bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Initial Cumulus Morphology on Meiotic Dynamic and Status of Mitochondria in Horse Oocytes during IVM
Authors: Torner H , Alm H , Kanitz W , Goellnitz K , Becker F , Poehland R , Bruessow K‐P , Tuchscherer A
Published: January 2007

Contents

The aim of this investigation was to examine the chromatin configuration of the nucleus, pattern of mitochondrial aggregation and mitochondrial activity in parallel studies in the same horse oocytes. Horse oocytes recovered by ultrasound‐guided follicle aspirationin vivowere classified according to two main initial cumulus morphologies as having compact or expanded cumulus. The percentage of oocytes with a diplotene meiotic configuration at the time of recovery from the follicles was highest in compact oocytes. Oocytes with expanded cumulus layers at the time of recovery matured more rapidlyin vitroand reached a proportion >50% at the metaphase II stage (M 2) sooner duringin vitromaturation (IVM), than did compact oocytes. The mitochondrial aggregation pattern changed from finely distributed (Type 1) through crystalline (Type 2) to an aggregated, granulated appearance (Type 3) during IVM. The pattern of mitochondrial aggregation at the time of recovery was associated with the initial cumulus morphology of the oocyte, in that compact oocytes had a higher proportion of Type 1 aggregation, whereas expanded oocytes had a higher proportion of Type 3. The fluorescence intensity of metabolic active mitochondria, measured by fluorescence intensity (Em 570) per oocyte after MitoTracker CMTM Ros orange labelling, increased in the oocytes during IVM and depended on initial cumulus investment. Oocytes with the granulated type of aggregated mitochondria Type 3 had the highest level of metabolic activity and were in more progressed stages of meiosis (A 1–M 2). Oocytes initially having expanded layers of cumulus reached significantly higher levels of mitochondrial activity after IVM than did oocytes initially having compact cumuli. During resumption of meiosis the mitochondrial activity of oocytes with initially expanded cumulus increased continuously up to M 2, whereas in oocytes from compact cumulus–oocyte complex (COC), the activity declined after A 1/T 1 stages of meiosis.
Current United Kingdom sedation practice in pediatric intensive care
Authors: JENKINS IAN A. , PLAYFOR STEPHEN D. , BEVAN CLIFF , DAVIES GERALD , WOLF ANDREW R.
Published: January 2007

Background:  The aim of this study was to investigate the current practice of sedation, analgesia, and neuromuscular blockade in critically ill children on pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in the UK and identify areas that merit further study.

Methods:  Data were gathered in a prospective observational study of 338 critically ill children in 20 UK PICUs.

Results:  There is considerable variation in clinical practice. A total of 24 different sedative and analgesic agents were used during the study. The most commonly used sedative and analgesic agents were midazolam and morphine. Four different neuromuscular blockers (NMBs) were used, most commonly vecuronium. There were differences in treatment between cardiac and noncardiac children, but there were a greater number of infants and neonates in the cardiac group. NMBs were used in 30% of mechanically ventilated patients. Withdrawal symptoms were reported in 13% of ventilated patients, relatively early in their stay; weaning sedative agents (‘tapering’) was apparently of no benefit. The use of clonidine in this setting was noted. Physical restraints were used in 7.4%. Propofol was used but in only 2.6% of patients, all over the age of 4 years, and not exceeding 2 mg·kg−1·h−1. No side effects attributable to ‘propofol syndrome’ were noted.

Conclusions:  There is considerable heterogeneity of sedation techniques. NMBs are used in a large portion of this population. Withdrawal symptoms were associated with higher doses of sedation and greater lengths of stay and were not ameliorated by withdrawing sedation gradually (‘tapering’).
Factors affecting anastomotic complications following anterior resection in rectal cancer
Authors: Lyall A. , Mc Adam T. K. , Townend J. , Loudon M. A.
Published: January 2007

Objective  Anastomotic complications following sphincter saving rectal surgery remains a significant clinical problem in rectal cancer surgery. Preoperative combined modality therapy followed by anterior resection with total mesorectal excision (TME) has become the preferred treatment paradigm for locally advanced rectal cancer. However, its impact on anastomotic complications has not been adequately evaluated. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the response of the primary tumour to neo‐adjuvant therapy with anastomotic complications and to evaluate the effect of other clinico‐pathological factors previously implicated, in this patient cohort.

Method  A total of 119 consecutive patients with primary rectal cancer were assessed of which there were 87 anterior resections. A prospectively collected database was queried to determine the incidence of anastomotic complications, association with response to neo‐adjuvant therapy and other clinico‐pathological factors. Data were analysed with spss 14.0.

Results  Anterior resection was performed in 87/111 (78.4%) patients of which 46/84 (56%) were low resections, with an abdominoperineal excision of rectum rate of 11/111 (9.9%). Anastomotic complications were seen as clinical leaks in 10/87 (11.5%) and late colo‐visceral fistulae in 2/87 (2.2%) patients. Subclinical/ radiological ‘leaks’ were quantified as 4/87 (4.5%). A good pathological response to neo‐adjuvant therapy was found to be strongly associated with anastomotic complications (P = 0.006). Presence of a perioperative cardiac event was the only other clinical factor associated with anastomotic complications (P = 0.004) in our study.

