bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Japanese Cedar-Pollen-Specific IL-5 Production in Infants with Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Kimura Mitsuaki , Obi Makiko , Saito Megumu
Published: December 2004

Background: Although food allergens and house dust mites are thought to contribute to the development of atopic dermatitis (AD) in infants, the influence of pollens has not yet been well defined. Objective: This study attempted to clarify the effect of Japanese cedar pollens (JCPs), which are scattered in Japan between February and April, on AD in infants. Methods: In the first study, seasonal changes in the number of patients who first visited our institute due to AD were analyzed by reviewing medical records of 184 infants with AD. In the second study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 81 children (50 infants <1 year and 31 older children) with AD were stimulated with a standardized JCP allergen. The production of IL-5 was measured and its correlation with the severity of AD in infants was analyzed. Results: The number of infants who first visited the institute due to AD peaked in spring. JCP-specific IL-5 production began to increase immediately after the first contact with JCPs in infants with AD. The production of IL-5 in infants with AD exposed to JCPs was significantly higher than in control subjects (p < 0.002) or in AD infants never exposed to JCPs (p < 0.02). There was a significant positive correlation between IL-5 production and the severity of AD in infants (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: These results suggest that JCPs play an important role in the aggravation of infantile AD in spring by inducing IL-5 production.
Upregulation of Interleukin-13 and Its Receptor in a Murine Model of Bleomycin-Induced Scleroderma
Authors: Matsushita Mariko , Yamamoto Toshiyuki , Nishioka Kiyoshi
Published: December 2004

Background: Interleukin-13 (IL-13) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of fibrotic conditions. Previously, a murine model for scleroderma has been established by repeated local injections of bleomycin. This animal model enabled us to study local expression and production of IL-13 in skin lesions during disease progression. Methods: Dermal sclerosis (DSc) was induced by repeated subcutaneous injections of bleomycin (1 mg/ml) in C3H/HeJ mice. IL-13 and IL-4 expressions were examined by RT-PCR, ELISA and immunohistochemistry. Results: RT-PCR showed that both IL-4 and IL-13 mRNA levels in skin lesions were increased and peaked after 4 weeks of bleomycin treatment. Quantification by densitometry revealed up to 4.2- and 1.9-fold increases, respectively. Immunohistochemical localization showed in skin lesions expression of IL-13 on infiltrating inflammatory cells, including mononuclear cells and possibly mast cells, increased with DSc progression. IL-13 protein production was also significantly increased. In skin lesions, IL-13 receptor (IL-13R) α2 expression was augmented mainly in the infiltrating mononuclear cells after 4 weeks of bleomycin exposure. IL-13Rα2, but not IL-13Rα1, mRNA was upregulated in the whole skin after 4 weeks. On the contrary, mRNA expression of IL-13Rα1 and IL- 13Rα2 was significantly altered in the cultured fibroblasts derived from bleomycin-treated skin. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that in skin lesions levels of IL-13 as well as its receptor increase in parallel with DSc progression, suggesting that IL-13 promotes the progression of cutaneous fibrosis/sclerosis in the murine model of bleomycin-induced scleroderma.
Transition from a Botanical to a Molecular Classification in Tree Pollen Allergy: Implications for Diagnosis and Therapy
Authors: Mothes Nadine , Horak Friedrich , Valenta Rudolf
Published: December 2004

Tree pollens are among the most important allergen sources. Allergic cross-reactivity to pollens of trees from various plant orders has so far been classified according to botanical relationships. In this context, cross-reactivities to pollens of trees of the Fagales order (birch, alder, hazel, hornbeam, oak, chestnut), fruits and vegetables, between pollens of the Scrophulariales (olive, ash, plantain, privet, lilac) and pollens of the Coniferales (cedar, cypress, pine) are well established. The application of molecular biology methods for allergen characterization has revealed the molecular nature of many important tree pollen allergens. We review the spectrum of tree pollen allergens and propose a classification of tree pollen and related allergies based on major allergen molecules instead of botanical relationships among the allergenic sources. This molecular classification suggests the major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1 as a marker for Fagales pollen and related plant food allergies, the major olive pollen allergen, Ole e 1, as a possible marker for Scrophulariales pollen allergy and the cedar allergens, Cry j 1 and Cry j 2, as potential markers for allergy to Coniferales pollens. We exemplify for Fagales pollen allergy and Bet v 1 that major marker allergens are diagnostic tools to determine the disease-eliciting allergen source. Information obtained by diagnostic testing with marker allergens will be important for the appropriate selection of patients for allergen-specific forms of therapy.
Influence of Surgeon Volume on Clinical and Economic Outcomes of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Authors: Lee King-Teh , Chang Wen-Tseng , Huang Meng-Chuan , Chiu Herng-Chia
Published: December 2004

