bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An elastic Van Gieson stain is unnecessary for the histological diagnosis of giant cell temporal arteritis: Table 1
Authors: Foss Fiona , Brown Laurence
Published: October 2010

Background

Elastic Van Gieson (EVG) stain is used routinely to identify the internal elastic lamina in biopsy specimens from clinically suspected cases of giant cell arteritis (GCA). It is widely recognised, however, that disruption of the internal elastic lamina is not specific for GCA. Evidence suggests that routine use of special stains in temporal artery biopsies does not increase diagnostic sensitivity and current American College of Rheumatology guidelines do not include structural changes to the vessel wall in their recommended diagnostic criteria.

Objective

To assess whether use of EVG stain contributes to the diagnosis of GCA, compared with standard H&E stained sections alone.

Methods

A retrospective case series of 105 temporal artery biopsies positive for GCA between 1999 and 2009 were retrieved and reviewed histologically. Comparable diagnostic information was extracted from reports for 406 negative biopsies over the same period.

Results

Review of H&E stained sections showed diagnostic features of GCA in 97.2% (n=102) of positive cases. Disruption or reduplication of the internal elastic lamina was apparent in 96.1% (n=101) of EVG stained sections, but was also reported as present in nearly two-thirds of negative biopsies.

Conclusions

An EVG stain does not contribute to recognition of diagnostic features in a majority of cases and should therefore be reserved for use as a supplementary investigation. Inclusion of pre-biopsy treatment on histology request forms would assist in the interpretation of equivocal biopsies.
If I were a rich man could I sell a pancreas? A study in the locus of oppression
Authors: Epstein M
Published: October 2010

Dan Brock argues that since the unexploitable rich could sell their kidneys too, exploitation could not be an essential feature of organ vending. This paper takes his claim as the point of departure for a discussion on the locus of organ vending-associated oppression. While it accepts Brock's conclusion, it explores the possibility that such oppression is invariably found ratheroutsidethe sphere of exchange. It then analyses the implications of this possibility for the discourse surrounding the ethics of organ vending.
Embolic protection devices and the Penumbra 054 catheter: utility in tandem occlusions in acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Hui Ferdinand K , Hussain Muhammad S , Elgabaly Mohamed H , Sivapatham Thinesh , Katzan Irene L , Spiotta Alejandro M
Published: October 2010

Background

Tandem proximal and distal occlusions in the setting of an acute stroke are therapeutic challenges. Treating either lesion first has its respective shortcomings. An approach is described which may lessen the probability of distal embolic events during emergency carotid angioplasty and stenting during an acute stroke, and simplify access to both a distal and proximal lesion.

Clinical presentation

A 58-year-old man presented with waxing and waning neurological examination with an NIH Stroke Scale varying from 4 to 21. CT angiography demonstrated a left internal carotid artery occlusion at its origin and a left middle cerebral artery occlusion. The CT scan failed to demonstrate significant ischemic changes so the patient was brought to angiography for treatment under conscious sedation.

Intervention

Triaxial access into the distal middle cerebral artery was achieved followed by brief aspiration and clot maceration by opening the vessel completely. An embolic protection device was deployed through the intermediate catheter which was subsequently removed. Stenting and angioplasty were then performed, followed by removal of the embolic protection device which had visibly trapped debris.

Conclusion

Embolic protection devices may have a role in the emergency treatment of proximal occlusions in the setting of an acute ischemic stroke. Safe deployment through an occluded vessel may be assisted by use of an intermediate catheter. The Penumbra 054 catheter may be used both to aspirate the distal thrombus and to house the embolic protection device as it is advanced past a proximal occlusion.
Considerations of circadian impact for defining ‘shift work’ in cancer studies: IARC Working Group Report
Authors: Stevens Richard G , Hansen Johnni , Costa Giovanni , Haus Erhard , Kauppinen Timo , Aronson Kristan J , Castaño-Vinyals Gemma , Davis Scott , Frings-Dresen Monique H W , Fritschi Lin , Kogevinas Manolis , Kogi Kazutaka , Lie Jenny-Anne , Lowden Arne , Peplonska Beata , Pesch Beate , Pukkala Eero , Schernhammer Eva , Travis Ruth C , Vermeulen Roel , Zheng Tongzhang , Cogliano Vincent , Straif Kurt
Published: October 2010

Based on the idea that electric light at night might account for a portion of the high and rising risk of breast cancer worldwide, it was predicted long ago that women working a non-day shift would be at higher risk compared with day-working women. This hypothesis has been extended more recently to prostate cancer. On the basis of limited human evidence and sufficient evidence in experimental animals, in 2007 the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified ‘shift work that involves circadian disruption’ as a probable human carcinogen, group 2A. A limitation of the epidemiological studies carried out to date is in the definition of ‘shift work.’ IARC convened a workshop in April 2009 to consider how ‘shift work’ should be assessed and what domains of occupational history need to be quantified for more valid studies of shift work and cancer in the future. The working group identified several major domains of non-day shifts and shift schedules that should be captured in future studies: (1) shift system (start time of shift, number of hours per day, rotating or permanent, speed and direction of a rotating system, regular or irregular); (2) years on a particular non-day shift schedule (and cumulative exposure to the shift system over the subject's working life); and (3) shift intensity (time off between successive work days on the shift schedule). The group also recognised that for further domains to be identified, more research needs to be conducted on the impact of various shift schedules and routines on physiological and circadian rhythms of workers in real-world environments.
Republished paper: Assessment of doctors' consultation skills in the paediatric setting: the Paediatric Consultation Assessment Tool
Authors: Howells R J , Davies H A , Silverman J D , Archer J C , Mellon A F
Published: October 2010

Objective

To determine the utility of a novel Paediatric Consultation Assessment Tool (PCAT).

