bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glycolipid presentation to natural killer T cells differs in an organ-dependent fashion
Authors: Schmieg John , Yang Guangli , Franck Richard W. , Van Rooijen Nico , Tsuji Moriya
Published: January 2005

It has been shown that dendritic cells (DCs) are able to present glycolipids to natural killer (NK) T cellsin vivo. However, the essential role of DCs, as well as the role of other cells in glycolipid presentation, is unknown. Here, we show that DCs are the crucial antigen-presenting cells (APCs) for splenic NK T cells, whereas Kupffer cells are the key APCs for hepatic NK T cells. Both cell types stimulate cytokine production by NK T cells within 2 h of glycolipid administration, but only DCs are involved in the systemic, downstream responses to glycolipid administration. More specifically, CD8α+ DCs produce IL-12 in response to glycolipid presentation, which stimulates secondary IFN-γ production by NK cells in different organs. Different APCs participate in glycolipid presentation to NK T cellsin vivobut differ in their involvement in the overall glycolipid response.
Richard Dobson Kt MRCS FRS (1773–1847) and the inferior status of naval medicine in the early nineteenth century: end of the fleet physicians
Authors: Cook G. C.
Published: January 2005

In the eighteenth and early nineteenth century assistant-ndash;surgeons in the Navy possessed an inferior status compared with their equivalents in the Army, despite protestations from the Physician of the Navy, Sir William Burnett FRS; lack of promotion was a major complaint. By abolishing the title of
physician
in the Navy, Sir Richard Dobson, FRS,
surgeon
to Greenwich Hospital, did much to rectify this injustice. Instead of only two promotions in 26 years, 26 medical officers were, as a result of his exertions, advanced to the rank above that of Surgeon in two years.
Report. The Royal Society redevelopment
Authors: Fischer Stefanie
Published: January 2005

The latest phase of development of The Royal Society, commissioned in 1999 and completed in November 2003, while setting out to anticipate and meet the Society's needs for the next 50 years, is part of a historic continuum. The objectives of the recent works undertaken and the design approach taken will first be described and compared with the objectives of the work undertaken by Lord Holford in the 1960s when The Royal Society moved from Burlington House to 6–9 Carlton House Terrace.
Editorial. An Italian correspondence, an Italian earthquake and the homes of The Royal Society
Authors: Quinn Terry
Published: January 2005

Introduction to the January 2005 issue of
Notes and Records
with a reproduction of an engraving by Nehemiah Grew, date unknown. The engraving shows Gresham College, Bishopsgate, London, the mansion of Sir Thomas Gresham and the original home of The Royal Society from 1660–1710, except for a short period just after the Great Fire of London when the Society was at Arundel House. The Society was founded at Gresham College following a lecture by Christopher Wren, at that time Gresham Professor of Astronomy. The College was named after Sir Thomas Gresham, son of Sir Richard Gresham, Lord Mayor of London (1537–38), who conceived the idea, brought to fruition by his son, of the Royal Exchange modelled on the Antwerp Bourse. Gresham College professors continue to give free public lectures in the City of London.
The polarization vectors at the interface and the secular equation for Stoneley waves in monoclinic bimaterials
Authors: Ting T. C. T.
Published: January 2005

Stoneley waves propagating in the direction of the
x
1
–axis in a bimaterial consisting of two half–spaces
x
2
⩾ 0 and
x
2
⩽ 0 of dissimilar anisotropic elastic materials are considered. Several invariants, independent of
x
2
, that relate the displacement and the stress are obtained for a general anisotropic elastic bimaterial. We then study the case when both materials have the symmetry plane at
x
2
= 0 (or
x
1
= 0). The displacement and the traction at the interface
x
2
= 0 describe two separate elliptic paths. They are polarized on planes that contain the
x
2
–axis (or
x
1
–axis). Moreover, the
x
2
–axis (or
x
1
–axis) is one of the principal axes of the ellipse. In the rest of the paper we consider special monoclinic bimaterials with the symmetry plane at
x
2
= 0,
x
1
= 0 or
x
3
= 0. The elastic constants for the two monoclinic materials are identical except that those elastic constants that would vanish if the material were orthotropic have the opposite sign for the two materials. It is shown that one of the ellipses degenerates into a line along a coordinate axis while the other ellipse is on a coordinate plane normal to this coordinate axis. When the symmetry plane is at
x
3
= 0, both ellipses degenerate into lines along the
x
1
– and
x
2
–axes. Explicit expressions of the polarization vectors and the secular equation are presented for all three monoclinic bimaterials.
Intermediate asymptotic behaviour of fluid flows by scale–size analysis
Authors: Bertola V. , Cafaro E.
Published: January 2005

A new approach to the estimation of intermediate asymptotic behaviours of fluid flows is presented. This method is based on a modified dimensional analysis in which fundamental quantities having well–distinguished orders of magnitude are accounted for with different dimensions. Thus, the effects of different physical mechanisms can be isolated inside dimensional equations. The new technique is applied to the analysis of heat and mass transfer correlations for convective flows, and to the interpretation of turbulent drag reduction by additives in wall–bounded flows.
The formation of bulges and black holes: lessons from a census of active galaxies in the SDSS
Authors: Kauffmann Guinevere , Heckman Timothy M.
Published: January 2005

