bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of a New Dysfunctional Voiding and Incontinence Scoring System in Predicting Treatment Effect in Children with Voiding Dysfunction
Authors: Tuygun Can , Sertcelik Nurettin , Bakirtas Hasan , Cakıcı Hakan , Cetin Kerem , Imamoglu Abdurrahim M.
Published: July 2007

Aim: To assess the role of the dysfunctional voiding and incontinence scoring system (DVAISS) in children with voiding dysfunction. Methods: Ninety-three children were divided into three groups: those who had wetting only (group 1), recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and wetting (group 2) and vesicoureteral reflux together with wetting and UTIs (group 3). Individualized multiple treatments modalities were applied. The success criteria defined by the reduction in the rate of wetting described as complete response (more than 90%), partial response (50–90%), no response (less than 50%).Also, in group 3, improvement was determined as a decrease of at least two grades in reflux. Scores of patients were determined before and after treatment. Results: Complete response rates for groups 1, 2 and 3 were 67.5, 88.8 and 85.71%, respectively. The specificity of the DVAISS in predicting the complete response was 79, 88 and 100%, respectively, and its sensitivity was 100% in all groups. In group 3, improvement rate was 71.4%. The specificity and sensitivity of the DVAISS in predicting the improvement were 83 and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: The sensitivity of the DVAISS is higher in predicting the treatment effect; however, its specificity is decreased. The DVAISS may be an auxiliary diagnostic tool in voiding dysfunction patients.
Lethal Posttraumatic Rupture of a Pheochromocytoma: Lesson from a Postmortem Diagnosis
Authors: Huyghe Eric , Nohra Joe , Caron Philippe , Bennet Antoine , Khedis Mehdi , Otal Philippe , Soulie Michel , Yeung Sai-Ching Jim , Plante Pierre
Published: July 2007

Pheochromocytoma is challenging to diagnose, and a life-threatening situation may occur if pheochromocytoma is incorrectly diagnosed and treated. We report the first case of a lethal posttraumatic rupture of an undiagnosed pheochromocytoma in a 46-year-old man who presented with peripheral vasoconstriction and signs of peritoneal irritation after being kicked by a horse. Computed tomography, arteriography, and two exploratory laparotomies were performed. The patient died of multiorgan failure 8 h after the trauma. The diagnosis of ruptured pheochromocytoma of the left adrenal gland was made during the postmortem examination. Pheochromocytoma should be considered in cases of blunt abdominal trauma associated with unstable blood pressure, peripheral vasoconstriction and adrenal hematoma.
Symptomatic Bladder Endocervicosis: Does It Need Surgery?
Authors: Joseph B. , Kumar M. , de Bolla A.R.
Published: July 2007

Endocervicosis of the urinary bladder is a rare benign condition exclusively seen in women, usually of reproductive age. To the best of our knowledge there are only about twenty cases reported so far. It causes non-specific symptoms and is seen as a submucosal lesion on cystoscopy. On histological examination one finds endocervical glands embedded deep within the muscle layers. It can be confused with an adenocarcinoma of the bladder. Unless the correct diagnosis is made these patients can undergo potentially debilitating surgery. As demonstrated in our patient even symptomatic endocervicosis can be managed conservatively.
The Cerebellum and Language: The Story So Far
Authors: De Smet Hyo Jung , Baillieux Hanne , De Deyn Peter P. , Mariën Peter , Paquier Philippe
Published: July 2007

Background: The cerebellum was traditionally considered to be exclusively involved in the coordination of voluntary movement, gait, posture, balance and motor speech. However, this view was challenged by recent neuroanatomical, neuroimaging and clinical findings, providing preliminary evidence of a cerebellar contribution to linguistic functioning. Aim: To discuss the role of the cerebellum in a variety of linguistic functions and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: A literature search was conducted via electronic databases. Exclusion criteria were: disorders following congenital cerebellar lesions, motor speech disorders, cognitive deficits outside the language sphere, neuropsychiatric disorders and insufficient information on the cerebellar role in language. Abstracts were not included. In addition, only adult subjects were taken into consideration. Results: A variety of linguistic disorders were found to occur following acquired cerebellar lesions: (1) impaired phonological and semantic fluency; (2) agrammatism (at morphological and sentence level); (3) naming and word finding difficulties; (4) cerebellar-induced aphasia; (5) reading difficulties; (6) writing problems, and (7) higher-level language deficits, including disturbed listening comprehension, impaired language proficiency and metalinguistic ability. Several hypotheses have been suggested to explain the nature of the cerebellar contribution to language. However, findings are not univocal. Conclusion: The cerebellum appears to be involved in a variety of linguistic functions. However, the precise nature of this contribution is not clear yet. Linguistic, neuroimaging, neuroanatomical and neuropsychological studies should be combined in order to disentangle the specific contribution of the cerebellum to linguistic processing.
The Unnoticed Contributions of the Cerebellum to Language
Authors: Walter Nathalie , Joanette Yves
Published: July 2007