Design

Developed to measure clinicians' communication behaviour with children and their parents/guardian, PCAT was designed according to consensus guidelines and refined at a number of stages. Volunteer clinicians provided videotaped real consultations. Assessors were trained to score communication skills using PCAT, a novel rating scale.

Setting

Eight UK paediatric units.

Participants

19 paediatricians collected video-recorded material; a second cohort of 17 clinicians rated the videos.

Main outcome measures

Itemised and aggregated scores were analysed (means and 95% confidence intervals) to determine measurement characteristics and relationship to patient, consultation, clinician and assessor attributes; generalisability coefficient of aggregate score; factor analysis of items; comparison of scores between groups of patients, consultations, clinicians and assessors.

Results

188 complete consultations were analysed (median per doctor = 10). 3 videos marked by any trained assessor are needed to reliably (r>0.8) assess a doctor’s triadic consultation skills using PCAT, 4 to assess communication with just children or parents. Performance maps to two factors – “clinical skills” and “communication behaviour”; clinicians score more highly on the former (mean (SD) 95% CI 0.52 (0.075)). There were significant differences in scores for the same skills applied to parent and child, especially between the ages of 2 and 10 years, and for information-sharing rather than relationshipbuilding skills (2-tailed significance <0.001).

Conclusions

The PCAT appears to be reliable, valid and feasible for the assessment of triadic consultation skills by direct observation.
Design of dynamic compaction
Authors: Poran Chaim J. , Rodriguez Jorge A.
Published: October 2010

In recent years dynamic compaction (DC) has become a popular method for deep improvement of loose cohesionless soils and man-made fills of disposed waste and rubble. One of the main problems facing design engineers and contractors is the assessment of the number of tamper drops, grid spacing, and layout of passes required to attain satisfactory improvement depth in the soil strata. Many DC sites have irregular subsurface conditions where it is difficult to interpret results from site exploration and verification tests. The industry has long been using a simple relationship to estimate the depth of improvement (influence depth). The estimates obtained from that empirical method may vary considerably and in many cases may be rendered useless for DC design. The paper describes a new, rational, and more comprehensive DC design method based on results from an extensive experimental model study of impact response in dry sand. Analysis of normalized impact energy and the resulting densification in the sand in terms of normalized dimensions of volumetric strain contours shows unique correlations that are used for the proposed design method for dynamic compaction in unsaturated sandy soils. Data from several DC sites fit well with the new method. With future studies of field results the proposed approach could eventually be calibrated and used for other types of soil conditions. Key words : dynamic compaction, design, impact, sandy soil, energy, plastic strains
Stiffness and strength changes in cohesionless soils due to disturbance
Authors: Thomann Thomas G. , Hryciw Roman D.
Published: October 2010

A laboratory and field study of stiffness and strength changes to cohesionless soils due to disturbance has been performed. Laboratory samples were tested in a resonant column torsional shear device. The magnitude of the stiffness loss in laboratory samples was found to be primarily a function of the imposed shear strain amplitude. The time for the stiffness to regain values prior to disturbance also appears to be controlled by the shear strain amplitude. In field tests, decreases in soil strength and stiffness were observed following an explosive detonation in a partially saturated, medium-dense sand. Although there were no measured changes in the soil density, the ground surface elevation, and the dilatometer horizontal stress index, the cone tip resistance and shear wave velocity decreased noticeably. Subsequent time-dependent increases in penetration resistance were observed; however, at certain locations, the increases were not large enough to offset the initial decreases. Comparisons are made between changes in the laboratory and field stiffness values following disturbance, and possible explanations for the behavior are presented. Key words : soil dynamics, disturbance, shear strain amplitude, in situ testing, shear modulus, time effects.
MODULI SPACES OF G2MANIFOLDS
Authors: GRIGORIAN SERGEY
Published: October 2010

This paper is a review of current developments in the study of moduli spaces of G2manifolds. G2manifolds are seven-dimensional manifolds with the exceptional holonomy group G2. Although they are odd-dimensional, in many ways they can be considered as an analogue of Calabi–Yau manifolds in seven dimensions. They play an important role in physics as natural candidates for supersymmetric vacuum solutions of M-theory compactifications. Despite the physical motivation, many of the results are of purely mathematical interest. Here we cover the basics of G2manifolds, local deformation theory of G2structures and the local geometry of the moduli spaces of G2structures.
Thermal and burial history modelling in the Midlothian-Leven syncline in the Midland Valley of Scotland using BasinMod and HotPot
Authors: Vincent C. J. , Rowley W. J. , Monaghan A. A.
Published: October 2010