We examine the relationship between galaxies, supermassive black holes and AGN using a sample of 23 000 narrow–emission–line (‘type 2’) active galactic nuclei (AGN) drawn from a sample of 123 000 galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We have studied how AGN host properties compare with those of normal galaxies and how they depend on the luminosity of the active nucleus. We find that AGN reside in massive galaxies and have distributions of sizes and concentrations that are similar to those of the early–type galaxies in our sample. The host galaxies of low–luminosity AGN have stellar populations similar to normal early types. The hosts of highluminosity AGN have much younger mean stellar ages, and a significant fraction have experienced recent starbursts. High–luminosity AGN are also found in lower–density environments. We then use the stellar velocity dispersions of the AGN hosts to estimate black hole masses and their [OIII]λ5007 emission–line luminosities to estimate black hole accretion rates.We find that the volume averaged ratio of star formation to black hole accretion is ∼1000 for the bulge–dominated galaxies in our sample. This is remarkably similar to the observed ratio of stellar mass to black hole mass in nearby bulges. Most of the present–day black hole growth is occurring in black holes with masses less than 3 × 107M⊙. Our estimated accretion rates imply that low–mass black holes are growing on a time–scale that is comparable with the age of the Universe. Around 50% this growth takes place in AGN that are radiating within a factor of five of the Eddington luminosity. Such systems are rare, making up only 0.2% of the lowmass black hole population at the present day. The remaining growth occurs in lower luminosity AGN. The growth time–scale increases by more than an order of magnitude for the most massive black holes in our sample. We conclude that the evolution of the AGN luminosity function documented in recent optical and X–ray surveys is driven by a decrease in the characteristic mass scale of actively accreting black holes.
Promoting the value of logistics to future business leaders
Authors: Knemeyer A. Michael , Murphy Paul R.
Published: January 2005

Despite the increased importance and corporate visibility of logistics – and its concomitant opportunities – the demand for college educated entry‐level logisticians continues to greatly exceed their supply. The current study, which responds to this persistent shortfall of talented students, was designed to investigate three primary issues: student familiarity with logistics vis‐à‐vis other business disciplines; student perceptions of logistics in terms of academic and career issues; and the potential impact of promoting the value of logistics in a “principles of marketing” course. The findings suggest that students are relatively unfamiliar with logistics as a career choice and have a distinct level of neutrality towards many of the key “selling” points of the discipline. However, the findings also suggest that a focus on promoting the value of logistics in a “principles of marketing” course can have a significant impact on these perceptions. The study concludes with a discussion of the implications of these findings for various logistics constituencies along with suggestions for future research.
A supply chain diagnostic tool
Authors: Foggin James H. , Mentzer John T. , Monroe Carol L.
Published: January 2005

How can a third‐party logistics (3PL) provider decide whether or not there is a viable opportunity to serve the needs and desires of potential clients? To answer this question, a tool is needed that can help determine if there are problems, inefficiencies, or needed improvements in a client's, or a potential client's, supply chain that the 3PL can effectively address. Most diagnostic tools currently in use in supply chain analysis are large, quantitative, and time‐consuming. This paper describes a qualitative diagnostic tool designed for more rapid analysis. The research and managerial implications of this tool are also discussed.
Recent developments and new strategies in scanning electron microscopy*
Authors: CAZAUX J.
Published: January 2005

In addition to improvements in lateral resolution in scanning electron microscopy, recent developments of interest here concern extension of the incident beam energy, E0, over two decades, from ≈ 20 keV to ≈ 0.1–0.5 keV and the possibility of changing the take‐off emission, α, of detected secondary electrons. These two degrees of freedom for image acquisition permit a series of images of the same field of view of a specimen to be obtained, each image of the series differing from the others in some aspect. The origins of these differences are explored in detail and they are tentatively interpreted in terms of the change in the secondary electron emission yield δ vs. E0, δ = f(E0), and also of the change in δ vs. α, ∂δ/∂α. Various origins for the chemical contrast and topographic contrast have been identified. Illustrated by correlating a secondary electron image and a backscattered electron image, use of the scatter diagram technique facilitates image comparison. The difference between the lateral resolution and the size of the minimum detectable detail is outlined to avoid possible errors in nanometrology. Some aspects related to charging are also considered and possible causes of contrast reversal are suggested. Finally, the suggested strategy consists of the acquisition of various images of a given specimen by changing one parameter: primary beam energy and take‐off angle for conductive specimens; working distance or beam intensity for high‐resolution experiments; scanning frequency for insulating specimens.
Imaging fluorescence lifetime heterogeneity applied to GFP‐tagged MHC protein at an immunological synapse*
Authors: TREANOR B. , LANIGAN P. M. P. , SUHLING K. , SCHREIBER T. , MUNRO I. , NEIL M. A. A. , PHILLIPS D. , DAVIS D. M. , FRENCH P. M. W.
Published: January 2005

