bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Switch from planktonic to sessile life: a major event in pneumococcal pathogenesis
Authors: Oggioni Marco R. , Trappetti Claudia , Kadioglu Aras , Cassone Marco , Iannelli Francesco , Ricci Susanna , Andrew Peter W. , Pozzi Gianni
Published: August 2006

Two main patterns of gene expression of Streptococcus pneumoniae were observed during infection in the host by quantitative real time RT‐PCR; one was characteristic of bacteria in blood and one of bacteria in tissue, such as brain and lung. Gene expression in blood was characterized by increased expression of pneumolysin, pspA and hrcA, while pneumococci in tissue infection showed increased expression of neuraminidases, metalloproteinases, oxidative stress and competence genes. In vitro situations with similar expression patterns were detected in liquid culture and in a newly developed pneumococcal model of biofilm respectively. The biofilm model was dependent on addition of synthetic competence stimulating peptide (CSP) and no biofilm was formed by CSP receptor mutants. As one of the differentially expressed gene sets in vivo were the competence genes, we exploited competence‐specific tools to intervene on pneumococcal virulence during infection. Induction of the competence system by the quorum‐sensing peptide, CSP, not only induced biofilm formation in vitro, but also increased virulence in pneumonia in vivo. In contrast, a mutant for the ComD receptor, which did not form biofilm, also showed reduced virulence in pneumonia. These results were opposite to those found in a bacteraemic sepsis model of infection, where the competence system was downregulated. When pneumococci in the different physiological states were used directly for challenge, sessile cells grown in a biofilm were more effective in inducing meningitis and pneumonia, while planktonic cells from liquid culture were more effective in inducing sepsis. Our data enable us, using in vivo gene expression and in vivo modulation of virulence, to postulate the distinction – from the pneumococcal point of view – between two main types of disease. During bacteraemic sepsis pneumococci resemble planktonic growth, while during tissue infection, such as pneumonia or meningitis, pneumococci are in a biofilm‐like state.
Functional characterization of BbCRASP‐2, a distinct outer membrane protein of Borrelia burgdorferi that binds host complement regulators factor H and FHL‐1
Authors: Hartmann Kristina , Corvey Carsten , Skerka Christine , Kirschfink Michael , Karas Michael , Brade Volker , Miller Jennifer C. , Stevenson Brian , Wallich Reinhard , Zipfel Peter F. , Kraiczy Peter
Published: August 2006

Borrelia burgdorferi, the aetiological agent of Lyme disease, employs sophisticated means to survive in diverse mammalian hosts. Recent studies demonstrated that acquisition of complement regulators factor H and factor H‐like protein‐1 (FHL‐1) allows spirochetes to resist complement‐mediated killing. Serum‐resistant B. burgdorferi express up to five distinct complement regulator‐acquiring surface proteins (CRASPs) that bind factor H and/or FHL‐1. In this study we have identified and characterized one of those B. burgdorferi proteins, named BbCRASP‐2. BbCRASP‐2 is distinct from the four previously identified factor H/FHL‐1‐binding CRASPs of B. burgdorferi strains. The single copy of the gene encoding BbCRASP‐2, cspZ, is located on the linear plasmid lp28‐3. BbCRASP‐2 is highly divergent from the factor H/FHL‐1‐binding protein BbCRASP‐1 and from members of the factor H‐binding Erp (OspE/F‐related) protein family. Peptide mapping analysis revealed that the factor H/FHL‐1 binding site is discontinuous and it was found that C‐terminal truncations abrogate factor H and FHL‐1 binding. The predominant BbCRASP‐2 binding site of both host complement regulators was mapped to the short consensus repeat 7 (SCR 7). Factor H and FHL‐1 bound to BbCRASP‐2 maintain cofactor activity for factor I‐mediated C3b inactivation and accelerate the decay of the C3 convertase. Expression of BbCRASP‐2 in serum‐sensitive B. burgdorferi mutant B313 increased resistance to complement‐mediated lysis. The characterization of BbCRASP‐2 now provides a complete picture of the three diverse complement regulator‐binding protein families of B. burgdorferi yielding new insights into the pathogenesis of Lyme disease.
Molecular detection of Phytophthora capsici in infected plant tissues, soil and water
Authors: Zhang Z. G. , Li Y. Q. , Fan H. , Wang Y. C. , Zheng X. B.
Published: August 2006

A species‐specific PCR assay was developed for rapid and accurate detection of the pathogenic oomycete Phytophthora capsici in diseased plant tissues, soil and artificially infested irrigation water. Based on differences in internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of Phytophthora spp. and other oomycetes, one pair of species‐specific primers, PC‐1/PC‐2, was synthesized. After screening 15 isolates of P. capsici and 77 isolates from the Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Deuteromycota and Oomycota, the PC‐1/PC‐2 primers amplified only a single PCR band of c. 560 bp from P. capsici. The detection sensitivity with primers PC‐1/PC‐2 was 1 pg genomic DNA (equivalent to half the genomic DNA of a single zoospore) per 25‐µL PCR reaction volume; traditional PCR could detect P. capsici in naturally infected plant tissues, diseased field soil and artificially inoculated irrigation water. Using ITS1/ITS4 as the first‐round primers and PC‐1/PC‐2 in the second round, nested PCR procedures were developed, increasing detection sensitivity to 1 fg per 25‐µL reaction volume. The results suggested that the assay detected the pathogen more rapidly and accurately than standard isolation methods. The PCR‐based methods developed here could simplify both plant disease diagnosis and pathogen monitoring, as well as guiding plant disease management.
Potential changes in weed floras associated with reduced‐cultivation Systems for cereal production in temperate regions
Authors: FROUD‐WILLIAMS R. J. , CHANCELLOR R. J. , DRENNAN D. S. H.
Published: August 2006

