bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Presentation, location and overall survival of pelvic recurrence after radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder
Authors: Dhar Nivedita Bhatta , Jones J. Stephen , Reuther Alwyn M. , Dreicer Robert , Campbell Steven C. , Sanii Kamrooz , Klein Eric A.
Published: November 2007

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the presentation, location and overall survival of pelvic recurrence after radical cystectomy (RC) for transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We reviewed a consecutive series of 130 patients who had a limited bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) and RC between 1987 and 2000, and who later developed pelvic recurrence. All patients were staged N0M0 before RC and no patient received neoadjuvant radio/chemotherapy. The boundaries of the limited PLND were the pelvic side‐wall between the genitofemoral and obturator nerves, and the bifurcation of iliac vessels to the circumflex iliac vein. Pelvic recurrence was defined as a radiographic soft‐tissue density of ≥2 cm below the bifurcation of the aorta. Kaplan‐Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to determine if imaging or symptomatic presentation, age, pT stage, and pN status were predictive of overall survival.

RESULTS

The median (range) time from RC to pelvic recurrence was 7.3 (1.2–55.4) months. No patients had concomitant distant metastasis. Of the patients, 61.5% were diagnosed with pelvic recurrence because of symptoms, and 38.5% by surveillance computed tomography (CT). Of the 130 patients, 128 died, with a median survival from the time of pelvic recurrence of 4.9 (0.1–129.3) months. The median overall survival time for pelvic recurrence diagnosed with CT was 21.6 months, vs 10.6 months for symptomatic presentations (P < 0.001). In the uni‐ and multivariate models, type of presentation (CT vs symptomatic) and pT stage were predictors of overall survival, while age and pN status were not.

CONCLUSION

The prognosis of patients with pelvic recurrence after RC for TCC is poor even with subsequent therapy, emphasizing the need for optimum local control at the time of initial treatment.
Frontlines and Interstices in the Global War on Terror
Authors: Bhatt Chetan
Published: November 2007

In the context of the ‘global war on terror’ and related debates about development and the new imperialism, this essay looks at the involvement of religious absolutist militias in humanitarian aid following the Kashmir earthquake in 2005. By analysing how organizations which are considered ‘terrorist’ are simultaneously working with and fighting against US ‘Empire’, the essay considers the form of the Pakistani ‘development’ state, its geostrategic importance and how this relates to a religious absolutist militia infrastructure. The transformation of (often violent) religious right groups since the 1990s into development and welfare agencies is considered within the broader context of new ‘hypergovernance’ processes unleashed within ‘Empire’. Some general comparisons are also made between the processes of juridical hypergovernance that international humanitarian and human rights NGOs initiate in the ‘South’, and those created by violent groups of the religious right. Both reflect contending strategies for the management of populations by bodies having ambitions on a planetary scale.
New War, Good War and the War on Terror: Explaining, Excusing and Creating Western Neo‐interventionism
Authors: Dexter Helen
Published: November 2007

This contribution is concerned with the manner in which current dominant security narratives intersect with discourses of imperialism and post‐imperialism with regard to the post‐Cold War dominance of the United States, and more specifically with the way in which such discourses create both moral justification and enabling conditions for Western interventionism. By addressing the relationship between the narrative of the ‘new war’ and the return of the ‘Good War’, this essay argues that the new war theory has not only been used to describe, explain and excuse western intervention but that, through de‐politicizing, de‐contextualizing and criminalizing non‐western warfare, the new war theory has helped to create the conditions that support the ‘war on terror’.
Empire, Geopolitics and Development
Authors: Chhachhi Amrita , Herrera Linda
Published: November 2007

Every single empire in its official discourse has said that it is not like all the others, that its circumstances are special, that it has a mission to enlighten, civilize, bring order and democracy, and that it uses force only as a last resort. And, sadder still, there always is a chorus of willing intellectuals to say calming words about benign or altruistic empires (Edward Said, 2003)
The Wealth of Cities: Towards an Assets‐based Development of Newly Urbanizing Regions
Authors: Friedmann John
Published: November 2007

In this essay, the author develops an argument for an endogenous development of city‐regions throughout the world. He emphasizes seven clusters of tangible regional assets in which investments should preferentially be made: basic human needs; organized civil society; the heritage of the built environment and popular culture; intellectual and creative assets; the region's resource endowment; the quality of its environment; and urban infrastructure. The author concludes by making a plea for a ‘whole of government’ collaborative approach to planning for an endogenous development.
Verb‐third in embedded clauses in Icelandic*
Authors: Angantýsson Ásgrímur
Published: November 2007