Fluorescence imaging of green fluorescent protein (GFP) may be used to locate proteins in live cells and fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) may be employed to probe the local microenvironment of proteins. Here we apply FLIM to GFP‐tagged proteins at the cell surface and at an inhibitory natural killer (NK) cell immunological synapse (IS). We present a novel quantitative analysis of fluorescence lifetime images that we believe is useful to determine whether apparent FLIM heterogeneity is statistically significant. We observe that, although the variation of observed fluorescence lifetime of GFP‐tagged proteins at the cell surface is close to the expected statistical range, the lifetime of GFP‐tagged proteins in cells is shorter than recombinant GFP in solution. Furthermore the lifetime of GFP‐tagged major histocompatibility complex class I protein is shortened at the inhibitory NK cell IS compared with the unconjugated membrane. Following our previous work demonstrating the ability of FLIM to report the local refractive index of GFP in solution, we speculate that these lifetime variations may indicate local refractive index changes. This application of our method for detecting small but significant differences in fluorescence lifetimes shows how FLIM could be broadly useful in imaging discrete membrane environments for a given protein.
A resin impression SEM technique for examining the glass–ionomer cement chemical fusion zone
Authors: MILICICH G.
Published: January 2005

Examination of the auto‐cure glass–ionomer cement (GIC)–tooth interface using conventional SEM techniques causes severe dehydration and subsequent fracturing of the GIC, hampering accurate assessment of the GIC–tooth interface. A simple, accurate impression technique was developed to examine the GIC chemical fusion zone. Samples of GIC were bonded to prepared cavities and tooth surfaces that had been conditioned with 10% polyacrylic acid for 10 s and allowed to mature for 24 h in neutral buffered saline, sectioned under water and then acid etched with 37% phosphoric acid for 30 s to remove sectioning smear layer and to highlight surface morphology, rinsed and gently dried. Optibond Solo Plus was then applied and photo‐polymerized. Increments of posterior hybrid composite were then bonded onto the Optibond and photo‐polymerized. The tooth sections with attached GIC were then dissolved off the bonded composite with 18% HCl for 4 days. Subsequent SEM examination of the resin impressions created with this technique provided high‐quality, detailed images of the GIC chemical fusion zone, without the development of the fracture artefacts associated with the desiccation of GIC. The resin impression technique described proved to be a simple and successful method for providing accurate SEM images of the GIC–tooth chemical fusion.
Interactions between saporin, a ribosome‐inactivating protein, and DNA: a study by atomic force microscopy
Authors: POMA A. , SPANÒ L. , PITTALUGA E. , TUCCI A. , PALLADINO L. , LIMONGI T.
Published: January 2005

Saporins are enzymes belonging to the PNAG class (polynucleotide: adenosine glycosidase), plant enzymes commonly known as ribosome‐inactivating proteins (RIP), as a result of their property of irreversibly damaging eukaryotic ribosomes. Direct imaging with tapping‐mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to study pGEM‐4Z plasmid DNA binding to the saporin‐SO6 (isoform from Saponaria officinalis seeds). Saporin wrapped the plasmidic DNA, and distribution of the enzyme molecules along the DNA chain was markedly variable; plasmid digested with saporin‐SO6 appeared fragmented or topologically modified. The supercoiled DNA strands were cleaved, giving rise to a linearized form and to relaxed forms. Electrophoretic analysis of the effect of standard preparations of saporin‐SO6 on pGEM‐4S confirmed the presence of DNA strand‐cleaving activity.
Noise suppression of point spread functions and its influence on deconvolution of three‐dimensional fluorescence microscopy image sets
Authors: LAI X. , LIN ZHIPING , WARD E. S. , OBER R. J.
Published: January 2005

The point spread function (PSF) is of central importance in the image restoration of three‐dimensional image sets acquired by an epifluorescent microscope. Even though it is well known that an experimental PSF is typically more accurate than a theoretical one, the noise content of the experimental PSF is often an obstacle to its use in deconvolution algorithms. In this paper we apply a recently introduced noise suppression method to achieve an effective noise reduction in experimental PSFs. We show with both simulated and experimental three‐dimensional image sets that a PSF that is smoothed with this method leads to a significant improvement in the performance of deconvolution algorithms, such as the regularized least‐squares algorithm and the accelerated Richardson–Lucy algorithm.
Ulcerative colitis: factors affecting difficulties of life and psychological well being of patients in remission
Authors: Tanaka Makoto , Kazuma Keiko
Published: January 2005

Background.  Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease of unknown aetiology characterized by alternating periods of remission and relapses. The difficulties in the patients with ulcerative colitis daily life mostly arise from symptoms associated with bowel inflammation but there are many patients who have difficulties despite being in the remission phase. This study was conducted to elucidate factors that influence perception of difficulties of life and psychological well being of patients with ulcerative colitis in remission.

Methods.  A questionnaire survey was carried out in 72 outpatients with ulcerative colitis in remission. The perception of difficulties of life was assessed using the scale developed by Tanaka et al. Psychological well being was assessed using the Japanese version of the ‘profile of mood states’. Physical condition, demographic attributes and psychosociological states were also investigated as related factors.

