bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Much Ado About Very Little: Reply to Herron
Authors: Rothenberg Lawrence S. , Sanders Mitchell S.
Published: April 2004

While Herron (2004, Political Analysis 12:182–190) is correct that sensitivity to changes in underlying scale and how they affect estimates and inferences is generally important, our assumption in Rothenberg and Sanders (2000, American Journal of Political Science 44:310–319) that W-NOMINATE scales can be directly compared from one Congress to another to study legislative shirking is quite defensible because scale variability is not a substantial problem. Not only are the assumptions in our original analysis regarding variability very reasonable, because any variability is quite small, but effects on consistency are marginal and, to the degree that they are relevant, indicate that our test of the shirking hypothesis is conservative. Furthermore, even generous estimates of variability in W-NOMINATE between one immediate Congress and another have little impact on results. In addition, Herron's analysis includes an unaddressed censoring problem that again, while unlikely to have much substantive relevance, indicates that Rothenberg and Sanders have worked against themselves in trying to find shirking. In conclusion, the issues that Herron highlights are of marginal consequence for the original analysis and, to the extent they matter, only buttress the findings generated and the inferences drawn.
Measuring Bias and Uncertainty in Ideal Point Estimates via the Parametric Bootstrap
Authors: Lewis Jeffrey B. , Poole Keith T.
Published: April 2004

Over the last 15 years a large amount of scholarship in legislative politics has used NOMINATE or other similar methods to construct measures of legislators' ideological locations. These measures are then used in subsequent analyses. Recent work in political methodology has focused on the pitfalls of using such estimates as variables in subsequent analysis without explicitly accounting for their uncertainty and possible bias (Herron and Shotts 2003, Political Analysis 11:44–64). This presents a problem for those employing NOMINATE scores because estimates of their unconditional sampling uncertainty or bias have until now been unavailable. In this paper, we present a method of forming unconditional standard error estimates and bias estimates for NOMINATE scores using the parametric bootstrap. Standard errors are estimated for the 90th U.S. Senate in two dimensions. Standard errors of first—dimension placements are in the 0.03 to 0.08 range. The results are compared with those obtained using the Markov chain Monte Carlo estimator of Clinton et al. (2002, Stanford University Working Paper). We also show how the bootstrap can be used to construct standard errors and confidence intervals for auxiliary quantities of interest such as ranks and the location of the median senator.
Recurrence Rates after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Massive Sinus Polyposis
Authors: Wynn Rhoda , Har‐El Gady
Published: April 2004

Background and objectives: Most studies on outcome after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) include patients with varying degrees of disease severity. Recurrence rates cited by those studies may not apply to the subset of patients with severe polyposis. Our aim is to provide reference information for recurrence rates and need for revision surgery in patients with severe disease.

Study design, patients, and methods: Review of patients with severe polyposis with a minimum Lund‐McKay score of 16 and with a Kennedy computed tomography stage 3 or 4. Data collection included demographics, presence of asthma or documented allergy, history of previous surgery, extent of surgery, preoperative and postoperative management, recurrence rates, revision surgery rates, and follow‐up.

Results: One hundred and eighteen records were reviewed. Fifty‐nine (50%) patients had asthma, and 93 (79%) had documented allergy. All patients required extensive bilateral nasal polypectomy, complete anterior and posterior ethmoidectomy, and maxillary sinusotomy. One hundred (85%) also had frontal or sphenoid sinusotomy. Follow‐up ranged from 12 to 168 (median 40) months. Seventy‐one (60%) developed recurrent polyposis. Fifty‐five (47%) were advised to undergo revision surgery, and 32 (27%) underwent surgery. History of previous sinus surgery or asthma predicted higher recurrence (P < .005, P < .001) and revision surgery rates (P = .02, P < .001). History of allergy also predicted recurrence and need for revision (P < .001, P < .001).

Conclusions: Recurrence rates after ESS for severe polyposis are significant. In our study, patients with asthma are at higher risk of recurrence.
Epstein‐Barr Virus (EBV) Latent Membrane Protein 1 Induces Interleukin‐8 through the Nuclear Factor‐κB Signaling Pathway in EBV‐Infected Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cell Line
Authors: Ren Qingchun , Sato Hiroshi , Murono Shigeyuki , Furukawa Mitsuru , Yoshizaki Tomokazu
Published: April 2004

Background/Objectives: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a highly invasive and metastatic malignant tumor and is associated with Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) infection that exhibits type II latency. Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Our previous studies have indicated that interleukin (IL)‐8 was over‐expressed in many NPC tissues and was found to be significantly correlated with angiogenesis by immunohistochemistry.

Study Design: In vitro design.

Methods: The influence of the EBV genome for IL‐8 gene expression was studied using the EBV–genome‐positive and ‐negative epithelial/NPC hybrid cell line NPC‐KT. The EBV‐positive and ‐negative clones were selected by polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization.

