bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The use of customised versus population‐based birthweight standards in predicting perinatal mortality
Authors: Zhang X , Platt RW , Cnattingius S , Joseph KS , Kramer MS
Published: March 2007

Objective  The objective of this study was to critically examine potential artifacts and biases underlying the use of ‘customised’ standards of birthweight for gestational age (GA).

Design  Population‐based cohort study.

Setting  Sweden.

Population  A total of 782 303 singletons ≥28 weeks of gestation born in 1992–2001 to Nordic mothers with complete data on birthweight; GA; and maternal age, parity, height, and pre‐pregnancy weight.

Methods  We compared perinatal mortality in four groups of infants based on the following classification of small for gestational age (SGA): non‐SGA based on either population‐based or customised standards (the reference group), SGA based on the population‐based standard only, SGA based on the customised standard only, and SGA according to both standards. We used graphical methods to compare GA‐specific birthweight cutoffs for SGA using the two standards and also used logistic regression to control for differences in GA and maternal pre‐pregnancy body mass index (BMI) in the four groups.

Main outcome measures  Perinatal mortality, including stillbirth and neonatal death.

Results  Customisation led to a large artifactual increase in the proportion of SGA infants born preterm. Adjustment for differences in GA and maternal BMI markedly reduced the excess risk among infants classified as SGA by customised standards only.

Conclusion  The large increase in perinatal mortality risk among infants classified as SGA based on customised standards is largely an artifact due to inclusion of more preterm births.
Differentiated pattern of sodium channel expression in dissociated Purkinje neurons maintained in long‐term culture
Authors: Fry Mark , Boegle Aimee K. , Maue Robert A.
Published: March 2007

Cerebellar Purkinje neurons in vivo exhibit high frequency and multi‐spike action potentials with transient (INaT), resurgent (INaR) and persistent (INaP) Na+ currents arising from voltage‐gated Na+ channels, which play important roles in shaping the action potentials and electrical activity of these cells. However, little is known about Na+ channel expression in cultured Purkinje neurons despite the use of in vitro approaches to study these cells. Therefore, GFP‐expressing Purkinje neurons isolated from transgenic mice were analysed after four weeks in culture, when, coincident with distinct axonal and dendritic morphologies, cultured Purkinje neurons exhibited dendrite‐specific MAP2 expression characteristic of polarized neurons. In cell‐attached patch clamp recordings, Na+ currents occurred at significantly higher frequencies and amplitudes in patches from the soma and axon than from dendrites, similar to the polarized distribution observed in vivo. INaT, INaR and INaP Na+ currents with properties similar to those observed in acutely isolated Purkinje neurons were detected in nucleated outside‐out patches from cultured Purkinje cells. RT‐PCR analysis detected Nav1.1, Nav1.2 and Nav1.6, but not Nav1.3, Nav1.4, Nav 1.5 or Nav1.8 Na+ channel α subunit gene expression in cultured Purkinje neurons, as observed in vivo. Together, the results indicate that key aspects of Na+ channel expression in mature Purkinje neurons in vivo occur in vitro.
Viral load 1 week after liver transplantation, donor age and rejections correlate with the outcome of recurrent hepatitis C
Authors: Ciccorossi Pietro , Maina Anna Maria , Oliveri Filippo , Petruccelli Stefania , Leandro Gioacchino , Colombatto Piero , Moriconi Francesco , Mosca Franco , Filipponi Franco , Bonino Ferruccio , Brunetto Maurizia Rossana
Published: March 2007

Background: Early identification of patients at a higher risk of rapidly progressive recurrent hepatitis post liver transplantation (LT) could help to tailor antiviral therapy.

Methods: We studied the correlation between early post‐LT viral load and the histological and clinical outcomes of 49 consecutive patients (34 males, median age 55 years) in whom viraemia was monitored at days 0, 1, 7, 30, 180 and 365 after LT.

Results: Hepatitis C recurred at histology in 38 of 42 (90.5%) patients. Early viral load after LT was higher in patients with rapidly progressive hepatitis C recurrence (day 7 median HCV‐RNA levels: 5.84 vs 4.93 Log10 IU/ml, P=0.003). Day 7 HCV‐RNA levels ≥2.5 × 105 IU/ml, donor age >60 years and rejection episodes were independently associated with progression to cirrhosis within one year post‐LT [P=0.018, odds ratio (OR) 27.59; P=0.043, OR 13.85 and P=0.048, OR 9.95, respectively]. Day 7 viraemia and rejection episodes were independently associated with 5‐years survival. Day 7 viraemia, in combination with acute hepatitis and/or donor age, showed 80% sensitivity, 94% specificity and 90.5% diagnostic accuracy to identify severe recurrence.

