bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outbreak of severe disseminated aspergillosis in a flock of ostrich (Struthio camelus)
Authors: Khosravi A. R. , Shokri H. , Ziglari T. , Naeini A. R. , Mousavi Z. , Hashemi H.
Published: April 2008

This study was undertaken to describe clinical, mycological and histopathological findings in black neck ostriches affected with severe aspergillosis in a flock including 80 birds, near Tehran, Iran. The signs included anorexia, depression, notable weight loss, diarrhoea, severe respiratory distress and death. Grossly, the lungs showed numerous white to yellow caseous nodules and the walls of the thoracic and abdominal air sacs were thickened with inflammatory exudates containing cellular debris, necrotic masses and green mold colonies. Multiple nodules were observed in the liver, spleen and gastrointestinal tract as well. Histopathologically, there were conidial heads and fungal hyphae in the air sacs and multifocal necrotic and granulomatous lesions with septated and dichotomously branched hyphae in various tissues, which were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and Grocott’s methenamine silver nitrate. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated in various tissues taken from affected ostriches.
Usefulness and pharmacokinetic study of oral terbinafine for hyperkeratotic‐type tinea pedis
Authors: Kikuchi Izumi , Tanuma Hiroyuki , Morimoto Kensuke , Kawana Seiji
Published: April 2008

To study and establish an optimal administration method of oral antifungal, terbinafine (TBF), for hyperkeratotic‐type tinea pedis from the pharmacokinetic point of view, 20 patients with hyperkeratotic‐type tinea pedis were given TBF 125 mg once daily for 4 weeks and observed over time for improvement of dermatological symptoms and mycological efficacy. Targeting five of the patients, TBF concentration in the stratum corneum was measured using the LC‐MS/MS method. TBF was detected in the stratum corneum of the sole 1 week after beginning the treatment in some cases and reached its peak 1 week after the completion of the treatment with a concentration of 247.8 ng g−1, which was approximately more than 50 times higher than its minimal inhibitory concentration against dermatophytes. TBF was not detected at 8 weeks post‐treatment, although its concentration was 50.73 ng g−1 at 6 weeks post‐treatment. All cases were subjected to analysis for final total efficacy, general safety and usefulness. Its effectiveness rate (effective + markedly effective) was 95% (19/20) with no adverse reactions, including abnormal changes in the laboratory test values, in any patients. From the above, it is noted that TBF showed excellent efficacy and safety for refractory hyperkeratotic‐type tinea pedis, and also it was considered as a useful drug to treat cutaneous mycosis, including hyperkeratotic‐type tinea pedis, from the pharmacokinetic point of view.
In vitro susceptibility‐testing in Aspergillus species
Authors: Lass‐Flörl Cornelia , Perkhofer Susanne
Published: April 2008

Aspergillus species are the most common causes of invasive mould infections in immunocompromised patients. The introduction of new antifungal agents and recent reports of resistance emerging during treatment of Aspergillus infections have highlighted the need for in vitro susceptibility‐testing. Various testing procedures have been proposed, including macrodilution and microdilution, agar diffusion, disc diffusion and Etest. At present, one of the most widely used assays is the M38‐A reference method for filamentous fungi, published by the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute and the Etest. Recently, the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility‐testing (EUCAST) has charged its Antifungal Susceptibility‐testing Subcommittee (AFST‐EUCAST) with the preparation of new guidelines for in vitro susceptibility‐testing of antifungals against Aspergillus spp. (EUCAST‐AFST‐ASPERGILLUS) defining breakpoints. This paper reviews the available methods for antifungal susceptibility‐testing in Aspergillus spp. as well as the scant data regarding the clinical implications of in vitro testing.
How do patients with parkinsonism present? A clinicopathological study
Authors: Williams D. R. , Lees A. J.
Published: April 2008

Background:  The early clinical features of neurodegenerative parkinsonism can be subtle and often coexist with autonomic, sensory and psychic symptoms, making accurate early diagnosis challenging.

Methods:  We retrospectively assessed the initial, clinical presentation and referral patterns of 494 patients with a pathological diagnosis of parkinsonism (344 with Parkinson’s disease (PD), 89 with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and 61 with multiple system atrophy (MSA)) archived at the Queen Square Brain Bank, London.

Results:  Forty‐four per cent of all patients were initially referred to a neurologist. Of those with PD, 28% were referred to a general physician, and approximately 5% each to orthopaedic surgeons, urologists, psychiatrists and rheumatologists. Pain was common in those not initially referred to neurologists and most lacked early tremor, rigidity and bradykinesia. More PSP patients were initially referred to ophthalmologists than in PD (9 vs 1%, χ2P < 0.001) and more MSA patients were referred to a urologist or gynaecologist than in PD (21 vs 5%, χ2P < 0.001). In PD a frozen shoulder, degenerative spine disease and benign prostatic hypertrophy were the most common early diagnoses. In PSP, the most common misdiagnosis was PD, followed by vascular parkinsonism and degenerative spinal disease. This was similar in MSA, but bladder outlet obstruction and idiopathic vocal cord palsy were other initial diagnoses.

