bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of radiographic and clinical diagnosis of approximal and occlusal dental caries in a young adult population
Authors: Hopcraft Matthew S. , Morgan Michael V.
Published: April 2005

Abstract –  Objectives:  The aims of the study were: (1) to determine if bitewing radiographs provided additional diagnostic yield for occlusal and approximal dental caries in adults aged between 17 and 30 years of age when compared with a clinical examination only, (2) how this translated into the measurement of dental caries experience, and (3) to determine the influence of water fluoridation on the diagnosis of dental caries in occlusal and approximal surfaces by clinical examination alone and by radiographic examination.

Methods:  Between November 2002 and March 2003 a total of 879 subjects aged 17–30 years had a clinical examination using visual and tactile criteria. Subsequent to this examination, bitewing radiographs were taken and viewed separately and blind. Approximal and occlusal surfaces of molars and premolars were examined on the radiographs.

Results:  Between 22.9–32.9% of approximal caries and 75.9–82.9% of occlusal caries was detected by clinical examination, while 93.1–97.1% of approximal caries and 33.1–42.6% of occlusal caries was detected by radiographic examination. In addition, while only 0.97% of clinically sound approximal surfaces and 0.83% of clinically sound occlusal surfaces were diagnosed with dentine caries on the radiographs, 67.1–77.1% of approximal caries was detected by radiographs alone, an additional diagnostic yield of 204–336%. The DS score increased 45–46% and the DMFS score increased 6–11% from the clinical examination with the addition of the radiographic information (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:  The prevalence of approximal and occlusal caries was underestimated when clinical means only were employed. There was a significant increase in DS and DMFS scores from the clinical examination only when radiographic information was added across all age groups (P < 0.001). This study confirms the value of bitewing radiographs in caries diagnosis.
Effect of whole body resistance training on arterial compliance in young men
Authors: Rakobowchuk M. , McGowan C. L. , de Groot P. C. , Bruinsma D. , Hartman J. W. , Phillips S. M. , MacDonald M. J.
Published: April 2005

The effect of resistance training on arterial stiffening is controversial. We tested the hypothesis that resistance training would not alter central arterial compliance. Young healthy men (age, 23 ± 3.9 (mean ±s.e.m.) years; n= 28,) were whole‐body resistance trained five times a week for 12 weeks, using a rotating 3‐day split‐body routine. Resting brachial blood pressure (BP), carotid pulse pressure, carotid cross‐sectional compliance (CSC), carotid initima–media thickness (IMT) and left ventricular dimensions were evaluated before beginning exercise (PRE), after 6 weeks of exercise (MID) and at the end of 12 weeks of exercise (POST). CSC was measured using the pressure‐sonography method. Results indicate reductions in brachial (61.1 ± 1.4 versus 57.6 ± 1.2 mmHg; P < 0.01) and carotid pulse pressure (52.2 ± 1.9 versus 46.8 ± 2.0 mmHg; P < 0.01) PRE to POST. In contrast, carotid CSC, β‐stiffness index, IMT and cardiac dimensions were unchanged. In young men, central arterial compliance is unaltered with 12 weeks of resistance training and the mechanisms responsible for cardiac hypertrophy and reduced arterial compliance are either not inherent to all resistance‐training programmes or may require a prolonged stimulus.
Effect of acute body positional changes on the haemodynamics of rats with and without myocardial infarction
Authors: Siepe Matthias , Rüegg Daniel M. , Giraud Marie‐Noëlle , Python Johanne , Carrel Thierry , Tevaearai Hendrik T.
Published: April 2005

In humans, the lateral recumbent position has a beneficial effect on haemodynamics. If this effect is substantial in small animals too, there is a risk of misinterpretation in preclinical investigations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse the impact of acute changes in body position on haemodynamics in rats. Healthy rats (n= 21) and rats post myocardial infarction (n= 20) were randomly positioned supine, prone, or on the right or left side. In each position, we measured haemodynamic parameters by pressure‐tip catheter and thermodilution. We found that left ventricular contractility (dP/dtmax) was significantly elevated in both lateral positions as compared to the supine position in healthy rats. In healthy rats and following infarction, cardiac index (CI) and stroke volume index (SVI) were significantly higher in both lateral positions as compared to the supine or prone position. Of importance, if SVI values in the supine position in healthy rats (0.095 ± 0.003 ml (100 g)−1) are compared to SVI values measured in different positions after myocardial infarction, the SVI can be either significantly lower in the supine (0.084 ± 0.003 ml (100 g)−1) or significantly higher in the left lateral position (0.105 ± 0.003 ml (100 g)−1). We conclude that post myocardial infarction and in healthy control rats, important haemodynamic values are increased in lateral positions as compared to prone or supine positions. Analysing haemodynamic data in rats may therefore result in misinterpretation if the body position is inconsistent.
Detrimental effects after dobutamine infusion on rat left ventricular function: mechanical work and energetics
Authors: Nakajima‐Takenaka Chikako , Sakata Susumu , Kato Satoshi , Ohga Yoshimi , Murata Ken‐ya , Taniguchi Shigeki , Takaki Miyako
Published: April 2005