The effects of reduced‐cultivation Systems on weeds in cereals are reviewed. Increasing dependence of these Systems upon Chemical weed control together with changes in the soil physical environment are expected to modify existing weed floras. Annual‐grass weeds are likely to remain a problem with the use of minimal cultivations, particularly when early drilling is practised, while hitherto unimportant species may become more prevalent, e.g. Bromus spp. Furthermore, reduced cultivations may encourage the establishment of wind‐disseminated species. However, annual dicotyledonous species characteristic of arable land are expected to continue to decline.
Migration, trapping and local dynamics of whiteflies (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)
Authors: Riis L. , Nachman G.
Published: August 2006

1 The ability to quantify whitefly migration provides a tool that can contribute to an improved understanding of the epidemic development of whitefly‐transmitted viruses.

2 In an attempt to develop a protocol for estimating whitefly immigration and emigration rates in an annual crop, new traps and sampling devices were tested in the field and models for population dynamics were developed.

3 An estimate of immigration rate was derived from the growth of a natural population of Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) in the beginning of a crop cycle before offspring of immigrants contributed to population growth.

4 A model for changes in whitefly density during an entire bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) crop cycle, including an immigration parameter, was also developed.

5 Non‐attractant window traps surrounding an annual field crop were assumed to intercept whiteflies immigrating into and emigrating away from the crop. Captures on these traps could not categorically be identified as immigrants or emigrants, but the cumulated captures nevertheless explained 66% of the variation in population density found within the field. Hence, window traps may be used as an efficient and reliable alternative to yellow sticky traps, aspirator methods and leaf‐turn methods, etc., for estimating whitefly densities in field crops.
Anaesthetic considerations for endoscopic extraperitoneal and laparoscopic transperitoneal radical prostatectomy
Authors: STOLZENBURG JENS‐UWE , AEDTNER BERND , OLTHOFF DERK , KOENIG FRITJOFF , RABENALT ROBERT , FILOS KRITON S. , McNEILL ALAN , LIATSIKOS EVANGELOS N.
Published: August 2006

We focus on the anaesthesiology and requirements for minimally invasive procedures for treating localized prostate cancer. The management of anaesthesia for laparoscopic and endoscopic radical prostatectomy (RP) can be more complex than expected. Numerous groups, especially early in their experience, have had problems (e.g. hypercarbia) with the anaesthesiology of the procedure. Co‐operation between the surgeon and the anaesthesiologist is of paramount importance for a safe and effective laparoscopic or endoscopic RP. Nevertheless, the relative anaesthetic equipment and trained personnel should be available before embarking on such technically proficient procedures.
Effects of a vitamin D3 analogue in a rat model of bladder outlet obstruction
Authors: SCHRÖDER ANNETTE , COLLI ENRICO , MAGGI MARIO , ANDERSSON KARL‐ERIK
Published: August 2006

OBJECTIVES

To explore the effect of the vitamin D3 analogue, BXL‐628, on some of the consequences of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), e.g. hypertrophy and loss of contractile function, as vitamin D3 and BXL‐628 inhibit prostate and bladder cell growth in vitro, and there are receptors for vitamin D in rat and human bladder.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In female rats, BOO was produced by a standardized method; one group received daily BXL‐628 (150 µg/kg per day) and the remaining rats received vehicle. Sham‐operated rats received BXL‐628 or vehicle. After 2 weeks, the conscious rats were assessed by cystometry. Plasma calcium levels were determined and in vitro contractility assessed at the end of the experiments.

RESULTS

There was a significant increase in bladder weight, micturition interval and volume, and in bladder capacity in both the obstructed groups compared to sham controls, but no difference between the obstructed groups. On plotting the micturition pressure against bladder weight within the obstructed groups, there was a clear correlation in the vehicle‐treated group, indicating a decrease in contractile function with increasing bladder weight. There was no such correlation in the treatment group. In vitro, there was a strong correlation of increasing bladder weights vs decrease in response to KCl and electrical‐field stimulation in strips from obstructed vehicle‐treated rats, but no correlation in those from drug‐treated rats. Treatment increased the plasma calcium level by 12%.