Synopsis

Basin subsidence and thermal history models of the eastern part of the Midland Valley of Scotland have been constructed to characterize the development of the Midlothian-Leven synclinal basin from the mid Mississippian to the present day. Two modelling programs were used: BasinMod and HotPot. BasinMod models are based on thermal maturity at borehole sites; HotPot models operate on stacks of 2D layer grids using a mechanical compaction method. The thermal and burial history modelling indicates up to 1.9 km of additional burial of Carboniferous strata compared to present day levels: up to 660 m deposited by the end of the Carboniferous period, subsequently removed by Variscan uplift and erosion, followed by up to 1.9 km of burial by sedimentary rocks deposited during the Permian to the Palaeogene periods. Temperatures greater than 130 °C were reached by the most deeply buried Carboniferous sedimentary rocks. Mississippian (Lower Carboniferous) rocks reached the oil generation window during the mid Carboniferous, with Pennsylvanian (Upper Carboniferous) rocks reaching the oil generation window during the Cretaceous. Sedimentation rates were of 0.03–0.63 m ka
−1
(metres per thousand years) with changes in the rate and the positions of depocentres consistent with both extensional and strike-slip basin formation.
A hazardous channelized debris flow in Glen Ogle, Stirlingshire
Authors: Milne F. D. , Brown M. J. , Werritty A.
Published: October 2010

Synopsis

On 18 August 2004 an intense rainstorm generated 31 debris flows in Glen Ogle, Stirlingshire. Two channelized debris flows traversed the A85 trunk road trapping 20 vehicles and resulting in the helicopter airlift rescue of 57 motorists and passengers. The failure zone of the largest of these debris flows occurred within a shallow hillslope depression highlighting the importance of topographic controls on hillslope hydrology and connectivity between open hillslopes and stream channels for the generation of channelized debris flows. Five years after the 2004 event, channel sediment recharge from localized slumping and slope wash on over-steepened gully walls was observed. Sediment recharge is negligible in comparison to the abundant boulder and cobble sized channel lag deposits from the 2004 debris flow. But the abundance of coarse debris within the channel and the potential for instability in gully walls and on the adjacent hillslope indicate that the gully retains a residual susceptibility to the occurrence of hazardous accumulative channelized debris flow. It is suggested that the geohazard should be mitigated by increasing culvert capacity to allow the safe passage of future debris flows under the road.
Green Consumption: Behavior and Norms
Authors: Peattie Ken
Published: October 2010

Developing more environmentally sustainable consumption and production systems depends upon consumers' willingness to engage in “greener” consumption behaviors. Research efforts have sought to identify, analyze, and understand the “green consumer.” Initial marketing and economics research, focusing on purchasing activities, has been complemented by research from fields such as industrial ecology and sociology, providing a more holistic picture of green consumption as a process. Much of the research has focused on areas with the greatest environmental impacts, namely peoples' homes and household management, their food choices and behaviors, and their transport behaviors for work, leisure, and travel. The emerging picture of green consumption is of a process that is strongly influenced by consumer values, norms, and habits, yet is highly complex, diverse, and context dependent. There are opportunities for future research that provides greater interdisciplinarity and challenges our assumptions and expectations about consumption and the nature of the consumer society.
Invasive Species, Environmental Change and Management, and Health
Authors: Pyšek Petr , Richardson David M.
Published: October 2010

Invasive species are a major element of global change and are contributing to biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and impairment of ecosystem services worldwide. Research is shedding new light on the ecological and economic consequences of invasions. New approaches are emerging for describing and evaluating impacts of invasive species, and for translating these impacts into monetary terms. The harmful effects of invasions are now widely recognized, and multiscale programs are in place in many parts of the world to reduce current and future impacts. There has been an upsurge in scientific research aimed at guiding management interventions. Among the activities that are receiving the most attention and that have the most promise for reducing problems are risk assessment, pathway and vector management, early detection, rapid response, and new approaches to mitigation and restoration. Screening protocols to reduce new introductions are becoming more accurate and have been shown cost-effective.
The Color Glass Condensate
Authors: Gelis Francois , Iancu Edmond , Jalilian-Marian Jamal , Venugopalan Raju
Published: October 2010

We provide a broad overview of the theoretical status and phenomenological applications of the color glass condensate effective field theory, which describes universal properties of saturated gluons in hadron wave functions that are extracted from deep-inelastic scattering and hadron-hadron collision experiments at high energies.
Efimov States in Nuclear and Particle Physics
Authors: Hammer Hans-Werner , Platter Lucas
Published: October 2010

Particles with resonant short-range interactions have universal properties that do not depend on the details of their structure or their interactions at short distances. In the three-body system, these properties include the existence of a geometric spectrum of three-body Efimov states and a discrete scaling symmetry, which leads to log-periodic dependence of observables on the scattering length. Similar universal properties appear in the four-body system and possibly higher-body systems as well. For example, universal four-body states have recently been predicted and observed in experiments. These phenomena are often referred to as Efimov physics. We review their theoretical description and discuss applications in different areas of physics with a special emphasis on nuclear and particle physics.
The Construction and Anticipated Science of SNOLAB
Authors: Duncan F. , Noble A.J. , Sinclair D.
Published: October 2010

A new laboratory for astroparticle physics has been created in the Creighton Mine near Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. The laboratory is located at a great depth to provide shielding from the cosmic-ray backgrounds, and it has been constructed as a clean room to protect experiments from radioactive dust contamination. In this review, we discuss the motivation for the establishment of the laboratory and the design and construction process. We also introduce the initial suite of experiments.
Acute in vitro hypoxia and high-altitude (4,559 m) exposure decreases leukocyte oxygen consumption
Authors: Faoro Vitalie , Fink Bruno , Taudorf Sarah , Dehnert Christoph , Berger Marc M. , Swenson Erik R. , Bailey Damian M. , Bärtsch Peter , Mairbäurl Heimo
Published: October 2010

