bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
STRONTIUM FRUCTOSE 1,6‐DIPHOSPHATE RESCUES ADENINE‐INDUCED MALE HYPOGONADISM AND UPREGULATES THE TESTICULAR ENDOTHELIN‐1 SYSTEM
Authors: Feng Yu , Zhang Qi , Dai De‐Zai , Ying Han‐Jie , Dai Yin
Published: July 2007

Male hypogonadism is a major problem that starts to affect middle‐aged men and has adversely effects on human sexual life. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of strontium fructose 1,6‐diphosphate (FDP‐Sr) on male hypogonadism in rats.

The pharmacological model of testis dysfunction was created by administration of adenine (200 mg/kg per day, i.g.) for 30 days. Three doses of FDP‐Srs (200, 100 and 50 mg/kg per day, i.g.) were administered in parallel with adenine. Finally, mating behaviour index (the mounting latency and the number of mounting events), the total number of spermatozoa and sperm motility, related enzyme function and gene regulation and the mRNA levels of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cytochrome P450 side‐chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β‐HSD), prepro‐endothelin (ET)‐1, endothelin‐converting enzyme (ECE) and endothelin receptor A (ETA) were analysed.

 The results showed that adenine significantly prolonged the mounting latency and decreased the number of mounting events, markedly reduced the total number of spermatozoa, slowed sperm motility and decreased testicular enzyme activity in the testes. At the mRNA level, adenine significantly downregulated serum testosterone, StAR, P450sc and 3β‐HSD. In parallel, adenine also targeted the ET‐1 system, significantly downregulating mRNA levels of prepro‐ET‐1, ECE and ETA. Administration of FDP‐Sr dose‐dependently reversed these effects.

In conclusion, adenine‐induced testis dysfunction appears to be manifested as loss of sexual function in association with decreased spermatogenesis and reduced mRNA levels of steroidogenesis and the testicular ET‐1 system. These abnormalities were significantly restored by FDP‐Sr in a dose‐dependent manner. These data indicate the possibility of using FDP‐Sr to treat male hypogonadism.
Resilience thinking: Interview with Brian Walker
Authors: McDonald Tein
Published: July 2007

Summary  This interview with Brian Walker, chair of the research‐based Resilience Alliance, outlines the main concepts and propositions behind ‘resilience thinking’ and touches on the importance of this paradigm for individuals and organizations involved in managing complex social‐ecological systems. It refers to the origins, work and publications of the Resilience Alliance, listing and elaborating the key case studies used to illustrate the Alliance's main proposition that complex social‐ecological systems do not behave in a predictable linear fashion. Rather, research indicates it is normal for complex systems to go through cycles of increasing and decreasing resilience and to have potential to shift, (in a self‐organising way) to potentially undesirable states or entirely new systems if certain component variables are severely impacted by management. Such shifts can be novel and ‘surprising’, and are often not beneficial or desirable for societies. This is particularly the case where small‐scale solutions push the problem upwards in a system, causing loss of resilience at a global scale. Predicting thresholds is therefore important to managers and is a key research focus for members of the Resilience Alliance who are currently building an accessible database to support decision‐making in global natural resource management.
Historical Indigenous use of aquatic resources in Australia's Murray‐Darling Basin, and its implications for river management
Authors: Humphries Paul
Published: July 2007

Summary  Indigenous people demonstrably lived along rivers and around lakes and wetlands of Australia's Murray‐Darling Basin in pre‐European times. Waterways were, and continue to be, of major significance to the society and culture of Aboriginal peoples throughout Australia. Historically, they exploited most of the fauna – from mussels and crayfish, to fish and birds – and either ate, or used for other purposes, many species of aquatic plants. Such practices placed them in the role of environmental modifiers, a role played by all human groups from both past and present. They built sophisticated fish traps, cut gaps in river banks to allow fish to move on to floodplains, and there is evidence that they practised a form of fish culture by creating small impoundments in which small fish could live and grow in normally ephemeral tributary streams away from predatory larger fish. Knowledge of the numbers of Aboriginal people inhabiting the riverine regions of the Murray‐Darling Basin are sketchy, but at times large groups congregated for cultural reasons, facilitating fishing with extensively engineered fish traps, such as that at Brewarrina, on the Barwon River in New South Wales. At other times, densities may have been about 0.5 person per river kilometre, although this was certainly not evenly distributed and the calculation postdated deaths from smallpox. From archaeological and anthropological evidence, aquatic fauna and flora would have constituted between about 30% and 100% of the diets of Indigenous people historically, depending on season and location. As such, Indigenous people were very much a part of the ecology of aquatic ecosystems and their effects may have been profound. Despite this, their role in influencing these ecosystems has largely been ignored by contemporary freshwater ecologists and managers. Current management practices do not seem to have considered the loss of this component of riverine ecosystems, and there is little debate about how the historical part that Indigenous people played in shaping these systems and their biota might be incorporated into management generally.
ENDOSCOPIC DIAGNOSIS OF INTRADUCTAL PAPILLARY MUCINOUS NEOPLASM USING PERORAL PANCREATOSCOPY WITH NARROW BAND IMAGING
Authors: Igarashi Yoshinori , Miura Tomihiro , Okano Naoki , Ito Ken , Miki Kazumasa
Published: July 2007