CONCLUSIONS

The vitamin D3 analogue used did not prevent bladder hypertrophy, but appeared to reduce some of the negative functional changes of the bladder smooth muscle, which occurs with BOO‐induced increases in bladder weight.
Total glans resurfacing for premalignant lesions of the penis: initial outcome data
Authors: HADWAY PAUL , CORBISHLEY CATHY M. , WATKIN NICHOLAS A.
Published: August 2006

OBJECTIVE

To report our initial experience of total glans resurfacing (TGR), as premalignant lesions of the glans penis have conventionally been treated by local excision, topical chemotherapy, laser or cryotherapy, but these techniques are frequently associated with high local failure rates and unsightly scarring that can make monitoring by gross inspection difficult.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

TGR involves removing the glans and subcoronal epithelial and subepithelial tissues down to the corpus spongiosum of the glans and Buck’s fascia at the coronal sulcus. The denuded glans penis is then covered with an extra‐genital skin graft. Ten patients underwent TGR: six had recurrent erythroplasia of Queyrat after 5% 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) therapy; one had no clinical response to 5‐FU or imiquimod; one had a severe allergic reaction and therefore could not tolerate 5‐FU; and two had extensive glans hyperkeratosis and severe dysplasia.

RESULTS

There were no postoperative complications. All skin grafts took successfully, and the cosmetic results were excellent. In all cases, pathological resection margins were clear. To date, there has been no evidence of disease recurrence on follow‐up (median 30 months, range 7–45).

CONCLUSIONS

TGR is a successful surgical alternative for managing intractable premalignant penile lesions. It has the potential to restore normal anatomy and minimize the risk of local recurrence by replacing diseased epithelium and subepithelial tissues with healthy extra‐genital skin.
Spontaneous reduction of bladder base prolapse with gradual filling: a video‐urodynamic observation
Authors: GOLOMB JACOB , MOR YORAM , NADU ANDREI , RAMON JACOB
Published: August 2006

OBJECTIVE

To report video‐urodynamic observations on the effect of gradual bladder filling on the degree of bladder base prolapse while erect, as the effect of bladder fullness on the degree of bladder base descent in patients with a cystocele has rarely been addressed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty‐six consecutive patients with complaints of a protruding vaginal mass due to bladder prolapse underwent video‐urodynamic studies, comprised of filling and voiding cystometry with contrast material, while standing.

RESULTS

During filling cystometry, in 16 of 36 patients (44%) the prolapse gradually and spontaneously reduced with increasing bladder volumes, so that at cystometric capacity the bladder base was completely reduced. Straining at cystometric capacity did not affect the bladder base position and, during voiding cystometry, the bladder base remained completely reduced. In the remaining 20 patients there was only partial reduction of the cystocele during bladder filling, i.e. the cystocele was reduced by half or less. Seven of the 16 patients with a full reduction of cystocele had concurrent uterine prolapse, compared with 15 of 20 (80%) who had only partial or no spontaneous reduction; the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

These video‐urodynamic results suggest that when erect the degree of bladder base descent is volume‐dependent, and that concomitant uterine prolapse might hinder spontaneous reduction of the cystocele.
Young children's use of a delayed video representation to solve a retrieval problem pertaining to self
Authors: Skouteris Helen , Spataro Josie , Lazaridis Mary
Published: August 2006

The experiments reported here were concerned with the development of delayed self‐recognition. Children were videotaped playing a game and were marked covertly with a sticker on their forehead while doing so. The findings, of both a cross‐sectional sample and a prospective longitudinal one, revealed that 3‐ but not 2.5‐year‐old children reached to remove this sticker reliably during video playback only after they had been trained to use the video to guide their search for an object that was not directly visible to the unaided eye. It appears that by 3 years of age children understand that their briefly delayed self video‐representation is related to their present self. In contrast, while 2.5‐year‐olds can use delayed video information to locate objects in space that cannot be seen by the unaided eye, they cannot use this type of information to locate an object that pertains to a part of self that is not directly visible, such as a sticker on one's hair. The findings are discussed in terms of the emergence of an extended sense of self.
Competency and Participation in Acquiring a Mastery of Language: A Reconsideration of the Idea of Membership
Authors: Forrester Michael A. , Reason David , Stokoe Elizabeth
Published: August 2006

For ethnomethodology and conversation analysis the concept of ‘member’ or ‘participant’ remains central. The aim of this paper is to consider a number of ideas originally outlined by Garfinkel and Sacks (1970) , and by way of extension and clarification, discuss transcript extracts from recorded everyday interactions between two parents and their pre-school child. We note that membership, or what might constitute being a member, involves possessing a mastery of language and being able to produce and recognise glossing practices. Furthermore, a member is someone who recognises that the actions which make conversations possible are reflexively accountable practices. By looking at extracts where a child is ‘learning how to talk’ we find evidence in support of the suggestions that: (a) membership is indeed a dynamic and concerted accomplishment in context; (b) adults often treat children as ‘good-enough’ members; and (c) infants can attain membership status not only with reference to displaying a mastery of language, but possibly by displaying a mastery of communication. We close by noting that one of Garfinkel and Sacks' (1970) particular insights was that in displaying mastery of language, speakers display membership, but mastery of language is itself a concerted accomplishment in occasion precisely because speakers display membership by not drawing attention to the fact that they are indeed a member.
Social Mobility in Scotland since the Middle of the Twentieth Century
Authors: Iannelli Cristina , Paterson Lindsay
Published: August 2006