Hypoxia impairs metabolic functions by decreasing activity and expression of ATP-consuming processes. To separate hypoxia from systemic effects, we tested whether hypoxia at high altitude affects basal and PMA-stimulated leukocyte metabolism and how this compares to acute (15 min) and 24 h of in vitro hypoxia. Leukocytes were prepared at low altitude and ∼24 h after arrival at 4559 m. Mitochondrial oxygen consumption (JO2) was measured by respirometry, oxygen radicals by electron spin resonance spectroscopy, both at a Po2= 100 mmHg (JO2,100) and 20 mmHg (JO2,20). Acute hypoxia of leukocytes decreased JO2at low altitude. Exposure to high altitude decreased JO2,100, whereas JO2,20was not affected. Acute hypoxia of low-altitude samples decreased the activity of complexes I, II, and III. At high altitude, activity of complexes I and III were decreased when measured in normoxia. Stimulation of leukocytes with PMA increased JO2,100at low (twofold) and high altitude (five-fold). At both locations, PMA-stimulated JO2was decreased by acute hypoxia. Basal and PMA-stimulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were unchanged at high altitude. Separate in vitro experiments performed at low altitude show that ∼75% of PMA-induced increase in JO2was due to increased extra-mitochondrial JO2(JO2,res; in the presence of rotenone and antimycin A). JO2,reswas doubled by PMA. Acute hypoxia decreased basal JO2,resby ∼70% and PMA-stimulated JO2,resby about 50% in cells cultured in normoxia and hypoxia (1.5% O2; 24 h). Conversely, 24 h in vitro hypoxia decreased mitochondrial JO2,100and JO2,20, extra-mitochondrial, basal, and PMA-stimulated JO2were not affected. These results show that 24 h of high altitude but not 24 h in vitro hypoxia decreased basal leukocyte metabolism, whereas PMA-induced JO2and ROS formation were not affected, indicating that prolonged high-altitude hypoxia impairs mitochondrial metabolism but does not impair respiratory burst. In contrast, acute hypoxia impairs respiratory burst at either altitude.
Hindbrain noradrenergic A2 neurons: diverse roles in autonomic, endocrine, cognitive, and behavioral functions
Authors: Rinaman Linda
Published: October 2010

Central noradrenergic (NA) signaling is broadly implicated in behavioral and physiological processes related to attention, arousal, motivation, learning and memory, and homeostasis. This review focuses on the A2 cell group of NA neurons, located within the hindbrain dorsal vagal complex (DVC). The intra-DVC location of A2 neurons supports their role in vagal sensory-motor reflex arcs and visceral motor outflow. A2 neurons also are reciprocally connected with multiple brain stem, hypothalamic, and limbic forebrain regions. The extra-DVC connections of A2 neurons provide a route through which emotional and cognitive events can modulate visceral motor outflow and also a route through which interoceptive feedback from the body can impact hypothalamic functions as well as emotional and cognitive processing. This review considers some of the hallmark anatomical and chemical features of A2 neurons, followed by presentation of evidence supporting a role for A2 neurons in modulating food intake, affective behavior, behavioral and physiological stress responses, emotional learning, and drug dependence. Increased knowledge about the organization and function of the A2 cell group and the neural circuits in which A2 neurons participate should contribute to a better understanding of how the brain orchestrates adaptive responses to the various threats and opportunities of life and should further reveal the central underpinnings of stress-related physiological and emotional dysregulation.
Quadriceps metabolism during constant workrate cycling exercise in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Saey Didier , Lemire Bruno B. , Gagnon Philippe , Bombardier Éric , Tupling A. Russell , Debigaré Richard , Côté Claude H. , Maltais François
Published: October 2010

Impaired resting metabolism in peripheral muscles potentially contributes to exercise intolerance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study investigated the cytosolic energy metabolism of the quadriceps, from glycogen degradation to lactate accumulation, in exercising patients with COPD, in comparison to healthy controls. We measured, in 12 patients with COPD and 10 control subjects, resting and post-cycling exercise quadriceps levels of 1) energy substrates and end products of glycolysis (glycogen, glucose, pyruvate, and lactate) and intermediate markers of glycolysis (glucose-6-phosphate, glucose-1-phosphate, fructose-6-phosphate) and 2) the activity of key enzymes involved in the regulation of glycolysis (phosphofructokinase, lactate dehydrogenase). Exercise intensity ( P < 0.01), duration ( P = 0.049), and total work ( P < 0.01) were reduced in patients with COPD. The variations in energy substrates and end products of glycolysis after cycling exercise were of similar magnitude in patients with COPD and controls. Glucose-6-phosphate ( P = 0.036) and fructose-6-phosphate ( P = 0.042) were significantly elevated in patients with COPD after exercise. Phosphofructokinase ( P < 0.01) and lactate dehydrogenase ( P = 0.02) activities were greater in COPD. Muscle glycogen utilization ( P = 0.022) and lactate accumulation ( P = 0.025) per unit of work were greater in COPD. We conclude that cycling exercise induced changes in quadriceps metabolism in patients with COPD that were of similar magnitude to those of healthy controls. These intramuscular events required a much lower exercise work load and time to occur in COPD. Our data suggest a greater reliance on glycolysis during exercise in COPD, which may contribute to exercise intolerance in COPD.
Movement of the human upper airway during inspiration with and without inspiratory resistive loading
Authors: Cheng S. , Butler J. E. , Gandevia S. C. , Bilston L. E.
Published: October 2010

