bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wolbachia and other endosymbiont infections in spiders
Authors: GOODACRE SARA L. , MARTIN OLIVER Y. , THOMAS C. F. GEORGE , HEWITT GODFREY M.
Published: January 2006

Maternally inherited endosymbiotic bacteria, such as Wolbachia, Rickettsia and Spiroplasma, have been shown to have wide‐ranging effects on the reproduction of their hosts. We present data on the presence of each of these sorts of bacteria in spiders, a group for which there are currently few data, but where such infections could explain many observed reproductive characteristics, such as sex ratio skew. The Wolbachia and Spiroplasma variants that we find in spiders belong to the same clades previously found to infect other arthropods, but many of the rickettsias belong to two, novel, hitherto spider‐specific bacterial lineages. We find evidence for coexistence of different bacterial types within species, and in some cases, within individuals. We suggest that spiders present a useful opportunity for studying the effect of these sorts of bacteria on the evolution of host traits, such as those that are under sexual selection.
Screening for allergic respiratory disease in the general population with the ADVIA Centaur® Allergy Screen Assay
Authors: Linneberg A. , Husemoen L. L. N. , Nielsen N. H. , Madsen F. , Frølund L. , Johansen N.
Published: January 2006

Background:  In patients in whom the clinical indication for immunoglobulin E (IgE)‐mediated allergic respiratory disease is weak, a single qualitative multiallergen‐screening assay for IgE antibody to multiple allergen specificities may support the absence of IgE‐mediated allergic respiratory disease. The aim was to investigate the diagnostic efficacy of a new multiallergen‐screening assay in relation to skin prick test (SPT) reactivity and objective diagnoses of allergic respiratory disease in a general population setting.

Methods:  A total of 709 participants in a population‐based study were examined by questionnaire and SPT. Serum was analysed by using a multiallergen‐screening assay: the ADVIA Centaur® Allergy Screen (AS) assay. The dichotomized result of the AS assay was compared with SPT reactivity, specific IgE positivity, and a clinical diagnosis of allergic rhinitis or allergic asthma defined by the presence of relevant symptoms and positive SPTs.

Results:  Sensitivity, specificity, and positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) of the AS against SPT reactivity were 86%, 96%, 94%, and 89%, respectively. A negative AS assay test was able to exclude allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma with a probability of more than 96% and 98% (NPV), respectively. The AS assay was able to identify more than 92% and 92% (sensitivity) of cases of allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma, respectively.

Conclusions:  The AS assay proved to be a valid measure of allergic respiratory disease and may be used as a screening tool to rule out allergic respiratory disease, and as an objective measure of allergic respiratory disease in epidemiological studies.
Are basophil histamine release and high affinity IgE receptor expression involved in asymptomatic skin sensitization?
Authors: Jensen B. M. , Assing K. , Hummelshoj L. , Glue C. , Skov P. S. , Poulsen L. K.
Published: January 2006

Background:  Immunoglobulin (Ig)E‐sensitized persons with positive skin prick test, but no allergy symptoms, are classified as being asymptomatic skin sensitized (AS). The allergic type 1 disease is dependant on IgE binding to the high affinity IgE‐receptor (FcɛRI) expressed on basophils and mast cells. However, a relationship between the AS status and FcɛRI has not been investigated. We aimed to characterize basophils from AS by looking at histamine release (HR) (sensitivity and reactivity) and the FcɛRI molecule, and compare it with nonatopic (NA) or allergic (A) persons.

Methods:  Blood was obtained from NA (n = 14), grass and/or birch A persons (n = 17) and mono‐sensitized grass or birch pollen AS (n = 12). The basophil sensitivity and reactivity were examined by anti‐IgE triggered HR. Surface expression of FcɛRI and IgE were measured by flow cytometry, FcɛRIα protein was identified using a radioimmunoassay and Western blot. mRNA coding for the classic FcɛRIβ‐chain and the truncated form (FcɛRIβT) were determined by real‐time PCR.

Results:  The AS group was less reactive than NA or A persons when triggered by anti‐IgE and had a significant higher number of nonresponders. However, there was no difference in sensitivity among the three groups and furthermore; the groups did not vary in FcɛRI‐ and IgE‐surface expression, FcɛRIα‐protein level or β/βT ratio.

Conclusion:  Basophils from AS persons are less reactive and include more nonresponders than basophils from NA and A persons, but do not differ regarding the FcɛRI molecule.
Effects of various statins on cytokine‐dependent growth and IgE‐dependent release of histamine in human mast cells
Authors: Krauth M. T. , Majlesi Y. , Sonneck K. , Samorapoompichit P. , Ghannadan M. , Hauswirth A. W. , Baghestanian M. , Schernthaner G. H. , Worda C. , Müller M. R. , Sperr W. R. , Valent P.
Published: January 2006

Background:  Statins are inhibitors of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase, a key enzyme in mevalonic acid (MVA)‐dependent signaling. Recent data suggest that statins exhibit profound inhibitory effects on growth and function of various immune cells. In the present study, we examined the in vitro effects of five different statins on primary human mast cells (MCs), MC progenitors, and the human MC line HMC‐1.

