bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Control of morphology in efficient photovoltaic diodes from discotic liquid crystals
Authors: Schmidtke Johanna P. , Friend Richard H. , Kastler Marcel , Müllen Klaus
Published: April 2006

We report on the role of morphology in photovoltaic diodes with blend active layers composed of perylene tetracarboxdiimide (EPPTC) and hexabenzocoronene (HBC) derivatives as electron and hole acceptors. Controlled annealing of HBC:EPPTC films while in conformal contact with a flat elastomeric stamp improves photovoltaic response, leading to an external quantum efficiency of 29.5% at 460nm and an open-circuit voltage of 0.70V. The improved performance is attributed in part to larger crystalline domains following annealing. The elastomeric stamp restricts the top surface of the thin film during annealing, leading to low surface roughness, while also allowing for greater vertical stratification of the components in the bulk. Blended HBC:EPPTC films also exhibit an unique optical absorption feature near 590nm, which we attribute to an altered crystalline packing of EPPTC in the presence of HBC. The significance of the local structure at molecular heterojunctions in blended active layer photovoltaic diodes is discussed.
Carbon nanotube sheets as electrodes in organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Aguirre C. M. , Auvray S. , Pigeon S. , Izquierdo R. , Desjardins P. , Martel R.
Published: April 2006

High performance organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) were implemented on transparent and conductive single-wall carbon nanotube sheets. At the maximum achieved brightness of 2800cdm−2 the luminance efficiency of our carbon nanotube-based OLED is 1.4cdA−1 which is comparable to the 1.9cdA−1 measured for an optimized indium tin oxide anode device made under the same experimental conditions. A thin parylene buffer layer between the carbon nanotube anode and the hole transport layer is required in order to readily achieve the measured performance.
Room-temperature-operating data processing circuit based on single-electron transfer and detection with metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor technology
Authors: Nishiguchi Katsuhiko , Fujiwara Akira , Ono Yukinori , Inokawa Hiroshi , Takahashi Yasuo
Published: April 2006

A single-electron-based circuit, in which electrons are transferred one by one with a turnstile and subsequently detected with a high-charge-sensitivity electrometer, was fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator substrate. The turnstile, which is operated by opening and closing two metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors alternately, allows single-electron transfer at room temperature owing to electric-field-assisted shrinkage of the single-electron box. It also achieves fast single-electron transfer (less than 10ns) and extremely long retention (more than 104s). We have applied these features to a multilevel memory and a time-division weighted sum circuit for a digital-to-analog converter.
The influence of water deficiency on the relationship between canola (Brassica napus L.), and two aphid species (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) and Brevicoryne brassicae (L.)
Authors: King Chrystal , Jacob Helen Spafford , Berlandier Françoise
Published: April 2006

Commercially grown canola, Brassica napus, is negatively affected by both water deficiency and herbivory. A glasshouse experiment evaluated the relationship between water deficiency and herbivory of two aphid species, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) and Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), on canola. The effect of water deficiency on aphid performance was also evaluated. Brassica napus plants were provided with either continuous water (well-watered) or were watered only once per week (water-deficient). The plants were exposed to either B. brassicae, L. erysimi, or no aphids at all. Aphid population increase, plant growth, and water relations were measured after 3 weeks.
Water deficiency reduced plant growth and altered water relations in B. napus. Feeding by the aphid L. erysimi substantially reduced growth of both water-deficient and well-watered B. napus. However, herbivory by B. brassicae reduced plant growth only in conjunction with water limitation, demonstrating an interaction between limited water and insect infestation on the performance of B. napus. The aphid species and water deficiency treatments also differentially affected turgor potential, osmotic potential, leaf water potential, and leaf water content.
The two species of aphids responded differently to changes in their host plants. The average size and numbers of B. brassicae aphids were lower but the percentage of alates was higher on plants with limited water relative to those on well-watered plants. The average size and numbers of L. erysimi aphids were unaffected by water limitation and the percentage of alates produced was slightly reduced in the water-deficient plants.
Water limitation is likely to reduce the growth of plants, particularly when B. brassicae infests the crop. However, L. erysimi is probably the more serious pest of the two aphids in that it reduced plant growth regardless of watering regime and its development was unaffected by the status of the host plant.
Milk yield and milk composition from grazing primiparous non-dairy crossbred ewes
Authors: Morgan J. E. , Fogarty N. M. , Nielsen S. , Gilmour A. R.
Published: April 2006

