bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Invasive Rodent Eradication on Islands
Authors: HOWALD GREGG , DONLAN C. JOSH , GALVÁN JUAN PABLO , RUSSELL JAMES C. , PARKES JOHN , SAMANIEGO ARACELI , WANG YIWEI , VEITCH DICK , GENOVESI PIERO , PASCAL MICHEL , SAUNDERS ALAN , TERSHY BERNIE
Published: July 2007

Abstract:  Invasive mammals are the greatest threat to island biodiversity and invasive rodents are likely responsible for the greatest number of extinctions and ecosystem changes. Techniques for eradicating rodents from islands were developed over 2 decades ago. Since that time there has been a significant development and application of this conservation tool. We reviewed the literature on invasive rodent eradications to assess its current state and identify actions to make it more effective. Worldwide, 332 successful rodent eradications have been undertaken; we identified 35 failed eradications and 20 campaigns of unknown result. Invasive rodents have been eradicated from 284 islands (47,628 ha). With the exception of two small islands, rodenticides were used in all eradication campaigns. Brodifacoum was used in 71% of campaigns and 91% of the total area treated. The most frequent rodenticide distribution methods (from most to least) are bait stations, hand broadcasting, and aerial broadcasting. Nevertheless, campaigns using aerial broadcast made up 76% of the total area treated. Mortality of native vertebrates due to nontarget poisoning has been documented, but affected species quickly recover to pre‐eradication population levels or higher. A variety of methods have been developed to mitigate nontarget impacts, and applied research can further aid in minimizing impacts. Land managers should routinely remove invasive rodents from islands <100 ha that lack vertebrates susceptible to nontarget poisoning. For larger islands and those that require nontarget mitigation, expert consultation and greater planning effort are needed. With the exception of house mice (Mus musculus), island size may no longer be the limiting factor for rodent eradications; rather, social acceptance and funding may be the main challenges. To be successful, large‐scale rodent campaigns should be integrated with programs to improve the livelihoods of residents, island biosecurity, and reinvasion response programs.
Worsening of Symptoms Before Presentation with Vasovagal Syncope
Authors: SHELDON ROBERT S. , SHELDON AARON G. , SERLETIS ANNA , CONNOLLY STUART J. , MORILLO CARLOS A. , KLINGENHEBEN THOMAS , KRAHN ANDREW D. , KOSHMAN MARY‐LOU , RITCHIE DEBBIE ,   for the Investigators of the Prevention of Syncope Study
Published: July 2007

Introduction: Much of the natural history of vasovagal syncope is unknown. We determined whether patients presenting for care have had a recently worsened syncope frequency.

Methods and Results: We compared 208 subjects in the referral‐based Prevention of Syncope Trial (POST) and 122 subjects who fainted ≥1 in a community survey study. Their mean ages and gender proportions were similar. The POST population had a higher median lifetime syncope frequency (1.16 vs 0.12 spells/year, P < 0.0001) and more subjects began fainting at age ≥35 years (26% vs 6%, P < 0.0001). In POST, the median frequency of syncopal spells in the preceding year was higher than in all previous years (3 vs 0.57, P < 0.0001). POST subjects presented sooner after their first spell (median 11.0 vs 16.8 years, P = 0.0002), and after their last spell (median 0.3 vs 7.4 years, P < 0.0001). POST subjects ≥35 years old had a shorter history than similar community‐survey subjects (2.8 vs 14.9 y, P < 0.0001) and presented earlier after their first syncopal spell than POST subjects with a younger onset of syncope (median 2.8 vs 14.7 y, P < 0.0001), despite having fewer faints (median 6 vs 10, P = 0.0002).

Conclusions: Many syncope patients present for care after a recent worsening of their frequency of syncope.
Decreased Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor and Tissue Metalloproteinase Inhibitor Expression May Promote Increased Metalloproteinase Activity with Increasing Duration of Human Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: GRAMLEY FELIX , LORENZEN JOHANN , PLISIENE JURGITA , RAKAUSKAS MINDAUGAS , BENETIS RIMANTAS , SCHMID MICHAEL , AUTSCHBACH RÜDIGER , KNACKSTEDT CHRISTIAN , SCHIMPF THOMAS , MISCHKE KARL , GRESSNER AXEL , HANRATH PETER , KELM MALTE , SCHAUERTE PATRICK
Published: July 2007

Introduction: Atrial fibrosis has been shown to concur with the persistence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and is only incompletely reversible, thus counteracting attempts to restore and maintain sinus rhythm (SR). Besides the angiotensin system, the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) play a major role in the pathogenesis of fibrosis. Thus, the present study investigated changes of the MMP system during the development of human AF.

Methods and Results: Right atrial appendages of 146 patients were excised during heart surgery and grouped according to rhythm (SR vs AF) and AF duration. Hydroxyproline as a surrogate for collagen content and morphometrically determined collagen content increased significantly from SR (14.3 ± 7.7%) to chronic permanent AF (CAF) of 6–24 months (21.2 ± 9.2%, P = 0.02), and CAF of > 60 months (25.3 ± 4.7%, P < 0.01). From SR to paroxysmal and chronic persistent AF (CPAF) and to CAF MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 activity rose, while their mRNA and protein levels were not altered significantly. Plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), an inhibitor of a potent activator of many MMPs, was significantly decreased with increasing duration of AF. In parallel, the mRNA levels of the tissue inhibitors of MMPs TIMP‐1 and ‐2 decreased significantly.