A 77‐year‐old man was diagnosed with a pancreas cyst at another hospital. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a cyst in the head of the pancreas and a small protrusion. These findings suggested intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. Cytologic finding of the pancreatic juice revealed a Class III lesion, and intraductal ultrasonography and peroral pancreatoscopy (PPS) were performed. An abnormal course of main pancreatic duct (MPD) prevented the insertion of an ultrasonography probe into the MPD, and PPS was performed. The mucosal surface of the MPD near the papillary area was normal, and narrow band imaging (NBI) clearly showed the vascular structure. When the PPS was inserted more deeply, many small protrusions were observed and NBI delineated the protrusions more clearly. Papillary protrusions were observed in the cyst, but NBI did not reveal any tumor vessels. These findings led to a diagnosis of benign intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm lesion. Since then, follow‐up examinations have been made. Changes in the cyst and protrusion have not been observed.
ENDOSCOPIC OBSERVATION OF MUCOSAL SPREAD LESION OF CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA USING PERORAL CHOLANGIOSCOPY WITH NARROW BAND IMAGING
Authors: Igarashi Yoshinori , Okano Naoki , Ito Ken , Mimura Takahiko , Miki Kazumasa
Published: July 2007

A 69‐year‐old man was admitted to Toho University Omori Medical Center complaining of icterus. Abdominal computed tomography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were suspicious of cholangioma of inferior bile duct. Peroral cholangioscopy using narrow band imaging (NBI) was performed and it was possible to diagnose the mucosal spread lesions of cholangioma. Histological findings reflected the endoscopic findings. Mucosal spread lesions of cholangiocarcinoma were successfully diagnosed using the CHF‐B260 for NBI.
WHAT DO WE SEE IN THE ENDOSCOPY WORLD IN 10 YEARS' TIME?
Authors: Tajiri Hisao
Published: July 2007

The present paper discusses where endoscopic diagnosis and treatment will be in 10 years. The demand for gastroenterologist services is growing, driven partly by the aging population and the popularity of screening colonoscopy. Hopefully, along with better genetic and fecal markers, it will allow colonoscopy to be used much more efficiently in patients who really need it. Innovations in reduction of pressure on patients by decreasing the diameter of the electron endoscope, particularly the transnasal endoscope, are continued, in parallel with the development and research of capsule endoscopy as a tentative measure. There will be issues regarding will perform the screening test, and how the medical expenses should be established. In contrast, highly precise imaging techniques are progressing. The most important theme of endoscopic medicine is the further prevalence of and development of therapeutic endoscopy in such situation as gastroesophageal reflux disease, obesity, hemostasis, luminal stenosis, endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastrointestinal cancer, stenting, endoscopic shincterotomy and natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery for pancreatic biliary or other diseases. In addition, the field of gastroenterology and gastrointestinal endoscopy will need to evolve into one of the digestive health sciences, a new multidisciplinary specialty. It will be required to have a department of digestive diseases integrating all specialists in this field.
COMPARISON AMONG ENDO‐CYTOSCOPY, CYTOLOGY AND HISTOLOGY OF AN ESOPHAGEAL INTRAEPITHELIAL CARCINOMA
Authors: Fujishiro Mitsuhiro , Kodashima Shinya , Takubo Kaiyo , Kakushima Naomi , Omata Masao
Published: July 2007

Endo‐cytoscopy enables real‐time microscopic observation of living cells. However, it is not clear what the obtained images represent. Therefore the purpose of the present paper was to compare endocytoscopic images with stump cytological images and horizontal histological images of an esophageal intraepithelial carcinoma, which showed that not only cellular atypia but also structural atypia of the epithelium could be assessed on endocytoscopic imaging. This finding shows that conventional histopathological knowledge is applicable to establish endocytoscopic diagnosis, which means that endoscopic biopsy could be replaced by endocytoscopy to some extent in the near future.
AUTOFLUORESCENCE IMAGING COLONOSCOPY IN ULCERATIVE COLITIS: COMPARISON WITH CONVENTIONAL AND NARROW‐BAND IMAGING COLONOSCOPY
Authors: Matsumoto Takayuki , Kudo Tetsuji , Yao Takashi , Iida Mitsuo
Published: July 2007

Autofluorescence imaging (AFI) endoscopy is a procedure to demonstrate gastrointestinal neoplasia and inflammation as colored areas distinct from the surrounding normal tissue. In the present pilot study AFI colonoscopy findings in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) were analyzed. Ten patients with UC were examined using conventional colonoscopy, followed by AFI colonoscopy and narrow band imaging (NBI) colonoscopy. Images under AFI colonoscopy were classified into high AF (green or white) and low AF (magenta). NBI colonoscopy determined vasculature, either into regular, irregular or obscure mucosal vascular pattern. A total of 48 colorectal segments were assessed with the three modes of colonoscopy. The AF was high in 100% of the segments with normal mucosa or with quiescent disease and in 44% of the segments with active mucosa (P < 0.001). Mucosal vascular pattern under NBI was obscure more frequently in low‐AF segments than in high‐AF segments (P < 0.001). Inflammatory infiltrate was more severe and crypt distortion was more frequent in the latter than in the former (P < 0.001). There were trends towards more frequent obscure vascular pattern and more severe inflammation in active segments with low AF than in those with high AF mucosa. These findings suggest that AF status determined by AFI colonoscopy may be a clue for subclassification of active UC.
IMPROVEMENT OF CHOLEDOCHOSCOPY: CHROMOENDOCHOLEDOCHOSCOPY, AUTOFLUORESCENCE IMAGING, OR NARROW‐BAND IMAGING
Authors: Itoi Takao , Shinohara Yasushi , Takeda Kazuya , Nakamura Kazuto , Takei Kazuo
Published: July 2007

