bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal changes in ascendance and in‐season exploitation of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, inferred by a video camera array
Authors: BORGSTRøM R. , OPDAHL J. , SVENNING M.‐A. , LÄNSMAN M. , ORELL P. , NIEMELÄ E. , ERKINARO J. , DEMPSON J. B.
Published: May 2010

Abstract  Weekly exploitation rates of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., in the River Utsjoki, Finland, were estimated from catch reports during the 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007 seasons, and recordings of all Atlantic salmon ascending the river using a submerged video camera array. In all years, mean weekly fishing mortality rates were significantly higher in June than July to August, with a falling trend throughout the fishing season. Owing to overlap in size between one‐sea‐winter (1SW) and multi‐sea‐winter (MSW) salmon, the estimated fishing mortality rates were based on all sea‐age categories combined. By the second week in June, 18.3–34.7% of large salmon (only MSW) had ascended, compared with 2.2–6.4% of small salmon (1SW and some MSW). Indirectly, the earlier start of ascent of large salmon to River Utsjoki indicated that in‐river fishing mortality of MSW salmon is higher than for 1SW salmon. A later opening of the fishing season may be used to reduce the in‐river fishing mortality, especially for the MSW component.
Autoreactive natural killer T cells: promoting immune protection and immune tolerance through varied interactions with myeloid antigen‐presenting cells
Authors: Hegde Subramanya , Fox Lisa , Wang Xiaohua , Gumperz Jenny E.
Published: May 2010

Natural killer T (NKT) cells are innate T lymphocytes that are restricted by CD1d antigen‐presenting molecules and recognize lipids and glycolipids as antigens. NKT cells have attracted attention for their potent immunoregulatory effects. Like other types of regulatory lymphocytes, a high proportion of NKT cells appear to be autoreactive to self antigens. Thus, as myeloid antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) such as monocytes, dendritic cells (DCs) and myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) constitutively express CD1d, NKT cells are able to interact with these APCs not only during times of immune activation but also in immunologically quiescent periods. The interactions of NKT cells with myeloid APCs can have either pro‐inflammatory or tolerizing outcomes, and a central question is how the ensuing response is determined. Here we bring together published results from a variety of model systems to highlight three critical factors that influence the outcome of the NKT–APC interaction: (i) the strength of the antigenic signal delivered to the NKT cell, as determined by antigen abundance and/or T‐cell receptor (TCR) affinity; (ii) the presence or absence of cytokines that costimulate NKT cells [e.g. interleukin (IL)‐12, IL‐18 and interferon (IFN)‐α]; (iii) APC intrinsic factors such as differentiation state (e.g. monocyte versus DC) and Toll‐like receptor (TLR) stimulation. Together with recent findings that demonstrate new links between NKT cell activation and endogenous lipid metabolism, these results outline a picture in which the functions of NKT cells are closely attuned to the existing biological context. Thus, NKT cells may actively promote tolerance until a critical level of danger signals arises, at which point they switch to activating pro‐inflammatory immune responses.
A viral histone H4 suppresses expression of a transferrin that plays a role in the immune response of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella
Authors: Kim J. , Kim Y.
Published: May 2010

A transferrin (Tf) gene has been predicted from an expressed sequence tag of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. It encodes 681 amino acid residues that share 80–90% sequence homologies with other lepidopteran Tfs. The gene was constitutively expressed in all developmental stages of P. xylostella. Double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) specific to the Tf gene was prepared and microinjected into the larvae. We hypothesize that the dsRNA treatment suppressed the Tf gene expression level and it significantly inhibited haemocyte nodule formation in response to bacterial challenge. The larvae treated with dsRNA also showed a significantly enhanced susceptibility to an entomopathogenic bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis. An endoparasitoid wasp, Cotesia plutellae, parasitized the larvae of P. xylostella, which showed significant reduction of Tf expression. The suppression of Tf expression was mimicked by transient expression of a viral gene CpBV‐H4, encoded in the symbiotic virus of C. plutellae. A truncated form of CpBV‐H4 prepared by deleting an extended N‐terminal 38 amino acid residue lost its inhibitory activity against the Tf gene expression. These results suggest that Tf of P. xylostella plays an immunological role in P. xylostella and that the suppression of its expression in the parasitized larvae is caused by a viral histone H4 in an epigenetic mode.
Ex vivo assessment of irrigant penetration and renewal during the final irrigation regimen
Authors: Bronnec F. , Bouillaguet S. , Machtou P.
Published: May 2010

Bronnec F, Bouillaguet S, Machtou P.
Ex vivo assessment of irrigant penetration and renewal during the final irrigation regimen. International Endodontic Journal.

Aim  To assess irrigant penetration in curved canals after shaping procedures ex vivo.

Methodology  Thirty extracted mandibular molars with moderate to severe root canal curvature were included. A special aiming device was used to guarantee that each successive radiograph was taken with the same positioning. The mesiolingual canal of each tooth was instrumented with ProTaper rotary files. Apical third preparation was completed with an F1 instrument before additional step‐back enlargement using F2 then F3 instruments. For each apical taper, the teeth were submitted successively to active irrigation (AI) then to passive irrigation (PI). AI consisted of a 0.5 mL flush of sodium diatrizoate (Hypaque 50%) immediately followed by manual mechanical activation with a gutta‐percha point. PI consisted in flushing the canals with sodium hypochlorite passively delivered with a syringe. A digital radiograph was taken after each modality. The influence of needle tip design, needle tip insertion level, irrigant volume, root canal taper and solution activation was assessed by using digital subtraction radiography and measures of the depths of irrigant penetration. Comparisons were performed within an analysis of variance framework in a repeated‐measures approach.

