bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whose information is it anyway? Informing a 12-year-old patient of her terminal prognosis
Authors: Goldie J , Schwartz L , Morrison J
Published: July 2005

Objective:To examine students’ attitudes and potential behaviour towards informing a 12-year-old patient of her terminal prognosis in a situation in which her parents do not wish her to be told, as they pass through a modern medical curriculum.

Design:A cohort study of students entering Glasgow University’s new medical curriculum in October 1996.

Methods:Students’ responses obtained before year 1 and at the end of years 1, 3, and 5 to the “childhood leukaemia” vignette of the Ethics in Health Care Survey Instrument (EHCI) were examined quantitatively and qualitatively. Analysis of the students’ multichoice answers enabled measurement of the movement towards professional consensus opinion. An analysis of their written justifications for their answers helped to determine whether their reasoning was consistent with professional consensus and enabled measurement of changes in knowledge content and recognition of the values inherent in the vignette. Themes on the students’ reasoning behind their decision to tell the patient or not were also identified.

Results:Unlike other vignettes of the EHCI in which autonomy was a main theme, few students chose the consensus answer before year 1 and there was no significant movement towards consensus at any point during the course. In defence of their decision to withhold information, the students expressed strong paternalistic opinions. The patient’s age was seen as a barrier to respecting her autonomy.

Conclusions:It is important to identify students’ perceptions on entry to medical school. Transformative learning theory may provide the basis for an approach to foster doctors who consider the rights of young people. Small-group teaching is most conducive to this approach. The importance of positive role modelling is also emphasised.
COMPUTABLY ENUMERABLE ALGEBRAS, THEIR EXPANSIONS, AND ISOMORPHISMS
Authors: KHOUSSAINOV BAKHADYR , LEMPP STEFFEN , SLAMAN THEODORE A.
Published: June 2005

Computably enumerable algebras are the ones whose positive atomic diagrams are computably enumerable. Computable algebras are the ones whose atomic diagrams are computable. In this paper we investigate computably enumerable algebras and provide several algebraic and computable theoretic distinctions of these algebras from the class of computable algebras. We give a characterization of computably enumerable but not computable algebras in terms of congruences and effective conjunctions of [Formula: see text]-sentences. Our characterization, for example, shows that computable conjunctions of negative atomic formulas true in a given c.e. algebra can be preserved in infinitely many of its homomorphic images. We also study questions on how expansions of algebras by finitely many new functions affect computable isomorphism types. In particular, we construct a c.e. algebra with unique computable isomorphism type but which has no finitely generated c.e. expansion.
EXTENDED FINITE AUTOMATA AND WORD PROBLEMS
Authors: CORSON JON M.
Published: June 2005

This paper considers extended finite automata over monoids, in the sense of Dassow and Mitrana. We show that the family of languages accepted by extended finite automata over a monoid K is controlled by the word problem of K in a precisely stated manner. We also point out a critical error in the proof of the main result in the paper by Dassow and Mitrana. However as one consequence of our approach, by analyzing a certain word problem, we obtain a complete proof of this result, namely that the family of languages accepted by extended finite automata over the free group of rank two is exactly the family of context-free languages. We further deduce that along with the free group of rank two, the only finitely generated groups with this property are precisely the groups that have a nonabelian free subgroup of finite index.
GENERALIZED KALOUJNINE GROUPS, UNISERIALITY AND HEIGHT OF AUTOMORPHISMS
Authors: CECCHERINI-SILBERSTEIN TULLIO G. , LEONOV YURIJ G. , SCARABOTTI FABIO , TOLLI FILIPPO
Published: June 2005

We show that the Lie action of the Kaloujnine group K(p,n) on the vector space (Fp)pnis uniserial. Using some Radon transform techniques we derive a formula for the height of the elements in K(p,n). A generalization of the Kaloujnine groups is introduced by considering automorphisms of a spherically homogeneous tree. We observe that uniseriality fails to hold for these groups and determine their lower central series; finally we discuss in detail Kaloujnine's description of the characteristic subgroups in terms of the (normal) "parallelotopic" subgroups.
ON VARIETIES IN WHICH SOLUBLE GROUPS ARE TORSION-BY-NILPOTENT
Authors: ENDIMIONI GÉRARD , TRAUSTASON GUNNAR
Published: June 2005

We characterize the varieties in which all soluble groups are torsion-by-nilpotent as well as the varieties in which all soluble groups are locally finite-by-nilpotent.
LINEAR GROUPS OF SMALL DEGREE OVER FINITE FIELDS
Authors: FLANNERY D. L. , O'BRIEN E. A.
Published: June 2005

For n = 2,3 and finite field 𝔼 of characteristic greater than n, we provide a complete and irredundant list of soluble irreducible subgroups of GL (n,𝔼). The insoluble irreducible subgroups of GL (2,𝔼) are similarly determined. Each group is given explicitly by a generating set of matrices. The lists are available electronically.
AUTOMATIC MODEL CREATION FOR KINEMATIC ANALYSIS AND OPTIMIZATION OF ENGINEERING SYSTEMS
Authors: HICKS B. J. , MULLINEUX G. , MEDLAND A. J.
Published: July 2005