Conclusions: Early post‐LT HCV‐RNA correlates with the severity of hepatitis C recurrence and in combination with donor age (>60 years) and rejections, identifies patients with a high risk of severe recurrence and candidates of cost‐effective pre‐emptive antiviral therapy.
Optimizing the use of traditional DMARD in RA: getting the most out of what we can afford!
Authors: ARSHAD Anwar , SULAIMAN Wahinudin
Published: March 2007

Most of us would agree that biologic treatment offers efficacious and rapid onset of action in our rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and as a result this therapy changes our treatment paradigm. However, in some countries in our region, the availability and accessibility to biologics is still limited. Therefore, this review article will discuss the current status of disease‐modifying antirheumatid drug (DMARD) usage and will attempt to make most of what we have now. We now have strong evidence of how we can optimize DMARD usage in RA in terms of the administration, timing in initiating therapy and also the interval of assessment of disease activity.
The bone mineral density effects of calcitonin and alendronate combined therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: OZORAN Kursat , YILDIRIM Murat , ÖNDER Mustafa , SIVAS Filiz , INANIR Ahmet
Published: March 2007

Aim  The bone mineral density (BMD) effects of calcitonin (CT) and alendronate (ALEN) therapy either alone or in combination were evaluated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Method  Eighty out of 100 patients with RA using methotrexate 5–12.5 mg/week and prednisone 5–10 mg/day were included in the study. These were randomly divided into four groups: the first group was given ALEN 70 mg/week; the second was given 200 IU/day CT nasal spray; and the third group was given combined therapy of 70 mg/week ALEN and 200 IU/day CT nasal spray. The fourth group (control) as well as the other three groups were given 600 mg calcium and 400 IU vitamin D. Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry BMD of lumbar, hip and forearm regions and laboratory investigations were performed before and at the 12th month of the therapy.

Reuslts  Only the combined therapy group displayed significant decreases of alkaline phosphatase levels, pointing out that the high bone turnover seen in RA patients can only be normalized by combination therapy. Also the combined therapy group showed significant increases at the lumbar and hip regions, whereas at the forearm regions BMD values stabilized.

Conclusion  We recommend the use of CT and ALEN combined therapy, especially in severe active cases of RA, but further prospective studies consisting of larger patient populations are needed to confirm the additive effects of this combined therapy on fracture risk in these patients.
The value of changes in CRP and ESR for predicting treatment response in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: HEIDARI Behzad , HEIDARI Parham , TAYEBI Muhammad Ebrahim
Published: March 2007

Aim:  During treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) the serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) decrease concurrent with clinical improvement. The aim of this paper is to investigate whether changes of these parameters could predict treatment response.

Methods:  Patients with active RA, requiring disease‐modyfying antirheumatic drugs were entered into the study. Serum CRP and ESR were assessed at baseline and 24 weeks after the treatment. Response to treatment was assessed by the RA Disease activity Score 28 (DAS28) and DAS28‐CRP response criteria. In statistical analysis the agreement between changes of CRP and ESR at the first stage of the treatment and DAS28/DAS28‐CRP were determined as ‘good’, ‘moderate’ and ‘none’ responses. The relationship between changes in CRP and DAS28‐CRP, ESR and DAS28 were also determined and compared.

Results:  Sixty‐six patients with active RA entered the study. The mean age was 50 ± 18 years and the mean disease duration was 4.9 ± 5.8 years. After an average period of 24 weeks, 51 patients met the DAS28 and 49 patients met the DAS28‐CRP response criteria as good or moderate responders. Over the treatment period a reduction of serum CRP predicted 90% of DAS28‐CRP responders and reduction of ESR predicted 97% of DAS28 responders, whereas a lack of CRP or ESR reductions predicted 54% and 45% non‐responders, respectively. Overall, the accuracy of changes in CRP and ESR in predicting treatment response according to DAS28‐CRP and DAS28 response criteria were 77% and 73%, respectively. CRP/DAS28‐CRP was more sensitive but less specific than ESR/DAS28 in predicting treatment response.

Conclusion:  Changes of CRP or ESR at the first stage of treatment can predict treatment response. Hence, measurement of serum CRP and ESR furnishes a reliable quantitative means for early anticipation of treatment response.
Season and activity of rheumatoid arthritis in Japan
Authors: SADAMOTO K. , OGAWA T. , OGURA T. , SAITO E.
Published: March 2007

Aim:  To investigate the relationship between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity and season.

Methods:  Two hundred and eighty RA patients were asked whether they experienced any deterioration at different times of year. Each patient's RA activity was also recorded on medical charts.

Results:  Sixty‐two percent of patients recognized seasonal deterioration. Spring and winter were common seasons of deterioration. From medical charts, there were two peaks of high deterioration. One peak was from April to June, and the other was from November to January.

Conclusion:  Two‐thirds of RA patients felt deterioration related to season. Evaluation and notes of the deterioration pattern could support early appropriate therapy for RA patients.
Case series analysis of psoriatic arthritis: a two‐centre experience
Authors: MOHD SHAHRIR M. S. , EASHWARY M. , HESELYNN H. , MOHD SHAHDAN S.
Published: March 2007

Aim:  To provide the first case series analysis for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in Malaysia.

Methods:  Patient records were studied from rheumatology clinics in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital and Putrajaya Hospital in Malaysia.