Results  For PI, all the four explanatory variables ‘apical taper’, ‘volume of irrigant used’, ‘corono‐apical level of needle tip placement’, ‘needle tip design’ had a significant (P < 0.005) influence on outcome of irrigation penetration.

Conclusions  Only active irrigation allowed complete penetration and exchange of irrigating solution. For syringe irrigation alone, the level of needle tip placement in the canal was the most dominating factor.
Eastern Beringian biogeography: historical and spatial genetic structure of singing voles in Alaska
Authors: Weksler Marcelo , Lanier Hayley C. , Olson Link E.
Published: May 2010

Aim  Pleistocene climatic cycles have left marked signatures in the spatial and historical genetic structure of high‐latitude organisms. We examine the mitochondrial (cytochrome b) genetic structure of the singing vole, Microtus miurus (Rodentia: Cricetidae: Arvicolinae), a member of the Pleistocene Beringian fauna, and of the insular vole, Microtus abbreviatus, its putative sister species found only on the St Matthew Archipelago. We reconstruct the phylogenetic and phylogeographical structure of these taxa, characterize their geographical partitioning and date coalescent and cladogenetic events in these species. Finally, we compare the recovered results with the phylogenetic, coalescent and spatial genetic patterns of other eastern Beringian mammals and high‐latitude arvicoline rodents.

Location  Continental Alaska (alpine and arctic tundra) and the St Matthew Archipelago (Bering Sea).

Methods  We generated and analysed cytochrome b sequences of 97 singing and insular voles (M. miurus and M. abbreviatus) from Alaska. Deep evolutionary structure was inferred by phylogenetic analysis using parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches; the geographical structure of genetic diversity was assessed using analysis of molecular variance and network analysis; ages of cladogenetic and coalescent events were estimated using a relaxed molecular clock model with Bayesian approximation.

Results  Regional nucleotide diversity in singing voles is higher than in other high‐latitude arvicoline species, but intra‐population diversity is within the observed range of values for arvicolines. Microtus abbreviatus specimens are phylogenetically nested within M. miurus. Molecular divergence date estimates indicate that current genetic diversity was formed in the last glacial (Wisconsinan) and previous interglacial (Sangamonian) periods, with the exception of a Middle Pleistocene split found between samples collected in the Wrangell Mountains region and all other singing vole samples.

Main conclusions  High levels of phylogenetic and spatial structure are observed among analysed populations. This pattern is consistent with that expected for a taxon with a long history in Beringia. The spatial genetic structure of continental singing voles differs in its northern and southern ranges, possibly reflecting differences in habitat distribution between arctic and alpine tundra. Our phylogenetic results support the taxonomic inclusion of M. miurus in its senior synonym, M. abbreviatus.
A stress‐inducible sulphotransferase sulphonates salicylic acid and confers pathogen resistance in Arabidopsis
Authors: BAEK DONGWON , PATHANGE PRASANTH , CHUNG JUNG‐SUNG , JIANG JIAFU , GAO LIQIONG , OIKAWA AKIRA , HIRAI MASAMI YOKOTA , SAITO KAZUKI , PARE PAUL W. , SHI HUAZHONG
Published: May 2010

Sulphonation of small molecules by cytosolic sulphotransferases in mammals is an important process in which endogenous molecules are modified for inactivation/activation of their biological effects. Plants possess large numbers of sulphotransferase genes, but their biological functions are largely unknown. Here, we present a functional analysis of the Arabidopsis sulphotransferase AtSOT12 (At2g03760). AtSOT12 gene expression is strongly induced by salt, and osmotic stress and hormone treatments. The T‐DNA knock‐out mutant sot12 exhibited hypersensitivity to NaCl and ABA in seed germination, and to salicylic acid (SA) in seedling growth. In vitro enzyme activity assay revealed that AtSOT12 sulphonates SA, and endogenous SA levels suggested that sulphonation of SA positively regulates SA production. Upon challenging with the pathogen Pseudomonas syringae, sot12 mutant and AtSOT12 over‐expressing lines accumulate less and more SA, respectively, when compared with wild type. Consistent with the changes in SA levels, the sot12 mutant was more susceptible, while AtSOT12 over‐expressing plants are more resistant to pathogen infection. Moreover, pathogen‐induced PR gene expression in systemic leaves was significantly enhanced in AtSOT12 over‐expressing plants. The role of sulphonation of SA in SA production, mobile signalling and acquired systemic resistance is discussed.
Evaluation of two commercially available ELISAs for the diagnosis of Japanese encephalitis applied to field samples
Authors: Lewthwaite Penny , Veera Shankar M. , Tio Phaik‐Hooi , Daly Janet , Last Anna , Ravikumar R. , Desai Anita , Ravi V. , Cardosa Jane M. , Solomon Tom
Published: May 2010

Objective  To compare two commercially available kits, Japanese Encephalitis‐Dengue IgM Combo ELISA (Panbio Diagnostics) and JEV‐CheX IgM capture ELISA (XCyton Diagnostics Limited), to a reference standard (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak – Venture Technologies VT ELISA).