Methods:  Histamine release experiments were conducted on isolated MCs using statins and an anti‐immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody. Culture experiments were performed with stem cell factor (SCF) and interleukin (IL)‐6, and cord blood‐derived progenitors.

Results:  Preincubation of primary lung MCs with cerivastatin or atorvastatin (1–50 μM) for 24 h resulted in inhibition of anti‐IgE‐induced release of histamine. The effects of both statins were dose‐dependent. Moreover, both statins, and to a lesser degree lovastatin, were found to inhibit the SCF‐induced differentiation of MCs from their progenitors. The other statins tested (simvastatin, pravastatin) did not affect mediator release or growth of MCs.

Conclusions:  Cerivastatin and atorvastatin act as inhibitors of growth and function of human MCs.
Intrinsic reproductive isolation between Trinidadian populations of the guppy, Poecilia reticulata
Authors: Russell S. T. , Magurran A. E.
Published: January 2006

Although Trinidadian populations of the guppy, Poecilia reticulata, show considerable adaptive genetic differentiation, they have been assumed to show little or no reproductive isolation. We tested this assumption by crossing Caroni (Tacarigua River) and Oropuche (Oropuche R.) drainage populations from Trinidad's Northern Range, and by examining multiple aspects of reproductive compatibility in the F1, F2 and BC1 generations. In open-aquarium experiments, F1 males performed fewer numbers of mating behaviours relative to parental population controls. This is the first documentation of hybrid behavioural sterility within a species, and it suggests that such sterility may feasibly be involved in causing speciation. The crosses also uncovered hybrid breakdown for embryo viability, brood size and sperm counts. In contrast, no reductions in female fertility were detected, indicating that guppies obey Haldane's rule for sterility. Intrinsic isolation currently presents a much stronger obstacle to gene flow than behavioural isolation, and our results indicate that Trinidadian populations constitute a useful model for investigating incipient speciation.
Dispersal and rapid evolution in brown trout colonizing virgin Subantarctic ecosystems
Authors: Ayllon F. , Davaine P. , Beall E. , Garcia-vazquez E.
Published: January 2006

Two brown trout Salmo trutta stocks of different origin (wild Polish, domestic commercial) came into secondary contact after deliberate releases conducted in virgin rivers systems of the Subantarctic Kerguelen Islands (70° E 49° S). Samples obtained in 2001–2003 and a historical sample from 1993 were analysed for genetic variation at seven microsatellite loci and one allozyme locus (LDH-C1*). Bayesian clustering analysis demonstrated that rapid genetic differentiation formed separate genetic units in neighbouring rivers in less than 20 years. These genetic units were characterized by a large proportion of Polish genotypes mixed with some genomes of domestic origin (up to 30%). A different colonization strategy of the naturalized stocks, likely related with differential performance, was identified as a cause of rapid population differentiation in this area.
Serum from heifer calves treated with bovine growth hormone affects the rate of proliferation of C2C12 myogenic cells dependent on the plane of nutrition: the role of insulin‐like growth factor‐I and IGF‐binding proteins‐2 and ‐3
Authors: Oksbjerg N. , Nissen P. M. , Vestergaard M.
Published: January 2006

The present in vitro experiments were carried out in order to study whether variations in the bovine growth hormone (bGH)/insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐I axis induced by plane of nutrition and bGH treatment of heifer calves caused variations in serum‐induced proliferation of C2C12 myoblasts. Serum was obtained from two groups each of six heifer calves (195 ± 8 kg) before (d −1) and after treatment with 15 mg/day of bGH for 6 days (d 6) fed either a low (GHL) or a high plane (GHH) of nutrition. Preceding the experiment all 12 heifer calves were fed at the low plane of nutrition. At d 6, serum concentrations of insulin and IGF‐I were increased while that of IGF‐binding proteins (IGFBP)‐2 was decreased in GHH, but unchanged in GHL calves. Serum‐induced proliferation of C2C12 myoblasts, was elevated at d 6 by GHH treatment. Especially human IGFBP‐3 but also bovine IGFBP‐2 added to cell cultures inhibited the rate of proliferation of C2C12 myoblasts stimulated by human IGF‐I. The present results showed that GH treatment causes changes in the GH/IGF axis, which leads to changes in serum‐induced growth of C2C12 muscle cells dependent on the plane of nutrition that mimic in vivo effects of GH treatment, which indicate an endocrine contribution of the IGF system. However, drawbacks of this suggestion are discussed.
Renal disease in the Aboriginal community of Woorabinda
Authors: Hazel Teresa J. , Hill Peter S.
Published: January 2006

Objective:  An apparent increase in the incidence of end‐stage renal disease had been observed in the Australian Aboriginal community of Woorabinda. This study documents the incidence of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) in Woorabinda, and correlates this with predictors of renal disease.

Design:  The methodology included a retrospective audit of deaths from, and cases commencing treatment for ESRD between 1999 and 2001 in Woorabinda, and a cross‐sectional study.

Participants:  The 183 participants were Aboriginal residents over 15 years of age. Females numbered 102 (55.7%) and males 81 (44.3%).

Main outcome measure:  The incidence of ESRD was comparable to other recognised high incidence Indigenous communities in Australia. This was corroborated by a high prevalence of predictors of renal disease.