Milk production and milk composition were studied in 520 primiparous Merino crossbred ewes that were the progeny of 30 sires from several maternal crossing breeds including Border Leicester, Coopworth, Finnsheep and East Friesian. The ewes were born in 3 years (1997, 1998, and 1999), with 3 sires used in every year to provide genetic links. The crossbred ewe lambs were randomly assigned to autumn or spring joining groups and mated to Poll Dorset rams to lamb at 12 or 19 months of age. Ewes were milked on 3 days during their first lactation at approximately 3, 4, and 12 weeks after lambing. On each milking day, each ewe was initially injected with oxytocin, milked out by machine, and then hand-stripped. This procedure was repeated approximately 4 h later, with the milk weight and time recorded to extrapolate to daily milk yield, and composition of the milk was determined. Daily milk yield was analysed using REML mixed models procedures and 3 measures of milk production were predicted: peak milk yield at 21 days of lactation, total milk yield from 21 to 90 days of lactation, and length of lactation (days for daily yield to decline to 600 g/day). Milk composition traits (%fat, %protein, %lactose) and proportion of machine milk yield were analysed with similar models. Sire breed, number of lambs born and suckled, season, and ewe weight gain from mid-pregnancy until lamb weaning were all significant (P < 0.01) for daily yield, which declined from 2.1 kg/day at 21 days to 0.7 kg/day at 90 days of lactation. The Finnsheep-cross ewes had lower peak milk yield (1.84 ± 0.08 v. 2.09–2.19 ± 0.1 kg/day) and lower total yield of lactation (21–90 days) than all the other breed-cross ewes (78 ± 3 v. 92–107 ± 5 kg). The East Friesian-cross ewes had significantly longer lactations (128.8 ± 10.9 days) than the Border Leicester (98.1 ± 4.4 days) and Coopworth (93.7 ± 4.2 days), with the Finnsheep-cross ewes the shortest (80.1 ± 3.1 days). The East Friesian-cross ewes had the greatest and the Finnsheep-cross ewes the least total yield of lactation (107 ± 5 and 78 ± 3 kg, respectively). There were significant differences in peak milk yield for ewes bearing and suckling single lambs, twin-born and single-raised lambs, and twin-born and raised lambs (1.86 ± 0.04, 2.03 ± 0.09, and 2.37 ± 0.07 kg/day, respectively). There was a significant decline in daily milk yield with increasing ewe weight gain from mid-pregnancy to lamb weaning (–18.1 ± 4.2 g/kg). All the components of milk composition changed from the peak of milk production at 3 weeks to the end of lactation. The East Friesian-cross ewes had significantly lower milk %fat (by approx. 1 percentage point) at both 21 days and 90 days of lactation than ewes by all other sire breeds. The 30 sire progeny mean deviations for daily milk yield ranged from –292 to +276 g/day, with considerable ranges between sires within the sire breeds. The implications for lamb production and breeding programs are discussed.
Seedling vigour as a preselection criterion for short juvenile period in olive breeding
Authors: De la Rosa R. , Kiran A. I. , Barranco D. , León L.
Published: April 2006

The juvenile period represents a serious impediment in olive breeding programs. Seedlings with long juvenile period are of very low interest for the breeder because their evaluation considerably delays the first stages of the breeding process. For this reason, the influence of seedling vigour (measured as plant height or stem diameter) on the characteristics at the adult stage was studied to establish useful negative preselection criteria on the basis of that relationship. Olive progenies from crosses and open pollinations of 12 different parents carried out in 1998 and 1999 were evaluated in the greenhouse and, afterwards, during the first 3 years of bearing in the open field. The results obtained indicate that early evaluation and selection for juvenile period can be performed at the seedling stage in olive progenies on the basis of vigour measurements. Selection for short juvenile period was valid irrespective of parentage and, therefore, could be efficient in a general context. No relationship between juvenile period and yield or fruit traits was found so that this preselection criterion would have no adverse effects on these characters.
Simulation modelling of lablab (Lablab purpureus) pastures in northern Australia
Authors: Hill J. O. , Robertson M. J. , Pengelly B. C. , Whitbread A. M. , Hall C. A.
Published: April 2006

The capability to simulate lablab production across a range of environments in northern Australia provides a useful tool for exploring agronomic and management options and risk assessments for the crop. This paper reports on the development and testing of a model of lablab (annual cultivar cv. Highworth and perennial cultivar cv. Endurance) growth, designed for use in the cropping systems simulator, APSIM (Agricultural Production Systems Simulator). Parameters describing leaf area expansion, biomass accumulation, and partitioning were derived from field experiments, and other essential parameters were assumed from similar tropically adapted legumes. The model was tested against data from experiments including different locations, cultivars, sowing dates, soil types, and water availability. Observed biomass ranged from 63 to 13055 kg dry matter/ha and was predicted by the model in an independent test with a root mean square deviation of 770 kg dry matter/ha. Observed time courses of biomass production for both the annual and perennial cultivars were reproduced well, as was the partitioning of biomass into leaves and stems. The effect of variable rainfall and temperature in northern Australia was analysed using the model and historical climate data. Yield reductions were found in the more inland and southern-most parts of the region where summer rainfall and/or temperatures are lower.
In vitro selection of herbicide resistance in microspore-derived embryos of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.)
Authors: Ling Xu , Guo-Qing Zhang , Hong-Hui Gu , Yun He , Wei-Jun Zhou
Published: April 2006