Abstract. This paper is a survey of the possibilities of having the so‐called Scandinavian or verb‐third (V3) order in Icelandic embedded clauses, namely the order where the finite verb follows a sentential adverb (like the negation for instance). It is shown that although this order is possible in most types of embedded clauses in Icelandic, it is severely restricted and heavily marked. It commonly requires an extra stress on the adverb and it is frequently more acceptable if the subject is an unstressed pronoun. The naturalness of the order also depends on the type of embedded clause involved, being most natural in relative clauses and indirect questions introduced by awh‐pronoun but least acceptable inthat‐complements. It is argued that the proper analysis of this order in embedded clauses in Icelandic involves exceptional adjunction of the adverb in question to the TP instead of the usual VP‐adjunction of such adverbs. Thus it is maintained that the Adv‐V order in these clauses is not due to exceptional lack of V‐movement in Icelandic but rather to exceptional AdvP‐adjunction. In the Scandinavian languages, on the other hand, the V3 order in embedded clauses is argued to be best analyzed as lack of V‐movement (lack of V‐to‐I), as usually assumed. The paper follows the analysis proposed byBobaljik & Thráinsson (1998)in relating this difference between Icelandic and (Mainland) Scandinavian to the presence vs. absence of a split inflectional phrase.
The No Blur Principle meets Norwegian dialects*
Authors: Enger Hans‐Olav
Published: November 2007

Abstract. The No Blur Principle (NBP) is confronted with developments in Norwegian dialects. The NBP helps us explain why the suffixes of the most productive class do not become ‘super‐stable’: that would have entailed a violation of the NBP. If affixes associated with the most productive class have become super‐stable, something has been done with other suffixes, so the NBP is complied with, by and large. The NBP did not have to ‘bite’, for the suffix distribution is partly extra‐morphologically motivated. This indicates a ‘belts‐and‐braces’ strategy to ensure inflectional distinctness. The paper also presents arguments in favour of Natural Morphology.
Religious Cultural Hybridity in Chudosik (Ancestor Memorial Service/Ceremony) in Korean Protestantism
Authors: JANG HUNG CHULL
Published: November 2007

This article attempts to examine Chudosik in Korean Protestantism. The distinctive characteristics of Chudosik can be understood in terms of regarding religion as cultural practices. If so, Chudosik can be seen as a religious practice in everyday life of Korean Protestants. By conducting an ethnographic fieldwork in Seokkyo Korean Methodist church, I conceptualise five practical characteristics of Chudosik: indigenous, transformational, spiritual, pragmatic, and compounded. These characteristics show how the religious practices of Seokkyo congregation members keep both traditional socio‐cultural values and the features of Christian service in order to satisfy their demand, and how they transform their religious practices. In this sense, Chudosik represents the cultural hybridity of Korean Protestantism. It is also a spontaneous output of the Korean Protestants’ cultural habitus and the Korean context. Furthermore, in regard to Chudosik, it is also possible to say that Protestantism is re‐embodied onto Korean culture.
Searching the Polish Medical Bibliography (Polska Bibliografia Lekarska) for trials
Authors: Almerie Muhammad Qutayba , El‐Din Matar Hosam , Jones Vicki , Kumar Ajit , Wright Judith , Wlostowska Ewa , Adams Clive E.
Published: November 2007

Background:  The Polish Medical Bibliography (Polska Bibliografia Lekarska) contains 350 000 records dating from 1979. These records from the fields of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health care systems and preclinical sciences are from nearly 300 biomedical journals published in Poland.

Methods:  We systematically searched the Polish Medical Bibliography Part II (1996–2006) CD‐ROM (July 2006) using both English and Polish phrases for randomized trials, manually checked results and, for the trials identified in this way, sought these on medline and embase.

Results:  Systematic searching identified records of 680 randomized trials from all areas of health care. Nearly 40% of these were not found on either medline or embase.

Conclusions:  The Polish Medical Bibliography should be of interest to health care information specialists concerned with comprehensive searches for trials.
User library service expectations in health science vs. other settings: a LibQUAL+® Study
Authors: Thompson Bruce , Kyrillidou Martha , Cook Colleen
Published: November 2007

Objectives:  To explore how the library service expectations and perceptions of users might differ across health‐related libraries as against major research libraries not operating in a medical context; to determine whether users of medical libraries demand better library service quality, because the inability of users to access needed literature promptly may lead to a patient who cannot be properly diagnosed, or a diagnosis that cannot be properly treated.

Methodology:  We compared LibQUAL+® total and subscale scores across three groups of US, Canadian and British libraries for this purpose.

Results:  Anticipated differences in expectations for health as other library settings did not emerge.

Conclusions:  The expectations and perceptions are similar across different types of health science library settings, hospital and academic, and across other general research libraries.
Evaluation of outreach services for primary care and mental health; assessing the impact
Authors: Robinson Lyn , Bawden David
Published: November 2007

Objectives:  This paper reports an evaluation, carried out for London Health Libraries, of the impact of outreach services to primary care and mental health workers in 13 different settings. The main aims of the project were to identify the impact being made by the service, and to produce best‐practice guidelines for outreach services in this kind of community setting.

Methods:  Analysis of documents, analysis of any evaluation already carried out, interviews with outreach librarians, survey of a representative sample of users (eight services). The services evaluated were very diverse in terms of setting, structure, functions and activities. The evaluation was therefore largely qualitative. Emphasis was placed on trying to identify critical incidents, where it could be shown unambiguously that the outreach services made a difference to practice.

Findings:  Service recipients felt better informed, more up to date, more aware of resources, more confident and supported in their work, and saved time. Direct impacts, such as improved patient care, cost savings, etc., were more difficult to establish.