Results:  Audit: the year 2001 age‐ and sex‐standardised incidence ratio for commencement of renal replacement therapy is 93.18 (95% CI, 25.34–238.53). Clinical Study: the prevalence of overt albuminuria was 7.6%; 11.7% had an albumin : creatinine ratio >3.4–33.9 g mol−1; 33.3% had microalbuminuria of ≥20 mg L−1; and 67.8% prevalence of proteinuria was found. The prevalence of diabetes was 18.6%, with another 13.2% having impaired fasting glucose. There was a 19.7% prevalence of hypertension. Of those with hypertension 22.2% had overt albuminuria.

Conclusions:  Although Woorabinda was previously placed in a region of low end‐stage renal disease incidence, further investigation has identified a high incidence of renal disease, not exclusively due to diabetes. The finding raises questions regarding the current trajectory of the epidemic in other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Going home from hospital: The postdischarge experience of patients and carers in rural and remote Queensland
Authors: Williams Chris , Thorpe Rosamund , Harris Nonie , Dickinson Hilary , Barrett Chris , Rorison Francine
Published: January 2006

Objective:  This paper reports on a study of the experiences of patients and carers discharged from the Townsville General Hospital into rural and remote communities in North Queensland.

Design:  The findings presented in this paper are drawn from post‐discharge in‐depth, qualitative interviews of both patients and carers.

Results:  The findings indicate the importance of examining the lived experience of both patients and carers in attempting to understand the impact of current discharge practices.

Conclusion:  We conclude that carers are providing the bulk of post‐discharge care of patients – a difficult role in which the difficulties are exacerbated when the patient or the carer or both is a long way from the home community.
Characteristics of Australian after‐hours emergency endoscopy services
Authors: Gibson Robert , Hitchcock Karen , Duggan Anne E
Published: January 2006

Background and Aim:  Early endoscopic intervention reduces morbidity and mortality for patients with high‐risk gastrointestinal hemorrhage and gallstones causing pancreatitis or ascending cholangitis. For low‐risk bleeds ‘after‐hours’ endoscopy services allow risk stratification and early, safe discharge leading to reduced length of stay. Recognized standards for these services include availability of endoscopically trained medical and nursing staff, access to a specialized endoscopy unit and full availability of the service. The aim of the present study was to assess ‘after‐hours’ endoscopy services at Australian teaching hospitals using the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) criteria.

Methods:  A standardized questionnaire based on the BSG guidelines was developed. The Gastroenterology Society of Australia provided a list of accredited sites for gastroenterology training. An advanced gastroenterology trainee at each hospital was interviewed by telephone.

Results:  Thirty‐four centers (100%) provided complete data. Gastroscopy, colonoscopy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were provided in 100, 58 and 84% of centers, respectively. The operation suite followed by endoscopy unit was the most frequently used site. However, one‐third of centers performed procedures at the bedside, including the emergency department or ward. Support staff were not consistently trained endoscopically and, in 15 centers (44%), the advanced trainees participated in the ‘on call’ roster with a consultant present for the procedure, although this was not consistently the case.

Conclusions:  Most Australian hospitals offer comprehensive emergency endoscopy services. However, few centers fulfill all BSG recommendations. The registrar training and patient safety implications of emergency endoscopic services need to be considered in the light of these findings.
Multiple main pancreatic duct stones in tropical pancreatitis: Safe clearance with extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy
Authors: Ong Wai Choung , Tandan Manu , Reddy Venkat , Rao Guduru V , Reddy Nageshwar
Published: January 2006

Background and Aim:  Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) has an established role in the management of pancreatic ductal stones. Its efficacy in management of multiple stones in tropical pancreatitis is unknown. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate: (i) the efficacy of main pancreatic duct stone clearance; and (ii) associated complications with ESWL therapy in tropical pancreatitis.

Methods:  Consecutively recruited patients with tropical pancreatitis underwent fragmentation of main pancreatic duct stones using ESWL. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) using standard techniques was performed to manage residual stones. Complete, partial and unsatisfactory clearance was defined as >90%, 50–90% and <50% of stone clearance, respectively. Clinical and technical data were collected on a pre‐formatted data sheet. Statistical analysis was performed on an intention‐to‐treat basis.

Results:  A total of 250 patients (mean ± SD age 35.2 ± 11.9 years; 66% men), 86.8% with multiple radio‐opaque stones, underwent ESWL between February 2004 and May 2005. Of the 250 patients, 149 (59.6%) achieved complete clearance and 59 (23.6%) achieved partial clearance of pancreatic calculi. Main pancreatic ductal decompression was achieved in 70.0% (175/250) of patients. Complications occurred in 5.6% (14/250) during ESWL and in 1.2% (3/250) during ERCP. A mean of 1.3 sessions, with mean ± SD 5.5 ± 0.7 intensity setting, 85.8 ± 13.5 pulses per minute and 3862 ± 1426 shocks per session were required.