Past and present results concerning assessment of choledochoscopy using chromoendoscopy, autofluorescence imaging (AFI), or narrow‐band imaging (NBI) are summarized herein. On chromoendocholedochoscopy using methylene blue, cancer was stained dark blue. Interestingly, normal bile duct had dimple signs that are a significant feature of non‐neoplastic mucosa. First‐generation AFI (laser‐induced fluorescence endoscopy–gastrointestine system) and system of autofluorescence endoscopy made it possible to detect neoplastic lesions as dark green–black lesions, although the image was insufficient. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of white light illumination and AFI were 88.0%, 87.5%, 87.7%, and 100%, 52.5%, 70.8%, respectively. In contrast, the recently developed NBI system made it possible to emphasize the imaging of certain features such as mucosal structures and mucosal microvessels. NBI showed not only clear neoplastic findings such as irregular mucosa or tortuous tumor vessel, but also non‐neoplastic findings such as smooth surface mucosa or dimple sign. In conclusion, the diagnostic power of chromoendoscopy and AFI were low, but NBI is expected to become the new‐generation diagnostic tool for biliary tract diseases.
RISK MANAGEMENT TO PREVENT PERFORATION DURING ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION
Authors: Kawahara Yoshiro , Takenaka Ryuta , Okada Hiroyuki
Published: July 2007

En bloc resection is beneficial for accurate histological assessment of resected specimens of endoscopic mucosal resection. Conventional endoscopic mucosal resection is simple and convenient but with this procedure the size of specimen obtained from one‐piece resection is very limited. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) using IT knife, Hook knife, Flex knife and so on has already been reported and it is useful to some expert endoscopists, but sometimes difficult for general endoscopists to use safely. The drawback of ESD is that it is difficult and is consequently associated with a higher rate of perforation, which may reach up to 2–6% . In addition, ESD requires advanced endoscopic techniques. Further improvement of devices and techniques is expected to be developed to prevent perforation for ESD procedure.
RISK MANAGEMENT FOR SEDATION IN ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION
Authors: Naruse Mutsuko , Inatsuchi Shuji
Published: July 2007

Endoscopic submucosal dissection takes a longer time to complete, and special attention is needed for patient risk management. Narcotics and benzodiazepines to produce conscious sedation is familiar to the endoscopist. General anesthesia should be indicated for difficult cases. To provide early warning for respiratory compromise, pulse oximetry, capnometer, and continuous visual assessment by trained stuff are needed. On lateral position, axillar vessels and nerve may be damaged, decompression pad is useful. Complications of ESD are not limited to bleeding or perforation, sedation‐related complications are also possible. Education and training for medical personnel is essential to prevent adverse events.
ENDOSCOPIC APPROACH TO THE PANCREATOBILIARY TRACT USING NARROW BAND IMAGING
Authors: Itoh Akihiro , Hirooka Yoshiki , Kawashima Hiroki , Niwa Yasumasa , Goto Hidemi
Published: July 2007

Narrow band imaging (NBI), based on modifying spectral features by narrowing the bandwidth of spectral transmittance, makes it possible to clearly observe the microvascular architecture or fine superficial structure of the gastrointestinal tract. Using a thinner video endoscope recently developed and not equipped with magnifying mode, the authors have evaluated the clinical usage of NBI for the pancreatobiliary region. Between June and July 2006, peroral pancreatoscopy or cholangioscopy was performed for 10 patients with pancreatobiliary diseases. The scope with an outer diameter of 2.9 mm was used. Non‐magnifying NBI observation was compared with standard observation. NBI observation visualized the small vessels and superficial architecture, which were difficult to depict on standard observation. Furthermore, NBI clearly delineated the margin of the small‐protruding lesion. Consequently, NBI pancreatoscopy was more useful for diagnosing tumor spread in the main pancreatic duct of the intraductal mucinous neoplasm.
MANAGEMENT OF ENDOSCOPIC SPHINCTEROTOMY‐INDUCED BLEEDING
Authors: Ryozawa Shomei , Urayama Naoki , Iwano Hirotoshi , Mikuriya Kuniko , Sakaida Isao
Published: July 2007

Bleeding is one of the most common and potentially serious complications of endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) and the overall frequency ranges from 2% to 5%. Patients with coagulopathy and anticoagulant therapy should be excluded from ES. ES using microprocessor‐controlled electrosurgical generator setting for Endocut mode, and a step‐wise manner of controlled incision may reduce the frequency of bleeding. Once ES‐induced bleeding occurs, diluted epinephrine irrigation, coagulation using papillotome, and balloon tamponade may be effective. If the bleeding continues, vessel ligation with a hemoclip should be performed to achieve a permanent hemostasis. Diluted epinephrine injection is an alternative technique when the point of bleeding is not identified. All endoscopists who perform ES should have suitable knowledge of management of bleeding and be experts in hemostasis.
COMPLICATIONS AND RISK MANAGEMENT OF ENDOSCOPIC PAPILLARY BALLOON DILATATION
Authors: Katanuma Akio , Maguchi Hiroyuki , Osanai Manabu , Takahashi Kuniyuki
Published: July 2007

Endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation (EPBD) was reported as a less invasive treatment for bile duct stone. It has advantages of reduced risk of bleeding and preserved papillary function, compared with endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST). However, recurrence of stone has not been elucidated as yet. The problem of EPBD is the high incidence of post‐procedure pancreatitis. Reported as risk factors of the pancreatitis are pancreatography, past history of pancreatitis, difficult bile duct cannulation, excessive pressure to the papilla etc. Appropriate measures to prevent post‐EPBD pancreatitis are therefore indispensable.
RISK MANAGEMENT OF THERAPEUTIC COLONOSCOPY (HOT BIOPSY, POLYPECTOMY, ENDOSCOPIC MUCOSAL RESECTION AND ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION)
Authors: Sano Yasushi , Saitoh Yusuke
Published: July 2007

The concept of an adenoma–carcinoma sequence has been widely accepted in the colon and rectum, contrary to that in gastric cancer. Consequently, most target lesions for endoscopic resection using these newly developed techniques are histologically assessed as adenoma or intramucosal carcinoma in adenoma. Based on results in conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), almost all remnant or recurrent tumors can be successfully managed by salvage EMR, and all materials resected by salvage EMR also showed adenoma or intramucosal cancer. These results suggest that en bloc resection is not always clinically necessary to obtain complete cure for all colorectal neoplasia. However, larger lesions tend to be resected in a piecemeal fashion; it is difficult to confirm whether EMR has been completed or not. For precise histopathological assessment of the resected specimen, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for en bloc resection is desirable, although further experience is needed to establish its safety and efficacy. The present review contains a summary of the risk management of therapeutic colonoscopy including ESD for large colorectal mucosal neoplasia, debated at the Endoscopic Forum Japan 2006, Hakone, and discussion of the problems and future prospects of these procedures.
POTENTIAL OF AUTOFLUORESCENCE COLONOSCOPY FOR PATIENTS WITH ULCERATIVE COLITIS
Authors: Watanabe Kenji , Yamagami Hirokazu , Oshitani Nobuhide , Higuchi Kazuhide , Arakawa Tetsuo
Published: July 2007

The aim of the present paper was to determine the efficacy and potential of autofluorescence imaging (AFI) colonoscopy for patients with ulcerative colitis. Fifteen biopsy specimens were taken from endoscopic remission colonic mucosa. Eight specimens were AFI positive and seven specimens were AFI negative. While most of the histological activity findings for AFI‐positive samples were moderate active (6/8, 75.0%), most of the findings for AFI‐negative specimens were mild active (6/7, 85.7%). AFI findings for colitis‐associated cancer or dysplasia are still unclear. Further prospective studies are needed to investigate the relationship of autofluorescence findings and recurrence rate.
PERORAL PANCREATOSCOPY: CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE EXPECTATIONS USING NARROW BAND IMAGING
Authors: Arisaka Yoshifumi , Masuda Daisuke , Kawakami Ken , Miyaji Katsuhiko , Katsu Ken‐Ichi
Published: July 2007

Peroral pancreatoscopy (POPS) under duodenoscopic assistance provide direct visual assessment of the pancreatic duct, tissue sampling, and therapeutic interventions. Sometimes, pancreatoscopy can confirm accurate diagnosis, such as differential diagnosis of filling defects between intraductal tumors and stones. However, it is often difficult to differentiate malignant from benign strictures solely on pancreatoscopy. It is currently considered that intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is the most suitable indication of POPS. POPS has several problems: image resolution, fragility and maneuverability. Concerning image resolution, the quality has been improved with the development of a video pancreatoscope. Moreover, the recently developed endoscopic optical technology of narrow band imaging (NBI) is now available to video pancreatoscopy. This will allow direct visual assessment. Although currently POPS has several problems, further improvement will assist POPS to become a useful modality in combination with NBI.
RISK FACTORS FOR POST‐ENDOSCOPIC RETROGRADE CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPHY PANCREATITIS: PROSPECTIVE SINGLE‐INSTITUTION STUDY
Authors: Tsuyuguchi Toshio , Okugawa Tadahiro , Yokosuka Osamu
Published: July 2007

Pancreatitis is the most common and serious complication of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and hyperamylasemia after ERCP is common. The aim of the present study was to examine the potential patient‐ and procedure‐related risk factors for post‐ERCP pancreatitis including hyperenzymenia in a prospective study. Data were collected prospectively on patient characteristics and endoscopic techniques from 184 ERCP performed at a single referral center and entered into a database. Data were collected prior to the procedure, at the time of procedure, and 24–72 h after procedure. The primary end‐point was the incidence of post‐ERCP pancreatitis and the secondary objective was the incidence of hyperamylasemia. Of the 184 patients enrolled, diagnostic ERCP was performed in 37 (20.1%) and therapeutic ERCP in 147 (79.9%). Pancreatitis developed in two patients (1.1%) and was graded mild in one (0.5%) and severe in the other (0.5%). Hyperamylasemia occurred in 14 patients (7.6%). Six investigated variables, female gender, therapeutic ERCP, major papilla sphincterotomy, stenting, difficult cannulation, and bile duct diameter were not significant risk factors for post‐ERCP pancreatitis. Although there was no significant factors in pancreatitis, the number of cannulations and precut sphincterotomies were significantly related to hyperamylasemia. The present study emphasizes a technical factor (difficult cannulation) as the determining high‐risk predictors for post‐ERCP pancreatitis.
EVALUATION OF NARROW BAND IMAGING FOR PERORAL CHOLANGIOPANCREATOSCOPY
Authors: Tanaka Kiyohito , Yasuda Kenjiro , Uno Koji , Sakata Munehiro , Nakajima Masatsugu
Published: July 2007