Extensive mobility between class of origin and class of destination has been a characteristic feature of societies in Europe and North America since the middle of the twentieth century. Most mobility has been upward, and most of that has been explicable by occupational change – by the rise in the proportion of the labour force which works in service-class jobs and the decline in the proportion in manual jobs. This pattern may now be changing, because parents of younger cohorts (people born since the 1960s) have themselves benefited from upward mobility and so there is less scope for further up ward movement by their off spring. The paper uses a large new data source for Scotland to investigate these topics. It finds that there is still a great deal of mobility, and that, although upward mobility still predominates, its amount is lower in younger cohorts than in older. Nevertheless, relative mobility has not changed as upward mobility has declined, just as in earlier studies it was found not to have changed as upward mobility rose. These patterns are similar for men and women.
TIME, HEDONIC MIGRATION, AND HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTION*
Authors: Shields Michael P.
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACT. A hedonic migration model is developed where regional amenities are viewed as influencing household production within the framework of the new demand theory. The inputs to household production are goods, time and housing. It is shown that economic growth in the economy as a whole will increase the relative attractiveness of regions that are relatively time‐saving, in the sense that they have a lower time elasticity of household production. Hence, migration will flow into time saving regions and housing costs in those regions will rise as real GDP grows.
Disentangling Age, Cohort and Time Effects in the Additive Model*
Authors: McKenzie David J.
Published: August 2006

This paper presents a new approach to the old problem of linear dependency of age, cohort and time effects. It is shown that second differences of the effects can be estimated without any normalization restrictions, providing information on the shape of the age‐, cohort‐ and time‐effect profiles, and enabling identification of structural breaks. A Wald test is provided to test the popular linear and quadratic specifications against a very general alternative. The method is illustrated through examples which show its ability to detect structural breaks in time effects as a result of the Mexican peso crisis, and to determine whether the age‐effect profile in the variance of Taiwanese log consumption is concave or convex.
Papillon‐Lefevre syndrome associated with albinism. Clinical and immunological study
Authors: Amer Mohammed , Mostafa Fawzia Farag , Tosson Zenab , Hegazi Ahmmed
Published: August 2006

Background We report the first association of Papillon‐Lefevre syndrome (PLS) with tyrosinase‐negative albinism in two brothers. Also, we studied T‐lymphocytes and mononuclear cell activity in them and in two other cases of PLS not associated with albinism.

Objective To recognize clinical and immunological correlation.

Methods Four PLS patients from 3 different families were studied clinically and immunologically. Two brothers (albino) in one family had recurrent infections. The other two patients from two other families had no infection. The patients’ healthy parents were also included in the study.

Results A decreased lymphocyte proliferative response to phytohaemaglutinin and in mononuclear cell activities were detected not only in the PLS patients with recurrent pyogenic infection, but also in their healthy parents. Further investigations of these patients showed impaired humoral and cellular immune response. PLS patients with no infection and their parents showed normal immunologic parameters.

Conclusion We suggest dividing PLS on clinical and immunological bases into two variants: PLS with pyogenic infections and the other variety without such infection. PLS with pyogenic infections is associated with immunologic dysfunction. Periodontosis could not be explained on an immunological basis.
Female sexual receptivity after partial copulations in the wolf spider (Schizocosa malitiosa)
Authors: Estramil N. , Costa F. G.
Published: August 2006

Mated females of the wolf spider Schizocosa malitiosa are frequently refractory to further copulations. Copulation consists of two successive behavioural patterns: pattern I (PI) and pattern II (PII). During PI males make multiple consecutive insertions with each palp, and in PII males alternate the use of palps after each insertion until dismounting. As both patterns are inseminatory, another function – such as generating female reluctance – is suggested for this complex behaviour. Here we test experimentally whether female spiders mated only with PI, or only with PII, are reluctant to re‐mate. Each copulating male was interrupted immediately after the end of PI (phase A), and the same male was instantly exposed to a second virgin female. After re‐mounting, the male initially performed a brief recapitulation of PI followed by PII (both together considered as phase B). For testing female sexual reluctance, females were exposed to a second male 3 days after the partial mating, but whenever the mounting occurred it was interrupted. Females were raised and progeny was counted. Phase‐A‐mated females were more reluctant to re‐mating than phase‐B‐mated females, but their respective progeny was similar. We suggest that female reluctance is caused by sperm‐associated substances transferred during PI.
Brain capillary endothelial cells mediate iron transport into the brain by segregating iron from transferrin without the involvement of divalent metal transporter 1
Authors: Moos Torben , Skjoerringe Tina , Gosk Sara , Morgan Evan H.
Published: August 2006