We have previously reported that continuous infusion of dobutamine into the coronary artery induces positive inotropic effects but induces no detrimental effects in cross‐circulated, excised normal rat hearts and even in Ca2+ overload‐induced contractile failing rat hearts. However, we hypothesized that some detrimental effects on left ventricular (LV) function are induced after continuous dobutamine infusion and the following clearance of blood dobutamine, as is the case after β‐adrenergic receptor stimulation. To test this hypothesis, we investigated LV mechanical work and energetics in the same type of preparations that underwent continuous dobutamine infusion and clearance of blood dobutamine. We found that both mean end‐systolic pressure and systolic pressure–volume area (PVA; a measure of total mechanical energy per beat) at midrange LV volume were significantly (P < 0.01) decreased. The mean myocardial oxygen consumption per beat

intercept, which is composed of

for the total Ca2+ handling in excitation–contraction coupling and basal metabolism, of the

and PVA linear relation was also significantly (P < 0.05) decreased (n= 8). The mean slope of the linear relation was unchanged in such hearts. Post‐dobutamine basal metabolism was unchanged (n= 5 of the 8 hearts). The moderate proteolysis of a cytoskeleton protein, α‐fodrin was identified (n= 7 of the 8 hearts with the decreased

intercept), after clearance of blood dobutamine. In agreement with our hypothesis, the detrimental effect of the post‐β‐adrenergic receptor stimulation was induced by a moderate concentration of dobutamine; we found systolic dysfunction due to the impairment of Ca2+ handling in excitation–contraction coupling in the rat LV and proteolysis of a cytoskeleton protein, α‐fodrin.
REISSNER-MINDLIN EXTENSIONS OF KIRCHHOFF ELEMENTS FOR PLATE BENDING
Authors: KIKUCHI FUMIO , ISHII KEIZO , TAKAHASHI HIDEYUKI
Published: April 2005

A method of extending various existing Kirchhoff elements to Reissner-Mindlin elements for plate bending is developed and tested. The essential idea is to use independent transverse shear strains and a special mixed formulation. The Nedelec edge element is effective for assuming the shear strains. Furthermore, the displacements are carefully constructed so that the strain-displacement relations are strictly satisfied for the transverse shear strains. We present our approach for displacement-based three-node triangular elements including both conforming and non-conforming ones as the base Kirchhoff elements. It is also possible to reduce the shear variables from the element degrees of freedom by means of a special technique called the beam element approximation. Numerical results are obtained for some fundamental test problems and are generally reasonable over wide range of plate thickness. In particular, it is observed that the tested elements actually reduce to the base Kirchhoff element in the thin plate range and are free from transverse shear locking.
A WAVELET-TAYLOR GALERKIN METHOD FOR PARABOLIC AND HYPERBOLIC PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
Authors: KUMAR B. V. RATHISH , MEHRA MANI
Published: April 2005

In this study a set of new space and time accurate numerical methods based on different time marching schemes such as Euler, leap-frog and Crank-Nicolson for partial differential equations of the form [Formula: see text], where ℒ is linear differential operator and [Formula: see text] is a nonlinear function, are proposed. To produce accurate temporal differencing, the method employs forward/backward time Taylor series expansions including time derivatives of second and third order which are evaluated from the governing partial differential equation. This yields a generalized time discretized scheme which is approximated in space by Galerkin method. The compactly supported orthogonal wavelet bases developed by Daubechies are used in Galerkin scheme. This new wavelet-Taylor Galerkin approach is successively applied to heat equation, convection equation and inviscid Burgers' equation.
A NEW MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR FINITE-DIFFERENCE SOLUTION OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL MIXED-BOUNDARY-VALUE ELASTIC PROBLEMS
Authors: HOSSAIN M. ZUBAER , AHMED S. REAZ , UDDIN M. WAHHAJ
Published: April 2005

This paper describes a new mathematical formulation, specifically suitable for finite-difference analysis of stresses and displacements of three-dimensional mixed-boundary-value elastic problems. Earlier, mathematical models of elasticity were very deficient in handling three-dimensional practical stress problems. In the present model, a new scheme of reduction of unknowns is used to formulate the three-dimensional problem in terms of a single potential function, defined in terms of the three displacement components. Compared to the conventional models, the present model provides numerical solution of higher accuracy in a shorter period of computational time. The application of the potential function formulation is demonstrated here through a number of classical problems of solid mechanics, and the results are compared with the available solutions in the literature. The comparison of the results establishes the rationality of the present approach.
An Education in Astronomy
Authors: Giacconi Riccardo
Published: April 2005

▪ Abstract  The scientific career of Riccardo Giacconi is summarized from an autobiographical point of view. The narrative moves from the discovery of Sco X-1, to the observations with Uhuru, Skylab, Einstein, Rosat, and the Chandra Observatory. His direction of the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) and of the European Southern Observatory are described. His recent involvement in the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) project is briefly summarized.
Abnormal cardiac inflow patterns during postnatal development in a mouse model of Holt-Oram syndrome
Authors: Zhou Yu-Qing , Zhu Yonghong , Bishop Jonathan , Davidson Lorinda , Henkelman R. Mark , Bruneau Benoit G. , Foster F. Stuart
Published: April 2005