Using four oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) F1 hybrids (7039, 7040, 282 and 5102) as donor plants for microspore culture, the experiment was conducted to select glyphosate- and haloxyfop-resistant embryos through application of these substances to the cultural media with microspore-derived embryos in vitro. Genotypes 7039 and 7040 were used to select glyphosate-resistant regenerated plants, and genotypes 282 and 5102 to select haloxyfop-resistant plants. The embryos at cotyledonary stage were grown on glyphosate- and haloxyfop-containing MS-2 medium for 2 weeks. The non-resistant embryos collapsed after a short time, while the resistant ones turned green and survived for 2 weeks. Transferred into the normal MS-2 medium for further plant regeneration, the regenerated plants from green embryos showed tolerance to 0.25% sprayed glyphosate, indicating the effectiveness and reliability of this in vitro selection method. When the regenerated plants selected from 0.02% haloxyfop were sprayed with 0.05% haloxyfop, most of them grew well; however, the survival rate of the regenerated plants from 0.01% haloxyfop-containing medium was lower. The present experiment indicates that the use of 0.02% haloxyfop in the selection of haloxyfop-resistant plants was more promising than that of 0.01%. The chromosome doubling efficiency of regenerated plants reached 34% and 52% after being treated with 170 mg/l colchicine for 20 and 30 h, respectively.
Genetic variation in genes of folate metabolism and neural-tube defect risk
Authors: van der Linden Ivon J. M. , Afman Lydia A. , Heil Sandra G. , Blom Henk J.
Published: April 2006

Neural-tube defects (NTD) are common congenital malformations that can lead to severe disability or even death. Periconceptional supplementation with the B-vitamin folic acid has been demonstrated to prevent 50–70% of NTD cases. Since the identification of the first genetic risk factor of NTD, the C677T single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, and the observation that elevated plasma homocysteine levels are associated with NTD, research has focused on genetic variation in genes encoding for enzymes of folate metabolism and the closely-related homocysteine metabolism. In the present review relevant SNP in genes that code for enzymes involved in folate transport and uptake, the folate cycles and homocysteine metabolism are summarised and the importance of these SNP discussed in relation to NTD risk.
An online literature mining tool for protein phosphorylation
Authors: Yuan X. , Hu Z. Z. , Wu H. T. , Torii M. , Narayanaswamy M. , Ravikumar K. E. , Vijay-Shanker K. , Wu C. H.
Published: April 2006

A web-based version of the RLIMS-P literature mining system was developed for online mining of protein phosphorylation information from MEDLINE abstracts. The online tool presents extracted phosphorylation objects (phosphorylated proteins, phosphorylation sites and protein kinases) in summary tables and full reports with evidence-tagged abstracts. The tool further allows mapping of phosphorylated proteins to protein entries in the UniProt Knowledgebase based on PubMed ID and/or protein name. The literature mining, coupled with database association, allows retrieval of rich biological information for the phosphorylated proteins and facilitates database annotation of phosphorylation features.

Availability: The online RLIMS-P is freely accessible at

Contact:  zh9@georgetown.edu

Supplementary Information:
Immediate Lamina Papyracea Reconstruction during Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Surgically Managed Subperiosteal Abscess in Children
Authors: Malik Vikas , Khwaja Sadie , De Carpentier John
Published: April 2006

The sinonasal area of a child's face is the keystone of facial architecture, and any trauma to this area may result in facial dysplasia. Animal studies have proven facial skeletal growth retardation following functional endoscopic sinus surgery. The effect of sinus surgery on facial skeletal growth in humans still needs to be established. Therefore, very conservative surgical resection during functional endoscopic sinus surgery in children is advocated. We present a surgical technique of immediate lamina papyracea reconstruction during endoscopic sinus surgery in children. We have used this technique in endoscopic surgical decompression of subperiosteal abscess secondary to sinusitis in children. We present two cases in which this technique was used in children aged 33 months and 8 years old. The postoperative computed tomography scans showed an intact lamina papyracea.
Quality of Life and Cochlear Implantation in Usher Syndrome Type I
Authors: Damen Godelieve W. J. A. , Pennings Ronald J. E. , Snik Ad F. M. , Mylanus Emmanuel A. M.
Published: April 2006

Objectives: The objectives of this descriptive, retrospective study were to evaluate quality of life, hearing, and vision in patients with Usher syndrome type I with and without cochlear implant.

Methods: Quality of life (QoL) of 14 patients with Usher type I (USH1) with a cochlear implant (CI) (seven adults, seven children) was compared with those of 14 patients with USH1 without a CI (12 adults, two children) by means of three questionnaires: NCIQ, SF12, and the Usher Lifestyle Survey. Additional information on hearing level was obtained by the equivalent hearing loss (EHL) principle and on the visual deterioration by the functional vision score (FVS).

Results: A significant benefit of CI was seen in the hearing‐specific questionnaire NCIQ. This difference could not be detected in the generic SF12 survey. The Usher Lifestyle Survey indicated that patients with USH1 with a CI tend to be able to live an independent life more easily than the profoundly deaf unimplanted patients with USH1. EHL and FVS scores varied in both groups.

