bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The quality of life of men with locally advanced prostate cancer during neoadjuvant hormone therapy: data from the Medical Research Council RT01 trial (ISRCTN 47772397)
Authors: Stephens Richard J. , Dearnaley David P. , Cowan Richard , Sydes Matthew , Naylor Sharon , Fallowfield Lesley ,   on behalf of all the RT01 collaborators
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVE

To explore patients’ quality of life (QoL) during neoadjuvant hormone therapy (HT) using data from the Medical Research Council RT01 trial of standard‐ (64 Gy/32‐fraction) and high‐ (74 Gy/37‐fraction) dose radiotherapy (RT, both given conformally).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Of the 843 patients randomized to the RT01 trial, 316 completed the Functional Assessment Of Cancer Therapy core questionnaire with its additional prostate subscale, and the Short Form‐36 Health Survey questionnaire with the University of California‐Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index before HT and again before starting RT. Three predefined QoL hypotheses were generated to focus the analyses.

RESULTS

For the three primary QoL analyses there was evidence that sexual functioning deteriorated, urinary function did not change, and there was a slight decline in physical well‐being after ≥ 3 months of HT. Sensitivity analyses confirmed these findings. Exploratory analyses also suggested that role functioning deteriorated, sleep was more disturbed, and there was an increase in fatigue. However, overall QoL was not reported to be affected and patients indicated an improvement in attitude and satisfaction with treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

In this group of men, many of whom reported reduced sexual functioning before treatment, the additional decline during HT seemed to be generally accepted as the price to pay for an appropriate cancer treatment. Nevertheless, these changes need to be discussed with patients before HT is commenced.
Self‐harm and depression in women with urinary incontinence: a record‐linkage study
Authors: Goldacre Michael J. , Abisgold Julie D. , Yeates David G.R. , Voss Simon , Seagroatt Valerie
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between self‐harm and urinary incontinence (UI), and between depression and UI, in women.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The incidence of self‐harm in women with UI is not well documented. We analysed a statistical database that includes hospital contact data for UI and for self‐harm and depression. We calculated rate ratios for self‐harm and depression in a cohort of women admitted for UI, and rate ratios for UI in cohorts of women admitted with self‐harm or depression, compared with a control cohort.

RESULTS

After admission for UI, self‐harm was significantly high in young women (aged <45 years: rate ratio 1.73, 95% confidence intervals 1.37–2.14) but not in older women. Depression was associated with UI in all age groups, e.g. after admission for depression the rate ratio for UI within 5 years was 1.46 (1.33–1.75); and for UI at ≥ 5 years after admission for depression, it was 1.20 (1.05–1.35).

CONCLUSIONS

Young women with UI are at risk of self‐harm. For all age groups studied, depression was more common in women with UI than in others. Depression might be a consequence of UI, but the increase in risk at long intervals before admission with UI suggests that they might share underlying causal mechanisms.
Suppression of detrusor overactivity in rats with bladder outlet obstruction by a type 4 phosphodiesterase inhibitor
Authors: Nishiguchi Jun , Kwon Dong Deuk , Kaiho Yasuhiro , Chancellor Michael B. , Kumon Hiromi , Snyder Peter B. , Yoshimura Naoki
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of a selective type 4 cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE4) inhibitor, IC486051, on bladder activity in normal rats and those with and bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), as inhibition of PDE4 leads to elevation of intracellular cAMP levels and relaxation of smooth muscle.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

BOO was induced in female Sprague‐Dawley rats by tying a silk ligature around the urethra. At 4 or 6 weeks after inducing BOO, conscious rats were assessed by cystometry with the urethral ligature intact. In unobstructed rats, blood pressure was also measured.

RESULTS

In unobstructed rats, IC486051 (0.1 mg/kg intravenously) produced no significant changes in cystometric variables, while at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg maximum voiding pressure was reduced by 34%. At both doses, there was a small, transient increase in blood pressure. In both 4‐ and 6‐week BOO rats IC486051 dose‐dependently decreased the number and amplitude of non‐voiding bladder contractions by up to 80%, relative to pre‐treatment values. At doses of 0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg IC486051 had no significant effect on voiding variables. In the 4‐week BOO rats, a dose of 1.0 mg/kg decreased bladder capacity, voided volume and residual volume by 21%, 32% and 18%, respectively. In 6‐week BOO rats, a dose of 1.0 mg/kg decreased maximal voiding pressure by 17% and pressure threshold for voiding by 28%. In both groups of rats with BOO, voiding efficiency was unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

A selective PDE4 inhibitor can effectively suppress detrusor overactivity in rats with BOO, at doses that have no effect on voiding bladder contractions. Thus, selective PDE4 inhibitors should be considered for the treatment of overactive bladder in patients with BOO.
Surgically managed lymph node‐positive prostate cancer: does delaying hormonal therapy worsen the outcome?
Authors: Spiess Philippe E. , Lee Andrew K. , Busby Joseph E. , Jordan Jennifer J. , Hernandez Mike , Burt Kristina , Troncoso Patricia , Merriman Kelly W. , Pisters Louis L.
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVES

To review our experience with the surgical management of lymph node‐positive prostate cancer and to determine if there is a benefit to treating such patients with immediate rather than delayed hormonal therapy (HT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis from January 1982 to January 2001 identified 100 patients treated by radical retropubic prostatectomy (RP) either alone (70, 23 later received delayed HT) or combined with adjuvant (immediate) HT (30), with the overall median follow‐up being 5.2 years.