Conclusion:  Clearance of multiple main pancreatic duct stones in patients with tropical pancreatitis is safely performed via ESWL followed by ERCP ductal drainage.
Magnetic resonance images of the globus pallidus in patients with idiopathic portal hypertension: A quantitative analysis of the relationship between signal intensity and the grade of portosystemic shunt
Authors: Fukuzawa Takeshi , Matsutani Shoichi , Maruyama Hitoshi , Akiike Taro , Saisho Hiromitsu , Hattori Takamichi
Published: January 2006

Background and Aim:  To elucidate a quantitative relationship between hyperintensity of the globus pallidus on T1‐weighted magnetic resonance images (MRI) and portosystemic shunt (PSS) in portal hypertension.

Methods:  Fifteen patients with idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) and 44 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) underwent brain MRI to asses signal intensity at the globus pallidus and Doppler sonography to examine the blood flow volume of PSS. Blood manganese (Mn) levels were examined in 36 patients and neuropsychological tests were performed in 15 patients without overt hepatic encephalopathy.

Results:  Pallidal hyperintensity on MRI was more prominent in patients with IPH than in patients with LC. There was no correlation between MRI pallidal hyperintensity and the severity of liver dysfunction or hepatic encephalopathy. The grade of hyperintensity correlated well with the grade of PSS. The correlation was stronger in patients with IPH than in patients with LC. The plasma ammonia level and whole blood Mn level significantly correlated with MRI pallidal hyperintensity, but blood Mn level showed a stronger correlation than plasma ammonia.

Conclusion:  Hyperintensity of the globus pallidus on T1‐weighted MRI correlated with the development of PSS independent of liver cell function. This brain image should be an index of the grade of PSS rather than a landmark of chronic liver failure.
Lymphocyte subsets and cytokines in ascitic fluid of decompensated cirrhotic patients with and without spontaneous ascites infection
Authors: Kiyici Murat , Nak Selim Giray , Budak Ferah , Gurel Selim , Oral Barbaros , Dolar Enver , Gulten Macit
Published: January 2006

Background and Aim:  Spontaneous ascites infection is a frequently encountered and important complication of decompensated liver cirrhosis. The immune system plays an important role in the development or eradication of this infection. A number of compositional and functional alterations in immune system cells have been demonstrated in cirrhotic patients; however, there is a lack of knowledge about this issue in ascitic infections. The aim of the present study was to evaluate lymphocyte subsets and levels of some ascitic and lymphocytic intracytoplasmic cytokines in decompensated cirrhotic patients with or without spontaneous ascites infection.

Methods:  The study population consisted of 45 decompensated cirrhotic patients (32 men, 13 women) with different etiologies. Patients with ascitic polymorphonuclear leukocyte count ≥250/mm3 and/or positive ascitic bacterial cultures were classified as the ‘infected group’. Comparison was made between the infected and non‐infected group for the following parameters: ascites leukocyte counts and differentiations; ascitic fluid protein; albumin levels and serum‐ascites albumin gradients; flow cytometric detection of cell surface markers for ascitic T, B and natural killer lymphocytes; intracytoplasmic interleukin (IL)‐2, IL‐4, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interferon (IFN)‐γ; levels of ascitic IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐12 and TNF‐α; and soluble Fas antigen and soluble Fas ligand.

Results:  The CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly decreased and expression of T cell receptor‐γδ was increased in the infected group. Furthermore, ascites TNF‐α levels were also elevated in this group. Ascitic IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐12 and TNF‐α levels were significantly higher in patients with positive ascitic bacterial culture.

Conclusions:  These results suggest that a cytotoxic, especially Th1, immune response predominates in ascites infections. It also demonstrates that TNF‐α might be involved in the pathogenesis of ascites infections.
Oxidative stress in the development of liver cirrhosis: A comparison of two different experimental models
Authors: Natarajan Sathish Kumar , Thomas Simmy , Ramamoorthy Prabhu , Basivireddy Jayasree , Pulimood Anna B , Ramachandran Anup , Balasubramanian Kunissery A
Published: January 2006

Background/Aims:  Oxidative stress has been implicated in liver cirrhosis. Carbon tetrachloride and thioacetamide are the most widely used models to develop cirrhosis in rats and the present study compares oxidative stress in the liver induced by these compounds at different stages of cirrhosis development.

Methods:  Twice‐weekly intragastric or intraperitoneal administration of carbon tetrachloride or thioacetamide, respectively, produced liver cirrhosis after 3 months. Histology, serum markers and hepatic hydroxy proline content confirmed the cirrhosis.

Results:  An increase in oxidative stress parameters was seen in mitochondria, peroxisomes and microsomes from the liver after carbon tetrachloride or thioacetamide treatment. Oxidative stress was more severe in carbon tetrachloride treated animals than thioacetamide. Mild oxidative stress was evident at 1 and 2 months of treatment and a significant increase was seen by 3 months of treatment with either compound. By this time, frank liver cirrhosis was also observed.