Conclusion:  The early clinical manifestations of PD, PSP and MSA are protean and often non‐specific, leading to diverse specialist referrals. When diagnoses, such as frozen shoulder and cervical spondylosis, benign prostatic hypertrophy or unstable bladder and depression are made, specialists should consider the possibility of early parkinsonism and look carefully for additional subtle motor abnormalities.
Environmental stimulation, parental nurturance and cognitive development in humans
Authors: Farah Martha J. , Betancourt Laura , Shera David M. , Savage Jessica H. , Giannetta Joan M. , Brodsky Nancy L. , Malmud Elsa K. , Hurt Hallam
Published: April 2008

The effects of environmental stimulation and parental nurturance on brain development have been studied extensively in animals. Much less is known about the relations between childhood experience and cognitive development in humans. Using a longitudinally collected data set with ecologically valid in‐home measures of childhood experience and later in‐laboratory behavioral measures of cognitive ability, we were able to test hypotheses concerning the effects of environmental stimulation and parental nurturance. A double dissociation was found: On the one hand, there was a selective relation between parental nurturance and memory development, consistent with the animal literature on maternal buffering of stress hormone effects on hippocampal development. On the other hand, there was a selective relation between environmental stimulation and language development. The relevance of these findings to socioeconomic gradients in cognitive ability is discussed.
Peers and Culture*
Authors: Sáez‐Martí María , Sjögren Anna
Published: April 2008

We analyze the evolution of culture when parents socialize children to the cultural variants that maximize child lifetime utility. Parents invest in cultural transmission by taking into account that children are also influenced by peers. We model the influence of peers by assuming that children observe different cultural variants in their peer group, assign merit to them and adopt one variant, following a probabilistic adoption rule. We show that cultural diversity is sustainable even if all parents strive to transmit the same variant. We also show that a parental demand for cultural pluralism does not guarantee cultural diversity.
Federal Monetary Policy: A Comment
Authors: Hauck Achim , Vollmer Uwe
Published: April 2008

We comment on an article published in this journal by Hefeker (2003) and reveal an inconsistency in his analysis of monetary policy in federal monetary unions. We clarify an implicit assumption in his model and show that even when this further assumption is met, Hefeker's (2003) claim that a pure majority vote by the regions and the central government results in a monetary authority consisting solely of regionally appointed governors is not generally valid in the context of his model.
Parasympathetic Regulation and Parental Socialization of Emotion: Biopsychosocial Processes of Adjustment in Preschoolers
Authors: Hastings Paul D. , De Ishani
Published: April 2008

Variations in parents' emotion socialization have been linked to children's social competence (SC) and behavior problems, but parental influences do not act independently of children's characteristics. A biopsychosocial model was tested, in which children's parasympathetic regulation of cardiac function and paternal and maternal socialization of negative emotions were examined as joint predictors of young children's SC and behavior problems at daycare and preschool. Mothers and fathers responded differently to children's emotions, and cardiac vagal tone moderated the relations between parents' emotion socialization and children's behavior in early childcare settings. Both maternal and paternal emotion socialization strategies were more strongly associated with preschool adjustment for children with relatively less parasympathetic self‐regulatory capacities than for more self‐regulated children. Paternal reactions to children's anger, and maternal responses to children's sadness and fear, were particularly closely tied to variations in SC and internalizing and externalizing problems.
Mother–Child Conversations about Emotions: Linkages to Child Aggression and Prosocial Behavior
Authors: Garner Pamela W. , Dunsmore Julie C. , Southam‐Gerrow Michael
Published: April 2008

We examined associations of maternal and child emotional discourse and child emotion knowledge with children's behavioral competence. Eighty‐five upper middle‐income, mostly White preschoolers and mothers completed a home‐based bookreading task to assess discourse about emotions. Children's anger perception bias and emotion situation knowledge were assessed in a separate interview. Children's prosocial behavior, relational aggression, and physical aggression were observed during a preschool‐based triadic play task. Mothers' emotion explanations were correlated with children's emotion situation knowledge and relational aggression. Both mothers' and children's emotion explanations predicted prosocial behavior whereas mothers' use of positive emotional themes was negatively associated with children's anger perception bias. Physical aggression was predicted by mothers' emotion comments, children's anger perception bias, and lack of emotion situation knowledge. Maternal emotion socialization variables were less strongly related to children's behavioral competence after accounting for demographics and child emotional competence. Implications of these findings for future research on emotion socialization are discussed.
Pathways between Parent–Child Interactions and Peer Acceptance: The Role of Children's Social Information Processing
Authors: Rah Yumee , Parke Ross D.
Published: April 2008

This study examined the links among parents' interaction styles, their children's social information processing, and peer acceptance. Fourth‐grade children (N = 159) and their parents were observed during family discussions. One year later peer acceptance and children's information processing choices (goals, strategies, and attributions) in response to social dilemmas involving their parents and peers were assessed. Fathers' interaction styles with their children predicted both girls' and boys' information processing in regard to their fathers and peers, which, in turn, were related to peer acceptance. Mothers' interactive styles with their children predicted children's social information processing in regard to parents and peers and peer acceptance in similar ways, but only for girls. This study provided evidence that parent–child interaction is linked to children's information processing concerning their relationships with parents and peers and in turn with children being liked by peers. The implications of a social information processing approach for understanding family–peer links are emphasized.
Status and Gender Differences in Early Adolescents' Descriptions of Popularity
Authors: Closson Leanna M.
Published: April 2008