RESULTS

The median patient age at diagnosis was 58.7 years, with 20% having clinical T3 disease, and the median prostate specific antigen (PSA) level at presentation was 10 ng/mL. In 41% of patients the Gleason score on prostatic biopsy was ≥ 8. After RP, 30 patients received immediate HT used as an adjuvant after surgery in the absence of any evidence of disease progression, whereas 23 received delayed HT the use of which was provoked secondary to biochemical failure (PSA threshold of 0.2–5.0 ng/mL) with no evidence of metastatic disease. A comparison of the clinical variables between the groups showed a higher median PSA level at diagnosis (P = 0.027) and biopsy Gleason score (P = 0.052) in the delayed HT group. The immediate and delayed HT groups had similar metastatic‐free (P = 0.549), disease‐specific (P = 0.843) and overall survival (P = 0.843). Overall, biochemical failure developed in half the patients and distant metastasis in 13%, with only nine patients dying from disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Immediate and delayed HT provide similar treatment outcomes in patients with surgically managed lymph node‐positive prostate cancer.
Toxicity following high‐dose salvage radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Jung Charlie , Cookson Michael S. , Chang Sam S. , Smith Joseph A. , Dietrich Mary S. , Teng Ming
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVE

To assess gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicity in patients treated with salvage radiotherapy (SRT) at doses of 70.2 Gy after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Medical records were reviewed retrospectively to identify patients treated with SRT after RRP between January 1999 and December 2005. Of the 62 patients identified, 30 were included for analysis. GI and GU toxicity was assessed using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events and the American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUASI), respectively.

RESULTS

The median AUASI score of the 17 patients with scores before SRT was 4, of the 24 with scores after SRT was 6, and of the 15 with scores before and after SRT the median increase was 3. Of the 29 patients with GI toxicity data, nine (31%) had diarrhoea after SRT (three after <70.2 Gy and six after 70.2 Gy). In all cases, the diarrhoea was mild (grade 1). Of all patients, 12 (41%) had proctitis after SRT (four after <70.2 Gy and eight after 70.2 Gy); the proctitis was grade 1 in four and grade 2 in eight, with no cases of grade 3 proctitis. There was no statistically significant difference in the median change in AUASI scores and GI toxicity incidence between patients receiving <70.2 or 70.2 Gy of SRT.

CONCLUSION

High‐dose SRT (70.2 Gy) is generally well tolerated with acceptable low‐grade GI toxicity and minimal changes in AUASI scores.
Erectile function, sexual drive, and ejaculatory function after reconstructive surgery for anterior urethral stricture disease
Authors: Erickson Bradley A. , Wysock James S. , McVary Kevin T. , Gonzalez Christopher M.
Published: November 2006

Associate Editor

Michael G. Wyllie

Editorial Board

Ian Eardley, UK

Jean Fourcroy, USA

Sidney Glina, Brazil

Julia Heiman, USA

Chris McMahon, Australia

Bob Millar, UK

Alvaro Morales, Canada

Michael Perelman, USA

Marcel Waldinger, Netherlands

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of urethral reconstructive surgery on sexual drive, erectile function and ejaculation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study group consisted of 52 men with a median (range) age of 44 (18–79) years who underwent 59 urethral reconstructive procedures for anterior urethral stricture disease between 2001 and 2004. We evaluated sexual functioning using the O’Leary Brief Male Sexual Function Inventory (BMSFI) before and after surgery.

RESULTS

The mean (sd) follow‐up was 22.3 (14.8) months. The mean BMSFI scores were only statistically significantly different for an improvement in ejaculation after surgery (P = 0.04). When separated by age, only the men aged 50–59 years reported decreased erectile function after surgery (P < 0.001) and only those aged <40–49 years reported an improvement in ejaculatory function (P = 0.05). Men at <1 year after surgery reported lower sexual drive (P = 0.025) and erectile function (P = 0.05) than men with longer periods of recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

The BMFSI is useful for evaluating sexual function after urethroplasty. Overall, the men did not report a decline in erectile function or sexual drive after surgery; however, older men might have a higher incidence of erectile dysfunction after surgery. Erectile function might recover with time. Younger men had the most pronounced improvement in ejaculatory function, but further studies are necessary to evaluate the clinical significance of this.
Spatio‐temporal characterization of polyhydroxybutyrate accumulation in sugarcane
Authors: Purnell Matthew P. , Petrasovits Lars A. , Nielsen Lars K. , Brumbley Stevens M.
Published: November 2006