Conclusion: Human atrial fibrogenesis is enhanced with increasing duration of AF: a longer AF duration is associated with elevated atrial interstitial MMP activity, but decreased PAI and TIMP expression.
Detection of Coronary Artery Disease with a Continuous Infusion of Definity Ultrasound Contrast during Adenosine Stress Real Time Perfusion Echocardiography
Authors: Xie Feng , Hankins Jordan , Mahrous Heidi A. , Porter Thomas R.
Published: July 2007

Background: Myocardial perfusion imaging during adenosine stress is an accurate method of detecting physiologically relevant coronary artery disease. Methods: Real time perfusion echocardiography (RTPE) was compared to nuclear scintigraphy (rest Thallium, stress Sestamibi) in 40 patients with intermediate to high pretest probability. RTPE was performed with a continuous infusion of intravenous microbubbles (Definity; Bristol Myers Squibb) and intermittent high mechanical index impulses, with visual examination of both the replenishment rate and plateau intensity of contrast. Results: Of the 119 coronary artery territories compared, SPECT and RTPE were in agreement in 105 (88% agreement; kappa 0.67). In patients who went on to quantitative coronary arteriography (QCA), there were three who had normal appearing radionuclide SPECT during adenosine, but subendocardial perfusion defects with RTPE. In all three cases, QCA confirmed the presence of a >50% diameter stenosis in the abnormal territory. Conclusions: We conclude from this study that adenosine stress imaging with RTPE is an accurate method of detecting coronary artery disease. The higher resolution of RTPE may identify subendocardial defects that would otherwise have gone undetected with radionuclide imaging.
n‐Butyl (E)‐7,9‐decadienoate: sex pheromone component of the nettle caterpillar, Darna pallivitta
Authors: Siderhurst Matthew S. , Jang Eric B. , Hara Arnold H. , Conant Patrick
Published: July 2007

The nettle caterpillar, Darna pallivitta (Moore) (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae), is an invasive pest on the island of Hawai’i, causing defoliation of ornamental nursery stock and posing a human health hazard due to their urticating hairs that can cause painful stings. Wind tunnel and field tests with 2–3‐day‐old moths revealed behavioral responses of males to caged females, which is indicative of a female‐released sex pheromone. Coupled gas chromatography‐electroantennogram detection (GC‐EAD) analysis of female abdominal tip extracts revealed two male electroantennographically active compounds produced by female D. pallivitta. Mass spectral analysis and subsequent synthesis identified the active compounds as n‐butyl (E)‐7,9‐decadienoate (major component) and ethyl (E)‐7,9‐decadienoate (minor component), both structurally similar to sex pheromone components previously reported from related Darna spp. Additionally, methyl (E)‐7,9‐decadienoate was identified from female abdominal tip extracts and a strong EAD response was elicited by the synthetic compound. n‐Butyl (E)‐7,9‐decadienoate was the only component detected by solid phase microextraction (SPME) collections from single calling female moths, however, the apparent absence of minor components may be a result of their lower abundance. Field trials showed significant attraction of male moths to all lures containing the n‐butyl ester, while the methyl and ethyl esters did not increase trap captures at the levels and ratios tested. Synthetic pheromone lures (2.5 mg) outperformed virgin moths as attractant baits and could be used for monitoring D. pallivitta populations of the island of Hawai’i and detection on other Hawai’ian islands and at ports and nurseries that receive plants from Hawai’i (e.g., California and Florida).
Antidepressants in long‐term therapy: a review of tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Authors: Hirschfeld R. M. A.
Published: July 2007

Hirschfeld RMA. Antidepressants in long‐term therapy: a review of tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2000: 101: 35–38. © Munksgaard 2000.

Objective: Although depression has been shown to be a long‐term disorder, most research studies have concentrated on its acute treatment.

Method: A literature review of the use of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in long‐term treatment of depression was performed and recommendations regarding long‐term treatment were summarized.

Results: Studies conclusively document the need for continuation treatment after initial remission of symptoms to prevent relapse. Studies also suggest that continuation treatment should last a minimum of 3–6 months following acute response. Conclusions from a few maintenance studies clearly show that recurrence rates are lower when patients at risk for recurrence continue their active treatment at its original dose than when they are switched to placebo.

Conclusion: Overall, studies conclude that depression is a recurrent, often chronic, lifetime illness requiring long‐term treatment. Continuation therapy of 3 to 6 months after acute stabilization should be considered standard for all depressed patients, and maintenance therapy should be considered for many depressed patients. Newer agents, such as the SSRIs, are preferable to the TCAs for long‐term treatment based on their superior tolerability and safety. However, because of the limited number of maintenance studies, further studies using a prospective, randomized design are needed to address this issue.
Anxiety disorders: a review of tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Authors: Zohar J. , Westenberg H. G. M.
Published: July 2007

Zohar J, Westenberg HGM. Anxiety disorders: a review of tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2000: 101: 39–49. © Munksgaard 2000.

Objective: Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders. While the older tricylic antidepressants (TCAs) are efficacious in the treatment of many anxiety disorders, recent studies with fluoxetine and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have emphasized the role of serotonin in the aetiology of these conditions.