Conclusions: Overall QoL can be enhanced by CI in patients with USH1, although effects are mostly seen in hearing‐related QoL items.
Need for an Urgent Ultrasound Examination for Neck Lump
Authors: Sinha Apurv , Karkanevatos Apostolos , Saravanan Ramasamy , Lowe Christopher , Dodds Paul
Published: April 2006

Thromboembolic phenomenon is rare but serious consequence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. We present a case of thrombosis of the right internal jugular vein presenting as a neck lump to the ENT department. Ultrasonography of the neck and upper extremity revealed thrombosis of right internal jugular vein. The patient was started on low molecular weight heparin, which resulted in resolution of her clinical condition. Interestingly, the majority of cases after OHSS involve thrombosis of the upper extremities. ENT surgeons, general physicians, and infertility experts should consider this in the differential diagnosis of neck swellings, particularly after OHSS and IVF treatment, and in this case report, we emphasis the need for an urgent ultrasound of the neck in such patients.
Effect of Gabapentin on the Sensation and Impact of Tinnitus
Authors: Bauer Carol A. , Brozoski Thomas J.
Published: April 2006

Objectives/Hypothesis: This study evaluated the effectiveness of gabapentin in treating chronic tinnitus in two populations: participants with tinnitus with associated acoustic trauma and participants with tinnitus without associated acoustic trauma. The hypothesis was that gabapentin would decrease both subjective and objective features of tinnitus in the trauma group but would be less effective in the nontrauma group.

Study Design: Prospective, placebo‐controlled, single‐blind clinical trial.

Methods: Pure‐tone audiograms and personal histories were used to categorize tinnitus etiology as either secondary to acoustic trauma or not associated with acoustic trauma. Participants were restricted to those with moderate to severe tinnitus for at least 1 year. All participants received gabapentin in a graduated ascending‐descending dose series extending over 20 weeks (peak dose of 2,400 mg/d).

Results: There was a significant improvement in tinnitus annoyance for the trauma group (P = .05). Other subjective aspects of tinnitus were not significantly affected in either group. Between‐subject variability of therapeutic response was considerable. Nevertheless, in consideration of subjective loudness ratings, 4 of 19 nontrauma participants and 6 of 20 trauma participants showed an improvement of 20% or better. In consideration of psychoacoustic loudness estimates, 3 of 19 nontrauma and 6 of 20 trauma participants showed an improvement of 20 dB HL or greater. Evenly dividing each group into high and low responders revealed significant improvement in loudness at 1,800 and 2,400 mg/day for the trauma high‐response subgroup (P = .007). No significant improvement was obtained for other subgroups.

Conclusion: Gabapentin is effective in reducing subjective and objective aspects of tinnitus in some individuals, with the best therapeutic response obtained in individuals with associated acoustic trauma.
Treatment of haemorrhagic radiation‐induced proctopathy using small volume topical formalin instillation
Authors: CULLEN S. N. , FRENZ M. , MEE A.
Published: April 2006

Background

Between 2 and 5% of patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy develop chronic radiation proctopathy, occurring as a result of damage to the rectal mucosa during the treatment. Rectal bleeding of varying severity can occur as a consequence. There have been no formal trials of treatment for haemorrhagic radiation proctopathy and a variety of methods are currently used.

Aim

In a retrospective study of 20 patients treated at a single centre, we assessed the efficacy of small volume topical formalin instillation to control bleeding from radiation proctopathy.

Method

Patients were treated by a single operator using 20 mL of a 5% solution of formalin instilled into the rectum via a flexible sigmoidoscope for 3 min. Patients were followed up for an average of 22.7 months (range: 2–69).

Results

A single session of formalin treatment was effective in 13 of 20 (65%) patients and a further four (20%) patients responded to a second treatment. No complications of the treatment was identified.

Conclusion

Small volume formalin instillation therapy appears to be safe and effective in the context of haemorrhagic radiation proctopathy. The technique is simple, inexpensive, quick and requires no sedation. We suggest that it should be considered as a first line for patients presenting with this distressing condition.
METHODS OF ASSESSMENT FOR USE WITH THE VISUALLY AND MENTALLY HANDICAPPED: A SELECTIVE REVIEW
Authors: ELLIS DAVID
Published: April 2006

Summary Literature published during the last 15 years and concerning assessment techniques applicable to the visually and mentally handicapped is reviewed. Aspects of assessment considered include professional organisation of health teams, electrophysiological measures, psychometric methods and some experimental investigations. The value of more reliable behavioural observation relevant to the client's future practical training needs is stressed.
Current practices in sensory motor programming with developmentally delayed infants and young children
Authors: POTHIER PATRICIA C. , CHEEK KATHLEEN
Published: April 2006

Summary
This study examined the current practices of sensory motor programming with developmentally delayed infants and young children. A survey was conducted of facilities listed as serving this population group. There were 625 facilities which responded (response rate 84%). The responses of these facilities showed that each modal facility served between 21–50 children in day settings, and that 95% of the facilities offered individualized sensory motor programmes. Responses indicated that the way sensory motor programming was developed, the activities used, and the expected benefits had a high degree of similarity. Differences, however, were reported in the professional background of the programme directors, in their theoretical orientation, and in the assessment instruments used for developing and evaluating sensory motor programmes. There are implications for future study.
Anorexia nervosa
Authors: ELSTON T. , THOMAS J. B.
Published: April 2006