Conclusions:  The study identified the main areas of impact, and the main factors which affected this. Recommendations for good practice in such outreach services are made. Lessons of this evaluation for impact studies in general are presented, in particular the difficulty of assessing ‘direct’ impacts.
Phosphorylation and transcriptional activity regulation of retinoid‐related orphan receptor alpha 1 by protein kinases C
Authors: Duplus Eric , Gras Christelle , Soubeyre Vanessa , Vodjdani Guilan , Lemaigre‐Dubreuil Yolande , Brugg Bernard
Published: November 2007

Retinoid‐related orphan receptor α1 (RORα1) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. It is highly expressed in CNS particularly in the cerebellum. Absence of this transcription factor in mice leads to several abnormalities, such as cerebellar atrophy linked to Purkinje cell death and impaired differentiation. A major role of RORα1 in neuronal survival is the control of reactive oxygen species homeostasis. RORα1 is a constitutively active receptor, but its regulation is yet not well known. Protein kinase C (PKC) also plays a major role in neuronal survival and differentiation, suggesting its possible involvement in post‐translational modifications and regulation of RORα1 transcriptional activity. To test this hypothesis, we over‐expressed the human isoform of this nuclear receptor in cortical neurons and COS‐7 cells, which were then treated with different effectors acting on PKC activity. We showed for the first time that conventional PKCs induce phosphorylation and inhibition of RORα1 activity. We also investigated mitogen‐activated protein kinase/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (1/2) involvement in this effect. Our results bring new insights into the control of RORα1 activity and highlight its importance in further investigations of the mechanisms involved in neuronal cell death in neurodegenerative diseases.
Effects of glitazones in the treatment of diabetes and/or hyperlipidaemia: glycaemic control and plasma lipid levels
Authors: Vergès Bruno
Published: November 2007

Both pioglitazone and rosiglitazone are effective hypoglycaemic agents in monotherapy as in combined therapy. Interestingly, their reducing effect on fasting glycaemia and HbA1c is maintained over time, suggesting a potential protective effect of glitazones on the pancreatic beta‐cells. The effects on lipids of pioglitazone are more favourable than those of rosiglitazone. Indeed, pioglitazone appears to be well suited for diabetic dyslipidaemia, increasing high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol, decreasing triglycerides and small, dense low‐density (LDL) particles with usually no effect on plasma LDL‐cholesterol. Rosiglitazone also increases HDL‐cholesterol, but has no effect on triglycerides and increases plasma LDL‐cholesterol.
The pharmacologic elegance of inhibiting cholesterol absorption and synthesis while providing a homeostatic balance
Authors: Catapano Alberico L.
Published: November 2007

The recent discoveries on the concerted role of several mechanisms involved in regulating the balance of body cholesterol highlight the role of intestinal absorption. Selective modulators of intestinal cholesterol absorption are available that offer a new pharmacologic approach to the modulation of total body cholesterol homeostasis and to a more effective reduction of low‐density‐lipoprotein cholesterol.
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors in the treatment of hyperlipidemia: clinical outcomes in large clinical trials
Authors: Kesäniemi Antero
Published: November 2007

There is a large ongoing endpoint trial program using ezetimibe 10 mg combined with simvastatin 20, 40 or 80 mg in a number of patients with a high risk of major cardiovascular events. These studies include the measurement of carotid intima‐media thickness in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, aggressive lowering of LDL in patients with degenerative aortic stenosis, LDL lowering effects on cardiovascular risk and loss of renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease, and treatment of patients with acute coronary syndrome to very low LDL levels.
Biomarkers, C‐reactive proteins and statins in acute coronary syndromes
Authors: Ray Kausik K.
Published: November 2007

Atherosclerosis is now widely accepted as an active process involving a pathological vascular triad of vascular cellular activation, inflammation, and thrombosis. Several biomarkers show promise for risk prediction in high risk patients in large scale studies. Some are modified by statin therapy and may be targets for future therapeutic drug development whereas others identify high risk groups that benefit from specific treatments such as intensive statin therapy. Further understanding the role of different biomarkers will help better understand the pathophysiology of ACS as well as provide personalized medical care.
The role of statins in heart failure
Authors: Gullestad Lars , Øie Erik , Ueland Thor , Yndestad Arne , Aukrust Pål
Published: November 2007

HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) have an established place in the treatment of coronary artery disease. However, their role in the treatment of heart failure (HF), including HF due to coronary artery disease, has been controversial since beneficial as well as possible harmful effects may occur. Several recent studies lend support for a beneficial effect of the statins in HF. These include: (i) post hoc subgroup analyses of prospective randomized clinical trials of statin therapy among patients with stable coronary artery disease where statins reduce the incidence of new HF; (ii) subgroup analysis of the evidence of statin use in large HF trails with different medication and medical devices; (iii) retrospective observational studies of statin use in HF; and (iv) prospective randomized clinical trials of statins in non‐ischemic. Beneficial effects include attenuation of cardiac hypertrophy, improvement in endothelial function, anti‐inflammatory effects, reduction in the activity of matrix metalloproteinases, reduction in apoptosis, interference with neurohormones, and improved homeostasis. However, there are also theoretical concerns about statins in HF, and existing literature for their safety and efficacy in HF patients has been limited by the retrospective or observational nature of these analyses, examination of incompletely validated surrogate endpoints and small prospective studies in subgroups of HF subjects. In contrast with the normal population, low concentrations of LDL and total cholesterol are associated with a worse prognosis in HF patients and a possible mechanism is reduction in ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10) levels, which is required for oxidative phosphorylation in cells. The safety aspect of these drugs in HF patients needs to be answered before statins can be recommended as a routine drug. For the moment there are several large‐scale prospective outcome studies in HF which probably will give us more definitive answers.
Muscle oxygenation after downhill walking‐induced muscle damage
Authors: Ahmadi Sirous , Sinclair Peter J. , Davis Glen M.
Published: November 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in muscle oxygenation and blood flow within vastus lateralis after an exhaustive session of downhill walking (DW). Nine healthy males performed 40‐min DW on a treadmill with a gradient of −25% and at walking velocity of 6·4 km h−1. To increase the likelihood that DW would induce muscle damage, subjects were loaded with 5% of their body weight carried in a back pack. Before and after DW exercise on day 1 and over the next 4 days, maximum voluntary contractions (MVCs), subjects’ perception of muscle soreness (SOR), plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity and myoglobin (Mb) concentrations, and muscle oxygenation (using near infrared spectroscopy; NIRS) within vastus lateralis were assessed. Repeated‐measures anova revealed that MVC decreased while SOR and Mb concentration increase significantly (P<0·05) after DW, consistent with its effectiveness to evoke muscle damage. Resting tissue oxygen saturation increased immediately after DW, but recovered within 24 h. During isometric contractions at 30%, 50% and 80% of MVC, oxygen desaturation and re‐saturation kinetics became significantly faster than pre‐exercise values. The possible mechanism responsible for these changes might be increased resting muscle oxygen utilization after muscle damage because of an increased requirement for aerobic energy‐demanding repair processes.
The degree of exercise hypoxemia reflects pulmonary artery pressure during early exercise in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients
Authors: Miki Keisuke , Maekura Ryoji , Hiraga Toru , Hirotani Athushi , Hashimoto Hisako , Kitada Seigo , Miki Mari , Yoshimura Kenji , Naka Nobuyuki , Motone Masaharu
Published: November 2007

The causes of both exertional pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary hypertension in general in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remain to be elucidated. To further understand the pathophysiology in COPD patients, it may be important to recognize the existence of exertional pulmonary hypertension and to determine the severity of exertional hypoxemia. However, little is known about their relationship. To investigate whether the severity of exertional hypoxemia, as evaluated by the Δartery oxygen tension/Δoxygen consumption (PaO2‐slope) correlates with the mean pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa), cardiopulmonary exercise testing with haemodynamics was done in 10 patients with moderate to very severe COPD. The PaO2‐slope was significantly correlated with the mean Ppa from 25% to 40% of the maximum Watts (Wmax), and was most significant at 30% Wmax (r = −0·904, P<0·0001). In this phase, all parameters, except for the mean Ppa and the mixed venous oxygen tension, were not markedly changed from resting levels. At 30% Wmax, the mean Ppa (mean, 27 mmHg) with no or mild hypoxemia was also significantly correlated with the Δartery oxygen saturation/Δoxygen consumption (SpO2‐slope) (r = −0·789, P = 0·004). On stepwise multiple regression analysis, the PaO2‐slope was the most significant predictor of mean Ppa at 30% Wmax. In conclusion, the PaO2‐slope and the SpO2‐slope reflect Ppa during the early exercise phase. Thus, assessment of these parameters could be useful to evaluate the cardiopulmonary haemodynamic pathophysiology of COPD patients.
Exercise electrocardiography for diagnosis of coronary artery disease: impact of sampling rate on the diagnostic performance of ST/HR‐loop based on data from early recovery phase
Authors: Kronander Håkan , Fischer‐Colbrie Werner , Nowak Jacek , Brodin Lars‐Åke , Elmqvist Håkan
Published: November 2007

Quantitative analysis of electrocardiographic ST‐segment/heart rate relationship (ST/HR loop) during early recovery phase of exercise stress test provides a sensitive tool for the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study evaluates the effect of data sampling frequency on the diagnostic performance of ST/HR loop in 1876 patients undergoing a routine exercise test on a bicycle ergometer. CAD was verified angiographically in 668 patients and excluded by coronary angiography (n = 119), myocardial scintigraphy (n = 250) and on clinical grounds (n = 839) in 1208 patients. The normalized ST/HR loop area was calculated in all cases by integration of ST‐segment amplitude difference from the end of exercise to the end of the first 3 min of recovery period over HR and dividing the integral by the HR difference over the integration period. The effect of different sampling rates (one, two and five samples per minute) on the CAD discrimination ability of ST/HR loop area was subsequently evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Reduction in ST/HR data sampling frequency from two to one sample per minute resulted in a significantly decreased diagnostic performance of the ST/HR loop whereas no differences in CAD discrimination capacity were observed between sampling frequencies of two and five samples per minute. The choice of ST/HR data sampling frequency may have a significant impact on the CAD diagnostic ability of the ST/HR loop. The use of sampling frequency below two samples per minute results in a significantly diminished diagnostic performance, a fact that should be taken into consideration when employing ST/HR diagnostic procedures.
EX‐ANTE SIMULATIONS OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS OF WELFARE REFORMS
Authors: Cuesta José , Ponce Juan
Published: November 2007