Results.  There was no outstanding aspect of psychological well being, but a relatively large number of patients perceived a ‘decline of vitality or vigour’ despite being in the remission phase. In the presence of irritable bowel syndrome‐like symptoms, the scores for ‘difficulties of life in society’ or ‘difficulties concerned with bowel movements’ were high. Scores for ‘decline of vitality or vigour’ were high when the emotive coping scores were high, social support was lower, disease durations were short and relapses occurred more than once. When the emotive coping scores were high, psychological well being was not fine.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Strategies need to be developed to allow patients to recover and maintain their strength in the remission phase. Further, the strategies should take the above factors into consideration.
Sleep disturbance: the patient care activities applied at the night shift in the intensive care unit
Authors: Çelik Sevim , Öztekin Deniz , Akyolcu Neriman , İşsever Halim
Published: January 2005

Aims and objectives.  The aim of the study was to determine the frequency and types of nursing activities on sedated and non‐sedated patients in the intensive care unit at night shift.

Background.  The complex intensive care unit and nursing activities has been described as an environment in which patients enter in a physiological crisis. This is even more so when the patient is unable to communicate or heavily sedated or unable to move. Nursing activities, fear and apprehension cause low morale and sleep disturbance.

Method.  The study was carried out on a descriptive basis in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. Thirty sedated and 30 non‐sedated patients to whom the nursing care was applied during 19.00–07.00 hours for three consecutive nights were chosen with simple random sampling. Data were gathered by means of retrospective examination of the standard nursing chart notes about the 60 patients for three consecutive nights. Data were analysed using percentage calculations and chi‐square test.

Results.  The results demonstrate that patient records indicated a mean of 51 interactions per patient per night. Nursing activities were more frequent between 02.00 and 05.00 hours. It was detected that nursing activities such as mouth and eye care, decubitus ulcer care, change of dressing, bed bath, catheter change for three night shifts were more frequently between 24.00 and 05.00 hours. Mechanical ventilation control and endotracheal suctioning were more frequently performed on sedated patients than on non‐sedated patients (P < 0.05).

Conclusion.  These findings of this study indicate that the nursing activities in the intensive care unit were focused on the activities, which will maximize what is seen to be physiological stability.

Relevance to clinical practice.  This study has provided further data that identify the activities of nurses working in the intensive care unit at night shift. We hope to contribute to the development of the sleep protocol in surgical intensive care units.
Perinatal nursing education for single‐room maternity care: an evaluation of a competency‐based model
Authors: Janssen Patricia A , Keen Lois , Soolsma Jetty , Seymour Laurie C , Harris Susan J , Klein Michael C , Reime Birgit
Published: January 2005

Aims and objectives. To evaluate the success of a competency‐based nursing orientation programme for a single‐room maternity care unit by measuring improvement in self‐reported competency after six months.

Background. Single‐room maternity care has challenged obstetrical nurses to provide comprehensive nursing care during all phases of the in‐hospital birth experience. In this model, nurses provide intrapartum, postpartum and newborn care in one room. To date, an evaluation of nursing education for single‐room maternity care has not been published.

Design. A prospective cohort design comparing self‐reported competencies prior to starting work in the single‐room maternity care and six months after.

Methods. Nurses completed a competency‐based education programme in which they could select from a menu of learning methods and content areas according to their individual needs. Learning methods included classroom lectures, self‐paced learning packages, and preceptorships in the clinical area. Competencies were measured by a standardized perinatal self‐efficacy tool and a tool developed by the authors for this study, the Single‐Room Maternity Care Competency Tool. A paired analysis was undertaken to take into account the paired (before and after) nature of the design.

Results. Scores on the perinatal self‐efficacy scale and the single‐room maternity care competency tool were improved. These differences were statistically significant.

Conclusions. Improvements in perinatal and single‐room maternity care‐specific competencies suggest that our education programme was successful in preparing nurses for their new role in the single‐room maternity care setting. This conclusion is supported by reported increases in nursing and patient satisfaction in the single‐room maternity care compared with the traditional labour/delivery and postpartum settings.

Relevance to clinical practice. An education programme tailored to the learning needs of experienced clinical nurses contributes to improvements in nursing competencies and patient care.
Malignant wounds in women with breast cancer: feminine and sexual perspectives
Authors: Lund‐Nielsen Betina , Müller Kirsten , Adamsen Lis
Published: January 2005

Aims and objectives.  The aim of this article is to investigate the way malignant fungating wounds affect femininity, sexuality and daily life in women with progressive breast cancer. Malignant wounds occur when the underlying localized tumour filtrates into the skin, blood capillaries and/or lymph vessels.

Design.  The study was a prospective and exploratory intervention study. The intervention was tested on 12 consecutively selected women with progressive breast cancer and malignant fungating wounds.

Methods.  The 12 women participated in a 4‐week wound care intervention programme that comprised evidence‐based wound care principles and psychosocial support. Data were generated by means of interviewing prior to and following the intervention period.

Results.  The women described how malodorous and oozing wounds trigger anxiety about seepage, prevent them from wearing feminine attire and cause them to suppress the need for physical closeness and sexual activity. The results showed that by using modern wound care products, the patients could be secured against seepage and odour. The women experienced a sense of comfort, were able to dress again as they wished, no longed felt caged in and isolated and were given a sense of freedom which they had not felt for a long time.