The electromyographic (EMG) activity of human upper airway muscles, particularly the genioglossus, has been widely measured, but the relationship between EMG activity and physical movement of the airway muscles remains unclear. We aimed to measure the motion of the soft tissues surrounding the airway during normal and loaded inspiration on the basis of the hypothesis that this motion would be affected by the addition of resistance to breathing during inspiration. Tagged MR imaging of seven healthy subjects was performed in a 3-T scanner. Tagged 8.6-mm-spaced grids were used, and complementary spatial modulation of magnetization images were acquired beginning ∼200 ms before inspiratory airflow. Deformation of tag line intersections was measured. The genioglossus moved anteriorly during normal and loaded inspiration, with less movement during loaded inspiration. The motion of tissues at the anterior border of the upper airway was nonuniform, with larger motions inferiorly. At the level of the soft palate, the lateral dimension of the airway decreased significantly during loaded inspiration (−0.15 ± 0.09 and −0.48 ± 0.09 mm during unloaded and loaded inspiration, respectively, P < 0.05). When resistance to inspiratory flow was added, genioglossus motion and lateral dimensions of the airway at the level of the soft palate decreased. Our results suggest that genioglossus motion begins early to dilate the airway prior to airflow and that inspiratory loading reduces the anterior motion of the genioglossus and increases the collapse of the lateral airway walls at the level of the soft palate.
Novel serum biomarkers for erythropoietin use in humans: a proteomic approach
Authors: Christensen Britt , Sackmann-Sala Lucila , Cruz-Topete Diana , Jørgensen Jens Otto L. , Jessen Niels , Lundby Carsten , Kopchick John J.
Published: October 2010

Erythropoietin (Epo) is produced primarily in the kidneys upon low blood oxygen availability and stimulates erythropoiesis in the bone marrow. Recombinant human Epo (rHuEpo), a drug developed to increase arterial oxygen content in patients, is also illicitly used by athletes to improve their endurance performance. Therefore, a robust and sensitive test to detect its abuse is needed. The aim of the present study was to investigate potential human serum biomarkers of Epo abuse employing a proteomic approach. Eight healthy male subjects were injected subcutaneously with rHuEpo (5,000 IU) every second day for a 16-day period. Serum was collected before starting the treatment regime and again at days 8 and 16 during the treatment period. Samples were homogenized and proteins separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE). Spots that changed significantly in response to rHuEpo treatment were identified by mass spectrometry. Both the number of reticulocytes and erythrocytes increased throughout the study, leading to a significant increase in hematocrit and hemoglobin content. In addition, transferrin levels increased but the percentage of iron bound to transferrin and ferritin levels decreased. Out of 97 serum proteins, seven were found to decrease significantly at day 16 compared with pre-Epo administration, and were identified as four isoforms of haptoglobin, two isoforms of transferrin, and a mixture of hemopexin and albumin. In support, total serum haptoglobin levels were found to be significantly decreased at both days 8 and 16. Thus a 2DE proteomic approach for discovery of novel markers of Epo action appears feasible.
Inhibition Dominates the Early Phase of Up-States in the Basolateral Amygdala
Authors: Windels Francois , Crane James W. , Sah Pankaj
Published: October 2010

Slow oscillations (<1 Hz) in neural activity occur during sleep and quiet wakefulness in both animals and humans. Single-cell recordings in cortical neurons have shown that these oscillations are driven by a combination of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs. During up-states, although the ratio between them varies between cells, excitation and inhibition follow similar time courses. Neurons in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) also show slow oscillations between the resting membrane potential (down-state) and depolarized potentials (up-states). Delivery of footshock during the down-state fully reproduces up-states in these cells. Here we report that up-states in BLA principal neurons up-states begin with an excitatory drive that is rapidly (within ∼50 ms) overwhelmed by inhibitory input. This excess of inhibitory drive is short lasting (300–400 ms), after which up-states are maintained by a tight balance between excitation and inhibition. This initial large inhibitory input restricts action potential generation and reduces the firing frequency of these cells. These results indicate that, in contrast to cortical neurons, up-states in BLA neurons show an initial period of strong cortically driven feed-forward inhibition. For the remainder of the up-state, feedback inhibition then acts to balance excitatory input.
Li4Ti5O12Heattreated under Nitrogen Ambient with Outstanding Rate Capabilities
Authors: Xu Rui , Li Junrong , Tang Zilong , Zhang Zhongtai
Published: October 2010

