bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial iron accumulation with age and functional consequences
Authors: Seo Arnold Y.  , Xu Jinze  , Servais Stephane  , Hofer Tim  , Marzetti Emanuele  , Wohlgemuth Stephanie E.  , Knutson Mitchell D.  , Chung Hae Young  , Leeuwenburgh Christiaan 
Published: September 2008

During the aging process, an accumulation of non‐heme iron disrupts cellular homeostasis and contributes to the mitochondrial dysfunction typical of various neuromuscular degenerative diseases. Few studies have investigated the effects of iron accumulation on mitochondrial integrity and function in skeletal muscle and liver tissue. Thus, we isolated liver mitochondria (LM), as well as quadriceps‐derived subsarcolemmal mitochondria (SSM) and interfibrillar mitochondria (IFM), from male Fischer 344× Brown Norway rats at 8, 18, 29 and 37 months of age. Non‐heme iron content in SSM, IFM and LM was significantly higher with age, reaching a maximum at 37 months of age. The mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) was more susceptible to the opening in aged mitochondria containing high levels of iron (i.e. SSM and LM) compared to IFM. Furthermore, mitochondrial RNA oxidation increased significantly with age in SSM and LM, but not in IFM. Levels of mitochondrial RNA oxidation in SSM and LM correlated positively with levels of mitochondrial iron, whereas a significant negative correlation was observed between the maximum Ca2+ amounts needed to induce mPTP opening and iron contents in SSM, IFM and LM. Overall, our data suggest that age‐dependent accumulation of mitochondrial iron may increase mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage, thereby enhancing the susceptibility to apoptosis.
Astrocytes from acyclic female rats exhibit lowered capacity for neuronal differentiation
Authors: Lewis Danielle K. , Woodin Heather R. , Sohrabji Farida
Published: September 2008

Astrocytes comprise a large proportion of the central nervous system support cells and play a critical role in neural injury and repair. The present study examined the impact of ovarian aging using anex vivomodel system, where astrocytes were derived from the olfactory bulb of young, reproductively competent females and reproductive senescent females. Cellular morphology and the spatial pattern of laminin deposition was altered in astrocyte cultures derived from reproductive senescent females. Young adult astrocytes had a flattened polygonal shape with actin bundles at the cell edges, while reproductive senescent astrocytes had a contractile appearance with thick stress fibers visible throughout the cell. Moreover, in reproductive senescent astrocytes, BDNF was elevated with a concomitant reduction in expression of the BDNF receptor, TrkB. To examine the ability of astrocytes derived from young adult and reproductive senescent females to promote neuronal differentiation, neural progenitor cells (NPCs) were co‐cultured with astrocytes derived from these groups. At day 4in vitro, MAP‐2+NPCs were located in smaller clusters when co‐cultured with young adult astrocytes and in large clusters when co‐cultured with older astrocytes. At days 6 and 10, neuronal differentiation was significantly reduced in reproductive senescent astrocyte–NPC co‐cultures, as determined by NeuN+cell numbers and MAP‐2+process lengths. Furthermore, estrogen only enhanced neuronal differentiation in young adult–NPC co‐cultures. The ovarian age‐related astrocyte phenotype thus limits the ability of this cell to promote neuronal differentiation in NPC populations and suggests that the astrocyte‐mediated microenvironment in older acyclic females is less conducive to repair following neurovascular injury.
Distinct tumor suppressor mechanisms evolve in rodent species that differ in size and lifespan
Authors: Seluanov Andrei , Hine Christopher , Bozzella Michael , Hall Amelia , Sasahara Tais H. C. , Ribeiro Antonio A. C. M. , Catania Kenneth C. , Presgraves Daven C. , Gorbunova Vera
Published: September 2008

Large, long‐lived species experience more lifetime cell divisions and hence a greater risk of spontaneous tumor formation than smaller, short‐lived species. Large, long‐lived species are thus expected to evolve more elaborate tumor suppressor systems. In previous work, we showed that telomerase activity coevolves with body mass, but not lifespan, in rodents: telomerase activity is repressed in the somatic tissues of large rodent species but remains active in small ones. Without telomerase activity, the telomeres of replicating cells become progressively shorter until, at some critical length, cells stop dividing. Our findings therefore suggested that repression of telomerase activity mitigates the increased risk of cancer in larger‐bodied species but not necessarily longer‐lived ones. These findings imply that other tumor suppressor mechanisms must mitigate increased cancer risk in long‐lived species. Here, we examined the proliferation of fibroblasts from 15 rodent species with diverse body sizes and lifespans. We show that, consistent with repressed telomerase activity, fibroblasts from large rodents undergo replicative senescence accompanied by telomere shortening and overexpression of p16Ink4aand p21Cip1/Waf1cycline‐dependent kinase inhibitors. Interestingly, small rodents with different lifespans show a striking difference: cells from small shorter‐lived species display continuous rapid proliferation, whereas cells from small long‐lived species display continuous slow proliferation. We hypothesize that cells of small long‐lived rodents, lacking replicative senescence, have evolved alternative tumor‐suppressor mechanisms that prevent inappropriate cell divisionin vivoand slow cell growthin vitro. Thus, large‐bodied species and small but long‐lived species have evolved distinct tumor suppressor mechanisms.
Alcohol Dependence and Reproductive Onset: Findings in Two Australian Twin Cohorts
Authors: Waldron Mary , Heath Andrew C. , Bucholz Kathleen K. , Madden Pamela A. F. , Martin Nicholas G.
Published: September 2008

Background: Although early alcohol use is a strong predictor of future alcohol problems and adolescent drinking is associated with risky sexual behavior predictive of early childbearing, reproductive dysfunctions associated with delayed childbearing have been reported in adult drinkers. We examine the relationship between lifetime history of alcohol dependence (AD) and timing of first childbirth across reproductive development.