The successful adaptation and optimization of existing designs play an important role in the design of high speed machinery. Adaptation and extension of existing design principles to achieve some new functional or performance requirement is imperative for the development of the next generation of machines. In addition to this, continual improvement and optimization of existing designs are necessary to sustain a product's commercial success. Where complex mechanical systems are considered such design activities usually require the application of advanced simulation packages or intelligent CAD systems. The widespread utilization of such techniques, for all but the largest enterprises, is severely frustrated by the considerable level of resources required in order to retain a single, proficient user. These resources include extensive initial training as well as ongoing courses, the purchase of commercial licenses and more often than not, the considerable time and effort necessary for the creation and development of complex computer based models. As a consequence, many SMEs demand reliable, efficient and economical methods to generate simulation models for analysis and investigation. One method for delivering this is to provide an approach for the automatic creation of simulation models from data describing an existing design. Such an approach can reduce costs and resources as well as expedite the model building process. This paper presents a method for automatically generating a representative CAD model of a mechanical system. It supports the transformation of digital images into kinematic models for simulation and analysis. The method integrates motion analysis techniques, a parametric description of mechanical systems and a constraint-based CAD system.
3D FACE RECOGNITION FROM RANGE DATA
Authors: PAN GANG , WU ZHAOHUI
Published: July 2005

3D facial data has a great potential in overcoming the problems of illumination and pose variation in face recognition. In this paper, we investigate face recognition from range data by facial profiles and surface. An efficient symmetry plane detection method for facial range data is presented to help extract facial profile. A global profile matching method is then exploited to align and compare the two profiles without detecting fiducial points that is often unreliable. The central profile and two kinds of horizontal profiles — nose-crossing profile and forehead-crossing profile — are employed in recognition. For each individual, a statistical model is built to represent the distinct discriminative capability of the different regions on the facial surface. It is then incorporated into a weighted distance function to measure for the similarity of surfaces. The comparable experimental results are achieved on a facial range data database with 120 individuals.
DETERMINATION OF MINUTIAE SCORES FOR FINGERPRINT IMAGE APPLICATIONS
Authors: BHOWMICK PARTHA , BISHNU ARIJIT , BHATTACHARYA BHARGAB BIKRAM , KUNDU MALAY KUMAR , MURTHY C. A. , ACHARYA TINKU
Published: July 2005

Many Automatic Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) are based on minutiae matching. Minutiae are the terminations and bifurcations of the ridge lines in a fingerprint image. A gray-scale fingerprint image that has undergone binarization, followed by thinning, in order to extract the minutiae, may contain hundreds of minutiae, all of which are not so vivid and obvious in the original image. Thus, the set of minutiae that are well-defined and more prominent than the rest should be given higher relevance and importance in the process of minutiae matching.

In this work, a gray-scale fingerprint image is first preprocessed to produce a thinned binary image. Next, a method to assign a score value to each of the extracted minutiae is proposed, based on certain topographical properties of a minutia. The score associated to a minutia signifies its robustness and prominence. A minutia with a higher score value should be considered with higher priority in the matching scheme to yield better results. Experimental results on several standard databases have been reported.
ENHANCING THE SENSITIVITY OF THE SEPTIC BACTERIUM DETECTION METHOD BY CONCENTRATING THE PHAGE-INFECTED BACTERIA VIA DC ELECTRICAL CURRENT
Authors: BIARD J. R. , KISH L. B.
Published: June 2005

In this Letter, we propose a simple method to strongly enhance the sensitivity of the detection of the new technique called "SEnsing of Phage-Triggered Ion Cascade (SEPTIC)". The method accumulates those phage infected bacteria which are emitting ions and releases those which have stopped the ion emission activity. The estimated increasing of the sensitivity can reach several orders of magnitude at practical conditions.
Molecular Gas at High Redshift
Authors: Solomon P.M. , Vanden Bout P.A.
Published: July 2005

▪ Abstract  The Early Universe Molecular Emission Line Galaxies (EMGs) are a population of galaxies with only 36 examples that hold great promise for the study of galaxy formation and evolution at high redshift. The classification, luminosity of molecular line emission, molecular mass, far-infrared (FIR) luminosity, star formation efficiency, morphology, and dynamical mass of the currently known sample are presented and discussed. The star formation rates derived from the FIR luminosity range from about 300 to 5000 M⊙ year −1 and the molecular mass from 4 × 109 to 1 × 1011 M⊙. At the lower end, these star formation rates, gas masses, and diameters are similar to those of local ultraluminous infrared galaxies and represent starbursts in centrally concentrated disks, sometimes, but not always, associated with active galactic nuclei. The evidence for large (>5 kpc) molecular disks is limited. Morphology and several high angular resolution images suggest that some EMGs are mergers with a massive molecular interstellar medium in both components. A critical question is whether the EMGs, in particular those at the higher end of the gas mass and luminosity distribution, represent the formation of massive, giant elliptical galaxies in the early Universe. The sample size is expected to grow explosively in the era of the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA).
SPECIFICITY AND VERSATILITY IN TGF-β SIGNALING THROUGH SMADS
Authors: Feng Xin-Hua , Derynck Rik
Published: July 2005