Rats were studied for [59Fe‐125I]transferrin uptake in total brain, and fractions containing brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs) or neurons and glia. 59Fe was transported through BCECs, whereas evidence of similar transport of transferrin was questionable. Intravenously injected transferrin localized to BCECs and failed to accumulate within neurons, except near the ventricles. No significant difference in [125I]transferrin distribution was observed between Belgrade b/b rats with a mutation in divalent metal transporter I (DMT1), and Belgrade +/b rats with regard to accumulation in vascular and postvascular compartments. 59Fe occurred in significantly lower amounts in the postvascular compartment in Belgrade b/b rats, indicating impaired iron uptake by transferrin receptor and DMT1‐expressing neurons. Immunoprecipitation with transferrin antibodies on brains from Belgrade rats revealed lower uptake of transferrin‐bound 59Fe. In postnatal (P)0 rats, less 59Fe was transported into the postvascular compartment than at later ages, suggesting that BCECs accumulate iron at P0. Supporting this notion, an in situ perfusion technique revealed that BCECs accumulated ferrous and ferric iron only at P0. However, BCECs at P0 together with those of older age lacked DMT1. In conclusion, BCECs probably mediate iron transport into the brain by segregating iron from transferrin without involvement of DMT1.
P25α/Tubulin polymerization promoting protein expression by myelinating oligodendrocytes of the developing rat brain
Authors: Skjoerringe Tina , Lundvig Ditte M. S. , Jensen Poul H. , Moos Torben
Published: August 2006

P25α/tubulin polymerization promoting protein (TPPP) is a brain specific phosphoprotein that displays microtubule bundling activity. In the mature brain, p25α/TPPP distributes to oligodendrocytes and choroid plexus epithelium. We mapped the spatial and temporal distribution of p25α/TPPP in the developing rat brain. Having localized its expression to neuronal tissue by Western blot analyses, the distribution of p25α/TPPP to developing oligodendrocytes was confirmed using a specific antibody. In the pre‐natal and post‐natal brain, p25α/TPPP was localized to the perinuclear cytoplasm of myelinating oligodendrocytes from embryonic (E) day E20 as verified from cellular co‐localization with 2′,3′‐cyclic nucleotide 3′‐phosphodiesterase (CNP). Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and pre‐myelinating oligodendrocytes identified by the expression of NG2 proteoglycan and CD9, respectively, both failed to contain p25α/TPPP. In contrast, P25α/TPPP co‐localized with βIV‐tubulin from post‐natal (p) day P10 suggesting that p25α/TPPP plays an important role for tubulin‐related transport in developing, myelinating oligodendrocytes.
Attitudes Toward Women, 1970–1995
Authors: Twenge Jean M.
Published: August 2006

The social climate for women has changed considerably since the Attitudes Toward Women Scale (AWS; Spence & Helmreich, 1972a) was developed in the early 1970s, but the pattern of change in AWS scores throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s is unclear. Published reports of data from 71 samples of American undergraduates responding to the AWS were located and analyzed for differences across time (1970–1995) and region (South and non-South). Women's AWS scores were strongly correlated with year of scale administration ( r = .78, p < .001), and men's scores showed a similar trend toward more liberal/feminist attitudes ( r = .60, p < .001). Scores show a steady trend toward more liberal/feminist attitudes, with no appreciable reversal or slowdown during the 1980s. Gender differences steadily increased from 1970 to 1985 and decreased from 1986 to 1995. Southern samples were marginally more conservative/traditional. The results are discussed in terms of generational differences, the effects of maternal employment on attitudes, and the individual's experience of cultural change.
Development of family specific contact calls in the Long‐tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus
Authors: SHARP STUART P. , HATCHWELL BEN J.
Published: August 2006

Contact calls are ubiquitous among birds and are important in mediating social interactions. Despite this, the structure and function of these vocalizations have received relatively little attention, and the ontogeny of all bird calls is poorly known. In co‐operatively breeding Long‐tailed Tits Aegithalos caudatus, helpers preferentially provide care at the nests of close relatives and contact calls act as cues for kin recognition. However, it is not known whether these calls act as individual‐specific or family‐specific cues, or if they differ between the sexes. Furthermore, the precise nature and timing of the development of these calls is not known. Here we use spectrographic cross‐correlation to show that two different contact calls in the Long‐tailed Tit exhibit some degree of family‐specificity but no sex‐specificity, and the implications for kin recognition are discussed. We also provide evidence that both call types develop in the nest, and we give one of the first descriptions of nestling vocalizations from hatching through to fledging in a passerine species.
Sirolimus‐Eluting Stent in Chronic Total Occlusion: The SICTO Study
Authors: LOTAN CHAIM , ALMAGOR YARON , KUIPER KAREL , SUTTORP MAARTEN J. , WIJNS WILLIAM
Published: August 2006

Coronary stenting can significantly reduce the restenosis and reocclusion rates after successful balloon angioplasty for chronic total occlusions (CTO). Nevertheless, recanalization of CTO remains among the worst predictors for in‐stent restenosis and reocclusion. This multicenter, nonrandomized study assessed the safety and effectiveness of the CYPHER® sirolimus‐eluting stent in reducing angiographic in‐stent late loss in totally occluded native coronary arteries. A total of 25 eligible patients were treated with the CYPHER® sirolimus‐eluting stent. Baseline clinical and angiographic data were collected and 6‐month follow‐up angiography and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) were performed. Clinical follow‐up was required at 30 days, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Study stent implantation was successful in all patients, with a mean stent length of 28.4 ± 11 mm. Six‐month angiographic outcomes showed that mean lumen diameter stenosis did not change (2.22 ± 0.56 mm postprocedure; 2.26 ± 0.60 mm at 6 months follow‐up; P = NS). Similarly, mean percent diameter stenosis did not change significantly (15.7 ± 8.6% postprocedure, 19.3 ± 11% at follow‐up; P = NS). The absolute late lumen loss was −0.03 ± 0.28 mm with a 6‐month in‐stent restenosis rate of 0%. IVUS follow‐up revealed in‐stent obstruction volume of only 4.9 ± 6.8%. Long‐term clinical follow‐up showed target lesion revascularization at 12 months was only 4%, with target vessel revascularization of only 12%. The CYPHER® sirolimus‐eluting stent was safe and effective in the treatment of CTO compared to historical data with bare metal stents.
Alcohol Septal Ablation for Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review of Published Studies
Authors: ALAM MAHBOOB , DOKAINISH HISHAM , LAKKIS NASSER
Published: August 2006