Tbx5 del/+ mice provide a model of human Holt-Oram syndrome. In this study, the cardiac functional phenotypes of this mouse model were investigated with 30-MHz ultrasound by comparing 12 Tbx5 del/+ mice with 12 wild-type littermates at 1, 2, 4, and 8 wk of age. Cardiac dimensions were measured with two-dimensional and M-mode imaging. The flow patterns in the left and right ventricular inflow channels were evaluated with Doppler flow sampling. Compared with wild-type littermates, Tbx5 del/+ mice showed significant changes in the mitral flow pattern, including decreased peak velocity of the left ventricular (LV) early filling wave (E wave), increased peak velocity of the late filling wave (A wave), and decreased or even reversed peak E-to-A ratio. The prolongation of LV isovolumic relaxation time was detected in Tbx5 del/+ neonates as early as 1 wk of age. In Tbx5 del/+ mice, LV wall thickness appeared normal but LV chamber dimension was significantly reduced. LV systolic function did not differ from that in wild-type littermates. In contrast, the Doppler flow spectrum in the enlarged tricuspid orifice of Tbx5 del/+ mice demonstrated increased peak velocities of both E and A waves and increased total time-velocity integral but unchanged peak E/A. In another 13 mice (7 Tbx5 del/+, 6 wild-type) at 2 wk of age, significant correlation was found between Tbx5 gene expression level in ventricular myocardium and LV filling parameters. In conclusion, the LV diastolic function of Tbx5 del/+ mice is significantly deteriorated, whereas the systolic function remains normal.
Enhanced expression of fibrillin-1, a constituent of the myocardial extracellular matrix in fibrosis
Authors: Bouzeghrane Fatiha , Reinhardt Dieter P. , Reudelhuber Tim L. , Thibault Gaétan
Published: April 2005

Fibrillin-1 localization in the myocardium and the modulation of its expression in cardiac fibrosis were examined. In normal rat hearts, fibrillin-1 was abundant throughout the myocardium as thin fibers that crossed over the perimysium and around arteries. After cardiac fibrosis was induced in rats by either 14-day ANG II infusion or 21-day DOCA-salt treatment [a high endothelin-1 (ET-1) model], fibrillin-1 immunostaining was stronger in the interstitium (2.8-fold and 4.4-fold increases, respectively, in each model), extended between myocytes, and accumulated in microscopic scars and in the perivascular area of both ventricles. mRNA analysis confirmed its enhanced ventricular expression in both groups of rats (2.5-fold and 6.6-fold increments, respectively, in each model). In 1B normotensive and 2C hypertensive transgenic mice, two lines expressing an ANG II fusion protein in cardiac myocytes, strong fibrillin-1 immunoreactivity was observed in the interstitium and around arteries (3.7-fold and 7-fold increases, respectively). ANG II and transforming growth factor-β1 enhanced fibrillin-1 synthesis by cardiac fibroblasts. Some fibrillin-1 fragments interacted with RGD-dependent integrins, including α8β1-integrin, of cardiac fibroblasts but not necessarily through the RGD motif. Our findings illustrate that fibrillin-1 is an important constituent of the myocardium. In vitro and in vivo evidence suggests that ANG II can directly induce fibrillin-1 expression in cardiac fibroblasts. This protein can thus contribute to reactive and reparative processes.
Neutrophil elastase stimulatesMUC1gene expression through increased Sp1 binding to theMUC1promoter
Authors: Kuwahara Ippei , Lillehoj Erik P. , Hisatsune Akinori , Lu Wenju , Isohama Yoichiro , Miyata Takeshi , Kim K. Chul
Published: April 2005

We previously reported MUC1 was a cell surface receptor for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and binding of bacteria to cells was significantly reduced by pretreatment with neutrophil elastase (NE) (Lillehoj EP, Hyun SW, Kim BT, Zhang XG, Lee DI, Rowland S, and Kim KC. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 280: L181–L187, 2001). The current study was conducted to ascertain NE effects on MUC1 gene transcription, and MUC1 protein synthesis and degradation. A549 human lung carcinoma cells treated with NE exhibited significantly higher MUC1 protein levels in detergent lysates compared with cells treated with vehicle alone. Also, MUC1 protein shed into cell-conditioned medium was rapidly and completely degraded by NE. Actinomycin D blocked NE-stimulated increase in MUC1 protein expression, suggesting a mechanism of increased gene transcription that was confirmed by measurement of quantitatively greater MUC1 mRNA levels in NE-treated cells compared with controls. However, NE did not alter MUC1 mRNA stability, implying increased de novo transcription induced by the protease. NE increased promoter activity in A549 cells transfected with MUC1 gene promoter-luciferase reporter plasmid. This effect of NE was completely blocked by mithramycin A, an inhibitor of Sp1, as well as mutation of one of the putative Sp1 binding sites in MUC1 promoter located at −99/−90 relative to transcription initiation site. EMSA revealed NE enhanced binding of Sp1 to this 10-bp segment in a time-dependent manner. These results indicate the increase in MUC1 gene transcription by NE is mediated through increase in Sp1 binding to −99/−90 segment of MUC1 promoter.
Expression of FoxE4 and Rx Visualizes the Timing and Dynamics of Critical Processes Taking Place during Initial Stages of Vertebrate Eye Development
Authors: Zilinski Carolyn , Brownell Isaac , Hashimoto Ryuju , Medina-Martinez Olga , Swindell Eric C. , Jamrich Milan
Published: April 2005