The TGF-β family comprises many structurally related differentiation factors that act through a heteromeric receptor complex at the cell surface and an intracellular signal transducing Smad complex. The receptor complex consists of two type II and two type I transmembrane serine/threonine kinases. Upon phosphorylation by the receptors, Smad complexes translocate into the nucleus, where they cooperate with sequence-specific transcription factors to regulate gene expression. The vertebrate genome encodes many ligands, fewer type II and type I receptors, and only a few Smads. In contrast to the perceived simplicity of the signal transduction mechanism with few Smads, the cellular responses to TGF-β ligands are complex and context dependent. This raises the question of how the specificity of the ligand-induced signaling is achieved. We review the molecular basis for the specificity and versatility of signaling by the many ligands through this conceptually simple signal transduction mechanism.
Effect of chronic hyperoxic exposure on duroquinone reduction in adult rat lungs
Authors: Audi Said H. , Bongard Robert D. , Krenz Gary S. , Rickaby David A. , Haworth Steven T. , Eisenhauer Jessica , Roerig David L. , Merker Marilyn P.
Published: July 2005

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) plays a dominant role in the reduction of the quinone compound 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-1,4-benzoquinone (duroquinone, DQ) to durohydroquinone (DQH2) on passage through the rat lung. Exposure of adult rats to 85% O2 for ≥7 days stimulates adaptation to the otherwise lethal effects of >95% O2. The objective of this study was to examine whether exposure of adult rats to hyperoxia affected lung NQO1 activity as measured by the rate of DQ reduction on passage through the lung. We measured DQH2 appearance in the venous effluent during DQ infusion at different concentrations into the pulmonary artery of isolated perfused lungs from rats exposed to room air or to 85% O2. We also evaluated the effect of hyperoxia on vascular transit time distribution and measured NQO1 activity and protein in lung homogenate. The results demonstrate that exposure to 85% O2 for 21 days increases lung capacity to reduce DQ to DQH2 and that NQO1 is the dominant DQ reductase in normoxic and hyperoxic lungs. Kinetic analysis revealed that 21-day hyperoxia exposure increased the maximum rate of pulmonary DQ reduction, Vmax, and the apparent Michaelis-Menten constant for DQ reduction, Kma. The increase in Vmax suggests a hyperoxia-induced increase in NQO1 activity of lung cells accessible to DQ from the vascular region, consistent qualitatively but not quantitatively with an increase in lung homogenate NQO1 activity in 21-day hyperoxic lungs. The increase in Kma could be accounted for by ∼40% increase in vascular transit time heterogeneity in 21-day hyperoxic lungs.
Comparison between the effect of static contraction and tendon stretch on the discharge of group III and IV muscle afferents
Authors: Hayes Shawn G. , Kindig Angela E. , Kaufman Marc P.
Published: July 2005

The exercise pressor reflex is evoked by both mechanical and metabolic stimuli. Tendon stretch does not increase muscle metabolism and therefore is used to investigate the mechanical component of the exercise pressor reflex. An important assumption underlying the use of tendon stretch to study the mechanical component of the exercise pressor reflex is that stretch stimulates the same group III mechanosensitive muscle afferents as does static contraction. We have tested the veracity of this assumption in decerebrated cats by comparing the responses of group III and IV muscle afferents to tendon stretch with those to static contraction. The tension-time indexes as well as the peak tension development for both maneuvers did not significantly differ. We found that static contraction of the triceps surae muscles stimulated 18 of 30 group III afferents and 8 of 11 group IV afferents. Similarly, tendon stretch stimulated 14 of 30 group III afferents and 3 of 11 group IV afferents. However, of the 18 group III afferents that responded to static contraction and the 14 group III afferents that responded to tendon stretch, only 7 responded to both stimuli. On average, the conduction velocities of the 18 group III afferents that responded to static contraction (11.6 ± 1.6 m/s) were significantly slower ( P = 0.03) than those of the 14 group III afferents that responded to tendon stretch (16.7 ± 1.5 m/s). We have concluded that tendon stretch stimulated a different population of group III mechanosensitive muscle afferents than did static contraction. Although there is some overlap between the two populations of group III mechanosensitive afferents, it is not large, comprising less than half of the group III afferents responding to static contraction.
Small sets in convex geometry and formal independence over ZFC
Authors: Kojman Menachem
Published: June 2005

To each closed subset S of a finite‐dimensional Euclidean space corresponds a σ‐ideal of sets 𝒥 (S) which is σ‐generated over S by the convex subsets of S. The set‐theoretic properties of this ideal hold geometric information about the set. We discuss the relation of reducibility between convexity ideals and the connections between convexity ideals and other types of ideals, such as the ideals which are generated over squares of Polish space by graphs and inverses of graphs of continuous self‐maps, or Ramsey ideals, which are generated over Polish spaces by the homogeneous sets with respect to some continuous pair coloring. We also attempt to present to nonspecialists the set‐theoretic methods for dealing with formal independence as a means of geometric investigations.
On the convective nature of roll waves instability
Authors: Di Cristo C. , Vacca A.
Published: June 2005