The powders of spinel Li4Ti5O12were prepared by heat treating the mixture of rutile TiO2and Li acetate at800∘Cfor 3 h under a nitrogen atmosphere and, for comparison, under air as well. The powders heated underN2show a remarkably higher-rate capability and better cycle stability. The discharge capacity of Li4Ti5O12heated underN2at 19°C (corresponding to a 3.2-minute total discharge) reached 107 mA hg−1, 22 mA hg−1higher than that of Li4Ti5O12heated under air, which was 85 mA hg−1. The former material also shows a much better cycle stability, with no discharge capacity loss after 300 cycles at 6°C or 16.3°C. The results indicate that heat treatment under low-oxygen partial pressure atmosphere such asN2could significantly improve the high-rate performance of spinel Li4Ti5O12.
Expression of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and HER-2 in Pediatric Embryonal Brain Tumors
Authors: Patereli Amalia , Alexiou George A. , Stefanaki Kalliopi , Moschovi Maria , Doussis-Anagnostopoulou Ipatia , Prodromou Neofytos , Karentzou Ourania
Published: October 2010

Background/Aims: Medulloblastomas (MBs), atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (AT/RTs) and central nervous system primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are aggressive embryonal brain neoplasms in children with overlapping histological features but with different pathogenetic pathways. We set out to evaluate the role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), HER-2, Ki-67 and p53 in embryonal tumors. Material and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 36 children with embryonic tumors (27 MBs, 7 AT/RTs and 2 supratentorial PNETs). The immunohistochemical expression of EGFR and HER-2 was correlated to histology, expression of the Ki-67/MIB-1 proliferative index, p53 tumor suppressor oncoprotein and prognosis. Results: High expression of Ki-67 was observed in all MBs being particularly increased (>50%) in 8 cases, while p53 protein was detected in 25/27 MBs showing a high expression in 16 cases. EGFR and HER-2 expression was observed in 10/27 and 17/27 MBs, respectively. High Ki-67/MIB-1 and p53 expression was revealed in all AT/RTs and PNETs, while EGFR and HER-2 were detected in 3/7 and 6/7 AT/RTs, respectively. The 5-year progression-free survival and overall survival were 55.5 and 69.2%, respectively. In MBs, the univariate analysis revealed that the Ki-67 index and male gender were both at a significant level related to the survival of the patient. In multivariate analysis, the Ki-67 index was the only independent predictive variable. Conclusions: The Ki-67 index was identified as a factor with independent prognostic power. EGFR and HER-2 expression is variable in embryonal tumors. HER-2 expression, in a considerable number of MBs and AT/RTs, suggests that HER-2 may be implicated in their pathogenesis representing a potential target for novel therapies.
The Risk of Growing Skull Fractures in Craniofacial Patients
Authors: Keshavarzi Sassan , Meltzer Hal , Cohen Steven R. , Breithaupt Andrew , Ben-Haim Sharona , Newman C. Benjamin , Levy Michael L.
Published: October 2010

Background/Aims: Growing skull fractures (GSFs) are unusual sequelae of head injury in young children which have also been reported to occur after craniofacial procedures complicated by inadvertent durotomy. We reviewed the craniofacial experience in a single institution, detailing 180 cases of craniofacial surgery and suspected dural tears and their relationship to the subsequent development of GSFs. This experience was then compared to that of the pertinent published literature. Methods: A retrospective review of the senior authors’ craniofacial surgical experience from 2000 to 2007 was performed. This was compared to an English-language literature review of GSFs after craniofacial surgery. Results: In our institution, 180 cases of craniofacial surgery (83 open, 97 endoscopic) were performed, with an average follow-up of 23.5 months. Twenty-five patients (15 open, 10 endoscopic surgeries) had operative dural compromise. One of these patients developed a persistent pseudomeningocele requiring reoperation. Twelve cases of GSF after craniofacial surgery were identified in a review of the English-language literature, of which 7 (58%) had coronal suture fusion. Conclusions: While durotomy may occur during craniofacial surgery, the subsequent development of a GSF appears to be an unlikely event with an aggressive intraoperative approach of identification and repair. Coronal craniosynostosis may confer an increased risk for this complication.
Clinical Characteristics of Neonatal Meningomyelocele Cases and Effect of Operation Time on Mortality and Morbidity
Authors: Bulbul Ali , Can Emrah , Bulbul Lida Gunes , Cömert Serdar , Nuhoglu Asiye
Published: October 2010

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the clinical features, short-term prognosis, and effect of operation time on mortality and morbidity in neonates with meningomyelocele. Methods: This prospective study was conducted between January 2006 and December 2008. Clinical features, defective area, existence of additional anomalies, operation time, and morbidity and mortality data were recorded. The effectof operation time on mortality and morbidity was evaluated. Results: Patients (n = 28) were assessed during the study period. Mean birth weight, height, and head circumference were found to be 3,160 ± 582 g, 46.2 ± 3.3 cm, and 36.7 ± 4.1 cm, respectively. None of the mothers received folate supplementation. Hydrocephaly (n = 13), pes equinovarus (n = 4), pelvicalyceal ectasia (n = 4), acetabular dysplasia (n = 2), Chiari II malformation (n = 2), and hydronephrosis (n = 2) accounted for additional anomalies. The mean postnatal age for surgical operation was 3.2 ± 2.8 days; mean length of hospital stay was 10.2 ± 9.7 days. The cases operated after 72 h were hospitalized longer, received antibiotherapies for a longer duration and had higher total complication rates (p = 0.04, 0.02, and 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: Surgical operation of patients with meningomyelocele within 72 h after delivery significantly reduces not only the duration of hospitalization and antibiotic usage, but also complication rates.
Endocrinological Outcomes of Pediatric Craniopharyngiomas with Anatomical Pituitary Stalk Preservation: Preliminary Study
Authors: Jung Tae-Young , Jung Shin , Moon Kyung-Sub , Kim In-Young , Kang Sam-Suk , Kim Jae-Hyoo
Published: October 2010