Conclusion  Rectal cancer treated with neo‐adjuvant therapy and radical resection with TME for better local control may be associated with greater anastomotic complications particularly when a good pathological response is seen.
Unemployment and International Factor Movement in the Presence of Skilled and Unskilled Labor
Authors: Yabuuchi Shigemi
Published: January 2007

Widespread unemployment has been observed in some developing countries. On the other hand, extensive movement of labor across countries has also been observed. Therefore, in order to examine the interaction between the domestic and international labor markets, this paper develops a model that includes unemployment, international factor movement, and the difference between skilled and unskilled labor. The model examines the effect of production subsidies on unemployment and evaluates their effectiveness as a possible policy in order to alleviate the problem of unemployment. Further, this paper investigates the effects of international factor movement on unemployment and welfare.
Effects of physiological aging and cerebrovascular risk factors on the hemodynamic response to brain activation: a functional transcranial Doppler study
Authors: Gröschel K. , Terborg C. , Schnaudigel S. , Ringer T. , Riecker A. , Witte O. W. , Kastrup A.
Published: January 2007

The influence of the vascular system on the coupling of cerebral blood flow (CBF) to focal brain activation during aging is incompletely understood. Using functional transcranial Doppler sonography and a hypercapnic challenge as a marker of intact cerebral vasoreactivity, we determined CBF velocity (CBFV) changes in response to a language and arithmetic task in a group of 43 healthy young subjects (mean age 32 ± 8.6 years), 18 healthy old subjects (mean age 64 ± 9.8 years) and 29 old subjects with risk factors for an atherosclerosis (mean age 69 ± 8.4 years). Despite a similar performance during the cognitive tasks the CBFV changes were significantly lower in the group of old subjects with vascular risk factors compared with the healthy young and old subjects. Similarly, the CBFV changes during hypercapnia were significantly lower in the group of old subjects with vascular risk factors compared with the healthy young and old subjects. In contrast, both cognitive tasks and hypercapnia produced comparable CBFV changes in the group of healthy young and old subjects. These results suggest that the hemodynamic response to neuronal activation is unaffected by aging alone, whereas the presence of cardiovascular risk factors significantly diminishes the capability of cerebral vessels to react to vasodilating stimuli.
Acupuncture treatment improves nerve conduction in peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Schröder S. , Liepert J. , Remppis A. , Greten J. H.
Published: January 2007

The etiology of peripheral neuropathy (PN) often remains elusive resulting in a lack of objective therapeutic strategies. We conducted a pilot study to evaluate the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on PN as measured by changes in nerve conduction and assessment of subjective symptoms. One hundred and ninety‐two consecutive patients with PN as diagnosed by nerve conduction studies (NCS) were evaluated over a period of 1 year. Of 47 patients who met the criteria for PN of undefined etiology, 21 patients received acupuncture therapy according to classical Chinese Medicine as defined by the Heidelberg Model, while 26 patients received the best medical care but no specific treatment for PN. Sixteen patients (76%) in the acupuncture group improved symptomatically and objectively as measured by NCS, while only four patients in the control group (15%) did so. Three patients in the acupuncture group (14%) showed no change and two patients an aggravation (10%), whereas in the control group seven showed no change (27%) and 15 an aggravation (58%). Importantly, subjective improvement was fully correlated with improvement in NCS in both groups. The data suggest that there is a positive effect of acupuncture on PN of undefined etiology as measured by objective parameters.
Brain neutral lipids mass is increased in α‐synuclein gene‐ablated mice
Authors: Barceló‐Coblijn Gwendolyn , Golovko Mikhail Y. , Weinhofer Isabella , Berger Johannes , Murphy Eric J.
Published: January 2007

Because α‐synuclein (Snca) has a role in brain lipid metabolism, we determined the impact that Snca deletion had on whole brain lipid composition. We analysed masses of individual phospholipid (PL) classes and neutral lipid mass as well as PL acyl chain composition in brains from wild‐type and Snca‐/‐ mice. Although total brain PL mass was not altered, cardiolipin and phosphatidylglycerol mass decreased 16% and 27%, respectively, in Snca‐/‐ mice. In addition, no changes were observed in plasmalogen or polyphosphoinositide mass. In ethanolamine glycerophospholipids and phosphatidylserine, docosahexaenoic acid (22 : 6n‐3) was decreased 7%, while 16 : 0 was increased 1.1‐fold and 1.4‐fold, respectively. Surprisingly, brain cholesterol, cholesteryl ester, and triacylglycerol mass were increased 1.1‐fold, 1.6‐fold, and 1.4‐fold, respectively in Snca‐/‐ mice. In isolated myelin, cholesterol mass was also increased 1.3‐fold, but because there was also a net increase in myelin PL mass, the cholesterol to PL ratio was unaltered. No changes in the expression of cholesterogenic enzymes were observed, suggesting these did not account for the observed changes in cholesterol. These data extend our previous results in astrocytes and kinetic studies in vivo demonstrating a role for Snca in brain lipid metabolism and demonstrate a clear impact on brain neutral lipid metabolism.
IL‐4 attenuates the neuroinflammation induced by amyloid‐β in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Lyons Anthony , Griffin Rebecca J , Costelloe Ceire E , Clarke Rachael M , Lynch Marina A
Published: January 2007