Summary
This paper, following a brief historical note, reviews the literature on anorexia nervosa. It begins by describing the characteristics of the syndrome and then considers incidence, aetiology and treatment. The results of treatment are described and the paper concludes by attempting a prognosis for those who are diagnosed anorexic. The authors are eclectic in their literature survey and also present some experience collected in a hospital school. The paper is intended as a teaching synthesis for clinicians new to this area or for those seeking a brief introduction to the present ‘state of the art’ in theory and practice
Development of Down's syndrome infants with and without heart defects and changes in their caretaking environment
Authors: BARRERA M. E. , WATSON L. J. , ADELSTEIN A.
Published: April 2006

Summary
The purpose of this study is two‐fold: (1) to describe developmental and family characteristics of infants with Down's syndrome who were enrolled in an intervention programme; and (2) to examine developmental and caretaking patterns related to maternal age and congenital heart defects. Infants and their home environment were assessed at about 3V'2 months and at 24 months of age. A sample of normal infants of equivalent developmental age were also tested for comparison. We found that while the infants with Down's syndrome showed a significant decline in their developmental quotient compared to the normals, their home environments resembled those of the normal group, particularly at the pretest. Yet, there were more improvements in the homes of the group of normal infants than in the homes of the infants with Down's syndrome, mainly in maternal responsivity. Older mothers restricted their infants with Down's syndrome more than younger mothers, but otherwise they did not seem to differ from each other. Infants with Down's syndrome without heart defects were provided with a better home environment than were infants with Down's syndrome with a heart defect. These results are discussed in the light of the biological limitations placed on the Down's syndrome infants and difficulties in parental adaptation to the diagnosis of Down's syndrome.
Treating high‐rate stereotyped behaviours in children
Authors: JONES ROBERT S. P.
Published: April 2006

Summary
High‐rate stereotyped behaviour is typically displayed by children who present with some form of sensory or intellectual handicap. This paper reviews the available knowledge on the treatment of the disorder and suggests specific intervention guidelines.

Many children display repetitive motor behaviours as a normal aspect of development. These behaviours are usually transitory and do not become a prominent part of the child's presentation. The early stereotyped behaviours of infancy appear to become less a part of the child's behavioural repertoire as the child increasingly attends more to external stimuli in the environment and less to internal stimuli. For some children, however, stereotyped behaviours can increase with age and become both extremely resistant to treatment and, in some cases, self‐injurious (Rojahn 1987).
Characteristics of social interactions between mothers and their disabled infants: a review
Authors: ROGERS SALLY J.
Published: April 2006

Summary
This paper examines interactional characteristics of disabled infants and young children and their mothers. Interactional characteristics of disabled infants and young children differ from those of non‐disabled children in several ways: disabled children provide fewer and less readable cues to the mother; they demonstrate less positive affect, more negative affect, and more muted affect; and they have more difficulties synchronizing turn‐taking than non‐handicapped children. Maternal interactions with disabled children differ from those of mothers with non‐disabled children in dimensions involving maternal activity and positive affect. It is suggested that the social deficits commonly observed in disabled preschoolers and older children may have begun in the altered social interactional patterns observed in infancy. Various intervention strategies are described which assist parents to achieve more pleasurable, reciprocal, child‐centred interactions with their disabled infants.
The Bereweeke Skill‐Teaching system in a residential setting for children with severe and profound learning difficulties
Authors: STARZA‐SMITH ARLETA
Published: April 2006

Summary The Bereweeke Skill‐Teaching System is described and experiences resulting from its (currently successful) introduction and implementation in the context of a residential setting for children with severe and profound learning difficulties are reported and analysed. Some tentative conclusions are drawn regarding pitfalls and difficulties with the system which may aid potential users of this or related systems.
From playgroup to preschool: facilitating early integration experiences
Authors: CHEN DEBORAH , HANLINE MARY FRANCES , FRIEDMAN CLARE TAYLOR
Published: April 2006

Summary This paper discusses community playgroup and preschool settings for non‐disabled children as programme options for infants and preschoolers with a variety of physical and mental impairments. These options provide age‐appropriate integration experiences which may result in benefits to parent and child, realistic developmental expectations, and a cultural expectation that social integration is a basic part of any child's education. The discussion identifies advantages to beginning integration before the age of 5 years and emphasizes the need for individualized services, ongoing staff training, support for parents, and programme evaluation.
Conservation‐withdrawal reaction in infancy? An underdescribed entity
Authors: MENAHEM SAMUEL
Published: April 2006

Summary. Conservation‐withdrawal is considered a biological non‐pathological process subserving survival in circumstances which pose an extreme threat to an infant, child or adult. Although initially described in an infant, its reported frequency in that age group seems sparse. Four infants are described, three of whom presented with weight loss. Despite their mothers' assertions that their breast feeding was adequate, the three infants gained weight rapidly on complementary feeding and became more responsive. Previously they had passively accepted sub‐optimal intakes, crying little and sleeping excessively. When their initial crying and objection went unheeded, they seemed to pass into a conservation‐withdrawal state, conserving their energies, biologically adapting to their mothers' inability to provide adequate nutrition. These infants did not appear ill and investigations proved normal. With adequate feeding, rapid improvement was observed in their weight gain, activity and responsiveness with normal development. Their mothers' selective denial of their own inadequate breast supply resulted in their inability to perceive their infants appropriately, depriving them of their nutritional needs. Additional factors of emotional deprivation and neglect may have occurred in the fourth infant. The responses of these infants observed during their period of severe stress, may appropriately be characterised by Engel's conservation‐withdrawal state.
The impact of war upon the pupils' growth in southern Croatia
Authors: RUMBOLDT M. , RUMBOLDT* Z. , PESENTI S.
Published: April 2006