Methods  Samples were obtained from 172/192 children presenting to a site in rural India with acute encephalitis syndrome.

Results  Using the reference VT ELISA, infection with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) was confirmed in 44 (26%) patients, with central nervous system infection confirmed in 27 of these; seven patients were dengue seropositive. Of the 121 remaining patients, 37 (31%) were JEV negative and 84 (69%) were JEV unknown because timing of the last sample tested was <10 day of illness or unknown. For patient classification with XCyton, using cerebrospinal fluid alone (the recommended sample), sensitivity was 77.8% (59.2–89.4) with specificity of 97.3% (90.6–99.2). For Panbio ELISA, using serum alone (the recommended sample), sensitivity was 72.5% (57.2–83.9) with specificity of 97.5% (92.8–99.1). Using all available samples for patient classification, sensitivity and specificity were 63.6% (95% CI: 48.9–76.2) and 98.4% (94.5–99.6), respectively, for XCyton ELISA and 75.0% (59.3–85.4) and 97.7% (93.3–99.2) for Panbio ELISA.

Conclusion  The two commercially available ELISAs had reasonable sensitivities and excellent specificities for diagnosing JEV.
Tolerability and clinical efficacy of oral immunotherapy with house dust mites in a model of canine atopic dermatitis: a pilot study
Authors: Marsella Rosanna
Published: May 2010

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, life‐long disease. In humans, immunotherapy (IT) is the only treatment that can alter the course of AD. Oral IT is appealing owing to the ease of administration and the potential for increased compliance. The purposes of this study were to investigate the tolerability, clinical efficacy and effects on allergen‐specific IgE of oral IT using a canine AD model. Thirteen atopic beagles sensitized to house dust mites (HDMs) were randomly divided into two groups. One group received daily oral doses of HDMs while the other group received vehicle only for 7 months. The investigator evaluating the dogs was blinded to the allocation of treatments. Prior to and after 2 and 7 months of IT, dogs were challenged daily with HDMs for 3 days concurrently, and clinical signs were scored using a modified Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI). Prior to and at completion of oral IT, serum was collected for measurement of allergen‐specific IgE. Oral IT was well tolerated, and no adverse effects were noted. Analysis of variance showed no significant effect of time, group and group × time interaction for CADESI scores. In addition, there were no significant differences in allergen‐specific IgE levels. In conclusion, it appears that oral administration of HDMs is well tolerated in these atopic beagles but that this protocol was not sufficient to induce clinical improvement. Further, longer‐term studies will be necessary to explore the potential of oral IT in veterinary medicine.
In vitro antimicrobial efficacy of β‐defensin 3 against Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolates from healthy and atopic canine skin
Authors: Fazakerley Jennifer , Crossley Julia , McEwan Neil , Carter Stuart , Nuttall Tim
Published: May 2010

β‐Defensins (BDs) are highly conserved antimicrobial peptides important in innate defence against bacteria. β‐Defensin 3 has a specific role in protecting the skin. This study quantified the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of human (h)BD3 against Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolates from atopic and healthy dogs. Single colony isolates (1 × 105 colony‐forming units/mL log phase) were cultured with doubling dilutions of hBD3 in sodium phosphate buffer from 0.8 to 50 μg/mL at 37 °C for 2 h, before adding 100 μL of tryptone soy broth and incubating for a further 20 h. Bacterial growth was assessed as the mean optical density at 540 nm corrected for background. The median MIC was 12.5 μg hBD3/mL (range 3.125–25 μg/mL; n = 22). Forty‐five percent of the isolates were inhibited at ≤6.25 μg hBD3/mL, and 90% were inhibited at ≤12.5 μg hBD3/mL. Bacterial growth was not inhibited at ≤1.6 μg hBD3/mL. There were no significant differences in the inhibition by hBD3 of isolates from atopic (median MIC 12.5 μg/mL, range 6.25–25 μg/mL, n = 14) and healthy dogs (median MIC 9.4 μg/mL, range 3.125–12.5 μg/mL, n = 8); from noninfected colonized sites (median MIC 12.5 μg/mL, range 3.125–25 μg/mL, n = 16) and infected lesions (median MIC 9.4 μg/mL, range 6.25–12.5 μg/mL, n = 6); or between sample sites (nose median MIC 12.5 μg/mL, range 6.25–25 μg/mL, n = 5; perineum median MIC 12.5 μg/mL, range 3.125–25 μg/mL, n = 7; ear median MIC 6.25 μg/mL, range 6.25–12.5 μg/mL, n = 4; lesions median MIC 9.4 μg/mL, range 6.25–12.5 μg/mL, n = 6). In conclusion, hBD3 inhibited the growth of canine S. pseudintermedius isolates in vitro irrespective of origin.
Management of the sensitized adult heart transplant candidate
Authors: Eckman Peter M. , Hanna Mazen , Taylor David O. , Starling Randall C. , Gonzalez‐Stawinski Gonzalo V.
Published: May 2010