Several transcription factors have a critical function during initial stages of vertebrate eye formation. In this paper, we discuss the role of the Rx subfamily of homeobox-containing genes in retinal development, and the role of the Foxe3 and FoxE4 subfamily of forkhead box-containing genes in lens development. Rx genes are expressed in the initial stages of retinal development and they play a critical role in eye formation. Elimination of Rx function in mice results in lack of eye formation. Abnormal eye development observed in the mouse mutation eyeless (ey1), the medakatemperature-sensitive mutation eyeless (el), and the zebrafish mutation chokh are caused by abnormal regulation or function of Rx genes. In humans, a mutation in Rx leads to anophthalmia. In contrast, Foxe3 and FoxE4 genes are expressed in the lens and they play an essential role in its formation. Mutations in the Foxe3 gene are the cause of the mouse mutation dysgenetic lens (dyl) and in humans, mutation in FOXE3 leads to anterior segment dysgenesis and cataracts. Since Rx and FoxE4 are expressed in the earliest stages of retina and lens development, their expression visualizes the timing and dynamics of the crucial processes that comprise eye formation. In this paper we present a model of eye development based on the expression pattern of these two genes.
The Involvement of Neural Retina Pax6 in Lens Fiber Differentiation
Authors: Reza Hasan M. , Yasuda Kunio
Published: April 2005

Proper eye formation depends on specific interactions between neural and ectodermal tissues coupled with temporally distinct gene expression and a regulated sequence of signaling events. The homeobox gene Pax6 is vitally important to the entire process of eye development in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Pax6 expression for the retina anlage has been shown to be indispensable in the development of various retinal cells. Here, we report that Pax6 expression in neural tissue plays an important role in lens development. Expression of a dominant-negative version of Pax6 isoform that lacks 5a-exon sequence in developing optic vesicles (OV) of chick embryos led to arrest of lens development at the lens vesicle stage as well as optic cup deformation. To gain insights into the molecular events underlying deformed lens formation, we examined the expression of several transcription factors in the lens of Pax6-negative-OV eye. Importantly, L-Maf was downregulated while c-Maf was found normal in deformed lens. We detected a downregulation of fibroblast growth factor (FGF8) in the neural tissue. Our in vivo experiments suggest that Pax6 in neural retina regulates FGF8 expression, which may maintain L-Maf expression in the lens to be essential for later lens fiber differentiation.
The RB Protein Family in Retinal Development and Retinoblastoma: New Insights from New Mouse Models
Authors: Bremner Rod , Chen Danian , Pacal Marek , Livne-Bar Izhar , Agochiya Mahima
Published: April 2005

The Rb gene was isolated almost 20 years ago, but fundamental questions regarding its role in retinal development and retinoblastoma remain. What is the normal function of RB protein in retinogenesis? What is the cell-of-origin of retinoblastoma? Why do retinoblastoma tumors have recurrent genetic lesions other than Rb inactivation? Why is retinoblastoma not induced by defects in cell cycle regulators other than Rb? Why is the retina so sensitive to Rb loss? Recently developed conditional Rb knockout models provide new insight into some of these issues. The data suggest that RB protein may not control the rate of progenitor division, but is critical for cell cycle exit when dividing retinal progenitors differentiate into postmitotic transition cells. This finding focuses attention on the ectopically dividing transition cell, rather than the progenitor, as the cell-of-origin. Cell-specific analyses in the RB-deficient retina reveal that ectopically dividing photoreceptors, bipolar and ganglion cells die, but amacrine, horizontal and Müller cells survive and stop dividing when they terminally differentiate. Rare amacrine transition cells escape cell cycle exit and generate tumors. These data suggest that post-Rb mutations are required to overcome growth arrest associated with terminal differentiation, rather than apoptosis as previously suggested. To explain why perturbing cell cycle regulators other than RB does not initiate retinoblastoma, we speculate that mutations in other components of the RB pathway perturb cell cycle arrest, but only RB loss triggers genome instability in retinal transition cells, which may be critical to facilitate post-Rb mutations necessary for transformation. Cell-specific differences in the effect of Rb loss on genome stability may contribute to the tremendous sensitivity of retinal transition cells to tumorigenesis. The new mouse models of retinoblastoma will be invaluable for testing these possibilities.
Can Screening for Retinopathy of Prematurity Be Reduced?
Authors: Termote J.U.M. , Donders A.R.T. , Schalij-Delfos N.E. , Lenselink C.H. , Derkzen van Angeren C.S. , Lissone S.C.J.L. , Cats B.P.
Published: April 2005

Background:Asscreening for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is costly, time-consuming for the ophthalmologist and discomforting for the neonate, the minimum number of infants should be screened for ROP, without missing infants with severe ROP, at risk for threshold ROP. Objectives:To develop a diagnostic screening guideline for ROP that would safely reduce the number of ROP screening funduscopies in our department. Methods: Data of 275 infants admitted between 1996 and 2000 and screened for ROP according to our Dutch National guideline were studied. Significant risk factors for ROP were calculated, using logistic regression analysis and used to develop a guideline. The discriminative power of the guideline was evaluated using the area under the curve for the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: Significant risk factors for ROP were: gestational age, birth weight and number of erythrocyte transfusions within the first 4 weeks of life. The combination of these 3 factors resulted in the highest area under the curve: 0.793. Using these 3 factors, a diagnostic screening guideline for ROP was developed: if birth weight + 2 × (gestational age – 20) – 6 × erythrocyte transfusion value within the first 4 weeks of life ≧34, no screening for ROP is necessary. Using this guideline, 22.2% of the infants of the study group could have been excluded from screening; 3.8% of the infants with ROP stages 1–2 would have been missed. Conclusion: In our department, ROP screening can be safely reduced using our diagnostic screening guideline.
Dangerousness and Management of Delusional Misidentification Syndrome
Authors: Aziz Mohamed A. , Razik Gihan N. , Donn Jessica E.
Published: April 2005