Method: We reviewed the efficacy, safety and tolerability of TCAs and SSRIs in the treatment of the most common anxiety disorders, specifically, panic disorder, obsessive‐compulsive disorder, post‐traumatic stress disorder, social phobia and generalized anxiety disorder.

Results: Both the TCA and SSRI antidepressants are effective in treating a wide variety of anxiety disorders. SSRIs, due to their greater safety and tolerability, should be the preferred choices in treating anxiety disorders in those instances where TCAs and SSRIs are considered equally effective. In the cases of OCD and social phobia, SSRIs are almost always preferable given that the TCAs do not appear effective in these disorders.

Conclusion: Further research is needed on the naturalistic long‐term use of the TCAs and SSRIs in the treatment of anxiety disorders.
Impact of implant overloading on the peri‐implant bone in inflamed and non‐inflamed peri‐implant mucosa
Authors: Kozlovsky Avital , Tal Haim , Laufer Ben‐Zion , Leshem Roy , Rohrer Michael D. , Weinreb Miron , Artzi Zvi
Published: July 2007

Objective: To assess the impact of overloading on peri‐implant bone level and the bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC) in the presence of healthy or inflamed peri‐implant tissues.

Materials and methods: Four screw‐shaped machined implants were placed bilaterally in the mandible of four beagle dogs and left submerged for 3 months. Prosthetic abutments were connected either in supra‐occlusal contact with the opposite teeth (overloaded) or in infra‐occlusal position (unloaded). In each dog, cotton floss ligatures were placed unilaterally around abutments to promote plaque accumulation; the contralateral side was brushed three times a week. There were four experimental sites, two implants in each: loaded uninflamed (LU), loaded inflamed (LI), unloaded uninflamed (UU), and unloaded inflamed (UI). Clinical and radiographic parameters were recorded at baseline and every 3 months throughout the observation period. At 12 months, the dogs were sacrificed and histomorphometric analysis was performed.

Results: Implants with ligature‐induced peri‐implantitis presented high inflammatory indices throughout the observation period. Clinical parameters did not change from baseline for both LU and UU. Loading significantly increased the percentage of BIC (BIC%) (P<0.05) and slightly increased crestal bone resorption, but not apical to the implant neck. Both LI and UI groups showed significant peri‐implant bone loss (P<0.01), mostly horizontal on the buccal aspect and angular on the lingual aspect, which exposed implant threads. Loading significantly (P<0.05) increased implant thread exposure due to buccal and lingual vertical bone resorption.

Conclusions: In the presence of uninflamed peri‐implant mucosa, overloading of implants in the dog model increased BIC% and slightly reduced marginal bone level. However, resorption did not progress beyond the implant neck. Overloading aggravated the plaque‐induced bone resorption when peri‐implant inflammation was present.
Optical phenomenon of peri‐implant soft tissue. Part II. preferred implant neck color to improve soft tissue esthetics
Authors: Ishikawa‐Nagai S. , Da Silva J. D. , Weber H. P. , Park S. E.
Published: July 2007

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate an optical solution to eliminate the undesirable shine‐through effect of implants on peri‐implant mucosa by selecting an optimized implant neck color based on an objective and quantifiable method.

Material and methods: The optical effect of color strips on 15 peri‐implant mucosal sites of 14 patients with Straumann® single‐tooth implant replacements in the maxillary anterior region was analyzed. The color differences between the peri‐implant mucosa with insertion of each of eight different color strips (white, black, light pink, pink, light orange, orange, gold, violet) and the gingiva of an adjacent or contralateral tooth without any color strips were compared for the selection of optimal color of implant neck. Spectrophotometric color measurements were performed to compare the color difference index (ΔE) and color coordinates (ΔL*, Δa*, Δb* and ΔC*).

Results: The colors of the peri‐implant mucosa with color strips and the gingiva of natural tooth demonstrated that the test site soft tissue with color strips of light pink, pink, light orange and orange showed a significantly smaller ΔE value (P<0.05). Moreover, light pink exhibited the lowest mean ΔE value of 2.6±0.6, indicating a clinically indistinguishable color difference.

Conclusions: The results suggest that it is possible to improve gingival esthetics by coloring the implant neck, most effectively with light pink, to mask the impact of the underlying titanium implant. The use of implants with optimized neck colors to correct an esthetic deficiency may be a feasible approach to establish improved peri‐implant soft tissue esthetics.
Cyclin B1 is commonly expressed in the cytoplasm of primary human acute myelogenous leukemia cells and serves as a leukemia‐associated antigen associated with autoantibody response in a subset of patients
Authors: Ersvaer Elisabeth , Zhang Jian‐Ying , McCormack Emmet , Olsnes Astrid , Ånensen Nina , M.Tan Eng , Gjertsen Bjørn Tore , Bruserud Øystein
Published: July 2007

Objectives:  Aberrant expression of cyclin B1, a cell cycle regulator, is related to prognosis in various human malignancies. Additionally, cytoplasmic expression of cyclin B1 in epithelial malignancies is associated with a specific T‐cell response and presumably also a humoral immune response. We therefore investigated (i) whether a similar expression pattern could be detected in native human acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cells and (ii) whether cyclin B1 specific antibodies could be detected in AML.