Results: EBV‐positive clones expressed abundant IL‐8 mRNA compared with EBV‐negative clones. This result indicated that over‐expression of IL‐8 depended on the presence of EBV genomes in NPC‐KT cells. Two encoded genes, latent membrane protein (LMP)1 and EBV‐encoded small RNAs (EBERs), expressed in NPC were transfected in EBV‐negative NPC‐KT cells. LMP1 transactivated the IL‐8 promoter, whereas EBERs did not. Moreover, the nuclear factor (NF)‐ κB binding site in the IL‐8 promoter was essential for the response to LMP1, and the activator protein (AP)‐1 binding site played only a partial role.

Conclusions: LMP1 induces IL‐8 mainly through the activation of NF‐κB and partly through AP‐1 in NPC model cell lines, NPC‐KT, and this suggests that LMP1 plays an important role in the angiogenesis of NPC.
Adenoidectomy: Selection Criteria for Surgical Cases of Otitis Media
Authors: Nguyen Lily H. P. , Manoukian John J. , Yoskovitch Adi , Al‐Sebeih Khalid H.
Published: April 2004

Objective: Nasopharyngeal adenoids may serve as a mechanical obstruction to the eustachian tube and contribute to the pathophysiology of otitis media (OM). The purpose of this study was to determine whether abutment of adenoids laterally against the torus tubaris affects the outcome of patients requiring pressure equalization tubes (PET) for OM.

Study Design: Randomized, controlled, prospective clinical trial.

Method: Patients requiring PET for recurrent acute OM or OM with persistent effusion were randomized into two groups: 1) PET placement and 2) PET placement and adenoidectomy, regardless of whether the adenoids were abutting or not abutting the torus tubaris. Patients were followed for a minimum of 1 year to determine rate of treatment failure, defined as recurrence of acute OM (>3 times/year), OM with effusion, or reinsertion of PET.

Results: Of the 34 patients in the abutting group, 16 patients underwent only PET insertion, of whom 8 (50%) failed, whereas 18 patients had combined PET placement and adenoidectomy, of whom 3 (17%) failed. There was a statistical difference between these two groups (P < 05). Of the 29 patients in the nonabutting group, 24 patients underwent only PET insertion, of whom 9 (37.5%) failed, whereas 5 patients underwent combined PET placement and adenoidectomy, of whom 2 (40%) failed. There was no statistical difference between these two groups (P = .92).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the position of hypertrophied adenoids may alter the final otologic outcome of patients requiring PET insertion for OM. Patients with adenoids abutting the torus tubaris may benefit most from an adjuvant adenoidectomy.
Regression of a Sphenochoanal Polyp in a Child
Authors: Lim Wye‐Keat , Sdralis Theo
Published: April 2004

Objectives: To present an unusual case of a sphenochoanal polyp that regressed and review the etiology of such polyps in comparison to the commoner antrochoanal polyp.

Study Design: Case study.

Methods: One was incidentally discovered in a girl aged 3 years, 8 months at postnasal mirror examination after adenotonsillectomy.

Results: Computed tomography scans 1 month later confirmed the polyp, but three months later, MRI scans only revealed sphenoid sinus opacification. Sphenoidotomy revealed normal sinuses implying inflammation had resolved.

Conclusion: This patient is believed to be the youngest reported to have sphenochoanal polyp, and the only one where the polyp had completely regressed. This regression suggests that sphenochoanal polyps may be more common than is thought but are mostly asymptomatic.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Mendenhall William M. , Mendenhall Charles M. , Mendenhall Nancy Price
Published: April 2004

Purpose: To determine the natural history and treatment outcomes for patients with Merkel cell carcinoma.

Methods: Review of the literature.

Results: The probability of regional node involvement at presentation exceeds 50%; few patients present with distant metastases. Comprehensive treatment of the primary site and regional lymphatics with surgery or radiotherapy results in the highest likelihood of cure. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy remains investigational.

Conclusion: The probability of regional dissemination at diagnosis is high. The optimal treatment is resection of the primary tumor and treatment of the regional lymphatics. Resection of all gross tumor should be accomplished followed by local–regional radiotherapy in most patients.
Frontal Sinus Complications After Frontal Craniotomy
Authors: Meetze Keith , Palmer James N. , Schlosser Rodney J.
Published: April 2004

Objectives: To review frontal sinus complications following frontal craniotomy and to describe management strategies.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Methods: Retrospective review was made of six patients who had undergone frontal craniotomy and subsequently developed frontal sinus complications. Demographic data, indication for craniotomy, type of reconstruction, average time to development of complications, presenting symptoms, diagnosis, surgical management, follow‐up, and outcomes were reported.

Results: Complications included unilateral frontal sinus mucoceles in four patients, bilateral frontal sinus mucoceles in one patient, and bilateral frontal sinus mucopyoceles with upper‐eyelid abscess in one patient. The average time to presentation of symptoms and development of complications following frontal craniotomy was 14.8 years (range, 1–39 y). Headaches were the most common presenting complaint. All patients underwent endoscopic mucocele marsupialization as part of their management. After an average follow‐up period of 9 months, no recurrences were found and no complications occurred.