Methods: Data were drawn from two cohorts of Australian twins born between 1893 and 1964 (3634 female and 1880 male twins) and between 1964 and 1971 (3381 female and 2748 male twins). Survival analyses were conducted using Cox proportional hazards regression models predicting age at first childbirth from AD, with sociodemographic characteristics, regular smoking, history of psychopathology, and family and childhood risks included as control variables in adjusted models.

Results: Results suggest alcoholic women in both cohorts show overall delayed reproduction, with little effect of AD on timing of first reproduction in men. Effects of AD are particularly strong for women in the older cohort, where AD is associated with 73% decreased likelihood of first childbirth after age 29 [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.10–0.75]. In adjusted models, effects reduce only slightly (HR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.11–0.80). For women in the young cohort, AD is associated with delayed reproduction after age 24, with 40% decreased likelihood of first childbirth (HR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.48–0.75). AD remains predictive in adjusted models, but without age interaction (HR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.62–0.85).

Conclusions: Findings of delayed reproductive onset in alcoholic women are consistent with alcohol‐related reproductive dysfunctions, although underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. To better understand AD differences in reproductive onset, continued research on both biological and psychosocial risks is needed.
Dynamic Modeling of In‐Use Cement Stocks in the United States
Authors: Kapur Amit , Keoleian Gregory , Kendall Alissa , Kesler Stephen E.
Published: September 2008

A dynamic substance‐flow model is developed to characterize the stocks and flows of cement utilized during the 20th century in the United States, using the generic cement life cycle as a systems boundary. The motivation for estimating historical inventories of cement stocks and flows is to provide accurate estimates of contemporary cement in‐use stocks in U.S. infrastructure and future discards to relevant stakeholders in U.S. infrastructure, such as the federal and state highway administrators, departments of transportation, public and private utilities, and the construction and cement industries. Such information will assist in planning future rehabilitation projects and better life cycle management of infrastructure systems. In the present policy environment of climate negotiations, estimates of in‐use cement infrastructure can provide insights about to what extent built environment can act as a carbon sink over its lifetime. The rate of addition of new stock, its composition, and the repair of existing stock are key determinants of infrastructure sustainability. Based upon a probability of failure approach, a dynamic stock and flow model was developed utilizing three statistical lifetime distributions—Weibull, gamma, and lognormal—for each cement end‐use. The model‐derived estimate of the “in‐use” cement stocks in the United States is in the range of 4.2 to 4.4 billion metric tons (gigatonnes, Gt). This indicates that 82% to 87% of cement utilized during the last century is still in use. On a per capita basis, this is equivalent to 14.3 to 15.0 tonnes of in‐use cement stock per person. The in‐use cement stock per capita has doubled over the last 50 years, although the rate of growth has slowed.
Influence of Ventriculoatrial Timing on Hemodynamics and Symptoms During Supraventricular Tachycardia
Authors: LAURENT GABRIEL , LEONG‐POI HOWARD , MANGAT IQWAL , KORLEY VICTORIA , PINTER ARNOLD , HU XUDONG , SO PETSY PUI‐SZE , RAMADEEN ANDREW , DORIAN PAUL
Published: September 2008

Aims:
Patients with reentrant supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) are often highly symptomatic and the mechanism of symptoms is not well understood. We hypothesized that variation in ventriculoatrial interval (QRS to P) modulates the left atrial pressure and symptoms during tachycardia.

Methods and Results:
Three hundred twenty‐six patients awaiting electrophysiological study completed a questionnaire regarding “neck pounding” or “shirt flapping” during tachycardia. Mean left atrial pressure was measured during simulated atrioventricular reentry tachycardia (AVRT) and atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) in 18 patients. Pulmonary venous flow reversal was assessed using transesophageal echocardiography in 12 dogs when pacing at 220 bpm with different VA delays (0 to 250 ms). “Shirt flapping” is present more often during AVNRT than during AVRT (58.6% vs 43.8%, respectively, P < 0.05). Simulated AVNRT is associated with higher left atrial pressure compared with AVRT (19.4 ± 4.8 mmHg vs 13.7 ± 3.9 mmHg, respectively, P < 0.05). In dogs, pulmonary venous flow reversal during atrial systole was observed with significantly decreasing amplitude as VA delays increased: 668 ± 167% at 0 ms; 492 ± 138% at 100 ms; 278 ± 148% at 180/ms; and 134 ± 91% at 220 ms.