Background and Purpose: The volume-outcome effect has been well documented in both medical treatment and surgery. The relationship of volume-outcome utilization in laparoscopic cholecystectomy has not been studied. The aims of this study were to examine whether the operational volume of individual surgeons is associated with the clinical and economic outcomes of patients with gallbladder diseases undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: A retrospective study was made of all patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital between January 1998 and April 2002. In total, 916 patients were operated on by 4 surgeons and the volume for each surgeon was 502, 192, 147, and 75 cases, respectively. Clinical and economic information for each patient was abstracted from medical charts and the financial division. Multiple logistic and linear regression models were used to examine the relationship between three outcome variables, complications, length of stay, total hospital charges, and surgeon volume while controlling for the severity of illness and other selected covariates (morbidity index). Results: Overall, a complication rate of 1.2% was identified. On average, the patient’s stay in hospital was 4.7 days, and the average total hospital charge was TWD 49,581. After adjusting for covariates, three regression models indicated that the surgeon with the highest volume had the lowest complication rate, shortest length of stay, and lowest hospital charges. Conclusions: The operative volume of individual surgeons not only had a positive impact on clinical outcomes, it also had greater effect on conservation of health care resources. The findings validate the theory of practice makes perfect.
Prevalence of Mild Cognitive Impairment in 60- to 64-Year-Old Community-Dwelling Individuals: The Personality and Total Health through Life 60+ Study
Authors: Kumar Rajeev , Dear Keith B.G. , Christensen Helen , Ilschner Suse , Jorm Anthony F. , Meslin Chantal , Rosenman Stephen J. , Sachdev Perminder S.
Published: December 2004

This epidemiological study aimed at determining the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in 60- to 64-year-old individuals using different diagnostic criteria. Community dwelling individuals (n = 2,551) in the age range of 60–64 years were recruited randomly through the electoral roll. They were screened using the MMSE and a short cognitive battery, and those who screened positive underwent detailed medical and cognitive assessments. Extant MCI-related diagnoses were established by consensus. Predictive regression models on the sub-sample were used to determine population prevalence for the diagnoses. Of the 224 subjects who screened positive for MCI, 112 underwent a detailed assessment and 74% met the criteria for at least one recognised diagnosis of mild cognitive deficit (MCI and related diagnoses). By predictive regression modelling, the prevalence of any MCI diagnosis was 13.7% (95% CI 9.1–30.2) in the population of 60- to 64-year-olds. The estimated prevalence rates for specific diagnoses were: MCI 3.7%, ageing-associated cognitive decline 3.1%, Clinical Dementia Rating score (0.5) 2.8%, age-associated memory impairment 1%, other cognitive disorders 0.9%, and mild neurocognitive disorder 0.6%. Agreement on ‘caseness’ between various proposed diagnoses was at best fair and generally poor. Memory and other cognitive problems not meeting the threshold for dementia are relatively common in 60- to 64-year-old individuals living in the community. The prevalence rate varies up to six-fold according to the diagnostic criteria applied, with limited overlap between diagnoses. There is an urgent need for standardization of the criteria.
Semantic Memory Impairment in the Earliest Phases of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Vogel Asmus , Gade Anders , Stokholm Jette , Waldemar Gunhild
Published: December 2004

The presence and the nature of semantic memory dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have been widely debated. This study aimed to determine the frequency of impaired semantic test performances in mild AD and to study whether incipient semantic impairments could be identified in predementia AD. Five short neuropsychological tests sensitive to semantic memory and easily applicable in routine practice were administered to 102 patients with mild AD (Mini-Mental State Examination score above 19), 22 predementia AD patients and 58 healthy subjects. ‘Category fluency’ and ‘naming of famous faces’ were the most frequently impaired tests in both patient groups. The study demonstrated that impairments on semantically related tests are common in mild AD and may exist prior to the clinical diagnosis. The results imply that assessment of semantic memory is relevant in the evaluation of patients with suspected AD.
Responsiveness of the Quality of Life in Late-Stage Dementia Scale to Psychotropic Drug Treatment in Late-Stage Dementia
Authors: Martin-Cook Kristin , Hynan Linda S. , Rice-Koch Kathleen , Svetlik Doris A. , Weiner Myron F.
Published: December 2004

Background: We report on the responsiveness of a previously validated quality-of-life scale, the Quality of Life in Late-Stage Dementia scale (QUALID), as an outcome measure in a clinical trial of two psychotropic medications. Methods: Secondary analyses were conducted comparing outcome measures used in a randomized double-blind trial of two antipsychotics (olanzapine and risperidone) for the treatment of dementia-related behavioral symptoms. The QUALID was completed for 31 of the patients in addition to several measures of behavior-related dementia symptoms including the Neuropsychiatric Inventory, the Withdrawn Behavior subscale of the Multidimensional Observation Scale for Elderly Subjects, the Mini-Mental State Examination, and the Clinical Global Impression. Measures of safety and adverse effects included the Simpson-Angus Scale and records of specific adverse events. Results: A significant positive relationship was found between QUALID score and improvement in behavioral symptoms, and a negative association was found with adverse medication effects. Conclusions: The QUALID was sensitive to both the treatment effects and the adverse effects of medication in this sample of patients.
The Use of Semen Parameters to Identify the Subfertile Male in the General Population
Authors: van der Merwe F.H. , Kruger T.F. , Oehninger S.C. , Lombard C.J.
Published: December 2004