Results:  Thirty‐one patients from two rheumatology centres were studied. Thirteen patients (41.9%) were male and 18 patients (58.1%) were female. Nineteen patients (61.3%) were Malays, four (12.9%) were Chinese, seven (22.6%) were Indians and one (3.2%) was a Sikh. The majority of patients were in the > 50 years age‐group (11 [35.5%]) followed by the 41–50 years age‐group (10 [32.3%]). Thirteen patients (41.9%) had the disease since 41–50 years of age. Twenty‐three patients (77.4%) had no family history of PsA. Twenty‐three patients (74.2%) had psoriasis first, seven (22.6%) had arthritis first and one (3.2%) developed psoriasis and arthritis at the same time. Twenty‐four patients (77.4%) had positive activity correlation for skin and arthritis. The majority of patients had symmetrical arthritis (20 [64.5%]) and chronic plaque‐like lesions (22 [71.0%]). These patients were on NSAIDS and methotrexate (14 [45.2%]). One patient (3.6%) needed surgery for joint replacement.

Conclusion:  Patients who were diagnosed as having PsA were Malays, age group of more than 50, disease onset at 41–50 years of age, no family history, had symmetrical and chronic plaque lesions, had psoriasis first and needed NSAIDS and methotrexate.
Serum mannose‐binding lectin (MBL) levels are decreased in gout patients
Authors: NALBANT Selim , ILHAN Abdullah , SOLMAZGUL Emrullah , ÖZYURT Mustafa , SAHAN Burak , KAPLAN Mustafa , DÝNCER Ümit
Published: March 2007

Objective:  Mannose binding lectin (MBL) is a circulating plasma protein that plays a pivotal role in innate immunity. We aimed to investigate serum levels of MBL in patients with gout disease.

Material and methods:  Mannose binding lectin levels were measured in sera of 38 patients with gout (study group; SG), 18 patients with other rheumatological diseases (patient controls; PC), and 24 healthy controls (HC) with ELISA.

Results:  Patients with gout had significantly lower serum MBL levels compared to HC and PC (SG: 1948 ± 1361ng/mL vs. HC: 2793 ± 2567 ng/mL and PC: 2355 ± 1218, p = 0.01). No significant difference was observed in serum MBL levels for PC (p = 0.1). Low MBL levels (500 ng/mL) were present in a higher proportion of gout patients compared to HC (21%, 8/38 vs. 12%, 3/24, p = 0.03). Interestingly, the gout patients with low MBL levels (500 ng/mL) used alcohol every day.

Conclusions:  Mannose binding lectin deficiency may contribute to the pathogenesis of gout patients.
Pulmonary haemorrhage and mesenteric vasculitis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: ALKAABI J. K. , ELAGIB E. M.
Published: March 2007

WE Report a 26‐year‐old female patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who developed mesenteric vasculitis and pulmonary haemorrhage. This patient initially presented with an acute abdomen and extensive vasculitic rash. While she was being treated for her abdomen she developed fulminant pulmonary haemorrhage requiring mechanical ventilation. With supportive measures and aggressive immunosupression treatment she eventually made a complete recovery.
Hepatic vasculitis presenting with multiple sterile liver abscesses in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: WANGKAEW Suparaporn , LERTPRASERTSUK Nirush , CHOTIROSNIRAMIT Anon , LOUTHRENOO Worawit
Published: March 2007

Although biochemical evidence of liver disease is common in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), clinical liver disease is uncommon. We report on a 26‐year‐old woman who presented with acute febrile illness, right upper abdominal pain and multiple hypo‐dense lesions in the liver in a computed tomographic study that mimicked multiple liver abscesses. Multiple necrotizing hepatic granulomas and old occlusive hepatic arteritis were observed in the surgical liver specimen. She was later found to have SLE. This patient represented a rare case of SLE that had hepatic vasculitis with hepatic infarction mimicking multiple liver abscesses as an initial manifestation.
Bilateral avascular necrosis of both hips and both shoulders in a case with systemic lupus erythematosus: What should we blame, steroid or secondary antiphospholipid syndrome?
Authors: EMAD Y. , RAGAB Y.
Published: March 2007

A 38‐year‐old female patient was diagnosed as a case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 1994. Her initial presentation was nephritis which remitted on combination of steroid, azathioprine and pulse cyclophosphamide therapy. One year later the patient developed bilateral avascular necrosis (AVN) both hips and underwent bilateral hip replacement. In 2003 the patient developed bilateral AVN of both shoulders. In view of this uncommon presentation the patient screened for hidden secondary antiphospholipid syndrome and surprisingly investigations revealed negative anticardiolipin antibodies, weakly positive lupus anticoagulant test and positive reactivity against β2 glycoprotein 1. Although steroid is well know for its major role in AVN in patients with SLE, the presence of hidden secondary antiphospholipid syndrome augments the deleterious effects of steroid on bone and leads to AVN in uncommon sites. It is suggested that in SLE patients with positive lupus anticoagulant and negative antiphospholipid antibodies, testing for reactivity against β2 glycoprotein 1 is mandatory.
Macrosomic infants are not all equal
Authors: SINCLAIR Bronwyn Anne , ROWAN Janet Alison , HAINSWORTH Oliver Timothy
Published: March 2007

Aims:  To see whether macrosomic infants have different morbidity according to maternal screening results for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and ethnicity.