Used with narrow band imaging (NBI), peroral cholangiopancreatoscopy (PCPS) was performed in eight patients with biliary and pancreatic diseases. The procedures were successfully performed in all patients without any complications after endoscopic sphincterotomy. Direct endoscopic diagnosis within both the bile and pancreatic ducts was well accomplished by the baby scope with NBI. NBI produced higher quality images and was able to show changes of the bile duct wall due to tumor growth. However, bile is seen as red on NBI, so sufficient cleaning of the bile duct is recommended. It is concluded that this procedures is considerably valuable and enables PCPS to easily detect biliary lesions.
STANDARD IMAGING TECHNIQUES OF ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND‐GUIDED FINE‐NEEDLE ASPIRATION USING A CURVED LINEAR ARRAY ECHOENDOSCOPE
Authors:   EUS‐FNA Standardization Committee, Yamao Kenji , Irisawa Atsushi , Inoue Hiroyuki , Matsuda Koji , Kida Mitsuhiro , Ryozawa Shomei , Hirooka Yoshiki , Kozu Teruo
Published: July 2007

Standard imaging techniques using a curved linear array echoendocope are summarized to facilitate the attainment of expertise in endoscopic ultrasonography and endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration, and to promote the widespread use of this diagnostic and therapeutic tool.

Typical images of the mediastinal organs, the bilio‐pancreatic systems and neighboring organs by scanning from the esophagus, stomach, duodenal bulb, and descending portion of the duodenum, are shown in a sequential manner. The basic techniques of endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration are also presented.
Personal significance is encoded automatically by the human brain: an event‐related potential study with ringtones
Authors: Roye Anja , Jacobsen Thomas , Schröger Erich
Published: July 2007

In this human event‐related brain potential (ERP) study, we have used one's personal – relative to another person's – ringtone presented in a two‐deviant passive oddball paradigm to investigate the long‐term memory effects of self‐selected personal significance of a sound on the automatic deviance detection and involuntary attention system. Our findings extend the knowledge of long‐term effects usually reported in group‐approaches in the domains of speech, music and environmental sounds. In addition to the usual mismatch negativity (MMN) and P3a component elicited by deviants in contrast to standard stimuli, we observed a posterior ERP deflection directly following the MMN for the personally significant deviant only. This specific impact of personal significance started around 200 ms after sound onset and involved neural generators that were different from the mere physical deviance detection mechanism. Whereas the early part of the P3a component was unaffected by personal significance, the late P3a was enhanced for the ERPs to the personal significant deviant suggesting that this stimulus was more powerful in attracting attention involuntarily. Following the involuntary attention switch, the personally significant stimulus elicited a widely‐distributed negative deflection, probably reflecting further analysis of the significant sound involving evaluation of relevance or reorienting to the primary task. Our data show, that the personal significance of mobile phone and text message technology, which have developed as a major medium of communication in our modern world, prompts the formation of individual memory representations, which affect the processing of sounds that are not in the focus of attention.
Mitochondrial mechanism of neuroprotection by CART
Authors: Mao Peizhong , Ardeshiri Ardi , Jacks Rachel , Yang Sufang , Hurn Patricia D. , Alkayed Nabil J.
Published: July 2007

We previously demonstrated that the neuropeptide cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART) is protective against focal cerebral ischemiain vivoand against neuronal cell death in culture induced by oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD). The mechanism of neuroprotection by CART is unknown, in part due to lack of knowledge regarding its putative receptor. Using a yeast two‐hybrid system with CART's carboxy‐terminal to screen a mouse brain cDNA library, we uncovered a potential direct interaction between CART and subunit B of the mitochondrial enzyme succinate dehydrogenase (SDHB). We confirmed CART/SDHB binding usingin vitropull‐down assay, and tested the effects of CART peptide on SDH activity, Complex II (CII) activity and ATP production in primary cultured cortical neurons under basal conditions and after OGD. At concentrations between 0.2 and 4 nm, CART significantly increased SDH function, CII activity and ATP generation in purified mitochondria and intact neurons under baseline conditions. Furthermore, pretreatment with CART enhanced mitochondrial mechanisms of neuronal survival and prevented the decline in SDH and CII activities and ATP production after OGD. The findings suggest that CART's neuroprotective mechanism of action may be linked to preservation of mitochondrial function and prevention of energy failure after ischemia–reperfusion injury.
The influence of the subthalamic nucleus upon the damage to the dopamine system following lesions of globus pallidus in rats
Authors: Wright A. K. , Arbuthnott G. W.
Published: July 2007