This study examined gender and status differences among sixth through eighth grade early adolescents' (N = 387) descriptions of what it means to be popular. More boys than girls specified being cool, athletic, funny, and defiant/risky, whereas more girls than boys identified wearing nice clothing, being attractive, mean, snobby, rude, and sociable as descriptors of popularity. Descriptions also varied as a function of the individual's status: adolescents who were perceived as popular described popularity primarily in positive terms, whereas adolescents perceived as average and unpopular used both positive and negative terms. Compared with their same‐gender peers, more popular boys indicated being cool, attractive, and athletic, whereas more popular girls specified being athletic and liked. Compared with popular girls, more average girls used the terms mean and conceited in their descriptions, whereas more average and unpopular girls indicated the term snobby. This study illustrates the complexity and variability in early adolescents' social constructions of popularity.
Respect‐based Control and Anger as Determinants of Children's Socio‐emotional Development
Authors: Awong Tsasha , Grusec Joan E. , Sorenson Ann
Published: April 2008

Shortly after the birth of their infants, teenage working‐class mothers were assessed on attitudes toward the need for deference to family authority (respect‐based control) and anger. Their children's internalizing and externalizing problems and self‐esteem were assessed approximately 12 years later. High respect‐based control was linked to higher levels of externalizing problems in boys, regardless of level of maternal anger. Mothers who were low in anger and high in respect‐based control had children who exhibited higher levels of self‐esteem. Respect‐based control predicted inconsistent rule enforcement, but not lack of warmth or harsh parenting. Arguments are made for distinguishing among various forms of control (e.g., authoritarian, psychological, behavioral, and respect‐based) as well as the affective context in which they are administered in order to achieve an adequate understanding of the socialization process.
Foster children: a longitudinal study of placements and family relationships
Authors: Andersson Gunvor
Published: April 2008

Foster children's family relationships have been one of the themes in a longitudinal study, starting with a disadvantaged group of children, 0–4 years of age when taken into care and placed in a children's home in Sweden. Seven rounds of data collection were carried out; the last two when the children were young adults. This article is about those 20 children in the study group who, in addition to temporary residential care at an early age, have experiences from foster care, either for the remainder of their childhood or before or after a period of reunion. Placement history is put in relation to family relationships, i.e. relationships to birth family and foster family. The categorisation in secure and insecure relationships or attachment patterns is based on interviews with the young adults, with a retrospect of previous relationships. The connection between placement history and family relationship is not obvious in this high‐risk group. However, inclusive attitudes from the foster family towards the child's family promote continuity and a sense of security, also in periods of reunion or re‐placement, and facilitate foster children's hard work in coming to terms with their family background and finding their own way.
Decision‐making in ADHD: sensitive to frequency but blind to the magnitude of penalty?
Authors: Luman Marjolein , Oosterlaan Jaap , Knol Dirk L. , Sergeant Joseph A.
Published: April 2008

Background:  Decision‐making and reinforcement sensitivity were investigated in 23 children with ADHD and 20 healthy controls using a gambling paradigm.

Methods:  Children were required to choose between three alternatives that carried (A) small rewards and small penalties (advantageous), (B) large rewards and increasing penalties and (C) small rewards and increasing penalties (both disadvantageous). Penalties increased either in frequency or magnitude in two independent conditions. Heart rate (HR) and skin conductance (SC) were measured to examine whether impaired decision‐making was accompanied by autonomic abnormalities.

Results:  Children with ADHD showed a maladaptive response style compared to controls by demonstrating a smaller preference for the advantageous alternative, when penalties increased in magnitude. When penalties increased in frequency, children with ADHD performed like controls. Group differences in decision‐making attenuated after the task was administered twice. Compared to controls, performance of children with ADHD in the magnitude condition was accompanied by increased HR acceleration following reward. In this condition, the post‐selection SC of children with ADHD was larger for advantageous than for disadvantageous alternatives, in contrast to controls who showed an opposite SC pattern.

Conclusions:  The current findings suggest that during decision‐making, children with ADHD may be sensitive to the frequency but blind to the magnitude of penalty.
Spinal CCL2 pronociceptive action is no longer effective in CCR2 receptor antagonist‐treated rats
Authors: Dansereau Marc‐André , Gosselin Romain‐Daniel , Pohl Michel , Pommier Blandine , Mechighel Patricia , Mauborgne Annie , Rostene William , Kitabgi Patrick , Beaudet Nicolas , Sarret Philippe , Melik‐Parsadaniantz Stéphane
Published: April 2008