Objective: Alcohol septal ablation (ASA) for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) has emerged as a lesser invasive alternative to surgical myectomy over the past decade. The purpose of this study is to analyze all the published literature on outcomes and complications after ASA.

Methods: MEDLINE and PubMed were searched for all available published literature on ASA (June 1996–June 2005) using the terms hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), alcohol septal ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, alcohol septal ablation for HOCM, alcohol septal ablation (ASA), transcoronary alcohol septal ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (TASH), transcoronary alcohol septal ablation for HOCM, nonsurgical septal reduction therapy (NSRT), and percutaneous transcoronary septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA).

Results: A total of 42 published studies (2,959 patients) were analyzed. Mean age was 53.5 (35.4–72) years with a mean male to female ratio of 1.17. Mean follow‐up was 12.7 ± 0.3 months (1.5–43.2). Absolute ethanol (3 mL) was injected in 1.2 septal perforator arteries. On average, serum CK peaked at 964 units. At 12 months, there was a sustained decrease in resting and provoked LVOT gradient (65.3–15.8 and 125.4–31.5 mmHg, respectively) accompanied by reduction in basal septal diameter (20.9–13.9 mm), improvement in NYHA Class (2.9–1.2), and increase in exercise capacity (325.3–437.5 seconds). Early mortality (within 30 days) was 1.5% (0.0–5.0%) and late mortality (beyond 30 days) was 0.5% (0.0–9.3%). Other complications include ventricular fibrillation (2.2%), LAD dissection (1.8%), complete heart block requiring permanent pacemaker (10.5%), and pericardial effusion (0.6%). A repeat ASA was performed on 6.6% of patients and 1.9% of patients underwent surgical myomectomy with resolution of symptoms.

Conclusions: Literature to date suggests that ASA results in acute and intermediate‐term favorable clinical and echocardiographic outcomes. A randomized controlled trial is needed to compare ASA and myomectomy in order to determine which technique provides maximal benefit.
The Impact of Gender on Vessel Size in Patients with Angiographically Normal Coronary Arteries
Authors: YANG FELIX , MINUTELLO ROBERT M. , BHAGAN SHERRITA , SHARMA ATUL , WONG S. CHIU
Published: August 2006

Introduction: Female gender has been associated with worse clinical outcomes following coronary revascularization. Whether a gender‐specific difference in vessel size is contributing to this finding remains controversial. We sought to better define the relationship between gender and coronary artery size.

Methods: Baseline characteristics were obtained and quantitative coronary angiography was performed on 145 consecutive patients with angiographically normal (smooth luminal surface with no evidence of any irregularity in the coronary tree) coronary arteries. Two separate orthogonal measurements each were taken of the left main, proximal left anterior descending, proximal circumflex, proximal right coronary artery, and ostial posterior descending arteries. An average coronary size, derived from five separate coronary artery measurements, was tabulated for each patient.

Results: After correcting for confounding variables, including BSA, height, diabetes, and left ventricular hypertrophy using multivariate linear regression, female gender remained a strong independent predictor of coronary vessel size (Beta =−0.30, P = 0.004). Female gender was associated with a 0.30 mm decrease in average coronary size.

Conclusion: Gender is a strong, independent predictor of coronary artery size even when taking into account differences in body size. This difference may contribute to worse outcomes of women undergoing coronary revascularization.
When Size Matters: Lessons Learned from Left Main Stent Embolization and Retrieval
Authors: LAROSE ERIC , ROGERS CAMPBELL D. , SIMON DANIEL I.
Published: August 2006