Aims: To present a structured review of the literature published on semen parameters and in vivo fertility potential and to establish fertility/subfertility thresholds for sperm morphology using Tygerberg strict criteria, sperm concentration, and sperm motility. Method: The published literature comparing fertile and subfertile populations between 1983 and 2002 was reviewed. Results: A total of 265 articles were identified by the sourcing methodology, but only four articles provided data that could be tabulated and analyzed. Using receiver-operating characteristics curves, morphology proved to be the best predictor of subfertility in 2 of the 4 articles, with concentration and motility also showing good predictive power. The thresholds calculated ranged between 4 and 10% for morphology, between 13.5 × 106/ml and 34 × 106/ml for concentration, and between 32 and 52% for motility. A second set of much lower thresholds was calculated in three of the articles using either a 15 or 50% prevalence of subfertility in the population or the tenth percentile of the fertile population. The adjusted thresholds were between 3 and 5% for morphology, between 9 × 106/ml and 20 × 106/ml for concentration, and between 20 and 30% for motility. Conclusions: Because these lower thresholds have a much higher positive predictive value, we suggest that thresholds of <5% normal sperm morphology, a concentration <15 × 106/ml, and a motility <30% should be used to identify the subfertile male. The lower threshold for morphology also fits in vitro fertilization and intrauterine insemination data calculated previously. Using the parameters in combination increases the clinical value of semen analysis.
Human and Computer Learning: An Experimental Study
Authors: Tsallis Alexandra C. , Tsallis Constantino , Magalhaes Aglae C.N. , Tamarit Francisco A.
Published: December 2004

Simple memorizing tasks have been chosen such as a binary code on a 5 × 5 matrix. After the establishment of an appropriate protocol, the codified matrices were individually presented to 150 university students (conveniently preselected) who had to memorize them. Multiple presentations were offered seeking perfect performance verified through the correct reproduction of the code. We measured the individual percentage error as a function of the number of successive presentations, and then averaged over the examined population. The learning curve thus obtained decreases (almost monotonically) until becoming virtually zero when the number of presentations attains six. A computer simulation for a similar task is available which uses a two-level perceptron on which an algorithm was implemented allowing for some degree of globality or nonlocality (technically referred to as entropic nonextensivity within a current generalization of the usual, Boltzmann-Gibbs, statistical mechanics). The degree of nonextensivity is characterized by an index q, such that q = 1 recovers the usual, extensive, statistical mechanics, whereas q ≠ 1 implies some degree of nonextensivity. In other words, q – 1 is a (very sensitive) measure of globality (gestalt perception or learning). The computer curves fit well the human result for q . 1.02. It has been verified that even extremely small departures of q from unity lead to strong differences in the learning curve. Our main observation is that, for the very specific learning task on which we focus here, humans perform similarly to slightly nonextensive perceptrons. In addition to this experiment, some preliminary studies were done concerning the human learning of ambiguous images (based on figure-background perception). In spite of the complexity of drawing conclusions from such a comparison, some generic trends can be established. Moreover, the enormous and well-known difficulty for computationally defining semantic, hierarchic and strategic structures reveals clear-cut differences between human and machine learning.
Metabolic and Hematological Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Arginine on Rats Bearing Ascitic Walker 256 Tumor
Authors: Novaes M.R.C.G. , Lima L.A.M. , Novaes L.C.G. , Souza M.V.
Published: December 2004

The notion of using supplementary quantities of arginine for nutritional support in patients with cancer has been evaluated not only as supplement intake of nitrogen substrate but also for its immunopharmacological effects capable of improving the patient‘s prognosis. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with arginine on metastatic dissemination, amino acid metabolism, hematological functions of rats with Walker 256 ascitic tumor. Animals were inoculated intraperitoneally with approximately 4 million cells. Nutritional solutions containing 4 or 6% arginine or just a control diet without added arginine, were administered to the animals via esophagic gavages. The rate of metastasis was lower in animals supplemented with arginine at 4 and 6%. Amino acid metabolism was stimulated in tumor-bearing animals after receiving 4 or 6% arginine, demonstrated by significant increase of arginine, ornithine, citrulline, proline and histidine levels in the blood (p ≤ 0.001) when compared to the control diet group. Anemia was less severe in tumor-bearing animals that received arginine supplementation. The findings suggest that arginine supplementation at 6% may have a beneficial effect on to the host, besides its pharmacological action.
Superoxide Dismutase Inhibits the Expression of Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 and Intracellular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 Induced by Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in Human Endothelial Cells Through the JNK/p38 Pathways
Authors: Lin Shing-Jong , Shyue Song-Kun , Hung Ya-Yun , Chen Yung-Hsiang , Ku Hung-Hai , Chen Jaw-Wen , Tam Ka-Bik , Chen Yuh-Lien
Published: December 2004

Objective—

Expression of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells and subsequent leukocyte recruitment are critical early events in the development of atherosclerosis. We tried to study possible effects of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) on adhesion molecule expression and its underlying mechanism in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disorders.