Lesioning or stimulating the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in patients with Parkinson's disease, or in animal models of parkinsonism, alleviates many of the symptoms and so it is tempting to think of the STN as a part of the cause of Parkinson's disease. The globus pallidus (GP) is thought to have a tonic inhibitory action on the STN. An ibotenic acid injection into the GP in rats removes the cells of the GP and, over the following 6 weeks, a progressive loss of dopamine cells (counted stereologically in sections stained for tyrosine hydroxylase) develops in substantia nigra (SN). In this investigation we show that, when animals have the STN cells destroyed by very small ibotenic acid injections, their dopamine neurons are not damaged. Furthermore, if a lesion to the GP follows a lesion of STN then the dopamine cells also survive this double insult, at least for the first 3 weeks following the lesion. The experiments provide good reason to suspect that, at least in the short term, increased activity in the STN is a contributory cause of the loss of dopamine cells which follows the lesion of the GP in rats. Whether or not this is part of the mechanism of cell loss in Parkinson's disease, the rats with GP lesions at least provide an opportunity to test strategies that might protect dopamine cells from slowly developing damage. Removing the STN seems to be neuroprotective in this new model of dopamine degeneration.
For Queen and Company: The Role of Intelligence in the UK's Arms Trade
Authors: Dover Robert
Published: July 2007

This article analyses the role that the UK intelligence services (particularly Secret Intelligence Service [SIS or MI6], the Defence Intelligence Staff [DIS], Government Communication Headquarters [GCHQ] and associated agencies) play in the legal UK arms trade. The article shows that intelligence has been used in support of British-based private commercial businesses, and occasionally in providing intelligence on the negotiating positions of rival manufacturers. This raises important questions about the role of the state in the private sphere, particularly the use of a large number of government assets in support of private interests and the elision of British government interests with those of a section of the manufacturing industry. This article also challenges existing conceptions of how the UK's intelligence agencies operate and relate to their customers. Conventional typologies of UK intelligence have emphasised the importance of the ‘central machinery’, highlighting the Joint Intelligence Committee as the focal point of intelligence tasking and analysis in the UK. However, in this case the intelligence support provided to the sale of military equipment suggests a range of parallel practices that are much more decentralised and often informal. This research therefore suggests that our conception of the UK intelligence architecture requires some reassessment.
When Voters and Parties Agree: Valence Issues and Party Competition
Authors: Green Jane
Published: July 2007

There has been much talk of valence, consensus or competence politics but little theoretical explanation or empirical investigation of how this has arisen. In this article I argue that British political competition has become competence-based because the major parties and the electorate have converged on the dominant left–right dimension of British voting behaviour. As a result, commonly cited core vote explanations for party polarisation have only limited application. The electorate has converged on left–right issues, narrowing the policy space and the available positional strategies of political parties. A different pattern is found for the issue of Europe, and this is interpreted in light of possible causal mechanisms. The article offers a formal model for a rise in valence politics as parties and voters converge, and the implications are discussed for theories of party competition. I argue in favour of competence and salience-based theories of party strategy in place of a reliance on traditional spatial models.
Politics of God or Politics of Man? The Role of Religion and Deprivation in Predicting Support for Political Violence in Israel
Authors: Zaidise Eran , Canetti-Nisim Daphna , Pedahzur Ami
Published: July 2007

This study examines the associations between religious affiliation and religiosity and support for political violence through a nationwide sample of Israeli Jews and Muslims. Based on structural equation modeling, the findings show that by and large Muslims are more supportive of political violence than Jews and more religious persons are less supportive of political violence. Deprivation, however, was found to mediate these relations, showing that the more deprived – whether Muslims or Jews, religious or non-religious persons – are more supportive of political violence. The explanatory strength of religion and deprivation combined in this manner was found to be stronger than any of these variables on their own. The findings cast doubt on negative stereotypes both of Islam and of religiosity as promoting political violence. They suggest that governments which want peace at home, in Israel as elsewhere, would do well to ensure that ethnic and religious differences are not translated into, and compounded by, wide socio-economic gaps.
WHO WERE THE GLASSMAKERS? STATUS, THEORY AND METHOD IN MID‐SECOND MILLENNIUM GLASS PRODUCTION
Authors: SHORTLAND A.J.
Published: July 2007

Summary.  Glass was first produced in a regular and controlled manner in the Near East in the sixteenth century BC. This paper examines a wide variety of textual, archaeological and analytical sources to try and determine more about the makers of this first glass. It attempts to show how modern ideas about medieval glassmaking have been anachronistically applied to the second millennium BC, and readdresses this by turning instead to second millennium sources of evidence. Using these sources, it investigates the position of glass within Late Bronze Age society and the status of glassmakers themselves. It goes on to examine the evidence for ritual and experimental behaviour in LBA crafts and industries and applies this to ideas of technological innovation and change in the period. It looks at the alchemical nature of glass production and proposes new ways of attempting to understand the glassmakers themselves.
THE CROW DOWN HOARD, LAMBOURN, WEST BERKSHIRE
Authors: VARNDELL GILLIAN , COE DUNCAN , HEY GILL , CANTI MATTHEW
Published: July 2007

Summary.  The discovery of a hoard of five middle Bronze Age gold objects during a metal‐detecting rally on the Lambourn Downs in 2004 precipitated an archaeological investigation into their character, provenance and context. This article describes the objects themselves, their composition, how they were made and their archaeological background. It also reports the result of forensic archaeological work undertaken on them. The parallels for the objects and the social context of their deposition are discussed.
RETHINKING THE SMALL PIG HORIZON AT YORK MINSTER
Authors: GERRARD JAMES
Published: July 2007