This paper estimates an ex‐ante structural model that incorporates behavioral labor responses to analyze the distributive impacts of a long proposed reform in Ecuador: the shift from regressive consumer gas subsidies to the progressive Human Development Bonus (HDB). Even the most radical reform options may not have the expected sizeable distributive gains. This is the case even after the targeting instrument, SelBen, substantially corrects the current targeting deficiencies of the HDB. Poverty reduction is maximized (reduing poverty by about five percentage points) when the targeting instrument redirects resources to households close to the pre‐reform poverty line. Most of this estimated impact accrues from direct effects with a minimal contribution from indirect effects. Labor‐driven indirect effects are multiple and complex, tending to cancel out one another.
THE DISTRIBUTIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND TAXATION IN THE U.S., 1989 AND 2000
Authors: Wolff Edward N. , Zacharias Ajit
Published: November 2007

We assess the effects of government expenditures and taxation on household economic well‐being in the United States in 1989 and 2000. Net government expenditure is estimated as the difference between government expenditures incurred on behalf of the household sector—transfers and public consumption—and the taxes paid by that sector. We incorporate the estimates of net government expenditures into a wealth‐adjusted measure of income. We find that overall inequality in our income measure is considerably reduced by net government expenditures. Results from decomposition analysis show that the inequality‐reducing effect of net government expenditures owed more to expenditures than to taxes.
Canine acute radiation dermatitis, a survey of current management practices in North America
Authors: Flynn A. K. , Lurie D. M.
Published: November 2007

Acute radiation‐induced dermatitis (ARID) is a common sequela of radiation therapy in dogs. There is no consensus regarding ARID management in human medicine and the standard of care in veterinary medicine has not been reported. The objective was to report the practice standards for ARID management in dogs in North America. The design used was a questionnaire survey. Fifty‐eight private and university teaching veterinary hospitals were contacted, 54 participated. The topical and oral medications used to treat ARID, prevent or treat bacterial infection, control pain and the indications for and timing of treatment initiation were the outcome measures. A minority of facilities (4/54, 7.5%) use exactly the same protocol regarding all parameters. There was agreement (>75% of facilities) with respect to the general use of oral antibiotics (77.8%), the need for pain control (92.6%) and the use of tramadol for pain control (76%), although the details of their use varied widely. There is a divergence of opinions regarding all details of ARID management in dogs except the general use of oral antibiotics and pain control medications.
Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in canine oral malignant melanoma
Authors: Taylor K. H. , Smith A. N. , Higginbotham M. , Schwartz D. D. , Carpenter D. M. , Whitley E. M.
Published: November 2007

Serum, plasma and tissue expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was measured in 20 dogs previously diagnosed histologically with oral melanoma. The concentrations of VEGF in serum and plasma were significantly higher in dogs with melanoma than in a control population (P ≤ 0.002). Concentrations of VEGF in the serum and plasma of dogs with melanoma were highly correlated (r = 0.867). Ninety‐five per cent of melanoma tissues expressed VEGF. Two staining patterns were detected: diffuse and granular cytoplasmic staining. High blood concentrations of VEGF were correlated to a shorter survival time in dogs receiving definitive therapy (P = 0.002). Survival times were significantly longer in dogs receiving definitive therapy versus palliative therapy (median 496 versus 97 days, P = 0.007). Blood concentrations of VEGF were associated with stage (P < 0.05). Dogs with oral melanoma have increased serum, plasma and tissue concentrations of VEGF. Increased expression of VEGF may be a reasonable target for future therapy of canine oral melanoma.
Relics of the Mozambique Ocean in the central East African Orogen: evidence from the Vohibory Block of southern Madagascar
Authors: JÖNS N. , SCHENK V.
Published: November 2007

The Vohibory Block of south‐western Madagascar is part of the East African Orogen, the formation of which is related to the assembly of the Gondwana supercontinent. It is dominated by metabasic rocks, which have chemical compositions similar to those of recent basalts from a mid‐ocean ridge, back‐arc setting and island‐arc setting. The age of formation of protolith basalts has been dated at 850–700 Ma by U–Pb SHRIMP analysis of magmatic cores in zircon, pointing to an origin related to the Neoproterozoic Mozambique Ocean. The metabasic rocks are interpreted as representing components of an island arc with an associated back‐arc basin. In the early stage of the Pan‐African orogeny, these rocks experienced high‐pressure amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphism (9–12 kbar, 750–880 °C), dated at 612 ± 5 Ma from metamorphic rims in zircon. The metamorphism was most likely related to accretion of the arc terrane to the margin of the Azania microcontinent (Proto‐Madagascar) and closure of the back‐arc basin. The main metamorphism is significantly older than high‐temperature metamorphism in other tectonic units of southern Madagascar, indicating a distinct tectono‐metamorphic history.
Efficacy of Rizatriptan for Menstrual Migraine in an Early Intervention Model: A Prospective Subgroup Analysis of the Rizatriptan TAME (Treat A Migraine Early) Studies
Authors: Martin Vincent , Cady Roger , Mauskop Alexander , Seidman Larry S. , Rodgers Anthony , Hustad Carolyn M. , Ramsey Karen E. , Skobieranda Franck
Published: November 2007

Objective.— A prospective subgroup analysis of the TAME (Treat A Migraine Early) studies examined the efficacy of rizatriptan in patients treating a menstrual migraine attack.