Methods and Results—

Human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were transfected with adenovirus carrying the human SOD gene (AdSOD) to investigate whether SOD expression in HAECs attenuated tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α–induced reactive oxygen species production and adhesion molecule expression and to define the mechanisms involved. SOD expression significantly suppressed TNF-α–induced expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 and reduced the binding of the human neutrophils to TNF-α–stimulated HAECs. SOD expression suppressed c-JUN N-terminal kinase and p38 phosphorylation. It also attenuated intracellular superoxide anion production and NADPH oxidase activity in TNF-α–treated HAECs.

Conclusions—

These results provide evidence that SOD expression in endothelial cells attenuates TNF-α–induced superoxide anion production and adhesion molecule expression, and that this protective effect is mediated by decreased JNK and p38 phosphorylation and activator protein-1 and nuclear factor κB inactivation. These results suggest that SOD has antiinflammatory properties and may play important roles in the prevention of atherosclerosis and inflammatory response.
Acute Effect of High-Fat Meal on Endothelial Function in Moderately Dyslipidemic Subjects
Authors: Giannattasio C. , Zoppo A. , Gentile G. , Failla M. , Capra A. , Maggi F.M. , Catapano A. , Mancia G.
Published: December 2004

Objective—

Hypercholesterolemia markedly impairs endothelial function. Whether this is the case for hypertriglyceridemia is less clear, however, and limited evidence exists on the effect of an acute increase in triglyceridemia caused by a high-fat meal.

Methods and Results—

In 16 normotensive subjects with an untreated mild hypertriglyceridemia and dyslipidemia and in 7 normal controls, we measured radial artery diameter and blood flow by an echo-tracking device (NIUS02). Data were obtained at baseline, at the release of a 4-minute ischemia of the hand, which causes an increase in arterial diameter dependent on nitric oxide (NO) secretion, and at the release of a 12-minute exclusion of the arm by an arm cuff to obtain a larger increase in arterial diameter mainly of nonendothelial nature. Measurements were performed before and 6 hours after a high-fat meal (680 kcal/m
2
body surface; 82% lipids). In mild dyslipidemic hypertriglyceridemic subjects, the high-fat meal did not alter baseline blood pressure (beat-to-beat finger measurement), heart rate, radial artery diameter, and blood flow. It also did not alter the increase in blood flow induced by the 4-minute ischemia (+42.7±10.4 and +43.7±10.4 mL/min), whereas it markedly attenuated the concomitant increase in arterial diameter (+0.31±0.06 versus 0.13±0.06 mm;
P
<0.05). The alteration of the diameter response did not correlate with changes in total cholesterol, but it showed a significant correlation with the increase in serum triglycerides induced by high-fat meal (
r
=0.49,
P
<0.05). This attenuation was not seen in control subjects and in subjects in whom measurements were repeated after a 6-hour observation period. It was also not paralleled by an alteration of the endothelially independent response to a 12-minute ischemia whose larger effects on arterial diameter and blood flow were similar before and after the high-fat meal.

Conclusions—

Endothelial function is markedly impaired by a high-fat meal that causes an acute hypertriglyceridemia. This impairment is evident in dyslipidemic patients with baseline hypertriglyceridemia but not in normotriglyceridemic controls.
Pharmacological Inhibition and Genetic Deficiency of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Attenuates Angiotensin II/Salt-Induced Aortic Remodeling
Authors: Weisberg Alec D. , Albornoz Francisco , Griffin Jane P. , Crandall David L. , Elokdah Hassan , Fogo Agnes B. , Vaughan Douglas E. , Brown Nancy J.
Published: December 2004

Objective—

To test the hypothesis that pharmacological plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 inhibition protects against renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system-induced cardiovascular injury, the effect of a novel orally active small-molecule PAI-1 inhibitor, PAI-039, was examined in a mouse model of angiotensin (Ang) II-induced vascular remodeling and cardiac fibrosis.

Methods and Results—

Uninephrectomized male C57BL/6J mice were randomized to vehicle subcutaneus, Ang II (1 μg/h) subcutaneous, vehicle+PAI-039 (1 mg/g chow), or Ang II+PAI-039 during high-salt intake for 8 weeks. Ang II caused significant medial, adventitial, and aortic wall thickening compared with vehicle. PAI-039 attenuated Ang II-induced aortic remodeling without altering the pressor response to Ang II. Ang II increased heart/body weight ratio and cardiac fibrosis. PAI-039 did not attenuate the effect of Ang II on cardiac hypertrophy and increased fibrosis. The effect of PAI-039 on Ang II/salt-induced aortic remodeling and cardiac fibrosis was comparable to the effect of genetic PAI-1 deficiency. Ang II increased aortic mRNA expression of PAI-1, collagen I, collagen III, fibronectin, osteopontin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and F4/80; PAI-039 significantly decreased the Ang II-induced increase in aortic osteopontin expression at 8 weeks.