We report here the results from a glasshouse trial of several transgenic sugarcane (Saccharumspp. hybrids) lines accumulating the bacterial polyester polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) in plastids. The aims of the trial were to characterize the spatio‐temporal pattern of PHB accumulation at a whole‐plant level, to identify factors limiting PHB production and to determine whether agronomic performance was affected adversely by PHB accumulation. Statistical analysis showed that a vertical PHB concentration gradient existed throughout the plant, the polymer concentration being lowest in the youngest leaves and increasing with leaf age. In addition, there was a horizontal gradient along the length of a leaf, with the PHB concentration increasing from the youngest part of the leaf (the base) to the oldest (the tip). The rank order of the lines did not change over time. Moreover, there was a uniform spatio‐temporal pattern of relative PHB accumulation among the lines, despite the fact that they showed marked differences in absolute PHB concentration. Molecular analysis revealed that the expression of the transgenes encoding the PHB biosynthesis enzymes was apparently coordinated, and that there were good correlations between PHB concentration and the abundance of the PHB biosynthesis enzymes. The maximum recorded PHB concentration, 1.77% of leaf dry weight, did not confer an agronomic penalty. The plant height, total aerial biomass and culm‐internode sugar content were not affected relative to controls. Although moderate PHB concentrations were achieved in leaves, the maximum total‐plant PHB yield was only 0.79% (11.9 g PHB in 1.51 kg dry weight). We combine the insights from our statistical and molecular analyses to discuss possible strategies for increasing the yield of PHB in sugarcane.
Perception and Emotion
Authors: Adolphs Ralph
Published: November 2006

Perception and emotion interact, as is borne out by studies of how people recognize emotion from facial expressions. Psychological and neurological research has elucidated the processes, and the brain structures, that participate in facial emotion recognition. Studies have shown that emotional reactions to viewing faces can be very rapid and that these reactions may, in turn, be used to judge the emotion shown in the face. Recent experiments have argued that people actively explore facial expressions in order to recognize the emotion, a mechanism that emphasizes the instrumental nature of social cognition.
Pharmacologic and Behavioral Withdrawal From Addictive Drugs
Authors: Baker Timothy B. , Japuntich Sandra J. , Hogle Joanne M. , McCarthy Danielle E. , Curtin John J.
Published: November 2006

Recent theories suggest that drug withdrawal does not motivate drug use and relapse. However, data now show that withdrawal produces complex changes over time in at least two symptoms (i.e., negative affect and urges) that are highly predictive of relapse. Evidence suggests that falling levels of the drug in the blood and interruption of the drug self-administration ritual both affect these symptoms. Both of these forms of withdrawal motivate renewed drug use in addicted individuals.
Conflict and Cognitive Control in the Brain
Authors: Veen Vincent van , Carter Cameron S.
Published: November 2006

Recent research from cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience has suggested that the control mechanisms by which people are able to regulate task performance can be dissociated into evaluative and executive components. One process, implemented in the anterior cingulate cortex of the brain, monitors the amount of conflict that occurs during information processing; another process, implemented in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, is involved with maintaining the requirements of the task at hand and with biasing information processing in favor of appropriate responses. In the current article, we review this theory and some of the research that has supported it, including its implication for understanding cognitive disturbances in clinical disorders such as schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. We conclude by addressing several interesting possibilities for future research.
Power, Impartiality and Timing: Three Hypotheses on Third Party Mediation in the Middle East
Authors: Siniver Asaf
Published: November 2006

Despite the upsurge in the literature on third party intervention in recent years, particularly that relating to mediation, there is still a significant gap in the field. While some theoretical accounts content themselves with describing the qualities of an ideal mediator, other studies borrow examples from a variety of case studies to emphasise the wide range of the mediator's functions or the tactics it can use. What is missing is a systematic, case study-driven analysis that draws on the theoretical literature while generating some fresh propositions about the conditions that are propitious for successful mediation. The article aims to achieve this by proposing three hypotheses about the impact of power, impartiality and timing on the mediation process: (1) The more power (leverage) the mediator has over the disputants, the more likely it is to succeed. (2) The more impartial the mediator is, the more likely it is to succeed. (3) Mediation is more likely to succeed when the conflict has reached an escalatory stage. These hypotheses will be tested against the experience of four successful cases of third party intervention in the Arab—Israeli conflict, which over the past six decades has experienced a multitude of mediators of different types.
Sensitization to acrylates is a common adverse reaction to artificial fingernails
Authors: Lazarov A
Published: November 2006

Background  Although precise figures for adverse reactions to nail‐care products are not available, it is thought that one of the main risks from artificial nails (ANs) is contact allergy.

Objective  To evaluate the role of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) as a cause of adverse reactions related to the use of ANs.

Method  A 4‐year retrospective study of patients with suspected ACD from ANs was conducted. Patients tested with the methacrylate artificial nail (MAAN) series were evaluated clinically and patch test results were analysed.

Results  ACD to components of ANs may be a frequent cause of hand eczema, as observed in more than one‐third of our patients (38.2%). About half of the patients were beauticians specializing in nail sculpturing who developed occupationally related ACD. All patients had involvement of the hands and fingers. Paronychia, nail dystrophy and onycholysis were less frequent. Dorsal hands and fingers, forearms and distant sites (face and neck) were more frequently affected in patients with occupational ACD (OACD). Typical clinical features were those of chronic dermatitis but atypical forms such as lichenoid and psoriasiform ACD were also observed. Mucosal erythema and oedema developed in two patients with ACD due to MAAN, after application of dental crowns with an acrylate‐based cement. The most frequent allergens triggering ACD were 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2‐HEMA) and 2‐hydroxypropyl methacrylate (2‐HPMA) (17.5% each), followed by ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDM; 13.4%). A quarter of the patients tested with ethyl cyanoacrylate (ECA), a component of nail glue, had positive results.