While the advantages of drug‐eluting stents (DES) have been demonstrated in moderate and small‐sized vessels, the benefits of DES use in selected larger vessels are increasingly recognized. In the following case presentation, the use of a DES outside the approved vessel diameter to treat left main coronary artery disease led to retrograde migration of the stent over the guiding catheter. Solutions to capturing and retrieving a stent in this position are discussed and our approach to resolving the situation is presented.
Comparison of Knowledge and Attitudes Using Computer‐based and Face‐to‐Face Personal Hygiene Training Methods in Food Processing Facilities
Authors: Fenton Ginger D. , LaBorde Luke F. , Radhakrishna Rama B. , Brown J. Lynne , Cutter Catherine N.
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACT: Computer‐based training is increasingly favored by food companies for training workers due to convenience, self‐pacing ability, and ease of use. The objectives of this study were to determine if personal hygiene training, offered through a computer‐based method, is as effective as a face‐to‐face method in knowledge acquisition and improved attitude toward food safety. Employees from four food processing facilities (n= 94) were randomly assigned to a control group, a face‐to‐face training group, or a computer‐based training group. Evaluation instruments consisted of a pretest and a posttest to measure knowledge gain, a step scale to measure attitude after training and retrospectively before training, and a brief set of interview questions. Results for both treatments and the control group indicated increases in knowledge. Analysis of the posttest scores, when controlling for the pretest scores, indicated the difference was significant (P≤ 0.05); however, post hoc analysis did not indicate which treatment was superior. There was a significant increase in attitude scores for both groups using pairedt‐tests, although the difference between groups was not significant when controlling for attitude scores before training. Issues that may limit application of the technology used in this study include low literacy and language barriers among employees, and time constraints within companies. These and other variables should be taken into account in future research studies addressing comparisons of training methods. This study is the first to demonstrate the effectiveness of computer‐based training aimed at food handlers who work in food processing establishments.
Phylogeography of the Cosmopolitan Marine Parasite Kudoa thyrsites (Myxozoa: Myxosporea)
Authors: WHIPPS CHRISTOPHER M. , KENT MICHAEL L.
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACT. Kudoa thyrsites (Myxozoa: Multivalvulida) is a cosmopolitan marine parasite of fishes associated with post‐mortem tissue degradation. Financial losses incurred as a result of these infections are of concern to commercial fisheries. There is conflicting evidence whether K. thyrsites represents a cryptic species complex. Myxospore morphology is very similar for K. thyrsites across its range, but preliminary genetic analyses show some differences. Kudoa thyrsites and the morphologically similar Kudoa histolytica were examined from hosts in British Columbia, Canada, Oregon, USA, Chile, England, South Africa, Australia, and Japan. We compared myxospore morphology and DNA sequences of heat shock protein 70 and the small subunit, large subunit, and internal transcribed spacer 1 of the ribosomal DNA. There was some morphological variation between regional representatives, inconsistent with genetic analyses. Phylogenetically, major separations correlated to four broad geographic regions: Japan, Australia, eastern Pacific, and eastern Atlantic. Within these regions there was little additional genetic structure. These data are evidence for regional subdivision of K. thyrsites suggesting global transplantation of fishes has yet to homogenize these distinctions. Within regions, parasite gene flow appears to be high between host species, suggesting little host specificity and minimal cryptic speciation. Our data also indicate that K. histolytica is not a valid species, as it was morphologically and genetically indistinguishable from K. thyrsites.
Reaction to a Campus Confrontation1
Authors: Epstein Yakov M. , Suedfeld Peter , Bresnahan Daniel M.
Published: August 2006

Students' reactions to the occupation of a university building were surveyed on the first and last day of the occupation as well as several weeks following the end of the occupation. Respondents were either day or evening school students at two different campuses of the same university. Results of the survey indicate that: (1) The majority of students, both day and evening, believe that the university should negotiate with the occupiers. The only exception to this trend is a group of political conservatives who advocate punishment. (2) The conflict tends to polarize attitudes about radicals, but mostly against them rather than in their favor. (3) A striking net increase is found in attitudes favorable to conventional political groups. (4) The closer the physical proximity of the respondent to the scene of the conflict, the more negative are his attitudes toward those who are seen as responsible for the disruption. (5) Evening school students are more negative toward the occupiers than are day school students. (6) The attitudes of young evening students are more similar to those of their older classmates than to those of their day school agemates.
Modification of Delinquent Behavior1
Authors: Ostrom Thomas M. , Steele Claude M. , Rosenblood Lorna K. , Mirels Herbert L.
Published: August 2006

A matched subjects design was employed to assess the effectiveness of an experimental program for the reduction of delinquent behavior in adolescent boys on probation. Youngsters in the experimental group (N= 19) were invited to participate in a series of small group sessions designed on the basis of principles drawn from the theory and research of social psychology. Control group delinquents (N= 19) were not informed of this project and continued their previous association with the probation office. The group experiences arranged for the experimental participants encouraged free and open discussion of their previous delinquent activities, future behavioral intentions, personal values, and life goals. It was found that participants developed high attraction toward the group and involvement in its activities. Frequency of subsequent delinquent behavior was found to be significantly reduced for experimental group participants as compared with their matched controls. In a followup interview 9 months after the last group meeting, it was found that experimental group members showed significantly more internal responses on a modified version of the Rotter I‐E scale than did the control subjects.
Educating Disadvantaged Urban Children in Suburban Schools: An Evaluation1
Authors: Zdep Stanley M.
Published: August 2006

A 1‐year experimental program that transported a total of 38 “volunteer” disadvantaged city children to schools in a nearby suburban community was evaluated in grades 1 and 2. Twenty‐six of the 38 children were in a total of 12 different classes at these two grade levels. At the conclusion of the program, transported first graders displayed significantly higher average gains in reading, mathematics, and listening skills than did counterparts who remained in the city school. Among second graders, achievement mean gains for the transported group did not differ significantly from those of the counterpart group. Suburban children in classes containing city youngsters displayed no measured detrimental effects on achievement, when compared to similar classes without city children. In general, year‐end affective measures indicated that most groups of students preferred integrated classes that were mostly white, and they also felt these classes were among the smartest.
The Effects of a Campus Building Occupation on Attitudes and Images of the Conflict1
Authors: Teger Allan I.
Published: August 2006