Conclusion:“Shirt flapping” and “neck pounding” frequently occur during AVNRT. LA contractions during AV valve closure increase left atrial pressure and may explain differences in certain symptoms between AVNRT and AVRT.
Is Hospital Admission and Observation Required after a Normal Abdominal Computed Tomography Scan in Children with Blunt Abdominal Trauma?
Authors: Awasthi Smita , Mao Amy , Wooton‐Gorges Sandra L. , Wisner David H. , Kuppermann Nathan , Holmes James F.
Published: September 2008

Objectives:  The objective was to determine if hospital admission of children with blunt abdominal trauma for observation of possible intraabdominal injury (IAI) is necessary after a normal abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan in the emergency department (ED).

Methods:  The authors conducted a prospective observational cohort study of children less than 18 years of age with blunt abdominal trauma who underwent an abdominal CT scan in the ED. Abdominal CT scans were obtained with intravenous contrast but no oral contrast. The decision to hospitalize the patient was made by the attending emergency physician (EP) with the trauma or pediatric surgery teams. An abnormal abdominal CT scan was defined by the presence of any visualized IAI or findings suggestive of possible IAI (e.g., intraperitoneal fluid without solid organ injury). Patients were followed to determine if IAI was later diagnosed and the need for acute therapeutic intervention if IAI was present.

Results:  A total of 1,295 patients underwent abdominal CT, and 1,085 (84%) patients had normal abdominal CT scans in the ED and make up the study population. Seven‐hundred thirty‐seven (68%) were hospitalized, and 348 were discharged to home. None of the 348 patients discharged home and 2 of the 737 hospitalized patients were identified with an IAI after a normal initial abdominal CT. The IAIs in patients with normal initial CT scans included a 10‐year‐old with a mesenteric hematoma and serosal tear at laparotomy and a 10‐year‐old with a perinephric hematoma on repeat CT. Neither underwent specific therapy. The negative predictive value (NPV) of a normal abdominal CT scan for IAI was 99.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 99.3% to 100%).

Conclusions:  Children with blunt abdominal trauma and a normal abdominal CT scan in the ED are at very low risk of having a subsequently diagnosed IAI and are very unlikely to require a therapeutic intervention. Hospitalization of children for evaluation of possible undiagnosed IAI after a normal abdominal CT scan has a low yield and is generally unnecessary.
Summative Assessment in Medicine: The Promise of Simulation for High‐stakes Evaluation
Authors: Boulet John R.
Published: September 2008

Throughout their careers, physicians are exposed to a wide array of assessments, including those aimed at evaluating knowledge, clinical skills, and clinical decision‐making. While many of these assessments are used as part of formative evaluation activities, others are employed to establish competence and, as a byproduct, to promote patient safety. In the past 10 years, simulations have been successfully incorporated in a number of high‐stakes physician certification and licensure exams. In developing these simulation‐based assessments, testing organizations were able to promote novel test administration protocols, build enhanced assessment rubrics, advance sophisticated scoring and equating algorithms, and promote innovative standard‐setting methods. Moreover, numerous studies have been conducted to identify potential threats to the validity of test score interpretations. As simulation technology expands and new simulators are invented, this groundbreaking work can serve as a basis for organizations to build or expand their summative assessment activities. Although there will continue to be logistical and psychometric problems, many of which will be specialty‐ or simulator‐specific, past experience with performance‐based assessments suggests that most challenges can be addressed through focused research. Simulation, whether it involves standardized patients (SPs), computerized case management scenarios, part‐task trainers, electromechanical mannequins, or a combination of these methods, holds great promise for high‐stakes assessment.
Procedures Can Be Learned on the Web: A Randomized Study of Ultrasound‐guided Vascular Access Training
Authors: Chenkin Jordan , Lee Shirley , Huynh Thien , Bandiera Glen
Published: September 2008

Objectives:  Web‐based learning has several potential advantages over lectures, such as anytime–anywhere access, rich multimedia, and nonlinear navigation. While known to be an effective method for learning facts, few studies have examined the effectiveness of Web‐based formats for learning procedural skills. The authors sought to determine whether a Web‐based tutorial is at least as effective as a didactic lecture for learning ultrasound‐guided vascular access (UGVA).

Methods:  Participating staff emergency physicians (EPs) and junior emergency medicine (EM) residents with no UGVA experience completed a precourse test and were randomized to either a Web‐based or a didactic group. The Web‐based group was instructed to use an online tutorial and the didactic group attended a lecture. Participants then practiced on simulators and live models without any further instruction. Following a rest period, participants completed a four‐station objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), a written examination, and a postcourse questionnaire. Examination results were compared using a noninferiority data analysis with a 10% margin of difference.

Results:  Twenty‐one residents and EPs participated in the study. There were no significant differences in mean OSCE scores (absolute difference = −2.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −9.3% to 3.8%) or written test scores (absolute difference = −1.4%; 95% CI = −7.8% to 5.0%) between the Web group and the didactic group. Both groups demonstrated similar improvements in written test scores (26.1% vs. 25.8%; p = 0.95). Ninety‐one percent (10/11) of the Web group and 80% (8/10) of the didactic group participants found the teaching format to be effective (p = 0.59).