Summary
In order to assess the influence of war calamities on the pupils' growth rate, the height, weight, and relative weight of children from Split at the time of entering two major elementary schools (age about 6·5 years) and some 10 months later, during the two prewar years (i.e. 1988/1989 and 1989/1990) and the two years of the war against Croatia (i.e. 1990/1991 and 1991/1992) were compared. A notable increase in body weight, ranging from 12·24 to 14·50% (compared with 8·57–11·93%; t= 1·23, P > 0·05), but not in height was observed in the first, and a significant acceleration in the longitudinal growth (4·53–4·73% as compared with 3·38–4·24%; t= 4·01, P < 0·01) but not in weight gain was noted in the second war year. These unexpected findings lead to a conclusion that the war atrocities may affect the children's growth rate differently, depending on the amount and quality of the consumed food, on the level of energy expenditure, and possibly on the variable impact of emotional stress.
Differences in motor performances of children attending or not attending nursery school in Sénégal
Authors: BÉNÉFICE E. , BÂ A.
Published: April 2006

Summary
This study reports the results of motor performance measurements of Senegalese children aged 3·5–5·5 years. A total of 69 children were studied, of whom 30 were from a town and were attending a nursery school, while 39 were from rural areas and did not attend school. The tests were administered three times at 6 months intervals. The children were divided into two age groups: younger group (less than 4·5‐years‐old) and older group (more than 4·5‐years‐old). They had physical growth inferior to the international reference. In the successive tests carried out over one year, the children showed progress, while the difference in sex was insignificant. The younger group of urban origin performed better than their rural counterparts in tests of imitation, coordination, precision of movements, running, and balancing. There was less difference in older children according to their origin, however, the urban children had better physical growth and developed a stronger hand grip than their rural counterparts. The usefulness of nursery school as a vehicle for nutritional assistance and motor stimulation of underprivileged children has been emphasized.
House dust and mites as causes of inhalant allergic problems in the United Arab Republic
Authors: FRANKLAND A. W. , EL‐HEFNY A.
Published: April 2006

The dust from Egyptian homes is a potent inhalant allergen when tested on British and Egyptian allergic patients. The allergenic component is the mite Dermatophagoides culinae.
Cross reactions in skin tests between house dust mite extract and feather extract
Authors: WORMALD P. J.
Published: April 2006

Of 248 patients skin tested with house dust mite extract and feather extract 102 gave reactions with both, thirty‐one with mite extract alone and four with feather extract alone. It is believed that nearly all the reactions to feathers were due to mite allergens in the feather extract. As the extract was not made from feathers from old upholstery it is suggested that the reactions might be due to a poultry mite having cross‐antigenicity with the house dust mite.
Clinical significance of immunopathological mechanisms in diseases of the nervous system
Authors: RIDLEY ALAN
Published: April 2006

The clinical applications of immunology in neurology are reviewed in relation to autoimmunity, immunosuppression, brain tumour immunity and the transplantation of peripheral nervous tissue. Evidence for considering the role of immunological factors in certain neurological diseases is considered. The clinical value of immunosuppressive therapy in these diseases is discussed. Attention is drawn to immunotherapy as a possible adjunct to present methods of treating gliomas. Finally, possible uses of transplants of peripheral nerve and muscle are mentioned.
Reversed anaphylactic reaction of leucocytes in intrinsic asthma
Authors: ASSEM E. S. K. , WARWICK M. TURNER , COLE P. , SHAW K. M.
Published: April 2006

In vitro challenge tests of leucocytes from patients with intrinsic asthma have shown increased amounts of histamine release on challenge with anti‐IgE in 60% and anti‐IgG in 30%. These results suggest that the leucocytes of patients with intrinsic asthma are coated with increased amounts of IgE and to a lesser extent IgG in the same proportion and amount as is found in patients with extrinsic asthma. However, in contrast to extrinsic asthma, total serum IgE levels were normal in nineteen out of twenty cases. There were no clinical differences detected between those groups of patients with and without excessive histamine release in the reversed leucocyte anaphylaxis, except that all of the small number of sera in which autoantibodies of various types were detected showed absence of excessive response in this test. It is suggested from this study that reaginic cell sensitization by IgE and less frequently IgG is similar in extrinsic and intrinsic asthma in the majority of patients.
In vitro and in vivo inactivation of reagins with mercaptans
Authors: KISIL F. T. , SEHON A. H. , HOLLINGER H. Z.
Published: April 2006

The ability of a series of mercaptans, i.e. 2‐mercaptoethanol, 1‐cysteine, C‐acetyl‐cysteine, N‐acetyl‐cysteine, β‐β‐dimethyl‐cysteine and cysteamine, to inactivate skin sensitizing antibodies in the serum of ragweed allergic individuals was studied. Following in vitro reductions and alkylations, 2‐mercaptoethanol was shown to be the only mercaptan capable of destroying completely reaginic activity at 0.08–0.1 M. The other mercaptans, under similar conditions, were able to reduce only partially the skin‐sensitizing activity. Some reaginic activity was restored if reoxidation of the reduced allergic serum was not prevented. However, it was shown that mixtures of allergic serum and mercaptan, when injected into monkey skin, did not regain skin sensitizing activity. Moreover, pre‐treatment of monkey skin with mercaptan did not detectably affect the ability of the skin to fix human reagins.