Summary.  The small pig horizon within the headquarters building of the legionary fortress of Eboracum (York) is a unique assemblage of early post‐Roman animal bones. Originally interpreted as evidence of an impoverished Dark Age community scratching out a living within the ruined fortress, reinterpretation of this deposit suggests that it may be evidence of the economic power of a post‐Roman elite conspicuously consuming suckling pig, perhaps in an echo of high‐status Roman dietary preferences.
IMMIGRATION AND NATIVE WELFARE*
Authors: Felbermayr Gabriel J. , Kohler Wilhelm
Published: July 2007

This article unifies two approaches for identifying the welfare and wage effects of immigration, one emphasizing the immigration surplus, the other stressing a potential welfare loss due to a terms‐of‐trade effect. We decompose the native welfare effect into a standard complementarity effect, augmented by a Stolper–Samuelson effect, and a terms‐of‐trade effect. We illustrate the welfare and wage effects of endogenous goods prices in a stylized‐specific factors model. Finally, we calibrate this model to a generic OECD economy and provide simulation results. The key insight is that endogenous goods prices play a quantitatively important role, sometimes even overturning received results.
COMPETITION FOR MARKET SHARE OR FOR MARKET SIZE: OLIGOPOLISTIC EQUILIBRIA WITH VARYING COMPETITIVE TOUGHNESS*
Authors: D'Aspremont Claude , Dos Santos Ferreira Rodolphe , Gérard‐Varet Louis‐André
Published: July 2007

For an industry producing a composite commodity, we propose a comprehensive concept of oligopolistic equilibrium, allowing for a parameterized continuum of regimes varying in competitive toughness. Each firm sets simultaneously its price and its quantity under two constraints, relative to its market share and to market size. The price and the quantity equilibrium outcomes always belong to the set of oligopolistic equilibria. When firms are identical and we let their number increase, any sequence of symmetric oligopolistic equilibria converges to the monopolistic competition outcome. Further results are derived in the symmetric CES case, concerning in particular the collusive solution enforceability.
NEW MICROFOUNDATIONS FOR THE AGGREGATE MATCHING FUNCTION*
Authors: Stevens Margaret
Published: July 2007

Empirical studies of the aggregate labor market matching function have favored a Cobb–Douglas functional form, for which there are no microfoundations in the existing literature. I present a new model for the matching process, based on a “telephone‐line” Poisson queuing process, which, unlike other microeconomic approaches, can be integrated directly into standard theoretical search models. This implies a CES matching function, approximately Cobb–Douglas when search costs are approximately linear. The model allows empirical estimates of matching function parameters to be interpreted in terms of the costs and benefits of search.
MEASURING CONSUMER WELFARE WITH MEAN DEMANDS*
Authors: Schlee Edward E.
Published: July 2007

The welfare change from a price increase–for example, the compensating variation (cv)—is often calculated using the expenditure function from an estimated demand. If there is unobserved preference heterogeneity, then the estimated demand is an average over households with different preferences. And the cv from the mean demand does not generally equal the mean cv. We give conditions ensuring that the cv from the mean demand equals the mean cv, is less than the mean cv, and approximates the mean cv better than the change in consumers' surplus. A necessary condition is that demands become more dispersed as income rises.
THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY REVOLUTION AND THE PUZZLING TRENDS IN TOBIN'S AVERAGE q*
Authors: Peralta‐Alva Adrian
Published: July 2007

The market value of U.S. corporations declined by 50% during 1973–74 and stagnated for the following 15 years. This abrupt decline in market valuations coincided with two technology shocks: (1) the start of the information technology revolution and (2) a sudden slowdown in productivity growth. I use general equilibrium theory to quantify the macroeconomic and asset price implications of these two shocks. The information technology revolution and the productivity slowdown make the theory consistent with the trends of key macroeconomic aggregates from the mid‐1970s to the 1990s, and can also account for most of the drop in market values.
CHARITY AUCTIONS*
Authors: Engers Maxim , McManus Brian
Published: July 2007

In a charity auction the public‐goods nature of auction revenue affects bidding incentives. We compare equilibrium bidding and revenue in first‐price, second‐price, and all‐pay charity auctions. Bidding revenue typically varies by selling format. First‐price auctions are less lucrative than second‐price and all‐pay auctions, and with sufficiently many bidders the all‐pay auction has the highest bidding revenue. However, revenue equivalence applies when the auctioneer can set a reserve price and fees plus threaten to cancel the auction. If the auctioneer cannot threaten cancellation, a reserve and bidding fee can augment revenue but again revenue varies by auction format
Characteristics of Brain Tumour-Associated Headache
Authors: Schankin CJ , Ferrari U , Reinisch VM , Birnbaum T , Goldbrunner R , Straube A
Published: July 2007