Methods.— Both TAME studies were randomized, placebo‐controlled, and double‐blind. Adults with migraine were assigned (2:1) to either rizatriptan 10‐mg tablet or placebo. Patients were instructed to treat within 1 hour of migraine onset and when the pain was mild. The primary endpoint was 2‐hour pain freedom. The diagnosis of menstrual migraine was established according to the revised 2004 International Headache Society (IHS) diagnostic criteria. Data from both studies were pooled for logistic regression analyses. A test for interaction was performed to compare rates of 2‐hour pain freedom between patients treating a menstrual and non‐menstrual attack.

Results.— A total of 94 patients (63 in the rizatriptan group and 31 in the placebo group) met IHS criteria for menstrual migraine and treated a menstrual attack. The percentage of patients reporting 2‐hour pain freedom was significantly greater for rizatriptan than for placebo (63.5% vs 29.0%; odds ratio = 4.5; 95% confidence interval: 1.7, 11.9; P = .002) in those treating a menstrual attack. In those treating with rizatriptan, the percentage of patients with 2‐hour pain freedom did not statistically differ between those treating a menstrual or non‐menstrual migraine attack (63.5% vs 57.5%; P = .454).

Conclusion.— Rizatriptan 10 mg was effective for the treatment of menstrual migraine in an early intervention model, as measured by 2‐hour pain freedom. Rates of 2‐hour pain freedom were comparable for patients treating menstrual and non‐menstrual migraine attacks with rizatriptan.
An Analysis of Cluster Headache Information Provided on Internet Websites
Authors: Peterlin B. Lee , Gambini‐Suarez Eduardo , Lidicker Jeffrey , Levin Morris
Published: November 2007

Objective.— To evaluate the quality of websites providing cluster headache information for patients and healthcare providers.

Background.— The Internet has become an increasingly important source of healthcare information. However, limited data exist regarding the quality of websites providing headache information.

Methods.— This was a cross‐sectional study conducted in February 2007. Websites providing cluster headache information were determined on the search engine MetaCrawler and classified as either patient oriented or healthcare provider oriented. The overall quality of each site was evaluated using a score system. Readability was evaluated using the Flesch‐Kincaid Grade Level Readability Score (FKRS). Website quality was analyzed based on ownership, purpose, authorship, author qualifications, attribution, interactivity, and currency. The technical quality of the cluster headache information was analyzed based on content specific to cluster headache. The final ranking, based on the sum of the ranks of all 3 categories, was determined and then contrasted between the patient‐oriented and healthcare professional‐oriented websites using 2‐sample t‐tests.

Results.— Of the first 40 websites found on MetaCrawler, 72.5% were advertisements, unrelated to headache, or repeated websites. Although the standard US writing averages are at a seventh to eighth grade level, the mean FKRS of all sites was at a 12th grade level of difficulty, with no significant difference between the patient‐oriented or healthcare provider‐oriented websites (P = .54). Of a total possible 14 points, the overall mean quality component score was 9.9 for all sites; and of a total possible 23 points, the overall mean technical component score was 13.9. There was no significant difference for either the quality or technical component scores between patient‐oriented or healthcare provider‐oriented websites (P = .45 and P = .80, respectively).

Conclusion.— There are numerous cluster headache websites that can be found on the Internet. The quality of most of the websites dedicated to cluster headache is mediocre, and although there are some excellent cluster headache websites, these sites may be challenging for many users to locate. There was no significant difference in the overall quality of websites oriented for patients or healthcare providers providing cluster headache information evaluated in this study. In addition, websites providing high‐quality cluster headache information are written at an educational level too high for a significant portion of the general population to fully utilize. Physicians should strongly consider providing lists of quality websites on cluster headache for their patients.
Percutaneous Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale via Left Axillary Vein Approach with the Amplatzer Cribriform Septal Occluder
Authors: CARTER LUTHER I. , CAVENDISH JEFFREY J.
Published: November 2007

Percutaneous closure of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) was successfully performed via the left axillary vein in a 52‐year‐old female with a history of left posterior cerebral artery embolic cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and inferior vena cava (IVC) interruption with a Simon Nitinol Filter precluding standard access via the common femoral vein. Utilizing a 6 French Amplatzer 180° patent ductus arteriosus delivery sheath and a 25‐mm Amplatzer Cribriform occluder, the PFO was successfully closed utilizing general anesthesia and transesophageal echocardiography guidance. This case demonstrates the advantages of the axillary vein approach over the internal jugular or hepatic vein approach in patients with anatomy precluding standard percutaneous closure.
Social capital, environmental health and collective action: a Hamilton, Ontario case study
Authors: WAKEFIELD SARAH E.L. , ELLIOTT SUSAN J. , COLE DONALD C.
Published: November 2007