Many theories have been proposed to help understand delusional misidentification syndromes (DMS) and the danger associated with them. We report on three cases with histories of paranoid schizophrenia who developed DMS. Two of them acted out on delusional thinking toward their sons. Case 1 managed to kill her son and Case 2 was caught twice trying to choke him. Our case reports suggest that the degree of threat perceived by the patient from the delusionally misidentified object is the most important factor in determining the patient’s response to the delusions. Alcohol and substance intoxication facilitated the patients’ acting out on their delusions, but did not explain the genesis of the delusions. There is a need to continue to study patients with DMS in order to provide opportunity for greater understanding of the psychopathology of DMS.
Plaunotol Prevents the Progression of Acute Gastric Mucosal Lesions Induced by Compound 48/80, a Mast Cell Degranulator, in Rats
Authors: Ohta Yoshiji , Kamiya Yoshio , Imai Yoichiro , Arisawa Tomiyasu , Nakano Hiroshi
Published: April 2005

We examined the preventive effect of plaunotol, an antiulcer drug, on acute gastric mucosal lesion progression in rats treated once with compound 48/80 (C48/80). Rats treated with C48/80 (0.75 mg/kg BW, i.p.) received plaunotol (10, 25 or 50 mg/kg BW, p.o.) 0.5 h after the treatment at which time gastric mucosal lesions appeared. The gastric mucosa of C48/80-treated rats showed progressed lesions and had increased myeloperoxidase (an index of neutrophil infiltration) activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (an index of lipid peroxidation) content and decreased ascorbic acid and adherent mucus contents and Se-glutathione peroxidase activity at 3 h after C48/80 treatment. Postadministered plaunotol attenuated all these changes dose-dependently. These attenuating effects of plaunotol were not counteracted by pretreatment with indomethacin (5 mg/kg BW, i.p.), a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor. These results indicate that plaunotol prevents the progression of C48/80-induced acute gastric mucosal lesions in rats possibly by its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions, but not by affecting gastric mucosal prostaglandin levels.
The Primary Hyperoxalurias: An Algorithm for Diagnosis
Authors: Milliner Dawn S.
Published: April 2005

Background/Aims: The primary hyperoxalurias (PHs) are inborn errors of metabolism resulting in increased urinary excretion of oxalate. Nephrolithiasis, nephrocalcinosis, and renal failure result. Renal failure can occur as early as infancy or as late as the sixth decade of life, and if not addressed promptly, results in severe morbidity and mortality related to systemic oxalate deposition (oxalosis). Clinicians are likely to encounter few PH patients during a practicing lifetime. Definitive diagnosis requires special studies performed in only a small number of laboratories worldwide. Accordingly, delays in diagnosis are common. Methods: An evidence-based guideline for diagnosis was developed. Results: Patients with stones or nephrocalcinosis in childhood, recurrent calcium oxalate stones in adulthood, or renal insufficiency associated with stones or nephrocalcinosis should be evaluated for PH. A systematic approach to measurement of urine oxalate, glycolate and glycerate, and plasma oxalate is provided. Age-related variation in urine oxalate requires attention to normal ranges. Molecular analysis for mutations of the AGXT gene (PH, type I) or GRHPR gene (PH, type II) is definitive in some patients, while liver enzyme analysis is required for confirmation of the diagnosis in the remainder. Conclusion: An evidence-based algorithm will facilitate recognition and diagnosis of patients with the PHs, permitting earlier treatment.
Defective Cardiac Ryanodine Receptor Regulation During Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Vest John A. , Wehrens Xander H.T. , Reiken Steven R. , Lehnart Stephan E. , Dobrev Dobromir , Chandra Parag , Danilo Peter , Ravens Ursula , Rosen Michael R. , Marks Andrew R.
Published: April 2005

Background—

Ca
2+
leak from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) may play an important role in triggering and/or maintaining atrial arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation (AF). Protein kinase A (PKA) hyperphosphorylation of the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) resulting in dissociation of the channel-stabilizing subunit calstabin2 (FK506-binding protein or FKBP12.6) causes SR Ca
2+
leak in failing hearts and can trigger fatal ventricular arrhythmias. Little is known about the role of RyR2 dysfunction in AF, however.

Methods and Results—

Left and right atrial tissue was obtained from dogs with AF induced by rapid right atrial pacing (n=6 for left atrial, n=4 for right atrial) and sham instrumented controls (n=6 for left atrial, n=4 for right atrial). Right atrial tissue was also collected from humans with AF (n=10) and sinus rhythm (n=10) and normal cardiac function. PKA phosphorylation of immunoprecipitated RyR2 was determined by back-phosphorylation and by immunoblotting with a phosphospecific antibody. The amount of calstabin2 bound to RyR2 was determined by coimmunoprecipitation. RyR2 channel currents were measured in planar lipid bilayers. Atrial tissue from both the AF dogs and humans with chronic AF showed a significant increase in PKA phosphorylation of RyR2, with a corresponding decrease in calstabin2 binding to the channel. Channels isolated from dogs with AF exhibited increased open probability under conditions simulating diastole compared with channels from control hearts, suggesting that these AF channels could predispose to a diastolic SR Ca
2+
leak.