A better understanding of the mechanisms linked to chemokine pronociceptive effects is essential for the development of new strategies to better prevent and treat chronic pain. Among chemokines, MCP‐1/CCL2 involvement in neuropathic pain processing is now established. However, the mechanisms by which MCP‐1/CCL2 exerts its pronociceptive effects are still poorly understood. In the present study, we demonstrate that MCP‐1/CCL2 can alter pain neurotransmission in healthy rats. Using immunohistochemical studies, we first show that CCL2 is constitutively expressed by primary afferent neurons and their processes in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. We also observe that CCL2 is co‐localized with pain‐related peptides (SP and CGRP) and capsaicin receptor (VR1). Accordingly, using in vitro superfusion system of lumbar dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord explants of healthy rats, we show that potassium or capsaicin evoke calcium‐dependent release of CCL2. In vivo, we demonstrate that intrathecal administration of CCL2 to healthy rats produces both thermal hyperalgesia and sustained mechanical allodynia (up to four consecutive days). These pronociceptive effects of CCL2 are completely prevented by the selective CCR2 antagonist (INCB3344), indicating that CCL2‐induced pain facilitation is elicited via direct spinal activation of CCR2 receptor. Therefore, preventing the activation of CCR2 might provide a fruitful strategy for treating pain.
Orphan nuclear receptor, Nurr‐77 was a possible target gene of butylidenephthalide chemotherapy on glioblastoma multiform brain tumor
Authors: Lin Po‐Cheng , Chen Yi‐Lin , Chiu Shao‐Chih , Yu Yung‐Luen , Chen Shee‐Ping , Chien Min‐Hui , Chen Kuan‐Yen , Chang Wen‐Liang , Lin Shinn‐Zong , Chiou Tzyy‐Wen , Harn Horng‐Jyh
Published: April 2008

The natural compound n‐butylidenephthalide (BP), which is isolated from the chloroform extract of Angelica sinensis, has been investigated for its antitumoral effects on glioblastoma multiform (GBM) brain tumors both in vitro and in vivo. To determine the mechanism of BP‐induced growth arrest and apoptosis, we examined BP‐induced changes in gene expression by microarray screening using human GBM brain tumor cells. This analysis identified several BP‐inducible genes, including the nuclear receptors NOR‐1, Nurr1, and Nur77. Among these genes, Nur77 is particularly interesting because it plays an important role in the apoptotic processes in various tumor cell lines. BP was able to increase Nur77 mRNA and protein expression in a time‐dependent manner. After BP treatment in GBM 8401 cells, Nur77 translocated from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, the cytochrome c was released from the mitochondria, and caspase 3 became activated. Furthermore, using Nur77 promoter‐luciferase assay, BP increased Nur77 was AP1 related. Inhibition of BP‐induced Nur77 expression by Nur77 short interfering RNA blocked BP‐induced apoptosis in GBM 8401 cells, suggesting that the induction of Nur77 negatively affected GBM 8401 cell survival. In summary, our results suggest that up‐regulation of Nur77 may explain the antitumoral activity of BP in brain tumor cells.
Nursery Nitrogen Loading Improves Field Performance of Bareroot Oak Seedlings Planted on Abandoned Mine Lands
Authors: Salifu K. Francis , Jacobs Douglass F. , Birge Zonda K. D.
Published: April 2008

Although mine reclamation sites are important targets for ecological restoration, they are generally difficult to regenerate successfully. We evaluated the importance of nursery nutrient loading as a new approach to enhance forest restoration on abandoned mine lands. Northern red oak (Quercus rubra) and White oak (Q. alba) seedlings were nitrogen (N) loaded for 18 weeks at a bareroot nursery in southern Indiana, United States. Fertility treatments followed conventional or modified exponential functions to synchronize N supply with plant demand. Subsequently, nursery‐grown seedlings were outplanted the following year onto a mine reclamation site in southwestern Indiana to evaluate effects of nursery N loading on first‐year field performance. Nursery N loading promoted total plant dry mass production 25–129% in Red oak and 50–184% in White oak compared to unfertilized plants. Nitrogen loading increased N content 88–145% and potassium (K) content 16–71% for Red oak and N content 124–250% and K content 16–93% for White oak relative to controls. When outplanted, N loading resulted in high seedling survival (>84%) and increased total plant dry mass production 14–30% for Red oak and 23–52% for White oak. Nitrogen loading increased plant N uptake 14–102% in Red oak and 32–105% in White oak under field conditions. Exponential N loading demonstrates potential as a viable technique to improve seedling outplanting performance and reclamation success in Indiana and elsewhere.
Secondary Invasions: Implications of Riparian Restoration for In‐Stream Invasion by an Aquatic Grass
Authors: Loo Sarina E. , Mac Nally Ralph , O’Dowd Dennis J. , Lake P. S.
Published: April 2008

The complex nature of ecosystems with multiple invaders requires whole‐system approaches to ecosystem management. Undesirable, unintended secondary effects may occur if interspecific interactions are ignored. Although degraded riparian zones urgently need effective restoration, broad‐scale removal of introduced tree species (e.g., willows [Salix spp.]) and fencing of riparian zones to exclude livestock may facilitate spread of the invasive aquatic grass Glyceria maxima in southeastern Australia. We recorded occurrence of the grass at riparian sites with different amounts of woody vegetation, including willows, and monitored spread for 2 years in locations with and without livestock. Glyceria maxima occurred more frequently at sites with little or no woody riparian vegetation. Larger, older patches fenced from livestock spread fastest. Analyses of costs of controlling G. maxima with herbicide showed that it is more cost‐effective to eradicate small patches than large patches if locations are known. However, the cost per m2 reduction in patch size is cheaper for larger patches. We recommend that small, young patches should be eradicated as soon as detected and show that spread of large source patches can be controlled effectively with continued spraying over several years. If restoration of waterways is to succeed, riparian management strategies must recognize connectivity between riparian and freshwater habitats.
Evaluation of Morphology and Seed Production of Alpine Cat’s Tail [Phleum rhaeticum (Humph.) Rauschert] Germplasm in View of its Use for Ecological Restoration at High Altitude
Authors: Romani Massimo , Pecetti Luciano , Tosca Alberto , Della Marianna Giampaolo , Gusmeroli Fausto , Paoletti Renato , Piano Efisio
Published: April 2008