Eckman PM, Hanna M, Taylor DO, Starling RC, Gonzalez‐Stawinski GV. Management of the sensitized adult heart transplant candidate.  Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 726–734. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Heart transplant recipients sensitized to human leukocyte antigens comprise a challenging subgroup of patients. Sensitization has been associated with a variety of effects that determine short‐term and long‐term outcomes. These include a higher rate of acute rejection and graft loss, and a heightened risk for developing cardiac allograft vasculopathy. Because of improvements in both tissue typing and immunomodulatory therapies coupled with the growing population receiving mechanical circulatory support/LVAD, the percent of sensitized patients listed for heart transplantation has increased, inflicting a greater burden to the already scarce donor pool. Despite these potentially adverse developments, pre‐transplant immunologic management has resulted in decreased waiting times and outcomes that were not possible over 10 yr ago. The following review will focus on the contemporary management of the sensitized heart transplant candidate and highlight therapies that have allowed the successful transplantation of this growing and challenging patient population, including several approaches in development.
Initial liver graft function is a reliable predictor of tacrolimus trough levels during the first post‐transplant week
Authors: Lock Johan F. , Malinowski Maciej , Schwabauer Eugen , Martus Peter , Pratschke Johann , Seehofer Daniel , Puhl Gero , Neuhaus Peter , Stockmann Martin
Published: May 2010

Lock JF, Malinowski M, Schwabauer E, Martus P, Pratschke J, Seehofer D, Puhl G, Neuhaus P, Stockmann M. Initial liver graft function is a reliable predictor of tacrolimus trough levels during the first post‐transplant week. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 436–443. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract: The narrow therapeutic range of tacrolimus requires careful management after liver transplantation (LT). The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of graft function on tacrolimus trough levels during the first post‐transplant week. Ninety‐three patients receiving deceased‐donor LT were observed in a prospective observational study. Graft function was determined by the new LiMAx test (maximal liver function capacity). Significant correlations between LiMAx readouts and consecutive tacrolimus levels, up to r = −0.529 (p < 0.0001), were determined throughout the observed period of time. Patients with initially poor graft function revealed higher trough levels (n = 24; 20.1 ± 11.6 ng/mL) in comparison with fair (n = 40; 13.7 ± 7.8 ng/mL) and good function (n = 29; 9.5 ± 4.4 ng/mL; p < 0.0001) already at the second post‐transplant day. Toxic levels could be predicted with an area under receiver operating characteristic analysis AUROC=0.751 (p = 0.001) with high sensitivity and specificity. Insufficient levels could be predicted with AUROC=0.800 (p = 0.003). In conclusion, initial graft function is a major factor influencing the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus and can be validly determined by the LiMAx test. Thus, recipients with poor functioning grafts are prone of developing toxic levels within the first week after LT, whereas patients with good functioning grafts frequently develop insufficient levels with the current immunosuppressive protocols.
Observing touch activates human primary somatosensory cortex
Authors: Pihko Elina , Nangini Cathy , Jousmäki Veikko , Hari Riitta
Published: May 2010

We used magnetoencephalography to show that the human primary somatosensory (SI) cortex is activated by mere observation of touch. Somatosensory evoked fields were measured from adult human subjects in two conditions. First, the experimenter touched the subject’s right hand with her index finger (Experienced touch). In the second condition, the experimenter touched her own hand in a similar manner (Observed touch). Minimum current estimates were computed across three consecutive 300‐ms time windows (0–300, 300–600 and 600–900 ms) with respect to touch onset. During ‘Experienced touch’, as expected, the contralateral (left) SI cortex was strongly activated in the 0–300 ms time window. In the same time window, statistically significant activity also occurred in the ipsilateral SI, although it was only 2.5% of the strength of the contralateral activation; the ipsilateral activation continued in the 300–600 ms time window. During ‘Observed touch’, the left SI cortex was activated during the 300–600 ms interval; the activation strength was 7.5% of that during the significantly activated period (0–300 ms) of ‘Experienced touch’. The results suggest that when people observe somebody else being touched, activation of their own somatosensory circuitry may contribute to understanding of the other person’s somatosensory experience.
TMS of posterior parietal cortex disrupts visual tactile multisensory integration
Authors: Pasalar Siavash , Ro Tony , Beauchamp Michael S.
Published: May 2010

Functional neuroimaging studies have implicated a number of brain regions, especially the posterior parietal cortex (PPC), as being potentially important for visual–tactile multisensory integration. However, neuroimaging studies are correlational and do not prove the necessity of a region for the behavioral improvements that are the hallmark of multisensory integration. To remedy this knowledge gap, we interrupted activity in the PPC, near the junction of the anterior intraparietal sulcus and the postcentral sulcus, using MRI‐guided transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) while subjects localized touches delivered to different fingers. As the touches were delivered, subjects viewed a congruent touch video, an incongruent touch video, or no video. Without TMS, a strong effect of multisensory integration was observed, with significantly better behavioral performance for discrimination of congruent multisensory touch than for unisensory touch alone. Incongruent multisensory touch produced a smaller improvement in behavioral performance. TMS of the PPC eliminated the behavioral advantage of both congruent and incongruent multisensory stimuli, reducing performance to unisensory levels. These results demonstrate a causal role for the PPC in visual–tactile multisensory integration. Taken together with converging evidence from other studies, these results support a model in which the PPC contains a map of space around the hand that receives input from both the visual and somatosensory modalities. Activity in this map is likely to be the neural substrate for visual–tactile multisensory integration.
Semantic confusion regarding the development of multisensory integration: a practical solution
Authors: Stein Barry E. , Burr David , Constantinidis Christos , Laurienti Paul J. , Alex Meredith M. , Perrault Thomas J. , Ramachandran Ramnarayan , Röder Brigitte , Rowland Benjamin A. , Sathian K. , Schroeder Charles E. , Shams Ladan , Stanford Terrence R. , Wallace Mark T. , Yu Liping , Lewkowicz David J.
Published: May 2010