Background: In addition to its well-known role in motor processing, the cerebellum has been shown to contribute to a number of nonmotor cognitive abilities. However, despite (1) the acknowledged demonstration of the motor, perceptual and cognitive contributions of the cerebellum and (2) the growing number of neuroimaging studies allowing for the exploration of the neurobiological bases of language abilities, only a small number of neuroimaging studies focus on the cerebellar contribution to language. Aims: To look for unreported cerebellar activations in the neuroimaging literature for language, in order to systematically describe the unreported or otherwise unnoticed cerebellar activations associated with language tasks. Methods: A recent review paper by Démonet et al. [Physiol Rev 2005;85:49–95] was used as a base in order to investigate the literature on the neuroimaging of language abilities. Results: Of the 450 papers cited in this review, 100 articles were directly related to single-word processing, of which only 34 reported cerebellum activations. Conclusion: The full integration of the cerebellum in the network allowing for language and communication is still to come, as very few neuroimaging studies do report cerebellar activations underlying the processing of words.
Language and Social Communication in Children with Cerebellar Dysgenesis
Authors: Tavano Alessandro , Fabbro Franco , Borgatti Renato
Published: July 2007

Objective: Acquired cerebellar lesions in children and adults may determine deficits of executive functions, visuoperceptual skills, expressive language and modulation of affect; a complex pattern termed ‘cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome’. However, the long-term sequelae of malformative cerebellar lesions have yet to be systematically investigated, particularly in children. The purpose of this study was to present preliminary longitudinal data on the development of language and social communication skills in children with congenital malformations confined to the cerebellum. Patients and Methods: Five children (3 males, 2 females) with cerebellar malformations confined to the cerebellum were selected. Three patients presented with cerebellar hypoplasia involving the vermis and the hemispheres, while the remaining 2 had a malformation affecting only the cerebellar hemispheres. Neurobehavioral and language development were traced through access to available clinical data. Results: In the patients with cerebellar vermis malformation, language and social communicative skills were affected to a variable extent: 1 patient did not present with social disturbances during development. Those with hemispheric cerebellar lesions presented with selective linguistic impairments. Conclusions: The neurobehavioral profile of children with cerebellar malformations supports a key role of the cerebellum in language acquisition and affect regulation as distinguished functional domains.
Cerebellar Involvement in Motor Speech Planning: Some Further Evidence from Foreign Accent Syndrome
Authors: Mariën Peter , Verhoeven Jo
Published: July 2007

Background: Foreign accent syndrome (FAS) is a rare speech disorder that usually follows from damage to the motor speech areas of the language-dominant hemisphere. Recently, a vascular FAS patient was reported in whom a close parallelism was found between the infratentorial perfusional changes on SPECT and the regression of FAS symptoms. Based on the correlation between the near remission of a right cerebellar hypoperfusion and the near remission of FAS, it was hypothesized that the ‘linguistic cerebellum’ might be involved in the pathogenesis of motor speech planning disorders [Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2006;108:518–522]. Aim: In this article the presumed role of the cerebellum in FAS is further investigated on the basis of an additional FAS case. Methods: Phonetic, neurobehavioral and neuroimaging data were analyzed and clinical-anatomical correlations were investigated. Results: In both patients, a close correspondence was found between the neurolinguistic findings and the functional neuroimaging data. 99mTc ECD SPECT follow-up studies demonstrated that clinical recovery of FAS symptoms was accompanied by a remission of a right cerebellar hypoperfusion. Conclusion: The present study, in which the data of a new FAS patient are discussed, corroborates the view that FAS may follow disruption of a close functional interplay between the supra- and infratentorial motor speech centers.
Craniopharyngiomas in Children
Authors: Ohmori Kazumi , Collins John , Fukushima Takanori
Published: July 2007

Background: The modern era of pediatric craniopharyngioma treatment includes multiple modalities including microsurgical resection, irradiation, brachytherapy or chemotherapy. No clear consensus as to the best therapeutic approach has yet been established. The aim of this study was to describe the techniques and strategies for the treatment of pediatric craniopharyngiomas in light of a literature review with particular attention to the incidence of adverse postoperative effects. Methods: Twenty-seven pediatric patients (median age 9.0 years) who were surgically treated for craniopharyngiomas were evaluated. We reviewed the recent literature for clinical features of craniopharyngiomas in children, including the present cases. Results: The overall rate of radiographically complete resection of our cases was 92.6%. In the literature we reviewed, the rate of gross total resection was 33–91% (average 57.8%). According to the literature, recurrence rates range from zero to 52.8% (average 16.1%) in the gross total resection group, 51.1% in the subtotal resection without radiation therapy group, and 33.5% in the subtotal resection with radiation therapy group. In six of our most recent cases, for whom we have complete outcome analysis, radiographically complete resection is 100% with only one recurrence so far over 4 years. Conclusions: For patients in whom early postoperative MRI reveals complete craniopharyngioma removal, a very low rate of recurrence is anticipated. In the authors’ experience, radiographically total excision of even large craniopharyngiomas can be safely achieved by one or a combination of several advanced microsurgical techniques, sometimes by a staged strategy. Major morbidities can be avoided, although moderate morbidities occur and require management.
Eosinophilic Granuloma in the Pediatric Spine
Authors: Greenlee Jeremy D.W. , Fenoy Albert J. , Donovan Kathleen A. , Menezes Arnold H.
Published: July 2007