Conclusion: A small number of patients develop otolaryngological complications, most commonly, frontal mucoceles, following frontal craniotomy. A high level of suspicion and long‐term surveillance are needed to monitor for their occurrence. Endoscopic marsupialization may provide an effective, safe means for management.
Historical studies in science and technology and the uses to which they can be put
Authors: Wilkes M.V
Published: April 2004

I was fortunate as a young man to attend, soon after the end of the Second World War, a course of lectures delivered in Cambridge by Herbert Butterfield, a distinguished modern historian of the time.
1
The subject of his lectures was the scientific revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries. It was in this period that the modern theory of inertia began to take shape and the medieval world picture gave place to the modern one. One thinks of Galileo, Descartes and, above all, of Newton.

While medievalists will wish to study the earlier period, most people interested in scientific history will confine themselves to the science that has resulted from that scientific revolution and I will do this here. The revolution began with physics, but was not followed immediately, as many expected it would be, by a revolution in biology. That came later and some would say that, in important aspects, it has only just begun.

Scientific history is part of history as a whole and Butterfield had no hesitation in asserting that it is an important part. In a characteristic flight of rhetoric he declared that ‘It outshines everything since the rise of Christianity and reduces the renaissance and reformation to the rank of mere episodes, mere internal displacements, within the system of medieval Christendom’. The scientific historian is not often privileged to operate at this high level. Nevertheless, it will be appropriate if I start with some discussion of general history as a professional study.
Abraham Bennet, F.R.S. (1749-1799): a provincial electrician in eighteenth-century england
Authors: Elliott P.
Published: April 2004

Abraham Bennet was a clergyman and electrical experimenter who invented the gold-leaf electroscope and the doubler of electricity. He used a mechanical revolving version of the latter to devise a concept of ‘adhesive electricity’, which had an important influence on Volta in the formulation of his contact theory of electromotivity. Bennet managed to balance his clerical position, obtained by patronage, with the friendship and assistance of the local philosophical community, which included Erasmus Darwin, White Watson and the members of the Lunar and Derby Philosophical Societies. The Lunar members helped him to publish his research and supported his nomination as F.R.S. in 1789; however, the relative harmony of the philosophical community represented by the Royal Society, which temporarily united provinces and metropolis, was shattered by the political turbulence of the revolutionary era. The delicate balancing act that allowed Bennet to claim support from Banks and Kaye at the same time as from Priestley and Darwin became more difficult and Bennet's research activity foundered due to ill health and political division.
John Dalton's Lakeland Excursions
Authors: Ross S.
Published: April 2004

This paper is a narrative of John Dalton's summer excursions, for which he never allowed more than a fortnight away from his work, but which seldom failed to include a visit to his beloved Lakeland. The story of these excursions was first told by Jonathan Otley, his guide and companion on these occasions, who provided it at the request of William Charles Henry, Dalton's official biographer. A brief summary of Otley's account is included in this paper; but Dalton's own accounts, as reported in letters to John Fletcher, his first teacher at the village school at Pardshaw Hall, have not been published previously. Owing to my having acquired, about 20 years ago, the originals of some of these letters, I am able here to amplify Otley's accounts with Dalton's own fuller narrative.
Address of the President, Sir Aaron Klug, O.M., P.R.S., given at the anniversary meeting on 30 November 1998
Authors: Klug A.
Published: April 2004

The President's Anniversary Address to the Royal Society is an occasion for the President to speak about matters of interest to the Society and to him personally. The Anniversary Meeting is also in some sense the Annual General Meeting of the Society when events and policies of the year are presented in the Council's Report to the Fellowship. The major activities of the Society are related in the Review of the Year.

Almost all Presidential addresses have been on matters of current concern and my address last year was focused on the Dearing Report on Higher Education, and on the state of the Science Base, notably on the crisis in infrastructure in the Universities. I pointed out the urgency of an increase in funding, without which there would be further deterioration of the Science Base, with serious consequences for the future of the UK economy.
Runx2 and Runx3 are essential for chondrocyte maturation, and Runx2 regulates limb growth through induction of Indian hedgehog
Authors: Yoshida Carolina A. , Yamamoto Hiromitsu , Fujita Takashi , Furuichi Tatsuya , Ito Kosei , Inoue Ken-ichi , Yamana Kei , Zanma Akira , Takada Kenji , Ito Yoshiaki , Komori Toshihisa
Published: April 2004

The differentiation of mesenchymal cells into chondrocytes and chondrocyte proliferation and maturation are fundamental steps in skeletal development. Runx2 is essential for osteoblast differentiation and is involved in chondrocyte maturation. Although chondrocyte maturation is delayed in Runx2-deficient (Runx2–/–) mice, terminal differentiation of chondrocytes does occur, indicating that additional factors are involved in chondrocyte maturation. We investigated the involvement of Runx3 in chondrocyte differentiation by generating Runx2-and-Runx3-deficient (Runx2–/–3–/–) mice. We found that chondrocyte differentiation was inhibited depending on the dosages of Runx2 and Runx3, and Runx2–/–3–/– mice showed a complete absence of chondrocyte maturation. Further, the length of the limbs was reduced depending on the dosages of Runx2 and Runx3, due to reduced and disorganized chondrocyte proliferation and reduced cell size in the diaphyses. Runx2–/–3–/– mice did not express Ihh, which regulates chondrocyte proliferation and maturation. Adenoviral introduction of Runx2 in Runx2–/– chondrocyte cultures strongly induced Ihh expression. Moreover, Runx2 directly bound to the promoter region of the Ihh gene and strongly induced expression of the reporter gene driven by the Ihh promoter. These findings demonstrate that Runx2 and Runx3 are essential for chondrocyte maturation and that Runx2 regulates limb growth by organizing chondrocyte maturation and proliferation through the induction of Ihh expression.
Promyelocytic leukemia (PML) nuclear bodies are disorganized in colorectal tumors with total loss of major histocompatibility complex class I expression and LMP7 downregulation
Authors: Cabrera C.M. , Jiménez P. , Concha A. , Garrido F. , Ruiz‐Cabello F.
Published: April 2004

