bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Low Countries and the English Agricultural Revolution
Authors: harskamp jaap
Published: August 2009

Throughout the seventeenth century the Dutch and Flemish enjoyed the reputation of being the best-fed population in Europe. Immigrants and refugees from the Low Countries brought their know-how and eating habits with them. Their arrival in the late-sixteenth and early-seventeenth centuries coincided with the beginning of commercial market gardening in England. Dutch and Flemish immigrants were the first to grow them on a commercial scale.

The skill of Dutch and Flemish gardeners did much to alter the English landscape. Many varieties of flowers now considered native to England were brought over from the Low Countries, not to mention the cultivation of bulbs. The tulip became an object of insane speculation. Paintings were often cheaper than the flowers they depicted. Dutch flower painter Simon Pieterszoon Verelst (1644––1721?) became the best-paid artist in London after he settled there.

Immigrants from the Low Countries also engineered some of the most fertile areas of Britain today. Cornelius Vermuyden (1590––1677) was responsible for the draining the Fens (Cambridgeshire) which gave an enormous boost to England's agricultural development. In summary: the English agricultural revolution coincided with an influx of immigrants from the Low Countries who enriched almost every aspect of British agriculture.
Utica Greens: Central New York's Italian-American Specialty
Authors: guttman naomi , krueger roberta l.
Published: August 2009

In a cuisine known best for its ample portions of pasta and in a cold climate favoring hearty food, Utica Greens, a méélange of sautééed escarole, cherry peppers, garlic, cheese, prosciutto, breadcrumbs and olive oil, has become a regional specialty. ““Greens”” now appear on the menu of virtually every Italian-American restaurant in Utica and can be found on buffet tables at receptions and potlucks in the surrounding area. Incorporating interviews with chefs and household cooks, this article charts the history of Utica Greens from its origins as a humble dish prepared in Italian-American family kitchens to its appearance in local restaurants where it has become a nostalgic marker of a time when people grew their own food in backyard gardens and home-grown vegetables were at the center of family life.
““In Vino Veritas””: A Stoneware Jug and the Contradictions of Temperance
Authors: franklin jamie
Published: August 2009

A large, stoneware jug in the collection of the Bennington Museum bears poignant witness to the temperance movement and contradictions inherent in Americans' attitudes towards the consumption of alcohol during the mid-nineteenth century. Made in 1859 by the Norton Stoneware Factory in Bennington, Vermont, the jug is an impressive 12 gallons in size and bears a prominent cobalt decoration depicting a compote of fruit resting on a base composed of two intertwined snakes. Above this decoration, on the jug's shoulder is a clay roundel inscribed: LUMAN P. NORTON/ 12 gals/1859/ IN VINO VERITAS. In addition to the date of manufacture and capacity, this mark notes who the jug was made for, a member of the family who owned the stoneware factory, and an interesting Latin phrase that can be translated, ““in wine [there is] truth.”” The combination of this phrase, the motif of the intertwined snakes, and Luman Preston Norton's role on Vermont's temperance movement are examined to provide a window into the conflicted attitudes about alcoholic consumption that existed in mid-nineteenth-century America and the way many tried to find a balance.
Hypothalamic involvement predicts cardiovascular risk in adults with childhood onset craniopharyngioma on long-term GH therapy
Authors: Holmer Helene , Ekman Bertil , Björk Jonas , Nordstöm Carl-Henrik , Popovic Vera , Siversson AnnBritt , Erfurth Eva-Marie
Published: August 2009

Context

Craniopharyngioma patients without GH therapy are at an increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and particularly concerning women. No previous study on long-term GH therapy in adults with childhood onset (CO) craniopharyngioma was identified.

Objective

To investigate CVD risk in adults with CO craniopharyngioma on complete hormone replacement, including long-term GH therapy, and to investigate the impact of disease-related factors on CVD risk.

Design and participants

In a cross-sectional study of operated CO craniopharyngiomas (1958–2000) from a defined area of Sweden (2.5 million), we enrolled 42 patients (20 women) with a median age of 28 years (range 17–57) and assessed CVD risk of 20 (4–40) years after first operation. Comparisons were made with matched controls and between patients with tumor growth into the third ventricle (TGTV) versus non-TGTV. GH therapy was 10–12 years in women and men.

Results

In comparison with controls, both male and female patients had increased body mass index, fat mass, insulin, and leptin levels. Overall, while not significantly increased in male patients, 55–60% of female patients had a medium–high CVD risk, compared with 10–20% in controls. An increased CVD risk (all P<0.05) and higher levels of fat mass and insulin were recorded in the TGTV group versus the non-TGTV group. Late puberty induction and lack of androgens were shown in female patients.

Conclusions

Adult patients with CO craniopharyngioma, especially those with TGTV, have persistently increased CVD risk. Conventional hormone substitution, including GH, is insufficient to normalize CVD risk, suggesting an important role for irreversible hypothalamic dysfunction.
Homology of Dipteran Bristles and Lepidopteran Scales: Requirement for the Bombyx mori achaete-scute Homologue ASH2
Authors: Zhou Qingxiang , Yu Linlin , Shen Xingjia , Li Yinü , Xu Weihua , Yi Yongzhu , Zhang Zhifang
Published: August 2009