Methods:  After excluding infants of women with diabetes, the National Women's Hospital database identified 134 infants who were delivered in 2003 and weighed ≥ 4500 g. Case notes were reviewed to record risk factors for macrosomia, delivery details and neonatal morbidity. Outcomes were analysed according to screening results for GDM and compared between Polynesian and Asian women.

Results:  Body mass index (BMI) was calculated in 29% of women, and GDM screening was undertaken in 51%. Infants of women who had a screening glucose < 7.2 mmol/L compared to ≥ 7.8 mmol/L had lower rates of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) (6.4 vs 28.6%, P = 0.049), had less respiratory distress (3.2 vs 23.8%P = 0.033) and display a trend to less require intravenous dextrose (6.4 vs 23.8%P = 0.10). Maternal BMI was lower in Asian (26.5 ± 4.4 kg/m2) compared to Polynesian women (35.2 ± 8.1 kg/m2, P = 0.008). More Asian women had a Caesarean delivery (73.3 vs 25%P < 0.001) and their infants were more likely to be admitted to NICU (33.3 vs 7.7%P = 0.02), require intravenous dextrose (20 vs 1.9%P = 0.03) and have respiratory distress (26.7 vs 3.8%P = 0.02).

Conclusion:  Risk factors for macrosomia are not assessed adequately, which may contribute to morbidity. Using a birthweight ≥ 4500 g to define macrosomia is associated with disparate morbidity between ethnicities that have different body compositions.
A customised birthweight centile calculator developed for an Australian population
Authors: MONGELLI Max , FIGUERAS Francesc , FRANCIS Andre , GARDOSI Jason
Published: March 2007

Customised percentiles improve the differentiation between constitutional and pathological smallness of the fetus and the neonate. We studied data from 12 420 pregnancies in Sydney to develop Australian coefficients for customised fetal growth and birthweight centiles. Significant coefficients were derived for maternal height, weight, parity and ethnic origin as well as gestational age and the baby's gender. Standardised comparison with results from previous reports from England and New Zealand shows marked similarities in the predicted birthweight at term, confirming international applicability of the concept of adjusting for constitutional factors when calculating the growth potential of an individual fetus.
Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in untreated Alzheimer’s disease patients
Authors: HAMURO Atsushi , ISONO Hiroshi , SUGAI Yuichi , TORII Shigeo , FURUTA Nobuo , MIMURA Masaru , KAMIJIMA Kunitoshi
Published: March 2007

Background:  To ascertain the prevalence of psychotic symptoms and behavioral disturbances of dementia patients is useful for families and health care professionals in order to anticipate the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and to recognize deterioration. This study aimed to determine whether behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are related to severity of untreated AD.

Methods:  Two hundred and two patients were classified into three groups by Functional Assessment Staging score as follows: mild group (n = 92) was at stages 3 or 4; moderate group (n = 80) was at stage 5; and severe group (n = 30) was at stages 6 or 7. We then compared the prevalence of BPSD among the groups. Psychiatric symptoms of BPSD were defined as including hallucinations, delusions, delusional misidentification syndrome and depressive mood; while behavioral disturbances included physical aggression, wandering, adverse sleep and hyperphagia.

Results:  In our study, depressive mood, physical aggression and wandering were statistically associated with the severity of AD.

Conclusion:  These results are meaningful for caregivers in helping them to understand the anticipated progression of AD and to recognize deterioration. In the care of AD patients, it is necessary to be aware of characteristics of each BPSD.
Socio‐psychological factors in suicide with Alzheimer’s disease: comparative case studies of two patients in the USA and Japan
Authors: KISHIKAWA Yusuke , FRIEDLAND Robert P. , UEDA Hideki , KITABAYASHI Yurinosuke , FUKUI Kenji
Published: March 2007

The objective of this case report is to illustrate the influence of socio‐psychological background on behavior in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A comparative analysis was undertaken of two suicide cases with AD in the USA and Japan. Both cases were in the early stages of AD. They succeeded in suicide even with their disturbed executive functions, because they felt deprived of their dignity for different reasons according to their socio‐cultural background. Early stage AD patients may retain the behavior and intellectual functions associated with their dignity and desire. Since dignity and desire are very cultural concerns, socio‐psychological background should be cautiously considered when dealing with the emotional problems of AD patients.
Marchiafava‐Bignami disease treated by mianserin hydrochloride in short‐term evaluated by neuropsychological analysis
Authors: FUKUMOTO Jun , SUZUKI Takeo
Published: March 2007

Since 1903, Marchiafava‐Bignami disease has been recognized as a rare syndrome with focal demyelination and necrosis in the corpus callosum, which is usually found in chronic alcoholics. It extends into the neighboring white matter and occasionally as far as the subcortical regions. We report a Japanese patient with Marchiafava‐Bignami disease associated with alcohol abuse, who had traveled around Western Europe, North America and China for more than 30 years. As he suffered extreme delirium in the early stages we administered a low dose (10 mg) of mianserin hydrochloride. He was very irritable and uncooperative on admission, after 20 days his delirium had disappeared and his temper had become very calm and mild. After 40 days, his intelligence level increased substantially as measured by various neuropsychological tests.
Home‐based rehabilitation program for older adults with cognitive impairment: preliminary results
Authors: YAMAMOTO‐MITANI Noriko , MATSUOKA Keiko , FUJII Masako
Published: March 2007

Background:  While there is a growing interest in cognitive rehabilitation for older adults, not enough data is available regarding its feasibility and effectiveness in an older population. The present study implemented a home‐based cognitive rehabilitation program for older adults in order to explore the program’s feasibility and effectiveness.