Abstract: The promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein is the product of thePMLgene that fuses with the retinoic acid receptor‐α (RARα) gene in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and produces disruption of PML bodies. Wild‐type PML localizes in the nucleus with a typical speckled pattern. PML bodies accumulate several proteins involved in multiple cellular pathways such as apoptosis, transcriptional regulation, and proteasomal degradation of ubiquitinated proteins. The ubiquitin–proteasome pathway at PML bodies is dependent on proteasome component recruitment. Proteasome components such as low‐molecular weight proteins (LMPs) are frequently downregulated in different tumor tissues that present impaired major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression. We have recently documented LMP7 downregulation in colorectal tumors with total loss of MHC class I antigen. An immunohistochemical study of PML protein in these tumors revealed a disrupted pattern of PML bodies in a nuclear diffuse form, as observed in APL cells. Therefore, the disruption of the PML bodies was clearly associated with LMP7 downregulation.
SARS CTL vaccine candidates; HLA supertype‐, genome‐wide scanning and biochemical validation
Authors: Sylvester‐Hvid C. , Nielsen M. , Lamberth K. , Røder G. , Justesen S. , Lundegaard C. , Worning P. , Thomadsen H. , Lund O. , Brunak S. , Buus S.
Published: April 2004

Abstract:  An effective Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) vaccine is likely to include components that can induce specific cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte (CTL) responses. The specificities of such responses are governed by human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐restricted presentation of SARS‐derived peptide epitopes. Exact knowledge of how the immune system handles protein antigens would allow for the identification of such linear sequences directly from genomic/proteomic sequence information (Lauemoller et al., Rev Immunogenet 2001: 2: 477–91). The latter was recently established when a causative coronavirus (SARS‐CoV) was isolated and full‐length sequenced (Marra et al., Science 2003: 300: 1399–404). Here, we have combined advanced bioinformatics and high‐throughput immunology to perform an HLA supertype‐, genome‐wide scan for SARS‐specific CTL epitopes. The scan includes all nine human HLA supertypes in total covering >99% of all individuals of all major human populations (Sette & Sidney, Immunogenetics 1999: 50: 201–12). For each HLA supertype, we have selected the 15 top candidates for test in biochemical binding assays. At this time (approximately 6 months after the genome was established), we have tested the majority of the HLA supertypes and identified almost 100 potential vaccine candidates. These should be further validated in SARS survivors and used for vaccine formulation. We suggest that immunobioinformatics may become a fast and valuable tool in rational vaccine design.
Vasodilator Stress Induces Infrequent Wall Thickening Abnormalities Compared to Perfusion Defects in Mild‐to‐Moderate Coronary Artery Disease: Implications for the Choice of Imaging Modality with Vasodilator Stress
Authors: Soman Prem , Lahiri Avijit , Senior Roxy
Published: April 2004

Background: Experimental evidence suggests that although vasodilator stress agents consistently induce regional flow disparity between stenosed and normal coronary vascular beds, the occurrence of functional myocardial ischemia is infrequent, especially in mild‐to‐moderate coronary artery stenosis. Thus, it is hypothesized that dipyridamole infusion, even at high doses, will result in a disproportionately higher frequency of perfusion defects compared to regional wall thickening abnormalities. Methods: We performed simultaneous high‐dose (0.84 mg/kg) dipyridamole stress echocardiography (Echo) and Tc‐99m sestamibi SPECT (MIBI, methoxyisobutyl isonitrile) in 46 patients with coronary artery diameter stenosis >50% and ≤90% in one or two epicardial coronary arteries, and no previous myocardial infarction. Results: Of a total of 828 segments, MIBI showed 97 reversible defects while Echo showed only 23 reversible wall thickening abnormalities. Of the 97 segments with reversible MIBI defects, only 13 (13%) showed simultaneous reversible wall thickening abnormalities during dipyridamole infusion. There were 24 patients with MIBI defects, of whom 10 (41%) showed a corresponding wall thickening abnormality. The sensitivity of MIBI and Echo for the detection of coronary artery disease was 52% and 21%, respectively (P = 0.001). Conclusion: This suggests that vasodilator stress is not optimally suited for use with techniques that use regional wall thickening abnormality as a marker of ischemia for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 21, May 2004)
Amplitude and Velocity of Mitral Annulus Motion in Rabbits
Authors: Gan Li‐ming , Wikström Johannes , Brandt‐Eliasson Ulla , Wandt Birger
Published: April 2004