Conclusions  Acrylic monomers used when sculpturing ANs are important contact and occupational sensitizers that can produce cross‐reactions with other acrylic compounds and trigger allergic reactions when re‐exposure occurs in a different setting.
Tunga penetrans: a stowaway from around the world
Authors: Sachse MM , Guldbakke KK , Khachemoune A
Published: November 2006

Tungiasis is a cutaneous ectoparasitic infestation by the female sand flea Tunga penetrans. It is predominantly a health problem in sub‐Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and South America. However, increasing numbers of returning travellers, immigrants, and adopted children are also affected in non‐tropical countries. It is a cause of substantial morbidity, with prevalence rates as high as 76% in certain endemic areas. To date, the early extraction of the flea is still the first line therapy.
The Impact of a Conditional Cash Transfer Programme on Consumption in Colombia*
Authors: Attanasio Orazio , Mesnard Alice
Published: November 2006

This paper studies the impact of a conditional cash transfer programme in Colombia on the total consumption of very poor households and on its components. Our evaluation methodology involves comparing household expenditures in areas in which the programme was not implemented (control) and those in which it was (treated). We use a quasi‐experimental approach, as the Familias en Acción programme was not randomly assigned across localities, for political reasons. We condition on a large range of household‐ and municipality‐level characteristics, and also control for pre‐programme differences in the outcomes of interest using a differences‐indifferences methodology. We find that the programme has been effective at greatly increasing total consumption and its main component, food consumption, in both rural and urban areas. The programme has also contributed to improvements in the quality of food consumed, in particular of items rich in proteins (milk, meat and eggs) and of cereals. Furthermore, the programme has created redistributive effects in favour of children through expenditure on education and children's clothing, while it has not significantly affected consumption of adult goods such as alcohol and tobacco or adults’clothing.
Do False Predictions of Seizures Depend on the State of Vigilance? A Report from Two Seizure‐Prediction Methods and Proposed Remedies
Authors: Schelter Björn , Winterhalder Matthias , Maiwald Thomas , Brandt Armin , Schad Ariane , Timmer Jens , Schulze‐Bonhage Andreas
Published: November 2006

Summary:  Purpose: Available seizure‐prediction algorithms are accompanied by high numbers of false predictions to achieve high sensitivity. Little is known about the extent to which changes in EEG dynamics contribute to false predictions. This study addresses potential causes and the circadian distribution of false predictions as well as their relation to the sleep–wake cycle.

Methods: In 21 patients, each with 24 h of interictal invasive EEG recordings, two methods, the dynamic similarity index and the mean phase coherence, were assessed with respect to time points of false predictions. Visual inspection of the invasive EEG data and additional scalp electroencephalogram data was performed at times of false predictions to identify possible correlates of changes in the EEG dynamics.

Results: A dependency of false predictions on the time of day is shown. Renormalized to the duration of the period patients are asleep and awake, 86% of all false predictions occurred during sleep for the dynamic similarity index and 68% for the mean phase coherence, respectively. Combining two reference intervals, one during sleep and one in an awake state, the dynamic similarity index increases its performance by reducing the number of false predictions by almost 50% without major changes in sensitivity. No obvious dependence of false predictions was noted on visible epileptic activity, such as spikes, sharp waves, or subclinical ictal patterns.

Conclusions: Changes in the EEG dynamics related to the sleep–wake cycle contribute to limits of specificity of both seizure‐prediction methods investigated. This may provide a clue for improving prediction methods in general. The combination of reference states yields promising results and may offer opportunities to increase further the performance of prediction methods.
Pentylenetetrazole Kindling Affects Sleep in Rats
Authors: Schilling Markus , Wetzel Wolfram , Grecksch Gisela , Becker Axel
Published: November 2006

Summary:  Purpose: The aim of the study was to define sleep disturbances in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)‐kindled rats and to explore the effects of the nootropic drug piracetam (Pir; 100 mg/kg) and the noncompetitive N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA)‐antagonist MK‐801 (0.3 mg/kg), which normalized learning performance in PTZ‐kindled rats, on altered sleep parameters.

Methods: This is the first report showing a significant reduction in paradoxical sleep (PS) as a consequence of PTZ kindling. A correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between seizure severity and PS deficit.

Results: Pir did not interfere with seizure severity, and the substance did not ameliorate the PS deficit. However, the substance disconnected the correlation between seizure severity and PS deficit. MK‐801, which reduced the severity of kindled seizures, counteracted the PS deficit efficaciously.