A theoretical analysis of the Saint‐Venant
one‐dimensional flow model is performed in order to define the
nature of its instability. Following the Brigg criterion, the
investigation is carried out by examining the branch points
singularities of dispersion relation in the complex ω and
k planes, where ω and k are the complex pulsation
and wave number of the disturbance, respectively. The nature of
the linearly unstable conditions of flow is shown to be of
convective type, independently of the Froude number value.
Starting from this result a linear spatial stability analysis of
the one‐dimensional flow model is performed, in terms of time
asymptotic response to a pointwise time periodic disturbance.
The study reveals an influence of the disturbance frequency on
the perturbation spatial growth rate, which constitutes the
theoretical foundation of semiempirical criteria commonly
employed for predicting roll waves occurrence.
Does Cerebral Perfusion Improve following CSF Diversion in Pediatric Hydrocephalus?
Authors: Nayak Pralay Kumar , Agrawal Deepak , Gowda Naveen K. , Bal C.S. , Mahapatra A.K.
Published: July 2005

Aims and Objectives: To study regional cerebral perfusion before and after ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement in children with hydrocephalus, using 99mTc ECD single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Materials and Methods: 17 consecutive children (less than 16 years) with hydrocephalus due to various causes, who were planned for ventriculoperitoneal shunt, were included in this prospective study. Brain SPECT using 99mTc ECD was performed pre- and postoperatively and changes in cerebral perfusion were compared with the change in ventricular size (assessed using Evan’s ratio). Observations:There were 11 males and 6 females with a median age of 24 months. Nine children were up to 2 years of age and the mean duration of symptoms was 6 months. The cause of hydrocephalus was congenital in 10, secondary to tumor in 5 and as sequelae of infection in 2 children. Fourteen children (82%) showed improvement in cerebral perfusion following shunting. Of these, 12 also had a concomitant decrease in ventricular size postoperatively. Results: On logistic regression analysis, none of the factors analyzed, i.e. age, duration of symptoms, etiology of hydrocephalus and decrease in ventricular size, were found to predict improvement of cerebral perfusion following shunting. Conclusions: Cerebral perfusion improves in the majority of the children following CSF diversionary procedures, and contrary to the common belief, duration of hydrocephalus and decreased ventricular size do not influence this improvement in cerebral perfusion. SPECT can therefore prove to be a valuable tool for objective assessment of improvement in cerebral perfusion in children with hydrocephalus secondary to various etiologies following surgical or medical interventions.
Assessment of Childhood Intracranial Pressure Recordings Using a New Method of Processing Intracranial Pressure Signals
Authors: Eide Per Kristian
Published: July 2005

Background: Intracranial compliance may be more reliably predicted by the pulsatile component (pulse pressure) than the steady (mean pressure) component of intracranial pressure (ICP). A new method of processing continuous ICP signals assessing both components of ICP is described and applied to the ICP recordings of 6 pediatric cases. Method: The new method was applied to each subsequent 6-second time sequence window of a continuous ICP signal. For time sequence windows including single ICP waves, the following time sequence (TS.x)-related parameters were computed: (a) mean ICP (i.e. TS.MeanP) was computed according to the currently used and known technology; (b) the mean ICP wave was computed according to the new method, characterized by mean wave amplitude (i.e. TS.MeanWavedP) and mean wave latency (i.e. TS.MeanWavedT). Cases No. 1–4 were treated for hydrocephalus and cases No. 5 and 6 for craniosynostosis. Results: In 5 children, clinical intracranial hypertension was associated with elevations of mean ICP above 15–20 mm Hg of variable durations. The ICP recordings of the 5 children with intracranial hypertension and successful outcome after surgery revealed mean wave amplitude values above 5 mm Hg. Mean wave latency was more variable, ranging between 0.10 and 0.25 s. Conclusions: In the children with intracranial hypertension and successful outcome after surgery, mean wave amplitude was variably above 5 mm Hg. It is suggested that mean wave amplitude may be a useful parameter by more directly predicting cerebral compliance than mean ICP.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunt Infections in Children
Authors: Turgut M. , Alabaz D. , Erbey F. , Kocabas E. , Erman T. , Alhan E. , Aksaray N.
Published: July 2005

Infections of cerebrospinal fluid shunts continue to be a substantial source of mortality and morbidity in children with hydrocephalus. Although several therapeutic modalities are currently used for the treatment of shunt infections, there are no clear guidelines for treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine the common pathogens of cerebrospinal fluid shunt infections and evaluate the success of our management. Thirty-five children treated for ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections over the past 9 years were reviewed. The management protocol consisted of the removal of the infected shunt, the application of ventricular taps or reservoir placement, intraventricular antibiotic treatment, and the placement of a new shunt when cerebrospinal fluid sterility was achieved. Four patients were treated with antibiotics alone. Most episodes occurred within 4 months of shunt placement. The most common causative microorganism identified was Staphylococcus epidermidis, followed by S. aureus, and S. warneri. Three patients died from complications of shunt infections, 2 patients had a recurrent shunt infection, while the remaining 29 patients remained free from shunt-related complications. In agreement with the evidence published in the literature, our findings suggest that the above management protocol is effective for the treatment of cerebrospinal fluid shunt infections.
The Early Years of Hemispherectomy
Authors: Almeida Antonio Nogueira , Marino Jr. Raul
Published: July 2005