Conclusions—

SR Ca
2+
leak due to RyR2 PKA hyperphosphorylation may play a role in initiation and/or maintenance of AF.
Late Gadolinium Enhancement Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance of the Systemic Right Ventricle in Adults With Previous Atrial Redirection Surgery for Transposition of the Great Arteries
Authors: Babu-Narayan Sonya V. , Goktekin Omer , Moon James C. , Broberg Craig S. , Pantely George A. , Pennell Dudley J. , Gatzoulis Michael A. , Kilner Philip J.
Published: April 2005

Background—

Patients treated for transposition of the great arteries by atrial redirection surgery have a right ventricle (RV) that sustains systemic pressures long term. Late RV dysfunction occurs in these patients; the reasons for this are unclear, but myocardial fibrosis may be important. Myocardial fibrosis can be visualized by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). We hypothesized that LGE would be present in the systemic RV and relate to adverse clinical features.

Methods and Results—

We performed CMR on 36 consecutive adult patients (mean age, 27 years) after atrial redirection surgery for transposition of the great arteries. Late gadolinium RV enhancement was seen in 22 patients (61%) with various patterns. Patients with RV LGE were older (30 versus 22 years;
P
<0.001) and had increased RV end-systolic volume index (43 versus 35 mL/m
2
;
P
=0.03), decreased RV ejection fraction (57% versus 62%;
P
=0.02), increased QRS duration (108 versus 97 ms;
P
=0.01), and increased QT dispersion (93 versus 71 ms;
P
=0.002). The extent of LGE correlated with age (
r
=0.59,
P
<0.001) and QRS duration (
r
=0.67,
P
<0.001) and inversely with RV ejection fraction (
r
=−0.76,
P
<0.001). The incidence of documented arrhythmia and/or syncope (10 of 36) was significantly higher in the late gadolinium-positive group (9/22 versus 1/14;
P
=0.03).

Conclusions—

LGE CMR suggestive of myocardial fibrosis occurs in the systemic RV of patients after atrial redirection surgery. The extent of LGE correlates with age, ventricular dysfunction, electrophysiological parameters, and clinical events, suggesting prognostic importance that merits further investigation.
The Capsaicin-Sensitive Afferent Neuron in Skeletal Muscle Is Abnormal in Heart Failure
Authors: Smith Scott A. , Williams Maurice A. , Mitchell Jere H. , Mammen Pradeep P.A. , Garry Mary G.
Published: April 2005

Background—

In heart failure, the cardiovascular response to activation of the skeletal muscle exercise pressor reflex (EPR) is exaggerated. Group IV afferent neurons, primarily stimulated by the metabolic by-products of skeletal muscle work, contribute significantly to the EPR. Therefore, it was postulated that alterations in the activity of group IV neurons contribute to the EPR dysfunction manifest in heart failure.

Methods and Results—

Group IV afferent fibers were ablated in neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats by subcutaneous administration of capsaicin. In neonatal capsaicin-treated adult animals, selective activation of the EPR, by electrically induced static muscle contraction, recapitulated the exaggerated increases in heart rate and blood pressure observed in rats with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Furthermore, compared with control animals, both neonatal capsaicin-treated and DCM rats displayed a decreased pressor response to the intra-arterial administration of capsaicin within the hindlimb, a maneuver that selectively excites group IV afferent neurons. Moreover, expression of mRNA for the capsaicin receptor TRPv1, a marker of group IV fibers, was downregulated in DCM animals compared with controls.

Conclusions—

These findings suggest that EPR dysfunction in heart failure results in part from functional and molecular alterations in group IV fibers. Furthermore, the responsiveness of these metabolically sensitive neurons appears to be blunted in DCM, indicating that their contribution to the EPR may be reduced. This occurs despite an overall exaggeration of the EPR in heart failure. These insights into the basic mechanisms of EPR dysfunction are essential to the development of effective therapeutic strategies aimed at improving exercise capacity in heart failure.
Pregnancy-Associated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Elkayam Uri , Akhter Mohammed W. , Singh Harpreet , Khan Salman , Bitar Fahed , Hameed Afshan , Shotan Avraham
Published: April 2005

Background—

Cardiomyopathy associated with pregnancy was first described more than half a century ago. However, because of its rare occurrence and geographical differences, the clinical profile of this condition has remained incompletely defined.

Methods and Results—

Data obtained from 123 women with a history of cardiomyopathy diagnosed during pregnancy or the postpartum period were reviewed. One hundred women met traditional criteria of peripartum cardiomyopathy; 23 were diagnosed with pregnancy-associated cardiomyopathy earlier than the last gestational month. Peripartum cardiomyopathy patients had a mean age of 31±6 years and were mostly white (67%). Common associated conditions were gestational hypertension (43%), tocolytic therapy (19%), and twin pregnancy (13%). Left ventricular ejection fraction at the time of diagnosis was 29±11% and improved to 46±14% (
P
≤0.0001) at follow-up. Normalization of left ventricular ejection fraction occurred in 54% and was more likely in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction >30% at diagnosis. Maternal mortality was 9%. A comparison between the peripartum cardiomyopathy and early pregnancy-associated cardiomyopathy groups revealed no differences in age, race, associated conditions, left ventricular ejection fraction at diagnosis, its rate and time of recovery, and maternal outcome.