There is now a good deal of data from neurophysiological studies in animals and behavioral studies in human infants regarding the development of multisensory processing capabilities. Although the conclusions drawn from these different datasets sometimes appear to conflict, many of the differences are due to the use of different terms to mean the same thing and, more problematic, the use of similar terms to mean different things. Semantic issues are pervasive in the field and complicate communication among groups using different methods to study similar issues. Achieving clarity of communication among different investigative groups is essential for each to make full use of the findings of others, and an important step in this direction is to identify areas of semantic confusion. In this way investigators can be encouraged to use terms whose meaning and underlying assumptions are unambiguous because they are commonly accepted. Although this issue is of obvious importance to the large and very rapidly growing number of researchers working on multisensory processes, it is perhaps even more important to the non‐cognoscenti. Those who wish to benefit from the scholarship in this field but are unfamiliar with the issues identified here are most likely to be confused by semantic inconsistencies. The current discussion attempts to document some of the more problematic of these, begin a discussion about the nature of the confusion and suggest some possible solutions.
Visual–vestibular cue integration for heading perception: applications of optimal cue integration theory
Authors: Fetsch Christopher R. , DeAngelis Gregory C. , Angelaki Dora E.
Published: May 2010

The perception of self‐motion is crucial for navigation, spatial orientation and motor control. In particular, estimation of one’s direction of translation, or heading, relies heavily on multisensory integration in most natural situations. Visual and nonvisual (e.g., vestibular) information can be used to judge heading, but each modality alone is often insufficient for accurate performance. It is not surprising, then, that visual and vestibular signals converge frequently in the nervous system, and that these signals interact in powerful ways at the level of behavior and perception. Early behavioral studies of visual–vestibular interactions consisted mainly of descriptive accounts of perceptual illusions and qualitative estimation tasks, often with conflicting results. In contrast, cue integration research in other modalities has benefited from the application of rigorous psychophysical techniques, guided by normative models that rest on the foundation of ideal‐observer analysis and Bayesian decision theory. Here we review recent experiments that have attempted to harness these so‐called optimal cue integration models for the study of self‐motion perception. Some of these studies used nonhuman primate subjects, enabling direct comparisons between behavioral performance and simultaneously recorded neuronal activity. The results indicate that humans and monkeys can integrate visual and vestibular heading cues in a manner consistent with optimal integration theory, and that single neurons in the dorsal medial superior temporal area show striking correlates of the behavioral effects. This line of research and other applications of normative cue combination models should continue to shed light on mechanisms of self‐motion perception and the neuronal basis of multisensory integration.
Visuohaptic convergence in a corticocerebellar network
Authors: Naumer Marcus J. , Ratz Leonie , Yalachkov Yavor , Polony Andrea , Doehrmann Oliver , Van De Ven Vincent , Müller Notger G. , Kaiser Jochen , Hein Grit
Published: May 2010

The processing of visual and haptic inputs, occurring either separately or jointly, is crucial for everyday‐life object recognition, and has been a focus of recent neuroimaging research. Previously, visuohaptic convergence has been mostly investigated with matching‐task paradigms. However, much less is known about visuohaptic convergence in the absence of additional task demands. We conducted two functional magnetic resonance imaging experiments in which subjects actively touched and/or viewed unfamiliar object stimuli without any additional task demands. In addition, we performed two control experiments with audiovisual and audiohaptic stimulation to examine the specificity of the observed visuohaptic convergence effects. We found robust visuohaptic convergence in bilateral lateral occipital cortex and anterior cerebellum. In contrast, neither the anterior cerebellum nor the lateral occipital cortex showed any involvement in audiovisual or audiohaptic convergence, indicating that multisensory convergence in these regions is specifically geared to visual and haptic inputs. These data suggest that in humans the lateral occipital cortex and the anterior cerebellum play an important role in visuohaptic processing even in the absence of additional task demands.
Dynamic, rhythmic facial expressions and the superior temporal sulcus of macaque monkeys: implications for the evolution of audiovisual speech
Authors: Ghazanfar Asif A. , Chandrasekaran Chandramouli , Morrill Ryan J.
Published: May 2010