“Site‐specific” vegetation, that is germplasm ecologically adapted to the prevailing pedoclimatic conditions and native to the target region, is increasingly required in the revegetation of disturbed areas at high altitude. Some key site‐specific species have been reported for the Alpine region. Better knowledge is needed on the existing variability of these species, while high seed yield is required to ensure the availability of commercially adequate seed supply. Natural populations of Alpine cat’s tail from the Rhaetian Alps were evaluated for morphology and seed production at a mountain and at a lowland site of northern Italy aiming at (1) identifying possible superior populations for the selection of adapted high‐yielding cultivars and (2) verifying whether the seed multiplication of site‐specific species could also be undertaken in areas different from those of origin. The germplasm from one valley featured an interesting architecture of traits, representing a possible ideotype for seed production purposes. Individual populations across different valleys also proved to be a valuable source of variation for economically useful traits. A discussion on possible implications of use of nonlocal germplasm sources for restoration purposes is provided. The lowland site gave much lower seed production than the mountain location and experienced outstanding plant mortality after the first summer. The specific site conditions, namely the occurrence of an appreciable level of heat and drought stress in summer and a severe rust infection rather than the altitude per se, limited the suitability of this site for seed production of the alpine germplasm.
Patch Size and Tree Species Influence the Number and Duration of Bird Visits in Forest Restoration Plots in Southern Costa Rica
Authors: Fink Rebecca D. , Lindell Catherine A. , Morrison Emily B. , Zahawi Rakan A. , Holl Karen D.
Published: April 2008

Efforts to restore tropical forest in abandoned pasture are likely to be more successful when bird visitation is promoted because birds disperse seeds and eat herbivorous arthropods that damage leaves. Thus, it is critical to understand bird behavior in relation to different restoration strategies. We measured the likelihood of visitation, number of visits, and duration of visits for all birds and for Cherrie’s Tanager (Ramphocelus costaricensis), a common seed disperser, in five sizes of forest restoration patches planted with four tree species in southern Costa Rica. We predicted that the largest patches, and the tree species with the greatest canopy cover, would be visited most frequently and have the longest visits because we assumed that these patch types had the greatest food resources and the lowest predation risk. We found that birds were more likely to visit large patches and the tree species with the highest canopy cover (Inga edulis). Birds visited Inga trees more often and stayed in Inga and Erythrina poeppigiana trees for longer periods of time than in other tree species. We found similar results for Cherrie’s Tanagers. Thus, we identified two factors, tree species and patch size, which may be manipulated in restoration projects to increase bird visitation.
Native Consumers and Seed Limitation Constrain the Restoration of a Native Perennial Grass in Exotic Habitats
Authors: Orrock John L. , Witter Martha S. , Reichman O. J.
Published: April 2008

Native consumers and seed limitation may be particularly important in the restoration of native plants where they have been displaced by exotic plants. We used experimental exclosures and seed additions to examine the role of native mammalian consumers and seeding density (500 or 1,000 seeds/m2) in affecting the establishment of a native perennial grass, Purple needlegrass (Nassella pulchra), in the grasslands of California. To focus solely on consumers and propagule density, experimental areas were tilled and weeded. Consumers were important determinants of restoration success: averaged across propagule density, consumers reduced N. pulchra seedling recruitment by nearly 30%, reduced seedling height by 44%, reduced plant establishment by 52%, and reduced reproductive tiller length by 43%. Small rodents affected seedling establishment, especially where seeding density was high but did not affect seedling height. Plots accessible by squirrels and rabbits exhibited significantly decreased seedling height and plant establishment, whereas there was no additional impact of allowing large consumers (i.e., deer) access. Despite strong, spatially variable effects of consumers, doubling seed density led to nearly doubled N. pulchra establishment on average. Consumer effects were persistent, shaping N. pulchra abundance in the subsequent growing season and remaining evident over 18 months after the experiment was initiated. Our work suggests that, despite strong consumer effects, seed addition may be a viable strategy for restoration of N. pulchra in invaded areas where it has been displaced by exotic plants, especially when combined with restoration strategies that reduce competition with exotic plants.
Seizure Prediction
Authors: Sackellares J. Chris
Published: April 2008

There is mounting evidence that seizures are preceded by characteristic changes in the EEG that are detectable minutes before seizure onset. Using novel signal analysis techniques, researchers are beginning to characterize the transition from the interictal to the ictal state in quantitative terms. This research has led to the development of automated seizure prediction algorithms. Active debate persists regarding the interpretation of research results, methods of signal analysis, as well as experimental and statistical methods for testing seizure prediction algorithms. Developments in this field have led to new theories on the mechanism of seizure development and resolution. The ability to predict seizures could lead the way to novel diagnostic and therapeutic methods for the treatment of patients with epilepsy.
Is Topiramate Tops?
Authors: Ben-Menachem Elinor
Published: April 2008