Today, hemispherectomy is a well-established procedure for the treatment of some sorts of catastrophic epilepsies. This, however, has not always been the case. The technique was developed to deal with brain tumors; however, the initial results were not remarkable. Moreover, when its morbidity became evident, it was almost abandoned. Had it not been for a shift in its use, with a huge increase in operations on patients with infantile hemiplegia, this surgery would certainly have disappeared. This paper focuses on the facts that surrounded these early years.
Penetrating Intracranial Stone
Authors: Kıymaz Nejmi , Yilmaz Nebi
Published: July 2005

Traumatic intracranial foreign objects may cause cranial hemorrhage and contusion at an early stage and epileptic seizures and infections at a later stage, leading to morbidity and mortality in children. In the present study we report a case of a traumatic intracranial stone, which is a rarely encountered foreign object in intracranial traumatic injuries.
Spontaneous Movement of Bullets in the Interhemispheric Region
Authors: Karabagli Hakan
Published: July 2005

Gunshot wounds to the head are usually mortal injuries. Their frequency has been increasing in the last years because of increasing crime and war rates. Penetrating craniocerebral injury in children and adolescents at the age of 17 or under is an increasing cause of emergent neurosurgical admissions to major metropolitan medical centers. I report a patient in whom a bullet in the brain moved from the interhemispheric region to 1 cm to the left of the inner occipital protuberance and midline. The patient recovered from surgery uneventfully. He was followed up for 4 years without neurodeficits. Spontaneous movement of bullets within the brain has been reported sporadically. The removal of intracerebral bullets is obviously warranted in patients undergoing craniotomy or craniectomy for debridement or evacuation of intracerebral clots or bone fragments if the metallic fragment is in proximity to the operative site. Before surgical removal of any intracerebral bullet, it is recommended that an intraoperative plain skull X-ray be obtained after final positioning of the head.
Teratoma in Human Tail Lipoma
Authors: Park Se-Hyuck , Huh Jee Soon , Cho Ki Hong , Shin Yong Sam , Kim Se Hyck , Ahn Young Hwan , Cho Kyung Gi , Yoon Soo Han
Published: July 2005

We report a case of a rare congenital teratoma that developed in a lipoma attached to a remnant human tail. A male newborn baby presented with a large, 3-cm mass with an open margin, which pedunculated from a tail attached to the midline skin of the coccygeal area. Magnetic resonance images demonstrated multiple sacral spinal bifida without cord tethering, and also showed neural roots and a lipoma and teratoma with peripheral homogeneous high density and internal low density on T2- weighted images. Intraoperatively, we found and dissected two nerve roots from the filum terminale which extended into the mass. Pathologic examination of the mass revealed abnormal differentiation of respiratory epithelium and squamous cell metaplasia along the open margin of the mass, and mainly lipoma in the rest of the mass. We suggest that this case could support the hypothesis of transient teratomatous cells in the pathogenesis of the spina bifida with lumbosacral lipoma.
Ulnar Nerve Abscess and Relapse in a Patient with Indeterminate Leprosy 1 Year after Completion of Multidrug Therapy
Authors: Agrawal Amit , Dalal Monica , Makkannavar J.H. , Shetty J.P.
Published: July 2005

The introduction of multidrug therapy has efficiently controlled leprosy in developing countries. However, Mycobacterium laprae may survive and cause relapse despite adequate treatment with antileprosy drugs. Relapse may be characterized by a combination of new signs or symptoms and presence of acid-fast bacilli on skin or nerve biopsy samples. We report a case of a child in whom ulnar abscess developed 12 months after successful completion of multidrug therapy with clinical and histopathological evidence of relapse.
Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy through the Interfornicial Space
Authors: Husain Mazhar , Rastogi Manu , Jha Deepak K.
Published: July 2005

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is the most common cranial endoscopic surgery being done worldwide for a variety of conditions resulting in hydrocephalus. We report ETV in a case of congenital hydrocephalus with deficient third ventricular roof and wide interfornicial space.A 6-month-old male child presented with gradual progressive head enlargement and signs of raised intracranial pressure. Computed tomography of the head showed aqueductal stenosis with enlargement of third and lateral ventricles. The patient was operated under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation. A right coronal burr hole and free-hand entry were made into the right lateral ventricle. The anterior part of the septum and the third ventricular roof were deficient with a narrow Monro’s foramen and the third ventricular floor was visible through the space between both fornices. ETV was done in standard fashion. Postoperatively the patient showed uneventful recovery clinicoradiologically. We review the literature and discuss the findings and technique of ETV in this rare entity.
Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence: A Series of 13 Cases
Authors: Modugno Giovanni Carlo , Brandolini Cristina , Savastio Gabriella , Ceroni Alberto Rinaldi , Pirodda Antonio
Published: July 2005

Increasingly more detailed imaging techniques have recently highlighted the frequent occurrence of bony labyrinthine dehiscence. Among them, superior canal dehiscence (SCD) has been described in a number of cases presenting different features. Here, we report a series of 13 cases, in which the detection of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) in response to stimuli of abnormally low intensity as compared to normal responses led us to suspect the presence of a ‘third window effect’. An accurate HRCT investigation allowed the diagnosis of SCD. Anamnestic and symptomatologic differences seem difficult to explain, although in our opinion a dural rupture could be at the basis of the onset of pathologic manifestations after many years of silence of a probably malformative condition.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Levels in Vitreous and Serum of Patients with either Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy or Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy
Authors: Sydorova Maria , Lee Mun Seng
Published: July 2005