Objective: We reviewed 17 pediatric craniopharyngioma patients, with a special focus on endocrinological outcomes and tumor recurrence with pituitary stalk preservation. Methods: From 1992 to February 2008, 17 patients underwent 27 surgical procedures. The male-female patient ratio was 12:5 and median patient age was 12 years (range, 4–18 years). The median follow-up period was 4.97 years (range, 1.16–15.08 years). The most frequent major presenting symptom was increased intracranial pressure (in 76.5%), followed by visual disturbance (in 23.5%). Tumors were totally removed in 70.6% of patients, subtotally removed in 23.5% and partially removed in 5.9%. Results: The postoperative visual improvement rate was 47.6% and the postoperative visual deterioration rate was 33.3%. In 7 patients with stalk preservation, 1 received partial hormone replacement and 6 received total hormone replacement. The overall tumor recurrence and re-growth rate were 52.9%. In patients who did not receive radiotherapy immediately after their first operation, the recurrence-free survival rate differed between those with pituitary stalk preservation and those with stalk section (p = 0.04). The recurrence rate was 60% (3 of 5) in the former and 33.3% (3 of 9) in the latter. Two patients who had undergone a second operation for recurrences died. The operative morbidity rate was 23.5%. Conclusions: Pediatric craniopharyngiomas had high recurrence rates and low pituitary functional preservation despite anatomical stalk preservation. Therefore, maximal tumor resection might be more important than anatomical stalk preservation in pediatric craniopharyngiomas.
Evidence of Hepatitis E Virus Exposure among Seronegative Healthy Residents of an Endemic Area
Authors: Husain Mohammad Mushtaq , Srivastava Ratika , Akondy Rama , Aggarwal Rakesh , Jameel Shahid , Naik Sita
Published: October 2010

Objective: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is endemic in the Indian subcontinent. Detection of serum anti-HEV IgG has traditionally been used to determine prior exposure to this virus. We studied HEV-specific recall immune responses in healthy subjects with and without detectable anti-HEV IgG. Methods: Memory B and T cells specific for HEV recombinant proteins pORF2 and pORF3 were estimated among healthy subjects residing in an HEV-endemic region using enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assays. Results: Anti-HEV IgG-negative and anti-HEV IgG-positive healthy subjects had a similar median (range) number of IgG-secreting memory B cells specific for HEV pORF2 [percent of total IgG-producing cells: 0.39 (0–13.63) vs. 0.83 (0–12.78)] and HEV pORF3 [0.33 (0.05–12.35) vs. 1.01 (0.08–9.48)], and of IFN-γ-secreting memory T cells specific for HEV pORF2 [per one million PBMCs: 16 (0–220) vs. 36.5 (0–474)] and HEV pORF3 [166 (0–957) vs. 70.5 (0–533)]. Eight healthy volunteers residing in the USA and studied as controls lacked detectable T cells specific for HEV pORF2. Conclusion: ELISPOT assays may detect evidence of prior HEV infection in persons residing in areas endemic for this infection and lacking detectable anti-HEV IgG. Seroepidemiological studies that use the serum anti-HEV IgG test may underestimate the frequency of exposure to HEV.
Viral Load and CD4+ Cell Count as Risk Factors for Prolonged QT Interval in HIV-Infected Subjects: A Cohort-Nested Case-Control Study in an Outpatient Population
Authors: QaQa Ashraf Y. , Shaaban Hamid , DeBari Vincent A. , Phung Suzan , Slim Jihad , Costeas Constantinos A. , Perez George , Shamoon Fayez E.
Published: October 2010

Background: QTc interval prolongation is a serious ECG finding which has frequently been reported in HIV-infected patients, but associated risk factors have not been determined in this population. Methods: Data were collected from the charts of a cohort of 135 consecutive HIV-infected patients from our HIV outpatient clinic. The cohort was divided into two groups, patients with prolonged QTc and those with normal QTc interval. Multiple variables and potential risk factors were analyzed, including the CD4+ cell count and viral load (VL), which were assessed on the same day or within several days of the initial ECG. Results: 23 patients were found to have prolonged QTc (17%). No significant difference in baseline characteristics was observed between the groups; however, statistically significant differences were observed with regard to the CD4+ cell count and VL. Conclusion: A low CD4 cell count and a high VL may be risk factors potentially related to QT prolongation in HIV patients in the outpatient setting.
Inotropic Effects of Ivabradine in the Mammalian Heart
Authors: Boldt Andreas , Gergs Ulrich , Pönicke Klaus , Simm Andreas , Silber Rolf-Edgar , Neumann Joachim
Published: October 2010