C‐acetyl‐cysteine was used for testing its efficacy of inactivating reagins in vivo in monkeys; it was demonstrated that the PCA titres of a human allergic serum were thus decreased by a factor of 8 following administration of the mercaptan to monkeys.
‘Arthus‐type’ reactivity in the nasal airways and skin in pollen sensitive subjects
Authors: TAYLOR GEOFFREY , SHIVALKAR P.R.
Published: April 2006

Nasal and skin reactivity to grass pollens is described with peak responses 6 hr after challenge. The reactions are considered to be Type III (Arthus‐like) in nature. The Arthus‐like nasal reactivity is not induced by previous hyposensitization but is correlated with previous tonsillectomy.
Clinical significance of specific IgE to common allergens
Authors: STENIUS B. , WIDE L. , SEYMOUR W. M. , HOLFORD‐STREVENS V. , PEPYS J.
Published: April 2006

Serological measurements of specific IgE to Dermatophagoides farinae, D. pteronyssinus and grass pollen showed statistically highly significant correlations with prick test reactions, the sizes of weals elicited, nasal tests and the clinical history. In subjects with negative prick tests, intracutaneous tests gave reactions which were not associated with specific IgE or reactions to nasal tests. Highly significant correlations were also found between total IgE values and prick test reactions to the allergens tested and to 48/80 but not to histamine; there was a negative correlation with reactions to anti‐IgE serum. The reactions to prick tests identified almost all subjects with specific IgE.
The changing prevalence of asthma in school children
Authors: SMITH J. MORRISON , HARDING L. K. , CUMMING G.
Published: April 2006

A study of the prevalence of asthma in school children in Birmingham which was first carried out in 1956–57 was repeated in 1968–69. There has been an increase in the prevalence of definitely diagnosed asthma from 1.8% to 2.3%, not including an even higher number of children (3.2%) with wheezing. A considerably higher prevalence in boys than in girls was again found both for definite asthma and for wheezing but the tendency to recovery in boys with definite asthma was slight whereas there was a marked recovery in cases of wheezing which almost certainly represented mild asthma.

Negro children born in England had a similar prevalence to European children but children born outside England in the West Indies or in Asia had a significantly lower prevalence of asthma and of wheezing for reasons which are not fully understood but which might profitably be considered further. Asian children, however, appeared to retain their low prevalence of asthma even when born in England.
Antibodies in some chronic fibrosing lung diseases
Authors: WARWICK MARGARET TURNER , HASLAM PATRICIA
Published: April 2006

Autoantibodies to nuclear and cytoplasmic constitutents and to denatured γ‐globulin have been studied in patients with different types of chronic fibrosing lung disease. The prevalence of these antibodies is increased in cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis but the incidence in extrinsic allergic alveolitis is similar to previous published reports on random populations and a control group included in this series of asbestos workers with normal chest radiographs. In asbestosis there was a lesser increase in ANF and rheumatoid factors but no significant increase in antibodies to cytoplasmic constituents. No evidence of organ‐specific autoantibodies to lung have been demonstrated in any group. The presence of non organ‐specific autoantibodies cannot necessarily be attributed to a non‐specific consequence of all types of chronic destructive pulmonary fibrosis because of their differential distribution in different lung diseases.

Because ANF and RF but not precipitins to organic dust are positive in some 60% of patients with cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis, and precipitins but not autoantibodies are found in chronic extrinsic allergic alveolitis, tests for these two groups of antibodies are complementary in the investigation of patients with widespread chronic radiographic shadows. Tissue antibodies were absent in 40% of patients with cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis and a more detailed search for other types of antigen should be made in these cases.
Specificity of avian serum proteins in tests against the sera of bird fanciers
Authors: FAUX J. A. , WELLS I. D. , PEPYS J.
Published: April 2006

Tests of the sera of fifty‐eight bird fanciers, comprising eighteen pigeon faticiers, thirty‐five budgerigar fanciers and five exposed to other birds, against the sera of the pigeon, budgerigar, hen, turkey, pheasant, canary and finch, showed the presence in the avian sera of antigenically related serum albumin and some β‐globulin components. Pigeon serum macro‐ and γ‐globulin components reacted specifically only with the pigeon faticiers'sera, and budgerigar γ‐globulin and a β‐globulin Bβ2G reacted specifically only with budgerigar fanciers'sera. The pigeon fanciers'sera contained the largest amounts of precipitating and haemagglutinating antibody.