Background/Aims: Eosinophilic granuloma (EG) involving the vertebrae in the pediatric population presents a difficult management scenario. Issues of surgical versus nonsurgical intervention, spinal stability and continued skeletal growth must all be considered. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records and radiographs from 1964 to the present yielded 12 patients with age less than 18 at the time of diagnosis of primary spinal EG. Results: Eleven of these 12 patients presented with pain; 2 patients had neurological deficits. Nine patients were managed nonsurgically, including those undergoing tissue diagnosis by needle (2) or extraspinal (3) biopsy; 3 patients underwent gross total resections. Radiographic diagnosis alone was made in 4. With an average follow-up of 8.1 years, survival is 100%. Conclusions: EG in the spine infrequently produces neurological deficits in the pediatric age group, although it may result in spinal instability. As such, nonsurgical management is the preferred strategy to effect symptomatic relief.
Primary Pineal Malignant Melanoma
Authors: Bookland Markus , Anderson W. Stanley , Biser-Rohrbaugh Ann , Jallo George I.
Published: July 2007

Primary pineal malignant melanomas are a rare subset of primary central nervous system melanomas. This report presents the case of a 20-year-old female patient with a primary pineal region malignant melanoma who underwent endoscopic biopsy and adjuvant therapy. Her treatment consisted of stereotactic radiation to the pineal tumor, conventional whole-brain radiation and Temodar® for the disseminated disease. She required a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt for refractory ICP problems. This report details the clinical features of the case and summarizes the literature on a rare but aggressive neoplasm.
Unexpected Myxopapillary Ependymoma within a Filum Terminale Tethering the Spinal Cord
Authors: Kuo John S. , Gonzalez-Gomez Ignacio , McComb J. Gordon
Published: July 2007

We present a 9-month-old neurologically normal infant with cutaneous markers for a closed neural tube defect consisting of two sacral dimples and associated tuft of hair. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that her spinal cord was tethered at S2 and associated with a large syrinx. A myelotomy was performed to address the hydrosyringomyelia and the filum terminale resected to untether the spinal cord. Histopathologic examination of the filum terminale specimen revealed the presence of an unexpected myxopapillary ependymoma. The association of a myxopapillary ependymoma with a closed neural tube defect appears to be coincidental. This patient may have presented at some future date with a clinically symptomatic myxopapillary ependymoma. The presence of microscopic myxopapillary ependymoma cells in this infant’s filum supports the concept that these tumors arise from embryonic rests of ependymal cells.
Ischemia of the Internal Capsule due to Mild Head Injury in a Child
Authors: Nabika S. , Kiya K. , Satoh H. , Mizoue T. , Oshita J. , Kondo H.
Published: July 2007

We encountered an instructive case of repetitive reversible severe neurological deficit due to ischemia of the internal capsule after mild head injury. A 1-year-old boy fell and hit his head on the floor without losing consciousness. Intermittent episodes of left hemiparesis lasting from 30 s to 30 min developed 4 h later. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed acute infarction in the left internal capsule and corona radiata on diffusion-weighted imaging, and no microbleeding on susceptibility-weighted imaging. MR angiography of the intracranial and cervical vessels showed no obstruction of the large cerebral arteries. Motor impairment began to improve the next day with conservative therapy. Neurological deficit gradually resolved over the course of 1 month. This tiny lesion of the internal capsule and corona radiata may have represented a small infarction caused by mechanical vasospasm of the perforating vessels branching from the middle cerebral artery after minor injury. Even mild head injuries may cause infarction of the internal capsule, although minor head injuries are common accidents in childhood and usually do not result in severe complications.
Fully Endoscopic Supraorbital Resection of Congenital Middle Cranial Fossa Arachnoid Cysts: Report of 2 Cases
Authors: Kabil Mohamed S. , Shahinian Hrayr K.
Published: July 2007

Intracranial congenital arachnoid cysts are benign intra-arachnoidal fluid collections with a wall composed of arachnoid cells encompassing a cavity containing a fluid similar to cerebrospinal fluid. This cavity frequently communicates with the subarachnoid space. Arachnoid cysts are reported to account for about 1% of all intracranial space-occupying lesions. The most frequent localization of congenital intracranial arachnoid cysts is in the middle cranial fossa, constituting more than half of the cases reported in the literature. We report our use of a fully endoscopic supraorbital approach through the eyebrow for accessing and resecting congenital middle cranial fossa arachnoid cysts. The approach was performed on 2 patients, a 9-month-old infant and a 12-year-old female patient. In both cases, the cysts were resected in their entirety utilizing a 1-cm ‘keyhole’ craniotomy, without the need for a corticotomy and with virtually no brain retraction. The outcomes were favorable and both patients were discharged from hospital within 48 h of surgery. There were no perioperative complications and the cosmetic outcomes were excellent.
Posterior Fossa Dermoid Cysts Causing Cerebellar Abscesses
Authors: Karagöz Güzey Feyza , Bas N. Serdar , Sencer Altay , Emel Erhan , Hamamcioglu M. Kemal , Özkan Nezih , Hepgul Kemal , Aycan Abdurrahman
Published: July 2007