It has been shown that Aβ inhibits long‐term potentiation (LTP) in the rat hippocampus and this is accompanied by an increase in hippocampal concentration of IL‐1β. Aβ also increases microglial activation, which is the likely cell source of IL‐1β. Because IL‐4 attenuates the effects of IL‐1β in hippocampus, and microglial activation is inhibited by minocycline, we assessed the ability of both IL‐4 and minocycline to modulate the effects of Aβ on LTP and IL‐1β concentration. Following treatment with Aβ, IL‐4 or minocycline, rats were assessed for their ability to sustain LTP in perforant path‐granule cell synapses. We report that the Aβ‐induced inhibition of LTP was associated with increases in expression of MHCII, JNK phosphorylation and IL‐1β concentration, and that these changes were attenuated by treatment of rats with IL‐4 and minocycline. We also report that Aβ‐induced increases in expression of MHCII and IL‐1β were similarly attenuated by IL‐4 and minocycline in glial cultures prepared from neonatal rats. These data suggest that glial cell activation and the consequent increase in IL‐1β concentration mediate the inhibitory effect of Aβ on LTP and indicate that IL‐4, by down‐regulating glial cell activation, antagonizes the effects of Aβ.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for Araucaria angustifolia (Araucariaceae)
Authors: SCHMIDT A. B. , CIAMPI A. Y. , GUERRA M. P. , NODARI R. O.
Published: January 2007

Araucaria angustifolia is a dioecious tree species that occurs in the southern part of Brazil. Because of the intense exploitation of the species due to its valuable wood, only 2% of the original population still remains. Twenty‐nine species‐specific and highly polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed from a genomic library enriched for AG/TC repeats. Levels of polymorphism were evaluated using a total of 16 adult trees from a natural population. An average of 8.1 alleles per locus was detected, and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.63 to 0.72.
The motivational development of Norwegian nursing students over the college years
Authors: Bråten Ivar , Olaussen Bodil S.
Published: January 2007

This longitudinal research used cluster analysis to identify subgroups of nursing students that differed in terms of academic motivation. We termed the three distinct clusters that were identified: the positive motivation, moderate motivation and low profile cluster, respectively. More positively motivated students were found to report more use of not only deeper but also surface processing strategies. When we tracked the movement of all the students in terms of their cluster membership over two entire academic years, we found that many students lost some of their enthusiasm and engagement during their professional education. Still, some students managed to maintain relatively high levels of motivation and a few actually developed more adaptive motivation over time. As the decline in motivation was most pronounced during the first year of nursing education, motivational interventions aimed at maintaining and developing enthusiasm for and appreciation of the field of study may be particularly important during that period. Some implications for educational practice are discussed.
Development of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis C who had a sustained virological response to interferon therapy: a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of 1124 patients
Authors: Kobayashi S. , Takeda T. , Enomoto M. , Tamori A. , Kawada N. , Habu D. , Sakaguchi H. , Kuroda T. , Kioka K. , Kim S. R. , Kanno T. , Ueda T. , Hirano M. , Fujimoto S. , Jomura H. , Nishiguchi S. , Seki S.
Published: January 2007

Background: Interferon (IFN) improves hepatic inflammation/fibrosis and reduces the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CH‐C). However, HCC develops in some patients who have a sustained virological response (SVR) to IFN therapy. We designed this study to establish a follow‐up protocol for patients with CH‐C who have SVR to IFN therapy.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 1124 patients with CH‐C who received IFN.

Results: HCC developed in 3.5% of patients with SVR to IFN. As compared with SVR patients without HCC, SVR patients with HCC were predominantly male (P=0.003), older at the initiation of IFN therapy (P=0.002), and at a more advanced histologic stage of disease (P<0.001). However, three of the 13 SVR HCC patients had mild fibrosis. The mean interval from IFN therapy to the detection of HCC in SVR HCC patients was 5.8 years and did not differ significantly from that in non‐SVR HCC patients (P=0.304). Although most patients with HCC received curative therapy, the prognosis of some SVR HCC patients was poor, probably because of insufficient follow‐up, resulting in delayed detection of HCC.

Conclusions: SVR patients with CH‐C who are elderly, male, or have an advanced histologic stage are at a high risk for the development of HCC after IFN therapy. We recommend that SVR patients should be observed carefully for more than 10 years after the completion of IFN therapy, even if they only have early fibrosis.
Obesity did not diminish the efficacy of percutaneous ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Ohki Takamasa , Tateishi Ryosuke , Shiina Shuichiro , Sato Takahisa , Masuzaki Ryota , Yoshida Hideo , Kanai Fumihiko , Obi Shuntaro , Yoshida Haruhiko , Omata Masao
Published: January 2007

Background: Overweight and hepatic steatosis can increase the risk of hepatocarcinogenesis. In addition, overweight may affect the treatment efficacy of ultrasound‐guided percutaneous ablation. We evaluated the impact of overweight on the safety and efficacy of percutaneous ablation to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: We enrolled 743 patients with naïve HCC who were treated by percutaneous ablation including ethanol injection, microwave coagulation, and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) between 1995 and 2003. Patients were divided into two groups by body mass index (BMI): 219 overweight patients with BMI>25 kg/m2 and 524 control patients with BMI≤25 kg/m2. The effects of BMI on complications of percutaneous ablation, HCC recurrence, and overall survival were analyzed, together with others including tumor and liver function‐related factors.