Avian serum proteins are present in bird droppings, so that the common antigens may cause reactions in affected subjects on exposure to the droppings dust of different birds. The patients'sera may also be useful for characterization of the avian serum proteins.
Antibodies in some chronic fibrosing lung diseases
Authors: WARWICK MARGARET TURNER , HASLAM PATRICIA , WEEKS JUDITH
Published: April 2006

The immunofluorescent findings on sixty‐four specimens of lung obtained by biopsy or at autopsy have been reported. In thirty‐three cases of fibrosing aiveolitis, evidence of antibody formation in plasma cells or germinal follicles was found in seventeen. Occasional macrophages containing both immunoglobulin and complement were found in seven. In six instances evidence of antibody and complement deposited in alveolar capillaries was found. In all of these circulating antinuclear factor, usually in moderately high titre was found. These findings have been compared with those seen in a small number of cases with extrinsic allergic alveolitis, asbestosis and other chronic lung disease.

It is suggested that immune‐complex deposition may be related to the immunopathogenesis of some, albeit a minority, cases of fibrosing alveolitis.
Late bronchial obstructive reaction to experimental inhalation of house dust extract
Authors: BOOIJ‐NOORD H. , de VRIES K. , SLUITER H. J. , ORIE N. G. M.
Published: April 2006

This study was undertaken to confirm the high incidence of the ‘late’ bronchial reaction after house dust inhalation and to assess whether symptoms and signs of these ‘late’ reactions were comparable with the clinical features of the classic Type III (Gell and Coombs) allergic reactions in the lung as shown by extrinsic allergic alveolitis.

Although the time sequence of this late reaction is in agreement with the classic Type Ml reaction (Arthus phenomenon), other features of alveolitis are absent. There were no crepitations on physical examination, no fever, no leucocytes, no decrease of the PaO2, and no abnormal radiological findings. These results were related to the protective effects of some drugs. The protective effect of disodium cromoglycate and prednisolone is probably the same in both types of late reactions. The protective effect of antihistamine drugs, which is found in this late obstructive reaction, is, according to the literature, absent in the classical Type III reaction. There seem to be no valid arguments to ascribe the ‘late’ bronchial obstructive reaction to the toxic complex syndrome.

Theoretical and practical implications of the late obstructive bronchial reaction are mentioned.
Penicillin desensitization: correlation of clinical and immunological events using an in vitro model
Authors: GILLMAN SHERWIN A. , KOROTZER JOEL L. , HADDAD ZACK H.
Published: April 2006

A patient with actinomycosis was found to have immediate hypersensitivity to penicillin by previously described skin testing methods as well as by a recently described in vitro system utilizing rat peritoneal mast cells. Desensitization to penicillin became imperative, but in using the classical route (the intracutaneous route), systemic anaphylaxis and other complications were encountered. Subsequently, successful desensitization was accomplished utilizing the intravenous route. We are able to demonstrate this patient's loss of reactivity to penicillin by the rat mast cell system as well as skin tests and to correlate the immunological state with the clinical course.
The in vitro response of peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with Wiskott‐Aldrich syndrome
Authors: MARINKOVICH VINCENT A.
Published: April 2006

A comparison of serum immunoglobulin levels in children with Wiskott‐Aldrich Syndrotne (WAS) and in children with chronic eczema demonstrated lower IgM, higher IgA and lower IgG concentrations in WAS patients. Seven patients with WAS were studied for in vitro lymphocyte function by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation and by one‐way mixed cell cultures. Lymphocytes from WAS patients were significantly depressed in their response to PHA when compared with lymphocytes from a control population of children of similar age. In contrast to this, lymphocytes from WAS patients and from their normal siblings and parents responded equally well to mitomycin‐blocked homologous cells.
Specific sensitivity to individual grass pollens in some hay fever patients
Authors: MILNER F. H. , TEES E. C.
Published: April 2006

It has been shown in a series of 338 hay fever sufferers that about 19% give one or more (up to nine) negative skin test reactions when tested by the prick test technique to extracts of the pollens of twelve of the most widespread British grasses.
Precipitins to Micropolyspora faeni in the adult cattle of selected herds in Scotland and north‐west England
Authors: PIRIE H. M. , DAWSON CHRISTINE O. , BREEZE R. G. , SELMAN I. E. , WISEMAN A.
Published: April 2006

Sera from all housed adult cattle in twelve herds were examined for precipitating antibody to Micropolyspora faeni at the beginning of winter and approximately 5 months later in the spring; during this time they had been fed hay. Six of these herds were owned by farmers with farmer's lung. The average incidence of precipitins was 33% on the first occasion and 47% on the second occasion. After the winter there was a statistically significant increase in the number of animals with precipitins in five herds. A positive correlation was shown between the incidence of precipitins and age.

None of seventy‐five animals on a farm feeding good hay and only one of fifty‐eight cattle fed silage had precipitins after the winter. Whereas, on a farm where the farmer complained of a recurrence of the symptoms of farmer's lung when feeding hay, the incidence of precipitins in his cows increased dramatically from 9% to 76%. A farm with a respiratory disease problem in the cattle, diagnosed as bovine farmer's lung, had 83% of its animals positive.

The significance of precipitins and the problem of diagnosing farmer's lung in cattle are discussed.