Dermoid cysts are uncommon tumors, and posterior fossa dermoid cysts may rarely cause abscess formation or formation of daughter abscesses within the cerebellum. At present, there are only 16 cases with posterior fossa dermoid cysts causing cerebellar abscesses reported in the literature. Two cases, 22 and 14 months old, with posterior fossa dermoid cysts and dermal sinus causing multiple cerebellar abscesses are reported. In the first one, there was also marked hydrocephalus. Retrospective examination of the patients revealed pinpoint-sized dimples in their suboccipital regions. Both patients were treated with antibiotics and underwent posterior fossa surgery. In the patient with marked hydrocephalus, ventriculoperitoneal shunting was performed after treatment of the infection. Both patients were neurologically normal, and there were no complaints, except a light learning difficulty in the patient with ventriculoperitoneal shunting, 133 and 34 months after surgery, respectively. Early detection of congenital dermal abnormalities along the craniospinal axis by routine examination of newborns is highly important before development of serious complications. Because surgery is the only effective treatment modality for these lesions, radical excision should be performed in all cases to avoid tumor recurrence. However, subtotal excision may be performed in selected cases, because the cyst capsule may adhere firmly to vital structures.
Cerebellar Abscess following Mastoidectomy for Chronic Otitis Media
Authors: Agrawal Amit , Pratap Akshay , Singh Ishwar , Kumar Anand , Shrestha Sangeeta
Published: July 2007

Chronic otitis media although rare in developed countries is still a major problem in the developing countries. If untreated, it can lead to life-threatening intracranial complications. In the available literature the incidence and risk factors for cerebellar abscess following mastoidectomy is not known. In this case we would like to emphasize that CT scan before mastoidectomy is not possible in all the cases particularly in developing countries. There is a need to find the factors that will make one suspect the possibility of concurrent intracranial lesions and which will identify the patients prone to intracranial complications.
Cerebellar Atrophy following Mild Head Injury in a 4-Year-Old Girl
Authors: Matschke J. , Laas R. , Schulz F.
Published: July 2007

Cerebellar atrophy following severe head injury in infants has been described in imaging studies. We report the case of a 4-year-old girl who died of accidental hypothermia. Three weeks before, she had sustained head injury after falling on the back of her head with linear fracture of the occipital bone. Neuropathological examination of the girl’s brain revealed cerebellar atrophy with specific loss of Purkinje cells. We present findings of detailed neuropathological studies and discuss possible mechanisms of posttraumatic cerebellar atrophy. To the best of our knowledge, cerebellar atrophy following mild head injury in man has not been described morphologically so far.
Human Tail and Myelomeningocele
Authors: Lin Pei-Jung , Chang Yu-Tang , Tseng Hsing-I , Lin Jan-You , Huang Yu-Sheng
Published: July 2007

The human tail is rarely reported and is usually associated with underlying spina bifida occulta. A male newborn presenting a caudal appendage (human tail) with skin-covered myelomeningocele and tethered cord is described. Surgical excision of the human tail and repair of the myelomeningocele were performed 3 days after birth. After the operation, the patient had an uneventful convalescence and received follow-up at our outpatient clinic without any neurological sequelae. To our knowledge, no similar case report exists in the literature. Like other skin-related lesions in the lumbosacral area, the present case of caudal appendage with myelomeningocele is only a cutaneous sign of underlying spinal dysraphism since the skin and nerve system are related by their similar ectodermal origin. After excision of the tail and repair of an underlying lesion, long-term follow-up of the neurological status is warranted.
Massive Congenital Intracranial Immature Teratoma of the Lateral Ventricle with Retro-Orbital Extension: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Arslan Erhan , Usul Haydar , Baykal Süleyman , Acar Elif , Eyüboğlu Eylem Eren , Reis Abdülkadir
Published: July 2007

Germ cell tumors comprise 0.4–3.1% of all intracranial tumors, and teratoma constitutes 9–30% of them. Congenital intracranial tumors are very rare and only account for 0.5–1.5% of all childhood brain tumors. The most common type of these tumors present at birth is teratomas, which represent 0.5% of all intracranial tumors. Most teratomas are midline tumors located predominantly in the sellar and pineal regions. In this study, we report a neonatal intracranial immature teratoma at the lateral ventricle because of its rare location. A 5-day-old female neonate presented with a history of irritability and left eye protrusion since birth. A head computed tomographic (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disclosed a large tumor filling the left lateral ventricle and extending into the ipsilateral retro-orbital space. With left frontotemporoparietal craniotomy, a large grayish-white lobulated vascular mass was encountered, and total removal of tumor was performed. Histological examination revealed the diagnosis of immature teratoma. The prognosis of congenital intracranial immature teratoma is usually poor because the lesions are extensive when they are identified. Prenatal ultrasonography is necessary for the prenatal diagnosis. Fetal MRI should be made for the evaluation of intracranial tumor. If the tumor is detected before the 24th week of gestation, termination of the pregnancy should be considered.
Strain Rate Imaging for Noninvasive Functional Quantification of the Left Atrium in Hypertensive Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Wang Zhihao , Tan Hongwei , Zhong Ming , Jiang Guihua , Zhang Yun , Zhang Wei
Published: July 2007