Topiramate Monotherapy in Newly Diagnosed Epilepsy in Children and Adolescents. Glauser TA, Dlugos DJ, Dodson WE, Grinspan A, Wang S, Wu SC; EPMN-106/INT-28 Investigators. J Child Neurol 2007;22(6):693–699. A double-blind, dose-controlled study evaluated topiramate as monotherapy in 470 patients with newly diagnosed (3 months) epilepsy or epilepsy relapse in the absence of therapy. In addition to having at least 2 lifetime-unprovoked seizures, patients had 1 or 2 partial-onset seizures or generalized-onset tonic-clonic seizures during a 3-month retrospective baseline. The trial included a large cohort (N = 151, 32%) of children and adolescents 6 to 15 years of age. Eligible patients were randomized to treatment groups in which topiramate was titrated to target maintenance dosages of either 400 mg/day (n = 77) or 50 mg/day (n = 74). Patients were followed for at least 6 months. Based on Kaplan-Meier analyses, the primary efficacy endpoint of time to first seizure favored the higher topiramate dose in both the overall population and the cohort of children/adolescents. The probability that children/adolescents remaining in the study were seizure free at 6 months was 78% in the 50-mg target dose group and 90% with the higher dose. At 12 months, the probability of being seizure free was 62% and 85%, respectively. The incidence of treatment-limiting adverse events was 4% in the 50-mg target dose group and 14% in the group assigned to 400 mg as a target dose. The most common adverse events, excluding typical childhood illnesses, were headache, appetite decrease, weight loss, somnolence, dizziness, concentration/attention difficulty, and paresthesia. As shown in this subset analysis, topiramate is effective and well tolerated as monotherapy in children and adolescents.
“One Swallow Does Not Make a Summer” … or Does It?
Authors: Mody Istvan
Published: April 2008

A Single Episode of Neonatal Seizures Permanently Alters Glutamatergic Synapses. Cornejo BJ, Mesches MH, Coultrap S, Browning MD, Benke TA. Ann Neurol 2007;61(5):411–426. OBJECTIVE: The contribution of seizures to cognitive changes remains controversial. We tested the hypothesis that a single episode of neonatal seizures (sNS) on rat postnatal day (P) 7 permanently impairs hippocampal-dependent function in mature (P60) rats because of long-lasting changes at the synaptic level. METHODS: sNS was induced with subcutaneously injected kainate on P7. Learning, memory, mossy fiber sprouting, spine density, hippocampal synaptic plasticity, and glutamate receptor expression and subcellular distribution were measured at P60. RESULTS: sNS selectively impaired working memory in a hippocampal-dependent radial arm water-maze task without inducing mossy fiber sprouting or altering spine density. sNS impaired CA1 hippocampal long-term potentiation and enhanced long-term depression. Subcellular fractionation and cross-linking, used to determine whether glutamate receptor trafficking underlies the alterations of memory and synaptic plasticity, demonstrated that sNS induced a selective reduction in the membrane pool of glutamate receptor 1 subunits. sNS induced a decrease in the total amount of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor 2A and an increase in the primary subsynaptic scaffold, PSD-95. INTERPRETATION: These molecular consequences are consistent with the alterations in plasticity and memory caused by sNS at the synaptic level. Our data demonstrate the cognitive impact of sNS and associate memory deficits with specific alterations in glutamatergic synaptic function.
Seeing the Forest and the Trees: Dendritic Injury after Status Epilepticus
Authors: Poolos Nicholas P.
Published: April 2008

Kainate Seizures Cause Acute Dendritic Injury and Actin Depolymerization In Vivo. Zeng LH, Xu L, Rensing NR, Sinatra PM, Rothman SM, Wong M. J Neurosci 2007;27(43):11604–11613. Seizures may cause brain injury via a variety of mechanisms, potentially contributing to cognitive deficits in epilepsy patients. Although seizures induce neuronal death in some situations, they may also have “nonlethal” pathophysiological effects on neuronal structure and function, such as modifying dendritic morphology. Previous studies involving conventional fixed tissue analysis have demonstrated a chronic loss of dendritic spines after seizures in animal models and human tissue. More recently, in vivo time-lapse imaging methods have been used to monitor acute changes in spines directly during seizures, but documented spine loss only under severe conditions. Here, we examined effects of secondary generalized seizures induced by kainate, on dendritic structure of neocortical neurons using multiphoton imaging in live mice in vivo and investigated molecular mechanisms mediating these structural changes. Higher-stage kainate-induced seizures caused dramatic dendritic beading and loss of spines within minutes, in the absence of neuronal death or changes in systemic oxygenation. Although the dendritic beading improved rapidly after the seizures, the spine loss recovered only partially over a 24 h period. Kainate seizures also resulted in activation of the actin-depolymerizing factor, cofilin, and a corresponding decrease in filamentous actin, indicating that depolymerization of actin may mediate the morphological dendritic changes. Finally, an inhibitor of the calcium-dependent phosphatase, calcineurin, antagonized the effects of seizures on cofilin activation and spine morphology. These dramatic in vivo findings demonstrate that seizures produce acute dendritic injury in neocortical neurons via calcineurin-dependent regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, suggesting novel therapeutic targets for preventing seizure-induced brain injury.
In Search of a New and Improved Target for Antiepileptic Drugs: Sialic Acid?
Authors: Dudek F. Edward , Bertram Edward H.
Published: April 2008