Conclusions:  Our Web‐based tutorial was at least as effective as a traditional didactic lecture for teaching the knowledge and skills essential for UGVA. Participants expressed high satisfaction with this teaching technology. Web‐based teaching may be a useful alternative to didactic teaching for learning procedural skills.
Hyperactivity‐inattention symptoms in childhood and suicidal behaviors in adolescence: the Youth Gazel Cohort
Authors: Galéra C. , Bouvard M. P. , Encrenaz G. , Messiah A. , Fombonne E.
Published: September 2008

Objective:  Although a link has been suggested between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and completed suicide, little is known about the association with suicidal behaviors in community settings. This study addresses the relationship between childhood hyperactivity‐inattention symptoms (HI‐s) and subsequent suicidal behaviors.

Method:  Nine hundred sixteen subjects aged 7–18 were recruited from the general population and surveyed in 1991 and 1999. Parent and adolescent self‐reports provided psychopathology and suicidal behavior pattern measures. Multivariate modeling was used to evaluate the effects of childhood HI‐s and other risk factors on adolescent suicidal behaviors.

Results:  In males, HI‐s independently accounted for the risk of lifetime suicide plans/attempts (OR=3.25, P = 0.02) and adolescent 12‐month prevalence rates of suicide plans/attempts (OR=5.46, P = 0.03). In females, HI‐s did not independently heighten the likelihood of suicidal behaviors.

Conclusion:  This survey suggests a possible specific link between HI‐s and suicide plans/attempts in males.
Extracellular matrix in cutaneous ageing: the effects of 0.1% copper–zinc malonate‐containing cream on elastin biosynthesis
Authors: Mahoney Mỹ G. , Brennan Donna , Starcher Barry , Faryniarz Joseph , Ramirez Jose , Parr Lisa , Uitto Jouni
Published: September 2008

Abstract:  Cutaneous ageing, as visualized at the exposed areas of skin, reflects dramatic alterations in the structure and function of the extracellular matrix of connective tissues. Among them, the elastic fibre network, which is responsible for the physiological elasticity and resilience of normal skin, undergoes degradative changes leading to loss of functional elastic fibres. A potential strategy to counteract these degenerative changes entails topical application of a compound that may lead to regeneration of the elastic fibre network. In this study, we have evaluated the effects of a bi‐metal, 0.1% copper–zinc malonate‐containing cream that has been shown to efface wrinkles in clinical trials. An effect on elastin biosynthesis and elastic tissue accumulation in skin biopsies was observed in 21 female patients with photoaged facial skin, as measured at baseline and at 6 weeks of treatment. Histopathological evaluation revealed evidence of elastic fibre regeneration, including those extending perpendicularly towards the dermo‐epidermal junction within the papillary dermis. Elastin biosynthesis, measured by semi‐quantitative immunofluorescence with an antibody recognizing only the newly synthesized, uncrosslinked tropoelastin molecules, suggested statistically significant enhancement of elastin biosynthesis by the bi‐metal compound when applied twice daily. Accumulation of elastic fibres was confirmed by assay of desmosine, an elastin‐specific crosslink compound. These results suggest that the bi‐metal, 0.1% copper–zinc malonate‐containing cream has the propensity to increase elastin synthesis in human skin in vivo, and that regeneration of elastic fibres may contribute to wrinkle effacement in female patients with photoaged facial skin.
Case Selection and the Study of Judicial Politics
Authors: Kastellec Jonathan P. , Lax Jeffrey R.
Published: September 2008

One complication in studying the Supreme Court and the judicial hierarchy is that the Court's docket is now nearly completely discretionary. Although the Justices’ strategies in picking cases affect the observations we make and the inferences we draw, this is rarely taken into account in studies of judicial politics. In this article, we study how case selection can affect our inferences within judicial politics, including those about decision making in the Supreme Court itself (such as whether law constrains the Justices) and throughout the judicial hierarchy (such as whether lower courts comply with Supreme Court doctrine). We use simulation analysis to show that the inferential problems raised by the Court's case selection range from moderate to severe. At stake are substantive conclusions within some of the most important and controversial debates in judicial politics.
General Civil Jury Trial Litigation in State and Federal Courts: A Statistical Portrait
Authors: Cohen Thomas H.
Published: September 2008

Using data from the Civil Justice Survey of State Courts and the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, this article compares general civil (tort, contract, and real property) jury trials concluded in a sample of state courts and all federal district courts in 1992, 1996, and 2001. The study's key findings are: (1) that the types of civil cases coming before state and federal juries differ substantially; (2) that overall plaintiff win rates are nearly the same in both state and federal courts; (3) that the damages awarded to plaintiffs in federal courts are substantially higher compared to their state counterparts; (4) that although the vast majority of jury trials take place in the state courts, the federal courts accounted for a relatively significant minority of product liability trial litigation; (5) that state courts took substantially longer to dispose of civil jury trials than federal courts; and (6) that trend data show similar patterns of declining trials and stable plaintiff win rates in both court systems.
UNIONS AND UPWARD MOBILITY FOR LOW‐WAGE WORKERS
Authors: Schmitt John , Waller Margy , Fremstad Shawn , Zipperer Ben
Published: September 2008

This essay examines the impact of unionization on the pay and benefits in fifteen important low‐wage occupations. Even after controlling for important differences between union and nonunion workers—including such factors as age and education level—unionization substantially improves the pay and benefits offered in what are otherwise low‐paying occupations.