Conclusions.  The intervention succeeded in increasing breast cancer patients’ psychosocial well‐being and reducing social isolation.

Relevance to clinical practice.  There is a lack of standard methods of practice for care of malignant wounds in women with breast cancer. This article describes an intervention for wound care which could improve daily live in women with progressive breast cancer.
Developmental impairments following severe falciparum malaria in children
Authors: Carter Julie A. , Ross Amanda J. , Neville Brian G. R. , Obiero Elizabeth , Katana Khamis , Mung'ala‐Odera Victor , Lees Janet A. , Newton Charles R. J. C.
Published: January 2005

Objective  Neurological deficits are reported in children after cerebral malaria (CM) but little is known about the prevalence and characteristics of persisting neurocognitive consequences. The prevalence of developmental impairments following other complications of falciparum malaria, such as multiple, prolonged or focal seizures, is not known. Thus, our objective was to investigate the long‐term developmental outcome of CM and malaria with complicated seizures (M/S).

Methods  We followed up a cohort of children previously exposed to CM or M/S and children unexposed to either condition. All children between 6 and 9 years of age, exposed to CM, and an equal number of children exposed to M/S were identified from databases of hospital admissions from 1991 to 1998. The unexposed group was randomly selected from a census database. The children's performance was measured using assessments of cognition, motor, speech and language, hearing and vision. A parental questionnaire was used to identify children with epilepsy.

Results  CM group scores were significantly lower than unexposed group scores on the assessments of higher level language (adjusted mean difference −1.63, 95% CI: −2.99 to −0.27), vocabulary (−0.02, 95% CI: −0.04 to −0.01), pragmatics (OR 2.81, 95% CI: 1.04–7.6) and non‐verbal functioning (−0.33, 95% CI: −0.61 to −0.06). The areas of significantly reduced functioning for the M/S group were concentrated on phonology (OR 2.74, 95% CI: 1.26–5.95), pragmatics (OR 3.23, 95% CI: 1.2–8.71) and behaviour (OR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.0–3.23). The performance of the active epilepsy group was significantly poorer than that of the group without epilepsy on the tests of comprehension, syntax, pragmatics, word finding, memory, attention, behaviour and motor skills.

Conclusions  CM and M/S are associated with developmental impairments. If these impairments persist, this may have implications for least 250 000 children in Sub‐Saharan Africa each year. Active epilepsy significantly increases the risk of cognitive and behavioural problems in children with a history of severe malaria.
Intersectoral coordination in Aedes aegypti control. A pilot project in Havana City, Cuba
Authors: Sanchez L. , Perez D. , Pérez T. , Sosa T. , Cruz G. , Kouri G. , Boelaert M. , Van der Stuyft P.
Published: January 2005

Background  The 55th World Health Assembly declared dengue prevention and control a priority and urged Member States to develop sustainable intersectoral strategies to this end. To provide evidence for the reorientation of the dengue prevention policy in Cuba, we launched an intervention study to document the effectiveness of a local‐level intersectoral approach.

Methods  We used a quasi‐experimental design. Social scientists introduced participatory methods to facilitate dialogue in the biweekly meetings of the intersectoral Health Council of the intervention area. This council subsequently developed an intersectoral plan for dengue prevention, of which the core objective was to design and implement activities for communication and social mobilization. In the control area, routine dengue control activities continued without additional input. Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of dengue, and entomological indices were compared inside and between the areas before and after the 1‐year intervention period.

Results  In the intervention area the Health Council elaborated an intersectoral plan for dengue prevention focused on source reduction. The Aedes aegypti control methods consisted in eliminating useless containers in the houses and surroundings, covering tanks, and cleaning public and inhabited areas. It was implemented through communication and social mobilization. The Health Council in the control area occasionally discussed dengue issues but did not develop a coordinated action plan. Good knowledge about breeding sites and disease symptoms increased significantly (by 49.7% and 17.1% respectively) in the intervention area as well as the proportion of respondents eliminating containers in and around their houses (by 44%). No changes were observed in the control area. The House Index in the intervention area was 3.72% at baseline and decreased to 0.61% after 1 year. In the control area it remained stable throughout the study period (1.31% and 1.65% respectively).

Conclusion  The introduction of a participatory approach by social scientists promotes changes in intersectoral management. This facilitates social mobilization which, in its turn, leads to significant changes in knowledge, attitudes and dengue‐related practices in the population and eventually to more effective control of Ae. aegypti.
Socioeconomic constraints to effective management of Burkitt's lymphoma in south‐eastern Nigeria
Authors: Meremikwu M. M. , Ehiri J. E. , Nkanga D. G. , Udoh E. E. , Ikpatt O. F. , Alaje E. O.
Published: January 2005