Lepidopteran wing scales and Drosophila bristles are considered homologous structures on the basis of the similarities in their cell lineages. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying scale development are essentially unknown as analysis of gene function in Lepidoptera is sorely limited. In this study, we used the Bombyx mori mutant scaleless (sl), which displays a nearly complete loss of wing scales, to explore the mechanism of lepidopteran wing-scale formation. We found that Bm-ASH2, one of four Bombyx achaete-scute homologs, is highly expressed in early pupal wings of wild-type silkworms, but its expression is severely reduced in sl pupal wings. Through molecular characterization of the mutant locus using luciferase and gel shift assays, genetic analysis of recombining populations, and in vivo rescue experiments, we provide evidence that a 26-bp deletion within the Bm-ASH2 promoter is closely linked to the sl locus and leads to loss of Bm-ASH2 expression and the scaleless-wings phenotype. Thus, the Bm-ASH2 appears to play a critical role in scale formation in B. mori. This finding supports the proposed homology of lepidopteran scales and dipteran bristles and provides evidence for conservation of the genetic pathway in scale/bristle development at the level of gene function.
Effects of Chromosomal Rearrangements on Transvection at theyellowGene ofDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Ou Sharon A , Chang Elaine , Lee Szexian , So Katherine , Wu C-ting , Morris James R
Published: August 2009

Homologous chromosomes are paired in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster. This pairing can lead to transvection, which is a process by which the proximity of homologous genes can lead to a change in gene expression. At the yellow gene, transvection is the basis for several examples of intragenic complementation involving the enhancers of one allele acting in trans on the promoter of a paired second allele. Using complementation as our assay, we explored the chromosomal requirements for pairing and transvection at yellow. Following a protocol established by Ed  Lewis, we generated and characterized chromosomal rearrangements to define a region in cis to yellow that must remain intact for complementation to occur. Our data indicate that homolog pairing at yellow is efficient, as complementation was disrupted only in the presence of chromosomal rearrangements that break ≤650 kbp from yellow. We also found that three telomerically placed chromosomal duplications, containing ∼700 or more kbp of the yellow genomic region, are able to alter complementation at yellow, presumably through competitive pairing interactions. These results provide a formal demonstration of the pairing-dependent nature of yellow transvection and suggest that yellow pairing, as measured by transvection, reflects the extent of contiguous homology flanking the locus.
Individual and Social Influences on Progression to Daily Smoking During Adolescence
Authors: Kim Min Jung , Fleming Charles B. , Catalano Richard F.
Published: August 2009

OBJECTIVES: The goal was to identify individual and social predictors of progression to daily smoking by the end of high school among youths who initiated smoking by grade 8.

METHODS: The analysis sample of 270 adolescent smokers was taken from the Raising Healthy Children project. Data were taken from annual interviews in grades 7 and 12. Daily smoking was defined as having smoked ≥1 cigarette per day in the past 30 days at the time of each interview. Discrete-time survival analysis was used to assess associations with individual, family, peer, and school predictors.

RESULTS: A total of 58% (n = 156) of the analysis sample made the transition to daily smoking by grade 12. The likelihood of onset of daily smoking among those who had not yet demonstrated onset was smallest in grade 9 (probability: 0.12) and greatest in grade 12 (probability: 0.25). Youth depression, prosocial beliefs, and antisocial behavior had overall associations with risk of smoking escalation. In addition, parents' and peers' smoking, family management, academic grades, and school commitment had significant univariate associations with smoking progression. After adjustment for gender, low-income status, and other potential predictors, youths' antisocial behavior and parents' and peers' smoking predicted greater likelihood of escalation to daily smoking, whereas parental use of positive family management predicted lower likelihood of escalation.

CONCLUSIONS: This study supports preventing escalation in adolescent smoking by targeting parents' and peers' smoking and involvement in other forms of antisocial behavior and working with parents to improve their use of positive family management practices.
Sexual Intercourse Among Adolescents Maltreated Before Age 12: A Prospective Investigation
Authors: Black Maureen M. , Oberlander Sarah E. , Lewis Terri , Knight Elizabeth D. , Zolotor Adam J. , Litrownik Alan J. , Thompson Richard , Dubowitz Howard , English Diana E.
Published: August 2009

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether child maltreatment (physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, and neglect) predicts adolescent sexual intercourse; whether associations between maltreatment and sexual intercourse are explained by children's emotional distress, and whether relations among maltreatment, emotional distress, and sexual intercourse differ according to gender.

METHODS: The Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect was a multisite, longitudinal investigation. Participants ranged from at-risk to substantiated maltreatment. Maltreatment history was assessed through Child Protective Service records and youth self-report at age 12. Youth reported emotional distress by using the Trauma Symptom Checklist at the age of 12 years and sexual intercourse at ages 14 and 16. Logistic and multiple regressions, adjusting for gender, race, and site, were used to test whether maltreatment predicts sexual intercourse, the explanatory effects of emotional distress, and gender differences.

RESULTS: At ages 14 and 16, maltreatment rates were 79% and 81%, respectively, and sexual initiation rates were 21% and 51%. Maltreatment (all types) significantly predicted sexual intercourse. Maltreated youth reported significantly more emotional distress than non-maltreated youth; emotional distress mediated the relationship between maltreatment and intercourse by 14, but not 16. At 14, boys reported higher rates of sexual intercourse than girls and the association between physical abuse and sexual intercourse was not significant for boys.

CONCLUSIONS: Maltreatment (regardless of type) predicts sexual intercourse by 14 and 16. Emotional distress explains the relationship by 14. By 16, other factors likely contribute to intercourse. Maltreated children are at risk for early initiation of sexual intercourse and sexually active adolescents should be evaluated for possible maltreatment.
Commotio Cordis and the Epidemiology of Sudden Death in Competitive Lacrosse
Authors: Maron Barry J. , Doerer Joseph J. , Haas Tammy S. , Estes N.A. Mark , Hodges James S. , Link Mark S.
Published: August 2009

OBJECTIVE: Athletic field risks associated with blunt, nonpenetrating chest blows (commotio cordis) are receiving increasing attention, but the epidemiology of these events is incomplete.