Conclusions:  These results suggest that evidence of oxygen free radicals is also found early in the development of fibrosis and cirrhosis in both models.
Primary rhabdoid tumor of the brain in an adult
Authors: Rezanko Turkan , Tunakan Mine , Kahraman Aslı , Sucu Hasan K. , Gelal Fazıl , Akkol Ismail
Published: January 2006

Rhabdoid tumor (RT) is an uncommon childhood neoplasm that typically arises within the kidney. It is characterized by an aggressive clinical course. Since its description in 1978, several cases of primary extrarenal RT, including a CNS localization, have been reported. The first case in the CNS was reported in 1985 and was defined as “rhabdoid tumor” initially, and was classified as grade IV in the most recent classification of the World Health Organization under the term of “atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor”. Nearly 200 cases of atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor of the CNS have been reported to date, most of them occurring in childhood. We report a case of primary RT of the brain located in the right frontal lobe with the clinical, radiographic and pathological features presenting at an unusual age. This tumor, which was composed purely of rhabdoid cells with no additional primitive neuro‐ectodermal, epithelial and mesenchymal components, was in a 27‐year‐old male patient. In conclusion, RT should be considered also in the differential diagnosis of intracerebral neoplasms of adult patients.
Co‐localization of β‐peptide and phosphorylated tau in astrocytes in a patient with corticobasal degeneration
Authors: Wakabayashi Koichi , Mori Fumiaki , Hasegawa Masato , Kusumi Tomomi , Yoshimura Ihoko , Takahashi Hitoshi , Kaneko Sunao
Published: January 2006

The co‐localization of amyloid β (Aβ) and phosphorylated tau in astrocytes in a patient with corticobasal degeneration is described. At autopsy, the present case exhibited neuropathological findings compatible with those of corticobasal degeneration, including atrophy of the frontal and temporal lobes, neuronal loss and gliosis in the cortical and subcortical regions, and presence of cortical ballooned neurons and astrocytic plaques. Moreover, many senile plaques were found in the cerebral cortex. There were also clusters of Aβ‐positive granules associated with astrocytic cytoplasm and processes in the subiculum and entorhinal cortex. In the entorhinal cortex, the Aβ‐positive granules were occasionally co‐localized with phosphorylated tau‐positive fibrillary structures in the astrocytic cytoplasm. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of co‐localization of Aβ and phosphorylated tau in astrocytes. This phenomenon implies that phagocytosis of Aβ coincides with production of phosphorylated tau in the same reactive astrocytes.
Characterization of initiator and effector caspase expressions in dystrophinopathies
Authors: Tews Dominique S.
Published: January 2006

There is evidence that apoptotic cell death mechanisms contribute to muscle fiber loss in dystrophin‐deficient muscle but there is little knowledge about the final degrading events of muscle fiber apoptosis. In muscle biopsy specimens from 14 patients with a dystrophinopathy (10 patients with DMD, two with Becker MD, two DMD carriers), expression of APAF‐1 and caspase‐9, upstream members of the apoptotic protease cascade, as well as of the downstream executioners caspase‐2, ‐6 and ‐7, were studied by immunohistochemistry and Western blots. Besides predominant immunoreactivity in regenerating muscle fibers, which may contribute to apoptotic events during new muscle fiber formation, caspase‐9, ‐6 and ‐7 displayed upregulation in non‐regenerating, light microscopically intact but atrophic muscle fibers. Western blot analyses confirmed the upregulations. These findings indicate that, once activated, caspase‐9 initiates a proteolytic, muscle fiber degrading cascade involving the downstream executioners caspase‐6 and ‐7. However, lacking coexpression of APAF‐1 suggests the existence of other pathways of caspase‐9 activation than through the “apoptosome” in dystrophinopathies.
Brain stem lesions in sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease: A histopathological and immunohistochemical study
Authors: Shintaku Masayuki , Yutani Chikao , Doh‐ura Katsumi
Published: January 2006

Lesions of the brain stem in sporadic CJD were histopathologically and immunohistochemically investigated using an anti‐PrP antibody on ten consecutive autopsy cases. Three major histopathological changes, spongiform changes, neuronal loss and hypertrophic astrocytosis, were employed as parameters of the alterations. The quadrigeminal plate and pontine nuclei were the most severely and consistently affected structures, and immunoreactivity against PrP was seen in these structures. There existed some discrepancies between the severity of the lesions and the intensity of the immunoreactivity against PrP. The medulla oblongata essentially remained normal on histopathological examination, but the inferior olivary nucleus showed prominent PrP deposition. Although the general view that pathological alterations in the brain stem are relatively mild in sporadic CJD was confirmed in this study, lesions of variable degrees which might influence a patient's clinical course were still observed in many structures in the brain stem.
Relationship between neuronal loss and tangle formation in neurons and oligodendroglia in progressive supranuclear palsy
Authors: Jin Chenghua , Katayama Sadao , Hiji Masanori , Watanabe Chigusa , Noda Koichi , Nakamura Shigenobu , Matsumoto Masayasu
Published: January 2006

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a progressive degenerative disorder characterized by neuronal loss, gliosis and abnormal fibril formation of abnormally phosphorylated tau protein in neurons and glia cells, but the cause is not clear at present. For the purpose of clarifying the pathological significance of accumulation of tau protein in neurons and oligodendroglia in PSP, we morphologically classified neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) and coiled bodies (CB) in oligodendroglia in three PSP brains into four stages, using double staining for immunohistochemistry with AT8 antibody and modified Gallyas‐Braak (GB) staining. AT8‐positive neurons without abnormal fibril structure with GB staining were classified as stage I, AT8‐positive neurons containing a few fibril structures with GB staining were classified stage II, AT8‐positive neurons containing mature fibril structures were classified as stage III, and AT8 negative neurons containing abnormal fibril structures stained only with GB staining were classified as stage IV (ghost tangles). These stages were also assessed for CB. Then we counted the number of cells of each stage in various brain regions to investigate the relationship of NFT and CB with neuronal loss and gliosis. The results showed that there were very few stage IV NFT and CB, which reflect cell death, but that stage III NFT and CB were abundant. Moreover, CB were abundant in regions with severe neuronal loss. These results suggest that appearance of CB is closely associated with degenerative regions.
Temperature–stress–strain trajectory modelling during thermo‐mechanical fatigue
Authors: NAGODE M. , FAJDIGA M.
Published: January 2006