Results: The overweight group required a significantly larger number of sessions by RFA (P=0.01). Major complications were identified in 8.7% in the overweight group and 7.6% in the control group (P=0.94). There was no significant difference in cumulative recurrence rate and local tumor‐progression rate between the two groups (P=0.63 and 0.44). Cumulative survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 95.4%, 75.7%, and 57.8%, respectively, in the overweight group and 94.1%, 78.0%, and 58.8% in the control group (P=0.99).

Conclusions: The results indicated that overweight did not increase complications nor affect HCC recurrence and overall survival. However, the number of sessions of RFA was significantly greater in overweight patients, suggesting that overweight was associated with minor technical difficulties.
A prospective study of the microbiology of chronic venous leg ulcers to reevaluate the clinical predictive value of tissue biopsies and swabs
Authors: Davies Charlotte E. , Hill Katja E. , Newcombe Robert G. , Stephens Phil , Wilson Melanie J. , Harding Keith G. , Thomas David W.
Published: January 2007

This study determined whether comprehensive microbiological analysis offered real predictive value in terms of healing outcome, and assessed the clinical usefulness of surface swabs vs. tissue biopsies for clinically noninfected leg wounds. The wound microflora of 70 patients with chronic venous leg ulcers was quantified after sampling by swabbing and biopsy. A highly significant association between wound surface area at 4 weeks and eventual healing at 6 months was found (p<0.001), although initial wound size, sex, height, and weight were not significant predictors of outcome (p>0.1). A significant association between healing and bacterial diversity in the wound as assessed by swab (p=0.023) was demonstrated. Furthermore, the bacterial density of wound surface area by swab (CFU/mL; p=0.018) or biopsy (CFU/g tissue; p=0.038) were shown to be independent predictors of nonhealing. Logistic regression showed that microbiological analysis of biopsies provided no additional prognostic information when compared with analysis of the surface microflora (p=0.27). Hence, if biopsies do not contribute significantly to patient management, their use should be discouraged in clinically noninfected wounds. Furthermore, independent predictors of healing, such as wound surface microbial diversity and density, could identify patients likely to have an unfavorable outcome and to whom resources should be targeted.
Supplemental l‐arginine enhances wound healing following trauma/hemorrhagic shock
Authors: Shi Han Ping , Wang Shen Ming , Zhang Guang Xin , Zhang Yun Jiang , Barbul Adrian
Published: January 2007

To determine whether parenteral l‐arginine supplementation enhances the impaired wound healing of rats subjected to trauma/hemorrhagic shock. Impaired wound healing after trauma and shock has been documented experimentally and clinically. l‐arginine has been shown to enhance wound strength and collagen synthesis in rodents and humans. Its efficacy under conditions of impaired wound healing is less well defined. Forty‐eight male Lewis rats were used in this study. Using a well‐defined model, 24 rats underwent trauma/hemorrhagic shock before wounding. Twenty‐four untreated rats served as controls. All animals underwent a dorsal skin incision with implantation of polyvinyl‐alcohol sponges. Half of the animals in each group were assigned to receive 1 g/kg/day of l‐arginine by intraperitoneal injection in three divided doses, while the other half received saline injections only. Animals were sacrificed 10 days postwounding, and wound‐breaking strength (WBS) and wound sponge total hydroxyproline (OHP) and nitrite/nitrate (NOx) content were determined. Wound sponge RNA was collected and subjected to Northern blot analysis for procollagens I and III. Trauma/hemorrhage greatly decreased WBS with a concomitant diminution in collagen (OHP) deposition. l‐arginine significantly enhanced WBS (19%) and increased OHP (21%) levels in control animals as well as in rats subjected to trauma/hemorrhage (WBS +29%, OHP 40%) compared with their saline‐treated counterparts. Procollagen I and III mRNA levels were elevated by l‐arginine treatment in both trauma/hemorrhage and control rats. Arginine treatment had no effect on wound fluid and plasma NOx. The data demonstrate that the impaired healing subsequent to trauma/hemorrhage can be greatly alleviated by l‐arginine supplementation.
Histologic characterization of vaginal vs. abdominal surgical wound healing in a rabbit model
Authors: Abramov Yoram , Golden Barbara , Sullivan Megan , Botros Sylvia M. , Miller Jay‐James R. , Alshahrour Adeeb , Goldberg Roger P. , Sand Peter K.
Published: January 2007