Conclusions—

This study demonstrates that pharmacological inhibition of PAI-1 protects against Ang II-induced aortic remodeling. Future studies are needed to determine whether the interactive effect of Ang II/salt and reduced PAI-1 activity on cardiac fibrosis is species-specific.
cGMP Catabolism by Phosphodiesterase 5A Regulates Cardiac Adrenergic Stimulation by NOS3-Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Takimoto Eiki , Champion Hunter C. , Belardi Diego , Moslehi Javid , Mongillo Marco , Mergia Evanthia , Montrose David C. , Isoda Takayoshi , Aufiero Kate , Zaccolo Manuela , Dostmann Wolfgang R. , Smith Carolyn J. , Kass David A.
Published: December 2004

β-Adrenergic agonists stimulate cardiac contractility and simultaneously blunt this response by coactivating NO synthase (NOS3) to enhance cGMP synthesis and activate protein kinase G (PKG-1). cGMP is also catabolically regulated by phosphodiesterase 5A (PDE5A). PDE5A inhibition by sildenafil (Viagra) increases cGMP and is used widely to treat erectile dysfunction; however, its role in the heart and its interaction with β-adrenergic and NOS3/cGMP stimulation is largely unknown. In nontransgenic (control) murine in vivo hearts and isolated myocytes, PDE5A inhibition (sildenafil) minimally altered rest function. However, when the hearts or isolated myocytes were stimulated with isoproterenol, PDE5A inhibition was associated with a suppression of contractility that was coupled to elevated cGMP and increased PKG-1 activity. In contrast, NOS3-null hearts or controls with NOS inhibited by
N
G
-nitro-
l
-arginine methyl ester, or soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibited by 1
H
-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline-1-one, showed no effect of PDE5A inhibition on β-stimulated contractility or PKG-1 activation. This lack of response was not attributable to altered PDE5A gene or protein expression or in vitro PDE5A activity, but rather to an absence of sGC-generated cGMP specifically targeted to PDE5A catabolism and to a loss of PDE5A localization to z-bands. Re-expression of active NOS3 in NOS3-null hearts by adenoviral gene transfer restored PDE5A z-band localization and the antiadrenergic efficacy of PDE5A inhibition. These data support a novel regulatory role of PDE5A in hearts under adrenergic stimulation and highlight specific coupling of PDE5A catabolic regulation with NOS3-derived cGMP attributable to protein subcellular localization and targeted synthetic/catabolic coupling.
Endothelial Progenitor Cells During Cerebrovascular Disease
Authors: Ghani Usman , Shuaib Ashfaq , Salam Abdul , Nasir Aman , Shuaib Umar , Jeerakathil Tom , Sher Faiz , O’Rourke Fintan , Nasser Abdul Majeed , Schwindt Brenda , Todd Kathryn
Published: December 2004

Background and Purpose—

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are associated with endothelial repair after ischemia in cardiac or peripheral circulation. There are no reports of EPCs with cerebrovascular disease. We present our experience with EPCs in patients with cerebrovascular disease.

Summary of Report—

EPC counts differed significantly (
P
<0.001) between stroke patients (acute stroke: median 4.75 and range 0 to 33; stable stroke: median 7.25 and range 0 to 43) and control subjects (median 15.5 and range 4.3 to 50), independent of age. The level of EPCs was significantly correlated with the Framingham coronary risk score (FCRS) (ρ=−0.349;
P
=0.002).

Conclusions—

Similar to cardiac experience, the low EPC levels may play a role in the pathophysiology of cerebrovascular disease.
Imprisonment in Pre-Classical and Classical Islamic Law
Authors: Schneider Irene
Published: December 2004

Imprisonment, a generally accepted form of punishment in modern legal systems, existed also in Islamic law in the pre-classical and classical periods (second-sixth/eighth-thirteenth centuries), although Muslim jurists devoted only limited attention to the subject and Islamicists have largely ignored it. Muslim jurists of pre-classical and classical times concentrated their attention on pre-trial and administrative detention, especially imprisonment for debt. The jurists mention punitive detention as a supplementary measure that was enacted mostly in conjunction with corporal punishments (ḥudūd and taʿzīr). Because state authorities established a monopoly over criminal jurisdiction at a very early stage, it is possible that punitive detention played a more important role in practice than it did in theory. However, inasmuch as I found only a few examples in historical sources, it seems safe to conclude that punitive detention did not have the same status in pre-modern Islamic law that it does in modern law.
Al-Nawawī's Typology of Muftīs and its Significance for a General Theory of Islamic Law
Authors: Calder Norman
Published: December 2004

This essay offers, in Section 2, a translation of al-Nawawī's presentation of the hierarchy of Muftīs. The context of the passage and its terminology and arguments are explored in the other Sections in order to assess their implications for the general character of Islamic juristic activities. Section 1 identifies two themes central to the text, namely loyalty to madhhab and differentiation of the task of the teaching jurist and the muftī. The first of these is elaborated in Section 3, which points to formal qualities of presentation and argument which assert the hermeneutical continuity of the school tradition; and in Section 4, which deals with the pivotal role of the founding imām in the legitimation of the school tradition. Section 5 takes up the terms taqlīd and ijtihād and shows that al-Nawawī's usage points towards a complex resolution of the recent debate about the open/closed door of ijtihād. The last Section returns to the original two themes to make two suggestions: (1) that taqlīd may be assessed as a principal of vitality within a hermeneutical tradition; (2) that the author-jurist (not the practising muftī) is the dominant creative agent within the ongoing juristic traditions.
Systematic Changes of Northern Hemisphere Ozone and Their Relationship to Random Interannual Changes
Authors: Salby Murry L. , Callaghan Patrick F.
Published: December 2004