This article explores the relationships among environmental health, social capital and collective action in the industrial city of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Survey results from 512 households are used to document intra‐urban variation in levels of social capital (defined as norms, networks and trust) and collective action in the context of environmental health issues, and specifically air quality. Despite real differences between areas in terms of socio‐demographic characteristics, little variation in either social capital or collective action by area was observed. Further, while social networks and community involvement were significant predictors of collective action, indicators of norms and trust were not. Hence, the conception of social capital as a unitary construct that produces place‐specific benefits is not reflected in the example explored here.
Reduction of damage by the Mediterranean corn borer, Sesamia nonagrioides, and the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis, in maize fields by a trifluoromethyl ketone pheromone analog
Authors: Solé J. , Sans A. , Riba M. , Rosa E. , Bosch M.P. , Barrot M. , Palència J. , Castellà J. , Guerrero A.
Published: November 2007

Large‐scale field experiments on the Mediterranean corn borer, Sesamia nonagrioides Lefèbvre (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), were carried out in 2004–2006 on maize [Zea mays L. (Poaceae)] fields using (Z)‐11‐hexadecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone, an antagonist analog of the pheromone of this species, to evaluate a possible reduction of damage caused by this pest. The effect of the treatments on the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), a sympatric species, was also determined. Evaluation of the success of the experiments was assessed by counting (i) the number of males caught by pheromone traps in treated and untreated fields, (ii) the number of plants attacked by both insects in both plots, and (iii) the number of larvae present in infested plants in both fields. Effectiveness of the treatment was high for the second generation of the Mediterranean corn borer, the most harmful to the crop (86–90% reduction in the number of plants attacked and 67–98% reduction in the number of larvae per plant in treated fields in comparison to untreated fields), and moderate for the third generation (reduction of 41–71% and 33–77%, respectively). Treatments were also effective for the second generation of the European corn borer (61–75% reduction in the number of plants attacked, 58–78% reduction in the number of larvae found per plant) as well as for the third generation (69–97% and 70–98% reduction, respectively). By plotting the amount of the antagonist remaining on the dispensers after 40–45 days of exposure with time, the mean release rate of the compound was calculated to be 2.2%/day in 2004, 1.95%/day in 2005, and 2.1%/day in 2006, with 26% of the initial compound remaining after 20 days of experimentation. The emission rate appears to cover the flight of the most damaging second generation of both insects. Prospects of using trifluoromethyl ketones as new potential agents for pest control are also outlined.
Stage‐specific predation on Lygus hesperus affects its population stage structure
Authors: Zink Andrew G. , Rosenheim Jay A.
Published: November 2007

Evidence suggests that prey can vary in their susceptibility to predation depending on their developmental stage. Stage‐dependent predation is of particular importance to integrated pest management, because it is often a particular developmental stage of a pest that causes the majority of the damage to the crop. An understanding of stage‐dependent biocontrol is therefore important for predicting the ultimate impact of herbivore populations. In this article, we addressed this issue by focusing on the stage structure of Lygus hesperus Knight (Heteroptera: Miridae) populations in cotton as related to the density of a specific generalist predator. We first demonstrated in a field experiment that Geocoris spp. adults suppressed L. hesperus eggs and/or early instars (first through third), but did not suppress fourth through fifth instars or adult L. hesperus. We then demonstrated that this stage‐specific predation translated into season‐long shifts in the stage structure of L. hesperus populations in cotton fields. Using weekly sweep counts across 21 separate cotton fields, we found a negative correlation between season‐long Geocoris spp. densities and season‐long densities of L. hesperus nymphs. In contrast, there was no such correlation between Geocoris spp. and L. hesperus adults. Taken together, these results suggest that Geocoris spp. predators influence the stage structure of L. hesperus populations in cotton, which in turn has the potential to affect patterns of cotton square damage and sampling bias when monitoring L. hesperus populations.
Plaque‐type syringoma: two cases misdiagnosed as microcystic adnexal carcinoma
Authors: Suwattee Pitiporn , McClelland Matthew C. , Huiras Erin E. , Warshaw Erin M. , Lee Peter K. , Kaye Valda N. , McCalmont Timothy H. , Niehans Gloria A.
Published: November 2007

Background:  Plaque‐type syringoma is a rare variant of syringoma. This benign neoplasm may be easily misdiagnosed as microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC), potentially resulting in unnecessary surgery with disfiguring consequences.

Methods:  We report two cases of plaque‐type syringoma that were initially diagnosed as MAC. Microscopically, these lesions were composed of nests of cuboidal cells arrayed within sclerotic collagen in the upper dermis. The deep reticular dermis was spared. No perineural involvement was observed.