Objective: During recent years, the amplitude and the maximal systolic velocity of the mitral annulus motion (MAM) have been established as indices of the left ventricular systolic function and the maximal diastolic velocity of the annulus motion has been suggested as an index of diastolic function. The main aims of the present study were to investigate the feasibility of these techniques in rabbits and to investigate age‐related changes concerning these variables. Methods: Twenty‐one New Zealand white rabbits were investigated by echocardiographic M‐mode and pulsed tissue Doppler. One subgroup (I) included 11 still‐growing, 3.0 ± 0.2 month‐old, animals and another group (II) included 10 young grown up rabbits, 12.1 ± 1.5 months old. Results: The amplitude (4.8 ± 0.6 and 3.5 ± 0.3 mm, respectively) and maximal systolic (98 ± 14 and 66 ± 7 mm/s, respectively) and diastolic (111 ± 21 and 80 ± 12 mm/s, respectively) velocities of the MAM were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in group I than in group II, despite a bigger heart in the animals in the latter group. A coefficient of variation of <5% was found for both inter‐ and intraobserver variability for both amplitude and velocities. Conclusions: The amplitude and velocities of MAM are easily recorded in rabbits with excellent reproducibility and the changes with age seem to be very similar to those in humans. These noninvasive M‐mode and tissue Doppler methods are therefore suitable for the investigation of left ventricular function in experimental studies in rabbits. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 21, May 2004)
Diana Children's Community Service and service co‐ordination
Authors: Robson A. , Beattie A.
Published: April 2004

Background  The Diana Service and the multi‐agency service co‐ordination project in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland were established to address the needs of children with complex needs. The Mary Seacole Research Centre at De Montfort University in Leicester evaluated the services over a period of approximately 1 year.

Methods  Predominantly qualitative methods were used. Different approaches to sampling were employed and in both cases a range of data collection tools were utilized, e.g. written questionnaires, personal face‐to‐face interviews, focus group, non‐participant observation and information from professional records.

Results  The findings suggest that both services are making a considerable contribution towards ensuring that effective collaboration within and between services occurs. This makes a real difference to the lives of children and families.
Access to education for children and young people with medical needs: a practitioner's view
Authors: Seymour C.
Published: April 2004

Recent estimates suggest that in any one year there are around 100 000 children who need to receive their education outside school because of illness or injury. This figure does not include the growing number of young people who cannot attend their own schools because of mental health difficulties. In November 2001, the Department for Education and Skills published statutory guidance which ‘sets out minimum national standards for the education of children who are unable to attend school because of medical needs.’ Christine Seymour, Headteacher of a hospital school and home tuition service in a large, rural county and Chairperson of the National Association of Hospital and Home Teachers, examines how this guidance can assist in raising educational standards and removing barriers to achievement for this group of vulnerable children. She begins by summarizing the developments over the past decade which led to the statutory guidance and sets the document in the context of the Social Inclusion agenda. She explores the potential impact of such guidance on current and future practice from a practitioner's viewpoint, drawing on experiential observation and case study material to provide illustrative evidence.
Antibody Titres Against Canine Distemper Virus in Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Dogs
Authors: Jóźwik A. , Frymus T. , Mizak B. , Rzeżutka A.
Published: April 2004

In 248 urban dogs the serum antibody titre against canine distemper virus (CDV) was determined by the immunoperoxidase monolayer assay. Among them 72 animals had been routinely vaccinated at least once against distemper, 20 dogs had never been immunized and the vaccination history of 156 was unknown. The mean antibody titre in vaccinated dogs (114 ± 8.2) indicated immunity (≥100) and was significantly higher when compared with unvaccinated animals (29 ± 8.8,P < 0.05) or with dogs with unknown vaccination history (29 ± 5.0,P < 0.001). Among 156 dogs with unknown vaccination history only 26 (19%) had antibody titres indicating immunity against CDV (≥100). Vaccinated dogs were divided into five groups according to the time since the most recent distemper vaccination: group A: up to 1 month (n = 13); group B: 1–2 months (n = 6); group C: 2–12 months (n = 20); group D: 12–24 months (n = 4); group E: 25–36 months (n = 9) and group F: 36 or more months (n = 18). The mean titre in group A was 490 ± 4.5, in B 359 ± 3.8, in C 204 ± 4.6, in D 269 ± 1.9 and the differences between these groups were not significant. However, dogs in groups E and F had significantly lower mean antibody titres (21 ± 8.3,P < 0.01 and 39 ± 7.6,P < 0.001, respectively) when compared with group A. Nine dogs suffering from distemper confirmed by the immunofluorescence test or nested RT‐PCR were also included in this study. In five of them high titres of anti‐CDV antibody were detected (160–1280). All these animals recovered (in two localized muscle twitching persisted). On the contrary, the remaining four patients with low antibody titre to CDV (5–40) died.
Functions of staminate flowers in andromonoecious Pseudocymopterus montanus (Apiaceae, Apioideae)
Authors: SCHLESSMAN MARK A. , NORA UNDERWOOD  , WATKINS TIM , GRACEFFA LAURA M. , CORDRAY DIANE
Published: April 2004