We aimed to compare the histologic characteristics of vaginal vs. abdominal surgical wound healing in the rabbit. Bilateral 6 mm full‐thickness circular segments were excised from the vagina and abdominal skin in 34 New Zealand white female rabbits. Animals were euthanized on the day of and 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days after wounding, and their wounds were evaluated using a modified scoring system. The inter‐ and intraobserver agreements of the scoring system were good (weighted κ 0.63 and 0.71, respectively). A transient fibrinous crust was evident in 75% of the abdominal and in none of the vaginal wound specimens on days 4–7 after wounding (p=0.01). Acute inflammation peaked at day 4 in both the vaginal and abdominal wounds, while chronic inflammation peaked at days 4–7 and 14–21 in the abdomen and vagina, respectively. Both neovascularization and the amount of granulation tissue peaked at days 4 and 7 in the vagina and abdomen, respectively. Maturation of granulation tissue and collagen deposition increased persistently in both tissues until postwounding day 35. Reepithelialization increased after wounding, and was completed by day 14 in both tissues. The surgical wound‐healing process in both the vagina and abdomen includes transient acute and chronic inflammation, fibroblast proliferation, and neovascularization, as well as progressive maturation of granulation tissue, reepithelialization, and collagen deposition. A transient fibrinous crust forms in the abdomen but not in the vagina 4–7 days after wounding. The modified histologic scoring system described here was found to be reliable and reproducible.
Protective Effects of the Whisky Congeners on Ethanol‐Induced Gastric Mucosal Damage
Authors: Goso Yukinobu , Ueno Masaki , Hotta Kyoko , Ishihara Kazuhiko
Published: January 2007

Background: The ingestion of both ethanol and whisky can induce acute gastrointestinal bleeding. The effects of the congeners, substances other than ethanol in whisky, on the ethanol‐induced gastric mucosal damage were examined in the rat model.

Methods: After the whisky congeners were intragastrically administered previous to or simultaneous with ethanol ingestion, the gastric damage was macroscopically and microscopically measured.

Results: The simultaneous administration of the whisky congeners at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight, which corresponds to the concentration of congeners contained in whisky, with 50% ethanol did not inhibit the hemorrhagic lesions, but inhibited them at a dose of 150 mg/kg. The treatment with the whisky congeners 30 minutes before the ethanol ingestion prevented the ethanol‐induced gastric damage in a dose‐dependent manner at 0.5 to 150 mg/kg. The butanol extract of the congeners revealed the strongest prevention compared with the ethyl acetate extract or the water fraction. The administration of indomethacin 60 minutes before the congener treatment partly inhibited the protective effects of the congeners, indicating the partial contribution of prostaglandins in this mechanism. The congeners did not prevent the mucosa by action as a “mild irritant” because the immunohistochemical studies using the antimucin monoclonal antibodies showed that no damage was induced by the administration of the congeners.

Conclusion: The present results showed that the whisky congeners have a protective activity against ethanol‐induced gastric mucosal injury.
Stress‐Induced and Alcohol Cue‐Induced Craving in Recently Abstinent Alcohol‐Dependent Individuals
Authors: Fox Helen C. , Bergquist Keri L. , Hong Kwang‐Ik , Sinha Rajita
Published: January 2007

Background: Research has shown that exposure to stress/negative affect and to alcohol cues can each increase alcohol craving and relapse susceptibility in alcohol‐dependent individuals. However, whether the emotional and physiological states associated with stress‐induced and alcohol cue‐induced craving are comparable has not been well studied. Therefore, this study examined the craving, emotional, and physiological responses to stress and to alcohol cues in treatment‐engaged, 4‐week abstinent, alcohol‐dependent individuals using analogous stress and alcohol cue imagery methods.

Method: Twenty treatment‐seeking, alcohol‐dependent participants (18 males/2 females) were exposed to a brief 5‐minute guided imagery procedure that involved imagining a recent personal stressful situation, a personal alcohol cue‐related situation, and a neutral‐relaxing situation, 1 imagery per session presented in random order. Alcohol craving, anxiety and emotion rating scales, cardiovascular measures, and salivary cortisol were compared across the 3 conditions.

Results: Exposure to stress and to alcohol cues each produced significant increases in alcohol craving, anxiety, and negative emotions and decreases in positive emotions. Stress‐induced alcohol craving was significantly correlated with increases in sadness, anger, and anxiety ratings, but alcohol cue‐induced craving was associated with decreases in positive affect (joy and neutral relaxed state) and increases in anxiety and fear ratings. Furthermore, stress increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure responses, but significant increases in salivary cortisol were only observed in the alcohol cue condition.

Conclusions: Although both stress and alcohol cues produce increases in anxiety associated with alcohol craving, each produced a dissociable psychobiological state involving subjective emotional, cardiovascular, and cortisol responses. These data could have significant implications for understanding the specific psychobiology associated with stress or alcohol cue exposure and their potential effects on alcohol relapse susceptibility.
Models for Circular–Linear and Circular–Circular Data Constructed from Circular Distributions Based on Nonnegative Trigonometric Sums
Authors: Fernández‐Durán J. J.
Published: January 2007

SummaryJohnson and Wehrly(1978,Journal of the American Statistical Association73,602–606) andWehrly and Johnson(1980,Biometrika67,255–256) show one way to construct the joint distribution of a circular and a linear random variable, or the joint distribution of a pair of circular random variables from their marginal distributions and the density of a circular random variable, which in this article is referred to as joining circular density. To construct flexible models, it is necessary that the joining circular density be able to present multimodality and/or skewness in order to model different dependence patterns.Fernández‐Durán(2004,Biometrics60,499–503) constructed circular distributions based on nonnegative trigonometric sums that can present multimodality and/or skewness. Furthermore, they can be conveniently used as a model for circular–linear or circular–circular joint distributions. In the current work, joint distributions for circular–linear and circular–circular data constructed from circular distributions based on nonnegative trigonometric sums are presented and applied to two data sets, one for circular–linear data related to the air pollution patterns in Mexico City and the other for circular–circular data related to the pair of dihedral angles between consecutive amino acids in a protein.
Hierarchical Spatiotemporal Matrix Models for Characterizing Invasions
Authors: Hooten Mevin B. , Wikle Christopher K. , Dorazio Robert M. , Royle J. Andrew
Published: January 2007