METHODS: We assessed our Sudden Death in Young Athletes Registry, 1980–2008, to formulate a clinical profile of those sudden deaths attributed to commotio cordis (and other causes) occurring in competitive lacrosse, the most rapidly growing youth sport in the United States.

RESULTS: Twenty-three sudden deaths or cardiac arrests were identified in high school and college lacrosse participants. Ages were 18 ± 2 years; each athlete was male. Ten died after blunt precordial blows, including 4 goalies wearing commercially available chest protectors. Twelve others collapsed because of presumed or documented cardiovascular disease, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, long QT syndrome, mitral valve prolapse, or ruptured cerebral aneurysm. The mortality rate associated with lacrosse was 1.46 deaths per 100000 person-years and was similar to that of other sports including baseball, basketball, football, and hockey. However, deaths attributed to commotio cordis were more frequent in lacrosse (0.63 deaths per 100000 person-years) than in other sports (P < .02), with the exception of hockey.

CONCLUSIONS: Sudden deaths in competitive lacrosse participants are rare and no more common than in most other sports. These catastrophic events were caused disproportionately by commotio cordis and included athletes wearing chest barriers, thereby underscoring the importance of developing effective chest protection to create a safer athletic environment for our youth.
Low Childhood IQ and Early Adult Mortality: The Role of Explanatory Factors in the 1958 British Birth Cohort
Authors: Jokela Markus , Batty G. David , Deary Ian J. , Gale Catharine R. , Kivimäki Mika
Published: August 2009

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the association between childhood IQ and later mortality risk was explained by early developmental advantages or mediated by adult sociodemographic factors and health behaviors.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Participants were 10 620 men and women from the 1958 British Birth Cohort Study whose IQ was assessed at the age of 11 years and who were followed up to age 46. Childhood covariates included birth weight, childhood height at 11 years of age, problem behaviors, father's occupational class, parents' interest in child's education, family size, and family difficulties. Adult risk factors were assessed at ages 23, 33, and 42 years, and they included education, occupational class, marital status, smoking, BMI, alcohol use, and psychosomatic symptoms.

RESULTS: Between ages 23 and 46 years, 192 participants died. Higher childhood IQ was related to lower mortality risk (standardized odds ratio [OR]: 0.80 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.69–0.93]) with no gender differences (OR: 0.81 [95% CI: 0.67–0.98] [men] and 0.79 [95% CI: 0.63–0.98] [women]). Adjusting for parents' interest in child's education attenuated the IQ-mortality association by 15% to 20%, and adult education and psychosomatic symptoms both attenuated the association by 25%. Other covariates were less influential.

CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of British men and women, the most important explanatory factors for the lower mortality rate among individuals with high IQ were parental interest in child's education, high adult educational level, and low prevalence of psychosomatic symptoms. However, common sociodemographic risk factors and health behaviors may not be sufficient to explain the association between IQ and early mortality completely.
Aquatic photochemistry of chlorinated triclosan derivatives: Potential source of polychlorodibenzo-P-dioxins
Authors: Buth Jeffrey M. , Grandbois Matthew , Vikesland Peter J. , McNeill Kristopher , Arnold William A.
Published: August 2009

Triclosan (TCS; 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol), a common antimicrobial agent, may react with residual chlorine in tap water during transport to wastewater treatment plants or during chlorine disinfection of wastewater, generating chlorinated TCS derivatives (CTDs): 4,5-dichloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol (4-Cl-TCS), 5,6-dichloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol (6-C1-TCS), and 4,5,6-trichloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol (4,6-Cl-TCS). The photochemistry of CTDs was investigated due to the potential formation of polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) photoproducts. Photolysis rates were highly dependent upon CTD speciation, because the phenolate species degraded 44 to 586 times faster than the phenol forms. Photolysis quantum yield values for TCS, 4-Cl-TCS, 6-Cl-TCS, and 4,6-Cl-TCS of 0.39, 0.07, 0.29, and 0.05, respectively, were determined for the phenolate species. Photolyses performed in Mississippi River and Lake Josephine (USA) waters gave similar quantum yields as buffered, pure water at the same pH, indicating that indirect photolysis processes involving photosensitization of dissolved organic matter are not competitive with direct photolysis. The photochemical conversion of the three CTDs to PCDDs under solar irradiation was confirmed in natural and buffered, pure water at yields of 0.5 to 2.5%. The CTD-derived PCDDs possess higher toxicities than 2,8-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, a previously identified photoproduct of TCS, due to their higher chlorine substitution in the lateral positions. The load of TCS- and CTD-derived PCDDs to United States surface waters is estimated to be between 46 and 92 g toxicity equivalent units per year. Other identified photoproducts of each CTD were 2,4-dichlorophenol and reductive dechlorination products.
Study of Gas Shortcut Flow Rate in Cyclone with Different Inlet Section Angles Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Qian Fuping , Huang Xingwei , Zhang Mingyao
Published: August 2009