The pollen donor and pollinator attractor hypotheses are non‐exclusive alternative explanations for the functions of the staminate flowers of andromonoecious plants. We tested assumptions and predictions of both hypotheses using the andromonoecious perennial Pseudocymopterus montanus (Apiaceae, Apioideae), in which staminate flowers are approximately one‐third as massive as perfect ones and sequentially blooming umbels bear varying proportions of staminate flowers. We confirmed that larger umbels receive more visits than smaller ones. We demonstrated that fluorescent dye is a suitable analog of P. montanus pollen and that larger umbels donate more dye to nearby recipient umbels than do smaller ones. We showed that experimental removal of staminate flowers lowers fruit set only in primary umbels. We used stepwise multiple regressions to examine the effects of staminate flowers on xenogamous pollination, overall (xenogamous and geitonogamous) pollination and fruit set. The regressions revealed significant effects of staminate flowers only for cross pollination of primary umbels. We concluded that in P. montanus, staminate flowers function primarily as pollen donors.
Phenotypic variation and leaf fluctuating asymmetry in isolated populations of an endangered dwarf birch Betula ovalifolia in Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: NAGAMITSU TERUYOSHI , KAWAHARA TAKAYUKI , HOTTA MAYUKO
Published: April 2004

Betula ovalifolia is an endangered tetraploid that is restricted to two isolated sites, Betsukai and Sarabetsu, in Hokkaido, Japan. Among 50 ramets sampled along transect(s) in the each site, 45 genets in Betsukai and 49 in Sarabetsu were discriminated by simple sequence repeat (SSR) phenotypes. Multivariate patterns in seven measurements for leaf morphology and frequency distributions of fragment lengths in four SSRs significantly differed between Betsukai and Sarabetsu, but the ranges of the morphological measurements and fragment lengths were largely overlapped between the two sites. In spite of the smaller population size in Sarabetsu than in Betsukai, coefficients of variation in most leaf measurements and richness/diversity of fragment lengths in all the SSRs were not smaller in Sarabetsu than in Betsukai. This result suggests that both morphological and molecular variation has been maintained even in the smaller population. Leaf fluctuating asymmetry (FA) was higher in Sarabetsu than in Betsukai. Longer and narrower leaves had higher FA than shorter and wider leaves. However, SSR variation was not significantly associated with leaf FA. These results imply that environmental stress due to dryness of habitats and competition with other plants, which may be stronger in Sarabetsu than in Betsukai, causes both the difference in leaf shape and the increase in leaf FA.
Anaesthesia, perioperative management and outcome of correction of extrahepatic biliary atresia in the infant: a review of 50 cases in the King's College Hospital series
Authors: GREEN D. W. , HOWARD E. R. , DAVENPORT MARK
Published: April 2004

Extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) is an uncommon condition presenting in the first few weeks of life. It has an incidence of 0.5–1 per 10 000 live births and is the end result of a destructive inflammatory process involving the extrahepatic biliary system of unknown aetiology occurring in utero. The net result is neonatal jaundice due to bile stasis, with subsequent hepatocellular damage and cirrhosis. In the untreated, patient death is inevitable within 2 years. Precise diagnosis (or exclusion) of EHBA in the persistently jaundiced infant must be made urgently and major surgery (hepatic portoenterostomy: Kasai procedure) carried out as soon as possible, preferably before 6–8 weeks of age. This review is concerned with anaesthesia for correction of EHBA in 50 consecutive patients and also outlines the experience gained in the largest European centre for correction of EHBA where the number of cases now approaches 500.
Vomiting and common paediatric surgery
Authors: BUSONI PAOLO , CRESCIOLI MASSIMO , AGOSTINO ROSARIA , SESTINI GIUSEPPINA
Published: April 2004

Postoperative vomiting is a common and unpleasant complication. The purpose of the present study was to verify if dexamethasone reduces the incidence of vomiting when injected IV in children anaesthetized with halothane for common paediatric operations. We also studied the incidence of vomiting when sevoflurane was used instead. Five hundred and 69 boys, aged 2–12 years (ASA physical status I, II), scheduled for inguinal field surgery were randomly assigned to receive halothane, halothane and dexamethasone and sevoflurane in three groups: halothane (n=180), halothane and IV dexamethasone (n=188) and sevoflurane (n=201). Anaesthesia was induced by inhalation of halothane or sevoflurane in oxygen and nitrous oxide and was maintained at minimum alveolar concentration of each agent throughout the surgery. For intra‐ and postoperative pain control iliac crest block was used in all the boys. Vomiting was defined as any expulsion of liquid gastric contents. The incidence of postoperative vomiting was 23% in the halothane group, which was significantly greater than that in the other groups (halothane and dexamethasone group, 9%; sevoflurane group, 13%). In conclusion, dexamethasone reduces the incidence and frequency of multiple emetic episodes when administered intravenously after halothane anaesthesia; sevoflurane reduces the overall incidence of vomiting, but not multiple emetic episodes.
Analgesia following paediatric day‐surgical orchidopexy and herniotomy
Authors: HO DAVID , KENEALLY JOHN P.
Published: April 2004