Conclusions—

This study helps to define the clinical profile of patients with pregnancy-associated cardiomyopathy diagnosed in the United States. Clinical presentation and outcome of patients with pregnancy-associated cardiomyopathy diagnosed early in pregnancy are similar to those of patients with traditional peripartum cardiomyopathy. These 2 conditions may represent a continuum of a spectrum of the same disease.
The Prophetic Objection in Ezekiel iv 14 and its Relation to Ezekiel's Call
Authors: Phinney D. Nathan
Published: April 2005

W. Zimmerli has argued persuasively that Ezekiel iv 12-15 is a secondary addition to the series of sign acts found in iv 1-v 4, maintaining that the text was attached in its current location because of its affinity with the sign act that immediately precedes. In Ezekiel iv 12-15, Ezekiel protests Yahweh's instruction to prepare food using human excrement, a protest to which Yahweh responds in a conciliatory way. This paper accepts Zimmerli's analysis that the passage is secondary and seeks to offer an explanation for the voiced prophetic objection, heretofore not seen in the book. In short, it argues that this voiced objection functions to fill a void left in the call narrative of Ezekiel (i 1-iii 15), a void which needed to be filled for the prophet to be seen as legitimate. Further, it concludes that this addition stems from the hand of the prophet him-self and that it was added, in great part, for the purpose of asserting his legitimacy.
The Danite Campaign Northward (Judges xvii-xviii) and the Migration of the Phocaeans to Massalia (strabo iv 1,4)
Authors: Na'Aman Nadav
Published: April 2005

The article first examines in detail the story of Judges xvii-xviii, suggesting that it is a post-Dtr composition, written for an educated audience in the post-exilic period. It ridicules and criticizes not only the cult, priests and cult centres of the Northern Kingdom, but also their founder, Jeroboam I. Indeed, some of the characteristics of the story's main protagonist, Micah, were borrowed from the history of Jeroboam as related in the Book of Kings.Second, the article analyzes the similarity between the description of the Danite migration northward and a Greek story that describes the foundation of Massalia by the Phocaeans (Strabo, Geography IV 1,4). It is suggested that certain outlines of the story of Judges xviii might have been borrowed from a Greek legend that the author had heard and adapted to his purpose.
The Literary Strata and Narrative Sources of Psalm Xcix
Authors: Leuchter Mark
Published: April 2005

The current form of Ps. xcix reflects its position in a collection of texts spanning Pss. xciii-c that addresses the kingship of YHWH and the interests of a 5th century Zadokite establishment. Ps. xcix, however, possesses both lexical and ideological features that point to an earlier literary stratum underlying the current form of the text. An examination of these features suggests that the psalm was initially composed during the reign of David and relates to the transformation of Jerusalem from a Jebusite to an Israelite city, drawing heavily upon the Shiloh tradition and the significance of Mosaic intercession as a means of establishing the sacred parameters of history. A later Zadokite editor included this earlier text in the 5th century collection but augmented it with references to Jerusalem Priestly tradition, facilitating the transfer of religious authority from Mosaic to Zadokite circles.
Young Offenders in Custody: Risk and Adjustment
Authors: Cesaroni Carla , Peterson-Badali Michele
Published: April 2005

This article explored results from a study of 113 incarcerated male youths, who were age 12 to 15 at the time of their indexed offense. Using a widely used, normed measure of psychosocial functioning, the study examined the relationship between preexisting risk factors and/or institutional risk factors and adjustment in custody. Preexisting risk or vulnerability significantly predicted adjustment to custody, as did several risk factors within facilities (worry about victimization, perceiving victimization as likely, and experiencing conflicts with inmates as difficult). Risk factors associated with institutional life appeared to contribute to a young person’s adjustment beyond the risk factors a young person may walk into an institution with. One commonly used measure of institutional functioning, number of custodial rule infractions, did not appear to be a valid indicator of how a youth felt or adjusted to a facility. Limitations and implications of the findings are discussed.
Substance Use is a Robust Predictor of Adolescent Recidivism
Authors: Stoolmiller Mike , Blechman Elaine A.
Published: April 2005

How well does substance use predict adolescent recidivism? When the Cox proportional hazards model was applied to officially recorded first rearrest of 505 juvenile offenders, a best-fitting complex multivariate model indicated that: (a) parent reports that youths “often” use substances more than doubles first rearrest risk, (b) averaged youth and parent substance use reports predict recidivism better than a single source, (c) parent or youth denial of youth substance use predicts recidivism, (d) age at first arrest does not predict recidivism, (e) non-White/non-Asians have a 79% higher recidivism risk than peers, (f) parent-reported delinquency predicts recidivism with declining accuracy, and (g) substance use robustly predicts recidivism despite prior reported delinquency, gender, ethnicity, age, follow-up time, or data source. Findings are related to host-provocation theory.
Evaluating the Statistical Significance of Health-Related Quality-Of-Life Change in Individual Patients
Authors: Hays Ron D. , Brodsky Marc , Johnston M. Francis , Spritzer Karen L. , Hui Ka-Kit
Published: April 2005

Assessing individual change is feasible and potentially useful in clinical practice. This article provides an overview of the evaluation of statistically significant change in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for individual patients. We review the standard error of measurement, standard error of prediction, and reliable change indices using a sample of 54 patients receiving care at the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine. The largest amount of change necessary for statistical significance was found for the reliable change index and the smallest change was needed for the standard error of measurement. The amount of change required for statistical significance was intermediate for the standard error of prediction. The median kappa for classifying change (declined, stayed the same, improved) by different indices was .82, indicating a high level of agreement. Future research is needed to determine if one index is most appropriate for evaluating the significance of individual change.
Gambling Among Offenders: Results From an Australian Survey
Authors: Lahn Julie
Published: April 2005