Northern Hemisphere ozone underwent a monotonic decline during the 1980s and 1990s. Systematic changes associated with that trend are shown to have a close relationship to random changes of ozone. These two components of interannual variability share a common structure. In it, ozone changes at high latitude are compensated at low latitude by changes of opposite sign. The out-of-phase relationship between ozone changes at high and low latitudes is consistent with a change of the residual mean circulation of the stratosphere, and so is the seasonality of systematic changes. Compensating trends at high and low latitudes amplify simultaneously—during winter, when the polar-night vortex is disturbed by planetary waves that force residual motion. Analogous relationships are obeyed by Northern Hemisphere temperature. The strong resemblance between systematic and random changes of Northern Hemisphere ozone implies that a major portion of its decline during the 1980s and 1990s involved a systematic weakening of the residual circulation.

Anomalous forcing of the residual circulation is strongly correlated to random changes of ozone, which in turn have the same structure as systematic changes. The magnitude and structure of the ozone trend are broadly consistent with the climate sensitivity of ozone with respect to a change of the residual circulation. Derived from random changes over a large population of winters, the climate sensitivity implies an ozone trend quite similar to the observed trend, but with about two-thirds of its magnitude. When account is taken of both the anomalous residual circulation and anomalous photochemistry, the climate sensitivity of ozone reproduces the major structure as well as the magnitude of the observed trend.
International Resource Conflict and Mitigation
Authors: Giordano Mark F. , Giordano Meredith A. , Wolf Aaron T.
Published: December 2004

Resource availability is frequently linked with historic and potential international conflict. Conventional wisdom holds that international resource conflict occurs in locations where growing resource demand and declining supplies are greatest. While relative scarcity is undoubtedly an element driving international resource dispute, a focus on supply and demand measures alone is insufficient to understand international conflict potential, because of the pervasive willingness of nations to construct regimes, structures, and frameworks – that is, institutions – for dispute mitigation. However, institutions for regulating the use of internationally scarce resources sometimes fail to develop, and when they do, they are not always sufficiently resilient to deal with changing political and resource environments. Thus, international resource conflict is most likely to occur where there exist both resource scarcity and insufficient institutional capacity to deal with it. In particular, conflict is most likely to emerge in those areas where (1) resource sovereignty is ill defined or non-existent, (2) existing institutional regimes are destroyed by political change, and/or (3) rapid changes in resource environments outpace the capacity of institutions to deal with the change. A mitigation strategy for potential international resource conflict is the construction of resilient resource management institutions, along with the improvement of existing institutions. To be most effective, these institutions should be clear in terms of resource allocation and quality control; be constructed with an intrinsic ability to adjust to changing political and environmental conditions; promote positive-sum solutions to resource problems; and incorporate structured conflict resolution mechanisms.
A study of missing Web-cites in scholarly articles: towards an evaluation framework
Authors: Sellitto Carmine
Published: December 2004

This paper reports on a study that examined citation practice in a set of scholarly papers. After evaluating 2162 bibliographic references it was found that 48.1% (1041) of all citations used in the papers referred to a Web-located resource. A significant number of references to URLs were found to be missing (45.8%) and an evaluation of these Weblocated citations allowed the average half-life (4.8 years) for these missing resources to be determined. The study also examined the composition of the top-level domains associated with resource loss as well as the proportional use of Web-located resources in individual articles. The proportional use of Web-located resources in individual articles and their corresponding evaluation for disappearance has not been previously documented. The paper utilized the proportional Web-citation aspect of articles in proposing a Webresource contribution index and a Web-citation use-loss grid that may aid future authors, editors and, in particular, researchers in investigating this growing aspect of citation behaviour.
A moral perspective on South–North web archiving
Authors: Lor Peter , Britz Johannes J.
Published: December 2004

This article reflects, from a moral perspective, on South-North archiving. It is argued that web pages, though trivial and ephemeral in nature, reflect contemporary culture and are as important in this context as printed material. As such, web pages should provide raw data for future scholars and should be archived. The archiving of web pages created in the developing countries (the South) raises some vexing questions such as: Is it legal to archive web sites? Does one need permission from the creator of the web site? To what extent should access to archived web sites be controlled? These questions are addressed in the paper. A moral framework based on social justice and human rights is proposed, that can be used to guide web archiving.
Biomechanical and Kinematic Influences of a Total Infrapatellar Fat Pad Resection on the Knee
Authors: Bohnsack Michael , Wilharm Arne , Hurschler Christof , Rühmann Oliver , Stukenborg-Colsman Christina , Joachim Wirth Carl
Published: December 2004

Background

This biomechanical study was performed to evaluate the consequences of total infrapatellar fat pad resection on knee kinematics and patellar contact pressure.

Hypothesis

Resection of the infrapatellar fat pad produces significant changes in knee kinematics and patellar contact pressure.

Study Design

Biomechanical cadaveric study.