Role of Extracellular Sialic Acid in Regulation of Neuronal and Network Excitability in the Rat Hippocampus. Isaev D, Isaeva E, Shatskih T, Zhao Q, Smits NC, Shworak NW, Khazipov R, Holmes GL. J Neurosci 2007;27(43):11587–11594. The extracellular membrane surface contains a substantial amount of negatively charged sialic acid residues. Some of the sialic acids are located close to the pore of voltage-gated channel, substantially influencing their gating properties. However, the role of sialylation of the extracellular membrane in modulation of neuronal and network activity remains primarily unknown. The level of sialylation is controlled by neuraminidase (NEU), the key enzyme that cleaves sialic acids. Here we show that NEU treatment causes a large depolarizing shift of voltage-gated sodium channel activation/inactivation and action potential (AP) threshold without any change in the resting membrane potential of hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons. Cleavage of sialic acids by NEU also reduced sensitivity of sodium channel gating and AP threshold to extracellular calcium. At the network level, exogenous NEU exerted powerful anticonvulsive action both in vitro and in acute and chronic in vivo models of epilepsy. In contrast, a NEU blocker ( N-acetyl-2,3-dehydro-2-deoxyneuraminic acid) dramatically reduced seizure threshold and aggravated hippocampal seizures. Thus, sialylation appears to be a powerful mechanism to control neuronal and network excitability. We propose that decreasing the amount of extracellular sialic acid residues can be a useful approach to reduce neuronal excitability and serve as a novel therapeutic approach in the treatment of seizures.
Traffic Jam at the Sodium Channel
Authors: Stafstrom Carl E.
Published: April 2008

Modulatory Proteins Can Rescue a Trafficking Defective Epileptogenic Nav1.1 Na+ Channel Mutant. Rusconi R, Scalmani P, Cassulini RR, Giunti G, Gambardella A, Franceschetti S, Annesi G, Wanke E, Mantegazza M. J Neurosci 2007;27(41):11037–11046. Familial epilepsies are often caused by mutations of voltage-gated Na+ channels, but correlation genotype–phenotype is not yet clear. In particular, the cause of phenotypic variability observed in some epileptic families is unclear. We studied Nav1.1 (SCN1A) Na+ channel subunit M1841T mutation, identified in a family characterized by a particularly large phenotypic spectrum. The mutant is a loss of function because when expressed alone, the current was no greater than background. Function was restored by incubation at temperature <30°C, showing that the mutant is trafficking defective, thus far the first case among neuronal Na+ channels. Importantly, also molecular interactions with modulatory proteins or drugs were able to rescue the mutant. Protein–protein interactions may modulate the effect of the mutation in vivo and thus phenotype; variability in their strength may be one of the causes of phenotypic variability in familial epilepsy. Interacting drugs may be used to rescue the mutant in vivo.
PRISM hepatitis B surface antigen detection of hepatits B virus minipool nucleic acid testing yield samples
Authors: Linauts Sandy , Saldanha John , Strong D. Michael
Published: April 2008

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) residual risk has been estimated at 1:63,000‐1:205,000 and introduction of more sensitive serological tests and nucleic acid testing (NAT) would reduce that risk. Sensitivity of the recently licensed Abbott PRISM hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) CLIA and minipool (MP) HBV NAT has been described as comparable and thus the need for HBV NAT has not been compelling. In this study, eight samples identified as yield samples with MP HBV NAT were tested using the PRISM test.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Seven samples were identified using the Roche COBAS AmpliScreen HBV test and one additional sample was obtained from the clinical trial for the Roche cobas TaqScreen MPX test. Each of these samples was reactive by MP HBV NAT and nonreactive for HBsAg using one of three licensed enzyme immunoassay (EIA) tests. After licensure of the PRISM HBsAg, aliquots were tested with this assay, and DNA quantitation and genotyping were repeated where sample volume permitted.

RESULTS: Three samples (2000, 2300, and 61,000 copies/mL) produced reactive results with PRISM. Four samples with viral loads less than 300 copies per mL produced nonreactive results. One sample, originally quantitated at 37,000 copies per mL (but 3850 copies/mL in repeat testing) was also nonreactive by PRISM. Genotyping of this sample indicated a type C genotype with no mutations.