Audiovisual speech has a stereotypical rhythm that is between 2 and 7 Hz, and deviations from this frequency range in either modality reduce intelligibility. Understanding how audiovisual speech evolved requires investigating the origins of this rhythmic structure. One hypothesis is that the rhythm of speech evolved through the modification of some pre‐existing cyclical jaw movements in a primate ancestor. We tested this hypothesis by investigating the temporal structure of lipsmacks and teeth‐grinds of macaque monkeys and the neural responses to these facial gestures in the superior temporal sulcus (STS), a region implicated in the processing of audiovisual communication signals in both humans and monkeys. We found that both lipsmacks and teeth‐grinds have consistent but distinct peak frequencies and that both fall well within the 2–7 Hz range of mouth movements associated with audiovisual speech. Single neurons and local field potentials of the STS of monkeys readily responded to such facial rhythms, but also responded just as robustly to yawns, a nonrhythmic but dynamic facial expression. All expressions elicited enhanced power in the delta (0–3Hz), theta (3–8Hz), alpha (8–14Hz) and gamma (> 60 Hz) frequency ranges, and suppressed power in the beta (20–40Hz) range. Thus, STS is sensitive to, but not selective for, rhythmic facial gestures. Taken together, these data provide support for the idea that that audiovisual speech evolved (at least in part) from the rhythmic facial gestures of an ancestral primate and that the STS was sensitive to and thus ‘prepared’ for the advent of rhythmic audiovisual communication.
The educational technology centre: A window to view the progress of Chinese ICT‐based higher education
Authors: Zhou Rong , Xie Baizhi
Published: May 2010

In China, after many years, the current status and challenges of e‐learning development in higher education have been gradually understood. The educational technology centre (ECT) serves as the key unit to promote e‐learning initiatives, but the performance of some centres still trails their foreign counterparts. Under such conditions, the project ‘Construction Model of the ETC in Chinese Universities and Colleges’ was conducted. An investigation of the e‐learning performance of 70 ETCs was provided and the main problems were identified through quantitative analysis. Then, with the guidance of international standards, the ‘functional‐level’ model coupled with some common strategies for its application was created as an innovative blueprint to help the ETCs towards excellence.
Migraine recurrence is not associated with depressive or anxiety symptoms. Results of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mitsikostas DD , Vikelis M , Kodounis A , Zaglis D , Xifaras M , Doitsini S , Georgiadis G , Thomas A , Charmoussi S
Published: May 2010

In order to investigate the plausible association of migraine recurrence with anxiety and depressive symptoms, a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial was conducted using sumatriptan as a vehicle drug. Migraineurs were randomly assigned to receive either 50 mg sumatriptan or placebo for three consecutive migraine attacks, and then cross over to the other treatment for three more migraine attacks. The primary measurements were the observed rate of migraine recurrence in relation to (i) patient's mood condition, measured by the Hamilton rating scales for depression and anxiety and (ii) patient's general health and functioning measured by the Symptom Checklist (SCL)-90-R. Migraine recurrence was defined as any migrainous headache that occurred within 24 h post treatment, only when pain free at 2 h was achieved. The analysis of efficacy was performed on 376 migraine attacks treated with sumatriptan and 373 attacks treated with placebo. Recurrence ratio was 14.1% and 5.1%, respectively ( P = 0.045). The number needed to treat for pain free at 2 h post dose was 5.4. Recurrence was not affected by Hamilton scores for depression or anxiety, SCL-90-R scores or treatment. Apparently, depressive or anxiety symptoms do not influence headache recurrence in acute pharmaceutical migraine treatment, but further investigation is required.
Effect of Swedish snuff (snus) on preterm birth
Authors: Wikström A‐K , Cnattingius S , Galanti MR , Kieler H , Stephansson O
Published: May 2010

Please cite this paper as: Wikström A‐K, Cnattingius S, Galanti M, Kieler H, Stephansson O. Effect of Swedish snuff (snus) on preterm birth. BJOG 2010;117:1005–1010.

Objective  To compare the effects of Swedish snuff and cigarette smoking on risks of preterm birth.

Design  Population‐based cohort study.

Setting  Sweden.

Population  All live, singleton births in Sweden 1999–2006.

Methods  Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to estimate relative risks for preterm birth in snuff users (n = 7607), light smokers (1–9 cigarettes/day; n = 41 436) and heavy smokers (ten or more cigarettes/day; n = 16 951) using non‐tobacco users (n = 503 957) as reference.

Main outcome measures  Very (<32 weeks) and moderately (32–36 weeks) preterm birth.

Results  Compared with non‐tobacco users, snuff users had increased risks of both very (adjusted OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.04–1.83) and moderately (adjusted OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.12–1.40) preterm birth. Compared with non‐tobacco users, light smokers had increased risks of both very (adjusted OR 1.60; 95% CI 1.42–1.81) and moderately (adjusted OR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.12–1.24) preterm birth, and heavy smokers had even higher risks. Among smokers, but not among snuff users, the risk was more pronounced for spontaneous than induced preterm birth.

Conclusions  The use of Swedish snuff was associated with increased risks of very and moderately preterm birth with both spontaneous and induced onsets. Swedish snuff is not a safe alternative to cigarette smoking during pregnancy.
The effects of uterine artery embolisation and surgical treatment on ovarian function in women with uterine fibroids
Authors: Rashid S , Khaund A , Murray LS , Moss JG , Cooper K , Lyons D , Murray GD , Lumsden MA
Published: May 2010

Please cite this paper as: Rashid S, Khaund A, Murray L, Moss J, Cooper K, Lyons D, Murray G, Lumsden M. The effects of uterine artery embolisation and surgical treatment on ovarian function in women with uterine fibroids. BJOG 2010;117:985–989.

Objective  The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare both ovarian function and menstrual characteristics following uterine artery embolisation (UAE) and surgery.

Design  Subgroup of women from a randomised controlled trial.

Setting  Gynaecology and radiology units in Scotland, UK.

Population  Ninety‐six women from the randomised controlled trial comparing embolisation with surgery as a treatment for fibroids (REST), which recruited 157 patients (106 UAE; 51 surgery).