Methods

Isokinetic knee extension was simulated on 10 human knee cadaveric specimens (6 men, 4 women; mean age at death, 44 years). Joint kinematics were evaluated by an ultrasound-based 3D motion analysis system, and retro-patellar contact pressure was measured using an electronic pressure-sensitive film. All data were taken before and after resection of the infrapatellar fat pad and statistically analyzed.

Results

A total resection of the infrapatellar fat pad resulted in a significant decrease of the tibial external rotation relative to the femur between 63° of flexion and full knee extension (maximum: 3° rotation difference at 0° knee flexion, P = .011), combined with a significant medial translation of the patella between 29° and 69° of knee flexion (range, 0.9-1.3 mm, P = .017-.028). Retro-patellar contact pressure was significantly reduced (from 20% to 25%, P = .008-.021) at all flexion angles.

Conclusion

A resection of the infrapatellar fat influences patellar biomechanics and knee kinematics.

Clinical Relevance

The infrapatellar fat pad may have a biomechanical function and may play a role in anterior knee pain syndrome.
Thermal Microdebridement Does Not Affect the Time Zero Biomechanical Properties of Human Patellar Tendons
Authors: Silver William P. , Creighton R. Alexander , Triantafillopoulos Ioannis K. , Devkota Aaditya C. , Weinhold Paul S. , Karas Spero G.
Published: December 2004

Background

Thermal microdebridement for the treatment of chronic tendinopathy has recently been introduced. The effect of thermal microdebridement on the biomechanical properties of human tendons, however, remains unknown.

Hypothesis

Thermal microdebridement does not affect the biomechanical properties of human patellar tendons in a cadaveric model at the time of initial treatment.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

The central 15 mm of 12 matched, human (mean age, 71 years; 8 male, 4 female), fresh-frozen patellar tendons was divided into 3 equal 5-mm specimens. The treatment group (n = 12) underwent thermal microdebridement with a radiofrequency probe. A sham treatment group (n = 12) underwent insertion of a deactivated probe. The control group (n = 12) underwent no treatment. After treatment, each specimen was tested to failure in a servo-hydraulic materials testing machine at an elongation rate of 3 mm/s. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine differences between groups.

Results

No significant difference in ultimate stress at failure, elastic modulus, strain energy density, or strain at maximum load was found between the groups. The ultimate stress at failure for the treatment, sham, and control groups was 61.0, 66.7, and 63.0 MPa, respectively ( P = .653), and the strain at maximum load was 0.12, 0.11, and 0.09, respectively ( P = .279).

Conclusions

Thermal microdebridement does not affect the biomechanical properties of cadaveric human patellar tendons at the time of initial treatment.

Clinical Relevance

It may be safe to proceed with aggressive rehabilitation after thermal microdebridement of the patellar tendon. However, the results in this cadaveric model should be interpreted with caution. Additional studies using an in vivo model will be required to completely assess the effects of thermal microdebridement on the biomechanical properties of human patel-lar tendons.
Revision Arthroscopically Assisted Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with Previously Unharvested Ipsilateral Autografts
Authors: O'Neill Daniel B.
Published: December 2004

Background

Revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction requires flexibility and variability in treatment options. This study analyzed the functional outcomes and graft stability of 48 consecutive revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions using previously unharvested ipsilateral autografts.

Hypothesis

Using previously unharvested ipsilateral autografts will achieve similar outcomes to other graft choices in revising previously failed anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions.

Study Design

Prospective nonrandomized clinical trial.

Methods

Forty-eight patients (48 operations) were observed for 2 to 13 years (mean, 90 months). All agreed to have revision reconstruction with ipsilateral autografts. The details of the technique varied according to the original graft choice and the abnormality encountered. Concomitant procedures were necessary in 40 (84%) of 48 knees. Twenty-three patients (48%) had revision reconstruction with previously unharvested ipsilateral autogenous hamstring tendons. Ten (21%) were 2-stranded grafts, and 13 (27%) were 4-stranded (quadrupled) autografts. Twenty-five patients (52%) had revision reconstruction with previously unharvested ipsilateral patellar tendon autografts, 6 (12%) using the 2-incision rear-entry method and 19 (40%) using the single-incision technique.

Results

Results were evaluated with Lysholm and Gillquist scores and International Knee Documentation Committee ratings, including KT-2000 arthrometer examinations. Seventy-three percent of the patients had International Knee Documentation Committee normal (A) or nearly normal (B) knees (42% of the patients had A knees and 42% had B knees). Twelve percent of patients had C knees, and 4% had a D rating. Sixty-seven percent of the knees had a KT-2000 arthrometer side-to-side difference of 3 mm or less, and an additional 21% of the knees had a side-to-side difference of 3 to 5 mm; therefore, 94% of the grafts were functional or partially functional. Six percent of grafts had more than 5 mm of laxity and were considered failures.