Purposes: To confirm the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the pathogenesis of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and to investigate the relationship between the level of VEGF in serum and its vitreal level in patients with either disease. Methods: Venous blood and vitreous of 18 patients with PDR, 15 patients with PVR and 20 patients forming a control group were collected during vitrectomy. The VEGF level was quantified by using ELISA methods in either serum or vitreous. Results: The VEGF level in serum and vitreous was similarly high in the case of PDR, but its level was only high in serum in the case of PVR. Discussion: PDR is closely linked with systemic diabetes mellitus whereas PVR is more localized. More selective systemic anti-VEGF medications with reduced side effects are required to treat PDR successfully.
Minocycline Partially Inhibits Caspase-3 Activation and Photoreceptor Degeneration after Photic Injury
Authors: Chang Cheng-Jong , Cherng Chen-Hwan , Liou Wen-Shyong , Liao Ching-Len
Published: July 2005

Purpose: To evaluate the possible role of caspase-3 in retinal photic injury, and to investigate whether minocycline can ameliorate light-induced photoreceptor degeneration. Methods: Retinal photic injury was induced in rats by exposure to intense light. Expression of caspase-3 was studied using Western blot analysis, immunohistochemical staining and enzyme activity assay. Apoptotic photoreceptor cells were detected by the TdT-dUTP terminal nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method. Minocycline (15, 30 or 45 mg/kg) was administered before or after photic injury in rats randomly assigned to pretreatment and posttreatment groups. Minocycline and vehicle-treated retinas subjected to photic injury were compared with respect to Western blotting, enzyme activity assay, quantitative counts of TUNEL stains, morphometry of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness and histopathological examination. Results: After light exposure, active caspase-3 and poly-adenosine diphosphate-ribose-polymerase were upregulated in the retinas and increased caspase-3 immunoreactivity was observed in the ONL. Caspase-3 enzyme activity increased in the retinas that underwent photic injury, and this increase was significantly reduced in minocycline pretreated (30 and 45 mg/kg) and posttreated (45 mg/kg) groups. Intraperitoneal administration of minocycline before or after photic injury in rats also resulted in less TUNEL-positive photoreceptors, as assessed by the quantitative TUNEL counts. The degree of retinal degeneration, measured by the ONL thickness 14 days after photic injury, was significantly improved in minocycline pretreatment (45 mg/kg) rats. Conclusions: We demonstrate that increased caspase-3 activities localize specifically within the ONL after photic injury, and that minocycline partially inhibits caspase-3 activation and photoreceptor degeneration in this animal model.
Construction of a Speed Feedback Therapy System to Improve Cognitive Impairment in Elderly People with Dementia: A Preliminary Report
Authors: Ootani Michiaki , Nara Isao , Kaneko Fumiko , Okamura Hitoshi
Published: July 2005

The objective of this study was to construct a speed feedback therapy system with a bicycle ergometer for elderly people with dementia and to assess its feasibility. There were 17 elderly people with dementia in the experimental group and 10 in the control group. In the experimental group, we used the system we devised in this study together with an ordinary ergometer. The Mini-Mental State Examination was performed before and after the interventions to evaluate their effects. No adverse effects occurred during use of the system. No changes in Mini-Mental State Examination scores were observed in the control group, but they increased significantly after the interventions in the experimental group. These results suggest that the speed feedback therapy system can be used as an intervention method to improve cognitive impairment in elderly people with dementia.
Galantamine Prolonged-Release Formulation in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Brodaty Henry , Corey-Bloom Jody , Potocnik Felix C.V. , Truyen Luc , Gold Michael , Damaraju Chandrasekhar Rao V.
Published: July 2005

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a flexible dosing regimen (16 or 24 mg/day) of galantamine prolonged-release capsule (PRC) compared with placebo in subjects with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This phase III, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled, parallel-group trial randomized 971 patients to treatment for 6 months. Efficacy endpoints included change in the 11-item cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-cog/11), Clinician’s Interview-Based Impression of Change plus caregiver input (CIBIC-plus), Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) scores. Galantamine was associated with significant improvements in the ADAS-cog/11 score but not in the CIBIC-plus or NPI scores. Galantamine PRC was associated with significant improvement in ADCS-ADL scores. Galantamine PRC had similar tolerability and safety profiles compared with twice-daily galantamine, and when administered as a once-daily flexible dosing regimen of 16 or 24 mg/day, was demonstrated to be as safe and effective for the treatment of mild to moderate AD.
Higher Basal Adiponectin Levels Are Associated with Better Ovarian Response to Gonadotropin Stimulation during in vitro Fertilization
Authors: Liu Yung-Hsien , Tsai Eing-Mei , Wu Lee-Chen , Chen Su-Yin , Chang Ya-Hwei , Jong Shiang-Bin , Chan Te-Fu
Published: July 2005