Numerical simulations of cyclones with various vortex finder dimensions and inlet section angles were performed to study the gas shortcut flow rate. The numerical solutions were carried out using commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code Fluent 6.1. A prediction model of the gas shortcut flow rate was obtained based on response surface methodology by means of the statistical software program (Minitab V14). The results show that the length of the vortex finder insertion, the vortex finder diameter and the inlet section angle play an important role in influencing the gas shortcut flow rate. The gas shortcut flow rate decreases when increasing the inlet section angle, and increases when increasing the vortex finder diameter and decreasing the length of the vortex finder insertion. Compared with the effect of the length of the vortex finder insertion on the shortcut flow rate, the effect of the vortex finder diameter on the gas shortcut flow rate seems more pronounced. The effect of the vortex finder dimension on the gas shortcut flow rate is changed with the different inlet section angles, i.e., the effects of the vortex finder dimension of the conventional cyclone (the inlet section angle is 0º) on the gas shortcut flow rate is stronger than the cyclone with 30º and 45º inlet section angles.
Orthogonal Array Design for Optimization of Additives Assisted Cycol-Dehydration of 1,4-Butanediol to Tetrahydrofuran in Near-Critical Water
Authors: Yang Yan , Duan Peigao , Niu Yanlei , Dai Liyi
Published: August 2009

Orthogonal array designs (OAD), OA25 (56), were applied for the first time to optimize cyclo-dehydration of 1,4-butanediol (BD) to tetrahydrofuran (THF)- assisted with additives in near-critical water (NCW) in which the interactions between the variables were temporarily neglected. Six parameters at five levels such as reaction time (t, min), reaction temperature (T,°C), reactant/water ratio (R/W, wt./ wt.), additive/reactant ratio (A/R, wt./wt.), sort of additives and reaction pressure (P, MPa) were investigated. The effects of these parameters were studied by using analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine the relationship between experimental conditions and levels of yield of THF and conversion of BD. The results showed that the additives had the most significant influence on the yield of THF and conversion of BD, and the other five factors had some advantageous effects on the yield of THF and conversion of BD, however, those effects were much smaller than that of the additives. Finally, the optimal experimental conditions were proposed which could provide the highest yield with respect to the considered factors. Base on these results, a possible reaction mechanism was proposed.
Two fixed point theorems for generalized contractions with constants in complete metric space
Authors: Popescu Ovidiu
Published: August 2009

In this paper we prove two fixed point theorems for generalized contractions with constants in complete metric space, which are generalizations of very recent results of Kikkawa and Suzuki.
Erratum to “Tchebotaröv’s extremal problem”
Authors: Tamrazov Promarz
Published: August 2009

The original version of the article was published in Central European Journal of Mathematics, 2005, 3(4), 591–605. Unfortunately, the original version of this article contains a mistake. We give some corrections to our work.
The divisible radical of a group
Authors: Wehrfritz B.A.F.
Published: August 2009

We consider the existence or otherwise of canonical divisible normal subgroups of groups in general. We present more counterexamples than positive results. These counterexamples constitute the substantive part of this paper.
Ring elements as sums of units
Authors: Lanski Charles , Maróti Attila
Published: August 2009

In an Artinian ring R every element of R can be expressed as the sum of two units if and only if R/J(R) does not contain a summand isomorphic to the field with two elements. This result is used to describe those finite rings R for which Γ(R) contains a Hamiltonian cycle where Γ(R) is the (simple) graph defined on the elements of R with an edge between vertices r and s if and only if r - s is invertible. It is also shown that for an Artinian ring R the number of connected components of the graph Γ(R) is a power of 2.
Fixed point results for multivalued contractions on ordered gauge spaces
Authors: Petruşel Gabriela
Published: August 2009

The purpose of this article is to present fixed point results for multivalued E
≤-contractions on ordered complete gauge space. Our theorems generalize and extend some recent results given in M. Frigon [7], S. Reich [12], I.A. Rus and A. Petruşel [15] and I.A. Rus et al. [16].
Co-fibered products of algebraic curves
Authors: Bogomolov Fedor , Tschinkel Yuri
Published: August 2009

We give examples of failure of the existence of co-fibered products in the category of algebraic curves.
Approximation by the Bézier variant of the MKZ-Kantorovich operators in the case α < 1
Authors: Zeng Xiao-Ming , Gupta Vijay
Published: August 2009

The pointwise approximation properties of the Bézier variant of the MKZ-Kantorovich operators $$
\hat M_{n,\alpha } (f,x)
$$ for α ≥ 1 have been studied in [Comput. Math. Appl., 39 (2000), 1-13]. The aim of this paper is to deal with the pointwise approximation of the operators $$
\hat M_{n,\alpha } (f,x)
$$ for the other case 0 < α < 1. By means of some new techniques and new inequalities we establish an estimate formula on the rate of convergence of the operators $$
\hat M_{n,\alpha } (f,x)
$$ for the case 0 < α < 1. In the end we propose the q-analogue of MKZK operators.
A generalization of peripherally-multiplicative surjections between standard operator algebras
Authors: Miura Takeshi , Honma Dai
Published: August 2009

Let A and B be standard operator algebras on Banach spaces X and Y, respectively. The peripheral spectrum σπ (T) of T is defined by σπ (T) = z ∈ σ(T): |z| = maxw∈σ(T) |w|. If surjective (not necessarily linear nor continuous) maps φ, ϕ: A → B satisfy σπ (φ(S)ϕ(T)) = σπ (ST) for all S; T ∈ A, then φ and ϕ are either of the form φ(T) = A
1
TA
2
−1 and ϕ(T) = A
2
TA
1
−1 for some bijective bounded linear operators A
1; A
2 of X onto Y, or of the form φ(T) = B
1
T*B
2
−1 and ϕ(T) = B
2
T*B
−1 for some bijective bounded linear operators B
1;B
2 of X* onto Y.
Gradient systems of closed operators
Authors: Pata Vittorino
Published: August 2009