Methods:  The 8‐month rehabilitation program consisted of multiple workbooks targeted at improving attention, memory and executive function. Study participants worked on the workbooks at home with family members, while professional cognitive rehabilitation staff periodically evaluated their progress. Attention, memory and executive function were evaluated at outset, at month 4 and at the end of month 8.

Results:  The nine initial participants had histories of subarachnoid hemorrhage or traumatic brain injury, or were outpatients of a memory clinic who had memory impairment. Six participants (66.7%) completed the 8‐month program; one subject intentionally withdrew from the program while two others withdrew due to hospitalization. Among the six remaining participants, attention improved significantly between the month 4 and month 8 evaluations, and between the initial and month 8 evaluations. Within subsets of the attention test, significant improvement was seen in the visual selective attention domain. There was no change in memory or executive function, as well as the subjective difficulties in daily lives.

Conclusions:  This study suggests that a home‐based cognitive rehabilitation program for older adults is feasible and may improve attention, especially visual selective attention. An 8‐month rehabilitation program may have been of insufficient duration to generate significant improvements in memory or executive function.
Physical complications of dementia: 12 months research in a special ward for the elderly with senile dementia
Authors: UKAI Katsuyuki , MIZUNO Yutaka , OZAKI Kimihiko , SEKIYA Takahiro , TOMITA Kenji , ITO Takao
Published: March 2007

Background:  The Imaise Branch of Ichinomiya City Hospital proactively accepts patients with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). In cases with serious physical complications, we treat them in cooperation with other medical departments. We investigated the physical complications in our Special Ward for Elderly with Senile Dementia (WED) to determine the need to treat them for dementia.

Methods:  The subjects were 53 patients, who left our WED in the 12 months from April, 2005 to March, 2006. We subdivided physical complications into three categories in this investigation: (i) serious emergencies occurring in WED with a possibly high risk of mortality; (ii) emergency complications arising in WED that required diagnoses and treatment by specialists of other departments; and (iii) chronic diseases related to other more severe diseases requiring treatment.

Results:  The 53 investigated patients consisted of 28 men (53%) and 25 women (47%). Their average age was 79 years (male 76, female 82). There were 35 patients (66%) with Alzheimer’s disease, five (9%) with vascular dementia, two (4%) with dementia with Lewy bodies, and 11 with other illnesses. The average hospitalization period was about 8 months. Serious emergencies with a high risk of mortality occurred 22 times for every 15 patients (28%) in total. Six patients (11%) died in the WED. Emergencies requiring diagnoses and treatment by specialists of other departments occurred 23 times in every 18 patients (35%) in total. Patients with chronic diseases related to other more severe diseases numbered 26 (49%).

Conclusion:  These investigations confirmed the great need to treat physical complications in facilities for patients with dementia. All three categories of physical complications showed high rates, and the kinds of diseases varied. It is necessary to diagnose and treat various physical complications with a high incidence rate, and it is important to cooperate with specialists of other medical departments.
Improving the Performance of Indicator Groups for the Identification of Important Areas for Species Conservation
Authors: LARSEN FRANK WUGT , BLADT JESPER , RAHBEK CARSTEN
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  Indicator groups may be important tools with which to guide the selection of networks of areas for conservation. Nevertheless, the literature provides little guidance as to what makes some groups of species more suitable than others to guide area selection. Using distributional data on all sub‐Saharan birds and mammals, we assessed factors that influence the effectiveness of indicator groups. We assessed the influence of threatened, endemic, range‐restricted, widespread, and large‐bodied species by systematically varying their number in indicator groups. We also assessed the influence of taxonomic diversity by systematically varying the number of distinct genera and families within the indicator groups. We selected area networks based on the indicator groups and tested their ability to represent a set of species, which, in terms of species composition, is independent of the indicator group. Increasing the proportion of threatened, endemic, and range‐restricted species in the indicator groups improved effectiveness of the selected area networks; in particular it improved the effectiveness in representing other threatened and range‐restricted species. In contrast increasing the proportion of widespread and large‐bodied species decreased effectiveness. Changes in the number of genera and families only marginally affected the performance of indicator groups. Our results reveal that a focus on species of special conservation concern, which are legitimate conservation targets in their own right, also improves the effectiveness of indicator groups, in particular in representing other species of conservation concern.
Effect of oral hydration on skin microcirculation in healthy young and midlife and older adults
Authors: Wipke‐Tevis Deidre D. , Williams Donna A.
Published: March 2007