On average, in the low‐wage occupations analyzed here, unionization raised workers’ wages by just over 16 percent—about $1.75 per hour—compared to those of nonunion workers. Unionization also raises the likelihood that a worker has employer‐provided health insurance or an employer‐sponsored retirement plan by 25 percentage points. These union wage and benefit effects are particularly impressive given the widespread belief that many of the jobs analyzed here are inherently incapable of providing decent pay and benefits.
HLA antibody testing: a tool to facilitate not to prevent organ transplantation
Authors: Claas Frans H. J.
Published: September 2008

The introduction of very sensitive HLA antibody screening assays has destroyed the old dogma that pre‐existence of donor specific HLA antibodies in the patient is a contra‐indication for transplantation. The challenge is now to reach consensus on the parameters which predict the clinical relevance of donor specific HLA antibodies. Antibody screening assays should not only be used to prevent transplantation of patients with donor specific antibodies but also to facilitate transplantation of highly sensitized patients, both by defining acceptable HLA mismatches and non‐detrimental donor specific HLA antibodies.
Flavonoids in Onion Cultivars (Allium cepa L.)
Authors: Rodríguez Galdón B. , Rodríguez Rodríguez E.M. , Díaz Romero C.
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT:  Total phenol and flavonoid contents were analyzed by HPLC coupled with a diode array detector in 5 traditional onion cultivars from Tenerife (Guayonje, San Juan de la Rambla, Carrizal Alto, Carrizal Bajo, and Masca) and a commercial cultivar (Texas Early Grano 502). Five quercetin chemical species (isoquercetin, quercetin diglucoside, quercetin monoglucoside 1, quercetin monoglucoside 2, and free quercetin) and kaempferol were identified and quantified in the onion samples. Quercetin monoglucoside 1 and quercetin diglucoside were the major flavonoids accounting for 80% of the total quercetin content. The mean quercetin monoglucoside 1: quercetin diglucoside ratio (QMG/QDG) was 1: 2.2. There were differences between the onion cultivars in the cases of total phenol, quercetin diglucoside, isoquercetin, QMG/QDG ratio, and kaempferol. The Texas cultivar had a higher QMG/QDG ratio and a higher kaempferol content than the traditional cultivars. The correlation study showed significant correlations between the analyzed phenolic components.
Identification of Lactic Acid Bacteria and Gram‐Positive Catalase‐Positive Cocci Isolated from Naturally Fermented Sausage (Sucuk)
Authors: Kaban G. , Kaya M.
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT:  The aim of the study was to identify lactic acid bacteria and Gram‐positive catalase‐positive cocci isolated from Turkish dry fermented sausage (sucuk) produced by 7 different manufacturers without using starter culture. A total of 129 isolates of lactic acid bacteria were identified phenotypically. Lactobacillus plantarum was the dominant species (45.7%) followed by L. curvatus (10.9%) and L. fermentum (9.3%). Pediococcus isolates were identified as P. pentosaceus and P. acidilactici. All the isolates of gram‐positive and catalase‐positive cocci (123 isolates) were classified as Staphylococcus except for 1 isolate assigned to Kocuria rosea. The species isolated most often were S. xylosus (41.5%) and S. saprophyticus (28.5%). Four isolates were identified as S. equorum (3.3%), 1 isolate was assigned to S. carnosus (0.8%).
Terror Management Theory: Implications for Understanding Prejudice, Stereotyping, Intergroup Conflict, and Political Attitudes
Authors: Greenberg Jeff , Kosloff Spee
Published: September 2008

Terror management theory posits that to maintain psychological security despite the awareness of personal mortality, humans must maintain faith in cultural worldviews. These worldviews provide ways for humans to believe they are significant enduring beings in a world of meaning rather than mere animals fated only to obliteration upon death. We review basic support for terror management theory and research exploring the implications of terror management theory for understanding prejudice, stereotyping, intergroup conflict, and political attitudes. This research shows that when the psychological need to defend these worldviews is heightened by reminders of death (mortality salience), prejudice, stereotyping, and support for charismatic leaders and aggression against outgroups is increased. Terror management concerns also lead targets of prejudice to disidentify with their ingroup and confirm negative stereotypes of their group. We conclude by considering the implications of terror management theory and research for the alleviation of prejudice and intergroup conflict.
Why We Need Interdependence Theory
Authors: Rusbult Caryl E. , Van Lange Paul A. M.
Published: September 2008

The exceptional sociability of human life colors nearly every phenomenon in the social and behavioral sciences. However, most psychological theories continue to adopt a within‐person perspective, analyzing human behavior by reference to individual‐level biological processes, personal dispositions, or cognitive experiences. Interdependence theory is an important antidote to this actor‐focused bias. Interdependence theory identifies the most important characteristics of interpersonal situations via a comprehensive analysis of situation structure and describes the implications of structure for understanding intrapersonal and interpersonal processes. Situation structure matters because it is the interpersonal reality within which motives are activated, toward which cognition is oriented and around which interaction unfolds. This paper describes key principles of interdependence structure and processes, and illustrates the utility of an interdependence theoretic analysis via a review of four phenomena – regulatory fit, persistence in the face of dissatisfaction, tit‐for‐tat versus generosity, and the origins and consequences of trust.
Reclaiming Embodiment within Critical Psychology: A Material‐Discursive Analysis of the Menopausal Body
Authors: Ussher Jane M.
Published: September 2008