We surveyed 90 boys, aged 1–13 years, who had undergone either orchidopexy or herniotomy, in a cohort study. Their pain and vomiting were assessed using a simple 4‐point score in the Recovery Unit by the nursing staff, and at home by the parents. There were no significant differences in pain or vomiting scores between the two groups in the immediate postoperative period. However, children having orchidopexy experienced more pain at home during the first night and the following day than those having herniotomy. Nearly one‐third of the former group had moderate to severe pain at home, in contrast to less than one‐tenth of children having herniotomy, who are also more likely to be painfree on the next day. We concluded that children having herniotomy can be treated adequately at home with paracetamol alone, whereas children having orchidopexy may require supplementation with stronger analgesics.
Microgeographical variation in thermal preference by an amphibian
Authors: Kealoha Freidenburg L. , Skelly David K.
Published: April 2004

Ectotherms use behaviour to buffer effects of temperature on growth, development and survival. While behavioural thermoregulation is widely reported, localized adaptation of thermal preference is poorly documented. Larval amphibians live in wetlands ranging from entirely open to heavily shaded by vegetation. We hypothesized that populations undergo localized selection leading to countergradient patterns of thermal preference behaviour. Specifically, we predicted that wood frog (Rana sylvatica) larvae from closed canopy ponds would be more strongly temperature selective and would prefer higher temperatures than conspecifics from populations found in open canopy ponds. In a study of six breeding ponds in north‐eastern Connecticut, USA, these predictions were upheld. The countergradient, microgeographical variation in thermal preference documented here implies that wood frog populations may have diverged rapidly in the face of contrasting selection pressures. Rapid, behaviourally mediated responses to changing thermal environments have important implications for understanding population responses to climate change.
Increased susceptibility to oxidative stress as a proximate cost of reproduction
Authors: Alonso‐Alvarez Carlos , Bertrand Sophie , Devevey Godefroy , Prost Josiane , Faivre Bruno , Sorci Gabriele
Published: April 2004

In iteroparous species high investment in current reproduction is usually paid in terms of reduced future reproduction and increased mortality. However, the proximal mechanisms of these costs remain poorly understood. Free radicals arising as by‐products of normal metabolic activities have deleterious effects on cellular proteins, lipids and DNA, and this phenomenon is known as oxidative stress. Since reproduction is an energetically demanding activity, which increases both basal and field metabolic rates, one could expect that breeding effort generates an oxidative stress whose strength depends on the availability and efficiency of antioxidant defences. In agreement with this prediction, we show here for the first time that reproduction decreases antioxidant defences, illustrating that oxidative stress represents a cost of reproduction. We suggest that increased susceptibility to oxidative stress might be a general proximal connection between reproduction and survival underlying other mechanistic links previously acknowledged.
Colonic pouchography is not routinely required prior to stoma closure
Authors: MacLeod I. , Watson A. J. M. , Hampton J. , Hussey J. K. , O'Kelly T. J.
Published: April 2004

Background  Colonic pouch formation with pouch‐anal anastomosis is now regarded as the procedure of choice for restoration of intestinal continuity following anterior resection for low rectal cancers. The aim of this study was to review the necessity for routine colonic pouchography prior to closure of a diverting loop stoma.

Methods  This was a prospective study of 52 consecutive patients who underwent colonic pouch formation between 1 June 1999 and 31 May 2002, four of whom have subsequently died. Each pouch was assessed clinically and radiologically prior to stoma closure.

Results  There were no clinical anastomotic leaks. Forty‐six of 48 surviving patients have had a colonic pouchogram and in no case was either a pouch or pouch‐anal anastomotic defect identified. To date 40 patients have undergone stoma closure without an anastomosis‐related complication.

Conclusion  Following successful colonic pouch formation, routine study of the pouch by contrast radiology does not add to clinical assessment. As a consequence radiological imaging is unnecessary and can be omitted.
Public Sector Reform Knowledge Production: Validation and Evidence as ‘Agreement’
Authors: Stewart Randall G.
Published: April 2004

In this article I draw on public sector reform knowledge in the United States, New Zealand and Australia. I argue that we, as practitioners, do not need to immerse ourselves in academic debates about ‘positivism’ or ‘post‐positivism’. These are frameworks for examining knowledge capable of validation. Instead, we are now engaged in using diverse forms of knowledge to spread the word on what works and does not work to deliver outcomes. Such knowledge is not above reproach; it is not acceptable merely because it exists but nor is it unacceptable because it cannot be rigorously validated in a positivist way.
The diagnostic assessment of word recognition and phonic skills in five‐year‐olds
Authors: Moseley David
Published: April 2004

Parallel versions of a new multiple‐choice word‐recognition test were administered to 1019 and 590 Year‐1 pupils respectively. The test format was based on a published test of Word Recognition and Phonic Skills and was intended to provide reliable diagnostic information. It was found that internally consistent measures of three types of word recognition error could be derived (relating to consonants, vowels and phoneme omission), but that scales for letter order errors were unreliable. Information about the length of words which an individual can usually recognise, the proportion of high frequency to low frequency words recognised and the relative ease of recognising regular and irregular words were also considered as having possible implications for teaching. Of these measures, only word length was found to be a strong independent predictor of word recognition. Implications of these findings for the future development of norm‐referenced tests that at the same time provide objective feedback about individual strengths and weaknesses are discussed.
Intercostal Thoracotomy Closure: Transcostal Sutures as a Less Painful Alternative to Circumcostal Suture Placement
Authors: Rooney Matthew B. , Mehl Margo , Monnet Eric
Published: April 2004

Objective—To determine if transcostal thoracotomy closure resulted in less pain than circumcostal closure.