Results and Conclusions:  Our cases are discussed in the context of histopathologic diagnosis. Detailed histopathologic findings of syringoma, as well as other considerations in the differential diagnosis, are reviewed. We also include a review of all cases of plaque‐type syringoma published to date.
Leiomyosarcoma of the Penis Presenting as a Cutaneous Lesion
Authors: Cibull Thomas L. , Thomas Antoinette B. , Badve Sunil , Billings Steven D.
Published: November 2007

We report a case of a 68‐year‐old man with cutaneous leiomyosarcoma of the penis. Leiomyosarcoma of the penis is an extremely rare neoplasm that usually presents in middle to old age, and to our knowledge only approximately 30 cases have been reported in the literature to date. This is an important diagnosis in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous spindle cell neoplasms of the male genital tract.
Oral and dental phenotype of dyskeratosis congenita
Authors: Atkinson JC , Harvey KE , Domingo DL , Trujillo MI , Guadagnini J‐P , Gollins S , Giri N , Hart TC , Alter BP
Published: November 2007

Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is an inherited bone marrow failure syndrome that is characterized by lacey reticular hyperpigmentation of the skin, dystrophic nails, mucous membrane leukoplakia and pancytopenia. Diagnosis may be delayed until clinical signs are apparent. Severe pancytopenia frequently causes early mortality of DC patients, who have an increased risk of developing oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Several case reports have described oral changes in DC, which include oral leukoplakia, increased dental caries, hypodontia, thin enamel structure, aggressive periodontitis, intraoral brown pigmentation, tooth loss, taurodontism and blunted roots. We determined the prevalence of these previously reported findings in a cohort of 17 patients with DC and 23 family members. The most common oral changes in DC patients were oral leukoplakia (65% of the entire DC population), decreased root/crown ratio (75% with sufficient tooth development) and mild taurodontism (57% with sufficient tooth development). From the clinical perspective, a diagnosis of DC or other inherited bone marrow failure syndrome should be considered in young persons with oral leukoplakia, particularly those with no history of smoking. Multiple permanent teeth with decreased root/crown ratios further suggest DC.
IN SUPPORT OF PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT IN ORGANIZATIONAL SETTINGS
Authors: ONES DENIZ S. , DILCHERT STEPHAN , VISWESVARAN CHOCKALINGAM , JUDGE TIMOTHY A.
Published: November 2007

Personality constructs have been demonstrated to be useful for explaining and predicting attitudes, behaviors, performance, and outcomes in organizational settings. Many professionally developed measures of personality constructs display useful levels of criterion‐related validity for job performance and its facets. In this response to Morgeson et al. (2007), we comprehensively summarize previously published meta‐analyses on (a) the optimal and unit‐weighted multiple correlations between the Big Five personality dimensions and behaviors in organizations, including job performance; (b) generalizable bivariate relationships of Conscientiousness and its facets (e.g., achievement orientation, dependability, cautiousness) with job performance constructs; (c) the validity of compound personality measures; and (d) the incremental validity of personality measures over cognitive ability. Hundreds of primary studies and dozens of meta‐analyses conducted and published since the mid 1980s indicate strong support for using personality measures in staffing decisions. Moreover, there is little evidence that response distortion among job applicants ruins the psychometric properties, including criterion‐related validity, of personality measures. We also provide a brief evaluation of the merits of alternatives that have been offered in place of traditional self‐report personality measures for organizational decision making. Given the cumulative data, writing off the whole domain of individual differences in personality or all self‐report measures of personality from personnel selection and organizational decision making is counterproductive for the science and practice of I‐O psychology.
The combined effect of constant water deficit and nitrogen supply on WUE, NUE and Δ13C in durum wheat potted plants
Authors: Cabrera‐Bosquet L. , Molero G. , Bort J. , Nogués S. , Araus J. L.
Published: November 2007

Water scarcity and nitrogen shortage are the main constraints on durum wheat productivity. This paper examines the combined effects of a constant water deficit and nitrogen supply (NS) on growth, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration, instantaneous and time‐integrated water use efficiency (WUE) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and carbon isotope discrimination (Δ13C) in durum wheat genotypes grown in pots under greenhouse conditions. Three water levels (40%, 70% and 100% container capacity), two nitrogen doses (high and low N) and four genotypes were assayed in a total of 24 experimental treatments. Water and nitrogen treatments were imposed 2 weeks after plant emergence. The growth, nitrogen content and Δ13C of the shoot and the gas exchange in the flag leaf were determined about 2 weeks after anthesis. As expected, both water and NS had a strong positive effect on growth. However, a reduction in water supply had low effect decreasing photosynthesis and transpiration, Δ13C and NUE and increasing WUE. On the contrary, increasing the level of nitrogen supplied had a significant negative effect on gs, which decreased significantly the ratio of intercellular to ambient CO2 concentrations and Δ13C, and increased both instantaneous and time‐integrated WUE. In addition, a higher N level also negatively affected the instantaneous and time‐integrated NUE. The Δ13C of shoots correlated significantly and negatively with either instantaneous or time‐integrated measurements of WUE. Moreover, within each NS, Δ13C also correlated negatively with the integrated NUE. We concluded that under our experimental conditions, Δ13C gives information about the efficiency with which not just water but also nitrogen are used by the plant. In addition, this study illustrates that a steady water limitation may strongly affect biomass without consistent changes in WUE. The lack of effect of the different water regimes on gas exchange, WUE and Δ13C illustrate the importance of how stress is imposed during growth.