A classical result on the existence of global attractors for gradient systems is extended to the case of a semigroup S(t) lacking strong continuity, but satisfying the weaker property of being a closed map for every fixed t ≥ 0.
Approximating real Pochhammer products: a comparison with powers
Authors: Lampret Vito
Published: August 2009

Accurate estimates of real Pochhammer products, lower (falling) and upper (rising), are presented. Double inequalities comparing the Pochhammer products with powers are given. Several examples showing how to use the established approximations are stated.
Anthropometric Measurements of the hand length and their correlation with the Stature of Bengali adult Muslim females
Authors: Laila Syeda Zamila Hasan , Ferdousi Roxana , Nurunnobi ABM , Islam ATM Shafiqul , Holy Syeda Zamila Hosen , Yesmin Farzana
Published: August 2009

Context: Stature or body height is one of the most important and useful anthropometric parameter that determine the physical identity of an individual. The study was done to estimate stature from the hand length on one hundred and fifty Bengali adult Muslim females. Study design: descriptive cross sectional study. Place of Study: department of Anatomy, BSMMU, Dhaka. Material: One hundred and fifty Bengali adult Muslim female was collected from BSMMU & some urban region of Dhaka. Method: Measurement of stature and hand length of right and left side was taken with a standard anthropometer and a slide caliper respectively. Result: The present study showed significant (p<0.001) positive correlation between the stature and hand lengths. Key words: anthrpometric measurement, hand length.   doi: 10.3329/bja.v7i1.3010 Bangladesh Journal of Anatomy January 2009, Vol. 7 No. 1 pp. 10-13
Morphological Study of the Kidney in Relation to Age
Authors: Khatun Hamida , Sultana Zakia , Islam Nur-A-Farhana , Kibria GM , Chy Tawfiq-E-Elahi
Published: August 2009

Objective: The study was done to standardize the morphological data of kidney in relation to the age of person. Materials and methods: The study was done on kidneys collected from 50 postmortem cases, age from 11 years to 80 years, during the period of July 2005 to December 2005 in the department of Anatomy, M.A.G. Osmani Medical College, Sylhet. Kidneys were collected with legal permissions from the authority in charge of the morgue of Forensic Medicine department of M.A.G. Osmani Medical College, Sylhet. Among the cases 32 were male and 18 female. The kidneys were fixed in 10% formosaline. The weight, length, breadth and thickness were recorded. Result: Data were collected in 3 groups, lower age (11- 25 years), middle age (26-40 years) and higher age (41-80 years) groups. The mean weights of the kidney in 3 groups were found as 88.53 gm, 95.25 gm and 91.62 gm respectively. Similarly the mean lengths were recorded as 8.12 cm, 9.12 cm and 8.73 cm. the mean breadth were 4.46 cm, 4.31 cm and 3.58 cm. the mean thickness in these three groups were 1.72 cm, 2.19 cm and 1.48 cm respectively. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the gross values of different dimensions of the kidney, except the breadth, increases up to the age of 40 years. With further advance of age they are gradually decreased. The breadth was found greater in lower age group. Key words: Morphology of kidney, age   doi: 10.3329/bja.v7i1.3012 Bangladesh Journal of Anatomy January 2009, Vol. 7 No. 1 pp. 19-21
Position of Vermiform Appendix: A Postmortem Study
Authors: Paul Uttam Kumar , Naushaba Humaira , Begum Tahmina , Alamq Md Jahangir , Alim Afshan Jesmin , Akther Jesmin
Published: August 2009

Context: Vermiform appendix is an organ with immunological function in the abdominal cavity which is variable in position and length. It is important in different disease processes, such as appendicitis, carcinoma and diverticulitis. Appendicitis is the most important clinical condition. Appropriate anatomical knowledge about vermiform appendix is important for surgeons, pathologists and other physicians for proper diagnosis and management of appendicitis and carcinoma. Study design: Descriptive type of study. Place and period of study: Department of Anatomy, Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, from January 2006 to June 2007. Materials and methods: Sixty (60) human postmortem vermiform appendix, age ranging from 0 to 65 years. Samples were observed in situ in the unclaimed dead bodies within 24 hours of death. Results: Retrocaecal position was highest (65%) followed by pelvic (31.7%) and post ileal (3.3%). Subcaecal and pre ileal varieties were not found. Conclusion: To establish a data for Bangladeshi people, future studies are necessary by using larger sample size from different age and sex groups. To determine position of vermiform appendix, sonological studies are also recommended. Key words: position, vermiform appendix   doi: 10.3329/bja.v7i1.3015 Bangladesh Journal of Anatomy January 2009, Vol. 7 No. 1 pp. 34-36
Cadaveric Length of Trachea in Bangladeshi Adult Male
Authors: Begum Tahmina , Naushaba Humaira , Alam Jahangir , Paul Uttam Kumar , Alim Afshan Jesmin , Akter Jesmin , Ahmed Ruksana
Published: August 2009