Methods:  AML cell expression of cyclin B1 was analyzed by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Humoral immune response in AML patient sera against cyclin B1 was analyzed by ELISA.

Results:  AML cell expression of cyclin B1 was detected for all 42 patients; but the percentage of cyclin B1 positive cells showed a wide variation between patients. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that 32/42 (76%) patient samples showed abnormal cytoplasmic expression. Furthermore, the cytoplasmic expression was maintained after 14 d of in vitro culture and differentiation of the AML cells towards a dendritic cell phenotype. Cyclin B1 specific serum antibodies could be detected for seven of 65 patients with untreated AML.

Conclusions:  Our studies demonstrate that primary human AML cells show aberrant cytoplasmic expression of cyclin B1 for a majority of patients and a specific humoral immune response was also detected for a subset of patients with untreated leukemia.
Agonist‐inducible platelet activation in chronic idiopathic autoimmune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Panzer Simon , Höcker Lisa , Rieger Miriam , Vormittag Rainer , Koren Daniela , Dunkler Daniela , Pabinger Ingrid
Published: July 2007

Objective:  There are only few studies on agonist‐inducible platelet activation in chronic idiopathic autoimmune thrombocytopenia (cAITP).

Materials and methods:  We compared agonist (TRAP‐6, ADP, Arachidonic acid, Epinephrine, and Ristocetin) ‐inducible P‐selectin expression and PAC‐1 binding in 40 patients with cAITP (f/m ratio 23/17) with those in 20 healthy controls. Results were correlated with platelet counts, detectable platelet antibodies, and reticulated platelets.

Results:  The in vivo activation of platelets determined the in vitro inducible response to agonists. The stronger the in vivo activation the less the number of platelets responding to agonists, as illustrated by the inverse correlation of P‐selectin expression ex vivo and the relative increase after the exogenous addition of agonists. The agonist‐inducible platelet activation was not associated with the presence of detectable platelet antibodies to GPIb/IX or GPIIb/IIIa. Agonist‐inducible platelet activation was also not correlated with counts of reticulated platelets.

Conclusion:  Agonist‐inducible activation of platelets in cAITP is affected mainly by their in vivo activation.
Evaluation of the cardiovascular function of older adult Rhesus monkeys by ultrasonography
Authors: Tang Huo‐Ling , Wang Li‐Li , Cheng Gang , Wang Li , Li Song
Published: July 2007

Objective  To evaluate the cardiovascular structure and function of older adult Rhesus monkey by utrasonography.

Methods  Sixteen monkeys aged from 17 to 20 years and weighing from 8.2 to 15.3 kg, six adults aged 7–8 years and weighing from 8.1 to 9.2 kg. All monkeys were determined to be free from hypertension, hyperglycaemia and cardiac disease. The normal values of index related to heart and blood vessels including structure, haemodynamics and systolic or diastolic function were detected by 2D, M‐mode, pulsed Doppler and tissue Doppler echocardiography respectively under ketamine hydrochloride sedation. Meanwhile, blood pressures were also measured by electronic sphygmomanometer. Each monkey underwent repeated detections in 2 weeks and all data were analysed with statistical methods.

Results  Compared with young adult monkeys, the older’s heart rate (HR), the left ventricular diastolic function and the compliance of big artery including right and left common carotid artery, bulbus caroticus, internal carotid artery and abdominal aorta were decreased and the associated indexes changed significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Meanwhile, older monkeys exhibited significant increase in the aorta diameter (AO), amplitude of aortic wall (AAO), left atrial diameter (LAD), end diastolic volume of left ventricle (EDV), stroke volume (SV), left ventricular mass (LVM) (P < 0.05 vs. young adult monkeys); however, cardiac output (CO) only slightly increased but the difference did not reach the statistical significance (P = 0.418, P = 0.644 respectively).

Conclusions  The present results demonstrated the profiles of cardiovascular function and structure in the older Rhesus monkeys. Older monkey is accompanied by diminished left ventricular diastolic function and big artery compliance. Ultrasonography provides a means to non‐invasively evaluate the anatomy and function of the heart and blood vessel, and plays an increasingly important role in the drug evaluation against cardiovascular dysfunction.
Melatonin effect on bovine embryo development in vitro in relation to oxygen concentration
Authors: Papis Krzysztof , Poleszczuk Olga , Wenta‐Muchalska Elzbieta , Modlinski Jacek A.
Published: July 2007

Abstract:  Melatonin promotes mouse embryo development in vitro. An effect of melatonin on bovine embryo development is described here. Slaughterhouse derived oocytes were subjected to standard in vitro maturation and fertilization procedures. Presumptive zygotes were cultured for 2 days in CR1aaLA medium supplemented with melatonin (10−4 m) or without melatonin (control). Culture was performed under two different gas atmospheres containing physiological (7%) or atmospheric (20%) oxygen concentrations (2 × 2 factorial analysis). After day 2, embryos from each treatment group developed to at least four‐cell stage, were cultured without melatonin until day 10 at optimum 7% O2 atmosphere. Blastocyst formation rates of presumptive zygotes and of four‐cell embryos were calculated for each group. Significant interactions between oxygen tension and the melatonin treatment were found. Out of four‐cell embryos put into in vitro culture after initial incubation in medium containing melatonin, decreased blastocyst rate was observed in melatonin group (47.7%) compared with control (67.7%; P = 0.0327) when lower oxygen concentration was applied. A beneficial effect of melatonin was observed in 20% O2: out of 61 embryos, 42 (68.9%) developed to the blastocyst stage after treatment in melatonin versus 32 of 63 (50.8%; P = 0.0458) blastocysts that developed in control group. In conclusion, beneficial or harmful effects of melatonin on bovine embryo development in vitro were observed, depending on the oxygen tension during the treatment.
Water sorption and electrical properties of a human nail
Authors: Martinsen Ørjan G. , Grimnes Sverre , Nilsen Simen H.
Published: July 2007