CONCLUSION: Adding serological sensitivity of PRISM CLIA reduced the NAT yield from the original 1: 385,555 to 1:610,488. However, MP HBV NAT still provides additional sensitivity over CLIA, even for a donation with a viral load of almost 4000 copies per mL.
Using Probabilistic Terrorism Risk Modeling for Regulatory Benefit‐Cost Analysis: Application to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative in the Land Environment
Authors: Willis Henry H. , LaTourrette Tom
Published: April 2008

This article presents a framework for using probabilistic terrorism risk modeling in regulatory analysis. We demonstrate the framework with an example application involving a regulation under consideration, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative for the Land Environment, (WHTI‐L). First, we estimate annualized loss from terrorist attacks with the Risk Management Solutions (RMS) Probabilistic Terrorism Model. We then estimate the critical risk reduction, which is the risk‐reducing effectiveness of WHTI‐L needed for its benefit, in terms of reduced terrorism loss in the United States, to exceed its cost. Our analysis indicates that the critical risk reduction depends strongly not only on uncertainties in the terrorism risk level, but also on uncertainty in the cost of regulation and how casualties are monetized. For a terrorism risk level based on the RMS standard risk estimate, the baseline regulatory cost estimate for WHTI‐L, and a range of casualty cost estimates based on the willingness‐to‐pay approach, our estimate for the expected annualized loss from terrorism ranges from $2.7 billion to $5.2 billion. For this range in annualized loss, the critical risk reduction for WHTI‐L ranges from 7% to 13%. Basing results on a lower risk level that results in halving the annualized terrorism loss would double the critical risk reduction (14–26%), and basing the results on a higher risk level that results in a doubling of the annualized terrorism loss would cut the critical risk reduction in half (3.5–6.6%). Ideally, decisions about terrorism security regulations and policies would be informed by true benefit‐cost analyses in which the estimated benefits are compared to costs. Such analyses for terrorism security efforts face substantial impediments stemming from the great uncertainty in the terrorist threat and the very low recurrence interval for large attacks. Several approaches can be used to estimate how a terrorism security program or regulation reduces the distribution of risks it is intended to manage. But, continued research to develop additional tools and data is necessary to support application of these approaches. These include refinement of models and simulations, engagement of subject matter experts, implementation of program evaluation, and estimating the costs of casualties from terrorism events.
Optimal Stopping Analysis of a Radiation Detection System to Protect Cities from a Nuclear Terrorist Attack
Authors: Atkinson Michael P. , Cao Zheng , Wein Lawrence M.
Published: April 2008

We formulate and analyze an optimal stopping problem concerning a terrorist who is attempting to drive a nuclear or radiological weapon toward a target in a city center. In our model, the terrorist needs to travel through a two‐dimensional lattice containing imperfect radiation sensors at some of the nodes, and decides at each node whether to detonate the bomb or proceed. We consider five different scenarios containing various informational structures and two different sensor array topologies: the sensors are placed randomly or they form an outer wall around the periphery of the city. We find that sensors can act as a deterrent in some cases, and that the government prefers the outer wall topology unless the sensors have a very low detection probability and the budget is tight (so that they are sparsely deployed).
Perspective: Risk Apportionment and Disease Intervention Strategies
Authors: Barraj Leila M. , Tran Nga L. , Goodman Michael , Ginevan Michael E.
Published: April 2008

The ultimate public health objective is the ability to predict and prevent disease, and not necessarily to identify an exhaustive list of potential disease risk factors. For any important public health outcome with multiple and potentially interrelated risk factors, an improved understanding of the contribution of individual and combinations of modifiable risk factors to the disease burden is essential for formulating an appropriate public health strategy. Partitioning techniques that divide the combined impact of multiple risk factors into exposure‐specific components while taking into account the potential interrelations among those components, have been described in the epidemiological literature. In this article, we review and compare the available methods and options for such apportionment and apply them in a more general public health context as a method of selecting and prioritizing coronary heart disease (CHD) prevention strategies.
Effects of Risk Representation and Scope on Willingness to Pay for Reduced Risks: Evidence from Tokyo Bay, Japan
Authors: Zhai Guofang , Suzuki Takeshi
Published: April 2008

When applying the contingent valuation method (CVM) in risk reduction studies, some studies report that willingness to pay (WTP) is insensitive to the magnitude of risk reduction while other studies do not. On the other hand, social‐psychological research has shown that the affect heuristic biases judgments on probability, relative frequency, and risk. This article examines both magnitude (or scope) effect and affect heuristic (or representation) effect on WTP for risk reduction measures against tsunamis by introducing two experimental (i.e., absolute and relative) systems with four different representations to evaluate public behaviors in two different scenarios of risk reduction. Two common denominators (100 and 10,000) are introduced into absolute risk reduction representation (i.e., “of every 100 persons, from present 2 deaths to 1”) to form different formats (i.e., “of every 10,000 persons from 200 to 100,” and “of every 100,000 persons from 2,000 deaths to 1,000”). There is little evidence that WTP estimates are sufficiently sensitive to the magnitude of risk reduction, but relative risk reduction representations may be better than the absolute one given in CVM mail surveys when the risk is small. There is a statistically insignificant effect of risk reduction representations on respondent frequency, but mixed effects on the monetary values of WTP at the level of 0.05. The representation effect of absolute risk reduction on the WTP value varies with the common denominator. The larger the common denominator, the less the WTP to reduce the risk of tsunamis, and the significance probability is improved to less than the level of 0.05 when the common denominator becomes large enough. The findings suggest that improved methods are required for estimating the rates of tradeoff between fatality risk and other goods among consumers.