SummaryThe growth and dispersal of biotic organisms is an important subject in ecology. Ecologists are able to accurately describe survival and fecundity in plant and animal populations and have developed quantitative approaches to study the dynamics of dispersal and population size. Of particular interest are the dynamics of invasive species. Such nonindigenous animals and plants can levy significant impacts on native biotic communities. Effective models for relative abundance have been developed; however, a better understanding of the dynamics of actual population size (as opposed to relative abundance) in an invasion would be beneficial to all branches of ecology. In this article, we adopt a hierarchical Bayesian framework for modeling the invasion of such species while addressing the discrete nature of the data and uncertainty associated with the probability of detection. The nonlinear dynamics between discrete time points are intuitively modeled through an embedded deterministic population model with density‐dependent growth and dispersal components. Additionally, we illustrate the importance of accommodating spatially varying dispersal rates. The method is applied to the specific case of the Eurasian Collared‐Dove, an invasive species at mid‐invasion in the United States at the time of this writing.
A Modified Pseudolikelihood Approach for Analysis of Longitudinal Data
Authors: Wang You‐Gan , Zhao Yuning
Published: January 2007

SummaryWe consider the analysis of longitudinal data when the covariance function is modeled by additional parameters to the mean parameters. In general, inconsistent estimators of the covariance (variance/correlation) parameters will be produced when the “working” correlation matrix is misspecified, which may result in great loss of efficiency of the mean parameter estimators (albeit the consistency is preserved). We consider using different “working” correlation models for the variance and the mean parameters. In particular, we find that an independence working model should be used for estimating the variance parameters to ensure their consistency in case the correlation structure is misspecified. The designated “working” correlation matrices should be used for estimating the mean and the correlation parameters to attain high efficiency for estimating the mean parameters. Simulation studies indicate that the proposed algorithm performs very well. We also applied different estimation procedures to a data set from a clinical trial for illustration.
Marginal Analysis of Correlated Failure Time Data with Informative Cluster Sizes
Authors: Cong Xiuyu J. , Yin Guosheng , Shen Yu
Published: January 2007

Summary We consider modeling correlated survival data when cluster sizes may be informative to the outcome of interest based on a within‐cluster resampling (WCR) approach and a weighted score function (WSF) method. We derive the large sample properties for the WCR estimators under the Cox proportional hazards model. We establish consistency and asymptotic normality of the regression coefficient estimators, and the weak convergence property of the estimated baseline cumulative hazard function. The WSF method is to incorporate the inverse of cluster sizes as weights in the score function. We conduct simulation studies to assess and compare the finite‐sample behaviors of the estimators and apply the proposed methods to a dental study as an illustration.
The effect of gender on emotion perception in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
Authors: Vaskinn A. , Sundet K. , Friis S. , Simonsen C. , Birkenæs A. B. , Engh J. A. , Jónsdóttir H. , Ringen P. A. , Opjordsmoen S. , Andreassen O. A.
Published: January 2007

Objective:  Impaired emotion perception is documented for schizophrenia, but findings have been mixed for bipolar disorder. In healthy samples females perform better than males. This study compared emotion perception in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and investigated the effects of gender.

Method:  Visual (facial pictures) and auditory (sentences) emotional stimuli were presented for identification and discrimination in groups of participants with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and healthy controls.

Results:  Visual emotion perception was unimpaired in both clinical groups, but the schizophrenia sample showed reduced auditory emotion perception. Healthy males and male schizophrenia subjects performed worse than their female counterparts, whereas there were no gender differences within the bipolar group.

Conclusion:  A disease‐specific auditory emotion processing deficit was confirmed in schizophrenia, especially for males. Participants with bipolar disorder performed unimpaired.
C‐reactive protein promotes monocyte–platelet aggregation: an additional link to the inflammatory‐thrombotic intricacy
Authors: Danenberg Haim D. , Kantak Neelesh , Grad Etty , Swaminathan Rajesh V. , Lotan Chaim , Edelman Elazer R.
Published: January 2007