Background/purpose: Water absorption is important for the overall function of keratinized tissues like the stratum corneum and nail. Hence, measurement of water sorption dynamics and water content of these tissues is of great interest.

Methods: We have studied water sorption and electrical properties of a human nail in a measuring cell where the temperature and relative hydration could be controlled.

Results: We found the amount of absorbed water to be linearly dependent on ambient relative humidity up to about 70%, followed by a stronger dependency. Furthermore, we found that electrical conductance and capacitance are exponentially dependent on the water content.

Conclusion: Both electrical conductance and susceptance are good indicators of water content in the nail. The results also possibly indicate that the capacitance is dependent on the mobility of the keratin chains, while the conductance is probably more dependent on water molecule mobility.
Reflectance of human skin using colour photometric stereo: with particular application to pigmented lesion analysis
Authors: Sun Jiuai , Smith Melvyn , Smith Lyndon , Coutts Louise , Dabis Rasha , Harland Christopher , Bamber Jeffrey
Published: July 2007

Background/purpose: The optical appearance of human skin is highly dependent on the interaction between the illumination (type and position), observer position and the skin surface structure. Different currently available photographic techniques record different aspects of this appearance, each providing its own incomplete description. This limits their usefulness, especially for pigmented skin lesion diagnosis. In this paper a new, easy to use, low‐cost photographic method is described,which aims to generate an efficiently encoded yet reasonably complete representation of skin appearance.

Material and methods: A prototype hand‐held camera was developed that rapidly acquires six colour images, each with the skin illuminated from a different direction. A novel photometric stereo processing was used to combine these into a colour image of the skin's diffuse reflectance, independent of the skin surface topography, as well as a separate representation of that topography in the form of a surface gradient image. Images of four clinical pigmented skin lesions were evaluated in comparison with conventional digital photographs by both visual judgement and automated lesion boundary detection.

Results: The new colour reflectance images were free from the effects of topographical shading, shadowing and specular reflections. Lesion boundaries obtained automatically from the reflectance images were always closer to the outline drawn by a dermatologist than those obtained from conventional photographs. Finally, recombining the colour reflectance and surface gradient data to form a virtual image of the skin surface that is highly realistic in appearance.

Conclusions: The new colour photometric stereo camera produces images of skin and skin tumours in which the reflectance information that is related to subsurface pigment distribution is separated from the surface topographic information. The total information generated by the system, for use in visual or automated analysis, is potentially greater than that for either conventional photography or dermatoscopy alone. Its further development and broader clinical evaluation are warranted to determine its usefulness and role in a wide range of dermatological tasks, including tele‐dermatology applications.
Influence of age and hormone replacement therapy on the functional properties of the lips
Authors: Caisey Laurence , Gubanova Elena , Camus Christiane , Lapatina Natalja , Smetnik Vera , Lévêque Jean‐Luc
Published: July 2007

Aims: To investigate the influence of age and hormonal status on some functional properties of the lips of women.

Methods: Lips properties were measured and compared through four groups of women (young with normal menses, aged with normal menses, aged and menopaused, aged, menopaused receiving hormonal replacement therapy). The following parameters were recorded: sebum excretion rate on the forehead. On the lower lip: TEWL, mechanical damping, color, tactile acuity. Moreover, capacitance images of each lips were recorded and the mean capacitance measured.

Results: Changes in TEWL, mechanical damping and tactile acuity appear clearly linked to age while the increase in lip darkness could be due to hormones. Sebum excretion rate is also clearly linked to hormonal status. Surprisingly, no changes of lips capacitance were detected vs. age or hormonal status. This study confirms that upper lip is more hydrated than the lower one.

Conclusion: Most of the parameters measured on the lips have similar variations than the same parameters measured on the skin. Only sebum and color appear being dependant on the hormonal status.
Secreted protein acidic, rich in cysteine induces pulp cell migration via αvβ3 integrin and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase
Authors: Pavasant P , Yongchaitrakul T
Published: July 2007

Aim:  The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of secreted protein acidic, rich in cysteine (SPARC) on the migration of human dental pulp (HDP) cells.

Methods:  Secreted protein acidic, rich in cysteine was applied in the lower chamber of the chemotaxis apparatus and migration was determined by counting the cells that migrated through the membrane. To determine the signaling pathway involved, cells were incubated with inhibitors for 30 min prior to the migration assay.