This article outlines the results of a recent Australian survey of gambling, problem gambling, and gambling-related crimes among offenders. The research found that 34% of participant offenders had some form of gambling problem. This figure is 18 times higher than that found in the general population in the same Australian location. Many problem gamblers identified in the survey had not sought help for gambling and felt they didn’t have a problem or were in control of their gambling. In addition, many survey participants said that their gambling was not problematic despite some admissions that they had committed gambling-related crimes. A significant implication of this study follows that offenders with gambling problems need to be offered therapeutic services while in the correctional system to reduce the prevalence of gambling problems and the commission of gambling-related offences.
Lifting the Cover on Drug Courts: Evaluation Findings and Policy Concerns
Authors: Sanford J. Scott , Arrigo Bruce A.
Published: April 2005

Drug treatment courts emerged in 1989 as a court-based solution to an enormous increase of drug-related arrests. Since their inception, drug treatment courts have been subject to empirical and process evaluations to provide quantitative and qualitative data regarding their effectiveness. This article reviews the extant literature on the effectiveness of drug treatment courts and discusses findings regarding various components of the criminal justice system. It is argued that based on empirical evaluation findings, drug treatment courts have achieved success in lowering rates of recidivism among drug offenders, despite problematic methodological and analytical concerns. This article also presents key components and agents of drug treatment courts and discusses their impact and relevance to policy creation and adaptation. It is suggested that when combined with empirical evaluations, process evaluations provide great insight into the drug-treatment-court dynamic. This article concludes with a discussion of the implications of drug treatment courts for justice policy.
Muscle Injuries
Authors: Järvinen Tero A. H. , Järvinen Teppo L. N. , Kääriäinen Minna , Kalimo Hannu , Järvinen Markku
Published: April 2005

Muscle injuries are one of the most common traumas occurring in sports. Despite their clinical importance, few clinical studies exist on the treatment of these traumas. Thus, the current treatment principles of muscle injuries have either been derived from experimental studies or been tested only empirically. Although nonoperative treatment results in good functional outcomes in the majority of athletes with muscle injuries, the consequences of failed treatment can be very dramatic, possibly postponing an athlete's return to sports for weeks or even months. Moreover, the recognition of some basic principles of skeletal muscle regeneration and healing processes can considerably help in both avoiding the imminent dangers and accelerating the return to competition. Accordingly, in this review, the authors have summarized the prevailing understanding on the biology of muscle regeneration. Furthermore, they have reviewed the existing data on the different treatment modalities (such as medication, therapeutic ultrasound, physical therapy) thought to influence the healing of injured skeletal muscle. In the end, they extend these findings to clinical practice in an attempt to propose an evidence-based approach for the diagnosis and optimal treatment of skeletal muscle injuries.
Drosophila Olfactory Response Rhythms Require Clock Genes but Not Pigment Dispersing Factor or Lateral Neurons
Authors: Zhou Xianju , Yuan Chunyan , Guo Aike
Published: April 2005

Odors elicit a number of behavioral responses, including attraction and repulsion in Drosophila. In this study, the authors used a T-maze apparatus to show that wild-type Drosophila melanogaster exhibit a robust circadian rhythm in the olfactory attractive and repulsive responses. These responses were lower during the day and began to rise at early night, peaking at about the middle of the night and then declining thereafter. They were also independent of locomotor activity. The olfactory response rhythms were lost in period or timeless mutant flies ( per0, tim0), indicating that clock genes control circadian rhythms of olfactory behavior. The rhythms in olfactory response persisted in the absence of the pigment-dispersing factor neuropeptide or the central pacemaker lateral neurons known to drive circadian patterns of locomotion and eclosion. These results indicate that the circadian rhythms in olfactory behavior in Drosophila are driven by pacemakers that do not control the rest-activity cycle and are likely in the antennae.
Analysis of the Prokineticin 2 System in a Diurnal Rodent, the Unstriped Nile Grass Rat (Arvicanthis niloticus)
Authors: Lambert Christopher M. , Machida Kaz K. , Smale Laura , Nunez Antonio A. , Weaver David R.
Published: April 2005

Prokineticin 2 (PK2) is a putative output molecule from the SCN. PK2 RNA levels are rhythmic in the mouse SCN, with high levels during the day, and PK2 administration suppresses nocturnal locomotor activity in rats. The authors examined the PK2 system in a diurnal rodent, Arvicanthis niloticus, to determine whether PK2 or PK2 receptors differ between diurnal and nocturnal species. The major transcript variant of A. niloticus PK2 ( AnPK2) encodes a 26-residue signal peptide followed by the presumed mature peptide of 81 residues. Within the grass rat signal sequence, polymorphic sequences and amino acid substitutions were observed relative to mouse and laboratory rats, but the hydrophobic core and cleavage site of the signal sequence were preserved. The mature PK2 peptide is identical among A. niloticus, rat, and mouse. AnPK2 mRNA is rhythmically expressed in the SCN, with peak RNAlevels occurring in the morning, preceding peaks of Per1 and Per2 as in mouse SCN. Analysis of prokineticin receptor 2 (PKR2) sequences revealed polymorphisms among the grass rats studied. PKR2 mRNAwas expressed in the SCN and paraventricular nuclei of the thalamus and hypothalamus. While further analysis is necessary, there is no clear evidence indicating that a difference in the PK2 ligand/receptor system accounts for diurnality in this rodent species. These data contribute to a growing body of evidence suggesting that the key to diurnality lies downstream of the SCN in A. niloticus.