Introduction: C‐reactive protein (CRP) is a risk marker for cardiovascular events in humans with pro‐thrombotic activities in men and mice. Formation of monocyte–platelet aggregates (MPAs) in the blood correlates with acute cardiovascular disease and provides a possible inflammatory‐thrombotic link. We investigated the effect of CRP on MPA ex vivo and in vivo. Methods and results: Monocyte–platelet aggregation was examined by flow cytometry with dual‐labeling for monocytes and platelets. Incubation of human blood with rhCRP doubled MPA formation. CRP‐induced MPA formation is calcium and P‐selectin dependent. Blocking antibodies to the Fc gamma receptor II had no significant effect on MPA formation. Similar effects were noted in transgenic mice, which express the human CRP gene (CRPtg). Constitutive monocyte counts and MPA levels were similar in wild‐type and CRPtg mice. Lipopolysaccharide injection more than fourfold increased monocyte levels in wildtype and CRPtg mice, and preferentially increased MPA in CRPtg compared with wildtype mice. Conclusions: CRP promotes MPAtion ex vivo and in vivo. CRP‐induced aggregation is calcium‐dependent and mediated via P‐selectin glycoprotein ligand‐1 binding. Our results suggest an inflammatory‐thrombotic link that is regulated by high levels of CRP. This relationship provides a potential mechanism for CRP's thrombogenic effects and a potential therapeutic target for future intervention.
Regulatory T‐cell phenotype in association with large cell transformation of mycosis fungoides
Authors: Hallermann Christian , Niermann Christoph , Schulze Hans‐Joachim
Published: January 2007

Introduction: Tumor cells of primary cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas are able to adopt a regulatory T‐cell phenotype in vitro. The significance of this finding in vivo is matter of debate. Methods: We stained five cases with transformed mycosis fungoides (MF) with an antibody against FOXP3, which is a sensitive and specific marker for the regulatory T‐cell phenotype. Results: Transformed T cells in four of five patients with MF stained positive for FOXP3. One patient who showed no CD30 expression of large transformed T cells was also negative for FOXP3. Comparison of plaques and tumors in one patient showed that FOXP3 and CD30 expression was exclusively observed in large transformed tumor cells whereas malignant T cells without large cell transformation were negative. Conclusion: Transformation of MF to high grade lymphoma may be associated with the adoption of a regulatory T‐cell phenotype. FOXP3 expression may contribute to aggressive behavior of MF after large cell transformation via immune escape mechanism. The significance of this observation is limited by the low case number in this study.
Provisional Restorations for Optimizing Esthetics in Anterior Maxillary Implants: A Case Report
Authors: Kourtis Stefanos , Psarri Christina , Andritsakis Panagiotis , Doukoudakis Asterios
Published: January 2007

The use of implants for the restoration of anterior missing teeth has been established and documented during the past years. However, the use of dental implants in the anterior region is a technique‐sensitive procedure. The placement of implants in an ideal position is often not possible because of the lack of sufficient bone. The clinical situation can be further complicated if the teeth were lost as a result of trauma and there is possible damage to the surrounding soft and hard tissues. The restoration of lost anterior teeth and maintenance of the surrounding soft tissues with adequate surgical and prosthetic techniques are a real challenge for the clinician. The aim of this article was to report the laboratory and clinical stages in the restoration of anterior maxillary teeth, which were lost as a result of trauma with implant‐supported fixed partial denture. In this case, an intraoperative transfer of the impression posts allowed the construction of provisional restorations, which were inserted at implant uncoverage surgery and contributed significantly to the creation of a better emergence profile and to the final esthetic result.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Provisional restorations are an important stage in anterior maxillary implants, allowing guided soft tissue management and creating an esthetic emergence profile.
EFFECT OF CARBON MONOXIDE AND HIGH OXYGEN MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKAGING (MAP) ON QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF BEEF STRIP STEAKS
Authors: STETZER A.J. , WICKLUND R.A. , PAULSON D.D. , TUCKER E.M. , MACFARLANE B.J. , BREWER M.S.
Published: January 2007

Carbon monoxide (CO), recently approved as a modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) gas, has the potential to extend color shelf life in case‐ready beef. The objective was to determine how CO versus traditional high oxygen MAP treatments affect beef quality. Strip loins were enhanced with a commercial phosphate–salt solution. Steaks were cut, packaged in atmospheres containing either 0.4% CO/30% CO2/69.6% N2 (HiOx) or 80% O2/20% CO2 (HiOx), aged in the dark for 12 and 26 days, and placed in a lighted retail display case. Steaks were visually evaluated by trained panelists using a 7‐point color scale and a 5‐point surface sheen scale. On days 14 and 28, packages were opened, and steaks were cooked for consumer evaluation. Cooked steaks were cut through for internal cooked color evaluation. Results indicate that CO had no effect on flavor or acceptability and minimal effects on other characteristics, such as color, sheen and purge loss. If the CO environment provides microbiological stability through 28 days, it can be expected that the raw product appearance will not differ from steaks in traditional HiOx packaging.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

To prevent surface browning, which occurs over time due to high oxygen environments, carbon monoxide (CO) can be used in modified atmosphere packaged (MAP) fresh beef because it binds very strongly to the meat pigment myoglobin, allowing it to maintain its bright red color and extending its shelf life. Strip loin steaks were packaged in high oxygen MAP or high oxygen plus CO packaging then evaluated by a panel of 100 consumers after 14 and 28 days of storage. CO had some effect on raw color, surface sheen and interior cooked color compared to the high oxygen atmosphere when steaks were evaluated after 14 days. CO had no effect on flavor or acceptability and only minimal effects on other characteristics. Use of this recently approved MAP gas can extend the color shelf life of beef.
A MODIFIED MEAT JUICE CONTAINER (EZ‐DRIPLOSS) PROCEDURE FOR A MORE RELIABLE ASSESSMENT OF DRIP LOSS AND RELATED QUALITY CHANGES IN PORK MEAT
Authors: CORREA J.A. , MÉTHOT S. , FAUCITANO L.
Published: January 2007