Eighty-five brain tumour patients were examined for further characteristics of brain tumour-associated headache. The overall prevalence of headache in this population was 60%, but headache was the sole symptom in only 2%. Pain was generally dull, of moderate intensity, and not specifically localized. Nearly 40% met the criteria of tension-type headache. An alteration of the pain with the occurrence of the tumour was experienced by 82.5%, implying that the preexisting and the brain tumour headaches were different. The classic characteristics mentioned in the International Classification of Headache Disorders (worsening in the morning or during coughing) were not found; this might be explained by the patients not having elevated intracranial pressure. Univariate analysis revealed that a positive family history of headache and the presence of meningiomas are risk factors for tumour-associated headache, and the use of β-blockers is prophylactic. Pre-existing headache was the only risk factor according to logistic regression, suggesting that patients with pre-existing (primary) headache have a greater predisposition to develop secondary headache. Dull headache occurs significantly more often in patients with glioblastoma multiforme, and pulsating headache in patients with meningioma. In our study, only infratentorial tumours were associated with headache location, and predominantly with occipital but rarely frontal pain.
Protective role of caffeic acid against alcohol‐induced biochemical changes in rats
Authors: Pari L. , KarthiKesan K.
Published: July 2007

Caffeic acid is a well‐known phenolic compound mainly present in plants. In this study, caffeic acid was evaluated for its protective effect against chronic ethanol‐induced biochemical changes in male Wistar rats. Administration of ethanol (7.9 g/kg/day) for 45 days induced liver and kidney damage as manifested by a significant increase in the levels of serum hepatic and renal markers namely aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), bilirubin, urea, creatinine, and a significant decrease in creatinine clearance and levels of hemoglobin. Plasma thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances and hydroperoxide were significantly elevated where as the levels of nonenzymic antioxidants [reduced glutathione, vitamin E and vitamin C] were significantly decreased in alcohol‐intoxicated rats. Administration of caffeic acid along with alcohol significantly decreased the serum levels of liver and kidney markers to near‐normal levels. In addition, administration of caffeic acid significantly decreased the levels of lipid peroxidation markers while the levels of antioxidants were significantly increased in circulation of alcohol‐fed rats. All these results were accompanied by histological observations in liver. The results demonstrate that caffeic acid has a beneficial effect in reducing the adverse effect of alcohol.
The expression of the solute carriers NTCP and OCT‐1 is regulated by cholesterol in HepG2 cells
Authors: Dias Vera , Ribeiro Vera
Published: July 2007

Drug disposition and response are greatly determined by the activities of drug‐metabolizing enzymes and transporters. While the knowledge in terms of CYP enzymes and efflux ABC transporters (such as MDR1, P‐glycoprotein) is quite extensive, influx transporters are increasingly being unveiled as key contributors to the process of drug disposition. There is little information on the regulation of these proteins in human cells, especially as regards the effect of endogenous compounds. In this study, we analysed the expression of CYP3A4 and three uptake transporters NTCP (SLC10A1), OATP‐A/OATP1A2 (SLCO1A2) and OCT‐1 (SLC22A1) in HepG2 cells following treatment with cholesterol. While CYP3A4 and OATP1A2 expression was unaffected, cholesterol treatment led to increased levels of NTCP and OCT‐1 mRNAs. Alterations in the functional characteristics and/or expression levels of drug transporters in the liver may conceivably contribute to the variability in drug oral bioavailability often observed in the clinical settings.
Association ofCYP2D6andADRB1genes with hypotensive and antichronotropic action ofbetaxololin patients with arterial hypertension
Authors: Zateyshchikov Dmitry A. , Minushkina Larissa O. , Brovkin Alexey N. , Savel’eva Ekaterina G. , Zateyshchikova Anna A. , Manchaeva Baira B. , Nikitin Alexey G. , Sidorenko Boris A. , Nosikov Valery V.
Published: July 2007

Betaxolol is a selective antagonist of β1‐adrenergic receptors. Personal response to the drug widely varies and depends on its properties and individual features including innate characteristics. Our aim was to study the association between the clinical response to betaxolol in patients with essential hypertension (EH) and polymorphous markers of two genes: β1adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB1) and cytochrome P450 2D6 gene (CYP2D6). Eighty‐one patients with EH were selected. Mean age was 52.2 ± 1.22 years. Betaxolol monotherapy provided effective blood pressure control (BP < 140/90 mmHg) in 68 patients, 56 of them continued treatment with initial dose. The systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure declined significantly at the end of the study. We have not found any significant association of rest and exercise BP and heart rate (HR) with polymorphous markerArg389GlyofADRB1gene except the nighttime variability of DBP. But in case of the polymorphous markerPro34SerofCYP2D6gene we have found significant association with response to betaxolol therapy. The rest HR declined more significantly inSer/Progenotype carriers (−32.6 ± 4.77 beats/min and −18.4 ± 2.01 beats/min,P = 0.023). These patients demonstrated more significant increase of exercise time (4.58 ± 0.90 and 0.59 ± 0.58 min,P = 0.045). Maximal exercise HR and DBP were also significantly lower inSer/Progenotype carriers in comparison withSer/Sergenotype carriers. Decline of mean daytime SBP in 24‐h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was more significant inProallele carriers (−21.0 ± 2.55 mmHg vs. −5.2 ± 2.27 mmHg in patients withSer/Sergenotype,P = 0.001). Betaxolol effect on HR and BP significantly depends on variability of the gene determining the drug metabolism. The carriers ofPro34allele ofCYP2D6gene (8.6%) are more sensitive to betaxolol therapy. Because of the relatively small group sizes our data should be considered as preliminary ones. The increase of our groups and the replication in other studies will permit to estimate the contribution of genetic factors to betaxolol effect on HR and BP.