Results:  The results indicated that SPARC induced HDP cell migration in a dose‐dependent manner via extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK). The migration could be inhibited both by the anti‐αvβ3 integrin antibody and by suramin, a non‐selective growth factor receptor and G‐protein coupled receptor antagonists. The anti‐αvβ3 integrin antibody could also inhibit ERK activation, suggesting the possible role of αvβ3 integrin on the regulation of ERK and cell migration. Interestingly, both suramin and SB225002, another G‐protein coupled receptor antagonist, suppressed ERK activation.

Conclusions:  Secreted protein acidic, rich in cysteine could act as a chemotactic factor and facilitate migration, possibly through the G‐protein coupled receptor, αvβ3 integrin and ERK. The data support that SPARC could play a crucial role in dental pulp tissue repair by inducing dental pulp cell migration.
The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in adults from the Turin area
Authors: Pentenero M , Broccoletti R , Carbone M , Conrotto D , Gandolfo S
Published: July 2007

Aim:  To assess the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions (OML) and evaluate its association with tobacco and alcohol consumption and the wearing of removable dentures in an adult population from the Turin area, Italy.

Materials and methods:  A retrospective study, based on an invitational self‐selected screening, was performed on 4098 subjects. It included clinical examination plus biopsies when necessary. Patient history included age, sex, denture wearing and risk habits. Internationally accepted criteria were adopted to classify the OMLs.

Results:  Males were observed to have more OMLs (557/2040; 27.3%vs 471/2058; 22.89%). Overall OML prevalence was linked to risk habits and age. Tobacco was linked to leukoplakia, melanin pigmentation, smoker's palate, frictional lesions and papilloma. It was negatively related to recurrent aphthous stomatitis and oral lichen planus. Alcohol was linked to leukoplakia, frictional lesions and median rhomboid glossitis. The tobacco–alcohol association was linked to frictional lesions, leukoplakia, melanin pigmentation and smoker's palate. Denture wearers had an overall higher prevalence of OMLs, in particular candidiasis, traumatic and frictional lesions.

Conclusions:  The prevalence of OMLs in Turin seems to be comparable to those in other European studies and emphasize that risk habits and denture wearing have some relationship with the presence of OMLs.
Pain perception in patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
Authors: Atik Levent , Konuk Numan , Akay Omer , Ozturk Devrim , Erdogan Ayten
Published: July 2007

Objective:

Pain perception is reported to be altered in patients with depression and schizophrenia. However, few studies have investigated the pain perception in patients with bipolar disorders. We therefore aimed to compare pain sensitivity between patients with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and controls.

Methods:

Study groups consisted of 30 patients with bipolar disorder, and control groups consisted of 27 patients with schizophrenia and 59 healthy subjects. Pain perception was assessed with cold pressor test (CPT) by exposure to ice-water.

Results:

Patients with schizophrenia had significantly higher pain thresholds (PTh) than patients with bipolar disorder. There were no differences between the PTh of patients with schizophrenia and healthy control subjects. However, patients with bipolar disorder had significantly lower pain tolerance (PT) in the CPT than patients with schizophrenia and corresponding healthy control subjects.

Conclusions:

The higher PTh in the schizophrenia group compared with the bipolar group found in this study supports further investigation of a potential difference in the pain perception between patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Theoretical implications of these findings and possible relevant behavioural and neurochemical mechanisms are discussed.
Lack of association between dopamine D3 receptor Ser9Gly polymorphism and schizophrenia in Han Chinese population
Authors: Chang Hsin-An , Lu Ru-Band , Lin Wei-Wen , Chang Chuan-Chia , Chen Chih-Lun , Shy Mee-Jen , Huang San-Yuan
Published: July 2007

Background:

The Ser9Gly polymorphism in dopamine D3 receptor gene (DRD3) was considered an important factor in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Allele and genotype frequencies of this polymorphism were studied in different ethnic groups of schizophrenic patients. However, the results have been inconclusive.

Objective:

To determine whether the DRD3 Ser9Gly polymorphism is associated with schizophrenia or influences its psychopathological symptoms in Han Chinese population.

Method:

We recruited 256 schizophrenic patients and 285 normal controls matched for gender, age and ethnicity. Pretreatment psychotic symptoms were evaluated with the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) in 128 acutely exacerbated schizophrenic in-patients. Genotyping of Ser9Gly polymorphism was performed with a polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism method and reconfirmed by a direct sequencing technique.

Results:

No significant difference was found between either patients with schizophrenia or with more homogeneous schizophrenic subgroups and healthy controls in genotype distributions and allele frequencies for the DRD3 Ser9Gly polymorphism. Similarly, DRD3 Ser9Gly genotype differences failed to reach significance in PANSS global, positive, negative and general symptoms scores. There is a trend (P = 0.064) towards higher PANSS positive symptoms scores in subjects carrying the Gly/Gly genotype.

Conclusion:

This study does not support the role of DRD3 Ser9Gly polymorphism in increasing genetic risk for schizophrenia in Han Chinese population. Still, there is a possibility that the DRD3 Ser9Gly variant may reflect genetic variation of severity of positive symptoms in acutely exacerbated schizophrenia. Further studies are warranted to investigate the effect of the DRD3 Ser9Gly polymorphism in relation to longer time course of schizophrenia, including treatment response to antipsychotics.
Irish Dynamics
Authors: Leslie Shane
Published: July 2007

At this juncture, St. Patrick’s-tide, 1920, being the hundred and twentieth anniversary of a Union which without uniting Ireland to England has come near to disuniting totally the whole English-speaking world, it is best to consider the Irish question not as theory or sentiment, but in the light of cold dynamics.