Methods  Seventy‐three women undergoing UAE and 23 women undergoing surgery (with ovarian conservation) had serum follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) measurements taken on day 3 of the menstrual cycle prior to treatment, and at 6 and 12 months post‐treatment. Data on menstrual cycle characteristics was also collected.

Main outcome measures  Ovarian failure, as defined by an FSH level of >40 iu/l, and change in duration of menses and length of menstrual cycle.

Results  There was no significant difference in the rate of ovarian failure at 12 months between UAE (11%) and surgical patients (18%) (P = 0.44). This finding was not influenced by age. The mean duration of menstrual flow decreased significantly, from baseline to 12 months, by 1.7 days (SD 3.8), (95% CI 0.8–2.6). There was no statistically significant change in mean cycle length at 12 months (0.7 days [SD 4.9]; 95% CI [−0.5, 1.9]).

Conclusions  There is no evidence for UAE accelerating a deterioration in ovarian function at 1 year, when compared with surgery. UAE is associated with a decrease in the duration of menstrual flow at 1 year.
The development of telehealth as a strategy to improve health care services in Zambia
Authors: Chanda Kenneth L. , Shaw Jean G.
Published: May 2010

Background:  Providing health information and knowledge to health practitioners in rural parts of Africa is a major problem, impacting on the delivery of health care and professional development. In Zambia, as in other African countries, medical expertise, equipment and information resources are concentrated in the major cities with an adverse effect on patients living in rural areas.

Objectives:  We seek to outline the benefits of telehealth initiatives in ameliorating the problems caused by the inequitable distribution of expertise, equipment and knowledge resources in a low‐income country. The principles agreed to take advantage of technology and the progress towards implementation are described.

Methods:  This is a descriptive study based on the literature, news reports, and the personal experience of the first author on the Zambian National Telehealth Steering Committee.

Results and Conclusions:  The introduction of telehealth to solve some of the problems of health delivery in Zambia is a gigantic enterprise, and liable to setbacks. But the librarians at the University of Zambia Medical Library, with a history of making knowledge available and their involvement in the telehealth strategy, are seeking opportunities to provide better outreach services to hospitals and health facilities throughout the country.
OTseeker helps library and allied health professionals to find quality evidence efficiently
Authors: McCluskey Annie , Bennett Sally , Hoffmann Tammy , Tooth Leigh
Published: May 2010

Background:  Research is essential for evidence‐based practice yet many health professionals do not have enough time to find research. Studies relevant to occupational therapists can be particularly difficult to find. Most search engines are broad and return a large number of irrelevant articles. Occupational Therapy Systematic Evaluation of Evidence (OTseeker) is an occupational therapy database available at http://www.otseeker.com. Developed by Australian occupational therapists, the resource aims to increase access to research and support clinical decision making. This discipline‐specific database contains pre‐appraised information from a variety of sources and decreases the time required to locate best evidence.

Objectives:  The aims of this paper are to: (i) describe how health librarians can use OTseeker to help allied health students, researchers and practitioners, particularly in occupational therapy, to find quality evidence; (ii) provide a teaching resource for health librarians based around the OTseeker evidence database; and (iii) highlight new features contained on the OTseeker database.

Methods:  A case study is provided which focuses on searching for evidence on the effectiveness of upper limb rehabilitation after stroke using OTseeker.

Conclusion:  This paper may increase the knowledge, skills and competencies of health librarians, helping them to access evidence‐based databases, and educate other professionals.
Characteristics and publication patterns of theses from a Peruvian medical school
Authors: Arriola‐Quiroz Isaias , Curioso Walter H. , Cruz‐Encarnacion Maria , Gayoso Oscar
Published: May 2010

Background:  Many medical schools require a student thesis before graduation. Publishing results in a peer‐reviewed journal could be an indicator of scientific value and acceptability by the scientific community. The publication pattern of theses published by medical students in Peru is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics and publication pattern of theses in biomedical‐indexed journals conducted by medical students in a university with the highest research output in Peru.

Methods:  Data from registered theses between 2000 and 2003 were obtained from the university library. Publication of theses in biomedical journals was assessed in 2008 by a search strategy using PubMed, Google Scholar, LILACS, LIPECS and SciELO.

Results:  Four hundred and eighty‐two medical theses were registered between 2000 and 2003; 85 (17.6%) were published in biomedical‐indexed journals. Of the published theses, 28 (5.8%) were published in MEDLINE‐indexed journals, 55 (11.4%) in SciELO‐indexed journals, 61 (12.6%) in LILACS‐indexed journals and 68 (14.1%) in LIPECS‐indexed journals. Most of the published theses (80%) were in Spanish and published in Peruvian journals; and 17 theses (20%) were published in foreign journals (all of them indexed in MEDLINE). In addition, 37 (43.5%) belong primarily to internal medicine, and 24 (28.2%) belong primarily to infectious diseases. Medical students were first authors in 71 (83.5%) of the articles.

Conclusion:  In this study, most of the published theses were in Spanish, published in local journals and indexed in LIPECS. The percentage of published theses in biomedical journals at this university is comparable with others coming from developed countries.
An overview of 45 published database resources for complementary and alternative medicine
Authors: Boehm Katja , Raak Christa , Vollmar Horst Christian , Ostermann Thomas
Published: May 2010

Background:  Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has succeeded to implement itself in the academic context of universities. In order to get information on CAM, clinicians, researchers and healthcare professionals as well as the lay public are increasingly turning to online portals and databases, which disseminate relevant resources. One specific type of online information retrieval systems, namely the database, is being reviewed in this article.