Aim: Strain rate (SR) imaging has been applied to the detection of regional left ventricular (LV) dysfunction but not as much to the assessment of left atrial (LA) function. We aimed to assess atrial myocardial properties during atrial fibrillation (AF) by myocardial velocity, SR and strain, focusing on the effects of hypertension and atrial arrhythmias, especially paroxysmal AF. Methods: We compared 3 groups of a total of 110 consecutive patients with hypertension presenting to our institution: 20 with brief atrial tachycardia, 20 with paroxysmal AF and 70 with hypertension alone. These patients and 32 controls underwent transthoracic echocardiography, tissue velocity imaging (TVI), strain examination and SR imaging. Atrial tissue velocity, strain and SR values of hypertensive patients were compared with those of age-matched controls. Results: Compared with controls, hypertensive patients with paroxysmal AF showed significantly increased atrial myocardial features as assessed by TVI (p < 0.05–0.001). Time to peak late diastolic SR corrected for heart rate (TASRc) and the difference of early diastolic SR (ΔESR) were significantly increased (both p < 0.05), whereas the difference of late diastolic SR (ΔASR) (p < 0.05) and the difference of TASRc (ΔTASRc) (p < 0.001) were significantly decreased; moreover, systolic SR (SSR), ΔASR and ΔTASRc were significantly decreased (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively), whereas ΔESR was significantly increased (p < 0.01), as compared with hypertensive patients without arrhythmia. No other parameters differed among the 4 groups. Conclusions: SR imaging combined with TVI enables noninvasive quantification of LA dysfunction due to hypertension and paroxysmal AF. In hypertensive patients, paroxysmal AF decreases the efficiency, not the ability, of LA myocardia to reserve potential energy, which suggests that LA myocardial reservoir function decreases. The impaired conductivity of the left atrium leads to decreased total active atrial contraction and prolonged interatrial conduction. Thus, the temporal asynchrony of the atria is enhanced, but contraction asynchrony is reduced.
Incidence of New Stroke or New Myocardial Infarction or Death at 39-Month Follow-Up in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension or Both with and without Microalbuminuria
Authors: Ravipati Gautham , Aronow Wilbert S. , Ahn Chul , Alappat Rose M. , McClung John A. , Weiss Melvin B.
Published: July 2007

We investigated in 306 patients, mean age 57 ± 10 years, with diabetes mellitus (202 patients) or hypertension (179 patients) whether microalbuminuria was a significant independent risk factor for the development of new stroke or new myocardial infarction (MI) or death. At 39-month follow-up, new stroke or new MI or death developed in 44 of 111 patients (40%) with microalbuminuria and in 38 of 195 patients (19%) without microalbuminuria (p = 0.0001). Stepwise Cox regression analysis showed that significant independent predictors of the time to development of new stroke or new MI or death were (1) diabetes (risk ratio = 1.76), (2) left ventricular (LV) mass index (risk ratio = 1.020 for each 1 g/m2 increase), (3) prior stroke (risk ratio = 5.39), and (4) prior MI (risk ratio = 3.29). Microalbuminuria was not a significant independent predictor of new stroke or new MI or death, but LV mass index, diabetes mellitus, prior stroke, and prior MI were significant independent predictors.
Clevudine Therapy for 24 Weeks Further Reduced Serum Hepatitis B Virus DNA Levels and Increased ALT Normalization Rates without Emergence of Viral Breakthrough than 12 Weeks of Clevudine Therapy
Authors: Lee Kwan Sik , Byun Kwan Soo , Chung Young-Hwa , Paik Seung Woon , Han Joon-Yeol , Yoo Kwon , Yoo Hee-Won , Yoo Byung Chul , Lee Hyo-Suk
Published: July 2007

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to evaluate the safety and antiviral activity of 24-week treatment with clevudine 30 mg in HBeAg(+) chronic hepatitis B patients. Biochemical and serological responses were also assessed. Method: Twenty-one patients received clevudine 30 mg for 24 weeks and were followed up for another 24 weeks off therapy. Results: Median decreases from baseline in HBV DNA were 4.65 and 1.96 log10 copies/ml at week 24 (end of treatment) and week 48 (24 weeks off therapy), respectively. Analysis of individual data showed that HBV DNA levels were below the lower limit of detection (300 copies/ml) by Amplicor PCR assay in 19, 57, 19 and 0% at week 12, 24, 34 and 48, respectively. The proportion of patients with normal ALT were 67, 81 and 75% at week 24 (end of treatment), 34 and 48 (24 weeks off therapy), respectively. The rates of HBeAg loss were 24 and 20% at week 24 and 48, respectively. No viral breakthrough during treatment was observed. Conclusion: Clevudine 30 mg treatment for 24 weeks was well tolerated and exhibited more potent antiviral activity and a higher ALT normalization rate than 12-week treatment with durable efficacy at week 24 off therapy.
Early Viral Kinetics during Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection with Pegylated Interferon Alpha plus Ribavirin in Taiwan
Authors: Hsu Ching-Sheng , Liu Chun-Jen , Lai Ming-Yang , Chen Pei-Jer , Kao Jia-Horng , Chen Ding-Shinn
Published: July 2007