There is no certainty in political forces ; but the economical approach the status of an exact science. Enthusiasms, hatreds, friendships, agreements, disagreements may be transmuted or evaporated between nations over-night. Journalism can play a great part in creating friendliness or arousing hatred, but, as its name implies, its influence must be ephemeral unless some material event or economic tendency pin it down. A good instance of this was William Hearst’s power to fill the United States with a hatred for Spain, but which required the sinking of a warship to materialize. Idealisms may blaze up for the moment. They may even flicker for centuries like will-o’-the-wisps on the fringe of the world’s thought, but they can never be reduced to practice without the conjunction of economical laws which are as blind and ruthless as those of Nature herself.
The Author's Tool
Authors: Burdett Osbert
Published: July 2007

The receipt of a bill from a Midland bookseller from whom I had made some purchases first drew my attention to this subject. The details in his bill of the books which had been ordered were written in a beautiful penmanship, and when the receipt arrived it was a pleasure to notice that the terms of acknowledgment were written in the same lettering as the printed name and address of the bookseller at the top of the sheet. Apparently the fount of type had been designed from his handwriting. This delighted me so much that I wrote a letter saying that I had not supposed it possible for anyone to add to the pleasure of an ordinary receipt, until my creditor had done so by presenting me with a distinguished example of penmanship. Thereupon the following letter arrived. It deserves to be quoted as a rare example of a simple, commercial transaction beautifully done. Readers, however, must be content with the substance which, stripped of its beautiful form, reads as follows :

“Dear Sir,

“Accept my thanks for your kind letter and remittance. Your words of praise gave me great pleasure, and I thank you for them. Caligraphy has been my delight since childhood, and is still my greatest joy and consolation. I get plenty of scribbling now, since I am almost alone in this little book-business, yet compared to the output of authorship my efforts are tiny in comparison.”
The Trading and Industrial Gilds
Authors: Toke Leslie A.
Published: July 2007

Until the recent publication of Mr. Westlake’s interesting volume upon The Parish Gilds of Medieval England students were apt to devote far too exclusive attention to Gilds of the kind I propose to deal with in this article. There were two main reasons for this preference : firstly, there was much more copious material available concerning the Trade and Craft Gilds ; secondly, they were of a nature that appeals more readily to modern “ practical “ Englishmen. Yet it must not be forgotten that the early and normal Gilds in England were Religious Gilds, Confraternities having primarily a religious purpose, and only as a by-product any sort of social or industrial services.f The Trading and Industrial Gilds were later developments, existing side by side with, and in imitation of, the Religious Gilds. They fall into two clearly marked classes—the Gilds-merchant and the Craft Gilds.

A.—The Gilds-merchant. The Gilda Mercatoria, or Merchant-Gild, which is the earlier kind, seems in its origin to have been composed, not only of those who carried on trade from town to town and in foreign countries, but also of all the craftsmen of any sort in each town. We hear of it by name first in the end of the eleventh century. But it is very probable that some at least of the Cnighten-Gilds, of which we hear in Saxon times, were, or developed into, Merchant-Gilds. Certainly that at Canterbury was described indifferently as the Gild of Cnights at Canterbury or the Ceapmann-Gild, and Dr. Gross has shown that the word “cnight” was often used in charters as a synonym of “townsman.”
Studies in the Literature of Sherlock Holmes
Authors: Knox R. A.
Published: July 2007

If there is anything pleasant in life, it is doing what we aren’t meant to do. If there is anything pleasant in criticism, it is finding out what we aren’t meant to find out. It is the method by which we treat as significant what the author did not mean to be significant, by which we single out as essential what the author regarded as incidental. Thus, if one brings out a book on turnips, the modern scholar tries to discover from it whether the author was on good terms with his wife ; if a poet writes on buttercups, every word he says may be used as evidence against him at an inquest of his views on a future existence. On this fascinating principle we delight to extort economic evidence from Aristophanes, because Aristophanes knew nothing of economics ; we try to extract cryptograms from Shakespeare, because we are inwardly certain that Shakespeare never put them there ; we sift and winnow the Gospel of S. Luke, in order to produce a Synoptic problem, because S. Luke, poor man, never knew the Synoptic problem to exist.

There is, however, a special fascination in applying this method to Sherlock Holmes, because it is in a sense Holmes’s own method. “It has long been an axiom of mine,” he says, “that the little things are infinitely the most important.” It might be the motto of his life’s work. And it is (is it not?), as the clergymen say, by the little things, the apparently unimportant things, that we judge of a man’s character.
The Song of Deborah
Authors: Walker Luke
Published: July 2007

The Song of Deborah is, then, commonly judged —and on good grounds—to be contemporary with the event which it celebrates. At moments of intense feeling, poetry not too burdened by rules, far from being an artificial, is, on the contrary, a most natural form of expression ; certainly at such times it comes readily to the lips of spontaneous peoples such as the Semites. As the occasion, so is the form ; David’s grief, for example, over the death of Saul and Jonathan produces his poetical lament as given in 2 Samuel 1. 19 ff. A most interesting parallel to the occasion and form of the Song of Deborah is provided by an incident which occurred only some thirty years ago at Madaba, a village a few miles east of the Dead Sea. The Arab tribe of the ‘Azeizât which had settled at Madaba was attacked by another Arab tribe, the Beni Sakher. The ‘Azeizât had hardly succeeded in repelling the attack before their women had composed odes to honour those who had braved, and to stigmatize those who had shirked, the perils of the fight.