Question:  This overview aims at systematically retrieving and describing all databases covering the field of CAM. One of the requirements for inclusion was that the database would also have to be published in a medical journal.

Data sources:  The databases amed, CAMbase, embase, and medline/PubMed were searched between December 2008 and December 2009 for publications relevant to CAM databases. The authors’ specialist library was also searched for grey literature to be included.

Study selection:  All included databases were then visited online and information on the context, structure and volume of the database was extracted.

Main results:  Forty‐five databases were included in this overview. Databases covered herbal therapies (n = 11), traditional Chinese medicine (n = 9) and some dealt with a vast number of CAM modalities (n = 9), amongst others. The amount of time the databases had been in existence ranged from 4 to 53 years. Countries of origin included the USA (n = 14), UK (n = 7) and Germany (n = 6), amongst others. The main language in 42 of 45 databases was English.

Conclusions:  Although this overview is quite comprehensive with respect to the field of CAM, certain CAM practices such as chiropractic, massage, reflexology, meditation or yoga may not have been covered adequately. A more detailed assessment of the quality of the included databases might give additional insights into the listed resources. The creation of a personalised meta‐search engine is suggested, towards which this overview could be seen as a first step.
EditorialKeeping information centre stage amid changing scenery
Authors: Grant Maria J
Published: May 2010

With conference season upon us, consideration is given to the importance of subject‐specific and library association conferences. The biennial Health Libraries Group (HLG) conference meets both these criteria and takes place in Greater Manchester in July. The conference provides an opportunity for peer‐to‐peer learning, identifying new trends and professional rejuvenation. An open invitation is given to attend the Health Information and Libraries Journal‘Writing for Publication’ workshop at the HLG conference. An overview of three bursaries available from the Health Libraries Group and Library and Information Research, both groups of the UK Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) is provided. The bursaries offer opportunities to cover the costs of registration and travel expenses to national and international conference.
A geothermal‐linked biological oasis in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Authors: LOVALVO D. , CLINGENPEEL S. R. , MCGINNIS S. , MACUR R. E. , VARLEY J. D. , INSKEEP W. P. , GLIME J. , NEALSON K. , MCDERMOTT T. R.
Published: May 2010

Hundreds of active and dormant geothermal vents have been located on the floor of Yellowstone Lake, although characterization of the associated biology (macro or micro) has been extremely limited. Herein, we describe an aquatic moss (Fontinalis) colony closely associated with vent emissions that considerably exceeded known temperature maxima for this plant. Vent waters were supersaturated with CO2, likely accommodating a CO2 compensation point that would be expected to be quite elevated under these conditions. The moss was colonized by metazoa, including the crustaceans Hyalella and Gammarus, a segmented worm in the Lumbriculidae family, and a flatworm specimen tentatively identified as Polycelis. The presence of these invertebrates suggest a highly localized food chain that derives from the presence of geothermal inputs and thus is analogous to the deep marine vents that support significant biodiversity.
Evaluation of an indirect oscillometric blood pressure monitor in normotensive and hypotensive anesthetized dogs
Authors: Shih Andre , Robertson Sheilah , Vigani Alessio , Da Cunha Anderson , Pablo Luisito , Bandt Carsten
Published: May 2010

Objective –To determine the accuracy and precision of an oscillometric noninvasive blood pressure device as a predictor of invasive direct blood pressure in healthy anesthetized hypotensive and normotensive dogs.

Design –Prospective observational study.

Setting –University teaching hospital.

Animals –Eight crossbred adult dogs.

Interventions –Anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane. A catheter was placed in the dorsal pedal artery to record systolic, mean, and diastolic arterial blood pressures (aSAP, aMAP, and aDAP, respectively). The noninvasive blood pressure device cuff was placed around the contralateral front limb to record noninvasive systolic, mean, and diastolic blood pressure (nSAP, nMAP, and nDAP). Two states of blood pressure (BP) were studied: baseline state was established by keeping end‐tidal isoflurane concentration at 1.2±0.1%. The hypotensive state was achieved by maintaining the same isoflurane concentration while withdrawing approximately 40% of the animal's blood volume until aMAP was stable at approximately 40 mm Hg. At the end of the study, blood was returned to the animal and it was allowed to recover from anesthesia.

Measurements and Main Results –Agreement between the direct and indirect BP measurements was determined by the Bland‐Altman method. The SAP and MAP but not DAP bias varied significantly between each BP state. Normotensive absolute biases (mean [SD]) for SAP, MAP, and DAP were −14.7 mm Hg (15.5 mm Hg), −16.4 mm Hg (12.1 mm Hg), and −14.1 mm Hg (15.8 mm Hg), respectively. Absolute biases during the hypotensive state for SAP, MAP, and DAP were −32 mm Hg (22.6 mm Hg), −24.2 mm Hg (19.5 mm Hg), and −16.8 mm Hg (17.2 mm Hg), respectively.

Conclusion –The oscillometric device was not reliably predictive of intra‐arterial BP during hypotension associated with acute hemorrhage.