Social and Critical Psychology have been accused of ‘disembodying’ the discipline through the negation of embodied experience. In contrast, Bio‐Medicine and Biological Psychology focus on the body, within a realist framework. A material‐discursive approach, and a critical‐realist epistemology, is proposed as a way forward to examine embodiment in a socio‐cultural context, wherein the materiality of the body is recognised, but always mediated by culture, language, and subjectivity. As a case example, women's experience of embodied change at menopause is examined. The bio‐medical positioning of the menopausal body as the site of disease, distress, and debilitation, necessitating medical management, is contrasted with women's reports of minimal distress, and effective negotiation of midlife changes. Cultural context, relational factors and the positioning of embodied changes as symptoms, or as natural, are key factors determining women's coping. This material‐discursive approach thus allows us to ‘re‐embody’ psychology and move beyond the mind–body divide.
Political, Biographical, and Cultural Consequences of Social Movements
Authors: Giugni Marco
Published: September 2008

This essay reviews recent and less recent literature on the consequences of social movements and protest activities. It focuses on three types of consequences: political, personal and biographical, and cultural. Political consequences and, in particular, policy outcomes receive most attention, as they are those which have been addresses most often by students of social movements. The review of existing work shows that the field is full of valuable works dealing with this crucial issue and is rapidly growing thanks in particular to a new wave of scholars interested in this topic. Further work should pay more attention to the unintended consequences of social movements, look also at other types of impacts, and carry more comparative analyses.
Long‐term outcome of transpupillary thermotherapy as primary treatment of selected choroidal melanoma
Authors: Parrozzani Raffaele , Boccassini Barbara , De Belvis Valentina , Radin Pietro Paolo , Midena Edoardo
Published: September 2008

Purpose:  To evaluate prospectively, on a long‐term range, the clinical outcomes of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) as primary treatment of selected choroidal melanoma.

Methods:  Seventy‐seven eyes of 77 patients affected by small posterior choroidal melanoma were treated with TTT as a sole treatment, using an infrared diode laser at 810 nm according to a standard procedure. Follow‐up was longer than 36 months.

Results:  Seventeen tumours (22%) were parapapillary (PP) and 60 tumours (78%) were non‐parapapillary (NPP) in location. Mean follow‐up was 55.2 ± 17.9 months in PP tumours and 44.3 ± 23.7 months in NPP tumours. Thirteen (76%) PP tumours and 55 (92%) NPP tumours regressed (P > 0.05). Nine tumours recurred: seven were retreated using Iodine‐125 brachytherapy and two were enucleated (both parapapillary). Four patients (5%) developed liver metastasis and died during follow‐up. Tumour thickness was found to be predictive of recurrence (odds ratio: 4.3). Complications were found in 20 eyes (26%): macular pucker in 11 (14%), macular oedema in three (4%), retinal vein occlusion in six (8%), vitreous and subretinal haemorrhage in two (3%) and neovascular glaucoma in three (4%). PP tumours had more local complications (but this was not statistically significant; P > 0.05). Complications appeared more frequently in tumours treated with more than one TTT session (P = 0.01), and time‐risk to develop intraocular complications seems longer in the PP group, without reaching statistical significance (P = 0.07).

Conclusion:  TTT may be a clinically effective method for conservative treatment of selected, non‐parapapillary, small posterior choroidal melanoma.
Intravitreal anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor therapy with bevacizumab for tuberous sclerosis with macular oedema
Authors: Saito Wataru , Kase Satoru , Ohgami Kazuhiro , Mori Shohei , Ohno Shigeaki
Published: September 2008

Purpose:  To describe two patients with macular oedema secondary to tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) who were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab injection.

Methods:  Interventional case reports. Bevacizumab 1.25 mg was injected into the vitreous of two patients with TSC‐associated macular oedema / exudative retinal detachment. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration in the vitreous fluid was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in one of these patients.

Results:  Patient 1: a 22‐year‐old woman with TSC was diagnosed as having multiple retinal hamartomas in both eyes. Eleven years later, the patient developed macular oedema with epiretinal membrane formation in the right eye. The patient underwent pars‐plana vitrectomy with retinal photocoagulation for retinal tumours. VEGF concentration in the vitreous fluid was high compared to that in patients without retinal vascular diseases. Recurrent macular oedema disappeared by intravitreal injection of bevacizumab. Patient 2: a 32‐year‐old woman with TSC‐associated retinal hamartoma, temporally showing macular exudative retinal detachment, developed neovascularization originated from the tumour. By intravitreal bevacizumab injection, the tumour size reduced markedly with regression of neovascularization.

Conclusion:  These results suggest that VEGF derived from retinal hamartomas causes macular oedema associated with TSC. Intravitreal injections of bevacizumab may be a useful therapeutic option for macular oedema secondary to TSC.
Recognition and treatment of herpes simplex keratitis
Authors: LAIBSON P
Published: September 2008

Although the incidence of ocular herpes simplex virus infection has not diminished in recent years, we are encountering fewer severe problems such as necrotizing stromal keratitis and diffuse disciform keratitis which may necessitate penetrating keratoplasty. The earlier recognition of herpes simplex viral keratitis and the better management utilizing oral antivirals and topical corticosteroids is probably responsible for this improved outlook of herpes simplex keratitis. Early recognition and management of acute and chronic herpetic keratitis, as well as the management of keratoplasty for herpes will be reviewed.
Corneal bacterial diseases
Authors: CREUZOT CP , BRON AM
Published: September 2008

Purpose To present the main causes of corneal bacterial diseases and suggest an appropriate management. Bacterial keratitis is the most common cause of infected corneal ulceration.