Context: Anatomical knowledge about length of trachea is essential for anesthetists, surgeons, radiologists & sonologists. In anesthetic procedure, the knowledge of the length of trachea helps to select correct sizes of endotracheal tubes. Study Design: A descriptive type of study. Place and period of study: The study was carried out in the Department of Anatomy, Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka, from July 2006 to June 2007. Materials: 47 trachea of Bangladeshi adult male, age ranged from 20 to 58 years within 24 hours after death which were autopsied in the Department of Forensic Medicine of Sir Salimullah Medical College & Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka. Method: The collected samples were divided into four age groups, ranged from 20 to 58 years and comparative studies were done between different age groups. Result: The length of trachea increased with advancing age. The values showed positive correlation with age & statistically was highly significant (P<0.001). Conclusion: In the present study the length of the trachea increased with the increasing age. Further study with large sample size is required to make standard data for Bangladeshi adult male. Key words: Trachea, Length.   doi: 10.3329/bja.v7i1.3024 Bangladesh Journal of Anatomy January 2009, Vol. 7 No. 1 pp. 42-44
Effects of Insulin treated Established Diabetes Mellitus (EDM) on the Volume of Placental Parenchyma and Weight of the Neonate
Authors: Chowdhury AHMM Mawla , Anwar Selina , Begum Meherunnessa , Eva K Nahid , Shahnaz Fahmida
Published: August 2009

Taking in mind the effects of diabetes mellitus of varying severity on human placenta and their implication on the well being of the fetus, a quantitative study at the macroscopic level was designed. Sixty post caesarean section human placentas were studied of which thirty were from mothers having insulin treated established diabetes mellitus (EDM) considered as EDM group and thirty were from control mother having no diabetes mellitus. The venous plasma glucose level (fasting and two hours after breakfast) of the diabetic mothers in second and third trimester were recorded and the mean of the values were calculated. The value ranged from 5.93 to 10.10 and the mean was 7.28±0.90. The two groups did not differ significantly from each other with age, weight, height, or parity of the mother or in gestational age. Parenchymal volume in control and EDM group were 300.14±75.43 and 309.25±61.64 respectively. The value showed higher mean value in EDM group. The differences did not reach a significant level. The neonatal weight in control and EDM group were 2.95±0.53 and 3.05±0.52 respectively. The neonate did show a tendency towards being heavier in EDM group, but no reached the significant level. There was a significant positive correlation between the neonatal weight and the parenchymal volume in control and EDM groups. Key words: Established Diabetes Mellitus, Placenta, Parenchyma, Neonates.   doi: 10.3329/bja.v7i1.3025 Bangladesh Journal of Anatomy January 2009, Vol. 7 No. 1 pp. 45-48
Morphological Changes of Placenta in Preeclampsia
Authors: Kishwara Segupta , Ara Shamim , Rayhan Khandaker Abu , Begum Mahamuda
Published: August 2009

Context: Preeclampsia is regarded as a risk factor in pregnancy and it leads to placental insufficiency. This, in turn causes both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The present study intends to compare the morphological changes of placenta in preeclampsia with that of normal placenta. Study design: A descriptive type of study. Place and period of study: Department of Anatomy, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, from August 2005 to June 2006. Materials: 60 human placentae, 30 were from normal pregnant women as control and 30 from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia were taken for this study. Method: Samples were grouped as Group A and Group B on the basis of presence or absence of preeclampsia. All samples were studied morphologically. Result: Different shapes of placenta were found with some having accessory lobes in both groups. There was significant reduction (p< 0.001) in diameter and volume of placenta in Group B. The thickness of placenta was reduced in Group B but the difference did not reach a significant level. The number of cotyledon was significantly reduced in Group B (p<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, it was found that the preeclamptic placentae underwent definite morphological changes. These changes seemed to be the result of insufficiency of placenta in preeclampsia. However, further histological and morphometric placental study in a larger sample has to be conducted to come up with a conclusive decision. Key Words: Placenta, Preeclampsia, Morphology.   doi: 10.3329/bja.v7i1.3026 Bangladesh Journal of Anatomy January 2009, Vol. 7 No. 1 pp. 49-54
The Mediterranean Red Alga Asparagopsis: A Source of Compounds against Leishmania
Authors: Genovese Giuseppa , Tedone Laura , Hamann Mark  T. , Morabito Marina
Published: August 2009

Crude extracts and column fractions from the red algae Asparagopsis taxiformis and A. armata from the Strait of Messina (Italy) were screened for the production of antimicrobial compounds. Extracts from both species revealed remarkable antiprotozoal activity against Leishmania, revealing such algae as a great source of natural antiprotozoal products.
Azolyacetones as Precursors to Indoles and Naphthofurans Facilitated by Microwave Irradiation with Simultaneous Cooling
Authors: Al-Mousawi Saleh  Mohammed , El-Apasery Morsy  Ahmed
Published: August 2009

Phthalimide reacted with phenacyl bromide under microwave irradiation to yield phenacyl isoindolidene-1,3-dione (3b), while 3a reacted with phenylhydrazine to yield the phenylhydrazone 4 that was readily converted into indoylphthalimide 8. Similarly N-benzotriazolylacetone (6a) reacted with phenyl hydrazine to yield the phenylhydrazone 7a that was converted into indoylbenzotriazole 9. Treatment of 8 with hydrazine hydrate afforded a mixture of phthalhydrazide 10 and 3-amino-2-methylindole (11). Reacting enaminone 13 with naphthoquinone (14) afforded the aryl naphthofuran 17. The possibility of the formation of the aldehyde 18 was excluded based on HMQC, which revealed that the carbonyl carbon is not linked to any hydrogen.
Antitumor Activity of Some Prenylated Xanthones
Authors: Castanheiro Raquel  A.P. , Silva Artur M.S. , Campos Naïr  A.N. , Nascimento Maria  S.J. , Pinto Madalena M.M.
Published: August 2009