The isothermal strain‐life approach is the most commonly used approach for determining fatigue damage, particularly when yielding occurs. Computationally it is extremely fast and generally requires elastic finite element analyses only. Therefore, it has been adapted for variable temperatures. Local temperature—stress–strain behaviour is modelled with an operator of the Prandtl type. The hysteresis loops are supposed to be stabilized and no creep is considered. The consequences of reversal point filtering are analysed. The approach is finally compared to several thermo‐mechanical fatigue tests and the Skelton model.
Fretting fatigue under variable loading below fretting fatigue limit
Authors: KONDO Y. , SAKAE C. , KUBOTA M. , KITAHARA H. , YANAGIHARA K.
Published: January 2006

The fatigue limit diagram provides the critical condition of non‐failure against fatigue under constant amplitude loading. The fatigue limit diagram is usually considered to give the allowable stress if every stress component is kept within the fatigue limit diagram. In the case of variable amplitude fretting fatigue, however, this study showed that fatigue failure could occur even when all stresses were within the fatigue limit diagram. An example of such a condition is a repeated two‐step loading such as when the first step stress is R=−1 and the second step stress has a high mean value. The reason why such a phenomenon occurs was investigated. A non‐propagating crack was formed by the first step stress even when well below the fatigue limit. The resultant non‐propagating crack functioned as a pre‐crack for the second step stress with a high mean value. Consequently, fatigue failure occurred even when every stress was within the fatigue limit diagram of constant amplitude loading. The fatigue limit diagram obtained in constant amplitude fatigue test does not necessarily guarantee safety in the case of variable amplitude loading in fretting fatigue.
Management of congenital tracheal stenosis – using spontaneous ventilation to facilitate cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: TAYLOR KATHERINE , LEVINE MARK
Published: January 2006

We present an unusual case of an infant with life‐threatening tracheal stenosis scheduled for repair utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass. After repeated attempts at intubation endtidal CO2 was absent. The child was eventually managed with spontaneous breathing sevoflurane via a facemask. The possible causes of absent endtidal CO2 after intubation are discussed.
Comparative evaluation of different doses of propofol preceded by fentanyl on intubating conditions and pressor response during tracheal intubation without muscle relaxants
Authors: GUPTA AKHILESH , KAUR RANVINDER , MALHOTRA ROHIT , KALE SUNITI
Published: January 2006

Background:  The aim of our study was to determine the optimal dose of propofol preceded by fentanyl for successful tracheal intubation and to see its effectiveness in blunting pressor response in children aged 3–10 years.

Methods:  This prospective, double blind, randomized study was conducted on 60 ASA grade I and II children, between 3 and 10 years undergoing elective surgery who were divided into three groups of 20 each. The children received different doses of propofol (group I, 2.5 mg·kg−1; group II, 3.0 mg·kg−1; group III, 3.5 mg·kg−1) preceded by a fixed dose of fentanyl (3.0 μg·kg−1) 3 min earlier. The tracheal intubating conditions were graded based on scoring system devised by Helbo‐Hensen et al. with Steyn modification which includes five criteria; ease of laryngoscopy, degree of coughing, position of vocal cords, jaw relaxation, and limb movement and graded on a 4‐point scale. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and oxygen saturation changes were also noted.

Results:  Tracheal intubating conditions were acceptable in 25% of the patients in group I, while significantly higher (P < 0.001) in group II (80%) and in group III (90%). The pressor response was not effectively blunted in group I (17% increase in HR), while effectively blunted in groups II and III. A fall in cardiac output was seen in group III indicated by a decrease in MAP (16%) and HR (11%). No airway complications were noted.

Conclusions:  Propofol 3 mg·kg−1 (group II) preceded by fentanyl 3 μg·kg−1 is the optimal dose combination in our study. It provides acceptable intubating conditions in 80% patients, blunts pressor response to intubation without significant cardiovascular depression.
Nurses and nursing education in Ghana: creating collaborative opportunities
Authors: Talley B.
Published: January 2006

Aim: This is a story intended to motivate the reader to become immersed in ‘verbal snapshots’ depicting the reality of nursing in Ghana as experienced by the writer. Its purpose is to encourage dialogue and creative collaboration between nurse educators in radically different settings, which would serve to enrich all those involved.

Background: During the summer of 2003, a faculty member from the School of Nursing at Georgia Southern University (GSU) travelled to Africa to establish a relationship between GSU and a nursing school in Ghana, West Africa. This paper is based on the daily journal kept by that faculty member who engaged in clinical practice experiences as well as discussions with nursing educators in Ghana. Integrated in this subjective account are health data specific to Ghana. These serve to underscore health issues and situations of urgent concern in Ghana as well as to the global community, and which will assist in highlighting the potential contribution of such collaboration to strengthening the health system of the country.