This paper presents health outcomes and associated socioeconomic factors of 41 children admitted to a tertiary care institution in south‐east Nigeria with Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) between 1987 and 2004. BL responds well to chemotherapy and does not pose a significant threat to health in industrialized nations. However, in resource‐poor settings where it is endemic, socioeconomic factors significantly affect access to care for affected children, making this readily treatable condition a cause of considerable distress and early death in affected children. Half of the children reported in this paper presented with late stage disease. Although laboratory facilities were available, they were not accessible to all the children. Nearly a quarter of parents of these children could not afford the cost of confirmatory tests, and about a fifth (n = 8; 19.5%) of the children received no chemotherapy because of their parents’ inability to pay. Only 21 of 41 children (51.2%) remained on treatment long enough (at least 12 weeks) to enable them to be confirmed either as short‐term cure (n = 9; 64.3%), or as early relapse (n = 2; 4.9%). Owing to financial constraint, 13 of the parents (31.7%) withdrew their children against medical advice (n = 7; 17.1%) or left the hospital (n = 6; 14.6%). To address the challenge posed by these factors, we call for the establishment of a regional BL programme in Africa to help establish a critical mass of resources (human and material) to facilitate the development of an effective and accessible control programme in the region.
Short communication: Comparison of the OptiMAL rapid test and microscopy for detection of malaria in pregnant women in Nigeria
Authors: VanderJagt T. A. , Ikeh E. I. , Ujah I. O. A. , Belmonte J. , Glew R. H. , VanderJagt D. J.
Published: January 2005

Malaria during pregnancy causes anaemia in pregnant women and low birthweight in infants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the OptiMAL rapid malaria test in comparison with standard microscopy for malaria diagnosis in 268 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at the Jos University Teaching Hospital and the Federal Medical Centre‐Gombe in Nigeria. Positive results by either method were confirmed using a polymerase chain reaction assay for malaria. Although the OptiMAL assay did not detect malaria in the blood of pregnant women with low levels of parasitaemia, it may be useful for the detection of placental malaria which predisposes to low birthweight infants.
Self‐reported and observed female genital cutting in rural Tanzania: associated demographic factors, HIV and sexually transmitted infections
Authors: Klouman Elise , Manongi Rachel , Klepp Knut‐Inge
Published: January 2005

Objectives To determine (i) the prevalence and type of female genital cutting (FGC) in a rural multi‐ethnic village in Tanzania, (ii) its associated demographic factors, (iii) its possible associations with HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and infertility and (iv) to assess the consistency between self‐reported and clinically observed FGC.

Method The study was part of a larger community‐based, cross‐sectional survey with an eligible female population of 1993. All were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐tested and asked whether they were circumcised (n = 1678; 84.2%). Participants aged 15–44 years were interviewed (n = 636; 79.7%), and 399 (50.0%) were gynaecologically examined to screen for STIs and determine the FGC status.

Results At a mean age of 9.6 years, 45.2% reported being circumcised. In the age‐group 15–44 years, 65.5% reported being cut, while FGC was observed in 72.5% and categorized as clitoridectomy or excision. The strongest predictors of FGC were ethnicity and religion, i.e. being a Protestant or a Muslim. FGC was not associated with HIV infection, other STIs or infertility. A positive, non‐significant association between FGC and bacterial vaginosis was found with a crude odds ratio of 4.6. There was a significant decline of FGC over the last generation. An inconsistency between self‐reported and clinically determined FGC status was observed in more than one‐fifth of the women.

Conclusion The data indicate that both women and clinicians might incorrectly report women's circumcision status. This reveals methodological problems in determining women's circumcision status in populations practising the most common type of FGC. The positive association between FGC and bacterial vaginosis warrants further investigation.
International Financial Rescues and Debtor‐Country Moral Hazard*
Authors: Gai Prasanna , Taylor Ashley
Published: January 2005

This paper examines whether recent international policy initiatives to facilitate financial rescues in emerging market countries have influenced debtors' incentives to access official sector resources. The paper highlights a country's systemic importance as a key characteristic that drives access to official sector finance. It estimates the effect of these financial rescue initiatives on IMF programme participation using a pooled probit model. The safety net permitting exceptional access is shown to have a greater marginal impact on official sector resource usage, the more systemically important the debtor country. The results can be interpreted as offering some support for the presence of debtor‐country moral hazard.
Incomes, Exchange Rates and the US Trade Deficit, Once Again*
Authors: Chinn Menzie D.
Published: January 2005

The chronic and expanding US trade deficit has refocused attention upon the responsiveness of trade flows to exchange rate and income changes. I estimate import and export equations over a period spanning the 1990s New Economy boom and the subsequent recession and dollar depreciation. The results indicate (1) a low responsiveness of imports to exchange rate changes, and (2) a diminution (but not disappearance) of the income elasticity asymmetry first noted by Houthakker and Magee. The combination of low price elasticity of imports with the present size of the trade deficit means that any reduction of the trade deficit will necessarily be accompanied by large exchange rate and income trend adjustments.
The Cost of Political Intervention in Monetary Policy*
Authors: Cobham David , Papadopoulos Athanasios , Zis George
Published: January 2005

Between 1994 and 1997, UK monetary policy decisions were taken by the Minister of Finance, but the advice of the central bank was published with a short delay. Thus, the financial markets could observe when the political authority took the same view as the monetary authority and when it did not, and could use evidence of disagreements as prima facie evidence of the pursuit by the political authority of objectives other than the explicit inflation target. This paper finds that the credibility of monetary policy as measured by the long‐term interest differential between the UK and Germany is systematically related to an index of agreement constructed from the agreements or disagreements between the two authorities. No such relationship is found for the yield differential against the US, probably because of the greater prevalence of country‐specific factors, notably inflation scares, over this period in the US. Partial corroboration is found for a subperiod ending in late 1996 from the relationship between the agreement index and the inflation forward rate.
Is Trade Policy Macroeconomics, Microeconomics or Pure Politics?
Authors: Saal Matthew
Published: January 2005