Conclusions: The results suggest that seizure severity and alterations in sleep architecture are two factors in the comprehensive network underlying learning impairments associated with epilepsy. Considering the results obtained in the experiments with Pir, reduction of seizure severity does not guarantee the reduction of impairments in the domain of learning.
1H‐MR Spectroscopy Indicates Severity Markers in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: Correlations between Metabolic Alterations, Seizures, and Epileptic Discharges in EEG
Authors: Hammen Thilo , Schwarz Michael , Doelken Marc , Kerling Frank , Engelhorn Tobias , Stadlbauer Andreas , Ganslandt Oliver , Nimsky Christopher , Doerfler Arnd , Stefan Hermann
Published: November 2006

Summary:  Purpose: In this study, hippocampal metabolite alterations in 1H‐MR spectroscopy (1H‐MRS) were correlated to the findings of intensive video‐EEG monitoring and duration of seizure symptoms in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

Methods: The 14 patients with mesial TLE and no pathological findings in imaging were investigated by 1H‐MRS. Seizures were analyzed by: number of clinical seizures in 24 h, exact duration of clinical symptoms in 24 h, frequency of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) and ictal activity, duration of ictal activity, and IEDs occurring within 24 h in intensive EEG monitoring. Pearson Correlation Coefficient (PCC) was calculated between spectral metabolite alterations and the parameters mentioned above.

Results: In the analysis, a negative correlation was found between total (t) NAA values and degree of IEDs in EEG (p = 0.04); a positive correlation was found between Cr levels and duration of seizure symptoms registered by video monitoring (p = 0.01).

Conclusions: Our study shows that, in some patients, 1H‐MRS is able to refer the severity of TLE. The degree of tNAA reduction in 1H‐MRS, probably indicating neuronal dysfunction, is associated with interictal spiking in intensive EEG monitoring. Duration of seizure symptoms associated with increased Cr peaks probably reflects increased gliosis.
Depression in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Surgery Patients: An FDG‐PET Study
Authors: Salzberg Michael , Taher Taufik , Davie Michael , Carne Ross , Hicks Rodney J. , Cook Mark , Murphy Michael , Vinton Anita , O'Brien Terrence J.
Published: November 2006

Summary: Purpose:Depression is common in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and after temporal lobectomy, and its etiology is obscure. In nonepileptic depression (including depression associated with other neurologic disorders), a consistent PET imaging finding is frontal lobe hypometabolism. Many TLE patients have hypometabolism involving frontal regions. Thus in data available from routine clinical assessments in an epilepsy surgery unit, we tested the hypothesis that the pattern of hypometabolism, particularly in the frontal lobe, may be associated with the depression seen in patients with TLE and TLE surgery.

Methods:We studied 23 medically refractory TLE patients who underwent anterior temporal lobectomy and who had preoperative FDG‐PET scanning. All patients had pre‐ and postoperative psychiatric assessment. By using statistical parametric mapping (SPM‐99), patterns of hypometabolism were compared between patients who had a preoperative history of depression (n = 9) versus those who did not (n = 14) and between those in whom postoperative depression developed (n = 13) versus those in whom it did not (n = 10). A significant region of hypometabolism was set at p < 0.001 for a cluster of ≥20 contiguous voxels.

Results:Patients with a history of depression at any time preoperatively showed focal hypometabolism in ipsilateral orbitofrontal cortex compared with those who did not (t= 4.64; p < 0.001). Patients in whom depression developed postoperatively also showed hypometabolism in the ipsilateral orbitofrontal region (t= 5.10; p < 0.001).

Conclusions:Although this study is methodologically limited, and other explanations merit consideration, orbitofrontal cortex dysfunction, already implicated in the pathophysiology of nonepileptic depression, may also be relevant to the depression of TLE and temporal lobectomy.
Mobilizing the Law in China: “Informed Disenchantment” and the Development of Legal Consciousness
Authors: Gallagher Mary E.
Published: November 2006

This article critically examines the development of legal consciousness among legal aid plaintiffs in Shanghai. It is based on 16 months of research at a large legal aid center and in-depth interviews with 50 plaintiffs. Chinese legal aid plaintiffs come to the legal process with high expectations about the possibility of protecting their rights; however, they also have only a vague and imprecise knowledge of legal procedure and their actual codified rights. Through this process of legal mobilization, plaintiffs' legal consciousness changes in two separate dimensions: changes in one's feelings of efficacy and competency vis-à-vis the law, and changes in one's perception/evaluation of the legal system. Put another way, the first dimension is “How well can I work the law?” and the second is “How well does the law work?” In this study I observe positive changes in feelings of individual efficacy and competency that are combined with more negative evaluations/perceptions of the legal system in terms of its fairness and effectiveness. The positive feelings of efficacy and voice provided by the legal process encourage labor dispute plaintiffs in the post-dispute period to plan new lawsuits and to help friends and relatives with their legal problems. Disenchantment with the promises of the legal system does not lead to despondency, but to more critical, informed action. This study provides new evidence on the nature of China's developing legal system with a focus on the social response to the state-led “rule of law” project.
The Use of Rhetorical Sources by the U.S. Supreme Court
Authors: Hume Robert J.
Published: November 2006