Methods The epidemiology of corneal bacterial diseases and their link with different risk factors will be studied. The initial presentation is important to determine the potential stain responsible for the infection and to assess the overall severity of the disease. Local and general criteria evaluations lead to a proper management. Bacterial identification plays a key‐role in the etiological diagnosis.

Results Contact lens wear, trauma, preexisting ocular disease and corneal surgery are the main risk factors for corneal bacterial disease. Specific signs to identify bacteria remain rare but the circumstances (contact lens wear, aspect of the infiltrate) can help to determine the first line treatment. However laboratory methods remain the only way to diagnose a corneal bacterial disease with certainty. The aspect of the infiltrate, the intraocular involvement and an immunosuppressed patient may influence the outcome. The treatment is based on an initial broad‐spectrum antibacterial therapy with secondary adaptation to the identified bacteria.

Conclusion Multiple microorganisms are involved in corneal diseases. The local and systemic risk factors have to be identified to treat these diseases in emergency still considered as a leading cause of visual loss.
Imaging posterior visual pathways
Authors: SIBTAIN N
Published: September 2008

Abstract not provided
Ghrelin’s MRNA levels in the developing rat’s eye
Authors: ROCHA DE SOUSA A , RAMOS‐TAVARES M , TELES A , LEITE‐MOREIRA AF
Published: September 2008

Purpose The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of ghrelin the late phase of development of the rat eye.

Methods Wistar rats (n=16) were euthanized 22 days post‐conception (n=8) or 15 days after delivery (n=8). The eye globes were enucleated and dissected, and the cornea, iris, lens, retina and sclera were microdissected. A portion of the gastric fundus was also collected. The lens could only be isolated 15 days after birth.To evaluate the levels of ghrelin mRNA in the distinct eye tissues and the stomach an equal amount of total mRNA of each sample (50ng) underwent two‐step real‐time RT‐PCR with specific primers. Glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and β actin were used as internal controls. Data is presented as mean±SE in relative expression units. Comparisons were performed with two way ANOVA.

Results GAPDH and β actin mRNA levels differed between tissues, precluding their usage as internal control genes, nevertheless, β‐actin levels were similar in the iris and retina and the expression of ghrelin normalized for β‐actin did not differ at birth or 15 days after between iris (1.0±0.3 and 0.4±0.3, respectively) and retina (1.2±0.3 and 0.5±0.3, respectively). Absolute ghrelin mRNA levels were also not different at birth or 15 days after in each of the tissues evaluated but were higher in the retina (1.0±0.2) than in the cornea (0.4±0.1), sclera (0.5±0.1) and gastric fundus (0.3±0.1). The lens showed the lowest value of expression (0.1±0.0).

Conclusion Ghrelin is more expressed in the newborn retina than in the stomach, lens, cornea and sclera. The expression in the iris and retina is similar. The high expression of ghrelin in some tissues of the eye at these stages suggests it may have a role in the eye's development.
History of amblyopia
Authors: GRZYBOWSKI A
Published: September 2008

Purpose Review the history of amblyopia.

Methods Analysis of original and secondary contributions in the history of amblyopia.

Results Traditionally amblyopia has been classified into different subgroups according to the major disorder which is responsible for its occurrence; accordingly, we distinguish among strabismic amblyopia, anisometropic amblyopia, isoametropic amblyopia and deprivation amblyopia. Since strabismus is the most visible disorder leading to amblyopia, the history of strabismus diagnosis can be roughly included in the history of amblyopia in the clinical context. It is known that Hippocrates described strabismus and differentiated it into comitant and non‐comitant. Later Paulus of Aegina and Ambroise Pare not only diagnosed the disorder, but also attempted to treat it. One of the first explanations of the amblyopia mechanisms was given by de la Hire who suggested that in strabismus the most sensitive part of the retina is eccentrically displaced to an abnormal position. This idea was later supported by Johannes Muller. The first treatment of amblyopia was attempted in 1743 by George L. de Buffon, who covered the better eye and suggested the use of glasses for the weaker eye. In the 1930s orthoptic programs were introduced and in the 1950s pleoptic techniques began to be used. Finally, the experiments carried out in the 1960s and 1970s by Hubel and Weisel suggested that the neural basis for amblyopia was related to a massive reduction in the binocular neurons and a shift in the ocular dominance of neural activity towards the unaffected eye.

Conclusion Although our present understanding of the underlying mechanisms of amblyopia is much greater, our treatment methods are still rooted in history.
A role for canonical WNT signaling in lens development
Authors: DELONGH R
Published: September 2008

Purpose To investigate Wnt signalling in lens development we conditionally deleted β‐catenin (CatnβEx3‐6) or mutated exon3 of β‐catenin (CatnβEx3) or truncated adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc580S) to inactivate or activate the pathway in different cellular compartments of the murine lens.

