level of multicellular organisms and insect societies, and find that selection by parasites at these two organisational levels is often very similar and has created a number of parallel evolutionary solutions in the host's immune response. The defence mechanisms of both individuals and insect colonies start withborder defencesto prevent parasite intake and are followed bysoma defencesthat prevent the establishment and spread of the parasite between the body's cells or the social insect workers. Lastly,germ line defencesare employed to inhibit infection of the reproductive tissue of organisms or the reproductive individuals in colonies. We further find sophisticated self/non-self-recognition systems operating at both levels, which appear to be vital in maintaining the integrity of the body or colony as a reproductive entity. We then expand on the regulation of immune responses and end with a contemplation of how evolution may shape the different immune components, both within and between levels. The aim of this review is to highlight common evolutionary principles acting in disease defence at the level of both individual organisms and societies, thereby linking the fields of physiological and ecological immunology.
The evolution of RNAi as a defence against viruses and transposable elements
Authors: Obbard Darren J , Gordon Karl H.J , Buck Amy H , Jiggins Francis M
Published: October 2008

RNA interference (RNAi) is an important defence against viruses and transposable elements (TEs). RNAi not only protects against viruses by degrading viral RNA, but hosts and viruses can also use RNAi to manipulate each other's gene expression, and hosts can encode microRNAs that target viral sequences. In response, viruses have evolved a myriad of adaptations to suppress and evade RNAi. RNAi can also protect cells against TEs, both by degrading TE transcripts and by preventing TE expression through heterochromatin formation. The aim of our review is to summarize and evaluate the current data on the evolution of these RNAi defence mechanisms. To this end, we also extend a previous analysis of the evolution of genes of the RNAi pathways. Strikingly, we find that antiviral RNAi genes, anti-TE RNAi genes and viral suppressors of RNAi all evolve rapidly, suggestive of an evolutionary arms race between hosts and parasites. Over longer time scales, key RNAi genes are repeatedly duplicated or lost across the metazoan phylogeny, with important implications for RNAi as an immune defence.
Hepatitis B virus pre-S deletion mutations are a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma: a matched nested case–control study
Authors: Fang Zhong-Liao , Sabin Caroline A. , Dong Bai-Qing , Wei Shao-Chao , Chen Qin-Yan , Fang Kong-Xiong , Yang Jin-Ye , Huang Jian , Wang Xue-Yan , Harrison Tim J.
Published: October 2008

A matched nested case–control study of 33 paired cases and controls was conducted, based on a study cohort in Long An county, Guangxi, China, to determine whether infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) with pre-S deletions is independently associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), without the confounding effects of basal core promoter (BCP) double mutations. The prevalence of pre-S deletions was significantly higher in HCC (45.5 %, 15 of 33) than the controls (18.2 %, 6 of 33) (P<0.01), under the control of the influence of BCP double mutations. Most of the pre-S deletions occurred in, or involved, the 5′ half of the pre-S2 region and the difference between HCC (93.3 %, 14 of 15) and controls (66.7 %, four of six) was significant for this region (P=0.015). There was no significant difference in pre-S deletions between the BCP mutant group and BCP wild-type group (P>0.05), nor was the prevalence of pre-S deletions significantly different between genotypes B and C (P>0.1). These results suggest that pre-S deletions constitute an independent risk factor for HCC and their emergence and effect are independent of BCP mutations. The 5′ terminus of pre-S2 is the favoured site for the deletion mutations, especially in HCC cases. Further prospective studies are required to confirm the role of these mutations in the development of HCC.
Suppression of short interfering RNA-mediated gene silencing by the structural proteins of hepatitis C virus
Authors: Ji Jingmin , Glaser Andrea , Wernli Marion , Berke Jan Martin , Moradpour Darius , Erb Peter
Published: October 2008

Viruses have evolved strategies to overcome the antiviral effects of the host at different levels. Besides specific defence mechanisms, the host responds to viral infection via the interferon pathway and also by RNA interference (RNAi). However, several viruses have been identified that suppress RNAi. We addressed the question of whether hepatitis C virus (HCV) suppresses RNAi, using cell lines constitutively expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) and inducibly expressing HCV proteins. It was found that short interfering RNA-mediated GFP gene silencing was inhibited when the entire HCV polyprotein was expressed. Further studies showed that HCV structural proteins, and in particular envelope protein 2 (E2), were responsible for this inhibition. Co-precipitation assays demonstrated that E2 bound to Argonaute-2 (Ago-2), a member of the RNA-induced silencing complex, RISC. Thus, HCV E2 that interacts with Ago-2 is able to suppress RNAi.
Epstein–Barr virus-encoded EBNA1 modulates the AP-1 transcription factor pathway in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells and enhances angiogenesis in vitro
Authors: O'Neil John D. , Owen Thomas J. , Wood Victoria H. J. , Date Kathryn L. , Valentine Robert , Chukwuma Marilyn B. , Arrand John R. , Dawson Christopher W. , Young Lawrence S.
Published: October 2008

The Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-encoded EBNA1 protein is expressed in all virus-associated tumours, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), where it plays an essential role in EBV genome maintenance, replication and transcription. Previous studies suggest that EBNA1 may have additional effects relevant to oncogenesis, including enhancement of cell survival, raising the possibility that EBNA1 may influence cellular gene expression. We have recently demonstrated by gene expression microarray profiling in an NPC cell model that EBNA1 influences the expression of a range of cellular genes, including those involved in transcription, translation and cell signalling. Here, we report for the first time that EBNA1 enhances activity of the AP-1 transcription factor in NPC cells and demonstrate that this is achieved by EBNA1 binding to the promoters of c-Jun and ATF2, enhancing their expression. In addition, we demonstrate elevated expression of the AP-1 targets interleukin 8, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in response to EBNA1 expression, which enhances microtubule formation in an in vitro angiogenesis assay. Furthermore, we confirm elevation of VEGF and the phosphorylated isoforms of c-Jun and ATF2 in NPC biopsies. These findings implicate EBNA1 in the angiogenic process and suggest that this viral protein might directly contribute to the development and aggressively metastatic nature of NPC.