Conclusions: The outcome of the relationship established during this visit was intended to be a meaningful interchange of resources and experiences for both faculty and students at the two schools. It was successful in that regard. Funding is now being sought to enable further collaboration.
Children of divorce in a Scandinavian welfare state: Are they less affected than US children?
Authors: BREIVIK KYRRE , OLWEUS DAN
Published: January 2006

A fairly common view holds that children's risks of negative outcomes associated with family dissolution are generally small or even nonexistent in Scandinavia, and clearly smaller than what is usually found in the United States. This view was empirically examined in a recent large‐scale study of 4,127 12–15‐year‐old children in Norway, of whom 623 had experienced parental divorce and lived in a single‐mother family. The somewhat paradoxical pattern of findings was as follows: (a) The negative associations between parental divorce and various outcomes were found to be generally very similar in Norway and the United States in spite of the great differences in family policy and welfare benefits for single mothers (at the macro level); and (b) Mediational effects of family economic resources were in both countries most marked for the academic achievement area, and the predictive power of such variables was quite similar, again in spite of the great differences in absolute level of the economic resources available to single‐mother families in the two countries. The results cast some doubt on the value of the absolute economic deprivation perspective in explaining the results, and the many Norwegian welfare benefits do not seem to mitigate the association between divorce and negative outcomes for the children involved. Also policy implications derived from the economic deprivation perspective are questioned. Alternative interpretations of the findings involving relative deprivation and economic resources as a partial proxy for other non‐economic factors are briefly discussed.
MORE ON MINIMAL ENTROPY–HELLINGER MARTINGALE MEASURE
Authors: Choulli Tahir , Stricker Christophe
Published: January 2006

This paper extends our recent paper (Choulli and Stricker 2005) to the case when the discounted stock price process may be unbounded and may have predictable jumps. In this very general context, we provide mild necessary conditions for the existence of the minimal entropy–Hellinger local martingale density and we give an explicit description of this extremal martingale density that can be determined by pointwise solution of equations in depending only on the local characteristics of the discounted price process S. The uniform integrability and other integrability properties are investigated for this extremal density, which lead to the conditions of the existence of the minimal entropy–Hellinger martingale measure. Finally, we illustrate the main results of the paper in the case of a discrete‐time market model, where the relationship of the obtained optimal martingale measure to a dynamic risk measure is discussed.
OPTIMAL LOT SOLUTION TO CARDINALITY CONSTRAINED MEAN–VARIANCE FORMULATION FOR PORTFOLIO SELECTION
Authors: Li Duan , Sun Xiaoling , Wang Jun
Published: January 2006

The pioneering work of the mean–variance formulation proposed by Markowitz in the 1950s has provided a scientific foundation for modern portfolio selection. Although the trade practice often confines portfolio selection with certain discrete features, the existing theory and solution methodologies of portfolio selection have been primarily developed for the continuous solution of the portfolio policy that could be far away from the real integer optimum. We consider in this paper an exact solution algorithm in obtaining an optimal lot solution to cardinality constrained mean–variance formulation for portfolio selection under concave transaction costs. Specifically, a convergent Lagrangian and contour‐domain cut method is proposed for solving this class of discrete‐feature constrained portfolio selection problems by exploiting some prominent features of the mean–variance formulation and the portfolio model under consideration. Computational results are reported using data from the Hong Kong stock market.
MARKOWITZ'S PORTFOLIO OPTIMIZATION IN AN INCOMPLETE MARKET
Authors: Xia Jianming , Yan Jia‐An
Published: January 2006