It is something of that kind that we have here. It is not an epic poem depicting the exploits of bygone heroes, nor simply a song of thanksgiving for some former striking divine intervention. The poet praises and blames, blesses and curses, and he does so because the objects of his blessings and of his cursings are there before him acting on him ; he sings because he must.
The Lambeth Conference
Authors: McNabb Vincent
Published: July 2007

Throughout the month of July, and until August 8th, the Bishops in communion with the Sees of Canterbury and York will sit in conference at Lambeth. The War which has given the English-speaking peoples, for good or evil, a paramount influence in international politics will therefore add a more than transient spiritual weight to a conference of Bishops discussing world problems in the English tongue.

Even without the gravity which comes to it from the world’s greatest war this Lambeth Conference has a significance almost unique. It is no mere local council. Its Bishops are from all parts of the world. His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury in asking Dr. F. B. Meyer, the President of the Free Church Council, for the prayers and sympathy of the Free Churches, could say :

“The Lambeth Conference will, so far as we can at present tell, include 107 Bishops from the Dioceses in the Dominions, and the Mission Field, 72 Bishops from the United States of America and about 100 Bishops whose work lies in the British Isles.”
The Stations of the Cross
Authors: Gill Eric
Published: July 2007

A good deal of misunderstanding appears to exist upon the subject of the Stations of the Cross in Westminster Cathedral, and there is danger that works which should be regarded simply as a necessary part of the furniture of the Cathedral Church—a via dolorosa by which the devout person retraces in spirit the holy procession to Calvary—should become not a means to devotion so much as an occasion for idle sightseeing. It would be deplorable if it became the custom in the Cathedral to “make” the Stations in a spirit similar to that in which a person from the country goes round Westminster Abbey ; and that such a possibility may be obviated I offer the following suggestions.

First, then, let us dispose of the vexed question of style. The Westminster Stations are not carved in imitation of a bygone style—Byzantine or any other. Let the would-be worshipper put any such idea resolutely away from him. A visitor in the house of a friend, being invited to sit down, does not approach the proffered chair in the state of mind of a connoisseur at a sale. Neither should a worshipper entering a church think it “up to him” to feel critical.
In “The Garden of Allah”
Authors: Bateman May
Published: July 2007

A fine book, but a still finer play. That, I think, . will be the final judgment of those who know both intimately.

For drama—if it be real drama—does, after all, reveal what the printed word does not. It gets home to the heart in a lightning flash. At the play, the audience is tense and concentrated in a moment of great emotion. There is no likelihood of such interruption as disturbs us, more often than not, by some fantastic freak of nature, when we near the climax of a book. We are gripped, hypnotized almost, by the actor’s art. The actual intonation of the spoken word, the dumb appeal of stricken human figures, only a few feet distant, move us more nearly than the vision of suffering evoked but for the few out of mere letterpress. Theatrical effects are broader, cruder, made by a terser medium. When poignant, as in the case of The Garden of Allah, they are unforgettable.
A Plea for Medieval Studies
Authors: Dwyer J. J.
Published: July 2007

One would think that it was unnecessary to commend the study of history to Catholics, and that they would be quick to recognize the historical action of the Church upon the world of secular society as the chief formative influence in European civilization. Especially interesting would be the study of the “Middle Ages,” as those centuries witnessed some of the most specific developments of essentially Christian ideas.

By the Norman Conquest the Church in England was invigorated ; the development of Feudalism was more than counterbalanced by the creation of the system of Law and Administration ; while the conflict between Church and State, which everywhere took place, assumed in England an exceedingly interesting and important form. Nowhere was the idea of Liberty better understood or more strenuously vindicated than by such champions as Becket, Langton and De Montfort. Imagination might sometimes be stimulated by the thought that we ourselves have seen history made, and that the recent startling changes in the map of Europe bring it back again to a strange resemblance of what it was five hundred years ago.
Archbishop Mannix
Authors: Leslie Shane
Published: July 2007

If we have reached the parting of the ways in Ireland, Archbishop Mannix is the signpost to those who will take the trouble to read before they rush into hysteric hostility. There is something melodramatic, but not without its providential aspect, in his return to Europe. It is curious to think that the Twentieth Century opened finding Mercier, Mannix, and Wilson obscurely buried in college life, so closely related to abstract and metaphysical subjects that their very injection into international politics would have caused instant amusement to their former pupils. They were after the manner of Plato’s schoolmasters, whom in his republic he wished to govern the world. The world has never come nearer to the Platonic ideal than when Wilson proclaimed the doctrine of Self-determination among nations. Though Wilson failed in the gigantic task of imposing it upon the Allies, Archbishop Mannix has taken upon himself the duty of bringing it with logical severity to the notice of the British Government. Though living at the Antipodes, he has crossed two oceans in his consuming desire to see applied the supreme theory of modern times to the kindly and admiring people who gave him birth.