Books reviewed:

Stiglitz, Joseph E.,Globalization and Its Discontents

Bhagwati, Jagdish,In Defense of Globalization

Wolf, Martin,Why Globalization Works
Novel X‐chromosomal defect associated with abnormal ovarian function
Authors: Rao Lakshmi , Babu Arvind , Padmalatha Venkata , Kanakavalli Murthy , Deenadayal Mamata , Singh Lalji
Published: January 2005

Premature ovarian failure (POF) may be idiopathic or may be associated with genetic or autoimmune disorders. It is well known that chromosomal defects can impair ovarian development and its function. It is estimated that X‐chromosome abnormalities occur in 10–25% of women with abnormal ovarian function. Of these, the common chromosome defects reported are either true Turner's karyotype or its variants. We describe a novel X‐chromosome aberration in a woman with primary amenorrhea. Cytogenetic and florescence in situ hybridization analysis revealed a short‐arm deletion of X‐chromosome as a Turner's variant [mos,45,XO/46,Xdel(X)(p11.1–p22.3)]. This interesting and rare case with unique X‐chromosome defect reveals an additional mechanism for the cause of POF.
Successful pregnancy outcome in Bernard–Soulier syndrome
Authors: Kriplani Alka , Singh Bhawna Malhotra , Sowbernika Ramamurti , Choudhry Ved Prakash
Published: January 2005

Bernard–Soulier syndrome is a rare bleeding disorder, and there is scant literature on the pregnancy outcome in  women  with  this  syndrome.  Due  to  the  bleeding  tendency  in  this  disease,  pregnant  woman  may  have  ante‐, intra‐ or postpartum complications. We report our experience of managing a pregnant woman with Bernard–Soulier syndrome who had a successful pregnancy outcome, and review the existing literature on pregnancy in women with this syndrome.
Low adjusted serum ionized calcium concentration shortly after birth predicts poor outcome in neonatal hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy
Authors: Yoneda Satoshi , Ibara Satoshi , Kobayashi Kosuke , Kato Eiji , Maruyama Yuko , Maruyama Hideki , Sumida Yumi , Sunami Rei , Sakai Masatoshi , Ikenoue Tsuyomu , Saito Shigeru
Published: January 2005

Aim: Hypoxic–ischemic reperfusion injury causes either necrosis or apoptosis, and the influx of ionized calcium into cells is the major cause of both types of cell death. The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not the serum ionized calcium concentration in neonates with hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) could be used to predict their outcome.

Methods: Serum samples were obtained shortly after birth from 20 HIE neonates who had not urinated or received treatment with calcium. Serum ionized calcium concentrations were adjusted for pH using a correction formula. Twelve neonates without any disease were selected as a control. The results were compared between nine HIE neonates who made a full recovery, 11 who died or had neurologic deficits, and 12 normal neonates.

Results: Considered together, the two HIE groups had lower serum ionized calcium concentrations (1.05 ± 0.10 mmol/L) than the control group (1.22 ± 0.07 mmol/L; P < 0.0001). Moreover, serum ionized calcium concentrations in the group with the poor outcome (0.99 ± 0.07 mmol/L) were lower than those in the group that made a full recovery (1.13 ± 0.06 mmol/L; P = 0.0016).

Conclusions: The serum ionized calcium concentrations shortly after birth were significantly lower in neonates with HIE who had a poor outcome. Low concentrations may reflect multiple organ damage, particularly involving the brain.
Changes in serum levels of heat shock protein 70 in preterm delivery and pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Fukushima Akimune , Kawahara Hisao , Isurugi Chizuko , Syoji Tadahiro , Oyama Rie , Sugiyama Toru , Horiuchi Saburo
Published: January 2005

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate heat‐shock protein (Hsp)70 as a novel marker to evaluate the curative effects of treatment for preterm delivery high‐risk patients and pre‐eclampsia.

Methods: After obtaining informed consent, serum samples were collected from 31 preterm delivery high‐risk patients with a tocolysis index of three points or above (A), seven pre‐eclampsia patients (P), 46 normal pregnant women (B), and seven non‐pregnant women (C). Of the 31 preterm delivery high‐risk patients, 15 had preterm delivery (Ap) and 16 had full‐term delivery (Af ). The levels of Hsp70 were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: The Hsp70 levels in normal pregnant women were 8.6 ± 1.9 ng/mL (first trimester), 5.5 ± 1.0 ng/mL (second trimester) and 5.5 ± 0.7 ng/mL (third trimester). There was no statistical difference in the Hsp70 levels between the three trimesters. The mean Hsp70 levels were 21.9 ± 5.3 ng/mL (A), 35.3 ± 9.6 ng/mL (Ap), 9.4 ± 2.2 ng/mL (Af), 24.4 ± 3.6 ng/mL (P), 6.1 ± 0.6 ng/mL (B), and 2.4 ± 0.6 ng/mL (C). Group Ap had significantly higher Hsp70 levels than group Af (P = 0.0112) and group B (P < 0.0001). The duration of pregnancy after hospitalization for group Ap was significantly shorter than that for group Af (P = 0.0088) and group B (P < 0.0001). Group P also had significantly higher Hsp70 levels than group B (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion: Because Hsp70 levels were particularly high in treatment‐resistant preterm delivery cases, Hsp70 may prove to be a useful marker for evaluating the curative effects of treatment for preterm delivery.
Activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase– mitogen‐activated protein kinase cascade in the amygdala is required for memory reconsolidation of auditory fear conditioning
Authors: Duvarci Sevil , Nader Karim , LeDoux Joseph E.
Published: January 2005