Conclusions

Previously unharvested ipsilateral autografts proved reliable in improving function and stability in revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. However, outcomes were less favorable with revision reconstructions than with primary reconstructions.
Biomechanical Rationale for Development of Anatomical Reconstructions of Coracoclavicular Ligaments after Complete Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocations
Authors: Costic Ryan S. , Labriola Joanne E. , Rodosky Mark W. , Debski Richard E.
Published: December 2004

Background

Surgical treatments of complete acromioclavicular joint dislocations replace or reconstruct the coracoclavicular ligaments with a single structure and do not account for the anatomical variance of each ligament in the design.

Purpose

To evaluate the cyclic behavior and structural properties of an anatomic tendon reconstruction of the coracoclavicular ligament complex after a simulated acromioclavicular joint dislocation.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Cyclic loading followed by a load-to-failure protocol (simulated dislocation) of the normal coracoclavicular ligament complex was performed and repeated after an anatomic reconstruction on the same specimen (n = 9). The anatomical reconstruction consisted of a semitendinosus tendon that replicated the direction and orientation of both the trapezoid and conoid ligaments.

Results

The coracoclavicular ligament and anatomical reconstruction complexes had clinically insignificant (<3 mm) permanent elongation after cyclic loading. The stiffness and ultimate load of the coracoclavicular ligament complex (60.8 ± 12.2 N/mm and 560 ± 206 N) were significantly greater than for the anatomical reconstruction complex (23.4 ± 5.2 N/mm and 406 ± 60 N), respectively (P < .05). Further analysis of the complexes revealed a 40% decrease in the bending stiffness of the clavicle after the simulated dislocation and failure of the normal coracoclavicular ligament complex (P < .05), which contributed to the diminished properties of the anatomic reconstruction.

Conclusions

The low level of permanent elongation after cyclic loading suggests that the anatomic reconstruction complex could withstand early rehabilitation; however, the decrease in the structural properties and stiffness of the clavicle should be considered in optimizing the anatomic reconstruction technique.

Clinical Relevance

Despite the differences compared to the normal coracoclavicular ligament complex, the anatomical reconstruction complex more closely approximates the stiffness of the coracoclavicular ligament complex than current surgical constructs, and the incorporation of biological tissue could improve the overall structural properties with healing.
Menisci are Efficiently Transduced by Recombinant Adeno-Associated virus Vectors in Vitro and in Vivo
Authors: Madry Henning , Cucchiarini Magali , Kaul Gunter , Kohn Dieter , Terwilliger Ernest F. , Trippel Stephen B.
Published: December 2004

Background

Meniscal tears remain an unsolved problem in sports medicine. Gene transfer is a potential approach to enhancing meniscal repair. Recombinant adeno-associated virus is a method of gene transfer that has advantages over previously used approaches to this problem.

Hypothesis

Direct gene transfer to meniscal cells can be accomplished using recombinant adeno-associated virus in vitro and in vivo.

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods

Recombinant adeno-associated viruses containing the reporter gene lacZ were tested for their ability to achieve gene transfer into lapine and human meniscal cells in vitro and into lapine meniscal defects in vivo. Results were assessed by detecting β-galactosidase, the enzyme encoded by the lacZ gene.

Results

Maximal efficiency of gene transfer was 81.6% ± 6.6% for lapine and 87.2% ± 14.8% for human meniscal cells in vitro. Expression of the transferred gene continued for the 28-day duration of the study. When the recombinant adeno-associated virus vector was injected into meniscal tears in a lapine meniscal tear model, transgene expression continued in meniscal cells adjacent to the tear for at least 20 days in vivo.

Conclusions

The data suggest that recombinant adeno-associated virus vectors can directly and efficiently transfer and stably express foreign genes in isolated lapine and human meniscal cells in vitro and in lapine meniscal defects in vivo.

Clinical Relevance

This direct gene transfer approach may form a basis for improved treatments of meniscal tears.
Arthroscopic Bankart Repair Using Suture Anchors in Athletes
Authors: Ide Junji , Maeda Satoshi , Takagi Katsumasa
Published: December 2004

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results in selected high-risk patients who underwent arthroscopic stabilization of shoulders with recurrent anterior instability.

Hypothesis

Arthroscopic stabilization using suture anchors is useful for athletes younger than 25 years or for contact athletes without a large bone loss of glenohumeral articulation.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Methods

The study group comprised 55 patients, with a mean follow-up of 42 months (range, 25-72 months). Thirty-two patients had recurrent dislocations, 14 had recurrent subluxations, and 9 had recurrent subluxations after a single dislocation. Rowe score, range of motion, recurrence, and sports activities were evaluated.

Results

Mean Rowe score improved from 30.1 to 92.3 points; 45 scores (82%) were excellent, 5 (9%) good, 1 fair (2%), and 4 (7%) poor. Patients had lost a mean of 4° of external rotation in adduction. Four (7%) had recurrence. The recurrence rate in contact athletes (9.5%, 2 of 21) was not statistically different from that in noncontact athletes (6%, 2 of 34). Forty-four (80%) returned at the same levels. The complete return rate in overhead-throwing athletes (68%, 17 of 25) was lower than that in nonoverhead athletes (90%, 27 of 30) (P = .0423). Five patients had unsatisfactory results.

Conclusion

Arthroscopic stabilization is a reliable procedure in selected high-risk patients.