Methods Cre deletor lines that express Cre in fibers only (MLR39) or in fibers and epithelium (MLR10), were used to conditionally mutate floxed CatnβEx3‐6, CatnβEx3 and Apc580S alleles in developing mouse lens from E13. Lenses from mutant and wild‐type mice were analyzed by histology, immunofluorescence and PCR arrays.

Results MLR10 intercrosses result in microphthalmia; MLR39 intercrosses show no ocular abnormalities at weaning. Mice with loss of β‐catenin in fibres (MLR39Cre/CatnβEx3‐6) develop cataract in later life. Analyses of MLR10‐derived mutant mice at E13.5 show that loss of β‐catenin inactivates Wnt signals and results in loss of lens cell progenitors, with decreased E‐cadherin, cyclinD1 and cMyc expression, reduced BrdU and phosphohistone3 (pH3) labeling and premature cell cycle exit (p57Kip2). As well as Wnt signal effects, loss of β‐catenin deregulates adherens junctions resulting in loss of hexagonal fibre structure. By contrast, activating mutations of Wnt pathway (CatnβEx3, Apc580S) result in increased epithelial proliferation (BrdU, cyclinD1, PH3), apoptosis (TUNEL) and inhibition of fibre differentiation (β‐crystallin, p57Kip2). Pathway specific PCR arrays confirmed modulation of Wnt signaling in each lens mutant and show altered expression of Notch pathway, indicating these pathways operate as part of a network.

Conclusion These data show Wnt signals play key roles in regulating proliferation and differentiation of lens epithelial cells and that the pathway is tightly regulated.
Monitoring retinal ganglion cells in vivo
Authors: PAQUES M , SAHEL JA
Published: September 2008

Progress in imaging techniques will considerably increase our knowledge on retinal cell pathophysiology and death during optic nerve disesases as a whole. Experimentally, current in vivo imaging using the green laser reflectance mode of the SLO allows noninvasive microscopic‐scale definition of the nerve fibers. However, loss of the axons is a late and irreversible event, thus imaging the retinal ganglion cells themselves would be preferable in order to detect diseased states at an earlier stage. Retrogradelly‐labelled RGCs can be conveniently seen in vivo, but such imaging require invasive procedures, the effect of which on RGC physiology remains uncertain. The recent development of molecular imaging of apoptotic ganglion cells is promising. The cSLO also allows in vivo imaging of other cellular compartments that are relevant for glaucoma, for instance microglial cells. In humans, current techniques allow imaging of the nerve fiber layer with a relatively low resolution. The GDx evaluates the nerve fiber layer thickness through light polarisation, and high resolution OCT through mapping of its thickness around the optic nerve. Yet, it is likely that these systems lack sensitivity for detection of the early loss of the NFL, and even more for early dysfunction of RGCs. Presently, adaptive optics does not appear to be a technique of choice for the NFL, but technological progress may prove this assertion to be wrong. In the future, techniques allowing increased contrast of fibrillar structures such as en face OCT may prove of interest.
Identification and characterization of novel disease genes for Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA)
Authors: COPPIETERS F
Published: September 2008

Abstract not provided
Evaluation of the retinal nerve fiber layer in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: GARCIA MARTIN E , PUEYO V , FERNANDEZ TIRADO J , MARTIN J , ARA JR , HONRUBIA FM , PINILLA I
Published: September 2008

Purpose To evaluate the changes in one year in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) by means of ocular imaging technologies.

Methods Forty‐two patients with MS (84 eyes) were enrolled in this study. None of the patients had an optic neuritis episode in at least 6 months prior to the inclusion, nor during the follow‐up. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination that included visual acuity (logMAR), colour vision (Ishihara pseudoisochromatic plates), refractive evaluation, visual field examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and scanning laser polarimetry (GDx). All the patients were re‐evaluated in a period of 12 months in order to quantify the changes in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL).

Results All the parameters showed a decrease in the RNFL thickness during the 12‐month follow‐up greater than the decrease due to the age in healthy patients, although these changes were not detected by the standard automated perimetry. Differences were statistically significant (P<0,05, t test) in the mean and inferior RNFL thickness and macular volume provided by OCT and in the TSNIT SD provided by GDx. The greater differences were obtained in the mean RNFL thickness (87,86 µm vs 90,13 µm).

Conclusion Progressive axonal loss can be detected in the optic nerve of MS patients. Ocular imaging technologies are useful tools to evaluate structural abnormalities in the RNFL and changes in time.
The role of the European Vision Institute (EVI) for supporting vision research in Europe
Authors: ZRENNER E
Published: September 2008

Abstract not provided
Wernicke encephalopathy
Authors: BORRUAT FX
Published: September 2008

Wernicke’s encephalopathy is an acute neurological disorder caused by thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency and characterized by the clinical triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and mental confusion. Ophthalmoplegia commonly takes the form of horizontal and/or vertical gaze palsy often accompanied by bilateral abduction deficits. Upbeat nystagmus is characteristic. Mental status changes may be mild therefore unappreciated. MRI abnormalities (periaqueductal area, midbrain tegmentum, mamillary bodies and dorsomedial thalamus) can be found in up to 60% of patients who are imaged within 2 weeks of symptom onset. The condition is life‐threatening but early therapy with intraveinous or intramuscular 100mg thiamine with glucose supplementation can reverse symptoms and signs within hours.