Ivabradine represents a novel heart-rate-lowering agent that acts on the sino-atrial node supposedly by selectively inhibiting the ‘funny’ current (If current). In clinical studies, it was reported that ivabradine effectively reduced resting heart rate and was well tolerated. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential effects of ivabradine on cardiac contractility. Contractile effects of ivabradine were studied in isolated electrically driven atrial preparations from patients undergoing cardiac bypass surgery and for comparison in isolated spontaneously beating right atria and electrically driven left atria from mice. In human trabeculae, a concentration-dependent negative inotropic effect was noted in 7 from 10 patients. However, in 3 patients from 10, a pronounced positive inotropic effect of ivabradine was noted. As expected, in spontaneously beating mouse right atria ivabradine exerted a concentration-dependent negative chronotropic effect. Unexpectedly, contractile effects in mouse and man seem to disagree. In mouse left atria, ivabradine and cilobradine, another hyperpolarization-activated cyclic-nucleotide-gated blocker, always exerted a pronounced positive inotropic effect. These positive inotropic effects were converted to negative inotropic effects in the additional presence of the L-type Ca2+ channel blocker verapamil. The present study demonstrates that ivabradine at high concentrations can affect the force of contraction in atrial preparations from the human heart.
Quantitative Estimation and Chemical Coding of Spiny Type I Neurons in Human Intestines
Authors: Schuy Julia , Schlabrakowski Anne , Neuhuber Winfried , Brehmer Axel
Published: October 2010

Previous studies have shown that most human myenteric neurons co-staining for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and neurofilaments (NF) display the morphology of spiny type I neurons displaying a descending projection pattern. Here, we estimated the proportions of spiny neurons in human intestines, the amount of congruence of VIP/nNOS-immunoreactive with spiny neurons and whether galanin (GAL) is co-localized with VIP. Three sets of colchicine-pretreated and fixed whole mounts of 21 patients or body donors (median age 65 years; 10 female, 11 male) were stained for VIP, nNOS and NF, for VIP, nNOS and the human neuronal protein Hu C/D (HU) as well as for VIP, nNOS and GAL. The majority of VIP/nNOS-co-reactive neurons were spiny neurons (79/80% in small/large intestine, respectively) and the majority of spiny neurons co-stained for VIP and nNOS (82/69%). Neurons co-immunoreactive for VIP/nNOS/HU amounted to 7 and 4%, respectively. GAL/VIP-co-immunoreactivity was demonstrated in 69 and 27% of spiny neurons, respectively. We conclude that the number of neurons displaying co-reactivity for VIP and nNOS is a quantitative indicator of spiny neurons in both small and large intestine and that the proportion of spiny neurons is about 7% in small and 4% in large intestines. Since nerve fibres co-staining for NF/VIP/nNOS were found mainly in the circular muscle layer but not the surrounding perikarya of spiny neurons, we suggest that they may represent inhibitory motor neurons rather than descending interneurons.
High-Fat Feeding Influences the Endocrine Responses of Pubertal Rats to an Acute Stress
Authors: Boukouvalas George , Gerozissis Kyriaki , Markaki Eirini , Kitraki Efthimia
Published: October 2010

Background/Aims: Studies conducted in adult rats have shown that increased fat intake affects brain energy homeostasis and stress response. The neuroendocrine circuits controlling the aforementioned functions continue to mature during puberty. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether post-weaning high-fat consumption can modify the endocrine responses of pubertal rats to an acute stress. Methods: Weaning male and female Wistar rats on postnatal day (P) 22 were fed either a high-fat (HF; 45% calories from fat) or a control (10% calories from fat) diet and were sacrificed on the individual day of puberty onset (between P35 and P42) under basal conditions or 4 h after swimming stress. Plasma insulin, leptin and corticosterone levels were determined by radioimmunoassay and the respective receptors in the hypothalamus and hippocampus were determined by Western blot analysis. Results: Stressed HF-fed males showed a smaller increase in plasma insulin levels than chow-fed males. Their leptin receptor levels were reduced in the hypothalamus, but not in the hippocampus, and their glucocorticoid receptor levels were increased in the hypothalamus compared to stressed chow-fed males. HF-fed females were nonresponsive to stress-induced alterations in plasma glucose and corticosterone levels, as well as to hippocampal insulin receptors following stress. Several sex differences were also revealed in the endocrine responses of HF-fed animals following stress. Conclusions: These data show that consumption of high-fat foods during preadolescence can modify the endocrine responses to an acute stress by affecting both stress and metabolic mediators in a sexually dimorphic manner.
Reactive Metabolites and AGE/RAGE-Mediated Cellular Dysfunction Affect the Aging Process – A Mini-Review
Authors: Fleming Thomas H. , Humpert Per M. , Nawroth Peter P. , Bierhaus Angelika
Published: October 2010

Aging is a dynamic process in which its rate and subsequent longevity of an organism are dependent upon the balance between the reactive intermediates of normal cellular metabolism and the ability of the body to reduce these by-products through a multifaceted antioxidant defence system. Every disturbance of this balance constitutes a clear and present danger to the macromolecular integrity of the body. When defence mechanisms become diminished or impaired, the resulting imbalance results in accumulation of endogenous agents, such as reactive oxygen and carbonyl species, and a state of increased cellular stress, which can accelerate the rate of aging. Glycation is the non-enzymatic glycosylation of proteins, nucleotides and lipids by saccharide derivatives. Glucose and other reducing sugars are important glycating agents, but the most reactive physiological relevant glycating agents, are the dicarbonyls, in particular methylglyoxal. Endogenously formed dicarbonyl compounds can react with proteins to form advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs). Experimental models have recently provided evidence that reduced detoxification of AGE precursors by the glyoxalase system, engagement of the cellular receptor RAGE and RAGE-dependent sustained activation of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor ĸB might significantly contribute to the rate of aging and the onset of age-related neurodegenerative, musculoskeletal and vascular diseases.