Objectives: Early hepatitis C viral (HCV) kinetics following pegylated interferon-α (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin help to assess treatment in the Western world. Whether this functions in Taiwanese patients remains unknown. Studying the early HCV kinetics in Taiwanese patients may clarify this issue. Methods: Six chronic hepatitis C patients were enrolled. A PEG-IFN-α dose was administered at week 1, then it was administered weekly with daily ribavirin for 24 weeks. Serum HCV RNA levels were determined frequently during the trial and qualitatively at week 49. Kinetic parameters Ε (effectiveness at inhibiting viral production)and δ (loss rate of infected cells) were estimated from viral loads and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) kinetics, respectively. Results: All serum HCV RNA levels became undetectable at week 12. The Ε ranged from 0.4128 to 0.9904 and δ from 0.0019 to 0.1245. The log values of viral load differences between day 7 and 14 ranged from 0.15 to 1.21. Only 1 patient had an abnormal ALT level at week 49. Conclusions: Viral kinetic parameters in Taiwanese patients were similar to those in Western studies. However, the early viral decline pattern and viral negativity rate in Taiwanese patients might be different from Caucasian patients. Further large-scale studies to clarify this issue are ongoing.
Hepatic c-fos Expression Is Independent of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Induced by Acute Cadmium Exposure in Rats
Authors: Wu Xiaonan , Lu Zufu , Chen Jie , Wang Jiali , Huang Fang
Published: July 2007

Aim: To investigate the relationships between c-fos expression and oxidative stress or inflammation in the liver induced by acute cadmium (Cd) exposure. Methods: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 groups, 10 rats in each group. They were intragastrically pretreated with distilled water, distilled water, vitamin E (50 mg/100 g body weight), 25, 50 and 75% Sagittaria sagittifolia (SS) extract (2 ml/100 g weight) once a day for 10 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last feeding, all animals were intraperitoneally administered CdCl2 (20 µmol/kg body weight) except for the control group which was given distilled water. Twenty-four hours after intoxication, the glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and gene expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and c-fos were measured in the livers. Results: Acute Cd exposure significantly increased MDA levels, decreased GSH levels and upregulated the gene expression of TNF-α and c-fos in the liver. Vitamin E and middle and high doses of SS were able to inhibit the MDA level, but only middle and high doses of SS enhanced the GSH level and inhibited the upregulation of TNF-α gene expression. However, neither vitamin E nor SSwas able to inhibit the upregulation of c-fos gene expression in the liver. Conclusion: Our data suggested that c-fos induction is independent of oxidative stress or inflammation in the liver during the process of acute Cd exposure in rats.
Effect of Erabu Sea Snake (Laticauda semifasciata) Lipids on the Swimming Endurance of Mice
Authors: Zhang Guihua , Higuchi Tomoyuki , Shirai Nobuya , Suzuki Hiramitsu , Shimizu Eiji
Published: July 2007

Background/Aim: This study was designed to investigate the effect of Erabu sea snake (Laticauda semifasciata) lipids on the swimming endurance of mice. Method: Twelve-week-old male Crlj: CD-1 (ICR) mice were fed one of three experimental diets containing 6% lard, fish oil or sea snake lipids for 16 weeks. Swimming exercise was conducted in an acrylic plastic tank filled with 25 cm of water maintained at 23°C. Every 4 weeks, the mice were made to perform swimming exercises with loads attached to their tails, corresponding to approximately 1 or 2% of their body weights. Results: The group fed the sea snake lipid diet exhibited significantly improved swimming endurance compared with the lard diet group (p < 0.05); however, this result was not observed in the fish oil diet group. In the sea snake lipid diet group, plasma and muscle lactates were significantly lower, and plasma glucose and muscle glycogen were significantly higher than in the lard diet group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that the intake of sea snake lipids enhanced the swimming endurance of the mice by delaying the accumulation of lactate during swimming exercise.
Presenilin Gene Predisposes to Late-Onset Degenerative but Not Vascular Dementia: A Comparative Study of PS1 and ApoE Genes in a North Indian Cohort
Authors: Pandey Pratima , Pradhan Sunil , Mittal Balraj
Published: July 2007

Background: Variation in the presenilin gene shifts the cleavage site of amyloid precursor protein producing an insoluble peptide Aβ42 (instead of Aβ40, which is soluble when produced in restricted amount), which is prone to aggregation in the brain in the form of amyloid plaques not only in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) but also in other degenerative dementias. The role of presenilin 1 (PS1) and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genes has not been explored in degenerative dementias other than AD. Objective: To study the association of PS1 intron 8 and ApoE Ε4 gene polymorphism in degenerative and vascular dementia patients in the North Indian population. Design: A hospital-based association study on degenerative and vascular dementia patients proven on the basis of clinical profile and MRI. Participants: A group of 107 dementia patients and 162 age- and sex-matched controls from a North Indian cohort participated in the study. All patients had Mini Mental State Examination scores less than 24 and met the DSM-IV criteria for dementia. Results: The frequency of genotype 1/1 and allele 1 in degenerative dementias (73.12 and 83.70%, respectively) was higher than what had been reported so far in AD. A significant association of PS1 intron 8 polymorphism was found with degenerative dementias but not with vascular dementias (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.27–5.00). On the other hand, ApoE Ε4 allele was found to significantly increase the risk for both vascular and degenerative dementias (p = 0.0001, OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.74–6.86). Conclusion: While ApoE Ε4 allele increases the susceptibility to both degenerative and vascular dementia, PS1 allele 1 increases the susceptibility to degenerative dementias only.
The Effect of Self-Control on Unit and Item Nonresponse in an Adolescent Sample
Authors: Watkins Adam M. , Melde Chris
Published: July 2007