Aims: To measure adiponectin levels in the serum samples from day 3 of the menstrual cycle prior to the administration of gonadotropin during in vitro fertilization, and to measure any correlations between adiponectin levels and the number of oocytes retrieved, body weights and body mass indexes. Also, to examine whether there is a difference in adiponectin levels between women who conceive and those who do not. Methods: In a case-control design, 56 women undergoing in vitro fertilization procedures were included in this study: 28 women who conceived were matched with 28 women who did not conceive. Adiponectin levels in serum were determined by radioimmunoassay and compared. Results: The adiponectin levels were positively correlated with the number of oocytes retrieved (r = 0.306, p = 0.022), but negatively correlated with body mass index and body weight (r = –0.367, p = 0.005; r = –0.326, p = 0.014). No significant correlations were found between the number of oocytes retrieved and body mass index or body weight (r = 0.020, p = 0.882; r = 0.069, p = 0.613). We further observed that adiponectin levels in women who conceived (23.0 ± 2.0 µg/ml) were found to be significantly higher (p = 0.026) than those in women who did not conceive (17.3 ±1.4 µg/ml). The number of oocytes retrieved from women who conceived (13.3 ± 0.9) was also higher than that in women who did not (10 ± 1.2; p = 0.029). Conclusions: The number of oocytes retrieved was found to correlate positively with the adiponectin levels on the day prior to the administration of gonadotropin. In addition, basal adiponectin levels were significantly higher in those women who conceived. Therefore, adiponectin is a better marker of adequate follicular development during in vitro fertilization than is body weight or body mass index.
Role of the E2F1-p19ARF-p53 Pathway in Ischemic Acute Renal Failure
Authors: Tanaka Hiroyuki , Terada Yoshio , Okado Tomokazu , Inoshita Seiji , Kuwahara Michio , Sasaki Sei
Published: July 2005

Background: Cell cycle progression and arrest of renal tubular cells after acute injury is a reactive process of renal regeneration. The p16INK4a/p19ARF (alternative reading frame) locus encodes two proteins involved in cell cycle regulation. We investigated the transcriptional regulation and tissue distribution of p19ARF in ischemic acute renal failure (ARF). Methods: We examined the time course and immunohistochemistry of p19ARF in rat kidneys following the induction of ischemic ARF. We also examined the effect of p19ARF overexpression on p53 levels and cell cycle progression in MDCK cells. Results: The protein expression of p19ARF strongly increased 72 h after the ischemia. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the renal tubular cells in the outer medulla expressed p19ARF protein 72 h after ischemic injury. The time course of E2F1 induction was observed at 6–24 h, and it was found to precede p19ARF expression. In MDCK cells, the overexpression of E2F1 increased promoter activity and the protein level of p19ARF and induced apoptosis. Transfection of the p19ARF expression vector caused an increase in p53 protein, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Conclusions: These data support the hypothesis that the E2F1-p19ARF-p53 pathway forms a negative feedback loop to regulate the cell cycle of renal tubular cells in the ischemic ARF.
Improved Capsulotomy for Refractory Tourette’s Syndrome
Authors: Sun Bomin , Krahl Scott E. , Zhan Shikun , Shen Jiankang
Published: July 2005

The effects of bilateral anterior capsulotomy were analyzed in 12 patients with Tourette’s syndrome (TS). All of the patients underwent bilateral anterior capsulotomy. In 7 patients, the target was the anterior one third of the anterior limb of the capsula interna, while in 5 patients, the posterior one third of this structure was targeted. Radiofrequency thermolesions were created at 80°C for 60 s. These surgeries resulted in a reduction in TS symptoms (motor and vocal tics and/or obsessive-compulsive behavior) of >50% in all patients, regardless of the target. A comparison of the two lesion sites suggests that patients with lesions of the posterior one third of the anterior limb have a greater reduction in TS symptoms (>80%) than patients receiving lesions of the anterior one third of the anterior limb (>50%). No severe, permanent side effects were observed in any patient.
Antiepileptic Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Patients with Cortical Malformations: An EEG and Clinical Study
Authors: Fregni Felipe , Thome-Souza Sigride , Bermpohl Felix , Marcolin Marco Antonio , Herzog Andrew , Pascual-Leone Alvaro , Valente Kette D.
Published: July 2005

Objective: To study the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on epileptic EEG discharges in patients with refractory epilepsy and malformations of cortical development (MCDs). Methods: Eight patients with MCD and refractory epilepsy underwent 1 session of low-frequency rTMS (0.5 Hz, 600 pulses) focally targeting the MCD. The number of epileptiform discharges (EDs) in the EEG and seizures were measured before (baseline), immediately after as well as 15 and 30 days after rTMS treatment. Results: Stimulation significantly decreased the number of EDs 15 and 30 days after rTMS treatment (mean reduction of 46.4%, 95% CI 12.7–80.2%, and mean reduction of 42.1%, 95% CI 8.2–75.7%, respectively). This was associated with a significant reduction in the number of seizures reported as compared with the 4-week period preceding rTMS (mean reduction of 57.3%, 95% CI 33.1–80.3%, and mean reduction of 51.2%, 95% CI 27.9–74.9%, respectively). Conclusion: This open study shows a significant antiepileptic effect of rTMS based on clinical and electrophysiological criteria and supports the therapeutic utility of rTMS for patients with well-localized epileptogenic cortical malformations.
A Preliminary Study of Transient Confusional States following Bilateral Subthalamic Stimulation for Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Pilitsis Julie G. , Rezai Ali R. , Boulis Nicholas M. , Henderson Jaimie M. , Busch Robyn M. , Kubu Cynthia S.
Published: July 2005