This study considers whether U.S. Supreme Court justices use opinion content strategically, to enhance the legitimacy of case outcomes. This hypothesis is tested by examining the Court's use of rhetorical sources, which are references to esteemed figures and texts that corroborate the justices' views. The data are consistent with the position that justices use rhetorical sources strategically, citing them when the legitimacy of their actions is lowest, such as when they are overturning precedent, invalidating state or federal law, or issuing directives from a divided bench. The study also tests several other explanations for the use of these sources, such as legal considerations, the justices' ideologies, and efficiency concerns.
Collecting on Moral Debts: Reparations for the Holocaust and Pořajmos
Authors: Woolford Andrew , Wolejszo Stefan
Published: November 2006

In the early 1980s, Sebba (1980) explored the victimological and criminological dimensions of German Holocaust reparations, utilizing a broad definition of victimization similar to Mendelsohn's (1976) earlier framing of this notion, which included victims of genocide and mass violence. Since this time, scant attention has been paid to the victimology of state crime, and even less to the victimological implications of genocide and mass violence. This is unfortunate since critical victimological lessons can be drawn from the study of the victims of genocide and mass violence. In this article, we focus on the post–World War II monetary reparations, or “compensation,” demands made against the West German state by Jewish and “Gypsy” survivors of Nazi state-sponsored violence. Through a comparative analysis of these two cases, we seek to illustrate the organizational, social, and discursive conditions that either enabled or obstructed victim mobilization and, in so doing, to develop critical tools for better understanding “victim movements” and the trauma narratives they construct.
Expression of Glycodelin and Cyclooxygenase‐2 in Human Endometrial Tissue Following Three‐dimensional Culture
Authors: Esfandiari Navid , Ai Jafar , Nazemian Zohreh , Javed Murid H. , Gotlieb Lynda , Casper Robert F.
Published: November 2006

Problem  Our previous study showed that in vitro culture of human endometrial tissue in a three‐dimensional (3D) fibrin matrix could mimic the early stages of endometriosis with invasion, gland and stroma formation and sprouting of new vessels. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the expression of glycodelin (Gd) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), two angiogenic factors, to further validate the 3D culture model of endometriosis.

Method of Study  Human endometrial fragments were obtained from endometrial biopsies and placed in a 3D fibrin matrix culture. Immunohistochemistry with specific antibodies to Gd and COX‐2 was used to examine endometrial epithelium and blood vessels, and 4, 6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole staining was used for nuclear identification.

Results  Three‐dimensional culture of human endometrial tissue in the fibrin matrix resulted in the proliferation of endometrial stromal cells, glandular epithelium and angiogenesis. Gd positive glandular epithelium was seen in 85% of wells with developing endometrial glands and COX‐2 positive new vessels were seen in 80% of wells with angiogenesis‐like structures after 4 weeks of culture.

Conclusion  Our findings confirm that angiogenesis occurs following the culture of endometrial tissue in the 3D fibrin matrix, and suggests that Gd and COX‐2 might play important roles in promoting neovascularization and cell proliferation in the establishment of endometriosis.
Upregulation of PTH receptor mRNA expression by dexamethasone in UMR‐106 osteoblast‐like cells
Authors: Haramoto N , Kawane T , Horiuchi N
Published: November 2006

Objectives:  Glucocorticoids influence receptor interactions of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) that are crucial for osteoblast function. As mechanisms linking receptor mRNA with glucocorticoids are incompletely understood, we investigated regulation of PTH receptor (PTH1R) mRNA expression in rat osteoblast‐like UMR‐106 cells by using dexamethasone (Dex), a synthetic glucocorticoid.

Materials and methods:  UMR‐106 cells were exposed to 10−8 to 10−5 M Dex, while some cells were also exposed to a transcriptional inhibitor (DRB) for 24 h with or without Dex. PTH‐stimulated cyclicAMP activities were measured by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. PTH1R mRNA was determined by Northern analysis. Transcriptional activities were measured as heretogeneous nuclear PTH1R RNA and also as luciferase activity in constructs, including the PTH1R gene promoter.

Results:  Dexamethasone dose‐dependently increased PTH‐stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity at 72 h. Dex markedly increased PTH1R mRNA accumulation, but did not change transcriptional activity. PTH1R mRNA stability was significantly increased by Dex in transcriptionally arrested cells.

Conclusion:  In osteoblast‐like cells, Dex induced upregulation of PTH1R mRNA followed by increased functional PTH receptor expression. This was caused by posttranscriptional mechanisms increasing mRNA stability.
The National Health Service — Can it Survive?
Authors: Edward Nigel
Published: November 2006

The National Health Service is valuable. It is also expensive. Its promise of universal health care, free to all at the point of delivery, is a source of pride and some comfort, and is also perhaps the greatest achievement of the welfare state. But with demands on it rising, and a population that lives longer into expensive old age, can it possibly be sustained? Should there be rationing? Must the funding be changed? Nigel Edwards examines the dilemmas.
Tagging and Deportation: Who Gets it Right?
Authors: Bird Sheila
Published: November 2006

The Home Office in England suffered major embarrassment this year over its failure to deport foreign nationals who had served prison sentences. It could not even supply statistics on how many there were, or what crimes they may have committed after release. Scotland, in contrast, could answer such questions with ease. Sheila Bird investigates English failure and Scottish solutions.
Biomedical Research: Are we Getting Value for Money?
Authors: Chalmers Iain
Published: November 2006