In A General Theory of Crime, Gottfredson and Hirschi dispute whether valid self-report data can be collected among respondents lacking self-control. This research tests this argument by examining two processes that undermine the validity of self-report data: unit and item nonresponse. Specifically, this research addresses two questions: Within a longitudinal self-report study, are respondents with lower self-control less likely to be retained in annual follow ups? And are respondents with lower self-control less likely to complete a self-report survey in its entirety? These questions are examined with an adolescent sample from the National Evaluation of the Gang Resistance and Education Training Program. Current findings reveal that, after adjusting for the influence of student sociodemographic characteristics, self-control is unrelated to sample retention during four annual waves of data, but current findings do reveal that lower-self-control adolescents are more likely to leave survey items unanswered. Implications for the testing of self-control theory are explored.
Nonresidential Crime Attractors and Generators Elevate Perceived Neighborhood Crime and Incivilities
Authors: McCord Eric S. , Ratcliffe Jerry H. , Garcia R. Marie , Taylor Ralph B.
Published: July 2007

Recent studies have produced conflicting findings about the impacts of local nonresidential land uses on perceived incivilities. This study advances work in this area by developing a land-use perspective theoretically grounded in Brantingham and Brantingham's geometry of crime model in environmental criminology. That focus directs attention to specific classes of land uses and suggests relevance of land uses beyond and within respondents' neighborhoods. Extrapolating from victimization and reactions to crime, crime-generating and crime-attracting land uses are expected to increase perceived neighborhood incivilities and crime. Multilevel models using land use, crime, census, and survey data from 342 Philadelphia heads of households confirmed expected individual-level impacts. These persisted even after controlling for resident demographics and for neighborhood fabric and violent crime rates. Neighborhood status and crime were the only relevant ecological predictors, and their impacts are interpreted in light of competing perspectives on the origins of incivilities.
Local Life Circumstances and Offending Specialization/Versatility
Authors: McGloin Jean Marie , Sullivan Christopher J. , Piquero Alex R. , Pratt Travis C.
Published: July 2007

Research has consistently indicated that most offenders demonstrate diversity over the life course. Even so, recent work suggests that offenders tend to illustrate specialization in the short-term, though this specialization diminishes as the “time window” for examining an offending career increases. To examine why this pattern emerges, the authors investigate the extent to which opportunity structures, as defined by local life circumstances, predict offense specialization/diversity relative to individuals' enduring propensities to offend. The results suggest that both individual-level propensity, as well as changes in local life circumstances (e.g., employment, marriage, drug and alcohol use), impact patterns of offense specialization/ versatility in the short term. The implications of these results for life-course theories of crime, with a particular focus on integrating opportunity and propensity models of criminal behavior, are discussed.
Biotrespass
Authors: de Beer Jeremy
Published: July 2007

As the sciences of biotechnology, synthetic biology, and nanotechnology develop, questions about liability for harms caused by self-replicating inventions will arise increasingly often. Although negligence, nuisance, and other torts may be relevant in such circumstances, trespass may be the more appropriate cause of action. First, the author explores doctrinal hurdles facing plaintiffs alleging biotrespass. To overcome concerns about the metaphysicality of molecular biotrespass, the author draws analogies to “cybertrespass.” To confront the problem of suing patent licensors for the actions of their licensees, the author makes reference to principles of landlord-tenant law. Well-established laws concerning wandering animals shed light on the policies underlying biotrespass. In the second part, the author examines such policies in further detail and considers the purpose of transporting property metaphors into bio/nanospace. The article concludes that biotrespass can be a viable cause of action, if crafted carefully and understood properly.
Fabrication of Poly-(DL-Lactic Acid)—Wollastonite Composite Films with Surface Modified β-CaSiO3 Particles
Authors: Lingzhi Ye  , Jiang Chang  , Congqin Ning  , Kaili Lin
Published: July 2007

Bioactive poly-(DL-lactic acid) (PDLLA)—wollastonite composite films are successfully fabricated using surface modified wollastonite (mβ-CaSiO 3) particles through solvent casting-evaporation method. The surface modification of β-CaSiO3 particles are conducted by reaction of the ceramic particles with dodecyl alcohol. Surface morphology, tensile strength, and bioactivity of the composite films are investigated. The results show that the particle distribution and tensile strength of the composite films with modified β-CaSiO3 particles are significantly improved while the bioactivity is retained. As a result, the maximum tensile strength is enhanced 52.2% when compared with the PDLLA—β-CaSiO3 composite films prepared using unmodified β-CaSiO3 particles when the inorganic filler content is 15wt%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation suggests that the modified mβ-CaSiO3 particles are homogeneously dispersed in the PDLLA matrix. The bioactivity of the composite films is evaluated by soaking in a simulated body fluid (SBF) and the result suggests that the modified composite film is still bioactive and can induce the formation of HAp on its surface after the immersion in SBF, despite the bonded dodecyl alkyl on the surface of the inorganic particles. All these results imply that the surface modification of β-CaSiO3 with dodecyl alcohol is an effective approach to prepare PDLLA—β-CaSiO 3 composite with improved properties.
Structural Damage Identification in a Mechanically Attached Metallic Panel Using Embedded Sensitivity Functions
Authors: Chulho Yang  , Adams Douglas E. , Derriso Mark , Gordon Grant
Published: July 2007