Study Design—Experimental cadaver and prospective clinical study.

Animals—Two canine cadavers and 13 adult, 22–29 kg dogs.

Methods—Phase1: In 2 cadavers, 4 suture passage techniques were evaluated to determine the incidence of nerve entrapment in circumcostal intercostal thoracotomy closure.Phase2: Pain after circumcostal closure (7 dogs) or transcostal closure (6 dogs) of a 4th intercostal space thoracotomy was evaluated by use of pain threshold scores, fentanyl administration rates, heart and respiratory rates, and numerical ratings for behavior. Arterial blood gas analyses were obtained 4 hours postoperatively. Transcostal closure was accomplished by drilling 5–6 small holes in the 5th rib and passing sutures through the holes and around the 4th rib to achieve closure. Pain threshold scores (PTS) were measured by an observer unaware of closure assignment, at 2, 4, 12, and 24 hours after closure by applying slowly increasing pressure to the incision line using a load cell. Rates of fentanyl administration were adjusted based on subjective impressions of dog comfort by a second observer unaware of closure assignment.

Results—A 70–100% incidence of nerve entrapment was found for all circumcostal techniques. PTS was higher (P=.045) and fentanyl infusion rates were lower (P=.001) for the transcostal group at 2, 4, 12, and 24 hour postoperatively compared with the circumcostal group.

Conclusion—There is a high incidence of nerve entrapment using circumcostal closure techniques. A transcostal technique appears to be associated with less pain during the first 24 hours postoperatively.

Clinical Relevance—Based on lower pain scores, transcostal thoracotomy closure may be preferable to circumcostal closure techniques.
Biological Osteosynthesis Versus Traditional Anatomic Reconstruction of 20 Long‐Bone Fractures Using an Interlocking Nail: 1994–2001
Authors: Horstman Christopher L. , Beale Brian S. , Conzemius Michael G. , Evans Rich
Published: April 2004

Objective—To observe differences in surgical and healing times as well as complication rates in dogs with a comminuted long‐bone fracture stabilized with an interlocking nail (IN) using either anatomic or biologic repair.

Study Design—Retrospective study.

Animals—Twenty client‐owned dogs with comminuted long‐bone fractures.

Methods—Medical records for dogs with fractures repaired during a 7‐year period were reviewed; 20 dogs had repair with an IN nail and radiographic evidence of healing. These 20 dogs where divided into 2 groups, anatomic (11 dogs) and biological (9) repair, for statistical evaluation. Surgical and healing time and complication rates were compared between groups.

Results—Median surgical times were: anatomic (95 minutes) and biologic (110 minutes;P=.06). Median healing times were anatomic (8 weeks) and biologic (6 weeks;P=.04). No statistical differences were observed in complication rates (the likelihood that a case required a second surgery [P=.58], the likelihood of a complication that was managed non‐surgically [P=.27]). Use of a bone graft did not shorten healing times (P=.55).

Conclusions—Biological osteosynthesis provides clinical advantages over anatomic reconstruction with respect to a reduction in surgical and healing time without increasing complication rates.

Clinical Relevance—Highly comminuted long‐bone fractures can be successfully repaired using an IN without reconstructing the fracture fragments in dogs.
Femoral Bone Adaptation to Unstable Long‐Term Cemented Total Hip Arthroplasty in Dogs
Authors: Bergh Mary Sarah , Muir Peter , Markel Mark D. , Manley Paul A.
Published: April 2004

Objective—To evaluate femoral adaptation after unstable long‐term cemented total hip arthroplasty (cTHA) in dogs.

Study Design—Clinical study.

Animals—Four dogs.

Methods—Paired femurs were examined from client‐owned dogs that were donated to a retrieval program after death from causes unrelated to their cTHA. Mean (±SEM) dog age was 10.0±1.5 years and implant duration was 6.0±1.4 years. Implanted femurs had radiographic changes associated with implant loosening and gross mechanical instability at femur retrieval. Femurs were evaluated at 3 levels relative to implant length. Cortical area and medullary area were measured at each level, and cortical porosity was assessed at each level in 4 quadrants and in 3 regions. Implanted femurs were compared with the contralateral non‐implanted femurs.

Results—Cortical area and cortical porosity were increased at all levels in femurs with unstable implants. Implanted femurs had increased porosity in all quadrants and regions at the proximal 2 levels, and increased porosity in only the cranial quadrant and mid‐cortical area at the distal level, when compared with contralateral non‐implanted femurs. Corresponding medullary areas were not different.

Conclusions—Significant histomorphometric changes occur in femurs after unstable cTHA. The patterns of periosteal bone formation and endosteal bone resorption support mechanisms of stress shielding and wear debris‐mediated osteolysis as factors that may contribute to femoral adaptation and implant loosening.

Clinical Relevance—Despite popularity and excellent return to function with cTHA, aseptic loosening remains a serious long‐term complication. Substantial net bone loss and unfavorable environment with unstable cTHA may make revision surgery less successful.