Surveys were conducted before and after radical students occupied a campus building at Princeton University. The occupation led to reduced support for the radicals' demands and increased support for their militant action. The increased support for the militant action occurred even though no police were used. The results were interpreted in terms of a functional theory of attitudes. It was suggested that support for the demands or actions of the radicals was necessary in order to permit many students to appear radical. A second aspect of the study examined the mirror image hypothesis. Strong support for this hypothesis was obtained when it was found that the administration and the radicals appeared as direct opposites. This effect, however, was almost entirely confined to those students who strongly supported the radicals or the administration. Those who took a moderate view did not see the two parties as direct opposites.
Correlates of Marijuana Use Among College Students1
Authors: Gergen Mary K. , Gergen Kenneth J. , Morse Stanley J.
Published: August 2006

Students who have smoked marijuana are compared with non‐users on a variety of attitudinal and demographic characteristics. Approximately 36% of the sample of over 5,000 college students from a national survey report usage of the drug. The major demographic characteristics that separate users from non‐users are religious affiliation, region of the country, and sex. With respect to collegiate institutions, the selectivity of the institution, the students' academic aspirations, and grade‐point average all prove to play a significant role. Anti‐war activities and sentiments also prove highly significant. A Multiple Classification Analysis (MCA), which compares the relative contribution of each variable to drug usage, shows that anti‐war protest, religious affiliation, and sex are the most significant predictors of marijuana usage. A variety of mechanisms playing a possible role in fostering drug use are discussed.
Racial Stereotypes: Measurement Variables and the Stereotype‐Attitude Relationship
Authors: Brigham John C.
Published: August 2006

The widely used paradigm developed by Katz and Braly (1933) for the assessment of “stereotypes” has been criticized because of the ambiguity of the subject's task. In the present study, 2 alternate sets of instructions were used, attempting to make the subject's task more clearcut. Traits attributed to each of 5 ethnic groups were virtually identical to those given under the instructional format usually utilized in such studies. When subjects were asked to list the trait‐attributions most commonly made by “others” in our society to each of the ethnic groups, responses concerning Negroes were considerably different from subjects' own attributions to Negroes. This own‐others difference was not evident for the other 4 ethnic groups rated. Racial attitude was significantly related to attribution for 5 of the 17 traits attributed to blacks by over 10% of the subjects, when subjects were giving their own views. The degree to which a subject's attributions to Negroes agreed with those of the sample as a whole was not related to his racial attitude. However, the degree to which a subject's attributions to Negroes agreed with those seen as most commonly attributed by “others” in our society was positively related to racial prejudice. The implications of these findings for common conceptualizations of stereotype are discussed.
Personal Causation Training in the Schools1
Authors: DECHARMS RICHARD
Published: August 2006

Black elementary school teachers received personal causation training and designed and implemented classroom exercises for their sixth and seventh grade classes. Results of this field experiment showed increased motivation of teachers and students, enhanced academic achievement of students and students' perceptions of being treated as Origins. The Origin‐Pawn variable was found to mediate between personal causation and academic achievement.
Chronic Smoking and Emotionality1
Authors: NESBITT PAUL DAVID
Published: August 2006

Self‐report data were gathered on the chronic emotionality of smokers and nonsmokers in a number of samples. The results were discussed relative to the literature on sociopathy and recent studies that found smokers to be more emotional than nonsmokers. It was argued that an S's own emotional feelings must be distinguished from the behavioral observations of others, and that the smoking habit might well lead to a generally lowered level of felt emotionality.
Complexity Training and Prejudice Reduction
Authors: Gardiner Gareth S.
Published: August 2006

It was argued that prejudicc is a likely outcome of simple cognitive structures, and that if a training procedure could be devised which would increase conccptual complexity in the xea of interracial affairs, thcn prejudice would be reduced. Accordingly, a complexity training task was developed which required Ss to engage in uniconceptual or multiconceptual thinking about videotaped stimulus persons who varied in race (black and white) and competence. Ss were 64 paid, white, high school students. Results showed that both complexity training procedures were effective in reducing prejudice and increasing complexity of thinking, but the multiconceptual training group failcd to signiticantly outpcrform the uniconceptual group. This latter result was interprctcd in tcrins of cognitive matching model.
The Effects of Spatial Density on the Social Behavior of Children1
Authors: Loo Chalsa M.
Published: August 2006

The behavioral effects of high and low spatial density on normal children of ages 4 and 5 were examined. Sixty Ss were observed in groups of six in a free‐play situation under both density conditions. Results showed that there was significantly less aggression and less social interaction in the high‐density condition than in the low‐dcnsity condition. Thcrc was a significant Density X Sex effect o n aggression and signficant main effects of sex on aggression, nurturance, number of interruptions, and number of children interacted with. Several complexities in researching and explaining the effects of density on behaviors are discussed.