A vibration-based structural damage identification method is discussed using experimental embedded sensitivity functions, which are algebraic combinations of measured frequency response functions (FRFs) that reflect changes in the response of mechanical systems when mass, damping, or stiffness parameters are changed. The theory of embedded sensitivity functions is reviewed and applied to identify damage in simulations with a six degree-of-freedom model of a metallic panel and in experiments on the actual panel. Measured FRFs, before and after simulated damage is imposed, are compared to an experimental sensitivity function. By matching the spectral shapes of these two sets of functions, damage is first located and classified as changes in stiffness, damping, or mass. Then the damage is quantified directly in engineering units as changes in stiffness or mass using only the measured data.
Active Vibration Control Strategy for a Single-Link Flexible Manipulator Using Ionic Polymer Metal Composite
Authors: Bandopadhya Dibakar , Bhattacharya Bishakh , Dutta Ashish
Published: July 2007

Ionic polymer metal composites (IPMC) are a class of electro-active polymers (EAP) that produce mechanical strain in response to electrical stimulation and vice versa. The property of generating high strains with low actuation voltage makes IPMC suitable for mechanical actuators in applications involving control of high-amplitude vibration. This article describes results on an application of IPMC as an active damper for large deflection vibration control of a single link rotating flexible manipulator. Modeling of the flexible rotating link has been done using modal approach and it was found that the first two modes of vibration take the maximum amount of energy. Based on this, two IPMC actuators were fixed at suitable positions on the link to suppress vibrations. A dynamic model of the link with IPMC was derived and a distributed PD controller designed to actuate the IPMC to control the vibration of the flexible link. Simulations were first done to demonstrate the effectiveness of IPMC and then experiments are conducted to validate the results. The results prove that IPMC can be used as an active damper for suppressing vibration in a flexible link manipulator.
Experimental Investigation of Terfenol-D's Elastic Modulus
Authors: Kellogg Rick , Flatau Alison
Published: July 2007

The variability of Young's modulus (the ▵E effect) in giant magnetostrictive Terfenol-D has a significant impact on the performance and modeling of Terfenol-D transducers. In this investigation, Terfenol-D's modulus of elasticity is characterized under controlled thermal, magnetic, and mechanical loading conditions. Quasistatic cyclic compressive stress testing methods are used to quantify the variability in Young's modulus over a wide range of DC applied magnetic fields and stresses. Apparent elastic modulus changes of four-fold or more are demonstrated through the variation of a DC applied magnetic field. The effect of decreasing cyclic stress amplitude giving rise to an increase in Terfenol-D's apparent elastic modulus is also examined.
Shape Memory Alloy Hybrid Composite Plates for Shape and Stiffness Control
Authors: Daghia Federica , Inman Daniel J. , Ubertini Francesco , Viola Erasmo
Published: July 2007

Shape memory alloy hybrid composite plates are `intelligent' structures whose shape or stiffness is actively modified by embedded shape memory alloy fibers. In this work, the behavior of such structures is investigated numerically and experimentally. A finite element model which separately represents the host structure and the fibers in a two-dimensional setting is proposed as a simple tool to predict the structural behavior in stiffness and shape control. The shape control configuration is used to validate the model experimentally since it is the most sensitive to the choice of the geometrical and mechanical model parameters.
A New Magneto-rheological Fluid Damper for High-mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV)
Authors: Dogruer Umit , Gordaninejad Faramarz , Evrensel Cahit A.
Published: July 2007

This study focuses on the design, development, and testing of a new magnetorheological fluid (MRF) damper for high-mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle (HMMWV). The new damper is designed to provide controllability while keeping the same geometrical dimensions as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) damper. To design a fail-safe MRF damper, MRF behavior is simulated using the Bingham Plastic model, and the magnetic field distribution is obtained by a three-dimensional electromagnetic finite element analysis. A fail-safe MRF damper is referred to one which retains a minimum damping capacity comparable to that of OEM damper in the event of a power supply or electronic system failure. The proposed MRF damper is designed to achieve non-symmetrical force characteristics with different force responses at rebound and compression phases. Theoretical predictions and experimental results are presented for the force—displacement and force— velocity behaviors of the damper under different input motions, various magnetic fields, and different MR fluids.
Homogenized Strain Model for Ni—Mn—Ga Driven with Collinear Magnetic Field and Stress
Authors: Faidley Leann E. , Dapino Marcelo J. , Washington Gregory N.
Published: July 2007

Prior experimental measurements by the authors demonstrated large reversible strains of ·0.41% along the [001] crystal direction of a cylindrical Ni 50Mn28.7Ga21.3 rod driven with a magnetic field along the same direction and no external restoring force. The origin of the reversibility is attributed to internal bias stresses generated by impurities absorbed during manufacture of the alloy. This article presents a macroscopic constitutive model for Ni—Mn—Ga strain in collinear field and stress configuration. The switching between two variant orientations in the presence of Zeeman energy and the pinning energy of the impurities is formulated through a Gibbs energy function for the crystal lattice. Inhomogeneous local interaction fields and impurity distributions are addressed through stochastic homogenization techniques. Attributes of the model are illustrated through comparison of model results with strain—field measurements collected at various compressive loads. Constrained optimization is used to determine the necessary parameters and an error analysis is performed to assess the accuracy of the model for various loading conditions. The collinear field and stress configuration can lead to solenoid transducers with enhanced energy density and bandwidth relative to standard electromagnet devices.