The objective of this study was to assess the efficiency of a modified sample handling technique within the “meat juice container (EZ‐DripLoss)” method for drip loss (DL) assessment. To this end, samples were stored for 48 h and dabbed prior to recording sample weight loss after storage instead of being stored for 24 h and nondabbed as recommended in the conventional EZ‐DripLoss method. Ninety‐six pork m. longissimus samples were used. DL value for dabbed samples was higher (P < 0.0001) at both storage time compared with nondabbed samples. Highest correlations were observed between DL and electrical conductivity (r = 0.76) and the lowest with pHu (r = −0.37) in dabbed samples at 48‐h storage time. Highest correlations between DL and subjective color and light reflectance value (r = −0.59 and 0.67, respectively) were found in dabbed samples after 24‐h storage. Longer storage time and sample dabbing improved the reliability of the EZ‐DripLoss methodology for the DL assessment and overall pork quality evaluation.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The EZ‐DripLoss method is included in the routine measurements for pork quality evaluation in several plants in North America. However, the official methodology is questionable due to the short storage time and inaccurate sample handling. Based on the higher correlations with other important quality traits and the more accurate distribution of ioins through the quality classes according to the drip loss value, the modified EZ‐DripLoss method proposed in this paper will allow the users to implement an effective drip loss assessment and overall pork quality prediction both at the cutting plant and at the laboratory.
EFFECTS OF LOW VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL STIMULATION AND CHILLING METHODS ON QUALITY TRAITS OF PORK M. LONGISSIMUS LUMBORUM
Authors: ZHANG WEN HONG , PENG ZENG QI , ZHOU GUANG HONG , XU XING LIAN , WU JU QING
Published: January 2007

The effects of low voltage electrical stimulation and chilling methods on the quality aspects of pork carcasses were evaluated in this study. A total of 16 pigs (Long white × Huainan) were randomly allocated immediately prior to slaughter to two groups: low voltage electrically stimulated (LVES or ES) or nonstimulated (NS). Carcasses were split before cooling. Each side of the carcass was then randomly allocated to either conventional chilling or blast chilling. Results showed that LVES increased the rate of muscle pH decline in the early time postmortem and accelerated the onset of rigor. But LVES with conventional chilling had disadvantageous effects on water‐holding capacity (WHC), Warner‐Bratalor shear forces and lightness of meat color. However, LVES combined with blast chilling can avoid this disadvantage. And blast chilling achieved low internal muscle temperature faster than with conventional chilling and delayed the rate of muscle pH decline. Furthermore, blast chilling increased WHC of pork without risk of cold toughing. The disadvantageous effect of LVES on pork quality can be equalized by the advantageous effect of blast chilling. Therefore, it is desirable for commercial pig abattoirs to apply blast chilling, or low voltage electrical stimulation combined with blast chilling for rapid processing without compromising meat quality.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

There are many pork quality characteristics (i.e., appearance, texture and flavors as well as tenderness, juiciness and other subjective characteristics) that attract consumer attention. Among these, the water‐holding capacity of the pork, color and tenderness are considered the most important quality characteristics. Postmortem treatments involved with the postmortem biochemical process influence pork qualities. Therefore, investigations into the effects of electrical stimulation of pig carcasses, chilling methods, suspension and their combinations on pork qualities should be prerequisites for improving pork qualities.
Skilled digit movements in feline and primate – recovery after selective spinal cord lesions
Authors: Pettersson L‐G. , Alstermark B. , Blagovechtchenski E. , Isa T. , Sasaski S.
Published: January 2007

Recovery of voluntary movements after partial spinal cord injury depends, in part, on a take‐over of function via unlesioned pathways. Using precise forelimb movements in the cat as model, spinal pathways contributing to motor restitution have been investigated in more detail. The food‐taking movement by which the cat graSPS a morsel of food with the digits and brings it to the mouth is governed by interneurones in the forelimb segments (C6‐Th1) and is normally controlled via the cortico‐ and rubrospinal tracts. Food‐taking disappears after transection of these pathways in the dorsal part of the lateral funiculus (DLF) in C5/C6, but then recovers during a period of 2–3 weeks. Experiments with double lesions showed that the recovery depends on a take‐over via ipsilateral ventral systems; a ventrally descending pathway, most probably cortico‐reticulospinal, and a pathway via propriospinal neurones in the C3–C4 segments. It is postulated that the recovery involves a plastic reorganization of these systems. Dexterous finger movements in the macaque monkey are generally considered to depend on the monosynaptic cortico‐motoneuronal (CM) connexion, which is lacking in the cat. Such movements are abolished after pyramidotomy at the level of the trapezoid body. However, experiments with transection of the corticospinal tract in the DLF and partly ventral part of the lateral funiculus in C5, showed a fast (1–28 days) recovery of precision grip and, to some extent, independent finger movements. Deficits in preshaping during the final approach to the morsel as well as lack of force were observed. A C5 DLF lesion spares corticofugal pathways to the brainstem and upper cervical segments. It is suggested that indirect corticomotoneuronal pathways may provide for recovery of dexterous finger movements and that the role of CM pathways for such movements should be broadened to include not only the monosynaptic connexion.