Pyranoxanthones 6-8 were obtained by dehydrogenation of the respective dihydropyranoxanthones 3-5 with DDQ in dry dioxane. Two prenylated xanthones 10,11 were obtained from the reaction of 1-hydroxyxanthone (9) with prenyl bromide in alkaline medium, or by condensation of xanthone 9 with isoprene in the presence of orthophosphoric acid. The structural elucidation of the two new compounds 6,11, as well as an update of data for the already described prenylated derivatives 7,8,10 were accomplished by IR, UV, HRMS and NMR (1H, 13C, HSQC and HMBC) techniques. The effect of the prenylated xanthone derivatives on the in vitro growth of human tumor cell lines MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma) and NCI-H460 (non-small cell lung cancer) is also reported. Compounds 10 and 11 have been found to exhibit a moderate growth inhibitory activity against the MCF-7 cell line.
Synthesis and Diels–Alder cycloaddition reaction of norbornadiene and benzonorbornadiene dimers
Authors: Nişancı Bilal , Dalkılıç Erdin , Güney Murat , Daştan Arif
Published: August 2009

Dimeric forms of norbornadiene and benzonorbornadiene were synthesized starting with known monobromide derivatives. The Diels–Alder cycloaddition reaction of dimers with TCNE and PTAD was investigated and new norbornenoid polycyclics were obtained. All compounds were characterized properly using NMR spectroscopy.
Synovial Tissue Sublining CD68 Expression Is a Biomarker of Therapeutic Response in Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Trials: Consistency Across Centers
Authors: BRESNIHAN BARRY , PONTIFEX ELIZA , THURLINGS ROGIER M. , VINKENOOG MARJOLEIN , EL-GABALAWY HANI , FEARON URSULA , FITZGERALD OLIVER , GERLAG DANIELLE M. , ROONEY TERENCE , van de SANDE MARLEEN G. , VEALE DOUGLAS , VOS KOEN , TAK PAUL-PETER
Published: August 2009

Objective.

To determine whether the correlation between the mean change in disease activity and the mean change in synovial sublining (sl) CD68 expression could be demonstrated across different academic centers.

Methods.

Synovial biopsies obtained at arthroscopy from patients with rheumatoid arthritis before and 160 days after rituximab therapy were selected and coded. Paired sections were processed independently at Amsterdam Medical Center (AMC) and at St. Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH), Dublin. Digital image analysis (DIA) was employed at both centers to quantify sublining CD68 expression.

Results.

After analysis of CD68sl expression at centers in 2 different countries, high levels of intracenter and intercenter agreement were observed. For the pooled sections stained at AMC, the correlation between 2 investigators was R = 0.942, p = 0.000, and for sections stained at SVUH, R = 0.899, p = 0.001. Similarly, the intracenter correlations for ΔCD68sl expression after treatment were R = 0.998, p = 0.000, for sections stained at AMC and R = 0.880, p = 0.000, for sections stained at SVUH. The intercenter correlation for the pooled scores of sections stained at AMC was R = 0.85, p = 0.000, and for the sections stained at SVUH, R = 0.62, p = 0.001. The consistent correlation between ΔDAS (Disease Activity Score) and ΔCD68sl expression across different studies (Pearson correlation = 0.895, p < 0.001) was confirmed. The standardized response mean values for ΔCD68sl, calculated from analyses at both AMC and SVUH, were consistently 0.5 or greater, indicating a moderate to high potential to detect change.

Conclusion.

The correlation between mean ΔDAS and mean ΔCD68sl expression was confirmed across 2 centers. Examination of serial biopsy samples can be used reliably to screen for interesting biological effects at the site of inflammation at an early stage of drug development.
The OMERACT Psoriatic Arthritis Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scoring System (PsAMRIS): Definitions of Key Pathologies, Suggested MRI Sequences, and Preliminary Scoring System for PsA Hands
Authors: ØSTERGAARD MIKKEL , McQUEEN FIONA , WIELL CHARLOTTE , BIRD PAUL , BØYESEN PERNILLE , EJBJERG BO , PETERFY CHARLES , GANDJBAKHCH FRÉDÉRIQUE , DUER-JENSEN ANNE , COATES LAURA , HAAVARDSHOLM ESPEN A. , HERMANN KAY-GEERT A. , LASSERE MARISSA , O’CONNOR PHILIP , EMERY PAUL , GENANT HARRY , CONAGHAN PHILIP G.
Published: August 2009

This article describes a preliminary OMERACT psoriatic arthritis magnetic resonance image scoring system (PsAMRIS) for evaluation of inflammatory and destructive changes in PsA hands, which was developed by the international OMERACT MRI in inflammatory arthritis group. MRI definitions of important pathologies in peripheral PsA and suggestions concerning appropriate MRI sequences for use in PsA hands are also provided.
Multiple Computer-based Methods of Measuring Joint Space Width Can Discriminate Between Treatment Arms in the COBRA Trial — Update of an Ongoing OMERACT Project
Authors: SHARP JOHN T. , ANGWIN JANE , BOERS MAARTEN , DURYEA JEFF , FINCKH AXEL , HALL JAMES R. , KAUFFMAN JOOST A. , LANDEWÉ ROBERT , LANGS GEORG , LUKAS CÉDRIC , MOENS H.J. BERNELOT , PELOSCHEK PHILIPP , STRAND C. VIBEKE , van der HEIJDE DÉSIRÉE
Published: August 2009