Consolidation of new fear memories has been shown to require de novo RNA and protein synthesis in the lateral nucleus of amygdala (LA). Recently we have demonstrated that consolidated fear memories, when reactivated, return to a labile state which is sensitive to disruption by the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin. The specific molecular mechanisms that underlie this reconsolidation of fear memories are still largely unknown. The activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase–mitogen‐activated protein kinase (ERK–MAPK) pathway in the LA is required for the consolidation of auditory fear memories. In the present study, we examined the role of ERK–MAPK cascade in the LA during reconsolidation of auditory fear conditioning. We show that intra‐LA infusions of the MAPK kinase (MEK) inhibitor U0126, a manipulation which inhibits activation of ERK–MAPK, impairs postreactivation long‐term memory (PR‐LTM) but leaves the postreactivation short‐term memory (PR‐STM) intact. The same treatment with U0126, in the absence of memory reactivation, has no effect. Furthermore, we verified that reconsolidation requires translation using a second protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide. Post‐reactivation infusions of cycloheximide blocked PR‐LTM but not PR‐STM and, in the absence of reactivation, had no effect. Our data show that activation of ERK–MAPK signalling pathway and protein synthesis in the LA are required for reconsolidation of auditory fear memories.
Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐12 expression has a negative impact on sensorimotor function following intracerebral haemorrhage in mice
Authors: Wells Jennifer E. A. , Biernaskie Jeff , Szymanska Aleksandra , Larsen Peter H. , Yong V. Wee , Corbett Dale
Published: January 2005

We investigated the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in a mouse model of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). Transcripts encoding nine of the 23 known mammalian MMPs were measured. MMP‐12 levels were the most elevated. To evaluate the role of MMP‐12 in ICH, haemorrhages were induced in wild‐type (WT) and MMP‐12 null mice. The results show that MMP‐12 null mice exhibited significant functional recovery of forelimb reaching and reduced dependence on the ipsilateral forelimb compared to WT mice. There was also a trend for improved sensory function in the tape removal test. With respect to single pellet skilled reaching, MMP‐12 null mice recovered to a level that was not significantly different from sham at 14 and 28 days post‐ICH. In contrast, WT animals demonstrated a persistent impairment relative to sham controls throughout the survival period (P < 0.05). The cylinder task revealed a lesion‐induced reliance on the ipsilateral forelimb that was apparent at day 7 in both MMP‐12 null and WT mice (P < 0.05), but only persisted in WT mice at 14 days post‐ICH (P < 0.05). Differences in functional outcome could not be explained by tissue sparing. However, Iba1 immunostaining indicated that more cells bearing macrophage morphology were recruited to the lesion area in WT mice. This is the first study to profile the expression patterns of a number of the known MMPs following ICH in mice. The data indicate that MMP‐12 expression following haemorrhagic stroke is deleterious and contributes to the development of secondary injury in this disease.
Photoreceptor morphology is severely affected in the β,β‐carotene‐15,15′‐oxygenase (bcox) zebrafish morphant
Authors: Biehlmaier Oliver , Lampert Johanna M. , Lintig Johannes von , Kohler Konrad
Published: January 2005

The retinoic acid molecule, a vitamin A derivative, is of key importance for eye and photoreceptor development in vertebrates. Several studies have provided evidence that the ventral part of the retina is particularly susceptible to impairment in retinoid signalling during the period of its development. In zebrafish, targeted gene knockdown of β,β‐carotene‐15,15′‐oxygenase (bcox), the key enzyme for vitamin A formation, provokes a loss of retinoid signalling during early eye development that results in microphthalmia at larval stages. Using this model, we analysed the consequences of this for the retinal morphology of the fish larvae in structural details. Our analyses revealed that rods and cones do not express photoreceptor specific proteins (rhodopsin, peanut agglutinin, zpr1) in the peripheral retina. The photoreceptors in the central retina showed shortened outer segments, and electron dense debris in their intermembranal space. The number of phagosomes was increased, and cell death was frequently observed in the outer nuclear layer. Furthermore, the number of Müller cells was significantly reduced in the inner nuclear layer. Thus, we found that the lack of retinoid signalling strongly effects photoreceptor development in the ventral and dorsal retina. In addition, shortened outer segments and cell death of the remaining photoreceptors in the central retina indicate that there is an ongoing need for retinoid signalling for photoreceptor integrity and survival at later developmental stages.