Billions of dollars are spent on biomedical research every year, but what tangible benefits for patients result from this massive investment? Iain Chalmers suggests that the research community has become seriously dysfunctional, that patients and the public should expect better dividends from their support of biomedical research, and that the entire research community must provide better, more effective research or risk losing the support of the public.
Do You Sincerely Want to Be Cited? Or: Read Before You Cite
Authors: Simkin Mikhail , Roychowdhury Vwany
Published: November 2006

Do you sincerely want to be cited? Prestige depends on the number of times your academic paper gets cited. But that need not be a measure of how good it is, nor even of how many times it is actually read. Mikhail Simkin and Vwani Roychowdhury explain their theory of the unread citation.
Statisticians in Stained Glass Houses
Authors: Edwards A. W. F.
Published: November 2006

Statistics and stained glass may seem an odd combination, but the windows of Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, say otherwise. Anthony Edwards explains.
Editing and Evolution
Authors: Robins William
Published: November 2006

Both textual editors and evolutionary biologists investigate the process of “descent with modification,” whether of how a text has been copied from one manuscript to another or of how a species of organisms has evolved into new species. In the last two decades there has been an interesting convergence of these fields, especially as some editors have harnessed biological methods of “cladistics” to aid their work in textual “stemmatics.” This article provides a historical sketch of the main similarities and differences between the genealogical methods in philology and biology from their emergence in the nineteenth century up to the present day.
Identification of an antibacterial protein as L‐amino acid oxidase in the skin mucus of rockfish Sebastes schlegeli
Authors: Kitani Yoichiro , Tsukamoto Chihiro , Zhang GuoHua , Nagai Hiroshi , Ishida Masami , Ishizaki Shoichiro , Shimakura Kuniyoshi , Shiomi Kazuo , Nagashima Yuji
Published: November 2006

Fish skin mucus contains a variety of antimicrobial proteins and peptides that seem to play a role in self defense. We previously reported an antibacterial protein in the skin secretion of the rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli, which showed selective antibacterial activity against Gram‐negative bacteria. This study aimed to isolate and structurally and functionally characterize this protein. The antibacterial protein, termed SSAP (S. schlegeli antibacterial protein), was purified to homogeneity by lectin affinity column chromatography, anion‐exchange HPLC and hydroxyapatite HPLC. It was found to be a glycoprotein containing N‐linked glycochains and FAD. Its molecular mass was estimated to be 120 kDa by gel filtration HPLC and 53 kDa by SDS/PAGE, suggesting that it is a homodimer. On the basis of the partial amino‐acid sequence determined, a full‐length cDNA of 2037 bp including an ORF of 1662 bp that encodes 554 amino‐acid residues was cloned by 3′ RACE, 5′ RACE and RT‐PCR. A blast search showed that a mature protein (496 residues) is homologous to l‐amino acid oxidase (LAO) family proteins. SSAP was determined to have LAO activity by the H2O2‐generation assay and substrate specificity for only l‐Lys with a Km of 0.19 mm. It showed potent antibacterial activity against fish pathogens such as Aeromonas hydrophila, Aeromonas salmonicida and Photobacterium damselae ssp. piscicida. The antibacterial activity was completely lost on the addition of catalase, confirming that H2O2 is responsible for the growth inhibition. This study identifies SSAP as a new member of the LAO family and reveals LAO involvement in the innate immunity of fish skin.
Adaptive rational equilibrium with forward looking agents
Authors: Brock William , Dindo Pietro , Hommes Cars
Published: November 2006

In adaptive rational equilibrium dynamics (ARED) agents choose between a costly rational expectation forecast and a cheap naive forecast, and the fractions using each of the two strategies evolve over time and are endogenously coupled to the market equilibrium price dynamics. In this setting, agents are backward looking in the sense that strategy selection is based on experience measured by relative past realized profits. When the selection pressure to switch to the more profitable strategy is high, instability and complicated chaotic price fluctuations arise.

In this paper we investigate the ARED with forward looking agents, whose strategy selection is based upon expected profits. Our findings suggest that forward looking behavior dampens the amplitude of price fluctuations, but local instability of the steady state remains. The global dynamics depends upon how sophisticated the forward looking behavior is. With perfectly forward looking agents, prices converge to a stable 2‐cycle, whereas with forward looking agents who are boundedly rational concerning their estimate of expected profits, small amplitude chaotic price fluctuations might arise.