Clinically undetected underhydration lowers subcutaneous tissue oxygen, impairs healing and increases wound infection. This study examined the effect of supplemental oral hydration on noninvasive measures of skin temperature (Ts), transcutaneous skin O2 (PtcO2), and CO2 (PtcCO2), and skin blood flow (laser Doppler fluxmetry [Flux]=concentration of moving blood cells [CMBC] × Velocity) in healthy adults. Nineteen Control and 18 Test (Hydrated) subjects participated. Ad libitum fluid intake was allowed before the experiment. Sensors were placed on the chest, lower legs, and feet. Time 1 resting supine Ts, PtcO2/PtcCO2, and Flux/CMBC/Velocity were obtained. Then, the Test group ingested 500 mL of H2O. Time 2 measures were obtained 30 minutes later. Data were analyzed using ANOVA. Change in Ts, PtcO2, PtcCO2, and Velocity did not differ between groups. Flux increased more in the Test than in the Control group (p<0.01). The Flux change was explained by a CMBC increase (p<0.05). For midlife/older subjects only, the CMBC change was greater in the Test than in the Control group (p<0.01). Flux may be sufficiently sensitive to detect microvascular changes in response to supplemental oral hydration. These data also suggest that subtle levels of hypoperfusion due to underhydration may exist in community‐dwelling healthy midlife/older adults in their natural state.
Painful leg ulceration: a prospective, longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Briggs Michelle , Bennett Michael I. , Closs S. José , Cocks Kim
Published: March 2007

This study aimed to explore the relationship between pain mechanism, pain intensity, and leg ulcer characteristics using a 6‐month longitudinal cohort study in a community setting in the north of England. Patients with leg ulceration referred consecutively to district nurses were invited to participate (n=96). The main outcome measures were pain intensity using daily visual analogue scores, leg ulcer characteristics (etiology, size, location, duration), and LANSS (Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs). Results suggested that type, duration, position, and size of the leg ulcer had no effect on average daily pain scores. Using the LANSS questionnaire, 43.5% of respondents reported symptoms suggestive of a neuropathic mechanism to their pain. Patients with neuropathic symptoms had higher average daily pain scores (p<0.001). Fewer people had healed ulcers at 6 months with neuropathic symptoms compared with those with no neuropathic symptoms (30.8 vs. 52.1%). It would seem that the severity of pain can not be predicted by the type, size, position, or duration of ulceration. Patients who scored positively for neuropathic symptoms had higher average daily pain scores and fewer had healed leg ulcers at 6 months compared with those who did not experience neuropathic signs and symptoms.
On the Lack of Participating Policy Usage by Stock Insurance Companies
Authors: Friesen Geoffrey
Published: March 2007

Abstract

Stock insurers can reduce or eliminate agency conflicts between policyholders and stockholders by issuing participating insurance. Despite this benefit, most stock companies don't offer participating contracts. This study explains why. We study an equilibrium with both stock and mutual insurers in which stockholders set premiums to provide a fair expected return on their investment, and with a policyholder who chooses the insurance contract that maximizes her expected utility. We demonstrate that stockholders cannot profitably offer fully participating contracts, but can profitably offer partially participating insurance. However, when the policyholder participation fraction is high, the fair‐return premium is so large that the policyholder always prefers fully participating insurance from the mutual company. Policies with lower levels of policyholder participation are optimal for policyholders with relatively high risk aversion, though such policies are usually prohibited by insurance legislation. Thus, the reason stock insurers rarely issue participating contracts isn't because the potential benefits are small or unimportant. Rather, profitability or regulatory constraints simply prevent stock insurers from exercising those benefits in equilibrium.
Estimation of foraging territories of Reticulitermes grassei through mark–release–recapture
Authors: Nobre T. , Nunes L. , Bignell D.E.
Published: March 2007

Subterranean termites have highly cryptic life habits and their foraging activities are as a rule confined to below‐ground level gallery systems. Mark–release–recapture (MRR) using fat‐soluble histological dyes is a candidate method for the study of foraging dynamics and territories, but has not hitherto been standardized experimentally. A wide range of dye types and concentrations is reported in the literature. In this study, six potential dyes were evaluated at different concentrations for marking workers of Reticulitermes grassei (Clément) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), under laboratory and simulated field conditions. Neutral red (1% wt/wt) was considered the most effective while showing acceptably low toxicity. In a subsequent field trial using dye impregnated into a wooden bait, the MMR procedure was used to map the foraging territory perimeter of a single colony. Assumptions inherent in the interpretation of MMR data are reviewed. To map the foraging territory perimeter by this method, two theoretical approaches are defined (a conservative and a non‐conservative hypothesis). We show that the approach adopted may affect the estimate obtained by as much as 100%. Results are discussed in the context of the ecology and behaviour of subterranean termite colonies.
Response of the soybean aphid parasitoid Binodoxys communis to olfactory cues from target and non‐target host‐plant complexes
Authors: Wyckhuys Kris A.G. , Heimpel George E.
Published: March 2007