Transient postoperative confusion (POC) occurs in 5–25% of patients following bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation. We retrospectively reviewed data on 96 patients who underwent bilateral subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease. Nine percent of patients developed POC. There was no significant correlation between age/perioperative factors and POC. The POC group had a significantly higher incidence of depression and frontal-subcortical dysfunction on preoperative evaluation than patients without POC. Postoperative neuropsychological evaluations revealed declines on measures of general cognitive function and memory in the POC group. We provide preliminary evidence that patients with depression and frontal-subcortical dysfunction are more likely to develop POC, and that POC is more often associated with cognitive decline following surgery.
Increasing Incidence of Multiple Sclerosis in the Province of Sassari, Northern Sardinia
Authors: Pugliatti Maura , Riise Trond , Sotgiu M. Alessandra , Sotgiu Stefano , Satta Wanda M. , Mannu Luisella , Sanna Giovanna , Rosati Giulio
Published: July 2005

Sardinia is a high-risk area for multiple sclerosis (MS), with prevalence rates of 150 per 100,000 population. The study included 689 MS patients (female-male ratio 2.6) with disease onset between 1965 and 1999 in the province of Sassari. The mean annual incidence rate increased significantly from 1.1 per 100,000 population in 1965–1969 to 5.8 in 1995–1999, with no significant difference for gender and province sub-areas. The mean age at onset increased significantly during the same period from 25.7 to 30.6 years, while the proportion of patients with progressive initial course declined over time. The marked increase of MS incidence and the change of MS clinical phenotype over time cannot be explained by ascertainment bias only, thus pointing to a corresponding change in the distribution of exogenous risk factors in this highly genetically stable population.
The Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Study: Objectives and Design
Authors: Howard Virginia J. , Cushman Mary , Pulley LeaVonne , Gomez Camilo R. , Go Rodney C. , Prineas Ronald J. , Graham Andra , Moy Claudia S. , Howard George
Published: July 2005

The REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study is a national, population-based, longitudinal study of 30,000 African-American and white adults aged ≧45 years. The objective is to determine the causes for the excess stroke mortality in the Southeastern US and among African-Americans. Participants are randomly sampled with recruitment by mail then telephone, where data on stroke risk factors, sociodemographic, lifestyle, and psychosocial characteristics are collected. Written informed consent, physical and physiological measures, and fasting samples are collected during a subsequent in-home visit. Participants are followed via telephone at 6-month intervals for identification of stroke events. The novel aspects of the REGARDS study allow for the creation of a national cohort to address geographic and ethnic differences in stroke.
Synchronous Endometrial and Cervical Tumors in a 26-Year-Old Nullipara: Diagnostic Modalities Updated
Authors: Hascalik Seyma , Celik Onder , Erdem Gulnur , Usta Ufuk , Alkan Alpay , Karakas H. Muammer , Mizrak Bulent
Published: July 2005

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), performed on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners, provides useful information at the biochemical level. MRS has been used to measure tissue concentrations of proton-containing compounds such as organic and amino acids, and sugars in living tissues. We have used MRS in a 26-year-old female with suspected cervical and endometrial carcinomas. With the use of the above mentioned technique, biochemical differences in the endometrium and the cervix tissues were detected. The presented case is the first virgin patient in the relevant literature in whom endometrial and cervical carcinoma was detected. Choline (Cho), creatine (Cr), N-acetylaspartate (NAA), lipid and lactate region of the MRS spectrum suggested that the technique could be used as an indicator of metabolic alterations in the cervical and endometrial tumor cells.
THOR—Cloud Thickness from Offbeam Lidar Returns
Authors: Cahalan Robert F. , McGill Matthew , Kolasinski John , Várnai Tamás , Yetzer Ken
Published: July 2005

Conventional wisdom is that lidar pulses do not significantly penetrate clouds having an optical thickness exceeding about τ = 2, and that no returns are detectible from more than a shallow skin depth. Yet optically thicker clouds of τ ≫ 2 reflect a larger fraction of visible photons and account for much of the earth’s global average albedo. As cloud-layer thickness grows, an increasing fraction of reflected photons are scattered multiple times within the cloud and return from a diffuse concentric halo that grows around the incident pulse, increasing in horizontal area with layer physical thickness. The reflected halo is largely undetected by narrow field-of-view (FOV) receivers commonly used in lidar applications. Cloud Thickness from Offbeam Returns (THOR) is an airborne wide-angle detection system with multiple FOVs, capable of observing the diffuse halo as a wide-angle signal, from which the physical thickness of optically thick clouds can be retrieved. This paper describes the THOR system, demonstrates that the halo signal is stronger for thicker clouds, and presents a validation of physical thickness retrievals for clouds having τ > 20, from NASA’s P-3B flights over the Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Southern Great Plains site, using the lidar, radar, and other ancillary ground-based data.