Previously reported data on 5 computer-based programs for measurement of joint space width focusing on discriminating ability and reproducibility are updated, showing new data. Four of 5 different programs for measuring joint space width were more discriminating than observer scoring for change in narrowing in the 12 months interval. Three of 4 programs were more discriminating than observer scoring for the 0–18 month interval. The program that failed to discriminate in the 0–12 month interval was not the same program that failed in the 0–18 month interval. The committee agreed at an interim meeting in November 2007 that an important goal for computer-based measurement programs is a 90% success rate in making measurements of joint pairs in followup studies. This means that the same joint must be measured in images of both timepoints in order to assess change over time in serial radiographs. None of the programs met this 90% threshold, but 3 programs achieved 85%–90% success rate. Intraclass correlation coefficients for assessing change in joint space width in individual joints were 0.98 or 0.99 for 4 programs. The smallest detectable change was < 0.2 mm for 4 of the 5 programs, representing 29%–36% of the change within the 99th percentile of measurements.
The OMERACT Ultrasound Task Force — Advances and Priorities
Authors: D’AGOSTINO MARIA-ANTONIETTA , CONAGHAN PHILIP G. , NAREDO ESPERANZA , AEGERTER PHILIPPE , IAGNOCCO ANNAMARIA , FREESTON JANE E. , FILIPPUCCI EMILIO , MOLLER INGRID , PINEDA CARLOS , JOSHUA FREDERICK , BACKHAUS MARINA , KEEN HELEN I. , KAELEY GURJEET , ZISWEILER HANS-RUDOLF , SCHMIDT WOLFGANG A. , BALINT PETER V. , BRUYN GEORGE A.W. , JOUSSE-JOULIN SANDRINE , KANE DAVID , MOLLER INGRID , SZKUDLAREK MARCIN , TERSLEV LENE , WAKEFIELD RICHARD J.
Published: August 2009

This article reports the most recent work of the OMERACT Ultrasound Task Force (post OMERACT 8) and highlights of future research priorities discussed at the OMERACT 9 meeting, Kananaskis, Canada, May 2008. Results of 3 studies were presented: (1) assessing intermachine reliability; (2) applying the scoring system developed in the hand to other joints most commonly affected in rheumatoid arthritis (RA); and (3) assessing interobserver reliability on a deep target joint (shoulder). Results demonstrated good intermachine reliability between multiple examiners, and good applicability of the scoring system for the hand on other joints (including shoulder). Study conclusions were discussed and a future research agenda was generated, notably the further development of a Global OMERACT Sonography Scoring (GLOSS) system in RA, emphasizing the importance of testing feasibility and added value over standard clinical variables. Future disease areas of importance to develop include a scoring system for enthesitis and osteoarthritis.
Type I Interferon (IFNα) Acts Directly on Human Memory CD4+ T Cells Altering Their Response to Antigen
Authors: Gallagher Kathleen M. E. , Lauder Sarah , Rees Ian W. , Gallimore Awen M. , Godkin Andrew J.
Published: August 2009

Despite its use widely as a therapeutic agent, and proposed use as vaccine adjuvant, the effect of IFNα on T cell function is poorly understood. As a pleiotropic innate cytokine produced rapidly in response to pathogens, it is well placed to impinge on specific immune responses. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of IFNα on the function of human memory CD4+ T cells using the recall Ags purified protein derivative, tetanus toxoid, and hemagglutinin. IFNα administered either in vivo or added exogenously in vitro tended to enhance proliferative responses of purified protein derivative-specific T cells in marked contrast to the other cognate populations whose responses were often diminished. Purifying the memory CD4+CD45RO+ T cells confirmed IFNα acted directly on these cells and not via an intermediate. The T cells could be divided into two broad categories depending on how IFNα effected their responses to cognate Ag: 1) enhanced proliferation and a striking increase in IFNγ-production compared with smaller increases in IL-10 (increased ratio of IFNγ:IL-10), and 2) neutral or diminished proliferation coupled with a smaller increase in IFNγ relative to the increase in IL-10 (reduced IFNγ:IL-10 ratio). IFNα has a role in modifying memory T cell responses when they are exposed to cognate Ag and may be important in vaccination strategies designed to augment particular Th memory responses.
Mast Cells Down-Regulate CD4+CD25+ T Regulatory Cell Suppressor Function via Histamine H1 Receptor Interaction
Authors: Forward Nicholas A. , Furlong Suzanne J. , Yang Yongjun , Lin Tong-Jun , Hoskin David W.
Published: August 2009

Mast cells promote both innate and acquired immune responses, but little is known about the effect of mast cells on T regulatory (Treg) cell function. In this study, we show for the first time that the capacity of murine CD4+CD25+ Treg cells to suppress in vitro proliferation by CD4+CD25− T responder (Tresp) cells in response to anti-CD3/anti-CD28 mAb-coated beads was reduced in the presence of syngeneic bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) activated by FcεR cross-linking. Activated BMMC culture supernatants or exogenous histamine also inhibited Treg cell suppressor function while the histamine H1 receptor-specific antagonist loratadine, but not the H2 receptor-specific antagonist famotidine, restored Treg cell suppressor function in the presence of activated BMMC or activated BMMC culture supernatants. Moreover, treatment of Treg cells with loratadine, but not famotidine, rescued Treg cell suppressor function in the presence of exogenous histamine. In addition, the H1 receptor-specific agonist 2-pyridylethylamine dihydrochloride inhibited Treg cell suppressor function to an extent that was comparable to histamine, whereas the H2 receptor-specific agonist amthamine dihydrobromide was without effect. Both Treg cells and Tresp cells expressed H1 receptors. Exposure to histamine caused Treg cells to express lower levels of CD25 and the Treg cell-specific transcription factor Foxp3. Taken together, these data indicate that BMMC-elaborated histamine inhibited Treg cell suppressor function by signaling through the H1 receptor. We suggest that histamine released as a result of mast cell activation by microbial products might cause a transient decrease in Treg cell suppressor function, thereby enhancing the development of protective immunity.