The parasitoid Binodoxys communis (Gahan) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a candidate for release against the Asian soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Homoptera: Aphididae), in North America. Using a series of Y‐tube olfactometer assays, we recorded responses of naïve and experienced B. communis females to odors from both target and non‐target host plant complexes. The non‐target host plant complexes included three aphid species native to North America [Aphis monardae Oestlund, Aphis oestlundi Gillette, and Aphis asclepiadis (Fitch)] and one species presumed to be exotic to North America (Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe), all on their respective host plants. We also investigated whether the parasitoid distinguishes between volatiles from soybean infested with A. glycines vs. those of uninfested plants. Volatiles from A. glycines‐infested soybean plants and several non‐target host plant complexes elicited a response in B. communis, which seemed to be reinforced through oviposition experience. Wasps with experience on a specific host plant complex increased their response to odors of this complex. Neither naïve nor experienced wasps, however, preferred odors from target vs. non‐target host plant complexes in choice tests. Our data also indicate that B. communis is unable to distinguish between volatiles from infested vs. uninfested soybean plants. This study shows that B. communis females respond to a broad array of olfactory stimuli, exhibit low fidelity for any particular odor, and employ some behavioral plasticity in their response to volatile cues. We discuss implications of these results for establishment of B. communis and potential undesirable non‐target effects associated with the release of this species in North America.
Lack of association between chronic periodontitis and the Toll‐like receptor 4 gene polymorphisms in a Czech population
Authors: Izakovicova Holla L. , Buckova D. , Fassmann A. , Roubalikova L. , Vanek J.
Published: March 2007

Background and Objective:  Periodontitis is a bacterially induced chronic inflammatory disease and a major cause of tooth loss among adults. Toll‐like receptors are signal molecules essential for the cellular response to bacterial cell wall components. The aim of this study was to investigate relationships between chronic periodontitis and variations in the TLR4 gene.

Material and Methods:  A total of 171 patients with chronic periodontitis and 218 unrelated controls were genotyped for the Asp299Gly (896A>G) and Thr399Ile (1196C>T) polymorphisms of the TLR4 gene.

Results:  Both variants were in nearly complete linkage disequilibrium. No homozygotes for the less common alleles, 299Gly and 399Thr, respectively, were found. The prevalence of the Asp299Gly and the Thr399Ile heterozygotes was 5.3% and 5.0% in controls, and 7.0% and 7.0% in periodontitis patients.

Conclusion:  In conclusion, TLR4 gene polymorphisms were not significantly associated with the susceptibility to, or severity of, chronic periodontitis in our population.
Efficient and simple quantification of stratum corneum proteins on tape strippings by infrared densitometry
Authors: Voegeli R. , Heiland J. , Doppler S. , Rawlings A. V. , Schreier T.
Published: March 2007

Background: The analysis of stratum corneum (SC) components is a widely accepted method to determine ‘skin health’ status or to follow the effects of topical treatments. These analytes are normally corrected to the amount of SC removed which can be determined gravimetrically or by extraction of SC proteins and their subsequent analysis. Unfortunately, this is a time consuming procedure and usually requires a laboratory. As a result there is a need for equipment that can be used in a clinical setting. Equally, a concurrent determination of total SC protein content and enzyme activity or any other analyte on the same tape stripping is difficult and also time consuming. Therefore a compact infrared densitometer was developed allowing a convenient and user friendly indirect measurement of SC protein content on tape strippings by optical absorption. As this is a non‐destructive technique, the tape strippings can subsequently be utilized for any other bioassay.

Methods: Using tape strippings from human subjects the SC optical absorption was determined densitometrically and after extraction of the tape strippings, their protein content was measured. A comparison between SC optical absorption and protein content was made between samples from different body sites, differing hydration and pH levels, different age groups and between the genders.

Results: The progression of absorption and protein curves was similar irrespective of tape strip number. The overall coefficient of determination (n=238) between absorption and protein content of forearm measurements was R2=0.852 and the corresponding overall linear regression 0.623x+2.703. Although the data distribution in the different subject groups varied, the regression was always quite similar and independent of gender, age, skin hydration rate, skin pH and varying skin areas. The correlations reached were statistically significant.

Conclusion: Infrared densitometry is an easy to use and non‐destructive technique for the convenient measurement of the optical absorption of SC tape strippings which was shown to be linearly proportional to their protein content. Thus the corresponding SC densitometric‐protein content calibration curves can be used for a fast indirect protein evaluation of tape strippings. As this is a non‐destructive method, the unmodified tapes can be used for further investigations.
Unsupervised border detection in dermoscopy images
Authors: Emre Celebi M. , Alp Aslandogan Y. , Stoecker William V. , Iyatomi Hitoshi , Oka Hiroshi , Chen Xiaohe
Published: March 2007

Background: As a result of the advances in skin imaging technology and the development of suitable image processing techniques, during the last decade, there has been a significant increase of interest in the computer‐aided diagnosis of skin cancer. Automated border detection is one of the most important steps in this procedure as the accuracy of the subsequent steps crucially depends on the accuracy of this step.

Methods: In this article, we present an unsupervised approach to border detection in dermoscopy skin lesion images based on a modified version of the JSEG algorithm.

Results: The method is tested on a set of 100 dermoscopy images. The border detection error is quantified by a metric that uses manually determined borders from a dermatologist as the ground truth. The results are compared with three other automated methods and manually determined borders by a second dermatologist.

Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the presented method achieves both fast and accurate border detection in dermoscopy images.
Fluorescence–remission sensoring of skin tumours: preliminary results
Authors: Wollina Uwe , Nelskamp Cornelia , Scheibe Armin , Faßler Dieter , Schmidt Wolf‐Dieter
Published: March 2007

Objective: Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is one of the most common malignancies in men. Objective evaluation by digital dermoscopy, as for pigmented lesions, does not provide sufficient data to discriminate between benign and malignant lesions. Therefore, other techniques have to be developed.

Setting: Hospitalized patients of an academic teaching hospital were evaluated.

Patients and methods: Because the simultaneous measurement of fluorescence and remission of skin is impossible, a principle of subsequent measurement of remission and fluorescence had been developed by our group. This was combined with dermoscopic imaging. VIS‐NIR remission spectroscopy was performed using the laboratory device TIDAS. Fluorescence spectroscopy was realized using a SKINSKAN. Fluorescence emission was detected by a highly sensitive PMT‐detector. Based on this evaluation, we developed an optimized measuring device (FRIS, fluorescence–remission–imaging sensor) combining sensors for fluorescence, remission and digital imaging with a white light ring illumination, a drilled mirror and fibre optics. FRIS consists of an industrial personal computer with a touch screen combining three UV‐VIS spectrometer modules and a white light source for remission measurements and referencing. Furthermore, included are a CCD coloured camera module and an LED white light ring‐illumination. Fluorescence emission is realized by a UV‐LED with a peak wavelength of 370 nm. System control uses Window© frames and a specifically developed software Skinrem3.exe©. Using this technology, we performed a pilot study in 19 patients with 30 NMSC‐suspicious lesions including: actinic keratosis (n=10), basal cell carcinoma (BCC; n=16) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC; n=4 with two in situ carcinomas).

Results: Reproducibility measured or FRIS by relative standard deviation of repeated spectroscopic measurements was <0.1% for remission and 2% for fluorescence. The technology was able to generate typical pattern of remission‐corrected fluorescence data. The fluorescence differences at 430 nm allow a differentiation between actinic keratoses and BCC. A decrease of the corrected lesional fluorescence >2 AU indicates BCC. To substantiate the diagnostic potency of this technology, further studies are needed.

Conclusions: A combination of fluorescence and remission readings of skin provides objective data in NMSC. We developed the FRIS equipment that allows a reproducible measurement and easy handling.
Preserving Endangered Languages
Authors: Romaine Suzanne
Published: March 2007

Over the last few decades an increasing number of books, scholarly articles and media reports have predicted that as many as 60 to 90% of the world's some 6900 languages may be at risk of extinction within the next 100 years. This article provides an overview of the current state of the world's languages, explains some causes and consequences of the loss of linguistic diversity, in addition to outlining some of the range of efforts currently underway worldwide to preserve endangered languages. We should think about languages in the same way as we do other natural resources that need careful planning: they are vital parts of complex local ecologies that must be supported if global biodiversity is to be sustained.
Yerranderie a Late Devonian Silver–Gold–Lead Intermediate Sulfidation Epithermal District, Eastern Lachlan Orogen, New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Downes Peter M.
Published: March 2007

Felsic volcanic units of the Early Devonian Bindook Volcanic Complex host the Yerranderie epithermal silver–gold–lead district 94 km west–southwest of Sydney. Mineralization in the district forms part of a fault‐controlled, intermediate sulfidation, epithermal silver–gold–base metal vein system that has significant mineral and alteration zonation. Stage 1 of the mineral paragenesis in the veins developed quartz and carbonate with early pyrite, whereas stage 2 is a crustiform banded quartz–pyrite–arsenopyrite assemblage. Stage 3, the main stage of sulfide deposition, comprises early sphalerite, followed by a tetrahedrite–tennantite–gold assemblage, then a galena–chalcopyrite–native silver–pyrite assemblage, and finally a pyrargyrite–polybasite–pearceite assemblage. Stage 4 involves the deposition of quartz veins with minor (late) pyrite and stage 5 is characterized by siderite that infilled remaining voids. Mineral zonation occurs along the Yerranderie Fault, with bornite being restricted to the Colon Peaks–Silver Peak mine area, whereas arsenopyrite, which is present in both the Colon Peaks–Silver Peak and Wollondilly mine areas, is absent in other lodes along the Yerranderie Fault. The Yerranderie Fault, which hosts the major lodes, is surrounded by a zoned alteration system. With increasing proximity to the fault the intensity of alteration increases and the alteration assemblage changes from an outer quartz–muscovite–illite–(ankerite) assemblage to a quartz–illite–(pyrite–carbonate) assemblage within meters of the fault.40Ar/39Ar dating of muscovite from the alteration zone gave a 372.1 ± 1.9 Ma (Late Devonian) age, which is interpreted to be the timing of the quartz–sulfide vein formation. Sulfur isotope values for sulfides range from 0.1 to 6.2‰ with one outlier of −5.6 δ34S‰. The results indicate that the initial ore‐forming fluids were reduced, and that sulfur was probably sourced from a magmatic reservoir, either as a direct magmatic contribution or indirectly through dissolution and recycling of sulfur from the host volcanic sequence. The sulfur isotope data suggest the system is isotopically zoned.