In this paper, for a process S, we establish a duality relation between Kp, the ‐ closure of the space of claims in , which are attainable by “simple” strategies, and , all signed martingale measures with , where p≥ 1, q≥ 1 and . If there exists a with a.s., then Kp consists precisely of the random variables such that ϑ is predictable S‐integrable and for all . The duality relation corresponding to the case p=q= 2 is used to investigate the Markowitz's problem of mean–variance portfolio optimization in an incomplete market of semimartingale model via martingale/convex duality method. The duality relationship between the mean–variance efficient portfolios and the variance‐optimal signed martingale measure (VSMM) is established. It turns out that the so‐called market price of risk is just the standard deviation of the VSMM. An illustrative example of application to a geometric Lévy processes model is also given.
Foreign Industrial Exports and State Manufacturing Performance
Authors: LEICHENKO ROBIN M. , COULSON N. EDWARD
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACT
Foreign exports are claiming growing shares of US. state economic production. While growth of foreign exports is often cited as a driving force for state economic growth, little attention has been paid in prior research to the issue of Granger causality between foreign exports and economic performance at the state level. This study examines Granger causality between foreign manufacturing export growth and state manufacturing performance during the period from 1980 to 1991. Results indicate that, at the aggregate level, there is a bi‐directional Granger causal relationship between foreign exports and state manufacturing activity. Among the individual industrial sectors, results are more mixed, however, with sectors displaying either export‐led growth, reverse Granger causality, or in some instances, negative Granger causality.
State Infrastructure and the Geography of Employment
Authors: HAUGHWOUT ANDREW F.
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACT
The effects of state public capital investment on economic growth is an important question that has been the focus of a recent substantial research effort. But the majority of this research has ignored these investments’influence on the intra‐state pattern of economic activity. Yet if external agglomeration economies are important determinants of growth, then investments may indirectly affect growth by fostering or discouraging agglomeration. This paper discusses the effect of state infrastructure investments on the distribution of employment within states and the implications of these spatial effects for aggregate state employment growth. Preliminary empirical results suggest that state infrastructure investments tend to redistribute growth from areas of dense employment to other parts of the state. This redistribution may diminish agglomeration benefits offered by cities, which has the potential to reduce state growth. The paper concludes with a discussion of implications of the work for research and policy.
Interregional Fiscal Accounting
Authors: KILKENNY MAUREEN
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACT
Fiscal devolution fiom federal to state jurisdictions gives states more authority but also more responsibility for redistributing and stabilizing income. Both the revenue and expenditure sides of a state's budget are affected. This paper describes a social accounting matrix approach to documenting multi‐regional, multi‐jurisdiction fiscal accounts, called a fiscal SAM. Two of the many potential uses of a fiscal SAM are demonstrated. First, a fiscal SAM of rural, urban, and metro areas of Iowa is used directly to describe and compare the benchmark net fiscal situations of interdependent regions. Second, it is used to analyze the impacts of an economic downturn under a block‐grant welfare system.

Substate regions are relatively more specialized than state or national economies. Thus, for example, shocks to agriculture will directly affect agriculture‐dependent counties more than other types of counties. Substate regions are also more interdependent than states, as well as more open than the nation as a whole. This means that indirect and spatial spillover effects of fiscal and other exogenous changes can be surprisingly large between counties. Here, analysis of fhe multipliers highlights the relative intensities of within and across‐region effects of changes in the form of intergovernmental transfers. The multiplier simulation estimates the relative impacts and spillover effects of economic shocks under the new regime.
SCREENING ETHICS WHEN HONEST AGENTS CARE ABOUT FAIRNESS*
Authors: Alger Ingela , Renault Régis
Published: January 2006

A principal faces an agent with private information who is either honest or dishonest. Honesty involves revealing private information truthfully if the probability that the equilibrium allocation chosen by an agent who lies is small enough. Even the slightest intolerance for lying prevents full ethics screening whereby the agent is given proper incentives if dishonest and zero rent if honest. Still, some partial ethics screening may allow for taking advantage of the potential honesty of the agent, even if honesty is unlikely. If intolerance for lying is strong, the standard approach that assumes a fully opportunistic agent is robust.
WEALTH AS A SIGNAL IN THE SEARCH MODEL OF MONEY*
Authors: Okumura Tsunao
Published: January 2006

This article investigates the possibility that wealth (holdings of money) serves as a signal of the ability to produce high‐quality products for agents who cannot directly observe the quality of the products. A producer's wealth may advertise past success in selling products to agents who knew the producer's ability and thus signal its ability. This analysis shows that such signaling effects may arise in equilibrium and may lead to more unequal distributions of wealth and lower welfare than would otherwise arise.
SKILL BIAS AND EMPLOYMENT FRICTIONS IN THE U.S. LABOR MARKET 1970–1990*
Authors: Cuadras‐Morató Xavier , Mateos‐Planas Xavier
Published: January 2006

This article studies simultaneous changes in four labor market variables: the unemployment rates for college and high‐school graduates, the education wage premium, and the level of college participation. It develops an equilibrium search and matching model of the labor market where education is endogenously determined. Then the model is used to investigate quantitatively whether the change in the above labor market variables from 1970 to 1990 in the United States can be traced to changes in the environment. A skill‐biased change in technology together with an increase in employment frictions can explain much of the observed variation in these variables.
SOCIAL NORMS, LOCAL INTERACTION, AND NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING*
Authors: Haag Matthew , Lagunoff Roger
Published: January 2006

This article examines optimal social linkage when each individual's repeated interaction with each of his neighbors creates spillovers. Each individual's discount factor is randomly determined. A planner chooses a local interaction network or neighborhood design before the discount factors are realized. Each individual then plays a repeated Prisoner's Dilemma game with his neighbors. A local trigger strategy equilibrium (LTSE) describes an equilibrium in which each individual conditions his cooperation on the cooperation of at least one “acceptable” group of neighbors. Our main results demonstrate a basic trade‐off in the design problem between suboptimal punishment and social conflict. Potentially suboptimal punishment arises in designs with local interactions since in this case monitoring is imperfect. Owing to the heterogeneity of discount factors, however, greater social conflict may arise in more connected networks. When individuals' discount factors are known to the planner, the optimal design exhibits a cooperative “core” and an uncooperative “fringe.”“Uncooperative” (impatient) types are connected to cooperative ones who tolerate their free riding so that social conflict is kept to a minimum. By contrast, when the planner knows only the ex ante distribution over individual discount factors, then in some cases the optimal design partitions individuals into maximally connected cliques (e.g., cul‐de‐sacs), whereas in other cases incomplete graphs with small overlap (e.g., grids) are possible.