We also establish an equivalence relationship between a heterogeneous agent model with switching of strategies and a representative agent framework, where the representative agent optimally chooses between the benefits of a high quality forecast and the associated information gathering costs. To an outside observer it is impossible to distinguish between the two.
Money and production, and liquidity trap
Authors: Dubey Pradeep , Geanakoplos John
Published: November 2006

We prove the existence of monetary equilibrium in a finite horizon economy with production. We also show that if agents expect the monetary authority to significantly decrease the supply of bank money available for short‐term loans in the future, then the economy will fall into a liquidity trap today.
U‐shaped relationship between vertical integration and competition: Theory and evidence
Authors: Aghion Philippe , Griffith Rachel , Howitt Peter
Published: November 2006

This paper considers how competition can affect aggregate innovative activity through its effects on firms' decision whether or not to vertically integrate. A moderate increase in competition enhances innovation incentives and too much competition discourages innovative effort. These effects generate an inverted‐U relationship between competition and innovation and between competition and the incentive to vertically integrate. Preliminary evidence finds that there is a nonlinear relationship between competition and the propensity of firms to vertically integrate. These results seem to be more consistent with the Property Right Theory of vertical integration than with the Transaction Cost Economics approach.
Randomized controlled trial of decision aids for women considering prenatal testing: The effect of the Ottawa Personal Decision Guide on decisional conflict
Authors: ARIMORI Naoko
Published: November 2006

Aim:  The aim of this research study was to clarify the effect that counseling using the Ottawa Personal Decision Guide had on pregnant women in helping them to decide whether or not to undergo prenatal testing. It compared the “decisional conflict” of a group of women interviewed by a nurse using the guide with that of a second group who were only given standard genetic counseling.

Methods:  A group of pregnant women attending the hospital for genetic counseling was randomly divided into an intervention group and a control group. The women in the intervention group were given standard genetic counseling, followed by an interview based on the decision aid guide. The women in the control group were given only standard genetic counseling. Both groups were followed up. The primary outcome of the study was to determine the level of decisional conflict, as measured by the Japanese version of the Decisional Conflict Scale. The secondary outcome was self‐esteem, based on the Rosenburg Self‐Esteem Scale. The outcome indicators were obtained from responses given in patient questionnaires conducted after standard genetic counseling (pre‐intervention) and after the conclusion of the decision‐making process (postintervention).

Results:  The pre‐intervention and postintervention changes in decisional conflict scores (primary outcome) indicated no significant difference between the two groups. However, with regard to postintervention decisional conflict, the rate of the response “mild to high decisional conflict” was lower for the intervention group than the control group. No significant difference between the two groups was detected for the secondary outcome of self‐esteem.

Conclusions:  The reasons for the lack of a clear effect on the level of decisional conflict are that the pre‐intervention responses for both groups were obtained after completion of the standard genetic counseling program and because follow‐up conducted by the nurses took the form of care given in response to patients’ needs. The use of decision aids to assist in the decision‐making process had no effect on the level of self‐esteem in the two groups. As a result, there was a similar level of intervention for both groups. However, as there was no clear indication that the use of the Ottawa Personal Decision Guide was harmful, it will be a useful tool in the medical care setting.
The symbiotic chloroplasts in the sacoglossanElysia clarkiare from several algal species
Authors: Curtis Nicholas E. , Massey Steven E. , Pierce Sidney K.
Published: November 2006

Abstract.The sacoglossan sea slugElysia clarkifeeds on siphonaceous algae, and intracellularly sequesters chloroplasts, which actively photosynthesize for 4 months. We have determined the algal source of chloroplasts in adults ofE. clarkifrom the Florida Keys, using molecular techniques, feeding experiments, and electron microscopy. Our results clearly demonstrate that specimens ofE. clarkisequester chloroplasts from four different species of algae, representing two genera:Penicillus lamourouxii, P. capitatus, Halimeda incrassata, andH. monile.In addition, chloroplasts from more than one species of algae are sequestered simultaneously in the same digestive cell.
Phylogenetic relationships within the tropical soft coral genera Sarcophyton and Lobophytum (Anthozoa, Octocorallia)
Authors: McFadden Catherine S. , Alderslade Philip , Van Ofwegen Leen P. , Johnsen Holly , Rusmevichientong Alice
Published: November 2006

Abstract. The alcyonacean soft coral genera Sarcophyton and Lobophytum are conspicuous, ecologically important members of shallow reef communities throughout the Indo‐West Pacific. Study of their ecology is, however, hindered by incomplete knowledge of their taxonomy: most species cannot be identified in the field and the two genera cannot always be distinguished reliably. We used a 735‐bp fragment of the octocoral‐specific mitochondrial protein‐coding gene msh1 to construct a phylogeny for 92 specimens identified to 19 species of Lobophytum and 16 species of Sarcophyton. All phylogenetic methods used recovered a tree with three strongly supported clades. One clade included only morphologically typical Sarcophyton species with a stalk distinct from the polypary, poorly formed club‐shaped sclerites in the colony surface, and large spindles in the interior of the stalk. A second clade included only morphologically typical Lobophytum colonies with lobes and ridges on the colony surface, poorly formed clubs in the colony surface, and interior sclerites consisting of oval forms with regular girdles of ornamental warts. The third distinct clade included a mix of Sarcophyton and Lobophytum nominal species with intermediate morphologies. Most of the species in this mixed clade had a polypary that was not distinct from the stalk, and the sclerites in the colony surface were clubs with well‐defined heads. Within the Sarcophyton clade, specimens identified as Sarcophyton glaucum belonged to six very distinct genetic sub‐clades, suggesting that this morphologically heterogeneous species is actually a cryptic species complex. Our results highlight the need for a complete taxonomic revision of these genera, using molecular data to help confirm species boundaries as well as to guide higher taxonomic decisions.